Runaway With a Pirate

Chapter 23

The next morning Willow made herself busy. She had finished all her chores and had been told to go feed the prisoners. She was a little reluctant to go back down to the cages but didn't dare say a word to Dustin. After all, he was first mate which meant she had to listen to him if Sawyer was busy with his own work. Grumbling as she walked down the stairs holding the basket of food Willow entered the prison room. Not making eye contact or speaking a word to these people Willow did her best to give the food out as fast as she could.

"You know you don't look much like a pirate," one of the prisoners said eyeing her.

Silence.

"What can't you talk?" Another asked.

Silence.

"Glad to see that you've learned not to speak to the prisoners," Sawyer's voice said.

Turning to look at him Willow saw that he was leaning against the doorway watching.

"Well I'd like to not have a giant hand bruise on my arm again," Willow said turning back to give the last piece of off out.

"Have you finished all your duties?" Sawyer asked.

Willow felt like she was now being interrogated with his questions and watchful eyes.

"Yes, and I'm done down here too," Willow answers walking over to him.

"Good," Sawyer said," then your lessons can start."

"Lessons?" Willow questions tilting her head.

"Have you already forgotten that you need more lessons with using a sword?" Sawyer questions her.

"No," Willow quickly lied to him because she had forgotten. She wasn't expecting that he'd actually have someone teach her more on how to fight with a sword.

"So who's going to be teaching me?" Willow asked walking beside Sawyer," the twins are a definite no, but everyone else seems like they'd be good teachers... well maybe not Dustin."

"Why not Dustin?" Sawyer asked glancing down at Willow.

"Well, he's an arrogant ass for one," Willow answered," and another thing he'd probably try to humiliate and insult me the entire time and not even bother to teach me anything."

"Then it's a good thing I'm the one that's teaching you," Sawyer said as he kept walking.

Willow however stopped in her tracks. Sawyer was the one that was going to be teaching her. But she has never seen him use an actual sword before. He always uses a dagger not a sword.

"Come on kitten we don't have all day," Sawyer said looking back over his shoulder at her.

Shaking her head to clear her thoughts Willow ran to catch up. She was excited and worried about her lesson. Walking out onto the deck Willow saw some wooden swords and a few wooden dummies waiting for her. Sawyer was standing beside the wooden swords waiting on her. Running over to him she waited for his instructions.

"Okay, we are just going to see what you've learned at that castle of yours and see what needs improving and go from there," Sawyer said handing her a wooden sword.

"Well, I hope you get impressed by what I can do," Willow said," I managed to beat the head royal guard back home."

"Cocky now aren't we kitten," Sawyer said," does this mean you think you could take on one of my crew and win?"

"Probably," Willow answered.

"Well then, why don't we see that then," Sawyer said," Doe!"

"Yes sir?" Doe asked running over to Sawyer.

"Grab a sword you're Willows opponent," Sawyer instructed.

Willow watched Doe grab a wooden sword and turn to face her.

"On my word," Sawyer instructed.

The girls got into their stances. Willow noticed that Doe was in a different stance than her and started questioning it in her head if this was going to be an easy win.

"Begin!" Sawyer shouted.

The two went in for the attack. But Willow was quick to realize that Doe moved much faster and easier than herself. And in no time Willows sword was taken away and Doe had won that fight.

"You were saying kitten?" Sawyer questioned her with an eyebrow raised.

"But how," Willow said," I've been doing this since I was six."

"You are a princess kitten," Sawyer said," they were humoring you."

"But my dad was the one that started teaching me," Willow said," and I was able to go against that man yesterday."

"That man was used to using a gun," Sawyer pointed out," the way he held his sword and fought against you I could tell."

Willow felt hurt and humiliated now. Her father was just having the guards humor her and keep her busy. And now Sawyer just had Doe humilat her by a sword fight.

"Stop with the sad face," Sawyer said.

Willow looked up at him.

"I told you if you're going to stay you're going to learn how to use a sword," Sawyer said.

"But you fight with a dagger," Willow pointed out," I don't mean to be rude but how are you going to teach me how to properly use a sword?"

"Grab your stick and we'll begin," Sawyer ordered.

Willow did what she was told and begin following his orders. Quickly realizing that Sawyer meant business. And soon enough her arms started getting tired and sore along with the rest of her.

"That'll be it for the day," Sawyer finally said after two hours of teaching," go take a shower you reek."

Dropping the sword Willow drooped to the floor, sitting there she caught her breath. Her whole body ached, shrieking in protest as she got back onto her feet and went to put the sword where it went.

"I'd advise a warm to a hot shower," Sawyer said," and before getting out soak a few minutes in cold water."

"Mind if I ask why?" Willow asked.

"It'll help with the aching muscles," Sawyer said.

Silently agreeing to try what he said Willow went below deck and made her way to the shower room to get cleaned. After she was cleaned she made her way to her room and went to bed. She was exhausted and welcomed sleep.