Chapter 3

Despite her vision being blurry, Constance was well aware of the figure who stared at her from behind a rather elegant looking desk. She blinked several times and attempted to sit up but suddenly felt strong gloved hands pushing her back again. How he had reached her in seconds she wouldn't know but her head pounded unforgivably. He had spoken about a Silent Mary or something of the sort and she was sure he had a thick accent. Blinking again, she wished the pounding within her head would stop so she could comprehend her situation but she could not recall anything.

"Where am I?" Constance asked again, this time her voice was slightly stronger and she could string a sentence together. The man who she assumed was the captain let go of her shoulders and gave her a small smile.

"You are aboard the Silent Mary, as I had just said". He replied, his accent thick yet clearly demonstrating he knew English well.

"And you are?" She asked again, her vision finally beginning to clear. She was able to make out his uniform and saw the array of medals upon the chest of his coat. She was thankful he was not a pirate. But at the thought of pirates she felt sick and an image of a flag flashed across her vision making her flinch.

"I am Captain Armando Salazar" he said calmly and added "from the Spanish Royal Navy" as an afterthought. He had noticed her flinch and gave her a questioning look. He took another clean piece of cloth and knelt down again by her side, hoping that she would stay still and not attempt to move away as he tried to clean the blood away. She did exactly what he wished and stayed as still as a statue as he wiped away the rest of the blood. She was still in shock and felt rather odd, which was most likely as a result of blood loss.

"I am Constance Ashworth, from England". She added, feeling a bit stupid for stating her Homeland despite how obvious it may have appeared. He in response nodded his head and placed the cloth back into the bowl of now blooded water.

"Is it bad?" She asked cautiously, her voice getting stronger along with her headache. As she spoke she went to place her hand on her head in an attempt to find the injury and was met with his own larger hand pushing it away in a slightly irritated fashion.

"It is not terrible, but you will need rest. We will be sailing to land in a week where we will find you medical assistance". He replied distractedly. "I am curious, as to...why you were found upon a pirate ship". His voice became colder at the mention of pirates and yet again the image of a flag came to her mind.

"I do not recall Captain. But I do remember a flag which was undoubtedly a pirate flag. Thank you for allowing me to stay on your ship and looking after me. I... I promise not to be a bother". She spoke quickly, her anxiousness evident in her voice. The way he spoke about pirates made her glad to not be one but she realised how it may have looked with her apparently being found upon one.

"How...interesting. Please rest here for now, I will find you somewhere to reside for the rest of the journey and hopefully you will gain your memory for I am intrigued to what stories you could tell". And with those final words he left the cabin leaving Constance to herself.

She sank back into the soft fabric of the material and smothered her mouth as she let out a sob of relief and fear. She hated not being able to remember anything, apart from that blasted flag. Yet despite her fear and anxiety, she tried to calm herself down as she was far safer that she was before, which was apparently a pirate ship. Her thoughts wandered to the Captain who had a cold aura surrounding him but appeared to have the ability of being kind. 'He must be good' she thought 'after all he allowed me on this ship and even cleaned me up'. She took a deep breath and moved her body slowly in an attempt to finding a comfortable position for the last thing she needed was a cricked neck as well as a pounding headache.

But as she closed her eyes and drifted back off to sleep, she couldn't help but feel worried. She hoped that her memories would come back soon so that she could at least explain herself. As she shut her eyes she heard the door open once more and the sound of footsteps. It was then that her world went dark once more and the feel of the cold air was replaced fabric as a cover of some kind was placed upon her body.

As she slept, Armando stared down at the young woman with slightly narrowed eyes. He believed her oddly enough, but would not put down his barriers yet. For now he would let her rest but he would attempt to find out more once she was awake. Pulling his sleeves up, he went back to his desk to look over some letters he had yet to reply to. His coat on the other hand was currently keeping the young woman warm.

"The honourable thing to do". He mumbled under his breath for the third time as he attempted to get on with his work as usual. His mind and eyes drifting back to the woman who had caught his attention, something which only very few things could do.