Runaway With a Pirate

Chapter 24

It has been seven months that has passed now and Sawyer was impressed on how well Willow has adapted to life on the boat. She has gained the trust of everyone on the boat... well everyone but Dustin from what Sawyer has seen. Dustin would keep his distance from her or make her do extra duties. But right now Sawyer wasn't concerned with any of that. He was in the middle of another lesson with Willow. She has improved since the first lesson and he was impressed. The spars he would assign her to do with another crew member Willow would do exceptionally well.

"Good work for today," Sawyer said.

"Thanks," Willow said putting her wooden sword back where it belonged.

Apparently, Willow had been practicing all morning after she had gotten her chores done. When Sawyer woke up this morning and made his way to the deck to see her practicing he decided to correct what she did wrong.

"So when are my lessons going to end?" Willow asked.

"When you go against me and last more than a few minutes," Sawyer answered.

"But you don't fight with a sword," Willow said.

"True, but that's because I don't like using swords," Sawyer agreed.

"Don't test him, Willow," Eleanor said," you won't win and I'm not in the mood right now to patch anyone up."

"Oh come on how much damage could a wooden sword do?" Willow questioned.

Thud.

Willow looked down. Sawyer had thrown her a wooden sword.

"Well come on kitten let's see how much damage a wooden sword can do," Sawyer said grabbing one for himself.

He watched her hesitantly pick up the wooden sword. He could see the fear in her eyes, but her body told him another story. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Eleanor shake her head knowing all too well what a wooden sword can do when it's in his hands.

"You have the first move," Sawyer said.

Willow hesitated before running at him for an attack. He easily deflected it and smacked the sword on her left leg.

"Ow!" Willow cried out while jumping back to get out of Sawyers range.

Making his move Sawyer went in for an attack surprising Willow. For every five attacks, he sent her way Willow was only able to counter two. Feeling like he has made it clear she was nowhere near ready to end her lessons, Sawyer used his foot and managed to hook it behind one of her legs Sawyer watched her fall to her butt. Holding the wooden sword at her face he could tell she knew she was beaten.

"What was that about me not using a sword again?" Sawyer questioned.

"Nothing," Willow said," and ow."

"Eleanor I think Willow will need help getting to her room," Sawyer said.

"I told you not to test him," Eleanor said walking over to Willow," he went easy on you."

"That was him going easy!" Willow hissed," I feel like I've been thrown down a cliff."

"Yeah just be glad he didn't use a real sword or even one of his daggers on you," Eleanor said helping Willow get to her feet," you would either not be able to stand or be dead right now."

"Where do you think I get the name Barbarian from?" Sawyer asked Willow.

"I don't know by your cold attitude towards people," Willow answered.

"No, it's due to the way I kill people," Sawyer said," and my short temper."

Willow didn't say anything but limped away with Eleanor's help. Taking a deep breath Sawyer watched them leave. There were many reasons why he got that name but he didn't feel the need to tell Willow. Well, that and he didn't want her to see him as a different person. His crew knew many of those reasons why he was called the barbarian. And many knew him as the king of the seven seas. Everyone fears him when he loses his temper for a horrible storm will start. He's flooded many places due to his temper, destroyed many places due to his anger, and killed many people for many reasons. His crew knows better to cross him and dare not try to test his patience.

"Captain," Dustin said.

"What is it, Dustin?" Sawyer asked sitting in his chair.

"It's about Willow," Dustin said standing in front of him.

"What about Willow?" Sawyer questioned.

"Well our last stop I saw another one of her fliers," Dustin said," and her parents raised the price for her return."

"And?" Sawyer asked.

"Well sir I don't mean to step out of line with your decisions but we could get a lot of money from her," Dustin said.

"Dustin I get that she is worth a lot of money," Sawyer said," but I'm not going to return her."

"Why not?" Dustin asked.

"Because Dustin she is apart of this crew," Sawyer answered a warning in his tone," and I don't sell my crew."

"But sir," Dustin said.

"Goddamit Dustin what part of I'm not getting ride of Willow do you not get!?" Sawyer shouted angrily blaming his fist onto the arm of his chair and he stood up.

Towering over Dustin Sawyer watched as his firstmate backed down and took a few steps back. Dustin knew he pushed too far and quietly apologized and took his leave before Sawyer could take his wrath out on him. Now wanting to be alone Sawyer went to his room. As he walked to his room he passed by a few of his crew. Each one saw that he was pissed and knew to stay quiet and out of his way. Making it to his room Sawyer made his way to the shower in hopes that a warm shower would calm him down. The sounds of thunder could be heard in the distance. He knew his crew would be running around making sure everything was locked up and secured before the storm hit. Sawyer just hoped that if he could calm his anger the storm may pass and not hit them.