Page 69 of Enchanted By a Pirate
"But your thundering footsteps would give us away for miles."
"They wouldn't because there's always one or two giants crossing a few feet into the Kingdom of Winter. You know, Anemone, some people need a break from goats every once in a while, so they go hunt seals in the Arctic Ocean.
Chris rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "It might work. It's still better than sailing around the entire empire again and then officially entering Winter Harbor. Not to mention the time we would lose."
Anna opened her mouth to voice further concerns but then thought better of it. With an inconspicuous smile, she gave up. If the captain and Anton were in agreement, she definitely wouldn't stand in the way. She looked at the two of them, who were not giving the other disparaging looks but appeared to be pondering telepathically. They were finally pulling together, which could only benefit their venture. And to be honest, they knew this country better than she did. If the two saw an opportunity, then there was one.
A grin crossed her face.Let's see how a trip with these two turns out.
26
Chris allowed Anton to place him back in the rowboat so he could return to his crew to discuss everything with them while Anna remained on the giant's hand. He stood still in the bay with his enormous feet, promising not to take a single step so that the Fortuna would not accidentally capsize.
Anna told him about her time on the pirate ship. He wanted to know everything and repeatedly asked if the captain and crew had treated her well. Anna only left out the storm. Anton had accomplished a great deal with the giants and she had accused him of stealing dust from the fairies. She didn't want to point out that his discussion with the giants had almost sent her and Freddy overboard.
Finally satisfied, Anton stopped asking for details about her voyage. He wouldn't pummel Chris because he believed that the captain had behaved like a gentleman toward Anna during her time on the Fortuna, which he had. Jack rowed the captain in the rowboat to the giant's legs, which emerged from the water like trees, and Anton lifted him into his hand without saying anything to her. Anna waved at Jack, who shifted his red pirate scarf so it was a little more askew on his head.
"Don't leave until I'm back on the Fortuna," the pirate called up to them. Anton promised and Jack winked at Anna as he rowed back vigorously. He climbed aboard the Fortuna using the rope ladder and then the rowboat was pulled up along with the anchor. If Anton's steps caused huge waves, the pirates could take advantage of the current and sail straight out to sea.
"What did you agree on?" Anna wanted to know. She had expected the captain to at least take Jack and Johnny, maybe Freddy too, but he had returned alone.
"According to the carpenter, the Fortuna survived the storm unscathed. The winds are favorable and I have whispered to the sea. My crew will sail around the land again and approach the Kingdom of Winter from the other side. Since they'll arrive later, we can look around unnoticed. As soon as we enter the Ice Palace, all eyes will be on Winter Harbor, which is near where the pirate ship of the feared Christopher O'Brien will be spotted. It's the perfect distraction and no one will expect us to be already in the city."
Anna nodded. "A great plan, don't you agree, Toni?" She tried to recapture the harmonious mood between the two that had prevailed before Chris had left for his crew. But the two eyed each other no less skeptically than before. Finally, the giant nodded halfheartedly.
After Anton made certain they were both sitting securely on his hand, he slowly started moving. There was a loud splash every time he put one foot in front of the other. Large waves rose, traveling in all directions — including toward the Fortuna. But the pirates had long since set the main sail and were making their way out of the bay and out to sea. Johnny sat up in the crow's nest and waved to them. Anna waved back, but she wobbled so much that she decided to hold on to Chris with one hand and Toni's thumb with the other. She was anything but keen on jumping from a thirty-foot tower into the icy water, soshe sat stock still in the hand, clutching it tightly as her pulse raced.
"Careful, giant. Or is the lady supposed to fall overboard?"
Anton immediately looked at Anna and used his thumb to give her better support. If only it weren't for the dizzying height. Her stomach churned and she closed her eyes for a moment.Stay calm, stay calm.She had been on his hand once before while he was running and nothing had happened to her. This time, she would ride it out — she had to! Ultimately, there was no other way they could save the fairies. They had to follow Chris's lead. Anna prayed they would finally find answers in the Kingdom of Winter.
Her thoughts wandered to Iris and Margerite and the fairy tree. Both had stated that some fairies were just lying there, growing paler and paler until they finally disappeared. Hopefully, the process wasn't happening too quickly and there would still be fairies around when Anna finally discovered what had happened back then.
As promised, it didn't take long before Anton took a big step up the shoreline. As soon as there was solid ground under their feet, Anna's dizziness subsided and she felt… a little safer at this altitude.
Chris had his arm around her waist and watched her thoughtfully. "You're pretty pale under your freckles. Since when have you been afraid of heights?"
"Afraid of heights? It's not that bad, but I am not comfortable when there's a big drop next to or below me. Is that surprising?"
"For a fairy, yes." Chris peered at her thoughtfully. "How long have you been suffering from this fear?"
"Being afraid of falling while holding a giant's hand? There weren't any giants in the world I was in, so I can't tell you. I didn't have a balcony in my apartment either and…" Pensive, she took a strand of hair and wrapped it around her finger. "I'venever been up a tower or anything like that. But Nele, my friend, she had a patio above the garage."
"And? How did you feel up there?"
She searched her memories, clearly seeing everything that had happened over the last few years. Only her childhood, adolescence, and early twenties had disappeared into the fog. Probably because they hadn't actually existed…
What had it been like over the last few years? Had she ever been on Nele's patio? She couldn't remember. She shook her head slowly. "I don't recall ever sitting up there, but I don't know for certain or if I avoided it."
"Either way,it's surprising. It must have something to do with your experience at the time. Maybe you fell somewhere." He paled at the idea and immediately pulled her closer to him.
"Keep your distance," Anton said suddenly.
Chris glanced up at him, shaking his head. "We're only talking."
"But you don't have to force yourself on her like that!"
"Everything's fine, Toni, I…" Anna tried to mediate, but the giant raised his other hand.
