It felt like it took me an hour to get to the docks. It probably only took about 15 minutes to gallop through the bustling town to the docks and finding the only non-capitol looking ship, but it honestly felt to me like I took way too long, once I got to the suspicious ship I was greeted by two crew members, one tall dirty blonde male and I was almost certain the smaller gentleman beside him was a 'her' but I didn't question it. I hadn't the time to question it.

"H-Help, J-John, G-Geoff, soldiers, t-trouble," I gasped, the two seemed to understand immediately what I meant as they jumped to work, the tall male began to lead me panicked onto the ship where the small one began sprinting towards the hill I had just jumped from.

"Are you alright? You're shaking!" The dirty blond man asked his light pure blue eyes staring straight into mine,

"I-I am, What about Geoff and John, what if they're hurt or worse, I shouldn't have allowed them to help me, why did I ask for help to get away? this is my fault! All my fault, what if they die? I don't know what I'd do, I cant loose John again, I don't think I'd be able to forgive myself, its all me and my cursed eyes," I blubbered on and on as time ticked by, each second my nerves and fear grew as my body shook rapidly.

"Eevee, they're pirates they'll be fine, its nothing they cant handle. Just stay here and be quiet as I raise the anker as we prepare to leave the dock as soon as they are in sight we're setting off, we've been in tighter binds than this one alright," The man talked softly smiling kindly at me before he too disappeared from my sight, I was sat in what I presume was the lower quarter of the boat made into a makeshift barn for the horses, the horses had been loaded on by other crew members who did not attempt to talk or look at me as they tried to tie Lilly to the bar, unfortunately she kicked one man and he fell to the floor with a thud, I rushed to my feet to help the man up.

"A-Are you okay? I'm sorry, Lilly is quite an awkward horse, she's not fond of strangers, let me do it," I spoke in my croaky weak voice, I had no response from the man only a small glare before he stood and bumped passed me. 'Rude' I whispered once the man had begun to go up the stairs, I hooked Lilly gently to the wooden railing near some feed.

I was petting Lilly in order to calm her when I felt the ship jolt suddenly making me fall to my bottom with a thud, I heard yelling from the decks above and decided it would be best to stay with the horses hidden from the yelling of the pirates, I'd just get in the way and injure someone else too.

Trying to block the sound of the yells to distract myself from my own horrid memories I began grooming the horses with the grooming kits I assume had been taken onto the ship, I refused to even question whether or not they had been bought or stolen, it was pointless in thinking about it. The yelling seemed to continue for a while and the thumping sounds of the men's boots above me seemed to dull after a couple of minutes, I assumed we were away from the docks by now but I refused to walk up the steps, I refused to see if the boys had made it, I knew if they hadn't I'd not take it well. Mere seconds felt like years before I heard boots making a slow descent from the deck above, my grooming movement froze as the boots stopped, I didn't want to look, I refused to turn to see anyone other than the boys that had saved my life. Silence engulfed the lower deck only a few nervous whinnies from Lilly were heard.

"Eevee? Ye a'right down 'ere?" Geoffs gruff voice spoke through the silence, relief flowed through me if Geoff survived that surely meant John was okay, right?

"What....what happened?" I asked softly staring at Cindy's neck, I felt like crying, from fear, relief or sheer exhaustion I did not know.

"Well, they ambushed us, we manage to escape somehow, not without injury though, Max got hurt pretty bad for rushing in as he did, me and Geoff managed to survive," At the sound of his voice I whipped my head around to see a very bloody and bruised pair with grins on their faces, I couldn't hold back my tears.

"John, she's cryin' why, stop 'er cryin'" Geoff panicked, the grin flying off his face,

"You, you idiots! Do you, have any idea how damn worried I was, if either of you died I'd never forgiven you, I'm so sorry, I knew I should have just gone back to those stupid soldiers this is all my fault again," I sobbed into my hands, at my words I felt four pairs of arms surround me, my legs collapsed beneath me and I sunk to the floor still crying, though my eyes closed and I felt like I was going to faint.

"Sorry Eevee, we didn't mean to worry ye so much," Johns soft words were the last thing I heard before I lost consciousness from the exhaustion of the days events though I didn't care about that, all I cared about was the fact that they were safe, they hadn't died and...

I was saved.

A day or two later I finally braved to leave the horses and made my way to the upper deck, eyes still puffy from all the crying I had done. I had noticed I was being stared at by many of the crew members but I did not take much notice, I was used to it.

As I walked around more and more people stopped what they were doing to look at me, I became increasingly more agitated, I know I looked strange and I'm the only non-disguised female but do they have to look at me as if they'd never seen anything like me before? Couldn't they just glare at me? I eventually managed to find Lowen who looked extremely different to what I had imagined he would, his green eyes had become a dark emerald colour that pierced you when he looked you in the eye. His hair had become unkempt and dirty, his eyes looked more fierce than kind, which threw me off slightly as the boy I remember was small fragile and tailed his brother wherever he went.

"Lowen, It's... it's great to see you again," I spoke from behind him, he turned his head slightly to see who had spoken to him and smiled brightly as he saw it was me,

"Eevee! I'm so glad you're okay. I thought for sure you wouldn't be up here for another month! Are the horses doing okay? I'm sure they're a bit skittish being on a boat for the first time," Lowen's deep rumbling voice seemed kinder than I had anticipated, for some reason I imagined him and Geoff would sound similar but then again Lowen always had a soft voice even before he grew into a man.

I smiled softly at him happy to see him, I once again felt tears prick at my eyes but I refused to let them fall, no, I had to be strong, If I wish to prove to Geoff I can help and stay on this ship then I must stay strong.

"They're doing brilliantly, surprisingly even Lily is relaxed. Is the person who went to help John and Geoff alright? I heard they were injured?" I asked calmly, though I did not know them I would hate it if they'd gotten injured to the point of no return.

"Oh, yeah, Max. He's doing okay, not that he would tell us if he was in pain. He's in the kitchen currently, Captain sent him there to make sure he doesn't strain his arm with the deck work, I can take you to him if you want." Lowen said a gentle but hesitant smile on his face,

"If it isn't a bother, I'd like to thank him... and apologise," I said meekly, It's my fault,

Lowen was about to question me when a voice spoke up from behind, it wasn't deep but it wasn't high pitched, it almost sounded fake,

"There's no need. It's not like I did it for you, I went to help my captain."

"But still, If it weren't for me you wouldn't have had to-"

"It. is. fine. stop dwelling on it because you are making yourself miserable. And you need new attire that village get up is not appropriate for the Captains ship," Max had cut me off, he was a small lanky boy that looked to me at least more female than male though I thought better than to say so, he seemed like he'd explode with anger if I said anything else, I nodded in return, nervous that he'd comment on my eyes or something stupid,

I looked him over to see if I could find where he was injured when I saw a large white bandage around his leg, it looked fresh which indicated he'd had it rebound, I looked away from them both immediately finding something fascinating with my long skirt.

"I-Is there any materials on the shit I can use to make something?" I asked timidly as I tried to think about the appropraite attire,

Without a word Max grabbed my wrist letting out an exasperated sigh and dragged me away from Lowen who seemed to have a smirk on his face, I followed without much of a fight as I presumed if he was friends with Lowed and John he's safe.

Max dragged me back down to the lower deck at the front of the ship, it wasn't like the rear of the ship, it has hammocks hanging everywhere one for every member of the crew I assume.

"Uh, can I ask yo-"

"There are some clothes that should be your size in my trunk. John likes to joke around with me because of my feminine looks and got be a female pirate outfit, I have no idea how he got them," Max once again bluntly interrupted me, He began rummaging through a chest trying to find the clothes he had mentioned

"Oh, uh, thanks? Again I'm really sorry for troubling everyone, I should have just gone with the soldiers," I mumbled looking around the cabin, it looks as I would have imagined maybe a little cleaner, though most hammocks were empty some had some snoring occupants.

"Don't mention it. And, I mean, your presence might actually cheer those idiots up," Max spoke a little softer though his tone was still blunt, he wasn't a bad guy and I feel like we could get along the longer we're in this close proximity.

"I, I guess I should go change, thanks again, I'm glad they've had someone like you with them, you seem rather nice," I smiled kindly at him and I feel like his cheeks reddened slightly as I turned to walk away,

"Ey, Mac, you tryna seduce 'er already?" A gruff voice said from the shadows,

"As if, you know I have no interest in that sort of thing and it's Max with and 'X' how long will it take for you to get that Tir?" Max spoke coldly to the dark figure who walked closer and into the like illuminating his rough face covered in scars. It dawned on me that many of the men had scars and I supposed that was 0ne more reason it was so easy to tell they were pirates.

"Well, I guess I'll be off to help Lowen to make you lot not look like pirates," I said briskly before trying to quickly escape from the awkward exchange, the two of them looked like they disliked each other and I did not want to get between them,

As I approached the higher deck with clothes I was met by John and Geoff who looked equally as confused to see me walk up from the lower deck,

"What on earth were you doing down there?" John said in an almost breathless manner,

"Max was giving me these, I'll be down with the horses if anyone needs me, also do either of you know where I put my satchel? I've had a few ideas on how to disguise you lot," I explained to them calmly and looking at them curiously.

By the looks on their faces, they were sceptical of what I was saying but I suppose it was odd of me to be coming up from here as it seems it was the men's bed quarters.

"Right, well, we can talk 'nd walk can't we?" Geoff said briskly.

I nodded as he began walking away, I rushed to be able to catch up with him.

"What's wrong? Was it bad for me to follow Max? Have I already done something bad?" I asked as I caught up with him, he seemed in a foul mood and I was worried, I didn't want him to be angry with me, I didn't want to be cast aside again,

Geoff slowed his pace with a sigh, he looked almost pained to look at me, but he said nothing, he lead me to the lower hind deck and allowed me to change alone in one of the stables before he began to speak.

"We, need to talk," Geoff stated his voice firmer than usual making me even more anxious.

"Okay, talk..." I said apprehensively awaiting something terrible.

"Your... your parents... they.. well they helped us, me and the crew, they sailed with us for a while, their boat wasn't caught in a storm but a battle between the royal guard of your country and us, it sank and they swam for our boat, they made sure John and Lowen were safe aboard first and even being pirates we ain't completely heartless. They helped us get away and they grew close to the crew, they told us of you actually lass." Geoff spoke as if he were in mourning, his face was downcast and he refused to look me in the eye,

I could feel my eyes twinge as tears began to prick at them but I help it back, I told myself I would be stronger.

"They told us of yer special eyes and that you didn' know-"

"Geoff stop. You cant just tell her now, cant you wait till we find land?! She doesn't need to know!" Lowen's voice cut across the words Geoff was saying,

"She has a right to know Lowen! She has right to know why her parents died and why those villagers despised her! She has a right to know why her king refused to allow her to leave the country!" Geoff bellowed

I stayed silent in shock, what were they talking about? I dont understand, there were reasons behind the villagers' hatred? there was a reason my parents died? A reason why Raj wouldn't allow me to be free? What? Why doesn't Lowen want me to know this?

"It'll hurt her too much Geoff. Do not hurt her, I'm begging you to leave it while longer. She needs to make sense of how things work here first." Lowen's voice was soft and wavering but the power put behind them made Geoff silent if only for a moment.

"Lowen, she needs to know at least why her eyes are different. She must know the history" Geoff spoke his hands were balled into a fist.

"Lowen. Please. I want to know, please don't be like John and try to make decisions for me. By how Geoff is acting, it sounds important," My voice broke the silence.