Chapter Eleven

The young woman said nothing at first, being too alarmed to speak, yet as I plucked the skull from her delicate hand, she seemed to have found her voice once again. One that was truly pleasant to my ears despite her ill temper at the moment.

"And what is your business here, Mr. Viento?" she demanded. "I would hope you have not come to see more of me, for I feel you have seen more than enough as it is." I merely smiled to know that she had remembered me so well, yet she took no apparent notice of this as she continued. "Is it simply in your nature to seek out your enemy in his own territory, or are you nothing more than a fool who believes he can step aside from death whenever he pleases?"

"I can assure you I'm nothing of the sort," I replied with a chuckle, "but if you will forgive me for saying so, it would seem to me that you are the true fool here... Miss Hurst."

Her bright, ruby-red eyes were wide to hear the insult, but though I thought she might throw a fit to be spoken to in such a way, she soon surprised me once again. "How is it that I am a fool then?" she asked. "You see, I am not in the habit of being one, nor would I like to become accustomed to it as I am sure you can very well understand."

"Very well indeed," I agreed, shaking my head to hear her sharp wit make itself known. After all, it was anything but what I expected to come from her, and yet there it was with no apologies. "It seems as though you were mistaken when you came upon this ship, for mi princesa... this is my ship."

While she did her best to remain composed, I could see the fear in her eyes to realize it. Not that I could blame her any given the circumstances she unwittingly found herself in. She was sure not to say as much, though. "Is that so?" she mused with a careful smile. "I had found her to be very beautiful upon first seeing her... though I must admit I would never had assumed that she may be yours. How is it that a pirate such as yourself came to keep such a fine ship? Or is it that she only just came into your possession, Mr. Viento?"

Though I knew she was serious, I could not help but laugh. "You are a clever girl," I agreed, "but she and I have been together for a very long time now." I was about to elaborate further, yet out of the corner of my eye, I saw a sudden light spring forth from a nearby vessel. "Así que han comenzado, verdad?"

"May I ask what it is you are saying?" my companion pressed, not having seen what was taking place a mere glance behind her. "I do not understand your manner of speaking."

"Then I'm afraid I must show you," I replied. Before the young woman could think to refuse, I had swept her off her fair feet and into my arms. However, though she did not cry out at first, she soon began to struggle. "Don't worry now, princesa," I assured her while chuckling to myself once more. "We just need to find ourselves some calmer waters."

"You will unhand me this instant," she snapped back, her voice livid with irritation. Whether it was with frustration or embarrassment, I couldn't say, but it was plain to me that she was anything but happy. Not that it truly mattered since I knew she would be even more unhappy to see what was becoming of the harbor under her brother's care. "I shall not allow myself to be carried off in such a way by the likes of you, Mr. Viento," she continued angrily, "so you would do well to realize me if you do not wish to-"

"And what would you think to do to me if I didn't?" I mused, holding her fast to me as I descended into the hull. "I don't suppose you would know how to fight me."

"One does not have to know how to fight properly in order to find a means of escape," she replied crossly. "Of that I can assure you." Just as she came to say it, the young woman threw up her leg, wrenching it from my grasp. Before I could even think to stop her, however, she had made contact with the right side of my head. Her kick was so willful that I was left dazed, yet though it was only for a moment, I soon found her to be gone. Even so, it did not take long for me to find her again, and when I did, it was just in time to see close herself up in my private quarters.

"Chica lista..."

"Kai, what's the 'old up?" I glanced back towards the stairs to find Claire waiting for me. She glared at me then, but soon enough she sighed as if she expected nothing less than to find me standing there. "Didn't yeh get the message from that boy o' yers?"

"Of course," I agreed as I presented her with the skull still in my hand. "A snake. Meaning we've got trouble on our hands... I take it the girls got that fire going on the Dove?"

"She's lit," the woman assured me with a nod. "The girls ought to be workin' on the others by now, I'd wager." She thought on that for a time, her blue eyes glazed over while she did as much, and even before she went on, I could tell she was troubled. "Do yeh really think we did righ', Kai? I mean... I know yeh said there was no doin' anythin' 'bout those poor bastards she took wit' 'er, but couldn' we 'ave kept the ship fer ourselves? Shame to see 'er burn like that fer no good reason."

"It wouldn't have been ours for long," I reminded her. "It's better that she burn than find herself in the hands of the navy. You know that as well as I do, love. As for the men... there'll be no helping them now, I would think. Am I right to think Hugh is still with the girls then as I told him to be?"

"Aye," Claire assured me. "Louis, Grg, and Kano were the only ones to go up there wit' 'er as far as I know." Then she paused. "Course, there's no real telling if the old man didn' go after 'er, too. He up an' left us as soon as our backs were turned."

"Well, there's nothing we can do about it now," I sighed as I rested a hand on her shoulder. "We can't risk hanging ourselves over something like this." After all, we had waited long enough, and if we weren't quick about leaving some time soon, the whole of the British Navy would be upon on us with no means of escape. "Round up the girls and tell them we're leaving and make sure they keep together. Don't want to be leaving any of 'em behind."

The woman nodded, her expression one of determination, and without another word between us, she vanished from sight. Even so, I waited for a moment or so longer before returning my gaze to the door in which the other had hidden herself behind, and taking but four long strides, I found myself waiting there.

While I had done well not to mention her presence aboard the ship to my companion, I knew the young woman would be found soon enough once we had set sail. Not only this, of course, but I also knew if we stole her away, her brother would no doubt come in pursuit of her. An unnecessary risk I was unsure about taking. And yet... I had to wonder if maybe that would prove to be in my favor. After all, with his sister in my possession, it might very well put the man on the defense instead of myself and my crew.

Before I could so much as think of a solution to this very problem, I heard the door in front of me begin to open, and though the young woman tried to close it upon finding me standing there, I forced myself in with very little effort. She was frightened, of course, yet she did well to hide it. She seemed to be unshakable, that one, and to see her standing there and meeting my gaze in the way she did, I could not help but smile.

"You really are a special girl..." I thought aloud. "Mind telling me why you came all the way down to a harbor so late at night? I would've thought your brother would care for you more than that."

"The duties of the admiral come first," she replied coldly. "Though I must thank you for you consideration, Mr. Viento, I am a very capable woman, and there is very little need for him to concern himself with me and my affairs."

"It was my pleasure," I assured her, "but I have to say that I cannot believe your brother would cast you away so easily. He isn't the kind of man who would turn a blind eye from the likes of his own sister... especially if she finds herself in the company of a fearsome pirate such as I."

"Forgive me for saying so, but it seems to me that you are anything but someone to be feared," she laughed. A light sound that caused me to smile again. "I only wish you were more civilized in your advances when pursuing a lady. After all, you would be a fine man if you would learn to keep your blade to yourself."

"Is that so?" I teased. "Well, though I would liked to have left a better impression, I'm honored to know you remember me so well. Especially as you are such a lovely sight. Be a shame to offend you more than once."

She seemed to enjoy my little performance, only blushing at first before allowing herself a giggle, yet when I came to step towards her, she was apparently frightened once again. Upon backing into a wall, however, she found herself trapped. It was then that she looked to the small table that stood behind her, and there, gleaming in the lamplight, was a blade. She took it, no doubts in the hope of defending herself, but it was clear to me that she lacked the skill to use the weapon against me. Then again, as she had shown me not so long before, if there was a will, there was indeed a way.

"You really are a terrible man," she breathed. She was shaking then, her eyes wide in anticipation for whatever may come, yet as I brought my face near to hers, she shut them as tight as she could manage. She was as bold as ever, though. "Do not come any closer..." she warned. "If you do, I will scream. I may be far from the manor house, but there are still those about who may hear me. You do not wish for that I would imagine."

"Then perhaps I should find a way to quiet you..." Her eyes flew open once more as I said it, yet though she had no doubt feared the worst, I had to smile when I brought my lips to hers. They were soft, melting under the touch of my own, yet soon enough she pushed me away. "Am I really that terrible then?"

"To steal a woman's first kiss is indeed unforgivable..." she murmured, her voice all but lost to my ears. "You cannot... How is it that you will repay me for this?" Though she was trembling, her delicate hands-with the blade still fiercely held in one- gripping at my shirt, it was clear that she meant what she said, and the determined flame within her gaze made me grin all the more. "I will not allow such a thing to go without payment."

"What would you propose then?" I asked. "I can't say I know what you would be wanting of me."

"You are to take me with you," she replied. "I do not know what your business here has been, yet it would seem that we both wish to be free of this place as soon as possible." I must have looked surprised to hear her request, for though I gave no question as to why, she soon went on to explain herself further. "You see, my brother finds it to be his duty to find me a husband, and though I know he means well enough, I will not tolerate my fate being decided for me in such a way. This, I assume, would be something you would understand?"

"Very much so," I agreed. I had overheard such a rumor during my first visit to the manor in which she and her brother lived. It wasn't really all that surprising, of course, given her age, but even though I wasn't a woman myself, I could guess just how frustrating it must have been for her. "Are you sure you want to leave with me?" I asked. "There'll be no coming back if you do, and who knows? You might be happier if you just married a man. They say there's no joy like that of a wife and mother, you know."

"That is because they must find happiness in something lest they lose their minds to madness caused by boredom alone," she huffed. "Now I have given my terms, Mr. Viento," she continued as she folded her arms across her ample chest. "Will you take it and be forgiven for your acts against me, or will I be left to report your presence here to the Admiral?"

"It would be my pleasure to welcome you aboard my ship, princesa," I replied with a grin. "There is one I must tell you, however."

"And what may that be?" she demanded. The young woman said nothing else while waiting for me to continue, but I knew she was anxious to know just what I had to say. After all, she had most likely not been prepared for me to agree to her terms, and so she hadn't thought of what might come with her joining me. Something that did little to surprise me as she had always lived a privileged life with all the comforts of a happy home.

"This is a working ship," I explained, "and I can't very well have someone just sitting around here and looking pretty. Each and every one of my crew have their job to do, and the same will go for you. I can't be playing favorites here, Miss Hurst."

"I would expect nothing less," she assured me with a stiff nod. Then, as if having one last thought, she spoke again. "However, I must admit that I am uneasy concerning my family's name... I cannot imagine your crew would think well of me if they should find out about it. Would you not agree?"

"That I would." After all, though they might agree to let the poor girl stay, I had no doubts that they would treat her anything but kindly. "What am I to call you then?"

"Popuri will suffice," the young woman said as she gathered up her skirt and curtsied. "As for my family name, you may refer to me as however you wish. As I have said, my only wish is for you to keep my true name between you and I. If you can manage it, of course, for I would not wish to put any more unnecessary burdens upon you."

Before I could assure her that she done nothing of the sort, there was a sound of hurried footsteps, and though at first I had to wonder if we had been found out, I soon heard the familiar bickering of women. My companion seemed to have heard this as well, but I was quick to keep her out of trouble. "Wait here," I whispered. "As long as you stay here, no one will come to find you. I'll introduce you to the girls once we're out of the harbor."

After all, I could only guess that if we were out at sea, there might be less of a chance that they might throw her overboard.

I said nothing of it, of course, but when I shut the door behind me, I had to wonder whether or not I'd really be able to hide her long enough to leave the harbor. However, I didn't give myself all that much time to think about it before making myself known on the top deck. Not that there was much for me to do, really.

"Alrigh' girls, now yeh best be gettin' to work afore they be upon us. Aye?" There was a quiet cry of agreement, and as soon as I found myself reaching the top of the stairs, the ship had come alive. What with the young women running about the deck and riggings in a hurried frenzy of sorts. Something that would have made me laugh under better circumstances. "Be sure those sails are set. We not be wantin' to find ourselves paddlin' our way out of 'ere."

"Love... don't you think you're being a bit too loud?" I chuckled as I came to stand behind the woman. Claire only scowled back at me at first, her blue eyes narrowing while she did so, but soon enough she grinned.

"No' to worry jus' yet," she assured me. "They haven' come down from the big 'ouse, so if yeh be askin' meh, we don' 'ave to keep too still. No' if we want to be gettin' out of 'ere in time, that is. Yeh know as well as I do that yeh can' be fixin' a ship o' this size without makin' some racket, eh?"

"And where has Denny run off to?" I asked, glancing up to the nest. "You didn't try to leave him behind, did you?"

"Course not!" she snapped. "He jus' said he though' someone mighta been followin' 'im. Must be lookin' fer 'em. That's all I can t'ink to tell yeh." I nodded, thinking that it was most likely the woman now in my room, but then I thought again. After all, who wasn't to say that there was someone following her as well. "Wha' is it?"

"Would you be willing to have a look around the ship, love?" She frowned, not understanding what I meant, but when she did, I was quick to assure her that I thought no less of her than I ever had before. "None of these girls can draw a blade as quick as you, nor are they as straight of a shot," I explained. "If we have any chance of getting out of here alive, you'll be it. You know that as well as I."

"That I do," she agreed with a slow nod. "I gotta admit, though... this don' feel righ' to me. No' at all..."

While I didn't say as much, I had to admit myself that I felt the same. There seemed to be something in the air around the harbor, and I could almost taste the tension that hung there. However, there was nothing we could do but lay in wait for whatever was to come.