Shopping

Brenan eyed the list thoughtfully. Most of the items they'd probably be able to do without, but on the other hand, Freeport was by far the best place to pick up nearly everything on the list. Not only was it the largest town by far on this island and all its neighbors, but as its name implied Freeport was set up to serve the numerous and varied needs of the ships that sailed the island chains between Cryn and Veertor. If Davy's shipyard in the mid afternoon wasn't a safe enough location to leave his ship and new cook, Brenan couldn't think of anywhere he'd feel safe leaving Sasha.

"OK, Sasha." But for Crews' sake, stay out of sight and don't say a word if anyone hails the ship.

With Sasha's list in his pocket, Brenan lifted the gangplank back onto the ship's deck and dropped over the gunwale onto the wharf below. Lifting the gangplank wouldn't really stop anyone who really wanted to get on board, but it might keep out some of the street urchins that were unavoidable in the ports that he visited. These harbor rats would scurry onto any ship and find their way down to the galley to beg or steal scraps, if one of them saw Sasha below decks news of her would spread faster than a brush fire in late summer.

Only slightly happier about the security of the schooner he headed off purposefully to get this last minute shopping done and get back on board as soon as possible. The quicker he got what he needed the sooner he’d be back on board the ship.

The biggest item on Sasha's list was a chicken coop, and two days ago he saw a small shop that had various different designs for sale along with a pen full of fat hens and sacks of corn to use as feed.

He was able to pick up a large hand truck from Davy and headed out to get the supplies he needed. Mr. Michaels had already told him that he wanted to have daily target practice with the two large guns. With the full purse from Ambrose boosting his own shrinking funds and the promise of more in less than ten days Brenan saw no reason not to use the coin to stock up on powder and balls. If he only had two guns to fire he damn well wanted every shot to hit home.

An hour later, Brenan was pushing a loaded cart back through the gates of Davy's yard and along the wharf towards his ship. In spite of all the logic in the world, he couldn't avoid the nagging doubt that made his stomach growl and jaw clench.

Someone in the Veertor Empire wanted Sasha badly, what if he had been recognized or followed and whoever it was that was hunting for her knew Sasha was onboard his schooner? If he had realized that there was more to Sasha then first met the eye when he first rescued her he would have taken more precautions before bringing her back on board. There were too many ways that she could be traced right back to him and his ship. Had he given that pretty blonde serving girl in the Drunken Sailor his name? Damn! he couldn't remember.

He left the cart with all the possessions sitting at the stern of his ship and swung himself up over the side heading for the nearest hatch. He unbuttoned the lowest button of his vest allowing quicker access to his gun and his other hand rested on the hilt of the thick blade that hung from his belt.

As soon as he opened the hatch he dropped into the hull below silently cursing the sudden dim lighting as he scanned the open cargo hold looking for his cook.

Where in the hell is she?!