Taken by Pirates

Willy pulled over a stool so he could still stare down at the map. “Actually, the bakery is close to Gervase Hoddnett’s house,” he said slowly.

I could tell he was forming a plan, and his eyes became glazed and unfocused for a few moments. I’d learned to stay silent while he thought things through.

“Yes, that’s it. Send Maggie to the bakery with two of us. While she is safely inside buying bread, those two meet the other three behind Hoddnett’s house. Two of us can come back, rolling the barrels in broad daylight.”

I raised my eyebrows as he continued.

“If the two men are chatting with Maggie all the way back to the ship, any passersby will assume we are simply transporting foodstuffs.”

Nodding, I stared at the map thoughtfully. “Interesting. You’re right – nobody in their right mind would be thieving with such a lovely young girl with them. And in the middle of the day, no less.”

Standing, I studied the stores in the town, hoping the map was still accurate.

“Then we could send her to the butcher over here,” I pointed, “and the other three men could meet her and roll their barrels onto the ship, smooth as silk.”

“Smooth as silk,” Willy nodded, with a wily grin. “You know, Captain, she might be the best thing for us. She could make us look presentable in all kinds of situations.”

“Aye, that she could,” I nod.

Perhaps taking those extra crates had been the best mistake we’d ever made.

~ Chapt er 7 ~ Maggie ~

* Five Barrel Shopping Trip *

My second morning on the ship I felt a bit more steady. Not only was I apparently gaining my “sea legs”, whatever that meant, but I was able to actually be more useful around the ship.

I’d woken up yet again curled tightly into the Captain’s shoulder, but tried not to allow myself to think about that. There was something about his warmth, and the way such a tough man was so gentle with me, that made my heart pound much too quickly.

I was going to have to keep my wits about me as I saw a new town for the first time in my life.

Tales of the town of Parrinport had even reached my ears back in Claytonsfield. Apparently it was a trade hub, frequented by all sorts of interesting people, including a regular stream of traders and travelers.

Finally I was going to be able to set foot somewhere new. That likely seemed small and silly to these men who had traveled so widely, but I’d dreamed of other places without ever thinking there was a hope of arriving there.

“Maggie, could you come here a moment?” Willy called while I was fixing my hair.

Instead of my usual single plait running down my back, I’d fashioned two, wrapping them into a twist at the nape of my neck.

I hurried to the chart-room, where he gave me a curious look. “Your hair. It’s good like that. Pretty, but makes you look a bit older.”

I hoped that was a compliment. “Thank you.”

“Here, take a look.” He had a map spread across the table.

I’d seen maps in books before, and our town hall had a map carved into the outside wall so that people could find their way around. Honestly, a person could just look up and down the path, but they seemed to feel the need to put on airs.

“Oh – is this Parrinport?” I leaned closer, studying the names of the main streets. It was incredible how large it seemed, with so many shops and houses.

“Yes. We’re going to need you to pick up supplies while we run an errand.”

“All right.” I could hear in my voice that I sounded nervous.

“Don’t worry, Maggie,” he said gently. “We’ll be close by. But we have to pick up some huge barrels of supplies. It will save us a lot of time if you would be so good as to go to the baker and the butcher for us.”

“Of course.” I peered at the map. “They aren’t far.”

“Yes. Cookie and I are going to walk you to the bakery. Then you’ll come back with us, and Dobbs will walk you to the butcher. Then you’ll all come back. Simple, yes?”