After enjoying the departure, we headed to the galley to help prepare the evening meal. Andelbert introduced Maria to Cookie, and we got to work. As Andelbert started making bread, Maria and I helped with the chopping of vegetables and potatoes. While we worked, Maria began to sing. She had a pleasant voice—not trained like the Queen’s, but enjoyable in its own way.
“That’s a fine tune, Lass. You sing well,” Cookie said. “The sound of a woman’s voice is something I dearly miss when at sea,”
“Thank you, Cookie. I find singing makes work more enjoyable.”
“Then you ain’t heard me sing. That’s for sure.”
We all laughed.
That evening, the Captain joined the crew for dinner.
“Well, Baron, I, for one, am interested in hearing how you managed to end up as a guest of the King of France.”
The crew all raised their voices in approval.
“And your adventures with that pirate, Captain Peanut Butter.”
Maria looked at Andelbert. She was obviously startled and said, “I didn’t know you had sailed with pirates. Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I am sorry, my love. I didn’t dare tell anyone. Britpop and I could have been sent to the guillotine if it had been discovered. Our journey with the pirates was not intentional. We were guests onboard their ship. I planned to tell you once we were safely home in Kapri.”
“Guests? On a pirate ship?” Maria said in disbelief.
I responded.
“It is true, Maria. Sailing with the pirates was entirely my doing. Adelbert only accompanied me out of loyalty. And Captain Peanut Butter is unlike any other pirate. Please allow me to explain.”
“I think you must,” Maria said.
“Perhaps it would be best if I begin the tale from the beginning,” I said and began with the tale of the silent horseshoe.
I could see Maria was skeptical, but she listened as I told the tale. The hours passed, and by the time I reached the telling of our trip to Venice, it was growing late. We decided to continue the tale the following day.
It took three days to tell the tale in full, with Andelbert sharing how he made bread for the King and fell in love with Maria. Each time I finished a portion of the story, there were countless questions. The telling could have gone on far longer had I not kept details to a minimum.
“And that’s when we saw the Sea Merchant II,” I said as I finally finished the tale.
“If I didn’t know the first part of the story and hadn’t seen Maria with my own eyes, I wouldn’t believe it,” Captain Desmet said.
“It is a whopper of a tale, Lad,” Broth said.
The rest of the crew had similar comments.
“I scarcely believe it myself,” I said. “And I lived it.”
Then we heard a shout.
“Ship!”