Jade followed along to the kitchen and was surprised by the mayhem. Pots were over turned and loaves of bread were scattered around the floor. A cat picked its way through the fish that was on a platter. Beatrice was yelling, several of the serving girls were crying and a young teen aged boy was staring with large eyes and a face that was devoid of blood.<br/><br/>She was surprised to hear the pirate be so matter of fact. There was none of the posturing that she expected. No ‘walk the plank’ or ‘off with his head”, but rather an in charge voice that sought to get to the bottom of the matter.<br/><br/>Jade stood behind El Senor, her hands behind her back, watching. Old Iron Face glared at her as if daring her to make a remark that might further undermine her position among the slaves.<br/><br/>“I turned my back and when I turned back, the bread was on the floor and HE had a loaf tucked into his shirt and was sneaking out the door.” She said, using her wooden spoon to point at the boy.<br/><br/>“I picked this one up after the cat knocked the loaves from the table. Yes, I was carrying it out…” he said until he was interrupted.<br/><br/>“See, El Senor. He admits it. Now, cut off his hand.” Beatrice said in triumph.<br/><br/>The one called, Lily, threw her apron over her face and wailed.<br/><br/>“Sir, Master,” Jade whispered in his ear after gently tapping him on the arm. “The boy was not finished speaking. “ She was discreet and didn’t put the pirate on the spot, nor did she try to make old Iron Face look bad in front of the others.<br/><br/>The boy stammered,<br/><br/>“It was just that the cat had taken a piss on the table leg and it had puddled on the floor. This loaf had fallen into the piss. I was throwing it to the pigs, sir. I was looking out for your interests, sir.”