conquistadoradelmar:
“Do not trouble yourself over it,” Torres said with a smile. “I have had worse, I assure you.” She was merely glad that the abuse had been visited upon the more senior officers rather than upon Colin. This would doubtlessly go down as a memorable episode in the mind of the young midshipman but she hoped, at least, that it would not leave him with more permanent damage than merely bad memories.
“It is good that you are unharmed, Mr. Foster,” the Spaniard said. “That means you will be able to assist greatly when we make our escape.” The captain offered him a smile from behind a broken lip.
“I am sure they hope they can press as many of us as will volunteer,” she told him, “and I expect they’ll kill the rest of us. No articles of war amongst pirate, Mr. Foster. If they have no use for us then they’ll dispose of us.” She hated to frighten the young man with the prospect of his imminent demise but it was better he face the reality than be beguiled by false hope and he had served long enough in the navy that death should have become routine to him by now. “But we must think of a cunning plan to escape them before that happens.”
How much time did he have left before they turned their attention to him and either forced him to join or killed him? Would his resolve crumble under pressure from their cutlasses and pistols? Would his mother be more distraught over a dead son or a son turned pirate? These questions flooded his mind in a minute. A lesser man might spend his time worrying about the answers to all of those, but Colin was determined to be better than that. To be strong, loyal, and brave, like Captain Torres.
“Escape?” Colin’s blue eyes went wide with hope and admiration. And I will be of great help! He thought proudly. The discarded midshipman jacket was balled up and put in his lap so he could move closer to her. “How many of us are left? Has anyone accepted their offer?”














