Pirate Chronicles

I knocked out a man to steal his horse and I drove as fast as I could. Jeu's comment continued to ring in my ears. Do I? Do I long for a home?

"HA!" I commanded the horse to run faster. I needed the wind to force my tears back as I remembered the happy family I once had. The family that I lost because of Lady Editha! 

There's a war within me. For four years, I struggled with that war within me! I want justice for my loss. I want ALL of them to perish. That IS my goal! That IS my heart's desire. I want to punish the Beckforth lords who caused me pain. The Francuans who killed the last family I had but most especially I want Lady Editha to feel the same loss that I am feeling.

Still, the reason I could not find her… the reason that I wouldn't … the reason I procrastinated was that in my heart I knew… I knew… Lady Editha was a kind person. I shook my head and clenched my fist as my few moments with her replayed in my reminiscence. 

"NOOOOOOO!!!!!!" I screamed as I sped up. 

Blood is thicker than water! I should be taking Eric's side. They killed him. The Francuans killed him! Lady Editha abandoned him! The Beckforth Lords disgraced his memory. It's too late for me to feel remorse. For three years, I had been assassinating  these lords that disgraced Daragiel's name. One by one, I eliminated them! 

I'm a criminal. I should steel my heart… make it as hard as rock and as cold as ice. The Francuans were next on my list  This was what I wanted. Luck was on my side because Prince Bernard was my next mission. And when I'm done with the Francuans, Editha and her Labyrinth pirates will be next. I will KILL them ALL and if I DIE trying, so be it!

I pulled the reins of the horse and it reared up. I let go of the reins to make myself fall. THUD! The pain of my fall should wake me up to reach my goal and my desires. To refocus my brains. I chuckled. The horse stepped back so I rolled away to evade its hooves. I reached out to the reins and the horse began to gallop. I tightened my grip and somersaulted so I could mount the horse again.

I smirked. No more tears… no more wavering! It's too late for me to turn back anyways. I chose this path and if my demise would be the end of me, at least I should take Lady Editha with me. 

*****

It took two days before I reached the assassin's rendezvous spot. There were six of us in all. One of them was familiar with me. I worked with him in assassinating one of the Beckforthian lords. He smirked at me and waved.

I gave him a curt nod as I dismounted the horse. One of the assassins threw darts at me as a welcome. I used my thumb to unsheath my sword and drew it quickly to deflect those darts. The clanking sounds of metal hitting metal echoed in the air. I put my sword back in its sheath even before the darts fell on the ground. Then, I located the assassin who threw it at me and glared.

"Apologies, Miss. I just want to test your skills. We do NOT want a fragile woman in this mission--"

I quickly unsheathed my sword one more time and in two seconds I bridged the distance between us, the tip of my sword on his neck, "Underestimate me again and I won't stop in the last second," I warned him.

The man chuckled nervously. "Again, apologies," he said as he raised his arms up.

I withdrew my sword and placed it back in its sheath. My guard was up in an instant as I saw the other assassins smirk. Never trust an assassin, I usually warn myself. I took a seat on one of the tree roots that was sticking up on the ground as one of the assassins took the lead and tasked us on what to do. 

*****

The plan was supposed to be flawless. We silenced the guards in an instant as all six of us were skilled in our own ways. Three of us stayed as guards as the other three penetrated the inner halls towards the prince's room. I was one of them. However, when we reached Prince Bernard's room and was about to do the deed. He was already dead! Someone killed him and it was NOT ANY OF US!

I looked at the other two assassins with me. They looked at me with questioning looks. My heart pounded as I began to understand what was going on.

"We have to get out of here. I think this is a trap," I said as I headed to the door.

I was correct. We hadn't been outside the room yet when someone yelled, "Assassins! The Crown Prince is dead! Assassins in the palace!"

How did that person know that Prince Bernard was already dead? I could hear the footsteps of soldiers and guards coming on our way. I quickly put my lower mask on as I fought my way out swinging my sword here and there. I needed to get out of the palace as quick as I could.

I grew up in a palace so I know about secret passageways. I immediately looked for one as it was the safest way to escape. I smirked when I located one. I used the chaos as my camouflage before I went in the secret passageway then I scurried off to find an exit. 

I used my ears as guides to try to locate the most quiet part. It was the southern exit! I ran as fast and quiet as I could. I smiled when I saw the rails of the exit gate. I silently opened it, not lowering my guard even for one bit.

However, when I came out, there was one guard who was waiting for me. I drew my sword as he drew his. He moved in a swift motion just like me. We fought on an equal footing but I was desperate. I quickly studied his movements and when I located the hole on the hilt of his sword, I inserted the tip of my sword in so I could disarm him. I was successful. Still, he was too fast, he was able to pull my mask down. Then, he stopped. I looked at him and my eyes widened as we looked at each other.

"Angela?!" he said as he recognized me.

I quickly delivered a quick swing and ran away using the dark night as my cover. I know he tried to follow after me but I knew how to hide. I couldn't believe it! SANDLOT is a royal guard?! He's a Francuan?!