The mornin' was absolutely about to give me a heat stroke. I put me hand above me eyes to shield them from the light, but the rest of me was dyin' from the sun's rays. I decided to sit on the docks and dip me feet into the cool water.

As I felt more relaxed, I heard me father swearin' in Gaelic to one of the people of the crew. I sighed and shook me head. I swear, this entire day so far was tirin'. All of us have been removin' crates and boxes from the ship, so we can all take our belongin's and settle in England. 

"God have mercy," I wished. "Please make the weather colder, or at least easy enough to work in."

Suddenly, I was pushed from behind in the ocean. I gasped for air as I rose to the surface and spat out any water in me mouth. I rubbed me eyes of the salt, and I rolled me eyes when I saw Atza laughin' on the docks with a sword on her back.

"Your prayer has been listened to," she said. "Now, are you going to teach me how to be a pirate or not?"

"Shh!" 

I silenced her while lookin' over at the crew. If me father knew I was teachin' a Royal how to be a pirate, he'd smack me to the pits of Hell. I got out of the water and gestured Atza to follow me to another part of the beach. When I knew we were far enough, I spoke

"Could ye be anymore direct?"

"I am not!" she rebutted. "I just speak what's on my mind."

"Is there a difference?"

"Hey!"

I laughed at her. Aye, it was rude to do this to a princess, but first, she didn't like bein' called by that, and second, if ye wanted to be a pirate, ye have to get past their words beforehand. There's no member that's higher than the other on a ship.

"Seriously!" she yelled again. "Can you please teach me how to sword fight?"

"Why that first, Lass?" I asked. 

"Lass? Is that what you call girls in Scotland?"

"If ye are a man and close enough to them, then it's respectful to do so. If ye met just yesterday and were a boy, then it's considered rude."

"So it's alright for a girl to call another girl 'Lass?'"

"There's no rule for that."

"Rebel?"

"Define 'rebel.'"

"A person who rises in opposition or armed resistance against an established government or ruler." Atza gave me a sassy smirk and jerked her head up.

"A'ight 'miss fancy words'. Really though, why sword fightin'?"

"Because it's unique, and I want to show off to Dylan!" 

"They teach sword fightin' in the castle?" I asked astonished.

"Do they not teach Scottish people that skill? It is a basic need to Royalty."

"Our king doesn't even know how to brandish a weapon without lookin' like a two year old boy with a wooden sword."

Atza looked at me shocked. I shrugged. I'm very sure many citizens of a country make fun of their rulers and monarchs. I understand it's rude, but c'mon! Ye always need a laugh or two here and there. Besides, I love Scotland. I would never betray it for me life.

I agreed to teach her how to sword fight until she wanted a break. I ran to the ship, but instead of goin' on the docks and on the deck, I climbed up the back with me dagger. When I finally reached me open window, I looked around for me sword and found it lyin' on the ground near the foot of me bed. 

I rolled onto the floor and grabbed it. I looked at the engravin' at the end of the handle. It was an design of angel wings with a halo at the top, and I constantly wondered why me family had it. The sword was me great-grandfather's, and me father told me the wings represented me. As far as I knew, I was no angel to God. At least, I didn't think so.

I was headed out the window when I heard me mother walkin' towards me cabin. I jumped out the window, but held on to the edge of the frame so I could overhear anythin' she said. Me mother was someone I trusted, but ye never know if it was someone else.

"Coora?" her voice spoke. "There's someone here to see you."

"There is?" I blurted.

"Are you hanging by the window again?"

I peeked from me hiding spot and gave a guilty smile. She just shook her head as I propped me elbows on the wooden frame. 

"Yes. A boy is here to speak with you." My heart raced with anxiousness. Oh God, I thought, if it's the prince, then I am about to faint. "He seems like a commoner, but he seems familiar to me from somewhere."

"U-um..." I pursed me lips. "I'm gonna go, okay?" I looked down at the ocean. "By doing this!"

"Coora, no!" Mom called to me as I dove into the sea. 

I saw me sword fall next to me as bubbles formed around its handle and blade. I swiftly grabbed it and put it in its cover while I swam to the surface. Me dark hair flipped behind me head, and I pushed it back in place. I swam back to shore with me shirt and pants sticking to me body. 

"That. Was. AMAZING!" Atza shouted. "How in the world?! YOU NEED TO TEACH ME THAT!"

"Calm down, Lass," I told her while I wrung out me hair of the access water. "I ain't even allowed to do that. The ship is already damaged as it is, and I just punched some holes into its behind."

"Atza?" A boy's voice said from behind me. "What are you doing here? With my sword especially!"

"Dylan!" She groaned. "I was just about to get lessons on how to be a pirate by... what is your name?"

"Wait... Coora?" Dylan said.

I held me breath as I turned me head to face Dylan. He was wearin' a simple tunic with a belt at its waist line, and black, cotton pants and boots. I turned me entire body, looked down, and put me hands behind me back. I did not want to be in trouble by any Royal. Whether it was the prince or king, it didn't matter in England. I would still get serious consequences.

"Huh? Coora?" Atza said confused. "Isn't that a Royal name?"

"Not now, Atza," he said. 

"ISN'T COORA A ROYAL NAME, DYLAN!?" She shouted this time. "ARE YOU ROYAL, COORA?!"

"Atza," I abruptly stopped her. 

I smacked me hand over me mouth for not callin' her by her formal name in front of her brother. I was really bad at this, wasn't I? Aye, I'm never gonna last in England for long if I keep this up.

"Heh," Dylan said. "I've never heard anyone speak to Atza that way in years."

"Ye..." I faltered while puttin' me hand to me side. "Ye aren't mad?"

"At you telling my sister to shut up? No, not at all. In fact, I think it's good you did so."

"HEY!" Atza shouted. "HOW DARE YOU!"

While still looking down, I put me hand back on me mouth to keep from laughin'. A few chuckles did manage to escape, and Atza just kept on yelling at me.

"DON'T YOU LAUGH! THIS ISN'T FUNNY!"

"Calm down, Atza," Dylan said. "Come on. We need to get ready for the ball." I then heard him come towards me. "Will I see you there, too?"

I looked at him, and his smile made me blush. I glanced away while I spoke.

"M-maybe. D-don't count me on it."

"You know you can look at me. I told you so yesterday."

"BLEH!" Atza said. "ICKY LOVE STUFF! GET IT AWAY FROM ME!"

Dylan laughed nervously at her comment. First I was being told I was a pirate, and now I'm being told that the prince likes me? Coora, ye have gotten yourself into somethin'.

"Well," he finally spoke. "I'll see you there when you come."

And with that, Dylan and Atza left me alone at the shore. Dylan did look back at me and waved. I smiled and waved back. Coora Terra, ye must have some guts to befriend a Royal.