Finally, an update (I apologize for how long it took). Just to let you know, this chapter continues straight from the previous...so this scene happens on the same day but during the night...Enjoy
Orianna quietly pushed open the door of her storeroom and slowly crept out into the uncommonly warm and dark night.
Since it was around midnight, she was somewhat confident that she could carry out her scheme unnoticed and unhindered by anyone.
Held tightly within her hands was a small lighted oil lamp, procured secretly earlier in the day from the ships kitchen.
With a deep breath taken for confidence, Orianna slowly but guardedly walked across the oaken deck, making sure to balance her weight evenly on each foot, lest she make the floorboards creak.
Successfully making it halfway across, impatience got the better of her and she quickly but softly scampered the rest of the way to the second storage room.
Grasping in her hand the cold metallic door handle, she quickly looked around before pushing downwards and gently swinging the door open. Holding the lamp in front as she entered, Orianna slowly closed the door behind her.
Making her way warily to the far wall of the storeroom, she stopped in front of the slyly hidden door. Reaching out with her hand and sliding it over the rough surface, she soon found the small hole used as an improvised doorhandle.
Pushing open the door, she winced slightly as it creaked rather loudly. Praying that no one was awake to hear the noise, she shook her head disbelievingly, "I really am crazy for doing this."
Stepping into the uncomfortably small room, she used the little but bright radiance from the oil lamp to find her wooden chest. Moving closer to the cubed object, she placed the lamp carefully beside it on the floor and knelt down.
Running her fingers idly over its smooth edges, Orianna then unfastened the leather strap, used as a practical lock, and lifted up the lid. Inside the box was nothing spectacular, only a few items of clothing, a pair of lace shoes, and an ivory crested comb along with other insignificant bits and pieces.
She wasn't concerned about leaving the wooden chest in the hands of the pirates since nothing of value, personal or otherwise, could be found within. Her mirror on the other hand, was a different story.
Closing the lid of the box, she then turned her attentions to the object in question. Lying modestly upon the floor, the silver gilded mirror made Orianna's chest tighten with emotion. Not only did it remind her of her mother but also of home.
For the past few weeks, she had tried her best to block out memories of her father but lately they were becoming more frequent and more affecting. She tried in vain to forget the way in which she left home; like a common thief in the night, leaving only a simple and very vague letter behind.
She could only imagine what happened after she ran away.
Her mind had played out the scenes numerous times and it always went the same way: Her father would've woken up to an empty and silent house. Fretting and fear stricken he would then stumble across the letter. Opening the envelope with trembling hands he would read her feeble excuse for leaving.
After trying again and again to understand her reasons for going, he would then pass each day and each week in fear for his daughters safety, waiting for the day she would come back home…praying that she did come back home…
Picking up the cold gleaming object in her hands, Orianna hugged it to her chest while attempting to wipe away a runaway tear off her cheek with her shoulder.
Letting out a sigh, she knew she had to get back to her small dismal storeroom…the longer she stalled the higher the chance she'd have of being discovered.
Lifting herself up off her knees and picking up the small oil lamp, Orianna frowned. She needed somewhere practical to hide the mirror incase she came across anyone in the small distance between the two storerooms.
Deciding against putting the mirror in her breeches because, A) the pants were too tight and, B) the mirror was too large, she then went for the next best option- down her corset under her white tunic.
After a few moments of struggle and a bit of adjustment, she was satisfied with the result. Unless someone leered at her chest or stood too close, then the mirror was fairly unnoticeable.
Stepping back out into the dark night and closing the door softly behind her, Orianna looked around for any witnesses. She knew she wasn't doing anything wrong, but it would be near impossible for her to explain why she was sneaking out of the cargo room, at night and with a mirror down her corset.
Turning a small knob on the base of the oil lamp, she watched as the flame slowly disappeared. Looking around once more, she was about to begin her sprint across the deck to her storeroom when a familiar voice stopped her dead in her tracks.
"Going somewhere?"
She gasped in fright and staggered back slightly. Tavis didn't wait for her reply before repeating his question again, this time with more force and suspicion.
Orianna stammered slightly before regaining her composure. Out of all the people to discover her, it had to Tavis. 'Typical, just typical,' she repeated silently to herself.
With her chin held up defiantly, she answered him while trying pathetically to hide the fear in her voice.
"Yes, back to my room. I needed to stretch my legs so I went for a walk. Now I'm tired so I'm going back to my room, so if you'd excuse me…"
Tavis chuckled slightly, deciding to corner her into a confession. "Not so fast".
He took a step out of the shadows and stood in front of Orianna, blocking her way. "Trying to run from the scene of the crime are you? Since when does a walk include breaking into the supply room?"
She had to admit he made a very good point. Lost for a reply, she said the first thing that came to mind.
"The door was open so I went in to check if everything was alright"
Tavis looked unconvinced. Only he, his father and the third man in command of the ship knew what precious items were hidden in the storeroom.
The only motive he could see for her to be sneaking in and out of there, in the middle of the night no less was because she was nothing but a common thief.
"Ah, now I see, keeping watch are you? Making sure everything is in order?"
Orianna narrowed her eyes at him. She knew he saw through her excuses, but what unsettled her most, was that he was purposely toying with the situation…she didn't like it one bit.
"Fine, I give up. I snuck inside the supply room, nothing more."
Tavis was slightly taken aback by her frankness, he had expected her to deny everything and to some extent, play slow.
"And why may I ask, were you in there?"
Deciding reserved truth to be the easiest option, she replied, "To look for something."
"And…." He prodded
Orianna shrugged her shoulders in defeat. "And… I found it, but contrary to what you may think, I'm not a thief, I only take what rightfully belongs to me."
Tavis was confused and it troubled him slightly. "And what do we have in our possession that belongs to you?"
She smoothed down her tunic in an act of awkwardness. "I was looking for my box"
"Box?" he asked curiously.
"When you raided Royal Avenue, one of your men stole a wooden chest from my room. I came across the secret door this morning while cleaning. Being curious, I walked inside and low and behold, my box was just sitting there.
"I decided to come back for it later on, but when I finally had the chance to take it, I realized I wouldn't be able to hide it for long in my little storeroom, so I decided to leave it where it was." Although most of it was the truth, she decided to add in the last bit to make her motive seem less suspicious.
"Why risk getting caught?" he asked, slightly intrigued.
Once again, Orianna shrugged her shoulders. "Why else, it's my box…mine, my own and no one else's"
Tavis smiled playfully. "That's where you're wrong"
"Really now, care to explain?" she queried sceptically.
Strangely relieved at finding her innocent, Tavis leaned casually against the wall of the storeroom with his arms crossed. "It's in our possession now and that means that everything within it is also our possession, including whatever it is you've hidden down your shirt."
Looking down, she cursed her luck when she saw the top half of the gleaming mirror peeking out over the top of her shirt.
With her mind suddenly devoid of any thought or excuse, Orianna went stone still. Seeing the change in her countenance, Tavis decided to have a little fun. Leaning forward so his lips were beside her ear, he whispered with a suddenly husky voice, "Next time, I'd try to hide it somewhere a man doesn't look"
Despite becoming slightly short of breath when she felt his body almost against hers, Orianna didn't try to hide the defiance now settled in her eyes.
"This belongs to me. You can have whatever is in that box, but this mirror…I would kill for"
Slightly amazed at her passionate outburst, Tavis searched her face with open fascination.
"Pray tell, what makes it so important that you feel the need to defend it so ardently"
"It's precious, that's all. This mirror belonged to…its something that..." Her words faltered until she stopped silent.
She could feel emotion surge through her body and stop right behind her eyes, making her nose tingle.
Reluctantly looking up to meet Tavis' eyes, Orianna found him staring intently back.
Shying away from such an intent stare, she made to move away when he stopped her with a hand lightly placed on her waist.
"Don't"
Surprised at his comment, Orianna looked at him with confusion.
"Why not?" she asked genuinely confused.
"Because," was all he said before he cupped her face in his hands and kissed her gently but deeply.
She had no chance to resist; her body was blatantly ignoring her minds instructions to not respond.
The last temptation came when Tavis gently pushed her against the wall and slid his arm around the small of her back, pulling her closer. She was lost.
This time it was Tavis who broke the kiss, startling her into reality. Still having her face cupped in one hand, he seductively ran his thumb along her bottom lip before stepping back from her.
Running his hand through his dark hair, he looked guiltily at a silent but hazy eyed Orianna.
"Couldn't resist"
Still a bit stunned and somewhat angry at her body's reaction, Orianna frowned at him
Catching her look, Tavis remarked with a trademark smirk, "What, you didn't like it? I could try again if you'd like"
Although she tried to hide it, a smile soon spread across her lips.
"Rogue," was all she said. A few moments of easy silence fell between them before Orianna saw her exit. Whispering a simple, 'Goodnight', she walked calmly past him and back to her storeroom, leaving a grinning Tavis behind
If she had listened to her heart, she would have risen to his challenge but she knew if she stayed longer, she would've gotten more than a kiss from the infuriatingly handsome scoundrel.
But in fear of losing more than her heart to a man who would forget who she was once they reached the next port, Orianna decided to at least walk away with her pride…and the mirror of course.
One week had already passed since Orianna had learnt that they were near land. From what Rebus had told her, they were sailing around the southern regions of Evatus and in all likelihood they would be making port in two days time.
As she walked around the deck of the ship while taking a break from mopping, she could swear she saw little clumps of mountains in the far, far distance. This morsel of hope made her impatient to get onto land, to finally start what she had come to do….
Reluctantly turning her back to the sea and leaning against the ships wall, Orianna watched the crew as they went about their various tasks of work.
Rebus' plan seemed to have worked since most of the men tried their best to look or talk to anything but her. Although she didn't mind only having herself as company for a few days, once a week had passed she couldn't take it any longer.
She had tried her best to start up a discussion or two with some of the men, but it seemed that the fear of their captain and his son was crippling to their courage.
As she sat watching, the catalyst for all the strange behaviour walked past, seemingly oblivious to her presence. Since that impulsive kiss seven nights before, Tavis -much to Orianna's frustration and confusion- had intentionally kept his distance from her. Unknown to her, he had his reasons.
Through the years Tavis made sure to always have control and self restraint around women, choosing to take what was offered but never to seek for it.
Orianna had made him reckless, something he tried never to be. With her he found himself wanting, not only her lips but all of her…and it disturbed him.
After that kiss, he understood what he had to do...he had to keep away from the woman. It wasn't a personal choice that he did this, but instead he was in an odd way looking out for her.
No matter what arguments he put up against his father, Tavis knew deep down that he would eventually follow in his footsteps. To be a pirate meant a hard life, often in danger and never in one place for long. The sea was their life and ultimate downfall…Tavis feared it would soon become his.
From the beginning, he knew that Orianna would be a weakness. He knew that if he got to hold her even just once, he would probably never let go (although he tried in vain to pretend otherwise). If that were the case, she'd be a ruined woman.
While pirates were romanticised as the rugged, dangerous heroes they weren't, it wasn't a life that suited an attachment.
In order to protect her from the hurt she would receive when she realised that fact, Tavis had to stop whatever was happening now from going any further…he had to stop himself from wanting her.
As Orianna stood watching his retreating form, she felt troubled. Although she tried to convince herself otherwise, she felt hurt by his coldness. All her life she had been overlooked by the men of her village, seen as nothing more than a pretty face with a shadowy family…someone no one dared go near. She had grown used to being alone and unseen, preferring her own company… until now.
Sighing gently, she shook those thoughts out of her head. She was just being foolish. He felt nothing for her and she…she was only acting like a young child, imaging something that wasn't there.
Returning dutifully to her wretched mop, Orianna tried to turn her thoughts back onto a more encouraging subject. Dipping the haggard mop into the rusting bucket, she let herself be carried away by thoughts of where she would go and what would happen to her once she reached Evatus and then Idala.
It was early evening when an irate looking Rebus skulked across the deck. With his leather bound shoes pounding heavily upon the floorboards, he thundered his way up to the observation platform.
Pulling out a small telescope from his breast pocket, he pointed it out towards land, pressed it to his eye and squinted through the lense. After a few minutes of deliberation, Rebus pulled the telescope away, calmly placed it back in his lapel and turned to face the deck.
"We should be passing the outskirts of the city now. What happened?" he bellowed out to everyone and no one in particular at the same time
Absolute silence was his reply from those on the deck, Orianna included. Although she had no clue of what he was talking about, she didn't hold back asking in a faltering voice, "Do you need some help?"
About to snarl a biting reply at the question, Rebus' temper softened when he realized who had spoken.
"No m'dear, not unless you seem to know why we are further out to sea than we're supposed to be"
Orianna smiled politely and started to turn away, knowing when she wasn't needed or wanted. And anyway, she had a job to resume and hopefully finish soon. She was currently twining together the ships weary ropes and it was taking much longer than expected.
As she walked a few steps, Rebus' voice called her back. Turning and facing him with a questioning glance she implored for him to continue.
"There is actually something you can do for me m'dear," he said. "Go down to the map room and near the desk is a small chest of drawers. In the topmost drawer you will find a piece of parchment with a white ribbon holding it together. Bring that document to me, if you would"
Accepting his request with a nod of her head, she turned and made her way across the deck, down the stairs and through the hallways.
Humming softly to herself, Orianna was deep in thought when she opened the door and walked directly into the map room.
With her eyes vaguely aware of the room, she only saw what she needed to see and walked over to a shoulder-high cabinet of drawers, not noticing the presence of someone else in the room.
Sitting quietly at his desk, Tavis didn't move or say a word as she looked carefully inside the top drawer, biting her lip in concentration. Putting down his quill, Tavis leaned back in his chair and watched her carefully, a small smile playing on his lips.
With a sigh of frustration, Orianna frowned at the contents of the drawer. Nowhere could she find a scroll, no less a scroll with a white ribbon.
Thinking that Rebus might've been mistaken as to where he placed the scroll, she tried to think where else it could be.
Letting her gaze roam round the room, she no sooner settled her eyes upon the desk when she realised the person looking intently back at her.
"Tavis," she said taken aback
"Orianna," he greeted back, keeping her gaze level with his
To whoever is still reading this far into the story, I owe you a BIG thankyou. Lately I seem to have no time at all to do anything; instead it's all focused on school… my big exams are only three weeks away (I don't deal with stress well, I procrastinate more than I do work).
The story is finally starting to move along and next chapter you should be happy to know they finally arrive in Evatus….
Thankyou to everyone that's reviewed I owe you a BIG thankyou, especially to those that drop me their ideas. If there are any questions or loose ends you need me to clear up just ask and I'll do my best…Enjoy