Humble Beginnings

Maryland

Alfred tried to travel north quickly, but the roads were essentially dirt trails and full of ruts. Occasionally a carriage that belonged to a wealthy family would rumble past him, but that was rather infrequent. Traders too passed by with their goods, seeking better markets. He struggled into Annapolis two weeks after he left the Virginias. All of the food he had brought with him had run out a week in so he had resorted to scavenging berries and other edible plants, and, if he passed a farm, taking some eggs if there were chickens or vegetables from the garden if there weren't. Still, when he arrived in Annapolis he looked like a raggamuffin.

He stopped in the center of town by an inn. Walking around to the back, he found a water trough with decently clean water. He was so focused on washing his face and hands, he didn't notice the 8-ish year old girl walk out of the inn. She was wearing ankle length pants and a loose cotton shirt belted at the waist. Her shoulder length brown hair was held back with a rag tied around her head like the pirates Iggy told him to avoid. Alfred jerked up when he heard a giggle right behind him.

"Silly, you aren't a horse." she laughed.

"No, of course not," he responded sulkily.

"So what were you doing in the water trough?"

"I was washing myself. I was filthy."

"Why don't you just come in and get a bath then?"

"I've no money."

She laughed again, rather loudly, but still a delightful sound. "How'd you get here then?"

"I walked."

"From where?"

"Williamsburg. It's on the James River. In Virginia"

"That far! You're mad!"

"I guess... I just kinda felt like I had to be here? I don't really know."

"Well that's a stupid reason if I've ever heard one." she sniffed.

"Who are you to decide if reasons are stupid or not?"

"I'm the best fisher in the whole colony." she said, puffing out her chest, before muttering "If people would notice me."

Alfred looked at her with undisguised awe, "Your parents let you go fishing?"

"No. I take care of myself. I live down by the water. If I need anything, the church has charity for the poor."

"Oh. I'm sorry."

She grinned again. "It's alright. Nothing you can do about it."

With that, she turned and flounced back into the inn. Well, flounced as well as she could while wearing pants, which was very well mind you. Alfred finished washing up before wandering around Annapolis some. By evening, he had ended up in the shipyards, watching men and boys build and repair ships for fishing, oystering, and trading across the sea.

~~A few days later~~

Alfred had been spending his time wandering the docks, watching and listening to the sailors in the bars; stealing food, mostly breads and fruits, off of stands; and searching for the girl he'd met at the inn. The sailors were coarse and vulgar, but they had wonderful stories of their experiences. Especially pirates. Iggy hardly ever talked about pirates, though he was often sailing around 'on business'. The food was fine, though it tasted sweeter as a fruit of his own labor. Iggy always said stealing was bad, but he had no money and no one would hire a child and pay them well. The girl, however, remained elusive. Alfred, when he could gather the courage, would ask the sailors about her, but none of them were willing to answer.