Touching The Moon

1. Almost the Beginning

       Blue skies, a calm ocean, and the heat of the sun beating down on my skin. All of those come together to make for a beautiful voyage upon my ship, Rising Star. The breeze cools my burning skin as I watch over the crew poking fun at each other and laughing to their heart's content. My hand rests on the smooth wood of the helm, causing me to shiver with excitement. Then, as quick as a surprise twister, a dark ship appears beside us bringing an ominous feeling with it.

       "Ahoy!" I call out for the crews attention and point to the ship getting closer and closer, "We have company!" Before I could finish what I wanted to say the crew went up into a frenzy.

       A loud boom resonates from all around. "Cannon ball!" One of them shouts followed by the shattering of one side of the ship, sending shards of wood everywhere.

      "Blow them down!" I shout.

     "Aye!" They scream back at me, all getting into position and firing everything we could. It brought me great pride to see my men firing our cannons, guns, and arrows ultimately blasting the other ship to shreds.

     "Fiammetta." Someone distantly says my name. "Lady Fiammetta, are you listening?!" My math teacher yells, slapping a ruler on the table. I jolt out of my daydream and look at the baggy eyes of my very serious and very stressed out male teacher.

    "Yes." I reply shamelessly.

    "Then, please, repeat what I said." He turns away from me, expecting me to mess up. I freeze, unable to think of anything remotely math related. He turns back to me, a smug grin on his face, and says, "Lady Fiammetta, your father hired the best educators around to help turn you into a proper and intelligent woman. Do you think he'd be pleased to learn you are daydreaming instead of studying?" I look at him, studying his facial features like his five o'clock shadow, high cheekbones, brown eyes, and chiseled jawline. Once upon a time, this man must've been attractive. I wonder what happened?  I think to myself. He closes his eyes and lets out a slow, frustrated sigh. "Lady Fiammetta!"

    I jump, "Yes! I'm sorry."

    He shakes his head. "Please, pay attention the next time we meet. You may go for the day."

    A wide smile spreads across my face. I jump to my feet, not bothering to gather my notes and dash out of the room. It's not like it matters whether I leave my stuff behind, someone will put it up for me and I'll have it next time I need it.

    All of my tutors meet me at home because the family home is in the countryside, surrounded by nothing but nature and glorious mountains. Every once in a while father allows me to travel into town for food or the occasional dress that I don't want or need.

    I swing open the doors to the wonders of the outside world. The smell of the grass, trees, and flowers greet me along with a grumpy butler. "Lady Fiammetta." He greets me.

    "George." I say with obvious disdain.

    "Lady Fiammetta." A sweet, gentle voice speaks from behind me.

    I sigh, "Marilynn. Is something wrong?" My favorite house maid walks out from behind me and stands beside George. I look at them and see what they're going to say before they even speak it. "You're not going to let me go into town alone, are you?"

    "It's at your father's request, milady." Marilynn tells me with a shy face. She hates telling me news I don't want to hear and always expects the worst reactions. I wonder what sort of home she was raised in to always be afraid of someone's reaction?