Sweet Defeat

Learning the ropes

She woke up with the smell of warm soup reaching her nose. She rose up in bed and tried to get up, but forgot the collar. She pulled against it, then was forced to lay back down. 

"Terric will be here in a few minutes to unchain you" the woman, who had washed her and put her to bed the day before, told her.

"What's your name?" Megan inquired.

"They call me Kass." 

Just then, Terric, with his light brown hair, walked brightly in the room. Seeing that Megan was up, he immediately walked over to her and unchained her collar. "There we go" he said as he helped her up, then led her to the table. "Eat up, the King needs you healthy and strong." He handed her a spoon and watched her elegance as she ate, wondering how long that would stick with her.

Once done with her food, Terric led her out the door and brought her to a path. As they walked, he explained the conditions of her captivity. 

"The rules are pretty simple. Stay in the general area, never go anywhere without your escort, and always eat your food, and do as the Pirate King and I tell you. Don't pay heed to the other men, they have no authority over you. No one is allowed to touch you but the King, and if anyone tries, you are to report it to me. Even if they can't do anything to you, I wouldn't cross the pirates, because the King can give a harsh punishment if he finds out."

"Punishment?"

"Whipping, publicly expulsion, change in meal menu, loss of privilege, etc." By now she was hardly paying attention to his words, just his voice. Calm and soothing, yet strong.

"So, what is there to do here?" she asked.

"We have games, swimming, a room full of books from ships we raided, stuff like that." They were now on top of a hill overlooking a lake and some trees. "And, we have great views, much worth the walk."

"Wow. We never had anything like this in Hallowan" she said with sarcasm. 

"Just take a look at the natural beauty all around," he said, turning and focusing his gaze on her face.

"Seems ironic, a pirate having a heart" she said crossly.

"You'll find we aren't as our reputation perceives, character-wise."

"Oh?"

"Many have hobbies, love interests, and we are loyal to each other."

"Do you have a love interest?" she asked.

"I... I have my eye on someone, but it's nothing more than that."

"Mhm... sure" she teased. He smiled at that, and looked out to the view again. 

They continued to sit their throughout the day, talking about themselves, their interests, and their lives. 

"Yeah, my life is pretty great. I have zero privacy, there's little to do, and I can't even hold a sword. 

"You like swordsmanship?" he asked her. 

"I was practically born with one in my hand."

"I'm a pretty fine swordsman myself, I practice the art second to knots."

"I bet I could beat you" she teased.

"Perhaps we'll eventually find out."

"So, why is it you chose tying things?"

"It's only justice to tie up beautiful people with the most beautiful of knots" he said somewhat jokingly.

---

They got back close to evening, just in time for them to eat some supper. "Time to get you to bed" he said, and waited for her to get dressed so he could lock her in. He leaned over her and clicked the lock through her loop, and was about to leave when she grabbed his shirt and pulled him into a kiss. A bit shocked, he shook it off and walked out of her room.

---

Making sure she was alone, she uncovered the key from her hands. It was risky kissing him like that, but that was the only way to get him close enough to reach the key in his pocket. She carefully unlocks herself with as little noise as possible. She sticks to the shadows as she walks out of the building, silently closing doors behind her. She walked around the house and saw a few men eating and chatting. She jumped when she heard a voice behind her.

"I like to sneak about the camp too," Terric teasingly whispered. 

She was caught. "I, uh, I-"

"It's quite nice out tonight, Let's' go for a walk." he takes her hand and pulls her away from the others.

"How did you find out? " she asks when they get far enough from the others.

"I felt the difference of my weight" he said sarcastically. "Actually, it was the kiss. It seemed forced, fake."

"Well, I..."

"If you want, I could help you practice." He noticed how beautifully she filled that nightgown.

She stared at his inviting lips, growing closer to hers as he walked forward. He leaned into her and gave her a single kiss that seemed to last forever, and embraced her tightly.

"I, uh, you'll get in trouble, I thought you aren't allowed to touch me..."

"I'll take my chances," he said. 

This time she kissed him. "Maybe I'll like it here after all." She put her arms around him, but they were interrupted by the sound of people approaching. 

"Those aren't pirates, they don't come here at night. and they certainly don't tread so carelessly" he warned. He looked for a place to hide but it was too late. Soon both of them had three or four men onto each of them, and they found themselves taken into the thieves hands.