Finn

Finn Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Thundering darkness, rain pouring down, waves crashing against the rocks of Kastadina. Finn has as usual evaded the guards and of castle Brea where his father is King. At the bottom of the castle where the beach begins there is a cave of such beauty, pillars and flags marking the entrance. Inside the statues of previous kings, walkways to the side and a dock. Finn loves to spend time down here where his mind is set free across the see. In the storm he went down to fetch a small box with his ink, paper and writing materials in that he stashes behind a loose rock in the cave. In doing this something in the water captured his eye still far away but he knew it was trouble. Viking ships that got lost in the storm was coming ever closer. Through the loudness of the storm he could here the guards in the tower above the cave sounding the alarm. The gate between the pillars was lowered but got stuck half way due to the waves that has dislodged a piece of rock.

Finn has only heard stories of these Northmen. He ran up the steps into the castle running into his father. Father Father there are ships... Finn where have you been his father belted out before Finn could finish his sentence. Get to your room and keep your bothers save, your mother and the ladies are gathering in the boys room. But father, Finn reacted. Finn do as you are told, now.

Finn was not one for following any orders and had a free spirit always wanting to know all that was in the world. He dashed off to the east corridor that connected again to the north entrance which led to the cave. Evading frantic guards as he usually did and he was good at this.

The guards were trying to wedge out the rock in the cave so that the gate could close but to no avail and too late. The four ships were upon them. Three of the ships were dragged onto the beach but one was making its way into the cave shooting arrows. Finn huddling in a dark spot on top of a rock was pinned down by fear watching how Northman jumped the ship onto the runways hacking the guards with their axes, blood everywhere, working their way to the castle door. They barricade the door so no more guards could enter into the cave. Shouting in a weird language that Finn could not understand but could see that they were weather beaten, tired. The storm has done a number on these men.

The guards on the beach were at a stand-off with the three ships full of big men, standing guard so that these men could not make their way up to the castle. Day was starting to brake and in the cave Finn's dark hiding spot was starting to lighten. Thorden the ruler of these Vikings caught a glimpse of Finn hiding on top of the rock. He yelled out to his men to get Finn. They slowly approached Finn, arms opened coming closer, they grabbed his and pulled him off the rock, Finn fell hard to the ground, winded they dragged him to Thorden's feet. Grasping for air and slowly regaining his sight, Finn looked up at Thorden.

Long dark blond braided hair with beads here and there, clean cut above the ears a tattoo over a scar on the side of his face. Tall as a giant wearing a large wolf skin coat, axe in one hand and a sword in the other. Thorden was an fearsome Viking chieftain from Katja. They were on their way to St Francis when the storm hit and veered them off course. The four ships were of a bigger fleet of twenty boats. Some were lost at see other were washed up on land many miles away and these four that ended up here at Kastadina.

Thorden let him regain is breath and then to the amazement of Finn asked him in English what his name was, where they were and who Finn was. He sat up right holding his chest and answered the questions. Finn lied about who he was, he said that he is one of the kings squires. He knew if he said that he is an prince that all hell will break loose. Thorden told him that he could be his squire back in Katja. But this is my home, my mother, father and brothers... Thorden slapped him across the face for talking and ordered his men to tie him up and put him on the boat.

King Brea was talking to his head commander of his army about the situation at hand when one of the Queens maids came running in, the guards caught her and she fell to her knees. Master, Master, Finn is not with the rest of the family. Brea dropped his head into the palms of his hands. Arthur the Commander of the army yelled to his men to search the castle. Finn is nowhere to be found, we have searched all the castle except the cave. King Brea threw the glass he had in his hand, breaking into pieces. Arthur he is in the cave, last knight I found him coming from the caves way and told him to go to his brothers. Arthur you get in there and get him back. He is the heir to this throne, my eldest son. Only 18, Finn was the crown jewel to his father.

The guards gathered at the door of the cave, some smashing down the door as other stood ready with weapons. As they bust through the door the Viking boat was leaving the cave, raining arrows on the guards. Arthur knew when he saw Finn tied on the boat that there was nothing he could do and gave the order to kill the stranded three boats men on the beach. As Thorden headed for open water he saw his men being slaughtered on the beach. He knew that there was nothing he could do for they were to few men and the storm did a number on them, all he could do is get out of there and make his way back home to Katja.

Finn was beaten because he kept on loosening his hands from the ropes he was tied with. A week went by with him just seeing glimpses of men and now and then he saw mountains. He started to put a plan together about how he would escape. Seeing that he ate enough fish which the men caught and getting his strength up, doing nothing to entice the men to beat him again. The only thing he could do is wait for another storm, loosen his hands and jump in the water. The men would not worry to get him and he would be free, well as free as falling into the see with a storm could make you, hoping the water will spit him out onto land.

On the thirteenth day he saw the peaks of mountains again. The wind was quit rowdy that day, whipping the boat from side to side. Finn decided that this was good enough for his plan. He slowly loosened his hands and with one big jump he swooped over the side of the boat. Thorden's men screaming at him as he swam for his life. Arrows came blasting over him, one caught him in the arm but not even this could deter him from swimming as far and as fast as he could to get away. As the ship was now too far away Thorden left Finn to drown as Thorden's main mission was to get back home.

Finn now bobbing in the see, water dunking him every other moment saw the boat becoming smaller and smaller until he could no longer see it. He was still very far from land and was hurt. He looked at his arm where the arrow grazed him, out of his pocket he took his handkerchief and put it around his arm. Swimming and then just drifting he became very week fast. The wind was bad and made the water very rough. Finn passed out after hours and hours in the water fighting the rough, coming to and then loosing consciousness again and again.

The wind subsided and the water calmed down. A fisherman’s boat came by and Finn was swept up by the fisherman. Throwing clean water over his face and giving him small sips of water, Finn started opening his eyes to a blur and passed out again. As he awoke a few days later in a bed, confused and so hungry he flew out of bed looked around and stumbling to the door. The fisherman opened the door and caught him helping him back to bed. Asking questions the fisherman gave him food and drink. Finn never replied. A day later Finn feels good enough to get out of bed and went out another door onto a patio overlooking the beach. Looking up and down the beach their was a lot of huts, a dock, people going about their business, women cleaning fish on the dock,boats in the water downloading fish. He then realised he was in a fishing village but where he did not know.

Getting himself dressed with the clothes that was left for him he made his way down the stairs. At the bottom the fisherman’s wife came to a standstill and looked at him. Come my dear, come with me into the kitchen and eat something. Finn did not feel threatened and obeyed. Sitting down at the kitchen table looking around he finally asked the woman where am I and what happened. She told him the whole story. He was on an island called Otwa. Where this was from his home he did not know. The only thing that told the women was that he was from Kastadina, that he was kidn*pped and jumped the boat. The women has never heard of Kastadina. Finn knew then and there he was lost, how would he ever get home to his father.

As the days and weeks went by Finn was getting use to life on the island helping the fisherman and his family with work and learning all trades on the island. Even though he was a prince he was always interested in the workings of the castle and never wanted the finer things. Being lazy was never a thing for him.

Making peace with life here years went by and now aged twenty one he went to see the chief of the village. He asked if he could build his own boat for fishing and wanted to start trading on his own. The Chief agreed and two months later Finn went out on his maiden voyage around the bay.

Finn never grew attached to the people on the island except one but everybody knew him and everybody treated him as one of their own. He was the golden boy of the island with his friendly manner and helping hand to all. There was one boy named Kitch, the youngest son of the fisherman that saved him and he was the same age as Finn. They did everything together. Kitch asked his father if he could accompany Finn on the fishing and trading to the other close islands around them. His father also agreed and all was well. Kitch knew all the small islands and best fishing spots around Otwa.

It was three years since Finn was ripped away from his home and always yearned for his family. He was in fact a prince and had a bright future at home. He never told anybody that he was a prince in fear that they would kill him. He kept his secret. Somehow it was time to find a way to go home, he had his boat and the boat was his own because all the money he earned working on the island he had saved to build his boat.

Kitch and Finn were packing the boat getting all their fishing gear ready for their first long trip, saying good bye to Kitch's family. Open waters hear we come they yelled to each other. Heading around to isle of Shin through to the island of Casta. The fishing was good there and on Casta there was a huge trade market. Being on the boat for three day Finn just blurted out I am a prince of Kastadina. Kitch dropped his fishing pole into the water from fright, jumped in the water, got his pole and got back on the boat. What the hell did you just say, Kitch exclaimed. I’m, I’m, I’m a prince of Kastadina, Finn replied in a shaky voice tears rolling down his face. He never knew how hard up he actually was just to tell someone the truth until it just blurted out his mouth. Kitch stunned at what he just heard staring at Finn just sat there for a while not knowing what to say. Silence came drifting over the boat for a while then Kitch flew up and sat along side Finn. Now this s**t I need to hear your highness, Kitch laughed. Finn now dried eyed hit Kitch on the arm and said I’m not joking, its the truth. Tell me everything now please, Kitch still laughing said. Finn went and sat on the other side of the boat and and told Kitch the whole story. Why didn’t you tell us all of this before. I was scared Finn exclaimed. You numb nut, there are people on Casta that travel vastly on the see and maybe they could help you go back to your land or know where Kastadina is. You should of told us. Finn asked aren’t you cross with me. No Kitch said, only disappointed that you did not tell the truth.

Picking up their ores they made their way to Casta. Speaking to the people in the market they came to a conclusion that the person they need to speak to is Harry the spear-man but he will only be there in two weeks time. Finn and Kitch traded their fish and decided to go back home. You have to tell my parents about this when we get home, Kitch said. Finn agreed heavily worrying about their reaction. Pauly, Kitch's father after hearing the story called his whole family to the table. You are not to utter a word of this to anybody, do you hear me. If the chief finds out about who you are he would not hesitate to take you into custody and try to trade you for gold to the highest bidder. Finn you go and pay the chief your dues from trading and get permission for your next fishing trip to Casta. After that I will accompany you to Casta. All needs to done like normal and mind to who we speak in the market, if word gets around my family will be in harms way for me helping you. You say we need to speak to this Harry the Spear-man. Yes father, Kitch replied. He is well travelled and knows all the lands.

Arriving in Casta Pauly instructed the two boys to stay with the boat and he would track down this Harry and speak to him. The boys were getting very bored waiting almost an hour for Pauly but just as they started getting up around the corner Pauly came down the dock. Father! What did Harry say? I found him in the the tavern drinking, he has been here for two days. Harry knows your land called Kastadina and the boat he works on will be travelling to the town on the other side of your land called Sunninghill. I know that town well, my father has business there and I always accompany him to Sunninghill, Finn said. Well Harry is willing to get you on the boat as a labourer and you can make your voyage back home. I will pay him for his silence and to organise the trip for you. Finn did not know what to say and became sad for Pauly and his family looked after him for the past three years and he would be sad to lave them but also happy that there was hope for him seeing his real family after all this time. There is something else you need to know Finn, Pauly said. Your father King Brea put together a big search for you but declared you dead after a year of searching. Your brother Darius was now in line as your father successor to the throne. Tears fell from Finn's face and then asked when do I leave and how long the voyage would take. You leave tomorrow at first light and it will take four weeks depending on the weather for you to reach Sunninghill. How could I ever thank you and what will you tell the Chief. Don’t worry Pauly said, leave that to me and you just get back to your family and never forget us. I wont, I wont Finn exclaimed. Kitch please take my boat as your own, you were my best friend I ever had and I will be back.

Waking very early with all the activities on the dock. There was two big boats and crew getting ready for their voyages. Harry came to fetch Finn and introduce him to Captain Thomas. Goodbye's were said and to work Finn went on the boat helping to pack and stock the pantry beside the kitchen. Finn was led to believe that he would help the chef in the kitchen to prepaid the food for all the men on the boat.

The boat left the harbour, all was fine until Finn was abruptly woken the next morning, kicked and beaten and dragged on deck to the feet of the Captain. Memories of being at Thorden's feet came flooding back. By now the ship was well into open water. It seems we have a Prince in our midst's, Captain Thomas spoke out over looking all the shipmates. Finn was so confused to what was happening...….