Pirate

"It happened last night," the thirteen year old boy spoke. "The sun had just set. My father and I had been out at sea all day. The waters had been so peaceful that we could have stayed out longer, but we didn't want to risk getting lost in the sea at dark. So we headed back to the docks, where we found a wanted poster littered on the floor. On it was a picture of the pirate known as the Silent Lady of the Seas. My father picked it up, and laughed. 'Pirate, eh?' he said, showing the poster to me. 'You're not scared of pirates, father?' I asked him. 'Pirates, I'm scared of,' he replied. 'But my boy, this girl is no pirate. She's simply a talentless wench who's managed to make a name for herself by being at the wrong places at the wrong time. Even you could take her on,' he said with another laugh. 'Pirate,' he chuckled. I didn't reply. I was too busy staring at the figure that had suddenly appeared before us. The person, whose face was hidden in the shadows, began walking towards us. 'Father?' I said. My father looked at where I was pointing. 'What in the name of-' my father drew his small fishing knife from his pocket. I gasped as the mysterious figure walked into the light. It was the woman from the poster I was holding in my hand. 'You,' my father said to the pirate. After that, everything was all a blur. I remember the speedy swish of a blade. My father screaming. Me yelling out in fear of what had just happened. I abruptly fell silent at the feeling of the pirate's cold blade touching my neck. 'I have a message,' she said quietly. 'A message that you will deliver to your prince. Tell him that one of his subjects will die each night unless he complies to my demands. He may come whenever he wishes. I will always be waiting by the docks.'"

The boy finished his story, and looked up. "And that is the story, your Highness," he told the prince. The prince looked out the window. The sun was rising. "Very well," the prince said, rising up from his throne. "My guards will see to it that you return home safely."

Four murders. Four murders had occured during the past four days, all caused by the same person: the pirate called the Silent Lady of the Sea.

Five days ago, prince Charles had received a note, telling him to surrender two hundred of his best knights and warriors to the pirate army. Charles had blatantly refused, and mysterious deaths had been occuring all over his father's kingdom ever since.

Charles walked into his father's room. The old man was lying on his bed, fragile and weak. Though Charles's father was still the rightful king, much of the king's responsibilities had been passed on to Charles, as the king had suddenly been brought down by a terrible disease. The doctors had told them it was only a matter of time.

Though the details were unsure, they had received rumours of a war brewing up near the northern kingdom. As one of the most powerful kingdoms, Charles's family had been asked numerous times to assist as allies in nearby wars for hundreds of years. Yet never had anyone attempted to threaten their country in order to gain an alliance.

Usually, because their kingdom's soldiers were extremely skilled and well trained, any murderers or pirates near their lands were immediately caught and dealt with. But this pirate- this 'Silent Lady of the Sea'- she knew how to avoid capture. Charles's guards had never even come close to catching the murdererous pirate.

Charles didn't know what to do. Complying to the pirate's demands would mean safety for his subjects. But his soldiers would have to go into war whilst siding with a bunch of pirates, which were this kingdom's worst enemy. Also, the strong reputation their lineage had upheld for so long would just come crumbling down.

Deciding he needed some fresh air, Charles rode his horse down into the city tavern. As it was still dusk, there was hardly anybody inside- just the barkeep, a few fishermen, and a nobleman who was gifting his wife a beautiful necklace.

Charles stared at his drink. What could he do? There were three options. One, comply with the pirate and do what she asked. Two, continue the pointless hunt his guards were leading to capture the pirate. Both options weren't very ideal. Then there was option three. Meet the pirate at the docks, but instead of showing up with a deal, start a swordfight. Charles had heard much about this pirate, and he had heard how skilled she was. But he was also very skilled. He came from a long line of great warrior kings. It wasn't like there was no chance of him being able to defeat her.

But there was also the risk of losing. And if he did lose in a duel with the pirate, Charles knew that she wouldn't stop until every single one of his subjects were dead.

"Worried?" a voice said from next to him. Charles looked up, and saw the nobleman's wife smiling at him. "Sorry?" the prince said. "You're gripping at your forehead, your eyebrows are furrowed, and you're staring at your drink like it's going to explode," she replied, sitting down next to him.

"You look familiar. Have we met before?" she asked. Charles looked at her in surprise. "You don't know who I am?" he said. "No," the woman replied. "Why? Are you famous?" the woman laughed. "My apologies- my husband and I were traveling south to meet my sister, and we stopped by this lovely kingdom to rest for a while."

Charles nodded. "I must say, you look familiar, too," he replied. "Charles," he said, kissing the woman's hand. She smiled. "Charles? I believe I've heard that name before..." she trailed off, beginning to twist Charles's hair within her fingers. She placed her hand on his face.

Charles abruptly got up. "Didn't you just tell me you have a husband?" he said. "Maybe," the woman said. "But what does it matter?" she asked. Charles tried to leave, but the woman blocked his path. "You must excuse me, I have somewhere to be-" Charles was cut off by the woman pressing her lips to his. He was about to pull away- he knew this was wrong, but he couldn't think. He could only feel. His brain told him something was wrong here, his brain told him to get suspicious- but he ignored all rational thought.

"Why don't you give me a tour of your castle, prince?" the woman said, her eyes looking directly into his. Charles looked around. The barkeep, the fishermen, and the woman's husband were all gone. When had they arrived in his room? And how had they gotten here so fast?

Charles didn't even notice the woman locking the door until it was too late. Now that the spell had worn off, his brain started working again. "You," he said, his hand scrambling to his belt to reach his sword.

"Looking for this?" The woman was holding up Charles's blade in her hand. "Relax. I'm not here to hurt you," the pirate said with a sinister smile.