II - Spirited Intentions

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Six hours before...

"This might be the easiest job I've ever done. In and out," Professor Blakely smiles ,while flicking through my meticulously compiled research, all while dodging the enthusiastic tourists walking past us in the sun-kissed streets of Madagascar's capital, Antananarivo.

It was intensive and painstaking to gather all the information, becoming almost a six year odyssey consuming my life as well as fueling the disappointment of my parents. It would all be worth it though, I knew in my soul that I was right.

That I had finally found the lost pirate city of Libertalia.

A city where buildings and towers of gold and jewels awaited, where every known pirate in the 17th century would have left their vast treasures.

Where, according to my Grandmother, my ancestor Henry Avery and his kidnapped Mughal princess had lived until their deaths, a story that had been passed down our family, so we never forgot. Henry Avery doesn't have any official children that history knows of but as my Grandmother would say 'history has been wrong before.'

When I presented my findings to Professor Blakely he was just as ecstatic as me being a fellow archaeologist. Professor Edward Blakely is famous for his expeditions, including a tomb of a Pharaoh, but he has never found a pirate's treasure.

I turn to him expecting to see him rifling through my files again, but, Blakely, however, seems to be lost in deep thought, an odd glint in his experienced eyes. 'Henry Avery really was an intriguing man,' he begins, his voice low, almost conspiratorial. 'He wasn't just a cliche, evil pirate. He had a charisma that was unmatched. People hated pirates, but Avery was viewed as the 'Robin Hood of the seas.'

I nod, my mind racing. "And he loved the princess," I whisper. "My grandmother said they had a beautiful, forbidden love."

After a beat the professor nods, "And that's what we'll prove,"

It had taken considerable convincing but Professor Blakely's workplace, The British Museum, funded a small team for our excavation in the Madagascan jungle.

Looking at my watch on my wrist, the time indicating how late it was becoming, I ask, "Hey Professor, where is everyone else? It's supposed to be ten of us in total, right?"

"About that, it seems three of them dropped out, and the other five, unfortunately, got detained at the airport." Seeing the fear in my eyes Blakely quickly follows up, "But, don't worry we don't have to cancel the expedition, but it will just be us two. Which could actually make this easier. I've already updated the Museum and they will check in with both of us regularly."

However, my relief is short-lived.

"But this has caused a new problem to arise...", Professor Blakely begins, "We need a new plane. The one the museum hired is too big as it was for 10, so they won't take just the two of us."

All my cynicism leaves me when I see the flyer stuck on the busy cafe window reading, 'Wonder Rush, the best flighted tours one could dream of.'

Pointing at the faded flyer I grin at Blakely, "I think I just solved that problem. This place is a couple of minutes away."

Uncertainty passes over Blakely's face, "I don't know kid, flying a plane over a jungle needs an expert, I doubt there would be pilot able-"

'I know, I know,' I said, trying to sound confident. 'But this feels right...' I paused, searching for the words. 'It's almost as if fate wanted us to see this,' I exclaim, eyeing the poster.

He sighed, the sound heavy with exhaustion and resignation. 'Elise, we're wasting precious time, time we need to look for a suitable travel arrangement. Let's just find a hotel and set off for the closest air strip tomorrow."

I hesitated, caught between my own conviction and the weight of Dr. Blakely's experience.

I studied this place for months, the closest air strip isn't for miles, and even then, it wasn't a certainty that they would have a pilot or plane suitable for the job. Everything inside of me was telling me that this was going to be our best option.

A fierce determination surged through me. 'No, Professor,' I said, my voice gaining strength. 'There's a chance this could be our ticket out of here. Trust me.'

He gave me a look that was a mix of concern and grudging admiration. 'Alright, Elise. We'll do this your way. But, rest assured, I will hold you personally accountable if we get laughed out of the building for such a strange request,' humour coating his words.

The very same words he said to me when I begged him to allow me to present my findings to the board of the museum. Even then he was by my side, refusing to send me into the lion's den alone.

He believed in me from the start. I wasn't going to let him down now.

With a grin, I pointed to the taxi towards the horizon. 'Deal. But you'll be thanking me later.'

And as we pulled up, the eveing sun painting the landscape in shades of orange and purple, we saw it: a pale sign bearing the words 'Wonder Rush'. The wind whipped around us, carrying a promise of hope and adventure.

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