7
S P A I N
Fiona saw men pointing towards the small dot of land.
“Spain’s getting closer. What’s the plan for when we arrive, Captain?” Asked a rather stout man.
“Head for starboard! And do us a favor and not crash into the other boats!” Ronan laughed.
He went to Fiona. “When we go to starboard, the slaves will stay here with some of the men. But I want you to come along. It will be good for you to walk upon land and breathe in fresh air, rather than salt.”
Fiona thanked him. “But what about Colin?”
Ronan looked at him from a short distance. He was crossing his arms in a small corner.
“He deserves to stay. He’s angry.”
“Any boy would be. Just let him come.” Fiona pleaded.
Ronan sighed. “I will. But if he gets any idea of running—” He took out his knife. “You know what will happen.”
Fiona looked down and Ronan gently tilted her chin up with his finger. “Don’t be upset.”
With that, he walked off.
Colin noticed how kind Ronan was to Fiona. He hated it. It made him sick.
The ship was anchored down far from the little village on the island attached to Spain. If people saw the ship—they’d know it was The Barbary Pirates.
Ronan let down two little rowboats down into the water. He shared one with Fiona and Colin shared one with Bartley. He was angry about that. He was angry about how Ronan treated his sister. He didn’t want him to go anywhere near her, let alone ride in a boat with her.
They reached the dock. Ronan ordered Bartley to tie Colin’s hands. Colin was so angry, he was silent.
Music played and villagers danced and sang for coins. They sold bread and different food and played musical instruments. Their little village was colorful and filled with noise. But happy noise. They were home.
Some looked at Ronan suspiciously, and feared he might be a pirate, but they dared not to make a noise but slowly slip away. Who knows? What if he has a thousand men about to start attacking? It was better to silently, unnoticeably, disappear.
Ronan noticed, though. When he got to a little shop to trade, he said in a joking way, “Don’t worry, I’m not here to take anyone today.”
The trader smiled nervously. He made a very bad deal and Ronan got way more money than he should have.
“You should march right back in there and tell him to give you a proper deal!” Fiona said.
“Since when is it my responsibility to make sure everyone gets a fair price? He’s a very independent man, he can take care of himself.”
“He was frightened. Frightened you were going to take his children, just like you took me and Colin!”
“Hush, hush. Let’s not make a scene.” Ronan did his business in the village and by the time he was ready to go, the town was completely empty and all the boats, big and small, were gone.
Ronan laughed. “They fled the town, that’s how cowardly they are!”
Fiona couldn’t help but remember the fear in the people’s eyes when the pirates attacked Ireland. How scared she and Colin were at that moment.
“All hand hoy!” Bartley yelled. “Time’s a runnin’ out before the folks come back with their swords!”
“We’re better with swords than some Spanish town!” Argued a random man on the ship. “I’d slash them and that’d be the end of it!”
They went back and forth arguing while Irish slaves tried to yell, “Don’t kill each other! Accept Jesus Christ into you hearts!”
“Oh, quiet!” Bartley croaked.
“Anyone who doesn’t be quiet, will be left behind!” Ronan yelled.
Soon, the ship was once again full and off on the great blue waves.
“Set the course for Saudi Arabia!” Came Ronan’s excited voice.
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