Chapter Four

The North Star:

Patrick wandered back home thinking about what he had overheard. He day dreamed as he walked. Dreaming about sneaking on board and going off. He couldn't, they already knew what he looked like. They need someone else. He thought walking into his home.

“Well that's just wonderful Kalob. I am so glad you are home. Sound the alarm. My wayward son has returned.” Ed shouted sarcastically.

“Ed, stop it dear. The neighbors will hear you. Darling Kaleb, why don't you take your stuff up to your old room and get settled. Dinner is at five.” Their mother said sweetly.

“Anita he isn't staying here.” Ed said to his wife.

“Now Ed. He might not live the life we wanted but he’s still our son. At Least he’s not a criminal.” Anita said, walking to Ed and patting his hand sweetly.

“Fine...go.” Ed said, waving Kaleb off.

Kaleb rolled his eyes to himself as he walked out of the kitchen. He leaned over and kissed his mother’s forehead before walking out.

“You! You're perfect!” Patrick said, excitedly meeting him in the hall.

“Well thank you! Best compliment today brother. You're not too bad yourself.” Kaleb chuckled, slapping his brother on the shoulder.

“No, no no. Come.” Patrick said, motioning him to come with him upstairs.

Kaleb shook his head at his older brother as he started up the stairs after him. He had his small amount of belongings strapped over his shoulder in a bag. His dark auburn hair tied back in a short ponytail that went to the nape of his neck. Patrick looked very much like his father, where Kaleb looked like his mother. He had her same sapphire blue eyes. Walking into his old room he scanned it. He smiled his mother had left everything the same as when he left a year ago. He never got along with his father. He didn't care for the business. He wanted more out of life. So he spent the last year traveling from place to place, living life. He ran his hand over his old desk as Patrick shut the door quietly. Kaleb set his belongings down on the bed and then looked curiously at Patrick.

“So what's with the welcome?” Kaleb laughed as he sat down on his bed.

“Ok so long story short I'm pretty sure father is illegally stealing contracts from the Abners and I need you to sneak aboard the Abner’s ship tonight they're leaving.” Patrick said as he leaned against the door focusing on if anyone was coming.

“Ok well that story was a little too short and I just got home.” Kaleb said, looking at Patrick like he was crazy.

“Father is stealing all the contracts out from under the Abners. The two daughters are left in charge. They have no funds coming in and need funds. The youngest is sneaking off tonight to go after some treasure. I can't go, one father would notice and two the daughters know what I look like so….you go.” Patrick said as quickly as he could.

“Treasure...like pirates and all that?” Kaleb said, trying hard not to laugh at his brother.

“ I don't know. There’s a map...maybe.” Patrick said, shrugging , starting to give up on convincing his brother on going.

“Dad would be pissed.” Kaleb smirked.

“Probably seeing how we're going behind his back.” Patrick said, shrugging.

“Ok.” Kaled said with a smirk on his face.

“Ok?” Patrick repeated.

“Yeah I'll do it.” Kaleb nodded with a shrug.

“Really?” Patrick said not believing him.

“Aye, I came back to see mom not dad and if it will make him love me more why not.” Kaleb said, throwing him a wink.

“That's great.” Patrick said coming over and wacking him on the back.

“When do they leave?” Kaleb said, laughing at his brother’s response.

“Late tonight, she’s sneaking off with a crew and a ship called The North Star.” Patrick explained.

“She?” Kaleb asked, confused but intrigued.

“Aye the youngest daughter is going. I think her name is Dani. She doesn't want the oldest to find out.” Patrick said, shrugging.

“Alright then.” Kaleb laughed.

Night fall came pretty quickly but not fast enough for Danica. She spent most of the day pacing around and avoiding Ariadne. Danica sighed watching her sister from the doorway. She was still up studying papers and contracts. Danica gave in  and went to see her. She was still going through with her plan but she didn't want to just sneak off on her sister.

“Hey.” Danica said softly coming over to the table.

“Hey.” Ariadne replied back just as quiet.

They sat in silence for a few minutes. The silence quickly turned into awkwardness. Adriane cleared her throat to break the silence.

“Dani it's not that I thought your idea was a bad one, I just dont think it's the right one for right now. I’m sorry I said things the way I did earlier.” Ariadne said softly.

Danica wanted to tell her how it was and that they didn't have a better one but with her leaving soon, she wanted to leave on good note.

“It's alright Ari, I’m sorry too.” Dani said, draping her arm across her sister's shoulder and squeezing her lightly. 

Ariadne reached up and squeezed Danica back, leaning her head against her shoulder. She yawned slightly as she did. 

“If you keep going like this Ari, you're going to burn yourself out and get sick.” Danica said to her frowning.

“I know but it's got to be done. We need to find a way out of this situation.” Ariadne said quietly.

“Well there’s nothing more you can do tonight why don't you go get some sleep. I’m sure things will be better once we hear from Orion.” Danica said to her, stepping to the side.

“Aye your right Dani. I can barely see the words right now.” Ariadne said, starting to stand.

Danica stopped her from going and scooped her into a big hug. Ariadne was startled at first but quickly squeezed her back.

“Dani you ok?” She whispered, still hugging her.

“I’m ok. I just want you to know you're doing your best and you're the best sister ever.” Danica said, tightening her hug just a little bit more.

“Thank you. You're the best little sister anyone could ask for. You should get some sleep too. The stress is getting to you too.” Ariadne said to her as they stepped back from the hug.

“Aye I will. Night Ari.” Danica said to her as she watched her start walking up the stairs.

Danica listened to her sister walk about upstairs for a while before settling into bed. She heard her toss and turn a few more times and then was quiet. Danica waited until she could hear a light snoring. A smile came across her face listening to her sister snore. She then walked to the door picking up the bag she had hidden with her stuff before ducking out.

The path to the ship was dark but she knew it by heart. She had walked this way over a million times. She loved watching the ships come in and out of the harbor. She looked up at the dark night sky, it looked cold as the stars twinkled in it. The moon was bright and round lighting up the path she took. Reaching the dock she could see lanterns on The North Star and shadows moving about. The ship was being made ready. She wrapped her hand tighter around her bag she had over her shoulder as her foot hit the wooden dock. Her feet took her to the walkway of the ship fast.  She was caught up in looking at the ship. Her nerves and excitement are getting the best of her. She didn't see the man standing at the end of the walkway. Danica walked right into him. She stumbled backwards and almost fell over into the water. Strong arms wrapped around her waist pulling her back. She was pulled against a very firm chest and the hat she was wearing toppled over behind her. Her long raven hair fell out cascading down her back. She blinked trying to regain her thoughts.

“You all right, miss?” A warm voice asked.

“Aye, I wasn't watching where I was going.” She said softly, bringing her eyes up to the man’s face.

Bright sapphire eyes stared back at her and a lock of auburn hair fell out from under his hat. Danica got lost in the moment. 

“Are you going on this ship?” The man asked, still holding on to her.

Ship? At the sound of the word her brain stopped scrambling. She smiled, stepping back away from the man. She straightened herself outand scooped up her hat before answering him.

“Aye, that I am sorry about this” Danica said moving her hands in front of her as she talked.

He smiled and nodded as if to say don't worry about it. Danica then motioned for him to go ahead up the walkway. He shook his head and motioned for her to go first.

“Ladies first?” Kaleb smiled at her holding a hand out to help her.

“What's your name sailor?” Danica asked him not moving from her stop and ignored his hand.

“Kaleb and might I ask yours?” Kaleb said, flashing her a charming smile.

“Danica.” She said holding her hand out for him to shake.

He took a hold of her hand gently and was surprised when she squeezed and gave a pretty good hand shake.

“Well I hope you're ready for this, see you on board.” Danica smiled at him as she let go and started up the walkway.

Kaleb was taken back a bit by her statement and a smile crept onto his lips. He watched her walk away in almost a trance. She was definitely different. He looked after her as if staring at her would let him know what exactly it was. He shook his head trying to gather his thoughts as he began to walk up the walkway. 

He made his way across the lower deck trying to blend in. Thankful he was not very known around here. At Least not anymore, he didn't think anyone would recognize him. A man was walking about giving orders. He spotted Kaleb and started to make his way towards him. Alarms were going off inside of Kaleb’s head but there was nothing he could do. He was spotted. If he ran or tried to make himself unnoticed it would make just the opposite happen. He stood there waiting for the man to reach him to see how things would go.

“You there.” The man said, pointing to Kaleb and motioning for him to come over.

Here we go Kaleb thought as he walked over to the man. Although he was worried that he was caught, his exterior remained calm and cool. If you were to look at Kaleb you wouldn't have believed he was the slightest bit worried. 

“Aye?” He said approaching the man.

“Your new correct?” He asked him as he looked him up and down.

“Aye.” Kaleb answered.

“Ok you're going to be in charge of getting the sails going right now. We will give duties as we go but right now I need these masses to have their sails unroled. Captain wants to take off as soon as possible.” The man said pointing to the sails as he spoke.

Kaleb nodded and headed over to the first mass and began helping the men unroll the sails. Something caught his eye, he glanced in the direction of the helm. He saw the girl from earlier up there. The way she was moving and how the men she was speaking to were acting, it looked like she was giving orders. Captain, the man said earlier She can’t be captain? Kaleb thought as he watched her. As he watched the helm the sails quickly came down on the mass. He heard the sound of the anchors coming up. 

“Walkway.” Danica’s voice echoed down over the top rail.

The men quickly rushed to follow her order. The walkway was pulled in as quickly as they could. Kaleb  inched closer to get a better look at Danica. He watched her head to the helm gripping the wheel in her hands. He watched her look up at the stars and studied them for a moment before pulling the ship out of the harbor.

“I know what you're thinking lad. A woman captain. The Abner women are no ordinary women.” A man standing by him chuckled.

“You’ll be alright.” The man laughed again walking away.

He watched her navigate the ship, not ordinary echoing in his head.