The Swooping Eagle

The Swooping Eagle: a Tale of Two Crew Mates

by Lena Curry (age 10)

Chapter 1

Mark

   The young man slowly started to walk up to my ship. He wore a grey cloak, brown pants, and a thick leather shirt. He wore a gold sword at his side. I said to him, "What do you want?" As I studied him more closely, I realized he had slicked back hair and slightly pointed ears, like that of an elf. He answered me, "Are ye the crew of The Swooping Eagle?"

     I answered him, "Yes, what do you bring?"

     He seemed to ponder this question for a long while. Then he said, "I bring an abandoned child, for I heard you need another crew member." 

     I then I realized he had a companion; a very small one. I asked him, "Who do you bring?"

     "A hobbit named Veeren, son of Loosen."

     The young hobbit stepped out. He was wearing a leather breastplate over a bright yellow shirt with grey gloves. He said in a small voice, "May 'oi come aboard, sir?" He had a strange accent for a hobbit. I said, "Yes, young'un. Come aboard."

Chapter 2

Emerald

     I'm the first mate, the name's Emerald. So after Mark, the captain, said come aboard, the kid came aboard. Mark has dark skin and wiry and messy black hair. He wears a green vest over a white button up shirt, with green pants. Anyway, back to the story. Veeren, son of Loosen, said, "This is a mighty fine vessel you've got here."

     Second mate, whose name was Baylen the dwarf, asked, "Do ya have any experience sailing?"

     Veeren answered, "Yes, 'oi do, matter of fact."

     "You're goin' to swab the decks for talkin' to me like that," Baylen said.

     "Now do not be too harsh on the hobbit, now," Mark said, in his deep voice. Then Mark asked me, "What do you have to say Emerald?"

     "Well, cap'n, I think he'll make a might fine seaman." 

Chapter 3

Baylen

     And a fine seaman he made. He could climb better than the first mate who is an elf. He could tie better knots than me, but he did not steer better than the captain. No, no one could steer better than mark of The Swooping Eagle. me and the hobbit were playing a game of hearts while Emerald and Mark were fighting about something. "Ai! That was a bad move," I said.

     "No, it was not!" Veeren yelled.

     "Oh, hush. Your turn."

     "Hmmm.... Also, what are they talking about anyway, I mean the captain?" Veeren asked.

     "They're talking about what port to dock in."

     Veeren said, "That's 10 to 2, I win again."

     "Oh, darn it!"

     "We're docking in port," Mark said.

     "Aye, aye, sir. Come on, Laddie. I'll show you how to tied a knot," I said.

     "But I already know how to tie a knot," said Veeren.

     "No, ya do not, with fat hands like that," I said.

     "Are ya kidding? Your hands are the size of trees," said Veeren.

     "Why you..." I was cut off by Mark when he said, "Stop that, small ones!"

Chapter 4

Veeren

     When everyone had gone to bed, I got out of my bunk and decided to explore the ship. When I walked out of the room, I saw it split into two hallways. One went to the left, the other to the right. I'd already gone down the right hallway, so I went down the left. The hallway wound down into the heart of the ship. Tubes and rope littered the floor. There was a strange scuttling sound, and a mouse ran by followed by a large orange and white tabby cat. "His name is Lake." I turned around and saw the dark, grinning face of Mark, the captain. "Oh, Captain! I just... I... I... "

     "Just call me Mark. You can't sleep either, eh?"

     "Aye, Cap'n, er, I mean, Mark."

     "Follow me. I have something to show you."

     "Okay, Mark. Lead the the way." We walked past many strange doorways, and then came to a doorway with a heavy, oaken door. Mark took out a big key that hung around his neck. He pushed the key in and then he turned the knob. The door swung open with a loud creak. I followed him in. It was a low ceilinged room that was lit with a lamp. Mark sat down on a stool that was in front of a big oak desk. "This is my office, or my study, whichever one you want to call it," said Mark. Lake jumped onto Mark's lap and started to purr. "You know, I used to be a thief and a scoundrel until I joined the crew of The Swooping Eagle," Mark said.

     I was looking around the room with my back turned towards Mark, looking at a strange skull with a nameplate on it which read, "Found by Mouse". I said, "You're real name is not Mark, is it?"

     Mark said, "What?"

     I turned around and said, "It's Mouse, isn't it?"

     A frown spread across his face, which was rare because he was nearly always smiling. "Yes, I was known as Mouse the Thief and Murderer," said Mark.

     "What?! You mean you murdered someone?" I asked.

     "Yes, I murdered someone." There was a brief pause and then, "Ye should go back to bed, young one."

     I turned to go. And then Mark said, "No more night exploring, please."

     I stopped to look at him and said, "Yeah. Okay, Mouse."

     "Oh, and whatever you do, do not go into the room marked, 'storage'," said Mark.

     And I left.

Chapter 5

Mark

     I woke up right when the sun was rising. I walked out of my captain's cabin to find a row of sailors line up and neat. Baylen the Dwarf said, "Rise and shine, Captain. It's Christmas day."

     Emerald said, "Good morning, my Gov'nor. The gifts are on the deck."

     And Veeren said, "Oh boy! Oh boy! This is my first Christmas on ship." Veeren had grown older and taller; he was a strange hobbit, for sure. He'd had a birthday with us on board ship and now Christmas. 

     Anyway, we walked up on deck, and under the mast there were three gifts to Emerald, three gifts to Veeren, three gifts to Baylen, and three gifts to me, Mark. I got a new pocket knife, a pair of pliers, and a blue vest. Emerald got a new bow, some arrows, and a nice, silver sword. Baylen got a new ivory helmet, a new ax, and a cloak. Veeren got a new long knife, a roll of string, and a book and pencil. Veeren said, "Well, thank for the knife, Mark... er... Captain."

      Mark laughed and said, "Mark will do. You're not going to get punished."

     "Oh, thank you!" Veeren said.

     Emerald said, "You've nearly lost your accent, Small One. Or should I say Tall One?"

     The rest of the day we dropped anchor and talked. We played and I tried my new pocket knife. Emerald tried his new bow and Baylen tried to teach young Veeren how to sword fight with his new knife. It was getting dark. Veeren said, "Well, I think this has to have been my favorite Christmas ever." We all laughed and went to bed.

Chapter 6

Emerald

     I was up in the crow's nest when I saw it, big black clouds. I could hear the sound of thunder and I saw lightning. I yelled, "Ai! Captain! Storm's coming!"

     Mark asked, "How far away is it, Emerald?"

     "Oh," I replied, "I'd say about a five minute sail away."

     "Okay," he yelled back. "Come on down, we need some help here."

     "Alright, coming down then," I said. 

     We were getting closer to the storm; soon rainwater splashed on the deck. "Ai! Get the ship ready," yelled Mark. There was a loud crack. "We've run on a rock!" yelled Baylen.

     "Aye! And there's a mighty big hole," said Veeren. 

     And as soon as it started, the rain was gone. Mark asked, "Emerald, can you fix the ship?"

     I looked over the side of the ship and saw an enormous hole in the bow. I said, "Yeah, I can fix the ship," I worked for eight days, and finally it was fixed and we were sailing again.

Chapter 7

Baylen

     We traveled thousands and thousands of miles and were finally there, at the Port of Animals. The Port of Animals is a strange port. A bunch of magical animals who can talk, grow food, and fight live there. No elves live there and only a couple of humans. "I've never heard of the Port of Animals," said young Veeren.

     "Well, no one really knows much about it," said Mark.

     "Aye, a strange place, indeed," said Veeren.

     Mark said, "Veeren and I are going to explore."

     "Alright, good exploring my friends," said Emerald. And they went to explore.

     I went to look at some of the animal merchandise. Emerald stayed on board to sell our cargo. Some animals had swords, others had food. I got some beet root, some carrot stew, and bread. I was walking back to the ship when I heard a scream. "No! Mark, no!"

     Emerald and I ran like lightning. Finally we found Veeren. He was alone, and I saw the messy black hair of Mark go under. Veeren was in tears. I handed him the soup and bread while Emerald comforted him saying, "Hush, we'll see him again."

     Veeren stopped crying and asked, "Are we going to save him, Emerald?"

     "Yes, we will save him," Emerald replied. And as he said it, I thought I saw the glimmer of a tear in his eye. And Veeren yelled one more time, "No, Mark!"

Chapter 8

Veeren

     We all went to bed that night at a very late hour. I dreamed I was Mark and that I was being pulled down by a strange blue creature. It had one long curved thumb claw on each hand as well. It had large ears and scales with a very thorny crest on its head. It had large droopy eyes and a large mouth filled with long fangs. I was dragged down so deep that it hurt. I tried to breath, but all I got was a mouthful of salty water. And then I woke up. Emerald was sitting by my bed and said, "You've been asleep for one whole day. Tell me what you saw in your dream."

     "Oh... well... ok," and told them what I saw.

     "Oh, a water warasaurus. They're usually very nice," said Emerald.

     "Hmmm, yes," said Baylen.

     "What are you talking about?" I asked them.

     "We'll tell you later. Good-bye," said Emerald, and they rushed out.

Chapter 9

Veeren

     After they left, I remembered when I had gone to Mark's study I'd seen a book about water warasauruses. So I went out of my room and down the hall, but I stopped when I heard a strange sound, like a bird. It was coming from a room marked 'storage'. I decided to go in. When I walked in, Emerald was playing with a fully grown eagle. It looked as if Emerald was talking to it. Then he said, "Oh, Veeren, come in. This is River, Mark's pet."

     "Hello River," I said.

     Then Emerald said, "When you told me what you saw, it reminded me that River hadn't heard the news that his master was gone."

     "Oh, do you mean you can talk to birds?" I asked.

     "Yes," he replied.

     "Was Mark able to speak with River, too?" I asked.

     "Well, yes, he could," Emerald replied.

     I asked, "What are water warasauruses?"

     Emerald said, "They're a type of creature that live in oceans and rivers."

     I said, "That makes a lot more sense now." I played with River for a little bit, and then I went out to practice sword fighting with Baylen.

Chapter 10

Emerald

     "Let's stop here," said Baylen.
     "Alright," I answered him. We'd been sailing for three days, so I decided to pull into port for a day. We walked onto the dock and decided to stay in an inn instead of the ship. It was getting dark so we went into The Inn of the Dragon. We got one room, and the owner said, "Follow me, please. Oh, this is the room." I looked around. It had a high ceiling, two windows, and the far side of the room was lit up with a lamp. There were three beds that lined the wall, and each one had a small dresser by it. We put our stuff down. Veeren lay down in a bed and so did Baylen. They left the smallest bed for me, and I was at least one foot taller than both of them. Anyway, I slept well, that is, until the screaming began.
     At about two in the morning I heard yelling and screaming. I looked over and saw Veeren. He was holding his hand to his cheek. I rushed to him in time to see a dark figure with pointy ears and slick-backed hair run away. I looked over at Veeren. He had a deep and long cut down his face. I bandaged him up and went back to bed.
     In the morning I asked Veeren some questions. I asked, "The guy who cut you, who do you think did it?"
     "It was the man who brought me to The Swooping Eagle two years ago," he answered.
     "Humph. I knew we couldn't trust that man," said Baylen.
     "Yes, I do not trust him, either," I said.
     "Ow!" said Veeren, as I replaced the bandages on his face.
     Then something bonked Baylen on the head. It was a rock. Baylen said, "Ow! That hurt!"
     I looked at it more closely. It had a piece of paper on it. I said, "It has something on it. It has a piece of paper on it. It says, 'Mark is with the water warasauruses'."
     Baylen said, "But they're like two thousand miles away."
     Veeren stood up suddenly and yelled, "We need to save him! Ow!"
     I said to Veeren, "Rest, we will find Mark, and four days from now we will leave."

Chapter 11

Baylen

     I'd seen the person who had cut Veeren. He had glowing red eyes, not the silver read eyes like last time. He also wore light wool clothes, not the heavy leather like last time. I told this to Emerald at lunch. Oh, I never told you about lunch.

     We went to a different inn because Emerald was convinced that the owner of the inn we stayed at last night purposefully unlocked our window. So anyway, we went to a different inn. It was called The Inn of the Flame. When we walked in there were three hobbits sitting at one table. One had a shiny gold ring hanging on a silver chain. And a goblin sat at another table. We sat at a table, and Emerald said, "Hmm, that goblin looks suspicious. Be back in a sec."

     He walked over to the goblin; there was a lot of murmuring. Then they walked over to us. Emerald said, "This is Pine. We used to be crew mates and he want to join the crew."

     "Sure," I said. "How about you, Laddie?" I asked Veeren.

     "Sure. Hello there," said Veeren.

     The goblin said, "Hello mates. Nice to meet ye. Where's Mark, the Cap'n?"

     "Oh," said Emerald, "he's been captured by water warasauruses."

     "Oh, ya goin' ta save him?" asked the goblin.

     "Yes," I said.

Chapter 12

Veeren

     If you were wondering what Pine looks like, he has greenish-grayish skin, eyes like charcoal, and has a long mohawk. He wears a silver sword at his side. He wears silver armor and a long grey cloak. 

     Anyway, we walked back to the ship, the four of us. When we got back on deck Pine asked, "How long has Mark been missing?"

     "Oh, I'd say about five days," said Emerald. That night we sailed out of port. I went to bed while Emerald and Pine talked. In the morning it had gotten colder and foggier. It was a cold, wet fog. I was trying to see where we were when Baylen, who was in the crow's nest yelled, "Ai! Emerald! I see a sail. It's red and black."

     "Oh no!" said Pine.

     "Oh no? Why did you say, 'Oh no'?" I asked.

     Pine said, "They're pirates. I've been running from them for a while."

     "Oh, well that's just jolly," said Baylen.

      And then the pirates attacked.

     They all jumped on the ship. They were all armed. Baylen charged at one with his ax. Emerald climbed up the mast and shot some arrows which shot and killed about ten. Pine rushed into battle with his sword. Two pirates rushed towards me. I stabbed one and knocked the other over the side of the ship. Finally it was over. As the last pirate got off the ship, he yelled, "The red-eyed one will kill you all! Ha! Ha! Ha!"

     "Oh, well that's just great. Rack the Red-Eyed One is here now," said Baylen.

     Then Emerald said, "I should've known. The person who cut you, Veeren, was Rack the Red-Eyed One. He is Mark's father."

Chapter 13

Emerald

     "What?" yelled Veeren and Baylen together.

     "Hush for a second, will you?" said Pine.

     "But we cannot hush, Pine. You probably would yell, too, if you had just found out your best friend's father was a red-eyed evil pirate." said Veeren.

     "Oh, but I did just find out that Mark had an evil pirate father," Pine yelled back.

     "No, I bet you already knew," yelled Veeren.

     "No, I've told you this before. I did not know Mark's father was evil," said Pine.

     I finally yelled, "Be quiet, the both of you! Yelling at each other will not help us find Mark, okay? So be quiet!"

     "Yes, Emerald," said Veeren in a quiet voice. And Pine said, "Alright, fine."

     "Um, Emerald, should we get moving now? You know, in case the Red-Eyed One wants to get Mark first," said Baylen.

     "Yes, we should," I replied. so we sailed out of the port to find Mark and destroy the Red-Eyed One.

Chapter 14

Veeren

     We had been sailing for two weeks, or as Baylen would say, a fortnight. Me and Baylen were trying to teach Pine how to play hearts, while Emerald was up in the crow's nest. "No! No! No! You can't put that there," said Baylen.

     "Heh. I'll put the card wherever I like," said Pine.

     "Oh, I give up on you!" yelled Baylen.

     "Well that's too bad, Baylen, because Pine would have made a good opponent for you," said Emerald as he walked up to us.

     "Oh, hello there, Captain Emerald," said Pine with a slight bow.

     "Thank you, Pine, but save that kindness for the real captain when we find him," said Emerald.

     "Humph, if we ever do find him," muttered Baylen.

     "I heard that, Baylen, and we will find him," said Emerald in a stern voice.

     "Emerald, when will we get there?" I asked. Emerald replied, "Right now."

     And when I looked in front of me, I saw a big island. Blue-skinned Warasauruses walked up and down streets of gravel, and leading off of the island in all directions were tunnels of glass. I saw a big hill, and at the summit of the hill I saw a human shape. It was Mark, except he was chained to a pole. I looked over at Emerald. He had a serious face on. Then he said, "Baylen, get Mark's sword. And Pine, go get Veeren ready for battle."

     "Yes, sir!" said Baylen and Pine together. Pine led me into the armory. He got me a breastplate and a short sword. Then Emerald came in. He was wearing a shining silver breastplate with the sign of the ship which was a swooping eagle, and behind Emerald flew River, Mark's eagle. Emerald handed me a leather glove with River's name in gold plating on the side of it. Emerald said, "Veeren, I want you to be the one who gives River back to Mark."

     I replied, "I will."

     "Now, come. Baylen is waiting for us," said Emerald.

Chapter 15

Mark

     I hurt all over. I had cuts on my arms and face. It stung more than a poisoned blade in my side, which I had experienced, and there in front of me was my father, Rack, the Red-Eyed One. I hated him and his fancy clothes. He was wearing a black cloak and a breast plate fit for a king. "Son, I hope you decide which side you are on now, because it would be a pity to watch you lose your friends."

     "You don't deserve anything!" I yelled.

     "Oh hush, hush, son. No need to get in a rage about this," he said.

     "I'd rather you not call me son. Mark will do," I said coldly.

     "Alright... Mark." He said my name as if he were spitting out rotten fish. Then I saw it, my ship, The Swooping Eagle. Out of it came Emerald in the front, Veeren was at his side, Baylen at his other side, and at the back was my old shipmate, Pine. River was on Veeren's arm. A second later River was in the air flying towards me. She landed on the post I was attached to. I said quietly, "River, cut through these chains with your beak."

     About five minutes later I was free and trying to run to my friends, but the Red-Eyed One grabbed me by the arm and threw me behind him. The Red-Eyed One said, "Stay there or I will shoot your eagle down." And then I realized he had a bow. He got his bow and readied an arrow. Then I saw Veeren running towards the Red-Eyed One, sword outstretched. I tried to yell to Veeren that the Red-Eyed One had a bow, but my voice did not work. It was too late. The Red-Eyed One had already shot his arrow.

     The worst thing was that the arrow hit its mark, right in Veeren's side. He fell. I rushed to his side and pulled the arrow out. I tried to stop the bleeding, but it was too late. The arrow was poisoned, and the limp body of the hobbit, Veeren, was in front of me. I picked up Veeren's sword and ran at my father. Everything turned red and I yelled, "For Veeren!" 

     As my father was dying, I said, "You are no longer my father and I am no longer your son." I walked back to the others. They stared at me in horror, but no one talked. I said, "I am renaming the ship, It will now be known as, Veeren's Valor." Later that day we buried Veeren.

     Two years later, I retired from being captain. Emerald and Pine took over Veeren's Valor. Baylen went to live in the Isles of Animals and became a fisherman. But no matter what, I will always keep Veeren's sword as a reminder of his brave act. 

     So here ends this tale of The Swooping Eagle.

_______________________________________________

A Christmas with Pine and Emerald

By: Lena Curry

Art by Odin (Illustrations to follow after Christmas)

Author’s note: This book is in the same universe as The Swooping Eagle, but it happens 80 years after the time of The Swooping Eagle. So, the crew of The Swooping Eagle is deceased. So, having said that, read on and enjoy the book.

“Oh, Father, that was a good story,” said Greyhound whose nickname was Grey. Grey said this because his father had just read Grey the story of “The Christmas Seal”. “Yes, it is such a good story, my boy, but it is time to go to bed or the Christmas seal won’t give you gifts,” said Grey’s father.

Oh, I’ve not told you what day it is, have I? Well, I better tell you. It is Christmas Eve and the seal is basically Father Christmas in a different form.

“Oh, fine, Father, but one thing.” Said Grey. “Hmmm, yes, and what is that one thing m’boy?” “I want to meet Pine and Emerald. You know from that old story you read me a while ago.” His father just laughed and shooed him off to bed saying, “I’m sure you will in your dreams. Good night.”

And Grey left to go to bed.

Grey did dream about Emerald and Pine just like his father had said. “Aye, look Emerald! I found a new crew mate.” Grey opened his eyes and saw Pine the goblin standing over him.

“Oh, have ye?” said someone who must have been Emerald. Grey opened his eyes to see Emerald walking over to him and Pine. “Oh boy! Oh boy! You are Emerald and Pine of The Swooping Eagle!” Said Grey.

“Yes, we are, “said Emerald, “and who be ye?” “I’m Greyhound.” Said Grey. “You mean as in the dog greyhound?” asked Pine with a little laugh. “Yup, it’s a silly name, I know,” said Greyhound.

“No, it’s not. I once knew an elf named Frogeyes, so your name is fine,” said Emerald. “Oh, if you are Pine and Emerald, does that mean Mark is here?” asked Grey. “No, Mark is off doing his own thing,” said Pine.

“Oh, at least I got to meet you,” said Grey. “Yes, you’re very lucky to meet us, but you should go now,” said Emerald. “Alright, goodbye. I’ll always remember this,” yelled Grey.

And with that last word, Grey woke up in his own bed and had a marvelous Christmas.

The End