Savior

Surprises

Adrian:

I glared at every scarred face, every set of tortured eyes, matching every lingering glance.  A single lantern reflected an eerie light on their hardened faces in the pitch blackness of the night.

“Look at you,” I announced, eyes sweeping over the lot, hand placed on the hilt of my sword while strolling before the men. “I’ve been given the finest crew on the seven seas. The place is left in tremor where we set foot, mouths shut when we raise our swords.”

A rancorous cheer rang through the burly men standing before me, pride swelling in their chests.

Raising a hand to silence them, I continued. “But that’s what people say- I don’t trust people. You want to be the most fearsome pirate crew in the world? Prove to me you are worthy of the title, tonight. I trust you understand the urgency of this stop. Do not fail me- it’s not pretty.”

With a flick of my hand, the crowd dispersed, with the men beginning to prepare for the attack the next night. I loved that power, the power to control what they did; never did I have to succumb to obeying another’s order. There was nothing more than I despised in this world than these men, this life. But the power. Oh the power – it was thrilling, a high, a drug that was impossible to escape.

I turned towards the dark town of Newcrest, imagining my future. Riches beyond what the imagination could conceive were hidden in that excuse of a city, buried years ago by the pirate legend himself, Avery. And I was heading straight for them.

Juliette:

I read the crinkled paper for the fifth time, eyes skimming over the sloppy handwriting. Can’t meet you this morning, it said, I’ll see you after dinner at seven by the park – August. Now I had to wait until that evening to find out what the matter was with August, I thought, irritation lodging itself in me. This day had already been so tiring and now I had to fret until seven because of Augusts’ cryptic words. I was going to kill him when I met him.

“I hope you’re not thinking of that brat August.” A voice hissed from the parlor doors. My aunt. “He’s not worth the trouble Juliette, not when he’s planning to leave the island. And all his property.” She sniffled, nose pointed in the air, in her holier-than-thou stance.

I looked at her incredulously. Was she serious?

“Auntie, August wants to leave because he’s ashamed of being born rich. There’s nothing wrong with that for he wants to make his own living, pave his own road rather than be a burden to his parents. As for me being hung up on him, you needn’t fret; I look at August as a friend, nothing more.” 

“Oh you would know all about being a burden, wouldn’t you?” she jabbed.

“Auntie, please…” I begged, tears threatening to spill over any second. “You’ve only to care for me for another year. Not a day longer I swear. I’ll leave the night of my birthday if that’s your wish.”

“Oh my dear Juliette,” she whispered, striding towards me and cupping my face in her hands. “If I had gotten what I wish, you wouldn’t be here now.”

Hot, fat tears rolled down my cheeks as she walked away, leaving me an emotional mess. Why could I never tell her just what I thought of her and her wishes and where she did should stuff them? Perhaps it was because hidden under years of  hardened demeanor meant to block pain, I wasn’t as invulnerable to it as I credited myself to be. I still wanted; still needed a mother. I still needed acceptance. I still needed love. For years I had hoped with all my heart that obedience would diminish her hatred but even that was never enough. She continued to hate me.

But crying had never done anything for anyone I thought with a finality, wiping the silly tears away. Who said I didn’t have love? I had my uncle’s love, I had Augusts’ love, and I had my love for the sea and life; I didn’t need anything else. And who knows, perhaps one day, I’d have a man to love, one who was different, and one who would give me my freedom- who was my savior.

The sun had begun sank low at great speed and the chilly breeze of the night wrapped itself round me as I pulled my shawl closer and quickened my pace. Strollers and their children had begun to leave the small park, urging one another home as thunder rumbled overhead. Another storm was heading our way.

“August?” I called out, muttering curses under my breath as the wind picked up speed. He better be sorry for this.

Suddenly, I was pulled away from the small dirt road and into a cluster of trees, my abductor’s hand covering my mouth and large frame keeping me from running.

Adrian:

I slid my sword into its scabbard and scrutinize my crew. With their weapons in hand and the lack of fear of death in their eyes, they were a daunting bunch. I couldn’t have been more satisfied.

“You know what you’re meant to do. Make me proud.” Then, adding with a smirk, I challenged, “If you can.”

“Aye Cap’n” They sung out in harmony; or as much harmony as a motley crew of pirates could muster.

We were coming.

Juliette:

“August, you buffon! You scared me to death you git!” I accused, glaring at August who seemed to think the abducting scene was the most hilarious thing ever.

Squelching his last snickers in his throat, he took my hand, his face revealing no hint of amusement. Whatever this was, it was serious.

“You know how I’ve been wanting to leave this island since I was a young boy. At first, I wanted to wait until I was married, so mother would be happy. But marriage would mean letting go of any chance of freedom I’ve ever dreamt of. When I finally came to this realization, I contacted my uncle in France, asking him if I could stay with him were I to come over. Just last week, my mother found out and has given me her blessings. I am to leave for France in three days time.”

“August! That’s so exciting! Now you can finally do everything you’ve wanted to, everything you’ve dreamt of! You can travel, explore, meet new people, and stand on your own two feet. You can be free.” I exclaimed, trying desperately to push away the hurt in my voice. This was what August had always wanted; I couldn’t be selfish and beg him to stay.

“But Juliette, what about you? I’m not going to leave you here alone with your aunt and cousin. What will I do without you?”

“August, you’ll meet so many new people, you’ll barely notice my absence. As for me, I only have to stay a few more months and then perhaps I too can join you.”

“Why wait a few months Julie? Why not now?”

“Wha- What do you mean?”

“I mean… marry me. Marry me so that we can both be free. You’re my best friend Juliette, the only girl I’ve ever cared for other than my mother. You understand me better than anyone and you’ve always stood by me. If that’s not love, then I don’t know what is.”

“But August, us?”

“I’ll never hurt you, I’ll always protect you; I promise. I want my life companion to be the woman who knows and cares for me truly.”

“I…”

“Well well well, what do we have ‘er? A love nest?” a man’s voice cackled from the bushes.

Another voice joined in, adding, “Aye, it seems so. Let’s take ‘em to the Cap’n”

Something told me this wasn’t another one of Augusts’ jokes.