AN: I own nothing.
Summery: At 12 years of age Jasper risks his life to save a slave, he never imagined how this one act would change him forever…
Ch 4
EDWARD POV-
One year later
The ship was detained, all the guards and crew dead and thrown overboard to the sharks, now we just had one problem. This ship was not just hauling gold's and riches but also seven slaves, who had been locked bellow when we attacked.
James and some of the men had brought them on deck, as we waited for Carlisle's word. These men were unarmed and slaves. None of us had anything against them.
"Captain, what we do with them?" James asks as Carlisle stands before them.
I take my time eyeing the seven men who were on their knees on the deck. Most wore tattered shirts, some had none at all and scars from years of being a slave were evident on their backs. They hadn't attempted to fight us, or to run. To me most looked as if they were giving up and now were just waiting to be killed, its Carlisle's words that make me look away.
"Lock them back bellow and burn the ship." He commanded. I looked back at the slaves, noticing one looked around 14, his head like the others were bowed, but I could see fresh tears on the deck under him. He knew like the rest that they would die not just by fire but by drowning, one of the slowest and most painful ways to die.
"No, wait." I find myself saying as I grab Carlisle.
"Captain, you've been saying these past months you wanted a second ship, what about this one?" I ask when he looks at me.
"Edward a ship isn't all that would be needed; you would need a crew of your own." His voice is soft as he discourages my idea.
"But Carlisle this ship already has a crew." I say as I walk over to the oldest looking slave.
"Stand." I command, and he quickly complies. "What's your name?" I ask, noticing he was at least two or three years older than me.
"Sam, sir." He says not looking me in the eye.
"Sam, can you and your friends crew a ship?" I ask, already knowing the answer. Why else would there be so many slaves on this ship?
"Yes sir, the guards made us to it all." He replies, and when I look over at Carlisle I know that Sam had just sealed their fate.
"This will only be on a trial basis." Carlisle says to Sam and the others, before turning to me. "Looks like you have your very own ship Edward."
Once I am alone with my new crew I ask them to stand and introduce themselves.
Sam, Jacob, Seth, Jared, Paul, Quil, and Embry all had been slaves all their lives and were astonished and slightly confused when I told them that they were no longer slaves. But even with the option of being taken to shore and allowed to leave they were persistent about staying, having nowhere else to go.
~~~TIME PASS~~~
The work on the ship takes us weeks, as we fix up the captains quarters for me along two of the other rooms for Bella and one for Emmett and Rose, who had gotten married only months before. Together with Sam and the others we fixed up the sleeping quarters that the soldiers used.
We wasted no time tearing down the cages, the place that they had kept Sam and the others as slaves.
It took many hard days to teach Sam and the other how to fight. Since none of them had ever been taught to use any kind of weapon.
"Edward, why do you care?" Seth the youngest of the group asks, as we work. All other conversations stop and the entire crew turn to look at me.
"I think I am going to see how the women are doing on dinner." Emmett says, leaving so that we may speak without being disturbed.
"I guess you could say I care because I was once a slave, and it was because of someone's kindness that I was able to become free. Basically I am paying back his kindness by helping you." I say smiling as we again get back to work.
Two years later (E 21, J 19)
Sam and the crew learned quickly, and soon our ship the Eclipse is the second most feared ship in all the seas. Carlisle was still in charge, he just now had two ships instead of one.
"Um, Sir, I don't mean to disturb you but may I talk to you?" A voice says from behind me as I sit under the stars looking out over the ocean.
When I turn around I am met with Jacob, who has a very serious expression across his face.
"Yes Jacob, what is on your mind?" I ask, as I motion for him to sit with me.
"Well you see um, I've known you for two years. And well um, I would like your permission to um, I guess court Bella." His question catches me off guard and I don't reply right away. Which may have prompted Jacob to keep talking. "I know I don't have much but I know I would be good to her, and well, she's the most amazing woman I've ever met and um, maybe I shouldn't have bothered you."
His sad expression causes me to almost smile, and I could just picture his thoughts with worry about being rejected.
"As long as it's what Bella wants then I am ok with it Jacob, no need to look so sad." I say hardly containing my laughter at the fact that Jacob would come and ask my permission.
AN: Let me know what you think, thanks for reading.