In Pursuit of Ecstasy

While Miss Pye’s navigation set Ecstasy on clear course across fair waters. Marrick was right to second concerns surrounding such vacant seas. While the name Blackstrap and ship Ecstasy stirred sailors to fear as much as wonder, the blood of one pumped with ferocity. Their heading meant to carry them to the heart of this adversary, and to a battle that would test more than their skills.

Many crewed the Ecstasy into adventures dark and grand. As a friend and captain Gennie learned much from allies she counted among Ecstasy. She could have survived not near as long without any of them. Yet, she set them to a course which would test their alliance. 

Visions of the city they so long ago sacked, danced in her thoughts. 

Far to the east, in Ecstasy’s heading, sat the great port city of Topolis. A great glittering jewel of wealth, spices, and wonder. A land of bustling markets and friend to any whose wealth and trade might bring yet more abundance to this blessed harbor. Always filled and active, it now held host to an even greater glut of vessels. A mass of ships from every sea as far as the new worlds, all accounted for by the dictator of this gathering. All with knowledge and history connected to Blackstrap and her Ecstasy. 

From the rails of the grand central tower of the Topolis Palace the sultana’s elegant fingers gripped the marble in anticipation and a barely contained rapture. She held her gaze through the mounted spyglass that overlooked her port. None of the ships that had entered her harbor had dared to leave, by now it was fairly possible to step from one deck to the next and cross the breadth of the inlet. The sultana beamed at the sight. She barely had to threaten the captain’s of these vessels once they heard the purpose of their captivity. 

“Your Greatness, the armies of Topolis have secured every harbor from here to the great southern port. They continue to send merchant and mercenary alike to the aid of your cause.” The general who spoke bowed in the presence of the woman at the rails. “They await orders at your pleasure.”

The large man clothed in the shirt and pantaloons of the Topolis military bent low. Though his breast hung heavy with the medallions and markers of his service to the sultana he dared not raise his eyes as the Sultana the woman slid from her station to pass her shadow over him. Only once had he dared to cross her, and though hidden from the eyes of others the scar remained a vivid reminder of his error.

The woman continued across the tower room to a curtained dais piled with women and pillows. Concubines closest to the center of the cushions shifted in preparation to evade a punishing blow if the need arose. Still sated by her view of the inlet the sultana rested languid among her concubine. She ignored the as yet sparse number that remained after the korsana made off with the others. Yet had done little to replace those who were missing.  

M’nef Sheilk was a woman unaccustomed to being denied of her desires, her orders were disobeyed only with heavy consequence. She would not recoup her losses until she set the perfect stage. For five years, the sultana raged over a desire left unfulfilled, and an order refuted by an impetuous pirate.  

“It will be very much at my pleasure.” The sultana  grinned at the rising form of her general. “I want that Djinn bottled.” 

The sultana’s rage was at a simmer as her manner lay controlled with much effort. She waved her long fingers in dismissal of the messenger and leaned on against the arms of her human throne. 

The man backed through the passage leading to the tower stairs. 

She scowled at the memory of the korsana. “I will have that woman among my concubines. I will have my property returned. I will have that dragon ship. And AdeebA Korsana will dance for me or use her head as a treasure box if she disobeys again.” 

She hissed as her slender form sank into the deep silk pillows surrounding her.  

Sidling clear of the retreating soldier the sultana’s minister approached. “Are you certain it is wise to bring the korsana to the palace alive, my queen? It would be just as well to have your soldiers bring her head to you on a platter with your dancers and concubines on chains of gold.”  

The sultana's eyes followed the minister, but the woman’s words fell on deaf ears. It had been decided the day AdeebA Korsana stole away, and made the sultana look a fool. 

“I will see that woman face to face. I will ensure the pirate makes good on her word. And torture the korsana with my own hand for such blatant disobedience. I will see AdeebA Korsana breathing.” M’nef stroked the hair of a concubine beside her. “The korsana can be broken.”  

A look passed from one concubine to the next. Though most were new to the harem of the sultana a few had not made the run as the others had. Some stayed out of loyalty to their mistress, others as spies to the mistress of the sea. Gennie always had a plan. This was the pirate’s promise when she last visited Topolis. 

The minister shuffled her slipped feet beneath the hems of her robes. “There is news of the ship.” 

At this the minister had M’nef’s attention. “Out with it then!” 

The woman gripped a fistful of the concubine’s hair. The outburst set the other to the edges of the dais. 

“She is indeed heading toward port.” The minister sighed. “Only a few days sail.”

A darkness flooded the sultana’s features. “Wonderful. Send for the captain. I will require his ship at the fore of the assault.”

“The Korsana may be cursed with the luck of a devil, and ready with a plan at any turn, but I have the man who knows her every move. I wonder how she will fair against such a match?”

The minister did not immediately heed to her mistress’s wishes. “Are you certain it is wise to trust this man? He is both pirate and mercenary. Do we know where his alliances stand?”

With this the sultana rose from her seat to approach the minister. “I will show you where his loyalty holds.” 

She strode to the far end of the room and put a hand on the golden rope attached to a heavy velvet curtain. With a single violent pull the fabric swept aside to reveal a secret alcove. The space glittered with treasures and trinkets. A litter of treasures from around the globe.

“DeXavier’s first and only love.” The sultana hissed through a toothy smile. “Nothing means more to him. He will do as commanded by the highest bidder. And no port or ship holds more wealth than my Topolis!”

At the vast display of wealth the minister was indeed awed, though she not by the abundance but by the extravagance. 

“All this, for the price of one woman.” The minister’s murmuring was no more than a whispered query yet the sultana heard.

“This is no mere woman. The Korsana is a thorn, a menace, and a sea witch! I will stop her. I will have her. And I will break her.” The sultana’s grip on the rope tightened with her rising rage. 

The minister had only once seen such fire in her sultana’s eyes, and then it was for the same reason. How many enemies had the pirate woman the sultana dubbed Korsana made? Only half of those she had left alive had made their way to Topolis at the mere mention of another encounter with Blackstrap and ship Ecstasy. A few had laughed at the messengers, sending back only laughter in response to such wild fancy that the sea witch could be caught. Others far less bold had crossed themselves and implored the protection of their gods that they never cross the woman’s path again. Only one had said he would lead the assault. 

The minister wondered what the dead would have said to the folly of the sultana’s venture.