Poseidon's Guide: The First Adventure // #Wattys2018

Chapter 6

The ship docked into the Spanish port, El Puerto de Santa Maria. Spanish dancers rushed the dock, dancing to greet the ship. Edward grabbed all the essentials, his sword and pistol, a map and the copy of their 'Spanish friends' journal. He had no clue in the world as to how they'd be able to find this man, woman or whatever it was. Maryanne also kept herself well equipped before exiting the ship with Edward and a handful of men. The port wasn't as distasteful as Bortolini, but some of these Spaniards were quite argumentative when it came to their wines and sea side villas. The less fortunate dwellers of the island were homeless and squatted wherever they could.

Edward, Maryanne and the group of pirates accompanying them walked around the island, looking for whatever could be a telltale sign of their Spanish informant. Maryanne couldn't have possibly known what they were looking for, this person remained totally anonymous. Edward walked around a corner, half his crew following him and the other half remaining with Maryanne. A large villa stood on a small hill, only just elevated from the other villas. It was a beige colour with faded red tiles and shattered windows. The building was clearly in disrepair.

Edward walked up and opened the creaky door, walking into the dark house covered with cobwebs. A fireplace was in the centre of the room, surrounded by old furniture. Edward walked around, picking up old notes off tables attempting to read them. Most were in Spanish, but a few were left in English. The ones Edward could read barely made any sense and were just scattered theories about some island. Edward jumped as he felt a cold, slender hand grab his shoulder. In one quick movement, he drew his pistol and spun around to aim it at the figure of his fright. Maryanne stood back, confused.

"Don't do that whilst we're in an abandoned villa!" Edward commanded harshly, putting his pistol away. He turned around, annoyed.

"Apologies. This house have anything in it?" Maryanne asked, observing the room. "Seems... Old..."

Edward sighed, placing the parchments of paper back on their dusty desk. "Far as I'm concerned there was some old nut who lived here. And he lived here a long time ago." Edward followed Maryanne into one of the rooms down a hallway. It was a child's room, presumably, filled with old toys, a four poster bed and children's books. "Must be a little girl, judging by the toys and books..." Luckily most of these books were in English. One had a written name on it. 'Angelina Vallenzo'.

"Well appearances can be deceiving." Maryanne replied, implying herself as an example. "But yes, must be a girl... Does it say a name?" Maryanne took the book from the shelf and inspected it closely. "Angelina Vallenzo." Maryanne frowned and looked closer at the name. "Wasn't there a Cuban adventurer or something named Vallenzo?"

Edward scrunched up his face and racked his mind for an answer. "Beyond me. I haven't been keeping up with my Cubans recently..." Edward laughed, looking into Maryanne's eyes once again. He laughed once more upon thinking of how recently he found eyes falling on hers. "Look, I've got something to confess..." Edward bit his lip as Maryanne began smiling like a child.

"No need, I already know. I've known since we first met. Being on a ship for a week with someone constantly looking at you when he thinks your attention is elsewhere really helps a woman's confidence." Maryanne laughed and walked closer to Edward, only stopping when their noses could barely reach out and touch each other. "You have a rather manly feeling towards me, don't you Captain?"

"Um... I was going to say you're beautiful... Is that a 'rather manly feeling' in your opinion Miss Rackam?" Edward retorted sarcastically.

Maryanne's cheeks went red. "Oh! Sorry! But, thanks... Growing up on an island full of pirates has me thinking only the worst can come from a mans mouth, pardon me." Maryanne apologised, Edward chuckling. "Let's get back to looking around, yeah?"