Pirate Queens

[Honey_B]

The sound of the door being locked still echoed through our quarters. There was not one among us who made a sound. Quiet as mice we were, squirreled away in this rat hole. I looked from face to face. Each was whiter than the next, except for those already gone green. Even I was not immune from the steely grip of fear that clenched my stomach. Being locked up with more than a dozen souls made it seem as if the walls were coming in around me. I calmed myself with the thought that I had endured far worse and we would be given the run of the ship once we were out of site of land. Better for our nerves and better for our plans.

Jasmine and I had already claimed our section of floor. My temper had seen that it was more than most got. I leaned back against the hold, closing my eyes to meer slits. Now, I wonder who will be strong enough to challenge me. I wanted to test the mettle of these women early. If I had my way, they would be given they same choice as the men above. Join us or die.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

There is an OOC for this thread. Please refer to it if you are interested in joining.

OOC: Pirate Queens

 

[SilverBullet]

Tyler wiped off a brown puddle of chunks from his arm. At least it smelled brown. He couldn't see it. Isn't that what most disgusting things take the color of? Sometimes green or maybe yellow, but usually brown.

He could tell from creaking noises that the ship was now on it's journey. Land was probably still visible. Of course, he couldn't see anything in here. He just knew he was in a wooden crate filled with the brown stuff. The wonderful smelling brown chunks.

"And I'm going to make them my best friend until I know for sure that we are completely in the middle of the ocean. Although they won't be too happy to see me here on this ship, that's better odds than the whole town not wanting me around. I don't know why people get so uptight about a friendly little poker game..."

Tyler continued to ramble on. Just his way of passing the time. He wasn't going to stay in that box forever.

 

[afternooner]

Riley

Watching England disappear into the ocean behind him I spat into the water.

"Good riddance" I muttered under my breath glad finally to be underway and heading out of the channel into the open sea. The smell of salt water and the sun setting in the west, sending an array of collors across and above the horizon invigorated me.

"Red sky at night sailors delight". I added with a grin, that means fair weather tommorrow. I looked up at the sails billowing in the wind as the ship cut swiftly through the water. My mind was at ease and my spirits lifted once more. It would be a bugger of a trip aboard this hell ship but I had stood fast in many a hard place as this was and with my sights set on Australia and freedom I would stand up to this test also.

I was content to take the night watch as I wanted to keep this exodus fresh in my mind. soon it was dusk and I watched the stars come out one by one. I searched the sky for the north star and sighed as I saw it behind them. We would steer by this star and let it guide us south and then back east as they rounded the cape of good hope. It would be a long voyage to be sure but I was content to watch the ocean, set the sails when needed and find time to read some from the books I had brought aboard.

 

[caspai]

Jasmine Raines

Each sound was new and strange. Each smell. The dark, tiny room they had all been baracaded in was oppressive. Unknown bodies pressed against each other, what little clothing we had was not much better than rags, and filthy ones at that. It was only the warm, solid, secure feeling of Morgan next to her that kept her from jumping out of her skin at each creak of the wood under them.

Exhausted, Jasmine closed her eyes and leaned her head against the wall, failing in her attempt to ignore the sound of the scurry and squeek of the rats she knew were just beyond her vision. At the thought of it, her toes curled and she pulled her legs closer to her chest. With a longing, ever-present wish that she could just have a nice warm bath, or even just a wet rag to wash her face and hands with, Jasmine thought fleetingly of how she had come to this end.

It still amazed her how things could turn so badly so quickly. In one short season she had gone from being the pampered and protected only child of a poor but honest man to having her innocense ripped from her brutally by the man employing her father, and now she was on her way to a new land, a prisoner thought no better than a common whore....

As these thoughts flitted through her head, a tear slipped from her eye, mixing with the dirt, sweat, and blood that now covered her face.

 

[catlover]

Captain Frank

We cleared land in fair weather, and made our way into the open sea. It felt good to have the waves under feet and smell the salt air again, as I'd been ashore too long awaiting our next voyage.

It was a long time coming, and I didnt like the assignment of carrying prisoners to Australia, but the ship and I needed the work. Only a few of my trusted crew were left to me. The others had gone on to other ships or just left the sea, and I needed to work with the new men to get to know them and their abilities. They were a motley crew, but with my trusted lieutenant I thought we could make it work.

The hard part during the long voyage would be to periodically exercise and feed the prisoners. As they were brought aboard I watched a particularly noticeable tall redheaded woman, who exuded the air of leadership and confidence.

As soon as we were out of sight of land, I ordered her brought to my cabin for a personal interview. I had no intention of leaving her confined to the prisoner's cage this entire trip

 

[Honey_B]

Morgan Fletcher

Morgan waited and nobody approached. She felt her heart soften a little as she saw tears starting to trinkle down dirty cheeks. Even Jasmine was not immune. Morgan reached out her hand and with a tender touch, wiped the tear from Jasmine's soft cheek. Society had beaten these women down.

She closed her eyes and worked over what she was going to say. Morgan noticed the faint odor of spice, probably from the ships return cargos. She didn't know it yet, but she couldn't have been place on a better ship for her plans. Originally a French corvette, The Lark was the favorite ship of the East Indian Trading Company. While larger, slower ships lost their vast cargos to plunder, The Lark always brought back her spices and teas untouched. She was sleek and fast, able to slip around the Cape before nasty weather got a chance to ruffle her petticoats. She retained her original compliment of eight-pounders, giving The Lark a nasty bite when push came to shove.

Morgan stood up in a swift motion, nearly bumping her head on the low ceiling. She let out a piercing whistle and all eyes turned to her.

"Listen to me, my fellow prisoners, and listen to me well. British society has turned its back on you, cast you away like refuse. You are all bound for a life of servitude, hard labor in a barren wasteland. Until you reach your new home, you will be at the mercy of the motley crew. I tell you now that you have an alternative. We can take this ship. Not by force as men would do, but by cunning and seduction. I propose we seduce some of the crew to our side and then incite a mutiny. All it takes is intelligence and nerve. Hear me! I have spent six years bound to a pirate, learning from him even as I served. We have all of the skills we need to become rulers of our own fate, pirate queens of the seven seas. I care not what brought you here, only that you are willing to seize your destiny. Join me. Join us."

I reached for Jasmine's hand and pulled her up next to me, smiling for the first time.

 

[catlover]

Captain Frank

I turnhed over thre helm to one of my trusted men, and repaired to my cabin. Having just been ashore everything was fresh anjd clean, including me. That was never the case after a long time at sea, with no modern convenieces yet to be invented. Ths only fresh water aboard came from shore, stored in kegs, and it soon became quite unclean- undrinkable, and barely suitable for even the skimpiest of bathing

I sat in my captain's chair, looking over the charts, and estimating the time for or first port call, in the Azores for provisions and water.

A knock on my door and a voice announcing that the prisoner was here as ordered. Opening the door I looked at a defiant but lovely face, on a tall lady held from behind by my crew member. I told him to release her and take his hands off her tits

He would get his chances with the women later, but I wanted to talk to her privately, and ordered him back topside

I seated her and she told me her name was Morgan, which I already knew from reading the manifests. I asked her why she was being included in the group being sent to Australia and told her she didnt seem like the type to be in such a position

 

[SilverBullet]

As the female prisoners devise some kind of plan for themselves, Tyler is busy trying to find his own way of escape.

"I must be in the food stores, although I would hate to see who eats this food. I heard that this ship is carrying a bunch of prisoners. This is probably what they are served. Anyway, I have to get out of here. I'm going to smell like rotted meat permanently if I don't."

Tyler felt around at the boards holding the crate together. They weren't as strong as he thought.

"I guess they don't feel the need to keep a tight security on the prisoner's food. I'm sure it's something that doesn't get stolen very often. Oh well, let's see what happens."

Tyler leaned back as far as he could inside the small container. He squeezed his knees up against his chest and kicked them forward. He used just enough force as to what he thought would collapse the wooden wall. It did. The board snapped along with the connecting pieces. He didn't plan on making so much noise. Tyler waited to see if he could hear anyone moving.

 

[Dj_Maximus]

Silk

Silk was never the one to run and hide, but after his latest encounter with the law, he decided it was high time to leave.

He was not a tall man, some might even call him short, but at 5'2", in his profession, his size couldn't have served him better. He always wore a large black hooded cape, almost too big for him, but perfect for disguise and going unnoticed.

His blondish hair, tied securely in a ponytail was always tucked beneath the hood of his garment. He could travel through the crowds, and no one would even blink an eye, until you caught a glimpse of his eyes.

He had the softess of blue eyes, the ones you could last a lifetime looking into, and people say that this is why his female victims are so easily swayed away from their wares.

His hands were well taken care, never a hard work had befallen on them, and he carefully manicured his own nails with one of the three daggers his carried in his belt.

A thief by trade, a conman by birth, Silk used the darkness to conceal himself in the shadows, and prey on the wealthy men and women of England. He was once known as the Polite Thief .

He never used any violence, and always said please and thank you. This seemed strange to his victims, leaving them standing with their mouths agape.

The law had almost captured him last night, and he barely had escaped his fate when one of his past female victims felt a sudden pang of pity and sympathy for him, and distracting the officers long enough for him to make his escape.

He had heard of a ship heading to Australia. What was it's name...ah yes, The Lark.

He found his way along the pier, concealed in the darkness, and boarded the vessel as no one was looking.

The shipment of food wares was already on board, so he decided to steal himself away in the hold. No one would be checking there, at least not until they would be at sea.

Silk was never fond of water, but a trip to a new land, and new victims was something he could barely resist.

So now he found himself in the belly of the vessel, pressed firmly against some wooden box, contemplating his next move. Meeting the captain and hoping not to get thrown overboard.

He was almost asleep, and he could hear mumbling. Where was it coming from? It almost seemed like it came from inside the crate itself. Then just as suddenly, one side of the crate came to a crashing explosion of wood and splinters.

Silk jumped to his feet, grabbed two daggers and prepared to meet head on, whomever or whatever was inside the crate.

 

[Honey_B]

Morgan Fletcher

Before Morgan could receive a reply from the women, she was summoned to the captain's quarters. To the crewman who tried to haul her out of the hold, Morgan spat, "Wait a minute, you scurvy piece of dung! I would like a moment to freshen up before I meet our esteemed captain." The sailor dropped her arm and stepped just outside, acting more out of surprise than anything. Prisoners didn't usually speak so forcefully.

"Drat the timing!" she whispered to Jasmine as she hurridly braided her long red hair. Morgan had wanted to solidify support from the prisoners and begin planning their scheme. There would be no time for that now. "Jasmine, I need you to keep them calm. Answer their questions. Give them hope." Morgan looked deep into those beautiful blue eyes. "Jasmine, you can do this." She kissed her friend softly on the lips before turning to the door.

The crewman had recovered himself and he yanked her roughly out of the hold. Morgan barely paid attention to him as she was escorted to the captain's quarters, refusing to notice how he groped her. She was too busy preparing herself for this crucial encounter. It was a piece of bad luck that she was decked out in a shapeless frock, a grayish-brown cast-off that did nothing for her figure. Too bad she didn't still have the clothes she had been captured in. Lord had loved how her curves were revealed in britches and one of his white linen shirts.

Ah, the captain....

She was seated and Morgan began to answer his introductory questions, keeping her answers as brief as possible. A trick she had learned well - Saying little allows one to observe more. She needed to find the best tack to take with this man. Find his weaknesses without letting him know she was looking. When he asked how she had come to be a prisoner, Morgan considered her answer carefully. She decided on something approaching the truth, but gave nothing away.

"I was the whore of Justin Lord for five years until I was captured with him near Bridgetown. He went to the gallows, I went to Newgate. The King, in his infinate wisdom, has seen fit to send me to the prison known as Australia."

Her lips curved into a smile worthy of the finest court coquette.

"I must be honest, Captain, I don't relish a life of hard labor."

 

[caspai]

Feeling Morgan wipe the tear from her cheek, Jasmine smiled weakly. Morgan was the very best friend she had ever had. Were it not for Morgan, Jasmine knew she would not have survived the past two months. It had been Morgan who had protected her, Morgan who had taught her that she had to fight for every ounce and inch that she got. Jasmine still didn't understand why she had done this, but knew in her heart that she would follow Morgan to the gates of hell itself, and wouldn't need to be asked to do it.

Just as those thoughts went through Jasmine's head, she felt Morgan stand up. Listening to her words, she saw the affect that these words had on the women around her, felt the stir that they caused. She could feel the life start to stir in some of these women. Not all of them, true, but a lot of them. Maybe enough of them. Suddenly, Morgan pulled Jasmine up next to her, and she was standing in what seemed to her a sea of faces looking directly at the two of them.

Just as she senses that Morgan is about to start speaking again, she is pulled from the room, taken to meet the captain. Jasmine could feel the heart in her chest jump, fear flowing through her veins. How could she possibly deal with this without Morgan next to her? Then she heard Morgans quickly whispered words to her, and she knew that if Morgan believed she could do it, then she would do it, come what may.

Searching for the right words, Jasmine hopes that she has found them, and plunges in.

What Morgan plans is dangerous, but what do we have to lose? What are they going to do to us? Make us prisoners? Put us as slaves on a ship bound for lands unknown? Rape us? Who among us hasn't already had that happen? If they kill us, it will only be giving us a reprieve. Think now of what we have to gain. We could, just maybe, get to make decisions for ourselves, decisions ABOUT ourselves for the first time. I think it is time to seize control of our lives, of our destinys.

 

[catlover]

Captain Frank

"A life at hard labor isnt what I have in mind either"

Beneath her grubby clothes and appearance was a woman of rare quality. She spoke well, revealing her background and breeding. Despite her recent experience, here was an extraordinary woman.

I told her that our first stop woud be in the Azores Islands, near Gibraltar. She indicated that she had been there several times and was familar with their indifference to such little items as questioning where people had come from and what they were doing there.

I suggested that on arrival our first order of business would be to find her suitable clothes, and apologized for her discomfort. I offerred her a private cabin, there being a vacant one next to mine we used for storage. There would be room for two, if there were a special woman companion she wished to join her. I told her there was no reason for her to be confined in awful quarters.

I was appalled at the way she was dressed. With my 6'4" frame I had no clothes of my own to offer her, but suggested we could find her something more suitable for her to wear. I needed her cooperation to insure tranquility among the female passengers, and wanted her to at least appear in a position of some authority and leadership

 

[faith]

Cassandra

From the depths of the deepest shadows, i watch the newest women. Scratching as the vermin eat away at my body and soul, i want to tear these women apart. Rip their lying tongues from their mouths. How dare they offer any kind of fucking ….~closing my eyes~

“….hope you had a lovely visit with your guardian Cassandra. You know he only has your best interests at heart… you really must listen to him…. He is only concerned with your welfare… your attitude is most destressin….”

As i watch the miles fly by out the window of the carriage, i thought the incessant rambling would drive me mad. My ‘loving guardian’ was only worried about one thing… how deep he could get his greedy hands into my fortune… the Wentworth Fortune…. With the death of my parents the money would come to me in just over four years…and that was over three years ago….i remember thinking four years could be a life time…

“HALT!”… one word… four little letters was all the welcome i got into hell…

Opening my eyes, i look to where the one left behind stands… such a silly child… there is no escape from hell….

 

[SilverBullet]

Tyler sat on his knees, preparing for anything that he might have roused. He didn't have to wait for long as a figure jumped up from what appeared to be right next to him.

"What the ..." Tyler started to yell but then became quiet.

He could see that the man was armed but could only see his outline because of the darkness. He was not going to take any chances. His first instinct was to think that he had already been found. He knew that the captain would not be happy about that. What terrible, terrible luck. Tyler grabbed a piece from one of the boards that he had broken in half. The hideaway stood, armed with only a rotting piece of wood. He awaited the shadows next move.

 

[Dj_Maximus]

Silk:

"Whoa big guy!"

Silk could see the form of a hulking man in front of him. He winced his nose at the stench that came from the broken crate.

"Always hide in fish boxes?"

Silk didn't let his guard down, still clutching the daggers in his hands. He was smaller than the man in front of him, but Silk was a weasel when it came to fighting. There were no corners he couldn't get out of.

He looked at the stranger, trying to get a better look at him. His eyes adjusted and barely made out his soiled tunic...obviously from the rotten fish.

 

[afternooner]

Riley

Making his rounds checking for loose lines and torn sails Riley heard a sound coming from one of the storage holds and went to investigate. Qpening the hatch he saw two men facing each other and the splintered remains of a crate.

"Hold on there mates. no sense spilling blood now"

He can see they're stowaways but thats no skin off his nose and his concern is that this ship gets where it's going without a lot of scalawags interupting it's voyage. bigger than both of them He take each by the scruff of the neck and separates them.

Now, the captain might not apprecaite you taking free passage on his ship but me, I think that you could be of some purpose. To the little one he said." what be your name mate? what I need from
you is to sneak up to the captians cabin and spy on him ,he's no friend of mine.

"I think somethings happening that we should all know about, forewarned is forearmed and you look like the man to do it. I offer my big hand. "Names Riley by the way."

He turns his attention to the other one "I can sense ye may be a gambling man".

"In the next hold over the women prisioners are being held get as close as you an without being seen and find out more about them if they see you,well I think you'll figure out how to handle yourself. He offers his hand to him."My names Riley what be yours."

 

[Honey_B]

Morgan Fletcher

"Thank you for the kindness. A spare change of clothes from any of the sailors would do me just fine. The freedom of britches suits me. Speaking of freedom, I could not take a fine cabin while my fellow prisoners wallow in the hold of this ship. Could they not have the freedom to walk the decks? Certainly during the hours of daylight?"

Morgan looked into his eyes as she placed her hand gently on the captain's shoulder in her entreaty. She felt hard muscle under the fine cloth of his coat. Morgan had the feeling that he would not be an easy man to dupe, but she was confident that she possessed the skills to keep any man distracted.

"I see you are a man who has not let himself go soft. With the luxury that command brings with it."

 

[catlover]

Captain Frank

"Of course, subject to my control. But, no more than two at a time, including you, unless you accept my offer, in which case two may be on deck in addition to you and your selected cabin mate".

"You do realize that our sailors being away from port for an extended period must not be teased or tantalized. They cannot be distracted from their assigned duties"

Do you wish to accept the cabin or return to the prisoners cage in the hold?"

 

[SilverBullet]

"I don't think I'll be playing any more cards for awhile. With all of the bad luck going around I wouldn't make it past the first hand," Tyler thought to himself. First he was discovered from his hiding place. That wasn't so bad as he now knew that the man wasn't a crewmember, but was merely taking a free ride also. Then they were both found by one of the captain's workers.

"Sure whatever you say big guy. My name's Tyler," Tyler responded to the stout man holding him by his collar. He said his name was Riley. He then accepted Riley's hand shake. He smirked as he watched rotted fish guts squirt onto the big man while shaking his hand.

 

[Dj_Maximus]

Silk:

Hesitantly, but wihtout a chance to think about it, Silk took the big man's hand and shook it, weighing the tightness of his grasp.

"The name's Silk. And to be perfectly honest...ahem...you've got the right man for the job." he alsmost choked on the word honest.

Ok, so he had established that Tyler was a stowaway. Now this hulking figure in front of him, named Riley, appeared sincere enough about hating the captain, but Silk knew better. He would definately keep his eyes and ears open, and not divulge too much information until he knew Riley better.

At least he wasn't going to turn them in to the captain, at least he hoped he wouldn't.

"So, this captain of yours, what's he look like? Where's his cabin? And what do you need to know?" he asked Riley, as he shook off the fish guts Tyler had left in his hand.

The cool steel of the dagger blades felt familiar back inside his robe, and Silk felt once more very comfortable. He knew that they were there, and he wouldn't hesitate to use them if he needed to.

He studied both men, taking in their shape and size. It would help him remember them in the case he comes across them in the dark again. He had a keen eye when it came to shadows, and he wouldn't want to make an enemy out of either one of them by mistakingly taking them for the crew.

Then he thought of the words Tyler had spoken about female prisoners. Why would a cargo vessel be carrying prisoners, female ones at that? What were their crimes?

The thought of seeing women again was a pleasant one. The last time he saw a woman was when he was ashore, but he could only see her silhouette. The disadvantages of being a thief he thought.

"I would like to get to know the ship a little better, if you don't mind. You know, get my bearings."

And with that, Silk made a gesture toward the hold door.

 

[Indalecio]

Sheila stood with her back against the wall as she listened to Morgan and Jasmine talk about a mutiny. It seemed very intresting to her, but with the way they had things planned, it seemed as though they would undoubtedly fail. Sheila had her arms crossed, her eyes closed as she sighed, she was torn between siding with her hated captain, and telling him everything, or joining these women to seduce men.

Sheila removed her back from the wall, her hands upon her hips, and she looked down to her dress, as well as all the other wenches. they were all treated quite poorly, but Sheila was one of the top slaves, and as such, didn't usually get other slaves hand me downs from the captain. No, the captain was actually nice to Sheila every now and again. This had made Sheila cme to a resolve.

"If I help you girls out, what is in it for me? If I stay with the captain at least I know I can one day kill him and take his booty. What do you girls have to offer? The chance to be killed? If you can give me one good, liable reason that I should side with you, than I shall do so."

 

[Honey_B]

Morgan Fletcher

Morgen was beginning to enjoy this. It was a bit like a round of chess and she had always loved the game. After all, the queen was the most powerful piece on the board. Little did the captain know that her plan intended to do a great deal more than distract his men from their duties. Allowing two women out, in addition to Jasmine and herself would serve her purposes nicely.

"Your offer is generous indeed. I will gladly accept the cabin. There is a woman below, a companian that I befriended in prison. Jasmine is her name. I would be most grateful if she could be allowed to share my new quarters."

It was almost more than she could have hoped for. Having Jasmine near would allow them to easily plan their next manuever.

"If I may be permitted to do so, may I go to the hold. Our moving into the cabin might cause discord with the other prisoners. This needs to be handled with some delicacy."

In truth, I was not worried about discord, but I needed some time with the women. It was imperative that I find out who was with us and who was not.

"After I return, I would consider it an honor to fix you a fine supper. Captain Lord appreciated my skills in the galley and I became his personal cook while I was aboard his ship. I would consider it an honor if you would allow me to do the same."

 

[catlover]

Captain Frank

"Fine. I accept your offer. You aree excused"

She left, and I returned to the study of my charts after ordering one of the crew members to empty the vacant cabon

 

[Dj_Maximus]

Silk:

Not waiting for an invitation, Silk made his way out of the hold, and found himself outside in the fresh air.

He saw no one around, so he carefully walked the ship's deck, locating the different places he may have to use for cover at a later date.

The wind lapping at his face, he pulled his cloak tighter to him. He walked along, toward the front of the vessel and watched the men rigging the sails.

He tried to pass unobserved, and somehow managed quite well. His small frame hugging the side of the various cabins along the deck. Everynow and then he would peek into the cabins, trying to locate the prisoners Riley had mentionned earlier.

He could hear someone walking in his direction, and he quickly jumped behind some barrels, hoping to not be seen. After all, he didn't quite look the part of a sailer yet, and how would he explain himself?

He saw a beautiful woman pass him by. He could barely make out her frame, as she was drabbed in an awful plain looking tunic. Did she look in his direction? Did she see him?

Panic flooded his senses. If she had seen him hiding, she would know he wasn't one of the crew. And if she knew that, she might tell the captain. He had better be careful from now on.

Waiting until she had disappeared from view, Silk returned to the hold. Hiding was his best option right now, and what better place to do it than the hold.

He waited and contemplated his next move.

 

[caspai]

Looking up at the sound of the voice from near the door, Jasmine smiles to her a bit shakily.

Morgan has told me that when women put their minds together, there is nothing that can stop them. Morgan says that men always manage to think of women as only good for one thing. Morgan says....

Seeing a quick twist of this woman's lips at her words, Jasmine realizes that she is starting to sound like one of those birds her father would tell her about, the ones that would just keep repeating anything that they heard.

What has this captain of yours ever done for you? How has he helped you, other than to use you, and then toss you aside? Just what is it you think he is arranging up top with Morgan? Think that they are making plans to have a nice little tea party? You think that you still have his ear? How do you know he hasn't already decided to replace you? You ask what we can do for you? How about helping you gain the right to be the one who does the tossing aside?

Holding her breath at her own daring, not quite sure where it came from, Jasmine watches anxiously to see what affect her words may have had on this woman.