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7:34pm Aug 15 2011
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Normal User
Posts: 1,269
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Character List: Cecilia Bower: Town 'Mayor''s daughter Dallas Bower: Self appointed Mayor Captain Raven Thorne: Came to Corulskulpretending to be an Englishman, turns out to be a pirate Edward Bower: Cecilia's brother Gustavo Accardo: Town cook, heavy set
If you really cared about animals more than humans...kindly feed yourself to the next starving wolf.
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7:39pm Aug 15 2011
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Normal User
Posts: 1,269
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Chapter 1 The unnerving silence draped over the small sea-side town was only broken by the lonely cry of a single gull and the crash of waves over the wet pavement. One by one, the villagers of Corulskul poked their heads out from the safety of their homes to view the damage.
For the past week, endless storms raged at the village and ruthless winds destroyed everything in their path. Now, while the wind and sea withdrew to rest, the villagers were out and about. The happy screams of children broke the uncomfortable silence but their moment of bliss was shattered. Tendrils of smoky white fog advanced towards Corulskul. Parents ushered their children indoors and shut the doors firmly, preparing for another blast of icy rain. Centuries ago, a powerful wizard named Oryn had entered Corulskul seeking shelter. The villagers had shut their doors and angry at their response to his pleas, Oryn cast a spell over Corulskul. Perhaps when he cast his spell, he only meant for the storms to rage for a period of time…not for as long as Corulskul stands, but no one knows and no one will ever know. Some time during the middle of the night, the storms stopped and the moon pushed aside the heavy clouds. In the dim light, a sentry noticed a ship sailing towards Corulskul. The warning bells clanged against each other, waking the villagers. Lanterns were turned on, torches lit. It had been many years since the sighting of a ship and every villager wanted to see it. Like a ragged ghost, she appeared from the mist, her sails in tatters and her foremast was reduced to a stump. The villagers of Corulskul cowered in fear as the giant ship sailed closer and closer. A figure at in the crow’s nest waved his arms wildly, yelling, “Land ho!” The once magnificent ship slowed to a complete stop in front of the stunned villagers. A plank was lowered and the crew trudged down. In their midst was a middle-aged man with jet black hair and icy blue eyes that radiated hatred for the world. Dallas, the self-appointed leader of Corulskul stepped forward.
“Who are you to trespass on our land?” he barked, trying to not show his fear. “Forgive me, good sir. I am Raven Thorne, Captain of the Icehawk,” the stranger said coolly. “We were blown off course in this freak storm and are seeking shelter.” Dallas turned red in anger but before he could utter a word, his daughter tugged on his sleeve. “Father, you mustn’t deny this man! The last time that happened, there was a spell cast on our village. I think one spell is enough,” Cecilia whispered. Captain Thorne’s ears perked up and he bowed low. “Good sir, am I right to assume that this is the famed village, Corulskul?” Dallas could only nod. Thorne smiled slightly and continued. “I have heard many stories of this village and I am ashamed to say that I had thought they were simply made up. Now I know better. It is amazing that one village in the middle of the sea could withstand a wizard’s spell. I would be honored to help you break the spell.” “That’s stupid! No one can break a wizard’s spell other than the wizard himself. This spell was placed centuries ago! Oryn is most likely rotting in the underworld,” the village cook snorted. Captain Thorne looked at the man with slight disgust. “What are you called, kind sir?” Thorne asked with barely disguised annoyance. The cook stared at him, never letting his gaze fall from Thorne’s eyes. “I am known as Gustavo Accardo, Corulskul’s head cook.” Thorne nodded. “Mister Accardo, I presume that you were never taught that wizards live forever? Even the youngest child knows that. Obviously, this village has been isolated for too long. Wizards are granted immortality during the time it takes to become fully trained. No one knows how it happens; it is a secret that witches and wizards keep to themselves. It’s a good thing that wizards are immortal because it takes a ridiculous amount of time to train and become somewhat knowledgeable with spells. It would be a waste to have a wizard die right after his training is finished. At that rate, there would be no wizards on the planet.” Dallas had been silently fuming as Thorne gave his snooty speech. Now, he could contain his anger in no more. “You don’t speak to us like that! We deserve more respect. I have never heard of another village that has been able to withstand a wizard’s curse longer than Corulskul! Either you help us or we chase you out.” The villagers shouted angrily, backing Dallas up. Raven Thorne was a smart man. He knew that he couldn’t win this fight against a mob of angry villagers hardened by the rain and sea. His pirates were tired and sick from ten weeks battling the storms. They were in no condition to fight. Thorne smiled, putting on a mask of embarrassment. “Forgive me, good villagers. I forget that I am speaking to the legendary inhabitants of Corulskul. Weeks at sea have befuddled me and it will never happen again. I beg you for forgiveness. Please excuse my poor behavior. It is my utmost wish that I am able to assist you on your quest to break the wizard’s spell.” Dallas nodded towards Cecilia. “Go and show Master Thorne his room. He can have the one on the third floor.” Cecilia took Thorne’s hand. The captain seemed somewhat surprised at this but said nothing. A gloomy silence fell on them, neither wanted to speak first.
Thorne quivered in fear for the first time in his life. The house that stood in front of him was a monster. It was too grand to be called a house. The ‘house’ was more or less a mansion. Ten stories high, the mansion seemed to want to swallow everything in sight. Thorne had never lived in a house let alone a mansion before and he didn’t ever want to. He was a sailor at heart and the thought of a brick roof over his head made him more frightened than ever before. “Can’t I stay out in the yard?” he asked, slightly hopeful. “It would lessen the burden I have brought upon you by coming here.” Cecilia laughed. “But sir, by leaving you in the yard would most certainly destroy my family’s honor. No, I will not allow it.” For once in his life, Thorne felt a spark of love. Was this unusual girl destined to be his future wife? He hoped so, but everyone knows that fate can be awfully cruel. “I can’t possibly deny the requests of a girl like you,” he purred. “Alright then. I shall do as you say.” Silently, Thorne cursed himself. What an idiot he was. Cecilia probably thought he was a mindless fool trying to woo her. “Are you hungry?” Thorne jerked his head up. “What?” “I said, are you hungry?” Cecilia was looking at him with slightly less warmth in her eyes and a slightly stiffer posture. “If you’re hungry, we can go to the tavern to eat.” “But your father…shouldn’t we wait for him?” Cecilia sniffed. “He won't be back until late. The village elders are probably discussing your arrive. Naturally, they’ve left me out. They don’t understand that I’m old enough to participate in discussions. I’m not a kid anymore!”
If you really cared about animals more than humans...kindly feed yourself to the next starving wolf.
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7:40pm Aug 15 2011
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Normal User
Posts: 1,269
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Thorne cocked his head sympathetically. “I understand.” “No you don’t! No one understands! They all think I’m too rattled my mother’s death, but I’m not! Far from it! I’m old enough to understand that you can’t change the past but you can change the future. I’m going to get revenge one day. I swear it. I’ll kill them all. All those worthless pirates who deserve to die. I’ll hunt them down, one by one.”
Thorne recoiled. The girl had spirit. He had better stay wary of her. “Don’t make promises you can’t keep,” he said darkly. Thorne knew only too well about those kinds of promises. He itched to try to change Cecilia’s mind. A girl her age shouldn’t be haunted with the deaths of countless men. Instead, he said, “Your mother is dead?” “It happened only ten months ago,” Cecilia whispered. “She was determined to set off and find a way to mainland. Father didn’t want her to leave. He knows much about all the dangers at sea. But mother refused to listen. She knew what she was risking, but she went anyway. She wanted to find a better place for me to grow up. Mother hated Corulskul. She said it was too windy. Too much rain and not enough sunshine.” Cecilia laughed bitterly. “Ten days later, she still hadn’t returned. It wasn’t unusual, considering the kind of weather we have here. We would have never dreamed that she had been captured and tortured by pirates. Her body was found on the beach. It had washed in with the tide. Her body was beaten and bloody, her clothing torn apart but she was alive. We tried everything to save her. But fate was cruel that night. Fate robbed me of my mother.” “By the gods, I’m so sorry,” whispered Thorne. He was as white as a sheet. It had been his crew that had killed Cecilia’s mother. A while ago (Thorne couldn’t remember when the exact day was), the ship lookout had spotted a lone boat out being attacked by wave after wave. The crew had pulled the sailor onto the ship, failing to realize that the sailor was a woman. In disgust, they had beaten her up then let the ocean reclaim her. Now, Thorne was standing in front of the woman’s daughter. Cecilia slapped him. “I’m not looking for sympathy! I’ve had enough of people looking down at me and pretending to care. None of them ever actually cared. My father didn’t care either. He was too busy fighting his own problems. He never has time for me anymore. Look, let’s go to the tavern. I’m starving.” Thorne didn’t feel the need to reply. Silently, he slipped his hand into hers and followed her. Neither of them saw the figure wrapped in a dark cloak flee to the harbour.
If you really cared about animals more than humans...kindly feed yourself to the next starving wolf.
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7:41pm Aug 15 2011
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Normal User
Posts: 1,269
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Should I continue or stop here and delete the story?
If you really cared about animals more than humans...kindly feed yourself to the next starving wolf.
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