Lost in a Daydream

Chapter 4

I awoke to a clamour of voices and music. I wiped the sleep from my eyes and carefully studied my environment. Some people were scattering, while others gathered in excitement by the shore. I racked my brain for an answer of what possibly could be happening. There are no festivals, no weddings, and no royalty visiting if I recall correctly I thought to myself. I decide the only way I would get answers is to approach the hushed crowd.

"Excuse me madam, may I ask you a question?" I ask approaching the closest person to where I was standing.

"Anything dear, but you ought to make it quick" she replied barely glancing in my direction.

"What has the town in such a panic?"

"Word is real pirates are coming. I don't believe a word those wenches say so I came to the shore myself to see what all the fuss was 'bout. I see it was a waste of me time, no pirate would bother coming to pillage this shit hole of a village" she scoffs.

Pirates? Of all the ridiculous things I have heard, this has to be one of the top. Pirates are like mythical creatures; you hear the stories but you never see them. I'm about to leave when a bell sounds. I whirl around and find two massive ships I've never seen before racing towards the shoreline. That's when I run.

I don't believe I could run faster even if I tried. The palace isn't far from the shore but it isn't close either. As I reach the steps, gasping for breath, I notice no one seems to be concerned.

I approach the first guard I can find outside the palace, who I happen to be close friends with, "Ben, why is no one panicking?"

"Oh, hello to you too, Julie. Why would we be panicking again?"

"There are ships coming to shore that are rumored to be pirates. Ben, what if they are? Are we prepared for this kind of attack? Do the villagers-"

"Julie, relax. You and I both know that pirates are virtually nonexistent. Those ships are probably cargo ships bringing the village goods to trade. Plus if they are pirates, you know I can fend them off," he jokes flexing both his arms.

"Okay, you're right. I always over-react to things. I should go tell William though, just in case?"

"As if he'll actually do something about it."

I shrug and begin walking towards the stables where I can typically find William.

"William? Are you in here?"

"Yes, but I am very busy. If it can wait, hold your tongue and speak later."

I could hear the annoyance in his voice, so I quietly walk out of the stable. I wish I could turn around because the sight in front of me would come to haunt me for years to come. Dozens of pirates stood, swords drawn at the edge of the forest.

A/N: I hope you guys are enjoying it, and thank you for reading it!