Page 23 of Rekindling Little River (Littles of Rawhide Ranch #14)
River
River was having the time of their life.
The group took off down the halls, sails flying, pirate flags waving, and orders coming down from the captain.
The transformations of the room seemed to make more sense once they went into the Butterfly Room and headed for the “port” to supply the ship.
Imaginary barrels and crates were hefted onto the vessel, while some crew members headed to town to barter for other things they might need.
River helped pretend to hoist the supplies, but for the most part they were just along for the ride.
It wouldn’t be fair for them to take an active role in the treasure hunt, considering the part they played the day before.
It was still more fun than they’ve ever had, and it was only made better by the fact that Daddy got to tag along.
After their business at the “port” was done, they headed back into the halls and toward the exit of the Littles’ Wing. “All right, crew, I expect a tight ship as we head into the deep seas.”
“Aye, aye, Cap’n!” the pirates exclaimed as they followed Captain Sadie down the hallway. They exited the wing and into the main lobby, likely making quite a sight with so many Littles scrunched all together, yet no one seemed to blink an eye at the picture they made.
Even when one Little shouted, “Hurricane off the port bow!” and the group started weaving and wobbling, as if the sea had become rough, there didn’t seem to be anything more than amusement on any passerby's face.
As the captain gave directions and they headed toward the doors that would lead out of the lobby, they encountered things that any pirate might.
A sea monster tried to topple the ship, a typhoon attempted to drown them, and siren songs tried to lure them away, but they persisted until finally they had reached the end of the rough seas and set foot on the land of an island right behind the main building.
“All right, me hearties, we be close to the treasure!” the captain yelled when the tight group broke up as everyone “disembarked”. “Keep your eyes peeled, and your feet steady. Stay close to me and I’ll surely lead you to where X marks the spot.”
River gripped their Daddy‘s hand tight as excitement overtook them. They were so close. The group of Littles crept along, their gazes swinging to and fro as they kept on the lookout for any approaching danger.
Suddenly, a Little spoke up. “Uh, Cap’n? Do it be known if there be any inhabitants on this island?”
“The map don’t say nothin’ about no people,” Captain Sadie replied.
“Well, maybe it oughtta.” The Little pirate pointed into the trees and continued, “They don’t be lookin’ too happy to see us.”
The gaggle of Little pirates turned at once to where the other pirate pointed and sure enough, a group of people wearing masks stood at the edge of the trees, inflatable swords in hand, seemingly frozen in time waiting for something.
River’s guess was that they were waiting for the scraggly band of pirates to get close.
And they would get their wish if these pirates wanted to find the treasure.
“All right, crew, this is the time to find out what yer made of,” declared the captain, still under the watchful eye of Headmaster Jenkins and the other teachers. “Pirates are not ones to back down from a challenge. Draw yer weapons and prepare to defend our map and the treasure we seek!”
Each pirate carrying a toy weapon drew theirs and those who didn’t still produced imaginary ones. The pirates crept forward cautiously, their wary gazes locked on the masked islanders as they skulked closer.
“We don’t welcome outsiders on this island!” declared the tallest of the island’s inhabitants, in a voice suspiciously like Master Derek’s.
“We seek a treasure buried here and will be gone once it is found,” shouted Captain Sadie.
“You’ll be gone now if you don’t wish to face the ends of our swords!”
“We won’t be givin’ up so easily.” Though Cap'n Sadie seemed more timid than she had in her initial declaration, it was clear that she wasn’t backing down.
“So be it,” came their foe’s ominous reply, before chaos broke out and the islanders rushed the band of pirates.
Dave
He suddenly wished that he’d let River convince him to add a weapon of some sort to his costume.
Had he known he’d be fighting off an invasion, he would have.
At least he wasn’t the only one wielding an imaginary weapon and getting pummeled by inflatable blades.
Still, he couldn’t remember the last time he’d enjoyed himself so much.
Dave slashed his sword through the air imagining it arcing into the enemy’s shoulder, River was at his back fighting off their own assailant and giggling wildly.
Dave was momentarily distracted by the joyous sound and his opponent took full advantage, sinking their weapon into his chest. He grabbed the area where the fake blade had poked and made a dramatic scene, clutching his chest, groaning loudly and stumbling to his knees.
River turned, finding him in the midst of his dramatic scene and cried out, “Noooo!” Rushing to his side, they took him by the shoulders and looked directly into his eyes saying, “It’s but a flesh wound.
Ye hear me, Shmee? Get up, and…” they didn’t get to finish their sentence as an enemy approached ready to take their shot while River was otherwise occupied.
“Cap’n,” Dave croaked, “behind…” but River wasn’t going to turn in time so he ripped their foam sword from their hand and plunged it into the islander rushing them.
As the enemy fell back, River helped Dave to his feet and they looked around them, watching as the masked islanders backed away into the trees, and the pirates were left victorious to continue on their way.
Dave continued to hobble as if wounded while River held him by the waist and led them after their fearless leader.
Before long they’d made it to a tree that looked awfully familiar.
If he wasn’t mistaken, this was the very tree River had popped their head around yesterday before they’d jumped out, touched him, declared he was “it,” and then taken off like a shot.
Looking down, he saw a big flat rock with a giant X drawn on it and a small corner of something white, wrapped in plastic, poked out from the bottom of the rock.
“This be it, crew! There be the X!” Captain Sadie pointed to the rock and the band of buccaneers cheered. “Let’s unbury us a treasure!”
River released him and stepped forward. “I have me shovel right here, Cap’n!”
The captain smiled and winked at River as they ordered, “Get to diggin’ then.”
Understanding came to Dave as they began to dig, confirming his Little had been up to something more involved than simply hiding from him and his grin grew even wider. Within moments River had unearthed the “Treasure” handing the papers in a large Ziplock bag to the headmaster triumphantly.
“Good show, pirates,” Nathan Jenkins replied. “Now, let’s get home. There be tests in this here baggy.”
The riotous cheers of the pirates quickly turned to groans, which had Dave suppressing chuckles, and the return trip was much more subdued.