Mad Dog

He knew that his tutors back at court would admonish him for such fancies, but then they had never been out here in the middle of this flat, unending, watery waste. With the Dragon Isle far behind him and no other landings to mark the horizon, only the slow, sure path of the sun across the sky gave Fred any hint that they were going anywhere but in circles.

Capt.Roberts' ship, the Peacock's Eye, was a sleek and fast three masted caravel. It cut through the waves like a knife when the wind was strong, but Fred could care less about the power of the ship or the skill of her crew. All he wanted was to plant his feet back on solid ground, even if that meant being thrown into a Hespan prison. The open ocean was too much of an alien world, he distrusted it and longed to be back in more familiar surroundings. And besides, Roberts wouldn't remove the shackles and leg irons he was chained with until they reached port. And so all he could do until landfall was wait and watch and keep his eyes open.

Fred's idle thoughts were suddenly blasted from his mind as a shock of pain engulfed his body and he fell to the deck with a whimpering grunt. A second blow exploded across his legs and Fred tried to squirm away from the pain. He looked up as he pushed himself across the rough boards of the deck; a shape stood over him, but Fred could not recognize who it was with his blood streaked vision. And he could not imagine what he might have done to have earned this painful beating.

The shape raised the wooden club in its hand, ready to strike Fred for a third time, and then it spoke. "I know what ye be, King's Man," the voice said, "but I no let ye harm us, and there be no escape from me whatever tricks ye hold." Fred instantly recognized the voice. It was Grogan, whom the other pirates called Mad Dog. And then Grogan swung the club down. Fred tensed up in preparation for the coming agony, but to his wonder the blow never came. Opening his eyes, Fred looked with relief at two pirates holding Mad Dog back. Captain Roberts stood before the hulking seaman and shook with anger. "This prisoner be off limits to the likes of you, Mad Dog," Roberts growled.

"The likes of me?!" the furious buccaneer shouted back. "And what about the likes of you, Captain? You're going to get us all killed!"

Roberts grimaced and spat at Grogan's feet. "This is my ship, Mad Dog. Obey me or I'll ask ye to take your leave of her."

Grogan heaved against the two men who held him, but he could not escape their grip. "But he be an evil on this ship!" he said and turned his gaze back to Fred. "He's been through the dragon maze; he's marked. Forget not that fool Simon. The tale he told rose me shackles it did. I be no mad enough to meddle with the dragon...or those who have. Mark my words Captain, this King's Man is the Dragon's pawn. If we do not rid ourselves of him, then we too shall fall under the Dragon's spell."

Grogan fell silent and stared at the Captain defiantly. Roberts glared at him in return. "This is my ship and you will obey. Thirty lashes. Take him away."

Screaming blasphemies and threats at the Captain, Grogan was hauled away to the quarterdeck to receive his punishment. Roberts then turned to Fred and gazed down at the bruised and bloody Lord. "Get on your feet," he said harshly, "and pray Grogan isn't right about you."

Suddenly a call went out from the crow's nest. "HO! Ship on the horizon!"

1. Raising the flag!

Add New Option

Go Back

View Forward Story Tree
View Back Story Tree