II. Trot, trot...to London?

Winter, 1595-1596

"Dad, where are we going?"

"To London, John."

For my sixteenth birthday, dad took me at least a hundred miles south of Lynn, to London. Before my apprenticeship (which I was happy to take a break from), I hadn't ventured anywhere outside of Lincolnshire. I have read about London, and always dreamed of visiting one day. I was especially impressed with watching the ships dock along the River Thames. But dad took me somewhere I never thought I'd go.

"Remember, not a word to your mother I brought you here."

"We were never here," I assured him.

We went to a local pub, called "The Pelican," in nearby Wapping. Overlooking the River, it was apparently a popular destination for seafarers between voyages. Mum typically didn't like pubs, and shunned us from going. However, dad would occasionally "go out" not saying where. (Only I knew where he was really going.) Now that dad considered me "of age," he decided he wanted me to share the experience with him. I hadn't quite experienced anything like blood pudding coupled with cold ale. The drink seemed to taste better after the first few sips.

Although in some ways, London was more brash and dirty than depicted in my readings, seeing it for the first time was in some ways better than I imagined. As dad took me around the various points of the City, I was convinced I wanted to make it back here, someday.

Spring, 1596

It was around this time my father suddenly passed away, due to a heart condition. I was unaware of my father had achieved ownership of the land he had rented from the Bertie noble family, until his prostate attorney informed me of his will, and his passing it on to me. In wanting to please him, a part of me felt it was my duty to take my father's place on the homestead. Unfortunately, he also left a great deal of unpaid debts which I reluctantly, had to sell away the livestock to pay off. At this point, the farm was no longer active. Feeling disappointed in my failure, I felt I was at a crossroad on what to do in my life.

It wasn't until I went out to the seaport back in Lynn, I had an unexpected arrival of a man who inspired me; a famous sea dog by the name of Captain Christopher Newport. He told me of the time he captured a Portuguese ship, Madre de Deus, and all the riches he and his men obtained. After leaving me a sword, helmet and musket, I began to wonder what it would be like, to live such a carefree life... . The more I thought of it, the more it appealed to me.

While finishing my master's work one evening, I had an unexpected visitor.

"John!"

No sooner had I answered a knock at the door, did a petite frame knock me onto the ground, showering me with kisses.

"Sarah, how did you get—what are you doing here?" I asked, startled and surprised, between kisses.

"I came to see you, silly-billy goat!" She stuck her tongue out before locking lips with me some more. Even I had to admit I missed these moments. Finally, we both got up and embraced. "I know we've been writing, and you visit certain weekends, ever since you came to Lynn several months ago, but 'tis merely not the same. I came in the carriage outside."

Her pale blue eyes were looking up at me now, me being nearly a foot taller. I had almost forgotten how pretty she was. Her cheeks matching her fair skin tinged to a rosy red similar to her lips, as I toyed with her curly blonde locks.

"Care to go for a ride?"

"Won't your boss mind?"

"He's out for the rest of the day. In any case, I should be closing the office soon."

I figured since she made the journey from her home in Alford, she'd appreciate a picnic. I even surprised her with a bouquet of roses. We went to the seaport after I purchased some things for us at the market. I felt it was most relaxing, watching the waves on a spring eve, feeling the sand between our toes, or sitting at the end of the dock swinging our legs as we ate. We enjoyed the moment, speaking fondly of memories, until Sarah nudged my shoulder after laying her head there for a while.

"How have you been, since... ?" She didn't even need to finish.

"My mum remarrying? Admittedly, I'd prefer to be here to be away from him." My mother had married a well-to-do merchant, mostly for means of support. I'll call him, "Mr. Daemon." But I hadn't cared for him, as he tried to convince me to sell my farm to him. I somehow thought it would be a mistake; and since telling him "no", he has not wanted me around.

"I know it must bother you, since 'twas a short while ago your father passed away."

"Well, I suppose if he makes her happy, there's nothing more to say." I wasn't so certain about that, as my mum had changed since marrying him. She typically sided with him, as if she feared making him angry. Not wanting to think of that much more, I changed the subject. "I've been thinking, about the future... ."

"Yes?" She seemed rather eager.

"I know 'twas my own father's plan for me to train with Master Sendall as a merchant, as a way of making a life for myself and whom I decide to marry, but I'm not certain this will work out."

"Is that so?"

"I think, now is high time, to pursue another passion. My real, passion of adventure."

"I see."

"The French are looking for mercenaries for their Army. I could head out to sea next month, and enlist... ." I stopped, noting how silent she had become. "What's wrong?"

"You're leaving?"

"I plan to, at least, I hope to—"

"And what of us?"

"Well, I'll certainly come back and write from time to time, whenever I can—"

"So that's all then? Nothing more? Have you ever considered what I wanted for our future—am I even in your future John? Do you not wish to marry me?"

"Well, certainly not anytime soon." After seeing her reaction, I knew I should've worded that differently. (I've never been good with words.) "What I meant to say is, we're only sixteen—"

"You won't even propose? Not even a promise someday? Do you love, me, John?"

"I—"

Her eyes began welling up with tears. "Don't—I know your response."

"But Sarah—"

"Go! I won't stand in your way!" She began turning away.

"But—"

"Don't follow me!" She pushed me backwards into the water. "And take these!" She threw the flowers in.

I climbed back on the dock, drenched, just in time to see her run into the carriage, sobbing, as it trotted away.

—

"You have no idea, Johnny, do you?" Danny asked me sometime later.

"She refuses to see me. Even her younger sister Elizabeth sticks out her tongue at me and slams the door on me."

"Johnny, did it ever occur to you she really loved you, and after traveling all that way to see you, she'd want more assurance from you that you felt the same?"

"You're right—I'm a blithering idiot."

"Let it go, 'tis over."

I also told Danny I quit my apprenticeship. He wasn't surprised.

"'Twould only be a matter of time before this would happen. I assume you'll be in touch?"

As much I wanted to follow my heart, I didn't want to lose Danny as a friend. We would sent letters back and forth; me telling Danny how I was and Danny telling me how things were going back home.

Mr. Daemon, on the other hand, was not at all pleased when I told him the news, wanting me out of his sight. My siblings seemed surprised, but I let them know they should make their own choices in life.

"Do take care of Francis and Alice," I told my brother, Richard. "You can have the rest of my things if you wish." Alice, as I expected, was taking me leaving hard, as she depended on me a great deal especially from my other brothers' taunting.

"Am I not going to see you again?"

"'Twould be a while before I return, but I'm certain I'll see you again."

Richard, was solemn and quiet, for a moment, before replying. "Alright." It looked like he would miss me.

Mum, whom I thought would be happy I was pursuing my dream, seemed solemn. "If, you're going to leave, Johnny Boy, go now—it won't be any easier." She gave me the posey ring my father bought for her, to remember her with. With a final kiss goodbye, I was on my own at this point.

France hadn't turned out as I planned. I knew very little of swordsmanship and firing guns and cannons. (Not to mention, I remembered little of their language I [was supposed to] have studied in school.) After a rather nasty brawl with a fellow soldier who I'm convinced had it in for me since the day I arrived, I was discharged and sent on my way. I tried short assignments elsewhere over the next several months, to little avail. I was fearful of turning home and looking like a failure.

Some time during my last assignment, I received news of my mother's passing. When I had made it back home, the funeral arrangements had already been made. Mr. Daemon, who had moved the family, had left me a note that my "poor actions had killed her", and I was "no longer welcome." Danny had told me she seemed more depressed after I left, and she became sorely ill. In my own time, I attempted to relocate them. They seemingly traveled a great deal for my stepfather's business.

Nevertheless, with little opportunity remaining there, I headed over to London, where I had heard a few men were heading out to sea.