Dew of the Sea (On Hold)

Chapter 2; Scars and Beauty

Chapter 2; Scars and Beauty

For hours we cleaned. I cleaned plates, forks, spoons, and cups. While Benjamin focused on the sweeping and mopping the grub up. My hands looked like grandma’s wrinkled face because of the soap water. Benjamin is wearing a sleeveless shirt, showing off his muscles and a scar. Looking closer to the scar, I remember how it got there. Frowning to myself, I finished scrubbing a plate and sat down.

-Flashback-

*Two years earlier*

“Come on Rose, you can do it!” Tommy cheered me on from the side. With the sword in my right hand, I began to swing at Scarlet, my trainer. When she stepped to the right, I stepped to the left, and so on. I was using a Naval Cutlass sword to practice and Scarlet was using her Buccaneer sword. I was doing an excellent job until I took my eyes off her eyes. Right when I did, she made a move I wasn’t expecting. In a matter of moments, I was on my butt and there was laughing all around.

“Aren’t you a pro, Rose?” Henry walked over to the swords laughing.

“Belay that talk, Henry!” Scarlet said reaching her hand out to me. “And don’t you dare touch those swords, or your hand is mines, lassie.”

Henry’s face went pale and his eyes filled with fear as he stepped away from the swords. Henry is Benjamin’s best mate and he is always picking on me. Some say his mother beat him and some say he beat his mother. As you can tell, Henry isn’t a very pleasant guy. I don’t understand why Benjamin can hang with such a jerk.

Grabbing Scarlet’s hand, I was on my feet and ready to begin practice again. My eyes buried into her eyes, as I swung my sword fast as wind. Trusting myself, I felt a wave of strength come over me. I was ready to prove I could fight. Echoing throughout the ship, our swords crashed against each other. Feeling the sun ray against my neck, I moved swiftly but not taking my eyes off her eyes.The look in Scarlet’s eyes told me ‘Don’t worry, continue fighting’. Not holding back, I continued to attack her sword with mines.The only sound was clanking, no one was talking or cheering, they were just admiring my strength.With one more fulfilled tough hit to Scarlet’s sword, she lost her balanced and fell backwards.

“Begad! Lassie, you did very well!” Scarlet said while lying on the floor.

“Thank you, Scarlet. It’s all because of your training” I said, reaching out my hand to pull her up.

Cheers filled the ocean’s air as Scarlet stood up. I turned to face Tommy, he was grinning huge and clapping. Henry looked dumb with his jaw on the floor and Benjamin just had a straight face on, no emotions.

“What is up with all this cheering?” Captain Ashton asked, coming from his cabin

“Rosemary just proved herself to the crew, Cap’n!” Scarlet said walking to his side.

“That’s wonderful news, but I must see it for myself.” He said, eyeing me “Scarlet, if you please.”

“Benjamin, you haven’t trained today. Let’s see you fight against Rose.” She said looking to him.

"Come on Ben! Show this girl who's boss," and "Yeah, Benny. Do it, do it!" the crew chanted around the ship deck. I couldn’t beat Benjamin, he is a giant compared to me. He is fourteen and I’m only twelve.

“Believe in yourself, Rosemary. I’m with you always with you…” Words traveled through the ocean air, and seconds later, I knew who it was. The Sea.

Mumbling something under his breath, Benjamin pulled out his sword and stepped into the fighting ring. Fear filled my stomach. Was I really about to fight Benjamin Ashton? I, of all people get to fight the captain’s son. If I beat him, I could be kicked off the ship, and if I didn’t beat him, I’d lose my respect. The sea wanted me to beat him, but why?