Captain Peanut Butter will continue the tale of his time onboard the French naval ship.

For the next few days, I was kept in the cell and only given scraps of food in the evening. Hunger gnawed at me constantly. One night a young sailor, barely more than a boy, came to my cell and handed me a piece of salt meat. I ate it eagerly.

“Is it true that you’re Captain Peanut Butter?” The sailor asked in a quiet voice.

“It is,” I replied.

“I heard tales of your raids. They say you never kill no one and just take a portion of the cargo.”

“That is the truth of it.”

“How did you end up here? Was one of the ships we chased The Jellyfish?”

“No. The Jellyfish was captured by the pirates you chased. I exchanged myself for the release of my ship and crew.”

“You don’t sound like no pirate to me.”

“Oh, I am very much a pirate. But my crew is my family. What father wouldn’t sacrifice himself for his family?”

The sailor stared at me for a moment.

“I got to go. I’ll bring you more food tomorrow.”

“Don’t. I am a dead man anyway. It is a foolish risk.”

“I hate the Navy. They treat us like prisoners, ‘cept the ship is our cage. I been flogged too many times and ain’t seen my family in more’n a year. I would gladly join your crew.”

“Bury that thought. Forget about me and live long enough to get out of the Navy. Then find a woman and make a life for yourself. Now go.”

“I’ll bring you food tomorrow,” he said as he left.

True to his word, the boy returned the following night.

“What is your name?” I asked.

“Leon Allard.”

“It suits you. You have the heart of a young lion. But you are foolish to be in my company.”

“I can help you escape.”

I laughed. “That is madness. Even a boy should be able to see that. The first mate has the key, and he is twice your size. Even if you got me out of this cell, where would I go? We are miles from shore. Too far to row. I will not forget your kindness, but it must stop. You are risking another flogging, or worse.”

“I don’t care.”

“But I do. Go. And do not come back.”

The boy looked like he wanted to say something, but instead, he turned and left. I couldn’t help but think back to the days after my father died. The foolishness of my decisions. I would not see the boy throw his life away.

As I was just about to drift off to sleep, the first mate shook the door of my cell and yelled, “Wake up.”

I rose to my feet.

“What did the boy want with you?”

“What boy?”

“Don’t insult me.”

“He wanted to see a real pirate.”

“What did you say to him?”

“I told him to leave me alone.”

“He is being flogged as we speak.”

“What do I care?”

There was a long silence while the first mate stared at me.

“If it was up to me, you would be at the bottom of the sea. Your bones being picked by fish. But the Captain wants to win favor with the King. If you are who you say you are, you will see the King soon enough. Then do the hempen jig for him.”

“Good thing I wore my dancing shoes.”

The first mate grunted and left.

I wasn’t sure which was worse. Daily lashings by pirates or near starvation by the French Navy. Either way, the end was a rope. I started preparing myself for the inevitable.

At Sea

I shall resume the tale of our new adventure to France.

As the coast slipped away and the wind filled our sails, A familiar, large figure walked over and smiled. Wellington Broth, the Sea Merchant II cook.

“Good to see you, Lads. And who are these lovely ladies?”

Andelbert handled the introductions.

“This is Elise Boissonneau of Boissonneau Exports. And this is my wife, Maria.”

“Wife? Well done, Andelbert. I am pleased to meet you both.”

Both women returned the pleasantry.

“Andelbert, I expect you will be making bread for the crew? I tried following your instructions, but it is not the same.”

“It would be my great pleasure, Broth.”

Wellington slapped him on the back and said, “That’s a good lad. You still know your way to the galley?”

“I do indeed. I will be there shortly.”

That evening, the Grand Duke had a table and chairs brought out on deck. A linen cloth was placed over it, and fine china was set. He invited the four of us to join him and Captain Desmet for dinner. A full moon bathed us in light and sparkled off the seawater.

“How are you enjoying the voyage so far?” Goatbeard asked.

Maria was first to speak up. “It has been delightful. I hope every day is as pleasant as this one.”

“May your hope brings us luck. The sea is a fickle mistress, but storms are less common this time of year. I think we will have relatively smooth sailing,” Desmet said.

Goatbeard raised his cup and said, “To smooth sailing.”

We all raised ours in kind and said, “Hear, hear.”

Desmet turned his gaze my way and said, “I trust you won’t be joining any pirate crews this time.”

Andelbert and I both laughed.

“That is a safe wager,” I replied.

Goatbeard raised his cup again and loudly said, “Hear, hear.”

Everyone laughed.

The Grand Duke took a piece of bread and bit into it.

“My Heavens! This bread is astounding. I don’t recall Broth ever baking bread so flavorful.”

We all smiled, and Maria said, “Andelbert baked it. He is quite talented at baking bread.”

“My Dear. You only speak the half of it. He is a master. A genius. I have never tasted bread this good.”

He turned to Andelbert and said, “You must teach Baker Peel your secret so I may have a steady supply.”

“Felix taught me how to bake bread.”

“I have tasted his bread. It is good, but this is far better.”

“I am glad you enjoy it. I would be happy to bake you bread anytime.”

“I will hold you to that,” Goatbeard said.

After dinner, the table was taken away. Goatbeard and Desmet retired to their cabin. The four of us remained on deck, enjoying the gentle breeze and the moonlight. After a few minutes of silence, Maria began singing.

She sang a tale of a baker who baked bread so flavorful that it won the heart of a King. As a reward, the baker was given a title and land. The King grew increasingly fond of the baker and offered him the Princess’s hand in marriage. One by one, all the male members of the royal family died off, leaving the Princess as the sole heir. She became Queen, and the baker became King.

We all grinned as the tale unfolded. When Maria finished, Andelbert said, “I may never become a King, but you are truly my Queen.”

They embraced.

My heart ached for that kind love.