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Angel4eva007

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She watched the dark clouds roll closer and closer to the little wind- swept ship. Thunder filled her ears and lightning crackled over her head. Waves were pounding against the sides of her fragile vessel. Shiva smiled and turned back to her lieutenant behind the wheel. “Full speed ahead shipmate.”

“Ay, Capitan, but shouldn’t we be sailing away from the storm?” he replied.

Shiva chuckled softly and shook her head. “We’re getting closer my friend,” was all that she said. Her slim, blonde- headed figure disappeared into the darkness of the cabin. The lieutenant sighed and spoke softly to the little dog sitting at his heels “I think she’s gone mad little fella.” He stared into the distance searching longingly for the lost Isle of ‘El De Mina’

Shiva sat in her chair clutching the small pile of papers left behind by one of the greatest Capitan’s that had ever sailed. The few pages torn from the diary were left to her in his will along with the maps to lead her to the treasure of a thousand leagues, but the book itself had been claimed by the sea when an unexpected storm ripped his great ship apart. Shiva slowly drifted off to sleep, dreaming only of the priceless treasure that awaited her on this god-forsaken island.

She was woken some time later with a start; the sound of wood connecting with coral echoed through the bones of the ship. She was thrown from her chair when ship lurched to a sudden stop. A desperate cry was carried into her cabin, “CAPITAN! CAPITAN! We’ve hit a reef!” The crew ran to and fro filling holes, bucketing water and tying long lines. Shiva, a figure of calm in a landscape out of control, walked solemnly towards the stern of her now battered ship and looked yearningly into the pelting rain.

“We’re here,” were the only words that escaped in a whisper from her lips. She turned purposefully towards the crew and barked her commands, “Lieutenant, secure the anchor and pull down those moth eaten sails, we’re disembarking this damn ship,” The crew obediently followed the orders as she walked back into the comfort of her polished study. Book cases lined the walls and her desk was lost under the piles of maps and notes, all of which had served one purpose and one purpose alone: to bring her here. Soft carpet hugged her covered feet as she pulled the overcoat from the hanger in the corner of the little room.

“Finally, I’ve found it. After seven years, I’ve finally found it.” She rolled up the map and sheltered it from the pouring rain as she returned to the ship’s main deck.

“Ship’s company, line up!” Every crewmember stood at attention along the balustrades which marked the side of the ship as they attentively watched their Capitan with eager eyes.

“I need five men…” she paused not expecting anyone to step up to the job.

“Just five. I promise you as your Capitan there will be not death, no loss, just an expedition that will go down in history.” The men’s eyes lit up with the promise of glory and smiles grew across their grimy faces.

“I, Shiva Corvington, promise to make you wealthy men.” She walked along the line of beaming men “Between yourselves you will decide who will accompany me to the island.” At that she walked away leaving them to fight between themselves.

After an hour, and two ‘accidental’ deaths, a small boat had been unloaded and prepared, ready for cast off. Soon they had freed themselves from the binds of the boat and were rowing toward unknown terrain. The little boat was thrown around in the raging water but as they made their way towards shore, swirling maelstrom calmed... A dark shadow loomed in front of them; the men chattered excitedly... Shiva felt a light tap on her shoulder; she turned to face her crew members.

“The men wish to know what this strange, dark shape ahead of us is.” She smiled and turned back to the giant island appearing out of the mist.

“This, my friends, is the Isle of El De Mina.”

The little cave in the mountainside was damp and dark but the Capitan urged her small crew forward. The diminutive tunnel opened up into a yawning cavern lit only by a single beam of dim light shining through the top of the cave. Outside, the rain had stopped and the clouds parted, letting the moonlight fill the cavern with its light. In the cave, sat an old chest which had suffered at the hands of time, surrounding it was the treasure of a thousand leagues. Shiva ran her hands over the hulking brass locks that secured the lid and a shiver ran up her spine as they clicked open. Shiva gasped as the crew eyed her suspiciously. There was nothing in the trunk but a few pieces of paper and a tattered and torn diary. Shiva picked up the red leather diary; inscribed in the front in gold writing were the words, “This diary belongs to John Crovington, Capitan of the Darling Shiva.” She smiled and turned back to the crew, holding the diary close to her heart. “Help yourself,” was all that she said as she walked away with the most priceless treasure of all.