Wanted - A Pirate Tale

2 ~ The Box

Yes, I'm not making this up, there really is a movie called "The Box." http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0362478/ - see? I don't lie. :P The soundtrack is one of the best ones on here so far. =)

   As I walk along the marble hallways, I wonder what on earth Mother wants me for. Either she's going to give me a lecture on my earlier behaviour, or she's got something far more sinister - maybe she wants to talk about wedding arrangements.

The room just suddenly got a lot colder. I shiver, realising that this dress isn't going to be quite as warm as it appears, however, with the bright fire of the feasting room I'm sure I'll be glad to have it on. I round the corner to the drawing room and peer around the corner. Sure enough, I see my mother the Queen sitting on a red couch. She looks up, smiles, and pats the seat beside her. I creep in, feeling somewhat awed by her majestic presence. I see her usually every day, but somehow, when she's all done up, she's quite a picture. I sit down, admiring her red velvet dress, very much like mine, but a lot more extravagant..

"Darling." She embraces me. "I'm not going to chastise you about this morning - that is all behind us now. I understand this is a difficult time for you, but there comes a time when every young woman must choose a suitable husband. However, tonight, I want to tell you something. 17 is a mature age, to be sure." She smiles at me. "Through the ages, our family have passed down one tradition, from grandmothers to their daughters, and daughters to their daughters. And, just like my mother did for me, you are granted one wish from me. This one wish is unlimited. I will do whatever you ask. But," she smiles again, as if reading my mind. "You may not ask for the anulling of your father and my decision to present you to society in order to find you a husband."

I sigh. That was exactly what had been on my mind. "Well..." There's a thousand things whizzing through my brain at this second, a thousand things I've always wanted to know - to see - to do. And then, my brain completely blanks, and there's only one thing I can think of. "Mother, I don't know why... but  I want to see what's inside the box."

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Mother laughs. Her laugh is like a thousand tinkling brooks - gentle and soft. "I beg your pardon, but... what box? There must be a thousand boxes around the palace, and heaven knows you've seen inside every one of them."

"Not every one. There's a box in my room - under my bed. It's been there ever since I can remember, but for some reason I've never noticed it much before. It's locked. I tried to ask you about it multiple times, but... well... you know how much time we get to spend together."

 "I know. I'm sorry about that. You do realize the affairs of the state have to be taken care of by more than just your father." As I look at her, I'm surprised to see tears in her eyes. She wipes them away. "So, the box - you want to see inside?"

"Yes." I suddenly feel a surge of excitement. 'What if it's empty?' My brain seems to mock cunningly. 'You will have wasted your wish.' "Do you have the key?"

Tears fill her eyes again. She takes a long, deep breath in. "Yes. I do have the key." She reaches around her neck and undoes a tiny chain. Her other pendant from father flops back in place as she pulls a tiny key off her neck, chain and all. Hesitating, she reaches over to smooth my hair. "I had hoped this day would not come for a while, but now, I suppose you're old enough." She reaches over to fasten it around my neck.

As it touches my neck, I feel a shiver running down my spine as the cold metal comes in contact with my skin. It's unexplainable, as goosebumps ride down my arm. Around us, it feels like a strong wave is going out from me. It's unreal. I sit there, in silence for a few seconds, trying to grasp what has just happened.

"Please." She clutches my hand. "Know that anything you find in there... it's not relevant. Don't ask me about it. I know nothing." She gets up abruptly, still muttering. "I know nothing, my dear. Nothing."

I'm filled with curiosity, but it's clear she wants to talk no more, and I really want it to remain a mystery until I see what's in that box.

As she departs from the room, I start  to run down the hallways, lifting my dress above my knees, dodging maids and nobles alike, praying I don't comea cross Father or even Charles, who would surely tell on me, until I come to my room. I slam the door, and kneel down beside the box. For some reason, my heart is slamming against my chest, and it's not just because I've been running.

I duck down to open the box, blowing the dust and cobwebs off it, trying my best not to get any on my dress. My hands shake as the tiny key slides into the keyhole, and without it turning, it unlocks and the lid rises. 

I cough as a cloud of dust and about a year's worth of dirt come spiralling up, blinding me for a few seconds.

It's empty.

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I sit back, breathing heavily, feeling disappointment coursing through my body. I frown at the box, as if it could somehow magically fill up, and then I notice a series of small indents in the far right hand corner. I pull the box onto the bed and squint at the tiny marks. 

"Looks like... appa..apparat..." I squint at the box, throwing it back on the bed in frustration. "Apparatus? What kind of a..."

I choke as more dust comes flying at me - a whole cloud of it this time. Once I've stopped coughing and dusting down my dress, I look back at the box, and to my amazement, it's... full?

I take a step forwards, then feel something extremely hot. It's so hot that it almost makes me cry out, but I clap my hand over my mouth, and my hand automatically goes to my neck, where my new necklace is burning. "Ow!" My hand retracts as I touch it, a small blister forming on my forefinger. And, just as soon as it heated up, the feeling vanishes, and it's no longer hot to touch.

"What in the..." I shake my head to clear the thoughts. "Maybe I'm dreaming."

I reach towards the box, trying not to let my mind run away with the thoughts that are barelling at me. The box is inviting, however. I reach inside and draw out a stack of old papers, done up in string. They're nothing but a bunch of boring old maps, which I put on my bed. Then I pull out an old, musty uniform. Unwrapping it, my mouth falls open as I realize it's nothing like I'eve ever seen before. The clothes are strange, they're not peasants close, neither are they nobles clothes. The pants are made out of some sort of deer skin, or something, and the shirt feels like cotton. Further digging pulls out a still sharp sword, one that has a jewel in the hilt, and a hat. Then my eyes fall on a piece of cloth. I pull it out, putting my fingers through two holes. It's a mask, I realize. A delicate, beautiful one. It's black, with swirls of silver intwined throughout the eye pieces, and all over. I smile. It would definitely go with my dress. It's not as if Mother and Father aren't angry enough at me... In the bottom, burried right in the far corner is a note.

"My dearest sister, please worry not why I leave you at this time. I know it is confusing for you. I only ask that you keep the child safe. She must not be told about us, ever. I also request, that on the day you deem apropriot, you should give her the necklace I now give to you.  I am truly sorry to leave you such devestating news at such a happy time, but you must understand - I had no choice. It is for your safety, and the child's. Tell mother and father I love them, and take this ring to remember me by. I love you, my dear Anna. "

The note's not signed. As I fold it up a small ring falls out. It's not one of those fancy ones, harboring only one tiny diamond jewel, it's a simple gold one. I slip it onto my finger, admiring it in the light. It doesn't even matter that the note's not signed, it makes no sense whatsoever. But, it would be nice to know what everything means.

I remember mother's strange words - that she knows nothing about the box. I suspect she knows more than she's telling me, but now is definitely not the time to question her. I hear someone knocking at my door.

"Shayleigh?" Evangeline asks impatiently as she opens the door. "I've been waiting for over half an hour. What the..." She stops, seeing the contents of the box scattered around the room. "I... do I want to know?"

"No." I stand up with what feels like a fake smile on my face. "... You... want to go to the ball?" As she turns around. Before I know what I'm doing, I grab the sword and hold it behind my back.