I know this chapter took me a while and I'm sorry. Still got testweek going on. (Lots of test at school, means lots of work to do) But I managed to make some time and here is chapter 10. Hope you will enjoy it. Reviews are appreciated, and if you have question just ask.
Chapter 10: Sword lessons
''So tomorrow, you will leave?'' Asked Thomas. Bri thought that the question was a bit nonsense, since Thomas had been there himself, but she still nodded. ''Yes. Why aren't you going?'' She asked. She was quite curious. Thomas had never said it out loud, but it had looked like he really wanted to come as well.
''I don't think the captain trust me.'' He answered with a low voice. Bri raised her eyebrow. ''Why wouldn't he trust you.'' She asked surprise. ''Because I was a member of Captain Perikel's crew.'' Thomas said. ''He is probably afraid that I will turn against him, when I see captain Perikel again.'' He explained further. ''Would you?'' Bri looked Thomas straight in the eyes. She did that a lot and most people didn't mind, but Thomas always became nervous when she did.
''I don't think so, but... I'm not sure. You know, if I need to that... to protect my family...'' Thomas stumbled a bit over his words. ''What does your family has anything to do with this?'' Bri became very curious now and she moved a bit closer towards Thomas, expecting that he would tell a great story. Or maybe great isn't the right word, a exciting story.
''Approximately a year ago a group of men came by our house. They came for my father, who had huge depts. My father had been a pirate for five years, serving captain Perikel, but after he had met my mom, he quit. He became a blacksmith and started a new life in a small town. I was born two years later. My father used to teach me sword fighting because I was very interested in that.'' Thomas stopped talking for a moment and looked back over his shoulder at the deck. Jack and Gibbs were whispering together at the other side of the boat.
''What happened at that day.'' Bri encouraged Thomas to finish his story. ''The men, were pirates. One of them was Perikel, they told my father that as he didn't pay now, they would kill him. My father had no money nor a lot other valuable stuff. He begged them to give him more time, but they refused. They had almost killed him, but then they saw me. Captain Perikel asked me how old I was and I answered 25, which was true. He asked me if I could fight and I needed to show them my sword fight skills. He was satisfied and gave my father a choice, or he would die, or perikel would take me as crew member for at least five years...'' Thomas told her, staring at the wooden railing in front of him.
''Your father sold you!'' Bri screamed disgusted. ''No, he didn't. I said he had to do it. Otherwise he would be dead now!'' Thomas said a bit offended. Bri blushed and looked the other way. She mumbled a small apologize. ''You are also risking you're life to save your father.'' Thomas added after a moment of silence. ''I already said I'm sorry.'' Irritated Bri wanted to walk away, but Thomas grabbed her arm.
''Bri wait!'' He said. ''I wanted to ask you if you have ever fight before.'' Bri was a bit surprised. She looked up at the boy and decided to lie (no not lie, to exaggerate the truth.) ''I have.'' She answered. ''Let me ask it differently, can you fight?'' Asked Thomas. The true answer was no. Her father had never give her permission to fight, nor with a sword nor with a gun nor without both. Still she didn't like to admit that she couldn't something as normal as fighting.
Thomas saw her struggle. He had become familiar with Bri's character traits and he decided to adjust his question once more. ''If you want to, I can learn you some extra tricks.'' Bri nodded. ''I would love to.'' She said.