Pirate By Blood

Chapter 17: The Sword & The Skull

CHAPTER 17

The Sword & The Skull

The bar that Simon walked them to was fairly small compared to what Maleen had imagined.

It was candle lit, like all of the other bars in the area, and was quite busy. As they walked through the double doors Maleen raised her eyebrows at how many people there was. It wasn’t so packed that you could barely move, but there were large crowds of people that you had to squeeze past if you wanted to go anywhere. A small group were dancing in a corner to the music a man was creating from a banjo. Everyone was smiling – except one man who was resting on the bar, unconscious; but Maleen guessed he had been having a great time before he passed out because of the faint smile on his lips.

 Simon led the way through the clusters of bodies to a table near the bar; holding Martina’s hand all the while so they didn’t lose each other in the crowd. Maleen struggled to keep up with them; but stuck close to Fido and always made sure that Martina was in sight. As long as she didn’t lose her, she wouldn’t lose Simon, and therefore wouldn’t get lost.

The table that they finally managed to get to was to the side of the bar, and out of the way of the numerous people that were hovering around. It was simple – made of wood – and had a small candle placed in the middle. Four chairs surrounded it, and Simon sat Martina down in one of them. Maleen sat opposite her, Fido lay on the floor.

“I’m just going to catch up with Jim,” Simon said, jerking his thumb over his shoulder in the general direction of the bar, “will you be alright on your own for a moment or two?”

He was looking directly at Martina, and still not letting go of her hand – he was obviously protective over her.

“I won’t be alone,” She answered him, giving his hand a little squeeze, “Maleen is with me; I’m sure we can get to know each other better while you are away. I think Jim will be glad to see you after such a long time.”

“Alright,” Simon smiled, and squeezed Martina’s hand like she had done his, “I won’t be long.”

Maleen watched him disappear into the nearest group like he was being swallowed up by the sea; one minute he was there, the next he was gone.

Her attention was then drawn to Martina. She was sitting at the table, her hands out in front of her on the hard wood, twining her fingers in different ways in her nervousness.

“Are you okay?” Maleen asked, noticing that she looked a little anxious.

“Me? No, I’m fine,” Martina smiled, her dark brown eyes flickering around as she tried to search for where Maleen was sitting using only her sense of hearing, “I just get a little...nervous when he’s not around.”

“You don’t have to be afraid,” Maleen reassured her, “Nothing’s going to hurt you here.”

“You say that to make me feel better, don’t you?” Martina said, with a weak smile, “thank you, but...I just...I can’t believe you.”

“Why not? You can trust me. If there is any trouble, I’ll be able to spot it and protect you.”

“You don’t know how much that means to me, but Maleen,” Martina’s eyes stopped flickering at rested where she presumed Maleen’s eyes were; she was almost right, “I haven’t known you very long at all, and I find it difficult to build up trust with those I haven’t got to know well. I’m sure you’re a wonderful girl, but I don’t know what kind of person you are...” She smiled, “thank you, all the same.”

“If you don’t trust me because you don’t know me very well, then why don’t we change that?” Maleen asked, determined to get Martina to like her, “What do you want to know?”