Daughter of Freddy Kidd

Chapter 3

I couldn't fall asleep quickly and I soon noticed loud noises.

It came from the quarter where the crew and James were. I went there.

James: Give it back! I'm the first mate, do what I say!

Pirate: Maybe in battle. I'll let you save my ass there. But here you're just a royal bootlicker!

I couldn't let James get hurt, so I ran into the room right away.

Jessica: Stop it!

Pirate: The little girl has arrived to protect the famous captain!

They all started laughing at that.

Jessica: James doesn't need my protection, but it's bad to hear you treat your mate like this.

Pirate: If you so care of him, why don't you bring him to your room?

Another laugh broke out at this

James: Come on Jessica, let's leave them.

Then he put his arm around my waist and escorted me out of the quarter.

Jessica: I'm sorry James that you have to sleep with them because of me.

Jessica: What was taken from you?

James: They cut the ruby pendant I got from the king off my neck.

Jessica: This is terrible, we have to tell the captain!

James took my arm

James: No, leave it. It takes time for people to accept me. I don't need Dwayn's help. They would only hate me more.

Jessica: Hold on James, we'll only be with them for a little while.

I tried to cheer him up. We arrived in front of my room.

James: Jessica, I want to say something, but not in the hallway. Can I come in?

Alright James, come in.

Then we went into the room and he closed the door behind him.

He began to speak quietly.

James: I thought if they took you back to your foster father, I'd stay in town with you.

James: Maybe I can help you escape again.

Tears gathered in my eyes.

Jessica: Oh James, are you serious?

He smiled kindly at me.

James: Well of course. You wouldn't stand much of a chance on your own.

I gratefully took his hands.

Jessica: Thanks James. I promise, once I run away from my foster father, I won't cause you any trouble.

James: You're not a problem for me. I'm glad to be with you.

Then he stroked my head kindly and left the room.

I spent the whole night thinking about how to get home.

James is helping me, but it would still be better if we turn back and I don't end up in my foster father's hands again.

The captain seems invincible.

Maybe if I try to get closer to Shawn I can somehow convince him to help me.

I still see some human emotion in him.

Yes, that will be my plan. If Shawn likes me, he'll help me.

The next morning when I went on board I saw Shawn.

How can I get closer to him?

Got it! I make him breakfast. A nice gesture, I'm sure he'll appreciate it!

Then I went down to the kitchen, where there was no one, only the pirate appointed as chef was doing his job.

Chef: What are you doing here, there's no breakfast yet!

Jessica: I just thought I'd make myself something if you don't mind.

Chef: The Miss doesn't like my food?

We have quite a bit of food left, don't waste it!

Jessica: I promise I won't use much.

I answered with my sweetest smile that I could force on myself.

Chef: Ah, that's fine, do it, but don't get underfoot. And just one portion!

Since we didn't have much food, an omelette seemed like a good choice.

I found some eggs. I hope it's okay if I use these up.

Then I tried to make him the most delicious omelet of my life.

When I was done, I placed the food on a tray and brought it up to Shawn.

Jessica: Shawn! I brought you breakfast.

He looked back at me in surprise.

Shawn: Breakfast? Why?

Jessica: You work so hard, something tastier than the chef's cooking would be nice.

He thought for a bit, visibly embarrassed.

Shawn: All right, let's go to the dining room and eat.

Jessica: Don't you want to eat here? The weather is so beautiful.

Shawn: Oh, okay.

Then he sat down on a crate.

He obviously didn't think I wanted to stay either, but I also sat down on another crate, close to him.

Shawn: That was nice of you, thank you.

Jessica: Come on, you deserve it.

As I watched him eat, my stomach started rumbling because I hadn't eaten anything that day.

Shawn: Shall I leave you half?

Jessica: Oh, thanks, no need.

Jessica: But I'd take a bite.

Shawn looked at me like he was in shock.

Then he handed a piece to my mouth.

As I took the morsel in my mouth, I took his hand and looked at him with my most grateful gaze.

Seconds passed, then he suddenly stood up and put his plate on my lap.

Shawn: I see you're very hungry. I'll leave it to you.

I was disappointed, I didn't expect this. Maybe he doesn't like me enough after all.

Then Shawn stepped to the sail and the captain stepped next to me.

Dwayn: Wow, what a special attention someone gets.

Dwayn: Can I have a taste?

Then he crouched down in front of me and opened his mouth.

In my anger, I put the plate in his lap and left him.

*

The next day, when breakfast was served, I was surprised to see that there was no food on my plate.

Dwayn, Shawn, and James were sitting next to me when the captain spoke.

Dwayn: Why didn't you give her breakfast?

Chef: Captain, we hardly have anything left to eat, the rum won't last long either.

Chef: We will not feed someone who is not one of us!

Crew: That's right, the chef speaks well!

James shook his head in displeasure, Shawn suddenly stood up from the table and reached for his sword, but the captain stopped him.

Dwayn: You don't have to worry about food, there's enough.

Dwayn: And in a few days, we'll make a deal, we'll get the money, and you'll get plenty of it, too.

Dwayn: Here. I lost my apetite anyway.

He put his plate in front of me and went out.

When we were done we went on board and everyone did their thing.

Then the captain called the crew together and announced that we were having a party tonight.

I think he wanted to calm the mood, that there was enough food and rum, so that another riot wouldn't break out.

I was worried about he said at breakfast that we would dock in a few days. I didn't feel like celebrating.

*

The music started early in the evening, people danced and the rum flowed everywhere, because when they were drunk they couldn't even lift the glass properly to their mouths.

Some of them started playing a game.

Raisins were poured into an iron pot, rum was poured over it, and then lit it.

They put the burning raisins in their mouths. The winner was the one whose beard didn't burn.

It was scary to see some people laughing with burning faces.

What a silly game! I turned away from the table in horror.

James: Not fun for a lady.

James was sitting on a crate, away from the others.

Jessica: How come you're not having fun with them?

James: A man better keep his sanity on the waters.

Then I glanced towards another table, where the captain was trying to force his opponent's hand down on the table.

I always liked this game very much, because I knew a trick with which I could defeat even a person stronger than me.

Jessica: Can I challenge you to a race Dwayn?

Dwayn: I'm your captain!

Jessica: There is no way that my captain should be a dirty pirate.

Dwayn: As you wish sea rat. This will be your name. Ratty.

He laughed and pointed to the empty chair in front of him.

I sat down and the duel began. When I looked into his beautiful eyes, my hands trembled, then I looked away and managed to pull myself together.

The key is to focus all my energy on my arm and press my arm to the table as hard as I can. I did so and slowly the captain's hand began to descend. I won.

He looked at me with a shocked face and then started laughing.

Dwayn: Looks like Ratty has some more surprises in store for us.

I got up from the table, but he grabbed my arm and pulled me into his lap.

Dwayn: You just don't want to leave without a reward?

He asked laughing and his lips approached me as if he wanted to kiss me.

I suddenly slapped him in surprise and jumped up from his lap.

Even then, he just laughed. Maybe there was too much rum...

*

At the other end of the deck, Shawn was sword fighting with the crew.

Jessica: Can I try it?

He silently nodded, that of course.

One of the men threw his sword to me and we begin the duel.

In the first few minutes I was able to parry all of Shawn's attempts before finally he defeated me.

Shawn: You're a very good swordsman! Did you learn it from someone?

Jessica: Just the years I had to protect myself from my foster father, I guess…

Shawn: No, I mean, you fight like a..

Jessica: Like a?

Shawn: Like a pirate.

I was suddenly shocked by what I heard and then burst out laughing.

Jessica: Well of course.

Then the captain walked over. I don't know how long he was standing there, but he saw me fight because that's what he said:

Dwayn: Ratty was very good today. It would be worth teaching her to fight. She has a flair for it.

(Oh, didn't I just hear a compliment from the captain?)

I thought about it, that the knowledge would really come in handy if I came face to face with my foster father again.

(Who do I want to practice with?)

A: Dwayn:

As soon as I started fighting the captain, he started talking:

Dwayn: So you said you have someone Ratty?- he asked as he attacked.

Jessica: Yes, I have a boyfriend in the town. -I answered proudly as I defended his attack.

Dwayn: And where is this boyfriend now? It seems he doesn't care enough about you to come and save you.-and he attacked again.

Jessica: Well, we've only known each other for two months, so...

Jessica: But I know he loves me, he'll come for me!- I said a little uncertainly as I fended off his attack.

Dwayn: You're pretty, but loving someone like you is an interesting taste.

Jessica: Excuse me?

Dwayn: I mean, you're sudden, big-mouthed, and annoying. – and he attacked again.

Jessica: Well, I would never want a dirty pirate like you either. -I defended again.

Dwayn: Really? We'll see!- he said and kicked the leg out from under me.

I fell on my back, he was on top of me and held his sword to my chest.

Dwayn: What's my reward?- he asked smiling as he was about to kiss me.

I spun out from under him, stood up and left.

Dwayn: It was a good match, Ratty. -He shouted after me.

B:Shawn:

Fighting with Shawn was tough.

His beautiful smile distracted me a lot. So I couldn't give 100 percent, but he was impressed.

Shawn: You're fantastic Jessica, I've never seen someone fight like you that who didn't study.- he said while attacking.

Jessica: If we could practice more often, maybe I could be even better.- I answered mischievously.

With a sudden movement, he grabbed my arm and pulled me to him while pressing his sword to my throat from behind.

Shawn: It's not up to me, I'll make the best fighter out of you if you want.

I felt his hot breath and muscular body on my back.

Our eyes met, I lost myself in his beautiful eyes.

I closed my eyes for a moment before he lowered the sword and set me free.

Shawn: You know, I've never met a woman like you. Who is not only beautiful, but brave and reckless.

My face turned red from his kind words. Confused, I returned the sword and started towards my room.

Jessica: Then next time.

I shouted to him while he looked after me

C:James:

Jessica: It's an honor to learn from a Royal Navy man. -I said when we drew swords.

James: For me, it's a pleasure to fight with such a beautiful girl. -he said while swinging his sword at me.

I parried his attack and this time I attacked.

Jessica: Charmknight is a pretty funny name, you know.

James: I didn't give it to myself. Quite a few women go crazy with the fleet uniforms.-he said with a laugh.

James: And of course from my charming smile. - he added when he attacked again.

It's true, it mesmerized me too. But I couldn't tell him, so I just rolled my eyes as I walked towards him.

James: We could give you a good name too. Let's say Beautyheart.

Jessica: I already have a name. It was given by the captain. Ratty.

Jessica: How humiliating, isn't it? I think he doesn't like me.

Now James attacked this time with such force that the sword fell out of my hand and I lost my balance but he caught me.

He whispered in my ear while holding me in his arms.

But I like you Jessica. Very much so.

He smiled at me and then helped me regain my balance.

Confused, I adjusted my clothes.

Jessica: Thanks for the practice James.