(Note to Reader: My main character Annalise Lucilla Valór has some names by which she goes by and here is the most used one; Lucy)
Part I: The Rescued
It was black as a starless night and frigid cold as usual. James tried to wrap his arms around his shivering body, but they were so swollen and raw with excruciating pain they did not shelter him from the icy frigid cold. He tried to curl himself up against the wall but it was even colder. Thankfully his hands had stopped bleeding. He brought his hands to his face and rubbed them. Shooting, agonizing pain stripped his body and clutched at his skin. He could feel the dried blood that had so eagerly flowed earlier that now was dry. He would surely die in this place if the bloody council and Robespiere got their way. It was a bitter thing death and it lined his bloody mouth with deceit. He would never betray the league. Never and he would die for it.
The clanking of metal taps on the guard's boots awoke James from his thoughts. He tried to straighten himself, not wanting to look so broken. The guard stopped abruptly at his cell. Something happened for the guard just stood there then a minute later dropped his keys. The guard apparently picked them up again and opened the door into James's cell. He was carrying a candle. James could see his silhouetted reflection on the wall. He now turned away from the guard not wanting to face any Revolutionary Guillotine Happy Frog. James still on the ground tensed in despair and dearly wanted to disappear into the wall as the guard came closer. A hand touched his aching shoulder. It was soft not hard like the guards who pushed his around with out heartfelt decency. Curious, James turned around to face a relatively tall man, dressed in all black, including a black mast that covered his face and a tall black hat. A black knife was clutched in one hand. Blood dripped crimson off the silvery point. The hand was still on his shoulder, it was soft, smooth and white.
"Come on, I don't have time for flabbergasted Englishmen." The man said in a high sweet voice.
Was merely a boy saving him?
James attempted to stand but his legs struggled for an unknown strength. The man in black placed a firm strong arm to help James stand up and he finally got to his feet.
Could this man be of the league? James questioned himself.
The "man in black" that James had now dubbed him, dropped a folded piece of parchment in the cell, before leading James towards the door. James struggled and could only tale a few steps at a time for the pain was almost unbearable to stand. They made it finally to the candle lit hallway. The guard lay dead at the entrance blood seeping from the small hole in the back of his neck.
Well that clears that up, no one from the league kills people like that. James thought to himself.
James put more of his weight on the man in black as his vision started to blur and then he felt himself being picked up. His whole boy had gone numb from pain and before he realized it he was laying in a coach cantering away from Hell. James opened his eyes as the man in black eyed James with his brown eyes sadly. He removed the hat and sat down near James. Then proceeded to take off the mask.
Thoughts raced through James's mind as he looked upon the person who had saved him. It was no man or boy as he had expected. It was a young woman. She had a soft face and beautiful hazel eyes. Words escaped James and she sat closer to him. He just lay awed at her. His eyes then drifted towards the knife in her hand, which she quickly tucked away. She then sat right up against James peering into his own light green eyes. She was beautiful and her warmth was welcome. Words finally came to him.
"Miss."
"Shush." She took one of her pale fingers to his trembling lips to quiet him.
James felt safe, the most safe he had been for years. He lowered his head back on the pillow. His eyelids were heavy and closed sleepily. There was a warmth from the girl that James had never experienced before. James could feel her soft touch as she combed her fingers through his matted brown hair. He opened his eyes once again to glimpse the young girl, who so delicately brushed the hair from his face but so bravely risked her life to save him. She was looking down at him her hazel eyes full of fiery spirit. She smiled slightly her rosy lips turning up at the corners.
"You're going to live, James Fairaday." She said softly placing a hand against his burning cheek. And James just closed hid eyes and tried to sleep. The last thought that drifted through his mind was how did she know about him. But what did that matter now, he felt safe and warm and that's all he wished for in the whole world.
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Annalise Lucilla Valór awoke to a dull grey sky looming over her head and the whole of France for that matter. Her body shivered and flinched violently in the frigid, raspy air. Her sweet tanned face from long ago summers showed her young age; she could not be more than eighteen. This girl or young woman for she did have a lady's air, bounded out of bed. Lucy was not just anyone, no as she shed her white nightdress and dressed in men's tan breeches, a white long sleeve shirt and a long black riding coat, that had been lain on her chair she proved to be quite different. Then she slipped on her boots. As she stood up she turned to look at herself in the long silvery mirror beside her bed. A small devilish grin enveloped on her rosy lips, her soft hazel eyes rested on her reflection. She stood back to get all of herself in, then she reminded herself this is tall for a woman but not too tall in a man's case. Her long figure was a confused piece of work for her auburn curls and mildly freckled face cried womanly against her attire that spoke true to a man's form. She straightened her collar and swiped the black hat from her beside table. Lucy knew the dangers of her deception as she placed her auburn curls beneath the black hat. This was all she had been able to find this little farmhouse. Not even a true farmhouse just a bedroom and a kitchen. Her hazel eyes darted around to the bed, still unmade her white nightdress laid on it, the small table beside that, the long, thin wavering mirror and to the closed door that opened up to the hallway. Lucy quickly opened the drawer in the small table and pulled out papers, slipping them into her coat. Then below that lay her most precious possessions. Two custom made, handcrafted shotguns in their rough leather holsters, the golden necklace belonging to her mother and a long black knife with a silvery blade, sharp and pointed, the prize she had been named for, "La Aguja Sangrienta", the bloody needle. She strapped her guns around her thin waist under her coat and flicked the knife up her sleeve. Then draped her necklace over her pale neck and under her shirt. Lucy opened the door and continued down the tiny hallway just big enough to fit through, to the little kitchen. She grabbed the bag of bread and cheese for breakfast and left through the weathered door in the back.
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A man stood on watch on the HMS Indefatigable as it skirted the high seas towards the coast of Portugal and Gibraltar. His face solemn and his mind somewhere else.
The wind slashed against Kennedy's brittle cheeks as he tightly wrapped his jacket around his slender figure. The wind whipped at his red-auburn hair that he had most certainly more than once tried to tie back. He started to pace his thin arms still tightly clinging to his body and his deep azure eyes rested on the hatchway.
Where was he?
As soon as he ever had the notion of thinking that, a long lanky figure ascended from the hatchway.
Well, better late than never…"Horatio, where have you been?" Kennedy asked his brown haired brown-eyed lanky friend.
"Oh I was down with Matthews seein' when he could get the rig fixed on the staysil but he said it be outright bloody stupid in this weather, I am betting he's right, now."
"Yeah, the wind is down right chilling me to the bone."
Horatio eyed his friend. He did look cold from the shaking me made and a little under the weather. His freckled face was more pale than usual and his hair had lost its shine. His blue eyes were deep with sadness but the lively spark he loved so much about his friend was still there. Archie seemed so distant so far away.
Archie looked out onto the raucous sea and thought. Simpson, he despised the name and shuttered at the thought he---dead by Horatio, Spanish prison freed by Horatio and all he could think about was how worthless, an acting-lieutenant he was, that how he would be forever in Horatio's debt. The Justinian, thoughts of those terrible, long years in the dark filled his mind. Clayton had been one true friend—dead. But, he feared for Horatio as he feared for himself. For Simpson's thoughts still lingered in his mind, he tried to forget but he couldn't. Going into Frog territory and exciting the Don's wrath would be inevitable. He could sense danger and was prone to panic and could see the warning signs. If only Horatio knew half of what was worrying him.
"Archie." Horatio said softly reaching out to his friend who stood looking out over the railing into the foggy sea.
Archie recoiled his arm as if scarred of something Horatio might do, no that was not it. It was out of reflex. Simpson and the three years in prison had showed him never trust…
Horatio could tell Archie was somewhere else for his soft blue gaze was distant.
"I am sorry Horatio…It's just." Archie didn't finish what he was saying just looked back towards the sea and the cloudy sky.
"It's just what?" Horatio implied as Archie turned. Their eyes met, dark shadows covering the almost frightened blue widening on Archie's face.
"It's just I was thinking of the Justinian and…" Archie choked on the words and stopped somehow not wanting to make himself venerable to Horatio.
Damn it! Horatio knew what Archie didn't say he had been thinking about…Simpson. He put a comforting hand on Archie's shoulder.
"Excuse me, Sirs." Both of them were oblivious to small Midshipman Harris who stood trying to make himself as tall as he could, at a glance he was even taller than Archie.
"I am here to report for watch." He said automatically.
"Thank god." Archie muttered as Harris walked towards the bow.
"Archie maybe you'll feel better if you just get some warm grog into ya." Horatio said.
"Well, I guess…" Archie started to protest, but then he stopped seeing his friends obvious concern.
"Come on, I know its not the Admiral's Daughter in Portsmouth but it'll warm you up good. Would you care to join me Acting Lieutenant Kennedy or would you like to decline and freeze."
"Is that a hint of a joke I here." Archie lips curved into a slight smile.
Horatio's brown eyes just twinkled.
"Well, why not?" Archie said snapping back to reality, the obstacle still mischievously wavering in his eyes.
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The road to town was a musty and damp one. The rain was soft and light and Lucy relished the though of not having to ride in a torrential downpour, like the days before. Lucy pondered how long it would take her to get to the garrison. Also of what "Captain De Saunt" would think of her. Probably just another young buck not even old enough to have whiskers, who wants to prove himself a true Loyalist and Republican. That would be a test because all though she had done it before briefly, she absolutely hated the whole bunch, Loyalists and Republican's and saw what I was doing to France, also for those excruciating memories in her dark past.
The garrison on the edge of town came with in Lucy's sights. It was small and looked murky as if right in the center of a bog. As she rode up to it, the two guards straightened their stances.
"Est-ce que je peux vous aider monsieur? ^Can I help you, Sir?^" the first guard asked.
"Oui, je dois voir votre capitaine? ^Yes, can I see your Captain?^" Lucy replied as she handed him a letter explaining her identity.
The guard brought Lucy through to the center of the garrison. A few guards sat playing whist and the guillotine in the center courtyard was covered. Amazing, Lucy thought to herself, this far south the guillotine still rules; A terror by the will of power hungry and bloody vengeance seeking republicans.
Finally they reached the Captain's room and the guard brought her into it. Inside sat a man dressed in uniform. His grey eyes settled on Lucy. She in turn peered ferociously at him. Captain Marius De Saunt.
"Et qui est notre invité? ^And who is our guest?^" the Captain said gesturing for Lucy to sit.
"Étienne Renaunt, à votre service. ^…at your service.^" Lucy said pulling out another letter from her jacket.
The guard handed over the Captain the letter she had previously given him.
" Bon, Monsieur Renaunt, bienvenue. Je suis Capitaine De Saunt. ^Well, Mr. Renaunt, welcome. I am Captain De Saunt.^ "
I know that, Lucy said chuckling to herself.
Lucy could tell the captain was definitely been in his fair share of battles from the worry lines creased on his thick brow to the scars on his weathered hands. The captain then turned to the guard.
"Fanjan, ne se tiennent pas simplement là, vont de nouveau à vos fonctions. ^Fanjan, don't just stand there, go back to your duties.^" The captain said sternly.
The man jumped and scurried like a scared rat out the door. Lucy then handed the Captain her second piece of parchment. The captain scanned it and then smiled lightly.
"Ansi…(so)" the captain said, then pausing to get up and reach for the curtain draped over the window.
"Comment vous aiment la guillotine? ^How do you like the guillotine? ^" He continued with a small smile.
Lucy arched one brown eyebrow and pursed her lips regarding this as her own death sentence. Is this supposed to intimidate me? Well, ha its not working, Lucy thought. Two men had some and pulled the cover from the silver blade.
"C'est un morceau magnifique de travail. ^It is a magnificent piece of work. ^" Lucy said trying her best to sound in love with the inanimate object but truly the site disgusted her. She could already see the unshed blood seep from the metal.
"Ainsi ceci indique, vous travaillent pour le Comité pour la justice de la République Française et ayez viennent pour rassembler les papiers de l'enroute de Paris au Le Havre ^So this says, you work for the Committee for the Justice of the Republic of France and have come to collect the papers from Paris enroute to Le Havre^," the captain continued sitting back down. Taking out a clean sheet of parchment, his quill and ink.
"Ici, est votre passage à bord de l'Etoile pour fournir ces documents aux bureaux de la République Française en Le Harve. Vous voyagerez demain avec la marée de matin. ^Here, is your passage aboard the Etoile to deliver these documents to the offices of the French Republic in Le Harve. You will travel tomorrow with the morning tide.^ "
Ah ha good…my first task. Nice, I wonder how much the British Admiralty would pay for these papers. Lucy watched as the captain finished writing. He handed over the paper, fresh with the mark from his ring. Then a large packet of papers was placed in front of her. Documents of the Republic of France.
"Ici. ^Here.^ " The Captain said handing her the papers.
"Vitesse de Dieu de mai votre monsieur de voyage. Quoique vous soyez très jeune et très unstrustable parce que… ^May God speed your voyage sir. Even though you are very young and very unstrustable because…^ " the Captain stopped abruptly and looked passed Lucy.
"Mais ce sont mes ordres. ^But these are my orders.^ " He said softly.
"Au revoir monsieur. ^Good bye sir. ^ " Lucy said gritting her teeth. She stood up and made a long sweeping bow and turned to leave. With another devilish smile Lucy tucked all the papers in her jacket and left without another word.
When Lucy got outside her eyes darted around the courtyard. Where are the damn holding cells for the Marquis La Forte and his family? She watched as Fanjan went back into the Captains room. Lucy stopped and watched him go inside, then she leaned against the wall of the room and listened. Trying to trick me, eh? Lucy mumbled.
"I don't trust him, Fanjan. Take ten of your guards tomorrow to make sure he gets to the Etoile. If he's not there file a report and find him!"
Oh I won't disappoint you sir. I'll be on the Etoile but only after I have relieved you of some of your valuables, Lucy thought and laughed to herself. Fools…trying to out do me…Never. She laughed again. Time to check the jail cells.
The guards were lazy after their breakfast and the slight rain had stopped. She passed through the courtyard and continued through a small passage to where she thought the jail calls would be.
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The gratings on the gate were rusted and the muddy jail cell area was filled with a brownish, grayish muck.
"Excuse me!" Lucy commanded to the half sleeping guard.
He jumped to his feet at harsh sound of her voice.
"You have prisoners here?" She asked nonchalantly.
"Yes, four sir." The guard replied.
Lucy thought to herself creating a wonderful plan. There was the carriage behind the wall and Rocket was near. Lucy reached up her sleeve and clasped the knife in her hand. This is far enough away, so only if he ever dares muffle a cry, it won't be heard. Just how I like it quick and easy.
"Can I help you?" the guard asked.
"No, no you can't…" Lucy started to walk away, the guard turned his back and faced inside of the jail. Lucy spined on her heals. "Maybe you can."
The knife went into the back of the guard's neck before he could alarm anyone. Lucy pulled out the knife; blood dripped crimson tears onto the dead man. She quickly laid him back again the gate, his head in his hands as if he was sleeping. She grabbed the keys, quickly opening the gate. The wet mid sloshed about her boots but soon she made it to the dry walkway under the overhanging.
Lucy peered with her hazel eyes into the jail cells as she walked along. At the end was the Marquis La Forte, his wife and their two daughters. The Marquis looked battered and worn; his graying hair was limp and his blue eyes deep in thought. His wife sat smoothing the hair of the youngest daughter and cradling the other. Lucy grabbed the keys and opened the gate. The two girls seemed to curl up into their mother; (they couldn't be more than twelve.)
"Come on. Hurry," she said just above a whisper.
The Marquis stood up and brushed himself off as Lucy went and grabbed his wife.
"Madame, you must come." Lucy said sternly for if she took any more time her plan might be found out they followed closely behind Lucy as she led them out.
"Monsieur, who are you?"
"None of your concern." Lucy said sharply.
Lucy left them out the back of the jail and to the large door out of the garrison She gestured for them to follow quietly and then she opened the door. After all four were out she dropped the garrison keys and a small folded piece of paper. And then she was out. Lucy whistled loud and clear in the crisp air and Rocket came cantering towards her abruptly stopping before her. Then she whistled again softer and right around the corner came a carriage Lucy petted Rockets rose and grabbed the reins tying him to the carriage.
"Come on get in." She said taking a seat in the carriage. Once everyone was in Lucy snapped the reins and they were off towards the sea.
Meanwhile inside the carriage…
"Papa, who is he?" the younger of the Marquis daughters, piped up.
"I don't know Marie." The older man said quietly, think about the man who had saved them.
"What is this papa?" Marie said again handing a piece of paper to her father. The Marquis took the paper and unfolded it.
I hope England suits you well,
La Aguja Sangrienta
"La Aguja Sangrienta, the Bloody Needle."
End of Part One