Heart of the Abyss (A Pirate's Tale)

Heart of the Abyss (A Pirate's Tale) - 1st Chapter

Chapter 1

Of Bloodlines and Evasions

Port Royal, 1695

Catherine La Cruzette stood at one of the docking bays of Port Royal, the one that looks out onto open sea. From afar she waits a speck that was the H.M.S. Invictus, a flagship of a fleet serving under the command of the royal navy stationed at Port Royal.

"If you wait there, he won't come so fast as you deem him of being capable of," Lord John La Cruzette, the governor of Port Royal and Catherine's father, who was overseeing an unloading of cargo for the port's arsenal for its defense.

"I know," Catherine turned with a smile for her father. "I just don't have the inclination to be patient."

The ship loomed closer to the dock, and before the ship ever had the chance to be properly docked, the "him" that Catherine had awaited for so long jumped off the port side and landed a foot from where Catherine was standing.

"You seem eager to meet me," Catherine said, coming closer.

"More than eager, actually; I've been away for a month after all," said Jeremy Bloodrose, captain of the Invictus... and Catherine's suitor.

"It's been a while, captain Bloodrose," said Lord Bellamy, extending his right hand.

"You seem in excellent health, Lord La Cruzette," Captain Jeremy remarked as he shook Lord Bellamy's hand.

"The sea's known to make me in high spirits."

"The same goes for me."

"Ehem," Catherine pointedly cleared her throat.

"But of course," Lord La Cruzette understood. He bowed once to the good captain and left the two to themselves.

"So, how're you this past month?" Jeremy asked casually, letting Catherine take the story out of her own lips. They took a casual stroll towards nowhere in the port.

"Oh, same old, same old," Catherine seemed reluctant to tell something. Jeremy stopped and grabbed Catherine gently by the waist. Catherine, shocked by the sudden action, found herself close to Jeremy's face, his cool breath blowing a light breeze on her face.

"What's troubling you?" Jeremy whispered to her.

"Err..." Catherine is much of a daze to answer.

Jeremy sighed. "Come on," he said, repositioning Catherine to his side, his hand on hers. "A little tea might loosen you up."

Much later, Jeremy and Catherine were on the gates of Bloodrose manor, and Jeremy's mother, Cassandra Bloodrose, stood at the door, waiting rather nervously.

"Should I always tell you to be not nervous while waiting for me to return from the sea?" Jeremy said smilingly to his mother as he clambered on the steps to hug his mother.

"I am your mother after all," Lady Cassandra chuckled. "And what do mothers do when their sons are out at sea but to fret and be nervous as to whether or not they are to return?"

Jeremy laughed lightly. "But of course," Jeremy agreed. "But it is a different case if it's you. Your health is not as good as it was once before."

"Oh, I'm as healthy as a horse," Lady Cassandra sulked. "Anyway, it's a pleasure to meet you once again, Lady Catherine," Lady Cassandra acknowledged when he

Oh," Catherine blushed when she was acknowledged by Jeremy's mother. "I am not but a humble woman just like you. And please, call me Catherine."

"Oh, of course, my dear," Lady Cassandra then invited Catherine for tea and cakes.