Look What I Found ~ by SaralynArati

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"Ran over a smuggler, did you?" the garrison commander surmised. "You're lucky you didn't get hurt. I suppose you'd better tell me where you left him." "That's just it," said Estel reasonably, "I am lucky I didn't get hurt. If I'm going to keep smuggling... fish... I need to be able to defend myself." "With that sword?" he said, disdainful of the weapon. "With a better sword when I can handle one better, perhaps," mused Estel. "Are you going to arrest me, shun me, or teach me swordplay?"

10 years ago

SaralynArati

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"I wish to confess to my crimes," Estel began. "Oh really, heartbreaker, what have you done?" asked the middle aged gentleman who was like her uncle. "I've been smuggling," she stated truthfully. "And I have a sword. See?" "Goodness, put that down!" he ordered. "And what, exactly, have you been smuggling?" Estel could tell that he was not taking this very seriously. "Fish," she replied, incurably honest to this man, "and... most likely alcohol of some home-brewed variety. In casks."

10 years ago

SaralynArati

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In the smuggler's cave, for he'd chosen the latter option, she found a number of empty casks to match the full ones she didn't bother to unload... not yet... and some odds and ends, including a rather rust spotted and dull old sword. But it was still good, more or less, and it prompted her to form another, even crazier, plan. Estel decided to turn herself in to the garrison commander. He'd known and adored her since she was four. So, taking the sword, she requested a private appointment.

10 years ago

SaralynArati

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"You're crazy! How will you sail my boat by yourself, and where will you sell my cargo without getting caught?" asked the smuggler belligerently, although the questions were perfectly apt. "I believe you'll tell me the second. And the first is not your business anymore, is it?" She tethered her boat to his, and made for the cove he'd almost certainly been bound for. "Would you like to tell me where to go aground, or do you prefer to wait for the Navy sweeps in the morning?" querried Estel.

10 years ago

SaralynArati

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On a soft, breezy, moonless but starlit night, Estel took her specially made net, and tucked knives into her belt and boots, and haunted the coast. Sure enough, she found her man, one alone thankfully, and sailing into what shadow he cast, threw her net over him, leaped aboard, and threatened to slit his throat, all before he could get untangled. "What do you want, Hellcat?" he spat. "Hellcat..." she tested. "No," concluded Estel, "I don't think I like that. I want your boat and cargo."

10 years ago