A Pirates Tale

On a November evening, the kingdom of Azaria gathered in their capital of Maylen to celebrate

King William’s 30th birthday. Their allied neighbors of Saradona and Ramiken joined in the celebration. 

William had ruled Azaria and its humble people for the past ten years. Together they enjoyed peace and comfort not afforded by the previous king, William’s father, King Stephon. The people loved William, and they adored his queen all the same. Anya stood as a pillar beside William, acting as his strength and weakness. She had a say in each decision he made for their people, and it further advanced the country in every way.

The celebration was held in the great hall of the DeRitter castle, built with pillars of pearl and elaborate granite floors. The ceiling was painted with magnificent murals of a luscious woman surrounded by darling cherubs. They fluttered around her as she lay on a purple chaise lounge, bringing her lambs, grapes, and precious silk gifts. The orchestra played at the south end of the hall; string and wind instruments echoed in the golden velvet decor of the hall.

A waltz had begun as William approached the dancing. He whirled round to face Anya who was seated on her throne with little Scarlet bouncing on her lap. ‘I don’t know what I would do without my girls.’  He thought to himself as he called his daughter to him, “Scarlet, come dance with me!”

Scarlet gazed up at her mother and smiled. Jumping from Anya's lap she raced into William's arms. With one arm under her bottom and his other hand in hers, he stepped gracefully to the music, exaggerating each stride playfully. Scarlet called to her mother as William swooped her into a low dip. "Mommy, look! I’m dancing!”

Anya shouted back with a libelous laugh as she applauded their performance. “Beautiful! You’re a graceful dove, my darling!” Rising from her chair she approached her husband and daughter, catching herself in the dance. The three waltzed from the east to the west sides of the hall, laughing all the while.

William leaned close to Anya and whispered, "I love you, my precious pearl."

She kissed his cheek, "I love you too, my saucy soldier." Winking playfully, she kissed Scarlet's forehead. The three danced in step to the music laughing joyfully with their guests, unaware of the danger that was about to ensue.

As the dancing went on, a rough thunder was heard from outside the hall causing the building to rumble under their feet. William held Anya and Scarlet close to him. The skies were clear with not a cloud in sight. He scanned the hall; everyone stood frozen, men and women whispered their suspicions as eyes and heads darted from windows to doors. All were waiting, listening, and feeling for what would come next. William's guards caught his eye from every corner of the room, awaiting their King's orders. Again the hall rumbled and an explosion followed, causing a blaze of red/orange light to glow in the frosted south windows. Men and women gasped and screamed in horror as they watched the gray smoke rise into the air. Men held their women close with heaving chests, ready to defend at a moment's notice. William gazed around the hall and began whispering to Anya when another blast assaulted their eyes and ears, followed by a grenade crashing through the stained glass windows. The hall broke into hysteria; everyone ran for the doors to escape but William remained calm and signaled his Captain, Jeff, in the swarm of color and screams.

William pressed Scarlet into Anya's arms. "Take her." Jeff approached as William turned to him and ordered that he get Scarlet and Anya safely to the cellars as quickly as possible. All women and children were to follow. He turned to Anya and cupped his hands around her face. Tears streamed down her cheeks. Pulling her to him he whispered, "Everything will be alright. Get Scarlet to safety." He handed his family to Jeff just as a group of guards approached him.

"Sir, we're under attack!" one man said, his face in pale horror.

“All the women and children to the cellars, and men ready to fight." He held the soldier's eyes making sure his orders were understood.

"Aye sir." the men bellowed in unison and dispersed through the rushing crowd.

Standing alone, William watched as the north doors burst open, letting the chill of November sweep up and around his guests. “Ten years." he started toward the doors, a group of fifteen soldiers in toe. “Ten years of peace," his face and neck were hot with rushing blood. Grunting heavily, he and his men pushed the doors closed against the blustering wind. Turning to the East, he watched his people spill through the exit; the women and children glittered in the moonlight. Men drew their swords, bows and arrows, and spears, making ready.

Jeff reappeared from the funnel of people; pushing his way through he ran toward William. "Pirates, Your Majesty! Pirates!"

William drew his sword, "Anya and Scarlet?"

"Safe."

"Pirates, you say?"

"Correct, sir.” Jeff pressed his lips into a thin line.

"What is it?"

"The Master's Betrayal is floating offshore, sir."

William's eyes flashed, his face twisting with puzzlement. "That's not possible."

"I saw it."

"Jeff," William held his captain's eyes, "Jeff, that ship is at the bottom of the ocean."

"Not anymore."

The hall was almost empty save for men and weapons. William stood in shock as the north doors flung open again, with a crowd of rutty people sifting through. Thirty or so pirates rushed into the hall. Although they were few, and William's men outnumbered the pirates two to one, they swarmed the hall like locusts, covering the hall in seconds. The king watched as the pirates rushed his men. Looking to his left, he saw a young soldier fighting off a pirate. But he was too slow for the broot, and the pirate ran the young soldier through the gut. Flaming with rage, William’s voice filled the hall like the low grumble of a volcano.

“That’s enough!” The painted windows seemed to shake and all came to a frightening stop. Time stood still as William looked around. “What is it you seek?” he shouted toward the pirates, pointing his sword. There was an eerie silence as the pirates glanced back and forth at each other. William, growing impatient, asked again. “Why do you disturb our peace?” he screamed, spit flying from his mouth. He rushed the pirate ahead of him, the one he watched murder the young soldier, and slashed his gut open. Blood and entrails spilled onto the marble and the man collapsed to the floor into himself. “WHY?” William watched the men around him. He stabbed the dying pirate in the chest. Everyone stood still, not uttering a word as the pirate gurgled his last breath.

A giant pirate emerged from the crowd in response to William's cry. He was more kempt than the others, wearing a decorated jacket of red and gold silk. His hat was wide-brimmed and adorned with long feathers. As he stepped toward William his boots clipped and clopped on the marble floor. His sword was drawn, dangling by his side as he walked.

“You do not know what we seek?” the pirate asked plainly. “We are pirates, your majesty." He bowed sarcastically. "We seek riches, fame, and power.” He answered with a smirk, his voice taunting. The other pirates chucked to concur.  

“So you come here?” William stepped towards him, the dead pirate’s blood sucked his dancing heels to the floor trailing bloody footprints to the decorated pirate. “You seek what you will not find.” He waved his hand around the hall, “Not here. There is nothing here!”

The pirate’s throaty laugh echoed through the hall like a cackling witch. “You think me a fool, do you?” His eyes narrowed, offended by William’s mockery. “Not a very wise king, are ye?” the pirate coaxed, pointing his sword at the king.

“Perhaps you're hearing is damaged?” William tilted his head. “There is nothing here for you!” he bellowed. “Go back to your ship. Back to the Hell, you came from!”

The pirate waved his sword ornately, never losing William’s eye. He took steps toward the King. William dared not falter. His sword was at the ready, steady and straight. The pirate stood against William’s blade, allowing the tip to push against his chest. The indent grew larger, the sword becoming more taught in William’s hand. Still, William did not waver in his position. William looked at the pirate’s chest where it met his sword. A spot of blood was growing on the man’s chest.

“Do it.” the pirate coaxed. “You take me as a man who fears death?” his voice rose, his face growing angry, “KILL ME!”

William took a deep breath and pushed his sword forward. But just as he pushed the pirate whirled to his side sending William tumbling forward. The pirate slashed his sword at William, catching his side. Wincing in pain William spun to face the pirate, catching him in a parry. The two pushed against each other, the hall watching, nobleman and pirate alike.

“I misjudged you.” the pirate groaned, “We are going to need more men.” With a hard shove, the pirate pushed William back and blew a whistle that hung around his neck. William’s eyes darted around the room as he watched rocks and hand grenades fly through the stained glass windows. Pirates began to swarm, twenty, thirty, forty more pirates swarmed. William's men no longer had the advantage of numbers, but they all fought without fear. In the blink of an eye, every one of his soldiers was fighting two, even three pirates at a time. As more of his men began to file in through the South doors, the decorated pirate re-engaged William, slashing at his shoulder. “Fight me, Your Highness!” the pirate coaxed, and William did as the pirate wished.

**Authors Notes** -Working title. If you have suggestions, I am up for them! -Suggestions for story, spelling, understanding? I am open to help!