Carried Home (25 page)

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Captain Caspian Archer sped through the streets of London, dodging city dwellers, merchants, and carriages along the way. A muddy man bumped into him and swore before continuing on his way. Caspian clenched his jaw. If they were on board his ship, he would have the man punished for such impertinence. He shook his head and continued on, avoiding a puddle along the way.

Eager to return to his ship, the
Dawn's Mist,
he quickened his pace. Finally, he had received a Letter of Marque issued in the name of King William to rid the Caribbean of pirates and any of England's enemies. He had a mission now. No longer would he be a despicable pirate himself. Instead, he would stop the same men who had thus far succeeded in ruining his life. Caspian gritted his teeth. Captain Moore would dearly pay for what he had done.

The invigorating, salty scent of the sea washed over him as he rounded a corner, erasing the grimy odor of the streets he had grown to despise. He brightened at the welcome refreshment.

Caspian looked ahead and scanned the docks, which were bustling with sailors of all sizes, shapes, and nationalities. He spotted the
Dawn's Mist
in the distance; the main mast of his frigate standing tall above the sloops and dinghies docked next to her.

"Nice to see you, Cap'n." Gage Thompson, his first mate, beamed at him from the starboard rail, his straight teeth white against the tan of his skin.

"And the same to you, Gage," Caspian replied, climbing up the ropes to the foredeck of his ship.

"Are we prepared to set sail tomorrow, or are we in need of another day to stock up on the provisions?" Caspian squinted against the orange rays of the setting sun.

"Nay, we have all of the needed provisions, and I would say she's been completely repaired from our last encounter. We are ready to set sail at first light, Cap'n." He answered, running a hand through his dark, wavy hair.

"Very well." Caspian nodded at his friend before trudging to his cabin to prepare the charts for their next voyage. He could only hope this one would be successful unlike the many before it.