Chapter 3

Sophia eased back on the magazine and dumped her bag to the side, claiming the small space as her own. Loosening the leather tied in her hair, she let the cool sea breeze blow through the curly mess.

"Filthy whore" a sailor cursed, spitting at her feet.

"Gull brain!" Sophia retorted.

He turned and snarled at her like a rabid dog, his hand curling around the hilt of his sword. Another ruff looking man whispered in his ear and the sailor grinned maliciously, sending chills up her spine.

It was no secret the men disliked her being on board and never missed a chance to throw insults and sneers her way. Believing she was bad luck. Her hand stayed ready near her lucky pistol, Captain's orders or not she didn't trust them. They were cut-throat Pirates. Not the merchant and navy gentlemen she often sailed with. And the young woman wouldn't hesitate to fill them with shot if they touched her.

Then there was the Captain. At the helm of his ship, steering her with ease and confidence. Wearing an outfit made famous around the Indies, one she knew well. Too well for her liking. She narrowed her eyes, sceptical of the man before her; if Kenway was an Assassin, one of Al Tabai's recruits would have informed her, and nothing had arrived in the coops as of late telling her otherwise. Just contracts of the sort, and even they were becoming scarcer.

She thought of the knife concealed in her boot, perhaps by the cover of night she could have a little chat with the dear Captain, but that would more than likely end her life short. A man armed with for pistols, two swords and a whole crew behind him was one not to trifle with. If she was smart.

Though Sophia was hardly. Cunning yes, alluring yes, witty and finger lighter than a feather but it was her brash tongue that got her into strife. Her mother had scolded her many times for it, the poor woman tried to teach the strong headed girl that ladies never spoke harshly to a man. How could she be expected not to fume when a man called her a whore.

Sophia rolled her eyes at the thought of more work being added to the already full list of things she did not care for. She finally had some time to herself, so why not enjoy.

It wasn't that she hated the Assassins; they were a part of her life after all. She just didn't think much of their ways. She was a free spirit, had been all her life. The idea of rules and a set path didn't fascinate her, no matter how many time her friend had tried to convince her.

Dismissing the thoughts altogether she focused her attention on the crew who were singing her favourite sea shanty.

"What do you do with a drunken sailor, What do you do with a drunken sailor, What do you do with a drunken sailor, Earl-eye in the morning.

Way hay and up she rises Way hay and up she rises Way hay and up she rises Earl-eye in the morning.

Shave his belly with a rusty razor, Shave his belly with a rusty razor, -

Pulling her fiddle from her bag Sophia joined in and sang along.

Way hay and up she rises Earl-eye in the morning

Put him in the hold with the Captain's daughter, Put him in the hold with the Captain's daughter, Put him in the hold with the Captain's daughter, Earl-eye in the morning.'

"They say it's bad luck for a woman to be on a ship sir" said Adewale and glanced sideways at his Captain.

"Not you to Ade" Edward chuckled, looking at Sophia from above. The crew who avoided her like the plague at first, now danced and clapped around her. "I don't think we're dealing with an ordinary woman".

The man grinned, his teeth pearly white against his skin. He lent in closer to Edward and whispered "I think, you'll have a hard time luring this one to your bed Kenway". He roared with laughter as Edward shot him a reproachful look.

"I'll throw you overboard Ade, I swear" Edward threatened.

Adewale laughed harder at his jest. "Relax Kenway, I think you'll find this lass is no damsel in distress. Of this I am sure".

"Speaking of the devil, here she comes". Edward nodded towards the stairs. Sophia had abandoned her efforts with the crew and was soon standing beside Adewale.

"Afternoon gentlemen" Sophia greeted the pair with a smile.

"Aye, same to you lass" Kenway replied, a little less formal.

"May I ask what you call her?" she trailed her fingers over the smooth wooden railings.

"Jackdaw" Edward answered proudly, taking a hand off the wheel he turned to face her.

"She's beautiful" said Sophia in awe and looked at the Captain.

"Have a love of ships do ya?"

She nodded, "as a child I would spend hours on the pier and watch the Tall Ships come and go from Port Royal. You'll find the most beautiful there since the British Navy patrol her waters" Sophia walked slowly past the men and stopped behind Edward. "But you would already know that wouldn't you," she said in a low voice.

"Would I now?" Edward's knuckles turned white as his grip tightened. Who was this woman, had Torres sent a Templar after him? Nevertheless he kept calm, wanting to hear more before he ended her life.

"I have seen this ship before, though under a different name. It has been a while since Kingston was graced with her presence". She appeared beside Edward and lent back on the rails. "I do not care how you acquired her Captain; I just hope you ended her previous owner's life quickly".

Edward laughed heartedly and relaxed his grip, "you are a strange one lass, caring for the life of a man you don't know". She seemed harmless enough but he didn't wipe his suspicions of her.

"Do not worry, not many can survive a blade across ones throat" Adewale added. The two men cackled at the somewhat repulsed look on her face.

"Tell me, what were you doing before you ended in that rowboat?" Edward asked.

"It's quiet an interesting story actually". Sophia played with the sash on her waist.

"Please tell, we like a good tale don't we Ade."

"Aye Captain" he flashed a bright smile.

"I was on a Spanish vessel travelling to Havana, when our party was attacked by none other than Pirates, could you believe. And in the middle of a hurricane." Sophia gestured wildly in the air.

"That does sound terrifying," Edward mocked surprise, not liking were this was going.

"And do you know what the most peculiar thing was?" She looked Edward dead in the eye, "it looked a lot like the Jackdaw here. Now unless you have two of these vessels floating about the Caribbean, I do believe you sunk my battleship".

"Those are bold words to say to a Pirate. I could have your tongue cut out for such cheek. Or thrown back to sea, either suites me fine" he growled. The undelying threat notable in his voice.

She smirked, "but you won't".

"Really!" he scoffed. "What's stopping me, please do tell?"

"This," Sophia held up a large pouch and gave it a shake. The coins inside jingled like bells to his ears, "you like that noise don't you?"

"You really believe money will buy your safety?" Edward asked, trying to ignore his yearning for the gold in her hand.

"I think you will find this offer is more than generous Captain, it's double what I would give to another." She threw him the pouch which he caught easily. "If your words are as good as your charm that is".

He weighed the pouch in his hand and nodded in approval. Sophia smiled widely and turned for the stairs, "be him merchant or Pirate, money talks." Edward glowered after her.

Adewale chuckled, "defiantly not ordinary".

Hope you guy enjoyed reading this chapter because I really enjoyed writing it. I thought it was a great time to setup the characters personalities. I couldn't help but add the battleship reference in. I am going to take a break and rewrite the first two chaps, they were horrible and rushed, but a new chap will be up as well. Promise

Thankyou so much to the people who have liked my work so far and to those of you who have taken the time to read it, much appreciated.

I would like to add in that Assassins creed belongs to ubisoft only, I do not own any part of it. This is just a crazy story I came up with late one night. I also don't own the boardgame Battleships.