The Voyage of the Sea Wolf Read Free

I’d never thought to see that ship again. The deck, stained with my father’s blood. Hopper and Herc who had marooned us.
    Mr. Forthinggale stood by the captain. The remembrance of Mr. Trimble, quartermaster on the
Reprisal
, came to me. Mr. Trimble, quartermaster and friend to my father. Mr. Trimble who had betrayed me. I brought my mind back quickly for the Amazon captain was addressing me.
    â€œYou!”
    William’s arm tightened around me.
    â€œLeave go of her, William,” the captain said. “She be’s a woman. She can stand on her own. How are you called?” she asked me.
    William’s grip did not loosen.
    Under that red, angry stare he stood firm.
    I spoke at once before the captain could scream or slash at him.
    â€œMy name is Catherine DeVault. My father was Captain DeVault, of the ship
Reprisal
.” I let myself slide down to sit with my back to the railing.
    Under us I felt the deck sway, and when I looked up I saw that the sails were already spread and the
Sea Wolf
was moving.
    â€œI am Captain Medb Moriarity, captain and owner of the
Sea Wolf
,” she said. “My father built this ship. Now she is mine.”
    The words came from me before I could stop them. “Medb? You were called after the daughter of the High King of Ireland?
    The captain’s eyes widened. “You know of her?”
    â€œYes,” I said. “The most renowned warrior. I have admired her.” I repeated the name. “Medb. I had not known the right pronunciation. Medb, which sounds like ‘seed.’ I have read of her exploits.”
    She nodded. “So you have learning?”
    â€œYes, Captain.” I realized I was feeling dizzy and that the deck and the sky were turning circles in my mind. I blinked hard.
    â€œHow came ye to be marooned?” Captain Medb Moriarity asked.
    I mustered the strength to answer, “When they found me to be female, they...”
    The cook placed a bowl of water and another of soup in front of me and handed the same to William.
    The smell wafted up to me and my eyes teared withanticipation. I took a long, sweet draught of water then grabbed the bowl. Grease beaded the top. There were potatoes in the soup and green leafy vegetables of some kind and a hen’s yellow foot. It kept bumping against my teeth as I drank. I felt strength coming back to me with each deep swallow.
    The captain stood, watching.
    When I’d drained every drop I picked up the hen’s foot, and gnawed and sucked on its gristle.
    William took the hen’s foot from his own bowl and reached it to me.
    â€œNone of that,” the captain said. “You eat! She has had her share.”
    â€œAnd I choose to give her my share,” William said and in an instant the captain stepped forward, grabbed the hen’s foot that was still in his hand and flung it over the side into the water.
    â€œNext time, do as I tell you,” she said.
    William shrugged. “Aye, aye, Cap’n.” His tone was insolent and I knew to be insolent with this woman would be a mistake. I waited for her rage and it came in the flare of her red eyes and the instinctive way her hand dropped to her cutlass.
    She stood for a moment then said, “Careful, William. I may not always be this patient with you.”
    I saw her look up then and I looked too.
    There was the thump of wind in the sails and I could hear the hiss of the sea against the hull.
    The
Sea Wolf
was underway.
    I wondered what was in store for William and me now.

Chapter Three
    The ship was moving well.
    Captain Moriarity looked from one of us to the other.
    â€œSo Mistress Catherine, they put you off because you’re a woman. Or almost a woman,” the captain said and it was as if the hen’s foot scene had not happened. “Bad cess to them for a band of mangy dogs. Most men are mangy dogs. I’ve known some.”
    Mr. Forthinggale, who had stood quiet behind her, scowled.
    She looked