The warm June wind blew east, blowing in all kinds of mischief from the seas that lay just beyond the harbor of the small English town. Claudia headed towards the small cemetery which sat on a cliff overlooking the sea. The wind ruffled her skirts and the sea mist made her wild blonde curls frizz as she neared the entrance and saw George sitting on the lonesome worn down bench reading a book. She slowed her pace and prepared to sneak up on him. When she was a few paces from him he turned and said, “You can never complete your attack.” He smiled and Claudia bent down and gave him a hug.

“I see nothing has changed since the last time that we saw one another,” Claudia joked, nodding towards the book which lay in George’s lap. She sat down on the bench next to him.

“School is hard work; you need to never be away from it even when you are away.” He closed the book, using a small piece of blue ribbon to mark his spot. “Just like I am always with you, with the letters I send, and all the great memories of my visits.” He turned his body to Claudia who was looking at him deep in thought. He ran his fingers over her cheek and leaned down and gave her a kiss.

“Don’t go back, I want you to stay here and have our wedding next month, not next summer,” she said as she pulled away. She stood up and walked over to the cliff, “Look at how beautiful this view is! I want our house to be right here, amongst the graves of these dead sailors.”

George got up and walked over to where Claudia was standing, “I have to go back. We won’t get married until next summer, but, until then we can have our house built here, but you must write me every week on the construction of it. We can grow old here together, but first I need to go back to school for this last year and do what was never expected of me, to be a scholar. “

George paused then continued, “It was but two summers ago when we meet, you were only fifteen and you didn’t want anything to do with me, you were more interested in doing things that your father didn’t like. You were busy out riding horses and getting into trouble, doing everything that a lady shouldn’t. Now you are so different, you are the picture of elegance, nothing you ever do is the least bit improper.”

Claudia glared at him and sighed. She knew that he was right and she was rushing into things that she had hated such a short while ago. But, sine then she had become what she thought was the picture of what a grown woman should be. Though she still had a thirst for adventure that her mother thought was impractical for a lady.

“We need to be heading home. Your mother will want to have you in and changed for dinner. If you give me a kiss I won’t tell her we met here today,” George said slyly. Claudia sucked in her lips and shook her head no. George laughed and bent down and kissed her forehead.

She whispered, “I love you, I really do” and ran off into the summer sun.

e g

Just beneath the cliff were Claudia had said she wanted her home st three men, resting in the shade over a bottle of rum, the waves crashed in at their feet, the rough rocks were cold to the touch. The oldest one was a brute with dreaded blonde and a full beard, he carried a lively green macaw on his shoulder who kept repeating, “We’ll get’em! Three o’clock! Three o’clock!” Next to the old man lay a hard bodied 20-year-old with wavy black hair and hungry blue eyes.

He took a long swig from the bottle and asked, “Who are we here to get?”

“Well, Balth, my boy, we are here to get us a fair damsel,” the old man chuckled, “Jus’ for some company.” The men all laughed, but Balthasar suspected that he was up to something.

“Who is she? Or are we just going to pick from the crop?” The third asked through his toothless mouth. He shifted his weight onto a long boney arm and ran the other hand through his filthy hair.

“Ya know me too well to think that I wouldn’t know who we’ere getting.” The old man coughed. They finished the bottle over some talk about what supplies needed to be bought before they left. Then they got up and headed to the main harbor, their ship was about a half a mile from the shore; they used a small row boat to get to land. After rowing the morning away, they decided that they needed to sit and take a sip in the shade.

These men were the three head men of the Dark Chariot, an infamous prate ship which people had heard many tales about. They had fought anyone who had came in their way fearlessly, they had won and lost almost every treasure known to man at least 3 times. According to legend they were the meanest, richest, men alive. Their captain, Captain Nathaniel Shimwagger, had been on the ship since he was twelve, he knew nothing but the sea, and was it was said that he could forecast the weather up to three weeks in advance accurately.

Balthasar was the youngest on the ship, his father had been the head of the Royal Navy, and had been raised on ships, when his father died at the age of 16 he decided to take a more adventurous route in his life. He decided that a pirate’s life was the life for him. He quickly moved up in ranks, and was soon almost like a son to Nathaniel.

When their feet had carried them the three miles it was to the towns harbor, they were amidst making plans for the kidnapping of the girl. “You don’t know’er name?!” Balthasar asked, completely shocked that they were going to kidnap a young girl who supposedly their proud Captain knew.

“Nay, me and ‘er father was shipmates long ago, we fought many great battles together,” their Captain explained. They trusted his every word, but mostly because they had lost several shipmates to a lack of trust of the Captain, there were few things that made him angrier then lack of trust in his men.

They skillfully weaved out their entire plan, and then sat down and stopped by a small pub at the end of town for a warm meal. When they reached the tailor Nathaniel was fitted for a suit, after they saw him in they all sat back and laughed. His hair was pull back from his face; his beard was washed, combed and trimmed. He then sent Balthasar out to get a carriage.

Several miles down the road Claudia was being fitting into a stunning green silk dinner gown that hung to the floor with it she wore her mother’s pearls which hung loosely around her dainty neck. “Mother, this bloody corset is laced much to tight,” Claudia complained, “I can’t breathe!”

“It’s better that you can’t breathe, a man prefers a silent woman. Plus, you can’t complain to him about your corsets.” Her mother responded. Her mother walked over to her her deep silk gown rustled slightly, she stood in front a of mirror where she adjusted her hair making sure every blonde curl was perfectly place on top of her head.

“George hears what I have to say, he isn’t like other men, who don’t care.” Claudia said smugly through small gulps of air.

“Just wait till your wedding, then he might as well be deaf, dumb and mute,” her seamstress mocked.

An unexpected crash was heard throughout the house, followed by shrieks of laughter. Then a small boy and girl fell through the door, they were both the same age and were wearing matching blue velvet outfits. “Mama!” they yelled and ran to the woman in red gown.

“Hello my darlings, did you enjoy your piano lessons with Mr. Francesco?” she asked while giving each of them a big hug. They both nodded as she scooted them out of the room with her.

“Well, you look absolutely lovely; George is going to love this gown. You do know that these pearls were the very ones that your mother was married in.” The elder woman said as she worked attentively on the hem of the gown. “For every week he was away from her he got her a pearl, and when he came home he gave it to her as a wedding present, he didn’t even have the money for a pair of new shoes, but he had this magnificent pearl necklace for her.”

“They were so in love, and they still are, I just know that George and I are going to be like that, there are certain things that you can just feel.”

“Well, I’m all done here, go down and sit pretty.” The woman winked at Claudia.

Claudia gracefully walked out of the room and down the stairs. Her father was sitting at the head of the table and with him sat George, all Claudia could see of him was his long brown hair pulled back into with a pale green ribbon which matched his coat. Her light footing was heard, the two men were engaged in a deep conversation about something that had recently came up in the news. She glided up behind her lover and bent down and whispered, “Good afternoon.” He jumped and turned. She straightened and titled her head back with a piercing laughter. “Finally!” she rejoiced.

George got up from his seat and pulled out the chair next to him, for her to take a seat. As she stepped to the seat a loud knock was heard, a few moments later Claudia’s mother emerged from the front room, arm in with a clean cut man. “We have a guest, this is Mr. Nathaniel Shimwagger.” The woman announced. As Claudia’s father jumped form his sea, ran over to Nathaniel and embraced him eagerly.

“My god! It’s been so long!” he shouted.

“Aye, twenty years. I should have stopped by years ago. How has life been treating you, Jonathon?”

“I can’t complain, it’s treated me a lot better then the seas ever did.” Jonathon joked, “I take it you’ve meet my wife, Elizabeth, over at the table is my darling Claudia, George. Please do have a seat! Dear, go and see to the cooks and have them set his place at the table. Do you have someplace to stay?”

“It hasn’t been arranged yet, but you don’t have to keep me here.”

“Nonsense!” Jonathon shouted, “We have plenty of extra rooms, my home is always open to old friends.” He walked over to the table where the cook was preparing an extra place at the table, “Bring out a bottle of our finest wine from the cellar, we now have two reasons to celebrate.”

“Two reasons? What’s the other?” Nathaniel questioned.

“My lovely daughter Claudia is to be wed next summer!” Jonathon exclaimed as he pointed to her.

“Oh how I wish it were sooner,” Claudia muttered under her breath. She glanced over to George as she stood up. “Yes, next summer, we just announced our engagement last night.”

“Why that is reason to celebrate!” Nathaniel rejoiced as she walked over to the table picking up the first glass of wine he came to, “I’d like to propose a toast to an everlasting love.” He nodded towards George and Claudia.

They all cheered and went over to the table to take their drinks, over a dinner of roast duck and the finest fresh vegetables from their garden. The men caught up on everything. And after dinner, they went to sit in the study over some more wine and talk more, Claudia was sent up to get ready for bed, as she sat in the hot bathtub, she thought to herself about the home that her and George were going to make in the small worn down cemetery.

Downstairs Nathaniel checked the grandfather clock, “11, I do believe that it’s time for me to retire, I have a long day of preparation tomorrow.”

“Aye, I always hated having to get a ship ready for a long journey, where too next?”

“I have been hearing of the trades coming from the New World, and thought that I would try my luck with that.”

Jonathon nodded, and they both rose, “Your room is down the hall to the left, I had a servant make sure that a fire was kept in there until you went to bed.”

“Always thinking about others,” Nathaniel said as he walked down the hall. When he got to the room he closed the door and undressed, all that was in the bag that he had was his other outfit, he quickly got in it and sat down on the bed. “I’m sorry ol’ mate,” he whispered.

He sat there quietly for an hour, listening to the creaks of the house. When was sure that everyone was asleep he got up and walked to the front room, he knocked three times lightly on the door, and when he heard three faint knocks in return he slowly turned the lock, with a light click it was undone. Balthasar swung the door open and entered, “Where’s her room?” he asked eagerly.

“I believe that its up the stairs, first room to the right, it was the last place I saw her go.”

Balthasar crept slowly up the stairs as to not make a sound, and opened the door, as he entered he saw her laying in bed, whimpering in a nightmare. He tiptoed closer to her and gently shook her arm, she muttered incoherently and turned over. He placed his hand solidly over her mouth and shook her violently. She woke up eyes wide and ready to fight, “Listen to every word I have to say, if you scream, your dear George will be killed, there is no stopping this.” She began to kick and flail, he restrained her “I’m serious, get up, get dressed and come with me.” He walked over to guard the door.

“I will not get dressed in the presence of a man,” she said stubbornly.

“Unless you want to go in your underwear it would be advised that you put clothes on.”

“Turn around.”

“You must have a fever, because I don’t believe that I appear to be someone who will take commands so easily. Now, get dressed.”

Claudia slipped out from beneath her covers and nervously rustled through her her closet, “I don’t know what to wear,” she whispered harshly.

“Just put some bloody clothes on!” he shouted in a hushed tone. Claudia rummaged quickly and slid into a sloppy blue dress that hung just to her shins. Balthasar grabbed her by her wrist, “Remember our deal? Don’t make a SOUND!” He dragged her out of the room and down the stairs.

When they reached the front door Nathaniel was waiting there, the door wide open. Claudia looked at him with pleading eyes and he just laughed and said “Welcome aboard!” The bird flew in from the other room and lighted on his shoulder, they both shoved Claudia out the door and to the carriage where the tall filthy man sat. Balthasar pushed her in and held her tightly until Nathaniel got in and closed the door, “ Go! Fast!” Nathaniel ordered as they raced away into the night.

Claudia felt Balthasar’s grip loosen up on her arm, she began to weep silently and tried to think of an escape plan but they all seemed to fail even before they were executed. The carriage pulled to a stop, when the door was opened she saw the vast sea and a small boat tied to the rocks before her, it was then when she felt Balthasar’s grip grow tighter on her arm. She twisted against him and felt her feet leave the ground, in one swift strong lift, she was on his shoulder and she began to kick and punch against him. She kept on struggling, and eventually got lose from him and darted off. He sprinted after her, he was much faster he reached his arms around her, and said, “You are only making things worse on yourself. If you keep doing such foolish things the Captain will send you to the men’s barracks, these are men that haven’t seen a woman that they didn’t have to pay for their product, in years. Do you understand?” She glared at him, then nodded. “Now, I’m going to let you go, if you want to keep your dignity, you will walk back with me on your own.” Claudia gulped, she was confused, she wanted to know what was going to happen to her.

“Why do you seem to care what happens to me?” she asked, as she pulled away from his grip.

“The Captain has asked me to keep a close eye on you, he seems to think that you are special.”

They began to walk back to the boat. When they reached it, Nathaniel announced, “Tie’ur up! We can’t have do doin’ such things again.” Balthasar stepped into the boat, and picked up a piece of lose rope. When he walked over to her, he saw the fear in her eyes, she breathing was labored, he ran a hand over her cheek, she pulled away. He didn’t know how to soothe her, it was out of his hands. He slowly looped the rope around her hands, making sure that it didn’t get too tight, and intricately wove a knot, that even the greatest escape masters couldn’t get out of, with pure perfection

Balthasar helped her to the boat, and then pushed them off. They sat in silence all the way there. The Captain had a slight smirk on his face, Balthasar knew that he was up to something. He just didn’t know what. Claudia looked longingly towards the lights that still flicked now and there in the town that was in the distance. She had never felt more homesick in her life, not even when she visited family in other parts of England. When she turned her head she saw an ominous ship in front of her, it was almost as if it had appeared without notice, the decks seemed quiet. She saw three shadowy silhouettes on board, two appeared to be sleeping, as they were seated on their posts with their heads rested on their chests.

As they neared the ship Nathaniel stood up and steady himself, he grabbed a hold of a rope ladder that hung off the side of the ship, he climbed it with great speed. Before she knew it, Balthasar had risen to, and swung her over his shoulder and mounted the ladder, with three great pulls of his left arm he was to the top, he threw her on the deck, and started untying her arms. The rope skid from her frail wrists and she began to stand up, her land legs didn't permit this though and she collapsed to the floor once more. Balthasar grabbed her arm and braced her, "Not used to the see, aye?" he asked. She shook her head no. "Well, it doesn't take long before you can go from boat to land as if it is nothing."

Claudia looked around her and taking the scenery. Balthasar, held onto her while the Captain and the redheaded man, along with a group of men who had came on deckwith their arrival, were all helping fasten the small boat to the ship. After they finished the Captain rang a large gold bell that hung in the middle the deck, all the men scrambled out, sleep in their eyes, "I would like to introduce you to our new guest, Claudia. Id'dent she a beaut?" the Captain announced and all the men perked up. They were all amazed by her beauty, as she looked each over the ragged men over through emerald eyes. "Tonight, she is to stay with me, but, we will see who gets her tomorrow."

The Captain grabbed one of her arms and pulled her into this sleeping corridors with him. He quickly untied her, and threw her down on a sofa that sat just a few feet from his bed. "Listen, this is my ship, and if you respect your life you will do your best to earn your keep. I have faith in you that you will be fairly good at fighting these men off. I have seen your will. Balthasar has watch over you at all times, unless I say otherwise. He is my best man, I know that I can trust him, even in the hands of such a fair lady," he explained, "Now, don't say a word and sleep, or I will put you down in storage with the rats."

She nodded and curled up, her knees pressed firmly to her chest, to wept silently, wishing that she had done a million things differently in her life, she was sure that this was to be the end of her. When the thought crossed her mind to go and jump overboard, and test her fate with the ocean, she rose only to find the door locked. When the sun shined through the tiny window she found that the exhaustion of the day had finally set in and she had fallen asleep.

Balthasar burst through the door shortly after she woke, carrying a mop and a bucket, "Up! There is work to be done!" She grumbled, and wiped the sleep from her eyes. When she stood he thrust the mop and bucket into her arms, "I have work to do myself, but, as the Captain has explained, I am to keep a watchful eye on you.

When Claudia walked through the door the sun was bright and hot, she dipped the mop into the murky water and mumbled, "A pirate's life is the life for me..." As she began to mop she began to ignore the rude remarks the men made towards her, and kept herself busy. She moped the entire deck and then went searching for Balthasar, who was with the Captain discussing something through hushed voices when she entered they got quiet instantly.

"Why I guess it's time for your fist job inspection," the Captain joshed, "You look tired, and I hear that Balth send you out without a meal. Here eat this." He tossed her a ripe red apple, she turned it over in her hand several times before taking a large bite from it. Then she began to devour it, realizing then how hungry she had been all morning.

"There will be dinner tonight, until then you can either rest here or go with Balthasar, not, that he ever does anything exciting, I just thought that you may want to get to know your keeper better," the Captain purposed.

Claudia stood there perplexed for a moment, "I will stay here if I can write a letter to George. I would like to apologize to him for a few things."

"I will try get you a pen and a piece of paper. These things aren’t easily found onboard a pirate ship.”