Chapter 12: The Sea I

     

        Mrs Camila's eyes turned tearful as she began to sneeze and sneeze  because of the cold weather.

Her illness has worsened as the weather has grown  colder as they entered deep into the sea. 

The double clothing couldn't stop the cold and she needed heat to keep her warm. The only heat available was the one used by the crew members to warm themselves. 

    Jaylyn goes to see if she could ask for help to warm her body or find someone to help build a small fire in their cabin. When she reached the fort, she found the young gent that rescued her talking to his crew members as she stood debating on how to approach him, still admiring him from afar as she watched him talking. 

He was not just handsome, the way he talks and moves was amazing one could mistake him for a well-groomed gentleman, if not for his errand boy clothing that made his social status visible. 

   She walked slowly towards his direction. 

When he saw her coming, he paused, his eyes looking directly at her, it was as if time stood still for that moment. 

Her heart palpitated with excitement.  

This time she wore no veil or bonnet, her dark brown hair was partly braided in two side strands holding down the rest of her hair. 

He curtsied with a soft bow as he reached her. 

She blushed 

"Please I'm not born with any title." She said 

"It doesn't really matter, what brings you here. " he asked

"My mom.. Is very ill, she has a flu and needs heat, our cabin is too cold." 

" Say no more, " he said immediately 

     He looked around at the fire place but it was already crowded. 

" Follow me, I will take you to the kitchen. " 

He leads her towards the kitchen as she follows right behind him.  When they got to the kitchen he called out to the chef in a familiar manner as if they were long time pals. 

"Matty..., 

The old pot bellied grey haired man frowned when he saw him but smiled when he saw Jaylyn right behind him. 

He quickly wiped his flour power off his hands on his apron. 

"Young miss..., What brings you to my kitchen, "

 he said as pushing him aside, placed his hands on her shoulder leading her inside. 

    Jaylyn looked at him for help but he just chucked at his friend's behavior. 

" Did Simon cause you any trouble my dear miss" the Cook asked looking sharply at Simon who was currently looking around for some food scraps on the table.  

" No Sir ,  my mother is very ill and need some heat from the kitchen to warm herself up, she's very cold, terribly ill at the moment "

 She lamented. 

" No need to explain, make a small bed at the corner close to the fire... It will surely heat the cold out, " he said as he walked back to his stand. 

" I will spare you some firewood, the cold is getting worse and the sea is troubling, it will take days before we reach Lancoast " he said with a slightly worried gaze when he talked about the weather. 

" And you!, "

He hit Simon's hand away from his fresh soup 

" Stop pestering me, you boneheaded boy and go help this missey " 

He chased Simon out of his kitchen. 

    They laughed as they walked through the corridor. 

" Is he always like that, "Jaylyn asked 

" Old Matty is a teaser, love making trouble for me" he said with a real smile that made his face brightened up. 

They seem to be very close like it was their unique way of showing affection for each other. 

They both help Miss Camila to the kitchen after setting the bed near the fireplace as instructed. 

 " The cold has really worsen her illness " 

Old Matty said as he checked her hands, opened her eyes, touched her pulse even her body temperature like a physician. 

"Is okay don't worry, " he assured Jaylyn and Grace. 

" I will make my famous herbal soup, it will help her recover in no time" he confirmed. 

" Thank you sir!, " they both chorused. 

" All right, now you both move along..... , go do what young people do these days", he led them out of his kitchen. 

    *********************

    Simon never expected to see the girl, he saved by the stream again but her troubled face had always clouded his mind. Ever since that day, he visited the stream to wait for her arrival but she never came back. 

Fate has a way of bringing people together unexpectedly, now standing on the same ship rail. 

"Simon, I am thankful for your help again, " 

She said softly. 

He noticed she was indeed beautiful,lost in his own admiration, he stammered before he replied. 

" No.... Need to, anyone on the crew would do the same. " he announced 

"So my lady, what do I call you?."

He asked, facing her fully, now he could see her clearly. 

" Jaylyn.... " she said softly 

"Jaylyn... nice,  Simon at your service" he introduced himself as he kissed her finger tips. 

   He noticed that her eyes were as clear as the blue sea that one could see their own reflection in them. 

   When she touched him on the wrist, he noticed her hands were rougher than they look.  

Her palm flesh was hardened from hard work unlike his,  her fingernails look  coarse . 

Which could only mean she had or is having a hard life. 

     Simon looked studiously at Jaylyn trying to unlock questions about her but she stood like an enigma with so many secrets. 

He noticed she didn't talk much, she answered every one of his questions with a straight answer that could hardly lead to any other conversation. 

" So what do you do?. " he asked but his question was matched with an unforeseen silence. 

The silence between them made it uncomfortable creating invisible space between them. When he cast a look at her, he noticed how firmly she held the rail a bit tighter than unusual as if she was afraid or had suddenly realized something. 

    Her silence made him fully aware of her discomfort  talking  about herself and life experience. 

She gave a reply that sounded a bit huffy. 

 " I'm a baker. "

Then looked away as if his question brought back painful memories.  

  The sea wave has lessened down that morning, the cool breeze tends to set everything at peace.

 Jaylyn made sure to keep their conversion limited by giving him direct answers to his random question but made sure her words held gratitude. 

She can't forget the state she was in, right now. What if he was not just a helper but a spy? What would happen to them? Miss Camila had warned her several not to come out until they reached their destination but here she was already seeking out an adventure on her own. 

"I better go check on my mother to see how she is faring this morning. "

 she said as she tried to leave. 

" Let's go together " 

He suggested but Jaylyn protested. 

His gaze was compelling that she had no choice but to allow him to accompany her. 

   When they arrived, Old Marty was already sharing his life experience with Miss Camila who seemed to be in high spirits as she laughed at his funny jokes. 

She was still seated right next to the fire and her face now a bit brighter than before. 

" Jaylyn! Come dear, " 

She urged her in, when she saw Simon she raised her eyebrow in an inquiring way. 

" His Jaylyn savior". Grace muttered in a teasing voice seated on a stool next to Miss Camila while grumbling her food. 

" Good evening ma! I hope you are okay, " Simon asked politely. 

" Of course, she's okay , my herbal soup is known for its wonders, " 

Old Marty said boastfully, dishing out a new soup for Jaylyn and Simon.

 Jaylyn told Mrs Camila how Simon had saved her last night. 

She gave him a warm smile and thanked him for saving her. 

      They spent their time together with the cook when they offered to  help, he refused. 

He and Miss Camila had become fast friends during the period of her illness. Throughout those two days, Simon rarely came by, he was a bit busy working with the crew, he came down only once when he wanted to help serve the crew members  food. The weather had grown from bad to worse but luckily Miss Camila's health was in check. 

   Jaylyn's anticipation to see Simon had increased as she kept waiting for him to come back to the kitchen for evening meals, even Miss Camila had noticed but she asked no question. 

Grace had formed a habit of constantly teasing her. 

As the days go by, the three of them become closer that it creates a strong bond between them. Now they were their own family. 

Thankfully,  Miss Camila had recovered.