The Berkshire Chronicles- The Parchment [Following Up Chapter 1](567 Words)

The group then turned to the fishermen’s traps. The nets, submerged in water, had been set out all day to trap whatever aquatic life was swimming in the lake. Will’s hand reached down to the first trap. He placed his hand on the frayed rope, which was keeping the trap aloft, as to not drift down to the depths of the lake. Hauling up the cage, he noticed two scrawny lobsters.
“A mild catch,” Leo commented.
“Better than nothing,” Will declared in reply.
Will then reached down, to bring in the first part of the catch of the day. He gripped the lobsters by the tails, just to make sure he didn’t get clamped by the claws, which could close with bone-crushing force. He tossed them over his shoulder to Gavin, which was waiting with open arms. Will then dumped the cage back into the water, with a large splash. Water droplets sprayed over the already damp grass, result of melted snow. Will then went to repeat the same process with the second trap. He hauled the cage up, unlatched the top, and observed the contents of it. Again, two lobsters, only this one also contained a nicely-sized crab. He reached down and collected the three creatures. He threw them to Gavin, but something else in the cage caught his eye. The bottom of the cage emitted a slight glimmer. Will reached his hand down into the cage for a second time, this time reaching in up to his elbow. He ran his fingers along the source of the twinkle, deciding it to be some kind of jewelry. He quickly snatched it up with two fingers, and brought it up to his face to have a better look at it. His assumption was correct; it was jewelry, a locket to be exact. On the front was inscribed ‘To whom it may concern’. Will opened the latch and a small slip of parchment fell onto the grass. Nothing else was inside, but unlike the tarnished outside, the interior was extremely polished. Will bent over to retrieve the note of paper.
It was then that Will stopped reminiscing. Will went to feel the left, front pocket of his sleepwear. He is excited to find that the note is still there, the note that he has yet to read. It was impossible for him to read the ink written on it during the night; as it was pitch black, aside from the small glow the moon gave. He carefully pulled it out of his silk-lined pocket, and held it up to the candle. He finds that it is not a small note, but a large piece of parchment, folded many times. He quickly unfolded it, noticing a message, written in calligraphy.
“By reading this note, troubles for you are attained,
For this is the way, to riches contained.
From Amsterdam, it is 500 meters to port.
But, there are monsters that will distort,
Any journeyers quest for gold,
If you fall into their dreadful hold.”
“I should discuss this with my band, before making any quick decisions,” he thought. His servant enters through his chamber door, making a load creaking sound as he does.
“Sir, breakfast is ready for your enjoyment,” he declared.
“Alright, I’ll be down in a moment,” Will replies, while his back was still turned to the servant. He is still pondering the possibilities of the note.