Flash Fiction #551/Buffy the Pirate/7 (End)

 

The storm tried to blow her off course, but Serena could see the dock and fishing ships, vague shapes in the rainy distance. Before too long, she couldn't hear the battle on the boats behind her -- but what she had heard already echoed in her mind. She wanted Captain Vane and Tonis, and the others to be safe.

It was a harrowing flight, especially while holding Buffy and afraid she might drop the cat. Buffy had stopped trembling, though, and she was turning her head to look for trouble.  

They sailed over the dock. Home was straight ahead and up the hill, but Serena spotted people behind the fish house near the pier. She swept that way, hoping her mother was with that group. She landed, startling the entire group, many of whom held weapons.

"Is mom here?" Serena asked, gasping a bit.

"Not here," someone said. "Get out of the way, girl. This is no place for you and that silly cat --"

Serena started to say something to Jules, a pretentious young man not much older than her. Then she shook her head.

"I don't have time for this childishness," she said and meant those words. It gave her an odd feeling. She'd grown up on the last day. "Is mom up at the house?"

"Most likely down here somewhere," Mary said. She had an old sword in hand. "We won't let them raid us!"

"The first ship isn't the enemy -- the second ship is, and I am not sure about the third --"

Everyone looked at her as though she had gone mad. She was about to say more, but Mary and Jules shouted and pointed to the dock.

Two ships were almost there.

"Don't let any of them off!" Jules shouted. "Kill them all!"

"Don't kill anyone!" Serena shouted in return. The others were already moving, though, and no one listened to her.

Serena made a sound too much like a mad cat. She ran and took to the air, thinking she would go to the house -- but no. She spun and headed back to Vane's ship.

"Hey," Buffy said and sounded a little more aware.

"I don't know where Mom is," Serena said. She saw people moving but couldn't make out shapes in the rain. "I have to stop them from hurting Vane's crew."

Buffy made a sound of agreement. Serena considered putting her down on a roof but feared the cat might get hurt again, and she was no trouble to carry.

"Mom!" Serena shouted. "Stop them!"

She thought she heard a shout that might have been her mother, but she didn't have time to search for her. Instead, she landed on the dock, almost slipping into the water --but she held her spot and stopped the onrush of trouble.

"Get out of the way!" Jules demanded and even brought up his sword.

Then mom arrived and saved her from many angry villagers who didn't want to listen to a child, as she heard them say. Serena quickly related the situation, and by then, the battle between the three ships had died down to a few shouts and curses.

"I don't know if it is the truth about Vane, but I didn't want to make a big mistake we couldn't repair," Serena explained.

Mom nodded. Then she looked surprised as someone walked up behind Serena. She looked back to find Vane there, and he looked more than battered as he limped past her and gave her mother a bow.

"Lidana," Vane said. "I am glad to see you again."

Serena frowned. Not many people called her mother by name.

"Vantage Cross. I should have known," Mom answered with a bright smile.

Vane -- Vantage? -- bowed to her ... and just kept going. Mom barely caught him before he fell face down on the dock.

"As melodramatic as ever," Mom said and carefully lowered him. "Lucky I have my healing spells with me. Are you two alright? Buffy?"

"I hurt my wing. I can't fly!"  She began to shiver again and made one soft mew as she moved.

Mom had already spread glowing magic over Vane's side. She stood and did the same for Buffy, and the cat began to purr before she was done.

"Thank you, mom," Serena said, holding tighter to the cat. "But who is he?"

Mom looked down. "Get up, Vantage. I know you are awake."

He opened one eye. "I had hoped to avoid this part."

She reached and took his hand and helped him up. A little magic sparked between their fingers. She gave Serena an odd smile. "Serena, this is Vantage Cross, cousin to the King ... and your father."

Buffy and Serena stared.

"We married at court and moved away," Vantage said, nervously picking up the story. "But I am a rarity in the royal family -- a mage with more than a little power. For the last fifteen years, there has been trouble the king felt only I could handle. Like this."

"My father," Serena said. Then another thought. "Why did I never ask? A spell?"

Mom nodded. "It was the best way to keep you out of danger, given your blood ties to the king."

Serena sat down on the ground. Buffy fell over.

"Your mother and I see each other at least once a year at the gatherings she attends. I hope for more time together now that you know. When you were younger and showing your first powers, we agreed it was unsafe for you to turn up in my company. It's gotten better now. You will have to come and visit me at court."

"Me. At court."  Serena glanced back at the ships. Piracy didn't sound so bad.

"And me, too!" Buffy all but bounced up and down. "I want to go to court!"

"Do you promise to behave?" Vane -- Dad -- asked.

"Of course!" Buffy replied. She even smiled.

All three of them took a step away.

Cats should never smile...

THE END

Flash Fiction #550 -- Buffy the Pirate/6

 Buffy and Serena wanted to fly ahead and warn the others not to attack, but there were a couple of problems.  

First was the weather, which was getting worse. Neither of them wanted to end up in the ocean.

Serena admitted a second problem, but only to herself. Her mother was the only one who might believe the story. She might not get to her fast enough to stop the others. Once they were at the dock, Serena could send Buffy while she stayed and hoped to hold back the others.
If they made it that far. Vane went up to check on the other ship. Serena picked up Buffy and followed. Vane started to turn back, and she felt he was going to order the two back -- but for whatever reason, he changed his mind.

The storm had died down somewhat, and the ocean wasn't quite as choppy. Half the crew was hard at work running the ship while the others were taking swords from the chest and hurrying to posts where they could see the enemy.
Vane took a sword, and Serena just held to Buffy and followed him to the rail and stared past into the gray, wet world -- and there it was for a moment -- something huge and fast closing in on them.
"Can you fly?" Vane asked.
"I don't know. The weather isn't good," Serena admitted, as much as she wanted to leap into the air and somehow get help.
"Don't go unless you have to. Both of you. But if things turn bad, go quickly. We aren't far from Bay Village. You can do it."
Serena found it odd that he worried so much about the two of them. He did turn his attention to other work now, though. Serena and Buffy kept watch on the ship.
"I have a little magic," Serena said softly. "Mom says I'll start getting more magic soon. Why can't I have the power to help now?"
"We'll do something," Buffy said. She twisted a little, looking up at the storm.
"Careful!" Serena warned. "You're all wet and slick -- Buffy!"
The cat slipped out of her hold and tried to spread her wings but hit one on the rail. With a yowl of pain, she tumbled into the water.
Serena leapt in after her.
She saw the little body surface once, paddling and sinking again. And then Serena hit the water. Cold water. She almost panicked, but she saw Buffy in the water not far away. It didn't take much to grab her and get back to the surface, although she didn't know what to do now --
Captain Vane landed in the water, making a big splash and wave but grabbing Serena by the arm. There was a bit of magic in his touch, reminding her that he did have magic of his own.  

"Buffy -- save her --"

"I have you both," Vane said. Magic wrapped around them. They moved toward the ship where the others lowered a net. How could she hold Buffy and climb?

Buffy shivered in her hold and mewed softly. Her eyes remained closed. Serena held her closer and reached for the net as Vane brought them to the ship.

"Hold on tight," he said, gasping slightly. "They'll pull us up."

The magic still embraced Serena and kept her from falling, but she obeyed and held on anyway. The net began to move upward, and she could hear the grunts of the men pulling them upward. Captain Vane's magic began to fail as they neared the top, and Serena worried as much about him as she did about Buffy.

Tonis took Buffy gently from her hold, and someone else pulled her up and back onto the deck. Vane did the same and gave her a wane smile.

"We couldn't be wetter in this weather. How does Buffy look, Tonis?"

"Better," he said. "I have wrapped up her wing --"

"Serena, can you hold her and fly if you need to?"

"Yes," she said and took the cat into her arms. Tonis had wrapped a scarf around Buffy, pinning her wings into place. Buffy shivered still, but her eyes blinked open, and she shifted slightly. "Be still. Mom will help you when we get there."

"Be ready to fly," Vane told her.

And then he rushed into battle.

Two groups of pirates fighting proved to be far more scary than Serena had ever imagined. She was glad when Tonis pointed to where she should hide for now.

"They have bows," Tonis warned as he helped her behind some rolls of rope and tarps. "They have bows, so if you fly, stay low to the water. Be careful."

Serena wanted to ask why they were so worried about her, but Tonis rushed away, and she feared she heard the trouble coming closer.

"I want to go home now," Buffy whispered. She still shivered. "It's not fun anymore."

Serena agreed, but they both fell silent as the fighting moved within a yard of them. Serena crouched down and protected Buffy as best she could.

The clash of steel and shouts grew louder and then retreated again. The sounds changed, though. In a moment, Vane appeared. He had a cut on his side, but it didn't slow him.

"I can see the village dock," he said as he offered his hand. "Go quickly and let the good people know that we are not the enemy. The second ship is the last of the real marauders. The third ship --"

"Third?" Serena asked as they moved to the railing.

"I think it is my ally, but I can't tell in this storm. So go quickly."  He helped her unhook the cape over her wings. "Be careful."

He lifted her up on the rail, and she held tighter to Buffy. The wind was rough, but as soon as she spread her wings, it lifted her from the ship, and she had no choice but to fly.

And fast with trouble following close behind them...

Flash Fiction #549 -- Buffy the Pirate/5

 

Buffy yowled as they flew so fast that Serena feared they would overtake seagulls, and that sounded messy. She tried to shout, but it seemed as though the words slid off behind her. Buffy, of course, was ahead.

They had to be getting closer, especially if the ship had sailed from Norco already. In fact, she could see something not far ahead.

She put her palms together. "Disappear!"

And she did. Serena couldn't see her own hands, but the world still looked sharp around her. The ship was closer, and Buffy circled and slowed.

"Serena?" the cat whispered.

"I'm here," she said.

Buffy fluffed and hissed as she looked around.

"Invisible. Let's get to the ship."

Buffy dived toward the ship, but Serena went more slowly, spiraling down to watch the crew. Vane spotted Buffy and hurried down to the deck where she landed.

"Clear for the next ten miles," the cat said. "The weather might be iffy, but not bad. I'm tired, Vane. Is your cabin open?"

"Yes. Tonis is working there. Go get some sleep. I'll want you ready when we head into trouble."

"Yeah. I hope he's quick to leave. He mumbles."

Vane laughed.

Buffy started away, and Serena went with her, unsteady on her feet. She would have flown, but she couldn't have remained close to her friend. It was essential to get into the Captain's room with little show. She followed the cat and dodged around the crew.

Tonis turned out to be a stocky, bad-tempered man who apparently didn't like paperwork. He did mumble, but Buffy went past him and to the bed. Serena followed and sat as quietly as she could. It worked. Tonis soon left, but he didn't put away the work.

"He might be right back," Serena whispered. She crossed to look at the papers. "Where is mom's stuff hidden?"

"Somewhere in the wall by the bed," Buffy said and moved along the wall, thumping it with her paw.

Serena crossed to look at the papers, wondering what kind of stuff a pirate would have to keep track of. They were not what she expected.

"Uh, Buffy --"

"It is the third panel from the right," Vane said at the doorway. "About two feet up."

Buffy turned with her ears back, her fur -- well -- buffed out, and her tail twitching.

"Just hold that thought, kitty," Vane said with a lifted hand.

Magic lights swirled around his fingers. Buffy had a healthy respect for magic and flattened herself to the floor and scooted toward the table. Vane didn't try to stop her.

"He won't hurt you," Serena said. "He works for the government."

Vane looked her way. Since he had magic, she couldn't be sure he didn't see her, invisible or not. So she pressed her hands together, muttered 'appear' and faced him.

"Are you crazy!" Buffy yelped as she wrapped her front paws around Serena's ankle and attempted to pull her into hiding under the table as well. It was not one of her more logical moves, but still sweet. Here, huge human, hide with me, the little cat.

"It's okay. Vane works for the government, Buffy."

"Whose government?" she demanded and looked back at Vane with a hiss.

"Yours," he assured her. "I have been working at clearing out the marauders for most of a year. I really believed you were a pirate, Buffy, and I thought you were trying to infiltrate from the other side. It was only when you brought your companion here that I thought you must be safe." 

"I don't see how you can pretend to be a pirating and get away with it," Serena said and started to feel some doubt again.

"I mostly take them with a little magic, although they never realize it. That part was easier once we got the plan to do it. Then when we have the marauder in our command, I send a magical message to a ship still setting off out of sight. It's one of the king's fleet. They take the prisoners, and whatever odd things they may have picked up, then we take food supplies up to Norco."

"That's the part I really don't get," Serena admitted. She still couldn't be sure she trusted him.

"Norco is the most northern of the good-sized villages. They are far too close to the border. They've been cautious not to take favors from either side and to try to keep their neutrality. The king couldn't supply them after they ran into a bad harvest, plus brigands from the hills. So, since I was good to have some food supplies in whatever I grabbed from the marauders, we figured this was a good way to get past their stubbornness."

Serena looked down at Buffy. The cat's tail twitched, but she looked more annoyed than worried. 

"What about the two guys you tossed off the ship?" the cat asked. "Won't they give you away?"

"Probably, but it doesn't matter. There is only one marauder left. We take it down and head for home."
He sounded sincere, but before Serena could come up with anything to ask, Tonis rushed back into the room. He did a comic double-take when he saw Serena.

"Where did she come from?" the man asked. Then he shook his head. "Nevermind, doesn't matter. We have a marauder who is suddenly very close to us, and the weather is turning bad."

"Do you people ever have good weather anymore?"  Vane asked. Then he frowned and looked out the porthole. The sea was starting to get awfully turbulent, and Serena grabbed hold of the nearest post. "There is some magic in the storm. That can't be good. Tonis, how far away from Bay Village?"

"We might make it," Tonis stated.

"Just one problem," Buffy pointed out. "They're ready to attack you because they think you are Pirates. And they are not happy about it."

Flash Fiction #548 -- Buffy the Pirate/4

 

She arrived at the outskirts of Bay Village just before dawn the next day and quietly climbed the hill up to her mother's home. A light shined in the window, and it almost made her cry.

Serena was not surprised to find her mother up and cleaning. It was almost dawn, after all. The older woman gave a quick smile when Serena opened the door and stepped in, but it faded when she looked behind her daughter.

"Where is she?"

"Buffy joined the pirates."

A moment of silence...

"Well, that can't be good. Close the door. I'll get breakfast."

Serena shoved the door closed and heard an odd thump as something hit it.

"Ow!"

"Buffy!"

Serena tore the door open again, and the cat stumbled in, looking as drenched and muddy as her mistress. Serena used a little magic to clean and dry the cat and then caught her in a tight hug that got her wet and muddy again.

"I don't have much time," Buffy said, finally slipping out of her hold. The mud helped.  

"You aren't working with the pirates?" Mom asked with a tilt of her head.

"They think so -- no, don't hug me again! Did you really think I'd joined them?"

"You didn't tell me otherwise," Serena said. "And you abandoned me."

"I had to move fast for fear they would sail away," she said. "Besides, if I had told you my plan to join the pirates, you would have wanted to do the same. You can't pretend with me!"

Serena had started to shake her head, but she stopped. Buffy was right. They would have argued, too, and it would have been embarrassing and dangerous.

"I don't have much time," Buffy said with a look out the window. "I don't want Vane to guess where I've been, so I need to get back fast. They are going to raid the village. It was my idea -- I just had to make sure I got here first so you could be ready. You knew, didn't you, Serena?"

"I heard them talking. I think you know more?"

"They want supplies. I think they are heading south."

"Vane doesn't want to be a pirate anymore," Serena added.

"Good. If he survives this, maybe he'll be smarter."

Mom put food down on the table and sat with us, Buffy on the table by her plate. Serena wanted to gobble everything down, but she waited.

"You don't have much time," Buffy warned. "They were preparing to sail when I went out to scout. I can't stay --"

And with that, she started gobbling her food --

"Slow down," Mom ordered. "Don't worry. I can get you back faster."

"Oh, good." She did slow down and looked from Serena to Mom. "Their food is awful. It is odd because they had some good food, but they sold it all at Novco, and not for much money. Then he gave all the money to the crew and kept none for himself. I don't understand."

"I might," Mom said and looked bothered. She leaned back, her breakfast almost untouched. "And it presents us with a problem. Novco suffered a devastating crop failure, and then the city was raided by robber bands from the north. I didn't realize how serious things were until after I sent you two. I've been worried sick, but you both did well."

"Captain Vane is providing food," Serena said, startled by the idea.

"He doesn't seem such a bad guy," Buffy admitted.
"But he does need to be stopped," Mom said. "A shame I don't have my supplies, or I might have just put them to sleep while we got the officials."

"He has your shipment hidden, I think in his quarters," Serena said. "That doesn't help."

"In his room? I suspect I know where it is," Buffy admitted as she finished her breakfast. "I saw him closing up a secret cupboard. I can get to it -- but I wouldn't be able to carry much out."

"I need to get in with you," Serena said.

"Besides it being too dangerous," Buffy said as she dropped onto the floor and looked up. "It is also impossible. They would see you."

"Perhaps not," Mom said. "Wait, Buffy. I need to give you both something that will help you get back faster. And something more for Serena. I don't have to tell you this is dangerous, right?"

"No, mom," we chorused.

She looked at Buffy and laughed but didn't correct her. Instead, she hurried into her workroom. We could hear her moving things around. Buffy began to pace, looking worried -- but before I could say anything, mom came out with two cups.

"Buffy, take a couple laps of this," she said, setting the cup on the floor. "Then you finish it, Serena. It will take about fifteen minutes to kick in. Long enough for you to take the second potion. This one works with a magic word. You will put your palms together and say 'disappear'. And you will."

Serena returned the cup she'd finished and took the other, drinking it down as fast as possible. It wasn't that either tasted foul, only that she didn't want her mother to change her mind.

"Anything you wear or carry will disappear, too," Mom said. "And if you need to reappear, you put your palms together and say 'appear'. You can only do the sequence three times, and the spell will wear off an hour after the first disappearance. We don't dare test it here. Just be careful, both of you. If you can get to my supplies, find the Antis Flower petals and the Sleep Ferns. They're both from the fae, so they should have fancy writing on the boxes. Now go. Be careful flying. You'll be at least twice as fast for about 20 miles. That should get you close. I'll get the others ready here."

The two left and soon took to the sky -- and soon afterward, they really flew.