• The young woman stood in the shadows, staring at the building in front of her a bit apprehensively. A grimy sign hanging from above the door announced the building as The Shark’s Tooth and judging from the crowd gathered outside, she didn’t belong there.

    Brushing a strand of her airy blond hair out of her honey colored eyes and back into its braid, she lifted the hood of her cloak and entered the building. Under her cloak, she clutched a bag of coins, clinging to it as if it were life itself. She planned to secure passage on one of these ships and run away for good from her parents and the man she was promised to.
    A frown touched the girl’s face as she recalled the conversation on her eighteenth birthday three months previously…

    “Lilianna,” her father had said entering her room and staring out her window to look at the ocean. “I have some news for you…”

    Lily, as she preferred to be called, had looked up from her book with interest, waiting for him to continue.

    “I have found you a husband,” he had said, stepping aside to allow an older man into her room. “I believe you remember Lieutenant Ashley Andrews. I’ll let you two get acquainted then, shall I?” he’d said, leaving her room almost guiltily.

    Lily had later pleaded with her parents not to make her marry him. He was a nice man, but about as sharp as a potato and with even less personality, among other faults. He was also at least twelve years older than her. That night became the second night she’d ever cried in earnest.

    Shaking away the memories, Lily peered around the bar, looking for anyone who would help her.

    Her entrance had drawn the attention of several less than reputable characters, not the least of which was the wanted pirated known only as Captain Drent. However, unlike most of the men watching her, Drent did not have bad intentions in mind for her. Although he was indeed a pirate, he liked to consider himself an honorable pirate who only killed when necessary. If at all possible, he left innocent women and children alone, even men so long as they stayed out of his way.

    He watched Lily carefully as a group of about five men approached her and sighed as she flashed a bag of gold from under her cloak, finishing his drink in one big gulp. He glanced around the bar, quickly finding his first mate Tomás, who was flirting outrageously with one of the waitresses.

    “It’s time to find the rest of the crew, Tomás my man,” Drent said, patting Tomás heavily on the shoulder. “We may have to make a quick getaway.”

    “Again?” Tomás asked, although he grinned and saluted his captain good naturedly, speaking softly and quickly to the waitress in Spanish and kissing her hand before leaving to round up the rest of the crew.

    Drent smiled, watching him for a moment before leaving the bar himself to follow Lily and the group of men. Once outside the bar, he fingered the pistol on his belt and made his way into the shadows. He saw the group further down the street and began to discreetly follow them. Soon, he was close enough to hear their conversation.

    “Yeah, girly, we’re takin’ ya to our ship… tha’s it there!” one man, obviously the leader, said, gesturing to the mast of a ship visible over the buildings.

    Drent knew for certain that he was lying now; that ship was property of the Royal Navy.

    “So, you’re Navy men then?” Lily asked, raising an eyebrow and stopping in her tracks.

    Drent couldn’t help smiling, continuing towards them with his pistol now drawn. The girl might yet have a head on her shoulders.

    The men realized they’d been found out. The leader who had pointed to the Navy ship gestured to the others, and they grabbed Lily who managed to scream once before a rag was shoved into her mouth and she was grabbed roughly and dragged into a nearby ally. Drent silently followed them, still hiding in the shadows.

    “Well, well, well…” the leader chuckled, “Righ’ fine mess you got yaself inta, in’ it?
    Lily stood perfectly still, the gag now removed from her mouth, though the largest of the men was still holding her. She showed no emotion other than the occasional dangerous flash from her honey eyes.

    This seemed to infuriate the man, who stepped forward and slapped her across the face, screaming “Well, wench!?”

    “I’m neither deaf nor stupid,” Lily replied calmly, her cheek stinging as she stared the man in the eye. “However you might be.”

    “Wha’s that sapposta mean!?” he yelled, again in her face.

    “I repeat… I’m not deaf,” Lily said as she clenched her jaw. “But if you do to me what I think you’re planning to do to me, then yes, you are stupid.”

    “Oh? And jist why migh’ that be?” the man asked as his buddies chuckled.

    “I just… don’t think my father would appreciate it,” she said, tossing the word ‘father’ around almost too casually.

    Don’t tell who your father is… Drent mentally warned her.

    “A-and ‘oo migh’ your father be?” the man asked, his fear showing through slightly.

    Don’t… Drent thought again, moving closer.

    “The governor,” Lily answered, quite firmly, a premature triumphant smile appearing on her lips.

    The leader looked shocked for a moment, and Lily thought her plan had worked- this man must fear her father. But then, a slow grin spread across his face. “The gov’na, eh? Well, I been meanin’ to get back at ‘im for signin’ me brother’s death warrant…”

    Drent decided this might be a good time to move as he watched the leader reach behind him for a silver dagger. He stepped from the shadows and aimed his pistol at the leader. “Evening, fellows,” he said, cocking the gun.

    Lily stared, her heart sinking. Great, she thought, they brought reinforcements…

    But the men seemed more scared than she was. The man that was holding her murmured something in French… she thought she caught the words “notorious” and “pirate.” At those words, the five men took off running down the ally past Drent, who smiled a cocky half smile.

    “All right?” he asked Lily, putting the gun away and approaching her.

    She nodded, unable to speak for a moment as she composed herself. Once she had, she turned to Drent, the anger returning to her eyes. “And just who the Hell are you?” she demanded placing her fist on her hip.

    “A ‘thank you’ might be in order,” he replied, smiling bemusedly and crossing his arms.

    A frown creased Lily’s brow; she knew he was right, but it wasn’t in her nature to admit she was wrong or be complacent and do what others willed of her without a fight.

    “Thank you…” she finally muttered to the ground at the left of his feet.

    Drent made his way up to her and lifted her chin in his fingers so she was staring up and he was looking into her eyes. “I’m afraid I missed that,” he said, his voice low and dangerous as he stared down at her 5’3” frame from his 6’2”.

    She glared venomously at him and opened his mouth, though whether to thank him or curse him was never known.

    ((Part 2 coming soon!!))