Chapter One (Kateri's New Story)

This is a new story I'm writing. Its about pirates. I think I told some of you about it. Here's the first chapter, it'll get a lot more exciting later on. Tell me what you think!!!! Be honest!!!



Chapter 1: At Gilenger's

It was a dark and gloomy night. Carriages raced through the wet cobble stone streets. Everything seemed black and dismal. That is, everything except Gilenger's tavern.

Gilenger's stood on the side of the street, the large windows ablaze with light, and happy cheers and cries could be heard from inside.

Gilenger's the usual tavern. A place for men to talk while they got beer or ale, while the ladies gossiped at tables. Often, Gilenger's held dances, and parties. There was no one in the little town of Albandale they didn't go to Gilenger's at least once a week.

Mr. Gilenger, for it was he who owned the tavern, was a jolly old man who liked nothing better then big cheerful crowd. There was no nicer, no happier place, in the whole country town of Albandale, then Gilenger's. Home to the poor and rich alike.

Albandale was place where you knew everybody, and everybody knew you. every time the tavern doors swung open, there were loud greetings and cheers.

One young lady who say gossiping among her friends at a table was young Sarah Smithins. Just turned seventeen, and the only child of the Smithins family. She was, by far, the prettiest girl in all of Albandale.

Her long golden locks of hair shone like the sun. Her eyes were the color of the blue-green sea. And all her movements were elegant and graceful. She was well envied for her looks from all the other young ladies, and she was well sought after by the young men, hoping to court her. After all, in Albandale, young ladies were married off at a very young age.

Her parents promised Sarah that she could marry whoever she wished, (as long as he was a good lad, which meant he had to go to church, had a large amount of money, came from a good family, and was not going to take their daughter out of Albandale.)

But Sarah was much too busy having fun to have time for courting. She would rather go out about town with her friends and enjoy everything about anything, then really start to grow up. Seventeen was a time of so much excitement! There was so much to do and enjoy!

This, of course, was a big disappointment for a lot of young men, and of course, Sarah's poor Mother. But it seemed nothing could be done but to wait for the girl to grow up.

As Sarah sat giggling and gossiping with her friends, a few tables away, unknown to Sarah, her mother was gossiping about her daughter.

"I tell you," said Mrs. Smithins "It's very strange! At age seventeen, acting like a child! Somebody needs to help her grow up!"

"Maybe my son can." remarked Mrs. Ruban "Clarence likes Sarah after all."

"She turns down every boy. Kindly and politely, yes, but still I don't like it! I tell you, tis' very frustrating!"

"Well, I can imagine it is." said Mrs. Hoppinton "I'm glad my Luciana got married off last summer. Twas' a relief I tell you. No more worrying about her!"

"Speaking of worry," said Mrs. Ruban "You know what's making me loose sleep? Them pirates! I've been hearing word they're being spotted all around."

"Pshaw!" cried Mrs. Smithins "Pirates? My word! Rough sailors perhaps, but not pirates. I wouldn't be nervous of that. We'll just be seeing some sailors around, that's all. In fact, I bet some young sailors will show up tonight. The beer always lures them here."

Sarah was very popular with all the young girls. They crowded around her table, just wanting to speak a few words with her and catch at glance at her beauty. She told them a joke, and they all burst out laughing. Sarah sighed with happiness. This was perfect. It was so much more fun to childish then to be tied down to adulthood.

One her friends told her funny story, Sarah giggled throwing back her long golden hair. Sarah felt the eyes of many young gentleman staring her, hoping to catch her eye. Sighing, she lowered her head, avoiding their gaze.

Then the doors of the tavern burst open, letting in a blast of cold air. Everyone stopped what they were doing and stared, and who was entering the room. A tall young man, piercing eyes, long shiny black hair, an unclean sword hanging from his belt, tall boots, a torn shirt, a gold earring, and a long twisting scar of left forearm. A real rough sailor. Probably just off some unclean ship and stopping by for some beer before going out to sea again.

All eyes watched him as he marched through the room to the counter.

"Two beers. And make it your best." he growled.

"Coming right up mister....?"

"Name's James. Just James."

"Alright then, James." said Mr.Gilenger reaching for two mugs "Coming right up."

He filled the mugs with his finest beer and thumped them on counter in front of the gruff looking sailor, holding out his hand for the payment. The sailor laughed.

"I ain't gonna pay you till I've tried the beer." he took along swig from one of the mugs "Ah, I'd say its worth...two crowns." He chucked two gold coins on the counter and marched to a table.

Sarah noticed the beer was worth at least five crowns. But she didn't blame Mr.Gilenger for not arguing. James didn't look like somebody you wanted to mess with.

One of Sarah's friends tapped her on the shoulder. "Sarah! He looks like a pirate!"

"A pirate? Come now, don't be so silly. He's a sailor, a, uh, wild one maybe, but a sailor just the same."

"Whatever you say, Sarah. But I'm not going near him."

The sailor finished his beers and took out a deck of cards. "I'll best anyone here, at any game of cards. Anybody want to try me?"

This brought a large crowd of men to his table. He dealt out the cards quickly and they began a game. Sarah noticed they were betting. "Those men had better not bet too much..." remarked one of Sarah's friends "I don't think he's playing fair. He's sure to win." Nodding Sarah turned away. But she couldn't help but notice that James won every card game and in no time, he had piles of gold standing around around him.

"Sarah!" hissed one of her friends "Sarah! That sailor, he's looking right at you!" Sarah tossed back her hair, and looked behind her quickly. Oh yes, that wild young sailor was staring right a her. Sighing, and rolling her eyes she turned back.

Soon the people began to leave the tavern, for it was getting rather late. Mrs. Smithins turned to leave. "Don't be out too late, Sarah! Come back home once you're done here." she paused "And don't walk home alone, it isn't safe. Have a gentleman bring you home, alright?" Sarah nodded. "That's a good lass, see you later!" Called Mrs. Smithins, ducking out of the door.

Soon after, Sarah got tired of gossiping and talking, and said goodbye to her friends. She stepped lightly across the room toward the door, but the sailor jumped up, and in two steps he was standing right in front of her. He swung the door open, holding it for her.

"May I see you home, miss?" he asked sweeping a bow.

Sarah thought quickly. She wasn't supposed to go home alone. But a sailor? A wild young sailor? Well, he was kind of handsome, in a strange way...

"Yes, you may, good sir." she said curtsying.

Sarah looked at the audience in the tavern. They all were horrified. Sarah Smithins, the girl who seemed impossible to catch, was accepting an offer from a...sailor! Of all the shocking things!

Throwing them all a smile, Sarah stepped out into the darkness.