"Huh. Not very big. Wonder why we're bothering with them." Emily stares out at the little ship they are fast approaching curiously.
"They're flyin a French flag. Maybe the Cap'n is 'opin for more wine or somethin. Got us a shiny penny for it last time." Alex replied with a shrug.
"Maybe." Emily had sent half of her share from that venture off to Jade (her brother, really) the first chance she got. She'd been doing the same with what profit they'd gotten since. She rarely spent the other half of what was hers, but she kept it hidden among her things, which no one dared touch, and she finds it is kind of nice to know it is there.
The Sea's Queen comes up right along side the French ship and begins firing without question or hestitation, as they always do. Emily draws her sword and goes to grab a rope, thinking to swing over to the other ship.
Alex gives her a roguish grin as he slides an arm around her waste and grabs the rope, swinging them both over at once. She quickly decides she'll have to yell at him for it later; they are on the other ship now. She begins fighting.
She's no stranger to fights like this anymore and holds her own just as easily as the men she sails with. There isn't too much cannon fire this time around, but there are plenty of pistols being shot off, as well as some muskets by the Frenchmen. It takes longer than one would have expected to subdue the men, given that the ship itself didn't look like much, but it ends the same as it always does. The French crew is bound and gagged, and Anamaria has just begun barking out orders to search the ship.
That's when the young woman decides to make her appearance.
She is smaller than Emily's tall frame. She has dark hair and dark eyes that are piercing and a bit cold. The dress she wears is nothing too extravegant, but it certainly isn't something a common person would wear, either, with its rich colors and fine embroidery.
Emily, by pure chance, is the one closest to the woman, having been about to walk into what she assumes is the captain's cabin with Alex and several others following behind her. Startled by the woman's sudden appearance, Emily pulls out her pistol.
"You would shoot a woman who is not even armed?" She asks with a heavy French accent, sneering at Emily. "How awful you boys can be."
For a moment everyone simply stares at the strange woman. Emily attempts to glance back at Alex as she lowers her pistol.
The Frenchwoman lunges forward, reaching unsuccessfully for Emily's sword, and that gets things moving again. Emily re-aims the pistol and cocks it as Alex and Jimmy step forward, grabbing the woman by the arms.
The woman rolls her eyes, attempting to look uncaring, but Emily can see fear behind her eyes.
"It was worth a try, but fine. We will do things your way. Parley."
"Beg pardon?" Jimmy asks.
"You heard me. Parley. You idiots do know of the Code, do you not?"
"But yer a woman!"
"You are not a pirate!"
Of course, Emily thinks sarcastically,because women can't possibly become pirates ourselves. She un-cocks her pistol, slides it back into place in her belt, looks away to hide her expression as she rolls her eyes.
"Parley. Take me to your captain." The woman replies with a commanding tone to her voice.
They do as she asks for lack of a better way to deal with her.
"She insisted we take her to you Cap-"
"What is your name?" The Captain addresses the young woman, cutting Jimmy off midsentence.
The woman pauses, as if she isn't sure whether to tell them her name. She mutters something in French, the tone of her voice suggesting she is cursing, before responding.
"Adrienne." She replies simply.
The Captain seems to be expecting her to say something more, but she does not.
"What do you want, then?" The Captain hesitates before adding, "Miss."
"I ask only for two things. One is safety, for me and everyone else that was sailing on this ship." Adrienne replies slowly, as if choosing her words carefully.
The Captain nods. Adrienne turns and calls into the room behind her, speaking in French. A long moment passes before, finally, a young boy comes out. He can be no more than nine, with hair much the same colour as Adrienne's, and it is more than obvious that the two are siblings.
"Well, go on then, what else is it you want?" The Captain snaps impatiently.
"Passage. On your ship."
"Why?"
"I am looking…for our father. Somehow I have a feeling we would have more chance getting where we need to go with you. I know very little of sailing, but I can cook."
"And who is your father exactly?"
"Forgive me, Captain, but I do not think that is something you must know."
The Captain seems to think this over for a long moment. Emily, who has been watching the whole exchange quietly, steps forward.
"Captain, i-if I may…"
The Captain turns to her.
"I've seen her, once." She looks her Captain in the eye. "I-in my dreams. You've no reason to trust her; let her stay in that extra cabin. I would watch her."
The Captain eyes Emily a moment, as if looking for a sign that she is lying somehow, but of course she finds none.
"Suppose it would be nice to have a cook on board. You and your brother can stay in our guest cabin, with Emily here."
Adrienne dips into a curtsy and gives a small smile. It is pretty but almost disturbing in a way that has Emily wondering just what she has gotten herself into.
Short chapter, I know. I had a hard time figuring out where to go from here, but I've got it all figured out now, so next chapter will be up soon.
I love love looooove reviews. :D