Scarlet Minor and the Crossed Blades Skull

Chapter 1: Adrift on the Atlantic Rounding the Cape of Good Hope, the deck boy known as Alaizer glanced sorrowfully toward the rolling currents of the Indian Ocean behind their ship, the Anchora. In the watery depths of the sea lay the mythical ruins of Betusa, the lad’s homeland that had been overrun by Ghost Face Warriors, leaving his parents dead and the country robbed of its hidden treasure. Although his earthly treasures were gone, the youth’s heart lingered in the rubble and memories of the place. Alaizer was joined a moment later by Captain Scarlet Minor who stood silently and sympathetically by the youth’s side, gazing over the water. Without a word the bond between them was evident, noticed by the crew on board as they quietly went about their daily chores. A deck hand named Giraldi glanced at the pair as he made his way toward the bow of the vessel. There he nudged another sailor named Pete who was carving a piece of wood into what looked like a small animal. “What’s the Captain’s interest in the new cabin boy? Is it his brother or some other relative that came on board?” “I dunno,” Pete said offhand with barely a look in Scarlet’s direction. “Hadn’t given it any thought.” “Well, I’m wondering if that deck boy is who he claims to be. Maybe he’s a runaway slave or spy, or something,” Giraldi said, his brow darkening. “Doubt it,” Pete said as he continued whittling the piece of wood without looking up. Shaking his head, Giraldi left in search of more information. Something about the deck boy didn’t sit right with him. The lad scarcely knew how to hold a mop or fold a sail. It was clear he had no former shipping experience. Why had Captain Scarlet brought him along? Alice Rosendale sat in her cabin by the port window, darning a pair of her husband’s worn socks. The daylight was best for needlework, and she was eager to repair all their torn clothing before they reached the next port. She wasn’t sure when that would be, though, or where. Her son, Captain Scarlet, hadn’t said much about his plans, and she knew it was best not to ask. Thomas Rosendale, Scarlet’s father, pitched in to help clean and maintain the ship’s equipment and gear. He had experience from his boat loading days as a young man in Buccaneers Bay, and his skill was greatly appreciated by the Anchora crew. He was proud of his son’s growing expertise and reputation on the seas as a fair-minded captain and leader. Skimpy, Scarlet’s childhood friend, was likewise employed as a deck hand in assisting where needed on the ship. He and Scarlet had enjoyed many adventures in their hometown, sharing daydreams of the sailing life and traveling to new places. Now their dreams were coming true as they sailed the seas together. The other sailor aboard the ship who was closest to Scarlet was a one-armed pirate known as Strongy the One-Armed Slayer who had sailed with Scarlet’s great grandfather Eyesinwealth and contracted the same curse that Scarlet had inherited. Fortunately both Strongy and Scarlet had recently escaped the Curse of Bodiaka through Scarlet’s journey of redemption in Betusa to the Land of Gull for the Magic Potion of Light. Now they must find the Renegade – the long-lost ship of Captain Eyesinwealth that had been stolen by Captain Stonecold Ambioca who also shared in the Curse of Bodiaka and still suffered under its penalty as one of the Living Undead. Having inherited the captaincy of the Anchora from Captain Mady the Kid, Scarlet Rosendale – now Scarlet Minor as his new and secret identity – was on a voyage to avenge the murders and pillaging of Betusa by pursuing the guilty Ghost Face Warriors. He planned to search out the Renegade and somehow find the mysterious key to deposing Captain Ambioca to claim the leadership of his great grandfather’s vessel. Having survived numerous attacks on his life, Scarlet was confident of retaking the Renegade in the near future, but how to do that remained uncertain. Brooding over the future, Scarlet stared at the streamer waves that flowed behind the vessel. The wind was picking up, catching the sails to make them billow like vast clouds over the sea’s surface. It felt as though the ship could be lifted up to sail into the heavens, and Scarlet almost wished it would. Grateful for all that he had earned and been given thus far, including his beautiful wife Princess Araya and the command of the Anchora as well as good friends that included Skimpy and Strongy, Scarlet knew that complete peace would elude him until he recaptured his great grandfather’s vessel, the Renegade, from pirate Captain Stonecold Ambioca. The lad Alaizer and Scarlet exchanged mutual looks of empathy. Both had suffered loss, though Alaizer’s was greater and more recent. Yet, Scarlet knew he could not openly display his true feelings in front of the sailors on deck of the ship. “Let’s go fishing,” he said to Alaizer suddenly. The lad nodded, and Scarlet led the way to a crate filled with fishing rods, hooks, and bait. Selecting supplies for the two of them, he headed for the Quartermaster’s cabin and said at the door, “I’m taking Alaizer with me to do some fishing for supper.” “Aye, Captain,” the Quartermaster said, hardly looking up from the map he was studying. By the Quartermaster’s reckoning they would be halfway up the western coast of Africa within a few days’ time if the weather and wind held. Then they would continue their course for the Gibraltar bowl per Captain Scarlet’s directions. Scarlet and Alaizer climbed into one of the small lifeboats that was secured to the side of the ship. Untying the rope that tethered the longboat to the larger vessel, it dropped into the water. The pair picked up the oars and rowed a few miles southward, aided by the swift current. From under his cap, Alaizer pulled a coiled braid from the back of his head and let it hang down his back. At this distance only someone with a spyglass could see Scarlet and the deck boy clearly, and the only spyglass on board was in Scarlet’s cabin. Still, a sailor with good eyes might spot the lad’s hat if it were taken off and question any loosened long hair that flowed in the stiff breeze. Alaizer wasn’t taking any chances. As the youth glanced up to find Scarlet’s adoring glance, Alaizer blushed. “I love you,” Scarlet said. “I wish we could openly express our love on the Anchora, but it’s best to keep you hidden for now. The crew would likely disagree with having a woman on board except for my mother, who is a necessary passenger. But if they knew of your royal lineage or our marriage, there could be grumbling.” “Yes,” she murmured. “Some greedy sailor might try to hold me for ransom once we reach land, or talk you into abandoning me, considering me an omen of bad luck.” “I will never do that,” Scarlet said warmly, clasping her hand with his while holding an oar with the other hand. “And anyone who abducts you for ransom will pay a steep penalty,” he said darkly. They stared at each other, smiling romantically, until Scarlet spoke. “We’d better do some fishing or the crew will be suspicious if we return without a catch. Ever fished before?” “No,” Princess Araya said, shaking her head solemnly. “But I would like to learn.” Scarlet showed her how to bait the hook and then throw it several leagues away from their boat. They watched it sink below the waves, which were starting to swell as the wind grew stronger. The boat shifted and bobbed in the restless sea. A few minutes later their efforts were rewarded when the line was yanked hard. “Hold steady!” Scarlet called, gripping Araya’s arms with his hands to brace her. Whatever was on the other line fought hard to escape. But moments later they were pulling in a sizable fish that Scarlet did not recognize. “Strongy can tell us if it’s edible,” he said.