I had to split this chapter in two because it was just too long. I'll wait a couple days before posting the second half…
I owe thanks to the reviewer MertleYuts for pointing out that Orianna and Tavis already did kiss in Chapter ten (that proves how much I pay attention). But don't worry, the kiss in the second half is far more evocative and fluff worthy. Enjoy….
A knock rapped gently at the storeroom's door.
"Hey little lady, wake up", called out the ships cook when he heard no response from within the room.
Orianna only turned and groaned a muffled, "go away", into her pillow.
"I would, but I need rations for this morning's breakfast", yelled the cook impatiently but not unkindly back at her.
Peeling herself away from the covers and the warmth of the hard mattress, Orianna resignedly padded her way across the small room.
All thoughts of the night before had followed her in her dreams; every picture, scene and sound recounted itself vividly in a nightmare like grasp. Waking up from such a horrid state only resulted in her head feeling full and heavy.
Without thinking twice, Orianna unlocked the bolt and opened the door with a covered yawn. The shock of the cook was beyond description.
Facing him was the sight of a young woman, clad only in a pale satin like nightgown flowing harmlessly over her form. Orianna looked curiously at the cook and his slightly glazed over expression.
"Are you alright?"
The cook, who was only around twenty two at the time and still quite shy about women, nodded his head absently before turning abruptly on his heels and walking straight back down to his kitchen. With his head hung low and cheeks flaming crimson, he gasped in surprise when he ran into something hard. Looking up, he grew even redder before apologising bashfully to Rebus.
Rebus in turn only bowed his head in acknowledgement but questioned the young mans hastiness. The cook in turn, flustered more than Rebus thought possible before mumbling out that he had just made a fool of himself in front of a beautiful lady.
After more persuasive prodding by Rebus, the young cook bashfully admitted the whole reason for his hasty retreat to the kitchen. As he told the story, Rebus listened carefully, smiling to himself when the young man described that he had unintentionally seen Orianna in quite an unexpected state of dress.
Rebus was quick to understand what the young cook meant by 'unexpected state of dress'. Holding back a laugh and a comment about youth, Rebus gruffly dismissed the young man, but not before warning him to never again mention what he had seen.
As the cook hurriedly walked away, Rebus shook his head. He knew that as a young lad, the young cook wouldn't miss a chance to boast about his tale, adding on exaggeration when he felt it necessary.
Letting out a thoughtful 'hmmm', Rebus thought carefully as he walked along the hallways beneath the deck. It seemed like now would be the right time to try his plan…all he had to do was get Tavis to agree…something highly unlikely…unless…
Orianna's mind woke up the instant the cook had turned and ran. At first she had thought that he was slightly unstable in the head, but feeling the wind tussle at her skirts, she looked down and almost cried.
Out of all things to be seen wearing when opening a door to a man, she had to wear that particular night gown. 'No wonder he had fled in horror', she mused sullenly and upon realizing the door was still open, hastily shut it with a loud, "Thunk".
After the unpleasant encounter, Orianna had dressed herself quickly in a simple white tunic (corset included) and simple black breeches. The men had at first been openly surprised at her choice of clothes but had gradually accepted the change, although some still raised an eyebrow as she would walk past.
Stepping back outside, fully clothed and on her guard, Orianna cautiously walked over to the supply room.
On the ship there were two box shaped rooms on the deck. One was a storeroom for food and a few cleaning supplies, the other was for more heavy duty maintenance work.
She had been instructed the night before, after the Kirk incident, that she'd be doing cover up work with lacquer around the ship, re-covering the scratched and faded oaken panels here and there.
This was the first time Orianna had ventured into the small room, so after pushing open the creaky old door, Orianna slowly walked inside. Unlike her storeroom, this room had two windows, one on each opposite wall.
This meant that enough light had filtered in the room to allow Orianna to move around with ease. She had been instructed to look for a small wooden barrel, similar to a wine barrel but only as tall as her knee, and to also look for a horse haired brush to paint the lacquer on with.
Walking to the far end of the room in search of the elusive barrel and brush, something caught Orianna's eye. A dark outline of a door was etched upon the farthest wall. A small but curious, 'hmmm', left her lips as she edged closer….this was too intriguing to ignore.
Out of habit, Orianna quickly looked around for anyone watching before slowly creeping over to the wall in question. Placing her hands upon its cold wooden surface, she ran her fingers along the shape until she felt a small opening that just fitted two fingers.
Pulling open the door, she found to her relief that it swung open easily and silently. Glancing back quickly once again, Orianna stepped through the door and smiled as she found herself in a very, very small room, only three or four steps long to the wall facing her, filled with wooden chests and other stolen items.
This she knew instinctively was where the higher quality stolen items were placed for safe keeping. How she knew this you ask? Well, from the size and intricate detailing of each box along with the odd golden mirror or crystal encrusted jewellery box placed soundly around the compact space.
Finding her curiosity satisfied and not one prone to thievery, Orianna turned ready to leave… when she saw it. Her mouth could barely hold itself closed as she savoured the sight of a small, silver hand held mirror, laying limply against a wooden chest…her wooden chest.
A mixture of shock and relieved happiness clouded Orianna's senses as she walked over and picked up the precious item, running her fingers over its intricate design of vines and flowers. She finally had it back; she finally had her mothers mirror once again.
Holding it safely to her chest, Orianna stepped out of the room before stopping abruptly. With a dark and pained expression painted on her face, Orianna walked back into the room and placed it back in its original place.
Logic had finally appeared in her mind, reminding her that she couldn't exactly just walk out of there holding such a shining and noticeable object without getting caught. Letting out a sigh of desolation, Orianna walked out of the room and closed the small, thin door behind her.
All was not lost though; she now knew where it was and a plan had already formulated itself. 'Tonight,' she thought to herself, 'I'll sneak back in with a lantern and hide the mirror under my corset. No one will even know its missing and no one will be out on deck to see me. It's perfect'.
Smiling like a devilish child, Orianna once again scanned the room for the lacquer and brush. Upon finding it in the place she was sure she had looked twice before, she hoisted the materials under her arm and walked calmly and composedly out of the room.
Rebus was a determined man. Even as a young lad, those who knew him, especially his wife (whilst still alive), never stood a chance against the powerful force that was Rebus.
Straightening his short and slightly robust figure, he walked in a way that commanded attention and demanded respect from everyone around him. Secretly Rebus knew that he would get neither of these from his stubborn and obstinate son. Nether the less, he strode through the intricate hallways of the ship as a general would with his troops before a war; proud and fearless.
The unsuspecting victim of Rebus' tirade was in the map room, deep in concentration. Tavis stood before the largest of the maps in the room; so large it almost took up the expanse of the whole wall. With its studious detail of each known land mass, the seas and everything else to be found within their world, it was perfect for Tavis' search.
A few moments before, Tavis had been rummaging through the drawers of his desk. Paper among paper was to be found there; some with maps, some official documents and some odd bits of parchment with words scribbled hastily in times of reflection.
He didn't quite know what he had intended to find but a distant memory had resurfaced in his mind, one of an important word he had once written down, intending to research it later. This obscure memory had pushed him to search through every paper and every drawer.
At last, and after making such a complete mess, Tavis had found it. It was a small parchment no bigger than the palm of his hand and written on it was a single yet mystifying word; Casuow.
Instinctively Tavis looked to the maps for answers. Getting out of his chair, he went to the largest map; the map most likely to be fruitful…and it was. After scouring its detailed and picturesque surface for what seemed liked ages, Tavis' eyes locked onto a somewhat elaborately written Casuow.
Quickly running to his desk, Tavis tore off a coloured piece of parchment and picked up a small silver pin. Returning to the map, he ran the pin through the coloured paper and marked the area where the small province of Casuow was located.
Taking a few steps back, Tavis studied his efforts. A small pin with a black ribbon was already fastened to the map, showing where the ships location was in the vast expanse of ocean.
With a thoughtful glance, Tavis noted that Casuow was only a short distance from the next port the ship was supposed to dock in. As he thought to mention this to his father, a heavy knock announced that very man to the room.
As Rebus strode in, Tavis automatically knew what was coming…an argument. Rebus, filled with determination, walked over to the oaken desk and sat his bulk on its sturdy edge. Tavis watched his father with curiosity. He sure knew how to make his presence felt.
Rebus cleared his throat.
"Just this once, I need you to agree with me", he said bluntly, deciding that a direct approach would be the most likely to work.
Tavis was suspicious to say the least. "I'm listening"
Rebus prepared himself by taking a deep breath. He had to handle his next words carefully. "I need your help"
A slightly unsure laugh escaped Tavis. "That's a first"
"Oh hush up", Rebus said in a huff before shuffling himself more comfortably upon the desk. "I need your help protecting the girl".
Tavis started to slowly pace around the room, keeping Rebus' gaze at all times. "Haven't we helped enough? She has a safe room every night, she's well fed and looked after, what else is there for us to do?"
"That's not what I meant and you know it", Rebus said gently yet scoldingly.
Tavis nodded his head slightly. "I know, but for some reason I have a feeling that I won't like where you're heading".
Rebus tried in vain to hide a smile before becoming serious once more. "We have to figure out a way to make it seem that Orianna belongs to you".
Tavis looked at Rebus disbelievingly. "Belongs to me? She's not some pet or item to be owned. Don't you think she'll have something to say about it?"
Rebus shook his head impatiently. "You make it sound worse than it is. All I'm saying is that you need to do something, even only once in front of the crew to show that you two are…well, that you two are together."
"Together…together", Tavis repeated defensively.
Rebus, against all his attempts to prevent it, started to laugh, causing Tavis to stare at him wide eyed and confused. Rebus slowly started to calm down, but a gentle chuckle still escaped every now and again.
"I've never known a man in my life that would even consider for a minute, giving up an opportunity like this"
"It's not that", Tavis said, running his hand through his dark hair in an act of frustration. He didn't know how to explain his hesitation to his father…or to himself for that matter.
For some reason, his instincts told him that the more time spent with the woman, the harder it would be to stay away from her.
"Is there no other option?" He asked hopefully although already knowing the answer.
Rebus shook his head. He couldn't for the life of him understand his son's reluctance. "It's the only way that the men will stay away from her. She's beautiful and outnumbered by more men then I have fingers and toes.
If you haven't already noticed, the men are wary of you and your position. As the captains' son, your next in line as their captain…if they cross you now then they'd have to worry once you take over."
"I told you once before, I'm not taking over", Tavis said curtly and he meant it.
Tavis had never intended to become an 'entrepreneur' as his father called it…he fell into it for one reason and one reason only. He needed his fathers help to find whatever killed his mother years back.
Tavis was raised solely by his mother….how do you mean, you ask? Well let me explain…
Rebus was born and bred a pirate… 'Scoundrels of the sea', as those men were commonly known. Rebus, during a stop over in a distant port, had by the work of fate, fallen completely and hopelessly in love with a lady named Marian.
Turning his back on his old life as a buccaneer, Rebus had married this lady, Tavis' mother, and even settled into normal life for a couple of years.
But that was not to last for you see; his old ship and crew had one night decided to dock once again into that specific town. Rebus was torn…his old life was a temptation too much to resist but on the other hand he had a family that he loved.
After much conflict within himself, it was his wife who made the decision. She told him to go. With much regret and sorrow, Rebus left with his old crew, promising to return in a few months…but months turned into years and years turned into…well, a long time.
While growing up, Tavis didn't think a second thought about his father until the fateful night of his mother's death. He was twenty one at the time and had a deep need for answers and revenge. The only way he could find the mysterious creature that stole his mothers life was with his fathers help.
Somewhat reluctantly, Tavis spent the next few years trying to track Rebus down. Travelling port to port, town to town, he searched and he waited patiently until one day he found him.
Their meeting wasn't exactly warm, especially on Tavis' part, but the purpose in Tavis for revenge was enough to convince Rebus to help his son…after all, he owed Tavis for all those missing years.
Back to the present, Rebus was trying his hardest to not shake his son; Tavis' stubbornness was only equal to his determination.
"Face it kid, you've got rogue in your blood. The sea will always beckon you and the lure of adventure will always haunt you. You can't escape it".
Tavis could feel the anger grow within him… "Watch me", was all he said and with that, Tavis turned his back to his father in a symbolic gesture and walked away, out of the room. Rebus sat for a few moments watching his sons retreating form, a pained expression sketched openly across his face.
Hope you liked it. Please review and the other half is going to be posted soon..