A Pirate's Life is a Wonderful Life (closed)

[atenai]

Rachel paced the deck rail, trying to avoid any of the sailors actively working as she walked. They didn't need a worried young woman interfering with their work any more than any of the other troubles they'd encountered. The storm had set them back a few days and the first mate had been irritable ever since. She didn't know much about sailing, but people she tended to read quite well, and the mate must've been hoping for something at a farther stop of the merchant ship, some port along the coast... something that he had either missed the window for, or that he wouldn't have time for now. A woman, most likely, from crew gossip.

Catching the eye of the mate from the quarterdeck, she chose to return to her cabin instead of making things any more troublesome. The merchant ship captain was trusted by her father, so when he'd sold her into marriage to save his failing estate, it didn't come as much of a shock that he intended to just let her go sailing off, not even accompany her. The twenty-one-year-old young woman was safe enough in the care of the armed merchant ship, or if not, she certainly wouldn't have been any safer traveling any other way her father could afford.

Belowdecks, the cabin she had been given was small, but there was a small porthole window that let the sunshine in, so she considered herself lucky. Her chest of clothing stood under the bunk that hung from the wall, leaving room for the similar hanging table and the chair next to it. She took the book from the table and opened it to her bookmark, but sank onto the thin mattress instead of looking at the page. She was only two days from her new home, if there were no further delays, and what had she to look forward to there but an uptight nobleman who expected his wife to be seen and not heard? This voyage didn't permit her much freedom, but it was the last taste of that she'd likely get for awhile.

 

[thepoeticmaster2121]

“Ship coming about captain”

Angel nodded at his first mate Mr. Clean (so aptly named because of his impeccable hygiene) and walked over to the wheel. His rum went back into his coat pocket and he gripped the wheel shouting at his crew and waking them ftom their relaxed positions on the ship. The ghost hummed underneath him gliding across the waves as easily as if they were butter as they moved out of the small cove they had been waiting in.

Alex “Angel” Tiberius hollered at his crew forcing them to get into position as he glided out of the shallow water and towards the ship coming towards them slowly. His crew had been waiting in the cove for a few days know once they had heard tales of a merchant ship carrying a valuable treasure. Such rumors some times weren’t true, but Angel hadn’t found any thing more concrete in the tavern and he had decided to wait and see. The ghost and her crew were having some what of a slow season especially since Brittan and Spain had decided to play ball with each other again and “unite” under the pirate threat.

The nations vying for control in the Caribbean sea were always doing this, forming alliances when one side was tired of fighting with the other. They would last for a few months, maybe even a year or two and then they would be back at it fighting each other and employing the pirates they had hunted to supplement their own forces.

“She looks well armed captain” Mr. Clean said frowning and stroking his clean shaven face “we will have to strike swiftly”

“Aye” Angel said studying the ship “It seems like they hit that storm we saw on the horizons hopefully it will have done some damage to her load up the chain shot and lets take out her mast”

His crew sprung into action following his orders with the discipline he had expected out of them. Angel was well known across the sea as one of the fiercest men to ever sail, he didn’t know if he was the fiercest but he was the smartest. He kept his crew disciplined enough for them to work excellent in battle and made sure they still seemed like they were getting the “pirates” life. He also knew how well a rumor could be used to some one’s advantage and he made sure every one knew how “menacing” and “crazy” he was.

His physique and body helped him sell the image, he was a tall man towering at 6 feet and rippling with muscles form being on a ship all his life, he had a deep tan that one could only get from being in the Caribbean and strong handsome features. He had no hair and his face was clearly defined with a strong chin hidden under some rough stubble, his most striking features were his eyes however, they were electric green and sparkled with intensity and darkened with his emotions.

They were on the ship soon and the battle was blissfully short, the ship was well armed but Angel’s men were better trained. They made short work of the sails and before the merchant ship could retaliate with their impressive guns, the pirates were already leaping over the sides engaging the crew in hand-to-hand combat and swordplay. They defeated the crew before Angel could even get to the merchant ship and by the time he was on board they were all lining up on the side of the railing with their hands behind their back.

Angel jumped across the deck rolling to a stop and rising and letting him impressive height work for him, he was wearing a strange outfit some thing he had designed for himself to further enhance his infamacy in the Caribbean sea. He had on simple brown boots and long black trousers, he had on a white under shirt that you could barely see over the bandoliers filled with pistols. He had a long red sash like belt on which held his two cutlasses as they scraped across the desk slightly. He had on a red and black jacket that flared out at the bottom billowing around him as he walked across the deck and to the captain. His jacket had a hood on it that kept his features hidden for the most part except for his bright eyes and his mouth.

“Hello there gents” Angel said smiling at the captured merchants and pulling out his pistol “I am afraid I’ll be taking the ship now” He said smiling at them all.

Of course they protested at that but the ones who didn’t were sparred the fate of a watery grave. His crew disposed of the bodies and then began to work stripping down the ship for all it was worth. Some pirates just took the treasure and left but Angel knew he could get good money for the guns and the other parts of the ship. The ghost would move slowly back to Spain but it would move with a belly full of treasure that Angel could turn for profit.

He went below deck while his crew worked kicking open the doors and looking for any thing valuable. He got to the last door at the end of the hall and kicked it in before walking in and looking around.

 

[atenai]

Rachel didn't hear the cannon blast, she was too deeply engrossed in worrying about her life to come, and they'd just passed a storm, so rumbling or thunder wasn't going to disturb her too much just then. The loud crack as the mast snapped, however, that she heard. Her book fell to the floor as she leapt to her feet, running to her tiny window to peer outside.

All the lead in her stomach turned to butterflies when she realized there was another ship. It was too close to see the Jolly Roger at the top, but she could make an educated guess. She spun, looking frantically around her room. There was nowhere to hide. There was no way to defend herself, and even if she could hide, for all she knew they'd scuttle the ship when they were finished. So it wasn't safe to hide. Thudding above her head suggested there was fighting going on, and Rachel didn't know what she ought to do. She sank onto her bunk again, staring at the ceiling. If she went on deck she'd be in the way, could even get herself killed that way. A tiny voice in the back of her head pointed out that dying instantly was better than getting sold into slavery, but she squashed it. She'd never been one to give up before.

The young woman sat, hands folded, and she didn't have to wait long. The noise from on deck slowed, stopped, and then things were quiet. Whichever side had won, they were done. It was going to take her a few moments to convince herself to go on deck and find out if she was safe or not, but before she could do more than martial an argument to make herself move, heavy footsteps came closer. Her door was kicked roughly open.

Rachel jumped to her feet, hands flying up in unconscious defense or well-bred surprise, swallowing a cry of shock. Given the red and black, the unconventional hooded coat, and the fact that she'd never seen this man before, she could draw the logical conclusion that her father's merchant friend hadn't won the battle. "Who are you?" she demanded, trying to maintain some dignity. Given that this was a merchant vessel, he probably didn't expect passengers and might be as surprised as she... but she didn't think of that until well after she'd spoken, rudely holding his gaze, but she didn't have it in her to look away.

 

[thepoeticmaster2121]

Angel paused looking at the women in front of him and frowning, he had heard talk in the taverns about the value this particular ship was carrying but no one had said that cargo was a woman. Of course pirate rumors should always be taken with a grain of salt but Angel hadn’t been expecting this at all. She was a beautiful one too much more beautiful than the wenches that populated the taverns and docks he frequented. She had the looks of a noble woman and her clothes only further confirmed his suspicions, a governor’s daughter perhaps? If so she would fetch a decent price ransomed to her father or husband if she had one.

“Hello dear lady” Angel said putting on his most devilish grin and pulling off his hood to give a short bow “my name is Angel I have come into possession of this ship and was not expecting to find such a beautiful girl I take it you our the valuable cargo that the ship is carrying?” he asked leaning against the door frame and casually resting his hand on the butt of his gun a subtle reminder of how dangerous he was.

“I wouldn’t try and tell me other wise” Angel remarked cocking his head and starring at her “I know enough about this ship to know some thing valuable is on it and I can tell by both your looks and your outfit that you aren’t some girl brought on board to please the captain I would be very honest we pirates tend to not like being lied to”

 

[atenai]

Rachel looked shocked up until he decided to tell her not to lie. What did he think she was? She might've taken his appearance with more dignity if he hadn't said such things. As it stands, her demeanor is polite, but cold. "I'll thank you not to insult my honor, sir. I am not the 'cargo', as you so kindly put it, only a passenger. The captain is a business acquaintance of my father's. His 'cargo' is below-decks, as with most ships, I'm told."

She folded her hands neatly in front of herself, a gesture to show both that she carried nothing and that she was going to remain a dignified lady regardless. "I am Rachel Masterson, daughter of William Masterson, merchant, now captive of pirates, apparently. Do be good enough to convey me to my quarters, if these are no longer they. No doubt you can get a message to my father easily enough." The fact she was engaged could wait until she had a better idea of who this man was. As there was no outward sign of her betrothal, he wouldn't learn of it without her... at least until word reached her father.

 

[thepoeticmaster2121]

“I am afraid your wrong miss” Angel said the attitude in her voice only making him smile in amusement “you see Cargo would be any thing of value that is being transported across these waters and based on what you just told me you fill both of those requirements which does indeed make you valuable cargo” Angel explained.

“So here is how this is going to go down lass” Angel explained pulling out a piece of rope large enough to bind her hands “first off you are going to let me tie your hands up and if not I’ll do it any way then I am going to walk you out of here and across the deck to my ship my crew will jeer at you but you will go into my cabin and they will not bother you when we get to our next port I will send a message to your father and we can ransom you back to his safety until then however you will be a part of my crew which means you will be in charge of taking care of my quarters”

“If you want to fight then you will spend your journey in the hold of my ship until you our ransomed off so what will it be lass?