11 THE 5TH ACCOUNT: HIS FATHER'S SON 4

After hearing Jacob's story, I looked down. "I see, now I understand," I said and sighed. I am beginning to understand why Thaddaeus acts the way he does. Then, I remembered something so I looked at Jacob and began to ask, "Jacob?"

Jacob turned to me, "Yes?"

"What happened to Paco's daughter? It was not true that she died out of sickness, right?"

Jacob was about to answer me but the water to our right exploded. Labyrinth rocked briskly by the impact. I let out a scream. I was caught off guard and was about to fall over to the deck floor but Jacob was quick to my rescue. He held my waist firmly and led me to a safe place.

"It will be a bit rocky. Hold onto this and do not let go," Jacob told me and motioned the post that he made me hold on to.

"What is going on?" I quickly asked Jacob. My voice began to panic.

"Cannons," he said simply then quickly went to the steering wheel.

At that interim, the pirates came out of their quarters and quickly went to their positions. Elgo quickly climbed the crow's nest and then yelled, "Captain!!! Navy ship behind us!!"

"How far?" Jacob asked.

"About 2000 yards!!!"

"Lowen, fire back!!! Thaddaeus, we need to get away from here fast!" Jacob gave out the orders right away.

Thaddaeus looked at the sails right away, "We're upwind captain!!"

I heard Jacob groan. That is not a good sign. I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply. This was the first time I experienced Labyrinth being chased and attacked by a navy ship. They probably found out about us looting five merchant ships. My fear grew as I saw the water to our right exploded again. It looked like the navy was determined to sink us! I heard guns shooting after.

"Lowen, force them to the 'no go zone'! Thaddaeus, brim reach to the left!" Jacob continued to direct the crew.

I watched in fright as Lowen loaded the cannons and fired back. Thaddaeus directed Puma, Wabi, Laurel, Tibet, and Fifer with the sails. Their movements were swift and in sync. I wanted to help so we could get away as fast as we can so I ran towards the cannons. But the ship rocked again that caused me to be off-balanced. I struggled on my feet when a hand grabbed me and directed me to something I could hold on to.

Thaddaeus glared at me, "Don't you dare distract the captain as he steered us away from here. You stay put to where you are placed!" he said and went back to directing the others in managing the sails.

I tried not to take offense by what Thaddaeus said but his harsh tone was difficult to ignore. I was almost to tears. All I want to do is to help. But I have no other choice but to watch this time. Lowen and his group kept loading the cannons and firing back. I noticed that Lowen angled the cannons in a certain direction. Thaddaeus' group kept pulling and loosening the sails in a certain motion. Then just like that, I saw and felt our ship changed directions going to the left. The wind picked up and I felt Labyrinth sailed faster.

"HA!!! The naval ship cannot move! Great job Lowen!" Elgo yelled from the crow's nest.

"Do not get too confident yet!!! Lowen target the stern!!! Do not sink it!!" Jacob ordered again.

"Copy Captain!"

There was another explosion. I shut my eyes hard! I can feel my hands sweating and my knees trembling. I hope the chase will be over soon.

Then I heard Elgo's voice. He cheered, "WOOHOO!!! We are cleared!"

I opened my eyes. Jacob was looking straight ahead. His hand still not leaving the wheel. I looked up at the sails. The wind was on our side. The cannons stopped firing. When all seems well, Thaddaeus immediately checks the ship for any damage. I couldn't move. I just stood there. I knew my knees were buckling and I was about to fall when someone helped me steadied myself from behind.

"Are you alright?" It was Jacob's voice.

I shook my head. "My knees… they're trembling…" I said honestly.

"Just lean on me," Jacob said with his voice filled with concern.

I tried to refuse it out of embarrassment. "But the crew--"

"That or I carry you to your room," he cut me off. His voice was very stern. I know this time he would not take no for an answer.

When I still did not move. He pulled me to him and made me lean on his chest. His hand was around my waist. My heart began to race again. I am unsure if my heart palpitations were because of the chase that just ended or Jacob's nearness.

"Is Miss Darling, alright?" Thom asked as he passed us by.

I felt Jacob nod, "Just a bit flabbergasted, I think."

"Maybe I should take her to her room," Paco said and offered his hand.

Because of what Jacob was making me feel, I immediately accepted Paco's arm and he guided me to my room. Once in, he gave me a glass of water and left. I took a deep breath and decided to lay down on my bed until I calmed down.

When I felt my strength coming back, I stood up and decided to see if I could be useful. I WANT TO BE USEFUL. I went out and saw the pirates still on high alert. I immediately saw Thaddaeus so I walked towards him to thank him for helping me a moment ago.

When I was in front of him, he looked at me. He narrowed his eyes. He looked displeased. "What do you want?" he asked.

"Thank you," I said.

Thaddaeus shook his head. His behavior showed animosity towards me. He opened his mouth and was about to say something but I cut him off.

"I'm sorry about this morning. I did not mean what I said. Of course I know it's not true. I just said those without thinking. I know Jacob is not soulless. I know that," I said in a quiet voice.

Thaddaeus kept staring at me. His eyes still not convinced.

"A while ago, please believe me I just wanted to help."

Thaddaeus furrowed his forehead and scoffed, "Help? With what? Loading the cannons? I doubt if you could lift one. Trimming the sails? You don't know how."

He was correct. What was I thinking? I looked down, "I'm sorry."

"You want my honest opinion, Miss Darling?" Thaddaeus asked me. I looked at him preparing for the worst. I nodded. "I believe you are a liability," he told me directly. "I know Captain Jacob wants you here and that is none of my business. I abide with his decisions because I am loyal to him. He is my captain after all. But heed my warning Miss Darling, do not force the captain to make rash decisions because of you."

I scrunch my forehead, "Rash decisions? What do you mean?"

Thaddaeus sighed in annoyance, "Stop being clumsy or nosy. And also, Miss Darling… no offense, but for me, you are NOT one of us," he said and walked away.

I looked at Thaddaeus' back as he walked away. I sighed sadly. I honestly thought that all of the crew already accepted me as a family. I was disappointed to know that one of them did not.

"He's his father's son, huh?"

I turned to the direction of the voice. "He has a point. As I am now, I am indeed a liability," I told Jacob.

"True. But Thaddaeus is also stubborn just like his father," Jacob replied.

I shook my head, "Principled is more like it."

Jacob shrugged, "Do not take to heart whatever he said. For me, you belong here," he said.

I looked at him in disbelief and chuckled, "Because I entertain you?"

Jacob smiled in agreement. "Yes! And I will be doomed WITHOUT MY entertainment," he said then looked at me with longing eyes.

I frowned at him and diverted the topic. "What can I do to be useful?" Jacob smirked and I know he will say something to tease me again so I quickly added, "aside from entertaining you of course."

Jacob laughed, "What do you want to do?"

"I want to be helpful. I want to help load the cannons when we are being chased. I wanted to learn how to trim the sails but since Thaddaeus dislikes me that won't be in the near future. I want to be strong… breathe underwater, swim faster, sword fighting… you name it. Teach me how to rescue you," I said and looked at him intently.

I could tell Jacob was a bit surprised with what I just said. He tilted his head and thought for a while. "You're serious about it?" he asked.

I nodded, "I despise being a damsel in distress."

"Alright then, get yourself a good night's sleep. I'll teach you how to defend yourself with a sword tomorrow morning," he said and smiled.

I smiled back. "Thank you," I said.

Jacob eyed me from my feet to my eyes. "Rescue me, huh?" he said and chuckled.