Annalea, Princess of Nemusmar

  ~~

  Having saved another soul from self-imposed darkness and despair, it was now time to pursue the more mundane practices of daily life. Oh, for certain, I immodestly savoured those moments when I was lauded, by Oglethorpe and Annalea and Mam' Tiére and the captain–and several others–for me seemingly miraculous success at transforming this reluctant caterpillar into a butterfly. But there were duties to perform, and nightly carousing to enjoy. One positive outcome was that the sisters–Sarah and Cynthia–began to warm to me again.

  Oh, they seemed not yet ready to fully forgive and forget me transgressions, but that is typical of their nature. They always move but gradually onto the path to forgiveness; but, once upon that path, they do not stray off of it. It means that they've convinced themselves that they want to forgive you–and they'll eventually talk themselves into forgiving you. And since the path to forgiveness is on a steep, downward slope, they are impelled to move ever faster towards the end of the path! I knew if I could remain pleasant, and abide a little time on me hands, I'd soon have the sisters on me hands, again.

  Finding meself to be the man of the moment–suddenly back in everybody's good graces–I put this to me advantage, to broaden me social circle during me free hours. Oh, I did not desert me Oglethorpe–not too soon, anyway. So with him tagging to me coattails, I began to reimpose me witty and personable ways on the rest of me friends. And with a few discussions intended to whittle down his overexuberant prattle–allowing breaks for breathing and actually listening–others began to find him an amiable companion.

  Then I was able to, finally, go about again on me own. Well, not entirely on me own. I returned quite soon to me romance with the seductive grape. And–aye, I'll admit it–some nights I got mayhaps a wee bit... well... stinking drunk. But being by nature a happy drunk–never a mean drunk–when your friends are already inclined to favour you, they tend to tolerate such foolishness a bit more, for a bit longer than they might otherwise be disposed to.

  Now I'll grant you that a lot of this time would've been more safely and sanely spent in companionship with the captain. And we'd've both enjoyed that, at most times. But he was totally preoccupied with this new life he was planning; and near every free moment was spent in conference with Estaban: discussing every aspect, and discovering every detail of this venture. Of course, the captain graciously included Annalea in their company, considering them–as we all did–to be near inseparable. But I doubt this pleasured her much. I understand she spent most of her time idly sitting with her arm around Estaban's arm, listening to them talk incessantly, and nodding off, frequently.

  While I'd've been welcomed–and me opinions considered–I'd've been even less attracted to this ensemble than was Annalea. These plans held nothing for me. I had me one true object: return Annalea to England–to home–as expeditiously as possible. So there'd be naught in these discussions to spark me interest. And without that spark–that lights the fires of me imagination–I'd have naught to offer or contribute to these most auspicious conferences.

  Besides, I hoped avoiding the captain's company might delay his discovery of the extent to which I'd now depleted his most precious stock! I rued the day when he made that fateful discovery. Although, the more I drank, the less I rued! Interesting, that.

  So I knocked about, having me fun with everyone. And the object of that transformation, most recently performed by yours truly–the young Oglethorpe girl–was like a new pet at me heels, on occasion. Certainly, she was appreciative of whatever I'd done to lift her spirits, and I believe she was more comfortable opening herself to others while secure in the company of her mentor. So I spent near most of me time happily surrounded by old friends and Oglethorpes!

  Then–for some stretch of time–I was able to elude the omnipresent Oglethorpes. 'Twas not caused by dislike; they were truly lovely people. But I had me own issues and needs to attend–unhampered. Mostly, I desired to lubricate the softer inclinations of the sisters, and thus ease them evermore near me companionable custody. Sadly, for me condition, they seemed all too awares of this. I would ply them with soft sentiments, appearing to sway their hearts towards me favour. Then they'd stop fast their affectionate responses and go to gabbing with each other–in their way–as if I was not present at all. I was far more teased than they were eased! They knew they had the upper hand, and they wielded it mercilessly. 'Twas in the midst of one of these pointless games that Oglethorpe came upon me.

  I was actually quite pleased to see him. I could now depart the sisters' perturbing company with purpose–not with me tail 'twixt me legs, as usual. But Oglethorpe did not wish to depart their company, immediately. At this I was flustered. I had purpose in demeaning meself afore the sisters–in private. Yet I'd no intention of repeating such performance afore an audience. On the other side of it: were I to act and speak with me usual swagger–me public display–I might suffer a setback in relations with the sisters. And progress had been so painfully gained. So I moved to hasten Oglethorpe's departure, damn near shoving him away, "Oglethorpe, me good fellow! Well come! I've searched high and low for you. There is a matter most urgent I must discuss with you–now!"

  But he was most insistent; he must have but a moment to speak to the ladies. I'd need to exit this awkward situation. "I must piss. I'll take me leave."

  Pretending to modesty, I went 'round 'hind some piled barrels, where one might spray off the side. 'Twas not the call of nature, but the call of curiosity to which I harkened, and I bent 'round a barrel to hear him speak. He told the sisters he wished to host an informal banquet in me honour, the very next eve. This he would do in gratitude for the great friendship and concern extended to him and his daughters, by meself. The sisters replied they'd be most pleased to attend such a function, and would expect to be of service in the preparations.

  In me haste to return, I clumsily pushed against the barrels, sending one plummetting, and damned near crushing Cynthia! Once again the fool, I stood afore them with a most scarlet blush upon me face. When the laughter subsided, Oglethorpe asked if I'd attend such a function–since obviously I'd overheard every detail. "I'd be delighted. Now, let us go!"

  Having made me bumbling, undignified departure from the sisters, I was able to catch a breath and clear me head. With me senses and memory restored, I had to beg off the party, explaining to Oglethorpe that I'd be on me watch next eve; and I'd not ask the captain for a postponement. Everyone's services were stretched–while at sea–and 'twould be most unfair to ask another to sacrifice his free time: his necessary respite. Oglethorpe was not dismayed. He said he'd speak to the captain and the others and simply arrange it all for the following night. Splendid!

  Needless to say, I was elated by the prospect, and in the mood for a party, immediately. But this elation was altered by the sudden arrival of the Oglethorpe daughter. Just the one daughter: the one I'd counselled. The other was continuously stalking Annalea and Estaban. But that seemed no longer to hold any fascination for this girl–doubtless, another result of me good counsel.

  She was very sweet: a very nice girl. But I'd no desire to mind an infant–or me manners, or me language–for the balance of this eve. She grasped me arm, and we all walked along, together. She said naught, but kept looking up to her father. Finally, he stopped and told her 'twas alright to speak, for I knew all about their plans. She seemed delighted and became quite uncorked: bubbling over excitedly with her ideas about who should attend the party, and what should be served, and what should occur, and so on and on and on!

  Attempting to recork his little bottle, Oglethorpe suggested to her that she go off to see the sisters–who'd so kindly offered their assistance–and tell them all about her excellent ideas. Oglethorpe was beginning to master the art of polite delusion: putting people off, in a kindly manner–learned, no doubt, by the example I'd set. Anyway, the daughter took right to her father's bidding.

  She let loose me arm, onc
e again took me face in her hands, kissed me lips and said, "I'll make it the most marvelous night for you! You wait and see! It shall be the most wonderfilled night! I'll make it so!"

  And she was off to the sisters, with an exuberance that only youth can manage. When the two of us stopped laughing, I directed Oglethorpe to me cabin, where we spent the night priming ourselves for a party: imbibing profusely and discussing politics, religion and women's derrières.

  I was fortunate to be able to sleep through most of the next day–as I had watch that eve, and naught to do 'til then. I needed that time for me head to regain a more normal size and shape than it felt to be in that morning. Thanks be to the Lord that the festivities were not held that night. For I had the desire to frolic, but I had the need for recovery. And I'd probably do meself some real harm. I must gain control; I must abstain from me frivolous ways. This night would provide for that; for I'd never drink when about me duties. Thank God, me sense of responsibility prevents what others cannot prohibit of me! Aye, this night seemed to offer a promising prelude to the next eve's affairs. While in the careful performance of me duties, I cannot imbibe and I cannot cavort; but I can most certainly occupy the long hours with pleasant chat and cordial embraces–if all is well. And all was quite well that eve.

  Not long into me watch, I heard the soft patter of a woman's footsteps approaching on the deck. It was Sarah. She was very pleasant–from the outset–and continually smiling at me. But she was not very Sarah. She stayed quiet and played coy for some time. Then she moved in close and began to purr. She told me she wished to regain the comforts of me companionship and speak her affections for me, but she'd felt the need to be circumspect around her sister–knowing that Cynthia was still upset with me. I took her upon me lap, and spake as a friend–in soft and soothing tones. We'd reached an accord, and I was caressing away her inhibitions, when we heard the soft patter of another woman's footsteps approaching on the deck. Disappointed, I thought to hold her. But she gave me a strong, wet kiss on the lips and–with a smile most seductive–promised to connect desire with deed, the following night!

  She was off from me lap, and out of sight, by the time me next guest arrived. Cynthia! Have you ever heard the expression "twice blessed?" Well, so I felt. And so I was!

  Now, the sisters are so alike–in appearance and manner–that many are dismayed of telling one from the other. But I knows them too intimately to be so confused. To me, it is their minds that seem identical and difficult to separate. In fact, me time with Cynthia was a replication... no... an exact duplication of me time with Sarah. With no interruptions, however, me great hope was that the outcome would be much different–enjoyably so!

  Heavy boots pounding hard upon the deck sank the vessel of me desire. Abruptly, Cynthia was in flight, and I had more visitors with which to contend. Some crew members appeared, dragging along another bloke. They sought justice of this man for rifling through their possessions, in the dead of night. Can't say I was glad for the interruption, but the call of duty must not be denied. And so much better it is, when the men seek authority in such issues, rather than resorting to more personal and violent solutions of their own devising. In such case, there is naught for me to do but decide if there is sufficient cause to hold the man against just complaint. That there was; so I ordered him shackled, to await the captain's justice, on the morrow.

  Having dismissed the men–in due course–and having retained the peace, I'd no further obligations to occupy me time. I thought about the sisters, and how I might approach one–and which one I might approach. As I pondered means and methods, I observed the first rays of morning sun crack over the horizon, off the stern. Night was ending–taking with it the possibilities, and leaving only the promises. Oh, for the next night!