1st 5 Pages March Workshop - Savage

Name: Amelia Savage

Genre: Young Adult, fantasy romance

Title: Sea of Betrayal

Chapter One

“What a horrid smell!” Annabelle’s mother covered her dainty nose with one hand. “I don’t understand how your father tolerates this. And now your brother…”

Annabelle welcomed the ocean air. The breeze whipped her long golden hair, and she struggled to keep the strands from her face. Her leather boots sunk onto the sand as she followed her mother to the public market.

Shouts of merchants unloading their crates muffled her mom’s complaints. Annabelle focused on the sound of the waves crashing against the wooden posts supporting the dock instead. Sweat and damp provided the ideal environment to the all flies gathered around the stalls. The port was busy, like every Friday morning, but unlike her elegant mother, Annabelle’s simple blouse and pants blended in well with the crowd. 

“And as if I didn’t have enough on my mind, I must handle what those incapable servants are paid for myself. Let’s get this over with. The wharves are no place for ladies,” her mother continued. 

Annabelle rolled her eyes. Her behavior never met her mother’s expectations but they were worse lately. She somehow got the crazy idea that finding her daughter a suitable husband would transform her into someone less wayward. These were her mother’s exact words. Complete nonsense.

Their destination, Mr. Fell’s stall, was the furthest off the market, near his small trawler. 

“Twenty crates of oysters? Can’t give you that much, Mrs. Heatley!” The bulky man dropped his bloody knife on the wooden block, eyes as round as those of the dead fishes on his stand.

“Are those oysters not for sale? Or are you keeping them for someone you consider more important? I wonder who might that be?” her mom asked in her usual haughty tone.

Why did she always have to point out her rank? 

Beads of sweat formed across the fisherman’s forehead. “I… I’m sorry, but… the hostel… the cook waits for—”

“Mr. Fell…” Annabelle took a step closer to his stall. “We came to you first because you offer high-quality products. We want only the best for Sunday’s banquet and we’ll make sure everyone knows the meal comes from your place. Aren’t you invited?” She lifted a brow to her mother.

She pursed her thin lips and nodded. Annabelle’s mother grabbed the small purse from her velvet mantle and handed it to the fisherman. Problem solved.

Annabelle stared at the sea. A ship appeared in the distance and she smiled. Her father would be back tonight.

“Thief!”

She turned to the sound. Women cried as a stocky hooded man bolted into the crowd. Annabelle dropped her satchel and ran after him. 

“Annabelle!” 

Ignoring her mother’s scream, she kept running, dodging barrels, boxes, and people staring at her, their eyes wide. The robber was fast, but she was faster. Robberies happened more often in Narrow Bay, Hastenia’s Capital and if the guards weren’t able to do their job, she had to try. She had weaved and dodged through the haphazard stalls a hundred times before chasing her brother. This was not so different.

The thief turned his head and pulled a stack of lobster cages behind him. Annabelle jumped to avoid them. Everyone jerked aside to let her pass. 

She got close enough to grab his jacket, making him stumble and fall. Struggling to stand, his eyes widened as if he had just realized who chased him. She punched his snub nose before he had time to react. Her fist hurt but she tried not to let it show, reminding herself to check it later.

“This doesn’t belong to you.” Annabelle yanked the pouch from his hands. 

Alerted by the commotion, two officers approached, guns raised. Their green uniforms were pristine, probably because they had been doing nothing all day. A forced smile formed on Annabelle’s face and she bowed before heading back to her mother. Indignation blazed in her eyes.

“Annabelle, you should have let the patrol apprehend him.” Her mother scowled as she examined her daughter’s tan pants, now covered in dirt.

“Mother, if I hadn’t helped, the thief would still be—” 

“That is not your problem.” 

Annabelle sighed. A heavy silence grew between them as her mother headed back home. The waves splashed bursts of cool water on her heated skin.

“Don’t wait for me, I’ll stick around here a little while longer.” Annabelle looked at her father’s ship again.

She turned her head in the same direction of her daughter’s and as if she understood, she nodded. “Don’t stay too long. You must not be late for your dinner date with Arthur tonight, remember?”

Even if she wanted to forget, her mother was a talking calendar. 

Chapter Two

Noah could see the coast. Familiar shapes in the distance slowly turned into hills and houses. They would be home soon. This new promotion was tiring but worth it. He was glad Governor Heatley could count on him and working under his command was a little payback. He never planned to get higher in ranks but if the governor was pleased with his hard work, then Noah was. 

“Lieutenant Jensen.” Governor Heatley’s voice was calm but firm.

Crap.

Noah straightened and saluted the country leader. “Sir?”

“In my office. Now.”

By the serious tone he used, it meant nothing good. And Noah who thought times were getting easier. What a fool. He followed Governor Heatley to his quarters, acknowledging the other officers he passed. They seemed relieved they weren’t the ones being summoned. 

The governor entered his office, that also served as private cabin, and headed to his big mahogany desk. “Close the door.”


The light coming from the multiple stained glass added warmth to the austere furniture. He did as ordered and straightened even more, making his whole body on edge.

The old man sat and waited for Noah to do the same. “I want to thank you for your loyalty.”

Whoa. This was unexpected.

“It’s an honor to work under your command, Sir. I’m just doing my job. I’m grateful for the new title and responsibilities.”

The governor smiled but it didn’t reach his eyes. “You worked hard and desire to rest, but I need you on my next mission. Trusted circle only…”

“Of course, Sir, anything—”

Governor Heatley raised his hand to stop him. “In South Islands.”

Noah’s heart constricted.

South Islands. The only place the governor forbade him to return after ‘the accident’. And Noah was perfectly fine with this decision. He even forgot this place existed when he buried those terrible memories. He wasn’t ready to travel to his old homeland. Never imagined he would have to go back there somehow. 

“I know what you’re thinking,” the governor continued. “But the past is an enemy no one can defeat.”

“Exactly.” Noah’s word came out harsher than he meant. Realizing he tried to argue with one of the most important person in the world, he clenched his fists and sighed. “When do we leave?”

“In four days.”

Why do you want me there? The words stuck in his mouth. Mostly because it was none of his business. This mission might be crucial. Or leading for so long can make you go crazy. 

The sway stopped and Noah realized they docked.

“You may leave now, to make a good use of this spare time.”

Noah raised and made the official salute, but Governor Heatley added: “I expect to see you Sunday and don’t worry, a tailored outfit will be delivered to you just in time.”