The Pirate King's Daughter

Port and Punishment

   I stared at Mark, confused. Mermaids wanted me as one of them? But why? I was just another ordinary person. When you heard of mermaids taking a woman to be transformed into one of them they were usually beyond beautiful, as well as cold and heartless. Shaking my head, I covered my ears as the singing began again and started to slump to my knees. Arms were on my shoulders pulling me to my feet and keeping me there. "Come on! I've got tah get you below deck now!" Mark yelled over the increasing sound of the mermaids singing. He tugged me to a pair of doors at the back of the ship, pulling me inside, and slamming the doors behind us. The song faded and I uncovered my ears. I opened my mouth to say something, but Mark put a hand over my mouth and put a finger to his lips. "Cap'ns quarters are jus down the hall. Take yer bath quickly. If you shower or bath leave the water in or running. Got it?" He hissed, and I nodded. He pushed me through a single door and shut it to where only a crack was left.

    When I heard Mark's soft footsteps disappear, I turned towards the shocking bath. It was made of porcelain with golden curving legs on the bottom with brass knobs and a shower head. Checking that no one was in the hall, I turned on the shower head and shed my clothes. The water was welcomingly warm, and I began to run the foamy bar of soap across my skin. It smelled sharp and plain, but at least it was better than reeking of sweat. I foamed up my hands and ran them through my hair. The bath didn't have any of the soaps I used for my hair at home, so I was forced to used the only form of soap in there.

    After a bit, I stepped out of the tub and stepped on the mat and stood dripping on it, not seeing anything I could use to dry off. Once my body seemed dried enough, I slipped the long shirt on that fell to my thighs. I reached for my tight trousers I had brought to find they weren't there. After searching for awhile, I figured I must have dropped them somewhere. I cursed under my breath and headed for the door when a deep yell, very close, stopped me dead.

   "You bunch o' blimey fools! D'you really think that making port surrounded by the navy would be a bloody well idea? Might as well be hanging ourselves then!" A bellowing familiar voice boomed. A pair of voices were stumbling over apologies. "Nuff excuses! You'll be the first to get the beatin's they'll offer ya. Midnight shift for both o' ya on yer own. No arguing. That's my final word. Now off with ye, sight of ya be making me sick."

   Footsteps rushed past the partially cracked door. Good thing the water was still running or they for sure would have heard my heart racing. Just as I had my heart calmed, heavy footsteps started to approach the door followed by, now I recognized it, the captains voice. "Ah, blimey, I need to take a piss." he mumbled. My heart stopped completely at the thought of the Captain catching me here. Like Mark had said, he only allowed woman in or near his cabin when he brought them there and the reasons he had implied worried me, especially with a rather big lack of trousers.

   The footsteps stopped a bit outside the door and I decided I had to get out of here now. If I remembered right, it was rather dark in the hall, so maybe I could dash past quickly and he wouldn't notice. Oh God, I hoped this worked. Gripping the handle tightly, taking a deep breath, I yanked the door open and dashed out. Just to hit something hard and fall back hard on my behind.

  Slowly, I looked up to meet the cold hard eyes of the Captain. He crossed his thick arms and skewered me with his eyes. "Ey, what ye be doin' in my quarters?" he growled. I swallowed hard. He seemed so intimidating.

  "I-I-I was, uh, I was just-" I stuttered.

   "Spit it out! I ain't got all night." He barked. I flinched when he yelled, making him grumble. He looked behind me to see the running water. "Wasting my precious water too, eh? Well you'll be facing the consequences for that then." He grumbled and reached down and gripped the back of my shirt, pulling me to my feet. I yelped and he began pulling me towards a pair of double doors that I assumed was his cabin. This could not be good.