Reign Of Gold

Chapter 1

If a parrot sings, troubles near and if troubles near your only option is to run. If a parrot cries, darkness lingers nearby. My father would warn my brother and I of the different warnings nature gave us.

The morning he left, a parrot cried and flapped it's green feathered wings forward. My father gave us each a kiss on our heads and glanced up at the bird. He titled his hat and smirked. " I know Mac." He stated. Speaking to the bird as though it were just another human.

That same cry from that day ten years ago was never heard again. Now Mac clings to my shoulder. I sat perched in an old Elm tree pleading with the bird to hush. " You want us both killed don't you Mac?" I whispered.

Two men walked down the dirt path, sword clasped to their sides. Ones beard braided down towards his chest. The others dark hair beaded and knotted, covered by a brown hat. Pirates.

I waited for the men to pass by so I could sneak onto their ship. Sweat beat down from face. My dark hair covered by a brown hat similar to the men below me.

" You know, captain Mascow said I'm in charge old man." I rolled my eyes. Were they really arguing about who was in charge? As far as I could tell this captain of theirs left early morning and hasn't returned since. I glanced through the branches, facing the port.

" What a beauty huh Mac?" I sat motionless, sure my voice was nothing short of a whisper. I stood up and grabbed a nearby branch. Green leaves fell silently as I launched my body from one branch to the other. The two men passed and I leapt forward. Landing on the dirt ground, kicking away my foot prints I ran towards the grass and to the port.

The ship had a large mass, the flag not yet risen as they weren't leaving until their boss arrived back. I made it to the ship and slowed my steps. The wood creaked with each step. My heart sputtered as I noticed two men and a woman. I grabbed at the door handle and made my way down old wooden stairs.

Cobwebs lined the top half of the wooden ceiling. I made sure I was quiet even though every noise I heard made me regret my decision.

The bottom of the stairs had old boxes lined against walls and reeked of fish and sea salt. I stifled a gag as I crossed the boarded floor to another room. The metal door rusted from the top half down. Green and brown mixed together more than likely from years of water and mold. The door groaned as I pulled at the metal barred handle.

I cursed under my breath. It's locked. I paused and searched the dark damp area for something sharp. A metal rusted shank glistened from the small light, leaking through the above deck. I reached for it and started to pick the lock. "Come on." I said I sighed in defeat.

I tossed the shank and it clattered at my feet. I reached down for my worn moccasins and found a small piece of metal and tried once more. After a few turns and twists the door creaked loud, but opened. Darkness flooded my line of vision. "Griffin." I called into the dark room.

I heard chains move around and a man groan. " Is that you Alessia?" My stomach unknotted the minute my brother spoke.

" I need you to move around some more. I can't see you. " I pushed my hands out, trying to find a wall. The stench of urine and feces made me cough. "Jesus, you're lucky I found you." My brother laughed and then I pushed off the wall to reach down. Chains moved and echoed through the damp room.

" Right here Ale." His voice sounded raspy.

I reached out and feel for the cool metal of the chains. I fumbled around for the shank I used to break in. "There, just a second." I felt his right hand escape. I moved on to his left hand. " Are you able to walk, or do I have to help you with that too?" I was somewhat serious and somewhat joking.