Meeting the Captain

I ended up taking a longer bath than I expected. The water was so warm and refreshing as I splashed it all over my body. I never expected a pirate ship, let alone The Deadman's Voyage to be such a well-supplied place. After my bath I carefully dried myself off and slipped on the tight fitting gown that showed off plenty of curves in my waist and plenty of cleavage. I ran my fingers through my hair a few times before picking up the old dress I was wearing and heading out of the bathroom.

Nathan was waiting patiently by the steps with his arms folded over his chest. I couldn't help but notice that he had a strange charm about him that I'd never thought I'd see in pirates. When I was a child, my master use to tell me how dangerous and filthy pirates were, and how they're appearance complimented their foul behavior. However, Nathan seemed different. He was tall with a nicely built body and gorgeous eyes that brought peace to my little heart.

"Wow…that dress suits you nicely." He said in his smooth British accent. "I trust it's comfortable for you."

I nodded, "Oh it is thank you."

He smiled and took my dirty dress and tossed it into a corner full of other dirty dresses. I noticed that a few of the dresses had blood on them. I trembled wondering what had happened to the other girls who once wore those dresses. I think Nathan saw the look of concern on my face because he quickly wrapped his arm around my shoulders and directed me back upstairs.

"Now as much as it pains me to do this, I must place you back with the cook." He explained.

I rolled my eyes as we stepped onto the deck and walked towards the kitchen area. "Do I have to? You know I'm very good at other things…I'm not much of a cook."

Nathan laughed, "As lovely as you are, I can't let you do any old thing aboard this ship. Besides, Stephan can teach you everything you need to know. I assure you that I will not allow any harm to come to you."

I dropped my gaze as we stopped outside of the kitchen door. I could smell salty cabbage and fish being made from inside as I looked up into Nathan's eyes. "And the captain?"

"As I told you before, you do as you're told and don't give him a reason to acknowledge you…you'll remain safe. Now go on inside, I'll see you in the galley later."

I nodded as he pushed the door open and watched me walk inside. Stephan was stirring a huge pot of boiling water, cabbage, and fish on the stove. He looked up at me with disgust and then picked up a huge stack of bowls.

"Here wench! Take these to the galley and place em on the tables." He snapped. "Yer should have been back ages ago fer yer first lesson."

I gritted my teeth together and asked, "Where is the galley located?"

"Below deck of course." He said. "There's another door next to this one that leads down to the galley…now hurry up so you can help with the rest of dinner."

I sighed heavily and took the bowls to the galley. It was a dimly lit place with old wooden tables that reminded me of picnic benches you see at the park. I gladly placed each bowl down, unaware that I wasn't in the room alone. I began humming an old pirate song I had heard once when I was traveling with Lord Vermont. It use to scare me at times hearing my old master sing it but soon the words stayed glued inside of my head.

Just as I placed the last bowl on the table furthest from the door, I felt a strange sense that something or someone was standing in the corner just behind me. I didn't want to turn around but my body was frozen in place with fear and wonder. I finally made a smart decision not to look back and I headed for the stairs leading back up on deck. I felt a sense of relief once I was back in the kitchen helping Stephan finish up dinner.

When it came time for dinner, Stephan made me carry a jug of rum along with several cups down to the galley. The filthy pirates were all gathered there, some of them once again whistling at me as I sat their cups in front of them. Just as I was heading back towards Stephan, one of them reached out and grabbed my arm.

"Hey there poppet, hows about you and me go someplace nice and have a good time?" he said as he smiled at me.

I was repulsed by his hideous teeth and strong rum smelling breath. "Oh I think not sir."

"Why not? You could be my dessert after dinner," he said, making the rest of the men laugh.

I snatched my arm away from him and try to walk away but he stood up from his seat, grabbed me and threw me down on the table. The guys all laughed and clapped as the drunk pirate tried his best to tear my dress from my body. However, I was putting up a good fight. When he leaned down to try and kiss me with his dry and cracked lips, I swung as hard as I could and hit him in the face. He fell to the ground in pain, satisfying me for a split second before I was grabbed by Stephan.

"Oh so you like to hit me fellow crew members aye? Well why don't you try hitting me?" he yelled before he raised his hand to slap me.

I let out a blood curdling scream before a gunshot rang out. The entire crew fell silent and looked towards the bottom of the steps. I turned my head and was mortified to see the Captain standing tall at the exit. Nathan stepped from behind him pointing a pistol directly at Stephan's head.

"I thought I told you not to harm the woman." He said sharply.

Stephan's eyes widened. "I never harmed her; I only gave what she dished out to Oscar!"

Nathan growled in disgust and was about to pull the trigger when the Captain grabbed his wrist and forced him to lower the gun.

"He has a point Nathan. The girl struck Oscar…therefore she should be punished." He said sharply.

"But sir-"Nathan started but the Captain lifted his finger and too my surprise, I was forced to my feet by some unseen force. I suppose this man wasn't one to be messed around with. So many stories I heard about his powers and he was living up to the tales.

"However…she will not be punished by some cook who has no authority over her." He said. Stephan balled up his fists and glared at me. I stepped away from him and looked at the Captain who caught me off guard with his cold stare.

"Your punishment will be decided by my first mate…I'm sure he can teach you some manners young lady."

I narrowed my eyes at him and folded my arms before Nathan directed me to leave the galley. I did as I was told overhearing the Captain say, "Don't let your personal feelings get in the way of things Nathaniel…she's our prisoner not our new recruit."

"Aye sir," Nathan said before following me up to the next level. I was about to walk to the kitchen but Nathan roughly grabbed my arm and dragged me up to where the helm of the ship was.

"There is a terrible storm coming tonight. You shouldn't have struck Oscar like that." He told me as he stopped in front the area where the life boats were hanging.

"He was trying to force himself on me! How do you expect me to respond?" I asked as he pulled a rope that lowered the boat to our level.

He lowered his gaze and then lifted me up. I gasped as he sat me in the life boat and handed me some oars.

"Wait a second…you're supposed to be-"

"-punishing you I know…but I can't bring myself to harm someone like you. Please be careful in the storm. Get yourself as far away from this ship as possible!"

I shook my head as he backed away and began lowering me into the ocean. "But what about you?"

"I'll be punished for this…but I don't care. Leave this place Mia….and whatever you do don't get caught again."

I nodded as the storm started to pick up. I didn't know how to paddle a boat like this but I knew I had to try. I got the oars into the holes and began moving them back and forth. The boat started to move away from the ship taking me out into the ocean. Nathan watched me for seemed like an hour before he turned and headed back to the galley. I hoped he wouldn't get in too much trouble for this as much as I hoped I wouldn't get caught.