It was becoming late in the afternoon, around six, when Orianna was once again to be found on the ships deck.
She had started to feel restless in her room and the idea of fresh air was too enticing to resist. Thankfully not many people could be found there, since many of the major renovations had already been attended too and apart from a handful of crew, the deck was all but bare.
The ships captain, when on a chance meeting with Orianna in the hallway, made it his personal duty to proudly inform her that instead of the estimated two days of repair, it had only taken him one, and although some minor breakages still had to be attended too, Royal Avenue was back on course and hopefully out of danger.
Upon hearing this Orianna felt a sudden rush of relief course through her, and after going through the necessary civil formalities with Capt. Helm, she left to go upstairs with a more optimistic air, fervently hoping it would last. Orianna stood there, transfixed on the gentle lapping of the waves as they would rise, fold and then melt back into themselves.
The once clear and flawless sky was now flooded with vast and threatening black clouds, just like before. Orianna let out a sigh. Standing right up against the ships side, she closed her eyes and took in everything around her.
Experiencing a sense of stillness at the thought of being surrounded by water and realizing that as long as she was onboard, she had the opportunity for once, to slow down, and let her mind be unclasped from the ever constant knowledge of what she ran away from home to do…at least for a few minutes.
The gentle breeze was now picking up, Orianna could feel it rush through her loosely tied back hair, and sweep smoothly past her cheeks. Every new wave gathered unexplained strength as it lashed up against the ship.
It was a surreal feeling. She opened her eyes and laid her hands upon the ships walls. She stayed there, staring aimlessly, deep in thought before she became aware of a strange sensation…a feeling of being watched.
Orianna scolded herself for being so paranoid, but the feeling stayed there, refusing to back down. Feeling a bit uneasy, she tried to look as unsuspicious as possible as she slowly turned and scanned the deck, making sure to look at everything, without being too obvious. Not an easy thing to do.
Orianna was a bit discouraged when no-one could be found. She inwardly sighed and put it down to her imagination, feebly trying to overcome boredom.
The next gust of wind brought with it a slight chill which, as it went past, faintly kissed Orianna's skin and made her shiver.
Her minds reason had finally won and she turned to go back to her room, away from the cold. As she turned, the corner of her eye caught sight of something, a small, dark and faint figure sitting just on the waters far edge.
Although it was just a little speck on the horizon, she could tell it, whatever it was, was heading her way. Her logical thoughts told her it was only a passing merchant boat, on its way to some far off distant harbour; but thanks to her earlier conversation with Frank (Messenger boy), her suspicions were now bordering on the impossible.
He mentioned pirates, and to any 18 yr old girl that brought up images of one armed, drunk crooks, with bad tempers and a penchant for maidens, no matter how unwilling.
Although she doubted all pirates were that stereotypical, she knew enough to thus convince herself that she had every right to be suspicious, even if it was because she had nothing else to occupy her mind with.
Before Orianna left, she made a mental note to return again in a quarter of an hour to check on its progress, and hopefully prove her foolish thoughts wrong.
Choosing to go straight back to her room, Orianna leisurely walked through the ships many hallways, noticing how her feet seemed to pick out every loud creaking floorboard as she went past.
Finally she found her hallway and recited each doors number until she reached her own. Smiling slightly, she reached down into her shoe for the key. She decided to use the shoe since none of her dresses had pockets, and at the time it seemed like commonsense, but now she wasn't so sure since she couldn't find the key.
Starting to get worried, Orianna sat herself on the floor and pulled off her shoe. Her hand felt out every part of the shoe from beginning to end, and even though she knew it wasn't there, she shook it slightly…just-incase.
Biting her bottom lip and furrowing her brow, Orianna sat against her door. 'Where did I put it? It couldn't be in my room since I never took it out of my shoe, unless…. when I took them off it came out as well?' She sat there puzzling over it for a few minutes before she established that it wasn't likely. …'that only leaves the possibility that it fell out while I was walking'.
Dragging herself up off the floor, Orianna looked around, trying to remember anywhere and everywhere she'd been that day. She happily found that she didn't have very many options, since her list only comprised of the hallways, the dining room and the deck. Deciding to start with the dining cabin, Orianna went on her way with a declaration to keep looking until she found it.
Three hours had passed and Orianna was still no closer to finding the key. So at last she gave up, and went to her next option which was to ask the captain for the second key.
Orianna grudgingly started to make her way up to the deck where he could usually be found at the ships wheel or surveying one of his maps.
The wind was getting a bit stronger, making Orianna hold down her skirt so it wouldn't fly up as she walked towards the back of the boat. Instead of finding the captain himself, she was alternatively greeted by one of his navigators and after some inquiry, she learnt that the Capt. was urgently needed elsewhere and would most likely be detained until later that night.
Orianna didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
She walked along the deck wondering what to do. She had the option to wait around for the captain, but it was starting to get a bit too cold, so Orianna decided she would wait it out in the dining cabin and every now and again walk back up to check if Mr Helm was back.
Remembering the speck on the horizon from earlier that day, Orianna turned her eyes to where she assumed it was, but since it was around nine at night, with the overcast from the coming storm, all she could see was an empty, dark abyss of black.
'Classic, just classic'
Orianna was currently fast asleep and perched awkwardly on a small cushioned settee in the corner, no one else was in the room.
She had gone to the dining cabin three hours before, determined to wait for the captain- time to her was no issue. Although her mind was set, her body had other ideas and after an hour it gave into the unavoidable tiredness brought on from the gentle rocking of the boat and the warm cosy room.
Little did she know, in her trancelike sleep, that what she once passed off as paranoid thinking was soon to become a harsh reality. They used the shroud of darkness as a cover, coming up from behind, knowing full well that the crew and a certain Mr Helm would be distracted tonight, their captain would've made sure of that; it was all going to plan.
It was by sheer chance that Royal Avenue was damaged and inoperative on the same night the raid was to take place, many of them took it as a sign of good fortune on their side.
The captain had given the crew very strict instructions to follow, making sure everything was thought of, so when their ship got close enough to board, they did so with little difficulty. When the time came for them to get into position, they knew where to go. It was just a matter of time.
Please bear with me, this chapter is helping to build up to the good part, I promise. I know its taking a while to get anywhere but soon you'll see where it's all going. I've rewritten chapter 1 and 2 so there's a bit more information.
And please review so I know that people are still reading this story, honest opinions always needed and any review no matter how short is always welcome, any questions please ask. I'm sorry if I haven't replied to some of the reviews but I promise I will try. Thanks to all who have reviewed! Hope you enjoy!