Anne Boleyn (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
happyfalcon) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
randomosity2017-09-07 08:46 pm
happyfalcon) wrote in randomosity2017-09-07 08:46 pm
[For Charles Vane] Capture the Queen
True to her word, Anne had returned to Eleanor Guthrie's pub late the next morning after her..."discussion" with Charles. It had taken her some time upon waking that morning to recover the use of her legs. She didn't want to go wobbling into Eleanor's office, no. She would walk in tall and authoritative. Which was precisely what she did. Anne walked into the pub with two pirate guards from the Ranger in tow.
At first Eleanor had refused to see her, but Anne was not about to take "no" for an answer. She'd practically forced her way in, and made her case to Eleanor - making a political apology, which was hardy an apology at all. Anne pointed out precisely what she had stated to Charles the night before; essentially how Eleanor couldn't afford to lose the business brought in by the Ranger, and how the new lady of the crew had an eye for finer ships and treasures. Anne was an asset, and she was determined to prove it.
Reluctantly Eleanor had accepted Anne's not-apology, and things were smoothed over between the two women. Anne left the pub satisfied in her mission. The pirate guards followed after her, mildly impressed with her work. But then again, women were of course well-known for being cunning and manipulative; Boleyns even more so.
Anne was so pleased with herself that she didn't realize they were being stalked. Until it was too late. Someone sprang from the shadows and slit the throat of one of her guards, spraying deep red blood all over Anne. The other guard was grabbed, but he was larger and struggled against his attacker. But the distraction was all Ned Low needed to step up behind Anne and press his blade to her slender throat.
"There's a pretty bird. Don't try and fly away now, may have to clip those wings," his voice made Anne cringe, but she didn't struggle. One wrong move and her throat would be open faster than any sealed letter.
The pirate guard that had accompanied her broke free, but realizing there was no saving the lady without risking Ned slitting her throat - and being unwilling to deliver such news to his captain - he bolted. At the very least, he would get back to Vane and tell him what happened. Anne was Ned Low's prisoner, for now. Ned secured her wrists behind her back and dragged her back to the brothel in town, paying for a room before dragging Anne further, up the stairs and to the room he'd purchased. He was reluctant to take her back to the Fancy, lest her Captain take out his frustration on the ship in an effort to reclaim her.
At first Eleanor had refused to see her, but Anne was not about to take "no" for an answer. She'd practically forced her way in, and made her case to Eleanor - making a political apology, which was hardy an apology at all. Anne pointed out precisely what she had stated to Charles the night before; essentially how Eleanor couldn't afford to lose the business brought in by the Ranger, and how the new lady of the crew had an eye for finer ships and treasures. Anne was an asset, and she was determined to prove it.
Reluctantly Eleanor had accepted Anne's not-apology, and things were smoothed over between the two women. Anne left the pub satisfied in her mission. The pirate guards followed after her, mildly impressed with her work. But then again, women were of course well-known for being cunning and manipulative; Boleyns even more so.
Anne was so pleased with herself that she didn't realize they were being stalked. Until it was too late. Someone sprang from the shadows and slit the throat of one of her guards, spraying deep red blood all over Anne. The other guard was grabbed, but he was larger and struggled against his attacker. But the distraction was all Ned Low needed to step up behind Anne and press his blade to her slender throat.
"There's a pretty bird. Don't try and fly away now, may have to clip those wings," his voice made Anne cringe, but she didn't struggle. One wrong move and her throat would be open faster than any sealed letter.
The pirate guard that had accompanied her broke free, but realizing there was no saving the lady without risking Ned slitting her throat - and being unwilling to deliver such news to his captain - he bolted. At the very least, he would get back to Vane and tell him what happened. Anne was Ned Low's prisoner, for now. Ned secured her wrists behind her back and dragged her back to the brothel in town, paying for a room before dragging Anne further, up the stairs and to the room he'd purchased. He was reluctant to take her back to the Fancy, lest her Captain take out his frustration on the ship in an effort to reclaim her.
no subject
"I know it wasn't my fault...not my first time being kidnapped, you know," she managed a coy smile at that. Remembering how they met.
She kept the cloth pressed tight to her wound as Charles helped her up. Anne looked down at Ned with pure contempt. Still, she hesitated when Charles offered the pistol to her. Was she ready for that? She had arranged for people to be murdered; she had poisoned people before. But directly murdering someone? Not that it wasn't justified, Ned had kidnapped her, been rough with her, and hurt her.
Anne was not about to stand for that.
She took the pistol from Charles, leveled it at Ned, aiming directly for his face, and fired without hesitation. The spark and kickback from the shot was not what she expected, but Anne held tight to the pistol and handed it back to Charles as though the shot were nothing to her. She was an excellent actress if nothing else.
no subject
He stepped aside, keeping a hand on Anne's back to let her know that he was there, but letting the woman stand on her own. Charles watched as Anne considered the weapon he'd handed her, and read the thoughts her expression betrayed. But he knew the woman had steel in her spine, as much as anyone meant to live this life would have.
The report of the pistol echoed around the small room, but neither of them flinched as Ned Low's skull was cracked open like a rotten egg. Charles took the pistol back from Anne and secured it. "I'll owe Max a bit more for that, but... a fine job." He inched closer. "Home now?"
no subject
Then she had found herself kidnapped by some miserable cur. And now he was dead and bleeding out at their feet.
When Charles stepped up she almost didn't hear him. Then his voice registered. Anne looked up and nodded rapidly. "Home, please."
Her shoulder began to ache as her bleeding ebbed. Still, Anne was feeling a little weak, a little faint. But she was bound and determined to walk on her own two feet back home.
no subject
He was just behind the woman as they exited the room, ready to help her but keeping his hands to himself. The sound of fighting had stopped, and all of Low's men-- along with two of Charles'-- lay dead on the floor. The walk down the stairs was slow, but steady, and by the time they'd descended, Max was crossing the room, livid. Charles tossed the brothel owner another heavy sack of coin and without another word, they departed the establishment, Vane's crew carrying the bodies of their fallen shipmates.
Back on the Ranger, Charles left Anne for a while to be seen to by their medic (who was also the cook), while he ensured the Quartermaster made proper arrangements for the dead men. Anne was alone in his cabin when he returned.
no subject
When they made it back to the Ranger, Anne let the medic/cook look over her injuries. There wasn't much to be done besides bandaging it. But he fixed her up as best he could. When he finished, Anne settled into the cabin to try and relax. As Charles entered the cabin she glanced up to him.
"How many men did we lose?" She felt so guilty. Men had lost their lives rescuing her. "...dammit, I should have been paying closer attention. He never should have gotten the drop on me!"
She hated being in powerless positions. And that's precisely where Low had put her.
no subject
"Enough of that, you hear me? Ned's been wanting to find some leverage on me for months now, and you just happened to be a convenient way to do it. The men I sent with you have been in enough scrapes, they're the ones who were on the watch."
He dropped into his chair, eyes on Anne, intending for that to be the end of the conversation.
no subject
Silently she vowed to herself that she would not allow anyone else to get the drop on her like that again.
"I'm sorry to have put you to such trouble. But thank you for saving me," Anne smiled softly. "Not quite a knight in shining armor, but I found your take on it quite preferable."
As afraid as she had been, Anne had felt like a true damsel being rescued in such a manner. Her shoulder ached from the pain still, but she didn't intend to complain about it.
no subject
Charles could tell that the events had shaken Anne, not that he blamed her at all for that. But she was holding herself together admirably, and he expected that he knew Anne well enough by now to forgo dwelling on that, as well. No, the captain was sure he recognized that familiar resolve to strengthen herself, learn from it, and move on.
Just as he would have hoped.
Charles pulled her in close until Anne was sitting on his lap. "And when you're feeling healed up, we can discuss my reward, hmm? I'm certain we can come to a very agreeable arrangement."
no subject
Anne was only too happy to let him hold her, to let his arms wrap around her and hold her so protectively. She settled in his lap and leaned in against his chest. She chuckled at his mention of reward and drew her fingers up along his chest.
"Indeed. You deserve the greatest reward I can give, as you saved my life," Anne nuzzled against his jaw and looked into his eyes. "Perhaps in the morning I can begin."
It was starting to get dark, and Anne was not feeling up to providing such service now. But in time, and not long at that, Anne would show him just how grateful she was.
Her hand found his, lacing their fingers as she squeezed his hand. "Thank you..." She whispered softly before pressing her lips softly over his.
no subject
After a few moments, he carried Anne to the bed and laid her down, then followed her soon after. There was no telling what the next day would bring, and whether there might be hell to pay for his actions, but so long as Anne was safe and sound, Charles knew he could weather whatever storm approached.
[OOC: Seems like a nice place to wrap up?]