Elise Leaves
Baron Britpop Blastfurnace • Chapter 40
The following morning, the crew of The Elise assembled on deck, and a rowboat was prepared to take them ashore. I took Elise aside.
“Andelbert and I are going to see the King of France. Join us on our adventure.”
“I cannot. I must stay with my father.”
“Why?”
“I am his daughter. He has suffered a great loss, and I must stay with him and help him recover.”
“He has his crew to help him. He will be fine. Are you not allowed a life also?”
She hesitated, then answered, “I have to go. My father is expecting me.”
Frustrated, I replied, “Do you always do what’s expected?”
She turned and walked back to her father.
I yelled out, “Kapri. I am the Baron of Kapri. In The Austrian Netherlands.”
Elise didn’t turn around. A few minutes later, she was gone.
“I am sorry,” Andelbert said as we watched the crew of The Elise depart.
“And I am a fool. I should have known a courtship was impossible.”
“Take heart. Soon, we will be ashore in France, and a new adventure will begin. Who knows who we might meet.”
“You’re a true friend, Andelbert. But I fear I may not be good company for a time.”
“No matter. Brothers stick together,” Andelbert replied.
“Aye, they do.”
