Sweet-Toothed Savages Episode 5.5: Part 1

Written by: Paul Holmes

 

CHAPTER 5.5 PART ONE: PRINCESS WAENN

 

Waenn paced back and forth across the floor of the Captain’s Cabin silently fuming.

How Dare they?!? She thought. I am the first born of King Svein Tjugeskjegg, heir to the throne of Scorrah!

She stopped in the middle of the cabin, reached down, and ripped off the muck-and-blood covered bottom three inches of her dress. Then, with a few judicial rips and folds and tucks, she fashioned her dress into a sort of flowing pantaloons. Tight at the ankles and crotch, allowing more freedom of movement if needed. She may be a Princess, but she had started watching martial practice at a young age from her tower apartments. She had no illusions of being a great fighter, but she figured she knew enough to give an attacker a nasty surprise.

She scanned her environs and sniffed. She was certain that this was the most “civilized” this certain ship had to offer, but it still fell beneath her normal standards. The undead servants were put through an acid bath before their resurrection ensuring that they would not generate a less-than-royal stench. The scent of dirty stockings, sweaty tunics, and stale ale in the captain’s cabin was almost enough to make her gag.

A ‘click’ behind her made Waenn turn quickly towards the door. She had been expecting one of the clown-faced brutes to enter with an intent to do unspeakable things, but instead a slight form entered, eyes downcast, slowly closing the door as if he were apologetic for bothering her.

It was the teen from the deck when she was brought aboard. His clothing…his demeanor. Everything about him screamed, I’m out of place.

 

Waenn planted her hands on her hips and gave the young man the look that made her father roll his eyes. “And who are you supposed to be?” She demanded through clenched teeth. He may not look like, or act like the gross pirates on the other side of the door…yet, but he obviously travelled with them of his own will. That was more than enough to make him circumspect.

“S-S-Steve, your Majes-, your Holin-, er…Princess.” He managed to finally get out. “My name is Steve. I just wanted to come check on you. Make sure you were alright.” He pushed the glasses up on his nose and actually scuffed the stained wood floor of the cabin with the toe of his boot.

The Heir Apparent of Scorrah hid a smile behind a faked cough. She hated to admit, but this “Steve” was actually a little cute. However, this was the absolute last place for her to let her guard down. She cleared her throat, and did her best to put on a haughty demeanor.

“I most certainly am not alright!” she bellowed at him. “What part of ‘kidnapped by murderous pirates who are rumored to eat people’ do you NOT get?”

Steve finally managed to lift his gaze to look at her. Waenn noticed his cheeks were a fiery red. “It’s just that, ahem, I’ve been given the task to, uh, sail to Scorrah ahead of the Carn-EV-, uh, this ship, and speak with your father, the king about a….well….a, um, ransom.”