“Hey-Ho! Hey-Ho!” The men burst out in a low bass at the sight of land. Pirates were scurrying up the ratlines to adjust the sails for one last time, so that they could easily sail into the harbor. Pete Taylord sighed. It had been another successful time at sea, the ship was loaded with stolen goods. Still, there was something that was nagging on him and he was sure it had something to do with the beauty that was just below deck. He had taken her aboard a couple days ago, just after he had finished plundering a merchant ship.

•

“Ship ahoy!” Came a call from high in the mast. Pete marched over to the railing and grabbed his spyglass. He peered through it and indeed, to the starboard side was a ship, and quite a ship at that. It was an English merchant vessel, probably from some rich privateer.
“Get ready to chase!” Pete turned around and bellowed to his crew. Sailors immediately ran over the deck, each doing their own tasks and soon the sails snapped in the wind. The water at the bough of the ship parted and when he glanced back he saw that the ship left behind white-capped waves. Water sprinkled on his face and he licked the salt off his lips. Oh, how he loved the feeling of chasing a ship and the excitement that went through him when they boarded. No two chases were ever the same.
‘The Flaming Arrow’ quickly approached the merchant vessel and Pete was soon able to make out it’s name; ‘Elizabeth.’

They were now within shooting range. “Ready the cannons!” Pete’s orders were quickly repeated and he heard the heavy cannons being rolled out. But to his surprise and astonishment, the ‘Elizabeth’ raised a white flag, the flag of surrender. Pete spat on the floor. “Cowards." Capturing a ship without a good fight beforehand was like going on a roller coaster ride and already seeing that it wasn’t going to be scary.

“Get ready to board!” ‘The Flaming Arrow’ was lying next to the ‘Elizabeth.’ A malicious grin spread over Pete’s lips when he saw how terrified the crew on the ‘Elizabeth’ looked. He looked down to check if his trusted cutlass was by his side and if his gun was in its holster. He needn’t have checked, he always wore his weapons. The clank of grapple hooks echoed over the restless sea. Pete grabbed one of the ropes and easily swung to the other ship. He was met by a man with graying hair and round glasses.
“Captain.” Pete sarcastically tipped his hat at the older man.
“Captain. Could you please just take what you want and leave?” The captain of the ‘Elizabeth’ begged.
Pete looked back at his agitated crew and saw the look in their eyes. They were ready to kill.
“I’m sorry Captain. I’m afraid that won’t be an option.” The captain fell down to his knees and started begging Pete. “Please, please don’t do this.”
I’m a pirate. Pete reminded himself over and over again. I’m harsh and merciless and ruthless. I can kill.
“Half of you!” He shouted at his crew. “Take care of these men. The other half, find the treasure and bring it aboard ‘The Flaming Arrow.’” His crew didn’t need to be told how to obey his orders, they had done this so many times that half the crew systematically and mercilessly started slicing the sailor’s necks and throwing them overboard and the other half disappeared below deck to see what treasures lay below. Pete joined the ones who went to explore the treasures. He couldn’t kill, not today. Something was stopping him and he knew he would regret it if he killed even a single sailor today. There were spices aboard and even some gold. Pete was not disappointed. Together with his crew he loaded all the goods onto his own ship, and then searched the merchant vessel for one last time. And then he had found her, hidden away, deep inside the boat. From the moment he had set eyes on her he had knew she was a beauty. She was sitting, hunched up in a corner, attempting to make herself invisible. When she heard the stomp of his boots she looked up. Even in the darkness and with only the light of the flame he was holding, her eyes sparkled. He stared at her for a few moments, mystified at her beauty and at the intense emerald green of her eyes. Her face was smooth and tear-stained and he instantly longed to touch her. He slowly walked over to her and noticed how she attempted to move away from him. He bent forward and reached to touch her face but suddenly the innocent, scared young woman was no longer there, a strong and determined one had taken her place. A furious look appeared on her face and she slapped his hand away.
“Don’t touch me.”

•

He felt his heart speed up at the memory of her and a smile spread over his lips. He breathed in the salty air to steady himself. He was a man, a man who had enjoyed the company of hundreds of woman. Once, a long time ago, he had vowed that no woman would ever touch his heart again. And this woman was certainly not going to break his vow.
“Are ye comin into town with us for some beers cap’n?” A voice next to him suddenly asked. A beer would be good. They had only had rum aboard and though it was pleasant to indulge in, it also became rather monotonous. Pete suddenly thought of the smoke-filled tavern with a whiff of perfume here and there and wrinkled his nose. He wasn’t in the mood to sit with all those gay, drunk men but at the same time seeing some other women could possibly take his mind off the woman aboard his ship. He still hadn’t decided what to do with her.

Glancing up at the mast he could see that the pirate flag had been replaced with a natural one. He grinned at the feigned innocence. He was a wanted pirate, 50 pieces of silver and 20 pieces of gold were given to the person who would turn him in. But firstly nobody knew who he was and secondly, nobody dared. His reputation had taken care of that.
“Ship ahoy! Ship ahoy!” Jack, his trusted parrot landed on his shoulder and rustled his wings, so that the air was momentarily filled with dust and parrot feathers. Pete coughed.
“Jack, have you still not learnt to do that somewhere else?” He asked the parrot sternly, but with a hint of playfulness, after having looked around if no one was within hearing range. Only his parrot had experienced a softer side of Pete, and Charlotte of course. But he didn’t want to think about Charlotte at this moment. He had to make some decisions, decisions about what he was going to do with the woman below deck and what he was going to do in town. Why was he not thrilled at the thought of indulging in women and liquor again? What had changed? But he knew what had changed and he didn’t like it. He longed to be rid of the green-eyed beauty.

•

Lilly Tolkins was staring out the little porthole in her tiny room. Her torn dress hung around her and only a vague shadow was left of its former glory. They had arrived in a town, though she did not know what town it was. Mr. Taylord had not spoken to her since the day he had found her on her father’s merchant ship. She had thought about that moment many times, the way he had treated her so gently when he first saw her and then so cruelly when he had introduced her to his crew. She remembered his raven-black hair and his shimmering black eyes. Even though she was furious with him for murdering her father and his crew, she also wanted to see him again. His reactions somehow intrigued her. She also longed to be able to shout at him, to hurt him in some way. He was going to pay for the pain that he had caused her.

There was a knock on her door and there stood Pete. He hadn’t bothered to wait for her answer and this infuriated her.
“Ms. Tolkins? We have arrived at Port Moseby. I am sorry but I’m not going to let you off the ship. I was just inquiring if you may need anything?” For a moment she couldn’t say anything. Pete looked even more handsome than the last time she had met him and it was unbelievable that he could ever do anything cruel to anybody. When she saw that he was waiting for her answer she thought quickly. This might be the last time that she could ask for anything before this dreaded pirate ship set sail again. Looking down at her tattered dress she nodded.
“A dress would be nice. And maybe some soap.”
“All right.” He tipped his hat. “Ma’am.” With that he closed the door and locked it.

•

Pete was a little off balance when he set foot on land again. He had been at sea for over a month and his legs had gotten used to the motion of the waves. He couldn’t believe that he had to walk into a dress shop and buy a dress for the lady aboard his ship. Would he also have to buy undergarments for her? A petticoat? His forehead wrinkled at the idea and he nearly laughed when he thought about himself, a harsh, merciless pirate buying a dress for a lady. It made no sense, why hadn’t he ravished her or at least stolen a kiss from those full red lips? He suddenly grew angry when realization dawned on him: this lady was slowly penetrating the armor around his heart, without even attempting to do so.

A few drinks won’t hurt. It might even help me clear my mind. Pete thought to himself. He was sitting in the smoky tavern and could see that his crew was already starting to become happier and noisier. One of the waitresses walked by and he called out to her. “I’d like the strongest drink you’ve got please.”

•

Lilly heard the sound of boots descending the stairs and marching over to her room. She knew the men had returned and from the sound of their laughter, had realized that they were all drunk. The sound of a key in the door frightened her and she glanced around the room, searching for a weapon, anything that could protect her from whoever was outside. The door flung open and she was shocked at the sight of Pete. His shirt was no longer tucked in and his hair was a mess. He smelled of smoke and alcohol and his eyes confirmed her fears; he was drunk. He staggered over to her and placed his hands on her hips. Her reaction was quicker than lightning; she grabbed the chair from behind the desk and hit him on the head. Pete fell to the ground with a loud ‘thunk.’ Horrified, Lilly stared at him. Had she killed him? Was he still conscious? She knelt down next to him and discovered that he was not dead, and he wasn’t conscious either. But there was another problem that Lilly had to deal with, and she had no idea how to solve this one: Pete was in her room and she wouldn’t be able to get him out. This would be the perfect time to escape but the knowledge of all the other drunken pirates above deck kept her in her room. The sensible thing to do was to lock her door and hope that Pete wouldn’t ravish her the moment he woke up.

Her eyes were drooping, she had no idea what time it was and every time Pete moved, adrenalin coursed through her body. She had forced herself to stay awake because she reasoned that it was safer to be awake when somebody tried hurting you, than to be asleep. Her eyes shifted from Pete to the tiny porthole and she grew hopeful when she saw that dawn was coming. Slowly but surely the sun rose over the sea and drove away the darkness but Lilly could no longer stay awake. She fell into a restless sleep.

•

Pete stirred. His limbs felt heavy and his head hurt immensely. Where was he? He was lying on something hard and, when he ran his hand over it, felt that it was wood. Had he fallen asleep on deck? He pried his eyes open and was then shocked when he discovered where he was. He sat up, and saw that Lilly was asleep on a chair, as far away from him as possible, which, in the tiny room, was not very far. She was curled up, as if to protect herself and he could see that she was not sleeping peacefully. And then he remembered. He remembered how good the alcohol had felt as it slid down his throat and burned in his stomach. He remembered walking to the ship and then wanting nothing more than to be with Lilly Tolkins. And the last thing he remembered was a chair, coming towards his head. He closed his eyes and swore at himself for his own stupidity.

He saw the key of the door lying on the table and thought it best to leave Lilly alone and come back later to bid his apologies. He stood up and was again surprised by the massive pain in his head. He raised one hand to his forehead and then walked over to the table. He picked up the key and then glanced over at Lilly. She was staring at him, wide-eyed, and terrified.

“I have to apologise milady. I am deeply sorry for my behavior yesterday evening and I promise it will not happen again.” He would have said anything at that moment, anything at all to wipe that look off her face. He hated the fact that she was scared of him, though, of course, it was only natural that she feared him. She did not respond, just sat there, staring at him. “Mr. Barrell will bring you some breakfast. I am truly sorry milady.” With that Pete walked to the door and unlocked it, went out and locked it again from the other side. He leaned against the door for a moment before taking the companionway steps two at a time and, upon arrival on deck, let out a frustrated roar. The sailors looked at him, a questioning expression on their face. They were probably wondering if their captain had gone mad. Pete could not believe this. What was it about Lilly that made him want to capture her heart? He desperately wanted Lilly to love him. But he already knew what the reason was; the lady with the emerald green eyes had truly stolen the heart of the captain of ‘The Flaming Arrow.’

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Tag der Veröffentlichung: 25.09.2010

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