A Serpent Surprise
“WINGS!” Grigg yelled, accusation in his eyes, over the crack of thunder and violent spray of the icy sea. “Yer said nothin’ about the blasted thing havin’ wings!”
Captain Wilhelmine Vexx flashed her teeth at him as she clung to the railing of the crow’s nest, growling at her First Mate. “I didn’t ruddy know! You saw the painting, did it look like it had wings?!”
Another crash against the underside of the boat sent Wil flying, raven hair whipping across her face as her hat flew from her head.
“That was my favourite hat you wicked beast!” She roared, the beast in question erupting from the wild waves, exactly where her favoured hat had landed, and soared into the grey sky.
Gods above, the thing was ginormous.
It sailed higher, wings flat against its scaled, serpentine body, before whipping them out to catch on a mighty gust of wind and careening round to circle the ship.
No, the painting of this magnificent creature truly hadn’t done it justice. It had depicted something serene and spectacular, a serpent of the sea. Whilst this creature was certainly spectacular, it was also terrifying, more ferocious dragon than gentle guardian.
Its body was covered in scales of aquamarine and amethyst, but so pale and iridescent it almost seemed made of glass. It refracted light, and had the sun beamed instead of being shrouded in a stormy gloom, Wil felt it might have melted into the landscape around them.
She never thought she’d be thankful for rain.
“Cap’n, what’re our orders?” Grigg barked, pulling her from her reverie.
Her mind whirled, trying to formulate a new plan. On the one hand, they’d gravely underestimated this creature and were fantastically unprepared for this fight. But on the other… riches, riches beyond their wildest dreams.
“Keep to the plan, head for the cave!”
Grigg only shook his grizzled head, growling orders to the crew.
Wil calculated as the creature circled nearer, mad glint in her eyes as she climbed up onto the rain slicked railing, bracing herself.
Three.
Closer.
Two.
Nearly there…
One.
She jumped.
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleExciting narrative that keeps the reader engaged. Inspiring heroine, great ending.

Thank you so much!
I love this story so much Emily. I have high hopes for this one in the future. It has so much potential.
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleThank you very much! I must say Wilhelmine has cemented a firm place in my heart, and I’m absolutely hoping for more adventures!
Despite reeling from the horror of this creature so brilliantly described Emily, I found the dialogue between First Mate and Captain hilarious. You have two great characters here which deserve to experience more adventures together. As always, really well written.
Haha thank you!! I always really enjoy that dynamic you get between a plucky character and a surly one, and thought it would fit nicely 😛
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleThe best part of this great story is that last line…she jumped. Excellent!
We all love a reckless MC haha, especially one that leaves you hanging! Glad you enjoyed it!
Hi Emily, wonderful dialogue, and a very descriptive slash of colour. It all adds to a wonderful funny story. I really enjoyed this ?.
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleThank you Eric! Dialogue is never my strong suit so I’m glad it worked and that you enjoyed it! 🙂
I absolutely love everything you write, Em!
Thank you ?
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleA wonderful, very elaborated language and a very dramatic story which captivates the reader from the first line. Great job, Emily! Did Wilhelmine jump into the water to get her favorite hat back?
Thank you Christer!
Unfortunately said hat was lost to the sea, she actually jumps atop the great beast and takes quite the ride! Bit of an adrenaline junkie, our Wilhelmine ?
Wow Emily. You’ve really packed the action into this small package. A lovely little scene with good pace.
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleIt was a hard ride keeping to the 350 words that is for sure haha! Glad you enjoyed it, thank you!
Hello there! What a fun read. I felt myself part of it from the very first phrases. Very skillfully done.
Thank you! Glad it could draw you in Lydia! I enjoy writing these little adventures!
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleI can hardy swim in calm water and my athletic abilities start and end with a good long walk, but I found myself up there in the crow’s nest, grabbing for my hat, admiring the amazing colours of this astonishing creature, and finally preparing to jump! Count me in on this adventure! Well done, Emily; I look forward to more adventures 🙂
I feel you on that Sandra, being not a very strong swimmer myself haha!
Thank you very much ?
I would read another scene with these characters too, so funny. Good job!
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleThank you Brigitta! It has in fact, grown exponentially since ? and hopefully will continue to grow at some point! I often find the ones we write almost accidentally are the ones who resonate with us the most!
Congratulations Ems. If people love this they will be blown away by the longer creation. Very well done.
Hopefully more people will see it one day 😛
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleThis is such a wildly exciting story, Emily! I also love the picture. Congratulations on your win!
Thank you Julie! And oh glad to hear it, I actually made it from a few different images that I edited together!
Very well done, Emily! Even Grigg will be smiling today 🙂
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleHaha, perhaps a bottle of rum for his triumph 😛
Congratulations, Emily! This is a great story and I love the dialogue. Well done!
Congratulations on your two wins, Emily. I am happy for you. ?
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