Beauty's Beast Page 4

  "Here," Amina's voice accompanied the sound of ripping clothes. "Wrap these around your hands."

  "Thank you." Beauty did as she was told.

  Amina looked out over the frozen ocean. "Never sailed waters like these."

  "Aye, we avoid these types." Beauty said. "My concern is keeping the crew from freezing. We cannot burn wood aboard the ship."

  "Aye. Mayhap it's a dream," Amina sounded hopeful. A gust of icy wind blew causing both women to shudder.

  "No dream," Beauty said

  "Two are in a bad way," Hugos announced as he joined them. He was wrapped in a few bed sheets that looked as if they did nothing to keep the cold at bay. "The crew have no training for this."

  "Who?" Beauty demanded. "Who has been affected the most?"

  "The cook. The cold is not good on his old bones, and the cabin girl is fast approaching death." Hugos shivered. "She is as cold as ice."

  "We need to put them in my cabin and use any spare blankets. Have the weaker crew members go there and huddle together. They should be able to keep each other somewhat warm." Beauty commanded. "I need to think of a way out of this cold." She gave the helm back to Hugos. "This has to be the result of magic." She pulled the map from her pocket and opened it. "Maybe this will give us a clue as to how to get out of here. With no stars to follow we could die before a path was opened." One edge of the map started to faintly glow until it was almost blinding to look at.

  "What be the meaning of that?" Amina asked over her shoulder.

  "The beast told me it would show the way," she said. Beauty turned the map around and the glow dimmed before blinking out. She continued to turn it until it came back.

  "We go east, it's the way it shines." Beauty said. "Hugos keep us steady east. Amina with me to make sure the crew stays alive."

  Beauty and Amina made their way to the lower deck where they found many of the crew huddled together under thin blankets.

  "Captain we are freezing to death," Serena said. "Not the way I thought I would go."

  "Nay, no one will die this day. I want all who can fit into my cabin to go. Put blankets over the windows and under the door, it should start to warm. All others wrap as best you can for we need a small crew to help us sail to safety."

  Beauty divided the crew into those who were too old to brave the cold, those who were already affected by it, and the able bodies. Two groups would go to her cabin and had orders to rest and keep each other warm. The third group took any remaining clothes and blankets and prepared to face the arctic weather outside. She looked at Amina and grimly nodded before they pushed open the hatch and herded everyone to their locations. After making sure her cabin was as insulated as possible Beauty climbed to the quarterdeck and stood next to Amina and Hugos.

  "Captain," Amina started. "We be in a bad way if the map fails."

  Beauty nodded and pulled the map out her pocket and turned it until the edge glowed again. "Now we have to trust that we will find the next piece of the map and make it out of here with everyone alive."

  "How will we know where the map is? We only have a direction." Hugos asked.

  "When we were on the island the map showed the mountain range where the beast lived. Maybe the same will happen again. The map will - " Beauty stopped. "I believe it's showing the way." She held the map where they could see it, and as they watched, a line appeared and started shooting across the map until it landed on a black dot. The dot rose from the paper and exploded.

  "Maybe we should not follow the line." Amina said. "No explosion is ever good."

  "We are to be tested," Beauty said. "But we passed the first one and I have faith we will pass the second."

  "I hope you are right."

  "You both need to stop talking and look," Hugos pointed east. "No good can come out of that dark space."

  Beauty's mouth fell open as she stared at the gaping black hole quickly approaching. It looked like a doorway to the underworld and there was no way she was allowing her crew through. "Hugos take us back, quickly."

  "Aye, captain."

  Beauty gasped as she felt the change in the wind. It pushed the ship toward the black hole and no matter what they did they were going in. She glanced at her two best friends, "Mayhap the -" Beauty didn't finish before a loud boom shook the ship and a gust of wind pushed them through into darkness.

  Chapter Four

  Nothing. Beauty couldn't hear, see or feel anything. The blackness pressed down on her like a heavy weight. She opened her mouth and screamed but no sound came out. She tried to move but she was no longer in command of her body. She was once again powerless.

  Something wrapped around her ankle and slithered to her waist, wrapping tight. It tightened until her breath came out in pants. She was dying alone in the dark. "Help me," she whispered with no sound.

  "Beauty open your eyes." The deep voice of the beast pierced her panic. "You need to open your eyes or you will be lost."

  Beauty opened her eyes, surprised she had shut them, and looked around. It was still so dark but comforting warmth wrapped around her.

  "You need to get to that light in the distance."

  Beauty almost fell to her knees in thanks when she saw a pinpoint of light in the distance, steadily growing bigger. "Where are we?" Beauty asked.

  "Between time. A place no human should ever fall into." She felt a brush against her cheek. "It seems you are going after this map and I may have to tag along. Danger is everywhere."

  "Aye. Help me keep me crew safe."

  "I cannot promise what I have no control over. But when I can I will try to help you."

  As he presence faded Beauty was able to move and whatever was around her waist slithered away. "Amina," she called out.

  "Aye, where are we?"

  "Me don't know but there be a way out. Ye see the light, Hugos?"

  "Aye."

  "Can ye steer the ship?"

  "Aye a wind is starting to take the sails."

  "Stay true. We need to reach the light for that is our only salvation."

  The ship bucked and picked up speed. A relieved sigh left her lips the second the ship passed from darkness into the light. Looking behind her she watched as the black hole slowly closed leaving no evidence of its existence.

  "No ice!" Amina exclaimed.

  Beauty allowed a small smile to pass her lips. Her crew was safe once more.

  "Where are we?" Hugos asked.

  "No idea," Beauty jumped to the lower deck. "I need to check on the crew and make sure everyone made it to this side."

  "We need a direction to sail," Amina called after her.

  "First the crew," Beauty called over her shoulder as she opened her cabin door. "The map can wait."

  Beauty was happy to see most of the crew were up and leaving the cabin. The trip through the black hole had not taken the life of anyone. Jasmine, the young cabin girl, and Casey, the cook, still huddled under the blanket. Beauty sat on the edge of the bed and laid her hand on Jasmine back. "Jasmine, how are you doing?"

  "Still a little cold," a small head peeked from under the cover.

  "Come, let’s go on deck and get some sun. It should take away the chill."

  "What about Casey," Jasmine looked worried as she placed a hand on the sleeping man's back.

  "He's old and need rest. Someone will check on him later."

  Snuffling Jasmine climbed out of bed and followed Beauty to the deck where the crew sunned. After making sure Jasmine had found a comfortable spot Beauty jumped onto the quarterdeck, next to Amina. "Have someone check on Casey. He is sleeping but me want to make sure he wakes." Beauty pulled the map out her pocket and opened it. "We are heading in the right direction. This is new," she pointed at a small black spot floating above the paper.

  "Maybe it’s the space we just left. We should try to avoid it if possible," Amina said.

  "Aye," Hugos agreed. "Let us avoid the unholy black hole."

  "Captain," Sarena called from where she stood by the ships side lo
oking into the clear water. "There is a ship under us."

  Beauty carefully folded the map and jumped to the lower deck. Striding to the side of the ship she stared in shock at the ship floating along side them but under the water. She reopened the map and looked between it and the ship. "The ship is the black dot. But why is a ship underwater?"

  "A ship of the damned." Amina backed up from the railing and crossed her arms. "I'm starting to think this treasure is cursed."

  "Mayhap you are right. We should turn around and forget it," Beauty agreed.

  "No," they both turned to see Hugos glaring at them. "Crew died so that we could go on. Let them not die in vain and come back to take revenge."

  "How are we going to get to the ship?" Beauty demanded.

  "I will leave that for you to figure out," Hugos smiled. "I just wanted you to go on."

  Beauty continued to stare down at the ship that seemed to be keeping pace with them. It was about a foot or two longer than the Freedom and painted black. There were no signs of ropes hanging over board so she had no idea how it was staying submerged.

  "We could draw straws to see who goes down," Beauty's announcement was met with groans and grumbles. "But I will go, alone, and see what exactly we are dealing with. There may be some salvageable material aboard."

  "But Captain," Amina pointed down at the ship. "You will not be swimming more like sinking. Can you hold your breath that long?"

  "Aye but if I happen to get into trouble you can pull me back to safety. I will wear a rope around my middle." Beauty gathered rope from a stash they kept from repairs and tied it around her waist. "I shouldn’t be gone long and the whole time you should be able to see me." She jumped.

  Chapter Five

  The warm water closed over her head and before she could move she was sucked toward the ship by an invisible force. She hit the deck with a thud and her teeth snapped together. Rubbing a sore spot on her hip she stared up toward her ship and waved. She couldn’t make out her crew but she knew they were watching. Next, she concentrated on the ship she had landed on. There were no signs of a battle or any other reason a ship would sink. Her chest started to burn and she knew she only had about a minute left before she would have to resurface.

  Carefully making her way to the captain's cabin she was not surprised when it opened with a small push. What did surprise her was the rush of air that hit her in the face. She breathed in and coughed. This new lung full would afford her more time under water. But as she moved farther into the room she noticed there wasn't any water in this area, almost like she was inside a bubble. Not trusting it she closed the door and waited for her eyes to adjust to the dark. She jumped as she came face to face with a skeleton crew. Huddled together the crew stared toward the door with their empty eyes accusing her of disturbing their rest.

  There was nothing she could do for them so she sent a silent prayer to the gods and started searching the room. Apart from the other bodies, a well-dressed skeleton sat on the bed clutching a small box in its lap. It seemed the captain had held on to hope of finding the treasure even after death. Wary of any traps that may have been laid, Beauty checked around the bed for any wires or other signs of tampering. When she found nothing she gently pried the hands away from the box. It was made of the same material as the first one but the carvings on the top was different. She would have to wait until she made it back to her ship before she could even start to decipher it.

  She checked the room one last time and found a small chest full of coin. It would come in handy when they reached port so she dragged it behind her to the deck. She hoped whatever was holding her to the ships deck would release her so she could return to The Freedom. She untied the rope from around her waist and tied it to the handle of the chest. A quick tug and it started to ascend. When it was eye level with her she grabbed ahold of it and road to the top of the waves.

  "You disappeared, again." Amina accused as she helped Beauty aboard.

  "I went to the captain’s quarters and it was strange." Beauty pointed at the chest. "That is filled with coin that needs to be distributed to the crew. It will buy a lot at port."

  "Aye, I will have someone take it below deck."

  "The ship was strange. You and Hugos meet me in my cabin."

  "What of the bigger treasure?" Serena called. "Did you find another piece of the map?"

  "Aye," Beauty held up the small box. "I will open it later, after we get out of this strange land."

  A muttering started in the crew and a small man stepped forward.

  "Aye?" Beauty asked.

  "Some of the crew were talking and we think it's best if we are part of the discussion," he scratched his head. "Don't want to die if we don’t have to."

  "That is not how this ship or any ship is run." Beauty looked out over the crew and noticed a few were shifting closer to the man. "I understand your concern but all decisions will be made by Amina, Hugos and I. You were told this upon agreeing to sail with me."

  "Aye but that was before the dark magic started to happen." He crossed his arms over his chest and sucked in a lung full of air. "What is this treasure we are out to get? Is it worth more of us dying? Maybe you are not fit to captain this ship any longer."

  "Are ye calling me out? Challenging for captain?"

  He looked uncertain for a moment before his chin lifted, "If I have to, aye." A few of the crew who had supported him to this point took a step back. A foolish few decided to stand firm.

  Beauty nodded and handed the box to Amina. "You think you can take me? Challenge accepted. Loser is fed to the ocean to forever remain a spirit. Your name is Ramon, correct?"

  "Aye," he stepped back and the crowd moved with him, circling to form a ring.

  "Ramon, I would give you a chance to take back your challenge, but that would lead others to think I'm weak. You have chosen this path and those who stand with you will meet the same fate." A small cry escaped a few of his supporters but a glare from Amina had them shutting up. "The only rule is no one can come to either of our rescue."

  Beauty didn't wait for him to agree but attacked, cutting his right arm. He looked down and something dark passed across his face before he turned a sinister smile her way. A face was superimposed upon his and it was skeletal and evil. There was no white left in his eyes as he moved toward her, more graceful than ever. Whatever evil had tried to wipe out her crew before had found a way to travel with them.

  Bending backwards she felt the wind of his blade as it cut the air inches from her face. Tuning out all other thoughts she went at him with everything she had and still he continued to come. His face was no longer recognizable and both legs were cut to ribbons. Her sword sliced downward and took off his left hand before she shoved the bloody sword into his heart. He smiled and walked forward. She kicked at him dislodging her sword. He was dead but whatever spirit had taken over his body was determined she follow him into the afterlife.

  "What are you?" Beauty panted.

  Ramon's body jerked as if whatever dark force had taken over was trying to move stiff joints. "We are many and the treasure you seek is ours." Dead eyes panned over the crew. "Do you want to risk the rest of your crew for something we are willing to take off your hands?"

  "Do you think I'm stupid?" She moved forcing the abomination to focus on her. "If I give this to you my crew and I are dead." Beauty rushed forward and sliced off Roman's head. It bounced on the deck and rolled a few paces away.

  A black smoke rose from Ramon's neck and drifted into the air leaving a burnt smell behind. "We will get what's ours."

  Beauty used her sword to salute the darkness as it faded from view. "Someone take care of Ramon's body and make sure he be given a proper send off. He was possessed and had no idea what he was doing. As for those who stood with him, lock them below for we do not know if they have darkness hiding within."

  Beauty waited and watched until her orders were followed before making eye contact with Amina and tilting her head toward her cabin. They had an
other piece of the map. They now realized they had competition for the treasure. Beauty sat heavily in her chair and stared at the wall and sighed over another senseless death of one of her crew. However, she had made another step closer to finding them a home to call their own.

  Isle of Plenty

  Chapter One

  Beauty's heart beat in time to the pounding fists on the tables around her. She sat in a dirty saloon in an even dirtier port drinking mead worse than piss. This practice of seedy establishments would be banned when she found a home for her crew. Why people felt the need to live in such disgusting conditions was beyond her understanding. A shadow fell over her table and she glared up at the biggest, ugliest black man she had ever come across. His face had been cut into sections at one point and the scares were raised and angry looking. One eye was milky white and his lips were raised in what he may think was a smile.

  "Yes."

  "Is this seat taken?" He rasped.

  Beauty's eyes were drawn to his throat where a scar ran from ear to ear. "I'm not looking for company."

  He laughed and coughed. "I'm not either and if I was it would be with one of the loose women not a captain such as yourself."

  "I don't know if I should be insulted or not."

  "Nay, no insult intended," he pulled out the chair and sat down. "I hear you are taking on new crew."

  "You heard correct." Beauty downed the rest of her watered-down brew and leaned back. "What is it to you?"

  "I was a quartermaster on my last ship and need a new home."

  "I have a quartermaster. Don't have a need for two."

  "I can also do any other type of work you need done."

  "What ship did you sail with?"

  "A small scooter named Courage," he shrugged. "The captain and I didn't agree on punishment for the crew for small or large crimes."

  "Is that what happened to your face?"

  "No," he fingered the scars on his cheek. "These came from the captain of the ship I was a slave on. He didn't rightfully like the way my mouth refused to stop talking."