Another important chapter- finally we're getting to the meat of the action… this story has been so boring thus far. I'm over halfway done. I think there's about ten or so chapters left to go.
Here we go…
***
Emmaleanna wrung her hands angrily. "Why are you making this so difficult?"
Her brother frowned. "Now that's not fair, mate. You're the one asking for a favour here, savvy?" He turned back to his map and squinted at it, pulling out a compass.
Emmaleanna scowled. "If you're not going to help me find Liam, the least you could do is give a bloody care about your little harlot Meryl!"
She had his attention. "Meryl's on this ship… isn't she?"
Emmaleanna shook her head. "She was on the Renegade when the winds picked up. I doubt she found some miraculous way to get back."
He dropped the map onto the railing and snapped his compass closed, stashing it in his sash. "We'll go then."
"Figures." His sister muttered. "All you care about is yourself."
"Not true!" Jack corrected indignantly. "If all I cared about was myself I wouldn't be going after Meryl now would I?"
She rolled her eyes. "You know good and well what I mean."
"You're absolutely right." He grasped the Imprintor's wheel and turned it to the right slightly. "My guess this that they drifted west with the gale. Your eunuch's got a few things to learn about navigating in a storm."
"He's not a bloody eunuch, Jack!" Emmaleanna cried angrily.
Her brother raised his eyebrows. "Oh and you'd know, wouldn't you?"
"As a matter of fact, yes, I would!" She stomped her foot down onto the deck and waved her hands in frustration.
***
Captain Roberts spied the union Jack flying high above the Renegade Siren. He called for his men to ready the grapple hooks. The quartermaster was busy inspecting each man's pistol and cutlass. Bartholomew Roberts touched his gold earring ceremoniously, as he always did before an encounter with another ship.
He glanced idly at the stern of the Renegade Siren, noticing for the first time that a girl- no, a woman -stood there, her black hair blowing about in complete abandon. He surveyed her bright red dress, wondering why any captain would allow a lady aboard.
"Better luck hoisting sails on a Friday." He muttered.
An hour later, as the ships floated port-to-starboard beside each other, both Liam and Bartholomew stood opposite each other, trying to make out just what the other captain was shouting. Finally, Bart ordered his men to board The Renegade, whilst Liam told his men to comply.
Roberts looked around, his eyes settling on Meryl's red-robed figure where she stood leaning against the rail. She met his gaze coldly, wishing he'd be done with whatever he came to do.
"Me and my crew have been to wondering whether you've been separated from someone." Roberts said to Liam. "We'll be happy to reunite you... for a nominal fee."
Liam raised his eyebrows. "What fee, exactly?"
"Well," Bart Roberts settled down to sit on the rain next to Meryl. "Firstly I'd be wanting knowledge of what your little fleet is up to, hey?" Meryl discretely scooted away from him.
"We're not up to anything." Liam said. "Leastways not so Jack has told me."
"Jack?" Bart was intrigued. "Jack Nielsen?"
"Jack Sparrow." Meryl said coldly.
Roberts smiled. "Well now, I've done and changed my mind, hey? Only a small down payment is necessary. I'll be collecting whatever else I desire-" His eyes lingered for a moment on Meryl. "-from Sparrow himself. Always wanted to barter with that fellow- heard he can talk rings around people."
Liam nodded slowly. "Deal." They shook hands. "Lead on, captain...?"
"Roberts." Bart said proudly. "Pirate Captain Bartholomew Roberts at your service."
"Privateer William Doust at yours." Liam replied.
Bart smiled. "We'll be off in a few hours, hey? It's a two day's journey with this nonexistent breeze. Just let my men prepare the ship. In the meantime, might I voyage with you? It's awfully dull on the same ship every day for the last month. Change of scenery, you know?"
Liam nodded. "Of course." He made his way back to his Captain's Quarters, leaving Roberts to his own devices.
Bart turned his attentions to Meryl. "A lovely maid like yourself belongs elsewhere than a privateer ship, m'lady."
Meryl peered at him coldly, watching his handsome face with resentment, feeling the stiffness of his gaze fixed on her curvy upper body. "Don't presume to tell me where I can and cannot go!" She snapped.
He raised his hands innocently. "I only meant that you're much too beautiful to belong on such a low-class coffin vessel." He took a few steps towards her. "A maid, being the only woman aboard, could be in trials of danger."
Meryl smiled sardonically. "Maid indeed."
"Or not." He pinned her against the railing. "T'was merely a guess, m'lady."
She reached down and drew her dagger from inside her petticoats, holding it poised at Roberts's throat. "Do not touch me."
He released her and stepped backwards. "You're quite fetching, darling."
"I have a name, you know." She said dourly.
"And what would that be?"
"Meryl Volleys."
"Pleased to meet you, Meryl." He offered her his hand.
She brushed past him angrily. "Miss Volleys, if you please."
He followed her. "Miss Volleys, please accept my sincerest apologies. I should never have called you beautiful." She turned to face him impatiently. "I shall never do such a horrible thing again."
Meryl stared at him, trying to decide whether this was an improvement. "You're still not forgiven."
He smiled. "Oh but Meryl, darling, I'm asking for you, not your forgiveness."
Meryl snorted. "I would love to know just how many women that line has ever worked on." She grabbed her skirts and took to the staircase that lead below, Bart taking in stride behind her. She whirled around to face him, his infuriating persistence ebbing at her nerves. "PLEASE, Captain Roberts, would you just leave me be!"
He took her hands in his, boring into her with his electric blue eyes. His smooth skin was tanned and he wore a moustache but no beard. Highly attractive, Meryl noted. Though not exactly the charmer type. "Is something wrong?"
She flinched, as if being awoken from a trance. A faint blush traced across her cheeks and she realised she'd been staring. Her eyes darted away and she pulled her hands from his. "Good day, Captain."
And with that, she turned and fled, sprinting down the passageway with rip-tide speed.
***
Review Replies:
GooseLives-
Glad you like my writing. Yeah, Emmaleanna has a very long name- blarg! Emm-ah-lee-on-ah… so many syllables. Jack is such a jerk… a devilishly handsome jerk. *sigh* I'm a lost cause. I think both Meryl and Morgan are cool… choosing sides is hard for me. I was rooting for Morgan at first, then for Meryl, and now I cant decided anymore. Thanks for the review.
FencingBabe7-
Meryl is a lot more like Jack, so yeah, I guess she kind of does. But then, opposites attract… Love is so complicated. *kicks snow* I think Meryl is more mature because of her background. I mean, Morgan came from a happy little world of aristocracy and wealth, whereas Meryl had to sell herself just to make ends meet. It affects them to make them different, even though Jack finds that they look quite alike.
Morgan is a little 'blinded by love' if you will. She blames Meryl and not Jack… she's very trusting of him. Blarg! Oh yeah, this chapter introduces new male character #1. Hehe… wow that was a dumb sentence. Thanks for reviewing.
REVIEW, ME HEARTIES YO HO!
