The Reign of the Pirate Queen

To the Sea!

Hey everyone, it's me again. This is the second chapter in as many days that I've uploaded for this story, but that's just because I'm so excited about it! I hope you guys are too. Since we last left off, Fiora and Leopold — you remember, the crown prince of England? Yup, that's the one — oh, and Reginald too, were captured by a band of ruthless pirates. They had just seen the ship of their nightmares, the dreaded Arcfyre, and were about to board...

***

The pirates allowed them a moment of stunned silence before shoving them forward once more. The prisoners numbly forced their feet to move toward the ship whose name was whispered to scare children into obedience. The prince's stomach was tied in knots, but he willed a small reassuring smile to his face all the same, placing his arms protectively around the innocent young girl he had unwittingly put in danger. It was in that moment that he swore to himself that he would get her out of this, somehow. He would never allow her to become the plaything of pirates.

"Move it, Princeling!" A voice of gravel jostled him out of his thoughts. He looked up to see what seemed to be the pirate in charge, a large bearded man in his thirties, glaring down at him. The prince obeyed, allowing himself to be ushered onto the ship along with the others.

They were led down two sets of stairs, before entering the hull of the ship, whereupon a disturbing odor hit them like a wall. It smelled of clothing that had been left unwashed for weeks, feces, and God knew what else. So taken was the prince with the smell that the soft clang of a cell door opening barely registered in his mind. Only when he and his beauty were torn apart from each other, he and Reginald into a cell, and she into an adjoining one, did he comprehend what was happening. But by then it was too late, and the only sounds to be heard were great clangs of the cell doors being slammed shut and the grating chuckles of the pirates' laughter.

As soon as the pirates had left them to sit around a nearby table and play poker, he whispered to Fiora, "Are you alright?"

She looked once to the guards, her eyes as wide as saucers, before nodding and whispering softly, "Yes. You?"

"I'm alright." He reached his hand behind his back and into the cell next to his, grasping her hand tightly. "We'll get out of this. I swear it. These pirates will pay for what they have done."

Just then, one of the pirates guarding them took a special interest in them, and began walking toward where they sat. He closed his eyes, pretending to be asleep, and to his great relief, the guard bought it. Satisfied, the man sat back down and resumed his game. The ship lurched forward, and they could feel the sea beneath them as they swayed back and forth.

Leopold turned, looking her in the eye. "I wish we were together. Then I could show you how I truly feel about you."

She let out a soft giggle, and even in the dark he could see her blush. "But Sire, you've only just met me. How could you possibly —"

He held up his hand, smiling slightly, "Call me Leo."

She smiled. "Leo." Pausing, she added, "I like that." With her finger, she motioned for him to come closer. When he did, she whispered in his ear, "My name's Fiora."

He squeezed her hand tighter. "A beautiful name to match a gorgeous maiden. It suits you perfectly." They sat there for a time, whispering as loudly as they dared into each other's ears. But after a while, their eyelids grew heavy and they drifted off into dreamland, hands still entwined together.

The next morning, they awoke to yelling and the sounds of cannons being made ready above them. The lieutenant raced down the stairs with several guards in tow, and the prisoners jumped to their feet, the last vestiges of sleep leaving them instantly. The prince stood as close as he could to his cell door without removing his hand from hers. "I'm ready. Do what you will to me, Pirate."

The lieutenant's eyes met the prince's, but only briefly before he stopped in front of Fiora's cell. Reginald and the prince saw at once what was happening, and began to protest. "No, take me instead. Please! Do what you will with me, but do not harm her. She is innocent," cried Leopold, but the pirates payed him little heed. With the turn of a key, they were inside her cell. She scrambled away from them, into the corner of her cell furthest from the door, letting go of his hand in the process.

Tears rocked through her, and she closed her eyes tightly, as if to shut it all out. "Please, no."

A wide smirk formed on the pirate's face. "Sorry, hon. Cap'n wants to see you." With a wave of his hand, the two guards who were with him walked into the cell and dragged her with them. They took her above deck, and just as the cells were about to fade out of view, she looked back over her shoulder into the eyes of her prince. His body was pressed against the bars, and a look of pure agony danced across his face.

Once above deck, she let the charade fade, and ripped her arms from her mens' grasps. "Boys, what is so goddamn important that you had to tear me away from the prince? I was just getting through to him." She folded her arms when they didn't answer. "Well? Out with it."

Her lieutenant cleared his throat. "We've been followed, Cap'n."

She raced to the stern of the Arcfyre and scanned the horizon. Her lieutenant was quick to follow. A few seconds elapsed before she spotted a ship in the distance, but it was so far away that she could not make out a distinct flag. She held out her hand. "Spyglass." It was in her hand in an instant. Through it, she could see the vessel more clearly. It was a brigantine outfitted with nearly as many guns as the one she sailed, and the flag of Adrene flew atop it's mast. "Shit," she swore, thrusting the spyglass back into her lieutenant's hands.

Turning to him, Fiora ordered, "Prepare the men and cannons. I want all men on deck for this one; it's gonna be bloody. Slow the ship to half our current pace, but do it gradually. I do not want them navy sons of bitches to suspect anything." The pirate captain looked around at her men, "Is that understood?"

She saw many heads nodding, and heard a general, "Yes, Mam."

"Good. Then go to it! You know your jobs." As soon as each man had departed with the exception of her lieutenant, she turned to him. "Give me but a moment to change out of these putrid rags, then meet me at the wheel to talk strategy." He nodded his assent, and she left for her cabin.

Practically tearing the dress from her body, she lightly scrubbed away the worst of the dirt using a basin of water she always had the cabin boy keep on hand. Once that was through, she changed into the closest garb she could find: a pair of tan trousers and a white cotton top with a lace up v-neck. A gun belt completed the ensemble, and she hurriedly attached her cutlass and pistol to it before taking a deep breath and walking into the fresh air.

"Gabriel! Status report."

Her lieutenant rushed to her side. "The gunners are prepared, Mam, and everyone is at their stations. They await your command."

"Good. And the captives?"

"The prince has not shut up since you left, Mam, and the other one doesn't look so good."

She stopped walking for a second, and fixed him with a pointed glare. "And whose fault is that?" She took a deep breath. "Fine. Bring the two of them to the cell in my quarters, and have the surgeon we picked up last week take a look at him. He had best know his place by now, but in case he doesn't, throw him in the cell with the others and spare a man to guard it." He nodded, and relayed her orders to the others, who went to work on the tasks she assigned. "Now, how is that do good navy ship faring? I hope she hasn't given up the chase so soon."

He smiled, showing his darkened teeth. "Even now, she gives chase, not realizing the danger."

"Perfect. How close is she?"

"She'll be within firing range within the hour, Mam."

The Pirate Queen nodded. "When she is, the men are to hold the cannons until I give the command. Then they are to fire until they render her imobile. When the top mast is down and the others are damaged, I will lead the charge. Kill whoever puts up a fight, but I want the captain alive. We could do with a new cook too, if you can."

"Yes, Mam. And if there are women and children aboard?"

"Take 'em. We could always due with some new slaves to sell at market."

He drew his cutlass, watching his reflection in the sharp blade. "They won't know what hit 'em."

She threw back her head and laughed. "Why, that's the point, isn't it Gabe?"

Just then, a cannon sounded, and Fiora heard a splash about three points off the starboard bow. She quickly took out her spyglass and saw the naval ship not five shiplengths behind. "Make ready and prepare to jibe!" She yelled, and her men sprung into action. Before too long, the broadside of the Arcfyre was facing the incoming enemy vessel. "Fire!" She commanded, and cannonfire filled the air. One ball of the first volley struck the foremast and rigging on the port side of the naval ship, but none pierced the hull or did any other damage. Shouts arose from the enemy ship, and a smile graced the lips of the Pirate Queen. To have landed a blow on the first volley was always a good sign.

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So that's a wrap for Chapter 2! (Sorry I had to leave it at a cliffhanger) So what do you think about Fiora now? Good, evil, a little of both? I wonder — well, not really, but you guys do! — what's going to happen with the navy ship? Do you think the pirates will win the battle, or the Adrenian Navy? Fiora sure seems confident, but you never know. *shrugs*

If you have any questions, or find anything historically or grammarly — is that a word? — inaccurate, please let me know. And, as always, feel free to press that little star and vote! It's much appreciated. :)