Annalea, Princess of Nemusmar

  ~~

  You would think I'd sleep all day, after such a night; and I tried to. But there was too much excitement in me brain, for sleep. I was soon up and off to the captain's lodgings. Lodgings? The improvised lean-to he called home was a far cry from the elegantly furnished quarters and stately compound he'd inhabited for so long, on Nemusmar. Yet the captain was not one to bemoan a loss of the trappings and luxuries that status provides, let alone some furniture and gardens. Hell, walls are walls. He went with the times and the flow of events. He never grumbled about what used to be; he made good of what was–right then.

  'Course, even in these rustic surrounds, you still had first to approach his attendant and be announced. He was still a man of airs. But–in his case–no one considered it a fault; it suited him. And he deserved the respect.

  Once announced, I was immediately greeted by the captain. I began to apologize for absenting meself and Mam' from the previous night's council meeting, but he cut me short, assuring me that there was no need for explanations where Mam' and I were concerned. He simply assumed our absence was caused by more pressing matters, and his only concern–when we did not appear–was for our safety and well-being. But, since he soon discovered our whereabouts and condition, he had no concern at all. (Damn, he knows everything!)

  Amenities and pleasantries completed, I moved to the issue of the moment; more particularly, the mission which now motivated me very life. "Cap'n, I'll get straight to it, and I'll ask you to hear me out and not think to change me mind in these matters, as I've struggled with me thoughts long and hard to reach the decisions I'm about to tell you."

  Without reviewing all the whys and wherefores of which he was full awares–or the details of me dream, which he needn't be bothered with–I explained to the captain that I couldn't be a permanent member of this new settlement; I'd Annalea's safety to consider and I feared the later we delayed our departure, the sooner might come her discovery and her death–and the ruin of all on this island. 'Twould be another Nemusmar; 'though this time–no doubt—conclusive. I would have her away from here and, eventually, established back in England–regardless her accursed kinsman.

  "This turn does not surprise me, Crockett; I'd fully expected it. True, I'd originally hoped you would serve as me replacement at the helm of this fledgling colony. But, with greater consideration, I realized the peril Annalea was in, so long as she's in these waters, and the threat that poses for the whole community."

  "Beg pardon, Cap'n, 'replacement?' Your 'replacement?'"

  Suddenly–through discussion–the veil of me ignorance was pushed aside, and many riddles became solved, in an instant! The captain explained how he could never live the life he now espoused for our people. He'd long considered change, for hisself, but the desire, the need and urgency were culminated in the destruction of Nemusmar. He told me his first duty–his first thought–was always for his people. Now, he believed, he'd done all he could to enable them to survive and flourish. With the changes he contemplated, he may–in the future–be better able to continue helping and protecting them.

  "I would understand these 'long considered changes' you spake of Cap'n; and I still don't see me role in all this."

  "Well, Crockett, I know you've been keenly curious about me ongoing discussions with young Estaban, going back to that fateful night on Nemusmar."

  "Aye, Cap'n, most certainly!"

  What followed were revelations for me: some surprising–some disconcerting. 'Twould seem that supper he'd had with Estaban and Gaspar was not some intended reconciliation, but an intended venue to reveal and discuss a plan he'd concocted which would dramatically impact our way of life, on Nemusmar. "The winds of change blow all about us, Crockett. We noted the first gusts some years ago, you'll remember. There came a change in direction; the winds which seemed always to blow in our favour, seemed–from then–to favour the opposition. It required ever more wiliness and perseverance–and bloodshed–to ply our trade. That abrupt change in the winds of our good fortune has unrelentingly increased from gust to gale to the tempest which finally engulfed us!

  "Do you remember, Crockett, the way 'twas, when we first came to these waters? We had ambition, we had zeal, we had a fast ship and a handpicked crew of seasoned buccaneers. We were completely unfettered."

  "Aye, those were the best years, Cap'n. We had all that and youth!"

  "Aye, Crockett, youth: with its unbounded expectations, and pretensions to immortality. But we let that unique freedom slip from our hands when we allowed for change; I guess we needed change.

  "Don't mistake me, Crockett, those too were marvelous times, especially after we planted our community on Nemusmar. For several years, it offered me a baronial life which, immodestly, I felt inclined to–and quite readily became accustomed to. Yet I never ceased taking gauge of the changing winds and where I was standing in relation to the turbulence of the changes being wrought. It finally came clear to me mind that our growing 'tribe' on Nemusmar was a permanent community. True, some would leave and some would die; but others would come and others would be born there. And even when we were no longer able to support the community through the continuation of our enterprise, our people would–by and large–choose to relocate as a community.

  "Such a life would not serve me well, Crockett. Nor could I well serve the community as a token 'squire of the manor.' All of these considerations led me to conclude that I must chart a new course for me own life. And these considerations brought me to identify Estaban as a likely collaborator."

  As the captain disclosed the purpose and details of that meeting, I reflected on prior experiences and similar circumstances that caused me to think, "'Course if I'd been watching the signs, remained on the tack, stayed the course–if I'd just been paying attention–I'd've foreseen where the captain was going, and I'd've anticipated unprecedented changes."

  His intention was to offer Estaban a release from his oath to remain bonded as hostage for ransom in exchange for services Estaban could provide through his station and good offices. The captain's idea was simple but unique. He would take to sea, as in our earliest days, with a handpicked crew of buccaneers–mostly old salts who'd never adapt to a mundane, landlocked life–and the Spaniard. Using Estaban as an intermediary, he would offer his services as a protector of the wealth of a client settlement, and defender of the lives and property of said client community. 'Twas true, our endeavours were increasingly hampered by the strategic arming of the merchanters, and the ever increasing royal patrols, but these things were more a hindrance than a deterrent. Roving bands of mercenaries and opportunists could usually avoid detection and strike the weak and unwary–at their pleasure. The services the captain could offer were a viable alternative to the regimented attempts of authorities to protect against the randomness of "pirate" attacks.

  The captain had no intention of providing such services while sailing under the Spanish flag–nor the English, nor the French, nor that of any nation. His only duty–his only loyalty–would be to his clients, and he would defend them against attack by buccaneer and military mercenaries, alike. This, he would do in return of a retainer and proprietary rights to ships, cargoes and sundries he might seize while in the commission of his duties. Bloody brilliant! 'Twas the entrepreneurial side of the captain, mated to the warrior side.

  "And in this capacity, Crockett, I thought to be able to extend me protection and aid to those left behind on Nemusmar, without hindering or endangering their prospects by me continuing presence."

  "I'd much've enjoyed that life, Cap'n; 'though I don't know how I could tolerate such long separations from Annalea."

  The captain smiled and said, gently, "Frankly, old friend, you were not to be invited."

  Studying me wide-eyed, drop-jawed countenance, he continued. "You could never be–in this lifetime–so long separated from Annalea. And though it meant sacrificing me best lieutenant, there was no other that could be trusted and dep
ended on to lead our community in me stead, than Crockett."

  "You do so overestimate me worth, Cap'n."

  "I think not, Crockett. And I'd no intention of deserting you, forever. Me presence would not've been continual, but it would've been known. In any event, we well know how the moment for such decision was lost. 'Twas me intention to resuscitate these plans once I'd prepared all on this island."

  "Then you still plan to go, Cap'n?"

  "Aye."

  "And you plan to take me and Annalea?"

  "Aye."

  "Then who shall lead this 'colony?' Oh, the council!"

  "Aye!"

  "So things are pretty much settled, in that regards, Cap'n."

  "Not completely, Mr. Crockett. The council should work for them left here; but you always need a leader: not necessarily a single leader, but definitely a singular leader."

  "Say you what... again?" I stumbled through me question.

  And the captain, he elaborated for me: "There must be one strong individual at the helm who acts in full compliance to the will of the council and yet can exert the necessary influence to resolve any deadlock and can respond and command wisely in crisis–without reference to, or deference to, the will of the many, who'd literally procrastinate their lives away. Spontaneous decision while under extreme duress is not well made by committee."

  "So... you are saying they needs a captain, Cap'n?"

  "Hmm... aptly put, but inappropriate to their situation, Crockett. They need a civil leader, without military bearing or authority–but with those same capabilities."

  "Orke!" was me immediate reply.

  "Orke could not stand that life, Crockett, even for love of Reena."

  Both at once, we uttered, "Higgins!"

  "It shall fall to Higgins," the captain continued. "He is the only one I've not been able to eliminate as I've pondered candidates for this appointment."

  "Do you think he is prepared, Cap'n?" Many and various doubts now poured through me brain.

  "He is as good as we've got, Crockett. And as much as is needed in a civil administrator. Were he to try and become more, our lot would hang him from the first tree to reach decent height on this recuperating little island."

  "Well then, Cap'n, 'twould seem I've naught left to do but ask when we depart and whither we are bound?"

  The captain demurred responding to the latter, but as to the former, he said, "Sooner than you might suspect, Crockett."

  That wry comment made me believe I'd best inform Annalea, without hesitation. But locating that perpetually occupied, seemingly indefatigable girl–even on that small island–was no simple feat.