True Justice

"This is therapy for me." Shay laughed, then took the ropes and started twisting them together. "I enjoy this, so give me as many ropes as you want. And of course I'll do a good job. I always do."

"I agree with you. From what I've seen, Elle doesn't like me. I don't mind if she stays away for a while. At least until I can finish doing her job and get back to mine." She nodded towards the broom.

"No, no siblings for me." Shay sighed. "My parents died when I was 10. I've been on my own ever since." She looked up at him. "What about you? You said you had sisters."

True Justice

Terence shook his head. "You won't be sweeping for a while, if I can help it. You need to rest for a good couple of days."

"Your story sounds like Elle's, only you're not as crazy as she is... We're not sure what happened to her parents, though. She's been a part of the Rowland family since she was 6." Terence nodded. "I had 5 siblings, 4 sisters and a brother. Walter is no longer with us, but my sisters are healthy and getting prettier every day. Millie, Cecily, Audrey and little Joanna. I'm sure they'd love to meet you, especially Millie. They'd enjoy your company much more than Elle's."

Terence began picking up handfuls of wood shaving's and placing them in the bucket, whistling.

True Justice

"I highly doubt that a sprained ankle warrants a couple day's rest. I've seen much worse." She shrugged. "Still, I appreciate it. Though I don't think I'll ever forgive you for carrying me to the chair."

"I'm not as crazy as Elle? Well, I take that as a compliment." She continued to braid. "I'm sorry about Walter. As for your sisters, I wouldn't mind meeting them either. If they're nicer than Elle, I'm all for it."

She watched curiously as Terence started to whistle and pick up the shavings. "Why don't you use the broom? It would be a lot more effective than using your hands."

True Justice

Terence looked at her and smirked. "I don't need your forgiveness. You're lighter than a feather. It was no trouble."

"They're much nicer than Elle. Though, Cecily is very much like me. She'll make a joke out of almost anything. Teasing is her most refined skill." Terence chuckled.

He nudged the broom with the toe of his boot and said, "I don't have tiny hands like yours. For me, the broom is just in the way and cumbersome. I can work much faster with just my hands. At least until I get a majority of it up..."

True Justice

"Next time, I can assure you, you'll have no need to carry me." Shay lifted her chin haughtily. "I plan to fix that board myself if you won't, and after that, I'll work hard and stay out of your way."

"Teasing seems to be your most refined skill as well. So I can see why your sister would be the same way." She sighed. "Although, I don't see why they would need to come to the shipyard so I probably won't meet your sisters any time soon."

Shay laughed. "You highly underestimate me, Mr. Rowland. These hands have more power in them than you realize."

"Why did you pick this profession? Carving ship wheels and building ships?"

True Justice

"Oh, I'll fix it, when I clear some of these shavings away." Terence said. "There's no need to worry your pretty little head about it..."

"I've had quite a lot of practice, with my sisters and their friends." He wiped his hands on his trousers. "Come to think of it, you might meet Millie and Cecily. Millie's courting one of the men who works here and she usually brings him and me a basket of lunch. Cecily comes for the sole purpose of teasing her older sister."

"Your hands?" Terence feigned a scoff. "I've heard funnier jokes, Miss O'Teale."

Terence stood and looked at her. "Well, my father did it, until he hurt his back. I sort of took over. I like building ships, even though I don't like the sea. Not to mention it pays well..."

True Justice

"I never intended for anything to happen to her!" Zachary said, suppressing any twinges of fear that tried to rise their heads. He had faced dangerous situations, even death before, this Anglean was hardly a threat....he thought. "And yes, in your eyes, I am a traitor. Though if you could see through the eyes of every innocent Anglean being terrorized by your twisted king, you would think differently!" he sucked in a breath and stepped back, staring at Adrian, his gaze unwavering.

~~~~~

Captain Seranoy snarled, and lunged forward, thrusting his right arm, which held the short sword, toward Jean. "I'll be rid of you, yet!" he cried.

True Justice

Shay scowled. "I do tend to worry my 'pretty little head' about things, especially if they're harmful to my health. I'll fix it."

Shay pursed her lips. "Well, I'm sure I should look forward to that. Meeting girls who are just like you." She paused. "That should be interesting."

"I'm glad I could amuse you." Shay gestured to the short sword hanging from her belt. "But I wasn't joking."

True Justice

Terence gave a laugh, deep and low. "I'd like to see you try to fix it. I think it would be extremely amusing."

He glanced at the sword, crossed his arms and said, "I wonder how fast you could hobble over here and actually put it to use..."

True Justice

"I can, and I will." Shay scooted forward onto the edge of her chair. "If only you'll show me where some nails and a hammer are."

At his further challenge, she leveled her gaze and sat forward even farther. "Do you want me to put it to use?"

True Justice

Terence stared at her, his expression blank. It wasn't long before he burst out laughing. "You're serious, aren't you?"

He shook his head, a grin on his face, and left the loft. "Lucas! Bring me a hammer and nails!" Terence shouted to one of the men below.

When he returned, he said, "Just braid the ropes. I'll take care of it." Terence grabbed the broom, still grinning, and swept the area clear of all wood shavings.

True Justice

Shay nodded. "I am. Extremely serious." She stood, hobbled to the top of the stairs, and intercepted Lucas. She thanked him as she took the hammer and nails before Terence could get to them. She then returned to the loose piece of board, crawling on all fours. Her blonde hair fell into her face as she crouched and started pounding nails into the wood.

"By the way..." She once again nodded to her sword as she pounded. "I'm up for sparring if you are." Her eyes sparkled. "Although we've already been doing plenty of that verbally."

True Justice

Terence shrugged in Lucas' direction as Shay worked on the floor. Lucas shrugged back and walked back down the stairs. Terence squatted down next to Shay and grabbed the hammer quickly, but careful enough not to get his fingers crushed. With a jerk, he pulled it from her hand. "Verbal sparring is what I do best. I rarely use my sword and I would never use it to practice with a woman. Not that I'm doubting your skill, but my own."

"I thank you for making me look lazy and uncaring in front of one my workers, but now it's time for you to return to your chair." His face was serious and concern was visible in his brown eyes. "If you hurt your ankle more than it is already, you will not be happy and neither will I. And you have yet to see me angry, Miss O'Teale."

He stood, offering his hand down to her. "Or would you rather I carry you again?"

True Justice

Jinna continued following Elle and nodded when she spoke of her home in the shipyard. "I can understand you wanting to stay where you've grown up your whole life." Jinna switched the basket onto her other arm and pushed a lock of hair out of her eyes. "After all, the Rowland's seem to be very nice people, too. It makes my heart glad to know that you have friends. I was very concerned for you." Jinna studied the girl for a moment, then frowned. "But something tells me that you are not nearly as happy as most girls your age are. Perhaps there is something that I can do for you still." Jinna smiled warmly and said sincerely "If there is anything I can ever do for you, please let me know."

True Justice

"You refuse my offer to duel?" Shay feigned surprise. "Maybe it's for the best anyway. I try not to injure my boss to any extent."

Shay straightened, and whooshed a wisp of hair out of her face rather comically. "I highly doubt that sitting on the floor pounding in a board is going to injure my ankle. Rather, I was hoping it would prevent further injuries. Like I said, I don't like to see my employer get hurt."

"And no, I was hoping not to repeat that incident. However, braiding rope is not my idea of 'work' and my ankle is really feeling quite better now. But, if you insist..."