To Live Another Day by Gail Luppos (new ebook reader txt) 📖

idiot stowaway." Robins outburst left her breathless. The crew turned their attention from Robin to their captain awaiting for his response. To every ones surprise he let out a deep bellied laugh. Robin gaped at him in shock. 'Did I say something funny?' she thought. " Hey! What's wrong with you!? I just insulted you and all you can do is laugh?" He stopped mid laughter and studied Robin carefully. " I haven't met someone like you for longest time. Brings back old memories it does." He chuckled." My younger brother was a lot like you. Never able to stand still during a fight and always rousing peoples anger." His gaze turned sharp. " But his recklessness caught up with him. Be happy that you get to escape the consequences this time." Robin stared at him puzzled by his words."What do you mean?" He smirked. " I have decided that I am going to keep you as my cabin boy. You will be useful to me."
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Chapter Two..Cabin Boy!?

Robin stood frozen in horror. She knew she should be grateful. But she was a girl! And being kept in confined spaces with a man (the captain no less!) would raise the risk of her true gender being found out. She couldn't be caught no matter what. It was a meaning of life or death to her. Robin shifted on her feet as she gazed at the ground. She felt the captains gaze upon her as he asked, "Something the matter boy!" Robin raised her head to look at him. "Uhm. I know I'm not in the position to be asking for anything but could I work in the kitchen or something instead?" His face twisted with barely contained anger. "You dare to ask me for a position on my ship!" He roared. " You would be flogged right now if I hadn't taken a sudden interest in you. You will be my cabin boy or you can take the flogging." He snarled at her. " Of course I wouldn't mind giving you a flogging seeing that you injured half of my crew and insulted me." Robin shook her head profusely. " Ye ye yes sir!" He cupped his ear with his hand. Yes sir what?" Robin was boiling with anger on the inside as she calmly responded . " Yes sir I will become your cabin boy." He pulled back and smirked at her." Is that all? Really kids these days should learn their manners. " Robin growled. "If your getting at what I think you are I, then I am not going to say it." She sniffed and lifted her head stubbornly. The captain shook his head."Tsk! Tsk ! That's not the way to treat you elders." She snickered 'elder my ass' she thought. You're barely a couple of years older than me," He laughed " That may be so but I am still the captain of the ship you decided to stowaway on. I gained my position as captain by being a formidable opponent and an honorable man. Because of that I have full power over you. If you get flogged or become my cabin boy is up to me. Not you. So you shall apologize or I will think of something creative for you." Robin gulped in horror. He looked dead serious as he spoke. She couldn't detect a lie and his eyes never wavered from hers. He was one to never go back on his word. The loyal type that would stay by their comrades and protect them against intruders. And she was the intruder. She really was lucky to be given a choice . She ducked her head in submission." I'm sorry captain. You are right. I will become your cabin boy if it pleases you. " He nodded his head in approval. " Good. You may start your job by cleaning up the deck and treating my men's wounds. " He turned and started to walk back to his quarters. He stopped to look over his shoulder. " I will send Gino to help you with medical aide but the rest will be left to you. I expect it to be complete by sunrise tomorrow. Then see me in my cabin for your next assignment." He turned leaving a fuming Robin behind. Several hours later while swabbing the deck.

" Clean up by sunrise" he says." Then come back to my cabin for your other numerous assignments" Robin mocked. He was so arrogant acting like he was the owner of her. At the time being he commanded her. But later she would get him. 'Just you watch the idiot defeat the captain.Whoa I just called myself an idiot.' She laughed at herself but quickly turned solemn. If only she could finish swabbing the deck in time before sunrise. Gino had already come along to help her with the healing of the crew. He was an old man who was proud of the captain and thought of him as his son. He was a sweet old geezer but she noticed that he had an ailment that was weighing down on his body. He was like a fragile piece of glass. A single touch would shatter the glass as the illness would to his body. She didn't know what ailed him but she knew that it was life threatening. He had shrugged off her inquiries and told her that it was a slight ailment of the lungs. Nothing more. She didn't believe a word of it and expressed her feelings. He had ignored her and instead told her about first aide.But Maggie her nurse had taught her all she needed to know about treating wounds. Gino had been surprised when he learned her extent of knowledge on herbal care. Robin had slipped up and forgotten that guys would not normally know about herbs and medical care. She quickly covered up by saying that she had learned a little from his sis. Which of course was a lie. But she couldn't tell him that her nurse had taught her because that would sound weird. Besides she needed to remain anonymous . If anyone linked Robins name with her nurse....no she didn't even want to imagine what would happen. She had to look forward or she would be weighed down with guilt. A shadow crossing over her, brought Robin from her thoughts. She sighed as she glanced up at Blade . " What do you want now Blade ? Can't you see I am busy?" Blade,being one of the silent crew members nodded his head. " Aye, But the captain requests of yer presence immediately." Robin dropped the rag in her hand and brushed her self off. " What does the captain want with me?" Blade shrugged. Robin grimaced, " I might as well go." She looked up at the tall giant and asked," Show me the way would ya." He nodded his head in compliance. He began to walk in the direction where she assumed the captains lodgings were located.She walked behind him gazing at his wide back as he walked. He was a big guy. But she heard he was sweet. Huh, guess the term 'gentle giant' would fit him perfectly, even though she knew he was a swords master by the way he carried himself. The name was a huge clue. Blade, seriously who nicknames someone Blade without a good reason. Blade stopped suddenly, causing her to ram into his back." Ouch," She muttered ' What did you do that for?" He turned to look at her. " We are here." He said as he gestured towards a door. "Oh" she said. He reached out and knocked on the door. A second later the captain's voice rang out, " Who is it?" It is Blade and the cabin boy" Blade replied. "Ah yes, of course, come in come in," Blade opened the door and beckoned Robin to go in first. She nodded and walked in. She blinked her eyes to adjust to the dark. She glanced around the room for sight of the captain and was surprised to see him in chair.. reading? She didn't know what she expected him to be doing but reading wasn't one of them. He glanced up from his book and looked at them. "Ah perfect timing Blade, you may leave now." Blade bowed his head in acknowledgment. " Thank you sir." And left the room quietly closing the door shut behind him. The captain looked over at Robin with narrowed eyes. He set his book down and leaned back casually gazing at her with an inquiring stare. "What is your name boy?" The question was so unexpected that Robin forgot her name. The captain raised his left eyebrow at her. " Well ?" He asked. Robin stammered," Oh um It's Robin." He sighed while muttering something under his breath sounding suspiciously like he was insulting her brain size. " What is your full name Robin?" Robin froze in horror. Oh my gosh how could she have forgotten the most basic requirement in hiding an identity. Robin tried to discreetly look about the room in hope of finding a good last name but nothing came to mind. The captain gazed at her with a bored expression. "Have you temporarily forgotten your last name as well?" Robin shook her head." No. I was taken by surprise that's all." He gazed at her skeptically,"And why should that surprise you?" Robin shrugged "No reason." He nodded his head," You still haven't answered my question." Robin tried to act nonchalantly but in reality she was running through her brain for a name. Then it came to her. It would be an easy name for her to remember. " The names Fowl, Robin Fowl." The captain froze,then let out a laugh. " Fowl!" He wheezed. "Ha! I can see why you were so hesitant to reveal your last name.Fowl." He chuckled then abruptly turned serious." So Fowl, why did you board my ship. What is it that you wish to achieve by stowing away on my ship?" Robin folded her arms across her chest and stated," That's none of your business. " He rammed his fist onto his desk as he stood, " Damn right it is. Did you so suddenly forget who your commander is?" Robin huffed. "Whether you are my commander or not. I don't have to tell you my life story.That would invade my personal privacy." He growled, " It's your own fault for being on my ship. If you were not here then you wouldn't have to tell me your story.