Chapter I - Begin
"I am thoroughly sick of this ship. If I hear one more drunken song from Uncle Abernathy, I will jump into the ocean, Mother." My mother's amused smile did not help my temperament. She continued her knitting. My pout did not move her.
"My little thing, your impatience is shared. I am sure your brothers are going mad being coup up." Mother said, peeking out from under her lashes as I cradled myself to her side. She put down her knitting and strummed her fingers through my hair. Most of it had fallen loose from my bun she had made this morning.
"You should keep your bonnet on, Love. It would give me less work if you did." She laughed. My mother's long fingers curled around the long tresses, the same fiery shade as hers. If it were my decision, my hair would lay at my ears. Mother said that it would happen after she was in her grave. Mother tugged more hair back as Jeremiah stormed his way down to our cabin.
"Mum! The Captain says he's seen the harbor! Come, quick!" Jeremiah left as fast as he came and I slipped off the bed to follow. Mother pulled me back.
"Please Mother, I want to see the harbor." Her hand on my shoulder pulled me further back as she recreated my bun.
"Hold still, child. There-" When her hand slipped out of my hair, I ran from the room and climbed the stairs as quickly as one could, the salty brine of the ocean attacking my nose when I hit the open air. The sky was a tremendous color of orange in result of the falling sun, who cast it's last rays on our desolate ship. What crew the Nausicca had on her was at the port, looking over the railings. Jeremiah and Lachlan leaned over the railing with Uncle Abernathy standing behind them. Both of them shouted excitedly seeing the Colonies for the first time. I could not see any sight of the harbor through the crowds of men. They were packed tightly against one another that left me no room to squeeze through. I went to my uncle who was still staring out at the horizon with my brothers.
"Uncle, may I see?" He did not turn around.
"UNCLE!" I shrieked. The man jumped like a spooked horse. My brothers were still attached to the railing.
"Oh Audy, you scared me there. What is it?" I pointed to the railing. His smiled was sympathetic.
"Wish I could, Dove. These lads aren't moving anytime soon. Perhaps..." His orange eyebrows looked up at the crow's nest of the Nausicca. It was empty from where I stood, but I did not see any sort of ladder.
"How do I get up?" I asked. An evil glint appeared in his eyes.
"Why, climbing of course." He left my brothers's sides and walked with me to the base of the nest that was tangled with ropes and other doohickeys. He looked at the beam like he looked at any challenge: he needed another ale to be mad enough to do it. Except I had to do it.
"Uncle..."
"It'll be fine. Just don't tell your mother. Now here," He pointed to the nets of rope of top of the barrels, "is where you start." His bushy orange eyebrows and glazed over eyes did not inspire confidence.
"Are you sure about this?" I didn't want to die before seeing the colonies.
"Sure I'm sure." He grabbed me by my waist to stand me up on the barrel. I teetered nervously as I grabbed the net. I smacked against the base when I stepped into the first hold, but held on tighter as I reached higher. It was rather simple; hand there, foot there and try not to fall to my death. I reached the first rung of some excuse for a ladder when I was hit with wind from behind. I was knocked around silly and barely heard my mother's screeching voice.
"Audrey! What in God's name are you doing?!" I looked down at the specks of people gather around and realized how very painful death would be from this high up.
Oh, that's far.
"Get her down from there, Captain!" Mother was probably milling about from man to man to climb up to get me. Seeing as I was already this far, I stretched my hand to the next rung and the one after that. It was not easy, but I was almost there despite the wind and my mother's frantic shouts to stop.
Finally, I touched the floor of the crow's nest. I lifted myself as ladylike as I could and sprawled out on the wooden floor. My hands burned from the climb but it was worth it for the sight that greeted me as I peered over the floor to Boston.
It was beautiful, to say the least. The last bit of sun appeared behind the buildings and reflected off the churning waves clashing against the harbor. Even this far out from sea you see the people walking the streets. Oh, how badly I wished to dock and explore.
"Audrey Judith Ellington, you stay right there!" In my own defense, I was going to stay until the gentleman came to fetch me. However, a rogue wind pushed the ship and my small weight was no use for keeping me in the nest.
I slid across the floor against my will. I went airborne.
It was a long fall for me.
AaAaAaA
Despite my bruised skin and wounded pride at being berated by my screaming mother, I was very lucky to be alive and for that marvelous rope that just happen to come loose during my small attempt at flying. What a fun trip. I wish never to do it again.
My mother, still red in the face from her screams, commanded my uncle to retrieve a cab and find rooms for the night. My uncle was still shamefaced from his berating ("for encouraging a girl to think she was bird and flying off the nest" those being her exact words) and wander into the dark streets while Mother kept watch over us.
"Strange, isn't it?" She asked Jeremiah, waving her oriental fan in her face from the humid night air. Jeremiah was only a boy of fifteen and yet he towered over Mother. Jeremiah removed his hat from his dull brown hair and waved it in his face as well and nodded for Mother to continue.
"When I was a girl, my mother would tell me how filthy and depraved the Colonies were. Yet, I see only a few individuals around at night and the streets are quite clean compare to London." Jeremiah nodded in agreement.
"I heard they still let the natives roam the forest. Do you think we'll see any?" Lachlan's excitement was infectious and I must admit I was quite curious as well.
"Yes, Mother, do you think we'll see any? Oh, do you think we could play in the forest and climb the trees? I heard the Colonies were abundant with trees!" For a young girl of London, my interest in flora and fauna much exceeded interest of being a proper lady. This brought great joy to my mother.
"You are still on thin ground with me, child. Ask again when I am in a more generous mood." My mother's scathing tone colored my cheeks a red almost that of my hair, which again had fallen loose. All was not forgiven, it seems.
"Now, see here-" My uncle's voice implied violence might be involved and Mother rushed towards it. My brothers followed at her heels and I was dragged along with Lachlan holding my wrist. I caught a glimpse of my mother's skirts entering a tavern from the smell of the place and stood in the doorway as two men pressed my uncle against the table they were occupying.
"Release him, now." If my mother was not a tiny woman in posh green clothing, looking every bit like a proper society woman from her primped hair to her tapered heels, I'm sure men would find her more intimidating then these two.
"Oy, now they bring some proper British tart and her drunken lack-wit? Master Kenway better appreciate this!" One of the brutes whirled around to face Mother while the other found out Uncle Abernathy was not a man to trifle with.
Uncle's head smashed into the bloke's face, a spray of blood coming from his nose. Uncle Abernathy swung his leg quicker than lightning and knocked his opponent to the ground. The fellow scrambled to his feet while Uncle smashed a nearby bottle down on the table. Blind fury was in the man's eyes and he rushed at Uncle like an untamed dog. Uncle slid to the side and swiped the bottle down, leaving a large gash in the fellow's side. He crashed down to the floor in a heap and that wicked gleam returned to his green eyes.
"So, Master Kenway…" Uncle kicked the man in the side with the wound, smearing blood on the nice boots Mother got for him.
"I ain't tellin' ye nothin'." He spit blood onto Uncle's trousers. Uncle smiled.
"Beatrice, perhaps you could have our friend here divulge his knowledge." Uncle asked. I had completely forgotten her presence in the room and the gentleman who went after her. Unfortunately, the man was not able to render his friend any help.
"Ye think I'll listen to some bitch with a fancy accent." The man sneered with his rotten teeth as my mother kneeled near him. She removed her pluming hat and let her hair tumbled in flaming red waves. The man was clearly caught off guard by her beauty.
"Master Kenway is a dear friend of ours. Our gratitude would be immense if you told us where he was." Mother's voice was a soft coo that she used when around infants (and sometimes on my drunk uncle). The man was entranced.
"I…don't know. He don't tell me 'is plans. Just wait 'or ye Missus." My mother frowned. She moved her palm to his throat.
"Very well, may god have mercy on your soul." In a silver flash, the man took his last breath.
Mother removed her hidden blade.
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