Pirate; The Seavey Pendant

9. On the Doorstep

The hours began to drag by and it wasn't until the sun's morning rays peeked through the canopy of tree tops that a small pebble was thrown into the middle of the dirt road, signalling for the pirates to prepare.  Shortly after, Kieran could hear what the pirate who had alerted them had heard.  The rhythmic hoof beats of a number of horses against the rough road was unmistakable.  Eventually the carriage came into view, along with two guards on horseback who were trailing at a trot, just a few metres behind.  Once the carriage had passed Kieran's hiding spot, he looked up just in time to see Adorno and the other pirate jump out with fierce shouts, weapons drawn. 

The two horses in front reared in surprise while the guards quickly reached for their sword handles.  This was Kieran's part.  He jumped out from the tree, making sure to bend his knees to brace the impact of landing.  He drew his knife and pulled down one of the guards from his horse, as another pirate did the same to the other guard.  The guard's heavy body hit the ground in a dull thud and his chainmail prevented him from moving quickly enough to prevent Kieran from tying a rope around his hands, then feet, his mouth, and finally, around his head to blind him.

Kieran looked up in time to see a young, thin man with slicked back hair peek out between the thin blinds of the carriage.  He said something inaudible to Kieran, but he swore he saw the man say, "He was right."  The man disappeared again behind the blinds.  "The lady and the lackey!" Derane barked at someone from the other side of the carriage.  Kieran heard a shriek, a swear, and then murmurs of congratulations as he realized the two had successfully been taken.

A few pirates lead the two, now silent, prisoners to Kieran's side of the road.  Lady Rockefeller was beautiful in her extravagant accessories and dress.  Kieran saw the lustful hunger in a few of the pirates as they sized her up, and he suddenly got  bad feeling in his stomach.  His father must have seen it too for he said, "We aren't here to hurt them.  Keep yer hands to yerself or risk losing them."

"Hey, is it jus' me or is tha' fella over there spying on us?" Someone said hastily and pointed up the road.  In the distance, a man clad in identical clothing to the two recently-captured guards sat on a horse.  When he saw he had been discovered, he turned his horse around quickly and galloped off in a hurry.  Kieran's breath was caught in his throat.  They know! he thought in desperation. "Pius!  Quickly, take a horse and track that man down.  Kill him if ye have to."

     The man who had just pointed nodded and swiftly took one of the horses to chase after the mysterious man.  Gambara turned back to the crowd, worry creasing his face.  "Change of original plans.  We will take these prisoners back and leave them out at sea under heavy watch until it's safe to let them go.  The ship will leave and dock in the nearest city and will await the arrival of Cinnia, Adorno and the team of pirates who will help them out of Raelith.  It's too risky to stay now."

Gambara ordered most of the crew to take the prisoners back to the boat and ordered the ones that remained to hide and prepare the carriage for when Cinnia and Adorno would come.  Kieran was one of those remainders.

     *     *     *

Cinnia was in pain.  In a physical, terrible pain that no woman should have to feel.  She was wearing a very grand and extravagant dress, typical to the ones worn to the ball she would be attending.  She glanced at herself in the provided mirror that Gambara had had stored away in his quarters.  Though the royal-blue dress provided much needed help to beautify her figure, Cinnia felt that she would rather wear paper bags for the rest of her life.  Her back had seemed to somehow have been elongated and her waist had been squished to appear "most attractive".  Her blonde curls had mostly been pulled back into a decorative bun, but a few hung loose near the back.  Her neck felt bare, having left her pendant under her bed pillow, as recommended by Charbonneau. Charbonneau nodded with satisfaction.  Seeing that the madam was finally done, Gambara clapped his hands loudly and ordered everyone to leave and for Cinnia to prepare to leave by boat.  She thought he appeared worried, but said nothing.  Adorno, Cinnia noted, could clean up nicely when he wanted to.  He approached the group in fine clothing; finer than a pirates, but not fine enough to outmatch the men at the ball. 

During the boat ride (which Cinnia detested, finding it hard to comfortably sit down) Adorno kept his gaze on his polished shoes.  Cinnia felt relieved that he was respectful enough to not send her angry glares or say something rude.  Despite his controlled manner, she noticed that his forehead was wrinkled, most likely in anger.

As they stepped out the boat and struggled through the forest, Cinnia couldn't help but notice that she hadn't seen Mary Rockefeller yet and wondered where they had put here.  Gambara interrupted her thoughts, "This isn't too tiring for ye, right?"

     Cinnia was shocked to hear him worry about her tiredness, "No, why?"

     "We can't have ye sweating, can we?"

     "No...true enough." she grumbled back and continued on.

The group eventually reached a dirt road, where a gold-painted carriage stood waiting, coupled with a silver-flanked horse.  Gambara stopped Cinnia before they reached the carriage.  "Ye know what ye have to do?  Take the invitation, act as though ye are Mary Rockefeller, entice Derek Bequel in any way ye can, and make sure to steal that ring off of him.  Adorno will follow ye wherever ye go, so do not be afraid to communicate him or use him in any way possible.  But remember, the ring must get out."

Cinnia nodded, her throat dry in anticipation of what was to come.  She turned back towards the carriage and locked eyes with Kieran, who was slightly leaning against the large horse at front.  His eyes were full of worry and concern, but once he saw her looking at him, he smiled a convincing smile to reassure her.  She wasn't convinced, but it settled her nerves slightly.  She smiled an unsteady smile back at him, grateful for his attempt.

Adorno joined her once she sat in the carriage, and pulled out a rolled up piece of paper.  "Invitation." he said flatly and sighed heavily, turning his gaze out the window to watch Gambara finish ordering everyone around.  He nodded to confirm our readiness when Gambara signalled at them questioningly.  Soon enough, the carriage set off down the rough road, on the way to Cinnia's most important mission yet.

     *     *     *

Passing the first entrance had been easy, Cinnia thought, but she thought she recognized a hint of suspicion in the guard's eyes.  Her worry had been quickly forgotten when the carriage rolled through the downtown area of Raelith.  She had only seen the tall buildings from the distance of the harbour front, but this was entirely different.  The buildings had a lot of glass, some of which were coloured brightly.  The streets were packed with every type of high-class people.  Cinnia couldn't help but marvel at the luxury of their clothing and dresses.  Adorno saw her reaction and snorted.

     "What, you're not impressed?" She challenged.

     "Of obnoxious highborns whose only worry is not finding enough things to spend their money on?  Oh yes, impressive." He hissed with sarcasm.

     Cinnia leaned back in her seat and stared at her pretend-lackey in wonder, "Why are you so bothered by them?"

     "Why aren't you?" He asked back angrily.

Cinnia shook her head, knowing any further discussion would only lead to a heated argument, which could lead to the failure of the entire mission.  She knew the mission was more important than her own feelings of annoyance.

     The carriage eventually pulled into a long, curved driveway that lead up to a white, well-lit manor.  "This is the Royal Assembly Hall," Adorno commented as he threw solemn looks up the marble stairs.

A man in green approached the carriage and opened the door with a smile, "Invitation, madam?"  Cinnia suddenly remembered her posture and sat straighter, trying desperately to remember the pointers Charbonneau had given her.  "Yes.  Adorno?"

Adorno lowered his head, "Yes, my lady," and pulled out the invitation once again from within his vest.  Cinnia silently applauded his ability to change tone towards her.

The man in green skimmed the invitation and handed it back to Adorno, but smiled at Cinnia, "Welcome, Lady Rockefeller.  We are delighted to have you attend."  The man opened the door further and with the help of Adorno to balance, she stepped out onto the pavement.  With a heavy breath, she looked up the stairs, at the open, supposedly-welcoming doors.  Cinnia, however, didn't feel welcome.  She felt terrified.