It’s a pirates’ life for me

Out of all the classes I’ve been forced to endure over the years, at least I enjoy this one. The clash of swords sparking against each other. The twinge of arrows pulling tight against the bow. The sparkle of metal armour as soldiers seemingly dance around each other as they strike and dodge away from each other. But of course I’m not technically allowed to be here right now. I really hate being princess sometimes!

The sound of father’s annoying brass trumpets interrupts my pity party. Of course he has to let the “whole world” know he has an announcement. He’s so obnoxious and everyone already knows what he is gonna say anyway. It’s the same thing every day. ‘Turn on your neighbours and friends, you’ll be rewarded. If you see anyone with mysterious powers, report them, they are a danger to everyone.’

Little does he know that I’m one of them, but he can never find out. He’d kill me or worse. In fact only one person knows, my best friend Jackson. Yet another well kept secret of mine. If father knew I was friends with a peasant he’d kill me.

An hour later, father returns home, pompous parade in tow. It won’t be long before he’s looking for me for our dreaded, torturous daily lessons. The scars on my back itch just thinking about it. Every time I get a question wrong or don’t agree with him, he pulls out the whip, that still terrifies me.

After my lessons, I sneak out to find Jackson so he can help me practice my strange ability. I race to the alley we always meet at, and saunter over to him. “Ready?” I ask. “Oh I’m ready for something…” he smirks. “What does that mean…” I start to question before I’m cut off by a low chuckle coming from the walls. “Little bit far from the castle, wouldn’t you say princess” the mystery man mocks me stepping out from the wall.

I don’t know who he is, but I don’t think it’s good for me. So I punch him, hard, in the nose and bolt. I zip through the the alley as fast as I can, nursing my now aching hand. In my peripheral vision I can see shadows growing from the walls rapidly advancing on me. Adrenaline begins surging through my bones along with a familiar rush of energy as my ability starts to charge.

I weave through alleyways and clusters of people, jumping over plants and rubbish cluttered all over the ground. I use my ability to send bolts of energy at my chasers and knock over what ever I can to slow them down. But nothing seems to affect the mysterious man, and he proceeds to keep slowly but steadily advancing towards me.

My pulse begins to beat so fast I’m pretty sure my heart is going to explode out of my chest. I look back and he’s gone. Where did he go? Next thing I know I run into what feels like a brick wall. Nope, not a brick wall, Jackson’s chest. “Help me” I beg. “ no I don’t think so” he responds darkly. My chasers catch up and tie my arms behind my back, as another one holds chloroform over my face. As I begin to black out, I see the mystery man paying Jackson. Tears spring to my eyes and the knife of betrayal twists in my gut as I go numb. I want to hate him, but I don’t.

I wake up on a massive pirate ship. And as I begin to gain my eyesight back I can finally examine the man properly. He is tall, lean and muscular with a powerful and arrogant vibe about him. I can see he is obviously a pirate, but he seems dressed far too fancily to be one. “Like what you see?” he drawls in a deep, gravelly voice, breaking me from my observations.

“Hmm not really, rather unimpressive to be honest” I smirk. “Cute, good thing I don’t have to put up with you for long, princess” he growls. “Let me guess, ransom”, I mock “could you at least try to be creative”. “And what would you suggest” he raises his eyebrows. “Well if I must be stuck here, I challenge you to a duel for captains quarters”.

His arrogant smirk drops from his face and is replaced with a look of pure surprise. “Cat got your tongue, Mr?”. “The name is Xavier and fine. I’ll even let you choose the weapons, but be prepared to sleep on the floor when you lose”. I let out a dark chuckle and confidently reply “swords”. He gives me a chance of clothes and winks “wouldn’t want you to trip on your dress when I win”.

I emerge from the room, now in a comfortable pair of pants and a light shirt. I wrench a sword out of the holder and slowly walk towards Xavier. He gestures for a sword and one is launched through the air into his waiting hands. We begin to strike and defend and it feels as if we are performing a dance, perfectly moving in step with each other, as if we had practiced 1000 times. After a while I get bored, so I use my energy to pull a rope towards me and use it to swing myself behind him. Using the momentum, I kick his knees in and hold the sword to his throat.

“Don’t call me princess”I smile sweetly. “And what should I call you then, sweetheart” he grunts. “Evita is fine, thanks” I snap. Why did he have to use Jackson’s favourite pet name for me. “I’ll take my room now” I demand, trying not to cry.

I escort her to MY room and slam the door shut, but as I walk away I hear light sobbing. First the scars on her back, I saw while she was changing and now she’s crying her heart out. Maybe she doesn’t want to go back home, that duel definitely wasn’t very princess like. I think I’ll wait a while before I do anything about the ransom. It can wait.

It has been 3 months and Xavier still hasn’t said anything about the ransom. Instead he has been treating me as if I am part of the crew and even letting me join raids. “Evita we’re going on a raid, you coming?” Xavier yells. “Obviously” I respond jokingly “you’d never succeed without me anyway”.

That night after the raid we are sitting down for dinner and Xavier exclaims “So I think ransom is out of the question at this point, but how does overthrowing a king sound?” he looks at me, the question sitting in his eyes. “I thought you’d never ask” I respond happily. “Good, let’s have some fun” he laughs.

It took a week of planning but we have successfully snuck into the castle and taken down all the guards. As we storm into the throne room, I see her father smugly sitting there. “Why Evita, did you finally get bored and decide to come back” he smirks at her. She goes pale with fear or anger, I’m not sure which one but either way I’m going to kill him.

I decide that’s exactly what I’m going to do and proceed to menacingly stalk towards him. But he merely chuckles and before I can question why I hear a gasp of pain and a thud behind me. It takes me several seconds to process the scene in front of me. Evita lies bleeding on the floor whilst Jackson stands over her clutching a bloody knife. He doesn’t even attempt to look sorry.

The fury clouds my vision and in my blind rage, I kill the king. Decapitating his head with ease. It thuds to the ground and I watch it roll away with sick delight. I turn to destroy Jackson but he has already wisely escaped. I will kill that bastard! I blink, fury clearing away, replaced with severe panic. I have to save Evita, I have to! The tears threaten to spill but I must stay strong for her.

It has been several months since I almost died but now I proudly sit on my fathers throne. My people have freedom and no one is hunted for having powers anymore. Xavier walks in smiling giddily. “Yes” I question tentatively. He’s up to something he has to be. “I have a present for you” he practically sings with happiness. He then proceeds to drag a bruised and bloodied Jackson in. Jackson doesn’t give in without a fight kicking and screaming as much as he possibly can. Xavier drops him in front of me and chuckles “ready?”

“Oh I’m ready for something…” I smirk villainously, eyes blazing as I stare Jackson down.