Chapter Two: The Ship

Page stopped about twenty feet from the boat. His mouth hung slightly open. He had never in his life seen a ship like this. Only in the books at the orphanage...

Without thinking Page approached the side of the ship. He was close enough to touch it now. It really was magnificent. The intricate carvings covered every inch of wood the eye could see. Barnacles grew on the lower portion of the carvings and Page stooped to get a better look at them. He reached out to brush off a lock of seaweed from the face of a mermaid when a sharp voice called to him from above.

"Aye, boy! Get yer hands off me ship!" Page scrambled back. He couldn't see the face of the speaker. But the warning had come from on the deck. He blushed. He hasn't been aware someone was watching him. Suddenly a ramp was lowered into the sand, men started to walk down, they must be docked to get supplies. Page stood up and brushed the sand off of his pants. He turned to walk away when the same voice called out to him. It was closer this time. "You ev'r seen a ship befor lad?" Page turned around. He could see the speaker now. She had her arms over her chest. Her firy red hair blew all around her. She looked nothing like the women on this island. With her hair free and messy. Her clothes were frilly and layered.. She cocked her head as if waiting for something. Page remembered the question and blushed again.

"No, Ma'am. Only in books." He heard her laugh. It was a loud snorting laugh. Nothing like the small giggles he had heard around women all his life. He liked this lady. She seemed free...

"Would ye like to take a look around, boy?" He noticed her motion to the ramp off to the side. He liked the way she talked, it wasn't formal the way he'd been taught. He wanted to learn more about this life. And this ship. He nodded excitedly. "Get yer hide up here. Ye haven't lived till you've seen a ship!" She walked away from the side. Page rushed to the ramp. He noticed it was starting to raise off the ground. He hesitated for a moment before jumping on.

He tried to keep balance on the ever heightening plank. He found that standing was not an option. As the board came to a 90 angle Page sat down and pushed. He didn't realize how fast he would go. He sped down the plank. He tried to slow himself with his hands but not only did he get slivers, but he continued at the same speed.

Promptly he dropped off the edge and fell on his chest. He heard the woman's snort laugh continue at volume high. He shuffled to his knees as she wheezed ontop a barrel. Page tried furiously to dust off his pants. But he cringed as he felt the many slivers in his palms. The woman straightened as she seemed to notice both Page's pain and embarrassment in the same moment.

"Oh, sorry lad." She Walked over to Page and he made an effort to not make eye contact. "T'was a tad rude." She noticed one of his palms. "Give me yer hand." Her tone was gentle. Page lifted one of his palms. She expertly pulled out all of the slivers in both his palms. " Aye, they're all gone. Nasty wood. I'll have the crew sand the plank down later." Page smiled. He looked at the woman. She was pretty. She looked about thirty five, she had lots of freckles and porcelain skin. Her red hair stuck out in all directions, but even though she seemed to have a slightly rough exterior she had a motherly instinct about her. She turned to Page and he stopped staring. "What's yer name boy?"

"My name is Page..." She looked out to sea for a moment. Then turned back.

"You've a last name Page?" She smiled, but Page got suddenly uncomfortable. He didn't like to talk about this. He had to explain his parent situation. People always treated him differently after they knew he was an orphan. They always said, sorry. What was there to be sorry about? This had been his whole life. Why be sorry for something that wasn't sad? He had never had parents. What was the difference? He swallowed quickly.

"I don't have one. I'm an orphan. No one knew who my parents were. I washed up in a barrel on the shore when I was merely an infant. One of the older girls in the orphanage name me Page. I don't even know what my name even was to begin with." He sighed and there was silence. "Sorry, I talk alot." The woman smiled an drew her eyes away from the ocean.

"I talk much Page. Yer in good company." It was Pages turn to laugh. He was happy she hadn't zeroed in on the orphan part. She held out her hand. "Me name is Kayia. I'm the cap'n of this here ship and I run it with pride." Page nodded and shook her extended hand. They let go and she started walking toward the back of the ship, Page followed her eagerly. "Now, Page, ye told me that ye have nev'r seen a ship. Tis it true?"

"I've never seen a ship as large as yours..." Page hesitated, he didn't know wether to call her Kayia or Ma'am. He swallowed and Kayia seemed to understand.

"You can call me Cap'n if ye like." Page smiled.

"No Captain, I've never seen a ship such as yours in all my life. You see, the only visitors we get here are fishermen. And the occasional Englishman on a trip." Kayia shuddered.

"Those there Englishmen, as ye call them are nothing short of a nuisance." She huffed. "Oh, just last month they be comin after my ship because they thought it be full of pirates!" Page involuntarily gasped and she sent a questioning look his way. Ever since childhood Page has been fascinated by pirates. He had always wished he had been found by some old pirate captain who had raised him, I stead of living his life here. Plundering and raiding as one pleased.. It sounded free and wonderful.

But pirates were a scourge on the sea. Or so the Englishmen said. Page would always love to hear stories from the outsiders. Tales of pirates and treasures. They seemed too fantastical.

"Page boy, ye best be on yer way. Me crew will be back with our supplies. I need to get some repairs in this old girl." She patted the mast. Page felt a sense of disappointment. He had been hoping to explore the ship more, but it seemed that had not been in Kayia's plans. She glanced at his face and grinned at his forlorn expression.

"Aye, stop look'n so forlorn lad. The day is no longer young." Page looked to the sky, the sun was past it's halfway mark and was traveling to it's resting place in the West. Page's mouth hung open. The time had passed quickly. "Come back tomorrow, I'll give ye a tour belowdecks." She smiled and pulled a lever Page hadn't noticed before. He watched as the ramp touched the sand. He turned back to Kayia.

"Thank you... Captain." She smiled at the name. "I'll see you tomorrow." She turned and leaned on the side of the ship. Her skirt blowing freely in the wind. Page took this as his cue to leave, he glanced once more at his new friend and dashed off the ramp before it could move again.