Matherly Colt is cabin boy and personal attendant to Queen
Dorinda Gold, Monarch of the Pirates of the Pelagus Sea
Author: How long have you been Queen Dorinda’s cabin boy?
Matherly: I came aboard when I was a pup of nine seasons.
I’ve been with her for near three seasons, I guess.
Author: What are your duties? Do you like it?
Matherly: I love the sea and there ain’t a better captain to
serve than our lady. My duties are whatever my lady says. I keep her quarters
tidy and help out some in the galley too. I run errands and messages when she
needs me to and I’m good at gatherin’ information when you need someone sly.
Author: What does that mean?
Matherly: (Laughs) Say you want to find out what another
captain is up to. If one of the sailors goes and sits down in the tavern with
the other crew and starts asking questions or listening to their plans, they
likely end up on the pointy end of a sword. But if a boy, such as myself, is
hanging about the tavern, sweeping up or helping the serving girls, nobody even
notices. I hear news from all ports.
Author: What is the news in those ports about the way the
Demalions are being treated in Common Valley?
Matherly: Now this I will tell you true. There be a mighty
crew of Demalions leaving the Valley these days; more all the time. Dark times
loom on the horizon for the Valley, I think. I hear tell that Master Koros
fella is trainin’ soldiers at that University now. And I don’t care what he
said when you interviewed him, he is collectin’ items with magics. I done heard
it more than once from crewmen and those fleeing the Valley. Dark times for
certain.
Author: I see. Let’s get back to talking about you, shall
we? What kind of education are you able to receive being aboard ship all the
time?
Matherly: The best kind. I’m learnin’ every day. I know each
nook of this ship. There ain’t a position aboard that ain’t familiar to me. I
reckon I could fill in for any swab on this boat ceptin’ Our Lady or Mr. Gant,
the first mate. I mean there are some duties I haven’t the push and pull for
yet but I know what to do.
Author: The push and pull?
Matherly: The muscle. The physical strength. There are a
couple of things I’m not yet strong enough to do.
Author: Oh, I see. What about regular education, in books
and such?
Matherly: I done learned to read and write and do sums. A
sailor needs to know his sums to navigate properly. I do a fair amount of reading. I get geography
and history from every sailor I meet. Sailors have the best stories; you just
have to be able to sort the true from the whimsy. Sailors like to embellish
some to make all seem interesting.
Author: Marabella tells me that you always tell the truth.
Matherly: (Grins) I always tell my Queen the truth. I make
no guarantees to anyone else.
Author: You say you do a fair amount of reading. Have you read
my book?
Matherly: I did. But it was all about Marabella. I’m ready
to read the next one. I reckon it will be more interestin’ cause I‘m in it. When
can I get that one?
Author: I’m working on it. #amwriting #AtoZchallenge Thanks
for talking with me.
Matherly: Yes mam.
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