Commander Ferrari of the Espela military is a colossal of a man. His height resembles the trees that the scouts climb to see if an attack is commencing. His arms look as though they can yank trees out of the ground by the roots with his bare hands. The corners of his mouth point downward as always. He watches as his ship approaches land even though he’d rather be at the back of the ship preventing an attack.
Earlier, the crew steered away from a hurricane, they came upon land unfamiliar to them and the maps. Not even the elders on the ship recognize the land from stories of old. But here this new world is smiling at the onlookers. Commander Ferrari never trusted smiles; smiles hide things like lies, secrets, and deception.
On Commander Ferrari’s orders, crew members use row boats to arrive before the ship. While the crew pulls the ship to shore and secures it onto the land, Commander Ferrari examines his surroundings and soldiers scout the area. The sand is red with a golden glow while the trees are tall, thick, and green hiding the chirping birds. Outside of the waves of the sea, birds, and gentle breeze on the leaves, everything is quiet and still.
“Someone’s watching.” Commander Ferrari says. He spins around and launches his sword through the air. The sword flies through the leaves as the commander follows with his head up and chest out with his military close behind him.
Ferrari pushes aside the leaves and branches finding his sword impaling a tree. A coconut rolls down the tree landing at Ferrari’s feet. He rolls his eyes.
“Jacob!” His deep voice booms with command, “Show yourself.”
The commander places himself at the center of the beach facing the trees. Footsteps pitter-patter on wood while clinking and clanking sounds burst from the ship. The soldiers turn to the ship.
A man with a clean shaven head and dark skin sits on the ship’s elephant shaped figurehead. The man wears the commander’s hat and jacket taunting the no nonsense leader of the Espela army.
The commander sucks in air as if it contains the patience he needs to deal with this special person. He turns around to find Jacob wearing a goofy smile. A few men stand on the ship’s ledge beside Jacob wearing nice colorful clothing.
“You’re losing your touch, old man.” Jacob tips the commander’s own hat to the commander.
“You were sentenced to death.” Commander Ferrari scolds through his teeth with his hands on his hips. Jacob feigns to ignore Commander Ferrari while cleaning his freshly manicured nails.
“Death didn’t suit me.” Jacob says irritating the commander further.
“Soldiers!” Commander’s military voice rings and the soldiers hiding behind him rush into rows and columns for formation, “By order of King William, I sentence Jacob and his crew of heathens to death. Kill them.”