Freedom's Horizon (WLW) (Full Trilogy - Editing)

Book One: Part Two: Chapter Twenty-Two

February 1726, The Caribbean Sea, Onboard the Midnight Scarlet, Captain's Quarters

"You will not speak with the prisoner, Aimee." Captain Margaret proclaimed as she sat down atop her bunk. The ship jostled about with the stormy waves surging ever higher and the crew grew louder. Their billows carried into Margaret's cabin. Aimee knew her thoughts should be with them, but she couldn't seem to care about sailing at the moment. She had but one thought raging at her mind. No matter the words Margaret spat, or the need to help keep the ship afloat, she couldn't keep that amulet from her mind a single second longer. "Aimee, just go and--"

"No, you told me once we were clear of the battle to meet you here, but we are not going to avoid my speaking to Francisco. It needs to happen. Now." She walked to her and knelt down in front of her dearest friend. "Please, Margaret. I need to know why he thinks I'm interested in the necklace."

"And if you claimed otherwise, do you think I would believe so?" Margaret stood and walked to the door. "Aimee, I will not stop you if this is what you have to do, even when we both should be out there helping them, but are you absolutely sure that amulet does not mean something to you already? Why did you stare at it like you did? Can you at least tell me that?"

Aimee thought for a moment. It was evident Margaret was as worried about her as she was about herself, but that didn't mean whatever Francisco said would change anything. It could hold no effect at all. No merit. It might even fall on deaf ears, considering Aimee was sure to struggle to believe a single word from his mouth. They would continue their expeditions regardless of his possible explanations. Although at the moment, Aimee needed to know.

She thought of the amulet and how familiar an odd trinket it was despite the fact that she had never seen it a day in her life. At least not that she could recall, however, something about it told her she was meant to own it. It said she was fated to wear it wherever her journey may take her. The only person who could tell her why was sitting in the brig. No matter the hate she held for him, no matter the vengeance her rage demanded be attained, she had to know the importance of that amulet.

"I cannot say I bear no interest in the amulet's origins, nor that I would not want to take it for myself and find why it sparkles to me so. But that does not mean it will change anything, nor that I would put the safety of the crew at risk." She walked to Margaret and took hold of her wrist. Aimee waited until she was staring just as intently at her with her bright embrace gaze as she was toward her. It was obvious Margaret feared whatever Aimee may learn from Francisco could send her elsewhere. Without a doubt she was terrified it might take her away from her crew, their family, but that would never happen. "I am not going anywhere, Cap'n. I promise you that, but I need to know what he knows. I do not know why, but I must know more that he has yet to share. Please."

Margaret stared at her for several painstakingly long moments, then slipped her hand into Aimee's with a stiff nod. "Alright, but Felipe and I will go with you. You will not be alone with him. Is that understood?"

"Yes'm." Aimee let Margaret lead her out of her cabin onto the main deck.

The ship leisurely swayed as the storm overhead began dying down and the crew cheered in unison. They all appeared quite relieved the worst was over, parting every now and again to let the captain and Aimee through. Felipe joined them upon Margaret's nod in his direction. Sending a skeptical gaze toward Aimee, Felipe fell in step beside her. He appeared to be waiting for an explanation as the rain, much gentler now, softly pelted the left side of his face. After giving him a nod to wait, they all headed to the stairs.

Suddenly, Margaret turned around to address her crew and left Aimee waiting in anxious anticipation of what she may say. "Crew! Gather 'round!" They did as they were told, only those who could leave their posts, and took a knee in front of her. "That man in our brig should be dead. We should not have taken him onto the ship. Nor should he still be breathing, however," She put her arm around Aimee's shoulders. "Francisco said something to Aimee that cannot go ignored. So, I have a decision to make and it's not a conclusion I can come to alone. He is our marked prey, yet he also may know something that could affect us all. So I ask you, now, what would you have me choose? Spare him so that we might pick his brain for Aimee's sake, or punish him as swiftly as our vengeance screams?"