To Strange Horizons

Chapter Two.

The Captain gasped, doing a double take when he saw the princess. He grabbed her gently, almost making sure she was real, pulling her to his chest in shock.

"Tell me you didn't-"

"No! No sir! She climbed aboard by will. She ran away, I assume. Said she couldn't go back." Thomas lowered his head in guilt. "We were only trying to help, Captain."

The Captain pushed Mari off his chest, holding her face softly, looking at her with melancholy eyes.

"Is this true?" He asked.

"Yes sir." Mariana studied the man's face. He had the warmest brown eyes, lined with some kind of coal. His lips were plump, surrounded by what was almost a mustache and beard. Not much, but enough to give him a gruff look. "Your men are very kind."

The Captain let go of her face, laughing to himself. "Yeah right. Tom, maybe."

"Figured you seemed a bit lonely, Cap!" John's harsh voice came from behind them. "Brought you some company." He laughed. He seemed to Mariana like some kind of messed up Santa Claus.

The Captain rubbed his temples with stress. "And where do you suppose she sleeps? Surely not in the bunks."

"Well, Captain, we thought she could room with you." Thomas was a very timid man. His voice was that of a mouse.

Silence fell over the group. The air was thick with an early morning dew.

The Captain turned towards Mariana, awaiting her answer.

"I suppose that could be fine." She muttered. She'd be lying if she said the man wasn't charming.

The Captain ran a hand across Mari's cheek, a gesture saying 'you're safe' and 'I care for you'.

He then waved his hand at his crew. "Thomas, get to work. John, come man the ship while I show..." he paused, he didn't know her name.

"Mariana." Her voice was quiet.

"Miss Mariana around the ship." He finished.

He held her hand lightly as they took the four steps down from the helm. He was quite the gentleman.