Down in the Dust

Prologue:

That was the night one of the most fearsome men that was known to live…was killed. Captain Theodore Vexx. He was the most feared across the sea. Though he wasn’t as bad as people thought of him to be. He only killed to protect his ship and crew from thieves and other people who were a threat. At least that’s how I saw it. To me, he was a great leader who protected the things he loved, even if it led to death. Though to others he was a cruel and twisted man who murdered people for fun.

            I remembered the day we set sail for the sea. Him and his crew. He waved back at his kingdom with a large smile on his face.

“Well, Horace, this is it! Finally out at sea.”

            He laughed. I smiled as I stood by his side. He was so much like his father when I served him in the castle. I had served his family for generations. I am a sorcerer after all. Being able to cast spells or curses any time that I wanted. Sometimes Theodore would ask me to do some of my spells for him. He was amazed. Sometimes he would even smile. I would feel joy knowing that I had impressed him. Those were our happy memories.

            Everything was going great. Theodore had become well known across the sea. He was a hero to some while to others he was the most wanted pirate of all time. He was always aware of the situation. He always had a solution and was very good at knowing who to trust. Then something changed. The day he had met her… 

           

            We were all getting ready to walk into a nearby village on an island we had seen while at sea.We needed a bit of supplies for the ship. Then a girl came rushing out of the bushes. She was covered in grime and seemed very stressed. She asked us for help. Her friend had been caught in a large vine bush and needed to be cut out. Theodore took one look at the girl and instantly fell for her. I was somewhat worried. I could tell that he was in love. He helped the girl without a second thought. She thanked him. 

           She explained that her and her friend were looking for a place to stay since their house had been crushed by rocks that had fallen from the nearby mountain. He quickly suggested that she’d stay with him on his ship. She accepted his offer. 

           After that he would never stop talking about that girl. He would always hand her gifts, or talk with her when they were alone. Then one day he finally asked her. 

“Do you… like anyone?”

           The girl chuckled.

“Actually yes! I do like someone… and I think they like me back…”

            I watched from afar. Once the girl finally said who she liked. His face turned pale. I knew right then. That something bad was about to happen. I watched as he silently walked away. The girl stood there confused. She was obviously clueless to what was going on. 

            He didn’t give up on her, though. He thought he could win her heart. He tried everything, but nothing worked. She fell deeper in love with the other man. He slowly grew mad.

             He thought that there was no other way, he had to get rid of him. He had to kill him. 

             I watched helplessly as he pulled out his sword and walked towards the room the man was sleeping in. I had a horrible feeling. I decided to follow him.

             I walked quietly behind him. I didn't want him to know I was following him. He would obviously send me back to his

 room. Soon enough he entered into the man's room. He left the door open slightly. It was enough for me to peak in. I watched as he slowly lifted the blanket up. Revealing the man's face. Then he raised his arms up in the air. He was about to behead the man! I watched as the girl appeared behind him. She was holding a small dagger. I knew exactly what was going to happen. But before I could yell at him the girl stabbed him through his back. He let out a painful scream before collapsing to the floor.

"You know for a wanted pirate you're very naive. I knew you liked me from the beginning. So I used that against you. Me and my partner were sent here to kill you. Who knew it would be so easy."

             She laughed, as she stared down at Theodore. His shirt slowly began to soak with blood. His breath was beginning to grow thinner. I burst into the room, tears poured down my face. The man hopped out of the bed. He had been awake the whole time. I fell right beside Theodore.

"Leave him, he's not worth our time. Now lets go before we get caught."

             They left the room. Leaving Theodore to bleed out on the floor. His blood slowly started to make a puddle underneath him.

"Captain! Captain! Please say something, please!"

"...I'm ...o.k… it will be alright...I will return… I will take back what’s mine. And you, Horace. You will be there at my side… when I return..."

“Yes captain…”

               It wasn’t long before he took his last breath. 

               I was confused by his last words. I was confused for years. What could he mean? I asked myself that so many times. Until it hit me. He would be reborn! He will come back to take back what was once his. The sea. And I would be ruling by his side. 

               He. Will. Return.