Post by Ennui on May 4, 2005 13:19:26 GMT -5
PROLOGUE
A barque was drifting, aimless and unsteered, towards a shore of white sand. It was in a state of utter disrepair; only one mast, the front one, was intact; the figurehead, which had once portayed a Muse, was now headless and missing an arm; and there was a gaping, cavernous leak beneath the water line.
In other words, the ship was doomed; it was only a question of whether she'd smash herself on the shingle or go down before she reached it. Standing forlornly on the poop deck were three figures; a flame-headed man in a black greatcoat, unarmed and, by his expression, furious; and two disreputable figures, bangled with gold and clothed in tattered naval uniforms of the Kingdom of Spain, rapiers at their sides.
One was female; apart from this hardship and piracy had left few differences in appearance between them. As the redhead glowered, the two corsairs communicated in broken Spanish, peculiarly, as though they were not native speakers, but in the process of learning the language.
"Es probable," the man said, "que nos matemos."
"Quiero que nunca habia ido al barco," bemoaned the woman.
***
On the land, two shadows in yellow-white robes, matching the beach around them, crouched. Like the pirates, they represented both genders, increasing the political correctness of this story by 80% and earning it a place on the European List Of Acceptable Literature For Youth.
"Are the tripwires ready?" the woman hissed. (She was the leader, which made the European Educational Commissioner actually weep with joy.)
"Yes, and the envenomed crossbow traps", the other answered in an incongruously Australian accent.
"Good," said she of the much prized leadership skills. "We will be utterly without mercy if they reach land...and display forever the superiority of the Ninja's Way."
***
"Pienso que..." the male pirate started.
"Oh, really, do you have to keep up this ridiculous facade? You're as fluent as a slug," growled the redhead.
Suddenly there was an unbearable crunching, as the keel shattered to splinters and the barque started to break up.
A barque was drifting, aimless and unsteered, towards a shore of white sand. It was in a state of utter disrepair; only one mast, the front one, was intact; the figurehead, which had once portayed a Muse, was now headless and missing an arm; and there was a gaping, cavernous leak beneath the water line.
In other words, the ship was doomed; it was only a question of whether she'd smash herself on the shingle or go down before she reached it. Standing forlornly on the poop deck were three figures; a flame-headed man in a black greatcoat, unarmed and, by his expression, furious; and two disreputable figures, bangled with gold and clothed in tattered naval uniforms of the Kingdom of Spain, rapiers at their sides.
One was female; apart from this hardship and piracy had left few differences in appearance between them. As the redhead glowered, the two corsairs communicated in broken Spanish, peculiarly, as though they were not native speakers, but in the process of learning the language.
"Es probable," the man said, "que nos matemos."
"Quiero que nunca habia ido al barco," bemoaned the woman.
***
On the land, two shadows in yellow-white robes, matching the beach around them, crouched. Like the pirates, they represented both genders, increasing the political correctness of this story by 80% and earning it a place on the European List Of Acceptable Literature For Youth.
"Are the tripwires ready?" the woman hissed. (She was the leader, which made the European Educational Commissioner actually weep with joy.)
"Yes, and the envenomed crossbow traps", the other answered in an incongruously Australian accent.
"Good," said she of the much prized leadership skills. "We will be utterly without mercy if they reach land...and display forever the superiority of the Ninja's Way."
***
"Pienso que..." the male pirate started.
"Oh, really, do you have to keep up this ridiculous facade? You're as fluent as a slug," growled the redhead.
Suddenly there was an unbearable crunching, as the keel shattered to splinters and the barque started to break up.