Chapter 8 – Hunter – Ship Repairs

When Anne Morgan left, I took back my picture album and smiled at the loving face of Cecilia, my dearest, my love. How I missed her so much. I would do anything, just to be by her side once more. It was a while until I left the cabin.

We had made port and I was sorely tempted to escape from the Night Strider, her captain and her crew, but I knew that I couldn't. No, I was out numbered.

"We shall sleep on the ship tonight, tomorrow, we shall enter town to buy things needed to repair the ship." Anne Morgan declared. "Master Avary, I want a list of supplies needed by tomorrow morning. Jack I want to know how much gold we have left!"

The two crew members went to fulfil her commands.

"And the rest of you back swabbing maggots, grab a cloth and dry down the ship, or I shall have to start handing out floggings!" She shouted.

The crew ran about at her words, doing their best to dry the ship. Hunter made an approach to protest, but Scar stopped him.

"Best leave her alone when she is angry." Scar said.

"I'm not scared." Hunter stated.

"Oh yeah? Well we are, so pick up a rag and dry down the ship yer maggot." He replied. "Trust me, don't try the cap'n's patience right now, she's been angrier.

"Why is she angry then?" Hunter demanded angrily.

Scar shrugged. "No one understands the captain completely...well maybe except you."

"Me? I hardly even know her." Hunter protested.

"Yer got yer magic tricks don't yer. Make her laugh." Scar shrugged again.

Hunter sighed, scrubbing hard at the deck.

Night came and Mr. Blackheart cooked up a storm. Dinner consisted of mashed potatoes, gravy, roast beef, peas, carrots and corn. The food was rich and fatty. The meal ended with much passing of rum, and the crew were quickly drunk, singing pirate songs and talking nonsense.

Hunter found himself lost in the fun and rum, finishing three bottles to himself, a contest between Little Jack Boy and Mr. Blackheart. Once the crew had all decided to sleep, Hunter stumbled around on the ship's deck, falling into the Captain's quarters.

"What are you doing here?" Anne Morgan demanded, setting the book she had in her hand down. She had a look of annoyance on her face.

Hunter grinned sloppily up at her. "Ah, Captain! Just the person I've been looking for. Here, have some rum." He held out the bottle and she took it uncertainly, draining the rest of the contents.

"You...you shoulda been on deck captain! We had so much fun!" Hunter exclaimed, falling onto her bed as the waves tipped the ship.

"So what?" Anne Morgan asked coldly.

"You look beautiful captain!" Hunter shouted, laughing.

"It's the rum talking." Anne Morgan replied shortly.

"Come...come sit beside me Captain! Let me show you something!" Hunter said, slapping the space next to him.

"It's getting late. The sun will rise in a few hours; I shall need my rest, in order to land tomorrow." Anne Morgan said.

Hunter grinned foolishly. "It won't take so long Captain!"

Anne Morgan shrugged and sat down next to him.

"Look what I can do!" Hunter exclaimed, pulling out a red rose from behind her ears. "For you, as pretty as a flower!" He saw her smile a little and was encouraged. With a flick of his wrist, a ribbon flew out of his fist and he tied it around her arm. "Pretty." He repeated.

Anne Morgan smiled. The ship jolted and Hunter fell forward, taking her down with him. Anne Morgan stared up into his unfocused brown eyes, saw his lips.

Hunter looked down at his captain who lay beneath him. He watched her deep green eyes watching him, saw her lips quiver.

Without another thought, he brought his down on hers and kissed her. Anne Morgan responded to his actions immediately, kissing him back, slowly, passionately.

Hunter felt and tasted her soft lips and wanted more, but she pushed away.

"Go now. I need to sleep." She said, dragging him by the collar and threw him out of her cabin, slamming the door behind her.

Hunter straightened himself as he stood, brushing back his hair and made his way across the deck, taking in the cool wind. What a superb actor he would make, for deceiving the captain and her crew into thinking that he was drunk.