I awoke slowly, blinking in the weak light from the single sputtering candle in my dingy room. I slept in a tiny cramped loft above the stables in the infamous Flophouse tavern. After taking a moment to re-evaluate my lodgings, it became obvious that this boy needed money, and fast. In this day and age, with my limited work experience and resources, there was only one source of easy money: the Golden Gap Way.
I slid my black silk shirt on (a true highwayman must always look his best), and tugged on my soft, suede riding boots. I popped up the caging trap door and dropped lightly onto the hay-covered floor, letting my eyes adjust to the slightly dimmer lighting. My faithful steed Shadow trotted towards me as I was retrieving my bag of gear from its hiding place in the rafters. Examining the contents, I found both pistols, still loaded. I then drew my most prized and most expensive possession, my glimmering steel rapier, the weapon of a gentleman.
I crept to the entryway to the stables, checking for roaming patrols, because your humble narrator was wanted for many dastardly deeds, and was also not paying his rent. Seeing the coast clear, I led Shadow out into the open night. I swung up into the saddle, dangling my sheathed sword along his flanks at the ready. Taking a deep breath, I settled my nerves, spurred Shadow ahead, and raced off in search of riches and excitement.
Flying down the road, chased by a growing cloud of dust, I scanned for the telltale lanterns of carriages. As Shadow and I crested a steep hill, I saw the glimmer of moving lights in the distance. We moved back under the cover of trees on the side of the road. I quietly dismounted, and lashed him to a low-hanging bough. One drawn pistol in my hand, I crouched, and waited. My heart racing, I could hear the hoof beats pounding on the hard road, carriage wheels clattering, I gripped my pistol tighter. As the rattling carriage raced past, I leapt up and out, snatching a hold of the luggage rack on the rear.
The carriage’s momentum swung me around, and I clutched tightly to the bags lashed there. Holstering my pistol, I slowly and quietly crawled up onto the roof. Keeping low, leaning into the wind, I crept towards the coachman, once again drawing a trusty flintlock. I knelt behind him, and cocked the hammer back, causing him to immediately whip around. With a rakish grin, I gestured towards the creek that paralleled the road. With a frightened swallow, he sprung from the bench, sailing out into the water, rolling and splashing downstream. Without guidance, the horses began to slow gradually. I took the reigns, guiding them to a stop on the side of the empty road.
Wondering who my passengers are, I hop down, strolling around to the carriage door. I pause, taking a moment to compose myself, brushing the dirt from my clothing, and pulling my baby-fine brown hair back. I pull my rapier, and yank the door open, lunging up and into the compartment. I freeze as I land, the tip of my rapier barely grazing the pale cleavage of a young woman. I stared in awe, her black velvet gown contrasting her fair skin. Her short copper-colored hair brushing her collar, her eyes wide with fear. As I watched her more, I noticed her heavy breathing, which made her breasts strain against the low collar of her gown quite lusciously.
Slowly lowering my rapier, I bowed deeply, smiling up at her through my curtain of hair. I took her shaking hand, and kissed it lightly.
“Well fair maiden, you have the pleasure of being robbed by the most courteous highwayman of them all. I’m Sebastian.” As I held her soft hand, lightly stroking it against my cheek, she replied that her name was Lana. My tongue flicked out, brushing the inside of her wrist, causing my fair maiden to shiver, biting her lip.
“I…I have no money…please take whatever you want from the luggage”, she whispered nervously.
Still holding her hand, I slowly drug my tongue across her palm and responded that I’d have to take my compensation some other way. She glanced down at me nervously, so I smiled up at her through my hair, nibbling her inner wrist gently. At that, she gave a shaky sigh, and sank back into the plush seat.