The Mask of Tides

Prologue

Prologue 

Zelia Shadow-Royce sat perched over the deck, gazing over her fathe's crew and the calm ocean. The waves were smooth today, caressing the large ship, as the cruised over the Seas of Oblivion. Her father, Captain Royce, the most legendary pirate lord in the Realm of Win'ahallow, roared out orders sending men scurrying. Wind Sprayed her chilled face, sending her golden hair flying.

"Zelia, come keep ya father company. It's quite lonely down 'ere." Captain Royce called, a loving smile on his leathered skin.

"Aye!" She grabbed a knotted rope, crouching down on the wooden beam. Leaping off, she swung towards the helm. She released her grip landing next to her father. "Father, how pleased I am to accompany you." She said mockingly in the courts accent, dipping into a curtsy.

Alvar Royce unsheathed his sword, pointing it straight at his daughter. "Who are ya and what have ya done to me lovely daughter?" he sneered trying to mask his amused smile. It failed miserably.

"I'd taken her to the gallows. She isn't returning." At that, Alvar lunged, but Zelia quickly tore out her sword, swiftly disarming him. "Gotcha, Pa!"

"Aye! That's my girl! Most beautiful, deadly lass in all of Win'ahallow!"

Zelia let out a chuckle, tucking her sword back into it's sleath, covering it with her waist coat. "Pa, when are we arivin' in Gallinburg?" They've been sailing for weeks, and were going to make a stop at a small pirate town for supplies.

"Just a couple of days, time. Now, once we're there, we'll celebrate your fourteenth year properly." Alvar pulled her into a hug, kissing her forehead. He held her out at arms length, staring right into her eyes. "Your eyes, they're just like your mother's. I miss her." he sighed blissfully, once again kissing her forehead. "So beautiful ya are, Zelia." She had inherited her mother's deep purple eyes that didn't quite match her fair hair. But it didn't bother her. She never got to look at her reflection.

"Thank ya Pa." She lifted herself onto her toes, placing her arms around her father's neck. Her mother passed away right after she was born, but her father still missed her dearly.

"Now, let's..." The captain started, when the sound of a firing cannon pierced the air. "What in the bloody hell was that?!" Alvar bellowed his eyes turning a deadly black. "BURNS! Tell me that was one of my men who accidentally fired a cannon." The old, yet bruiting first mate sprinted over shaking his head.

"I'm afraid not, Captin'. Seems like we're under attack."

"ATTACK?? The seas have been completely barren for the past few days!"

"Well, look o'er there, Captin'." Burns jutted his chin towards the stern, and sure enough a gigantic ship plowed through the waves.

Normally, Alvar wouldn't care, he would torch the ship in an hour, tops. But as soon as he saw the billowing serpent insignia, he knew it was going to take a lot longer than that.

"ALL HANDS ON DECK! WE'RE UNDER ATTACK!" Alvar roared. He was now in pure rage, no council or king will get away with this.

"Papa, what's happening?" Zelia asked, worry dominated her face. She looked up and saw that now the opposing crew was swinging ropes over the ocean to cross onto their ship.

"Zelia, listen to me. Go bellow decks into you chamber and LOCK THE DOOR. Don't come leave or open the door for anyone. Now GO!"

Without a word, she scurried down the stairs to the lower deck. She knew the drill, stay in her quarters until her father came to fetch her. Bolting the door, she sat on her cot, listening to the battle going on above her. After years of hearing cannons and pistols, she still flinched at the sound. I'm the daughter of the most legendary pirate lord, yet i'm still scared of a bloody shot. she thought, as she shrunk back against the wall.