When I walked in the room Pete stood up instantly then Vronderos. We all sat along the long dining table. With my father at one end my mother next to him. Lord Fotheros was on the other side of him. Vronderos was between Bow and his father, Bow was the only one that separated Vronderos from sitting next to Pete who was facing me and stuffing his face full of food. My mother sat quietly eating at times she would look up at everyone, and would just eye at Pete. He didn’t seem to notice. Bow was the one starting conversations with everyone including Vronderos. I gazed at Pete and saw that he had his eyes fixed on me. Not how Vronderos leers at me but with gentle eyes that you could melt into.

"Silvana what do you think?" I didn’t realize my father was talking to me until Pete turned his head to look at him.

"Think of what?"

"Think about going on a hunting trip tomorrow." My father stated. I jolted up right and was thrilled at the idea. But my mother interrupted. "She will not she is not built for this sought of thing."

"Mother I believe I can speak for myself." She glared at me. "I would love to go hunting!" I cried with joy. My mother was shocked, but my father gave me a huge grin. I should get captured more often.

"We’re going to have lots of fun Silvana." Vronderos said slyly. Automatically I wish I refused. The smile disappeared form my face and I went back to my food. Why did he have to come?

*****

It felt good to be in a soft warm bed after sleeping in dirt the night before. Bow was sprawled next to me.

"It’s been a long time since I’ve seen your father smile." She whispered.

"It’s been a long time for me to."

"He must have been really been worried about you." When I didn’t respond she spoke again. "Aren’t you happy that he approves of Pete?"

"Go to sleep Bow."

"You’re happy." She yawned and fell asleep. I blew out the candle and was surrounded by darkness.

****

"Silvana that boy is coming to the kitchen." Daisy said. I was up early to get some breakfast in peace unfortunately there is always someone in the way. "I’ll make more porridge." She said. Pete came down the steps into the kitchen he was surprised to see me.

"You’re up early. I thought you rich people slept until noon."

"Well you thought wrong. Daisy is making porridge." He gave me withered look. "It’s actually really good when she makes it." He shrugged and slid into a seat next to me.

"You usually wake up this early?" He asked leaning forward to see my face. I turned around on my seat to face him.

"No… well, not usually." I responded. I looked at him up and down admiring his muscles, his eyes, how his shirt you can almost see through. Then I realized I was dressed in nothing but my night gown. I crossed my hands of my chest but that just brought his attention to it. He took a deep breath then said. "Are you cold?" He didn’t wait for me to answer. He got up and got a blanket from the corner of the room. He rapped it around my shoulders then sat back down next to me. Vronderos wouldn’t do that and he is supposed to be a wealthy gentleman, Pete is a pirate but he makes sure I’m comfortable.

"Thank you… Pete, I have a question."

"I’m sure you do." He sighed, I glared at him and he laughed. "Go on what is it?"

"Why are you here?"

"I’m hungry." I rolled my eyes at him.

"You know that’s not what I meant. I mean your crew just left you behind, and you were supposed to take me home safely and leave that was the plan." It was his turn to roll his eyes at me. This made me a little upset. "Well…"

"I have my own plans, and I don’t owe you an explanation." His voice started rise. "I wasted my time saving you and had to make my crew leave without me."

"Are you saying it’s my fault?" I was sure everyone could here us now.

"You were the one captured by bandits."

"Well sorry to inconvenience you but I could of gotten us out of there myself I didn’t need your help!" I said lowering my voice. Why was I reacting?

"Yeah I’m sure." That was it I’d had enough I got and headed for the stairs. He grabbed my wrist and turned me to face him. "Wait!" He looked into my eyes." Alright listen how about you and I go on an early hunting trip. What do you say?" I just stared at him. "Actually I have a better idea. Let’s go for a swim. I can if you want teach you some basic sword fighting moves." Well why not? My mother said to never go in the woods alone. So I wouldn’t be breaking any rules…

"I’ll get dressed." I smiled and he sighed with relief. We both ran up the stairs. "Meet you back in the kitchen." He nodded and I ran up to my room. Bow was up brushing her hair in front of my mirror. She turned her head and looked t me going through my cupboard. She started giggling. I ignored her.

"Where are you going?" She said teasingly. She already new of course so I gave her the silent treatment. I wore my black regular gown that went down to my ankles, had green ribbons tied at the top and had puffy sleeves that were a see through material. I opened to head for the kitchen then I heard Bow say. "I’ll cover for you." I turned around and looked at her from the side of the door.

"Thank you." I said then ran downstairs where Pete was waiting for me.

"You know the woods better then I do. Is there a place we can go?" He asked I thought for a moment.

"I have a place."

****

I led him to the place where Fernace and I would fight each other. Play fight of course. He would take me hunting to make me feel better when ever our mother would ban from going with dad. It became a daily thing until our mother caught on what we were doing and she would always punish me. It was still the same, except the water fall was much bigger than the last time I came. I paced slowly towards a few boulders where a few flowers grew. It really had been awhile.

"So Silvana, Have you ever used a sword before?" He said holding out a big stick. I laughed.

"I have used a sword before Pete we don’t need sticks." I reassured him.

"Well I’d feel better knowing that you’ll just be attacking me with a twig." He said passing the stick to me. I took it and swung it around a bit. Then out of no where Pete struck for my head but I ducked just in time. I glared at him furious. "You could have poked my eye out!" He raised his eyebrows.

"No opponent is going to wait for you to be prepared they will take you out at your weakest point." He swung again but I blocked his attack this time. He wasn’t going to get me that easily. I tried to get him on the head but he easily slid out of the way then wacked my bum with his stick. I looked at him wide eyed.

"How dare you!" I yelled. He gave me a smirk.

"Oh I dare Silvana I dare." He charged for me again but I had him this time I was sure of it until he hit my back and collapsed flat faced into the ground. I groaned admitting defeat. I turned over on my back and looked up at the sky not daring to look at Pete because I knew he’d be smiling. Curse him! Soon he was in my view looking down at me. He had this sought of softness in his eyes which was gone within seconds. He held his hand out and I took it and was lifted back on my feet. I whimpered in pain. He gave a little chuckle.

"Are you alright?" I glared at him. He was still smiling. "I’m sure your fine." I kicked his leg and he fell flat on his face. I burst out laughing, he brought his hand out to grab my leg, and I stepped back then ran still laughing my head off. He slowly got up from the ground and ran after me. "I’ll get you for that!" I admit he was fast but I was faster. I spent most of my time as a child running for my life… From my mother so this was a piece of cake. I stopped in front of a tree and turned to see if Pete was still behind me. He was, and he was panting like crazy. Bending down hands on knees but still looking at me. I crossed my arms over my chest and looked down at him beaming. "You’re fast Silvana." He paused taking a deep breath before he stood up straight. "Really fast!" I shrugged still smiling. "You know I think that this is the first time you have smiled like that." I stiffened.

"It’s been awhile…" He nodded and left it at that. We spent the rest of the morning trying out a few sword tricks. I always ended up falling to the ground but got my fair share when I kicked his leg and he howled in pain.

****

We went up the front steps of my house. This wasn’t the best idea.

"You know it’s easier if we just go through the servants’ entrance." I alleged.

"You can’t keep hiding from your parents Silvana." He said still walking up.

"I’m not hiding from them! And who are you giving me advice on how I should be."

"I’m just saying your old enough to make your own decisions." He held his hand out to me. I walked past him up the stairs to the front door.

"If my mother heard that she’d plunge a sword through your chest." I mumbled under my breath. I wasn’t sure if he heard but he walked into the house with me. I could hear everyone was in the living room.

"They’re probably having morning tea before the hunt." I explained to Pete. He nodded and started to walk in but I grabbed his arm. "Lets not…"

"Come on." He put his hand on my back and pushed towards the living room. As soon as I was in everyone looked at me and then they noticed Pete behind now I’m in trouble.

"Where were you?" My mother asked. I took a deep breath. I’m brave and I can make my own decisions.

"I was in the woods."

My looked at me wide eyed. Then closed them and looked down. "Silvana I have told you so many times…"

"I wasn’t by myself mother I was with Pete." She looked up and seemed that she had just noticed Pete for the first time.

"Oh…" Is that it? Is that all she had to say?

"Well." I turned to face my father who was smiling. "Shall we go hunting now?" He’s still smiling this will be a good day!

"Alright let’s get going!" He said cheerfully. Then I noticed Vronderos standing up from the canary yellow love seat which doesn’t match any of the other dark brown furniture in the room. He held up his gun in his arms. Wait gun?

"We’re hunting with guns… I thought we were…" Going to hunt in our snake forms just like when I was a child.

"Not this time Silvana." My father stated. Not this time? So there are going to be other times…

"Well let’s go then." We all headed out of the room. Vronderos was on my left and Pete was on my right. Vronderos stopped and stepped in front of Pete.

"The pirate’s coming with us?" Vronderos questioned my father.

"Yes the handsome pirate is coming." Pete responded smiling.

"Ever used a gun?"

"I’m a fast learner."

"I’m sure you are." Perfect two self-centered men with guns. This was going to  be fun....