Forever and a day, but here it is!
Please let me know how we feel!
Listen to Love Is A Losing Game by Amy Winehouse.
-G.
The residents of the cove meekly peered from behind their curtains, unsure of the coming events, watching as a woman in a white sleeveless slip flounced past their homes laughter radiating from her.
They were at the mercy of the invading pirates and the vision of the laughing woman only brought more fear to those who had come to find their town littered with bloating corpses and death.
How someone could be so unnerved as to find joy now, as three pirate ships docked in their cove, was sure to bring nightmares, if any of them survived that long.
The woman in question, Liete paid no mind to the pulling and closing of windows around her as she continued her trek up the main pathway of the small shanty like town, laughing joyously as she moved around the bodies of Spanish mercenaries.
With a grand total of some twenty homes, framing the main dust road and two other small dirt roads, Liete found that the quiet around her although mainly in part to the invasion now taking place, was most likely a common occurrence.
Just as her own island had been silent except for the odd conversation and crashing of waves, this place too followed that course.
To her right lay open patches of sugar cane fields, other small produce patches, and corrals of assorted farm beasts.
Slaves now huddled together near the field edges stared with wide eyes, and mumbled prayers in hushed tones as they watched her. Their masters lay dead around them, and not a one of the now free folk paid them any mind.
In front of Liete by two homes, was a large forested opening to continue deeper into the jungle surrounding them while to her left one of the two other roads lead up to what she could see of a stone wall with a small opening between them and a grand set of stairs.
She couldn't see past up the stairs, and turned her body to follow that course only to be stopped by a hand sliding across her stomach, the smell of iron strong wafting from Kenway's body as it pushed against her back.
"Careful lass, I haven't cleared that area yet." His words were low and rough as he mumbled them into Liete's ear, his lips against her hair, his breath sending chills straight down her spine.
Kenway clenched his hands into Liete's dress, breathing her in like a fine wine. She smelt like sun, lavender, and sweat even as the blood from his leather smudged against her clothing tinging that smell with zinc.
The cat and mouse game they played was intoxicating as ever, as Liete placed one hand against his balled fist on her stomach as her other hand reached up behind her to rest against the rough growth of Kenway's beard.
Turning his head as Liete touched his face, Kenway planted his lips against her palm, running his tongue along the lines forming a triangle there.
Liete's own breath caught as his hot gasp and tongue sent warmth to the center of her body, twisting her stomach into a pressured knot.
He had been teasing her for days, acting more temperamental than the damn changing seas, pulling her close and retreating in a huff. Liete only continued to act as she always was, headstrong and insane, but her annoyances were forgiven as his remaining hand reached across her chest to rest against the nap of her neck and shoulder rubbing against her skin with feather light touches.
Liete leaned her body back against his own, never minding as the wet blood from his clothes turned her own dress to a dirty shade of crimson, wetting her own skin.
"You think someone'd attack me Master Kenway?" Spoken in breathy gasps, Liete bit her lip as he nibbled the area between her palm and thumb nearly making her body jerk against his own.
"I'd like to see them try sweet." Kenway murmured as he gave one last nibble to her hand, before turning his head back to her own, nuzzling her hair out of the way trying to find his way to her neck.
Suddenly pulling away, Liete turned out of his grasp, just his balled fist now tethering them together as she faced him.
Kenway's eyes were hooded, a small smirk present as he kept a firm grasp on her dress, the leather holsters and vest he wore now smudged and dry as the remaining wet blood now covered her.
Liete now bore a large palm smudge against her collarbone and neck of crimson as well, making it look as if she herself bore a wound.
"I thought we'd settled, sir, that I am more than able to take care of myself. Whether you happen to be here or not."
Kenway grinned and pulled Liete back to him once more, kissing her check, her chin, and her jaw line before releasing her completely as the men of the three pirate ships could be heard beginning their ascent on the town behind them.
"Maybe but as long as I'm here, humor me?"
Liete couldn't help herself as she laughed merrily once more, turning away from Kenway to begin walking up the pathway to the staircase.
Kenway looked to his crew, as well as Blackbeard's and Kidd's, as they began to unload off ship and spread out to begin resupplying and pillaging through the coves goods.
He'd already spoken quickly to Adewale to let him know that he intended to take possession of the land here, and preferred not to agitate its innocent residents if given a choice. Of course as pirates, if need be, they were free to do as they saw fit, just within his reason.
The strategic point the land gave was perfect to defend, and once he went with a crew to dismantle some of the remaining pathway that had allowed him to come through the thick jungle to ambush Du Casse, the cove would be the only means of reaching the village.
It also gave Kenway a home to return to, well at least a home away from Wales, as well as a place for Liete should she choose to stay.
Kenway pushed the nagging thought that he was giving her another prison, on another island just like the one he'd plucked her from, and instead focused on the idea that he was offering her a home where she was free to do anything with.
He was doing just as he'd been determined to, it was simply coming to fruition sooner than he'd thought possible, to give her everything she'd been used to. A fine home, fresh food, and as he prowled the seas he'd fill the mansion atop the hill with riches.
And for Caroline, wasn't this all for her? Will you bring her here to live together with your mistress? , his mind whispered treacherously , as he turned to follow Liete once more as she made her way up the hill towards the walled mansion.
Edward felt the stab of guilt like a hot knife, as Liete glanced over her shoulder at him eyes bright in the quickly approaching dusk light, a lilt of a smile teasing him, beckoning him.
Caroline seemed like a distant memory now, a skewed face that he hated to admit but he barely remembered. His intentions had been at least partly noble to begin with. He had wanted a better life, for himself yes, but he had wanted to be a man of property. A man that Caroline's father would have been proud to call son. He had wanted that pride with every ounce of his being.
When he'd come home to find Caroline had left back to her parents' home, he had never felt more shame in his entire life.
He had raced to their manor, begging and pleading at their door for Caroline to have faith, to return to him.
The words she'd given him, her opinion of his 'fools errand', and near promise that she wouldn't answer his call should he send for her, had been his fuel these past years.
Fuel to become something so grand, so legend, that Caroline wouldn't have any choice but to return to her prosperous husband.
The truth of the matter was, only his own damn pride kept him going now, and as the face of his wife began to fade from his memory and Liete's took her place, he wasn't sure he'd ever return to Caroline.
It wasn't so wrong to fall out of love, with no reasons to return… A good man would, even if it was the hard way, if only to be honest to the woman whom he had shared marriage, home, and heart with.
The easy way would be to become prosperous here, and remain here with this woman who captured every piece of his being from his mind and soul, to his ire and his happiness.
An immense ocean stood between him and the hard way, and it was easy to choose to stay. At least until he grew tired of Liete... Even that seemed a hard in devour to even think about.
Who in their right mind would tire of Liete, with her streaks of madness, she was ever changing, and ever captivating.
Edward pushed away these thoughts, hiding them beneath a rock in his mind as he lazily began to follow the blood smeared woman up towards the stairs, to a mansion that although had seen better days stood tall and beautiful.
Liete looked back to Edward who followed her with his arms now crossed against his chest, his lips resting in their ever present pout as he strode behind her.
Satisfied that he was indeed following her, Liete followed the path to the stone wall, and began to climb its steps.
Aged, and in clear need of repair, the steps rose rapidly, and with each step she took Liete was given a glimpse of what lay at the crest of the hill.
A large roof rose into view, and as she ascended more quickly, an enormous mansion rose before her, with a large wrap around stair case leading to its wrap around porch, and an unkempt and overgrown garden area to its side and leading back out of view.
The paint on the place had seen better days, but it was a magnificent piece of property.
As Liete topped the main staircase, taking in the entire view of the mansion, she had a cold sense of foreboding rush through her.
She practically had to force her body to continue moving forward, as to her left a tree branch that had been buried beneath the earth strut out into the wide expanse towards the now far cove shore below.
Leite moved towards that's rather than the mansion itself, wishing to look out at the last refuge of freedom she'd been given these few days.
She drank the vision in as she came close to the edge, the tips of her leather boots hanging over the earthen edge.
Ships of the three separate captains bustled with activity as men unloaded empty cargo boxes as others has already begun to gather jugs of water from a small spring to the right of the cove, others harvesting the planted gardens for anything that was ready to be picked.
Screams and cries filled the cove from different points within the tiny village, as men ran amuck taking what they pleased.
A large bonfire had been lit on the right side of the cove, as men who'd either finished their duties or had tired of pillaging had taken refuge to drink and celebrate their success and new home.
The small shanty homes inhabiting the harbor were being ransacked and their inhabitants being ruffed up by the pirates, as they put the fear of god in each family to avoid any resistance in the future.
Edward wandered close behind her, following the path drawing nearer to the mansion than she as he made it half way up the small spiral like staircase the porch area before turning to watch her as she looked out across the darkening cove.
"What are you looking at lass?"
Liete didn't answer as her eyes desperately drunk in every ounce of the layout before her, her soul screaming, and for one moment she wondered if she dove off the side, would she land in one piece on the shore below, or simply pieced for the tide to wash out to sea.
At least with the tide, she'd know her fate.
"I'm looking at a scene Edward, one that will forever stay etched in my being, my soul and blood. To keep and cherish for what little time I am here. It is mine to hold in fond memoriam as I'm sure some future form will wish to have had the chance I do now."
Liete scuffed one foot against the dirt and watched as a few pebbles fell to the shore and hungry tide below her as without warning a familiar water droplet rushed down her cheek bringing a huskiness to her voice that now quivered as she spoke, lanterns and torches lighting with the coming darkness.
The moon peeked itself above the horizon beginning its ascendance into the sky, as the sun fought gallantly to hold onto it perch.
"Have you ever thought of the future? What amazing things people will make, and changes for all walks of life, things that would leave us wondering and awed? All I can think of Master Kenway, is in our moments, what will the future think of them? Will they even know at all the pain and hunger we felt for better lives?"
Edward hesitated from his post on the walkway unsure of how to approach the new side of Liete he was now faced with.
"As I've said before, I'm but a simply pirate. I am no Philosopher."
The laugh that Liete gave, flooded the cove below, light and heartless as she spread her arms as if in an attempt to pull the entire image of the new island within the circle of her being.
"You are anything but simple, Master Kenway. We mustn't lie to each other, let alone ourselves."
The feeling of offense brought Edward slowly descended the staircase to stand behind Liete, close enough to see the tremor that ran along Liete's back and shoulders, but not close enough that if the insanity flew out of control it would find him plummeting towards the surf below.
"Even now, you have visions of leaving this place. Which I understand, if only for the sentiment. This place is beautiful, it is. I can't stay here."
Liete paused in her speech, catching her breath that burned within her very lungs. She could feel Kenway behind her, his fluidity traded now for a taken back rigid anger burning beneath his skin.
"At least for long. I am of course at your mercy, sir, and without the ability to pull rigging and a set of sails from somewhere within my chemise stuck wherever it is you plan to leave me. For all my self being at your discretion, I will not be a captive bird sitting in a gilded cage once more."
Turning quickly, sending more stones to the darkening waters below, her own body wavering on the cliff staring into Kenway's eyes with so much determination she was unaware as a river began to cascade down her cheeks and her throat.
"You can't expect this of me…"
For the first time, Kenway wasn't so floored or unsure of Liete's emotional change. This change, this plea was the first reaction from Liete that he understood completely, and felt foolish to have inflicted it.
He had been so blinded by his own intense feelings of inadequacy from being unable to provide for Caroline that he had lost the reality of Liete. She may have been used to royalty, to beautiful things, but that had been before.
Before she'd been locked away, pillaged, and mentally broken.
This cove that encompassed everything he wanted to have in order to convince others he was a man of leisure, looked only to be another prison when not accompanied with a ship.
Edward moved forward and gathered Liete in his arms, both of them standing above the surf and sand where men now built another bonfire, singing into the darkness.
He softly placed his lips against the temple of her forehead, breathing softly as the cool wetness that had flooded Liete's face struck the nape of his neck not transferring the tremors that continued to rack Liete to his own form.
Together they stood enveloped into the expanse of existence, finally an understanding uniting them.