Worldly Possessions

Chapter One: Gifting

I wiped my hands on the dingy apron tied at my waist. The Inn was packed, as a ship was docked this morning. The sailors had stormed the 'Cornerstone' Inn and had been consuming any and all alcohol we had in the cellar. The owners, a married couple Nickolas and his wife Tiana, were good to hire me on. Not many people would give a grungy homeless boy that kind of chance. They even gave me a little room all my own. I had my own bed and writing table, much more than I had ever had previously.

My parents had shunned me because of my unnatural hair and skin tone; both of them being tan skinned with dark hair and eyes, while I was as pale as a moonbeam with hair to match, and deep blue eyes. The orphanage they left me at barely kept me for a year before I was booted out and left to fend for myself. The life on the streets had given me a strength that not many have; I know I can survive anything, despite the circumstances. But it had left its mark. I was considered 'funny' and 'odd' by most of the patrons, and a good bit of the tiny coastal town in which I live. Early on into my life as a street urchin, I realized I preferred the company of men, to that of women; and while part of me enjoyed what I called a means to an end for survival, a much larger part wished for something better, something that wouldn't have me bent over barrels in the middle of the night with a stranger buried inside me as he took me from behind. That's when I met Tiana.

She saved me and gave me a home; something I hadn't had before. She gave me trust, and hope, and a family. She saved my life. I was happy to work at her and her husband's Inn. They fed me and clothed me, gave me a salary, and a place to call my own. She always had a smile for me; her dark skin seemed to glow in the sunlight of the late afternoon as she swiped a dishcloth over the polished countertop.

"How are you this morning, Jackson?" She asked, trademark smile gracing her exotic features.

"Just fine, ma'am." I returned her smile, balancing three pints of ale and two plates of a fish stew for a back table full of sea farers. As I weaved around tables and people, I heard her laugh quietly.

"How many times must I tell you? Please call me Tiana." She said it with good humor, but I could tell she truly meant it. She wanted to badly for me to give in to their want for familiarity. She and Nickolas had long since stopped trying for a child of their own, and seemed to have silently adopted me as their own. They both certainly acted like I was their son. Treating me with an equality reserved for family, and not like a lowly server. I had supper with them every night; accompanied Tiana, regularly, to the market. North would show me different things when the opportunities arose, and even taught me how to read, which was a luxury in this area. Sometimes I thought I had too good a life now; like I didn't deserve their love and acceptance.

I chuckled at her quiet exasperation and continued my waltz about the patrons and tables. Two of the ales went to a couple of gentlemen sitting quietly in the corner; so far this evening, they were my favorite. The two were polar opposites; one was tall, almost lanky, with deep black hair. He held an air of authority that was accented by his bright grey eyes; he was intimidating. Tall, dark, and scary's companion was a short, squat little man. His skin was a golden hue, a bit lighter and warmer than Tiana's own skin, and his eyes were a warm amber, like the whisky North liked to bring out on special occasions and his hair a deep yellow, like early dawn. Neither spoke, or at least they didn't when I looked over, but every so often the taller of the two would raise his glass and nod at me, signaling a refill. Like right now.

"Two pints, sirs?" I ask, setting the glasses down and picking up the empty ones.

"Thank you, young man." The tall one said, his accent foreign to me. His short friend nodded and smiled at me. "What is your name, boy?" He asked.

I paused, half turning back to him. "Ah, Jackson. My name is Jackson, sir."

The man looked me over, a small smirk played at his mouth, making me uneasy. It seemed like he was trying to deduce something. Seeming to find what he was looking for, he lowered his eyes and lifted his glass to me. "Well, it was a pleasure to meet you, Jackson. Thank you."

I glanced awkwardly around before clearing my throat and heading back to the bar to pick up another tray of pints to get them served. By now, the patrons were becoming rambunctious and drunkenly demanding more, no one was specific on what they wanted more of, but they were insistent. Tiana was bustling back and forth fetching pints, and calling out orders to North, who was out back tending to the fires and food. The two had a wonderful partnership, and I did fairly well at keeping up with them. Thankfully I was light on my feet and was able to dance around the room, balancing a tray of drinks on one hand and a tray of plates filled with food on the other.

As I set down a plate and pint I glanced, again, to the back corner. The two opposites were still here. The short man was making odd gestures with his hands and fingers while the taller man nodded along. He glanced out into the fray of the pub of the Inn, his eyes found mine and he smirked. It was like he knew I was unnerved as he said something to his companion who nodded in return. Part of me wanted to know what was said, as I knew it was something about me, but the last call bell was rung, and all but the most defaced drinkers began to hobble out.

As I cleaned and cleared tables, I noticed the two mysterious men had gone. It was for the best, I thought; something told me they weren't the sort I wanted to get mixed up with, regardless of my own sketchy past. I swept up under the tables and set the chairs to rights before locking the door, and restocking the fire, piling wood onto the flames to keep the chill away through the night. I helped Tiana wash up the dishes and flatware and then place them all in their designated areas. Her chatter always had a calming effect on me but tonight, after the strange meeting with those two earlier, I felt a bit off. She'd noticed, of course, she always seemed to know when something was wrong with me but she didn't press me.

We said our good night's and I head into my room. I couldn't even pretend to be sleepy. I was tired, very much so, but something felt off. I tossed and turned, sighed and groaned in frustration when nothing seemed to work. I watched the moon rise though the curtains and didn't even realize sleep had claimed me until a shrieking groan woke me.

North was stomping down the stairs, and I could hear Tiana in near hysterics demanding to know what was going on. The volume of commotion that was roaring outside drowned their words, but I managed to pick out a few choice curses from the man that had taken me in. I shot out of bed and quickly dressed before I flung my door open.

What I saw was pure chaos. Med had broken the door to the Inn. They had North and Tiana by the arms as the couple yelled and screamed for them to stop. The pub was in shambles; tables upturned and chairs were broken and pieces were on fire, windows were smashed… for a moment I couldn't breathe for shock at what lay in front of me. Absently I think I heard North call out my name, but it wasn't him that broke my trance- it was firm hand landing on my shoulder.

"Jackson, my boy. How good of you to join us." Said a familiar silken voice. The tall, dark headed man from earlier in the night stood next to me. He was grinning wide as if he was relishing all the destruction in front of us. "Marvelous, is it not? We've been prowling this town for a week now, looking for anything that would be worth taking. And wouldn't you know it," He chuckled, "last night we finally found something. Well… two somethings." His eyes were full of mirth; much like a child's when they're allowed to keep a stray.

I shrank away from him, glaring at him with all the force I could muster. "What do you think you're doing?! Stop this!" I screamed at him; my anger rose as he simply laughed. The masochist was about to say something but was stopped short by a loud entrance by a grungy looking man with torn, dirty clothes.

" 'e's on his way, Captain." He said, voice scratchy as he sneered at Tiana. I rushed to stand in front of her, ready to shield the only mother I had ever known. The tall man, the Captain, clapped his hands together once.

"Splendid!" He said, then turned to me. "He's going to love you, Jackson. But I must warn you, he can be strict, but you will never want for anything so long as you obey him."

From behind me North became furious. "You leave him alone! You will not touch him, you scum!" He yelled.

"Oh, I won't be the one touching him, my good sir. That pleasure is reserved for my dearest friend, and right hand man." He gestured toward the door as a tall, tan skinned, dark haired man walked in. His arms were bare up to the shoulders and were covered in swirling black tattoos, his face was hard and his mouth was set in a hard line, but his eyes burned. The green of those eyes blazed and I felt weak in the knees. This man demanded respect, in an almost animalistic way. His Captain looked to North with a smug grin. "And here he is, the man of the hour. So good of you to join us, my friend."

"Heard ya needed some help. Might ya be loosin' yer touch, mate?" He smirked as the Captain laughed, and crossed his tattooed arms across his chest. I beat down the thoughts that threatened to run across my mind.

"Not at all. I trust you and your group managed to get the gold?" He asked, and the man nodded. "Splendid. Now, this young man here." The Captain briskly walked over to stand behind me, he grasped my shoulders and roughly shoved me into the chest of the man I had been trying not to admire. He caught me easily enough, my slightness no match for his strength. He glanced down at me then back up.

"What's this then?" He questioned.

"This is a gift, from me to you. For years of loyal service and friendship. Do you like him?"

My head spun. I was being given as a gift? I wasn't a gift. I was a person, I had my own life, people who cared about me now! I couldn't lose them. I gulped in a breath and began to struggle.

"No! Let me go, I won't be given away! Unhand me!" I thrashed and pulled and jerked, but this man… he held onto me like I was nothing, like a sheet in the wind. From behind me I hear Tiana, she's screaming at the intruders.

"You let him alone! Let him go! You pirates- you cowards, the lot of you!" Her face is flushed in anger and tears slip from her eyes and down her cheeks.

The Captain comes up to her, smiling as he cups her cheek. North jerks forward and opens his mouth to snarl something filthy at him, but a cloth is deftly shoved into his mouth, muffling any curses he wished to voice. The Captain's hand looks gentle on Tiana's face as he smiles down at her. He leans forward, and to me it looks like he's about to kiss her. Anger rushes through me, and my captor's grip is just lax enough for me to tear away. I rush at the tall and dark man I'd served just hours before, crashing into his side and sending us both sprawling across the floor. I scramble back onto my knees and grab a fistful of the dark, expensive cloth of his blouse in one hand and ball my other and raise it. I had never wanted to hit someone as much as I did this man. How dare he come into this place? North and Tiana's home, my home, and act like they were kings among peasants? These spineless bastar-!

"That's enough, pet!" The man that had held me hissed. He gripped my raised wrist and squeezed, while his other hand came around my throat and yanked me to my feet. I choked and then grunted as I was shoved into a wall. The wood was warm against my cheek, and the hard body that pressed against me seemed to fume with anger. I felt lips at my ear and froze. How many times had I been in this situation? More than I care to remember, I guess. The body was new, and quite attractive if I was being honest, but this predicament? I've been here too many times to count.

"You listen here, ya little shite. Yer spunk was endearing a first, but I will not stand fer ya doin' this to mah mate and Cap'tain. You pull stunts like this, and you'll be punished. Ya understan'?" He snarled into my ear making me whimper. The promise in his voice chilled my heart. Distantly I heard Tiana demanding I be released, and North was grunting and growling around his gag. By this time the Captain had righted himself and was dusting himself off. He shot a liquid silver glare at me before turning and ripping Tiana away from the man that held her. I could see his fingers digging into her arms, as she tried to steel her face, no doubt to reassure me. The Captain spoke in a deathly quiet voice.

"Now, Jackson. It is not mannerly to bully around your new hosts." He spoke, and took a deep breath through his nose and let it slip out through his mouth slowly. "You manners need some readjustment." His silver eyes snapped up and met the fiery green of the man that held me. "Aster."

"Yes, mate?"

"I think I'll break in your new gift. And I want these two-" He growled as he threw Tiana to the ground and motioned for the men who held North to do the same, the older man landed with a grunt. " to watch." Long fingers gripped my hair as the Captain wrenched me from his second mate and shoved me to my knees. I felt someone come up behind e and firml grasp my wrists, pinning them against my lower back. The Captain gingerly stepped in front of me and grasped a handful of my white hair, yanking my head up. "It is time to teach this boy his place."