Sins of the Father (Closed)

[CurtailedAmbrosia]

"We can’t outrun them. Not pinned in like we are." Elise murmured, her spyglass in hand as she stormed across the deck of her pitching vessel, ducking a round of chain shot the other pirates blasted them with. Men screamed as they were taken overboard, others scrambled to their feet, readying the return volley. Blevins helped a man up bodily, slapping his hand on his back to get him moving as another pirate shoved the cannon against the ship's side.

She stopped and raised the spyglass, sweeping over one of the opposing ships. She recognized the flags-she’d been beating the very same man to Spanish Galleons for months. He was her father’s rival-she wondered if he recognized the Windblade. She wondered if this was a planned assault-must be, for three ships to chase them for so many miles out in the middle of the ocean.

She caught the opposing captain spying back. With an irritated growl, she slammed her own closed and turned away, Blevins rejoining her just as they raised their own flag. “We’re too small to take them all in a direct fight.” He told her, pointing towards the ship to their West. “We’ve nearly demasted that one, but-”

“It won’t be enough.” Elise said grimly. She was looking at losing her ship. “All we can do is go down fighting, Blevins. Fighting, and praying for a miracle.”

She turned and cupped her hands to her mouth. “REIN IN THE SAILS! BRING UP THE PITCH!" She blared to the chaotic scene of men across her deck. “ALL WE’VE GOT FOR THE WESTERN SHIP, WHEN I COMMAND IT!”

She took control of the helm herself, spinning the wheel to avoid the worst of the cannon fire being lobbed at them from one ship, before her sails were were drawn up, replaced with storm jibs. Her ship was smaller, faster-but not nearly as armed as the frigates she faced.

Blast it all.

"SIX OF YOU, SWITCH SIDES!" She’d put SOME holes in that bastard rival’s ship, god dammit. Cannons roared, but the Western ship-well, it had received the pitch, and was rapidly catching aflame.

/////////////////////////////////////////

It hadn't been enough. The Windblade had fought hard and masterfully-one of the accompanying ships had sunk, spitting flames-but the sloop couldn't withstand the attack of all three ships. She was sinking, pirates jumping overboard, those that had survived the chain and grape shot, that was.

By the end of it, there were a few new holes in his own ship-but he had come out on top, and now, before him-was the subject of his ire, or at least-the son of his rival, and the accompanying first mate.

The grizzled pirate didn't look pleased to be there-but that was nothing compared to the daggers being glared by what appeared to be a young boy. Smaller, dwarfed in his captain's coat, the kid had lost his hat to reveal blond, sun kissed hair that disappeared down the back of the coat. Loose fitting clothes and a youthful face only added to this-a spattering of freckles across the bridge of the nose and tops of the cheeks, and pretty, Caribbean blue eyes that were a shade too large for his face, but added to the youthful, even fragile look of him.

Certainly put up a fierce naval battle, for one so young-and had been fished half drowned from the ocean still trying to fight.

 

[BRIGHTWELL]

Andrew Sinclare Brightwell and the RED HORSE

Andrew had tried using the Spanish type gallons in the open seas on and off for several years. The last time he had seen the Windblade he had been off the Azores. The Windblade did not maneuver as most Spanish Gallons. She is sleeker more of a speed gallon.
A year had passed since Andrew had last seen the Windblade. Now the ship is in his back yard. And he has a new ship, stolen from the French. The ship had been the Talrron. The Terron had been on station in Léogâne to protect the fleet of the French East Indies Co. She had been built in French Ship yards of Brest. And christened the Saint Andr'e. The Andr'e had sailed through the English Channel several times meeting and capturing several English Ships. After a short cruise in the Med she was sold to the French East Indies Co.
And there renamed the Terron . She had been crewed out of Marseille and sailed to Martinique.During a moonless night in March Andrew and 40 men had made there way through the port city in groups of four and five meeting on the dock where the Terron was tied up. Only a single guard at a the beginning of the dock stood in their way. With the guard out of the way they slipped on board taking the ship. The ropes were taken up and the Terron slipped out of the harbor.

Three days later a meeting was held on what to name the ship. She is fast and narrow to the beam and a little long for her size-just under 100 feet. A middle weight at 510 tons. With 24 guns she had the fire power to take out almost any merchant ship on the water. Several names had been put forth, the Unicorn, the Queen Anne, Sea Horse. When the name Sea Horse had been put forth. Andrew took on a smile.
"Thyre is but one name fer this ship, laddys. "Andrew looked around and spotted the parson.
"Parson, give us Revelations6:4, Tell us loud. The parson opened his bible and flipped though the pages. He cleared his throat.

"Then another horse appeared, a red one. Its rider was given a mighty sword and the authority to take peace from the earth. And there was war and slaughter everywhere."

Andrew nods several times, then pauses. " And that ladies will be thee name of our ship. The RED HORSE, Because we will bring war and slaughter every where!"

That had been March, now it it is early May and the Windblade was in his playground.
"That be the Windblade all right, just like at her lines." The first mate Mr. Watson swings his glass at he other two ships. One I have seen before in these waters. It's the Dama del lago the other I know not."
Leeds the Navigator who was at the ships wheel , states plainly. "Cptain the third ship is a Dutch sloop the Zee Monster THe Spanish must of captured or bought her."
The Red Horse made short work of the two smaller ships, then started on the fast Gallon. After a nasty fight the crew of the Red Horse took to their lines and swung on to the crippled ship. The starting crew of 40 had blossomed to more then 3 times that now. With just 6 dead and 14 injured the boarding party easily over powered the ravaged crew of the WindBlade.
Mr. Witt the 2nd mate led the boarding party. Tobious shakes his head Just these two, and no Captain."
Mr. Witt gives a last look around. Lets get off this death ship, I don't plan ta go down with her!"

Mean while on the Red Horse the Captain watches as the crew uses Fishing gaffs to pull captives out of the water.
Soon Mr. Witt is on the main deck.
"You find the Captain? Andrew asks.

Tobious walks past Mr.Witt . HE must of been on the deck in the fight'n."
Andrew turns to the prisoners. "Which of you is the Captain? After a fight like this yeah goin to hide behind the trousers of your crew? What kind of Captain does that?"

 

[CurtailedAmbrosia]

No one spoke, but a grizzled man stood looking not at him-but off the edge of the ship where one last captive was being fished from the waters. A young lad by the looks of it. They had no sooner hauled the half drowned waif aboard when he coughed up a breath of water-and promptly decked a man leaning over him, checking for life.

That caused a scuffle, one the boy held his own for-until the flintlock pistols were loosed and aimed at him. Spirited he might be, but he was no fool, and certainly not bullet proof.

They herded him towards the others. Just as Andrew bellowed another demand the boy paused feet from the group of men, squaring his shoulders and turning on his heel.

"-I'M- the Captain of the vessel you just sank." The boy growled. The gathered men looked from their young leader to Andrew, watchful-and the grizzled man, so stoic previously-now had a look of dismay.

Smaller, dwarfed in his captain's coat, the kid had lost his hat in the sea to reveal blond, sun kissed hair that disappeared down the back of the coat. Loose fitting clothes and a youthful face only added to this-a spattering of freckles across the bridge of the nose and tops of the cheeks, and pretty, Caribbean blue eyes that were a shade too large for his face, but added to the youthful, even fragile look of him.

He didn't look like a captain, but he had fought to the last it seemed, and even now-looked utterly unafraid, those blue eyes sharp and glaring.

////////////////////////////////////////////////////

He'd sunk her ship! Elise wasn't sure if she was infuriated, absolutely livid-or heartbroken. Honestly, maybe a mix of both. She wished she had gone down with it. Well-she had tried. Even now her lungs burned, the urge to cough up more water strong-but she didn't want to appear weak, no more than she already looked, soaked and being held at gunpoint.

If she survived this, what would she say to her father? The Windblade had been theirs since she was a child-she had never been prouder to own anything in her life. And now it was gone.

She had kept her voice as convincing as possible-she would rather be executed than revealed to be a woman, particularly on a ship full of pirates who were NOT under her strict control. She should be more afraid-but she wasn't. She was busy hating the other Captain. Sailed in when she was fighting others and sunk her ship! The scaly dog!

 

[BRIGHTWELL]

OCC: A little information on the Captain and a small portion of the NPC crew that will be mentioned in the coming posts.

Name: Andrew Sinclare Brightwell Age: 26

Height: 6'2"
Weight: 175
Born in Bristol England. Son of a sailmaker. Mother is Scottish. Lived in Scotland for 6 years 6-12. Moved to learn ship building from a family friend. Several years of ship building. At 20 joins the Kings Men as a scout. Wounded while defending a bridge. After four years is released from the army. Took to the sea. At 25 he finds himself in Port Royal. There he takes to pirating. In less then a year he has his own ship, the Dancing Hawk.

The NPC crew:

Tobas von Klisroenberg -
Tobas is the largest white man in the crew. While not the tallest nor the strongest. He was a wrestler in his former Brenen home. As a butcher he had made a living during the day. By night he was in beer halls wrestling for a few marks. One night he snapped the neck of a drunken patron. The law came and took him away. He was found guilty of murder and sentenced to a prison ship heading for an African colony. His ship was taken by pirates and he was set free. Several years later He was in New Amsterdam and met Andrew. Andrew was looking for crew for a raid against the Spanish in the Triadad area.
Tobas took his work seriosly. THe Captain's word was law. In his mind not to obay the captain could cost you our life. [Side note-Tobas is a RANDY BOY(Gay)]

Rogers- Roger is without a doubt the stronger man of the crew and the tallest, . Roger lead a one man war on slave traders in Africa. He is a Moa Moa tribe man. After six months of a running battle against slave traders he himself was captured and put on a slave ship. The ship he was on was attacked by pirates that set the slaves free. One day in Port Royal he met a man named Mr. Watson.

Leeds-Navigator-(not Officer-new to crew)

Bradley Finch-cook-(story TBA)

Fisk- first shift look out( when at see)

Witt-second shift look out (when at Sea)

Scott 'Scotty' McMasters- crew member from Glasgow, Scotland (Ardgour)

Mr. Watson-First Mate-First officer (Officer of the day Watch 6am-12 noon)

Mr. Thomas-Second officer (Officer of the mid watch 12 noon-6pm)

Mr. Silvers-Third officer (Officer of the Dog watch 6pm-12 midnight

Mr. Andrews-Purser-Fourth officer(Officer of the grave watch 12 midnight- 6AM

Mr. Gorlin Khan-barber-surgeon(ships doctor)

Gun Captains,

Thomas Sullivan-Starboard side gun Captains (Not officer)-senior crew

Steven Sullivan- Port Side gun Captain (Not officer)-senior crew
....................................................................................................................

ICC:

Andrew looks at the boy Captain and nods his head. " Well Captain, you saved your self from the barrel " The prisoners all look around unsure of the Captain meaning. Andrew smiles gruffly " I think I'll have our First Mate Mr. Watson tell you about the barrel"
Mr Watson steps forward in his battered Green Irish long coat. " Yeah see, two months ago, we took on 12 barrels and cut two holes in each. One on the top one on the side. Just before supper Mr. Thomas and Mr. Silver select a prisoner ta put in the barrel. On the port side of the ship you will notice a bit of rail is missing. Next to the missing rail are two wooden boxes. One large and one small." Mr. Watson pauses to see if all the prisoners are paying attention then continues.

"During the course of the of the Dog watch any member of the crew can put his meat in the hole in the side of the barrel. If he is pleased with the results of putting his meat in the hole. The crew member will drop the left overs of his meal on to the prisoner in the barrel. He then places the plate on the large box. "
Mr. Watson pauses again and looks at the prisoners.
"In the small box are placed six bags of sand. If the crew member is not pleased with the results of putting his meat in the hole. Then he empties the bag of sand into the top hole and adds it to the large box. If during the dog watch Mr. Silver finds all six bags empty he is instructed to kick the barrel in to the sea."
A prisoner raise his hand. "Yes?'
"What if a prisoner refuses to get in the barrel or refuses to please the crew."

Mr. Silver steps forward. Any prisoner refusing to get in the barrel is lashed then thrown into the sea to feed the sharks. Any prisoner refusing to please the crew while in the barrel, well that is different. We empty all six bags of sand into the barrel and seal up the two holes. Then kick it over the side."

Mr. Watson continues. "At midnight the prisoner is removed from the barrel. During the grave watch the crew can stop by and see how many plates and sand bags are in the big box. Our purser Mr. Andrews takes note of the plate count and bag count. And the reaction of the crew. In the morning the prisoner is returned to the box next to the barrel. He collects the plates and bags and carries them through the galley so all the crew can see who was in the barrel the night before."
Mr. Watson then smiles brightly. At first ort we come to the crew votes one of three ways. First, offers the prisoner to join the crew. Second, free the prisoner, as a free man, third, well, sell him as a slave to a planter on the island or port. Any questions?"

 

[CurtailedAmbrosia]

Jesus Christ.

'The boy' Captain turned slightly and looked back at 'his' men, taking in the grim faces and clear conflict there. Some of them, she knew, were going to choose death over the gang rape. Her heart picked up its pace, mouth a little dry. It seems being male wasn't as much protection on this ship as it ought to have been. He said he'd spare her the indignity, but what of her crew?

The threat might have cowed a weaker man-but Elise was no man.

"So-" Growled the boy, facing the captain and his men at large. "You choose your crew based on how good of a fuck they are?" The biting tone and terseness surprised many-and drew laughter from both sides despite the seriousness of the situation.

'His' delicate hands gestured to the men behind 'him'. "What you have here are capable swordsmen, cannoneers, and sailors Captain. It might be a boon to simply accept them as they are-they've little choice, being out of a job."

'The boy' spoke well, seemed rather brave. More than a head shorter than 'his' crew, 'he' carried himself like a larger, more looking intimidating leader. Presence. The 'boy' had presence, a strength of will and spirit.

 

[BRIGHTWELL]

good fucks?

Andrew looks at the boy-captain and smiles. "I want what every Captain wants, A happy crew. He looks to Mr. Watson then to the Boy-Captain. His eyes are such a soft blue. It started him thinking.

"Mr. Watson take our" Andrew pauses, the resumes. "Our guests below and have the cook make a meal for now. I will be in parlay wit ta Captain, here." Andrew leads the boy-captain to his stateroom. As they enter, Andrew walks over to his chart table and looks down at his maps.

"You know Captain, I fine the whole sum of events quite strange indeed. Here I have a lad just maybe 20 years of age. A coat while stylish is three sizes to large. And the...." Andrew looks up at the boy. "Quite strange battle. The other two ships one Dutch and one Spanish. Now the Dutch ship was firing all over the place as if in total confusion. It was like they didn't want to fight us at all. It might be arued that they were trying to warn us away. Now the other ship the Dama del lago I know to be a sloop from Spanish Florida. Last I heard she was smuggling down in the Keys. Raiding the Spanish in St. Augustine and the English in Bermuda and in and around the Nassau area. What are they doing this far South? "

Andrew pauses. "Don't you find it most strange?"