That night at court, the party held in the French's honor was everything boring could be summed up to be. I sat in my chair at the front of it all, watching and judging everything from the shabby dances to the mindless gossip in the corners of the grand hall. It baffled me how much girls loved to gossip. At times, young English Lords would offer me a dance to which I would obviously refuse. My sister on the other hand, had no problem what's so ever being the center of attention. To her amusement, she twirled and pranced to the in time clapping of her subjects. How amusing. I shifted my gaze to my Mother, who stood beside the wine table speaking to he ladies and smiling benevolently when someone would come up to start another conversation. As for my Father, he disappeared with the French lord and Duke soon after the music had everyone absorbed in their evening's quest for romance and entertainment. I guessed that that was what made me most unhappy tonight. The fact that they were most likely plotting. plotting to find and capture the pirates, however few, that were left in the Caribbean. But as I sat there, wishing to change their plans in some way, it was then that the thought struck me like a hot iron; Whatever became of Elizabeth, William Turner and their child? Did they move? Did they die? I couldn't remember the amount of times I had asked my Father that question. only to have it changed to something...less important.
Suddenly, the most magnificent thought came to me: the party was sure to last all evening, and my Father was due to return any moment now, so why not investigate the castle's archives whilst everyone here dances and socializes like Sheep to the slaughter? It was surely an EXCELLENT way to cure my curiosity, no matter the outcome.
"Do you plan to sulk all evening?" I heard Mary-Anne come up and ask.
I smiled up at her.
"Come. There are some fine gentlemen that wish to dance with you."
my smile soon turned to a slight scowl.
"Come now dear Sister, when do you plan on finding a Husband? You ARE almost 20 you know!" She said to me and grabbed my hand.
pulling my onto the dance floor, the music instantly changed and everyone clapped their hands. glad to see me finally get up. Mary-Anne let go of me and left me alone in the middle of it all. I watched as everyone grabbed their partner for this dance as I just stood there. Suddenly, I felt a voice clear and as I turned around to the source, I saw a fairly handsome young lord Luke of Scarborough. He was new to court and didn't hesitate to charm me with boyish features (and the most cutest! dimples when he'd smile!). He bowed and asked for my hand in this dance. "what the hell.." I said and took his hand. We found a good spot and began to dance in time to the music. All around us, skirts twirled as they were turned, spins were made, crossovers were done and somehow I kept up with everything. Just because I didn't like it, didn't mean i didn't know how to do it! My Partner twirled me in the air as the others did with theirs and strolled me over close to the exit where I saw my Father, The Lord and Duke enter with drinks in their hands. Now was my Chance!
" My Lord forgive me, but I must go now..." I said to him. He didn't seem at the least pleased.
"Oh?...would you like me to accompany you my Lady?" He replied and pulled me closer.
You see? THIS was why I hated these things.
"My lord, I think this is most inappropriate and I'm sorry to say but I DO have a boyfriend!" I replied and unhanded myself from his grasp.
As I began to walk away he began to follow me.
"oh really?...who is this..'boyfriend' of yours?" He asked me.
I was beginning to find his company mildly irritating.
"I'll make it easier for you. It's NOT you." I replied and ran through the crowd and made my way, elusively, to the exit.
Everywhere else around the palace was quiet tonight. I walked briskly down the half-darkened halls, with only torches to help me find the room I was in search for and paintings decorating the ivory walls to taunt me with their disturbing depictions. All the while as I walked and turned seemingly endless corners, I felt as if someone was following me.
Turning the last corner, I hid behind it and peered carefully to see who was behind me. At this point, the fear of not knowing was becoming very high.
I saw a shadow move past the lanterns further down that hall. It then proceeded to move towards me, as if it knew I was watching and it was time to come clean. I, on the other hand, didn't wait for introductions. I began to run. I saw the archive room straight ahead and decided to make a dash for it. Mind you, running in a long dress and heels was not the easiest of tasks. I ran inside the room which was brightly lit (thank God) and closed the door behind me. I placed my ear to the door. Nothing. Not a sound of angered footsteps. Not a shot of speech coming from the other side. whoever it was, wasn't there anymore and that fact made me feel at ease.
Now. Onto more important matters, I told myself, and began rummaging to find anything I could to conclude my theories abut what was happening to the pirates. I checked the drawers of desks and flipped through pointless documents that were left unattended. The fireplace burned with equal fury to that of my desire to know. Suddenly, after near exhaustion, I sat myself down at the main desk and rummaged a bit through there. Aha! I had found it. It was leather bound with the royal seal on the front. The title said "Classified" and the papers looked as if they were reviewed over and over and over by seemingly countless people. I flipped through them, feeling satisfied to know I had achieved my goal.
" July 20th, 1690.
It has become clear that the actions and duties of Pirates that have plagued Port Royal for almost two centuries has come to pass. They have disbanded their ships and gone into hiding. No latest reports as to their whereabouts, but one thing is for sure; They're never to return."
I turned the pages, to see they were blank, with only the dates filled in. It was as if whoever owned this journal, didn't bother to write about events that would never take place again.
"July 29th, 1690.
5 men were found dead at the port of San Diego to the north of Port Royal. It is thought that they died of accidents for the evidence all points to that but something else is a mist. A Map was found, not detailing any definite destination but instead highlighting countless areas across the ocean. But what bewildered me the most was the fact that these areas were of no Historical importance...Strange."
"August 16th, 1690.
A Pirate ship was found just beyond the reach of port San Diego. No pirates found. Only leftovers of a half-sunken ship. It has become unclear what is going on, but tomorrow I shall consult a powerful oracle to find out the truth! I have a feeling that these pirates are after something...something worth more than the rewards of a Town's raid."
The remaining two pages of the Journal, concerned me the most. I noticed that the Author's handwriting grew more and more illegible as if to get his thoughts out were of a deep urgency.
" August 25th, 1690.
As I would've guessed. The pirates have gone in search of something. A treasure of sorts the Oracle said. She said that "An island of plague and fortune held the jewels of an empire long forgotten." What was she talking about? Was there really a treasure worth that much!? anyway... It would seem that the days are getting restless. More and more dead are popping up around the Caribbean. And worst of all, women are being kidnapped. And it isn't just at random. There's a pattern. Every full moon, where only half of it would show itself in the clouds, a girl close to 20 would be taken. With all of this happening..only one question remains...What is going on?"
"September 14th,1691.
This wretched place...half the population...gone mad...MAD! And so have I it would seem. Word has gotten out about the blood treasure...people...people are rounding up crews and going on adventures...dying...dying they ALL ARE! But no matter...I have decided to go in search of this...this...Blood Treasure! It ends NOW! For this point onward, I shall not be here, waiting out my dying days. I will get rich! BLOODY RICH! "
A flash of lightning flared through the room. I jumped at it. It began to rain vigorously outside. Due to my reaction, the journal had fallen on it's front. There was an engraving on it made out of black ink and a knife. I squinted to make it out.
"Property of Edward Teach."
I gasped. It couldn't be. I stared at it with the utmost fright. This was no ordinary journal nor was this the journal of any old pirate! No..this was the journal of the most well known pirates in history.
"Blackbeard." I said aloud, finishing my thought.
Suddenly, a loud BANG was heard outside. I ran to the window to see flares of fire coming from the ocean. Soon afterwards, fires erupted on buildings. at that instant, I thought about my family. I needed to return to them immediately. Gathering up my skirts, I turned towards the door to see it ajar. Right next to it, leaning slightly against the wall, was a boy, roughly about my age and height in a brown overalls, a white, loose, long-sleeved french t-shirt and a leather jacket. I stood there with his head down, his golden messy hair covering his face. He stood there sharpening his knife. Taunting me.
"Get out of my way..." I said rudely. I knew who he was. He was a pirate.
Another BANG was heard, soon accompanied by a BOOM.
"Hear that?" He said.
I didn't reply.
"That's the sound of fury...that's the sound of vengeance. And you lass...well...let's just say it's ALLLLLL for you..."
"what does that mean?" I asked him.
He grinned.
"The Black Pearl sweetness...The Black Pearl is here for YOU."
At that moment I reached for a candle and charged towards him. Deflecting my punch, I shoved the candle in his face.
"AHHHH!" He yelled out.
I ran down the hall. The candles were all blown out, with only the glares of red flashing through the windows guiding my way. Turning the corner, I ran into two other pirates.
"You're coming with us!" one said. I looked at him but realized he wasn't speaking, but a blue Macaw atop his head was instead.
"No I'm not! UNHAND ME!" I screamed and fought their grasps.
"Forgive me..." the other said. He was chubby and wore glasses. How could a face so benevolent be a pirate?
"I knew you would be a handful..." I heard someone else say. Turning around, I saw the previous pirate come towards me and elbow me in the face.
Not sure what happened after that. Everything just went Black.