Corruption of Heart~ APH Fanfiction

Ch. VI) A New Horizon

Meghan collapsed onto the bar counter, burying her head in her arms. Silently, she let malice fill her senses and block out the smell perspiration, grudging old men, and air filled with disease and decay. The tavern was nowhere near well-kept. Meghan was instantly repulsed by the sight of moldy walls and the scent of rotting wood when she entered at Arthur’s tail. She had nervously avoided the glares and curiously venomous gazes of pirates and convicts alike. She knew what they wanted, an opportunity. They wanted a vulnerable novice to walk in so they could feast on said novice’s existence, ripping them apart mentally, and for fun, maybe even physically.

 Now, five minutes after entering, Arthur had seated her at the counter and told her to wait while he took care of “unfinished” business in a room near the far end of the tavern. Meghan was so focused on her own misery, she barely noticed the small woman sitting beside her, tears in eyes, waving a half-hearted goodbye to the short, black-haired and stoic man who slowly left her, muttering apologies.

The small young woman absent-mindedly rested her head on Meghan’s shoulder, seeking another woman’s comfort, snapping Meghan out of her thoughts. Meghan cast her a bitter look, before regretting her actions and changing her attitude. Meghan wiped a tear from the younger girl’s face.

“Hey…stop crying now…what’s wrong?” Meghan whispered, eyes darting cautiously to the pirates and criminals who might be listening. To her relief, most were still chatting happily in their own world, seemingly unaware (or maybe they just didn’t care) that there was a crying girl in the tavern, filling it with her sobs. “And what’s your name? Your age?”

The girl sniffled, wiping the untouched tears from her face. She smiled weakly. “I was…given away…My name is Leila…Sixteen years of age.”

Meghan blinked. “You were disowned? That’s horrible…I’m so sorry-.”

“No…I said I was given away. That’s a lie. I was ripped away from my sister’s arms and sent to live with a foreigner. I’m nothing more than…property in their eyes. You…ma’am, you look like my people. Are you from…?” Leila’s lips sealed as she neared the end of her sentence. Her eyes glossed with pain, and her throat welled with a sob. She couldn’t bear to even utter her homeland’s name.

Meghan smiled grimly. “Yes, I believe I am. But I’ve never seen you. Ironically, we meet under such circumstances.”

“Ironically…yes…”

Both women silenced themselves as their respective ‘partners’ returned, both exiting the same door. Kiku looked uneasy, brown eyes looking directly at Leila. She sensed his fear and stiffened. Arthur however was grinning wide. He tipped his hat. “Ms. Leila.” He greeted tauntingly.

Meghan and Leila were fully aware of the dark flash in Kiku’s eyes. Clearly he wasn’t accepting of Arthur’s false formality. Arthur seemed to have noticed the tension as well, as he looked to Meghan. “We’re staying the night.” He muttered, motioning to the stairs. “Here, in this tavern. Would you two like to share a room?”

Before Leila could answer, Meghan eagerly cut in. “Yes, yes!” She choked slightly. “I mean…please…if you’d be so kind.”

Arthur tilted his head to the side, eyes narrowed. “I’m hurt. You don’t want to spend time with your captain, sir? Well…and why are you so eager to spend the night with a woman?  She might be uncomfortable. Just look at her face!” he said, voice laced with humor. Meghan paled, looking to Leila and with disappointment seeing that she was, in fact, fearful. Meghan sighed. “Where do we sleep, captain?”

Arthur’s eyes flashed. “Don’t worry. I got us the most romantic room in this dump. I’m sure you’ll enjoy our stay.” Meghan nearly gagged at the thought of being alone for a whole night with Arthur, but she swallowed her bitterness hastily. She wiped her palms in her pants, trying to destroy the sweaty feeling.