Chapter 11: The Sea

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

Her illness has worsen 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 was the one used by the crew member 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 reach the fort, she found the man who 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 breded gentleman, if not for errand boy clothing's that made his social status visible.

She walked slowly towards his direction.

When he saw her coming, he paused, his eyes looked 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 were 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 flu and needs heat, our cabin is too cold. " she stated

" 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 lead her towards the kitchen as she follow 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 frown when he saw him but smiled when he saw Jaylyn right behind him.

He quickly wiped his flour powered 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" he 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 dear, 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 worst and the sea troubling, it will take days before we reach Lancoast " he said with a slight 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 from 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 fire place 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 okey 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 said.

" All right, now you both move along..... , go do what young people do this days", he lead 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. Every since that day, he visited the stream to wait for her arrival but she never came back.

Fate has a way of bring 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 his 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

toughen up.

Her palm flesh were hardened from hard work unlike his even her finger tips looked coarse .

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

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

He noticed she don't talk much, she answered every 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 he fully aware of her discomfort to talk about herself and life experience.

She give 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 lessen that morning, the cool breeze tend 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 an 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 accompany her.

When they arrived, Old Marty was already sharing his life experience with Miss Camila who seem to be in high spirit as she laughed to 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 at the stood next to Miss Camila while grumbling her food.

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

" Of cause, she's okey, my herbal soup are known for their wonders, " Old Marty said abruptly dishing out new soup for Jaylyn and Simon.

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

She give 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 friend during the period of her illness. Throughout those two days, Simon rarely comes by, he was bit busy with working with the crew, he came down only once when he wanted to help serve the crew member food. The weather had grown from bad to worse but luckily Miss Camila's healthy was on check.

Jaylyn anticipation to see Simon had increased as she keep wait for when he would come back to the kitchen for evening meals, even Miss Camila had noticed but she asked no question.

Grace had formed an habit of constantly teasing her.

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

Thankful Miss Camila had recovered.