For The Same Reasons
Prologue

by Hollywood Phoenix


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A/N: First TLW fic. Please provide feedback!

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A young man of little more than four and twenty embarked on a journey. He had little plan and no purpose, but intended to sail the high seas. The means of travel was provided by a small sailboat, given to him for his birthday by his father, an esteemed lord. As he jubilantly kissed his mother, and waved to his father and older brother goodbye, he leapt onto his vessel to send him down the rites of manhood and to a world full of mystery and adventure.


He hoped he would meet many different types of people: dangerous men, beautiful women, plus intrigue. He looked over at his trusty manservant, a man in his thirties who had waited on him hand and foot since he was a toddler. His dog, Pepper, stood at his side. He had yet to meet and see the wonders of the world. He'd never seen evil or experienced loss, heartache, or betrayal. And he had yet to fall in love. He knew he had a lot of learning ahead of him, and he was eager to be introduced to the finer and not so fine points of life.


When the young man had been sailing for three months, he'd gone from port to port, seeking adventure and his place in the hierarchy of the world. At each port, he sent letters home to assure his family that he was safe and sound. As well, he would inform them of his wayward experiences. In truth, he did not have many adventures but he described in vivid detail, the towns he visited and the people in them.


When he'd started entering new towns, he was very open about his name and family background. As he got to know more about some of the two-faced people he met, he withdrew. Each town also seemed to have its share of women throwing themselves in his path, hoping to secure a fortunate marriage. Finally, he gave up on being forthcoming with his birthright and settled for blending in with the locals.


Life on the go was not turning out to be how he had imagined. After much deliberation, he decided to stay at bay for a bit and travel the seas for longer periods. Not having to greet many people, he let his hair grow beyond his shoulders and grew a full beard, obscuring his youthful features. The months aboard the ship, the sea air and squinting in the sun added several years to his eyes.


As the months went by, he found his dissatisfaction with the world ever increasing. His modest sailboat had been off the coast of _______ when he realized how much he wanted to be on the open sea by himself; with no worries. To gain a little bit more independence. So he deposited his manservant at the nearest port and promised to return in another three months.


And so he sailed for two months and had enjoyed the solitude. He had seen lots of different weather conditions. But now, the skies had darkened to an angry gray. The sea was tossing the sailboat about; to preserve the sails, he took them down.


He stared at the sky, fascinated by the night scene. Bewitching; a sorcerer's fury.


A wave crashed down on the sailboat. Caught unawares, he slipped on the deck and fell overboard. With strong strokes, he swam back to the boat and grabbed a hand-hold on the side. As the boat tipped towards him, he felt his grip loosen. As he was enveloped by the cold wetness again, he made one last, desperate grab and caught the life preserver fastened on the side. Suddenly, it ripped away and he plunged underneath the swirl of black void, clutching his preserver to his chest.

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(c) February 27, 2002


A/N: Is the writing too stilted? Are you interested? Please let me know! In any case, please be kind. :)
Disclaimers: I don't own anyone in Sir Arthur's The Lost World and I know it.