Lost at Sea

Chapter 1

"Oi puppet, watch yer way wontcha!"

I excused and pardoned myself multiple times as I stumbled behind my father. We were on our way to set up shop by the edge of the dock.

Ever since mothers death we've been traveling from port to port and from town to town selling and trading spices. Trying to get enough to finally settle down somewhere new and fresh.

We made our way to our destined spot and I began unpacking the different spices we were to sell that day.

"Don't set them to close to edge dear, ever heard of pick-pockets and thieves"

"Yes, countless times thanks to my all to headful father" I grinned.

"Alright dear, I have some debts to settle, watch shop. Ill be back soon." He said as he made his way to the ship stationed in front of us, suitcase in hand.

I continued my duty of taking out the spices and displaying them on the table he had set. Not many people took interest in our stall so I got out a book I bartered cinnamon for back in Granada; 1001 and 1 nights, a rendition I have wanted to add to my collection for some time. Soon I was lost in the Arabian Dessert, away from the suffocating smell of fish that still lingered around the spice stall.

My brief respite was disrupted by the shadow of a man. I looked up to see my father and further extended my gazed to see the man that was rudely blocking my source of sunlight. I had to squint to make out his face and even then it was hard to see anything, for his face was sheltered by his tricorn.

Surprisingly, despite the many spices surrounding us, and his seaman attire, a forestry sent wafted the air around him. I was taken out of my thoughts by the strangers rich and thickly accented voice.

"Is this it" he said to my father.

" Is this what?" I broke in.

" She will do" he nodded in my fathers direction, his accent which I concluded was Irish, lacing his tongue.

" I will do what? Nothing in relates to you. And please try to finish your sentences like a proper human being or refrain from speaking at all" I exclaimed annoyed by the fact that my father was starring at the floor nodding his head in shame, while this man gave out half-proportioned sentences as if I was supposed to understand anything from his half-witted proclamations.

What annoyed me the most was the fact that he addressed me as an"it", who in the bloody hell does that? By now my anger was boiling and my fear was escalating, for my imagination started racing and I began to perceive the possible tacit understanding between the two.

He lowered his head to my level, for which I was given a better look at his striking features. I would have considered him handsome, if we were in a different circumstance. Hell I still did but that's beside the point. He clenched his structured jaw and honed his piercing blue eyes at me.

" I wasn't taking to you love, speak when you're spoken to like a proper human being" he snapped back.

"I would if you had the proper manners to address me instead of using " it". " I retaliated. He huffed in annoyance and looked at my father expectantly.

"Nina, you will be working for Mr.Jones for some time until I pay my debt in full, I've already taken your things on board."

" The bloody hell I will! I'm not slaving off you're debts for you father! What happened to us finally settling down!" I stood up, now facing both men.

By now, people we aware of our altercation.

"Nina, be reasonable, it's the best possible choice right now"

"Best possible choice? Are you serious?!" I scoffed

I was at a lack of words, how could he possibly think like that?

"Nina stop acting childish"

"If I'm being childish, have you considered yourself? Mother would be appalled by your behavior!" I wailed.

" Do as you're told and don't you dare speak of your mother against me." He threatened in full malice.

I was stultified by his behavior. This wasn't my father, not the one I knew. This wasn't the man I loved more than anything, the only one I had left. Tears threatned to fall from the hurt and betrayl washing over me. The man grabbed me by my arm, but I pulled away. "I'm perfectly capable of moving myself." I sneered. But yet I couldn't manage to look behind me as I fell into step behind him, welcoming the distraction of his strange alpine sent.

Oddly when boarding the ship there was barely any activity and as if sensing my curiosity " Mr.Jones" informed me that the crew had spent the night at the various taverns that dotted the city.

" Don't expect me to warm anyone's bed, I'm not that kind of girl, and I'm sure some other lady would be more than happy to uphold her job from any brothel."

" You will serve as the cook's hand, you will help make meals and clean the kitchen"

" And if I chose no to?"

" You'll warm the crews beds"

I looked up to see he had a smirk on his face. My heart nearly dropped.

" 5 lashes for the neglection of a crew mates duties"

" Your kidding"

"Do I look like a man who kids?" he turned around, almost causing me to bump into him.

" Looks can be deceiving, as we've just witnesses" I bluntly stated.

He started walking again and I followed in toe. We passed a set of oriental styled double-doors and arrived at a room to the side of them. He opened the to an 8 by 10 foot room.

"This will be where you will reside until your duties are done. If you have any respect for yourself shut your door at night unless accompanied by myself or Grayson, my Quartermaster."

"Please save me the trouble and don't act as if you actually care" I scoffed

He turned around with a deathly blue flame flickering in his eyes, expecting a rebuke in return I readied myself to retaliate, but he just clenched his jaw and entered the double-doors we passed earlier.

I entered my room, and found my suitcase by the door. The room was fairly spaced with a bed and nightstand in the corner, a drawer in front of the door and shelves across from it. I made my way to the bed, and soon lost in my thoughts as I unintentionally feel asleep.