Wow! The feedback I'm getting is awesome!
So, I'll do my best to keep to the times with the speech and whatnot, but I can't guarantee historical accuracy! I'm going off the Pirates of the Caribbean movies and Treasure Island (which I'm currently reading).
And away we go!
The weeks had gone by slower than I wanted them too. It had been three weeks since we left port and sailing the high seas was not as exciting as I imagined it to be. It was probably because I did not know anyone aboard the ship and therefore was by myself most of the time.
There weren't many women my age on board. There was a sixteen year who was traveling with her family. Her name was Jessica. Though her topics of discussion did nothing to entice me, I was glad to have some form of companionship.
There was a woman my age, but she was busy tending to her two young children. I could never imagine having two children already. But considered to most, I was an older bride. Most married when they were seventeen. It was not very uncomon for a girl of fifteen to marry. Even fourteen year old brides were sometimes heard of.
I found myself in the companionship of one of the ship's servents, Angela Weber, more than anyone else.
She was a few years older then I was and unwed as well. She did not concern herself with the lastest fashion styles or gossip and I took an instant liking to her. Like me, she enjoyed reading, and her father, a pastor, had encounter her to have an education. Angela was working in exchange for room and board on the ship. She was to begin a career as a schoolteacher when we reached the colonies. Unfortunately for me, she would be staying up north. I was hoping we would be close. It would have been nice to have a friend.
Once Angela finished her daily chores, we would meet in the gallery and have dinner together. Afterwards, we would go back to my cabin and talk until she had to leave to start her evening chores. Those times were the only times she was free, which left me with very little to do during the day.
Most days I would stand on deck and watch the crew. It was so exciting to watch everything they did. I would imagine I was part of the crew and pretend that it was I climbing the ropes and masts. It didn't take long for that to become mundane. The crew did the same thing every day.
To pass most days, I would stand by the rail and look out to the infinite water. I would think of the lands that could be hidden in the distance.
I found myself thinking more and more of Edward. When I watched the crewmen, I would think of what his duty may be. When I looked out at the sea, I imagined where he could be. I would imagine different adventures he could be having. I imagined what it could have been like if I had been with him.
It was something that kept my mind occupied and kept me busy during the lonely days.
"Are you excited to be married?" Angela asked me eagerly while we talked after dinner.
"I suppose. Michael is rather handsome and he is able to hold an intelligent conversation. I shall be content." Angela laughed.
"Oh, Isabella. You should count yourself lucky. There are not many men like him."
"I understand. I would be happier if we were to live back home. I do not welcome the thought of settling somewhere so alien to me. I will no one there except Michael."
"Think of it as an adventure, Isabella." I smiled.
"I suppose," I smirked. Angela and I broke out into a fit of giggles.
I was about to ask Angela if I could borrow a book she just finished, but before I could speak, the sounds of a bell filled the ship. Angela and I both looked at the closed door.
The bell was ringing loud and fast, not in any way that we have heard it before.
"Something's wrong," Angela said quietly.
Before she could stop me, I was out the door and running towards the deck.
The deck was swarmed with men, running around frantically, some loading pistols, others readying their cutlasses.
Next to our ship was another. The ship was smaller then the Chance. The sails were a filthy white, and at the top of the mast flew a jolly-roger.
Pirates.
I could see men from the other ship standing at the rails. They were all holding weapons, ropes, and planks.
A single shout emerged from the ship, and soon all the men rang out with a cry.
"Men, prepare yourselves! We are about to be boarded!" The captain of the Chance stood at the wheel.
The pirates threw over ropes with grapples attached on the end and pushed the planks onto our rails. The pirates began swarming our ship.
The crewmen who stood closest to the rail were immediately cut down as the pirates quickly made their way onto the ship.
In the blink of an eye, fights broke out over the entire ship. It was hard to tell what exactly was happening.
A crewman fell to his death at my feet, a cutlass deep in his stomach.
Without hesitating, I drew out the sword, keeping my eyes off the dead man's face.
Even after Edward's departure, I continued practicing with swords and was very comfortable using one, though I had never fought anyone before.
I did not have to worry about finding a fight because one came to me.
A man with greasy black hair and horrible teeth spotted me with the cutlass.
"Well, well, well, what do we have here? I little girl with a sword? You should put that down before you hurt yourself."
I responded by raising my sword and brining it across his cheek. He screeched and jumped back.
"Why you little wench!" He brought his sword back and swung it towards me at full force. I raised my sword so that it met his.
I stumbled as our swords hit. He used strength that I did not have. I decided quickly that I needed to take an offensive stance for I would not last long trying to defend myself.
With speed, I swung the cutlass towards his chest, but he blocked my blow.
We went back in forth, each time I began losing my footing a little bit more as he used his strength against me.
It was not long before my arms began to sore. They were shaking and weak. They could no longer hold up the sword. My enemy saw this and took his opportunity.
He struck my sword from hand and laughed.
"While now, that was fun. I think there's a lot more fun to be had." I turned to run but he was quick and grabbed my arm. "We could use a feisty wench like you aboard the Sapphire. Whad' 'ya say, puppet?" His rank breath blew over my face.
I responded by spitting in his disgusting face. "That is what I say." He scowled as he wiped away the spit.
His hand left my arm, and before I could escape, he tightly wrapped his hand around my waist and picked me up. I let out a screech as I tried to wrangle out of his grasp, but it was useless.
He walked to the railing where the pirates entered from and jumped on to one of the planks that connected the two ships.
I watched in horror over the pirate's shoulder as the crewmen of the Chance were being tied up. The captain was no where to be seen. Passengers were being led on deck by the pirates. Children were crying and the women were shaking. They too were being tied up. I spotted Angela, who was in the grasp of a large man.
"Angela!" I cried out to her. I knew there was nothing she could do, but if she lived, she would be able to tell someone that I had been captured. Her brown eyes met mine but they quickly disappeared as she was shoved to the ground.
The man carrying me jumped down from the plank and onto the pirate ship.
"Whatcha got there, Crowley?" Someone from the deck shouted.
Crowley let me go and pushed me forward, causing me to lose my balance and hit the deck, hard.
"A saucy little wench." I pushed to get up but Crowley kicked my back down.
"Take her to the brig, Sampson," Crowley ordered to the other man.
"With pleasure."
Before I could make a move, I was lifted up and thrown over a shoulder.
"Let go of me!" I screamed, pounding my fists on the pirate's back. He responded with a laugh.
We went below deck and the pirate carried me down three flights of stairs. I was immediately hit with the smell of moldy wood and spoiled food. I heard the sound of creaking metal before I was dropped onto damp, slimy wood.
The pirate slammed the brig door and laughed.
"Welcome aboard the Black Sapphire."
Okay, okay. I PROMISE, next chapter we will meet Edward!
Do you guys like the length of the chapters or would you like me to make them longer? I may start making them longer.
I'm all for strong girls, but I'm trying to be realistic. If this were real, even though she has practice with a sword, it is nothing compared to that of actually fighting a person. Especially a pirate who has much experience with sword fights!
Help a girl out and send some reviews :)