The Ransom

[CurtailedAmbrosia]

Catalina de Rosa was the third daughter to the King of Spain, a product of the aging king's second marriage to her mother- the current Queen Consort of Spain and herself the daughter of a prominent Duc in France. Her betrothed could never hope to have a serious claim to the throne, but as her mother was an only child and she in turn her only child, there would be holdings there for their future children.

She might not have had the position or the lands her two elder sisters possessed, but the youngest princess was still a princess, and a rather beautiful one at that. It was said her betrothed accepted a marriage arrangement based on her portrait alone. Having taken after her mother, she was a fair skinned, golden haired beauty with stormy grey eyes and a small pink bud of a mouth.

Currently, the royal bride to be was asleep, nestled in a down mattress beneath fine linen sheets. The rocking of the waves was soothing, carrying away her anxieties and fears of leaving home, of marriage, of her responsibilities.

When the peal of a bell sliced through her restful sleep, she was at first more regretful than alarmed. "Mm...Ana?" She murmured aloud, lashes parting so she could blink blearily in the candlelit room.

She sat up as her mother's trusted attendant set aside her stitching, eyes wide. "An attack mi'lady!"

The words were barely out of the frightened woman's mouth when a blast of cannonfire boomed, the older woman screaming and toppling out of her chair in a fright.

!

Catalina threw her covers aside and slipped out of bed, moving to help her harried attendant up off the floor. Both of them were in little more than shifts and stockings, Ana's dark hair caught up in a sleeping cap, her own loose, golden waves tumbling down her back. "You must be calm Ana!" The ensuing sound of pistol fire had her own heart hammering, but there was little to gain in panic, especially as she tried to shake off the last bits of grogginess.

She had nearly righted them both when the ship took a hit and seemed to shake, knocking them both to their knees. "Who would be attacking?" Catalina asked anxiously, clawing back to her feet and drawing her woman up with her. "Surely no knew-we aren't flying Father's standard-"

"No one knows we're here, maybe we can hide in your trunk..." The other woman didn't seem to hear her, was busy babbling worriedly to herself. Catalina went to the door and opened it an inch or two-only to slam it closed again, her eyes widened. Men with swords were forcing merchant sailors above deck-pirates. Lord in heaven, pirates.

"Quickly Ana, the trunk-"

"We'll crawl inside?"

"No, use it to barricade the door-"

While her servant worked to push, slide, and shove the trunk of clothing and plate against the door to their quarters, Catalina tore through the room, her heart still in her throat. "We need a weapon of some kind-" She muttered to herself, turning to search the room-an ultimately fruitless effort. All she was able to produce was a heavy silver candlestick and a small silver knife meant for eating rather than defending.

"You can't mean to fight them!" Ana exclaimed in a horrified whisper, half leaning against the trunk, her eyes wide and afraid.

"I don't know Ana, Philip is no longer with us, we...we have to do something-" "No, not us, no. They'd kill you soon as look at you!" "They'll do worse if we-"

Both women screamed as the door violently burst open-slamming open only about a foot before hitting the heavy trunk, the offending pirate poking his head around-only to be met with the heavy candlestick smack between the eyes.

Cursing foully he staggered backwards-and the man with him delivered a solid kick to the door's center, then the roaring injured man put his shoulder to it-and they were in.

////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

The older woman was beside herself and sobbing hysterically, her hands caught behind her back by the burly fellow bleeding from a nasty cut on his forehead, the bridge of his nose bearing a squashed look and his expression cross and murderous as he glared at the steps leading below.

A second pirate emerged with a younger woman who, even now-was trying to pull her slender right wrist free from his tightened fist, looking badly frightened and anxious, but certainly not resigned. The wind whipped at her shapeless white shift and her long blonde, golden hair as she was hauled up on deck, shoved none too gently forward before all of them, managing to keep herself from falling-but just barely. Her eyes were wide and darted back towards the others before flickering back to the important looking pirate she'd been presented to.

"This ain't no noble woman cap'n, but a hellcat. Caught Gregory in the face sir."

"Shut it." The injured pirate growled, not wanting the embarrassing truth revealed-that he had been struck by a mere girl.

Catalina drew in a sharp breath and straightened. She still had the small knife, but the candle stick had been taken away from her. She could not possibly fight them all, either.

She glanced worriedly to Ana. She wasn't the only one at risk here, either. Perhaps it was now time for diplomacy. She was no statesmen, but she was a -lady-, and unlike the pirates she had attempted to fend off, this...captain could make decisions about their fates, and thus should be negotiated with.

Catalina composed herself, even if her cheeks reddened to be caught in such a state of undress and humility. Her head held high despite the wind and cold, the situation, she sized him up. "Good evening, sir." She began, a tremor to her hands that betrayed her fear, intelligent stormy grey eyes sweeping the deck and the looting already going on before they returned to him. "It seems you are making use of our vessel's goods. Further hospitality I would offer you, but we'll hardly be fit for it, it seems." She was young, but she had a grace about her that spoke to nobility.

 

[WatchingCloud]

The night’s capture couldn’t have come at a better time for Samuel. Pickings had been lean over the last month and the morale of the crew was frayed at best. They weren’t out of provisions, but without a significant payday soon he might have had to worry about a vote to oust him as captain. He understood it, because he’d been in their position once before. It was his job to find marks. Thankfully, a small, lone merchant vessel had popped up on the horizon just before sunset. Running dark through the night, they’d caught up with the ship one bell past midnight and took it almost completely by surprise.

His crew, to their credit, performed admirably. Three cannon shots were all it took to disable the ship’s rudder and within two minutes they’d boarded. A handful of the other ship’s crew tried to put up a fight, but most were quick enough to realize they were outnumbered and significantly outmatched in close-quarters fighting and threw down their weapons in surrender. Now it was just a matter of making sure the entire crew was safely under watch on deck while they searched the hold for booty.

Edgar, his first mate, came up beside him on the captured ship’s deck where Samuel watched over the crew on their knees. “Small ship and running light.”

“Doesn’t mean they don’t have something of value, though,” Sam said, stating the obvious. The ship had been running from Europe and without a flag, which meant they’d been banking on speed to avoid conflict. Curious. It had been their misfortune to be spotted at the wrong time of day by a ship in just the right spot to intercept.

A commotion from the stairwell caught their attention. Two of his men led a pair of women in white shifts that blew wildly in the wind. In the dim lamp light, the darker-haired one appeared to be older while the blonde was clearly young. The way his men shoved them suggested they’d been a handful. Gregory, leading the older, had blood running down from the bridge of his nose to back that up.

Andol, leading the younger one, caught Sam’s look. "This ain't no noble woman cap'n, but a hellcat. Caught Gregory in the face sir."

“Shut it,” Gregory grumbled.

Samuel’s curiosity was piqued at the revelation of two women passengers. On the downside, it might mean less worth looting. But, if they were valuable, that could mean ransom. Not his usual business, but he knew others who’d found it to be lucrative if handled carefully.

He crossed the deck to stand before the women. While studying them, he gave them the chance to squirm in his calm, imposing presence. He preferred to listen over speaking, feeling it always gave him the upper hand in understanding the mind of others, be it in business, negotiations, or personal matters. Being tall, wiry strong, and sharp eyed, he knew most found his quiet intensity to be discomfiting.

Before she spoke, Sam pegged the younger woman as one of higher birth. The other was most likely a companion, but not family as there was no resemblance. Both were nervous, as well they should be. To her credit, though, the young one stepped forward to address him.

"Good evening, sir. It seems you are making use of our vessel's goods. Further hospitality I would offer you, but we'll hardly be fit for it, it seems."

Well, he thought with amusement, that was one way to handle a difficult situation – by playing hostess. Full marks for bravery.

Sam smiled and removed his tricorner hat, revealing his long, brown hair tied back with rawhide. He bowed deeply.

“Captain Samuel Bannister of the Siren’s Song, m’lady,” he said, his British accent unmistakable. “Might I have your name, so I know to whom I am apologizing for my inconsiderate breach of your hospitality?”

The words rolled off his tongue with humble sincerity and not a hint of mocking. He could feel the amusement in his first mate’s posture beside him.

 

[CurtailedAmbrosia]

The captain's silence had been more than a little unnerving, his build and bearing warning her that attempting to fight further might very well be suicide. The metal of the knife was still cool against her skin, secured by the ribbon holding the stocking up around her thigh.

But when he spoke, he spoke politely and with deference. This clearly surprised her, and then made her suspicious and a little conflicted. As if the young woman wanted to take him as a gentlemen, but also suspected mockery.

She was gullible, yet clever.

"Do not tell him!" Ana burst in French, briefly stirred from her hysteria with the intense protective instinct of a surrogate mother-which she very much was. "You must lie!" She insisted, still in French. Catalina cast her a worried glance before her eyes flicked back to Captain Bannister, uncertain. If he spoke French...if ANY of these pirates spoke French...

Well, if they did, they would most certainly say so, and she could appear to frightened enough to be truthful. That wouldn't be hard-she was afraid. If they did not, they would have no suspicion in the first place. But what to say? Would it be better to claim to be no one? Or should she try and bluff a lesser title? What was the use? They were -pirates-. Pirates! Why on earth had her father ever thought it prudent to send her by sea?

"I am lady Rose of Caminha." Lying was most certainly a sin. She'd pray for forgiveness later. Assuming she lived long enough... "My father is the Duke of Caminha."

The lie came naturally enough-and would be hard to disprove immediately. It was a newly created duchy. Her father had been pleased with one of his lordlings and made him a Duke, creating lands just for him within the past year. And Rose-well, that was just the English variant of her nickname. They called her Catalina de Rosa. Catherine the Rose.

"I'm sailing to be married and..and would just as soon be on my way, once you have finished your business here...?" Her voice trailed off hopefully, another nervous glance towards Ana.

 

[WatchingCloud]

The daughter of a duke, if she spoke truthfully. He'd understood the older woman's outburst in French. Would have understood it in Spanish or Portuguese as well. He didn't know of Caminha, but that meant nothing. It was presumably Spanish, given her accent, and he knew little of their aristocracy outside the king.

One of his men approached from below deck, clearly wanting to speak. Sam waved him over and he spoken softly for Sam's ears alone.

"Some food and powder, of course, and some clocks, mirrors, and artwork. Not a large haul, captain. Oh, and of their five casualties, one was the captain. Wrong place at the wrong time."

That established what came next. "Take what you think we can sell. I want to be moving within the hour, so be picky if you must. Oh, and bring up the young woman's personal effects."

"Just the one's?"

Sam nodded and the pirate gave him an unfortunately toothy grin before hurrying off to execute his orders.

He turned his attention back to the young woman, Rose. He still didn't know the truth of her story, but had little doubt she was high born and likely of some value. Perhaps he could learn more or at least discern where truth and fiction parted ways.

"Lady Rose of Caminha, I am doubly chagrined for how I've inconvenienced you. First, I must apologize for getting in the way of your hospitality and now for standing between you and your betrothed. Who, might I inquire, is the most fortunate gentleman? The one who shall have the pleasure of your company and beauty for the rest of his days?"

 

[CurtailedAmbrosia]

No lie sprang to mind and Catalina felt a measure of internal panic. Would a pirate know of any such news? The marriage of an admittedly less important daughter of the king to a duke in Italy?

"I have yet to meet him." She said slowly, uncertain-but when still no lie could be believably formed, she told the truth. "But I am to wed Paulo de Medici, the Grand Duke of Tuscany."

It was not a terrible match, but it was also less than might be expected for a princess and granddaughter of a French duke. It brought no useful alliance, but would please the Vatican. Whoever this Paulo was, the Pope was very fond of him.

A political favor, no more. Her mother had held onto her for as long as she could-but in the end, daughters were possessions to be given away, much to her consternation.

He had not answered her hopeful question, and his response could be read two different ways-but things did not look very promising. Catalina felt a measure of dismay. So it was kidnapping and ransom, was it?

If she convinced him to leave Ana behind, she could write her father-and be safe. It...it was the least she could do for her mother's faithful lady in waiting. "If I am to accompany you, Sir Bannister-" Oh merciful Mary, protect me. "Might you leave my servant behind? Someone must...must send word of your requests-"

"What are you doing, child? These are pirates, -pirates-. Convince them to let you go too!" Ana desperately called to her in French.

Catalina charged on ahead. Ask too much, and they might receive nothing. If he was resolved to kidnapping, there would be little she could do to dissuade him. "And who better than a faithful servant of my mother's?"

 

[WatchingCloud]

Sam couldn't be certain, but he suspected she might be telling the truth about who she was to marry. He knew few of the Italian nobles and seldom did any business with their merchants. It sounded like a business arrangement more than a political one, one duke to another, but who could say.

At the very least, he was certain she was truthful when saying she'd never met the guy. It was one aspect of nobility that he found utterly distasteful. Marriage should be for love, not politics or money. He suppressed a chuckle at the thought he might be doing her a favor.

Kidnapping and ransom were not his usual business. From the sound of the meager loot, however, he'd almost certainly have to take Rose just to keep his crew paid and happy. He found it amusing that she jumped to the same conclusion. Perhaps among women her age, the thought of being captured by pirates and ransomed or worse was exactly what they thought of when travel by ship came up.

The real question, if he chose this path, was what ransom to demand and of whom to demand it. Her father or husband-to-be? Her father seemed the most likely candidate. He needed to consult his first mate in private.

"You think I mean to take you hostage for a ransom?" He gave her a mock look of shock, eliciting a chuckle from his crew. He softened with a smile. Better to keep her cooperative, especially when she already appeared level-headed about the whole thing. "Well, if you think you're worth kidnapping, then I wouldn't be a very good captain to bypass a lucrative business opportunity."

Sam then whispered to his first mate, "Go fetch the captain's logs. I want to verify their business."

He turned his attention on the servant. In clear French, he said, "And what say you, ma'am? Have you the same courage demonstrated by the lady to carry a ransom demand? She seems rather fond of you and eager to keep you out of danger."

 

[CurtailedAmbrosia]

"You think I mean to take you hostage for a ransom?"

For a terrible, awful moment, Catalina's stomach dropped and she felt ill to have apparently given him the idea. Her eyes were wide, porcelain face bearing an expression of near horror with her mistake-and then his handsome visage broke into a smile.

She could feel the heat crawling to her face, her lips pressing together as she tore her gaze away from him, immediately flustered and even embarrassed-angry with herself for the brief moment of gullible belief.

"Mi'lady, you cannot travel unescorted with a crew of men-please, your reputation, your safety..." Ana was speaking warnings and fears in a low, fervent tone, all French, all fear and panic. It did nothing to ease her own-and also nothing to shake her resolve in keeping her woman here and not out at sea with pirates.

"Well, if you think you're worth kidnapping, then I wouldn't be a very good captain to bypass a lucrative business opportunity."

"I suppose not." Catalina murmured, her gaze still on Ana, a furrow to her brow and a gesture for her to calm-and then to the shock of both of them, the captain turned and spoke in her mother's native tongue clear as a bell.

Both women froze, the older of the two opening her mouth, then closing it, opening again-but no words came out, something of a gasping fish look to her.

Catalina was the first to compose herself, that faint blush still coloring her porcelain, delicate features. "Of course she does." She responded in perfect French, bilingual from her first words.

The graceful woman dared to walk back to her servant, the glowering Gregory backing off a step, releasing her. Catalina took her hands, informal despite the audience. "Your lady commands it, Ana." Catalina said softly but firmly, affection and resignation in her sweet, bell like voice.

It was breaking the older woman's heart. Such terrible circumstances that had befallen them. Such a horrible way to part. Should the worst happen, Ana would never forgive herself-but God help her, she was weak and she was terrified. She had no fight in her, not even for her beloved mistress.

"Then so be it." Ana responded with an incline of her head-and no small amount of trepidation, regret. She wanted to embrace the golden haired girl she had raised as her own-but Catalina withdrew her hands with a soft smile, stepping back away from her.

 

[WatchingCloud]

Sam felt a little bad for Rose, clearly having embarrassed her. To her credit, though, she composed herself quickly and firmly established a compassionate authority over the flustered servant. Leadership came naturally to this one. Such a shame it would likely go wasted on her new life in Tuscany.

Tuscany. There was something about this affair that nagged the back of his mind. Something for later. He had work to do to before they could part with their prize.

"Excellent," Sam said as the women parted. To the servant, he said, "You and her family have my word that no crew member will lay one more hand on her than necessary. And since she seems to be sensible, Gregory's face to the contrary, I don't think you'll have to worry."

He turned back to Rose, seeking agreement.

"Mister Case," he said, turning to his first mate who had just returned with a handful of leather bound journals. Edgar was in his early thirties, only slightly younger than the captain, and had a measured disposition compared with many of the crew.

"Captain?"

"Please show Lady Rose of Caminha to her quarters in the knife cupboard. Clear it out and get the freshest mattress and linens you can scrounge up. Set up a rotation to guard her room and ensure her comfort and privacy."

"Aye, Captain."

Edgar offered a hand to Rose but didn't grab her. It took only one glance at the narrow planks they'd used to cross between ships, planks which pitched and slid with each passing wave, to get it across that he meant to help her not fall into the sea.

 

[CurtailedAmbrosia]

Catalina heard the promise and hoped to God he kept it. Once the pirates were paid, the nightmare would be over. Much as she had adored being at sea, she didn't fancy a second trip-any travel would be over land, or not at all, she firmly decided.

Edgar offered her his hand and she hesitated, a glance to the frightening planks. The wind still whipped at her shift and hair, strong enough to perhaps take her overboard. She accepted the hand.

As they neared closer she squeezed it involuntarily, nearly freezing up.

"I-I cannot swim, sir." She admitted with a shaking voice. "I should be very grateful not to have to try." And with great effort she followed closely after him, resisting the strong and silly urge to close her eyes.

She was relieved when they stepped onto the deck...until she remembered she was being kidnapped. "Thank you." No reason to be dour, and while cold-she was not in the choppy waters below and very thankful for it.

Back on the other ship, Ana's eyes welled up with tears as the foolish princess disappeared. With no protector and no witness...

"Please keep your word, kind sir." She said thickly. "You carry most precious cargo, now."

 

[WatchingCloud]

"I will," Sam said to the servant, respectful of her sincerity. A live hostage fairly delivered for ransom would likely end best for all, including him and his crew.

Sam watched until he was certain their captive was securely aboard the Siren's Call, then turned his attention back to the remainder of the surrendered crew. With their captain dead, he found the first mate and made it clear they had no interest in any further casualties. Some pirates enjoyed violence for its own sake and killed and tortured unnecessarily. Sam found those types both unsavory and a blight upon their profession, leading would-be prizes to struggle and fight back harder.

Their first mate took it in stride, clearly relieved to be getting off with most of their crew and a nearly intact ship. Sam made it clear they were to return the lady's servant back to their port of origin so she could deliver the demands that he would provide shortly.

Same left his crew to finish their work plundering the choicest loot while he crossed the gangway and checked the other captain's log under a lamp. The most recent notes confirmed a port of departure in Spain. Curiously, they'd left from Valencia rather than Caminha or a nearby port. Well, he wasn't certain as to the truth of her entire story. Perhaps she'd kept the broad strokes true while adjusting the details. His demands, even if addressed to the wrong noble, would still be correctly interpreted by the servant. Further, the destination was Livorno, so the Tuscany angle was probably accurate. The details of the journey, however, continued to bother him. There was more to it than was apparent on the surface.

#

Edgar wondered if he'd have to carry their captive, but she showed some greater measure of courage by taking his offered hand and following him across the makeshift gangway. Even he got nervous crossing it, especially at night.

He escorted the young woman aft, well aware of the curious and hungry looks some of the crew cast her way, and tagged a few of the more reliable men to join him in preparing her room. The knife cabinet, as it was nicknamed, was a tiny room adjacent to the captain's cabin, primarily used for storing small arms necessary in a fight as well as spare rope and carpentry tools. It only took a few minutes to clear the space and bring up a small straw mattress from below decks. A hammock like the crew used would have been more comfortable, but the room was too small to hang one.

"It's not much, m'lady," he said, taking the captain's lead in treating her politely. "But it's private. I'll have someone posted just outside at all times, for your safety. If you need anything, ask. Doesn't mean you'll get it, but..."

"She can ask for me cock," one of the crew who'd cleared the room said, giving her a lewd smile and cupping his crotch. "I'll even be a polite host and give it to 'er."

Edgar turned on the man, his voice low and dangerous. "No one touches her. Captain's orders. Pass the word."

The man scowled and turned to leave, grumbling and kicking the wall on his way.

"Pierre?" Edgar addressed the other pirate, a boy possibly younger than Rose. "You'll stand first watch over the lady. No one goes in but the Captain. She goes nowhere without an escort unless the Captain says so. Clear?"

"Aye." Pierre looked nervous, probably more frightened of having trouble with the crew than with their captive.

"M'lady," Edgar said, closing the door behind him, leaving Rose alone with a mattress, a single candle for light, and a tiny window looking out at the ship and crew which had failed her.

 

[CurtailedAmbrosia]

Catalina summoned a weak smile for the first mate, a nod. Privacy would be very much appreciated, away from leering gazes. Being paraded about in her night clothes was more than humiliating-it suddenly felt dangerous.

And then one of the pirates cut in, and her reservations, her anxiety peaked. Fear flitted through her stormy grey eyes and across her delicate features, and then she reddened at the coarseness in which she had been addressed, the gall of the man-but mostly, it scared her. Ana had been terrified, and there was a reason for that. She had spared her servant and was grateful to have managed it, for the Captain's allowance of it-but she was all alone, now.

Edgar did not let the insult remain unaddressed however, and the pirate went away. He put a boy at the door as a guard-and Catalina nervously gave Edgar a nod as he closed the door.

A mattress. A candle. A window. And she was in nothing but stockings and her nightshift, her pale skin still chilled and cold. Her left hand touched at the small knife held against her thigh. It was a small comfort, but it was a comfort. She exhaled slowly, the tremors she had suppressed now returning in force, the numbness and adrenaline wearing off.

She was alone, trapped on a ship full of hostile, dangerous men in little more than a closet. Her eyes stung.

No, no-she would not cry. Her hands curled into fists and she moved to sit on the mattress, tucking the shift neatly under her curled legs, focusing on the positives. Captain Samuel did not entirely seem like a brute, despite his occupation. His first mate too had been polite. They did not seem intent on harming her, and, given what they wanted from her father or betrothed, had an interest in making sure no one else did either.

And she had the little knife, though what help it'd be she wasn't sure. It made her feel a little less helpless. She ran her hands through her hair, another long exhale. "Well." She murmured to no one. "Here I am."

 

[WatchingCloud]

Sam penned his random demands, carefully arranging to use a cut between he knew in southern France who could safely put some distance between him and Rose's father. Once in the hands of the servant, he withdrew his crew and cut the merchant vessel loose. With their damaged rudder, it could be days before they were able to get moving again, and that bought him time.

He passed the guard on their captive's room, one of the youngest of the crew, and gave him a quick nod and made sure she hasn't given them any more trouble. He briefly considered checking in her, but decided to let her rest.

Edgar was waiting for him in his quarters. His first mate could read his mind better than anyone. "Problem?"

Sam tossed him the merchant captain's log. "Tell me what you make of it."

Sam poured himself wine while Edgar pondered the notes.

"She could be telling the truth," he said. "Not the port I'd have expected them to depart, but that doesn't mean much."

"What about their position the last two days? Or their heading?"

Edgar gave it another look, then unrolled a map to compare against the notes. "Winds were favorable last two days. Should've made much better distance. And their route is too far south. Like to pass between Corse and Sardegna. That'd add days to the trip. Why?"

"Asked their first mate and he didn't know. Said he'd asked the captain the same thing, but the guy wasn't forthcoming. Nervous. I believe the mate. Something else is afoot."

"But what?"

"Not sure. It'd probably be best to forget it, but my gut tells me our prize may be worth a lot more or a lot less. We could have far more trouble on our hands."

Edgar knew when to let the captain think, and this was one of those times.

"Set sail for the straights," Sam told his first mate. "Full sail. They were due to get there by noon in two days. An unescorted and lightly armed ship with a noble, due to be at a certain place at a certain time, easily found. I want to know why and by whom."

Edgar clearly wasn't convinced but wouldn't argue. "The crew will be wondering."

"Maybe they were due to meet another ship. One carrying her dowry."

Edgar cocked a skeptical eyebrow. "Well, the ship certainly wasn't carrying much of value. Might buy it for a while."

Sam considered the matter long into the night while his orders were carried out and they set sail east toward Italy.

#

Shortly after dawn, Sam sent for food for him and their captive. He dismissed the guard at her door and knocked softly. He cracked the door and waited to make sure she was awake.

"Lady Rose? I hope you were able to sleep in our humble accommodations. I have food coming up and a chest of your clothing and personal effects are in my cabin. Afraid they wouldn't fit in your room."

 

[CurtailedAmbrosia]

She hadn't really.

The Lady 'Rose' was still seated on the mattress, her back against the wooden wall with her head in her crossed arms over her knees. She looked up as the door cracked and the captain spoke.

She would like to get properly dressed. She had been very cold-her fingertips and toes were numb, as was the tip of her nose. She'd be warmer if she were allowed to dress-and safer from any straying eyes.

Catalina rose to her feet with careful grace, nodding slowly. She looked tired and a little dazed, numb-but seemed to shake herself out of it, pulling herself together with a deep breath.

She even found a smile, albeit a hesitant one. "Thank you Captain. Ana was...was given your-" She doesn't want to say ransom demands, quickly finding a more...neutral spin for it. "...message for my father?" Her hair was completely loosened from last night's braid, the golden waves tumbled all down her back and around her shoulders in a delightfully youthful fashion and framing her delicate features prettily. Even with what little sunlight filtering through the porthole, the strands picked up and reflected the sunshine's golden hues.

 

[WatchingCloud]

Sam was so startled by her appearance when the sun caught her hair he forgot to answer her question. My Dove. Memories, both precious and painful, flooded through his very being. Rose's face and figure were different, but her mannerisms could be frighteningly similar, and the way the sun lit her loose hair was just like that one morning...

He shook himself from his reverie, realizing she was staring, and dropped his hand from were it fondled the talisman he wore under his shirt, self-conscious.

"Yes," he said, straightening up. "She has been given the message and the crew have orders to return with all haste. After that, we shall see.

"In the meantime, your things."

He offered her his hand in a chivalrous manner, even though his cabin was mere feet away. He might be a pirate, but the profession had chosen him, not the other way around. Some considered him soft, but those were the ones who hadn't been on the crew long. Violence for its own sake was, inevitably, self defeating and he disdained those pirates who lusted for it.

He led her to his cabin, cramped like everything on the ship. It was dominated by a desk in the middle, covered in maps and logs. Cabinets lined the walls, full of maps and other useful tools of the trade, and his hammock swung gently with the rocking of the ship. The windows along the back wall looked out over their wake and away from the rising sun.

Sam gestured to her crate in the corner near the door. It was clear things had been moved just to accommodate it.

"The room is yours to change, if you wish," he said. "Please leave the papers alone. Breakfast will be ready shortly."