Patreon LogoYour support makes Blue Moon possible (Patreon)

Stranded Upon The Shore (Jack & Butterfly)

JackOfSpades

Planetoid
Joined
Sep 25, 2012
Trotting on horseback along the edge of the coast the waves came in and out wetting the hooves of the regal horses they rode. Prince Hector from a distance watched the path ahead, seeing something among the driftwood and seaweed. As his vanguard rode closer the object began to take form. Only a hundred meters away it appeared to be flesh colored.

Pushing a lock of silvery hair from his eyes he motioned his vanguard behind him to slow their horses as they were going to halt just ahead. Seeing the makings of a small petite female body, his eyes widened, suspecting the worst. Halting his large black stallion Helios he climbed down from his mount on the horse, his vanguard following.

Stepping onto the soft coast the water would roll up the shore and touch his heels. Standing over her he tilted his head. Watching closely and silently he saw the slow rise and fall of her chest. She was breathing. She was alive! Rolling the completely nude beauty on her back he swallowed hard. Aside from where he found her she did not have a mark on her. Even her hair was somehow still perfect and not matty from the harsh sea water. “Stay back a moment.” The Prince called out to his nearby knights, wanting to protect her modesty. Removing his princely velvet cloak he placed it over her exposed body, wrapping it around her waist and hushing softly.

“My Lady. My Lady. I am here to help you. Can you hear me?” He called out softly, coiling an arm under her knees and under her arms he lifted her up from the damp sea shore, staring down at her beautiful face. Hoping her eyes would open the vanguard could be heard quietly talking amongst themselves, intrigued by the mysterious woman.
 
The sounds of the sea were pounding through her head. It was all she could hear. The waves washing over her. Pounding her upon the shore as she lay in blissfully unaware darkness. The warm water brushing over her skin before receding out only to wash over her again until the tide was to far from her, leaving her feeling truly naked and in the dark.

Then, something seemed to break through the waves. A distant sound at first. A voice? It was so low and soft among the sounds of the waves before it started to grow in volume and in clarity until then she could hear it clearly. 'My Lady. My Lady.' Lady? Did the voice speak to her? She was a lady after all. Wasn't she? 'I am here to help you.' Was she in need of help? She supposed she had to be as the darkness was still. 'Can you hear me?' In a natural response, she started to gently nod her head, even though her eyes were still closed and the darkness still held a tight grip upon her.

The motion sent a sharp pain rushing through her mind that caused her to flinch and hiss slightly, her body jolting a moment. The movement only seeming to cause more of the pain, yet it was somehow enough to chase away the dark for a moment. Just long enough for her eyes to flutter open. They were revealed to be a color as blue as the ocean it seemed she had come from. She looked up and into a pair of eyes she did not know that were upon a face she did not know. But as she tried to recall either of them, she realized, she knew no faces. No eyes. She knew... nothing. All she knew was this moment right here and now. Nothing before it. It was all still lost in the darkness she had just climbed out of. The unfamilar face was, however, quite charming she thought as a small hint of a smile tugged at her lips.
 
A bit surprised but the sudden jolt his arms would tighten just a bit as if making sure he truly had her. Wide eyed by the suddeness of it all that would he how she first saw him. As those blue eyes probed his he swallowed hard, the dashing prince hardly intimidated by anything or anybody. The fiery haired woman was one of them.

“My Lady.” He said softly, trying to break the silence. “What is your name? How did you end up here?” The Prince asked her, seeing her lip curl into a small smile. It only made a proud pleased smile cross his own lips, cradling her in his arms. “And, what became of your clothing?” The silver headed Prince asked, absorbed by her eyes. She was truly a gift from the sea.

“I am Prince Hector, the Crown Prince of Castor. My vanguard and I will bring you no harm. Please, My Lady, do me the honor of letting me deliver you to our physician?”



butterfly0408 said:
The sounds of the sea were pounding through her head. It was all she could hear. The waves washing over her. Pounding her upon the shore as she lay in blissfully unaware darkness. The warm water brushing over her skin before receding out only to wash over her again until the tide was to far from her, leaving her feeling truly naked and in the dark.

Then, something seemed to break through the waves. A distant sound at first. A voice? It was so low and soft among the sounds of the waves before it started to grow in volume and in clarity until then she could hear it clearly. 'My Lady. My Lady.' Lady? Did the voice speak to her? She was a lady after all. Wasn't she? 'I am here to help you.' Was she in need of help? She supposed she had to be as the darkness was still. 'Can you hear me?' In a natural response, she started to gently nod her head, even though her eyes were still closed and the darkness still held a tight grip upon her.

The motion sent a sharp pain rushing through her mind that caused her to flinch and hiss slightly, her body jolting a moment. The movement only seeming to cause more of the pain, yet it was somehow enough to chase away the dark for a moment. Just long enough for her eyes to flutter open. They were revealed to be a color as blue as the ocean it seemed she had come from. She looked up and into a pair of eyes she did not know that were upon a face she did not know. But as she tried to recall either of them, she realized, she knew no faces. No eyes. She knew... nothing. All she knew was this moment right here and now. Nothing before it. It was all still lost in the darkness she had just climbed out of. The unfamilar face was, however, quite charming she thought as a small hint of a smile tugged at her lips.
 
The maiden just kept on smiling up at him a moment longer, until his questions sank into her brain. Name? Did she have one? when he asked about how she got there and what had become of her clothes, there was only one thing she could think of to say. "Those... are all very good... questions..." she responded in a voice that was no more then a whisper. Her smile slipped away as she shook her head, "I fear though, I do not know... the answers. I was hoping perhaps... you knew those things?" Even though her words were spoken still in a soft whisper, the melodic quality of her voice still peeked through.
 
Hector was somewhere in the strange balance between being puzzled by her answer and the immediate feeling of infatuation with the beauty from the sea. Unable to look away from her peerless eyes, he called out to his vanguard. “Search the immediate area. Clothing, parchment, pieces of a ship. Anything that may tell us her origin.” He ordered. The dismounted knights began to look around the immediate area as he sought to comfort her.

Bringing his hand to her forehead he'd feel to see if she had a fever from her exposure. Feeling her to be quite healthy he began to caress her cheek softly.

“I will try and help you find out those answers.” He assured her, a coy smile crossing his lips. “You speak common tongue. Your accent. That I have never heard.” The Prince confided.


“There is nothing, Your Grace!” The leader of the vanguard called out.

That did bring a moment of displeasure to the Prince's face. She needed his help, and he needed to know her name!

“My Lady... You mustn't remain here. Please, come with my vanguard and I back to our keep. We might find answers there by asking about ships that have sunk in the last few days. You probably drafted here from one.”


butterfly0408 said:
The maiden just kept on smiling up at him a moment longer, until his questions sank into her brain. Name? Did she have one? when he asked about how she got there and what had become of her clothes, there was only one thing she could think of to say. "Those... are all very good... questions..." she responded in a voice that was no more then a whisper. Her smile slipped away as she shook her head, "I fear though, I do not know... the answers. I was hoping perhaps... you knew those things?" Even though her words were spoken still in a soft whisper, the melodic quality of her voice still peeked through.
 
The nameless girl glanced upon, noticing how the party of men around her all looked at her strangely. As if she was an odd sort of being not of this world. Was she just that? She could not recall. It seemed, possible? "If you... feel that is best?" she said moving to try and rise up, the cloth her had placed over her, slipping a hint to let one of her bare, round breasts pop free into view. She did not even realize it and just kept trying to rise up, the cloth threatening to slip and reveal even more of her fine body.
 
A small flush of red came to his cheeks, one of the vanguard staring shamelessly, transfixed on her breast. “My Lady!” He called out, almost dropping her as he shifted to adjust his cloak and cover her assets. “You must help me protect your modesty...” He said with a nervous smile. “We found you here bare and exposed. Are you strong enough to keep this cloak wrapped around you tightly?” Prince Hector asked, even his horse staring.

Holding her in his arms he only passed her to his vanguard leader a moment so he could mount his horse. Between the two of them she was lifted up and placed in front of the Prince with her chest to his chest and her legs draped over his. This was keeping his cheeks slightly flustered. “My Lady, I need you to hold on so we can be sure your body temperature doesn't drop in case you suffer from shock. And, I think facing this way we can better cover and protect your... dignity.” The Prince said, having to pause a moment to find the most polite word he could.

“Do you remember anything? Anything at all?” He whispered, the horses beginning to trot along the coast, the vanguard looking for signs of a shipwreck as they rode.



butterfly0408 said:
The nameless girl glanced upon, noticing how the party of men around her all looked at her strangely. As if she was an odd sort of being not of this world. Was she just that? She could not recall. It seemed, possible? "If you... feel that is best?" she said moving to try and rise up, the cloth her had placed over her, slipping a hint to let one of her bare, round breasts pop free into view. She did not even realize it and just kept trying to rise up, the cloth threatening to slip and reveal even more of her fine body.
 
Modesty? The word seemed foreign within her mind yet she knew the meaning never the less. She simply nodded her understanding of his request of her and hugged the cloak about her body. Holding onto it a bit more firmly. She uttered not a word of protest as she was passed from one of them men to the other then back once more into the arms of her gallant hero. Indeed her arms moved to wrap around him as they settled into the saddle yet it was less for warmth and more for a sudden unease. Being up upon the beastly monster of a horse they were riding. The creature seemed just as foreign to her as the word modesty had. Even more so. She felt if she did not hang on for dear life the creature would only toss her or she would drop off it.

"I remember nothing," she said, the unease about riding laced in with her voice as she clung to him. "There is nothing in my mind but darkness and the sound of the sea. I know not who I am, where I came from, and certainly not what brought my to wash up upon your shore." She paused a moment before snuggling her cheek into his shoulder, "I thank you for saving me."
 
Holding her tightly, he felt her unease. He suspected perhaps shyness from their bodies touching, but her face was not flushed at all. The silver-haired prince however was almost bright red! Focusing intently on her words, he murmured back to her. “We’ll find out what ships may have wreaked. Maybe whomever you were with is looking for you.” The Prince said, assuring her. Holding the bite straps he allowed her to rest and nuzzle against him.

“There is a small fishing village up ahead. Maybe they know you. Or, at the very least, have some clothes I can buy for you.” Hector said with a little smile, trying to protect the timid little creature that clung to him.
“Do not thank me. It is my service and duty to protect the people in my kingdom whether they be citizens or guests. My father always told me that you can tell a man by how he treats his guests.” He told her, feeling her pressed against him.



butterfly0408 said:
Modesty? The word seemed foreign within her mind yet she knew the meaning never the less. She simply nodded her understanding of his request of her and hugged the cloak about her body. Holding onto it a bit more firmly. She uttered not a word of protest as she was passed from one of them men to the other then back once more into the arms of her gallant hero. Indeed her arms moved to wrap around him as they settled into the saddle yet it was less for warmth and more for a sudden unease. Being up upon the beastly monster of a horse they were riding. The creature seemed just as foreign to her as the word modesty had. Even more so. She felt if she did not hang on for dear life the creature would only toss her or she would drop off it.

"I remember nothing," she said, the unease about riding laced in with her voice as she clung to him. "There is nothing in my mind but darkness and the sound of the sea. I know not who I am, where I came from, and certainly not what brought my to wash up upon your shore." She paused a moment before snuggling her cheek into his shoulder, "I thank you for saving me."
 
"I.... I don't recall a ship...." she told him, struggling to make some kind of memory surface, but there was nothing. Yet even with a blank memory, a ship did not seem at all familiar to her. Nor really did a village but what did she have to loose? "I shall thank you if I care to. If no one thanked you for all the good deeds you do, how will you know that your people appreciate all you do for them?" She lifted her chin up to look at him and smiled, not bringing attention to how flushed his face was over holding her.
 
Riding up to some huts along the coast some fishermen were just coming in on one of the boats, dragging their nets from behind. As the vanguard approached the handful of residents began to pour out of their homes, looking at Prince Hector and his vanguard. Climbing down from his horse, he helped her down keeping her wrapped up tightly in her arms. The village elder came close, bowing his head.

“Welcome, Your Grace. What do we owe the pleasure?” He asked, looking at Hector intently. They could tell by the vanguard’s banner who Hector was.

“This woman. We found her on the shore. Is she one of your’s?” Prince Hector asked, looking down at the woman in his arms wrapped tightly in his cloak.

“No, she is not. Is she hurt?” He asked, looking at her face intently.

“She may have suffered a blow to the head. She can’t remember who she is or where she is from. She speaks common tongue fine. Not a mark on her.” Hector told him.

“My wife is our healer. It would honor us for her to take a look at her.” The man offered. Nodding, the Prince was escorted by the elder to their hut.
The afternoon was spent with her being examined by the old woman who looked at her suspiciously, suspecting something supernatural. Unable to talk any longer, she instead wrote her thoughts on a parchment. Giving the lost woman a simple dress to wear she’d help her cover herself. Leaving her in the hut for a moment she passed the parchment to the Village Elder before returning to offer her water. Reading intently, he had a flustered look on his face.


“What does it say?” The Prince asked.

“I’m not sure what to make of it, Your Grace. My wife suspects there is something mystical about her. She has an aura unlike a regular person’s. Other than that, nothing is physically wrong with her.” The man assured.


butterfly0408 said:
"I.... I don't recall a ship...." she told him, struggling to make some kind of memory surface, but there was nothing. Yet even with a blank memory, a ship did not seem at all familiar to her. Nor really did a village but what did she have to loose? "I shall thank you if I care to. If no one thanked you for all the good deeds you do, how will you know that your people appreciate all you do for them?" She lifted her chin up to look at him and smiled, not bringing attention to how flushed his face was over holding her.
 
The nameless beauty sat in the healers hut and gave no kind of protests as the woman poked at her and prodded her. She complied at every turn with the woman as she was examined her, not having an idea about what the healing woman though of her and her aura. She sat blissfully unaware of what was being spoken about her between the prince and the village leader as she sat in her simple dress, the prince's cloak now hanging over her shoulders as she wore it like it was meant to be worn.

She had to wonder what would happen to her now. Would the prince ride off and leave her here in this village? Something made her feel like her welcome here would be short lived once the prince rose away. Then again there was no obligation for him to do anything more for her then what he already had done. She sat alone in the healers hut, waiting to learn her fate.
 
Peeking into the doorway, the Prince smiled brightly at her. “Come, My Lady. I am taking you to the Red Keep.” He told her, offering his hand to her. Looking at the dress he couldn’t help but to snicker at her wearing his cloak. Did she truly not know such a thing was not for her? “You look beautiful.” The Prince assured her, knowing he’d have his sister dress her. Such a beautiful creature deserved the most beautiful of clothing. “Come along…” Hector insisted.

Thanking the Village Elder and his wife and Prince gave them a few golden coins and insisted if they ever needed anything to petition him in the capital.

Helping her upon the horse this time he’d ride behind her, her back to his chest . “Take a hold of the reigns… This is how you direct the horse.” He whispered into her ear.

The vanguard began to ride on toward the fortress far off in the distance.


butterfly0408 said:
The nameless beauty sat in the healers hut and gave no kind of protests as the woman poked at her and prodded her. She complied at every turn with the woman as she was examined her, not having an idea about what the healing woman though of her and her aura. She sat blissfully unaware of what was being spoken about her between the prince and the village leader as she sat in her simple dress, the prince's cloak now hanging over her shoulders as she wore it like it was meant to be worn.

She had to wonder what would happen to her now. Would the prince ride off and leave her here in this village? Something made her feel like her welcome here would be short lived once the prince rose away. Then again there was no obligation for him to do anything more for her then what he already had done. She sat alone in the healers hut, waiting to learn her fate.
 
She still did not seem very confident or comfortable up upon his massive horse beast. She took the reigns as he indicated but groaned a little uncertain as they moved forward and onward towards his home. "What is the Red Keep?" She asked as she tried to turn her head a bit so he could hear her. It did not sound like a very welcoming kind of place to her. It spoke of something dangerous and dark to her. Ominous even.
 
He smiled brightly, trotting with her along the sand as it slowly began grassy fields. “Red Keep is the castle inside of the capital city of Kingstown. It is my home. A few centuries ago my ancestors crossed the sea fleeing a violent war. They landed where Kingstown is today and founded all the local fiefdoms.” Prince Hector explained, putting his hands over the back of her’s to steady her steering and make her comfortable with it. “The Red Keep was built to protect from monsters of the sea that used to be common… Many still dwell around our islands. Why, two days ago when scouting by myself as my vanguard slept I stumbled into a Siren’s Grotto. They appeared so beautiful at first. As I came closer to their singing they changed into vicious monsters. If they hadn’t spent so much time arguing over who would feed first I escaped.”
“I need something to call you. We will send out runners with your description to all the villages to see if anyone has been looking for you. In the meantime, it would honor me if you’d be the guest of our family.” The nobleman offered, not settling until he found her people.



butterfly0408 said:
She still did not seem very confident or comfortable up upon his massive horse beast. She took the reigns as he indicated but groaned a little uncertain as they moved forward and onward towards his home. "What is the Red Keep?" She asked as she tried to turn her head a bit so he could hear her. It did not sound like a very welcoming kind of place to her. It spoke of something dangerous and dark to her. Ominous even.
 
The way he spoke of the siren's grotto painted an image inside her head. As if she had seen such a place before. Though in her mind's eye, the siren's never turned to the monsters he spoke of. No. They always remained stunningly beautiful creatures that turned... and bowed their heads to her.

She shook the sudden vision within her head away and turned her attention to him once again. "If you will have me, I will stay. I hate to be a burden but I fear I don't know how I would survive out there without knowing who I am or where I come from." She thought for a moment. "As for a name... I suppose as the one who found me, it would be your right to name me as you like until I recall my true name." She sighed a moment and looked towards the sea as they moved further from it, "If I ever remember my name that is."
 
He chuckled, the vanguard approaching the gates. People would stop and bow there heads as they passed by. “Name you. Like a pet?” The man teased, trotting over the draw bridge of the fortress. The Red Keep stood in the middle of the city beyond the gates. Tall and majestic, it towered over all of the other buildings.

“That is hard, My Lady. You’re so beautiful no name I can think of can do you justice.” The Prince confided boldly. Tilting his head as peasants and guards stared up at them he thought. “Well. You did come from the sea. Maybe Coral?” He offered.



butterfly0408 said:
The way he spoke of the siren's grotto painted an image inside her head. As if she had seen such a place before. Though in her mind's eye, the siren's never turned to the monsters he spoke of. No. They always remained stunningly beautiful creatures that turned... and bowed their heads to her.

She shook the sudden vision within her head away and turned her attention to him once again. "If you will have me, I will stay. I hate to be a burden but I fear I don't know how I would survive out there without knowing who I am or where I come from." She thought for a moment. "As for a name... I suppose as the one who found me, it would be your right to name me as you like until I recall my true name." She sighed a moment and looked towards the sea as they moved further from it, "If I ever remember my name that is."
 
"If you are naming me of the sea, I think you could do no better then that," she said with a smile before lightly giggling, "You could have picked far worse to be sure. Whale. Seal. Dolphin. Seaweed...." she joked ever so slightly before turning her attention ahead to the keep towering before them. "You actually live there? It... it's so massive and so very..." she struggled to find the words but the only thing she could think of was ominous and that seemed like to harsh a word.
 
butterfly0408 said:
"If you are naming me of the sea, I think you could do no better then that," she said with a smile before lightly giggling, "You could have picked far worse to be sure. Whale. Seal. Dolphin. Seaweed...." she joked ever so slightly before turning her attention ahead to the keep towering before them. "You actually live there? It... it's so massive and so very..." she struggled to find the words but the only thing she could think of was ominous and that seemed like to harsh a word.

“Oh, none of those as beautiful as you.” He assured her, pulling her back with his arms a bit to lay the back of her head against his chest, not wanting her to fall from the horse. The Prince assumed she was still weak from her endevour. “The sirens I saw were beautiful. Just as they were vicious. However, they even pale compared to you.” Hector whispered against her ear, trotting toward the city through the lush fields.

“It was made to be imposing. There was a time our coast was regularly beseiged by pirates, invaders, and rival lords from the continent. I assure you that my family is very kind. Aside from greedy and scheming courtisans the Red Keep is a wonderful place.” He assured her. Not wanting her to dwell on the nervousness of where she was going he changed the subject.

“I want to see if you are able to read. If you are it might confirm my suspicion you’re a noblewoman.” The Prince mentioned, pushing a lock of silver hair back behind his ear and away from his face. “I’m sure we can find you a nice home until your people find you.” He promised.
 
She blushed ever so slightly from his words of her beauty yet part of her seemed almost accustomed to being called such. A hint of her lost past perhaps? Still it felt different when he told her she was.

As he spoke of testing her with reading, she tried to think. Did she know how to read? Did she even know what reading was? Just thinking about it seemed like a distant memory yet at the same time it was not something that felt... well... like familiar knowledge. "And if I cannot... read... what then? Does that mean I am no noblewoman? Perhaps it means I am a nobody."
 
butterfly0408 said:
She blushed ever so slightly from his words of her beauty yet part of her seemed almost accustomed to being called such. A hint of her lost past perhaps? Still it felt different when he told her she was.

As he spoke of testing her with reading, she tried to think. Did she know how to read? Did she even know what reading was? Just thinking about it seemed like a distant memory yet at the same time it was not something that felt... well... like familiar knowledge. "And if I cannot... read... what then? Does that mean I am no noblewoman? Perhaps it means I am a nobody."

The way she spoke. The tone of worry that she might be ‘nobody’ made Prince Hector’s heart begin to melt. Holding her tightly, he just smiled and tried his best to calm her worries. “Lady Coral, everybody is somebody. Whether they are the King or a peasant. Commoners are the backbone of of our kingdom. Nobles, when not consumed by their own arrogance and greed, are merely their guardians and justiciars.

“We’ll pull out some books at the Red Keep. If you cannot read than I will read a tale to you.” He assured her.

The vanguard rode toward the gates for half an hour, the party arriving at the large gates. People, horses, and carriages came and went as sentries looked on. As the Prince passed they all saluted holding their long pikes. “Hail, Prince Hector of Divas!” They hollered. Peasants, merchants, and other sentries would bow their heads as he passed, smiling and waving. All of their eyes went from the common sight of the Prince to the strange beautiful woman accompanying him as they rode toward the large castle in the center of the city.

 
It was not to much worry over being a nobody but more worry that if she was in fact just some commoner that fell off a fishing boat and washed up upon the shore... would he hold any interest in her still. And why did she even care about him holding any feelings for her? Coral shook it off as just some kind of left over emotions from this whole ordeal.

Coral was to busy marveling at the sights of the city and the distant fortress to notice the looks the people were giving her. At once though, whispers of gossip began to spread through the people. Who was the beauty with the prince? Why did he hold her to protectively? Had the prince returned with a bride from another land? And if that was not the case, what other reasons could lead to such a scene upon their roads?
 
Trotting over the draw bridge to the large keep they rode toward the courtyard before the vanguard began to dismount. Squires came running from the stables to take the horses away. The Prince handed his off to a young silver haired boy who couldn't be a day over twelve. However, the boy just swallowed hard mesmerized by the red headed beauty.

“Brother, who is this... This lady?” He asked, his cheeks flushing bright red.

“Breath, Simon. Breath.” Hector replied with a small sly smile at his flustered younger brother. “Coral, this is my younger brother Prince Simon. He is now my squire. You know, the one that should be tending to my horse?” The Prince teased.

Simon took her hand and planted a kiss on the back, staring up at her.

Feeling it was getting a bit to inappropriate, the older prince gave his brother a good slap on the back. Taking the horse's reigns, he led it away bright red.

“I apologize. My brother is mortified of beautiful women. I'm thankful you're not a brigand with a rapier or he might be in trouble.” Hector teased.
 
Coral smiled at the charming little boy as she took his hand and showed her how he could be a little gentleman. As if with a natural instinct and without even thinking she bobbed a very slight cutesy in his direction. A sign perhaps?

"There is nothing to apologize for," she told him as they left the courtyard and headed into his home. "He has good manners. I must admit, I'm slightly surprised that you have your brother, a royal prince, working in the stables. Isn't that a position usually for one lower in rank?" Knowledge of social classes. Perhaps another sign?
 
The Prince chuckled as they approached the large oak entryway into the keep. The doors opened wide, granting them access. Guards casually roamed about, halting to salute the nobleman. The walls were blanketed with tapestries of sea battles and mythological creatures. Walking her through the great hall there was a giant red tapestry with a golden mermaid sewn into it.

“It is important for all nobleman to be warriors. Bring a warrior starts by knowing how to care for your weapons, your horse, and your equipment. I was my uncle's squire and learned how to care for myself. Not knowing how to shoe your own horse in preparation for a battle is no excuse. Could mean life or death.” Hector told her, walking through a large arch under the tapestry.
 
Back
Top Bottom