The Fallen Stars

Chapter 15 María

Twelve years ago.

***

As Damião and I devoured our supper, which was toast with cooked chicken.
Mama seemed a bit strange. She didn't even touch her food.
She only stares at it and then looks back at the sunset. Her brown hair was blowing away from her face. Her face is not the usual brightness it's more worried and concern?
Her cream dress is almost the same color as the sand.

"What's wrong, Mama?" I ask concern.
She looks at me, like she just snapped out of daydreaming.
She smiles at me.
"Nothing, my flower... I'm just tired." She says sweetly.
"Okay... should we head back then?" I suggest.
"Not just yet, mi amore." She sings softly.
"When is Papa coming home?" Damião asks mouth full of food.
He's five now.
Big brown eyes, cute chubby cheeks.
And a head shorter than me.
"Soon, love... soon." The last 'soon' sounded more like dread than happy.

                              ***
"María?" Mona shakes my arm.
"What?" I ask, annoyed. She's wearing a dark orange skirt, with a white shirt with a sweetheart neckline, and small puff sleeves. Her blonde hair into a low curly bun.

"The mister wants a bottle of rum." She says, gesturing to the man in front of me.
He's a middle-aged man, with burnt skin and orange hair that is falling out, his beard looks disgusting, it's matted and full of small food crumbs. He's wearing a grey shirt with holes in it.
He puts down three shillings.
His teeth are less than his money.

I roll my eyes. I grab a green bottle of rum, and I give it to him.
He smiles with teeth missing.
"A pretty lass like you shouldn't be working here." He says gruffly.
I smile.
"You're right. I should be a captain of my own ship. And make a name for myself. And you know what? I'm not going to have people like you on my crew." I say, with a wicked smirk.
"Ha! Sorry, lass... but that isn't happening... you're a bloody woman." He laughs... an ugly laugh, it sounds like a cow is dying. Others join him, even though they don't know what its about.
I glare at him. I slam my hand against the wooden counter. Making the room go quiet.
"Don't test me." I sneer.
He looks at me with big eyes, then laughs again and walks away. The room goes back to making noise.

The tavern is spacious, with three walls made out of rock, the and the wall with small windows, and the double door is wood. On the left side near the counter, is the stairs to the rooms... for the paying customers. With blue railings around the second floor.
There are three round wooden chandeliers with fourteen candles each.
There are ten tables. Some are round, and some are squired. The wall behind me is shelving with bottles and three barrels full of rum. And there is a door to my right where the small kitchen is.
The tavern is quite full.

"When are you going to learn, oh lassy?" Mona asks, cleaning her hand with her apron.
I look at her.
"You are a woman... woman can't be pirates... especially you." She says gently.
She is six years older than me.
"Why me?" I ask, confused.
"Don't get me wrong... you're very strong physically and mentally. But you're still fragile." She explains.
"How the bloody hell am I fragile?" I ask, anger rising.
She swallows.
"You still have dreams about your mother. You seem lost at sea. And God knows where your father is at." She says sadly, looking down.
I feel emotions rising, but I push them back deep, deep down... back in that chest full of darkness.

"You are a terrible person-reader. It's not about my mother." I say quietly.
"Oh! Is it about a boy then?" Asks Josline. Coming back from her table.
She has dark skin with brown wavy loose hair and a heart-shaped face with a small nose. Bright green eyes, slim body. With a white corset, with a cream skirt. The cream is to show that we are workers.

"Oh, yes! I have been dreaming that a handsome sailor comes and rescues me from this dire place." I say sarcasticly.
"I can never tell if you're serious or sarcastic." She says, confused.
"No, it's not about a stupid boy. It's just dreams. Nothing to it." I say, annoyed.
"We are just trying to help you, María." Mona explains softly, putting her hand on my shoulder.
"I'm fine!" I say.
They both look at me, and then at each other... they retreat slowly. Josline leaves for another table that's calling.
Mona is speaking with a customer who is drunk with a woman on each side of him.

I look back at the doors, thinking about just walking out and disappearing into the night.
Just when I was about to do exactly that, a big group of five men walked in.
They look gruff and ready to get drunk.
I groan, and there goes my chance.
They take an open table in the corner.
And a younger boy with a man wearing all black walks in.
My father and brother.
When they pass me, Casimiro nods at me.
I nod back. They sit down with the five men.

Josline is immediately with them, taking their orders.
I breathe in and out.
It's been five years since my father left me at Isla Maldita.
To train young blood. He took my brother, Connor, Abner... although I don't see the twins here now.
He didn't just train them... he trained me to survive on my own without anyone to help me.
I would say I passed the test.

I walk towards a drunk pirate and steal his sword.
But he wasn't that drunk after all.
He grabs my arm tightly.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you." He says gruflly.
I don't look at him, I only watch my father.
"Don't worry, I'll give it back. You're too drunk to even use it." I sneer.
He chuckles softly.
"Oh, Mia... you haven't changed one bit."
I turn sharply and grab his neck from behind, digging my nails in.
He winces. It's dark, I can't see his face... but he's still holding on to me.
"How do you know my name?" I ask hoarsly.
"Easy there, lass. You don't remember me?" He asks slight pain in his voice.
"Who. Are. You?" I ask slowly.
"Well, that's a shame... I thought I'm very memorable." He says, with a smirk in his voice.
He looks at me over his shoulder, smirking. Candle light shining on his face.

Connor.

I don't let his neck go... I'm still mad at him. So I dug my fingers in deeper.
"Aahh... that hurts." He says pain in his voice.
"Not as much as you not sending letters to me for five bloody years." I sneer into his ear.
"Ah, so you have missed me." He says, smiling through the pain.
I let go of him.
"No. I haven't missed you for five years." I lie.
"I'm so touched." He says, ignoring my lie.
"Just give me your danm sword!" I order.
"Sorry, Mia... I can't let you kill the Cap'n." He says, looking at me, studying me.
"I don't want to kill him... I want to fight him... for a bet." I explain.
"A bet?" He asks, confused.
"I'm a pirate... I need a ship. I need a crew. But I need his help." I explain.
"Okay, here then." He gives me his sword.
"Wha... just like that? No argument?" I ask, confused.
"Gosh, I'm really hurt that you don't remember me." He put his hand over his heart, with a pout face.
I glare at him. I take the sword.
"Thanks, nor." I tease him with the nickname he despises.
"Don't call me that!" He groans.
I smile at him sweetly.

I walk towards my father, who's sitting at the table. My brother is next to him.
"I want a bet." I say so that the whole tavern goes quiet.
"What about?" He asks, still facing the table.
"Me becoming a captain of my own ship and crew. I want the twins and Damião.
I want to be your heiress." I explain.
"And if you lose?" He asks.
"Then I won't be your daughter for another year." I say, smirking.
He stands up, his chair screeching against the wooden floor.
He turns to face me.
He smirks.
"You look like you've been doing well. Why do you need a ship?" He asks nonchalantly.
"I'm your first born. The first born of the Rey Pirata! I deserve a ship and crew! I deserve your attention!" I yell. Tears fighting to escape... but I hold them back, I'm stronger than this.
"And after all, it's my quinceañera." I say smiling.
"Alright then." He says, pulling his sword out of his sheeth.
I lift my sword ready for attack.
He threw some blows, and I barely blocked them.
No faster did the fight start, then it ended.
With my father nicking my calf and pushing me down to the ground.
I land hard on my elbow, making a thud. The taverns start to fill with luaghter.
He looks at me, a slither of sadness wash over his face. But then it vanishes.
Damião runs towards me and slides on his knees next to me. grabbing my shoulders.
"Are you okay?" He asks his voice a bit higher than I remembered.
I push his long brown hair behind his ear, smiling through the pain.
"Yes. I'm fine." I answer softly.
He takes a few breaths, realizing I'm fine.
He hugs me tightly.
"I've missed you so!" He whispers into my ear.
"You can have Damião and the twins. You can have your crew... you can have your ship. After all, this is my gift to my daughter, who turned fifteen today.

                               ***

I wake up, and each and every year... I have the same dream on my birthday.
Today, I'm twenty-one.

No one to celebrate with.
Waiting for her father to return...
thinking of a plan to use the girl, who's Ainsley's sister.
And hoping that my rane will arrive soon over Mar y Tierra!