I was planning on getting to this last chapter but I thought it would
be too long if I did. If you have any questions on my story, please feel
free to email or IM me.
Email: watergoddess06s@sbcglobal.net
IM: AOL- mercury06s
Yahoo- watergoddess06s@sbcglobal.net
Don't worry about upsetting me, I know I can be confusing at times and I don't have a problem with explaining things I might have had trouble explaining before.
Subter Astrui is the best Beta EVER. She is completely awesome and I am in her debt.
Disclaimer: I only own Addy and the Protector, for now. ************************************************************************
"Addy, Addy wake up." Elizabeth shook her daughter gently, waking her from her slumber. "Addy, when you are done packing your trunk we are going to see the boat."
"Okay Mama," Addy said, slowly opening her eyes and stretching. "Can you have Papa bring it upstairs?"
"Sure, but you had best get decent quickly," she said, turning and walking down the steps.
Addy yawned, pulled back her covers and stood on the cold wood floor. She shivered and grabbed a robe sitting on the edge of her bed. Footsteps were heard on the stairs and Will appeared carrying her trunk. He sat it down and smiled at her.
"Don't put too much into it or I won't be able to carry it downstairs," he said.
"Thank you, Papa," Addy said.
"Your mother also wants you to wear dresses until we are at sea. I believe that means today and tomorrow," he said, his eyes twinkling.
Addy sighed and looked at the floor. "Fine," she replied.
"That's my girl," Will said, hugging her before walking to the door and down the flight of steps, closing her door behind him.
'I hate dresses,' Addy thought to herself, pulling on the numerous layers needed for the dresses.
'I wish I could still wear my old gowns,' she thought, her hands struggling to find the laces of her dress. The dresses of Addy's childhood, shorter and much more comfortable, had been replaced by the more fashionable, older looking gowns when she had reached sixteen. "You're a lady now," her mother had said, presenting her with the numerous dresses. Addy chose a deep red cotton dress. Simple enough, but the laces were tied in back, and Addy's hands were nearly unable to tie them together.
When she was done, she turned and began throwing clothing onto her bed. She searched her closet and found an old sheet, which she cut up and wrapped the bottles of rum in. She placed them at the very bottom and piled her clothes on top of them. She looked around her room before realizing her daggers were in the workroom along with her sword.
She gracefully picked her skirts up, opened the door and went down the stairs. She turned the corner and went into her father's workroom, gathered the sharp items into her leather apron and headed back up the stairs. After a moment of searching she found the sheaths she had gotten from the leather maker's the day before, and slid the daggers into their new home. She unsheathed her sword and smiled. She ran a hand down its length, careful not to cut herself.
She had made it herself and was very proud of it. Its blade was long, silver, and sharp. The hilt was enameled black with silver inlays wrapping around the handle. She smiled and swung it a couple of times before putting it into its sheath. She remembered her father's face when she showed him the sword. He had beamed after he tested it and found it was perfect. She fitted the items into her trunk and closed the lid. She looked around the room before reaching under her bed and pulling the bottle out and carefully setting it in the last bit of available room. She took the last of her sheet scraps and tucked everything in carefully. She closed the trunk and fitted the clasp before dragging it to the door.
"Papa!" she called, "I'm done."
"Okay," he called, climbing the staircase.
He reached the top and walked over to the spot where her trunk was sitting. He bent down and pulled. He faltered for a moment, finding his balance.
"It's not as heavy as I thought it was be," he said, turning to her.
"I only put things I needed into it," she retorted, picking up her skirts and walking down the stairs.
"Ready Mama?" Addy called.
"Yes," came the response, slightly muffled. Elizabeth's head appeared from the food storeroom.
"Let me change my dress," she said, running to her room. "Addy, help me."
Addy walked into the room and smiled as her mother pulled a deep green dress from her closet and laid on the bed. Elizabeth undid her laces and stepped out of her dress carefully. Addy worked on undoing the buttons on the back of the green dress before she picked it up and pulled it over her mother. They fitted the dress and as Addy did the buttons up the back, Elizabeth smoothed her skirts.
"Thank you," Elizabeth said, pulling a matching hat down and a box from the closet. "I got this for you."
Addy took the box and opened it. She gasped and pulled it out.
"Mama, it's lovely," she breathed, setting it on her head.
Elizabeth got some hatpins and pinned the hat to her head.
"I'm glad you like it," she said, fixing her own hat.
"Let's go," she said when she was finished.
"About time," Will muttered from the door.
Several trunks had been loaded onto a small cart out front attached to a carriage. A few men sat in the back with the trunks, making sure they were held safely in place.
"Mother, why are we taking the carriage?" Addy asked.
"Because it is a fairly long way to the boat and it will look nicer," she said, opening the door.
"Don't argue." Will whispered to her, pulling on his jacket and hat.
Addy sighed inwardly and climbed into the carriage. Will followed and sat beside Elizabeth who turned slightly and told the driver where to go.
"Yes Milady." He said and slightly snapped the rains, causing the horses to move.
"Papa, when is the crew going to arrive." Addy asked.
"A couple of men are going to help us for a while but they are getting off in Singapore. Mostly until you two get used to being on a boat. The boat is very small, it will somewhat cramped until they get off." Will said.
"Oh," Addy replied.
"Don't worry, the smaller the boat, the easier to control it is. When you don't have a ton of people on a ship, they are hard to control, especially if a storm creeps up on you, that's no fun at all." Will said.
"If you say so, father." Addy said.
She was quiet the rest of the time, worried about what could happen. Will and Elizabeth talked quietly about what they would need to get ready before they sailed tomorrow. The carriage clattered down the road, horse hooves hitting the stones. The smell of ocean spray seeped into the carriage. Addy breathed its scent and sighed. She pulled the curtain back and saw the blue- green water sparkling against the morning sun. Addy sighed and smiled a bit. She looked on the various piers for their boat and spied a small one, towards the end of pier.
The two masts held two sails each, pulled up into themselves so the boat wouldn't sail off before it was time. Its blue and gold paint made it look very elegant. It looked almost like a sized down model of the Dauntless.
"That's the Protector." Will said.
"It's beautiful." Addy breathed.
The carriage turned the corner and stopped.
"Sorry Milady, this is as far as I can go. I can bring the trunks down in a few minutes. Hence the extra men." The driver said.
The door opened to the carriage opened. Will stood and hopped out before reaching a hand in. Addy stood and took her father hand. She stepped down gracefully, careful not to lift her skirts to high before removing her hand and straightening. She turned and waited for her mother to step out. Will offered an arm to the both of them. Addy took his right, Elizabeth his left. He led them down the pier to the boat before nodded to the two men who were standing on the ship. They bowed and walked down the gangplank.
" 'Ello, Mr. Turner." One of them called out, they walked down the gangplank to the pier deck.
"Addiena, Elizabeth, These are the men that shall help us. Mr. Wilson and Mr. Andrews." Will said.
Addy and Elizabeth curtsied to them.
"Pleasure to meet you." Elizabeth said.
The men smiled and bowed.
"The pleasure be all mine, Mrs. Turner, Ms. Turner. I be Mr. Wilson but please just call me Wilson." The first man said.
He had an old brown hat on with a salt and pepper beard. His brown eyes sparkled when he looked at Addy. He had a few teeth missing when he smiled. His clothes were old and had been patched and sewed back together numerous times.
"I be Andrews," The other man said.
He was a head shorter than Mr. Wilson with short black hair and eyes of green. His clothes were worse in condition than Wilson's and he didn't smell much better.
A clattering noise was heard from behind along with a wood on wood thud. Addy turned to see the contents of her trunk spill onto the pier. Will sighed and stepped over to the trunk. He put his hand on one of the cloth packages. He stopped for a moment before standing up and pulling the cloth off, reveling the bottle.
"Addiena Elizabeth Turner," He said, looking at her, "would you mind explaining what this is?"
"Um, Rum, Father?" She replied.
"I know what it is," He said, slightly disgusted "why is it in your trunk, pray tell?"
"You said we were meeting Jack." She answered, why else would she have such vile items in her trunk.
"Addiena," Elizabeth started, "just because we are hoping to meet Jack, does not mean you can start acting like him."
"But Mother," Addy stated, "they aren't for me. I got them for Jack."
Will sighed and began to load Addy's trunk again. He started to close the lid when Addy stopped him. She pulled out five of the daggers. She handed two to Will, one to Elizabeth and one to each of the two men whom her father had hired. She then pulled her sword and its belt out and fastened it around her waist. She placed an idle hand on the handle before ripping it out of its home and pointing it at Wilson and Andrews.
"Try anything funny and you will you had never been born." She said. "Savvy?"
"Savvy!" Both men replied, fastening the daggers to their belt.
"Addy," Will started, "I do believe that still leaves fifteen daggers."
"I need some protection papa." She said, closing the lid. "You aren't going to be by my side forever. Those are mostly for practice."
Will sighed and began helping the men load the ship.
"Ms. Turner." Wilson called from the top of the gangplank. "I would be 'appy to show you the ship and 'elp teach ya the words ta know."
"It's Addy," She said, "and that would be most helpful."
"Aye Missy," He replied, smiling. "I be waiting at the 'elm, the big wheel. Ya might want ta change out of them skirts."
"Mother says I must stay in a dress until we are out at sea." Addy replied, looking at the deck, "could you show the climbing things later?"
"Aye, o' course, Ms.I mean Addy," He replied, "Follow me. I can show 'ow ta do most things on this 'ere ship. Except the crow's nest, 'ow ta unfurl them sails and way below decks."
"Thank you, Wilson." Addy replied, pulling her skirts up and walking up the wooden board.
Wilson stayed true to his word and showed Addy almost every inch of the sailboat. Addy's eyes glistened from pure excitement as he taught her patiently and efficiently. Addy's mind soaked up everything like a sponge.
"Addy!" Elizabeth called when the sun was beginning to set, "Wilson, Andrews, Dinner."
"Tha's enough fer today, young missy." Wilson said, putting down the length of rope held.
"Tomorrow?" Addy asked, doing the same and smoothing her skirts.
"Aye," He said, leading her to the galley, "Only tomorrow, we have less time so you will need ta practice them knots of yours when me and Andrews and your papa are working them sails."
"Aye, knots." Addy said, almost disgusted.
"Now don't be doin' that ta me," Wilson retorted, "knots are important, mark me words. Le's get some food, I been smelling that food for a near 'our now and it smells pretty nice."
"Mama does cook something wonderful." Addy said, walking faster to catch up to him.
During dinner, Wilson and Andrews talked about their adventures at sea. For sailors, or pirates as they found out, they had some manners. They could eat properly, which stunned Elizabeth.
After, Will showed Addy her cabin. It was small, not much more than a bed, changing fold and a little bit of breathing room. Addy turned to her father who smiled.
"Aye, They are all about this size or smaller." He complied.
Addy sighed and walked to her trunk, sitting at the foot of her bed.
"Are you mad at me?" She asked, her back still turned.
"Mad, no. Confused and humored, yes." He said, walking over to her bed and sitting on it.
"Humored?" Addy asked, looking up from her trunk.
"I didn't expect this from you. Jack is a very interesting person. Too bad I didn't think of getting rum as a boarding present sooner." Will complied, "I saw you with Wilson today, is everything okay?"
"Aye," She said, standing up. "Wilson is teaching me the words to know and how to survive. He doesn't think I can fence, but I plan to prove him wrong tomorrow."
Will laughed and stood.
"Addy, you really are something else. Don't let anybody tell you otherwise." Will said.
He kissed her forehead and turned to leave.
"Finish up soon," he said, hand resting on the doorknob, "we need everybody working tomorrow. If Wilson can teach you in time, you can work the helm after we leave Port Royal."
"Okay, thank you, Papa." She replied.
Will pulled the door shut. Addy sighed and looked down into her open trunk. Everything was scattered and looked like she had just thrown everything into it this morning. She would need to refold her clothes which other than the dress she wore, she didn't have any other dresses, was just breeches and tunics, for which she was grateful of. She planned on taking a piece of cloth and tying it around her chest, so she didn't 'bounce' when she was working.
'That's the last thing I need,' She thought, 'Pirates trying to plunder my booty.'
She pulled all of the items of her trunk and laid them on her bed carefully. She refolded the clothes gently and set them back in, over the bottles of rum. She removed her sword belt and carefully placed it into the trunk before setting her daggers around it. She closed the trunk and smiled. She was ready. A knock sounded at her door.
"Come in." She replied, smoothing her bed sheets out and turning to the door.
Will stepped in again. He hade something in his closed palm in which he held out to her.
"Use this," He said.
She walked over to him and took it. It was a black lock with a small keyhole.
"And, please keep these safe." He said, hold out two keys on a small ring to her.
She nodded and tucked the keys into the spot between her breasts. Will sighed and gently shook his head in playful disgust. Addy grinned, locked her trunk and turned back to him.
"Ready to go home?" He asked, standing up straight.
"Aye." She said and took one last look around her cabin.
Will smiled. "That other key is for your cabin door."
Addy smiled, fished the keys out and walked to the door. Will shook his head again and went up to the deck. She locked her door and checked it before running to catch up with her father. He waited on the gangplank for her and led her to the carriage once more. Her mother was already seated inside and smiled at her daughter. The ride home was in silence; everyone was too tired to talk.
When it came to a stop in front of the Turner home, three tired people left the carriage, not caring about appearance, walked inside and fell asleep when their heads hit their pillows.
~~~ The next morning, Elizabeth awoke Addy early and helped her dress into a complicated dress. Addy protested saying that it would be all wrinkled because she wasn't wearing it until they returned. Elizabeth didn't say anything except doing the tiny buttons up the back of her dress. Addy sighed and let her mother fix her up. She looked the glass while her mother set the hat onto her head.
The dress was a plain royal blue with bits of lace at the bottom. The bodice of the dress showed her curves and came up to circle her neck. The sleeves were long and hung past her knees. A small length hung off the back of it; Addy would have to hold it up when she walked. Her hat matched its color perfectly and gracefully accented the dress. She was able to wear the boots under her dress because it was so long and her mother didn't know. As long as she kept her dress low, she wouldn't have to worry about her mother seeing them. She put the boats on after Elizabeth left.
Addy searched her room a bit before finding the small key ring and fitting it between her breasts again. She sighed and looked around the room.
'Lord knows how long it will be before I am back here.' She said, looking around. She gasped and walked over to her bed. 'I can't believe I forgot this.' She bent down and pulled an object out. She held up the bottle with a model ship inside. She looked around the room before wrapping it into her baby blanket. She tucked it under her arm and walked down the stairs gracefully. She hid the blanket under the fold of skirt she held.
Elizabeth and Will wore nice clothing as well. Will tried to tell Elizabeth that they should probably all wear breeches but one glare from his wife shut him up, fast. Once again the carriage was waiting for them, but with no cart on the back. They stepped inside and rode to the dock.
When they arrived, Wilson and Andrews helped them out of the carriage. Wilson smiled and offered an arm to Addy who laughed, curtsied and accepted.
"Did ye practice yer knots?" He asked her gently.
Addy didn't answer and held her head somewhat low.
"We all went straight to bed last night," She whispered. "I'm sorry."
" 'hat's a'right. You gots plenty of 'ime before wes sets sail. And with 'hat dress on, ye can't really do much, now can ye?" He said, patting her hand.
"Alright, thank you." She replied and turned to walk up onto the gangplank.
She curtsied again and walked down to her cabin. She fished the key out and walked inside. She opened the heavy lock on her trunk and opened the wooden lid. She pulled her sword and belt out, fastened it around her waist once more and hid several daggers under the folds of her skirts.
She smiled in spite of herself. 'Mama never said I couldn't hide daggers under my skirts, just not over.' She turned and walked back up onto the deck, locked her door once more on her way out.
A small crowd had gathered on the pier. The new governor, elected last month, stood at the bow. He spoke a few words, which were then followed by clapping. Will turned from his viewing spot and took a place behind the helm. He shouted a couple of orders as the two men climbed a separate mast and unfurled the larger white sails.
Addy and Elizabeth stood quietly behind Will. They couldn't be caught doing such work in public; they would be shunned on their return for it. Addy fidgeted slightly which earned her a pinch from Elizabeth. The boat turned and headed out into the open waters.
When the pier couldn't be seen anymore, Addy and Elizabeth disappeared below decks. Addy was the first to return, donning a white shirt and brown pants. She pulled her back with a black cloth and walked over to Wilson. She tapped his shoulder and smiled.
"Ah, well ye clean up nice, missy." He said, smiling at her, "Now, lemme show ye 'he crow's nest. I give ye 'he honors o' first watch."
He turned and started to climb the rope ladder up to the highest point on the ship. She reached the top and gasped. The scene was breathtaking. Wilson shook her slightly, which pulled her back into the conscious world. He told her the instructions, smiled and climbed back down.
After she got over the beauty of the point, she looked around for anything that might cause trouble. They were now in fairly clear waters. If she looked closely she could see Port Royal, but it was not more than an inch tall. She looked at the sky and it's clear blueness. She looked to the horizon and saw billowing black clouds. Her smile faded as she watched them closely; they were moving fast, very fast.
"Papa!" Addy yelled down.
Will looked up at her, slightly worried.
"Those clouds on the horizon. They are coming fast and hard." She shouted.
He looked at the clouds and his smile faded, fast. The folds of the clouds were now visible and weren't slowing down.
"Addy, get down here, NOW!" He shouted.
Addy jumped slightly and climbed down as fast as she could without falling. Wilson, Will and Andrews were running around with large ropes in their hands. Wilson stopped for a moment, grabbed Addy's arm and led her to the helm.
" 'Member wot I said yestaday about steerin'?" he asked her quickly.
She nodded.
"Now's ya change ta practice. Just try ta hold her steady." He said and ran off.
She looked at the large wheel before throwing the rope off and gripping the wooden posts. She quickly gained consciousness on how to properly use the wheel.
The wind picked up and it started to drizzle a bit.
'Grandfather Turner, please protect us.' Addy thought as the rain picked up and thunder was heard. 'Please protect my parents.'
Okay, new chapter soon. Please Review!!!
QueenofMercury
Email: watergoddess06s@sbcglobal.net
IM: AOL- mercury06s
Yahoo- watergoddess06s@sbcglobal.net
Don't worry about upsetting me, I know I can be confusing at times and I don't have a problem with explaining things I might have had trouble explaining before.
Subter Astrui is the best Beta EVER. She is completely awesome and I am in her debt.
Disclaimer: I only own Addy and the Protector, for now. ************************************************************************
"Addy, Addy wake up." Elizabeth shook her daughter gently, waking her from her slumber. "Addy, when you are done packing your trunk we are going to see the boat."
"Okay Mama," Addy said, slowly opening her eyes and stretching. "Can you have Papa bring it upstairs?"
"Sure, but you had best get decent quickly," she said, turning and walking down the steps.
Addy yawned, pulled back her covers and stood on the cold wood floor. She shivered and grabbed a robe sitting on the edge of her bed. Footsteps were heard on the stairs and Will appeared carrying her trunk. He sat it down and smiled at her.
"Don't put too much into it or I won't be able to carry it downstairs," he said.
"Thank you, Papa," Addy said.
"Your mother also wants you to wear dresses until we are at sea. I believe that means today and tomorrow," he said, his eyes twinkling.
Addy sighed and looked at the floor. "Fine," she replied.
"That's my girl," Will said, hugging her before walking to the door and down the flight of steps, closing her door behind him.
'I hate dresses,' Addy thought to herself, pulling on the numerous layers needed for the dresses.
'I wish I could still wear my old gowns,' she thought, her hands struggling to find the laces of her dress. The dresses of Addy's childhood, shorter and much more comfortable, had been replaced by the more fashionable, older looking gowns when she had reached sixteen. "You're a lady now," her mother had said, presenting her with the numerous dresses. Addy chose a deep red cotton dress. Simple enough, but the laces were tied in back, and Addy's hands were nearly unable to tie them together.
When she was done, she turned and began throwing clothing onto her bed. She searched her closet and found an old sheet, which she cut up and wrapped the bottles of rum in. She placed them at the very bottom and piled her clothes on top of them. She looked around her room before realizing her daggers were in the workroom along with her sword.
She gracefully picked her skirts up, opened the door and went down the stairs. She turned the corner and went into her father's workroom, gathered the sharp items into her leather apron and headed back up the stairs. After a moment of searching she found the sheaths she had gotten from the leather maker's the day before, and slid the daggers into their new home. She unsheathed her sword and smiled. She ran a hand down its length, careful not to cut herself.
She had made it herself and was very proud of it. Its blade was long, silver, and sharp. The hilt was enameled black with silver inlays wrapping around the handle. She smiled and swung it a couple of times before putting it into its sheath. She remembered her father's face when she showed him the sword. He had beamed after he tested it and found it was perfect. She fitted the items into her trunk and closed the lid. She looked around the room before reaching under her bed and pulling the bottle out and carefully setting it in the last bit of available room. She took the last of her sheet scraps and tucked everything in carefully. She closed the trunk and fitted the clasp before dragging it to the door.
"Papa!" she called, "I'm done."
"Okay," he called, climbing the staircase.
He reached the top and walked over to the spot where her trunk was sitting. He bent down and pulled. He faltered for a moment, finding his balance.
"It's not as heavy as I thought it was be," he said, turning to her.
"I only put things I needed into it," she retorted, picking up her skirts and walking down the stairs.
"Ready Mama?" Addy called.
"Yes," came the response, slightly muffled. Elizabeth's head appeared from the food storeroom.
"Let me change my dress," she said, running to her room. "Addy, help me."
Addy walked into the room and smiled as her mother pulled a deep green dress from her closet and laid on the bed. Elizabeth undid her laces and stepped out of her dress carefully. Addy worked on undoing the buttons on the back of the green dress before she picked it up and pulled it over her mother. They fitted the dress and as Addy did the buttons up the back, Elizabeth smoothed her skirts.
"Thank you," Elizabeth said, pulling a matching hat down and a box from the closet. "I got this for you."
Addy took the box and opened it. She gasped and pulled it out.
"Mama, it's lovely," she breathed, setting it on her head.
Elizabeth got some hatpins and pinned the hat to her head.
"I'm glad you like it," she said, fixing her own hat.
"Let's go," she said when she was finished.
"About time," Will muttered from the door.
Several trunks had been loaded onto a small cart out front attached to a carriage. A few men sat in the back with the trunks, making sure they were held safely in place.
"Mother, why are we taking the carriage?" Addy asked.
"Because it is a fairly long way to the boat and it will look nicer," she said, opening the door.
"Don't argue." Will whispered to her, pulling on his jacket and hat.
Addy sighed inwardly and climbed into the carriage. Will followed and sat beside Elizabeth who turned slightly and told the driver where to go.
"Yes Milady." He said and slightly snapped the rains, causing the horses to move.
"Papa, when is the crew going to arrive." Addy asked.
"A couple of men are going to help us for a while but they are getting off in Singapore. Mostly until you two get used to being on a boat. The boat is very small, it will somewhat cramped until they get off." Will said.
"Oh," Addy replied.
"Don't worry, the smaller the boat, the easier to control it is. When you don't have a ton of people on a ship, they are hard to control, especially if a storm creeps up on you, that's no fun at all." Will said.
"If you say so, father." Addy said.
She was quiet the rest of the time, worried about what could happen. Will and Elizabeth talked quietly about what they would need to get ready before they sailed tomorrow. The carriage clattered down the road, horse hooves hitting the stones. The smell of ocean spray seeped into the carriage. Addy breathed its scent and sighed. She pulled the curtain back and saw the blue- green water sparkling against the morning sun. Addy sighed and smiled a bit. She looked on the various piers for their boat and spied a small one, towards the end of pier.
The two masts held two sails each, pulled up into themselves so the boat wouldn't sail off before it was time. Its blue and gold paint made it look very elegant. It looked almost like a sized down model of the Dauntless.
"That's the Protector." Will said.
"It's beautiful." Addy breathed.
The carriage turned the corner and stopped.
"Sorry Milady, this is as far as I can go. I can bring the trunks down in a few minutes. Hence the extra men." The driver said.
The door opened to the carriage opened. Will stood and hopped out before reaching a hand in. Addy stood and took her father hand. She stepped down gracefully, careful not to lift her skirts to high before removing her hand and straightening. She turned and waited for her mother to step out. Will offered an arm to the both of them. Addy took his right, Elizabeth his left. He led them down the pier to the boat before nodded to the two men who were standing on the ship. They bowed and walked down the gangplank.
" 'Ello, Mr. Turner." One of them called out, they walked down the gangplank to the pier deck.
"Addiena, Elizabeth, These are the men that shall help us. Mr. Wilson and Mr. Andrews." Will said.
Addy and Elizabeth curtsied to them.
"Pleasure to meet you." Elizabeth said.
The men smiled and bowed.
"The pleasure be all mine, Mrs. Turner, Ms. Turner. I be Mr. Wilson but please just call me Wilson." The first man said.
He had an old brown hat on with a salt and pepper beard. His brown eyes sparkled when he looked at Addy. He had a few teeth missing when he smiled. His clothes were old and had been patched and sewed back together numerous times.
"I be Andrews," The other man said.
He was a head shorter than Mr. Wilson with short black hair and eyes of green. His clothes were worse in condition than Wilson's and he didn't smell much better.
A clattering noise was heard from behind along with a wood on wood thud. Addy turned to see the contents of her trunk spill onto the pier. Will sighed and stepped over to the trunk. He put his hand on one of the cloth packages. He stopped for a moment before standing up and pulling the cloth off, reveling the bottle.
"Addiena Elizabeth Turner," He said, looking at her, "would you mind explaining what this is?"
"Um, Rum, Father?" She replied.
"I know what it is," He said, slightly disgusted "why is it in your trunk, pray tell?"
"You said we were meeting Jack." She answered, why else would she have such vile items in her trunk.
"Addiena," Elizabeth started, "just because we are hoping to meet Jack, does not mean you can start acting like him."
"But Mother," Addy stated, "they aren't for me. I got them for Jack."
Will sighed and began to load Addy's trunk again. He started to close the lid when Addy stopped him. She pulled out five of the daggers. She handed two to Will, one to Elizabeth and one to each of the two men whom her father had hired. She then pulled her sword and its belt out and fastened it around her waist. She placed an idle hand on the handle before ripping it out of its home and pointing it at Wilson and Andrews.
"Try anything funny and you will you had never been born." She said. "Savvy?"
"Savvy!" Both men replied, fastening the daggers to their belt.
"Addy," Will started, "I do believe that still leaves fifteen daggers."
"I need some protection papa." She said, closing the lid. "You aren't going to be by my side forever. Those are mostly for practice."
Will sighed and began helping the men load the ship.
"Ms. Turner." Wilson called from the top of the gangplank. "I would be 'appy to show you the ship and 'elp teach ya the words ta know."
"It's Addy," She said, "and that would be most helpful."
"Aye Missy," He replied, smiling. "I be waiting at the 'elm, the big wheel. Ya might want ta change out of them skirts."
"Mother says I must stay in a dress until we are out at sea." Addy replied, looking at the deck, "could you show the climbing things later?"
"Aye, o' course, Ms.I mean Addy," He replied, "Follow me. I can show 'ow ta do most things on this 'ere ship. Except the crow's nest, 'ow ta unfurl them sails and way below decks."
"Thank you, Wilson." Addy replied, pulling her skirts up and walking up the wooden board.
Wilson stayed true to his word and showed Addy almost every inch of the sailboat. Addy's eyes glistened from pure excitement as he taught her patiently and efficiently. Addy's mind soaked up everything like a sponge.
"Addy!" Elizabeth called when the sun was beginning to set, "Wilson, Andrews, Dinner."
"Tha's enough fer today, young missy." Wilson said, putting down the length of rope held.
"Tomorrow?" Addy asked, doing the same and smoothing her skirts.
"Aye," He said, leading her to the galley, "Only tomorrow, we have less time so you will need ta practice them knots of yours when me and Andrews and your papa are working them sails."
"Aye, knots." Addy said, almost disgusted.
"Now don't be doin' that ta me," Wilson retorted, "knots are important, mark me words. Le's get some food, I been smelling that food for a near 'our now and it smells pretty nice."
"Mama does cook something wonderful." Addy said, walking faster to catch up to him.
During dinner, Wilson and Andrews talked about their adventures at sea. For sailors, or pirates as they found out, they had some manners. They could eat properly, which stunned Elizabeth.
After, Will showed Addy her cabin. It was small, not much more than a bed, changing fold and a little bit of breathing room. Addy turned to her father who smiled.
"Aye, They are all about this size or smaller." He complied.
Addy sighed and walked to her trunk, sitting at the foot of her bed.
"Are you mad at me?" She asked, her back still turned.
"Mad, no. Confused and humored, yes." He said, walking over to her bed and sitting on it.
"Humored?" Addy asked, looking up from her trunk.
"I didn't expect this from you. Jack is a very interesting person. Too bad I didn't think of getting rum as a boarding present sooner." Will complied, "I saw you with Wilson today, is everything okay?"
"Aye," She said, standing up. "Wilson is teaching me the words to know and how to survive. He doesn't think I can fence, but I plan to prove him wrong tomorrow."
Will laughed and stood.
"Addy, you really are something else. Don't let anybody tell you otherwise." Will said.
He kissed her forehead and turned to leave.
"Finish up soon," he said, hand resting on the doorknob, "we need everybody working tomorrow. If Wilson can teach you in time, you can work the helm after we leave Port Royal."
"Okay, thank you, Papa." She replied.
Will pulled the door shut. Addy sighed and looked down into her open trunk. Everything was scattered and looked like she had just thrown everything into it this morning. She would need to refold her clothes which other than the dress she wore, she didn't have any other dresses, was just breeches and tunics, for which she was grateful of. She planned on taking a piece of cloth and tying it around her chest, so she didn't 'bounce' when she was working.
'That's the last thing I need,' She thought, 'Pirates trying to plunder my booty.'
She pulled all of the items of her trunk and laid them on her bed carefully. She refolded the clothes gently and set them back in, over the bottles of rum. She removed her sword belt and carefully placed it into the trunk before setting her daggers around it. She closed the trunk and smiled. She was ready. A knock sounded at her door.
"Come in." She replied, smoothing her bed sheets out and turning to the door.
Will stepped in again. He hade something in his closed palm in which he held out to her.
"Use this," He said.
She walked over to him and took it. It was a black lock with a small keyhole.
"And, please keep these safe." He said, hold out two keys on a small ring to her.
She nodded and tucked the keys into the spot between her breasts. Will sighed and gently shook his head in playful disgust. Addy grinned, locked her trunk and turned back to him.
"Ready to go home?" He asked, standing up straight.
"Aye." She said and took one last look around her cabin.
Will smiled. "That other key is for your cabin door."
Addy smiled, fished the keys out and walked to the door. Will shook his head again and went up to the deck. She locked her door and checked it before running to catch up with her father. He waited on the gangplank for her and led her to the carriage once more. Her mother was already seated inside and smiled at her daughter. The ride home was in silence; everyone was too tired to talk.
When it came to a stop in front of the Turner home, three tired people left the carriage, not caring about appearance, walked inside and fell asleep when their heads hit their pillows.
~~~ The next morning, Elizabeth awoke Addy early and helped her dress into a complicated dress. Addy protested saying that it would be all wrinkled because she wasn't wearing it until they returned. Elizabeth didn't say anything except doing the tiny buttons up the back of her dress. Addy sighed and let her mother fix her up. She looked the glass while her mother set the hat onto her head.
The dress was a plain royal blue with bits of lace at the bottom. The bodice of the dress showed her curves and came up to circle her neck. The sleeves were long and hung past her knees. A small length hung off the back of it; Addy would have to hold it up when she walked. Her hat matched its color perfectly and gracefully accented the dress. She was able to wear the boots under her dress because it was so long and her mother didn't know. As long as she kept her dress low, she wouldn't have to worry about her mother seeing them. She put the boats on after Elizabeth left.
Addy searched her room a bit before finding the small key ring and fitting it between her breasts again. She sighed and looked around the room.
'Lord knows how long it will be before I am back here.' She said, looking around. She gasped and walked over to her bed. 'I can't believe I forgot this.' She bent down and pulled an object out. She held up the bottle with a model ship inside. She looked around the room before wrapping it into her baby blanket. She tucked it under her arm and walked down the stairs gracefully. She hid the blanket under the fold of skirt she held.
Elizabeth and Will wore nice clothing as well. Will tried to tell Elizabeth that they should probably all wear breeches but one glare from his wife shut him up, fast. Once again the carriage was waiting for them, but with no cart on the back. They stepped inside and rode to the dock.
When they arrived, Wilson and Andrews helped them out of the carriage. Wilson smiled and offered an arm to Addy who laughed, curtsied and accepted.
"Did ye practice yer knots?" He asked her gently.
Addy didn't answer and held her head somewhat low.
"We all went straight to bed last night," She whispered. "I'm sorry."
" 'hat's a'right. You gots plenty of 'ime before wes sets sail. And with 'hat dress on, ye can't really do much, now can ye?" He said, patting her hand.
"Alright, thank you." She replied and turned to walk up onto the gangplank.
She curtsied again and walked down to her cabin. She fished the key out and walked inside. She opened the heavy lock on her trunk and opened the wooden lid. She pulled her sword and belt out, fastened it around her waist once more and hid several daggers under the folds of her skirts.
She smiled in spite of herself. 'Mama never said I couldn't hide daggers under my skirts, just not over.' She turned and walked back up onto the deck, locked her door once more on her way out.
A small crowd had gathered on the pier. The new governor, elected last month, stood at the bow. He spoke a few words, which were then followed by clapping. Will turned from his viewing spot and took a place behind the helm. He shouted a couple of orders as the two men climbed a separate mast and unfurled the larger white sails.
Addy and Elizabeth stood quietly behind Will. They couldn't be caught doing such work in public; they would be shunned on their return for it. Addy fidgeted slightly which earned her a pinch from Elizabeth. The boat turned and headed out into the open waters.
When the pier couldn't be seen anymore, Addy and Elizabeth disappeared below decks. Addy was the first to return, donning a white shirt and brown pants. She pulled her back with a black cloth and walked over to Wilson. She tapped his shoulder and smiled.
"Ah, well ye clean up nice, missy." He said, smiling at her, "Now, lemme show ye 'he crow's nest. I give ye 'he honors o' first watch."
He turned and started to climb the rope ladder up to the highest point on the ship. She reached the top and gasped. The scene was breathtaking. Wilson shook her slightly, which pulled her back into the conscious world. He told her the instructions, smiled and climbed back down.
After she got over the beauty of the point, she looked around for anything that might cause trouble. They were now in fairly clear waters. If she looked closely she could see Port Royal, but it was not more than an inch tall. She looked at the sky and it's clear blueness. She looked to the horizon and saw billowing black clouds. Her smile faded as she watched them closely; they were moving fast, very fast.
"Papa!" Addy yelled down.
Will looked up at her, slightly worried.
"Those clouds on the horizon. They are coming fast and hard." She shouted.
He looked at the clouds and his smile faded, fast. The folds of the clouds were now visible and weren't slowing down.
"Addy, get down here, NOW!" He shouted.
Addy jumped slightly and climbed down as fast as she could without falling. Wilson, Will and Andrews were running around with large ropes in their hands. Wilson stopped for a moment, grabbed Addy's arm and led her to the helm.
" 'Member wot I said yestaday about steerin'?" he asked her quickly.
She nodded.
"Now's ya change ta practice. Just try ta hold her steady." He said and ran off.
She looked at the large wheel before throwing the rope off and gripping the wooden posts. She quickly gained consciousness on how to properly use the wheel.
The wind picked up and it started to drizzle a bit.
'Grandfather Turner, please protect us.' Addy thought as the rain picked up and thunder was heard. 'Please protect my parents.'
Okay, new chapter soon. Please Review!!!
QueenofMercury