The Jersey Shore, an old antique store, a pirate's dagger, and the two girls that happen to buy it.
It all started memorial Day Weekend of our Junior year. Jazelda, Jaz, had just gotten her license and thanks to work, and her winning the biggest poetry contest in the state, a car of her very own. Me, besides being about three months younger then Jaz, would make a Buckingham Palace guard scream and cower if I got behind the wheel of a car. Therefore, my dear friend had agreed to be the chauffeur on this glorious weekend of freedom. We planned to take her new, baby-blue Vaults wagon Beatle down the shore and spend our spring break among the abundance of water, sun, sand, and hot guys!
Our plan went great! We left right from school Friday afternoon and said goodbye to our boring inland town, and hello to the wide, wild ocean!
It took us about three hours to get to the hotel, of which was spent talking, eating, talking, listening to music louder then any parent would allow, talking, laughing, and...talking!
After checking in and making our hotel look like our very own rooms, we looked over at the clock.
"Six-thirty. What do you want to do?" Jaz asked.
I flopped down on the bed and stared up at the ceiling. "I dunno, but these beds are comfy!" I started to bounce up and down on the bed, exemplifying how soft they were.
"Well, you can just get cozy with that bed, but I want to do something."
I sat up and looked at her. "Do you want to go to the beach?"
Jaz's eyes caught sight of the big picture window beyond the twin bed I had picked to sleep in. "It'll be dark soon. By the time we get there and everything..."
I did not let her finish. "Okay, we'll just hit the town then and see what's there."
Jaz shrugged. "Sounds good, but could we first search for a place to eat? I'm starving!"
"Diccord."
She stared at me with a blank expression. "What?"
"Okay."
"Oh..." Then, simply to spite me, she spoke a slur of, probably random and totally unrelated topics in Spanish.
"Let's go." I spoke over her and moved off the bed in the direction of my purse.
I heard her snicker behind me as she followed.
After gorging ourselves with Panzone's Pizza and then visiting The Show Place, we made our way over to the shops around Fantasy Island. We planned to make an appearance at the arcade and try all of the rides after we walked off our dinner. We traveled in and out of stores that sold only the most authentic and stylish Jersey Shore attire. We dazzled and bought a lot of jewelry and clothes on impulse.
Upon our wandering, we ventured into a store that I still to this day cannot remember the name of. We went in because it looked interesting and we were right.
We entered into a world dedicated to the past. It was like a portal! I usually am less then excited about the thought of history, but even I had to admit, this place was pretty cool. The crowded store had millions of trinkets and authentic treasures from the past. There was old sports equipment and newspapers bound in laminated paper that had survived their time and made their way into this store. There was a section dating back to the Native Americans, and my personal favorite, pirates!
"Hey, Jaz, look at this!" I exclaimed, picking up a long dagger-looking thing. I have always had a strange fascination with weapons.
Jaz turned and saw that it was something lethal. She gave a short chuckle before saying, "Somebody in your story going to die by the blade of that thing?"
I shrugged and smiled. "I don't know. Maybe more...threatened. Dying at the point of a blade is very overdone." I pulled it out of the sheath enough to see the glimmering silver, then looked back at her with an evil expression marking my face. "On second thought..."
She laughed even though she knew I was serious. "It's a European dagger." She informed, reaching out and running her fingers over one of the jewels on the handle.
"It was used by the great, Captain William Kidd." We both turned with surprise.
Behind us stood an old woman. She must have worked there, which was convenient for she blended into the store nicely. Wiry, tired hair was barely contained by a hair band fastened in the back of her small head. Her cloudy blue eyes stared at us with a seriousness, but her small lips, drained of all their color smiled at us. She wore a simple, faded jean dress, black sneakers, stockings, and a knitted yellowing-white shawl lay across her slightly hunched back.
"By THE Captain Kidd?" I asked in amazement.
She nodded.
"Who's Captain Kidd? Captain Kidd? Who's that? Did I miss something?" Jaz looked from me to the old woman with confusion.
"Captain Kidd was a famous pirate. Don't worry, I'll explain later." I replied.
"It is said that Captain William Kidd sent this dagger to his daughter after seizing it from a nobleman during his pirating in the Indian ocean. When he was captured, and brought to King James II..."
"I have a daughter." Captain Kidd spoke in a level voice. "I have a beautiful daughter! One whose beauty would make any jewel in the world look tarnished! And, Your Majesty, I have heard that the prince is in need of a worthy bride..." The captain stopped and looked to the king for a reaction.
King James II sat back on his throne, his eyes fixed on the pirate. "Go on." He passed in an emotionless voice.
"Well, in exchange for pardon and dare I go as far as protection my Lord...I will give you my daughter."
"Where is this daughter?" The king asked.
"She lives with her mother, my wife, Sarah. I shall bring her to you."
"Her name?"
"Elizabeth."
The king contemplated this for a long moment. His fingertips pressed against one another and then was bought up to his lips, as though praying. "Bring me this daughter of yours and I shall decide. A branch of my personal fleet will accompany you."
Captain Kidd smiled, knowing well that he had his freedom marked out for him. "Thank you, your Majesty." The captain bowed his head.
"Do not thank me yet."
"Of course."
"So, that very night, Captain Kidd, with a crew appointed by the king set out to find Elizabeth.
Elizabeth was beautiful. Captain Kidd was not exaggerating her fairness in the least. The king accepted the captain's proposition at the first sight of her.
However, the prince was of a hateful sort. He did not want a bride. He simply wanted to rule the kingdom. The only person he ever loved was himself. Therefore, he took his father's orders as that of he was giving him property, not a wife. He was mean and spiteful to Elizabeth, making her do everything for him. Elizabeth, being obedient to the king and, because he was the prince, she did what she was told.
There was one time that she was sent out to the marketplace, unaccompanied, for the price did not believe she was worthy of protection, she met a man. He was a commoner- a local baker. His name was Baxter. They fell in love instantly.
After meeting him for the first time, the two spent every spare moment they had together.
The prince caught on fast. He followed her one day and found out who Elizabeth had snuck away every day to be with..."
"Elizabeth?" Baxter spoke in a hushed whisper, pulling her in closer to him.
She looked up at him, her long, golden hair sweeping slightly across his bare chest as she did so. "Yes?"
"Do you love me?"
"With all my heart." She answered earnestly.
"Then..." Baxter hesitated, looking away from the one to whom his heart belonged, then slowly, returned his eyes to her's. "Will you marry me?"
Elizabeth sat up, straight as a board. "What?"
"Will you marry me?" He asked again, looking her square in the eyes.
"Marry you?" Elizabeth's brow narrowed.
"Yes. You know...matrimony. With a ring-that I'll have to get, a priest...an alter..."
"I know what marriage is!" She snapped, then softened. "Baxter...I would love to, but did you forget about...that problem..."
Baxter rolled his eyes. "Oh, that. I've thought about that a lot and..." He shook his head and smiled. "Not a problem."
Elizabeth was sure he was absolutely crazy, or he had thought of something that might just work. She tilted her head in question. "How?"
"Well, run away together! We'll catch the next boat out of here and be..."
"Pirates?" Elizabeth spat, her voice harsh. "You know how I feel about..."
"Gypsies. I was going to say gypsies."
"Is that not one in the same?"
Baxter leaned his head back into the pillow and shook it. "No! Pirates are...well pirates. Gypsies are.." He looked up and then to the side. Finding no better answer to pose he said, "not pirates."
"They are land pirates! They cheat and steal and..."
"We won't! Have trust in me, my dear! We will live off the land. We will be free! We will get a ship to the new world or..." He smiled devilishly, "Simply discover our own."
Elizabeth sighed and considered.
Baxter pulled her back into him and embraced her.
"I want to. I would like nothing more but...I have to marry the prince."
Baxter stiffened and pulled back, looking at her with upmost seriousness and concern. "Really, do you?"
Elizabeth's bottom lip quivered and her two front teeth overtook it. Tears came to her brilliant blue eyes and she nodded.
Baxter's hand came up and stroked her cheek. "He's so mean to you..." He shook his head. "He doesn't know what he has. He doesn't deserve you."
Elizabeth's hand came up to his and covered it, then brought it back to her cheek as she thought, she rubbed her face up against his hand. Elizabeth let loose a small sob and she leaned into him more.
His arm encircled her and he kissed her forehead. "Don't worry about it. I will make it work...if you want."
"I do!" She exclaimed, looking to up at him. "More then life itself, I do!"
"Then, trust me."
"I do."
Baxter nodded. "Think about it. Get back to me tomorrow."
"I shall write you and send it in my father's dagger. Come to the blacksmith tomorrow we shall pretend we are doing a trade."
Baxter nodded and smiled. "We shall. However, my dear lady, for the moment," he hugged Elizabeth into him and kissed her, "just forget about it."
Elizabeth nodded and snuggled into him. "I love you."
"And I dear lady will love you until world's ending. Beyond even!"
"Now, the prince heard all of this and he was infuriated! It was not that the prince was jealous. That was not the case at all. It was that someone was monopolizing and possibly stealing his property. His royal property. Therefore, he decided he was going to kill him." The old woman replied, her eyes narrowing. "So, that night, after everyone had gone to bed, the prince crept up to the tower where Elizabeth's chamber was located and, he quietly searched for the dagger. After slipping out of the castle, he made it to the bakery. He broke in and barged upstairs.
The noise awoke Baxter and he sat straight up in his bed..."
Baxter scrambled to his feet and groped around the dark room for his pistol. "Intruder!" He screamed. "Begone with you!"
"Silence! Insolent peasant!" The prince boomed.
Baxter stopped, stunned to silence.
The prince lit a nearby candle and set in on a table, illuminating the space between them.
"Your majesty!" Baxter gasped, dropping to his knees and bowing his head.
The prince sneered. "Yes."
"Your royal highness, what may I inquire are you doing in my bedroom?"
The prince held his head high and his nose erect. "I believe a crime has been committed in this very room."
"A crime, my lord?"
"Aye. Perhaps more then one."
"I can assure you, my lord, I have done nothing wrong."
"Treason? Adultery perhaps?"
"Treason? Adultery? No! With whom?"
"Elizabeth, you swine!" The prince boomed. "Do not deny it! I saw the two of you in that very bed together!" The prince pointed an accusing finger in the direction of his bed.
Again, Baxter was stunned to silence. After his voice returned to him, he sputtered, "Well...your majesty...do I not get a trial?"
"You do not deserve a trial! Pigs are not tried before slaughter and they hold some uses! So, why must I waist my time when the outcome will be the same?"
Baxter arose exclaiming, "That is unjust!"
"I did not permit you to rise!" The prince hissed, pushing him back down. "Injustice?" He fumed. "An injustice is what you have done!"
Baxter scoffed. "You do not deserve her!"
The prince reared back, appalled that he was being spoken to with so much insolence and disrespect. "How dare you!" His eyes were aflame with rage. The prince kicked Baxter back and after uttering, "For these charges you are hear-by sentenced under English law, to death!" He pulled the dagger from it's sheath and struck Baxter, killing him instantly.
After Baxter was dead, the prince stood over the body, his eyes focused on the wound. A sneer spread across the royal's lips and he snickered, "Pierced straight through thine heart. The heart that loved her so. Injustice, Baxter? No! Your sentence was perfect for the crime. Loving out of your class is a crime. You of all people should know that!"
"After Baxter's death, Elizabeth was forced to marry the prince whom was denied the crown anyway for complications with his father. He later died of disease. This dagger has been passed down for ages and has made its way into this store."
"Cool! I'll take it!" I exclaimed.
"What? Are you out of your mind? You don't know where that's been-or who it's stabbed!" Jaz objected.
"Yea, I do. She just told me!" I nodded toward the woman.
"Do you really want to waist your money on that thing?"
"Yup!" I moved toward the counter.
Jaz stood, stunned to silence for a long moment before joining me at the checkout counter.
Afterwards, we went to Fantasy Island and enjoyed the rest of our night, almost forgetting about the story and the dagger we decided to return to the hotel before going anywhere else.
Back at the hotel, the bag with my dagger in it caught my eye. I picked it up and brought it over to the bed. I sat down and carefully slid it out of the bag and then the sheath. I examined the blade intently and ran my finger lightly across the old metal. I turned my hand over and took in the beauty of the handle. There were multicolored jewels encased in gold, tarnished by age and use.
"What are you doing?" Jaz asked, coming out of the bathroom.
"Looking at the dagger." I held the dagger up as though about to stab. "Arrr! Ree! Ree! Ree!" I squealed like the killer in Psycho, while lightly piercing the air.
She laughed and came towards me. "Let me see it."
I turned the handle towards her and handed it off while saying, "Don't cut yourself. If you do, I am not callin' 911!"
"No. You would...Eventually!" She gasped and leapt back as it slipped from her grasp.
"Jaz!" I slipped off the bed to get it.
"I'm sorry..."
"It broke!" I hissed with only a partial intention of her hearing me. I pocked up the crimson that had popped out of the handle and the rest of the blade. I tried to rejoin the two and heard a faint crinkle of paper. "Huh?" I looked into what I now realized was a hallow cubby. "Hey...Look at this!" I poked my finger into the hole and pulled out an old, faded piece of parchment.
"It's a letter." Jaz said taking it from me.
"It's the letter!" I exclaimed, taking it back and spreading it out so I could read it.
Jaz looked over my shoulder as I started to read it aloud.
My Dearest Love,
I feel that thou was sent from God above,
I need thou more than mine own life,
I was placed on this earth to be thy wife,
With that revealed,
Now that I have thrown away my shield,
I draw an accord,
One that only love can afford,
So meet me on this eve,
And on land unknown, we shall weave,
Our glorious habitation,
And begin our beautiful relation!
I love thou, I love thou, I love thou!
Sincerely yours,
Elizabeth
"Hey, Jaz? I think I did something wrong." I spoke cautiously after my eyes escaped the parchment and found themselves gazing at an Old English town.
"Ya think?"
"Toto, we aren't in Kansas anymore." I shook my head. "Nope. Definitely not Kansas."
"I don't even think we're in Oz." Jaz answered, stepping next to me, as dumbstruck as I was.
Cobblestones lined the narrow road with wooden houses under straw roofs lining each side. Not far down the road, the cobblestones entered what I presumed to be the town square, where the path looked to spider out into roads similar to the one we were standing on.
I soon heard the clop of hooves and the crack of a whip.
I looked to my right and then to my left, then Jaz pulled me out of the way, onto the side of the road just in time for a horse to gallop by. The rider was staring at us as though he had just seen a ghost or some unspeakable devil. His jaw was hinged and his eyes were wide.
We stared back in amazement as he passed, his effects jingling with the hoof's rhythm against the beaten, dirt path.
The man was wearing a brown, heavy waistcoat, a white, powdered wig, a neck cloth, and even buckles on his shoes! Under his coat, peeped the tail-end of a sword's sheath.
"Please tell me we're at Colonial Williamsburg." I passed awe-struck.
"I would love to, but then why are we the only tourists?"
"Maybe it's closed." I offered.
Jaz rolled her eyes. "Maybe, but I doubt it."
However, there were people all around us, but they were all dressed in Old English attire. The women were in corsets, bonnets, petticoats, big, bushy skirts, and fichus around their necks. All of the women had really white faces with black beauty marks of various shapes and sizes.
"What's with the gothic look in this town?" I asked.
"That was the makeup of the time. Having rosy cheeks was-is here, considered uh..."
"Risque?"
"What?"
"My God, do I really have to explain that?"
She shrugged. "Sorry."
I rolled my eyes. "You know...bad. Like...rosy cheeks-type!"
"Oh."
We looked to our right and saw two women walking around the square and scoffing at a younger girl passing them.
"Michelle!" One said to the other, flabbergasted. "Did you that Strakland girl? Her dress ceased at her ankles! Can you imagine? Horrid!"
The other woman scoffed as well and shook her head in discuss. "Scandalous! The youth are so utterly rebellious these days!"
With that, they hurried on.
Jaz and I looked at each other and snickered.
"Who art thou?" A gruff voice boomed.
We both jumped.
"Uh...hi..." I said.
"Hello. We are...lost." Jaz chimed in.
"I should think so! What on earth are you two wearing?"
"Uh, their called shorts, Sir." Jaz answered.
"I must say, Madam, that they are disgusting!"
"Sorry. We didn't mean to-did not mean to offend anyone. We just arrived from-the west and it's really hot there. However, we are looking for uh...the town baker, Sir."
"The town baker? What business do you have with him?"
Jaz didn't answer.
"We...heard he had really good bread."
The man narrowed his eyes. "No one enters England without talking to the King."
"No! Uh, we gotta go!" I turned to leave.
"Oh, no!" He grabbed both of our arms forced us through the crowd.
"Come on!" I said, trying to get away.
"Shut up!" Jaz hissed. "He's taking us to the palace!"
I stopped struggling and cooperated.
As we walked up the hill to a colossal castle atop it in the middle of the town, the sun started to set.
"We don't have much time." Jaz remarked.
The dirt path led up to a mote with a surprisingly healthy, clean cut, green lawn on either side of the road. Across the water, sat the castle, made of gray rock. There were 20 widows facing us etched into the four towers that made up the palace.
"Who goes there?" A man dressed in armor shouted from the roof of the smallest tower.
"Sir William Wright."
"More like Duddly-Do-Right!" I hissed under my breath.
The man turned his back and pulled a lever that yanked up the steel bars that caged the drawbridge, which was promptly lowered.
"Enter." Came the voice.
As we walked into the small courtyard that led to doors entering into rooms of the castle, we saw a young woman entering the door that led up to the tallest and skinniest tower. Elizabeth! I thought, but figured it was best, since we were too out in the open to escape, to not act.
However, as soon as we entered a door that led into a deserted, crimson-carpeted corridor, Jaz and I made eye contact and she nodded. We both lashed out and escaped the man. Together we were able to knock him down and flee. I yanked opened the door, and, throwing it in the man's face as he came at us.
He was knocked out.
"Was that really necessary?" Jaz demanded.
I nodded. "Entirely. Come on!"
We snuck out, behind the back of the knight guarding the drawbridge and ran to the door.
Entering cautiously, we crept up the winding stairs, and made our way up to the highest room.
"Wow! Highest room, highest tower, these people really know how to stick to tradition." I remarked.
Jaz rolled her eyes. "It was customary for unwed women, especially women that were not blood heirs to the thrown of that kingdom to have their own room upon the highest tower."
"Thank you, History Channel, now, to a commercial from your local broadcasting system!"
"Hey, you opened your mouth."
I looked up. "Why? Why do I never learn?"
She shrugged and went for the door. "Shhh. Now would be a bad time for your mouth!"
I nodded.
A girl, wearing more of a relaxed, off-white dress sat at a wooden desk, overlooking and drying a freshly written note. She then looked around, grabbed the sword, popped out one of the crystals, and after rolling the note up, she stuffed it in the hole, then replaced the jewel.
"Elizabeth?" Jaz said cautiously.
The girl jumped up and spun around. When she saw us, she gasped.
"Elizabeth, don't be scared!"
"Intruders!" She screamed. "Intruders!"
"No!" I yelled.
"No! We're here to help you and Baxter!" Jaz spoke quickly over her.
"Intru-" her voice dropped, "Baxter?"
Jaz nodded. "Yes! We know Baxter. We know you want to marry him and you will not be able to if you don't listen to us."
We had her attention. "What? Why?"
Jaz took a deep breath. "The Prince knows. If we don't get to Baxter before he does, he will kill him."
She gasped.
"We don't have much...Hide!"
Footsteps banged heavily against the stairs.
Elizabeth jumped in the bed and Jaz and I dove under it.
We watched with hampered breath as The Prince's feet stomped into the room and groped for the dagger. I could tell just from his steps that he was seeing red.
For the first time in my life, I was terrified.-Really terrified. I knew this man was homicidal and I was afraid to even breath!
Thankfully, he didn't stay long.
After a purely evil cackle, he disappeared through the door again.
When he was gone, Elizabeth yanked up the sheet and hissed in a scared voice, "He took the dagger."
"Yea. I know. Do you believe us now?"
"Yes. However, how do you expect to get out of here without someone noticing-what are you wearing?"
"Yea, uh, don't worry about it. Do you have a cloak or something we can borrow?"
"Yes. Of course."
As we crawled out from under her bed, Elizabeth went to her armoire and took from it two heavy, wool cloaks.
Putting it on felt like I was suiting up for war-or a musteline man commercial. "I feel like a transformer." I remarked.
"I beg your pardon?" Elizabeth sounded confused.
"Nothing. This is fine. Thank you." Jaz replied, elbowing me.
"Hurry. I can get us a horse. I know a short cut!" Elizabeth informed us and headed for the door.
We slipped into the stables, where all of the castle's horses were previously retired for the night. "This is Spark." Elizabeth announced, bringing out a Black Stallion.
"Bareback?" I asked.
"Yes." Elizabeth answered as though it was not a problem. "He does not like to be confined under a heavy saddle."
"Okay."
Elizabeth mounted the Stallion first and then helped Jaz and I up.
We were off. I really don't remember most of the ride because I was trying my absolute hardest to stay on the thing.
Finally, it was over and we were in the back of the bakery.
I was more out of breath then the horse!
The three of us dismounted the horse and ran up the back way to Baxter's room.
"Baxter!" Elizabeth exclaimed as we burst into the room.
"Elizabeth!" Baxter and The Prince boomed in concert.
"Get out of here!" Baxter added worriedly.
"No!" The Prince hissed, producing the naked blade from within his cloak, while an evil simper played at his features. "Stay!" His expression of joy increased. "Your entire family has a taste for royalty, do they not, Baxter?"
The Prince looked at Elizabeth for her reaction and Baxter sprang up, attacking The Prince.
"Baxter!" Elizabeth gasped as the two men rolled around on the ground, slicing and throwing blows at one another.
Elizabeth tried to get them apart, but stopped abruptly when Baxter screamed out and fell back, off of The Prince.
The Prince stared at the dagger, wanting to behold the crimson spread across it's pinnacle.
Baxter took this opportunity to knock the dagger from The Prince's hand and he dove for it.
Baxter soon had the blade to The Prince's throat and was pushing him off. He chuckled. "Missed." He looked at his bleeding shoulder, "Sort of."
Elizabeth ran to him and hugged him, tears streaming down her face. "Let's go!" Baxter put his arm around her and led her out the front door.
We followed quickly.
"Sparks is around the back."
"Whoever they are can take Sparks!" He motioned back to us. "We shall take his!"
"Alright." Elizabeth turned toward us. "Take Sparks. Follow us!"
We nodded and once we crossed the front door, we took off toward the back.
Jaz hopped on Sparks and then helped me on.
As she started the hose and went to meet up with Elizabeth and Baxter, I said, "You know how to ride a horse?"
She nodded. "Yea. Not well, but yea."
"I jumped off a horse once."
"Not the least bit comforting, Bri!"
"I know. Keep your eyes on the road!"
"I am! I am!"
We followed the tail end of The Prince's commandeered horse to a thick patch of woods.
Once we were there, we helped Baxter gather firewood and once he got it started, he sat down next to Elizabeth and put his arm around her.
She cuddled into him, but did not say anything.
We sat down across from them.
"Who are you two?" Baxter inquired in a friendly voice.
"We...Well...My name is Jaz and this is my friend Brielle..."
"Bri for short." I added, but then returned the floor to Jaz.
"Yea, but uh, we heard about your situation and uh we wanted to help." Jaz answered.
"Where did you come from?"
"West...somewhere."
"Oh. The New World?"
"Yes."
"We are going to got there. We are kind of impelled to now. There is a boat that leaves at dawn?" He looked to Elizabeth.
She nodded absently. "Yes. Sounds good."
"Well, anyway, thank you very much!"
"You're welcome."
"If there is anything I could do to repay..."
"No! No. It was our pleasure." I replied.
"Uh, Baxter?" Elizabeth cut in suddenly.
"Yes, dear?"
"What did he mean?-About your family?"
Baxter was silent for a moment. He closed his eyes and said, "I suppose, I owe it to you to tell you, do I not?"
As though having second thoughts about the question Elizabeth replied, "Well, you do not have to. I was simply..."
"No. I shall tell you. It is only right. Uh, my father fell in love with a lady of the castle. He was a servant. They had me and they found out who...my father was and they were both killed and I was given to the local baker. When he died, I inherited all he had. He told me about my parents on his death bed. He figured I should know." He looked away from her as though ashamed.
"Baxter?"
He looked back at her and she kissed him. "I love you." She said when they broke apart.
"You are not angry?"
She chuckled. "No. How could I be angry? My father is a pirate and you still love me. I simply wanted to know."
The next morning, before sunset, we all awoke and rode our horses to the dock with the loading boat set forth to sail to The New World.
"Are you not coming? You are welcome to come along." Baxter said.
"No. We'll see you off, though."
The horn sounded and they turned to catch the boat. "Goodbye, friends."
"Yes. Farewell and thank you both!"
"Our pleasure!"
Baxter's eyes rose and he turned Elizabeth around quickly. "The Prince!" He hissed and directed her toward the boat.
We turned to see him atop another horse.
However, Baxter and Elizabeth were able to slip onto the boat without incident.
Jaz and I watched them sail away, waving with the rest of the crowd as the space between us expanded.
The next thing I know, we were back in the hotel, with Jaz still looking over my shoulder.
Both the dagger and the note were gone.
Short story by Brielle Guesstell
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Written on 2007-05-27 at 17:37
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When Loving Out Of Your Class Was A Crime
I wish I could tell you this was going to be a story about pirates, adventure, time-travel, love, romance, and how my best friend and I changed history, but thus far, no one has believed us. I mean, it is understandable that to those who were not there, our tale can seem a tad far-fetched, and we are known for blowing happenings a little bit out of proportion, but this one...no! We didn't make it up. We DID NOT make it up!It all started memorial Day Weekend of our Junior year. Jazelda, Jaz, had just gotten her license and thanks to work, and her winning the biggest poetry contest in the state, a car of her very own. Me, besides being about three months younger then Jaz, would make a Buckingham Palace guard scream and cower if I got behind the wheel of a car. Therefore, my dear friend had agreed to be the chauffeur on this glorious weekend of freedom. We planned to take her new, baby-blue Vaults wagon Beatle down the shore and spend our spring break among the abundance of water, sun, sand, and hot guys!
Our plan went great! We left right from school Friday afternoon and said goodbye to our boring inland town, and hello to the wide, wild ocean!
It took us about three hours to get to the hotel, of which was spent talking, eating, talking, listening to music louder then any parent would allow, talking, laughing, and...talking!
After checking in and making our hotel look like our very own rooms, we looked over at the clock.
"Six-thirty. What do you want to do?" Jaz asked.
I flopped down on the bed and stared up at the ceiling. "I dunno, but these beds are comfy!" I started to bounce up and down on the bed, exemplifying how soft they were.
"Well, you can just get cozy with that bed, but I want to do something."
I sat up and looked at her. "Do you want to go to the beach?"
Jaz's eyes caught sight of the big picture window beyond the twin bed I had picked to sleep in. "It'll be dark soon. By the time we get there and everything..."
I did not let her finish. "Okay, we'll just hit the town then and see what's there."
Jaz shrugged. "Sounds good, but could we first search for a place to eat? I'm starving!"
"Diccord."
She stared at me with a blank expression. "What?"
"Okay."
"Oh..." Then, simply to spite me, she spoke a slur of, probably random and totally unrelated topics in Spanish.
"Let's go." I spoke over her and moved off the bed in the direction of my purse.
I heard her snicker behind me as she followed.
After gorging ourselves with Panzone's Pizza and then visiting The Show Place, we made our way over to the shops around Fantasy Island. We planned to make an appearance at the arcade and try all of the rides after we walked off our dinner. We traveled in and out of stores that sold only the most authentic and stylish Jersey Shore attire. We dazzled and bought a lot of jewelry and clothes on impulse.
Upon our wandering, we ventured into a store that I still to this day cannot remember the name of. We went in because it looked interesting and we were right.
We entered into a world dedicated to the past. It was like a portal! I usually am less then excited about the thought of history, but even I had to admit, this place was pretty cool. The crowded store had millions of trinkets and authentic treasures from the past. There was old sports equipment and newspapers bound in laminated paper that had survived their time and made their way into this store. There was a section dating back to the Native Americans, and my personal favorite, pirates!
"Hey, Jaz, look at this!" I exclaimed, picking up a long dagger-looking thing. I have always had a strange fascination with weapons.
Jaz turned and saw that it was something lethal. She gave a short chuckle before saying, "Somebody in your story going to die by the blade of that thing?"
I shrugged and smiled. "I don't know. Maybe more...threatened. Dying at the point of a blade is very overdone." I pulled it out of the sheath enough to see the glimmering silver, then looked back at her with an evil expression marking my face. "On second thought..."
She laughed even though she knew I was serious. "It's a European dagger." She informed, reaching out and running her fingers over one of the jewels on the handle.
"It was used by the great, Captain William Kidd." We both turned with surprise.
Behind us stood an old woman. She must have worked there, which was convenient for she blended into the store nicely. Wiry, tired hair was barely contained by a hair band fastened in the back of her small head. Her cloudy blue eyes stared at us with a seriousness, but her small lips, drained of all their color smiled at us. She wore a simple, faded jean dress, black sneakers, stockings, and a knitted yellowing-white shawl lay across her slightly hunched back.
"By THE Captain Kidd?" I asked in amazement.
She nodded.
"Who's Captain Kidd? Captain Kidd? Who's that? Did I miss something?" Jaz looked from me to the old woman with confusion.
"Captain Kidd was a famous pirate. Don't worry, I'll explain later." I replied.
"It is said that Captain William Kidd sent this dagger to his daughter after seizing it from a nobleman during his pirating in the Indian ocean. When he was captured, and brought to King James II..."
"I have a daughter." Captain Kidd spoke in a level voice. "I have a beautiful daughter! One whose beauty would make any jewel in the world look tarnished! And, Your Majesty, I have heard that the prince is in need of a worthy bride..." The captain stopped and looked to the king for a reaction.
King James II sat back on his throne, his eyes fixed on the pirate. "Go on." He passed in an emotionless voice.
"Well, in exchange for pardon and dare I go as far as protection my Lord...I will give you my daughter."
"Where is this daughter?" The king asked.
"She lives with her mother, my wife, Sarah. I shall bring her to you."
"Her name?"
"Elizabeth."
The king contemplated this for a long moment. His fingertips pressed against one another and then was bought up to his lips, as though praying. "Bring me this daughter of yours and I shall decide. A branch of my personal fleet will accompany you."
Captain Kidd smiled, knowing well that he had his freedom marked out for him. "Thank you, your Majesty." The captain bowed his head.
"Do not thank me yet."
"Of course."
"So, that very night, Captain Kidd, with a crew appointed by the king set out to find Elizabeth.
Elizabeth was beautiful. Captain Kidd was not exaggerating her fairness in the least. The king accepted the captain's proposition at the first sight of her.
However, the prince was of a hateful sort. He did not want a bride. He simply wanted to rule the kingdom. The only person he ever loved was himself. Therefore, he took his father's orders as that of he was giving him property, not a wife. He was mean and spiteful to Elizabeth, making her do everything for him. Elizabeth, being obedient to the king and, because he was the prince, she did what she was told.
There was one time that she was sent out to the marketplace, unaccompanied, for the price did not believe she was worthy of protection, she met a man. He was a commoner- a local baker. His name was Baxter. They fell in love instantly.
After meeting him for the first time, the two spent every spare moment they had together.
The prince caught on fast. He followed her one day and found out who Elizabeth had snuck away every day to be with..."
"Elizabeth?" Baxter spoke in a hushed whisper, pulling her in closer to him.
She looked up at him, her long, golden hair sweeping slightly across his bare chest as she did so. "Yes?"
"Do you love me?"
"With all my heart." She answered earnestly.
"Then..." Baxter hesitated, looking away from the one to whom his heart belonged, then slowly, returned his eyes to her's. "Will you marry me?"
Elizabeth sat up, straight as a board. "What?"
"Will you marry me?" He asked again, looking her square in the eyes.
"Marry you?" Elizabeth's brow narrowed.
"Yes. You know...matrimony. With a ring-that I'll have to get, a priest...an alter..."
"I know what marriage is!" She snapped, then softened. "Baxter...I would love to, but did you forget about...that problem..."
Baxter rolled his eyes. "Oh, that. I've thought about that a lot and..." He shook his head and smiled. "Not a problem."
Elizabeth was sure he was absolutely crazy, or he had thought of something that might just work. She tilted her head in question. "How?"
"Well, run away together! We'll catch the next boat out of here and be..."
"Pirates?" Elizabeth spat, her voice harsh. "You know how I feel about..."
"Gypsies. I was going to say gypsies."
"Is that not one in the same?"
Baxter leaned his head back into the pillow and shook it. "No! Pirates are...well pirates. Gypsies are.." He looked up and then to the side. Finding no better answer to pose he said, "not pirates."
"They are land pirates! They cheat and steal and..."
"We won't! Have trust in me, my dear! We will live off the land. We will be free! We will get a ship to the new world or..." He smiled devilishly, "Simply discover our own."
Elizabeth sighed and considered.
Baxter pulled her back into him and embraced her.
"I want to. I would like nothing more but...I have to marry the prince."
Baxter stiffened and pulled back, looking at her with upmost seriousness and concern. "Really, do you?"
Elizabeth's bottom lip quivered and her two front teeth overtook it. Tears came to her brilliant blue eyes and she nodded.
Baxter's hand came up and stroked her cheek. "He's so mean to you..." He shook his head. "He doesn't know what he has. He doesn't deserve you."
Elizabeth's hand came up to his and covered it, then brought it back to her cheek as she thought, she rubbed her face up against his hand. Elizabeth let loose a small sob and she leaned into him more.
His arm encircled her and he kissed her forehead. "Don't worry about it. I will make it work...if you want."
"I do!" She exclaimed, looking to up at him. "More then life itself, I do!"
"Then, trust me."
"I do."
Baxter nodded. "Think about it. Get back to me tomorrow."
"I shall write you and send it in my father's dagger. Come to the blacksmith tomorrow we shall pretend we are doing a trade."
Baxter nodded and smiled. "We shall. However, my dear lady, for the moment," he hugged Elizabeth into him and kissed her, "just forget about it."
Elizabeth nodded and snuggled into him. "I love you."
"And I dear lady will love you until world's ending. Beyond even!"
"Now, the prince heard all of this and he was infuriated! It was not that the prince was jealous. That was not the case at all. It was that someone was monopolizing and possibly stealing his property. His royal property. Therefore, he decided he was going to kill him." The old woman replied, her eyes narrowing. "So, that night, after everyone had gone to bed, the prince crept up to the tower where Elizabeth's chamber was located and, he quietly searched for the dagger. After slipping out of the castle, he made it to the bakery. He broke in and barged upstairs.
The noise awoke Baxter and he sat straight up in his bed..."
Baxter scrambled to his feet and groped around the dark room for his pistol. "Intruder!" He screamed. "Begone with you!"
"Silence! Insolent peasant!" The prince boomed.
Baxter stopped, stunned to silence.
The prince lit a nearby candle and set in on a table, illuminating the space between them.
"Your majesty!" Baxter gasped, dropping to his knees and bowing his head.
The prince sneered. "Yes."
"Your royal highness, what may I inquire are you doing in my bedroom?"
The prince held his head high and his nose erect. "I believe a crime has been committed in this very room."
"A crime, my lord?"
"Aye. Perhaps more then one."
"I can assure you, my lord, I have done nothing wrong."
"Treason? Adultery perhaps?"
"Treason? Adultery? No! With whom?"
"Elizabeth, you swine!" The prince boomed. "Do not deny it! I saw the two of you in that very bed together!" The prince pointed an accusing finger in the direction of his bed.
Again, Baxter was stunned to silence. After his voice returned to him, he sputtered, "Well...your majesty...do I not get a trial?"
"You do not deserve a trial! Pigs are not tried before slaughter and they hold some uses! So, why must I waist my time when the outcome will be the same?"
Baxter arose exclaiming, "That is unjust!"
"I did not permit you to rise!" The prince hissed, pushing him back down. "Injustice?" He fumed. "An injustice is what you have done!"
Baxter scoffed. "You do not deserve her!"
The prince reared back, appalled that he was being spoken to with so much insolence and disrespect. "How dare you!" His eyes were aflame with rage. The prince kicked Baxter back and after uttering, "For these charges you are hear-by sentenced under English law, to death!" He pulled the dagger from it's sheath and struck Baxter, killing him instantly.
After Baxter was dead, the prince stood over the body, his eyes focused on the wound. A sneer spread across the royal's lips and he snickered, "Pierced straight through thine heart. The heart that loved her so. Injustice, Baxter? No! Your sentence was perfect for the crime. Loving out of your class is a crime. You of all people should know that!"
"After Baxter's death, Elizabeth was forced to marry the prince whom was denied the crown anyway for complications with his father. He later died of disease. This dagger has been passed down for ages and has made its way into this store."
"Cool! I'll take it!" I exclaimed.
"What? Are you out of your mind? You don't know where that's been-or who it's stabbed!" Jaz objected.
"Yea, I do. She just told me!" I nodded toward the woman.
"Do you really want to waist your money on that thing?"
"Yup!" I moved toward the counter.
Jaz stood, stunned to silence for a long moment before joining me at the checkout counter.
Afterwards, we went to Fantasy Island and enjoyed the rest of our night, almost forgetting about the story and the dagger we decided to return to the hotel before going anywhere else.
Back at the hotel, the bag with my dagger in it caught my eye. I picked it up and brought it over to the bed. I sat down and carefully slid it out of the bag and then the sheath. I examined the blade intently and ran my finger lightly across the old metal. I turned my hand over and took in the beauty of the handle. There were multicolored jewels encased in gold, tarnished by age and use.
"What are you doing?" Jaz asked, coming out of the bathroom.
"Looking at the dagger." I held the dagger up as though about to stab. "Arrr! Ree! Ree! Ree!" I squealed like the killer in Psycho, while lightly piercing the air.
She laughed and came towards me. "Let me see it."
I turned the handle towards her and handed it off while saying, "Don't cut yourself. If you do, I am not callin' 911!"
"No. You would...Eventually!" She gasped and leapt back as it slipped from her grasp.
"Jaz!" I slipped off the bed to get it.
"I'm sorry..."
"It broke!" I hissed with only a partial intention of her hearing me. I pocked up the crimson that had popped out of the handle and the rest of the blade. I tried to rejoin the two and heard a faint crinkle of paper. "Huh?" I looked into what I now realized was a hallow cubby. "Hey...Look at this!" I poked my finger into the hole and pulled out an old, faded piece of parchment.
"It's a letter." Jaz said taking it from me.
"It's the letter!" I exclaimed, taking it back and spreading it out so I could read it.
Jaz looked over my shoulder as I started to read it aloud.
My Dearest Love,
I feel that thou was sent from God above,
I need thou more than mine own life,
I was placed on this earth to be thy wife,
With that revealed,
Now that I have thrown away my shield,
I draw an accord,
One that only love can afford,
So meet me on this eve,
And on land unknown, we shall weave,
Our glorious habitation,
And begin our beautiful relation!
I love thou, I love thou, I love thou!
Sincerely yours,
Elizabeth
"Hey, Jaz? I think I did something wrong." I spoke cautiously after my eyes escaped the parchment and found themselves gazing at an Old English town.
"Ya think?"
"Toto, we aren't in Kansas anymore." I shook my head. "Nope. Definitely not Kansas."
"I don't even think we're in Oz." Jaz answered, stepping next to me, as dumbstruck as I was.
Cobblestones lined the narrow road with wooden houses under straw roofs lining each side. Not far down the road, the cobblestones entered what I presumed to be the town square, where the path looked to spider out into roads similar to the one we were standing on.
I soon heard the clop of hooves and the crack of a whip.
I looked to my right and then to my left, then Jaz pulled me out of the way, onto the side of the road just in time for a horse to gallop by. The rider was staring at us as though he had just seen a ghost or some unspeakable devil. His jaw was hinged and his eyes were wide.
We stared back in amazement as he passed, his effects jingling with the hoof's rhythm against the beaten, dirt path.
The man was wearing a brown, heavy waistcoat, a white, powdered wig, a neck cloth, and even buckles on his shoes! Under his coat, peeped the tail-end of a sword's sheath.
"Please tell me we're at Colonial Williamsburg." I passed awe-struck.
"I would love to, but then why are we the only tourists?"
"Maybe it's closed." I offered.
Jaz rolled her eyes. "Maybe, but I doubt it."
However, there were people all around us, but they were all dressed in Old English attire. The women were in corsets, bonnets, petticoats, big, bushy skirts, and fichus around their necks. All of the women had really white faces with black beauty marks of various shapes and sizes.
"What's with the gothic look in this town?" I asked.
"That was the makeup of the time. Having rosy cheeks was-is here, considered uh..."
"Risque?"
"What?"
"My God, do I really have to explain that?"
She shrugged. "Sorry."
I rolled my eyes. "You know...bad. Like...rosy cheeks-type!"
"Oh."
We looked to our right and saw two women walking around the square and scoffing at a younger girl passing them.
"Michelle!" One said to the other, flabbergasted. "Did you that Strakland girl? Her dress ceased at her ankles! Can you imagine? Horrid!"
The other woman scoffed as well and shook her head in discuss. "Scandalous! The youth are so utterly rebellious these days!"
With that, they hurried on.
Jaz and I looked at each other and snickered.
"Who art thou?" A gruff voice boomed.
We both jumped.
"Uh...hi..." I said.
"Hello. We are...lost." Jaz chimed in.
"I should think so! What on earth are you two wearing?"
"Uh, their called shorts, Sir." Jaz answered.
"I must say, Madam, that they are disgusting!"
"Sorry. We didn't mean to-did not mean to offend anyone. We just arrived from-the west and it's really hot there. However, we are looking for uh...the town baker, Sir."
"The town baker? What business do you have with him?"
Jaz didn't answer.
"We...heard he had really good bread."
The man narrowed his eyes. "No one enters England without talking to the King."
"No! Uh, we gotta go!" I turned to leave.
"Oh, no!" He grabbed both of our arms forced us through the crowd.
"Come on!" I said, trying to get away.
"Shut up!" Jaz hissed. "He's taking us to the palace!"
I stopped struggling and cooperated.
As we walked up the hill to a colossal castle atop it in the middle of the town, the sun started to set.
"We don't have much time." Jaz remarked.
The dirt path led up to a mote with a surprisingly healthy, clean cut, green lawn on either side of the road. Across the water, sat the castle, made of gray rock. There were 20 widows facing us etched into the four towers that made up the palace.
"Who goes there?" A man dressed in armor shouted from the roof of the smallest tower.
"Sir William Wright."
"More like Duddly-Do-Right!" I hissed under my breath.
The man turned his back and pulled a lever that yanked up the steel bars that caged the drawbridge, which was promptly lowered.
"Enter." Came the voice.
As we walked into the small courtyard that led to doors entering into rooms of the castle, we saw a young woman entering the door that led up to the tallest and skinniest tower. Elizabeth! I thought, but figured it was best, since we were too out in the open to escape, to not act.
However, as soon as we entered a door that led into a deserted, crimson-carpeted corridor, Jaz and I made eye contact and she nodded. We both lashed out and escaped the man. Together we were able to knock him down and flee. I yanked opened the door, and, throwing it in the man's face as he came at us.
He was knocked out.
"Was that really necessary?" Jaz demanded.
I nodded. "Entirely. Come on!"
We snuck out, behind the back of the knight guarding the drawbridge and ran to the door.
Entering cautiously, we crept up the winding stairs, and made our way up to the highest room.
"Wow! Highest room, highest tower, these people really know how to stick to tradition." I remarked.
Jaz rolled her eyes. "It was customary for unwed women, especially women that were not blood heirs to the thrown of that kingdom to have their own room upon the highest tower."
"Thank you, History Channel, now, to a commercial from your local broadcasting system!"
"Hey, you opened your mouth."
I looked up. "Why? Why do I never learn?"
She shrugged and went for the door. "Shhh. Now would be a bad time for your mouth!"
I nodded.
A girl, wearing more of a relaxed, off-white dress sat at a wooden desk, overlooking and drying a freshly written note. She then looked around, grabbed the sword, popped out one of the crystals, and after rolling the note up, she stuffed it in the hole, then replaced the jewel.
"Elizabeth?" Jaz said cautiously.
The girl jumped up and spun around. When she saw us, she gasped.
"Elizabeth, don't be scared!"
"Intruders!" She screamed. "Intruders!"
"No!" I yelled.
"No! We're here to help you and Baxter!" Jaz spoke quickly over her.
"Intru-" her voice dropped, "Baxter?"
Jaz nodded. "Yes! We know Baxter. We know you want to marry him and you will not be able to if you don't listen to us."
We had her attention. "What? Why?"
Jaz took a deep breath. "The Prince knows. If we don't get to Baxter before he does, he will kill him."
She gasped.
"We don't have much...Hide!"
Footsteps banged heavily against the stairs.
Elizabeth jumped in the bed and Jaz and I dove under it.
We watched with hampered breath as The Prince's feet stomped into the room and groped for the dagger. I could tell just from his steps that he was seeing red.
For the first time in my life, I was terrified.-Really terrified. I knew this man was homicidal and I was afraid to even breath!
Thankfully, he didn't stay long.
After a purely evil cackle, he disappeared through the door again.
When he was gone, Elizabeth yanked up the sheet and hissed in a scared voice, "He took the dagger."
"Yea. I know. Do you believe us now?"
"Yes. However, how do you expect to get out of here without someone noticing-what are you wearing?"
"Yea, uh, don't worry about it. Do you have a cloak or something we can borrow?"
"Yes. Of course."
As we crawled out from under her bed, Elizabeth went to her armoire and took from it two heavy, wool cloaks.
Putting it on felt like I was suiting up for war-or a musteline man commercial. "I feel like a transformer." I remarked.
"I beg your pardon?" Elizabeth sounded confused.
"Nothing. This is fine. Thank you." Jaz replied, elbowing me.
"Hurry. I can get us a horse. I know a short cut!" Elizabeth informed us and headed for the door.
We slipped into the stables, where all of the castle's horses were previously retired for the night. "This is Spark." Elizabeth announced, bringing out a Black Stallion.
"Bareback?" I asked.
"Yes." Elizabeth answered as though it was not a problem. "He does not like to be confined under a heavy saddle."
"Okay."
Elizabeth mounted the Stallion first and then helped Jaz and I up.
We were off. I really don't remember most of the ride because I was trying my absolute hardest to stay on the thing.
Finally, it was over and we were in the back of the bakery.
I was more out of breath then the horse!
The three of us dismounted the horse and ran up the back way to Baxter's room.
"Baxter!" Elizabeth exclaimed as we burst into the room.
"Elizabeth!" Baxter and The Prince boomed in concert.
"Get out of here!" Baxter added worriedly.
"No!" The Prince hissed, producing the naked blade from within his cloak, while an evil simper played at his features. "Stay!" His expression of joy increased. "Your entire family has a taste for royalty, do they not, Baxter?"
The Prince looked at Elizabeth for her reaction and Baxter sprang up, attacking The Prince.
"Baxter!" Elizabeth gasped as the two men rolled around on the ground, slicing and throwing blows at one another.
Elizabeth tried to get them apart, but stopped abruptly when Baxter screamed out and fell back, off of The Prince.
The Prince stared at the dagger, wanting to behold the crimson spread across it's pinnacle.
Baxter took this opportunity to knock the dagger from The Prince's hand and he dove for it.
Baxter soon had the blade to The Prince's throat and was pushing him off. He chuckled. "Missed." He looked at his bleeding shoulder, "Sort of."
Elizabeth ran to him and hugged him, tears streaming down her face. "Let's go!" Baxter put his arm around her and led her out the front door.
We followed quickly.
"Sparks is around the back."
"Whoever they are can take Sparks!" He motioned back to us. "We shall take his!"
"Alright." Elizabeth turned toward us. "Take Sparks. Follow us!"
We nodded and once we crossed the front door, we took off toward the back.
Jaz hopped on Sparks and then helped me on.
As she started the hose and went to meet up with Elizabeth and Baxter, I said, "You know how to ride a horse?"
She nodded. "Yea. Not well, but yea."
"I jumped off a horse once."
"Not the least bit comforting, Bri!"
"I know. Keep your eyes on the road!"
"I am! I am!"
We followed the tail end of The Prince's commandeered horse to a thick patch of woods.
Once we were there, we helped Baxter gather firewood and once he got it started, he sat down next to Elizabeth and put his arm around her.
She cuddled into him, but did not say anything.
We sat down across from them.
"Who are you two?" Baxter inquired in a friendly voice.
"We...Well...My name is Jaz and this is my friend Brielle..."
"Bri for short." I added, but then returned the floor to Jaz.
"Yea, but uh, we heard about your situation and uh we wanted to help." Jaz answered.
"Where did you come from?"
"West...somewhere."
"Oh. The New World?"
"Yes."
"We are going to got there. We are kind of impelled to now. There is a boat that leaves at dawn?" He looked to Elizabeth.
She nodded absently. "Yes. Sounds good."
"Well, anyway, thank you very much!"
"You're welcome."
"If there is anything I could do to repay..."
"No! No. It was our pleasure." I replied.
"Uh, Baxter?" Elizabeth cut in suddenly.
"Yes, dear?"
"What did he mean?-About your family?"
Baxter was silent for a moment. He closed his eyes and said, "I suppose, I owe it to you to tell you, do I not?"
As though having second thoughts about the question Elizabeth replied, "Well, you do not have to. I was simply..."
"No. I shall tell you. It is only right. Uh, my father fell in love with a lady of the castle. He was a servant. They had me and they found out who...my father was and they were both killed and I was given to the local baker. When he died, I inherited all he had. He told me about my parents on his death bed. He figured I should know." He looked away from her as though ashamed.
"Baxter?"
He looked back at her and she kissed him. "I love you." She said when they broke apart.
"You are not angry?"
She chuckled. "No. How could I be angry? My father is a pirate and you still love me. I simply wanted to know."
The next morning, before sunset, we all awoke and rode our horses to the dock with the loading boat set forth to sail to The New World.
"Are you not coming? You are welcome to come along." Baxter said.
"No. We'll see you off, though."
The horn sounded and they turned to catch the boat. "Goodbye, friends."
"Yes. Farewell and thank you both!"
"Our pleasure!"
Baxter's eyes rose and he turned Elizabeth around quickly. "The Prince!" He hissed and directed her toward the boat.
We turned to see him atop another horse.
However, Baxter and Elizabeth were able to slip onto the boat without incident.
Jaz and I watched them sail away, waving with the rest of the crowd as the space between us expanded.
The next thing I know, we were back in the hotel, with Jaz still looking over my shoulder.
Both the dagger and the note were gone.
Short story by Brielle Guesstell
Read 704 times
Written on 2007-05-27 at 17:37
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