Chapter fourteen: The Golden Dragon
"Well, I can't say that this was unexpected," Coralie sighed as she was wrapping up my ever swelling ankle.
"Jack is a pirate...He will never be a nice polite man. Ever." She patted my knee and stood up. I sighed as well and hobbled around to finish packing my trunk. Coralie tried to push some shillings at me, but I refused. I had some money...and I couldn't take her's.
"I'll be fine." I assured her. "I think I am going to visit India at her place...and maybe she will be able to come home with me...We can make our own home." I closed my trunk with a snap and sat ontop of the lid.
"Thank you for all of your help, and the likes. I really really apreciate it. I'm sorry I ruined your day." Will came in and easily picked up my trunk and carried it out, just as tears sprang to Coralie's eyes.
"I wish you wont leave." She said, sniffing back any sobs. I gave her a small hug, and walked as best as I could out of the overly decorated house, and into the street where a carraige was waiting. I looked up at the house as I was being helped in and saw Jack's glowering face in one of the windows. I stared up at him for a minute, then finished getting into the carraige. After settling down, I closed my eyes and fell asleep.
That night I started my course. I laughed out loud when I found out, then realized that I already left the Turners', and probably couldn't go back. I ate a small meal at an Inn by the docks, and before going to bed, I arranged for passage on one ship to England under a false name, then I would find another ship to take me to India. The ship I was to take first was called the Golden Dragon and was said to be one of the fastest as well as best crew and captain out there. I went to sleep somewhat content.
The next morning was a tipical Caribbean day. Sunny, warm, humid, and rainy all in one. I was going to miss all of the moist tropical weather. In the short time I was here my hair became even more curly. It's usual wavyness was made into almost ringlets, yet at the same time more difficult to brush and comb. I had a valet come and help with my trunk whilst I settled the tab and went to find the grand ship that even rivled the Black Pearl. It had a golden painted figure-head of a dragon holding a clawful of treasure. The massive white sails were a nice contrast to the Pearl's black torn ones. I went aboard and instantly was introduced to the captian.
"Ah, Mrs. Isabella," He said my false name in a smooth voice. "I am Captain Endrede Kian," He looked to be English and had a nice smile, nice white teeth, and nice brown hair, nice blue eyes...Altogether, he was...nice.
"Welcome aboard our humble ship. You are going to share a cabin with two other families...I hope you don't mind. It's just that your passage was booked rather late, and we have no room. You should like the other two families I trust...And may I aske, where is your husband?" He looked around as if searching for someone.
"My husband is dead, my lord." I said in a light manner I had learned from my mother years ago. "The pox claimed him a few years ago." I lied easily.
"Ah, that's too bad. My condolances." The look in his eyes said that he really didn't think it was too bad. I had to watch out for this man. I decided to play along with his game of court and bawdiness.
"And you, good captain," I said, batting my eyelashes and turning my shoulder, "I am sure a handsome man such as yourself wouold be married by now." He threw his head back and laughed to the sky.
"I see I shall have to watch out for you, Miss Isabella." He chortled and escorted me to the cabin I was to share. We got there and inside where three little girls and two older women, maybe around my age. Kian introduced me to them and then left saying he had to and make ready to weight anchor. I stood there looking at the five people then slowly set down my small bag and peeled off my gloves.
"Er...Hello." I said giving a small wave. The oldest of the two was wearing a fashionable red gown and matching bonnet that covered up her red hair gave me very harsh look, eyeing me up and down. Her thin lips were pursed in a sneer and her grey flint stone eyes were cold. I turned to the younger one who had the three girls clinging to her skirt. She had the same red hair, but her grey eyes were more kind looking, and she had a warm smile to her face, her dress was a bit shabbier and was a clashing shade of green. Both of the women had small pixie like shaped faces. I looked down at the little girl and they too had red curly hair. One looked to be seven at the most, then maybe five and three.
"Hello," The younger woman said at last in a light and strange accent foriegn to me, offering a hand. "My name is Maryanne. This is my mother Marcile, and my three daughters, Grace, Rememberance, and Deliverance." Oh, I got it now. Three generations. Two families. I noticed mens' jackets hanging on pegs in the corner and thought there must be husbands to boot. I shook Maryanne's hand and extended my hand to Marcile, but all I got was another sneer. I kneeled down on the hard wood floor and smiled at the girls.
"Hello. I am Isabella, it's nice to meet you." All three girls hid even further in Maryanne's skirts. I stood back up and looked around again.
"Where am I to sleep?" I asked Maryanne, beings as I knew I wouldn't get an answer out of Marcile.
However, Marcile answered before Maryanne could even open her mouth.
"You," She spat, "Are going to sleep on the floor. There is no other room, and I hardly think you will expect growing children to sleep on the dirty filthy hard wood?" I gave a smart smile.
"Of course," I said in a such a sweet voice, it could rot teeth. And so my first day upon this ship had its likes and dislikes...Mostly dislikes however.