This is the first part of what I hope will be a beautiful story.
My name be Mary Carr, and am a sailor on the ship Magic, finest vessel that ever was.
It roams the oceans and seas paying where needed but working as a cooperative.
There be no captains on us, except we are all our own.
And our duty? We protect those in need where we find them, and challenge the authorities that persecute and harm.
I first came upon the crew as an poor and starving orphan on the harbor quarter of a dirty city.
It was a cold night, with winds screaming through the sails, and a thick fog rising from the waters.
I couldn’t see a lantern or person around as I huddled under a ragged blanket on the docks. It felt far better out here than returning to the orphanage empty handed.
The docks had always been my hang out. Sometimes they were a good way for a girl to earn a coin. To add to this many of the sailors knew me well enough to not abuse my trust. In fact, some thought of me as their family. But these were hard working men, and when drunk you might see another side to them.
That night, as I heard the clock bell ring off our great cathedral I felt someone was watching me.
“Who is there?” I called.
No one answered
“I’ve got a dagger in my pocket and I know how to use it” I lied. I stood up now, clenching my fists and standing, ready to fight.
After a second, I heard the kindest voice quite close to where I was taking cover.
“I believe you have such a thing, but I mean you no harm”.
“I can’t see you” I replied, “Let me see your face.”
“My face? Of course child, but then you would tell others of me. Although I am a kind soul who seeks to help those in need, I must be careful. There are many powerful men who would harm me” they said and stepped closer.
I saw in front of me a strong woman with a kind expression. Most important of all she had eyes that seemed to stare into my soul
“We have come to help you and offer escape but it must be quick” she said. “Our crew shall be gone by dawn to escape those who harm us.”
“Gone where?”
“To find others in need. I promise you will not be harmed if you choose to come.”
I thought this over a second as she scanned the warehouses for any strangers.
“If I do not come, what will happen to me?”
“The harbor master would torture you to find information on me. Is that a better way?”
I knew the harbor master’s cruelty well, though he often left me alone. That aided the choice which changed my life.
“I am coming” I said.
She held out a hand which I took, then led me down to the water’s edge.
Just then the moon shone for a second and fog parted. That was the time I first saw the finest sailing vessel ever, and it had arrived by magic.
Lifting me up easily as a little doll, the lady placed me on board before jumping after.
“We have our charge” she called to the others, “Now let us be gone.”
What happens next? Watch this space
Beth writes 