The Princess, the Witch and the Pirate

Pirate Prince

Ansa is small but agile. She runs barefoot on a desolate beach after her brother. Their dark torsos contrast sharply against their white linen undergarments. Her budding breasts are yet too small to bounce or hinder her stride. She catches up to him and tackles him to the soft ground. She climbs on top of him, tickling him, until he calls mercy. She remains astride as they catch their breath. Looking at him is like looking at a strange mirror that reflects the best in her. His hand reaches her cheek, she presses it there closing her eyes. Her other palm rests softly on his ribs. He shifts rapidly, gripping her hips, moving her off him. They sit up smiling. He stands, ruffles her hair, points to the ground, then wordlessly walks away. She digs with her small hands humming a song her mother taught her. He returns with his catch, she's made fire. He sets the fish on the stone and hands her his knife. She cuts into it with precision and ease. Sun soaked, they sit at the shore eating the spoils of the day.

"I wish we could live on this side of the island, just you and me," she says.

He strokes her hair.

Ansa woke at the feel of shifting weight and rustling in bed.

"Sorry, I was trying not to wake you," whispered Olivia.

"That's alright." Ansa rubbed sleep from her eye with a knuckle.

"You were dreaming?"

Ansa nodded.

"What about?"

"About. Another time. Come." Olivia sat back in bed, leaned in close. Ansa held Olivia's face in her hands. "Looks much better."

"And it's only been five days! That medicine you made really helped."

Serge expertly maneuvered in the courtyard, to Olivia's frustration before allowing himself to lose the ball to the girl's delight.

"Afternoon, everybody."

"Salvatore!" said Mikael rising from the bench, leaving Katia and Ansa behind.

"Afternoon, brother." Ansa stayed on a bench beside Katia. The pair watched the pirate prince as he became surrounded by admirers in the middle of the courtyard.

"I'm sorry I didn't get to say goodbye." Olivia fidgeted with her jersey.

"You needn't apologize for following your juvenile impulses. I found it charming."

"To what do we owe the pleasure?" asked Mikael.

"Has my sister ever told you about, or have any of you ventured to, the other side of the island?"

"No," said Mikael, the other two shook their heads.

"Have you not been curious to see it?"

"Well of course, but I assumed it would be overgrown and, if the formation on which this castle is built serves as an example for the rest of the island, there's likely nothing but rocks to stop the waves."

"Well, you're mostly right, Mikael, except...for the tiniest inlay, a miniature gulf surrounded almost entirely by land, a shoehorn sliver of a beach where clear blue waters are tranquil."

"Really?" said Mikael, stars in his eyes. "How small is it? Is there a way to get to it? Can we go? Can you take us?" Mikael felt Serge's hand on his shoulder and stopped his talking.

Salvatore laughed. "You wouldn't think I'd bring it up and not offer to take you on an excursion, would you?"

"Really?" Serge's eyes shone a boy's smile.

"We sail tomorrow."

"Yay!" exclaimed Mikael while Olivia and Serge high fived.

"The two of you will join us, I hope?"