Chapter 5.

The cabin was almost as nice as the cabin of the Capitán. Again, the dark wood seemed to only add to the mystery of the ship and its leader.

I slowly sat down at the desk, which overlooked the raging sea. The waves weren't even that high, but the water was restless. I actually felt restless too. Insecure, doubtful, nervous ...

He had done his best to make me feel at home here. I had been able to bathe, sleep, eat and I had clothes to wear. Actually, I had little to complain about, so I didn't. Still, I couldn't just let go of the feeling that I was out of place here. I must have been more of a burden than the Capitán would admit. And he didn't want to let me do anything in return to make me repay for my living aboard his ship.

The day had just begun, the sun high in the sky. I sighed softly. There were indeed pencils and some paper on the desk, as the Capitán said. There were also some books, but since they were all Spanish, I couldn't really tell what kind of books they were. I let my fingers slide over the leader skin of the books, enjoying how they felt, and a little bit sad that I could not read any one of them. I loved reading.

Back in my little room above the shop I cleaned it, I had a lot of books. Most of them in really bad statue, due to them being dumped before I would find them. I loved them, kept them safe and sound in my little, but cozy room. I especially loved reading about people finding true love or naïve girls finding adventure. I sighed, watching the books before me, wondering what stories they kept inside.

I tried on one of the dressed and spent the hours that followed drawing. I was not that good, and I had no feeling for drawing people, but I still managed to sketch animals quite well. When I saw the fins of dolphins in the waves, I decided to try drawing a dolphin. It was actually very quiet in and around my cabin. I was not disturbed by anyone, was warm and safe and could draw. Still, every now and then my mind drifted to what the Capitán was doing and whether I should not make myself more useful than I was doing now.

I had completely forgotten about time and was therefore quite shocked when heavy footsteps suddenly stopped at my door. A firm knock on the door followed. I swallowed before getting up and turning to the door. The door was opened, and I suddenly saw the Capitán's face appear. He stepped in confidently, his eyes on me before they moved over the papers on the desk. I blushed, thinking about what he would think of my drawings. I was far from satisfied.

'I see you have put the pens and paper to good use.' His dark voice kept surprising me, and I had to force myself to answer, instead of nod. I couldn't help but think he sounded a little amused.

'Yes, thank you for letting me use them.' He stepped in further and closed the door behind him. Suddenly I wondered why he was here. He had told me we would meet each other for dinner every day, but it was not yet time for dinner.

'Do you draw often, Miss Gray?' He walked around the cabin slowly, taking his time, but mostly giving me the space to answer him, without his eyes burning down on me, I thought. I nervously kept standing next to the desk, my hand kneading the material of the dress I wore. I bit my lip, before formulating words.

'Not really, sometimes.' I watched him stop in his tracks, on the other side of the room, his face turned towards the window, before he turned himself around to face me.

'What is it you mostly do, Miss Gray?' I was a little taken aback by his sudden direct question and for a moment I was afraid he had asked it because he still thought me a pirate. Was he still thinking I was someone who didn't obey the law?

I felt myself getting scared, unsure of how to convince him that I was not a criminal. I just hadn't been so lucky in my life. If my parents hadn't died so early, my life would probably have been very different. But by now I was quite satisfied with the life I had. I had a job, a roof over my head and nobody bothered me. That wasn't a crime, was it?

I looked up and met his eyes. His dark eyes made me nervous for some reason. They seemed to be looking right through me. Sharp and relentless when he wanted. I swallowed and wondered if he would put me in a cell. What did he think about me?

'I- I am not sure what you mean, sir.' I heard myself and recognized how silly I sounded, calling a Captain sir, but for some reason I could not bring myself to call him what all his men called him. He shifted a bit and then took a step in my direction. Not quite sure what he was going to do, I stepped back and bumped into the desk with my side. I brought my hand to my side to ease the stinging pain, but my eyes soon found those of the man in the cabin again.

'I don't mean to startle you, Miss Gray. I am merely curious about your life. Especially since you are so young, claiming to live alone.' I found it amazing how quickly he could adjust his tone. He tilted his head a little and kept looking at me, but he didn't come a step closer.

'I do live alone, sir. For quite some time now.' His eyes seemed to lighten a bit a that information. I wondered why.

'Will you tell me about your life, in Port Royal?' For the first time I saw a tiny glance of how approachable the man before me could be, when he wanted to. But it only lasted a few seconds, before he was back to his fearsome self. I nodded. He nodded to and then gave me the quickest smile I had seen, before his lips turned back into a firm line.

'Tonight then, at dinner. I look forward to it, Miss Gray.' I only nodded, seeing him move around the cabin a little more, before he passed me and stopped before opening the cabin door.

'There will be some bread and water brought to your cabin in a short moment. I will see you at dinner, Miss Gray.' And with those words he did open the door, leaving me alone to my thoughts once more.

Armando

To say that I was surprised at how calm and articulate she seemed would be an under-statement. She was so young, but I had felt right about her. She had been through a lot and I wanted to know all about it. Her nervousness and fear towards me were to be expected, but it irritated me enormously. I didn't want to scare her or make her insecure. But she fascinated me a lot and I couldn't say exactly why. I was almost happy with all the tasks ahead of me before dinner. The day was still long, but when she was mine tonight, I wouldn't let her wallow in silence so easily. She was mine for now. And that's why I wanted to know everything about her. At least, that's what I was trying to tell myself.

I knew how my crew felt about a woman on board, but no one questioned my authority. Or who even dared to contradict. They had seen her, and they were curious, but no one would bother her under my authority.

Anyway, I would find out all about this mysterious young lady and her life before we met. Although of course I would never admit it, I was glad she had to spend a few more months here on my ship.

Thank you for reading and please let me know what you think!