Chapter one

Chapter One: The Capture

The market place was crowded, people scurrying around, buying things and selling things. Mostly men walked the streets, restocking their ships that were docked. The few women that were in the port market were there with their husbands. However there was one woman who walked alone. She was dressed in a dark blue elegant dress with a bodice that fit tightly around her torso, sleeves that fell down to her elbows and a skirt that flared and fell to the floor. Her hair, dark brown in color, was pulled back in ringlets that fell down her neck stopping just under her shoulder blades, and her pale skin seemed like porcelain in the sun. The woman seemed to be in her early twenties. She walked down the market rode stopping every now and again to look at the different merchant stands.

Not far from the seemingly elegant lady stood a man, eyes glued to her. Gnarly black hair hung down tied back. His bread, just as gnarly, was twisted into a knot. Atop his head was a hat that fit snuggly. Under a long faded black coat was a pair of black battered breeches, a pair of worn brown leather boots and once white shirt that was now a nasty yellow in color. He grabbed his first mate and pointed out the strange woman.

“Do you see ‘er?” He asked his voice slightly harsh and thick with a heavy English accent.

“Aye, I do sir”

“Get ‘er” growled out, turned, and walked onto the ship he stood before.

The shipmate walked though the crowded street, his target the young looking woman his captain had pointed out. He made no attempt to hide his intentions. The people here were much to absorb in what they were doing to even notice anything around them. It wasn’t long before he was behind her, getting ready to grab her. Quickly and easily he slipped his one hand over her mouth, his other arm around her waist and pulled her close against his body. Instantly there was a muffled scream from her.

“Shudup luv, afore I cut out yer tongue” He said harshly into her ear, is wiry whiskers scratched her cheek. He started dragging her away towards the ship, grunting as she struggled lightly. “Stoppit afore I break your legs dear” He said threatening and carried her abroad the St. Mary . Roughly he pushed her onto the deck and she fell to her knees.

“What do you want with me?” She spat out her voice dripping with venom, glaring at the man who had captured her and was now holding her wrist as if she were tied up.

“Shudup” he growled at her. He held her with one arm and used the other to roughly yank another crew member to face him.

“Eh? what is it Meyer?”

“Get the cap’in” Meyer said roughly and let him loose. The other man ran off as Meyer, as he had now been deemed, held her firmly. She stayed on her knees glaring at the man.

“You know I don’t think this a very dignified position, why don’t you let me up you uneducated oaf!” She said venomously. He growled and grabbed her hair.

“I said I’d cut yer tongue out missy, now shudup!” She growled lightly but stayed quiet and waited for the captain to arrive. I didn’t take long. Soon enough the rough looking man who had spotted her before stood before her.

“Meyer! What you think ye be doing, handling an elegant lady like that!” He said. Instantly Meyer dropped the girls hands and took a step back

“Me apologize cap’in” The captain walked up to the lady and held out a hand to help her.

“I apologize if he been mistreating you love” He said suavely and waited for her to take his hand. She however didn’t. She pushed her own self up and looked him in the eyes. Her own eyes were full of spark and detest for the captain of the ship already.

“Your apologies are not needed sir, however my return to land is” she said with finality in her voice. Suddenly there was a pull of the ship as they started to set sail.

“I’m fraid that ain’t gonna happen Love.” He said

“I demand to be let off this ship now!” She nearly yelled at him. He growled

“Love, I can be nice and I can throw ye overboard, which were you prefer?” he asked his voice growing slightly harsher than it had been. She stared at him and glared slightly, but made no more objections to being on the ship. He nodded “Right love, now what’s yer name?” he asked his voice calmed.

“Ember, Ember Bryan” she said stiffly

“Well then love, don’t worry bout clothes, I got plenty for you. As for sleeping you can sleep in my quarters.” He said and turned around so his back was to her. Just as she was to open her mouth to protest he spoke again “And I wouldn’t go complainin’ love, cause the other option is sleeping with the crew, and they ain’t as nice as I’m gonna be.”

He walked away into the Captains cabin and closed the door leaving her on the deck with Meyer and a few other crew members. Just like that Ember Byran was captured by pirates and forced to live on a ship with herself and nearly ten men. She watched a man walk by, most likely going to do his duties, and looked around at her new residence.

She didn’t know for how long, why they picked her or what purpose she was going to have. But she did know one thing. Right now she wanted to scream, so she did. Loud and high pitched, she screamed until someone slapped her across the face. In which she plopped don onto the deck and wouldn’t move for the longest time.