(unedited version)
Chapter 10:
"Charlotte?"
She pulled off her hood confirming my guess," I thought you were dead! So does Sapphire!" she exclaimed then hugged me tightly.
"What are you doing out here?" I asked as I released her.
"Looking for Fred...." she replied a bit sheepishly.
"Fred?"
"My monkey," she laughed. Just as she said that, I got tackled by a ball of fluff, I ended up on the ground with a small monkey sitting on my chest staring at me.
"Fred that's Silver, Silver that's Fred, my obnoxious monkey.... I think he likes you."
I stared back at the little monkey and laughed," hey there Fred."
Charlotte picked up the small monkey and let him sit on her shoulder, "what are you doing out here? We were so worried when we found you missing..."
"Flint decided it would be better if I was secure where he knew where I was, or some nonsense like that... and not an hour ago two men took me from there and tried to get me onto some ship but I got away," I explained, suddenly to shiver. I realized I only had a thin cotton dress which was still damp from diving into the water in my escape.
"Then they are still after you?"Charlotte queried, looking worried.
I nodded, she grabbed my hand," let's go," she said quietly before guiding me through the trees for what seemed like ages.
We finally reached the edge of town, Charlotte led me through several alleys and backways before reaching the back door of Sapphire's pub. She snuck in with me then dragged me up the stairs to Sapphire's room," stay here with Fred," she instructed me before leaving again. Fred sat on my lap almost like a cat, I smiled slightly.
Sapphire burst in," oh Silver! I was so worried!" she exclaimed quietly, hugging me with an iron grip.
"I can't stay for long.... They'll be looking for me..." I said apologetically.
Charlotte rummaged through a trunk and pulled out a pair of black breeches, tall boots, a light coloured shirt, and a cloak. She handed them to me," get changed, we'll have to do something about your hair as well."
I slipped behind the changing screen and stripped off the thin cotton dress before changing into the clothing Charlotte had handed me.
"I will take you to Sam, he'll help you, your name will stay as Silver but as a precaution I'll make sure it's known that you don't talk much but can cook a mean meal single-handedly. Is that alright with you?" Charlotte asked.
I finished dressing and stepped out," yes that sounds fine," I replied.
Charlotte played with my hair a bit, trying to find the best way to hide it without cutting it. "Do you mind if I thin your hair out a bit?" she asked.
"Considering it could be the difference between being caught as a girl and succeeding, hack as much as you want," I replied, playing with one of my curly tresses. Charlotte found a pair of scissors and cut for what seemed like forever," I've never seen a gal with such thick hair before," she mused as she finished.
"I blame my father's side of the family for that," I replied amused. I looked at myself in the mirror, Charlotte had only cut it to just below shoulder length but it definitely was much thinner and felt more light than it had been. "What do you think?"she asked.
I ran my fingers through my hair, "looks great."
She smiled and then braided my hair tightly before tying a black scarf around my head, hiding my hair from view. Sapphire handed me a sword. "Do you know how to use it?"Charlotte asked.
I nodded, pulling it out of its sheath, Charlotte did the same with hers. She made first move, jabbing towards my left arm I blocked the blow quickly, remembering what Jacob had taught me. we went at it for a good ten minutes before I dropped my sword in surrender, still weak from being locked up by Flint. "You fight quite well, who taught you?"Charlotte asked curiously.
"A friend of mine...."I replied quietly, the hurt of Jacob's betrayal resurfacing like a hard blow to the chest. Charlotte nodded her understanding, "we'd better get going."
I picked up my sword and sheathed it quickly and picked up my bag.
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Unknown POV:
Four weeks ago, I received word that I had a sister, whom Flint had captured. Naturally, I set course for Toruga to investigate, but when I had made an agreement with Flint to see if this Anna girl was truly my sister, she somehow got away. So here I am, pacing in my cabin, trying to figure out what to do, now that my "sister" has escaped, Flint has nothing to bargain with, not that its all that bad for me.
Someone knocked on my door loudly, "who is it?"I called.
" 'Tis Sam, sir, I have a man here who'd like to join us," the reply came.
"Bring 'im in Sam," I replied, sitting down.
The door opened, Sam stepped inside with quite a short looking man, "who's this?," I asked.
"He calls himself Silver, sir, he speaks very little but can cook a good meal for twice the size of our crew," Sam informed me as I studied this Silver fellow. Even under my harsh, steady gaze, his own gaze on me did not falter.
"So he can cook? Good, is he any good with a sword?"I asked.
Sam nodded, "I tried him myself, room for improvement but he seems to learn fast."
"Show 'im to a bunk, then t'morrow show 'im the kitchen, he'll start right away," I instructed, giving my dismissal.
I watched them both leave, closing the door behind them, somehow Silver seemed familiar.....
Shaking my head, I returned to my thoughts on how to deal with Flint.....
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Anna/Silver's POV:
I sighed as I laid on the hammock, below two men, listening to the loud snores of the room full of sleeping pirates. I couldn't believe I was on my brother's crew.... I almost thought he'd comment on how young or womanish I looked when he stared at me in his cabin. I can't very well tell him I'm his sister now.... if anyone other than Sam found out I am a girl... it wouldn't end well for... After a long time of thinking I finally drifted off to sleep.
" Silver.... Silver get up," a voice broke through my sleeping state, I opened my eyes and looked at Sam groggily.
"What's wrong?" I moaned, not wanting to get up.
"I need to show you the kitchen then we need to get to work," he replied, pulling me out of my hammock.
I stumbled a bit before shoving my feet into my boots then following Sam out of the room. He led me to a small but workable kitchen and I immediately checked the stores of food. I finally finished then looked at Sam," well we'd better get to work, I need to teach you how to tie knots according to the Captain..." Sam said and then led me above deck.
He stopped beside the main mast where two coils of rope laid. He sat down with me and started teaching me simpler knots then more complex ones. By the time he had taught me several knots the sun was halfway up and was beating down on us. I was relieved when I found out I had to start on midday meal and escaped the heat to the somewhat coolness of the kitchen. I set to work on a stew, whistling as I worked.
"CanI be of any help here?" a deep and familiar voice came from behind me. I turned to see Henry standing in the doorway. Smothering my surprise, I tossed him and onion, making it clear I wanted him to peel it. I went back to dicing the potatoes, but my mind reeled with unanswered questions.
Why is Henry here?
Charles obviously hates anyone associated with Flint....
Could he possibly be a spy?
My body was so tense from nervousness, I almost cut myself.
"So are you mute?" he asked suddenly, I answered him with a shrug.
"Then I suppose i could tell you something and you wouldn't be able to tell anyone else?" Again, I shrugged in reply, wondering if he'd tell me anything......
"I'm supposed to kill the Captain tonight."