Stolen

Chapter 1

In this almost barren land, I strolled through the swaying meadows of grass which danced rhythmically with the soft sea breeze. My mud encrusted boots swung through the thick lush blades with little difficulty and I could to make my way to the cliff side for a moment to breathe, I wasn't able to back at the house. The beige dress that streamed down from straps over my shoulders rippled with the gusts of wind. My hand clutched onto my leather satchel bag which strung around my chest and bounced as I took steps through the field.

As I got closer to the jagged edges of the land, a prominent border of the field and sea, I began to breathe heavily. The salty sea air rushed into my lungs, filling me with tranquility and peace with every breath I took.

Finally I arrived at the cliff side and gaze out upon the dusty cyan horizon of the sea. I took a moment to appreciate the waves that, within perfectly regular intervals, rolled over and crashed into the limestone walls of the cliff.

In the distance I spotted a tiny boat gliding lazily just under the brim of the sea border. It only slightly bobbed up and down like a cork as it sailed upon the dull blue oceans. It soon disappeared around the edge cliff and I sighed complacently, content with the hidden beauty of this serene seascape.

Plonking myself down onto the patch of grass that overlooks the smooth sand shore, I made myself comfortable, still safe from any risk of tumbling over the jagged rock of the cliff. That wouldn't have been very pretty.

I waited and I waited and I waited.

Gazing out to sea, attached and unable to let go, I was patient as I knew it would arrive soon. It always did.

Behind the thick sheet of clouds that cushioned the sky, the setting sun's rays blurred and allowed the bottom half of the sky to fade into a dull amber.

Only a little longer...

Just like that, the bowsprit of the ship peeked from around the cliff edge and gradually unveiled itself.

The Golden Serpent had arrived perfectly on time. This was no rare occasion as it was well-known by our village that the captain of the ship was by no means one to be late to the festival. Nothing got between him and his beloved keg of beer. It's completely obvious that pirates couldn't live without their alcohol. After the festival, they would leave on their merry way, clearly intoxicated on rum and happiness. Last year, I heard the faint groans of joyful singing alongside the whistles of the cricket choir from my bedroom window.

Flipping the flap of my bag over, I took out my sketchbook and readily sharpened pencil and began to scribble away. Joining the rushed graphite marks of last year's partly finished sketch, I completed empty blotches of paper. I was unable to finish during the day of the last festival as the ship had appeared and disappeared like a shooting star, too quick for me to gage any sort of details of the golden intricacies that laced around parts of the ship like ribbon. The beige sails of the ship swam through the air and effortlessly the ship sliced through the surface of the sea just like a golden dorado.

Frantically, I scribed a copy of the majestic boat's anatomy but soon realised it was about to flee behind the other edge of the cliffs. Knowing that I had to finish this drawing seeing as I wouldn't get another chance until the next festival, I took off and tried with all my might to perhaps catch up with the Golden Serpent.

My mother never actually allowed me to attend the festival. Apparently it was too dangerous. I couldn't understand why. Ever since I was little, I had always wanted to meet a real pirate. This was always my opportunity to do so and it seemed to beckon me, tantalisingly close to my reach as the harbour side glowed like a giant firefly.

Instead, I would stare out of the open window of my bedroom and allow the sea breeze to feel my face, comforting me from the heated argument I would always have with my mother before I got sent to my room without any supper. Usually that wouldn't matter as I often snuck downstairs after late to grab a bite to eat, whether it be some bread or perhaps some cheese.