Across The Sea by Eric Marier Page B

repeated.
“A hero is someone who will do something while looking straight in
the face of immense odds, not because it will make them a legend or
well thought of, but because they actually want to make a change.
Heroes don’t act to make themselves appear good. They act to make
the world good. They act to make the world a better place. And even
the smallest of acts make a difference, affect change. Acts of
heroism are done out of love. And heroes act not caring in the end
if they receive accolades or rewards. They act because they feel
some sort of responsibility toward this world. They feel
compelled.”
    Something had clicked into
place inside Francis’ head then. It had all suddenly made sense.
He, himself, had known a hero. His brother.
     
    The door above opened, and
light beamed in. Francis lifted his head from the cell floor.
    Three pirates came down the
short ladder, one of them grasping a lit lantern. Keeb was then
lowered by other pirates outside. The three men inside grabbed onto
him to keep his drooping body from falling. Francis sat up as the
three pushed a slouching and limping Keeb down the corridor. Keeb
slogged on, as if he no longer knew he was still alive. They had
hurt him somehow; yet there were no bruises on his face or
hands.
    The men lay Keeb down on the
floor of his cell.
    “Careful now,” one of the
pirates said to the others. “He mustn’t get banged up any.”
    The men left Keeb and climbed
back outside, taking the lantern with them.
    * * *
    The sun rose bright the next
morning, and somewhere not so far, a Royal Navy ship with the name HMS Glide painted onto her stern was anchored at sea as
waves were sliced against her hull.
    On deck, Captain Strick stood
at attention with his uniformed crew as Vice-Admiral Wister, a
heavy-set, older man, and several of his aides boarded Strick’s
ship. The Vice-Admiral had come from another Royal Navy ship
nearby. Immense and intimidating, this ship was christened the HMS
Whisper. She was the pride of the Kingdom’s undefeated sea
power.
    Captain Strick brought the
Vice-Admiral down to his chambers where both men sat across from
one another, with Captain Strick behind his desk and the
Vice-Admiral with two of his aides standing behind him.
    “I should have known Bodin was
involved,” the Vice-Admiral said. “And this boy… how is he of such
value?”
    “Our spy informed us in Pond
Vale Isle that he is actually the young man’s sibling. They plan to
use the boy against him.”
    “And do you know where this
boy’s older brother is?” the Vice-Admiral asked.
    “Yes,” Captain Strick replied.
“Our spy informed us that he is hidden on the islands.”
    “The Admiral is preparing a
fleet. Perhaps we can get there before their ships do.”
    Captain Strick unrolled a map
before the Vice-Admiral.
    “He said something,” Captain
Strick began. “Bodin. He said that we might think we know
everything, but all that we know is only half.”
    “He was playing games with
you,” the Vice-Admiral said, glancing the map.
    “He told me to pass the message
on to my father.”
    “The Admiral is much too
occupied to bother with the musings of a common murderer.”
    “Very well…”
    “Your spy... did he mention the
amount of ships they’ve amassed?”
    “He’s acquiring this
information for our next meeting which will be in Grand
Marine.”
    The Vice-Admiral looked into
Captain Strick’s face. “Taking the boy was impulsive and
premature.”
    “At the time, I did not
believe…”
    “Let me finish,” the
Vice-Admiral said, interrupting Captain Strick. “You have
compromised your spy. He is no longer of use to you.”
    “We do not know that for
certain,” Captain Strick argued.
    “We are dealing with Bodin
here. He will know. In any case, Captain Mann and the HMS Whisper
will sail along with you to Grand Marine. Now that we know Bodin is
aboard the Red Mist, it is our duty to put a stop to him, for the
final time.”
    * * *
    As the Vice-Admiral