Hey sorry this took so long, I (in my all infinate wisdom) completely forgot about this story. So, my deepest apologies and hope you like it!

Chapter Two Port Royale

Celeste groaned as the morning light shone into her room.

Rolling over onto her right side she faced the doorway. If this was how…

"Celeste? Are you awake?"

She started.

"Celeste?"

She saw the door handle about to turn open.

"Yes father. Yes."

The doorknob stopped moving. She breathed a sigh of relief.

"Well, get dressed and get out here. We're about to dock."

She blinked. In less than a second she was out of her bed and staring out the window at Port Royale. It was a true tropical paradise.

"Wow," she breathed in the sweet tropical air.

Hurrying she put on her last clean dress, washing her face and hair thoroughly. As she finished putting her other clothing in the bag she had with her Celeste quickly put her hair into a well-organized bun. Walking toward the door she slowly opened it and found her father out in the hall, waiting for her. When he saw her Dr Cedar smiled.

'She looks just like her mother.'

"Ah, Celeste. Are you ready?"

"Yes father."

He took her bag with his right hand, then took his daughters right arm with his left. As he escorted her onto the deck Captain Rowe signaled them to join him.

"Good morning Dr Cedar, Celeste."

"Good morning Captain."

Dr Cedar looked at his daughter, surprised that she was finally more relaxed around the captain.

"I trust this voyage was pleasurable Dr. And I hope you and your daughter find Port Royale enjoyable."

"Thank you Captain, I'm sure we will."

As the gangplank was lowered Dr Cedar and Celeste walked down it and onto the docks. He glanced over at his daughter and saw distaste in her eyes.

"Celeste, we're not going to prison, and you haven't been condemned to death. This is not as bad as you're making it our to be."

"What if we can't…"

"Sean? Sean is that you?"

Celeste looked over and saw a woman standing on shore with man beside her. She wore am light beige velvet dress and was carrying a matching parasol.

"Rene? Is that you?" Dr Cedar walked off onto the shore and hugged the woman. "God heavens Rene, it's been too long! You look great!"

"Sean, I'm glad you made it in one piece. I trust the trip here was….uneventful."

"Don't worry we're alright." At this he beckoned Celeste forward. "Rene, this is my daughter Celeste."

Rene looked upon the girl with a slight curiosity. "Celeste, that is a beautiful name." She leaned in closer, so close that Celeste could smell the perfume on her Aunt. "It suits you."

"Thank you."

Rene straightened then seemed to remember the man behind her.

"Sean this is my husband, Gregory. Gregory this is Sean, my late sister's husband."

"A pleasure to finally meet you."

Sean nodded as he shook hands with the man.

"Come, we have rooms ready for both of you, and breakfast should be ready as soon as you're both settled."

Celeste followed her father into a nearby carriage. As she sat down Celeste looked out the window at the dock. She saw a boy, probably her age, help loading a ship. He looked up and held her gaze. Blushing quickly she turned to face her father.

"Celeste, are you ill"

"No," she thought quickly. "It's just the heat is getting to me."

Rene gently patted her hand. "Not to worry, as soon as we get back, I'll have Mary make you some tea."

Celeste had to force a smile.

She did not trust this….woman, her aunt. She looked like she had something to hide. Glancing over at Gregory she noticed that he had been staring at her, but quickly diverted his gaze when Celeste turned his way. Something was definitely wrong, and not matter what her father said she was going to find out what it was.

Brian had been a dockhand for as long as he could remember.

His father had been one as well. He had been taught to be prepared for long hours and hard work, but Brian didn't mind it. He could lift anything they handed him. Brian knew that Captains only looked for the strong boys who could handle hard work, and he was proving to be one. He would be ready for anything that came his way.

This day was just like any other; he had woken up, had a quick breakfast, and gone to the docks. He saw the ship Stalwart arrive and had been one of the first to join in unloading the cargo. He was almost finished when he saw her. He paused, something he had been taught never to do, but how could he not?

She had slightly tanned skin, and was tall and slender. Her hair was a brownish red. The dress she wore which, he noted, was a pale blue, looked exceedingly fine on her. She looked truly beautiful. When she turned away he was slightly put off.

"Oy! Brian, get yer head out of the sea!"

"What?"

He looked up just in time to catch a bag of flour that had been tossed in his direction. Putting down with the others he walked over to the black smith shop. Cautiously looking around he knocked on the back door.

"Who is it?"

"It's me, Brian."

As the door opened Brian saw the friendly face of the blacksmith appear in the doorway.

"Brian, shouldn't you be down at the docks?"

Brian saw the puzzled look in his friend's eyes.

"Will, I found someone, well not really found, but rather I saw this girl and…"

Will held up a hand.

"Say no more, come in. We can talk while I work."

"Thanks."

Brian entered the dusty room and closed the door behind him. He loved coming here. If he weren't so fond of the sea, he would be a blacksmith. He watched as Will picked up a sword and continued shaping and molding the blade.

"Now Brian, tell who is she and where she's from."

Brian sighed.

Will noticed this and laughed lightly to himself. He had acted similar when he had been in love with Elizabeth.

"Better yet," Will continued. "Describe her to me."

"She's…beautiful."

"A little more detail please." He chuckled under his breath.

"Sorry," Brian paused. He could describe her from perfect memory, even though he had met her once. "She's about five foot four, with brownish red hair. Her skin is slightly tanned, and her eyes…well I can't really describe her eyes because I was too far away to make out much detail."

Will laughed.

"Ah, one of those beauties from afar."

He remembered when he had loved Elizabeth from afar. It had been painful at times, but now, now that she knew. Life, for him, was perfect.

"Well, I shouldn't have to worry about her too much, I probably won't ever see her again."

Will looked up and caught Brian's eye. He stopped what he was doing and looked steadily at the boy.

"Brian, don't give up hope. You may yet see her again, and it will be when you least except it."

Brian looked at will, disbelieving what he was hearing. He sighed, then walked over to the door.

"Thanks Will, you're right, its not good luck to give up hope."

Waving good-bye he left the blacksmiths shop.

'He's right,' Brian thought. 'All I need to do is have a little hope and a lot of faith."

Smiling he ran back to the docks and continued working. Thinking of the girl.

A hundred miles off the coast of Port Royale a dark ship cut smoothly through the water. About it was the stench of death and war.

Its sails were red and its demeanor looked black.

The Captain looked straightforward, not flinching as his first mate approached him from behind.

"It's there." The Captains voice was like ice. "Port Royale." He paused. "How long before we reach the harbor, Mister Steets?"

The first mate slowly spoke two words.

"Two days."

The smile that the Captain smiled was one so sinister Mr. Steets took a step back.

Ok, so you're done reading this...right? :looks around: Ok, so...please review and tell someone about this.

It's not all bad...is it? I will accept critism...:whispers:please don't make me beg...