Page 61 of Enchanted By a Pirate
"I'm glad to hear that, but I can manage. You take care of the Fortuna and get us there safely."
"Aye aye, my lady." He made a gesture as the ship rocked again, causing him to stagger. It was only with difficulty that he didn't fall on his behind. Anna laughed as the cold rain beat relentlessly against her face. Although the danger was palpable, she felt more alive and comfortable than she had in a long time. How could she ever have doubted this reality?
She concentrated on each step. Finally, she reached the stairs leading to the poop deck and gripped the inside balustrade.She preferred to stay away from the railing as the Fortuna was rocked by the gusts that swept repeatedly over the ship and that could have easily washed her overboard.
As soon as her feet reached the tween deck, she breathed a sigh of relief. Another strong gust of wind swept over the Fortuna and the ship swayed dangerously to one side. There was no trace of joy left. Sheer fear gripped Anna as she clung to the railing. Water splashed up, mingling with the heavy rain from above. It felt like someone was dumping dozens of buckets of water on her. Thoroughly soaked, she clung to the railing when the was Fortuna finally lying straight on the water again.
If only it wasn't so dark, she could have seen better. She had to make her way along the wooden wall until she reached the door to the captain's quarters. Unfortunately, there was nothing there to hold on to. She had no choice but to wait until the ship was at an advantageous pitch before letting go of the railing and racing to the door. The storm was raging and running was out of the question. There were moments when she had a shot, but before she could even take her hands off the railing, the ship tilted so much that she panicked and froze.
She should have gone to the cabin earlier. Darn it. Now she was stuck here and didn't have any idea how long she would have to last. She was also cold, though she forgot about it every time the boat swayed. But as soon as the ship was lying still in the water for a second and an icy wind swept over her, her teeth began to chatter. The noise clattered through the stormy evening like a shackled specter and there wasn't anything she could do about it. Her hair became heavier and heavier. Cold droplets were constantly dripping off it as well as her chin, arms, and sweater. As she took a cautious step toward the cabin, her shoes sloshed because they were waterlogged.
"Good, you're still on board," someone shouted in her ear. Arms wrapped around her. When she turned, she recognizedFreddy. He screamed even though his mouth was right next to her face. "Come on, I'll take you to the cabin."
"But the sea is too rough. If we let go, the next wave will wash us into the sea."
"The captain would never forgive me for that. When I say now, let go and get your behind to the cabin, got it?"
"How is that supposed to work?" she shouted back.
"Just crawl along me."
She was going to do what? That would never work! Her teeth chattered loudly. That seemed to be enough of an answer for the pirate. He positioned himself along the wall that belonged to the cabin, pressed his back against it, and held on to the railing with one hand. Apparently, she was supposed to hold on to his arm and move cautiously to the other to get to the door. The rain pelted the planks like the proverbial cats and dogs. Still, judging from what she saw, his other hand didn't reach the door. If she remembered the dimensions of the Fortuna correctly, there was at least three feet past that.
She didn't hear him shout Now, but she saw his lips form the word. It was crazy. He was crazy. It would never work. But if she stayed outside longer, the storm would be the least of her problems. Who knew if there were antibiotics in this land to cure the pneumonia she'd inevitably get. Even though everything inside her screamed no, she let go of the railing and crawled over Freddy. First, she struggled forward using the arm he was using to hold onto the railing. Even though the ship was rocking less, the wind was so unpredictable that every step was like fighting the elemental forces. She made it to his other arm when a gust knocked the ship sideways. Freddy held out his hand, but the force of the movement was too great. Her fingers slipped from his soaking wet shirt and she hit the planks. Freddy tried to get to her, but he also fell. The ship continued to pitch sideways andhe slid across the deck. Miraculously, Anna remained in place, but Freddy was hurtling toward the railing at a dangerous speed.
"Watch out!" she screamed, even though no one could hear her because her scream was swallowed by the thunder. She watched in horror as the pirate plunged over the side.
As soon as the ship was about to settle in the water, Anna slid down the planks to the railing. "Help! Freddy is in the water! MAN OVERBOARD!"
But no one came. No one heard her. The storm and rain were too loud and the dark clouds swallowed up the last remnants of the pink firmament. Only the flashes illuminated the scene for a few seconds. When another flash of lightning hit the sea, Anna didn't see Freddy in the water, but she did spot his hand on the railing.
"I'm coming. Hold on!" she shouted, even though he probably couldn't hear her. But in case he could, he should know that help was on the way. She reached for his hand, but the ship swayed violently again. Horrified, she clung to the railing. Luckily, the Fortuna quickly righted.
She couldn't risk pulling him up. All it would take was one roll of the ship and they both would end up overboard. She scanned the area. Was there really no crew around? Instead of one of the men, she spotted a rope tied to the railing. Swiftly, she struggled to lift the rope from the hook. What luck that it hadn't been lost. She immediately crawled back to Freddy, knotted the rope around the railing, and tied a large loop in the end so that he could hold on better. As she clung to the balustrade, she threw the end with the loop down to Freddy.
"I'll pull you up!" she shouted, and she felt the rope slack tighten. He had it and held on to it.Heaven, give me strength.She grasped the rope with both hands, braced herself against the balustrade with her feet, and pulled. Her muscles burned, but she didn't give up. She suddenly found the strength — perhapsit was sheer will, or adrenaline — and pulled the rope back a few centimeters onto the ship. And as she pulled and pulled, her eyes squeezed shut as if it would do any good, it suddenly became easier. Surprised, she opened her eyes and saw Jack sitting next to her along the railing, helping her. Freddy's arms were already on the railing. Another flash illuminated the ship and the pirate's pale face.
"We can do it. Don't give up." She continued and Jack grabbed his friend's arm, yanking him over the balustrade. As soon as he was on the planks, the ship pitched again. Then came a loud roar, louder than any that had come before.
"HOLD ON!" Jack shouted. Anna grabbed the rope and the railing and slowly turned. The bow plunged into a high wave that broke over the ship, sending icy water over them that swamped the planks before flowing back into the sea.
Anna had never been so wet. Her arms shook as she gripped the rope tighter and tighter, ready in case another wave hit the Fortuna.
"What are you still doing out here?" Jack yelled at Anna, as if she had just fallen overboard.
"I didn't make it to the cabin," Anna shouted back.
"Next time, you'll let me escort you, got it?"
"If there's a next time, definitely."
Jack laughed. "We won't let a storm like this stop us. Look how safely the captain navigates us through the storm. If he knew you weren't in his cabin yet, we'd be lost. And I don't just mean because he would no longer be able to concentrate. Anyway, off you go now. I'll take you." He took her by the hand, but at the same time, kept ahold of the rope in the other.
Anna turned to Freddy, who was crouching miserably along the railing. "We can't leave him behind, he might go overboard again. He's exhausted."
"All of us are — and we're used to it. Now, my lady? Or must I carry you?"
She had no idea how he would make good on his threat in the storm, but she followed him across the tween deck. Whether it was his broad frame or his confidence and will, she didn't know, but he moved forward without any difficulty. He had grown up at sea. Every move he made gave the impression that he knew what the sea was planning next. His steps were confident and sure, and she followed him unquestioningly to the captain's cabin. He opened the cabin and a gust smacked the door against the wall. The ship rocked, Anna fell into the dark room, and the door slammed shut with a loud bang.
