Uncharted Waters

The wind was cold and working on the deck of the ship had left her hands covered in opened blisters. The rain drops were small and felt nearly like pellets piercing her skin. She was soaked to the bone, it felt like even her lungs would soon fill with water.

Though Mia had to buy her bed on the ship and she had arranged to work for her safe passage; she didn’t have much of a choice. The storm seemed to be lightening up and her shipmates were all going back to their regular jobs or going to bed. It was far past time for Mia to do the ladder.

She tossed her bucket and brush into the closet and went below deck. She had arranged a private place to sleep, though it had been a hassle. Mia sat on the floor and pulled off her boots. She was exhausted.

No matter how long she spent aboard The Acacia, her mind always returned to her home and the beginning of her journey. Her life had been normal a few days prior. She’d had a bed in a warm home with her family.

As Mia readied for bed and dried herself, she recalled everything. It all started when her mother walked her to her room one evening a little over a week ago. They often talked at night, so it wasn’t unusual. However, the subject matter was more serious that usual.

“I have some exciting news for you.” Fatima smiled, but her expression looked slightly worried.

“What?” Mia asked, sensing her mother’s hesitation.

“Your father and I have arranged a marriage for you.” She sat on the edge of the covered bed.

“But I thought you said I could wait if I wanted.” She clenched the heavy blanket on her legs.

“There’s a treaty coming to the country from England. Many of their titled suitors have been arranged to wed with dignified young women from all surrounding isles.” Fatima began to slowly explain the situation, hoping to enforce her daughter’s duty in this situation.

“Can’t papa pass on my suitor to one of those women?” Mia sighed.

“Patoria may be a small island but, as Conde, your father has to be responsible. You, as his daughter, must also be responsible.” She stated in an even tone.

“I told you already, I don’t want to wed a stranger.” She voiced her concern.

“It isn’t as horrific as you imagine, Mia. I left Portugal to marry your father and I wouldn’t want my life to be any other way.” Fatima smiled, hoping to reassure her daughter.

“Besides, your suitor isn’t without merit. He is very close to the royal family in England. Your father and I have heard nothing but great things about him.”

“Tell me about when you met papa. Wasn’t it... Uncomfortable?” Mia probed.

“No! I was so nervous and your father looked so handsome.” She recalled her past with a gleam in her brown eyes.

Mia remembered her mother talking to her for a long time that night. Her suitor was scheduled to arrive in a week, which gave Fatima the time to buy her daughter a new gown and prepare to receive him.

Mia was less enthusiastic than her family. The entire island seemed to be decorating and preparing already. All of Patoria seemed to know the ins and outs of her life, like always. Mia had grown used to it.

She spoke to her father. Lorenzo was less gentle in his wording than her mother, but they carried the same sentiment. He told his unruly child that he had selected her suitor carefully; meaning that she had no choice in the matter.

Mia was resigned that her fate had been decided for her. She tried to turn her nervousness into excitement. Still, as the day grew closer to the arrival of her betrothed, Mia felt jittery and unsure. Before she had time to calm her inner turmoil, ships arrived from England.

The entire island was bustling. Mia needed to escape her home to relieve some of the pressure she felt. So, she decided to join Patoria in the streets. Walking around the docks always made her feel calm. The sea was like soothing salve to her anxieties.

Mia leaned on a nearby pillar and looked at the waves ahead of her. The English flags over the ships in her peripheral vision were constant reminders of how quickly her life was changing. She focused on the lull of the water as it moved around the familiar ship front of her.

“Looking for something, lass?” A gruff voice brought her out of her thoughts.

She turned to see an older man with mussed white hair and a long, matching beard. She knew him by his voice, before turning around. John’s Spanish was nearly perfect, but his Irish accent was apparent.

“Peace.” Mia smiled at him.

“We meet nearly each time I come into Patoria’s harbor. Are you always seeking for peace?” He turned his pale green eyes toward the waves.

“Of course not. Sometimes I come in search of patience as well.” She laughed lightly.

“Aye, patience. The sea is an excellent teacher of it.” John nodded, sighing with a smile. “Though her lessons are harsh.”

“I’m sure it’s worth the trouble. How long have you been sailing? The ocean never scared you away.” Mia replied.

“True enough. You sound like you’re craving a journey yourself.” He looked at her with amusement.

“Perhaps I am...” She sighed.

“You know better, Mia. Women are bad omens onboard. No captain would take you.” John shook his head.

“A ship captain afraid of nonsense isn’t the kind I would hire.” She rolled her eyes.

“Oh, lass.” He chuckled and rubbed his belly. “I’ve only met one man willing to turn his back on omens. You would be hard pressed to find another.”

“Let me guess, you’re the fearless man?” Mia smiled.

John laughed loudly.

“No. Not me. He’s my captain. I’m a boatswain.” He explained happily.

“One day, I may hire your ship.” She grinned and turned to walk back home.

“Good luck, lass. We don’t take passengers.” John called after her, before chuckling and walking toward the vessel.

Mia knew he spoke the truth. Finding a captain willing to be hired by a female would be impossible. Not to mention, she had responsibilities in Patoria. Though, John wasn’t aware of it.

When she went out into the streets, she wore common style dresses and a scarf over her hair. Being the daughter of the island’s Conde was stressful and she didn’t always appreciate being recognized in public.

So, it seemed no one on the dock or in the markets recognized her when she went for her strolls. Something about blending into the crowd made her feel satisfied. Mia turned the corner and continued toward the familiar gate in front of her home.

Her eyes were immediately drawn to the street ahead of her. Several foreigners from England were dressed in military uniforms. They had disembarked from their horses and were actively beating a familiar neighborhood boy.

“Stop!” Mia immediately ran toward them.

She had always been unable to prevent herself from saying what was on her mind. Today proved to be no different. The men turned toward her with confusion on their faces, but they didn’t release the child.

“What’s going on here?!” She asked indignantly.

“Step aside.” A tall, broad guardsman replied in a stern tone.

“Explain yourselves first. Why are you hurting him?” Mia tried and failed to conceal her anger.

“He deserves it.” Replied the short guard holding the boy by his elbows.

“Let me go!” The boy continued fighting.

“What did he do?” She asked, crossing her arms.

“He needlessly blocked our path and refused to move.” The large man replied.

“We’re on international business and can’t be delayed.” The short guardsman answered.

The boy had stopped fighting and was now also staring at Mia. He had seen her before, but he didn’t understand why she would risk herself to help him.

“This beating delayed you, did it not?” Mia spoke in a sharp tone.

“We have been ordered to educate those ignorant to their places.” The large man stated.

“Ordered? Ordered by whom?!” She raised her voice, hoping to sound more authoritative.

“Ordered by me.” A voice emerged from behind the guardsmen.

Yanking the boy along with them, they parted. Mia looked over the man in front of her, wearing a stiff expression. He was tall and his frame was broad, casting a large shadow.

His short, low-hanging ponytail of sandy brown hair should have made him less intimidating. However, the sharpness of his dark eyes refused to allow for any softening of his character. Mia lifted her chin and squared her shoulders as he looked her over as well.

His gaze crawled over her, making her feel uncomfortable. When their eyes met, she noted the amused look on his face. A foreboding feeling welled up inside her. Still, Mia refused to reveal her anxiety to him. The man she’d just met seemed already like her enemy.

“And who exactly are you?” She asked without inflection in her voice.

“He is Count Andre Baris Altena Van Fritz.” The large guardsman informed her.

Mia had been raised with all the knowledge of propriety and how to be diplomatic. As much as she wanted to slap the pretentious Count in his self-righteous face, she decided to restrain herself. Instead, she calmed her expression.

“I should educate you myself, right here in the street.” Andre’s words were steeped in subtext and his smirk was provocative.

“Counts from a foreign lands have no right to indiscriminately educate citizens of Patoria.” She spoke in a docile but firm tone.

“Excuse me?” Andre stepped toward her with a strange fire burning in his dark eyes.

“Run, Señora.” The boy urged her, just before a rough yank to his arm silenced him.

“There seems to be no excuse. Mine or yours.” Mia quipped, wearing her most gentle smile.

“You’re personality is strong.” The Count’s grin widened wolfishly. “If I’d a moment more to spare, I would find out how long you could keep up such an appearance.”

“Sire, the time is passing.” The large guardsman reminded him quietly.

“We will meet again. I’ll ensure it.” He stated, before climbing back onto his horse.

The guardsmen dropped the boy, who fell to the ground. Mia knelt beside him and looked over his bruised cheek. From one of his ears, she saw a thin line of blood leading down his face. The men on their horses continued down the street without even glancing behind them.

“Are you alright?” Mia asked him, looking for other injuries.

“I’m fine.” He shook his head as if to shake off the entire encounter. “You shouldn’t have helped me, Señora. He’ll forget me in an hour. You got his attention.”

“He only thinks he has power here. Should he remember me, perhaps he’ll remember what I said to him.” She replied, dusting off the boy's cheeks.

“If he doesn’t scare you, he won’t scare me.” The boy stood and wiped his palm on his trousers, before extending his hand toward her. “My name is Hugo.”

“I’m Mia.” Mia stood and smiled, taking his hand to shake it. “If they come to bully you again, you can find me here.”

She glanced at her house. The boy nodded happily. Mia walked through the gate and up the steps. She had met the men from England, and she silently hoped her suitor wasn’t like them.

As long as this day seemed, she worried that tomorrow would be worse. She was scheduled to meet her suitor that evening, and it was approaching more quickly than she could prepare.