(Page 1 of 11) Maiden's Point by James WatsonSUMMARY: I don't know the point of a summary really. I mean, if you've got this far, you're going to read it. If you've got this far and don't want to read it, why click on the link? I think what I'm trying to say is that the writer should be able to grab someoneMaiden's Point
It began with a song. Waves lashed around the small ship as it was buffeted by a storm. The sailors had been working hard to keep the vessel afloat, while navigating the treacherously rocky coast. Then, above the roar of the seas, came a sweet song. The beautiful voice filled the air, captivating the sailors. One by one they fell silent, mesmerized by its lovliness. These men were tough sailors, and had little to do with songs, save the bawdy rhymes heard in the port taverns of which they were so fond.
However, something about the melody struck them, whether it was the words of the song itself, its tune or the beautiful female voice. The tempest still raged around them, but the ship was as a bubble of calm. The crew stood with their eyes closed, or with thoughtful smiles, or even with tears running down their cheeks. The captivated sailors were oblivious to all else save the song, leaving the humble craft to fare for itself through the storm.
None saw the ship shatter onto the rocks that night. The residents of the sleepy fishing village rarely went up to Maiden's Point, especially not at night. It was first light when a young lad ran through the village yelling at the top of his voice about the wreck. Some of the bleary-eyed residents wandered out of their cottages, ready to scold him for waking them up, before comprehending what he was saying.
The young men of village then rushed out of their modest homes and out to the Point in the vain hope there might be survivors needing strong men to pull them out of the rough waters. It was an automatic reaction for honorable folk who lived near the sea, and they would do this every six months or so, when a ship fell afoul of the treacherous rocks around Maiden's Point. The older men of the village did not run to the Point so quickly, contenting themselves with a look of sorrow and a shake of the head.
A traveler came into the village later that day. He was a young man called Daniel, a sailor who was searching for work. A winding path took him along the high cliffs of the coast and down into the settlement. There were few people about. All the men were at the docks or out in their boats, while only a handful of their wives went about their daily business. The quiet was not comforting; it was rather the subdued climate of fear.
Finding the village itself to be unsettling, Daniel walked away from the cottages and down to the docks. Amongst the rickety wooden structures, he found the local inn, called The Sailor's Haven. Despite it being too early in the day for the place to be full of sailors and dockhands, he decided to spend some time in there. He walked inside and sat down at the bar, but deciding not to order any ale. He had little appetite for the drink as of late.
The inn was nearly empty. The only patrons were two old men sitting at the bar and a young boy at one of the tables nearby. The barman stood behind the bar washing some glasses. Daniel found the place unwelcoming; in fact, all in the room seemed oblivious to his presence, save the boy who stared at him with startling green eyes.
The two men drinking at the bar were deep in conversation, and they were not talking quietly.
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