Twigs snapped beneath Gigi's bare feet as she hurried through the cluster of trees. Sunlight flickered in and out as leaves fluttered. In the distance, the faint strains of a fiddle drifted through the air. Coarse dirt gave way to uneven sand as Gigi stepped onto the secluded beach.
Gigi moved to the water's edge, the folds of her skirt clenched in her hand. Waves crashed against damp sand and raced up to engulf her feet. The sun's rays touched the edge of the world, trailing it's robe of soft peaches, oranges and pinks.
The undulating water before her melted from her mind as she conjured up images of grand ballrooms, lavish grounds, and richly dressed lords and ladies. A smile tugged at her mouth as she sat in the vision.
The images vanished as a rush of cold water splashed over her feet. A sigh escaped her lips and the world came back into focus. She dropped her gaze, curling her toes in the sand.
Her gaze rose, landing on a blurry object bobbing in the water. Curiously, she watched it as it rose and fell on the waves. As she studied the vague outline, it edged closer. Leaning forward, she narrowed her eyes. Clarity hit her and her heart faltered. In an instant she was fumbling with the belt around her waist. The soft leather was tossed to the sand, followed a second later by her skirt.
Gigi splashed into the sea and dived. Cold water enveloped her. She burst through the surface, her arms stretching forward, pulling further in. With each stroke, she fought against the current. Water dashed itself against her face, as waves threatened to drag her under. Her heart pounded in her ears. Her breath came in short bursts. Salt water flooded her mouth and tangled her hair. Her arms ached, her legs beating against the ocean's strength.
Eventually, she drew closer to the object. A plank of wood, an arm and the upper half of a torso.
With weakening limbs, she pushed on, struggling to make it. When she curled her fingers around the waterlogged wood, she let out an exhausted gasp. Her lungs burned and the cold leeched her energy. The figure was a young man, black hair obscuring his face. Gigi shifted the plank. She swiped away the young man's hair, revealing tanned, defined features.
She placed one hand on his chest but couldn't feel the thrum of a heart beat. Water lapped at the wood, and splashed over his body. Gigi eyed the sky warily, the last trails of the sun slipping beyond the horizon. She turned back towards the shore and started kicking, one hand clamped on the wood.
The tide carried her, buoying the plank behind her. Waves crested over her, pulling her down. Her shirt clung to her, tugging at her. Her body ached with fatigue as soft sand sank beneath her feet. She kicked harder, searching for a solid footing.
When she found purchase on the ocean floor, she turned back towards the wood. She wrapped her arms around the man's torso. Her limbs shook as she pulled herself and the man toward the beach. She groaned as the water released them and she pulled the man further up the shore. The body dropped lifelessly as she let go. Damp sand collapsed under her knees as she stumbled to the ground. She coughed up sea water, her body shaking with the effort.
Taking one more deep breath, she shifted over to the man. Pulling her curls over one shoulder, she lowered her head to his chest and closed her eyes. Waves crashed around her, seagulls squabbled above. A smile touched Gigi's lips as she heard the faint drumming of his heart.
"Stars above, you're alive. That in itself is a miracle," Gigi breathed. "How did you survive?"
She looked at his handsome face. She shook his shoulder, urging him to wake up. When that attempt failed, she tapped his cheeks, trying to bring him back.
Finally, with a sigh, she drew back her hand and slapped him. He jerked awake with a gasp, water spouting from his mouth. He rolled to the side, heaving up the contents of the ocean. His body trembled, his arms barely supporting him as his lungs emptied every drop of water.
He turned to Gigi, his brown eyes meeting her dark blue, then he slumped back to the sand.
Gigi pushed herself up onto wobbly legs and staggered to her skirt and belt. With the last of her strength, she pulled them on and headed up the beach. Tree limbs drooped above her, spindly limbs brushing the top of her head as she trudged through the forest. Voices and laughter floated on the wind, dancing towards her.
She stumbled into a clearing. Canvas tents circled large fires that blossomed in the evening light. The smell of wood and stew filled the air.
A tall, young man with a tan face and messy brown hair trotted up to Gigi, his hands tucked into the pockets of his worn trousers. His blue eyes beamed with merriment.
"Gigi!" he said.
Gigi reached for his arm, gathering her strength as she leaned on him.
"Huck. Sailor. Shipwreck," she said, struggling to catch her breath.
Without a word, her cousin pelted away from her. Gigi took another deep breath, calming her pounding heart. Huck returned, leading a horse, his face serious.
"Show me."
Gigi turned back to the forest. She felt her strength slowly returning as they pushed past limbs and wound their way around large trunks. The shore came into view, the sailor's body outlined into the fading light.
"He alive?" Huck asked, as they stepped onto the sand.
Gigi nodded. Huck tossed the rope to her, and hurried toward the limp body. With a grunt, he hoisted the man over to the horse's back, placing a steadying hand on him.
"Lead the way back. I'll see he doesn't fall," Huck said.
Gigi turned back to the trees, retracing their path. The day's heat was melting from the air, pushed aside by a cool evening breeze. As they moved back into the clearing, heads turned in their direction. A slender girl with wispy auburn hair hurried to Huck's side.
"What's happened?" she asked.
Huck smiled at the girl and a deep blush raced across her cheeks.
"Sailor. Shipwreck," Gigi said. "Isabel, go find my mother. Tell her what's happened. We're taking him to my tent."
With a glance at Huck, the girl ran off in the direction of the largest fire. Gigi guided the horse through the city of tents, murmurs following their path as children trailed behind. Gigi stopped outside one of the uniform tents and pulled the flap open.
Inside were two thin straw beds, stacks of worn, faded books and bundles of clothing. Huck lifted the sailor off the horse, taking a step back as the weight fell on him. Gigi waited as Huck passed her and released the flap.
"Lay him down. Careful," Gigi said.
Huck threw her a muted glare as he grunted and lowered the sailor. Gigi knelt beside the unconscious figure, wiping clumps of wet hair away from his face. Huck brushed off his pants and eyed the sailor, crossing his arms.
"You sure he's a sailor?" Huck asked.
His clothes were tatters. Along his jaw was a week's worth of growth.
"What else would he be?" Gigi asked.
Huck shrugged, still eyeing the figure.
"He doesn't have the body of a sailor," Huck said.
Gigi gazed over the figure, taking in his toned, but narrow build and his long thin fingers free of calluses. The sound of voices grew and footsteps pattered outside the tent.
The flap was pulled open. Gigi's mother strode inside followed by her father. Her mother's willowy figure was dwarfed by her father's broad shoulders and tall stature. Light brown hair framed her mother's delicate features.
"Gigi, step aside," Annaleigh said, her voice lilting as she crouched beside the bed.
Her gentle hands moved over the man's body, looking for wounds.
"Where did you find him?" Quinn asked, his bass voice filling the cozy tent.
"He was in the water," Gigi said. "Drifting on a piece of wood. I didn't spot anyone else."
Her father's worn features deepened in a scowl.
"Huck, come with me," he said, "we'll gather some other men and make sure there aren't any other survivors before the light fades."
He turned and disappeared from the tent, Huck close on his heels. Now that the initial feat was over, Gigi's body became leadened. Annaleigh looked up at her, noticing her tired expression, wet hair and shirt.
"Isabel," she said.
The slender girl hurried into the tent, face expectant.
"Isabel, run and find Grandmother Vy, tell her to bring her herbs," Annaleigh said.
Isabel rushed from the tent, auburn hair flowing behind her.
"Gigi, dear, change into dry clothes. We can't have you get sick."
Gigi nodded and moved to the bundles of clothes. A chill swept through her as she exposed her damp, bare skin to the evening air. Relief came as she pulled on a dry shirt. The flap opened once more as a stout, grayed haired woman with lively green eyes stepped inside. In her wrinkled hand she carried a rough leather pouch, bursting with the scent of strong herbs.
"Isabel, gather your mother, Melene and Daria," Grandmother Vy said. "We need a fire outside, fresh water and cloth bandages."
Isabel disappeared, her footsteps fading away. The old woman's gaze landed on Gigi and a crinkled smile darted across her parchment skin.
"Dear, you look only a little better than this man," she said.
Gigi blinked through hazy eyes, her body weighed down, her brain slugging through her thoughts. Annaleigh moved forward, wrapping a blanket around Gigi's huddled body. Grandmother Vy pulled out a small, brown plant and handed it to Gigi.
"Take this, it will ward off the cold and help your mind clear. As soon as the fire is built go sit by it. Now, let's bring this man back," she said.
Outside, curious voices moved closer. The entrance to the tent filled with the presence of three women, followed by Isabel. Grandmother Vy barked out directions and the tent emptied once more. Logs clattered to the ground, as flint cracked. With stiff movements, Gigi pulled herself up and moved outside, settling beyond the blaze but out of the way of the harassed looking women.
A stream of women entered and exited the tent, their voices layering over each other as they passed. Half way through the bustling of the women, a plump woman found Gigi and handed her a wooden bowl brimming with steaming stew. Gigi thanked her and cradled the bowl close, breathing in the warmth.
By the time her meal had been consumed, the frantic pace of the women had quieted. The moon hung overhead, casting a pale, white light over them. The tent's entrance lay undisturbed and only Gigi's mother and Grandmother Vy remained. The sound of deep resonant voices floated through the encampment. A second later a lantern appeared sending the long shadows of Huck and Gigi's father swaying along the ground.
"Did you find any survivors?" Gigi asked.
Their faces told her the answer before their words confirmed it.
"No," Huck said.
He lowered himself down beside Gigi, resting his arms over his bents knees. Her father took a spot on the fragments of a broken tree branch and looked to the tent.
"He alive?" he asked.
"Not sure," Gigi said.
The tent flap opened and all three sets of eyes locked on it. Gigi's mother emerged followed by Grandmother Vy, both wore the look of soldiers returned from war. Grandmother Vy smiled at Annaleigh.
"Good work, dear," Grandmother Vy said, patting her cheek.
With weary movements, Annaleigh settled beside her husband, collapsing into his embrace. His strong arms held her, pulling her close. Two figures appeared, bearing steaming bowls and chunks of bread. Gigi's parents and Huck accepted the gifts gratefully.
Silence descended as they fell to eating. A faint melody of a mother singing a lullaby echoed in the air. Strength returned and curiosity loosened the tired minds.
"He alive?" Quinn asked.
Annaleigh nodded, brushing back a lock of hair.
"Alive. He woke up once but fell unconscious again," she said.
"What do you think happened?" Gigi asked.
Firelight flickered on the faces of her parents, thoughts clouding their eyes.
"Shipwreck. It must have been yesterday's storm," her father said. "It's hard to say where the ship was coming from. My suspicion would be up North, the Talvin port."
Gigi frowned.
"He was in the water for almost a day?" she asked, astonished.
Quinn scratched at his thick beard, staring into the fire.
"Most likely," he said.
"I would agree, his body suffered major damage because of the wreck," Annaleigh said.
Gigi's eyes darted to the tent, picturing the battered man she had saved. Huck shifted beside her, pulling his thoughts from the flames.
"How can there be no other survivors?" Huck asked.
"It's possible there are other survivors, this one just got caught in the tide," Quinn said. "I suspect we'll find more ship remains tomorrow."
The group fell silent, thoughts heavy. Gigi gave an involuntary shudder and pulled the blanket tighter.
"Do you think he's Talvish?" Huck asked.
Both Quinn and Annaleigh shook their heads.
"Talvin people are larger in size, very pale skin," her father said, he turned his gaze on his wife, his eyebrows raised. "What do you think?"
"He has the look of a Lorian, but how he came to be so far North I couldn't say," she said.
Images of Loria popped into Gigi's mind. The sweeping coastline. Bustling ports. The King's castle towering above the city. Huck's question pulled her back.
"You think he's a sailor?" Huck asked.
Annaleigh shook her head, though there was a hesitancy in the gesture.
"No. His clothes, though torn were still finely made," she said.
"A merchant then?" Huck asked.
Again Annaleigh hesitated, her thoughts drifting back to the tent, something stilling her words.
"Could he be a nobleman?" Gigi asked, her voice betraying her intrigue.
When Huck made a disgusted sound, Gigi nudged his arm.
"It was just a question, Huck. It doesn't mean that he is," she said. "Besides, if he was, he would have a signet ring."
"That's easily explained," Quinn said. "He would have lost it, considering how long he was in the water. We'll have to wait and see when he wakes up."
Huck picked up a thin branch and snapped it in two, tossing it into the fire.
"I hope for his sake he's a merchant. Those people I can deal with," he said.
Quinn took on a stern expression, aging his usually untroubled features.
"Huck, no matter who he is, he is in our care and will be treated as one of us. Is that understood?"
Huck scowled but nodded. Gigi's mind wandered off, images of elegantly dressed Lords and Ladies pulling her away. Her mother stood, her skirt swaying about her.
"Gigi, dear," she said.
The reverie vanished as Gigi gazed up at her mother.
"I'm afraid our young sailor has taken your bed."
"You can sleep in our tent," Huck offered.
Gigi looked up, staring at the canopy of stars. Warmth radiated from the fire, curling around her.
"I'll sleep by the fire tonight. It doesn't look like rain. I'll be fine," she said.
Her mother gave her a long, studying gaze.
"You sure?"
Gigi nodded. Annaleigh moved over to her and kissed her forehead. A soft, thin hand brushed aside a strand of Gigi's hair, then cupped her cheek.
"I'm proud of you for saving that man's life. Sweet dreams, dearest," she said.
Gigi gave her a warm smile.
"Sweet dreams, mother."
Her father stood and followed her mother into the tent. A moment later he reappeared, carrying blankets.
"I don't want you to get too cold," he said, laying them beside Gigi.
A rough, callused hand stroked her cheek.
"Love you."
He kissed the top of her head.
"Love you, father."
The flap closed behind her father and Gigi made up a makeshift bed by the fire. She laid down, the scent of grass and wood smoke filling her nose. Wordlessly, Huck laid down on the opposite side of the fire, his hands tucked beneath his head.
Murmurs of distant voices floated on the wind. Sparks burst from the fire and licked at the night air. Gigi stared up a the sea of stars.
"Huck?"
Her voice barely carried over the flames.
"Hmmm?"
Gigi shifted, glancing over at her cousin, his long frame stretched out, relaxed on the bare earth.
"Do you think he could be a nobleman?" she asked.
Huck shrugged, the movement stirring the ground.
"For your sake I hope not."
Gigi lifted herself to her elbow.
"Why my sake?"
Huck looked at her, firelight reflected in his blue eyes.
"You would have saved a noblemen. Could you live with that on your conscience?"
Gigi tossed a twig at him and it bounced off his chest. He gave a deep, rolling laugh that echoed through the night. An amused smile played across Gigi's lips. She lowered herself back to the ground. Huck turned over and a second later came the sound of his deep breathing.
Gigi watched the flames dance and shiver, their long tendrils of light looking like bare tree limbs tossed about by the wind. Her body grew heavy and her eyelids sagged. An owl hooted, its call answered by another.
She closed her eyes, feeling the pull of a world of glittering color filled with Lords and Ladies creep in. But as she passed from reality into sleep, her mind wandered back to the unconscious man in the tent.
Where did he come from? And who was he?
**********************************************************************
Greetings Lords and Ladies!
I am honored that you have bestowed upon me your delightful presence and I humbly...
Okay it's way too hard to speak old English, at least I gave it a shot!
Now! You have read my first chapter and I hope you enjoyed it! If not, I totally get it if it's not your type of book. Still I'm grateful you gave it a chance, means a lot! â¤ï¸âºï¸
You have now met a few of the main characters and I want to know who you pictured, if any one.
For Gigi?
(I'm terrible and can always picture Zendaya because she's just that awesome.)
Huck?
(Who is a cute famous person with brown hair and blue eyes? Oh my gosh he's Niall Horan! ð± Haha just kidding I don't see him like that at all.)
Jayis?
(Hmmm...someone hot and brooding. ð¤)
Her parents?
(Is it wrong that I just see Alex O'laughlin as every dad character? ð¬)
Let me know! I'm curious!
And as you dash off to read my next chapter or someone else's next chapter I hope that you will share a...
Vote, comment or follow!
Whatever you feel it was worth, if none of the above that's fine you simply read my first chapter and for that I'm happy! â¤ï¸
Cheerio!
(ð¤¦ð½ââï¸ And now I've gone British)