Shore Leave

Nels groaned. “I told you Emma...i told you, Torbin’s got a family!” She said. “He’ll put them off with no way to see em. “God fuckin damnit...I know he wasn’t right fer doin what he did but now...now he ain’t gunna see his wife and boy,” she said and groaned. “Gelb could drown and I’d not lose sleep O’er it. Fuck em,” she said. “I don wanna git ouuta bed…” she said and buried her head under her pillow. “Eh, can ya call the servants and ask them to bring me some pot roast and pudding?” she asked jokingly and winced when she smiled. Her bruised cheek looked bad as if Gelb hit her in the face with his cudgel. “That’s 2 you owe me Now,” Nels said and grinned as she looked down to see the bracelet on Emma’s wrist. Another pang of hurt came over her and she winced and looked away from it. She wanted Emma right then. She wanted Silas too in so many ways. Just him talking to her made her happy. Now he never talks to her. He has Emma, she did too in a way, they were becoming friends but it was the craving for her and him that was difficult.

“Tomorrow we’ll try using the cutlass,” she said and yawned. “After the butler brings us our breakfast!” she said as she laid her head back down exhausted.

The next morning after they ate, steamed oats, plain and bland, they were out of honey and butter, she began showing Emma how to use a cutlass. It was a slightly curved sword, not long with a hand protector on the handle. The two they used were blunted for training. The main attacks and defences for the cutlass were; Thrust, Slash, Chop, Parry, Block, Riposte and Feint. A pirate also employed a bit of swashbuckling when he wanted to show off or demoralize her opponent. She took her through the basic motions, repetition was her way as she hated having to rehash things after that. The slashes were the most complicated of the attacks and the Riposte from the defenses. You could use a horizontal slash, vertical slash or angled slash on either side. A riposte was a defensive move designed to allow you, the defender a chance to hit them before they cleared their failed attack. Either that or hitting them before they attacked or after. It was fairly complicated and it took days before she got the hang of it but after 4 days Nels got to letting her wear one, confident that Emma wouldn’t cut her own hand off with it.

They put into King’s Land Bay and before anyone else was allowed off the ship, Gelb and Torbin were tossed off the ship into the water just under a mile from shore. There would be no shares for them and they barely were allowed a bag for their clothes. King’s land was a fairly large port and loot was distributed to the crew. Emma for now, got 1 share, a large stone’s weight in gold coins to spend how she wanted. Reggie came up to her before she left and pressed a small, rolled note into her hand before he left the ship ahead of her.

It read:

“Emma,
I’m at the Nightswan Inn and left a key for you if you put tell them your name. I procured a room with a large bathtub just tell them you want it set up. I can not leave the ship today so enjoy the city and as always, watch your back.

I love you,
Silas

When the ship pulled into port at King's Land Bay Emma was glad for the chance to get off the ship and relax. The past week had been a difficult one and Emma was extremely exhausted. While Nels felt guilty for Torbin, Emma felt no guilt at all. If the man had a family he shouldn't have acted in such a way to get himself thrown off the ship...literally. She had no doubt in her mind that he and Gelb would find another ship to work on, hopefully one that didn't have any women. Since proving that she was not one to be messed with, the men had left her and Nels alone at night. However, Emma was still tense after dark and didn't rest peacefully. She kept thinking she was going to wake up with another burlap sack over her head and someone pulling down her pants.

During the day she worked with Nels on her swordsmanship. She was excited to learn how to use the cutlass and listened and watched as Nels instructed her on the different moves. She caught on to the basic moves quickly, but some of the more advance slashes she had difficulty with. However, she continued to work at it and practice and finally she got the hang of it. She was quite proud of herself and caught Silas watching her a few times from his cabin. They hadn't been together since that day and hadn't even really spoken to one another either. They both were kept busy, but she hoped that she was making him proud and doing well in his eyes for that was all that ultimately mattered to her.

The sun was shining brightly and Emma was getting ready to board one of the boats to head to port when suddenly Reggie approached her. She felt him press a rolled note into her hand and she watched as he walked away. She stood there and unrolled the parchment. She recognized Silas' handwriting immediately. She read it and sighed a little. She was upset that he wouldn't be able to leave the ship that day, but it sounded like he was going to be able to join her at the Nightswan Inn at some point during their shore leave. She looked back at his cabin before slipping the note into her pocket and boarding one of the boats.

The city was laid out in quarters. There were the slums, near the docks where smaller houses, shanties and the like lived. Crime was prevalent here especially near the docks and Nels came up and put her arm on her shoulder. “Don wanna be alone here Em,” she said. “Smart ya brought yur Cutlass too,” she said. Even just getting off the gangway 2 burly dock worker paused to look at them. The larger one licked his lips when Emma’s eyes met his. He wasn’t unattractive exactly but his face looked unkind and his clothes were barely serviceable. Nels scowled at them and they passed by them unhindered.

Beyond the slums was the market and commons and adjacent to the slums and commons was the industrial quarter. Beyond that were the Nobles quarter and guards were posted everywhere there. Nels suggested they go to the King’s Fancy, a decent bar and Inn for a bite and some really good ale. It was in the merchant’s quarter and they could hire a cartman to take them for almost nothing. From there she could get a coach or a cartman to take her anywhere in relative safety. And they knew more of the city than anyone she added.

The King’s Fancy was 2 stories and men, not necessarily pirates smoked their pipes outside. It was just beginning to get dark when they arrived and the sounds of music came to their ears from inside. It was a decently clean place Emma saw. With large, polished timbers and a wooden floor. The innkeeper was a stout man who wore a clean white apron and only had wisps of gray hair on the sides of his head. Men were singing ‘She Came From Baudry Hill,” an old folk song that spoke about a woman who was looking for a husband in all the wrong places. There was a man with a hammered dulcimer and a woman with a lute who led the song. Nels smiled at Emma excitedly. “Can you stay for a bit?” she asked Emma. When Emma seemed to be mulling it over she took her hand. “Please!?” She said with her smile as wide on her face as Emma had ever seen it.

As Emma stepped off the boat she gazed around at the city. Around the docks men were working and there was a constant smell of fish and seaweed. The men working at the docks were all large, muscular men and already it was warm and they were sweating. The area around the docks looked poor and the people she saw on the streets made her glad that she had brought her cutlass with her. She jumped when she felt someone put an arm around her, but relaxed when she saw it was Nels. She was glad that she was there with her, especially when one of the dock workers began to eye her and lick his lips.

Together, the two women walked past the dock workers and made their way into the city. Emma was fascinated by everything that was happening in the port and peered into various shop windows as she and Nels walked deeper into the city. She began to wonder where the Nightswan Inn was, but then Nels suggested that they go to the King's Fancy to get a drink and something to eat. Emma was hungry and agreed and walked with her to the inn. The atmosphere inside the inn was warm and inviting and Emma felt comfortable there. Men sang a folk song and drank ale, while others played cards near the fireplace. She looked at Nels when she asked her if she would stay for a while. She wasn't sure about walking to the Nightswan in the dark, but had never seen Nels smile before and knew this would mean a lot to her.

"Alright...I can stay for a little while."

It became quickly apparent that the people in this Inn weren’t the type to put a bag over her head and try to rape her. They were just dockmen, merchants and workers who needed to let off some steam after a hard-days work. She got alot of looks but not the sort that made her stomach crawl. That and she and Nels never paid for a single mug of ale. It all started when nels unbuttoned the first 3 buttons of her shirt. Emma protested at first but Nels told her that ale was expensive. What that had to do with her shirt she couldn’t know but Nels did the same to her shirt though she didn’t have nearly on top what Emma had.

At first no one seemed to pay them no mind. But then Nels asked her to lean back and stretch her arms. Once she did that her shirt opened up a bit and the ale flowed for them all night. Men did try to come sit with them but Nels chased them away. All except a young man who had just come in. he was younger than nels but Nels pushed out a chair to stop him then invited him to sit.

“Well, you’re a young lad aren’t ya?” She asked and it wasn’t long before they were making out right there at the table. It was time for her to leave…

Not too far from the King’s Fancy was the Nightswan. However the contrast between the two Inns was obvious. This place must cost a fortune and she looked down at her ill-fitting pants and old, black boots. They all looked at her when she entered, it wasn’t just nice, it was very nice. Crystal chandeliers, fresh flowers and even someone playing a flute...somewhere. The front desk was blessfully near the doors and the young gentleman, the very nicely dressed man with dark, slicked back hair looked at her doubtfully.

All she did was give them her name and it was like someone rang a bell. “Oh Miss Emma, ofcourse…” he said and snapped his fingers at the bell hop who rushed over. “Take her...bag...to the master suite and be quick about it!” He snapped. “Sorry to keep you waiting...this way,” he said and escorted up the massive, curved staircase to the end of the hall and stopped at a set of black, lacquered double door.

By the time Emma finally left the King's Fancy it was quite late and she had consumed quite a bit of ale. She had forgotten that her shirt was unbuttoned at the top until she noticed the looks she was receiving on the street. She quickly righted her shirt and made her way to the Nightswan Inn. Immediately upon entering Emma took note of how much nicer this inn was compared to even the King's Fancy. There was a crystal chandelier and everyone was very well dressed. She could feel their eyes set upon her as she entered and she felt quite out of place suddenly in her pants, button down shirt and old black boots. For the first time in weeks she desperately wished she were wearing a dress. She began to wonder if they would even allow her to stay in such a place but the moment she gave them her name everyone sprang into action like she was the Queen of England! She watched as a bell hop rushed over to take her bag and she thanked the man at the front desk before following the bell hop up the massive, curved staircase. At the top of the stairs he then led her down the hallway to a set of black, lacquered double doors. Emma couldn't help but wonder what the room inside would look like.

All she could think of was splendid elegance from the floor to the ceiling once the dors were opened for her. Crystal vases, italian marble, ionic pillars of alabaster and a huge, roaring fireplace built in a black stone. The bell hop handed her her bag. “We’ll be up to prepare your bath and a Reginald? had said that you’d want a coach to take you to the clothier first thing,” he quoted then bowed his way out as if it was what she had wanted.

There was a bottle of wine that sat in a large, silver bowl filled with cold water. And 2 glass flutes beside it. It was an expansive place with several rooms and the bedroom was huge with large windows with terraces she could walk out on. The bed was a massive 4 poster with gray sheer curtains all over it. There was a private privy and a tub room with a huge copper tub that could easily hold 2 people. Herself and Silas…

There was a knock on the door and the bell hope brought in a cart and tray covered in a white sheet. He bowed himself out quickly and left her to it.

Emma had not had this kind of luxury since before Silas kidnapped her and held her hostage. The room was fit for a Queen and clearly Silas had spared no expense. It made her smile to think about the two them alone in this room together. She looked over at the bell hop when he mentioned a coach to take her to the clothier first thing in the morning. She had not known about this, but she nodded as if she had. She looked at the bottle of wine and the two glasses and decided not to open it until Silas arrived. She ran her fingers along the sheer curtains surrounding the 4 poster bed and then walked in to look at the large copper tub. The thought of them together in that tub brought a smile to her face.

Hearing a knock on the door she turned and walked out of the bathroom as the bell hop returned with a cart. There was a tray covered in a white sheet and she walked over and pulled the white sheet off to see what was underneath.

Under the white cloth were 3 clefts. Under 1 was fresh, plump strawberries, peaches and raspberries, under another was a sort of fish dip with bread and pickled vegetables, under the 3rd was chocolate sauce and white cream. As she looked it over she heard a key in the door. It opened to reveal Silas who carried a satchel and 3 map cases. “Well, I guess you found it,” he said. “I trust everything is up to your standards?” He asked as he set the cases down by his feet. He didn’t give her time to respond before he snatched her up into his arms. His lips going after hers, his hands helping her to wrap her legs around his middle. “Mmm, I’ve been waiting for that,”  he said in between her warm kisses. “I wanted to show you how proud I am of you Emma,” he said as she hugged him tightly as he carried her into the bedroom. “I hope you’re not too tired,” he said as he tossed back the silk bed curtains then deposited her on the bed. He took off his coat first than began to get undressed.

If it wasn’t apparent what he had planned for the strawberries, cream and chocolate it was now. He dipped one in chocolate then pressed it onto her left nipple. He let her have the strawberry but he had at her breast. Sucking and licking the chocolate off of her. He repeated the process several times and on different parts of her body. Her nipples worked best though and she seemed to enjoy that the best. The cream was for him and drizzled over his hardness for her to enjoy. She seemed hesitant  at first but once she got the hang of it, with a bit of coaching from Silas, she made him moan and groan just like he had made her. They enjoyed their entire meal this way, each sharing what they took and then partaking in one another until their bodies were so sore and red they had no choice but to soak in the tub that he had filled for them. Lazily she laid back on his chest, the water was fragranced with lavender and rose petals. Silas massaged her shoulders lightly as she laid back on him, his legs spread apart to allow her more room for her legs. She had bruises, scratches and scrapes everywhere it seemed but he smiled when she moaned when he worked out the tight knot just behind her neck above her shoulder blade.

He wanted to apologize for Gelb and what he tried to do but it wasn't he that did it and if Nels had told him about what happened to her Gelb would have been dead or gone a long time ago. “How ar eyou and Nels getting along? I know she wasn’t exactly...keen on the idea of helping you. Just know that she doesn’t see things as most people do. She is unique,” he said diplomatically. But then again, so you are,” he said in a complimenting tone. It was hard not to fondle her breasts, they were so...perfect he thoughts. “I bet you miss the island now, don’t you ?” He asked.

By the time they got into the tub, Emma felt completely satisfied and very happy. Her body was sore but as Silas worked out a knot just behind her neck she closed her eyes and moaned softly. She was laying back against Silas in the oversized copper tub and they were drinking the cool white wine as they relaxed. Emma's body was still red in places from the recent sexual escapade, but Silas would be able to see the cuts, bruises, and scrapes along her body from working on the ship. She was happy to know that she was making Silas proud of her. She knew that she had a lot to prove and she didn't want to let him down.

She took a sip of her wine as Silas asked her about how she and Nels were getting along. It didn't surprise her to learn that Nels hadn't wanted to help her, but she was glad that she had agreed to do it. She smiled and put down the glass of wine on the table beside the tub when he asked her if she missed the island.

"I do, but only because it is incredibly special now to me," she replied. "Despite recent events I am enjoying my time on the ship and feel that I am learning a lot from Nels. She is an excellent instructor and she and I are becoming closer. I am glad for that since we are the only two women on the ship. It is nice to know that I have someone there I can rely on. I'm glad I'm making you proud Silas. I don't want to let you down," she told him honestly.

He kissed her hair and rubbed the oily water over her breasts. “Emma, I want you to be doing this for yourself, not me. This has to be what you want to do. You will need to come to terms with that in the coming weeks. We haven’t been in any kind of real battle but it’s coming, I can feel it. Most of the ships we looted surrendered. But some may not and the Duke will likely send warships to look for us,” Silas said unconcernedly and she could tell he even grinned at that. He loved a good fight, anyone who knew him at all knew that much. Fear was not an emotion he felt often if at all.

“Nels is a good woman. She is hard but soft also, did you sleep with her?” he asked out of the blue. Not in any kind of accusatory tone though. Just a question. “Nels is not so discriminate in who she is attracted to I think. “And I find you incredibly beautiful I can only imagine she does as well. I wouldn’t hold it against you if you had, if that’s what you’re thinking. I know throwing you into that…’pit’ of sweaty men was not going to be pleasant,” he said. “I hope it doesn’t bother you that her and I have been together?” He asked to clear the air between them.

Emma glanced back over her shoulder at Silas when he asked her if she had slept with Nels. “No, I haven’t. Although she did want to,” she admitted with a little blush. “I turned her down nicely. I want Nels to be my friend. I miss having friends and I feel like she and I could be good friends.” She reached over and took her glass of wine again and took a small sip. “I already knew that you and her had slept together before we got together. It doesn’t bother me. I just hope that Nels finds someone who loves her as much as you and I love each other. She wants that…I can tell.”

They spent the rest of the evening together and ordered in food and drink when they were hungry. He watched her from a chair as she lounged around on their big bed naked and ate more strawberries as her hair dried. He was naked too and he smiled at her and her at him when they saw one another looking at the other. They talked for hours and she learned that Silas was a lot more than just what he seemed. He was educated and his brother Tomas was learning to be a doctor when he murdered his father. Emma noticed that when he talked about that though that he seemed awkward as if he wasn't being completely honest about what happened.

He held her close when they slept and she woke up in his arms and he drew her to him and kissed her cheek. “I love you Emma and I don't think I want to do this anymore without you,” he said. “I need you baby,” he said softly and he felt her skin prickle a his words or his breath on her neck.

The evening was a pleasant one for Emma. She and Silas ate more strawberries and drank more wine. They talked for hours, never seeming to run out of things to talk about. For Emma, it was nice to learn more about Silas and to hear more about his past. However, as he spoke about his father's death she noticed his eyes shift away from hers as if he was lying to her about what exactly had happened. She didn't say anything though about it. She didn't want to upset him and ruin their night together.

After making love again, they fell asleep in one another's arms and she felt Silas' hold her close. It was late morning when she finally awoke with a little yawn. Silas was already awake and appeared to have been watching her sleep. Emma smiled when he kissed her cheek, but was surprised at his words. Hearing him say that he didn't think he could do this life without her anymore surprised her, but at the same time she was deeply flattered and she felt her love for him grow even stronger. She looked into his eyes as she reached out and gently caressed his cheek.

"You won't have to Silas...this I promise you. I will always be with you."

Today was a day for Emma. He had seamstresses come and she was showered with dresses and hats and shoes, jewelry and other accessories. She was measured to the inch and weighed by the pound for they poked and prodded her and touched her in places that made her face blush as they fitted her for everything from fancy dresses to well fitted pants in wool and leather. She had shirts in different colors and vests that worked with corsets that held in her considerable bosom. She had coats both short and long and hats that made her look more rogueish to those like Silas wore that made her look like a Captain of a ship herself. Silas rained gold on them and those of the hotel. She had all sorts of food brought to her, fruit, finger sandwiches and sweets including some that were chocolates from France with a bit of cognac in them that melted into her mouth. At the end of it all, it was several hours and she had an entire trunk of clothes and likely one more when she got everything back from the cobblers, seamstresses and clothiers that she made her choices from. 

Finally Silas closed the door and Emma laid exhausted on the chaise in the large sitting room. He laughed at her. “And here I thought you’d be tickled at being the center of attention. Her raised eyebrow at him made him laugh harder. Her breasts were too big or her butt was and the way they tried to stuff her hips into those leather pants was altogether embarrassing. “I was hoping you’d ask for something sexy to wear when I wanted you too, but I guess you’ll just have to go naked when I ask for it,” he said in his usual smoky voice when he was thinking about sex. Which was often she knew. “Come, get dressed we are going to meet some of the men..wear the pants and the shirt and coat that seemed to fit you. I want them to see a different side of you tonight,” he said and moved to wash up for the evening.

Nathan had been moving about the eastern coastline looking for known pirates and their ships and he had a contingent of 200 soldiers with him. Some of his scouts rode back to his van and said that several new ships were seen in the harbor since  the day before last and there was an abundance of men on and around the docks. Nathan grinned at that and sent the soldiers forward to capture some  of these men and interrogate them. He king was unwilling to change his mind about English piracy but that didn't mean that the Duke couldn't police it himself. And so he decided to handle the matter personally. That and he had no idea where Emma was. Though he had done that himself. He would get her back, somehow. If he had to flay the skin off of every suspected pirate to find her. He would get her back.

Emma was exhausted. While she always enjoyed having new clothing made for her, spending the entire day standing up and being poked and prodded was draining. Nevertheless, she would not have changed it for the world. Just seeing the different blouses, pants, coats, and boots had been enough to nearly make her squeal with excitement...especially the leather pants, which fit her snuggly. She had enjoyed seeing the look on Silas' face when she showed them off to him along with the long coat and one of the hats. She looked like the wife of a pirate captain. It was clear that Silas was sparing no expense with her clothing, nor with the food and champagne that flowed all day. By the time the seamstresses left Emma dramatically collapsed onto the chaise. While it was true that her hourglass shape had caused the seamstresses some trouble she was very happy with the clothing she now had.

At Silas' request she got up and went to go put on one of her new outfits. She chose the black leather pants and knee high boots, cream blouse and the claret red long coat for the evening. She brushed out her long hair, which fell in soft waves about her shoulders and then tied it half back from her face. Once she felt ready, she stepped out and placed her hands on her hips and looked at Silas with a little grin on her face.

"Well, what do you think?"

Silas smiled and nodded approvingly. “Very English, I like it. It means more than you just looking the part to me though. You are who you are,” he added. “Remember that tonight, men will challenge your authority always and you will need to show them the folly in their lack of respect,” he said then brought over his rapier and scabbard and attached it to her belt. He kissed her when she looked up at him as he cinched it tightly to her. Then he stepped back and nodded. “Now you look like a pirate Captain,” he said.

The coach ride wasn’t long but she knew that they were in the less savory quarter, though only just. The Inn was large and music and raucous voices came from inside. The Silver Shanty was far from being a respectful place to stay but it was popular with pirates and common folk alike. It looked sturdy and well kept and the Innkeeper was a former pirate himself. A large, burly man with thick arms and as hairy as a bear. His thick, black beard was in contrast to his thick, bald head and he was always good with a story or a salty joke along with a homemade ale that was a bit on the stouter side but quite good for that. Once they came up there were two men fighting in the street. They were drunk and barely able to hit one another. Another man was passed out in a ball near the alley that ran alongside and behind the Inn and two others were outside smoking long, reed pipes and they nodded to them as they entered.

Most everyone inside raised their mugs to them when they entered the Inn and a woman who played an oddly shaped stringed instrument was singing on the small dais at the other end near the door and the stairs. Emma recognized many of the faces but not all of them. She saw Captain Timberlan…’Crow’ to the far left and also Captain Stonebow near the back. Silas leaned in to whisper. “Point at the table you want,” he said as Nels came up to them.

She was in light blue wool pants with knee high black boots with silver buckles. Her shirt was aqua in color and fairly sheer. In this light her breasts was fairly visible and her hair was in a single braid down her back. She had a bit of black around her eyes and it made her look quite pretty, almost exotic. Emma could tell she had had alot to drink and before she could stop her Nels planted a kiss on her lips and she felt her tongue shoot out to mingle with hers before she pulled back. She did the same to Silas though she had to stand on her tip toes. Those in the bar went wild upon seeing that and money was exchanged between them. Some unhappy as they handed it over while others pleased and chided them as they accepted it. Silas wasn’t very happy about it though and as Nels turned around and gave a mocking bow he swatted her hard on the behind. Nels lurched forward back toward the tables and laughed as everyone else laughed at the exchange.

Emma was pleased at how she looked and even more pleased that Silas liked her outfit. She knew that she was going to have to not just look the part, but act it as well. Tonight she was going to have to prove to them once and for all that she wasn't going to let anyone walk all over her. Tonight she truly became a pirate captain's wife. As Silas' attached his rapier and scabbard to her belt she felt like an entirely new Emma. It wasn't just the outfit or the rapier that was causing it. It was Silas. Silas made her feel as if she could take on the world. He believed in her and gave her a reason to believe in herself. She had accomplished more in these few weeks with him than she had in her entire life. She was a new woman because of him and she loved him even more because of it.

The Silver Shanty was exactly what Emma expected. It was rather crowded and all around her men laughed and drank and sang along with the woman who sang and played. Men smoked pipes and played cards and the ale seemed ever flowing. As she entered with Silas she recognized a few faces, but most of them were new to her. She kept her head held high and did not feel at all nervous. She was confident and relaxed and looking forward to having a good time. Her eyes scanned the room looking for a good table. She spotted one near the fireplace and was about to point it out when she suddenly saw Nels. Nels had seen them walk in and was quickly walking their way. Emma could tell immediately that she had already consumed a lot of ale and before she could greet her Nels grabbed her and kissed her! Emma was rather stunned, particularly when she then kissed Silas in the same manner. She could hear the men around them laugh, applaud and cheer. Emma kept a straight face, although she wasn't happy. She smiled a little, however, when Silas smacked her hard on the behind and sent her lurching forward into a few tables.

"Well, that was...interesting," she told him as the attention on them started to dissipate. She decided she would talk to him about Nels later. "As for a table, I think I quite like that one," she said, pointing out the table she had eyed earlier next to the fireplace.

Silas scoffed. “That’s Nels making a bet with our lips I think,” he said and didn’t seem very pleased about it. It was harmless fun to the men though it seemed though what the bet was she couldn’t know. Nels rubbed her bottom and blushed as people began tossing coins into her mug. Ale sloshed out of it on them but they didn’t appear to care. They moved toward the table and the two that sat there cleared out in a hurry. Before they even settled to ales were down on the table. One near Silas and one near her. Silas lifted his leg and put it on the chair in front of him, clearly not interested in company. Emma could only put her leg on the table if she wanted, the 4th chair was behind her. Captain Stonebow came and sat down in it then leaned into them.

“I’ve erd talk of another shipment headin out this morn Cap’n,” he said. That meant that in Eight days another payment would be ferried back. And Silas wanted that gold. Now more for the principle of it than anything else. Stone was a thick, hairy man, older than they, almost grisled in his appearance. His face was pock-marked from long days out in the sun. She knew him as a honest man, experienced and was well respected and liked by his men. He was a major asset to Silas and knew how to maneuver his Sloop in battle.

Silas looked at Emma then at Stone. “Stone...go have a drink...relax,” he said and smiled. ‘We’ll have words later,” he added and hefted up his mug. He clinked it with his and Emma’s then drank a heavy gulp from it. There were people also in the Inn that Silas didn’t know. A few of them looked familiar though and they kept eyeing Emma. Moreso when Stone sat down. A shorter man with long, dark hair and dark eyes came up to them. He wore dark wool pants and a thick, brown wool coat. He had a Cudgel on his belt. His nose was wide and stunted as if it had been broken more than a few times and he came up to them. “I ere tell you be Cap’n Mormont..I’s got business fer ye, if’n ya send the wench away, we cin talk,” he said with a very rough voice. He barely even looked at Emma, obviously only focused on Silas. Silas didn’t even look at him but he did wince. Others winced too but Emma couldn’t see them. But it did get quiet all of a sudden. He insulted her, openly and that was something they obviously expected her to deal with. Not knowing who she was didn’t seem to matter. The insult was all and it deserved her attention. They knew it and the man behind him reached for his cudgel but didn’t move. He looked worried, very worried and looked around. The other man was so dense he didn’t seem to notice.

Emma moved through the crowd with Silas towards the table. Although it had been occupied, the two men jumped up in a hurry. Emma took her seat beside Silas and looked out over the room. From this table one could see everything, which was why Emma had chosen it. Her eyes slowly scanned the room and she could see several men eyeing her from afar. She paid them no attention however.

She started to pick up her mug of ale when suddenly she sensed someone sit down behind them. Looking over her shoulder she spotted Captain Stonebow. She sat quietly, but listened as he told Silas about the shipment. She knew immediately it was Nathan's from the glance Silas gave her. She honestly no longer cared what happened to Nathan's money. After what he had done to her he could die in a gutter without a coin to his name for all she cared. She wanted the money...and she wanted to help Silas take it.

After Silas sent Stonebow away, Emma smiled thinking that she and Silas were finally alone when suddenly another man approached the table. Emma immediately did not like this man and she wanted him gone from the table. However, when he then insulted her dislike grew to anger. How dare this man speak to her like that!

"Excuse me, but what did you just say?" Emma said as she stood up and looked at the man. "Clearly, you don't know who I am, otherwise you wouldn't dare say such things to me. You've just made a terrible mistake because I am Emma Mormont, wife of Captain Silas Mormont and no one gets to call me a wench...expect for him...when I allow it." At that there was some chuckles through the room. "I don't know who you are, but I don't like you...at all and I think you had better step off before I get really angry."

The man looked to want to rebuff her with a slap but once she stood he glanced down to her sword and fingered his cudgel. Upon hearing what she said though his eyes bulged and he glanced nervously at Silas than at her and his face went pale with fear. Silas’s grin faded though he wasn’t looking at him. He had no sword, he had given it to Emma but he had strangled men with his bare hands before. He hoped he did as Emma asked.

It was obvious the man considered but his friend tapped him on the shoulder and they stepped back together then out of the bar to a series of jibes and insults about letting a woman talk to them that way. Silas being there and his reputation took something away from that exchange but not to the men it seemed. The room exploded in laughter and mugs were raised in her honor. Even Crow raised his mug to her. Much of what a pirate did involved bravado and Emma attributed herself at just the right amount to get a result that didn't involve bloodshed. A bottle of rum and 2 shot glasses were set down before them along with a tray of salted meats, cheeses and a crusty bread. There were nuts and blackberries as well that looked plump and sweet by how they looked. The singer took a bow and almost fell out of her shirt as she sat back down again.

She began an even more bawdy song about a woman who couldn’t decide on which brother to marry so she had at them all in turn, each becoming more well endowed then the last. Silas poured the rum then slid a glass over to her side of the table. This was important too for them to see him serve her. It spoke of some secret ceremony that was happening and yet they were just two people, in love sitting at a table at their leisure.

Normally a pretty waitress or three would come to sit upon his lap but with Emma there the inkeep himself served them. “Call that waitress over there, the pretty one and either have her sit in my lap or your own,” he said trying not to be too loud about it. She had long, black hair and light blue eyes that made her stand out from the others. She wasn’t as breasty as Emma but her corset was tight and pressed her breasts up to allow for her pale flesh to be seen. “Give her a kiss and a fondle then send her on her way. If you send her to me shrug as if she doesn’t suit your fancy.” he suggested and it was clear he’d do it if she didn’t. More theatrics to show the men she was just as bawdy as they were.

Emma kept a straight face as the man and his friend finally decided to leave without any further confrontation. She didn't show it, but her heart was beating hard and fast in her chest. However, she had never waivered and was quite proud of herself for that. She sat back down and smiled a little at Silas before pouring both of them a shot of rum. She clinked her glass with his before drinking it down. It burned her mouth and throat, but the taste itself was quite good.

She started to pick at some of the food that had been brought over. The blackberries were sweet and popped in her mouth. It was then that Silas pointed out a waitress and told her to call her over to their table. She was rather confused when he told her to either kiss and fondle her herself and then send her away or to send her to Silas and then act as if she didn't like her. She could tell by his tone he was serious and knew then that this was still apart of the game they were playing. She tossed her hair over her shoulder and then got the waitress' attention. She motioned for her to come over. With a slight motion of her head she let the waitress know that she was to go over to Silas. The waitress smiled as she slid into his lap. All the time Emma eyed her, but showed no outward emotion. She appeared to be sizing her up and she finally gave a slight shake of her head and a shrug before appearing to lose interest turning her attention away.

Silas didn’t kiss the woman but he fondled her breast and touched her bum. When he looked at Emma though the shake of her head, as if not approving of the waitress at all for their bed, Silas pushed her off of him. She looked actually quite upset at Emma then huffed away hurt and disappointment on her face. That brought out a guffaw of laughter and very suggestive comments from the men, mostly aimed at Emma. “We don’t ave a Captain’s wife, we has a Queen!” Someone said. “Does that make da Cap’n, a King then!?” someone else said. “Nah, what King has ta work for iz eats!” Someone said and the voices laughed loudly. Silas chuckled at that and winked at Emma. ‘I love you’, he mouthed to her.

And that’s how the evening went. The men played games for her favor where the winner was granted a kiss however what he got was his balls squeezed hard and that was even more beloved among the men than any kiss would have been. There was a lot of rum and alot of ale too and he could tell Emma was feeling it by the end of the night. He was thankful she was able to make it back to the coach though only just. He had to help her up inside though. He sat beside her and chuckled when she belched. “You alright?” He asked. “You did well Emma, very well,” he told her.

Emma found that she quite enjoyed the attention that she received from the other men in the Inn. They played games in hopes of receiving a kiss from her, but Emma decided to give them their prize in another way, which the men all seemed to quite enjoy. Emma soon lost count of how much she had had to drink and by the end of the night she was more than a little woozy, although somehow she managed to walk out of the Inn and get into the coach on her own. She belched and then laughed at herself because that was extremely unlady like.

"Yes, I'm fine...although the coach seems to be spinning a little," she replied before collapsing into a giggling fit again. Then she remembered something and she sat up. "I almost forgot to show you this," she said as she reached down the front of her shirt. She pulled out a small bag of coins and tossed it into his lap with a triumphant grin. "I took that off of one of the 'winners'".

Silas laughed. “Well aren’t you quite the thief!” He said and loved that she did that. “Won’t Elsan be surprised when he finds out he has no gold!” he laughed. “I loved how you dismissed that waitress...she was so upset too, you have the knack for sure and you look damn fine in those clothes,” he said. “Very fine,” he added appreciatively. “Is the Captain going to get lucky tonight?” he asked. “Or should he have to talk to your husband about that? Oh wait...they ‘are’ the same man so I guess he doesn’t,” he said happily.

“You want to go after that payment, don’t you?” he asked. “You’re still as angry as I am at the Duke, aren’t you?” Silas asked. He was good and buzzed properly but not drunk exactly. He still had a score to settle with the Duke too. But his thoughts shifted back to her fairly quickly.

That and he wanted Emma, that outfit was very sexy and alluring and he had to contain himself all night. He put his hand on his crotch over his pants and rubbed it a few times seductively so she could see him do it. “I’m glad you had a good time tonight,” he said and sat up then extended his arms across the top of the bench behind him.