The Swashbuckling Tale of Captain Moses

by Kathryn E. Albano

CHAPTER II

Moses knelt to pick up the map and held it uncertainly. “Your Majesty, my crew is small, and I’m not a very good persuasive speaker. I am not sure that I am up to the task. Are you sure that I am the one you chose for this mission?”

“Fear not Moses!” the king boomed. “I shall assist you with my magical abilities.” Moses looked at his feet uncomfortably. “See though, there’s still the problem of my speech skills. I can never quite think of what to say.” said Moses timidly.

“When the time comes you will know just the words to say. Also, take your first mate on your quest. He is experienced in speaking and will be a good help to you. Tell the prince that if he resists, bad things will happen to him. I shall send five plagues to oppress him and his lands and his family. And the last of the plagues shall be the worst: a flood shall come and sweep away his firstborn love-child. What is that in your hand, Moses?”

Moses looked down at his hand and realized he had completely forgotten about the spyglass he was holding on the ship before he leapt into the water to save his young lieutenant.

“‘Tis a spyglass, sire.” He replied.

“I shall make this ‘spyglass’ into an instrument for your use. The king flicked his trident a bit, and when Moses glanced back down at the tool, his humble wooden spyglass had been transformed into a beautiful golden spyglass of the finest focus and craftsmanship.

In alarm and surprise at the wondrous thing, he dropped it and it rolled away. “Do not be afraid of it Moses! Pick it up.” Coming out of his trance, Moses ran forward and caught the beautiful creation. “Now leave me, and go perform your work.” The mighty king bellowed. Moses bowed slowly to the king and swam back to The Egyptian Emerald, with his map and newly improved spyglass in hand, and set off for the island of Tritonia, his new mission ahead.