[Vereena]
I was having some deliberations about what will about to transpire tomorrow. I have been kept in these quarters for days that I couldn't even begin to count off. It may be weeks or months, and I am starting to doubt if my father is looking for me. Though I know he loves me very much, he will do anything to bring me back. That thought somehow gives me comfort, to have remained strong even though my situation seems to be hopeless.
I was thinking of an escape or a way I could send a word to my father about my situation and the man that took me. I am sure he and Captain Steele are well acquainted with the way that one-eyed pirate spoke of him about I am to be the payment of some unknown debt. I have no idea what kind of animosity runs between the two of them, but something tells me that it wasn't superficial.
The day dragged on, and I was only served one meal today, to which I do not complain. It would always be the same fish steamed in the same way, and I'm very sure that if I had any of that food, I'd feel sick to my stomach. My legs weren't that wobbly as well from the frequent rocking motion of the ship, but I almost forgot what it is like to be under the sun, to be out in the open and inhale the crisp sea air.
To be honest, the smell of the ocean wasn't so bad the more I was exposed to it. The notion of traveling around the world appealed to me and if not for these terrible pirates and the circumstances were different, and I was with my father sailing across the seven seas, I would have been more than happy.
Too bad women were not allowed to be on board. They said it was a bad omen and a terrible thing ought to happen if the curse could not be broken. But I don't think Captain Steele and my father shared the same belief. Otherwise, he never would have thought to abduct me.
Night came, and the rhythmic sound of waves slamming against the side of the galleon lulls me into a dreamless sleep.
The following morning, the heavy thundering outside the quarters woke me up along with the loud bell tolling up on the deck and a series of incomprehensible barking of orders. I pushed myself off the bed and groggily stood up, still in a daze as I wobbled my way toward the door. I momentarily forgot that I was locked in and only remembered when the latched outside rattled, waking me up completely.
What is going on?
I shook my head furiously to chase the sleepiness out of my wake and focus on what was happening. I immediately went towards the window, looking outside and hoping I could glimpse where were we.
What I saw simply gave me slight hope. Just like what the captain said, we were docking at a port. The shrieks coming from the sky caught my attention, seagulls soaring into the air, flying freely, unrestrained and undisturbed by the bustling civilization skirting along with the port.
We were still far from the shore, but I could already hear the excitement brimming up on the deck.
I don't know where we are, but I hope to meet someone who knows my father, so I can send a word and tell him I am all right.
Everyone on the deck seemed to be brimming with excitement. They will restock their supplies and fill everything they need for this voyage. I was busy watching the seagulls gliding into the air and down to the surface of the water, pretty sure they were catching fish. The door suddenly flings open, and Captain Steele comes into view, but what caught my attention was the thing he was holding in his hand.
"What is that?" I asked, looking at the bundle of fabric rolled up in his clutches.
"Change into this dress. I can't have you walking around the port looking like a lad," he said, crossing the distance between us and pushing the fabric into my hand.
Dress? I gaped at him.
They have a dress all this time, and they refused to give it to me until now? I lifted it up, inspecting if it would fit me. It wasn't like the ones I wore back home. The fabric used looked cheap. It has a dull color of brown, gray, and dark green.
Along with it was a pair of high-worn black leather boots. I often saw this kind of dress from wore by peasants. I am not very particular about the dress I would wear as long as it is decent enough for my modesty, but this would be my first time wearing something like this.
I also couldn't imagine where he got this dress, and there are a lot of scenarios running inside my head on how he came to acquire this one. Maybe from one from the harlot, he stowed on board and then killed after he's done with her, or perhaps something worst. The thoughts of it send a shudder of fear down my spine.
Thank goodness it smells freshly washed.
"Whose dress is this?" I inquired curiously, folding the dress into my elbow, and looked upon him.
"None of your concern," he muttered blankly, turning around and crossing the quarters with his few strides, making it towards the door. "Make haste."
I quickly stripped off the man's shirt I had worn for a quite while now soon as the captain closed the door. The dress fits me just right, as though it has been tailored specifically for me. It was a three-layered skirt, inflating around my ankle, a white underdress with full-length sleeves, flared at the wrists, plunging neckline showing the top of my bosoms. Bodice with the same shade of green as the skirt laced horizontally, and it fit snugly around my waistline. The boots were also the same size as my feet and were quite more comfortable than I expected.
I took a gander at myself over the hazy mirror mounted on the wall and saw the tangled mess of my hair framing around my face. Just then, I noticed that there was a long piece of fabric stashed in the pockets of my skirt, and I have seen Mrs. Charlotte don me up with a headband to tame my hair, tying it around into a bun. I tried to replicate the style she used to do with my hair, and somehow I have done it with a little bit of success. It wasn't perfect, some of the curly locks managed to escape and hang lousily on my forehead, but I looked presentable compared to my countenance these last few days.
"Are you done, caileag—" the door opened just in time. I was done, and Captain Steele went still for a moment, holding the latch as he stared at me from head to toe.
"Yes, I am done," I declared, jutting my chin up confidently and walking closer to him.
He cleared his throat and straightened his stance, "Let's go." He gripped my arm and dragged me into the narrow corridor and the deck. My feet struggled to keep up with his long strides, but I managed poorly.
I was catching my breath soon as I set foot on deck. The warm sea air greeted us out in the open, filling my lungs with salty scents. I sweep my gaze around us. This was the first time I came here after losing consciousness under the blazing sun. The crew was busy folding the sails and tying up the ropes into the mast. I was hoping to find Edric among the unfamiliar faces going on about in a frenzy, but I couldn't see him.
"Drop the anchor!"
My attention went to the man right behind the steering wheel, barking orders into the crew. It was the same man that brought I met a few days ago, one that refused to give me his name. The loud rattling of chains reverberated in the background, a cacophony of shouting relays of the crews at work.
The captain drags me again into the bow of the ship, away from the ruckus around us.
"Where are we?" I looked at him quizzically, still confused as to what my contribution will be in this place and why I needed to go with him. Not that I am protesting about it. I would still take any chances I could get that would give me leeway of escape.
"Morinfail Port," Captain Steele replied, his gaze sharply fixed on the burgeoning view of the dock.
Morinfail Port, I strained my brain for anything that would ring a bell in my memory. I was hoping that something would come to mind. I attempted to think back to whether or not I had read anything about the location or whether or not it had been covered in any of my classes, but I came up empty-handed.
Guess I will have to find out very soon.
"What am I going to do here?" I needled out a bit, still wanting some answers.
The captain only gave me a sparing glance, and a lopsided grin curled on his lips. "You'll see." My expression changed to a scowl almost instantly after he spoke, but I refrained from commenting as he continued with his assertion.
"But I need your mouth to be shut tight."
"Why?"
This time, he turns his full attention to me. Before continuing to respond to my inquiry, he raises his hand and begins gesticulating something that I can only assume his crews understand. "This place wasn't that friendly to the kinds of you."
Fear crept up on my chest. I may have not specifically known Morinfail Port, but I have heard my father talks about other places that abhor highborn people. They believed that they were stealing money from the poor and making their lives miserable.
I mean, how could they even think of that? But it's not like they will listen to any kind of reasoning.
"I am not going to die in here, am I?" I almost choked at the words I griped out, staring back at the port as the ship finally came to a halt on the dock.
Captain Steele suddenly captured both my hands, startling me to my feet in fear. I swear my spirit could have fled my body for a moment, and my heart drops to my stomach.
"It depends on how you behave."