Page 44 of Enchanted By a Pirate
"Aye, we sail for the Kingdom of Winter."
Without challenging his command, the men scattered and hoisted the main sail. As the anchor was hauled in, Anna watched curiously as the heavy, dripping hook slipped out of the water.
She felt no fear at all, which she found strange. She was on a ship full of pirates, the same ship on which she had been abducted. Nevertheless, she felt at ease, almost at home. Maybe it was the way the two pirates, Jack and Johnny, had greeted and welcomed her. But there was her feeling — the instinctive certainty that she was safe on this ship.
Inquisitive, she walked along the railing, careful not to get in anyone's way. She watched as the men pulled on the ropes and Chris hurried up the stern steps to the quarterdeck and then the helm. She waited for the memories to return, as she felt that she had taken many trips on the Fortuna. But nothing came. She had to be patient. They would find whoever had blocked her memories.
She was about to go to Chris when her eyes fell on the main mast. Someone was tied to it, but she couldn't clearly see who because he was tied up on the other side. Definitely a man though. Who was he? A prisoner? Someone the pirates had attacked?
She crept closer and… paused, stunned. It was the pirate who had freed her from her chains and helped her escape the night she was kidnapped, the one who wanted to prevent her from running into the captain's arms.
Freddy.
His head was resting on his chest and his shirt was torn. The sun relentlessly beat down on him and he looked exhausted. How long had he been tied up? Since that night? Had Chris done this to him?
She slowly walked closer. "Freddy?"
The pirate glanced up sluggishly and when he saw her, he was frightened. "Anemone, what are you doing here? Run, run!" He tried to free himself, but the ropes and knots were too tight and cutting into his wrists and body. He searched for the captain, but couldn't see him. "Quick, you can still swim back to shore."
Frowning, Anna watched him. He knew her from before. Why didn't he want her to remain on the ship? The other men, especially Johnny and Jack, seemed genuinely happy to have her back. "Why don't you want me here?"
His expression was indisputably concerned. "So the captain can't harm you again. He's the one who caused your and our country's hardship."
She was stunned by his words. Even though she was convinced it wasn't true, Freddy seemed to believe it. Where had he gotten the information?
"So, that's what you think of me." Unnoticed, Chris had walked up to them. He stood with his legs apart in front of Freddy, peering down at him angrily. Even though the pirates were tall and broad-built men, Chris was taller than all of them. "What makes you say such nonsense?"
Freddy pressed his lips together, but his eyes spoke more than words could. Anger blazed within him — unbridled anger. But he didn't act on it or voice it, and just glared at the captain.
The captain crossed his arms over his chest. "You've been by my side since Ani left. You watched as I took on the giants and turned the whole country upside-down searching for her. Still, you believe I'm the culprit."
The bound pirate still didn't reply. He stared fearlessly at the captain. Another pirate came up to them, holding a letter in his hand, which he held out to Chris. When Freddy saw him, he paled but didn't speak.
"I found this when I searched him. You should see this, Captain."
Chris took the envelope, opened it, and pulled out a handwritten note. Curious, Anna leaned forward and read along. If Freddy reacted like that, it had to be important.
Freddy,
If Anemoneever returns to our country, she must under no circumstances fall into the hands of your captain. It was he who banished her and took away her memories — who knows what he did to her before. He wanted to seize power and now only the giants can stop him.
We are relying on you, otherwise, there is no hope for us fairies.
Take good care of yourself.
Iris
Disbelieving,Anna stared at the piece of paper. The angry fairy had written a letter to the pirate?
Chris narrowed his dark eyes. "When did you receive this?"
Freddy was still pressing his lips together, and when the captain drew his saber and swung it threateningly, Anna stepped in between.
"Freddy, I truly appreciate that you're trying to help me, but what is in the letter is not true. Who gave it to you? Iris? Did she deliver it personally?"
The tied-up pirate looked back and forth between Anna and the captain. Finally, he started to speak. "I received the letter about two weeks ago. It showed up suddenly with my things."
"And you didn't come to me straight away and tell me about it?" the captain bellowed.
