The Legend of Astoria

⚓Captain Jarek Lorcan's Pov⚓

"Nighty night, matey." I kissed my niece and stood to my feet.

"Will you tell me a tale, Uncle Captain?" Meira exclaimed, grabbing the end of my coat.

"Sure, which tale are you hankering for?" I raised an eyebrow as I sat beside her in the hammock. "The legend of Astoria?"

She batted her little eyelashes up at me.

"I can never say no to you." I gave her a wink as I settled beside her.

"Thank you, Uncle Captain!" She hugged my neck excitedly.

"Long ago there was a captain, known as Thelonious Cavier. He was charged by his king to charter new lands. Well, one day, after sailing through the seven seas, he was met by a violent storm. Thelonious ordered his crew to turn the ship, Queen's Thunder, around, but, alas, the sea was too powerful. Thelonious and his crew had no choice but to lash themselves to the ship. The waves crashed from side to side for what seemed like hours. They came close to capsizing at every crash. The next wave that came was a tidal wave that curled above them and then smashed down on the deck, sending the Queen's Thunder spinning out of control." I paused and looked out at the sky, waiting for my niece's question.

"And then what, Uncle?" Meira pleaded, sitting forward.

"Thelonious and the crew awoke and the mighty storm had disappeared. The men cheered as they cut themselves free. After the cheering died down, Thelonious turned and was taken aback. Not five feet away, the mighty storm was raging on. Thelonious dashed up the stairs to the helm and spun the wheel starboard. Once the ship was turned he set sail toward the storm. The crew ran up the steps, shouting for Thelonious to stop, but he ignored them. His first mate, Helix called for the men to drop anchor. By the time the anchor dropped, half of the ship was in the mighty storm.

"Thelonious grabbed a rope and swung down to the poop deck. He dropped and ran to the stern. Thelonious thrusted his arm into the storm and then pulled it back. His hand and sleeve were soaked through.

"'Impossible!' Helix cried as he stared at his captain's arm. 'What is this?'

"'It must be black magic,' two crew members cried.

"'It's a barrier,' Thelonious mumbled to himself. 'The storm protects sailors from passing through the barrier. I've only read of such things.'

"'What would the storm need to protect?' Helix skeptically eyed his caption.

"'A vast treasure; what else?' Thelonious turned to his crew in excitement. 'Raise the anchor and turn portside!'

"'Wait a moment Captain, we are not treasure seekers. We're simple sailors who wish to return home,' Helix added, as he placed a hand on Thelonious's shoulder.

"Thelonious looked at each of his crew member's faces and saw them nod at Helix's words. Thelonious held onto the rope ladder and climbed onto the railing. 'I know we are but poor sailors, but imagine if we found a hidden treasure. We'd be richer than our wildest dreams. Do you wish to be more than poor sailors?' His mighty voice roared out to each man.

"A silence blanketed the ship, as the crew stared at one another. Finally a roar burst from every lip. 'Yes!' the men cried and Thelonious jumped down.

"'Then hoist the anchor and turn this ship to port!' he yelled as he ran up the steps to the helm.

"The crew followed their captain's order and they sailed away from the storm barrier. After three long days they came upon rocky formations that looked almost like two giants jutting out of the sea. The larger rock was inscribed. It read: The City of Astoria. The crew excitedly weaved Queen's Thunder through the formations. At the last turn, the crew spotted a vast cavern.

"Thelonious urged his crew into the cave. As they reached the entrance, a huge dragon glided out to meet them. It was longer than any imaginable snake, thicker than the main mast, with blue and green scales. It's head was the size of a dingy, and long whiskers like a catfish hung from its jaw. The dragon opened its mouth and flames flew out toward the sky in warning.

"Thelonious ordered his men to arm themselves as the dragon swam closer to their ship. As crew members fired their pistols and readied their cutlasses, the dragon spewed a burst of flame that set Queen's Thunder ablaze. Many of the men threw their weapons down and leaped from the ship. Some, like Thelonious and Helix, stayed on the sinking ship and continued to battle the dragon."

"Did anyone make it home, uncle?" Meira asked. A lone tear slid down her cheek and her eyes glistened in the light of the lone lantern.

"One man did," I replied. "First mate Helix Kade. After return--"

"Oh, it was Helix, wasn't it? Helix Kade? Is he a relative, Uncle?" Meira excitedly interrupted.

"He was your great, great grandfather." I grinned down at her, pulling at the braids in my beard. "Now, after the first mate returned home h--"

"I thought he stayed with Thelonious?" Meira cut in again.

"He did, Meria, but the dragon destroyed Queen's Thunder and Thelonious died, so Helix escaped in one of the dinghies. Back to the story. Once home, he told his king about their adventure. Only the king didn't believe him and accused him of lying. Helix told his tale to whoever would listen, but most thought he was mad. The few that did not have spread his story and many brave souls have sailed off to find the city of Avalon. Not all have returned."

I stood and stretched.

"Well, g'night, first matey." I kissed her forehead once more.

"Am I really your first mate?" She sleepily asked.

"That you are matey," I whispered as I covered her with her blanket.

She nodded once, then rolled to her side. I ran my weatherworn fingers over her cheek as I sang a lullaby I'd sang to her since she was a wee babe.

🎶Hooo.. ho...hooo sailer, saiiiil beyond the Big Dipperrrr. Hooo.. ho. 'ward through the stormmm. Hooo.. ho.. hooo ye must weaveee past rocks that reach the skyyy. Hooo.. ho bewarrre of the wrath of the dragonnn, orr ye will face great harrrrm. Hooo.. ho.. hooo ye who hath surviveddd, may ye find the treasure of treasurrrres. Hooo.. ho.. hooo.. ho.🎶

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