《The Free Man; Over the Sea (Complete)》 Author鈥檚 Note Thank you for considering reading this book. Just a quick note to state that this book is the third in a series of books. My fairy tale books start with ¡®Cid Rellah¡¯ (Obviously a Cinderella type book), then go to ¡®Diamond in the Rough¡¯ (An Aladdin type of story), before this one. Now I bring you a little mermaid type story! We have already met both the main characters in the ¡®Cid Rellah¡¯, where they met for the first time, now to once again met in this one! These are a reverse series, where the leads have switched genders, among a few other things. These fairy tale books are not only all related to the same world but also don¡¯t have magic. It¡¯s not as easy as it looks, putting the stories together to make them somewhat realistic but still go along a similar storyline! Nonetheless, this is the fairy-tale series that I have come up with! I really hope you enjoy it! If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. Chapter 1
David pulled at the rope and frowned. He had learnt how to do knots with rope before, but he didn¡¯t think there was so many different knots to worry about! ¡°It seems you might only be good at cleaning the floors around here¡­¡± Side glancing the merchant captain, David sighed. He had looked up so much to be a sailor but experiencing it was entirely different! David had wanted to come out to sea so badly for so many years, but it has somewhat come to be a totally different experience to what he was expecting¡­ For so long he had looked out to the ocean, from that of the land, feeling like his freedom had been there. Once he had felt that way, the land had never felt like the place he was supposed to be, which was just another reason why he complained and wanted to run away¡­ The captain shook his head and walked away, muttering the word ¡®useless¡¯ among others. Well, David thought slowly, there¡¯s nothing good about you either¡­ It was normal for David to talk back, it was one of his traits! But he didn¡¯t say anything out loud and what he did say in his own head hadn¡¯t been with much vigour¡­ It doesn¡¯t matter where I go, David thought, there¡¯s people¡­ And this was another reason why he wanted to run away. He felt like people were full of troubles! It was connected to them like snails were connected to their shells¡­He saw it everywhere, how people had troubles¡­ He knew it was stupid to think that he could get away from that kind of thing, but he still used it as an excuse, unable to wrap his head around how to just let it go when it was just everywhere his eyes could hear and his ears could hear! He had been quiet this whole time, still somewhat angry about his predicament. Having had been nearly killed by a certain advisor of a certain king, David had lost a part of himself that regarded Prince Elton and his father as people that he couldn¡¯t leave behind¡­Having had been tied to what seemed like frame of a bed, then left for dead as those who had been guarding him, from when he had been captured, left¡­ David still remembers how he had accepted death. Then, of all people that had come to save him, it had been the one that had betrayed him. Fair enough he probably is taking the ¡®betrayal¡¯ beyond of what it was, but he was mad about it! Then, having no choice but to accept her help, feeling less and less the man that he was, he just couldn¡¯t stay! Nothing would have kept him on land after all of that and so, he finally was following through with all his threats of leaving! He had told the captain, when he had made it to the dock, that he had been a merchant most of his life and that he knew how the world works but did admit that he¡¯d never really been on a boat before. He looked up what it was like to be a merchant by sea and knew that it wasn¡¯t easy. He¡¯d looked into maps, understanding them¡­He knew that dirt roads weren¡¯t something he could just ride on¡­The sea was full of beach and low coasts¡­It was full of coral and currents¡­One had to be careful upon where to sail! Honestly, he had thought himself ready! But¡­He had not been! It was like a whole new world at sea¡­ Being out to sea now for just three days, David found how useless he was. The only thing he was grateful for, besides that of prior knowledge of trade and slight sea information, was that he didn¡¯t seem to get sea sickness like others. He was grateful for it, simply because he could see others and how sick they looked, but¡­Feeling useless was not one of his traits! He just had to work hard! This merchant ship was going to trade with the country of Melya, so they would be in the water for another couple of weeks¡­David had never been told how long it would take and he knew it was different to being a land trader who just followed a dirt road and some signs. Having been quiet might not have been the right thing to do when he really wanted to learn so much stuff about the sea¡­But, it was like a wall had been created between himself and¡­Well, any other person right now. Even if Prince Elton and his father had been looking for him, while he had been held captive, even if they wanted to give him endless apologizes and spoil him rotten, David didn¡¯t want to return. Well, not right now¡­ Even if this ship didn¡¯t smell¡­Good¡­Even if he was talked down to by the captain and even got what looked like left over food¡­It just simply wasn¡¯t enough for David to stop and go back to his old life. He had brought a compass, with help from the thief, he had got some clothes the befitted that of a sailor and that was all he had with him really. If he had the guts to go back home and pick up his sailing stuff¡­Well, it wouldn¡¯t have really helped much really! He had a couple of maps, but now having glimpsed the map in the captain¡¯s room once or twice, his maps were severely low grade! His compass was useless if he didn¡¯t understand where north was! On land, there are landmarks, there were roads and obvious points upon where north was but, on the water, there were less ways to find where north was and yes, he had to learn them, he was eager to know every which way to find out¡­There was just one thing he never wanted to tolerate, and that was getting lost! Having had to be taught the basics, which only made him feel what he was called, ¡®useless¡¯, David could only accept the captain of this ship for now. The ship looked big to David, but once he found a bigger one not far out to sea, he was somewhat stunned. Having been someone on the land all this time, he never understood how big a ship could get! He had known nothing at all! He read about some ¡®living at sea¡¯ books but some obvious knowledge, like why the boat might have a couple of chickens, he felt like he had been stupid! Bowing his head, a new trait lately to his feelings, David could only take a deep breath in and hoped that he will return to his usual self soon. He used to get angry, and he used to be able to deal with big messes so easily, now¡­It was like he turned into someone completely different. He couldn¡¯t even tell you who he was anymore¡­ Accepting his new job of mopping the floors, David kept his eyes and mind opened to learning, feeling still somewhat determined to tell himself that he¡¯d done the right thing. He had too much pride to go back without learning something! How could he complain about leaving so many times and come back with nothing¡­He just had too much pride to go through that much embarrassment! But that is just the first step! David¡¯s first step into the sea life was only just starting. Starting out as a trader with no boat experience, to becoming a co-Captain of several ships that belong to no other than King Elton of Commorda! *** If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. ¡°No, I said to the starboard, you useless idiot!¡± The captain yelled! David went to glare at the captain but stopped himself and tried to relief himself by moving his neck around. ¡°Now!¡± David looked at him squarely and did as he was told. It felt like the captain had made things hard on him on purpose! Why can¡¯t they just say to the right or left! Why do they say ¡®bow¡¯ and ¡®starboard¡¯ like it was something new, something so different that it needs a completely new¡­Name¡­ David had learnt about what they were back on land but being out to sea for the first time, he was bound to forget which side was which at least once! But twice? No, David shook his head and knew for sure that the captain just had it in for him! They had now been out at sea for three weeks now, but things just seemed to get worse for David. He felt like a slave to this man! He couldn¡¯t wait to teach him a lesson! David knew that he was bound to be better than the captain with something! Oh, he¡¯ll find out and when he does, he¡¯ll let the captain know how much of a ¡®useless¡¯ idiot he was! There were the obvious flaws, like that the captain was an older man and that he wasn¡¯t even good looking, that David had been using in his mind but he wanted something better! With his anger slowly creeping out, David felt slightly more himself, finally, as he continued with his job while pushing a bit of his slightly longer hair out of the way. ¡°Don¡¯t talk to him¡­¡± David saw someone walk towards him, even though another told him not too. ¡°Be careful, lad. This Captain doesn¡¯t like¡­Useless things.¡± David let go of the rope and watched as the person walked right by him, having said this. What does he make out of that!? Was the person trying to be nice or¡­ Well, it gave him something to ponder on as he continued. It was almost like things never stopped now and David could feel like the past was further away than just a couple of weeks, it almost felt like months already! Having just something else to think about wasn¡¯t the issue, it was¡­The Captain¡­ David wasn¡¯t all that stupid, well, sometimes he felt completely stupid, but he felt himself start to think again instead being a quiet man that was just enduring everything. Watching the comings and goings on the ship, he could see that the men were all unhealthy and, well, almost like the dead. They hardly smiled or talked to one another, and David could see that the captain was more than just a bossy bully. There was most definitely something not right on this ship! Smiling slightly, David took a deep breath in and flexed his hands out in front of him. This was like child¡¯s play! It was time to get some information! Having learnt a bit more about boats in the last few days and having read some prior, David started to make circumstances happen that might happen without help normally. He didn¡¯t really want to get the crew into trouble, but to get information, sometimes it can¡¯t be helped. The wind, the water, the waves, anything that was out of their control, David tried to use them to the best of his abilities to help him achieve just about anything. Through this, he did indeed see the captain flare up, which is exactly what he was looking for! ¡°I just can¡¯t believe the bad luck we¡¯ve had on this trip! Did you double check the cargo!?¡± ¡°Yes, Captain.¡± ¡°Dammit, get me that potion! I at least got to make this trip worthwhile!¡± ¡°Captain?¡± ¡°Get it!¡± What potion? David quietly left the window and picked up the mop and bucket to go into the latrine. Thinking about what he heard, David frowned. He had checked the cargo during one of the ¡®mishaps¡¯ that had happened earlier and had found very normal trading items¡­Did he miss something? There had to be something that he missed, simply because he knew without a doubt that there was something amiss with this Captain! But what David didn¡¯t understand, until that night, was that there was nothing amiss¡­Yet! David came to the captain¡¯s lodgement area, having been demanded to do so, and found the table having a seat for two. ¡°Take a seat, little merchant.¡± The captain stated, putting out a hand full of rings and bracelets and continuing to eat. David wanted to be sarcastic about his ¡®little merchant¡¯ title but stopped himself¡­It really wasn¡¯t the time¡­ This wasn¡¯t good¡­ David took a seat, and he was sure that there was something going on! He remembered the captain stating a potion and David looked at the food and glass of drink in front of him with worry. ¡°What, you think I poisoned the food or something?¡± Yes, yes, I do! David instantly thought. Looking back at the captain, who took a swig of his drink, David could only sigh in his mind¡­How was he going to get out of this? ¡°I¡¯m just not¡­¡± David started. The captain interrupted, ¡°Nonsense, I know you aren¡¯t stupid. You, and just like others on this boat, are probably hungry as hell¡­What, you don¡¯t trust me?¡± No, not at all! David once again instantly thought. David stared at him. The captain was taking the direct approach and honestly, David didn¡¯t know how to handle him. He was used to being hidden, in the shadows¡­People that used the direct approach like this really made him confused. ¡°Drink, or I¡¯ll just get rid of ya now!¡± The captain stated, drinking himself with one hand and holding up a knife in the other¡­It wasn¡¯t a big knife or anything but just the action that he did and the effect that he wanted to bring really worked and David felt like this merchant had it in him to not only hurt people but even kill¡­ David thought that since he had no choice, he thought that he would have to just have to throw it up later and picked up the glass. It really was elegant, how the captain really did make it like a last supper type of thing. The glass looked like a glass you¡¯d find in a nobleman¡¯s house! Even the dinner set was fancy¡­This man was really a strange one¡­ Was it David or did this man ooze out that he was completely untrustworthy and that he was a terrible person? Did he go out of his way to look so classy but looked completely the opposite¡­ It was on second glance though, David thought, he didn¡¯t know how creepy this man really was until this very moment¡­ How can someone get away with this? David held the glass up and then suddenly it occurred to him that the captain probably has gotten away with it before, and probably thinks he¡¯ll continue to do so. There was no one else there right now and perhaps the ¡®potion¡¯ didn¡¯t work straight away¡­Perhaps that was exactly why he gets away without whatever he plans to do! ¡°Drink!¡± David, with anger rising inside him, drank the so-called wine and put it down. ¡°May I leave now?¡± The captain let go of a laugh and smiled at him, ¡°Eat.¡± David wondered where he put the potion, in the meal or in the drink? Picking up some chicken, eating it like a little princess, David was startled when the captain slammed his hand on the table. ¡°Little sissy!¡± David took a bigger bite and stared at the captain. I will repay all this back to you, old man, David thought. But before he could take more than three more bites, something hit him in his back and before blacking out, he heard the captain¡¯s laughter. ¡°What an idiot. First lying about being a trader, then being useless¡­¡± David had no idea what words came next¡­ Waking up groggily, David took a while to remember what was going on. Looking around him, he felt the house was moving¡­ Getting up from a corner on the floor, hardly able to accept the fact that he had slept there, David felt that his legs felt strange. What was going on? Finally remembering the captain and having eaten and drank, David tried to rush towards the top of the boat, wanting to throw up¡­Until he fell back down again. Uh? Actually, he never really noticed that the boat and noises going on seemed a bit weird right now. There was yelling and he was sure that he heard running around, almost like there were many people above him. Shaking his head, so that he could wake up faster, David took a deep breath in and went to climb up the ladder. What was going on with his legs, they felt¡­Heavy¡­ But perhaps he should have just stayed downstairs! Looking out from the hatch, noticing several things at once that weren¡¯t normal, David blinked to what was going on¡­ What do I do? It was the first time that he came across a fight on a boat! It was clear that they had been boarded and already David could see the merchandise being taken and moved to the other¡­Ship¡­ And boy was it a nice, big ship! He couldn¡¯t even see all of it because it was night-time, but what he saw was already impressive! Normally he wasn¡¯t one to just sit there and watch. He¡¯d normally have an idea on what to do but David was not only still slightly groggy with legs that felt heavy but, he couldn¡¯t help a small part of himself from being happy with the situation. The captain deserved this mess! He was a nasty, old coot of a man and he deserved this! David stopped thinking in his tracks as he was spotted by a dirty man who wiped over the sweat on his forehead¡­ Um, I can¡¯t fight on a ladder but¡­David tried to see what he should do! He didn¡¯t even have a sword! Getting down a notch, he closed the small lid to the area and got down the ladder. Looking around the area where they normally sleep, David could only find a knife, not a sword, to defend himself and that was it. Before he could think of the best possible way to survive, the opening at the top of the ladder opened and he saw the same man look at him. He stared at David and David just stared back. Only holding the knife at his side now, David slowed his breathing and told himself not to panic as he watched the other man sigh, David could only stare back. Why wasn¡¯t he doing anything!? ¡°If you put the knife down, I¡¯ll pretend you aren¡¯t here.¡± Uh? David was confused¡­ Should he really put his knife down? What if he were to just drop it at his feet, he¡¯d still be able to pick it up before the other man comes at him¡­ Since it didn¡¯t seem like a bad choice, David let go of the knife and he saw the other man nod and leave¡­Just like that! Weird¡­ Picking up the knife and hiding it in his clothes, David went towards the ladder and slowly went up, only to find that the opening no longer opens. They must have put something heavy on top of it! David sighed, he guessed he should have known better! Chapter 2
Getting down from the ladder and racing around to find another escape, David found a part of the boat that had been damaged before and had been patched up. If he could just somehow open it back up, he might be able to get out of here! Using his slightly puny strength, considering that he hadn¡¯t been eating well and his legs still felt heavy, David had troubles opening the patch on inside of the boat. Normally a patch in the boat that was this well fixed up was a good thing, just not today! He picked up some useless looking tool and used that, to finally see a change and bang! Water started to seep in through the once again opened hole! But the problem was, the hole was still not big enough¡­ It seemed that the wood had gotten bad, and that was why that very spot gave in. Perhaps some worker had not done his job properly? Nonetheless the initial hole wasn¡¯t that big but¡­The wood that had been covered was still somewhat soft¡­He could try just punching it¡­Was there really anything else he could do? Putting his shirt around his fist, he punched at the side, to make the hole bigger and in no time, he was rushing to escape a small hole that gave him some gashes as he went through. Coming up for air, David tried to calm himself to that fact that he was now having to swim when he wasn¡¯t the best of swimmers. He could swim, he just wasn¡¯t used to it at all! It was worse because he had never tried to swim at night-time either! What if an animal was here! What if a shark comes to eat him!? Before he could worry too much about his swimming performance though he went to look up at the ship, only to find the captain fighting with another. As David put his wet shirt back on, cringing to the few wood chips now in his skin, he heard some things that were going on above him. ¡°When are you going to realize, little missy, that you will never get the better of me!? Don¡¯t think that you can just take my ship and think I¡¯d let you!¡± ¡°Your ship is not what I want, old timer.¡± It was a female¡¯s voice¡­ David stayed on the surface of the water just watching two people fight on the boat with their swords. ¡°Oh, then what do you want!? Another lesson on how to be a good wife!?¡± The woman fighting the captain used her sword, then moved her hand in a way to punch him straight after and the captain stammered backwards. ¡°You! It¡¯s your turn to learn a lesson!¡± David frowned to the woman¡¯s words and was completely confused. Weren¡¯t they pirates? Why would they want this guy for? ¡°Oh, little missy, don¡¯t you think you¡¯ve got the wrong idea? You¡¯re just a little woman!¡± David watched on as the ¡®little missy¡¯ fought back to the captain and found her holding her own quite nicely, at least for now. ¡°Don¡¯t call me¡­¡± As she continued, she even headbutted the captain, ¡°Little Missy!¡± The captain took a moment to regain himself but after that it seemed he become a lot more serious as he suddenly fought back quickly and quite fast! ¡°Captain!¡± Uh? David got confused for a second as he saw someone that he didn¡¯t know yell out captain¡­Oh, was she the other captain then? ¡°Dammit, don¡¯t do something stupid!¡± David frowned as he found her losing ground and then she having no choice but to get up on the edge of the boat. She fought well, yes, but the man was bigger, faster and hit harder than she did, and she was not gaining any ground anymore! ¡°You¡¯re going down!¡± She yelled, almost like she was on top of the world, but really, she was on the losing end! ¡°Not today!¡± The man stated and then pushed her, not caring about etiquette at all while doing so, almost like he was giving back what she had done to him. ¡°Now get off my boat!¡± With that he swung his sword at her, and David watched as she fell off the boat while avoiding the sword! Truly, David wasn¡¯t surprised at her falling with so much happening to her! But¡­If she hadn¡¯t had hit part of the boat when falling, she probably would have been alright¡­It looked like such a dangerous fall that even David worried for her! ¡°Captain!¡± David didn¡¯t watch what was going on top of the boat but instead made his way over to the woman that fell off the boat. He wished he was faster, as he could see that she was slowly going under water. ¡°Dammit!¡± David said, as he pushed his heavy legs faster and put his arms into motion but not even sure how to go much faster¡­ ¡°Where¡¯d she go?¡± ¡°Get them! Kill em all, stupid pirates!¡± Pirates? David didn¡¯t think much more about the yelling as he took up the woman and turned her around. It¡¯s her! That woman with the bird tattoo! It¡¯s¡­He had called her the feminine core, or something like that¡­That¡¯s how he had felt about her when he had bumped into her¡­ Her hair was now all over her face, so he moved it and found that she was indeed the woman that he thought she was! He remembers specifically asking himself if this was the type of woman that he liked back on that day he first had seen her. She, even back then and in the brief amount of time, had come across a bit like a man. Wearing pants and shirt, instead of that of a lady¡¯s dress, David smirked. And she was the captain! A part of him wanted to get to know her, wanted to ask her how she got into being a pirate. Why did she want that man? David was so fascinated that the world had slept away for a brief amount of time while he stared at her sleeping face. The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. But of course, reality sets back in and David had to do something before they both went under the water! Grabbing onto a piece of floating debris, David pushed her onto it and was glad to have found it as his legs felt even worse now. What should he do now? The pirates seem to be leaving his captains ship, probably looking for their own captain¡­Should he stay with her? Pirates were known as nasty, simply because of rumors going down that they plunder boats and even towns near the water. They had that many rumors following them around that it was hard to know who they really were¡­ Should he take the chance or go back to the same merchant boat where he might have been poisoned or¡­ David stopped for a moment and only now just realized that his legs might be the result of the time at the table with the captain. It would make a lot of sense, David admitted. That was when his legs had started to feel funny¡­ This wasn¡¯t good¡­ It seemed fair to say that going back to the merchant boat was not a good idea, but pirates? Would that be an even worse idea? With the pirate ship obviously looking for their captain and the merchant ship sailing off but yelling out their grievances upon lost merchandise, David was running out of choices! What do I do? David asked himself, looking around in haste. Having had quickly gone to another bit of debris, leaving the captain on the bigger piece, David tried to swim a bit further away, so that he wouldn¡¯t be seen by the close by pirate ship. With him being in haste and worrying about being caught, he did not see that the captain woke to see his back. She stared at him in confusion, seeing the side of his face once. It was too dark to see anything much at all but that small little detail¡­ Putting a hand to her head, she winced to the pain and looked around to finally understand that she was bobbing on a piece of debris in the water. ¡°Ah, now I¡¯m angry!¡± ¡°There she is!¡± ¡°Captain!¡± ¡°Aye¡­What the hell is taken ya so long!?¡± She yelled. Actually, a small piece of her was glad that they still came for her instead of just leaving her like that. It wouldn¡¯t be the first time that a pirate left another pirate behind¡­ Pirates weren¡¯t really sympathetic but lately they had been like an inbetweener of what was known as ¡®pirates¡¯. They were taking merchandise, yes, they were also being sneaky and changing flags to make people think that they weren¡¯t pirates, but she had put up a new rule. The rule stated that they only kill if they have to. Of course, that line is thin, and a few of the pirates use that against her but she can only sigh and let them go. Some weren¡¯t used to it and didn¡¯t like it but she was captain at the moment and so she was the monarch! What helped her though, was that some of them didn¡¯t want to kill anyway. The people didn¡¯t come to be pirates because they were all law breakers, some of them just had no where else to go. Some of them left their country because they didn¡¯t want to be a slave. Some of them didn¡¯t want to be a labourer on land. They all each had their own story, some were just plain nasty while others weren¡¯t. But the reason why so many of them were there and were all able to work as one, was indeed because of this captain. Just because she looked lenient, didn¡¯t mean that she¡¯d be like that for everything! No, she was like a teacher and when she got mad, they all felt like little children! In fact, one of her famous punishments was banging two heads together¡­Which meant she didn¡¯t care if only one of them was a culprit! They knew that they had to be good to one another or they all might cop it! ¡°Sorry Captain!¡± Whispers were heard from those on the boat about the captain being silly again, for it wasn¡¯t the first time that the captain would take on something bigger than she can chew! She did it all the time, sometimes even getting them into trouble but¡­This time was sort of a win¡­They still got some bounty, and the captain was still alive¡­ ¡°Captain, I wish you wouldn¡¯t fall over the edge of the boat like that¡­¡± As she yanked herself over the side of the boat, having been pulled up, she glared in a particular direction, having heard what was said, ¡°It¡¯s a talent, don¡¯t be jealous! Now get back to work! I wanna see the score!¡± They all rushed away to bring tallies of the fight just now upon who might have been hurt, lost or killed. The booty will be opened to see what they obtained and any damages to the boat will not only be told to her but already started to be fixed¡­Anything that just happened needed to be given to the captain¡­And she wanted it yesterday! As the last of them was now rushing away, she turned around and looked in the direction of what she remembered had been a male figure that probably helped her just now. Where¡¯d he go? *** David sighed to his predicament. He really felt like he had the worst luck lately! Not only was he out in the sea for a while by himself but he was hungry and thirsty¡­And he hated the idea of any type of animal that might come to attempt to eat him up! On top of that, he still had to get wood from out of his skin! But¡­The biggest problem though was his legs¡­They felt even worse now, almost to the point that he was having trouble moving them at all! It was getting to a point that he was losing feeling completely! The only thing that kept him going was that he could see a shoreline! It had been there in the morning, when the sun had rose, to tell the still awake David that it had been hours since both ships had sailed away from him. Ever since trying to hold onto a box that was a ploy, David felt like his life had fallen into a ditch! It just wasn¡¯t fair! What had he done to deserve such bad luck! Once again, with all that was going on, David fell into a depressed state¡­ No, it was before the box, it was¡­It has been a while. Even before when Cid had gone missing, David had felt like his friend had not trusted him enough to let him know where he had gone! Was he not good enough to his friends? David took a deep breath in and tried to do some more kicking but found it troublesome¡­Just like everything else! Hearing noise behind him, David stopped and became very still. Whether he knew something was coming or not he didn¡¯t care¡­What more could possibly happen to him now!? Still fearing the worst, David slowly looked behind him and found¡­The pirate ship¡­ ¡°Hey, you!¡± David turned back to face towards the shore and tried to think about what he should do. ¡°Oi!¡± What he thought of, that seemed to matter in any circumstance, was that his legs weren¡¯t good¡­So, nearly any idea was already quite terrible! ¡°Get him up!¡± Hearing her voice, David turned once again and saw her looking at him in an angry manner. ¡°It¡¯s fine, I was just¡­Swimming¡­¡± David stated, not sure what he was thinking. Hearing a grunt, they continued to put down a rope. ¡°Come up here!¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine, I can make it to shore on my own!¡± David stated, turning to the front of him, and away from them. Even he didn¡¯t accept his own words but¡­All he could think of is whether it would be a good idea to be captured! Yet, there was absolutely nothing that he could do about it! In the next second a splash took place, and he felt some water splash on his body that was above the water. ¡°What is it with men? Are they completely stupid or do they want to look completely stupid?¡± David watched with wide eyes as the captain had been the one to jump in and mumble these words as she placed the rope around them. Having her yank at the rope and hold him close to her, David blinked and just stayed still in shock to her being so close. ¡°Take us up!¡± Holding onto her, now that they were moving, David was more aware now of his legs and swallowed. It was completely out of his hands now. He can¡¯t swim nor run away¡­He was now in the pirates¡¯ hands completely! As soon as the side of the boat was there, David wished that he could do more, but all he could do was hold the rope with one hand and hold onto her with the other. When she did indeed want to leave, she took him with and so she turned around to face him, once again angry. ¡°Let go!¡± David breathed out in defeat, this wasn¡¯t going to go down very well¡­ Letting go, he sat there on the floor, dripping with water. It was getting cold very quickly now and he hit his leg in anger. He was like a beached whale, well, perhaps he just felt like a beached whale! ¡°Get up!¡± I¡¯d love to get up for you honey, but I can¡¯t, David thought. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with him?¡± ¡°You can¡¯t swim?¡± She asked¡­She really thought that he was the one that had helped her not long ago. Yet, how could he have helped her if he couldn¡¯t even move his legs? Having thought it was him, she had jumped off the boat with no regard to anything, just thinking that she couldn¡¯t leave him there. But now, seeing him not even speaking, just sitting there in¡­Well he was in a sorry state! ¡°Just leave him there then.¡± She said, now walking away. He needed to fight for himself at some point, and she guessed that she was just going to help with that. Maybe¡­ David watched as he was now completely ignored. Frowning to seeing about thirty people walking around and doing what they do, David didn¡¯t know what to do himself. If he were to state anything, what would he say? He was already useless before his legs were heavy and hardly moveable, now¡­Now he¡­What was he going to do!? David only sat there a few minutes before he really did try to use the side of the boat to move. He¡¯d never not been able to use his legs before, so he had no idea how to go from where he was, to just a few steps away¡­ As the sun descended, the boat was getting ready for dinner, only giving David more reason to move from where he was but¡­ His legs didn¡¯t seem to cooperate at all! They seemed floppy and weird. They weren¡¯t painful, they were just, it was almost like they were in the way. Just some useless growth to his body! With quite a number of attempts, even using his rising anger to help himself in some regard, David then stopped against the wall, not sure how to help himself anymore¡­ It had just been a big day¡­ Maybe he was just dreaming, his mind might be so gone with hunger and dehydration that he thought perhaps he¡¯ll even wake up in his normal bed back on land and have to endure through his mother and father talking to him¡­ Nothing felt like it fit properly now and so maybe sleeping is an answer¡­Is all David thought. David didn¡¯t know what else to do. He couldn¡¯t even go to the latrine! Closing his eyes, David could only hope that tomorrow would be a better day¡­ Chapter 3
Having been completely exhausted, David didn¡¯t even know that he was picked up and taken to another place on captain¡¯s orders. Sleeping so soundly, even when they had trouble getting him through a doorway, the captain rolled her eyes and really couldn¡¯t believe that she still questioned what was called a man in front of her. He couldn¡¯t even walk! He was all rugged, having stubble on his chin and his clothes were a mess! Seeing his waist, she sighed to seeing wounds. What a sorry excuse for a male!? How can this person be the one that put her on that debris in the sea!? But¡­It looked like him¡­ Looking at the side of his face and trying to remember to the best of her ability, she felt pretty certain and so¡­She fixed him up¡­ Taking out what seemed like wood chips from his body, she then disinfected and covered his small wounds and then put a dry shirt on him after she cleaned the rest of him¡­ She thought he¡¯d wake to what she was doing, considering she wasn¡¯t even gentle, but he didn¡¯t. She had watched him every now and again throughout the day, watching him go to get up but unable to, so at the same time she sort of wasn¡¯t surprised that he didn¡¯t wake up either¡­ Raising her eyebrows, she felt pretty happy with his figure, not caring that she was indeed a woman. She had been known as a pirate for a while now and she had gotten used to doing whatever she wanted. Etiquette didn¡¯t mean much here, on her boat¡­If she had the want to be with a man, she would¡­Even though that had not really happened. Her past of already been married once and even been abused really stopped her from being romantically involved with anyone else¡­But¡­ For the first time, she found herself curious. Was it because she was sure he had been the one to save her? Was it because it seemed that his body seemed to be one that she found handsome? Whatever the reason, she sighed and couldn¡¯t help but just accept what she felt¡­ After fixing this unnamed and new crew member in her quarters, making others question and frown at her choice, she then went to sleep. David had now gone without three or four meals, also having very little water, so it wasn¡¯t long before he awoke, seeing the change of place from where he had been. It seemed that he must be dreaming! Not only was the woman that he seems to think was his favourite was next to him in a bed but¡­He had been looked after! A new shirt, his wounds were even feeling better! He had thought that he was left for dead! But it wasn¡¯t long before he knew for certain that it wasn¡¯t a dream! He had to do some personal business soon or he was going to wet this nice bed! ¡°What¡¯s wrong with you?¡± Widening his eyes, he turned to the now awake woman beside him and blinked. ¡°¡­I¡­Need to go to¡­¡± He¡¯d talked to women before, but not ever his favorite one! How could he say such a dirty word to her! Would he ruin her ears!? He watched the woman get up and then suddenly put him over her shoulder and her couldn¡¯t believe how easy it looked to him of how she moved him around. Before he knew it, he was in a specific place and put down quite harshly, almost making him hit his head. Moving himself to be in a better spot, he looked at her and said, ¡°Thank you.¡± She smirked and shook her head, ¡°It¡¯s weird to hear those words here.¡± Looking like the small trip had done nothing to her, her words gave her away, as she puffed out the last word. Was she hiding her heavy breathing? David looked around, but a certain figure didn¡¯t seem to move¡­ It was a very awkward moment¡­ ¡°Will you watch?¡± David asked. No way can she watch! She shrugged and she even looked like she was holding back a laugh. David narrowed his eyes at her and glared. Laughing, she then turned and left. Unable to make heads or tails out of the woman, David did his business and tried the best he could to move on from there on his own¡­Not sure how to do so. He was normally so resourceful, someone that felt like he could figure anything out, but why or why couldn¡¯t he figure out how to handle his legs not working!? Now, having fallen to the floor, David hit his leg, not even able to feel the impact, and sighed. Accept it, David. He thought. As soon as you accept your useless legs, you might finally find a way to live with them like this¡­ But he didn¡¯t want to! He wanted them back! He didn¡¯t want to live the rest of his life like this! ¡°Finished?¡± David nodded, not even looking at her now. To fall to such a state, David just no longer cared anymore. He was on a pirate ship, he couldn¡¯t walk, and he didn¡¯t know anyone here, where he was stuck out at sea. ¡°Help me, will ya?¡± David complied to the woman who know showed that she had trouble getting him from the floor. She must have had help last time to get him into that room, David thought, trying his hardest not to be a burden. A short time later, she plopped him back onto the bed and turned from having him on her back. Breathing heavy, she let out a small laugh and went to get some water. Watching her, then eyeing the water with desperate need, David didn¡¯t know how to ask for it. She was a pirate after all, what would she do to him? David couldn¡¯t believe how much of a sissy he had become! He used to know the people in the black market! He used to have eyes and ears everywhere, and here he was having troubles asking for water! ¡°Water¡­¡± David stated. ¡°Mmm, this is water.¡± The captain stated, pointing at the jug and putting her glass down. She then came back to the bed and got under the covers. ¡°I want some water.¡± David said, staring at her form in the bed beside him. ¡°Get it yourself!¡± She muttered. If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement. David looked at the water, then at her, then at his so-called legs that he couldn¡¯t even feel. Taking in a deep breath, looking around, David didn¡¯t find anything that would help him get what he wanted¡­Except the body beside him¡­ He just wanted to be himself again¡­But he did have a want there as well to touch the woman, even if it is only to get her attention¡­ Moving slightly, he put his hand under the covers and placed his hand on her waist, feeling her suddenly twitch to it. What do I do now? He knew that she was still awake, she even¡­Was it just him or was she becoming a bit stiff? He didn¡¯t know much about how to coax a girl, a woman. He¡¯d had a small fling of perhaps kissing a girl here and there, but never actually had to coax one before! Looking at the cover, only seeing a small area of her head, David frowned and moved his hand up to remove the cover but instead found her moving to face him now, making him stop completely. ¡°It¡¯s sleep time, go to sleep.¡± She said, closing her eyes. For a short time there, she finally wondered if it was a good idea to bring a man into her bed. Then, she told herself that even if it was a bad idea, she¡¯d just beat him up! David smiled and laid down next to her, ¡°I¡¯ll sleep if you get me some water.¡± It was a trade¡­A fair trade¡­Well, to him it was! She wanted him to sleep, he wanted water¡­Win, win situation right!? Opening her eyes in anger, she then got out of bed, got a glass and filled it up! Coming back, she forced the glass into his hands, even though it spilt a bit, and then got back into bed. David drank the water and even though he wanted more, he gave in and could only wait to fulfil anything else that he might have wanted¡­Like food! He felt lucky. Having given up and had been himself, not thinking of consequences, he had been lucky to get some water! Closing his eyes, slightly stiff to not wanting to move too much but being slightly uncomfortable, David couldn¡¯t help but still feel like he was quite lucky. He hadn¡¯t slept on a bed in ages! Beyond even his expectation, David fell asleep quite quickly and unconsciously even got comfortable next to the woman beside him. *** Things can change, and they did with David. Over the next week, gaining more and more courage just to be who he was, he not only found that he had a small amount of power over the captain but¡­He also found that the ship had books! And books meant that there might be a chance for him to perhaps help himself out of this situation! If the captain had free time, she would come to find David in curiosity. They even talked¡­Their conversations hadn¡¯t been the best to begin with, where David would ask her why she wore an eye covering item and how she became the captain. She had answered him honestly, simply because there was no reason to hide it from him. The eye covering helped her focus faster when going up and down the boat and she had been elected captain of the ship by the crew. She stated that the captain could be removed as soon as they think that they are not good enough for the job. That¡¯s why she¡¯s away for half the day, David thought. Having been on the merchant ship, seeing what a captain does, David still hadn¡¯t known half of it! He had been too overwhelmed with learning that he hadn¡¯t seen everything but also because he was now on a different type of ship. This ship wasn¡¯t one that sort of belonged to the country, it was one that¡­Well, at the moment, it belonged to her¡­It was like her own little kingdom¡­ One thing that David did learn, was what she did as a captain, and because of that he found her secretly even more of a woman then he did before! And she couldn¡¯t help but feel glad that he was here, thinking that she was just being nice to the person who saved her life but honestly¡­She also knew that the man that couldn¡¯t even walk was captivating to her too. Learning more and more about him every day was giving her more to look forward to everyday, making her realize that routine had been a big thing in her life these days. But it seemed his growing, shoulder length brown hair and his growing beard was becoming more and more her type of man! Knowing that she was letting the man, now she knows of his name as David, was taking advantage of her, she still didn¡¯t do anything for free! The problem was, her demands, in return for his demands, were weird and sometimes made David stop. Not only did she ask weird questions about men and what they may ¡®think¡¯ like. She also asked about news upon the merchant ship that he had been on, particularly news upon the captain. David was not sure how to take these demands, but also in return felt like he had nothing to hide either, except that of his legs and personal friendship with Elton and told her what she wanted. He stated what he thought men were like, not sure what else to say so he was vague, stating that they were pretty easy thinkers and that they prefer simplicity. With news on the merchant captain, besides stating that he was a nasty man, David had said that he seemed to want to trade beyond that of normal trading goods. David told her that he was sure that he had been getting into trouble with the merchant captain for no reason and that there was something strange on that ship! Through the knowledge that he gave her, she wasn¡¯t sure if she could think of David as someone who had working legs or not, simply because David never stated that he had worked prior to meeting her¡­ She had a couple on the ship with a wooden peg as a leg, because they¡¯d lost it in a fight about five or six years ago, but she actually wouldn¡¯t have a clue on how to do it. For now, she thought, I¡¯ll leave it. If he wants a wooden peg, we can do it later¡­ And, on what David had told her didn¡¯t really tell her much, at least nothing new, and she got over asking about the other ship pretty quickly. Actually, it probably would have been weird if David could tell her something she didn¡¯t already know. She knew already about how shady that man was, how nasty he was and how hard it was to live on the same boat as him¡­ It probably would have been nice if she had told David what she knew, then David would fill in some holes about the information that he had started to gather about the merchant captain, but he never asked, so she never told him¡­ But the most recent demand was beyond his imagination as he even started to come up with what she may want¡­ A kiss¡­No, he never thought that would have been a demand¡­ ¡°You want a kiss, for a book? Is this the pirate¡¯s way or are you not a female at all!?¡± David had been quiet for a moment. Not once in his life had he heard a female ask for a kiss! ¡°Erin¡­¡± ¡°Erin?¡± ¡°Erin¡­¡± She repeated¡­ David opened his mouth then closed it. One second, they are talking about bodily contact, touching, intimacy¡­Then the next, something totally different! Does she know that his mind was slowly working right now? He was still caught upon kissing the woman! He won¡¯t deny it! A kiss with her sounded pretty good! ¡°Erin is my name, call me it!¡± Erin stated, staring at him squarely. ¡°Erin.¡± David said back automatically, looking at her lips. ¡°Do not put yourself upon a high ledge there, David. I¡¯ve already been married once, if a kiss is what I want, who are you to question it? Do you want the book or not!?¡± Erin looked at him in question and waited, looking impatient. ¡°I want.¡± David stated, hardly able to hold himself back. Actually, if he asked himself honestly, when he said, ¡®I want¡¯, it wasn¡¯t really for the book¡­ Nights in the bed with this woman was really starting to drive him crazy! She was like forbidden fruit! One morning he had woken to find her in his arms, fitting nice like they had been made just for her, and he had liked it tremendously! Seeing her smile and walk to him slowly, David intently watched her, put out his arms and then said, ¡°Come here!¡± Erin found herself happy to being wanted like never before. Yes, she had seen men look at her with certain looks. Yes, she had known it existed, but never truly felt wanted before. This man was doing wonders to her feelings¡­The feelings that she had kept locked away for so long! Could she really move on and finally find a partner that could be by her side? Before even putting a leg on each side of him, their lips already touched, and she felt his hands push her head closer to him gently. Holding back, she couldn¡¯t help but flinch to the hand he put onto her face. ¡°Erin?¡± Staring at him, seeing a difference to another certain man, she just stayed there, inches away and sitting on top of him. She couldn¡¯t believe that the two years being apart from that man was still not enough. The nightmares were only rare now. They weren¡¯t of things that weren¡¯t real, the nightmares were just of her past of how she had been put in bad situations. It was also like a common law on her ship that no one was to touch her unnecessarily. There was a time that a man had just bumped into her, that was still enough for her to punch him without holding back! She even gave other women on the ship more of a chance to be themselves too, simply because of who she was as well¡­ She just didn¡¯t really trust men, which actually helped her to be captain as well. She was all about the ship and the crew, which helped them trust her but¡­She knew that things were slowly changing for her. Could she trust this man? They weren¡¯t all the same, she knew that¡­It¡¯s just easy just not to trust any of them but¡­She knew she wanted to trust David. She knew that wasn¡¯t the only thing she wanted either. Often, she had wanted to ask him if it was him that had saved her. She also couldn¡¯t help but like the obvious feelings that seemed to be written on his face of what he felt about her either. She felt all giddy just thinking about it! The kiss had been light and small, it hadn¡¯t lasted long at all, but David felt like that was all he was to expect. He already wanted more but a few circumstances stopped him. Seeing the woman on top of him sit there silently, he saw pain¡­It was almost like he was looking at Cid. Does she hold in so much like him? Abruptly, David took her into his arms and brought her down to him, feeling her go stiff. ¡°It¡¯s ok, I won¡¯t hurt you.¡± Erin stayed stiff but didn¡¯t fight. It was just a hug, she told herself. David, after a full minute of silence, asked himself what he was doing. The woman was clearly not right in the head! What was wrong with her!? But even though he was silently stating some slight insults to her, he held her to him tighter. ¡°I thought you were like a bird.¡± What did I just say? He suddenly asked himself¡­ Feeling her move slightly, he heard her say, ¡°A bird?¡± ¡°Mmm, you were like, freedom to me.¡± David said, then shook his head, not understanding why he was talking. ¡°¡­And what do you think now?¡± She asked, sitting back so that she could look at him. ¡°Maybe a small fox¡­Not a rabbit¡­¡± David blinked to his words but didn¡¯t think more as he stared back at her. ¡°Not a rabbit¡­¡± Erin then laughed and shook her head, getting off of him. ¡°Thanks!¡± With that, she was gone, and David sighed to the state that she left him in. He had no idea why he said the things he said, he didn¡¯t even know what kind of wound she would have to have flinched and show that pain in her eyes! And¡­He wanted her back¡­ He wanted to make more demands of her, so that the chance of kissing her would be more often! There was absolutely no doubt that kissing Erin was now David¡¯s most favorite thing to do! Chapter 4
Erin sighed, ¡°No, just ignore it and keep going.¡± ¡°Captain. This is unlike you.¡± Her first mate stated. ¡°So?¡± Who cares if she just changes her mind!? Another then came up to her and gave her a tattered book, ¡°It¡¯s the best I could find.¡± She hummed slightly and took the book, not even sure why she was doing whatever David wanted her too. Why did he want to know about potions and tonics? ¡°Change the flag too.¡± ¡°Oh, so we are going back to shore?¡± Her first mate stated, like he finally understood his captain¡¯s plan. ¡°I don¡¯t know, just don¡¯t let him get too close yet.¡± Erin then looked out, not finding anything without a device that can see further out. ¡°There.¡± The first mate stated, pointing in a direction. Erin looking through the equipment, to indeed find a certain ship that she has come across a number of times now. It has been following them¡­ They had last seen this ship not far from the dock that was a Melya, now, having come back to Commorda, even seen somewhat a shoreline in the far distance, they have met again. Letting out a small smirk, Erin wanted to dearly laugh at the man that had lost his cargo and had to return back home with nothing! Serves him right! This has pretty much been her life since she was able to become captain of this ship. To make things hard for that specific man that had made her life a living hell! ¡°If it¡¯s not me, it¡¯s him. A never-ending feud.¡± Erin mumbled. ¡°Captain¡­¡± Her first mate knew her the most, knowing exactly who was on the ship that kept coming after them at this moment. Her husband¡­Well, she had been unofficially divorced him a long time ago! They didn¡¯t have any divorce papers, but Erin had with her belongings of her husband signing her away to someone else, which was her proof of their ¡®divorce¡¯. Oh, she has held onto that piece of paper so hard that it was falling apart but¡­She had nothing more important to do then to have gotten some kind of revenge on that nasty man! He was controlling and manipulative! But the worst of it had been the beatings that she had received. Having been married off, so that her family could obtain money through it, she did not really have one normal day after that. She had married a man ten years older than her and had no idea how to deal with him but now¡­Now they fought each other often through anger. She had gotten the better of him, ruining his business, so he had gotten the better of her in some regard. He was lucky once and had taken one of her crew members that had a bounty over his head¡­So, not only did she lose a crew member and some respect, but he gained back some money that he might have lost to her¡­And so, their fights continued, almost like their lives evolved around each other but now¡­ Erin suddenly had no care about him anymore¡­She no longer was angry either. Since David came into her life, her life suddenly became different. She looked at things from another angle, she also asked herself honestly if she cared that much and no¡­She didn¡¯t. It had just been what had filled that hole at the time. But now, now she was captain, and she liked the crew she had, she had filled that gap with other things since and that ¡®revenge¡¯ feeling probably left her a while ago, but she had just continued out of habit and well¡­Because she hadn¡¯t really done anything else¡­ In fact, she felt a bit like a fool now, because her crew and ship had gone through problems just because of how she had acted with someone she doesn¡¯t even care for. They could have done something more beneficial to them but no, she had¡­ What did it matter even thinking about it!? Walking in to see David thinking, his hand to his chin and frowning at nothing, Erin stopped and stared at him. At that moment, David was wondering how he could move about, even with dead legs, but then thought of Cid and how he had been the one to invent stuff. Then, he had worried what Cid was doing¡­It had already been like four weeks now¡­So, Cid probably was married now to Bethany¡­ ¡°David, your book¡­¡± Erin threw the book at him, and David snapped out of his thoughts¡­ ¡°Have you heard about Commorda? Is there news about the princess?¡± For the first time since he left, David asked about news of his friends. Erin watched him fidget and crossed her arms over her chest, ¡°You liked the princess?¡± It wasn¡¯t that, David thought, it was more so if any information would be known, it would be about royalty¡­ ¡°My friend was marrying her when I left, they were supposedly getting married¡­I don¡¯t know what¡¯s happened¡­Since.¡± David let a deep breath out and looked at her, ¡°I¡­¡± Seeing him stop talking, Erin moved the book on his lap and sat there instead, ¡°You what?¡± Honestly, she was glad that he wasn¡¯t involved with the princess as she thought he had been. David held her waist openly, unable to stop himself. ¡°Sometimes I miss them.¡± Erin then said, ¡°You haven¡¯t spent long at sea?¡± David shook his head, ¡°I thought I knew what I needed to know but I was wrong.¡± Erin frowned, ¡°No, I mean, is your life on land? Your friends, your¡­Family¡­¡± Thinking of family, Erin frowned. As far as family goes, she hardly knew what that meant. The motley crew on the boat was as close to family she got! David played with her arm, the short frills that came at the end of her clothing, but the slightly bare part of her arm was soft and smooth. Erin watched as David moved his hands down her arm and then to her hand. They were both silent as he brought them up and then closed is fingers in on each of hers. In a trance to the slow and sweet movements, Erin swallowed. She had been pulled, thrown and pushed, but this was nice¡­This was¡­Well, it was probably normal wasn¡¯t it, Erin thought. David stared at the woman sitting on him like she owned him and couldn¡¯t help but feel that she still was the feminine core that he had once called her a while ago now. She had her hair up, and it was wavy and mostly blonde. Her eyes were a sparkling blue, almost like she was made for the ocean. David found her to be the most beautiful woman he¡¯d ever laid eyes on¡­ If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. ¡°Yeah,¡± David said suddenly, breaking both of them out of some sort of spell. Erin blinked and changed to show her questions, ¡°What?¡± Smiling at her baffled face, David then laughed. Erin frowned, not wanting to be laughed at, and went to get up, only to instead find herself close to his face in the next second. ¡°Erin.¡± David didn¡¯t know what else to say, well he could say that he wanted to kiss her but settled for her name instead. On the other hand, Erin smiled and leaned in the rest of the way to once again share a kiss. It was underrated, they both thought. Kissing was a generalized topic¡­But it had subcategories! There was the slight kiss that was light to touch and almost like a feather over the rest of the skin, a tease¡­Then there was the harder kiss that only let the other know how much you desired the other. There was just so much more to it than either of them knew and both of them explored what was there to kissing to the point that not much more that could be learnt! *** ¡°¡­And something called ¡®Ugwort¡¯?¡± David said, frowning at the book. It was just about to fall apart! ¡°¡­You mean Mugwort?¡± Erin said, laughing and taking the book from him. He wished she¡¯d treat things falling apart a little better but all she did was nod when finding the word. David sighed as he couldn¡¯t stop her from moving away from him. ¡°Yeah.¡± ¡°Ok, I¡¯ll get it!¡± Erin left without a backward glance, but she felt like she didn¡¯t need to look back. As far as she was concerned, the man on her bed, in her quarters, was hers! ¡°Captain?¡± ¡°Here¡¯s a list of¡­Oh wait!¡± Erin quickly jotted down ¡®Mugwort¡¯ on the list, then continued, ¡°Let me know if you can¡¯t find it!¡± ¡°Yes, Captain!¡± Erin watched Robin go, another female on the boat, and then suddenly had an idea of asking her about the opposite sex. Had she any idea how to treat them? Keeping the idea of talking to Robin later, Erin came up to her first mate and took out the device that would see at a longer distance. It had been another two days and the merchant ship was still following after them. Maybe they should just head out more into sea, then circling the shoreline here near the dock of Commorda¡­ Her ship was faster than his, and bigger. She also had more men than he did, so it¡¯s no wonder that he had not done too much except annoy her by following her all this time. What is he trying to do? Erin asked herself. ¡°Tell me what he¡¯s been doing?¡± Erin asked. The first mate sighed and stated, ¡°We lost him in Melya and found him back here again. It¡¯s perfectly normal for him to have to return back here to obtain more merchandise to trade but¡­It seems that he is not leaving¡­¡± Erin gave her first mate a glance and sighed herself. ¡°What could he want? I¡¯ve given him the idea that I don¡¯t want to fight him, why can¡¯t he just leave me alone?¡± The first mate still found it weird that suddenly his captain didn¡¯t have any care in the world to the ¡®enemy¡¯. They had been severe before this, making sure they got the better of him, even though sometimes it didn¡¯t work, but now, it was almost boring on this pirate ship. To anyone who was on the dock, having looked out towards the ocean the last few days, they would see two ships literally going around in circles¡­ In fact, it has indeed been spotted and reported. King Elton had no idea what was going on out there specifically but there was one thing that had changed in the last two weeks that helped him have an idea upon what it could be! Two weeks ago, he had put out a reward to anyone finding evidence about David. It wasn¡¯t to just bring him back and order him to stay here upon the land, it was more out of the safety of his friend. Having let him be free for a time, it had come to Elton¡¯s attention that a certain two ships were indeed making fun of the¡­Water¡­Or something and have been at each other¡¯s throats for a time and¡­When Allie had told him what type of ship David went on, he had become worried. If David got into any trouble out there, he¡¯d feel even more guilty then he already did! So¡­Just to see that he was okay, he sent out a reward to make sure he was still alive. The problem was that this chain of events just continued with the captain of the merchant ship seeing this reward and found himself flabbergasted at it! All of the news that stated about this ¡®David¡¯, upon who he was, was entirely the person that he had on his boat, prior to the attack from the pirates! Oh, he remembered the look of him before he accepted him! He also remembered that he stated he had been a merchant most of his life¡­His hair color, his eye color! It was him! The one that he had wanted to sell in Melya but had somehow gotten away had been this ¡®David¡¯! The one that had even wrecked his boat a bit, had been him! It was almost like he had found a treasure chest full of treasure at the end of the rainbow! If he could get this ¡®David¡¯ back and get the reward, it¡¯d be almost like no loss had happened! So¡­That was when it had dawned to him that¡­It would be almost ironic that the stupid, little missy would have the one that he was looking for! He had followed her for days, after finding her on the way back from Melya, and had waited to find any kind of evidence that David would be on that ship. There were just too many things that stopped him from sailing away and looking for David elsewhere! One, David had disappeared just as they had the fight with the pirates. Two, David probably wouldn¡¯t be on deck, because he should still be poisoned. At first, giving his new crew member the potion had been a great idea. The potion doesn¡¯t work straight away, which would give him time to sell him off. Then, after being sold, the legs would just not work and if not treated in a number of days, it would become permanent. So, he had to get to David soon! And that was his trade! The idiot would want the antidote, so he¡¯d come to his ship easily¡­The pirates are the problem, probably locking up David so that he can¡¯t talk him into coming back with him once again¡­ So, David not walking around was the biggest problem, because that would mean he wouldn¡¯t know if he¡¯s there or not¡­ Not sure on what to do, he had just followed the pirates around, almost like they were playing cat and mouse. Of course, the merchant captain was coming up with ideas. He had to get on that ship somehow and see if David was there. Even if it was a quick skirmish, then leave¡­That¡¯s it¡­ So, knowing that he¡¯d probably have to get on the ship, he had to come up with the best way to do it where he wouldn¡¯t lose too many men and be able to once again leave with everything, instead of losing anything else to those damned pirates! It wasn¡¯t easy! And so, it seemed to be a deadlock right now! A deadlock that made King Elton feel like perhaps¡­It was his fault! He wasn¡¯t stupid, things changed not long after his reward came out and one of those ships were a cargo ship that should be trading, not following around what was known as a pirate ship! He himself hadn¡¯t know it was a pirate ship until he had looked into it, to which someone had said that the flag had changed a couple of days ago. He was quite certain that David was taken hostage! And that merchant ship knew it! So, he wondered if that merchant ship was the one that David went on when he left! Preparing a ship for him to sail on soon, King Elton had no choice but to wait and see what happens. Even if David isn¡¯t on either of those ships, he can¡¯t have them being idiots like this out on his shores! He was ready to go out there and put their heads together and tell them to act like adults! His marriage was still quite new too, so he didn¡¯t want to stain it with idiotic boat fights. His queen seemed to be keeping something from him, he could feel it. But because he didn¡¯t want to anger her, just believing in her, he could only wait upon what was going on in that head of hers! It just goes to say that King Elton wasn¡¯t in the best of moods! On the other hand, Cid had no idea upon what was going on just outside of his window. He and Bethany, also newlyweds, were getting along well and they were keeping busy. Cid was now working on a new king¡¯s crown, now that he had finished the new Queen¡¯s crown. And just like David knew, Cid did indeed create an interesting crown piece. The crown was able to be changed to become bigger or smaller. It had taken all this time to do but Cid had indeed made a crown that would fit the head of anyone that might come onto the throne in the future! Cid was acknowledged for his crown and felt better since he had to practically put his own business on hold for these few weeks. But it had all been worth while as he was seen as real person, instead of just the ¡®Princess¡¯s husband¡¯. He was known as his own man, and that was what he had wanted well before leaving his stepfather¡¯s house. And Bethany was looking up babies¡­She was with her Cid all the time, as he moved into the palace now, and so she could stay close to him pretty often, unless he had some work at a blacksmithing store or something. Being able to lean against his back, while reading, Bethany could only blush to what could be happening right now! Of course, Bethany has no idea, but that is what she was up to these days. They had been to see David¡¯s parent¡¯s a few times, but Princess Bethany did stay home a lot more now, no longer dressing up into the comfort of male¡¯s clothing to see Cid outside. They were an inseparable couple, more so than that of King Elton and his Queen. It was hard to be close to someone when you had a country to run, but King Elton did make time for his beloved, more so because of his self-interest then hers, but still he made time¡­ But all of them had missed a particular person, who had never showed up for their wedding. Especially Cid, who never really stated how much he missed the other closest friend that he had. He stayed quiet and perhaps even saw Aunty and Uncle less because he felt slightly guilty to the missing David. He didn¡¯t know why he felt guilty, he just did. He felt like he should have done more for his friend, only now to no longer be able to anything at all¡­ David had really done it! He¡¯d gotten quite a number of people missing him and wanting him to return, yet, at the same time, each of them knew that there probably wasn¡¯t much chance that they¡¯d see him too often anymore. David¡¯s parents felt it every day, the loss of their son. They hadn¡¯t left to trade since David had gone missing, they had stayed put. They were waiting¡­And even though they never talked about it openly, they both had an idea that David wasn¡¯t going to live with them anymore. It was a gut feeling, it was instinct¡­All the years that David had silently and aggressively stated his thoughts about the sea were coming to pass. Some were just looks to the ocean, some of seeing him read books, but the anger in leaving was the biggest give away to David¡¯s desires. Hell, they probably knew more than David did, that his heart was already there! They were still waiting though, for David to state this to them¡­Perhaps let them hug him and state a proper farewell¡­ ¡­Well, at least he got out of the black market, is all his father could state at this time¡­ *** Chapter 5
¡°We had everything, just not much of it¡­You know, we found a cupboard downstairs that I didn¡¯t even know was there. It was like finding treasure in my own house¡­I feel pretty good about it.¡± David couldn¡¯t help but let out a small laugh to the captain of the ship with what she just said! Taking up the bag, seeing how they just put everything in there, David frowned¡­ Some herbs shouldn¡¯t be just put with others and¡­What a mess¡­ ¡°What?¡± She asked, almost pouting. ¡°It¡¯s not good enough for you?¡± David put the bag aside immediately and put a handout to her and pushed her towards him. ¡°Thank you.¡± Erin put her chin up and didn¡¯t say anything. ¡°Greedy.¡± David stated, smiling at her. ¡°Am not!¡± She said back. ¡°You, my dear, is greedy!¡± David said, tapping her nose with his finger. ¡°Fine¡­Then give me some sugar!¡± She stated, coming closer to him. Their relationship had grown, just in these few days, and they had become as close as a couple could. New experiences for them both had only strengthened their bond and they can¡¯t remember ever feeling happier in their lives. Erin giggled to stopping him from kissing her, being the tease that she was and so David made her sit on top of him and brought her closer. He had never gotten used to not feeling his legs, but he did deal with it as best as he could. On occasion he grumbled, which Erin didn¡¯t like, so David tried hard to be as positive as possible. He didn¡¯t know her past very much, only tid bits, but he was sure that being any kind of angry was just going to push her away from him. So¡­He really had to grow up! Showing his anger was like a trait of his! He did it without even thinking mostly! It was like a child having a tantrum! But now, because he didn¡¯t want to give this woman nightmares, he felt like his anger problem was something that had to be dealt with! It wasn¡¯t like he was angry all the time, it was more like he just had to grow up and accept more things than usual. David grumbled when he didn¡¯t get his way, but never actually stopped grumbling when knowing he wouldn¡¯t get his way. But now, with things that he knew was out of his control, he stopped himself from grumbling often, simply because even he himself wanted to grow up. It was the other part of his anger that was the problem¡­And that was something that he already told Erin that he was working on. Actually, Erin had come to know that David¡¯s friend, who married the Princess, was called Cid, and that Cid was into jewellery crafting. She didn¡¯t quite understand how a man was doing jewellery but, perhaps it was a new world? As¡­She was female and a pirate after all too¡­ The fact that Cid did jewellery crafting also reminded her of a rumor that she knew had been started before she had become the captain. It was that earrings helped stopped someone from getting sea sickness. Granted, some of her crew members had their ears pierced, having done it ages ago, but they knew now that it didn¡¯t work¡­It¡¯s just funny when they see someone talk about it from another ship¡­And when they might find earrings elsewhere on a boat¡­Just another thing David learnt from her... Erin also told him how she had gotten away from the person that she had been sold too as well. At the time of her being sold, she had not taken a potion like David but still she doesn¡¯t know that David is actually poisoned. Instead, Erin had been more malnourished and had low self-esteem. If her so called husband at the time hadn¡¯t sold her, she may still have low self-esteem, but what he had done was magic! She suddenly had an epiphany, where she was either going to get busy living¡­Or get busy dying¡­So, she choose to live! With the renewed want to live her life, Erin fought her way out of where she was as a slave and told that she was then running away from the law. She became a wanted woman because she ran away from the person that had bought her¡­ So, she became a pirate! At the time that she was telling David this story, she snuggled closer to him and touched his beard, ¡°The captain of the pirates didn¡¯t like me.¡± David was hooked around her little finger, ¡°You were probably prettier than him.¡± Erin giggled and said, ¡°I was!¡± Actually, Erin fit the pirate life pretty well. She didn¡¯t mind taking stuff from people who were bad. She also had hated having been sold to someone who lived in Melya, so she had stolen from a few ships that came from there. That country was terrible anyway, she had thought. Erin may have been doing something that wasn¡¯t entirely acceptable to many, but she was right about one thing. Melya was already known as a declining country, not due to the land¡¯s riches, but due to the monarch and some nobles in it. They were being ruled over by an old lady who put their princess into a secluded place. The princess was known as ¡®Medusa¡¯, simply because she seemed to be known to do cruel things to people. Slavery seemed to be a much bigger thing in Melya too, but the biggest thing was the taxes. At first, the taxes rose for the king and queen who left to find their son, but they just kept going up and up, which have only made Melya a divided country of different people¡­The rich¡­And the poor¡­ Nonetheless, Erin did her share of bad deeds that got her to be somewhat known in the seas. There were pirates elsewhere, but they hardly came here, which meant that at that moment, in these waters that were close to Melya and Commorda, Erin was the main pirate¡­ David, having been the prince¡¯s confident, couldn¡¯t help but worry about Erin¡¯s misdeeds to a point. He wanted her to be who she was but at the same time, he didn¡¯t want her to be that bad that he¡¯d not be able to ever bring her to her see his friends. She wasn¡¯t wanted yet in Commorda, she was just known of, and he hoped it would stay that way! ¡°Will you be good for me?¡± He had asked yesterday. ¡°Why?¡± She asked nonchalantly. ¡°So we can be together¡­¡± David asked, starting to blush. ¡°¡­If I¡¯m not good?¡± Erin asked. David stared at her and then looked away. He didn¡¯t want her to be who she wasn¡¯t, but at the same time, he couldn¡¯t be with her if she was being naughty by killing and pillaging¡­ ¡°David.¡± David had looked at her and smiled for a short second. ¡°How about we make a deal?¡± ¡°What kind of deal?¡± Erin asked moving her head to her other shoulder¡­A naked shoulder¡­ David licked his lips and blinked, focusing once again. ¡°I¡¯ll work on my temper if you can work on not killing anyone.¡± Erin shrugged, ¡°Ok. I don¡¯t kill very often anyway. We know that if we kill too many, many people will come after us. We have fun and steal, but we also can¡¯t do that if we are wanted by others so much, they get in the way.¡± Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. David but his head into her bosom and shook it, ¡°Woman!¡± ¡°Man!¡± David could only kiss her, unable to know of their future in the slightest! ¡­He just had to fall in love with a bloody pirate! *** David took what he hoped to be the antidote to his poisoned legs and put the extra stuff away to the side. He had another antidote, but that was it. The materials just didn¡¯t last beyond that but lucky he hadn¡¯t needed them too. He had been lucky that pirates sometimes looted books, beyond other things, and he had found a book with what he needed. He hoped, beyond hope, that he wasn¡¯t too late and that he hadn¡¯t lost the feeling in his legs forever. He couldn¡¯t wait to show his woman his full potential! He couldn¡¯t wait to walk out there, on that deck, just like she does every day without him! It had been a secret that he had not told her, simply because if this doesn¡¯t even work, then what would be the point? Erin doesn¡¯t need to know that her so called husband had poisoned him. She doesn¡¯t need to hold in more anger and pain like that. He wished so whole heartedly that she moves on and not think of him ever again! David wanted to kill him with his own hands, never wanting to kill someone like this ever in his life! He saw how sometimes she still flinched, he had even seen her have a nightmare once! She might not ever forget what he had done to her! Clinching his fist, he just couldn¡¯t bear to give her just another thing that she might be angry at that nasty captain with because that still meant she thought about him! Yep, he¡¯d fallen, he fell so hard that he was still trying to understand it all! From the first time that he had seen her, and still today, he was head over heels for this pirate! A pirate! Oh, Elton is ganna love this! Actually, David put a hand to his head and shook it, he probably was ganna love this, no pun intended whatsoever! Elton always wanted to get strange things into his collections. Like that of thieves and assassins and the black market. They were all little trophies that he wanted to obtain for himself, and David sometimes felt like Elton really might do it one day! That, well he was a King now, that king was a very unique king, that was for sure! Again, he found himself wondering what his old friends were doing. He heard that the new King was married now, and David had missed both of his friends¡¯ weddings. That betrayer thief must be his queen! She has even won Mahjong¡­No! David didn¡¯t want to accept it! She must have won through bad means! That prince would have cheated somehow! Yes, it probably would have been won by Cid or himself, not by her, who had never played before! His memories, even though he was a bit angry over them, were still special. In fact, that had been the last time that they all had been together¡­ Yet, he couldn¡¯t regret leaving, even now, he just didn¡¯t like that he missed an important event is all. ¡°Hello¡­¡± David looked at the hand swinging in his face and looked up at a gorgeous face, one that he woke up to now every day. ¡°Hey.¡± ¡°You didn¡¯t hear me¡­Are you thinking of a girl?¡± Erin narrowed her eyes at him, ¡°You can¡¯t, I forbid it!¡± David laughed and could only dote on her, ¡°No, I wasn¡¯t! You have nothing to fear.¡± Erin sighed and sat next to him, on the edge of the bed. ¡°If you break my trust in you, I might kill you!¡± David put a hand to her face, to make her look at him, ¡°Honey, I¡¯m looking at leaving everyone I know, just to be with you!¡± ¡°¡­You¡¯re stupid.¡± Erin easily said. David dropped his hand and put it through his hair instead, ¡°Yeah.¡± In the next second he was hugged tightly by her, her lips on his, her sitting on him and her hair cascaded down over their faces. With no restraint, David held her to him and kissed her right back. When they parted, Erin looked at him meaningfully, ¡°It¡¯s ok that you¡¯re stupid.¡± David smirked, ¡°Good.¡± ¡°¡­I¡¯ll be good¡­¡± She said quietly. David knew exactly what she was talking about¡­He put his forehead to hers and said, ¡°What if they tell you to stop being the captain?¡± Erin shrugged. ¡°Then they are stupid too.¡± David could only laugh, ¡°I¡¯m starting to think that soon the whole world will be stupid to you.¡± Erin nodded, ¡°Only me is not stupid.¡± What is in her head!? ¡°So full of yourself, honey!¡± ¡°I can get away with it!¡± Erin stated, laughing herself. David put his hands over her, unable to help himself, and said into her neck, ¡°Fine, you win! Whatever you are trying to say, you win!¡± ¡°Haha! Hey, I¡¯m looking into getting some birds.¡± David pulled back to hear her turn somewhat serious. ¡°Birds?¡± ¡°Yeah, they are small and exotic! Easy to sell!¡± David thought about it for a moment and found it to be quite a good idea, ¡°You might even be able to tame a bird, you know, like have it so that it¡¯ll¡­¡± ¡°Bite people!¡± Erin stated happily. ¡°No!¡± David said, tapping her nose. ¡°I mean people might pay more for a bird that doesn¡¯t fly away. Or whatever.¡± Erin winked at him, thinking that he understood her already. ¡°Exactly.¡± David narrowed his eyes at her, ¡°You sound like you are the one with the idea of taming a bird!¡± Erin slapped him lightly on the cheek, ¡°I already thought of that before talking to you about it.¡± David frowned to her small slap and held his cheek, pouting at her. ¡°I didn¡¯t hit you hard, want me too?¡± David stopped pouting¡­ Sometimes she came across as a bit of an idiot who didn¡¯t think, but probably most of the time, it was all for show. He wouldn¡¯t be surprised if she thought of taming the birds beforehand, it¡¯s just¡­She can be such a mystery sometimes! It wasn¡¯t a mystery, pirates on this ship at least, play with people. Since they don¡¯t care as much as the ¡®land dwellers¡¯, less things get to them and so they get used to playing with words and people. They call it fun but the ¡®land dwellers¡¯ don¡¯t like it at all! Just as he thought that of how mysterious she was, he suddenly found that he could move some of his toes¡­ Going silent, and not moving, David breathed out heavily and bowed his head¡­Thank god! He really might walk again soon! Thank god! ¡°David?¡± Erin felt like there was something wrong. David smiled at her, putting a piece of her hair behind her ear. He was still happily stunned to such good news at this moment. ¡°Something wrong?¡± Erin asked again. Shaking his head, David said, ¡°At the moment, I feel like everything is fine¡­I¡¯m happy.¡± Neither of them had stated their intimate feelings to one another¡­This had been the closest thing to saying anything¡­And Erin couldn¡¯t stop a smile from showing as she suddenly went shy. ¡°Me too.¡± In no time, David pushed her into him and went to start becoming even more intimate, only to be interrupted with a knock on the door¡­ ¡°Captain, I think something¡¯s changed¡­¡± Erin sighed, ¡°You said that last time.¡± ¡°I mean it this time¡­¡± The first mate stated in a hurry. ¡°What is it?¡± Erin sighed, falling into David¡¯s chest. ¡°They¡­They¡­¡± Both David and Erin frowned to the first mate stuttering and looked at the door. ¡°Spit it out!¡± Erin yelled. ¡°It¡¯s just that, we didn¡¯t understand because they¡¯d never done something like this before, so we¡­¡± Erin fixed her clothes back up and then pulled down David¡¯s shirt. ¡°Ah, so this is where you¡¯ve been hiding.¡± Startled to not only the door being opened but to the familiar voice, both David and Erin looked at the merchant captain. ¡°What a naughty girl you are!¡± In an instant, Erin was slapped, and she even fell off the other side of the bed, not having been ready at all! David went to look around, to see what he could do but there were no swords or knifes close by. At the same time, he had watched Erin fall over her feet like nothing and so nothing was achieved in a short amount of time to help each other from the unannounced visitor! ¡°You¡¯re coming with me!¡± The merchant captain stated, pulling on David, then he turned to Erin, who was getting up, glaring at him in anger, ¡°I¡¯ll tend to you later, my wife!¡± The merchant captain quickly picked up David better, over his shoulder and walked with haste to the side of the boat and just threw David overboard. David couldn¡¯t quite still feel his legs yet and really had no idea what to do, even now, as he started to sink. He was then pulled up by someone who was in a small boat next to the pirate ship. ¡°Give him back, Ulrich!¡± Erin yelled, now coming out of the captains¡¯ quarters. ¡°Haha, don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll warm your bed later!¡± The merchant captain stated, as he continued to go down the side ladder. ¡°David!¡± Erin yelled, now looking over the side of the boat. David turned his wet head and smiled warmly at her, before he was forced to look in another direction, he winked. Frowning, Erin wondered why David seemed to be ok¡­But it did help her get out of her phase as she turned to her crew. ¡°What are ya all doing!? We¡¯re going after that boat, now get to work!¡± Erin watched as most of them got to work but a few stared at her in contempt. ¡°What? Done with pirating are ya?¡± ¡°Done with you!¡± They stated as they started walking towards her. ¡°I¡¯m not¡­In a good mood!¡± Erin stated, not even waiting for them to get to her as she walked to one of them and pulled at his shirt. Being unprepared, the man was suddenly turning towards another, and they collided together. Erin hit the bum of one and then pulled the ears of another, ¡°If you¡¯re done with me, then get off my ship!¡± With no regard to what they thought, she pulled more at the ears, to the side of the ship and then pushed him off! ¡°If we weren¡¯t in such a hurry, I woulda left ya on an island!¡± She yelled at the man who fell into the water. Turning back to the other two, they pushed the floor, to try and get away from her and Erin squatted before them. ¡°Now, tell me, what¡¯s your problem!?¡± They shook their heads, ¡°Nothing, nothing captain!¡± Erin raised her eyebrows, ¡°Oh? Nothing?¡± They again shook their heads, ¡°Nothing!¡± ¡°Yes, there¡¯s a problem!¡± She yelled out at them, scaring them! ¡°No, captain there¡¯s no problem at all, no problem!¡± One of them stated, the other nodding along. ¡°You¡­Aren¡¯t¡­Working!¡± She stated, now standing up and pointing at them, ¡°You want to go for a swim?¡± They finally understood and before she could grab onto another one, they both got up and ran around, hoping to find something or someone to give them some work! Suddenly, they felt extremely lucky that the captain was busy right now! If there was no one to chase after, they¡¯d probably be detained and then left on an island! They both shivered just thinking about it! Having thought that they would be able to get one woman, with three of them, they had completely been overwhelmed and could only feel embarrassed! No wonder she was the captain¡­ Chapter 6
It felt like time went extremely slow for a number of people at this moment. David might have winked at Erin, but he still wasn¡¯t all that confident. He hoped that he could walk, swim and do anything but he still only felt a slight feeling in his legs and so¡­He really was in trouble! He wasn¡¯t surprised either, he¡¯d only just recently taken the antidote, and it would be magic if it healed him so quickly! ¡°Don¡¯t worry, my man! As soon as we get on my boat and get away from these fiends, I¡¯ll give you what you need!¡± David looked at the merchant captain with disgust, ¡°Oh? And what could that be?¡± The antidote¡­Right? ¡°Haha, of course it¡¯ll be the thing that will give you a better life and I¡¯ll be the one you will thank for that!¡± David slightly shook his head as he looked down, this man, the reason why he couldn¡¯t feel his legs in the first place wants to now look good for giving him the antidote? Did he really think that he¡¯d be thankful? Yes, it was true, the merchant captain thought of that story beforehand as well. He was going to play the ¡®good man¡¯. He was going to make up a whole story of ¡®finding the long lost David¡¯ so that he could not only help him bring him back to the King, but having ¡®heard¡¯ about his legs, had found the antidote. He would be a hero! And if David didn¡¯t want to accept this as the ¡®real¡¯ story, he now had another trick to play! Looking at the pirate ship, as it was turning to face their small boat slowly, the merchant captain smiled slyly. That little missy could now be an even bigger pawn! If this David didn¡¯t do what he wanted, he¡¯d just use his wife to taunt him. How many ways could he punish her in front of him? Ha, so easy! The luck! Everything could only fall into place, he was sure of it! It had been an interesting turn of events actually, because the merchant ship was slower and had less man, the merchant captain had gone out onto a smaller boat with only one other person, and a white flag. The pirates normally don¡¯t care about something like this, even though it was the first time that they¡¯d seen this directly. So, the pirate ship just slowly kept going, to keep that small amount of space between them and the main merchant ship. The problem was, they had been going around in circles continuously this entire time and that was used against them. They predicted that the pirate ship would continue to just go round, thinking that they were good enough never to be boarded¡­ With Erin not at her post, the first mate got confused, as his last orders were to keep a distance from the merchant ship, but¡­The smaller one was using that against them and had gotten closer to theirs, even though it was just two people¡­They had indeed gone the opposite way around this invisible circle, quickly meeting up at the front of the pirate ship in such a quick instant that by the time they found this small boat with two people in it, they could already hear them slowing down to being hooked up to the pirate ship! Upon seeing this, the first mate quickly went to the captain, hoping that they¡¯d have enough time before the two man just boarded their ship! While the first mate was away from his post, the ship just slowed down, making it even easier for the merchant captain to climb aboard¡­ It was all done so easily as the merchant captain walked onto the ship like he owned it, well that¡¯s how he felt anyway, it was his wife¡¯s, so it was his! At least one pirate went to stop him, but he was killed straight away, with absolutely no remorse. They stopped attacking him when they saw his face¡­ He called them all dogs and that their leader was his wife and so therefore they were his men! It was hard having a female leader and having such a dominant male coming onto the boat, declaring them as his, as it made them remember what it was like to have a man as their leader and so they did nothing. It was pretty safe to say that in a few people opinions at that time, when the merchant captain climbed aboard the pirate ship, the real pirate had indeed been him. He had no line that he wouldn¡¯t cross, and he was also very self-absorbed, pretty much thinking of himself most of the time¡­And David was pretty much loot right now, a treasure that the merchant captain wanted to obtain! This was all seen by the crew on the pirate ship and yes, they did nothing, which was another reason why the pirate ship came to a stop on the sea¡­ They let the man walk into the captain¡¯s quarters, then watched as he came out with someone and throw them overboard. ¡­The problem with pirates is that they won¡¯t get into trouble for not bothering with what just happened. They might get yelled out, but they didn¡¯t do much wrong and the uninvited guest didn¡¯t stay, so¡­What would be the point of punishing them? They choose to do nothing, and Erin can only get upset for caring that David got taken but it didn¡¯t really have much to do with the rest of them¡­ They should know better though, because this was¡­Erin¡¯s boat¡­It was Erin¡¯s kingdom¡­ Nonetheless, the overbearing male that came onto the boat, declaring them all as his, was why three of them had turned against Erin. They took that opportunity to basically state that her ¡®husband¡¯ was their leader instead¡­But¡­That didn¡¯t work! Erin wasn¡¯t blind, she saw that things had changed slightly, but now wasn¡¯t the time to play around! She would have to give them all a beating later! So, now that they were now turned towards the small boat, they finally understood their little ploy¡­Because the bigger ship was heading for the smaller boat too, having just down a bigger circle, that¡¯s all. Before their eyes, they watched as the smaller boat met up with the bigger boat, and David was slowly hauled up to the deck of the boat. The smaller boat had been abandoned as the bigger boat continued on, infuriating Erin. Before she could come up with anything good, except to just catch up to them slowly, another ship suddenly came into view, changing everything! It would have been harder to do anything if all the ships were going fast but the pirate ship was going slow and the merchant ship was already slowing down to seeing the other ship in front of them¡­Was this just going to be another deadlock? Not just one of them was infuriated, King Elton was too! Now standing at the front of the ship, with several people to protect him, he was overseeing the other two ships with his own eyes. He waited until they were getting closer before he yelled out, ¡°In the name of this countries King, you will stop now!¡± If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. It wasn¡¯t just a yell, it was a very angry yell! ¡°In a hurry?¡± Alison asked, coming out of nowhere. Elton turned to her abruptly, ¡°What are you doing here!?¡± Alison shrugged and turned to the boats, ¡°I was just going for a walk.¡± Unable to say anything at all, Elton just stared at her¡­ Alison looked at Elton for a quick moment and slightly hesitated¡­He was extremely angry! ¡°Get under the boat!¡± He pointed, nearly yelling but it was obvious that he wanted to yell! ¡°No.¡± Was all she said, as she then turned back to the boats. ¡°If David is there, I¡¯m helping.¡± Elton cursed and went to take her, wanting to put her down below deck but she quickly got away. ¡°We are getting closer, pay attention!¡± Elton stopped and turned, seeing it is so. ¡°Don¡¯t think I won¡¯t put you over my knee!¡± Elton stated as he then turned his attention towards the two boats. ¡°Who are you to state such a thing!?¡± The merchant captain yelled back arrogantly. ¡°Elton!?¡± David said, moving his neck forward to try and see if he was right. ¡°You know him?¡± The merchant captain asked him. David absently nodded to the merchant captain, ¡°Yeah.¡± Unable to help from smiling, David stared at the merchant captain and almost laughed, he was going to be in so much trouble! ¡°Then if he knows you¡­¡± In the next moment, the merchant captain walked forward and yelled, ¡°I have just freed a person known as David from the pirates!¡± ¡°He¡¯s mine!¡± A woman¡¯s voice yelled out possessively. Elton looked from one boat to the next and sighed. What was going on? David seemed to be the loot here¡­ But at least now, he knew that David was at the very least still alive! David looked down at his legs and still only felt a very small amount of feeling in them, hardly able to lift them beyond just a few centimetres¡­ He can¡¯t run, so he still had to be careful about his predicament. ¡°He stole him from me!¡± In an instant, the pirates laid down a board towards the merchant ship and took things into their own hands. David didn¡¯t know if Erin should be doing this in front of the King but¡­It was already done! With pirates running onto the merchant boat, they tried to quickly bring people to their knees, holding them at sword point, but did nothing much else. There were some fights going on, but those fights were forgotten where David was¡­The merchant captain frowned, going inside and holding David up in front of him. He assumed that as long as he kept David safe, the other ship would probably just kill those pirates for him. Elton just waited until they too could board the merchant ship but was getting slightly edgy to the safety of his friend¡¯s life. Before Elton could say or do anything more, Alison rushed out on a rope and slid through a window of the merchant¡¯s boat and landed right next to David. ¡°There you are.¡± ¡°Alison!¡± A yell came towards Alison, and she slightly cringed to it. David heard the King¡¯s angry voice and cringed as well. ¡°He¡¯s mad as hell right now!¡± Alison looked at the merchant captain and shrugged, ¡°I¡¯ll make it up to him later.¡± ¡°Who are you!?¡± The merchant captain asked, standing behind David and putting a knife to his neck. The close by area went quiet, including that of Erin who was now at the door, seeing David like this. ¡°Alison!¡± With that, Erin was then pushed aside as Elton came in, then he saw the knife to David¡¯s neck and immediately said, ¡°Put it down!¡± ¡°Who are you!?¡± The merchant captain yelled, knowing full well that he may be in big trouble¡­All he had was ¡®David¡¯s¡¯ life in his hands¡­ ¡°David¡­¡± Elton said. ¡°Ulrich, let him go!¡± Erin said through clenched teeth. She hated that name! Hated it! Hated it! Hated it! ¡°Or what?¡± The merchant captain stated. His eyes skittered from one person to the next. He didn¡¯t see much of an exit! They were in a room that was somewhat opened on two ends, but those two ends were completely blocked! David had tried to talk but this ¡®Ulrich¡¯ just grabbed him tighter¡­It was obvious now that David was his only piece to keep him safe. Everyone knew this¡­ Elton took a deep breath and eyed the person holding onto his friend¡¯s neck, ¡°I don¡¯t think there¡¯s anything you can do for a pardon.¡± They looked at him in stunned faces, they were all thinking of a way to bargain to help get David out of harm¡¯s way, but Elton just gave him no way out! ¡°I agree!¡± Erin stated. ¡°Who are you?¡± Elton said, turning to Erin. ¡°Good question.¡± Erin said, only quickly looking at Elton before looking back at David. ¡°I¡¯m the king¡­¡± Elton said, feeling a bit deflated¡­This was probably the worst time he¡¯d ever had to tell someone of his status¡­ ¡°Hi, I¡¯m the queen¡­¡± Alison said, while smiling at Erin. Ulrich widened his eyes and felt like his life was over¡­How was he to get out of this! It wasn¡¯t Ulrich that brought them back from making conversation, it was Erin stating, ¡°David¡¯s mine.¡± Elton wasn¡¯t someone that laughed often but he had trouble from holding a straight face at this moment. David went to talk but was held even harder, making him start to go red in the face and make noises as his throat was being held. They could not hold out anymore, David might die at this rate¡­But what are they to do? ¡°Let him go.¡± Elton stated. ¡°Without a pardon, I think not.¡± Ulrich stated. If it hadn¡¯t been for the pirates, this would have gone down a lot smoother! Elton narrowed his eyes, ¡°You want a pardon?¡± ¡°I want a pardon and the reward for finding David.¡± The merchant captain stated without holding back. ¡°I did save him from the pirates after all.¡± He was insulting the King at that very moment! But the merchant captain wanted to remind the other boats people that the pirates were their enemy, not him! ¡°Fine you have it, now let him go!¡± Elton stated. ¡°No, not until I have it, I will then take David and only then leave him on an island or at Melya port as long as no one is around. Everyone there knew that that wouldn¡¯t happen. David would be killed. Why would this person go out of his way when he got what he wanted¡­They had to save him now or there might not be another time! But how do they save him without harming David at the same time? Without any warning, an arrow went straight into Ulrich from the window. It was a site indeed as the arrow hit squarely in the forehead, spraying a bit of blood close by. Then the body started to fall heavily to the floor, along with David. It stunned everyone so much that all but Erin looked at where the arrow came from. A site indeed as someone in the crow¡¯s nest from the pirate ship put down her bow¡­It was Robin¡­ Erin quickly grabbed David, dragging him to her side and then she got out her sword and put it to Ulrich¡¯s neck. ¡°No pardon!¡± Everyone else turned back around to see Erin slice the neck of the merchant captain, seeing him finish sliding down to the floor afterwards. Erin then looked through the window and nodded, obviously to state to Robin that her job was done well. David had coughed a few times but now was just breathing slightly heavier. ¡°Your Highness.¡± Elton stared at David quietly for a moment, then nodded, ¡°It¡¯s majesty now. You missed my wedding.¡± David put his head against the wall and closed his eyes, ¡°Sorry¡­¡± Elton went to go before David, who didn¡¯t seem to be getting up from the floor, but Erin stood in front of him with great confidence before saying, ¡°What are you going to do?¡± ¡°It¡¯s ok, I know him.¡± David said, reaching up to take her hand. Erin shrugged, ¡°So¡­I knew that one too.¡± She pointed to the body of Ulrich, without even looking. Elton let out a small laugh, ¡°You¡¯ve picked up an interesting one, David.¡± David, still holding onto Erin¡¯s hand, just smiled. ¡°When are you going to stand up before your king?¡± Elton asked, getting irritated. He knew David had just been handled roughly, but he seemed alright¡­ ¡°Soon.¡± Is all David said, as Erin bent down in front of him. David felt a bit embarrassed, but he put his hands around her neck. ¡°Push him up for me, will ya.¡± Erin said to Elton. ¡°Push him?¡± Was all Elton said. Alison went up and pushed David onto Erin better, having more of an idea on what was going on. Elton watched in silence as he saw his friend get carted away like this. ¡­Broken¡­ Alison looked at Elton and sighed. She knew Elton felt guilty, now he was probably going to feel even more guilty¡­ Erin didn¡¯t care who those people were, she just slowly got David back onto her ship and put him back onto their bed where he belonged. ¡°I¡¯m going.¡± She said, going to walk out. There were still heaps to do at this point, not only where there still men under sword point and punishment to be had but the guests don¡¯t seem to be leaving quickly at all. ¡°Not yet.¡± David said, holding her back, ¡°I¡¯ll have to talk to them before we leave. ¡°I don¡¯t want to.¡± Erin said, coming back. David smiled at her, ¡°I¡¯m not going anywhere. Just let me see them for a bit.¡± Erin smiled back and nodded. It seemed that is all she needed to hear¡­ Walking out of her quarters, she saw Robin jump down from where she had shot the arrow from and gave her a good hit on the shoulder, ¡°Good work!¡± ¡°Yes, agreed, good work!¡± Elton stated, having finally followed after Erin. Robin looked at Erin and then back at Elton, ¡°Who?¡± ¡°Hi, I¡¯m Alison!¡± Alison said, happily looking at Robin, ¡°That was a nice shot!¡± ¡°Alison.¡± Robin said, nodding her acknowledgement. ¡°Your Majesty!¡± Elton said roughly. ¡°It¡¯s Her Majesty!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t be so pedantic!¡± Alison said back to him. ¡°You are the queen, it is fact!¡± Elton stated back firmly. Robin was stunned but quickly got onto her knees and did whatever she thought was right for that moment. ¡°Your Majesty, I¡¯m sorry if I did something wrong!¡± ¡°And now me? I¡¯m the King.¡± Elton said smugly. Robin went still for a moment in shock and then said, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Your Majesties, I¡¯m so sorry. I¡­I¡­¡± ¡°Enough! Let her go!¡± Alison said, bending down to help Robin up. ¡°Stand up properly.¡± Elton felt better now that he was properly introduced. ¡°Very well.¡± All this time Erin just stood there, finally saying, ¡°You seem to know David?¡± Turning to Erin, both Alison and Elton looked curiously at her. It didn¡¯t seem to matter to her at all that she was in the company of the countries King and Queen. ¡°Yes, we know David.¡± Alison said, looking at Elton, why had he gone so quiet? One can only guess at Elton as he was coming up with yet another idea¡­Another idea for these pirates and how they could indeed become quite useful to him! He never really gave much thought to the sea¡­Well, until now¡­ Having some help in defending Commorda from the sea sounded fantastic. And he was here, right now, so he could try and start getting the pirates under him! That was it, Elton was convinced that the pirates had to join him! Chapter 7
¡°Is it wrong of me to assume that you are a pirate?¡± Elton asked Erin suddenly. Erin shrugged, ¡°Not really.¡± Elton then said, ¡°Where is your captain?¡± Erin folded her hands over her chest and looked at him, ¡°She is right here. What do you want?¡± Narrowing his eyes, Elton glared at her, ¡°I meant the real one in charge.¡± Erin stared at him in contempt, then turned and walked away. ¡°Hey!¡± Elton stated, following after her. ¡°I asked you a question!¡± Following her into another area, Elton saw David touching his legs¡­ ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Your Majesty¡­¡± He was in the middle of massaging his legs when both of them walked in after the other. ¡°I just wanted to know where the captain was, she never pointed him out and just walked away from me! Is this how pirates act!? They are not welcomed if this is how they are!¡± Elton let out his frustrations. ¡°You disrespected her.¡± David stated, trying to sit up as properly as possible. ¡°Disrespected!? What about her disrespect towards me!?¡± Elton said, trying to keep his voice down. ¡°She is the captain!¡± David said back, glaring at him. Elton stopped and went quiet again. Alison sighed and pushed Elton out of the room. ¡°You idiot!¡± Elton felt weird. He was upset! David had been hurt and can¡¯t walk and then taken away¡­Nothing was going his way! Alison put her hands to his face and looked at him, ¡°Calm down. You are starting to look silly.¡± Elton looked down, knowing that she was right. He had to act his part. ¡°I haven¡¯t seen him¡­¡± There were two people in his entire life that made Elton care, and one of them was David. David had the courage to be himself in front of him and that made Elton see the good in having a friend¡­He had missed him. Missed the person that would sarcastically say ¡®Your highness!¡¯ and run away from him. He missed their talks on how he would make the country whole and how he would get back at his father¡­ What was worse, was that he felt like David wasn¡¯t coming back! Alison interrupted him, ¡°I know¡­So, just take a few breaths in and then think about it again.¡± Actually, there were very few times that Elton showed so much emotion. Then, on top of that, he hardly understood those feelings¡­ He felt guilty that he hadn¡¯t saved his friend, after putting him in danger back when they were trying to find evidence of the previous King¡¯s crimes. Now, he felt worse because David had been in danger a second time and he still had not been able to save him! On top of that, David had gone through something where he¡¯d lost the use of his legs! ¡°Stop it!¡± Alison said, ¡°Didn¡¯t you hear him, he said ¡®Soon¡¯. Let¡¯s just talk to him before we get upset or mad, alright?¡± Elton frowned, he hadn¡¯t heard that. But she was right, perhaps they could help David walk again¡­ Finally, Elton felt like he was returning back to himself. That¡¯s right! He still needed to get the pirates on his side too! Walking back in, to suddenly stop once again, Elton saw David so openly kissing the one he wanted to talk to! Not used to such an opened intimacy in front of him, Elton turned around and left. Too much had happened in such a short time! Sitting down on a bench, he saw the archer come up to him and bow down¡­Her performance wasn¡¯t very good, but it did state she recognized him as the monarch, ¡°Rise.¡± ¡°Your Majesty¡­¡± Robin took a deep breath in and tried again, ¡°Your Majesty, if I was a runaway slave, what is it that I must do to be pardoned?¡± A slave? He had been making sure slaves don¡¯t exist in Commorda since before he was King. This meant that she could be from another country¡­ Elton looked at her and asked, ¡°You are from Melya?¡± ¡°Indeed, Your Majesty.¡± Robin stated, still bowing her head. She had never been in front of royalty before¡­She actually didn¡¯t even like royalty, considering what they had done to her home country¡­ ¡°Are you wanting to become a citizen of Commorda?¡± He asked her. Robin looked up for a moment, ¡°I am not sure, Your Majesty. I just¡­¡± Looking back down once again, Robin once again gained courage, ¡°I was going to go back and¡­¡± More courage needed, Robin told herself, ¡°I was going to go back and try to help the poor in Melya¡­¡± Elton took a moment to think of this. It seemed she wanted a pardon from him, so that she could go back to free and help others¡­Or was she saying something else? Elton saw his men close by and then looked back at Robin. ¡°Tell this King your idea.¡± Elton stated, curious of this potential service¡­ Robin went to talk but couldn¡¯t, she couldn¡¯t tell him her thoughts¡­They were¡­She wanted to shake the foundation of the monarch in Melya, which was pretty much treason! How could she say that to another countries King!? Shaking her head, Robin just couldn¡¯t do it. ¡°I became a slave once in Melya.¡± Another female voice said. Turning to Erin, who was leaning against the main pillar of the boat, Elton then turned back to Robin. Robin already knew this about her captain, so didn¡¯t say anything. Erin sighed, ¡°You are leaving?¡± Robin nodded, even though she was still in front of Elton, not her captain. ¡°I remember once you wanted to go back home.¡± Erin said, moving to Robin and squatting to be right in front of her. Robin looked at her and said, ¡°I left, I ran¡­But I have something to give, and¡­¡± Robin held onto her bow tight, and everyone around her could see what she meant when she said that she had ¡®something to give¡¯. She meant that she was going to fight¡­ Looking up at Elton, Elton wondered why suddenly he became so important¡­ Erin smiled at Robin and got up, ¡°And fighting back might not be so bad, uh?¡± Robin looked up at her captain and smiled. Elton smiled too, ¡°Great! I was hoping for that!¡± Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator. He had hoped to free some of Commorda¡¯s kin that had been sold into Melya for some time but could only do so in small ways¡­Until now! Both Erin and Robin looked at the King of Commorda and Elton looked behind them. Getting up and walking to the several who followed to keep him save, he looked at them and said, ¡°Who doesn¡¯t have family?¡± A few bowed their heads, while others still kept looking at him. ¡°Who would be willing to help on a long-term expedition to go to Melya?¡± ¡°I will.¡± Surprised at the quick volunteer, Elton looked at the one who said that and frowned, ¡°New?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± You aren¡¯t new¡­Just new to the guards chosen to follow me on this day¡­ ¡°How can I trust you?¡± Elton wasn¡¯t even talking about Robin now, he was just talking about right at this moment, would this person be willing to save him¡­ ¡°You can¡¯t.¡± the man said, then looked directly at the King, ¡°But I have reasons of my own to go there!¡± Elton couldn¡¯t help but be pleased, ¡°You will accompany Robin here, she seems to be just like you!¡± Robin stood up and looked around the King, at the soldier type man who nodded at the King. ¡°Very well.¡± ¡°Didn¡¯t you used to be Advisor Ricks spy?¡± Elton suddenly said to the man who agreed to go. He was quite curious on what he would do if things were out in the open. Because this man was not new at all! The man looked back at the King, ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Tell me why.¡± The man suddenly showed a sign of worry, making Elton narrow his eyes at him, ¡°Speak.¡± ¡°Even I don¡¯t know why¡­I was trying to get information from him.¡± The man said, bowing his head. Elton sighed, he felt like there was some truth and some lies in that. It happened everywhere though, where people used other people for their own benefits. He did it too, it seemed like a natural thing. The biggest question was if this man was still loyal to Advisor Rick or not. Perhaps he could help get him information, if it was that easy to gain his loyalty¡­ ¡°Then tell me your reason to go to Melya.¡± Elton asked, hoping to find another way to what this person was up to. ¡°I am also from Melya.¡± The man said, once again looking straight at the King. What courage, Elton thought. To look at me like this. It was pretty normal to never look a King straight in the face like this but this person¡­ Silence entered the area and all but Elton started to feel edgy, even Alison. Was it because he was the King? Was it because he was certain of himself? Whatever it was, King Elton knew how to make people hold their breaths and hang onto his words. Plus, he was a pretty good King so far. People seemed happy to listen to him and behave¡­ Elton was a complicated person, and at this moment, no one knew what was going through his mind. ¡°Robin, you have my pardon for being a runaway slave. All I can give you is my seal on paper stating this, but it does not mean it will work in Melya. My advice is to try not to get caught! Do you understand?¡± Robin nodded, ¡°Yes, Your Majesty.¡± Elton turned back to the volunteer, and continued, ¡°¡­What is your name?¡± For the first time ever in his life, the man wanted to use his real name¡­Even if it was this one time, ¡°Amil.¡± Elton stopped for a moment. That name was familiar¡­Where had he heard that name before!? It felt like he knew it for sure, that if he could just think for a short time, he¡¯d know! As Elton felt sure that that name was familiar but couldn¡¯t pinpoint where it was from, the rest of the people looked around in silence. ¡°Like our lost prince.¡± Robin stated openly, staring at ¡®Amil¡¯. The man looked at her but gave nothing away. Elton widened his eyes, yes, he thought, that¡¯s it! ¡°Are you the lost prince?¡± Elton asked. Such a direct question, the man thought. But he just wasn¡¯t ready for anything to do with his identity¡­Not in the least. Why did he state his real name like that? Had he been that scared to lie to royalty? ¡­Maybe¡­ But he was royalty! He shouldn¡¯t have done it! He just didn¡¯t really have time to think with everything that was going on! As it was, his knowledge of who he was, was still quite recently known to him. Having thought and thought about it, he became a bit obsessed about the information but still had no idea what to do about it¡­ Everyone was waiting for any kind of answer from the man, but he did not do anything. He couldn¡¯t say no, and lie, but at the same time¡­ ¡°You can go.¡± Elton stated suddenly. Everyone was startled to the sudden change. ¡°Thank you, Your Majesty.¡± The man said, directly moving out of the area towards Robin. Robin didn¡¯t know what else to do though, they were on boats after all¡­ Should they just jump off and swim? Elton felt almost sure that the man was indeed the lost prince. He was about the same age and looked like his father. The same name, and not knowing who he was so he had gone to the advisor somehow. And since Elton felt this way, it was already settled, the prince needed to go back home! What Elton liked to know was, was Amil going to take his throne back? If so, how was he going to do it? If he could help Amil now, then Amil will be in his debt! And, with the chance that Amil wasn¡¯t the long-lost prince, then nothing is lost¡­ ¡°We¡¯ll take you to shore.¡± Elton said, turning back towards where David was. ¡°I just got to talk to this idiot in here first.¡± Alison shook her head, ¡°What idiot.¡± She muttered under her breath! Robin looked at the queen of Commorda and wondered how she can act the way she does and get away with it¡­ Alison saw her looking at her and smiled, then winked. Robin felt like she must be dreaming¡­The queen looked like a mischievous child! Erin had more courage than Robin as she stood next to Alison and said, ¡°I liked how you went through the window.¡± ¡°Me too!¡± Alison said. ¡°I like you.¡± Erin said openly. Alison laughed and said, ¡°I like you too! What¡¯s it like being a pirate?¡± She honestly couldn¡¯t help herself! Having put an arm around Erin, her other hand went into what looked like a pocket and pulled something out. ¡°Captain!¡± Robin said, pointing at Alison. Erin saw that Alison had taken something and glared at Alison. Alison half smiled and gave it back, then looked at Robin, ¡°Dibber Dobber!¡± Robin suddenly saw what she did and immediately got onto her knees again out of fright! Alison sighed and pulled her back up as the apologizes cascaded out of Robin¡¯s mouth. Putting a single finger on Robins mouth, Alison stared at her, ¡°Shh.¡± Looking back at the room, Alison moved her head to see better and sighed in relief. ¡°Phew.¡± If she had made enemies with pirates as well today, it really would be bad! Robin was a bit confused, but Erin wasn¡¯t. She just put what Alison stole back into her pocket and didn¡¯t care. ¡°I like being a pirate because I feel like I can do whatever I want.¡± It really was like a snide comment for that very moment! Alison nodded, but¡­Knowing that she was already in trouble, Alison stopped and decided to be good from now on. Elton wasn¡¯t one to say something and not follow through, she really did have a punishment coming later¡­It just a matter of how much punishment now¡­ Ah, to be a pirate, Alison thought. A thieving pirate¡­ Suddenly Alison felt something get removed from her and she found Milo in Erin¡¯s hand. ¡°Hey!¡± ¡°A mouse?¡± Erin said. She wasn¡¯t like a thief and was able to get away with just taking something without it getting noticed, but she had been curious. ¡°Are they easy to take care of?¡± Alison got Milo back and grumbled. ¡°Are they?¡± Erin asked. Alison sighed, ¡°Depends. Milo seemed attached to me but I¡¯m sure normal ones would run away without a cage.¡± ¡°Milo is a nice name.¡± Robin said, smiling at the mouse. ¡°David is a nice name.¡± Erin said. Both woman and a man looked at her, really, she was the captain here? It was so obvious that she was infatuated with David that Alison felt happy. ¡°I¡¯m happy for you!¡± ¡°No need, we can be happy for ourselves.¡± Erin stated easily back. ¡°Are you naturally a nasty person?¡± Alison asked. Erin shrugged, ¡°I¡¯m me.¡± Robin smiled at her captain but stopped when Alison looked at her, ¡°Is she like this all the time?¡± Erin smiled at Robin and the man saw it. It seemed that Erin was just playing around. Women could be scary sometimes¡­ ¡°Good.¡± Elton said back to David¡¯s quick statement about his legs and how he¡¯s already feeling them again. David looked at Elton and rolled his eyes, ¡°Just say it¡­¡± ¡°When are you coming back?¡± Elton stated, having waited to ask. David shook his head, ¡°I¡¯m out, can¡¯t you see.¡± Elton narrowed his eyes, ¡°You were the best.¡± David again shook his head, ¡°My life will be here now.¡± ¡°And if she goes against the law?¡± Elton asked. Sighing, David said, ¡°I am still staying by her side. It was almost like Christmas¡­And my birthday for like years. I¡¯m at sea, I¡¯m practically married now, I¡¯m not coming back¡­¡± Elton knew it and wasn¡¯t surprised in the least¡­Well, at least he tried. ¡°Very well. I do suggest you talk to your parents once before leaving though.¡± ¡°How are they?¡± David asked, looking down. ¡°Waiting.¡± Was all Elton said. ¡°Fine, when I can walk, I¡¯ll go see them.¡± David said back. ¡°When you can walk?¡± Another voice suddenly said. David saw Erin walk in looking at him, then ask ¡°What does that mean?¡± ¡°It seems you¡¯ve been¡­¡± Elton started. ¡°Shut it!¡± David said back aggressively, taking Elton completely by surprise! Always getting me into trouble! David thought. Erin was proud that David held his own! But then, ¡°It was you that saved me, yes?¡± David made a face, ¡°I did bring you above the water¡­¡± Erin smiled at him so brilliantly that he shut up too. ¡°He was poisoned.¡± Elton said, bringing them out of their world. ¡°Get out!¡± David yelled. He didn¡¯t want Erin to know! ¡°I¡¯m just helping!¡± The King tried to say as nicely as possible. ¡°Poisoned?¡± Erin said, looked from the King to David. David looked at Erin, then at Elton. He shook his head at Elton and then looked at Erin, ¡°The books that I was reading, the materials that you got for me¡­¡± Erin finished it, ¡°You were looking for¡­An antidote¡­¡± David nodded at her. He didn¡¯t want her to know! He didn¡¯t want her to feel aggrieved for what that man had done to him! Erin looked down and took some deep breaths in, then left. She¡­She must have figured it out¡­ ¡°Get out.¡± David said calmly when Erin left, leaving only the King and him in the room. Elton didn¡¯t think he¡¯d done anything wrong. ¡°If you want to stay friends and have my loyalty, never do that again.¡± David said looking straight at Elton. It was the last time! ¡°What, you think it¡¯s better she doesn¡¯t know?¡± Elton said back. ¡°I don¡¯t care! It¡¯s not your story to tell!¡± David yelled back. ¡°You know I hate lies, David.¡± Elton stated harshly. After all, his father was a top liar, hurting people and their families just for some money. ¡°Lies? You tell me to go into the black market, so I do. Then you tell my father! What is that called!? Lies?¡± Elton suddenly stopped, losing his anger. Suddenly he understood, well at least understood why David was upset about that time¡­ Perhaps he had gone too far¡­ ¡°¡­I¡¯m sorry¡­¡± He¡¯d apologized twice now¡­Once to Alison, and now to David¡­And both of them deserved it¡­ David could barely tolerate the King¡¯s presence right now. If his legs would work properly, he would have chased after Erin¡­But he couldn¡¯t¡­ Elton expected more than silence for apologizing but didn¡¯t say anything. ¡°I¡¯ll go talk to her.¡± Elton said, leaving straight after. ¡°Don¡¯t, Your Majesty, it might make it worse!¡± David said, but it still didn¡¯t stop Elton as he continued to leave. Great, David thought, his love life is ruined now! Fantastic! Chapter 8
Erin looked out at the other smaller boat that was the merchant captains. ¡°Did you get it all?¡± She said to her first mate. ¡°We didn¡¯t find anything else.¡± Turning back to them, she then nodded at the second wooden plank that led towards it and they went to take it away. By now the merchant men had been all captured, so the pirates sneakily looted the merchant ship by this second plank and brought everything onto this boat. It was Erin¡¯s demand, to which her crew could only smile about. Their captain still was the same after all! Looking now at the group that seemed to be huddled around David, Erin didn¡¯t know what to feel. What more could she do to make it up to David? She¡¯d already stripped that man¡¯s boat bare of anything useful¡­She had sliced his neck, even though he might have already been dead¡­ Ulrich, that nasty man had hurt David¡­She knew it. It would make a lot of sense. And, since he will walk again, does that mean he might leave? ¡°Get the score quietly.¡± Erin said to the first mate, only to see Elton coming towards her. Looking at him squarely, Elton frowned to how much courage some had. Today seemed to be the day where no one wanted to take his status as ¡®King¡¯ seriously! ¡°I¡¯ve come to talk to you.¡± He said, leaning onto the edge of the boat. Make peace, not war! Erin rolled her eyes, ¡°That¡¯s nice.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry I told you. It wasn¡¯t my place. I hope you don¡¯t get mad at David.¡± Oh, well, I hope that¡¯s it! Elton panicked. No other words came to mind at all in the way of an apology. This is exactly why he wanted to always be level-headed, so that he never made mistakes. It would mean he¡¯d never have to apologize¡­ Erin stretched her neck and hummed a short reply. Elton had no idea what to do now. He valued David, he was probably his most loyal and closest friend that he had. So, what does he do!? ¡°What do you want me to say?¡± Erin asked, wondering why he was still there. ¡°You want me to get all teary eyed so that you can hug me?¡± Elton got off the side of the boat and looked at Erin, ¡°No.¡± ¡°Then what?¡± Erin asked. Elton got a tad confused and even started to get angry. No one here was treating him like a King! ¡°I¡¯m here to state that you shouldn¡¯t get mad at David.¡± ¡°Why?¡± Elton frowned, he really didn¡¯t want to talk about stuff like this. ¡°I¡­Care¡­About him.¡± ¡°He¡¯s mine.¡± Erin stated. Putting a hand through his hair, Elton sighed, ¡°I mean, he¡¯s a good friend.¡± Laughter was then heard above them, making them both look, and it stopped abruptly, ¡°Alison¡­¡± Came her name through clenched teeth¡­Really!? This woman still laughs at him!? Jumping down, Alison grabbed Elton¡¯s hand and said, ¡°I¡¯m just ganna take him away.¡± Erin smiled at her, ¡°Good, he seems to want hugs or something.¡± Alison laughed as she kept walking, with Elton following after them in complete confusion. What the hell was going on? Why does he feel like he was the butt of a joke? Did he just fall under the category of being¡­Emotional? While the woman he talked to wasn¡¯t emotion? Elton walked aimlessly behind Alison as he felt completely overpowered by something he knows nothing about! Finally, everything started to get back to normal as the King and Queen and their entourage left. Erin boldly asked for the other boat, just wondering what they would say. And unbelievably, Elton had said yes. It was not just out of guilt for David, but also that he wanted to be on the good side of Erin, hoping that she will indeed help Commorda when the occasion calls for it. They had to leave the other boat then, but they seemed to leave in a bit of a rush. Erin smirked and was laughing when she walked into her quarters. ¡°You¡¯re back.¡± David said, hoping she was alright. ¡°Mmm.¡± Erin said, jumping on top of him. David didn¡¯t know what to say or do¡­Was she ok then? ¡°How long until you can walk again?¡± Erin asked, hiding her face in his chest. It was a small worry that he might leave her but, she felt like if he did leave, she¡¯d just go get him again¡­So what was the point of worrying. ¡°I¡¯m not sure. I lost complete feeling in my legs in about a day or so, so it could be hours still if it¡¯s similar.¡± David put a hand on her waist, ¡°But, you never know, it might be longer¡­¡± His lips were then covered by hers and not another word needed to be spoken. She demanded time from her crew, as they got the score anyway. So, she was excited to what was in stall! Beyond her expectations though, David did something different this time and rolled her to her back on the bed, taking more control over the situation. And didn¡¯t Erin like it! Even though David still had troubles with his legs, he wasn¡¯t able to wait a minute longer to show her how much she was his for a change! *** It wasn¡¯t just a few hours for David¡¯s legs to come back to normal, it was actually another two weeks before he no longer felt strange and didn¡¯t feel weak. He left the pirate ship, that wasn¡¯t a pirate ship at that moment because the flag stated otherwise¡­It had been so long since being on land that he waited when he was on solid ground. He felt like he needed to catch up to something¡­Just didn¡¯t know what that something was! Erin said she¡¯d come, but she then became busy with more punishments suddenly and just told him to go, with all intention to catch up with him later. David then told her how to get to his parent¡¯s place before kissing her goodbye. He had plans to finally see his parents and to hopefully say a proper farewell to them. But not long after walking towards the opening into Rangcew, the capital of Commorda, from the dock, David stopped and stared at who was in front of him. It was Cid and Bethany. A small smile was on Cid¡¯s face, but Bethany was really excited and wanted to go to David, only to see that Cid wasn¡¯t moving. David sighed and realized that Cid still hadn¡¯t changed. Walking up to them, he caught Bethany into a hug. ¡°Why are you only coming now!¡± Princess Bethany said, a bit upset, even hitting him once she stepped back. David looked at her and smirked, ¡°Finally wearing dresses!¡± ¡°Shut up!¡± She said, covering herself with her hands. She still preferred males clothing to women¡¯s¡­ You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version. ¡°It¡¯s good to see you.¡± Cid said. ¡°Have you been well?¡± David nodded, ¡°I wasn¡¯t able to walk for a while but I¡¯m ok now.¡± ¡°I heard about that! Brother told me!¡± Princess Bethany said. Cid looked away for a bit and quietly said, ¡°I¡¯m glad you¡¯re all better.¡± ¡°Cid!¡± David said, trying to get his attention. Cid looked up at David. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with you?¡± David asked. Cid tried to show a different face and shrugged, ¡°Nothing.¡± ¡°Good!¡± David said, giving his shoulder a pat and walking past him. ¡°I should have tried harder to find you.¡± Cid said from behind David. David didn¡¯t turn around but stopped walking. ¡°I don¡¯t blame you Cid. But don¡¯t you blame me either.¡± ¡°Blame you for what? You¡¯ve done nothing wrong.¡± Cid said back. ¡°Because I¡¯m not staying¡­¡± David said, then continued to walk. Cid gave David¡¯s back a small smile and sighed. Perhaps he shouldn¡¯t hold any guilt then. It just felt like David had really changed. He didn¡¯t argue, or did he get mad¡­He¡­ Cid let out a small laugh and then looked at his Princess, ¡°It seems he¡¯s changed.¡± Princess Bethany smiled at Cid, seeing him happier now, ¡°¡­I didn¡¯t really see much difference.¡± Bethany was telling the truth about her long-time friend. Whether it was because she was just unobservant or too excited¡­She had not seen any difference¡­ ¡°Come on.¡± Cid pulled her along, wanting to spend as much time with David as possible¡­Before he was to leave again. ¡°Captain, are you sure this is a good idea?¡± Cid watched as a female fast walked past them with another trailing her. ¡°I¡¯ll just be a minute!¡± Erin said, as she then went into a run. The first mate sighed and put his hands up in defeat, ¡°She¡¯s ganna be the end of me, I just know it!¡± In a huff, the first mate leaves but Cid watched as the woman yelled out to David and pretty much jumped into his arms. Both Bethany and Cid stopped walking and stared at the two that showed a deep interest in kissing each other in broad daylight¡­ Bethany started to blush, but Cid finally found himself smiling for his friend. He really was going to miss him! Walking up to David again, Cid and Bethany watch as Erin turns and directly runs into them. ¡°Oh, Erin, these are my friends.¡± Erin looked at both of them and turned back to David. ¡°Cid?¡± David nodded. Knowing that the girl was nothing to worry about, Erin then smiled at them. ¡°I¡¯m his!¡± She said pointing at David. Just as both Cid and Bethany wanted to respond, after not knowing how to start responding, Erin suddenly walked off, back towards the dock. That was strange, Bethany thought. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with her?¡± David looked at Bethany, ¡°Nothing.¡± ¡°She just walked off without even saying hello to us.¡± David smiled and shrugged, ¡°So?¡± Bethany frowned as she watched David turn and continue walking. ¡°So? So, it¡¯s called¡­Wait, Cid, what¡¯s it called?¡± Cid laughed and pulled her along, really wanting to see what will happen with David and his parents¡­Especially with this type of attitude! Cid and Bethany had come out because they were close to the docks and saw the ship come in. But David¡¯s parents were only informed that David was going to see them soon, they just didn¡¯t know when. David had walked towards the horses, ready to take a carriage, not even surprised to see Cid and Bethany following him still. They all hoped into the carriage and David started to get a bit nervous. ¡°You¡¯ve changed.¡± Cid stated. Nodding absently, David looked out the window. ¡°I like it.¡± Cid said. Yet, Princess Bethany still wasn¡¯t quite sure where this ¡®change¡¯ was¡­ ¡°That woman gets scared easily if I get angry, so I try not to.¡± David said after a moment. Cid gave David a knowing smile and looked at his bride. The things we do for our women¡­ ¡°What?¡± Bethany said, looking back at him. ¡°Delightful as always!¡± David said, looking at Bethany. Bethany poked her tongue out at David and then giggled, ¡°So, David, when are you going to marry her.¡± ¡°If she wants to get married again, it¡¯ll be up to her.¡± ¡°¡­Again?¡± It was so strange to David, that before he met Erin, he probably would have said the same thing! Who would be with a woman if she had already been married once before? But now, having gained some type of freedom to think differently and not be amongst so many people and their opinions, David didn¡¯t care about such things anymore¡­What mattered is that he loved her. That was it. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter, Bethany.¡± Cid said. David looked at Cid and nodded. It seemed that they were pretty good friends still. It was nice but still not enough to give up what he had gained at sea to stay here. Bethany then whispered, ¡°Does that mean she isn¡¯t, you know¡­That they are just friends?¡± Cid put his hands over her ears and looked at her. It wasn¡¯t the first time that they did this type of action, but it took a moment for Bethany to understand that this action meant it wasn¡¯t meant for her ears! Bethany frowned and slapped his hands away, but then stopped. ¡°What!? Aunty won¡¯t like that!¡± Cid sighed. This really was going to be interesting. It wasn¡¯t a much longer trip, but David started to get excessively nervous. Not just because he was seeing his parents for the first time in months but because a certain person was staring at him for the rest of the trip. ¡°Sweetheart, stop it!¡± Cid said quietly in her ear. ¡°How can they be together without getting married!?¡± Bethany said, not being quiet back. ¡°What¡¯s it got to do with you?¡± David said, having picked up a trait of telling people to mind their own business from his pirate. Bethany stopped, stunned to her core¡­David really hadn¡¯t ever talked like that to her before¡­Finally, she started to see a change¡­Her friend for many years seemed to be different¡­ So¡­She was quiet¡­ ¡°David, It¡¯s David!¡± ¡°Mother.¡± David said, being taken into a big hug from his mother. ¡°I missed you so much! I miss you!¡± Then she pecked him on his face, but David started to break free from her embrace. He was just too old to be coddled like that! ¡°Are you still mad at us? Please don¡¯t be mad!¡± Pauletta said, only now seeing both Cid and Bethany, ¡°Oh my, Princess, your highness! I¡¯m sorry I didn¡¯t see you!¡± ¡°Aunty.¡± Bethany said, a bit quieter than normal but Pauletta didn¡¯t notice as she looked back at David. ¡°Where¡¯s father?¡± David asked. Cid, Bethany and Pauletta went quiet as they looked at David. To each of them, it just felt like David was in a rush to get it over and done with. ¡°Your father¡­Your father is home!¡± ¡°Very good.¡± David said, walking away from the three of them. Pauletta, being too involved in David¡¯s sudden appearance, didn¡¯t realize how her face looked after David left her there. She looked sad or upset¡­She even took a moment to sniff, almost like she was trying to stop herself from crying. ¡°Aunty?¡± Bethany looked at her in a confused manner. ¡°He¡¯s just grown up, Aunty. Don¡¯t think he doesn¡¯t love you.¡± Cid was a bit upset with David making his mother feel this way¡­They literally were still at the front door, so it felt overly rude of what David had just done¡­ ¡°Come on, lets¡­¡± ¡°No¡­Leave them be. Let them find their own way to see eye to eye.¡± Pauletta didn¡¯t want to listen to her own words and just wanted to rush off and watch her husband and her child, in hope that they don¡¯t quarrel. But it just felt like it wasn¡¯t something that any of them could be a part of¡­ David walked into his father¡¯s study, seeing his father writing in a book. ¡°Father.¡± In an instant, his father looked up and dropped his quill, not even caring that he had just made a mark on it where he shouldn¡¯t have. ¡°David!¡± Benjamin went to take a step forward, then stopped. He would think about this precise moment many times, wondering how he should act and what he should do, what he should or shouldn¡¯t say¡­ ¡°I¡¯ve left the black market for good.¡± David stated. Benjamin frowned, it seemed that this was just a business type of manner right now. ¡°I will also no longer live with you.¡± David said, then breathed out, having said one of the hardest things to his father in his whole life. This will not be a business conversation! With that thought, Benjamin walked up to his son and took him into his arms. ¡°I¡¯m proud of you son!¡± Lifting his hands, David lightly cuddled his father back. Was it ok then? Is it all okay? He wasn¡¯t going to take over the family business, nor was he going to be here anymore, and it was ok? There really had been one more thing that he needed to grow up to, he¡¯d only just noticed¡­ He really had been his parents¡¯ little boy for so long! Pulling back from his son, Benjamin put a hand to his shoulder and squeezed it a bit, ¡°Just come and visit every once and a while hey?¡± ¡°¡­What about your travelling?¡± David said, asking the obvious. What was the point of visiting if his parents weren¡¯t even home! ¡°I will probably be travelling in the future, but your mother will stay here.¡± Benjamin said. David looked at his father and asked, ¡°Why isn¡¯t she coming with you?¡± Benjamin smiled and started to move both of them out of the room, going towards the bigger room where Cid, Bethany and Paulette were quietly waiting for them. ¡°That was quick.¡± Pauletta said, bemused. David let out a small smile and couldn¡¯t believe how nervous he was. ¡°I was just telling him that I was still going to travel but you are staying here, my dear.¡± Benjamin said. Pauletta smiled, ¡°In the last few days I¡¯ve been invited to the palace often, so I¡¯ve decided to stay by the former queen¡¯s and Princess Bethany¡¯s side!¡± David saw how happy his mother seemed and was glad that she still had things here to do. He knew how much he had been doted on¡­Actually, he really did have a good mother and father here¡­ ¡°I hear you are¡­On a pirate¡¯s ship¡­¡± Benjamin really didn¡¯t want to start a fight, so he hoped that this sentence didn¡¯t come out wrong. David nodded, ¡°His Majesty, King Elton was talking about recruiting the pirates so that he had boats to help own the seas¡­We are to see him before leaving.¡± Collecting again! Always collecting! ¡°Oh.¡± Benjamin thought that was a good idea, if the pirates could actually¡­Stop being pirates¡­ David looked at his father and suddenly didn¡¯t care if he wanted to fight over being on a pirate ship. He knew what wasn¡¯t being said now¡­And that was that they only fought with him and wanted him to be safe, because they cared¡­That was all it was all this time. ¡°It¡¯s alright father, I know the law.¡± David said openly. ¡°He¡¯s got a woman, they aren¡¯t married¡­¡± Bethany said, piping up from the corner. David glared at Bethany and instantly thought, like brother, like sister! Cut from the same cloth! Taking in a deep breath, David stopped himself from getting angry and surprised everyone by sitting down, instead of just about anything else! ¡°I do have a woman yes.¡± He answered honestly, after sitting down. ¡°Really?¡± Pauletta couldn¡¯t help but want to meet her! Who had charmed her son? ¡°She¡¯s a pirate, isn¡¯t she?¡± Benjamin asked, showing signs of disagreement already. ¡°Yes, she is.¡± David once again was honest¡­What was the point on lying¡­ ¡°A pirate? David?¡± Pauletta frowned¡­ David leaned forward and then looked at his mother, then his father, ¡°Do you object to my happiness?¡± Widened eyes looked back at him and David smiled, ¡°She makes me happy.¡± Now that he figured out why they fought with him, he was simply going to use that. He wanted to strip the fight away and say what needed to be said! Pauletta looked at her husband and David in surprise and couldn¡¯t help but see this different person in front of them. Their son really had changed! He wasn¡¯t¡­A child anymore¡­ ¡°I¡¯d like to meet her.¡± Pauletta said. Since this woman makes her son happy, then it seems that it¡¯s important that she try to get to know her. David smiled at his mother and then looked at his father. Benjamin sighed, ¡°It seems I have no choice.¡± David laughed at his father, ¡°Not really!¡± Finally, the air was now free from worry and nerves and finally they felt more like family again. They were able to ask David more about his adventures out at sea, finding out about how much he learnt and how he lost the feeling in his legs¡­ Chapter 9
It wasn¡¯t long though before something else happened¡­ Pauletta and Bethany had gotten a lunch prepared, just about ready to eat with everyone still there, when Bethany felt really sick. ¡°It¡¯s not¡­Right.¡± She said, before she felt like she needed to rush towards the outside or somewhere where she could¡­ It was what she thought too, she vomited out the back, where Pauletta followed her. ¡°I¡¯m sorry you had to see this, Aunty.¡± ¡°It¡¯s ok, sweet child. Why do you think I was asked to come in by your mother?¡± Bethany looked up at Pauletta, still feeling sick. ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± ¡°My dear, use your head!¡± Pauletta didn¡¯t let go of Bethany¡¯s hair, seeing her still look¡­Sick¡­ Bethany couldn¡¯t think of anything else as she once again was forced to empty more contents of her stomach. ¡°Is she ok?¡± Cid asked. ¡°Don¡¯t come out here!¡± Bethany yelled back. Pauletta did a knowing smile and said to Cid, ¡°She¡¯s alright, we¡¯ll be back in soon.¡± ¡°Ah, I don¡¯t feel so good, Aunty¡­¡± ¡°Perhaps I should get a doctor?¡± Cid said, making it obvious he hadn¡¯t left yet. ¡°You two really are silly. The queen noticed you are late with your cycle. I was called in just in case you were pregnant, to help you.¡± ¡°¡­Pregnant? Are you telling me, this is pregnancy? They way I¡¯m feeling is pregnancy!?¡± Bethany had read up this, all this information was there, she just never really thought that it would happen this quickly! Not only that, she also didn¡¯t like feeling this sick! ¡°It isn¡¯t confirmed yet dear, you are only late by a couple of days.¡± Pauletta shook her head though, already quite sure that the Princess was indeed carrying a child. On the other hand, Cid was still, just like that of Benjamin and David who were standing right there with him¡­ Benjamin finally gave Cid a pat, ¡°It seems you might be a father soon Cid.¡± David blinked and hid his face¡­Ah, he can¡¯t forget that he had gone that far with a woman too¡­ He doesn¡¯t even know what Erin thinks of children¡­ It seems they might have to talk about it sooner rather than later¡­ ¡°Is there a David there?¡± They had been so stunned to the idea of Bethany¡¯s pregnancy that they hadn¡¯t even heard the knock on the door¡­Well the front door was a good few metres away as well too¡­ Uh? That sounded like Erin! She was here! David spun around and went to the door, seeing her already having come inside. He didn¡¯t care if Erin had come in rudely at all and Benjamin and Pauletta didn¡¯t even see that she had, so that small action got dissolved very quickly. Instantly they were in each other¡¯s arms and Erin giggled, ¡°They look at me like I¡¯m their god now! Haha!¡± David laughed at her and hugged her again. Since their ship was in port, Erin had punished the crew by treading, making them unable to hold onto anything but have to stay above the water. It¡¯s fine if you do it for a short amount of time but the crew had been doing it for¡­More than just a while¡­Not only that but if a land dweller came up to a certain part of the dock, they¡¯d see them there¡­It really had been quite embarrassing! But it seemed that the crew had understood why they choose Erin to be their captain once again. She had, once again, put everyone on the same side and made everyone work together. It was probably because they didn¡¯t want to get punished again! Being let go, it also reminded the crew of the good things that they had when Erin was indeed the captain. And one was, she let them do what they wanted when they were docked. Of course, if she heard of something too drastic, one might be pushed overboard or marooned on an island but most of them just liked to drink, be merry and find a nice lass to spend time with¡­ The men understood why one can¡¯t do something too drastic, because that meant that their livelihood might be in danger¡­In fact, since they were in port and not out at sea, Erin¡¯s crew did pay more attention to what they did simply because they may not leave if they didn¡¯t! You got to remember that their home was the boat and if they weren¡¯t able to go home, well, one could be capable of a number of things¡­So, the biggest worry was just making it back onto their ¡®home¡¯ before the captain sets off for sea! Pauletta heard the noise of what was going on inside but still didn¡¯t leave Bethany, who seemed to have stopped now. Cid on the other hand was in a bit of trouble. He wanted to be there for his friend, but his wife seemed to be in more of a predicament¡­No¡­It was him¡­ They really just got married! He¡¯d only just gotten used to married life! He was happy with the way things were, but this was whole other change! It was more shock, that got to Cid, then any bad feelings. The princess had come up with them having a child before, so it had already been talked of¡­And, if it was indeed that made her happy¡­ ¡°Are you happy Bethany?¡± Cid asked. Bethany knew that she had already stated that she was a bit unhappy, with feeling so sick, but with Cid¡¯s light voice, she didn¡¯t want to make him think that she hated it, ¡°¡­Yes.¡± Bethany wiped her face with whatever Pauletta gave her and went to walk into the house again. Seeing Cid staring at her, she smiled back, ¡°It¡¯s quick but I¡¯m sure it¡¯ll be fine!¡± Cid shook his head and sighed, ¡°I hope so¡­¡± Pauletta shook her head too, the children really were all grown up now. Just a few more steps away, Benjamin came to be in front of Erin¡­ ¡°Your name is Erin?¡± Benjamin asked. ¡°Yes.¡± Erin said, still holding onto David. ¡°I hear you have even been married before.¡± Benjamin stated, watching her. Erin looked away briefly and then nodded, ¡°¡­My family sold me to marry a man ten years older. After a few years of torture, he then sold me into slavery. The start of my pirating days was when I ran away from what was supposed to be my ¡®owner¡¯.¡± David did not expect Erin to tell them her life¡¯s story! Feeling her hold onto his shirt tighter, David smiled. She was nervous. His woman was nervous¡­ It only told him how special he was to her, that she was trying more than normal for his parents¡­Even the King of the country didn¡¯t get this! Pauletta, having helped the princess wash her mouth out, came out to this story and went straight to Erin, taking her spare hand into hers. ¡°Oh dear, that¡¯s terrible.¡± Erin looked at this mother figure and felt strange when her hand was covered. David watched Erin, fascinated. He didn¡¯t care if she would get angry or yell. He felt like he could just about accept any king of action from her¡­Which was weird. Benjamin felt bad. He¡¯d made this poor girl tell them her sad story just because he had been judging her¡­ ¡°I don¡¯t regret being a pirate.¡± Erin said, now not sure what else to say. She had no idea what it was like to have normal conversations. Most of the time her pirate buddies would talk about anything, even the most intimate of things that makes one blush¡­She knew that it was different with these land dwellers¡­ The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement. It wasn¡¯t just Erin that didn¡¯t know what to say, it was everyone else. So¡­The next thing that came to mind was¡­Eating. ¡°I will finish getting lunch prepared then.¡± Bethany would have normally followed Pauletta, except she now moved closer to Erin. ¡°Do you want something?¡± Erin asked her, a bit uncomfortable. ¡°I used to wear males clothing, I think it¡¯s more comfortable.¡± Erin nodded at her, ¡°It is.¡± ¡°Did you meet my sister-in-law?¡± Bethany asked. Erin frowned, ¡°Sister-in-law?¡± ¡°Alison?¡± Erin smiled, ¡°Yeah. She went through a window.¡± Bethany stopped, ¡°¡­A window?¡± Nodding, Erin then went into a more detailed story upon how she had met with this ¡®sister-in-law¡¯ that was also the ¡®Queen¡¯ and ¡®Her Majesty¡¯. As Cid, David and Benjamin watched these two women talk, they had a feeling that they would get on¡­And quite well¡­ Bethany was an extrovert, she could be quite loud and liked to express her opinion¡­Erin just did whatever she wanted and for some reason, it felt like a friendship would probably form¡­ ¡°Was it real then?¡± Bethany asked, pulling Erin to the chair to sit. ¡°No.¡± Erin said, then laughed, ¡°Not in the least!¡± Bethany laughed, covering her mouth. ¡°Do you tell them?¡± Erin shook her head, ¡°We just say that they look prettier!¡± Bethany fell into more giggles, which helped Erin laugh more too. David looked at Cid, who looked back at him, and one could tell they had a question on their face. Should we separate these two!? It almost felt like they were letting two witches be together and that they might one day rule the world¡­ Bethany really was trying though, and she really did like Erin, but she felt so awful that she looked up at Cid and put her hands out. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Cid was there in an instant. Being pulled up, Bethany rubbed her forehead against him and mumbled, ¡°I feel bad¡­¡± Pauletta got up too, making a decision. ¡°You three have lunch, someone needs to get seen to by a royal physician.¡± ¡°Will they give me something to help me feel better?¡± Princess Bethany asked. Pauletta looked at the Princess and sighed, ¡°Sweetheart¡­Just the trip back to the palace will probably make you feel worse.¡± Cid nodded at Benjamin and picked up the princess, ¡°If I don¡¯t see you¡­Stay well, David¡­Erin.¡± Princess Bethany waved a hand and mumbled something no one understood. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with her?¡± Erin asked. It had been fun talking to her. ¡°Probably something we should talk about.¡± David whispered to her. ¡°Is it?¡± Benjamin stared at his son, making David look away from him. *** It was some time later that Erin and David walked into the King¡¯s throne room. ¡°Lots of treasure here.¡± Erin stated. David smiled at Erin but then lost his smile to see Elton wasn¡¯t there. ¡°His Majesty will be with you shortly.¡± Said someone from the side. David nodded to him, not recognizing him at all. He hadn¡¯t known too many maids and what not here to begin with, so he no longer thought about it. ¡°You might as well tell him that if he makes me wait too long, I might just take something here of value¡­Or break it¡­¡± Erin was already walking over to a side table, picking up a vase. ¡°This room seems so much easier to deal with.¡± The King stated, walking in from another room, but he had indeed heard what Erin had said. ¡°Your Majesty.¡± David stated, bowing before him. ¡°It¡¯s confirmed¡­¡± Was all Elton could say, anything else seemed too much to continue with¡­ David took a moment to understand, ¡°The princess?¡± The King just nodded. ¡°Congratulations.¡± David stated, hiding a laugh. It seemed that the King was finally understanding what it might be like to have a family. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± The King looked over, to find Alison in thief attire, walking in from the same place David and Erin had walked in from, and frowned, ¡°Why are you¡­¡± Alison interrupted him, ¡°I¡¯m here with the thieves that have decided to join you.¡± Elton, for the second time in a day, was stunned silent. Alison took pride in silencing him, the thieves had finally¡­Finally, made up their minds¡­They really were in no rush¡­At all¡­ It was annoying actually¡­ She had wanted this gift to her husband finished weeks ago, but it was only just now that the thieves were willing to join were all finally together and ready to do whatever she wanted. ¡°Hey ho, prince, do you remember me?¡± One of them asked, stepping forward. King Elton narrowed his eyes at him, ¡°You escaped the prison.¡± ¡°Ah, prince, it¡­¡± Elton interrupted him, ¡°I am no longer a prince, I have become this country¡¯s King!¡± The thief stopped and shrugged, ¡°King.¡± Erin had stopped looking at the vase as soon as she heard the word ¡®thieves¡¯ and was greatly entertained at this moment, not wanting to say a word¡­How long will it last though¡­ David watched as the King looked at Alison, ¡°This is your secret?¡± Alison nodded, wanting to go to him, yet the thieves still didn¡¯t know that she was in fact the queen¡­ She wasn¡¯t sure how¡¯d they¡¯d take it! ¡°Yes, Your Majesty, I wanted to help you with your desire of obtaining the thieves to help you with other countries.¡± Elton frowned at her, it seems she was acting different. Could it be that the thieves didn¡¯t know? Sighing, Elton put his head down in defeat. His sister was officially pregnant, making him somewhat speechless, a pirate wanted to steal from him if he, the king, made her wait too long and now his queen wasn¡¯t acting like a queen. Erin smirked, then pushed the vase over, yet making it look like it was a mistake. The crash of the vase hitting the floor got everyone¡¯s attention and Erin took a few steps away from there. ¡°You alright?¡± David instantly asked. Erin nodded. Elton felt himself getting angry! It wasn¡¯t like the vase meant anything to him, but he had this certain feeling that Erin did that on purpose! ¡®Get to the point¡¯ was written everywhere right now! ¡°¡­Erin¡­Have you decided upon helping with defence of the seas of Commorda?¡± Elton asked outright, waving his hand to get someone to clean up the mess. Looking back at Elton, Erin shrugged, ¡°If it looks like fun and has more of a gain then a loss, then perhaps.¡± The thieves smiled at this answer¡­In fact, half of the thieves couldn¡¯t help but like the woman that demanded the King¡¯s attention like this! Elton wanted to punch something! Holding in his anger, he went silent, then looked at the thieves. Erin slowly started walking to yet another table¡­ David watched Erin completely, unable to stop a smile on his face. ¡°If you drop another vase, I will let the thieves¡­¡± Elton suddenly came up with an idea¡­ Erin went to state something back to him in return but found herself following the King¡¯s gaze to the thieves. Now it was Erin to start getting angry, what was the man thinking!? He can¡¯t be thinking that he¡¯d make her take thieves! They were like enemies! Elton let out a laugh as he finally came to a conclusion of his thoughts. It felt almost like destiny! ¡°You will head out to Melya.¡± Elton stated, finally looking back at Erin. ¡°You are ordering me around?¡± Erin asked, raising her eyebrows. Getting off his seat, Elton walked down to Erin and smirked at her. ¡°You broke my vase.¡± ¡°I did not!¡± ¡°Liar!¡± Elton stated, staring at her in a dare. Erin went to continue her lies but suddenly looked away, ¡°Fine.¡± Finally, Elton felt like he had an idea on how to bargain with this pirate¡­It seemed she didn¡¯t do anything for free but seems to like trading! Well, she did learn a thing or two from Ulrich¡­ ¡°Take them to Melya.¡± Elton said, now daring her to refuse. Erin shrugged, ¡°I said fine!¡± ¡°Why are we going to Melya?¡± Chad asked, stepping forward. Elton looked over at them and smiled, ¡°We had two people head over to Melya near two weeks ago, with the intention to help prevent slavery and I¡¯m sure more¡­I am betting that the monarch will change! I want you to go over there and cause troubles to the current monarch and help the two that left.¡± Chad smiled, ¡°You want us to cause troubles? How Kingly of you.¡± David smiled as well, this was the Elton he knew¡­ ¡°It may be an interesting journey, make sure you are ready for a long term stay there.¡± Elton continued, ¡°But you¡­¡± He pointed at Alison, ¡°You are not going!¡± Alison could only nod. ¡°She¡¯s the one that got us all together, why can¡¯t she go?¡± Chad stated, it seemed like he was like the voice at the moment for the thieves. The rest of them had stayed silent but didn¡¯t mind the way things were turning out. Elton stared at Alison, the room going quiet. Shaking her head quickly, Alison looked down. She really had no idea how these thieves would act if they knew that she was the queen, so she didn¡¯t want him to tell them! ¡°Do you know of your mission?¡± The king asked the thieves in front of them. They all seemed to know, nodding or shrugging, some of them not really paying much attention, instead looking around at the room. ¡°What do we get in return?¡± One asked. Chad turned and laughed, ¡°What do you think?¡± ¡°¡­Do we get to keep the spoils?¡± They asked, almost like they thought it was ludicrous. Elton sighed, ¡°Yes, for now you can keep the spoils but there¡¯s a line¡­Don¡¯t get caught and don¡¯t do anything that will put this country in danger of going to war! Do you understand!?¡± They nodded, almost like little kids looking forward to going to their rich friend¡¯s house¡­ ¡°Good, so the fact that I want my queen to stay here doesn¡¯t change your mission!¡± Was all Elton stated, going over to Alison and taking her hand, ¡°Now sit on your chair!¡± Alison turned towards the thieves, to see all of them stunned to her sudden status. Two of them laughed out, watching her sit down on her dedicated chair in the room. ¡°Allie, you are more amazing than I thought!¡± Chad said. ¡°Don¡¯t call her that!¡± Elton stated aggressively. Chad looked away from Elton, he didn¡¯t want to worry about him, so he won¡¯t bother. Why waste time going against the King when they could be on their way soon! Another crash got all their attention! Erin once again stepped aside and acted like it was an accident. ¡®Hurry it up.¡¯ Was written everywhere for Elton¡­ Even though she meant to hurry up the conversation, Erin disliked now that nothing was said for quite some time. Does she need to tip another one over? As she put her hands behind her back and took one step towards the next table, she heard a thunderous voice, ¡°Don¡¯t you dare!¡± ¡°What?¡± Erin looked at him innocently. Elton looked at David and said, ¡°Last chance David and I¡¯ll be the one to kill her!¡± David couldn¡¯t help but understand, Erin was being rude and undermining the King, he didn¡¯t want her to be killed. Bringing her to the middle of the room, David held her hand to help keep her there. ¡°Do you remember Robin and Amil? Go to Melya, with the thieves, and met with them there. Help them in anyway you can to overthrow the monarch. I would like to see this countries kin returned and slavery abolished! Do you understand!?¡± Elton glared at Erin mostly, upset that he¡¯s let her get away with everything. Now he just wanted them all to be gone! ¡°Very well, Your Majesty.¡± David stated, bowing, hoping Erin hadn¡¯t ruined their relationship. Why did she act this way? Taking her with him, Erin looked back and then suddenly stopped. Turning back to the King, Erin went to talk, only for Elton to interrupt her, ¡°I¡¯m not as lenient as you think I am, Erin. Because you are my friend¡¯s lover, you have some weight, but it seems you¡¯ve already stretched that to the limit! If you want to stay with David, I suggest you act better the next time we met!¡± With that, Elton walked off in a huff, his clothes emphasizing his haste. Alison could only give Erin and the thieves a half smile and a shrug, before following after the King of the country¡­ David pulled Erin along, waving at the thieves as well, and then whispered to her, ¡°I know why you did it, but did you have to push him so hard?¡± Erin looked at him and then away, ¡°He is a King¡­Yet, if he can¡¯t handle me then should he be?¡± David stopped and looked at her. She was right. Even if she acted the way she did, Elton should find a way to deal with her¡­Erin had tested him, she was seeing what kind of King he was. Was she even seeing if he was worthy of her loyalty? ¡°I love you.¡± David blurted out. Erin stared at him in astonishment. After a short moment, she smiled, ¡°I love you too!¡± ¡°Awe, such a sweet moment!¡± Both Erin and David turned to see Chad, the chatterbox, looking at them so dreamily. ¡°Get on my nerves¡­¡± Erin started. Chad interrupted her, ¡°Oh, I don¡¯t think that¡¯s going to be a problem, little pirate!¡± Erin suddenly smiled at him, so innocently that even Chad went quiet, not sure what was to happen next. How could such an innocent smile make him feel like he should be worried? David shook his head at Chad and in the next instant, Chad was being pulled by the ear towards the dock. ¡°Hey! Let me go!¡± Tidbits and Thanks
There is a time when Erin is thinking of her past and states that ¡®there even was a man that bumped into her once¡¯, that was indeed David. That is when they first met! I did look up some information about the sea and I did put in a few things that I found. Of course, some may just be hearsay but nonetheless some may be true. The eye patch apparently did help with focus on the ship. And, apparently, the pirate captain is something that the crew basically voted for. It was apparently known too that pirates did have more than one flag, using them to confuse others. The bird idea is similar too, they were small and were worth a bit, so it was a good reason to take them on the ship. Earrings were supposedly to help prevent sea sickness, but it wasn¡¯t true. Princess Bethany and Erin talk about this when they are at David¡¯s home. I did try to put in the pirate¡¯s life a bit, to make it more realistic, but also tried to make it so that they weren¡¯t the worst of people. I wanted to bring them across to be similar to guardians of the galaxy where they could be good and bad. Prince Elton hated it but since they were somewhat loyalty to him, through David, it was a huge deal, he could only hope that they try not to break laws very much. I really wanted to express freedom in this book. I wanted Erin to walk that fine line but then have all right to walk that fine line¡­If you get what I mean. The dropping of vases at the end was her stating she was there, when she didn¡¯t have to be, and that she wanted to leave. On Elton¡¯s side, he didn¡¯t think he¡¯d have to worry about the thieves at the same time, but it ended up working out better anyway. So, in other words, the meeting took longer than any of them thought¡­ Erin¡¯s last name isn¡¯t stated. She isn¡¯t from a well-off family and pretty much didn¡¯t care for it. Also, ¡®Ulrich¡¯ wasn¡¯t called that often because I hadn¡¯t a name for him for most of this book. When it came to be that his name was known, I still felt like ¡®the Merchant captain¡¯ was his identity. That was another reason why Erin thought ¡®I hate it, I hate it, I hate it¡¯ to his name. ¡®Ulrich¡¯ was also because of ¡®Ursula¡¯ the sea witch, as in close to the same name. Don¡¯t get it wrong with David¡¯s position on that pirate ship. At the moment he bears no power really. He¡¯s gotta work hard to gain their approval yet, before coming to co-captain with Erin. David uses tricks to help him get more respect and power. He becomes just as bold as Erin as well, which makes the crew members understand how the both of them are good for each other. Another thing that helps David gain approval is the fact that he helps the ship. He doesn¡¯t do it for them, he likes to sail, that¡¯s all¡­He does it for himself. Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon. I know Eric helps kill Ursula in the little mermaid, with the ship poking her big butt, but I needed to bring in Robin and that looked like the most fantastic way to do it! I have no regrets making another character kill Ulrich! I needed her bow skill to stand out to all of them and it worked! (She is Robin in the ¡®Robin Hood¡¯ book¡­Which some people may have already figured out¡­) Things I did not mention: Alison does indeed get punished after returning home, by being put over Elton¡¯s knee in their own room. Alison said, ¡®I¡¯ll make it up to him.¡¯ Was indeed the thieves. David¡¯s personal conversation with Erin about children. Erin is known to have been beaten and yes, she had been pregnant before and lost the child. She never got pregnant again and was told that there was a high chance that she couldn¡¯t conceive. I did not think that had to be in the book. Just following along the lines of what could be realistic to what she went through, I didn¡¯t think it was plot worthy and a bit sad. If I said she could have kids and that she never got pregnant it wouldn¡¯t be realistic enough for me. So, I just didn¡¯t state anything in that department. (Also don¡¯t expect a child coming with those two, at least not in the next two books.) It was another reason why I made Pauletta more involved with Princess Bethany, not only because she was already basically family, because of Cid, but because it probably is the only way she will hold another little one. Thank you for reading my third fairy tale book! It¡¯s totally different to the little mermaid but really, there are still some similarities if you think about it! There was still a leg problem and instead of no kissing, I put in heaps of kissing (another perk to doing ¡®reverse¡¯). Like Ariel getting taken away by Ursula, when she got her voice back, David got taken away by the merchant captain. Instead of spending three days on land with her prince, David spends a while on the boat. (Again, another reverse. Instead of land, it was sea, which is how I came up with pirates because they are real, where mermaids are pretty much magic, so I couldn¡¯t use mermaids in a non-magic book.) I believe there are still more similarities or just ¡®reverse¡¯ similarities, but I¡¯ll let you guys figure it out! This book really poured out of me, and I think it¡¯s because I already know the characters, I already knew the scene, all I had to do was just let them take me to each scene! Actually, I didn¡¯t except the capture and death of ¡®Ulrich¡¯ to take so long but the characters just kept talking! I had to put in a steal from Alison, because how could she not!? I had to introduce Robin and Amil into the story because they are characters coming up later. Elton had to get the pirates into his collections, because that¡¯s what he does! Erin had to loot the ship because, as a pirate, why wouldn¡¯t you!? All that had to happen because that was what they were as characters! Nonetheless, the next book is called ¡®Both a little scared, Neither one Prepared.¡¯ If you didn¡¯t get what it could be just through the title, (Because the next words would have given it away), it is ¡®Beauty and the Beast¡¯. Once again, it will be reverse, and you already know about the ¡®Beast¡¯, which is the princess from Melya. What you will find out in the next book is how Steven becomes a part of ¡®Beauty¡¯ for the Beast. I believe it may be the most emotional book of the series too. I know it states the title more of a pretty girl and not so handsome prince. I would like to state now that my beauty and the beast is more described on what¡¯s inside a person as well. Yes, the princess is a beast outside and inside too, but at some time she can also be beauty inside as well¡­I just wanted to state that¡­