This is my first, short chapter which outlines my character's beginnings, who she is and where she is in life. I intend on writing more as I go along, but this is the first part. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: Unfortunately I own nothing in this other than my character, and my storyline. I don't own the rights of any characters or ships to be named here, and I don't, unfortunately, own the Caribbean.
Chapter One Back To The Beginning
My name is Felicity Whillow. I am nineteen years of age, and an aristocrat of the early eighteenth century. I make my home presently in the coastal town of Port Royal, a rich port town which stands on the edge of a beautiful Caribbean island. I am originally from the French town of Versailles however, where my family now live. I am betrothed to a young commodore (soon to become an Admiral) who works in the navy, whom are currently stationed in the port. I've had dealings with Commodores and Admirals before- hopefully this relationship will go a lot smoother than those.
At this moment in my life, I am particularly happy. Everything is just as it should be; my life is well and proper. I have a circle of friends, all as rich as I am, I have a fiance, I own half of the Caribbean, and I command my own ship which I was given by a past friend and love, a ship named 'The Dauntless' But it hasn't always been this simple.
There have been many significant events over the steadily growing years that have shaped and mutated the course of my life, there have been significant terrible events, and in balance there have been pleasant events. They haven't only changed me- but they have altered and even destroyed those around me. I have indeed had maiden modesty stripped of me, but I dare not delve into that part of my memory. I have told no-one of my past events in life, but I now intend on writing them down.
Oh, I forget to mention, I have been in love before. This is something that will become apparent later on, but I believed it needed mentioning now. I tend to forget these things.
But for now, these events aside, I would like to start with the time when it all began. The time when I was just a rich girl in France. Back to when I knew nothing of the cruelties of life. And I knew nothing of Pirates.
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I was sat in silence on a cold carriage beside my mother and younger sister, Annabelle. We slowly made our way along a dirt track, trundling through the thick mist and light rain. The French countryside was damp and murky, but I admired every detail, from the livestock stood in the fields like ghosts amongst the mist, to the gray fields which reflected in their dark coloring the gray of the sky. They seemed robbed of color.
I was younger then, fifteen years of age. I wasn't wise either. I knew not of this, travel, other than to other places of France. I loved the country so, but knew this would be my final look at the place I called home. We were headed to America, to the new estate my father had bought. We presumed that it would be a peaceful, easy voyage, and that when my mother got to the warmth she would hopefully improve in health, as at that point she was suffering with several illnesses that I couldn't really fathom.
None of us guessed that this trip would be the last we spent together, and my mother and sister's last trip to anywhere. They would perish soon enough, but I will unfold that part of the story later.
We were to set sail the same day in the evening. That was, if the small carriage could force its way through the mist and dangerous, slippery roads on time. I felt it bounce and hit every rock and impurity in the soil of the small dirt path that we traveled along. I sighed loudly, boredom beginning to grow on my face. It had already taken my sister and she had fallen asleep from it.
⌠How much longer are we to wait?" I muttered quietly to my mother, whom sat quite still, sowing, my sister's sleeping head resting on her shoulder. She turned to me and muttered in reply,
Have patience Felicity. I'm sure that the driver is doing all he can to get us there on time. You know the journey is long across France. Watch through the window, there are many things to see."
" Mother- I'm cold. The cold is seeping in through the door. If we don't arrive soon, I'm afraid that the frost might settle in here." I knew that the others weren't feeling the cold as I was- for I knew the others hadn't been dressed in fine silk as I. My father always insisted that wherever I went I was to dress and present myself properly. 'You never know where a potential husband might be hiding.' he always said. I suppose he had a right to feel that way- I was maturing, and a woman of wealth should always be married at an early age. To someone of her class of course.
It took seven long, slow hours to get to Bretagne on the West coast, where we were to board our ship. We were safely aboard and had set sail in the next hour.
When I boarded the ship my worries were lost instantly to the gentle sea in the harbor and the quiet, peaceful town. If I had known what awaited me, I would have never boarded the ship.
And my fear would have been immense.
So, ratings? The next chapter will be around soon, never fear. I hope to have it up within the next few days. Thanks!
