Cutlass Anne

Cutlass Anne - Chapter Seven

Chapter Seven

"This is where you'll be sleeping," Flynn said, pushing open a small door.

I peeked inside and was taken aback. The room was no bigger than a closet. The bed was nothing more than a cot with a pathetic little mattress on one side of the room and a miniature writing desk in front of a tiny window. It was dark, drab, and nothing like my room at home. I suddenly had second thoughts about what I was doing.

"Disappointed?" Flynn asked.

"No, it's fine," I lied. I was a cabin boy now; I could not expect the luxuries of a governor's daughter any longer. It was a sacrifice I was willing to make in my journey to find Jane.

"It's not what most people expect, but at least you have it to yourself. Everyone else shares one big room below deck."

"Why does the cabin boy get his own space?" I asked.

"In case the captain needs you. You'll be doing whatever he tells you to, helping him in the morning, bringing him his meals, and whatever else he needs help with, so he needs you close."

"Makes sense," I mumbled, walking into the dusty room. I trailed my hand along the desk; it was disgusting how dirty the room was.

"The last boy wasn't big on cleaning."

"I see. It's nothing I can't take care of."

"You seem mature for a fourteen-year-old," Flynn said, side-eyeing me.

My heart leaped to my throat. "When your family is killed and you're on a hunt to find someone, you tend to grow up fast."

"Yes, I suppose if I were left alone I'd have to grow up fast as well. I can probably scrounge you up a blanket or something."

"Thanks." I looked at Flynn for a long moment. "Why are you being so nice to me?"

"I feel for ya, kid. Losing your family and not knowing what happened to your sister. . . I would do the same thing," he said.

"You would?"

"Yeah."

He gave me a half-smile and left the room. The small cot creaked and groaned under my weight as I sat down. Surprisingly, the mattress was soft. I pulled the dagger I had taken from my father's office out of my pants and tucked it safely under the mattress. I hated it not being on me, but at least it would stay hidden until I needed to use it. I became mesmerized by the sea and the sounds of the ship very quickly. I could hear the waves lapping at the hull, and the shouts of men doing work on deck drifted under the door. I lay back on the bed and stared at the wooden ceiling. The cool air reminded me of a fall day, only without the wonderful smells. All I could smell now was wet, rotting wood and smelly men. An unexpected rumble of thunder made me jump up. The white clouds were quickly darkening. They billowed across the sky, and the winds picked up enough to wrench the ship. The soft singing of an old pirate chanty replaced the sounds of the men hollering on deck. I opened the door and saw Flynn standing above my room at the helm.

He smiled down at me. "Looks like you're going to be experiencing your first storm at sea."

"We're not at sea yet!"

"Okay, in the bay then. Either way, young lad, prepare yourself."

"And how do I do that?"

"Don't fall overboard!" he laughed.

Terror gripped at my body. The older sailor from the rowboat held out a small container. His wrinkled and weatherworn face was drawn. His gray hair matched the graying skies.

"Take a swig, boy. It'll help with ye' nerves." He smiled, his mouth missing numerous teeth. The ones he did have were brown.

"What is it?" I asked.

"The best drink for a sailor. Rum."

I paused briefly but closed my eyes and sipped. The repugnant drink slipped down my throat like fire. I coughed and handed the old man his rum back. He laughed heartily and clapped my shoulder. He smelled like the sea. A seaweed, salty smell that was not terribly offensive and would not be too hard to get used to.

"That stuff is awful." I scrunched my nose.

"You'll get used to it, me lad."

"Scully, are you corrupting the new cabin boy already?" Flynn called from the helm.

"Aye, sir. Best get it done and out of the way now. Don't want this one fallin' o'er board like the last."

"I have no intention of fallin overboard," I reassured them both.

"Why don't you go and help secure the lines. Scully will show you how." He grinned down at the old man. "Won't you, Scully?"

"Aye, sir," he grumbled, leading me toward the side of the ship.

I was surprised how spry the elderly man was. He grabbed ropes and tied them off all while explaining things to me. I tried to absorb as much of the information as possible. While teaching me a necessary knot, a rope snapped. It whipped around in the wind and smacked him in the face. A small trail of blood appeared on his cheek, followed by a long slur of profanity. My eyes widened, and my jaw dropped for just a moment. I had never heard such profanity in my life.

"Grab that rope," Scully yelled while wiping at his cheek. "Good job, boy. Tie it off there."

I grabbed the rope and twisted it around a wooden post sticking out of the railing. I mimicked what I had seen Scully do and could only hope that I was doing it right. The winds picked up, and it seemed as though the sea was trying to swallow us.

If it is like this in the bay, what is going to be like in the open waters?

"Scully!" Flynn shouted.

"Aye?"

"Take the boy and go get the captain," he shouted.

"It's early, sir," the seaman responded.

"I don't think this storm is going to blow over. If it gets any rougher, you may not be able to row to shore and get him."

"Ay, ay, sir." He looked at me and motioned to the side of the ship.

As I peered over the side of the ship I got queasy. The rowboat was tied to the ship but tossed around like a child's toy.

"You want me to go with you? Why do I have to go down there with you?"

"Get goin' boy! The captain don't like to wait," he said, nudging me up on the railing.

I gripped the ropes and slowly climbed down. Each time a gust of wind tore through the bay, I was thrown from side to side. I squeezed my eyes shut and grasped the rope so tight my knuckles turned white. My breathing was ragged and my heart sped up.

Anne, you are not cut out for this sort of life! What are you thinking? You can't do this! Why are you trying to do something so crazy? Not only will Jane end up dead or sold, you're going to end up dead! Not sold, Anne, dead!

"Is it safe to be doing anything in weather like this?" I asked Scully.

"It's just a wee storm. We've seen worse."

"Yes, but this just came out of nowhere."

"Aye, that happens sometimes," he responded. I think he may have even laughed.

I finished my descent and searched the inside of the rowboat for something to hold on to. I was impressed by Scully. Despite the storm trying to sink us, he managed to get us to the dock. The tall man who had been with Captain Henry earlier ran toward us.

"The captain wants everyone back to the ship. We have to load up as much cargo now as possible," he shouted at us.