Snippet #2667204

Jacqueline moved quickly, packing spices in sealed jars and wrapping spare trousers and other garments around them to keep them from breaking. These she packed into an old leather bag that still smelled faintly of the sea. Her savings she split into two separate pouches. She didn't hesitate in grabbing her coat or her frying pan, both of which she shoved in her bag in case her plan was too late.

She rushed out into the main part of the inn. The place was thankfully deserted, though tables were overturned, and more than a few chairs were broken and missing legs. Jacqueline had worked hard to make this inn, and it hurt to throw that all away, but she had to pick her battles. She wouldn't stand a chance if she stayed, and Thuron couldn't lose Angelique to something so easily avoided.

“Where are we going, Auntie?” Angelique said, startling Jacqueline. The girl had packed only one bag, but it was definitely fuller than Jacqueline would have liked.

“We aren't going anywhere,” Thuron replied, turning to face her niece. “You are going to Mavis’s.” She handed Angelique one of the pouches. “Half of this is hers, the other yours. You should be safe there while I'm gone.”

“So you can go galavanting around without me?” Angelique took the money and crossed her arms. “Auntie, I love you, but there's no chance in hell I'll let you leave without me.”

“It's not safe, mon ange,” Jacqueline said quietly. “You know I don't feel comfortable with the thought of you on a ship again, much less a pirates’ vessel.”

“Is that what this is about?” Angelique’s lovely face distorted with anger. “You want to go play pirate again and leave me here to play like everything is okay?” she practically shouted.

“I want you to stay safe!” Jacqueline yelled back. “I can't guarantee your safety out at sea!”

“And you can't if I'm away, either!”

“Angelique, you know I wouldn't do this if it weren't the only option.”

“Then just take me with you! I'm old enough to hold my own, and I'm a far better shot than you,” Angelique argued.

“And there are far older and more experienced shots than you on those seas,” Jacqueline shot back.

“And I know you’re awful at fixing yourself up when you get hurt, and you won't let whatever doctor's on whatever ship you're on stitch you up,” Angelique said.

Jacqueline couldn't argue with that. “Angelique, please, just go stay with Mavis!” she pleaded. Oh, if any of her regulars could see her now, being bested by a girl thirty years her junior!

“Face it Auntie, it's better to have me with you than without me,” the girl said smugly.

Jacqueline sighed and rubbed at her temples. “Fine,” she conceded. “But we need to-” She was interrupted by some shouts around the building and a faint smell of smoke. She grabbed Angelique’s arm and dragged the girl out of the door.

The fire had spread to their side of the port. Flames licked the back of the Lighthouse and lit up the surrounding area as though it were midday. Men dashed around, some feeding the flames, others trying their best to smother them.

“There they are!” a man’s voice shouted somewhere in the distance.

“To the harbor!” Jacqueline hissed at Angelique, and the pair sprinted off towards what Thuron hoped would be their salvation: the Acheron, though she hated the mere idea of it.