When the shooting had ended Poppy needed help getting down to the surgery to have her wound looked at. During the battle the wound had refused to clot, and Poppy was beginning to have a hard time concentrating from the lack of blood. The messenger that she had been fighting with had helped keep her upright until she had made it to the doctor's office. Before the stallion left Poppy ordered him to get damage control started and to have someone check below deck for any damage. The stallion nodded before trotting off to deliver her orders.
The doctor's office was a mess with wounded lining the walls of the cramped space. Most of the ponies were from the air wing who had taken nearly fifty percent casualty rate. The doctor was rushing around using his magic to help seal wounds and help with healing. The doctor had just finished with the private that Poppy had seen earlier before coming over to where Poppy was leaning against one of the exam tables.
“So, what the problem?” The doctor asked as he inspected her hip. Poppy winced as he levitated the wrappings off the hole in her flesh. The wound was still seeping a steady stream of blood coating her lime green fur in a dark red hue. The doctor seemed unfazed by the injury. His horn lighting up. Poppy felt the magic surrounding her injury. When the magic aurora stopped the wound had been closed and most of the pain had faded.
“Mrs. Poppy?” Came the captain's voice from the entrance to the surgery. Poppy motioned him over to where she was lying on the exam bed.
“I need you on the main deck were going to see if there are any survivors.”
“Captain, Mrs. Poppy was hit by shrapnel in the hip and has lost a lot of blood.” Poppy could see that the doctor was not happy with the captain coming into his surgery and asking for a wounded sailor to go back to work.
Poppy understood the doctor's position, but she needed to keep doing what the captain needed so she could stay close to him. Poppy pushed herself upon the exam bed. She still felt lightheaded but better.
"Mrs. Poppy I strongly recommend you stay here.” The doctor said.
“Thanks for your concern doctor but I will be fine.” Poppy said with confidence. That confidence did not last long though as she started to walk towards the hallway and felt herself swaying back and forth with each step. Poppy took a deep breath to steady herself. When she felt some of her balance return, she finished her trot up to the main deck. The seargent was on deck waiting with a spyglass surveying the debris of the former gunboat. They shared a look as she approached. He returned the gesture with a quick nod. The two ponies shared a few quick words before Poppy turned back to the main deck where a longboat with two sailors was being prepared to look for survivors and any usable supplies. Poppy joined the crew on the longboat being careful not to agitate her wounded hip. The crew on deck pushed the longboat over the side of the Crystal Palace before lowering the small craft into the water.
The long boat waded through the chunks of wood and other debris that had once been part of the pirate gunboat. Two of the crews pegasi flew low over the water scouting for anything important. Poppy's ears twitched when she heard a sound from somewhere ahead. Swiveling her ears in the direction of the sound, Poppy strained to hear where in the debris the sound was coming from.
Poppy yelled up to the two pegasus that she had heard something. The two swooped low as Poppy pointed in the direction where she thought the sound was coming from. The two nodded as they flew over the long boat before swooping high into the air. The two circled over the area ahead of the long boat. After a few slow circles over the water the ponies dove down to the water's surface after a moment they reappeared carrying a small creature in their forelegs. The two slowly glided over till they landed on the boat. The creature turned out to be a small unicorn colt, probably no more than 5 or 6 years old. The colt had a bright blue coat with a black mane. He was shivering from the freezing cold ocean water that had soaked into his fur. The colt also had numerus small cuts and abrasions that he had probably received during the battle. Poppy wrapped his shaking form up in a blanket. The colt held the blanket close to himself. Once he was sufficiently wrapped Poppy checked on his injuries to make sure none needed immediate medical attention. While the number of cuts was significant none appeared to be too serious. Poppy ordered for the two pegasi to return to the ship and let the doctor know that he would have a patient when they returned. The two pegasi saluted before flying back to the Crystal Palace. Poppy tried her best to look reassuringly at the colt to let him know it would be ok, but smile did not have the desired effect she was hoping for. She figured her still bloody flank and dirty uniform probably did not help any. The colt moved back when he noticed her looking at him. The colt then without warning lunged into her forelegs. He nuzzled into her barrel. She could feel him still shivering as he held onto her. Poppy was taken back by his sudden change in attitude but decided it was best to just hold on to him.
As they approached the Crystal Palace Poppy tried to pull the colt off her barrel so they would be able to climb on board, but the colt seemed quite content to bury himself deeper into Poppy's fur. The two crew ponies maneuvered the longboat against the hull of the Crystal Palace where the Doctor was waiting at the rail with the captain. A rope was lowered down from the main deck. The two crew ponies grabbed the rope in their hooves and tied it to the T brace on the longboat. Poppy tried to get the colt to let go of her, but he seemed oblivious to the world snuggling into her warmth. Poppy called up to the deck for the captain to use his magic to levitate the colt to the deck. The captain responded by lighting up his horn. His magic took hold of the colt who resisted the effort by grabbing harder onto Poppy. With swift tug the captain yanked the now screaming colt off and levitated him onto the deck. With the colt on deck Poppy was free to climb up to the deck. Poppy grabbed onto the rope in her teeth and rear legs before slowly shimming her way up to the deck. By the time Poppy had climbed over the rail and onto the deck the colt was crying while the doctor did his best to exam him. When he noticed Poppy climb over the rail, he galloped into her embrace. His screaming subsided to just a whimper in Poppy's fur. Poppy smiled wrapping her right foreleg around him.
“I see I will need you to help with an exam. If you don’t mind Mrs. Poppy carrying him to the infirmary.” The doctor said smiling at the two of them.
“Of course, doctor.” She answered. Poppy gently lifted the colt and lowered him onto her back. The colt did not resist being moved and instead curled up into a ball on her lime green back.
When she was sure that the colt was settled Poppy followed the doctor to the ship's surgery. The wounded ponies from the battle had been moved to their cabins by the time Poppy walked in with the little pony. Walking up to the exam table with the doctor Poppy tried to get the colt off her back but just like before he refused to go. With a long tired sigh, the doctor did his best to examine the colt from where he was now. When the doctor had finished his exam, he fetched a small kettle from his desk and put it on the small magical fire that he normally used to sterilize his equipment. The doctor filled the kettle with some powdered coco and milk. The magical green flames brought the mixture but to a boil. When the doctor was certain it was ready, he poured the coco into a mug.
The colt was now watching the doctor with a look of both fear and excitement as he watched the steaming mug in his hooves.
“Doctor will he be alright? He still shaking quite a bit?” He did not answer right away.
With three mugs held in his magical field he trotted over to the two waiting ponies. He levitated the first mug to Poppy who struggled to grab the mug with her hoof while also balancing the colt on her back. The doctor then levitated the mug up to the colt who grabbed at it eagerly in his tiny hooves. Poppy heard the little pony on her back gulping down the liquid with gusto. It made her smile when the doctor seemed to panic that he would drown himself in the liquid chocolate.
“Slow down little one.” The doctor said.
The doctor turned to Poppy who still wore a rather worried expression on her face. The doctor smiled at her.
“It's shock Mrs. Poppy, pure and simple. As long as he stays warm for the next few hours, I think she will make a full recovery.” Relief washed over her instantly. She felt so much better knowing that she would not be responsible for hurting such a little pony. Knowing that he would be fine she turned her head nuzzling the little colt who had finished his hot chocolate and was now staring at the doctor. The doctor knew what he wanted and levitated the kettle over pouring the last of its contents into the colts' mug.
“So little one.” Poppy asked.
“What's your name?”
He looked up at her. His eyes widened into saucers. Even though he had started to open up more. He still said nothing.
“It's ok little one. Take your time. She cooed.
He took a deep breath and with all the courage his little body could muster he answered her.
“My name is Cursed Winds.” He said looking up at her and then to the doctor.
Poppy smiled at him.
“Well now. It’s a pleasure to meet you Cursed Winds” The Colt beamed at her snuggling once again into her coat.
“Cursed winds now that is a unique name you have there.” The Doctor said.
Cursed Winds did not hear the doctor as he drifted off to sleep.
Before long the doctor and Poppy could hear the colt's snoring. Not wanting to disturb Cursed Winds any further, Poppy made her way to her cabin. With some effort she managed to remove the sleeping colt from her back. Placing him on the bed. She rapped him tightly in the silk blankets. She felt sorry for the little colt. She stroked his mane a few times before getting up and leaving him to sleep.
During the battle the ship suffered some minor damage. The crew was already making quick work repairing the damage from the battle. Poppy found herself sitting with the captain and the other officers discussing the ship's next course. They had been unable to find any other survivors from the gunboat. The captain wanted to talk with Cursed Winds and see if he knew anything about the missing crew. Poppy was, however, reluctant to let the captain interrogate him. She knew however that Cursed Winds had the information they needed. Cursed Winds was still sleeping in her quarters. The officers under persistence from the captain agreed that they needed to wake the colt to see if any information could be gathered. Poppy went to go fetch him. She found him still sleeping on her bed right where she had left him.
“Cursed Winds.” Poppy said trying to wake the unicorn colt.
After a moment he started to stir. Stretching, he looked around for a moment. His eyes landed on Poppy after a moment. He quickly panicked, throwing himself against the bulkhead of the ship.
“It's ok Cursed Winds.” She said.
“Do you remember what happened yesterday?”
He seemed to think about it. His nose scrunched up in thought. After a few seconds he seemed to remember.
“Do you remember now?” She asked.
He shook his head before cautiously walking on the bed towards her. Poppy stood up on her hind legs so he could bury himself in her warmth.
“Cursed Winds.” She said hesitantly.
“The captain would like to talk with you. Do you feel up to meeting him?” The colt nodded his head.
“Good. Would you like to ride on my back?” She asked him.
The colt again nodded his head. Poppy lowered herself to the height of the bed so he could climb onto her back. Once he had found a comfy spot he reached around her neck as she rose. The two made their way to the captain's cabin. When they entered all eyes turned towards the two of them. This seemed to frighten the colt as he pressed his face into her neck.
“It's alright your safe.” She said soothingly. The little colt looked around again. His ears stayed flattened against his skull as he looked at each of the officers. His eyes finally landed back on the captain. The captain tried his best to smile but the colt did not find much comfort in this. The colt continued to stare at the captain. His eyes roamed nervously until he noticed the captain's medals dangling from his uniform. The captain noticed his gaze. He unclipped one of the medals and levitated it over into the colt's waiting hooves. Cursed Winds looked at the medal with wide eyes. Finally, the captain spoke breaking the cute scene playing out on Poppys back.
“So Cursed Winds.” The captain started.
“How did you end up onboard that ship?” Cursed Winds shrunk back a little. He still had the medal in his hooves and was staring down at it. Poppy could tell that he was never going to answer the captain, not without some encouragement.
“Doctor would you by chance still have some of that liquid courage you gave our friend yesterday?” She asked.
The Doctor smiled. “Yes. I think I can make another batch. If our friend here agrees to talk.” The colt nodded his head vigorously. The doctor got up and left the room. After a few moments he returned with a large mug of hot chocolate. “There we go little one. Now can you answer the captain's questions?” He asked.
The captain began again asking his questions and the little colt took his time answering. Eventually the colt was able to tell his story. He explained that his ship the Empress of the Sea had been sunk by one of the Storm Kings ships. He told the story of how the pirates had taken him prisoner and the others onboard their ship prisoner. The captain was not surprised by this by the colt's story. It was a well known fact that many colts and fillies from captured merchant vessels are taken prisoner and used as forced labor.
“The colt explained how he and his father had been traveling with the famous author A.K Yearling. The three had all been passengers onboard the empress which was steaming towards the port of Dear Hollow. Poppy knew well the ship that the colt described. It was part of the Empress Lines, a small but well respected merchant company operating in the northern part of Equestria. Its vessels were primarily ships designed to be able to cut through ice. The colt described how the pirate ship had come out of nowhere and attacked them. As the captain continued to ask him questions it became apparent that he was holding something back. When the captain asked what happened to his father and Miss. Yearling that’s when the colt became quiet. “Cursed Winds.” Poppy said nuzzling the colt.
Tears began to fall down his cheeks.
“What happened to them.” The captain asked again.
“They shot my daddy.” He said.
Cursed Winds began to shake as his tears fell like a river down his cheek. “Please I just want to go home.” He cried.
“I know Cursed Winds but we can’t. I am sorry.” She said nuzzling his cheek again.
“I Just have one more question for you.” He said.
“Were you ever taken to the pirate hideout?” He asked.
The colt explained that he had never been to the pirate island but had heard quite a few things. It turned out that the colt had been the captain's cabin boy and had been inside the cabin during their meetings. Cursed Winds talked about how he had overheard them talking about a fortress. At hearing about the fortress, the captain began to ask more about its makeup and any details the colt had overheard. Cursed Winds unfortunately did not know much about the fortress's defenses, but he had heard that the bay it was in was guarded by a large ship. The pirates had said the ship was there because some cargo they feared would be taken was there.
Poppy assumed this cargo might be the captured crew ponies. She figured the pirates probably sold them into service overseas and so called them cargo.
The captain asked if he had by chance overheard the name of the big ship. He had and the captain seemed to recognize its name.
“Excuse me captain.” Poppy asked.
The captain turned towards her.
“Yes Mrs. Poppy.”
“I wanted to know it seems that you have heard of the ship guarding the cove.” The captain nodded at her. He explained the ship was known by Equestrian Intelligence Service. The ship was massive and was one of the best armed ships in the former Storm King Navy. The Dark Destroyer he explained had a type of metal armor that made the Crystal Palaces guns useless.
Poppy thought back to all of the Commanders notes and the paperwork that he had from the Euquestrian Intelligence Service and she could not think of a single mention of this warship. Poppy knew it was possible that the captain had access to more information than the commander, but it seemed unlikely. So, it concerned her that the captain knew so much about the ship unless he was one of them.
When the captain had exhausted all his questions, he let Poppy take the colt back to her cabin. After she had put him to bed, she came back to the captain's cabin where she found him pulling a chest from his safe. The captain opened the chest and pulled out several rolled-up maps. He laid the maps on his table. Each map was marked with for captain’s eyes only. He unfurled the maps. The maps had markings on them. Poppy recognized some as the same ones she had scene when going through the commanders papers. The captain sorted through the maps till he found one with a chain of islands on it.
“This my friends is where our missing crew is.” He said, pointing at the island.
The crew spent the next few hours going over the charts of the island. They came up with a plan. The plan featured the crews still uninjured pegasi dropping off Poppy and the captain as well as Seargent Storm Surge. They would all be dropped off deep in the jungle where they would then hoof it to the fortresses south end. Assuming all went well the Crystal Palace would launch its long boats to the far side of the island where they would be waiting to pick them up. If all went well, they would be in and out in less than a few hours.
The hour was getting late so the captain dismissed the officers. Poppy decided to grab a snack in the ship's galley for herself and to see if they had anything that Cursed Winds might like. At this time the galley was empty of all but a few of the kitchen staff. Poppy grabbed herself some cider and fruit juice for Cursed Winds. The galley unfortunately had no food, so she took the drinks back to her cabin. Cursed Winds sat up as she entered the cabin. Poppy set her mug on the desk before hoofing the small juice carton to Cursed Winds. He took the small straw in his mouth drinking it with a few loud slurping sounds. Poppy laughed at the sight when the little colt finished his juice with one last loud slurp. Poppy took the carton from him and set it down next to her mug. Poppy then took out her pack and pulled out her journal. Taking the journal Poppy took her seat at the desk. She took a few sips from the cider mug. The cider was strong, and Poppy coughed a little at the burn in her throat. Picking up her pencil Poppy began to write in her journal.
Day 45
We Picked up a passenger today. A little foal by the name of Cursed Winds although his arrival was under less than great circumstances. The captain asked the poor colt questions about the defenses of the pirate's fortress. Cursed Winds as able gave us some information about the makeup of the pirates' defenses. I am not sure about the captain's plans to rescue the captive crew. I hope I am wrong, and this will not be my last entry but just in case I have left a letter under my mattress. Please give the letter to Well Kept at the Equestrian Botanical Society.
Poppy put down her pen and closed her journal. Turning around, Poppy found Cursed Winds curled up fast asleep on top of the blankets. Poppy smiled at him it was just such a cute site. Getting up Poppy walked over to the bed. Slipping off her uniform Poppy nudged the sleeping foal over with her muzzle before climbing into the bed with him. The bed luckily was very large and there was plenty of room for them both.