Excerpt: The Pirate Princess

Gabriel stood on the side of the pier and scanned the water for a lifeboat. The ships bobbing in the bay made it hard to see straight. Dimitri had cut Imogene’s lifeboat loose hours ago. He had no idea if she could get into shore by herself. He had no idea where she might go if she did make it in. With that in mind the bay seemed like the best bet.

Beside him Brier was climbing around in a rowboat, looking for second oar. Where Dimitri or Arisa would have been muttering about where they were Brier was silent. Gabriel watched the boat tilt with her movement.

“Have you ever been in one of those before?” he asked.

She shook her head and went on looking. Gabriel knelt down and steadied the boat. “Maybe this isn’t a good idea then.”

The young blond woman looked up at him, momentarily stopping her search. “What do you suggest?”

Gabriel baulked. He hadn’t expected that reaction. He though a moment. “It’s not our boat.” He said slowly.

“I know.”

“I don’t feel quite right stealing.”

Her eyebrows shifted down as a look of confusion settled on her face. “I thought you were a pirate.”

“Weren’t you listening when Fisher told you my origins as far as the crew is concerned in vivid detail?”

She shook her head. “Fisher?”

“The boy without shoes.”

“Oh. Him.” She went back to searching, producing an oar from a hook on the opposite side of the boat. “Got it.” Gabriel bit his lip.

“So. Er. About stealing boats.”

She looked at him again. This time she said nothing. It wasn’t like when other girls stared at him stared at him and said nothing. She didn’t look angry or annoyed, just slightly questioning.

“I didn’t think you had another plan.”

“Well.” Gabriel’s mouth hung open as he let go of the boat. “I didn’t.” He admitted.

“Well, I didn’t think you wanted to give up.”

“No. I don’t want to do that either. It’s just…” He trailed off. Her earnest, slightly confused look shut him up.

He bit his lip as he scrambled somewhat less than gracefully into the rowboat.

“Right.” He sighed. “Do you have the first idea what you are doing?

“Is it hard?” She asked.

“Not very but…” he untied the line and held up his oar. “Okay. Hands like this. You make a motion like this, only into the water. I’ll count so row on my numbers. Okay?”