The following day, The Jellyfish anchored off a remote part of the shoreline. The crew took Andelbert and me ashore to say our goodbyes.

As we all stood on the shore, Captain Peanut Butter was the first to speak.

“I thought you were a great fool when we first met. But I have grown fond of you. Both of you. I would be pleased to have you both as permanent members of The Jellyfish crew. What say you?”

“I am sorely tempted due to my affection for all of you, but I am not cut out for the pirate’s life. Still, I will miss everyone more than I can say. If you ever make your way to Kapri, my manor is yours,” I replied.

“I echo Britpop’s words. I have experienced things beyond imagination on this ship, but my place is beside Britpop,” Andelbert added.

“Then, I will say farewell. And hope that this is not our last meeting.”

“Hear, hear!” The rest of the crew shouted. Soon we were engulfed in embraces and pats on the back.

“Follow the shore south for a couple of miles, and you will find a town. You can buy horses there. Look after Britpop, Andelbert,” Captain Peanut Butter said as the crew entered the rowboat.

“That, you can count on, Captain,” Andelbert replied.

Andelbert and I stood and watched until they were all back on board. Then we began walking down the shoreline toward our next adventure.

Facing Captain Desmet

Andelbert and I made our way to a small village. There we found the local blacksmith and inquired about horses.

“My brother and I are traveling to Versailles and are wondering if you have any horses for sale?” I asked.

“You don’t want to travel to Versailles by horse. You will be robbed or killed on the road before you get there. You are better off going to Le Havre-de-Grâce and purchasing a ride on one of the ships going to Paris. It is faster and safer.”

“How far is Le Havre-de-Grâce?”

“A coach can take you there in a few hours. One leaves every morning.”

“Merci. Is there an inn in town?”

“Right down the road. You can’t miss it.”

I gave the blacksmith some coins for his help, and we made our way to the inn. Once there, we ate and paid for a room for the night.

The following morning we suffered a bumpy coach ride to The Harbor Of Grace, where we made our way to the docks to look for a ship willing to take us as passengers.

“I cannot believe it. Britpop, look, it is the Sea Merchant II,” Andelbert said.

To my utter horror, I turned and saw the Sea Merchant II docked, just as Andelbert said.

“I suppose it is time to face my worst fear. Seeing Captain Desmet again. Andelbert, if I don’t survive, please tell Grand Duke Goatbeard that I made it to France and was alive and well before Captain Desmet murdered me.”

“You speak foolishness. I am sure Captain Desmet has had time to overcome his anger and will likely welcome the news that you are still alive,” Andelbert said.

“I wish I shared your optimism. But it must be done, now or later. If I am to die, today is as good a day as any.”

“I doubt it will come to that.”

We walked across the dock to the Sea Merchant II. Moubray was working on the deck and saw us walking toward the ship.

“Stars above! You are both alive. And looking no worse for wear,” Moubray said.

We walked up the gangplank, and I took Moubray by the arms. “I am pleased to see you, Moubray. I have you to thank for the adventure of a lifetime.”

“Me?”

“Aye, you telling me of the plot on my life is what made me go with Captain Peanut Butter. And because of that, I have been to the New World and back.”

“I would love to hear that tale,” Moubray said.

“You shall, if Captain Desmet doesn’t end my life first.”

“You don’t know, do you?”

“Know what?”

“It was Stenfelt who wanted you dead. We trapped him at the inn in Kapri and sent him to Emperor Joseph. No one has heard of him since.”

“Truly? I knew he was an ornery man, but I never imagined him a murderer.”

Just then, Captain Desmet walked out of his cabin and saw us. The look he gave me was indescribable. As if every possible emotion were intertwined on his face. I felt my heart racing.

“You caused me a lot of grief, boy,” Desmet said.

“I realize it. I have regretted the trouble I caused you every day since. I am truly sorry.”

“As you should be. Many a night, I laid awake in my cabin, reliving that foolish stunt of yours. Will you be returning to Kapri with us?”

“We will not. Andelbert and I are going to see the King of France.”

Desmet laughed.

I wasn’t expecting that.

“Of course, you are. I trust you haven’t booked passage on a pirate ship this time.”

“No. We are done being pirates. And, again, I am truly sorry for all the trouble I caused you.”

“Then I bid you farewell. I will tell the Grand Duke of our meeting.”

With that, Captain Desmet turned and went back to his cabin.

“Captain Desmet was furious with you after you went with the pirates,” Moubray said.

“I am sure of it. And deservedly so. What a fool I was.”

“Well, I am sure the rest of the crew will be glad to see you.”

“And I would be glad to see them.”

After a brief, but joyous reunion with the rest of the Sea Merchant II crew, I asked Moubray about transportation to Versaille.

“Do you know if any of these ships are headed to Paris or Versaille?”

“Sure. Plenty.”

Soon, we found ourselves on board a small craft headed down the Seine river.