The Captain's Jewel

Chapter 13:

Carriedo paced up and down his quarters while his wife; Rowan Carriedo sat on their bed.

"You're going to have to explain to me dear." Spoke Rowan, "I want to know what is going on with you and Kirkland." Carriedo turned to his wife and kissed her affectionately on the forehead.

"Mi amor, I'm afraid I cannot tell you everything." He replied, Rowan pouted and he chuckled. "But I can tell you this though, what Kirkland and I have planned will bring an end to our rivalry and provide peace for our families." Rowan placed her hands upon her husband's.

"Do you really believe that?" She asked him. Carriedo held his wife in his arms and sat down beside her.

"I do," He replied. "I do." He placed a hand on Rowan's abdomen. "Maybe you should return inland mi amor." But Rowan frowned and swatted his hand away.

"Of course not!" She cried, "I will stay here." Rowan gave Carriedo a soft smile. "I would rather have our child born here on this ship, on the sea than anywhere else." Carriedo returned her smile.

"Right." He said, "Out child will be brilliant. And speaking of children, I have not seen my nephew Antonio in a while. He should be seven now I suppose."

"He is a lively child just like his father." Rowan smiled at the thought.

"I should go visit soon, I also have something to tell my brother as well." Carriedo sighed as Rowan leaned by him."

"Shall we go tomorrow then love?" She asked.

"Yes."

"Rowan Carriedo?" I ask the man. He nods and turns to me.

"Yes, your mother." I grab him by the collar of his shirt and drag him down to my level, no one in the tavern notices.

"What does Kirkland want with my mother?" I hiss at him but the man shrugs.

"Sorry, but that's something even I don't know." I release him and he rubs the back of his neck. Why on earth would Arthur want my mother? Don't tell me he believes I hid the map with her? I don't even know anything about a map. "You should tell him where your mother lives lass. It's in your father's interest." I stare at him bewildered.

"What are you talking about? My father's interest?"

"All will be explained later. You father told me all those years ago when I asked him." I stare at the ground sadly. It's like my father has some sort of elaborate plan, and his own daughter doesn't know about it. The man pats me on the head.

"Trust your father concha." I snap my head towards him as I heard the name he called me.

"What?"

"You have your mother's spirit, and your father's skill. You are a wonderful child concha, don't let these unfortunate events prevent you from developing your potential." He turns away, "Also, tell my son Antonio to be strong." And with that he vanishes; leaving me in the midst of the chaos of the tavern. I have never met Antonio's father at all until now. Father said that he was a nice man and that he can be trusted. I wonder how Antonio will feel once I tell him about this encounter. Suddenly a hand is placed upon my shoulder and I spun around, slapping the person behind me in surprise.

"Ow you git! What did I ever do to you?!" I blink when I see Arthur irritably holding a hand to his bruised cheek. I choke back a laugh.

"Are you sure you want me to answer that Kirkland?" I ask in response to his question. Arthur flushes before muttering a no. His eyes glance around, probably looking for my uncle.

"There is a cove." I say suddenly, causing Arthur to look at me curiously.

"Yes?" He asks.

"There is a cove, a hidden cove in London. That is where Rowan Carriedo lives he says." Arthur nods his head.

"Well the man certainly knows his information." Smirks Arthur, "I don't suppose he told you how to get to this hidden cove did he?" I hesitate, do I really want him to know where my mother lives? But then again, my uncle says to trust my father...

"He did. I know where to go." Arthur notices my hesitant attitude.

"So, what's with the pause? Ye lying to me Miss Fernandez?" I shake my head.

"I'm not. Just a little shaken up I suppose. You wasted a lot of time with that man Kirkland it really wasn't necessary." Arthur places his fingers underneath my chin and looks me directly in the eye.

"Ye are supposed to be my lass Miss Fernandez, I'm just playing the part ye see." He moves his face closer so that his lips were hovering over mine. I tense at the sensation of feeling him close, a part of me wishing that he would just close the gap and get it over with. I place my hands on his shoulders and push him away flustered. The damn idiot.

"Well, it's annoying." I reply; refusing to make eye contact with him. I will not deny that I do not completely hate him after all we've been through before. I will not deny that but don't get me wrong. This does not mean I have feelings for him. Yes, this doesn't mean I have feelings for him.

"There's no harm in having a bit of fun Miss Fernandez." He says with a smile; holding out his arm. "Care to explore the rest of Port Carol with me?" He asks. I did not return the smile, after all he is only asking me because it's just part of the game. I take his arm lightly, attempting to put some distance between him and myself.

"Fine." I reply quietly. Arthur frowns briefly before smirking.

"I know exactly how to erase that frown Miss Fernandez." He walks out of the tavern with me in tow and we make our way through the bustling of Port Carol. It's a filthy place to be honest, and no place for anyone to be taking a girl out I can assure you.

You have pirates, drunk and not drunk, scandalous women or sorts, it's just not the best place to be and I only ever come here to stock supplies. As we walk there are people who greet Arthur with respect, people who greet him politely and people who just downright fear him. That's what it's like, being a Kirkland or a Carriedo it's the same. People know of the two pirate names and anyone who bears the name is instantly feared. Of course that is until I came along, the great Finnian Opal who is known for his mischievous cruelty towards the ships he ambushes.

"Where are we even going Kirkland?" I ask him as I find myself being led away from the busy parts of Port Carol and onto the beach where the faint sound of music is heard. I start to worry a little as I watch the sun setting in the horizon. Has it really been that long?

"It's not every day you get traveling minstrels who are brave enough to go to Port Carol Miss Fernandez." He replies but he doesn't look at me. Funny, why would he take me to see the traveling minstrels. It's not like there's anyone here to continue to act. He could just easily return me to the ship and go off on his own. We make our way towards the minstrels and I see that there are a few other people, dancing and laughing as the minstrels play. One of them I couldn't help but notice is a fancy looking pirate. His blue eyes sparkling as he dances with one of the women, his long blonde hair pulled back into a low ponytail; following his movement. He catches my eye and he stops dancing, thanks the women with a charming smile and waltzes over to where Arthur and I stood.

"Ah, fancy seeing you here Kirkland, and with a delightful belle too." He says, taking my hand and giving it a gentle kiss. "I am Francis Bonnefoy and I would love to know the name of such a beautiful flower." Arthur growls.

"Hands off Bonnefoy the lass belongs to me." Arthur pulls me away from Francis and pushes me behind him. Francis chuckles.

"So the two of you are together I presume?" He asks with a smile. "I wonder what you see in him flower, the man is after all the opposite of tasteful."

"Excuse me!" Cries Arthur, "You should take a look at yourself you slimy French git if there's anyone who's distasteful it's you!"

"Oh lighten up Kirkland, it is a beautiful evening oui? You should take some time to relax a little. Maybe dance with you girl." He says.

"I'm not his girl!" I cry out making the two of them flinch.

"Oh?" Francis smiled, "Then Kirkland you don't mind if I dance with the belle do you?"

"I mind."

"Oh good!" Francis takes me by the hand and he drags me into the circle of dancing people. While Francis twirls me around I couldn't help but laugh, I've never really danced like this before to be honest. I have when I was living with my mother but when I started living with my father on his ship I spend more time learning swordplay than dancing.

"You are quite graceful flower. Have you ever danced before?" He asks me kindly. I shake my head.

"Only when I was young." I respond quietly. Francis swings me closer to his side.

"How come flower?"

"Ah, I don't know. I guess I never found the time to dance." Francis smiles and kisses my cheek.

"Well I'm glad that I'm the first to dance with you in a long while." He smirks and looks over my shoulder. "I better get going, or my crew may take advantage of my absence." He bows and gives my hand a final kiss before departing towards the docks of Port Carol. A hand is placed on my shoulder but this time I don't slap the person behind me.

"He's finally gone, the stupid git." Mutters Arthur. I turn around and notice that almost everyone had gone. I stare at Arthur for a while. "What?" He asks me.

"Bonnefoy is a much better gentleman than you are." I say suddenly. Arthur flushes.

"Oi! Don't compare me to that French git! He is no gentleman!" I laugh at the sight of his scarlet face.

"You're pretty close to him aren't you Kirkland?" I ask with a smile. He frowns.

"I've been rivals with him for a very long time. Of course our rivalry does not even equal to the rivalry the Kirkland family has with the Carriedo family." He says, holding out his arm.

"It's a boring story really, you wouldn't want to hear it." I take his arm and smile widely at him.

"Actually Kirkland, I'd love to hear it."