Read Beauty of the Beast #1 The Mystic Rose- Part A- The Flower, The Sword, And The Kiss Page 11

  * * *

  Parry, Sinew, and Fracas snuck below deck. Parry carried a large potato sack meant to throw over Pluck.

  “This is Han’s cabin,” Parry whispered.

  “Are you sure Han and Ardor aren’t within?” Fracas asked as he scanned the corridor and stroked his pointed red beard.

  “Yes, we don’t want to be caught,” Sinew spoke up.

  “I am sure,” Parry answered. “Do you two know what you must do?”

  “I watch the hall,” Fracas said, turned, and leaned against the wall.

  “I grab Pluck’s legs after you throw the sack over him,” Sinew spoke as he put his hand to Parry’s back ready to rush in.

  Bulwark walked by, and they froze till he went up on deck. The older High Guard mumbled, “Up to no good again?”

  They didn’t answer, holding their breaths as if it would make them invisible. The door shut behind Bulwark, and they exhaled.

  “Where were we?” Fracas asked, checking to make sure no one else approached.

  “Ready to rush in, so go Parry,” Sinew said as he ribbed him.

  “Hey watch it little man,” Parry threatened with a whisper. “Now once we have Pluck, we shall sneak him up on deck and tie him to a mast.”

  “And if he doesn’t go quietly?” Fracas asked.

  Parry made a fist and answered, “A little knock to the head shouldn’t hurt him.”

  They rushed into Han’s room.

  A few mites earlier...

  Pluck slept in the upper bunk till she heard three men talking in the hall. They whispered, but with her keen senses she heard their conversation.

  “They want to snatch me, huh?” Pluck muttered to herself as she grabbed her cloak, threw it on, and quietly climbed down to the floor. The cabin was pitch dark, but that didn’t hinder her sight. Pluck found her boots and gloves and searched the locker at the foot of the bunk. What kind of game were they playing? She found rope underneath the bunks. Maybe one she could turn on them. Pluck scurried into the rafters ready to pounce as her tail twitched with excitement underneath her cloak.

  Parry crept in along with Sinew who held a lantern. He motioned for the smaller man to go to the end of the upper bunk. On his signal, both men grabbed for Pluck, but she wasn’t there.

  “Where is he?” Sinew asked, searching the cabin with his light.

  “I am here,” Pluck answered.

  Sinew lifted the lantern as she leaped upon them. Both men screamed.

  The next morning...

  Bulwark walked up on deck, starting his rounds when something caught his eye. Fracas, Sinew, and Parry were gagged and tied to a mast. He walked to them and stated, “I see the Initiation did not go to your liking.”

  The three men yelled at him through their gags.

  “I am sorry, but I don’t understand you,” he told them then looked around. “As much as I would like to stay and chat, I have rounds to walk.” The three men yelled after him as Bulwark left and he told them, “You should be thankful Pluck didn’t strip you naked and hang you upside down.” He added, “I would have.”