Preparing Neopia for the Meepits Circulation: 177,117,134 Issue: 320 | 30th day of Storing, Y9
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Beginning of a Legend: Part One


by medit92

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“So... We’re gonna do it?”

     “Yep.”

     “I thought so.”

     “You scared?”

     “Not scared, just a little... unsure, I guess.”

     “Yeah, me too. But we’ll never get another chance if we don’t do it tonight.”

     “Man our parents are gonna kill us if we get caught.”

     “So try not to get caught.”

     “I hear ya, Garin, I hear ya,” Jacques the red Kyrii said. They stood at the dock and stared at the ocean and the large merchant ship that was their ticket off the island. Garin felt the cool breeze run through his hair.

     “We’d better get going, Jacques,” he said. “We need to get ready to go.”

     “Right. See ya later, Garin.” Jacques walked off. Garin left a moment later and went back to his home. It was just a regular cottage with a small upper loft where he slept, but it was hardly enough room for a restless, fifteen-year-old boy to be happy with. He and his best friend, Jacques, had agreed on leaving, when they were old enough, to start a different life apart from the simple lives of fisherman that their fathers lead. A VERY different life. His mother, a red haired Usul, looked up at him from the pot of stew she was cooking.

     “Where have you been?” she asked, sounding rather annoyed.

     “With Jacques,” Garin answered, putting his hands into his pockets and trying to amble his way upstairs.

     “With Jacques doing what?”

     “We just talked about the ship that came in this morning.”

     “You two have been hanging ‘round the docks a lot lately, Garin,” said his mother. “Jacques’ mother and I are a little concerned about the both of you.”

     “Don’t be, Mom. We’re fine, honestly.”

     “You’ve also been slacking on your fisherman’s work.” His father walked inside. His hair was not as blonde as Garin’s; it was more of a sandy color, and while Garin’s eyes were a lovely crystal blue, both of his parents had hazel eyes.

     “But, Dad,” Garin sounded very annoyed, “I don’t-”

     “Don’t talk to me like that, Garin. I’m your father and I know what’s best for you,” his father said sternly. “Our family have been fishermen for many years; that’s the way it’s always been.”

     “Well then, forget it! I want to create my own life!” Garin raised his voice but didn’t shout. He turned and stormed upstairs. “It’s time for a change,” he growled under his breath. “Starting tonight!” He slammed his door shut.

      ******

     Garin crept down the stairs as quietly as possible. He had a small knapsack with him that had what he needed, except food, inside. He crept over to the cupboards and began putting food into his pack. He had to hurry. Jacques was probably waiting for him. He snuck over to the door and took one last glance at his home. His parents were asleep on the bed with the door of their room wide open. He sighed.

     “Goodbye, Mom. Goodbye, Dad,” he whispered then left. He ran quietly through the empty streets to the docks. When he got there, he made a small bird call. The call was returned, and Jacques stood up from behind a barrel.

     “You made it,” he joked.

     “Mm-hm,” Garin muttered. “Are you ready?”

     “Yeah.” Jacques nodded.

     “Okay. Then let’s get off this rock,” said Garin. They went under the dock, uncovered a boat they had hidden there earlier, and rowed out to the ship. They climbed quietly up the ropes to the deck.

     We’d better not get caught, Jacques thought. Or all we’ve planned will mean nothing. Garin peered around the deck.

     “The coast is clear,” he whispered. They climbed aboard the ship and slipped below deck without a sound. They hid themselves amongst the many crates below, and now all they could do was wait.

     “So far so good,” said Jacques.

     “Aye,” Garin sighed. They were so close now. So close, and yet so far.

      ******

     Almost four days had past on that ship, and Garin and Jacques had their hands full hiding from the guards that often came down into the hold. But finally, one night, Krawk Island came into view. Garin woke when he heard the land cry. He shook Jacques awake.

     “Wake up! We’re here! We made it!”

     “We made it?” Jacques blinked his sleep away.

     “Yeah! C’mon, we can sneak up on deck when we’re close enough to shore. Then we’ll jump overboard and swim for it,” said Garin. “Are you with me?”

     “You know it, Garin!” Jacques got up and they started to creep over to the stairs, but when Jacques stepped on the first one...

      CRREEEAAAK!

      He jumped back and looked at Garin, who froze. “What do we do?”

      Jacques whispered.

     “We’ll have to run for it,” Garin whispered back. “On the count of three. One...”

     “Two...” said Jacques.

     “Three!!” They bolted up the stairs and blew past the crew on deck.

      One of them shouted angrily and tried to grab Jacques. Garin rammed his fist into that man’s face. “Jump!!!” he shouted. Garin and Jacques dove headlong into the water and swam for shore. They came up on shore, dragging themselves through the surf. They looked back at the ship that they had barely escaped from.

     “Garin,” said Jacques. “That is the last time we stow-away on any kind of ship again!”

     “You got it,” Garin said with a bit of a laugh. “Whoo! At least we made it.”

     “Good point.” Jacques looked around. “Um... Where exactly are we?”

     “Krawk Island, I think. We’d better get in town, Jacques. We have some money. We’ll find an inn and stay the night until we think up what to do next.”

     “Alright, but I advise that we watch our backs,” said Jacques. “From what I’ve heard of Krawk Island, it’s not a very pleasant place. Pirates are EVERYWHERE.”

     “So? We’re going to BE pirates, remember?” Garin elbowed Jacques in the side. “Maybe we’ll learn something.”

     “I know,” said Jacques. “Just try not to get into any trouble.”

     “Don’t worry.” Garin let out a laugh. “Anyway, we’re wasting time here. Let’s go.”

     “Right.” They walked into the village and started looking for an inn, or some kind of place to stay. Well, they had no luck, except for an inn called the Sea Witch. They decided to buy some food there, because they hadn’t eaten in almost a day. They walked in. The place was simply bustling with activity. The air was almost grey from pipe smoke, and it was loud from all the shouting, talking, and laughter.

     Garin and Jacques glanced at each other nervously, then moved over to the counter. Jacques sat down next to Garin, who asked the bar tender for some food and drink. A large Pirate Skeith looked at Jacques and gave a growl. A Pirate Gelert next to the Skeith chuckled and glanced at Jacques.

     “He doesn’t like you, kid. Neither do I.” The Gelert faced him.

      “So what are you doing here? You’re a little young to be hanging around the likes of us, aren’t you?”

     “Says who?” Jacques snapped quietly to the Gelert.

     “Says me.” The Gelert grabbed Jacques’ arm. “Whelps like you don’t stand a chance here, and now I’m going prove me point!” He drew a knife.

     “Watch it, buddy!” Garin burst in. “That’s my best friend you’re messing with!”

     “Oh? And what are you going to do about--OMPH!!” The Gelert fell off of his stool as Garin released his fist into his face. The Gelert barreled into a Pirate Wocky and knocked him over. The Wocky growled and tried to punch the Gelert, who ducked and caused the Wocky to punch the Skeith instead. Soon, an all out bar fight started. Garin grabbed a cutlass from a Pirate Grarrl as the Skeith charged him. Garin grasped the deep red leather hilt tightly and locked blades with the Skeith.

     Jacques had snatched two cutlasses from another pirate and was now fighting for his life with them. He and Garin stood back-to-back.

     “No trouble, eh, Garin?” Jacques growled.

     “Uh.... Oops?” Garin shrugged, feeling rather stupid.

     “No kidding! How do we get out of this mess?!” asked Jacques. Garin bit his lip and looked around. Large chandeliers hung just above their heads.

     “I’ve got it!” he nearly shouted. “Jacques, see that chandelier above us?”

     “Aye, what about it?”

     “When I say ‘now’, jump up and grab hold, then we’ll swing across the room and make a break for it!”

     “Sounds crazy, but I’ll do it.”

     “Alright, ready? Now!!” They jumped up and grabbed onto the chandelier. Then they swung over the pirates and landed near the door. “Run!” Garin shouted. They bolted into the streets and ran down a dark alley, which turned out to be a dead end.

     “Oh excellent, no exit!” Garin murmured.

     “Garin, a window!” Jacques panted. “Above us!” Garin looked up. Sure enough, there was the window.

     “Climb on my shoulders, Jacques!” Jacques didn’t argue, because the voices were growing louder. He pulled on the window latch.

     “Oh Fyora,” he breathed. “It’s locked!”

     “Keep trying!” Garin encouraged. He looked down the alley and saw the pirates coming closer. He gulped. “Oh man, we’re cooked!”

     “Psst!” came a voice. Garin looked around. “Over here! Quickly!” An orange Wocky was staring at them from the crack of a door. Garin and Jacques looked at each other, shrugged, and then ran inside with the Wocky.

     “Follow me, that door will be visible in torch light.” The Wocky led them up some stairs. Was he really helping them, or was he just leading them into a trap? Right now, all Garin and Jacques could do was wait and see...

To be continued...

 
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