Grace stood at the bow of the ship, near the large wooden wheel that controlled the vessel. The slight breeze of the ocean's wind had made her shiver - her clothes ragged and well worn. She had no mother to clean them nor make new ones, but rather was caught in a world with men that only belonged to them. Grace simply was alive because they could not kill a child - let alone a girl. Instead, they took her in, making her as gritty as them, though she was considerably more honorable than they could imagine.

Grace was quick to pick up on her training - mainly sword fighting. She would spar with the young men around her age, agile and light on her feet with each swing. She was described as annoying - a pest, if you will. They refused to tell her that though, so she only heard through whispers and glances.

"Land is near," a gruff voice said. The captain - Bones, they called him. Nobody knew his real name, but just that was enough.

"Yes," Grace said softly.

"Gather what you can carry to take to land. We will be sanctioning there a few nights," Bones stated. Grace didn't say much else but nodded.

Bones was a good man to say the least. He protected his own and didn't bother to really go out of his way outside of his tribe. Grace could admire that, though she had always felt intimidated by him. He had done unspeakable acts - like anyone on this ship - but Grace couldn't help but know his were most likely the worst. She would tell herself that maybe he had asked for forgiveness, but deep down, Grace felt like maybe the Lord could not forgive those acts. Bones was not considered the most ruthless, high-priority name on a list, however. Him and his crew were not popular with anyone, which made their raids that much more easy. But with the way things had been currently going, Grace and the rest of the crew had no way of surviving unless they seeked refuge, which they did.

After a few more moments, the ship was finally beached at the shore. The vessel would be quite easy to spot, and based on the anatomy of the island, it would have been spotted by now. Just off the shore was a large ridge, one that was rocky and sandy. Bones ordered a few men to take watch there while another small group simply scouted the area. Grace had mustered the strength to carry her things in only two trips. She made a makeshift bed out of light fabrics with holes in them on the sand, surrounding it with two books, a lantern, and her knife. Grace was never granted a sword of her own.

The sun was barely setting below the horizon. One fire was made to keep their presence a limited knowledge. Grace was a few feet away from the warmth, though she didn't mind much. A few men had gathered, not daring to bat an eye towards her. Bones ensured such a thing. Maybe he felt bad for her and thought a better mercy would have been murder when they raided her village all those years ago. Perhaps it would have been a better life than this.

As time passed, Grace flipped through her book. She could do some minimal reading, though she never properly learned and didn't know how to write. One of the men around her age - Silas - approached her.

"Grace," he said softly. The young woman looked up as she had been laying on her stomach. He held out his hand that had a small ration of bread in it. "You must eat," he said.

"Thanks," Grace said softly, taking the hardened bread. It was better than nothing.

"Might I join you?" Silas questioned. Grace nodded, slightly scooting over on the fabrics so he didn't have to sit on the sand. He planted himself next to her, gazing up at the sky.

"It's a clear night," he commented. Grace didn't say anything but instead tilted her neck to see the bright stars. She nodded again.

"Some books say that stars are souls that have passed on to the above," Grace spoke gently, her words like a soft cloud.

"You can read?" Silas asked. He cocked an eyebrow, obvious enough he had no clue how.

"I've mainly taught myself. I don't understand every word I see, but I can get the basic concepts," she replied. Silas smiled slightly.

"You are more than beautiful, I'll tell ya that," Silas said with a wide grin on his face. Grace scoffed, gently hitting in on the arm.

"Is that all you came over here for?" Grace inquired playfully.

"No. You looked lonely and I didn't want some other charming man to come over to ye," Silas responded, looking over at her.

"Pssh. I'm sure that's why," Grace stated and rolled her eyes.

The two continued to talk as the night went on, and sooner or later, everyone but them had fallen asleep under the stars. The distant snores of the men were easily heard. She was surprised nobody was around considering the island looked to be quite flourishing. Silas had fallen asleep next to her, which she took it upon herself to rest her head gently on his chest for warmth as the fire had gone out ages ago.

However long they were here for, she hoped it would be worth it.