The Pirate's Princess

Captive

Chapter 2:

 It's been 3 days since I ran away from home, and landed on a pirate ship. Three days since I last saw Zero. Bart has told me that he is staying below deck to give me my privacy, although I can't help but think it's because of something else. There's another man, who goes by Jagger, that has come to see me. He's very quiet, but listens to anything I say. From what I have gathered, Jagger has never set foot off of this ship. He has no memory of the outside world, or his parents. Bart told me the tale of Jagger, how he just appeared in front of Zero's father, rambling on about death in the sky. Jagger has no memory of it. They tell me hes almost 20 now, but has the looks of a 14 year old boy. His curly brown hair and green eyes look so innocent compared to the rest of the crew. His baby face isn't helping his case either.

My thoughts are interrupted by Bart coming in, two broom sticks in his hands. "Mornin Lizzy. Ready for practice?" I smile and jump up. Bart has been teaching me how to fight with swords. Although I was already trained in the castle, Bart has an easier way, that fits my style perfectly.

"Bart, when will we start with real swords?" I ask him as he throws a broomstick at me, my right hand catching it almost instinctively.

"When the cap'n thinks you're ready. In order to have one, ya have to strike him once in a duel. Trust me Lizzy, it's harder than ye think." Before I have a moment to think, he rushes at me, broomstick aimed to stab me in the shoulder. I easily parry it with the end of my own.

"That all you have Bart? Show me something new!" I shout, my adrenalin rushing through my veins, my mind preparing for anything, and everything. He comes at me again, the tip pointed at my heart, but his eyes were focused on my shoulder again. I quickly maneuver my broomstick, which at this point feels like an extension of my own arm, to parry both attacks, in case his eyes lied about his target.

While he was surprised by my quick thinking, I quickly grab my sheathed dagger from my belt, and aim it at his throat.

I hear his stick drop as he tries to control his breathing. "Wow Lizzy. That was unexpected that was. I think it's time for ya to face the cap'n. Not many a pirate can pull off that move without being suspicious. I don' think the cap'n himself could do that." My face lights up with his praise.

"You really think so? Do you think I have what it takes to defeat him?" I ask, putting my blade back into my waistband. Picking up his broomstick, he nods and takes mine from me as well.

"I do. Although we havn't worked on endurance, I think ye have a better shot than any of us. C'mon now Lizzy, let's go see if the cap'n is ready for ya." Retying my hair up with an old ribbon, I wipe off the white shirt I was wearing. It covered my arms and chest, but it was too short in length, stopping right before my belly button.

Following Bart out of my room, passing through Zero's, we end up outside, the sun shining brightly overhead. While Bart went to talk to Zero, I walked over to the railings, looking down at the deep blue water.

"Beautiful... isn't it?" Turning, I see the familiar face of Zero behind me, the common merchant clothes exchanged for a long black coat, a clean white shirt like mine, but long in length, and dark brown trousers. At his waist was his belt, a sword on his right, and a gun on his left. For a pirate, he sure did like to keep clean.

I turn back to the water, trying to forget how close he was to me. "Yes, much more so than I ever imagined. Thank you Zero." I can feel his fingers playing with the ribbon in my hair.

"I heard that you're ready for your sword. I'll make you a deal. Even if you don't beat me, but I feel like you did very well, I'll let you have a sword, if you promise to never put your hair up while you're on my ship." Seeing our reflections in the water, an idea comes to my mind.