THE GRAND STORY OF THE SEEMINGLY IMPOSSIBLE ADVENTURES OF BARON BRITPOP BLASTFURNACE

A Revelation / Raided!

Baron Britpop Blastfurnace • Part 51

Revelation

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 help 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!”

Raided!

“Ship. Stern side.”

Captain Desmet grabbed his spyglass and took a look.

“Well, Maria, it appears you are going to meet the pirate Captain Peanut Butter in person.”

“Don’t worry. No harm will come to us,” Andelbert said.

“Lads, prepare to be boarded,” Desmet said.

Once The Jellyfish reach us, we were boarded by their crew. Each member of the crew was holding a musket and wearing a smile. Captain Peanut Butter was grinning widely and said, “Britpop! Andelbert! How it warms my heart to see you again. My scout saw you board the Sea Merchant. We have been waiting for your arrival.” He approached me and took my arms in embrace. “My friend.”

Then he looked at Andelbert and Maria and said, “Andelbert. What have we here? Who is this fetching lass?”

“She is my wife, Maria,” Andelbert replied.

“Your wife? You are full of surprises.”

The rest of The Jellyfish crew started hooting and creating a ruckus.

“I must hear the tale of how you came to be married,” Captain Peanut Butter said.

“Your plunder is ready for the taking. Take it and go,” Captain Desmet said to Captain Peanut Butter.

“You mistake my intentions, Captain. I am not here on a raid. This is a social call. I wish only to see my good friends,” Captain Peanut Butter replied.

“You have seen them. Now go.”

Captain Peanut Butter smiled and said, “Ever impatient, I see.” He turned to us and said, “I will leave if the three of you agree to accompany me aboard The Jellyfish. She will get you home far faster than the Sea Merchant can.”

“Baron, I strongly advise against it. He is a pirate.”

“A pirate like no other,” I replied.

“Still, it is a risk. Suppose you were caught.”

Maria whispered to Andelbert, “I have no desire to sail with pirates. Even pirates you know.”

Andelbert studied her face and spoke up. “Captain Peanut Butter. Were I not newly married I would gladly accept your offer. But for the sake of my bride, I choose to remain onboard the Sea Merchant II.”

“Of course. It was an offer, not a command,” Captain Peanut Butter replied. Then he walked over and took Andelbert by the arms. “It is truly good to see you, my friend.”

“It is good to see you, Captain,” Andelbert replied.

Then Captain Peanut Butter took Maria’s hand and kissed it. “You have a prize of a husband. I wish you a lifetime of joy together.”

Maria looked nervous, but replied, “Thank you, Captain.”

Then Captain Peanut Butter turned to me. “What say you, Britpop?”

“How can I refuse?” I replied.

“Excellent!” Captain Peanut Butter said. The rest of The Jellyfish crew hooped and hollered.

I turned to Captain Desmet and said, “Captain, it appears I will be taking my leave of you once again.”

“It is obvious you have learned nothing,” he replied. “Go. I pray you make it home alive.”

I turned to Andelbert. “Are you sure you won’t join me?”

“I must not.”

“As you wish. Then I will see you soon, my friend. At home.”

“Yes. I look forward to it. Farewell.”

“Farewell to both of you,” I replied.

“And farewell to all of you, my friends,” I said to the Sea Merchant II crew, then boarded The Jellyfish.

“I can’t tell you how glad I am to see you, Britpop. And curious to learn of your adventures in France,” Captain Peanut Butter said.

“It is an incredible story. I somewhat doubt you will believe me. I spent the past few months living at the Royal Palace and became friends with the King and Queen.”

“You are correct. I scarcely believe it. You must tell me how you managed that,” the Captain said.

“I also flew in a balloon over Paris with the Montgolfier brother. And broke my leg when it crashed.”

“One of them must be the very same balloon-flying chap I met in France. You are a wonder. I want the full story of your time in France. Leave nothing out.”

So once again, I told the tale of my adventures. However, this time I only needed to tell the portion that took place in France.

Continues in Part 52:

Previous Parts:

©2020 Mark Starlin