The High Seas

[La_Reina]

Closed for Rakzor

Morgan stared at the Black Pearl as she listened to it's newest Master, One Eye (he only had one eye hence the name) give his command. He was nowhere near the same cloth as Fritz the Frightening. Fritz gave scary a whole new name; though at the same time the man had aged with wisdom knowing to treat his crew fair and just so they would be loyal to him. Hell, Fritz had caught her 8 years ago stowed away on his ship and though he had realized she was a woman had treated her as though she was a man. She worked her ass off and learned all there was to be a great pirate. She could fight with fists and a sword, she could swab the deck, and she could drink. Oh she could drink with the best of them. Morgan usually kept her sex a secret finding it was easier to deal with the other pirates as a man instead of a woman; not that women pirates were rare. Women pirates were just as common as men. She just didn't feel like proving herself every time she went to open her mouth. The crew of the Black Pearl knew she was a woman ages ago, but some of the other pirates still only knew her as the Pirate Morgan and were often surprised when they realized he was a she.

Morgan continued staring as she tuned back in to One Eye's speech about them being richer and better as he as captain. One Eye got the Black Pearl like every other Captain of the ship who wasn't bequeathed to it. He killed the previous captain. Morgan was still mourning the passing of Fritz. How had he left the fucker get the best of him Morgan would never know. "Aye and we be having no wenches on the ship, unless they be bedded by me."

Morgan turned slowly. "What did you just say?"

"You heard me wench. You be not coming upon my ship unless you and I be a fucking."

One Eye was one of the newest crew members only been on the ship 3 years. He was as bloody and unforgiving as they got. A good pirate if not a tad unright in the head. Even with one eye he saw a lot and was quick with a sword. He was one of the best sword fighters Morgan had ever seen. Still Morgan would have taken him on if she had her sword or pistol on her. He had ordered her to come abroad without weapon. She had taken 2 daggers with her; hidden on her body, but she would be no match with the man against his sword. "Than I guess I stay land side."

Everyone gave a small intake of breath. She was saying she was going to leave the crew. And on the Island of No Law. No one stayed on the Island of No Law without some sort of entourage. One Eye smiled thinking to call her bluff. "Than it be. Aye, let's go home boys."

Morgan saw a few guys turn ready to stay with her, but she knew that would be no good. She had no ship, no ways of earning them money. She wouldn't be a fit captain and would just make them regret the decision later. She motioned them all to go on. One Eyed stayed behind waiting for her to give in. He was the last to get on the ship and when she didn't move just stared at her home and wished it good bye he pushed off and drifted off to sea.

Morgan had two daggers, no pistol, and no sword, no home, some gold coin, no crew, and no where to go. She sighed just when she felt the prick of a sword at her back. "So ye all alone huh sweet thing." Morgan smiled. It was a common mistake. She hadn't hid the voluminousness red hair behind the hood of her cloak like she usually did. Her brown eyes were fringed with dark eyelashes giving her the doe eye look. It didn't help her lips were naturally a red color and was as voluptuousness as her hair. She was often confused for a weaker, subservient, sex of a woman. A mistake that cost many men their lives. Plus Morgan was happy because now she was going to get a sword. Morgan twirled gliding along the swords edge. Using her momentum she punched the guy in the face, grabbed his wrist to stop him from toppling over, and twisted so that he would release the hilt of the sword. She took it from him kindly and did a few practice swings getting used to the weight of the weapon.

"Slightly off balance to one side, strong steel, a bit blunt. You don't deserve a weapon as fine as she. I'll take it off your hands."

"Give it back," the man stupidly came towards her and Morgan stopped him short by pointing the blade at his throat. She smiled and he saw death in her young eyes. He turned and ran.

Morgan pulled up the hood of her cloak masking her red hair and eyes as she pulled it down so that even she barely saw. She knew where the nearest bar was and she pushed her way inside taking a seat at the bar. She had slung back two tankards of ale when she overheard talks of either a new captain or a not so good one looking for a few good men. He was grumbling about not finding any with skill to his 3 companions. Morgan needed a job and a new home. What the hell, she thought as she stood up and walked over to him. "I'll sign with ya if ya tell me what happened to your last crew or even why you're in need of a new crew." She wasn't ready to get herself killed by a man who would command her to die for his ship and wouldn't do the same.

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[rakzor]

It had been a long road for Rohan but he finally had his own ship, Charon's Claw. The name came from the charred black boney appendages that wrapped the ship's hull, each ending at the edge of the deck like the tip of a finger. Some say it was made from human bone but Rohan was not sure if that was true. He had heard many stories about them over the years that he had worked on the ship. He remembered back to the first time he had stepped foot on Charon's Claw.

Just a boy of 13, parent's murdered by slavers, his face had been tatooed to mark him as property to his masters. Then William Blackheart a fierce pirate had attacked the slavers ship enroute to god knows where. While Blackheart's men had plundered the slaver's ship, Blackheart found Rohan in the locked away in the brig. Even though he was a pirate and a fierce one at that he seemed to have a soft heart for Rohan and took him aboard Charon's Claw. Blackheart freed him and trained him as a father would a son to be the best pirate he could be. Rohan learned everything about a ship and he learned how to fight, with fists, sabre, musket and cannon. He had killed his first man at the age of 15. Rohan eventually became the first mate to Blackheart and was feared and respected by his men, not just from his demeanor but also his sheer size. He stood 6'6" and with his barrel chest easily wieghed over 300 pounds. Even though he had been a slave and had the marks to prove it, he had turned out to be a great leader of men, especially in battle. God how he enjoyed all his 15 years on the Claw. Fighting, drinking and fucking his way through life.

That had all changed though 2 weeks earlier when Blackheart had suddenly died. No one knew what he had died from, more likely old age even though Rohan did not know how old the man was. The ship had automatically become his. At first he did not know what to do. His life had changed now that he was the captain. He was responsible for all his men. When they finally made port on the Island of No Law (a favorite spot for people trying to say off the radar), a few of the older crew members took thier booty from the years on the Claw and retired to live out the rest of thier lives in relaxation. Rohan did not blame them but it left him in a bad spot. He did not have enough crew to set sail and plunder the wide blue and he needed new men to fill ranks because the rest of his men left were ready to get back to the life they so enjoyed. He knew they would get fat and lazy spending all thier plundered coin on shore.

He knew this place well and and went to the best place to find new crew members on this out of the way island. The Cracked Mug bar and inn. It was a dirty and seedy place and he knew the bartender, Old Stu well. Old Stu nodded his head as Rohan entered with his first mate and long time best friend William Gentry a nobles son from the old country. Gentry hated being a noble and had decided piracy would be a much more interesting life. The other was a squirrley little bastard named Wiley. What a fitting name. The guy loved playing with explosives and was crazier than any person Rohan had ever known. Blackheart had taught him to tread lightly with insane people, but that you always wanted to know where they were, what they were doing and make damn sure they were on your side at all times. Rohan pointed at the bar "Grab our drinks Wiley". Wiley did as he was told and grabbed three full mugs of ale from Old Stu and brought them to the table, grinning stupidly the whole time. Rohan did not want to know what crazy thought was making him smile like that so he ignored him, not wanting to hear any stories at the moment.

Gentry sat down at the table "think we'll find anyone worth a damn in this hole in the ground capt'n"? Rohan looked at Gentry and gave a slight grin "I know we will Gentry, this be as good a place as any when yer tryin to find the kind of men we be lookin fer". Rohan noted the movement of sailor heading toward the table, he walked up and said' "I'll sign with ya if ya tell me what happened to your last crew or even why you're in need of a new crew." Rohan could not tell exactly what it was, maybe the harsh ale, but something was very different about this sailor.

"See thar Gentry, I can't sit down fer one moment and they come runnin to be on me crew." Rohan looked to the sailor "A few of my old hands have retired from the life, I am in need of able bodied men to help run my ship. I suppose ya know what we do for a livin and the pirate's life is fer ya. I don't take orders, I give em and i expect em to be follered. Ya do what i say and you'll be richer than any man ya ever known. Up to ya laddie."

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[La_Reina]

Morgan liked the tale. He seemed to speak the truth and he didn't fidget when speaking which was also a good indicator he was telling the truth ... or a very good liar. "Than you are a good Captain indeed if your crew is able to get old AND retire. I'll settle with ya as long as..." Morgan heard a commotion and she turned to see Mad Pete crashing into the bar. He wasn't called Mad Pete because he was crazy, but because he was always angry at something or another. This man lived for a fight and right now he was angrier than Morgan had ever seen him before.

"Fucking One Eye!" Aw shit! Morgan thought. She tried to walk behind the Captain whom's name she did not have when Pete stared right at her. Moving was her mistake she should have stayed still and finished her conversation. Fuck, fuck, fuck! "You! Yes, You!" Mad Pete pointed at her. "You're one of his ain't ya."

"Naw. He left me behind. Says I'm no good to him."

"Looks like he left you to die."

Fuck! Morgan dived to the right and rolled coming up and feeling the splinters of wood embedding in her skin than hearing the gun fire. She jumped over a table that exploded and dove to her left kicking a tankard at Mad Pete. He swung the gun at the cup giving her those precious 3 seconds she would need. Just as he was turning his pistol in her direction she swung with all her might; her fist connecting with his jaw. His head turned, but nothing more. Also Morgan never felt such pain in her life.

"Well, damn," Morgan said just as Mad Pete took a swing. She ducked under him and hit him in the stomach which seemed to do nothing to Pete, but hurt the fuck out of her other hand. Pete grinned at her and grabbed at her hood thinking to hold her in place while he rained punches on her face. Morgan twisted out of the cloak and felt strands of her hair give. She was far enough and had enough time to pull out her sword and hold it at Mad Pete.

"Morgan," Mad Pete asked in wonderment. "He left YOU here?" He was holding her cloak and everyone could see she was a woman. Out of the corner of her eye she caught more than a few cursory glances and knew she would have to be on guard all night. Some knew of her and her reputation others only knew that she worked for Fritz and he was dead.

"Aye."

"Fucking moron."

"You telling me. I'm having just as bad a day as you are. Let me buy you a pitcher and we'll toast the bastard to hell."

"Aye."

Morgan put away her sword happy that this battle didn't end in bloodshed. Mad Pete liked a fight and she was confident she would win, but knew she would be hurting in the morning. Plus your enemy's enemy was your friend. Morgan motioned for the wench at the bar to serve Mad Pete and she tossed a gold coin to the bartender who caught it, bit it, and nodded at the woman. Morgan returned to the Captain.

"Still wanna take me on. I know this isn't a good show of skills I can render, but I'll pass any test you throw at me." Morgan stared at the man before she glanced at Mad Pete. She saw he had draped her cloak on a nearby chair. She'll claim it later. She ran her hands through her unruly hair knowing that it'll only get wilder with time unless she could put a band on it. "So what do you say Captain...." she was fishing for his name and she stuck her hand out waiting for him to grasp it forearm to forearm.

 

[rakzor]

Captain Rohan watched with amusement as Mad Pete entered and called out the sailor that he was speaking to. He had heard of One Eye, a tough pirate, so this one must be good at his job. Now Rohan wondered why the sailer had been left though and would ask the question if Mad Pete didn't kill him first. Rohan put his hands behind his head to watch the show. When the cloak came off all three men's jaws hit the floor. Rohan staring agape at the beautiful woman before him. He was instantly turned on at the sight of such a lovely little thing taking on a big man like Pete and besting him. There was something he liked about a dangerous woman. He eyed her up and down not realizing that the fight had actually ended as he heard HER name, Morgan. Rohan eventually came out of his stupor and noticed that Morgan was staring at him and speaking.

Rohan began to laugh heartily and uncontrollably. He looked to his two compatriates and noticed they were mezmerized too. "Name's Captain Rohan. That was a good job fer a pretty little girly like yerself. Now I ave three questions fer ya, one: Where did ya learn to fight like that? two: Why do ye want to be on a ship with a bunch of smelly pirates. And three: What did ole One Eye leave ya behind fer?"

"She's a purty one cap'n, been a long time since I had one as sweet lookin as that, can we keep er?" jeered Wiley. Rohan smacked Wiley in the back of the head so his face hit the table. "Ya damned idiot Wiley, I think if ya tried to bed this one she'd gut ya. Now lets see what the little one has ta say fer herself and decide if we can use her on the Claw. Go ahead, Ma'am." Rohan grinned trying to don his best gentlemanly accent.

 

[La_Reina]

Morgan did not like being called 'pretty', 'little', or 'girly', by the Captain and she sucked her teeth as he reminded her on why she was such a mean bitch. Obviously the Captain was one of the few people who hadn't heard about her on the Black Pearl and that suited Morgan just fine. Though, that also meant she would have to prove herself. The Captain asked her questions and she would have answered, but one of his first mate opened his mouth, spoke, and instantly put made his way to her 'need-to-kill' list. She was impressed when the Captain actually hit his own man on her behalf. Meant the Captain didn't play favorites with his crew; especially if he was seriously thinking of making her crew.

Morgan took in a deep breath and held it. The Captain called her little again. She could tell he was trying and she would have to put his straight. She just hoped he wasn't that type of man that didn't like being bossed around by a woman. Though she wasn't going to boss him around just tell him where to shove those little girl comments. "I learned from the dreaded Pirate Fritz the Frightening. That man was a father to me. He taught me everything I know and once a pirate always a pirate. I could no more be a lady in a fancy dress than you can be. That's why I want on a crew. To part of a ship and on the open seas." Morgan smiled. "That and attack the Majesty's army, pillared a few enemy ships, take down the Black Pearl, and get rich in the process! Aye?" Morgan laughed as she got a few Aye's in return to her words.

Morgan leaned forward her hair covering her face as she looked at Captain Rohan. "One Eye is a dead pirate walking. He thinks a woman's place is in his bed and he left me behind, because I didn't agree. I refuse to bunk with anyone I don't choose too. So if you're thinking," Morgan looked at Rohan and then each of his men, "that I will fuck either one of you I will cut your balls off, slice the nut from your sack, and feed your seed down your throat, while I watch you bleed on the deck."

Morgan paused making sure each and every man got that she was very serious and the few men who actually knew of her or Fritz actually turned pale. She wasn't the most fearsome, but she wasn't the wench you fucked with. There were others who were far more easier to deal with and control. "Also Captain I would appreciate you cut the 'little', 'girl', and any other cutesy names you want to throw at me or in regards to me." Her eyes narrowed and it was obvious she was holding herself back. Hell, she still needed a bed and a home and this place wasn't going to give her one.

 

[rakzor]

Rohan knew she was a strong willed woman and knew he would have to be careful with her. Hell she might even cause a mutiny on the Claw and take over the ship. But he could'nt help himself, she was beautiful, dangerous, and thats exactly what Rohan liked. He would treat her just like everyone else though and keep her around because she could be a great ally.

Rohan laughed, "Fiesty one we got here boys. I like that. Aye, I like that yer a pirate that knows what shes doin, and obviously doesn't take shit from the men around 'er.

Rohan stood up from the table, "On MY ship ya will only be beddin whoever ye want ta be beddin and I'd kill any man that tried ta take ya under my watch. I need good pirates and ya seem already ta be better than most, so I want ya on my ship. There will be plenty of pilligin, plunderin and booty! If ye want to take back the Black Pearl then ya will not be on a better ship than the Claw.

Rohan slowly leaned in towards Morgan locking eyes with her and placing both hands on the table between them. His brows furrowed, pupils dialated, the blood drained from his face and his voice took on a deep, low dangerous tone as he spoke slowly and chose his words carefully and clearly, "On my ship, what I say is the law. I will grant your request and not call you little or girly from this point on, but if you ever threaten me again I will cut the fiestiness from your belly." Rohan leaned back and assumed a normal standing position, blood drained back into his face giving him a slightly pink hue again. He cocked his head and grinned at Morgan, "Welcome aboard the Claw" and put his hand out and clasp her wrist.

 

[La_Reina]

Morgan listened to Rohan fueled by his words of encouragement and seemingly not able to see gender. Which was good. Meant she wouldn't have to prove herself at every turn. Even better he was willing to help her go up against another pirate. Hell, that was the best news of anything she had ever heard. Oh how she wanted to bring that One Eyed bastard down, but she would have to wait. She could cross off step 1. off her list. She found a crew, captain, and a ship. Now step 2. find the rat bastard and gut him like a fish.

Suddenly Rohan's demeanor changed. She saw his two friends take a small step back. She understood he didn't like threats. She took a small step forward separating the space between them so that it looked like they might kiss. "I understand, but it wasn't a threat. I don't make threats."

Rohan stared at her for a long time before he seemed to go back to normal. He clasped her wrist and welcomed her and Morgan smiled; a true one that lit up her eyes. "In that case Drinks for everyone!" The whole bar yelled their praise and Morgan laughed heartily along with everyone else.

Morgan turned back to Rohan. "Just let me know when we sail off or what you need of me. I have a friend I need to catch up with." Morgan waited for any instructions from Rohan before she turned and headed back to Mad Pete. She slipped on her cloak readjusting the hood and place some gold on the counter top before she sat down next to him. They lifted their mugs, clinked them together, and drank in silence.

 

[rakzor]

Rohan liked that Morgan did not back down from him, but showed him enough respect to wait for any orders he might give. She was going to be a good pirate, that he could tell.

Rohan said, "I have gotten enough crew together fer the time being, we set sail tomorrow mornin. Go have drinks with yer friends and be ready ta leave by 11 am. We can't be leaving too early, I have a feeling thars alot of drinkin left to be done tonight!"

With that Morgan turned and walked away towards Mad Pete's table. Rohan watched her go, and for a split second began to daydream about what she might look like under all those clothes. He felt his cock begin to stiffen and it immediatly brought him out of the dream. He turned to the bartender and ordered a round a of drinks for his tablemates and began drinking. He could not keep his mind off Morgan and found himself watching her, judging her movments, paying careful attention to every detail and attempting to look through her soul. He didn't care if she saw him looking at her. He could explain it away as a mere gauging of her moral character if need be since she would be sailing on his ship. He watched until a fight broke out between two patrons he did not know. He didn't know how long he had stared at Morgan, it could have been hours. Rohan decided he did not need to get too groggy with the ale before setting sail the next day so he told Gentry and Wiley he was off to bed and went to his room. Wiley cracked a joke about him staring at the newest addition on the Claw, but he dismissed it and headed upstairs.

Rohan closed the door to his quaint little room, maked sure to lock it, got undressed slipped into bed with a dirk under his pillow, his musket on one side and saber on the other of the small bed. He was buzzed, and tired from the boring hours of talking to sailors and drifted off to sleep rather quickly.

 

[La_Reina]

Morgan and Mad Pete drank and drank rarely speaking. Both were lost in their own thoughts and Morgan kept getting the feeling she was being watched. She looked around the bar trying to find enemies or potential enemies and failing. It looked like everyone was in good spirits. Morgan returned to her drink and finished it off just to have another full mug placed in her hands. Morgan couldn't shake the feeling. it was driving her wild. She turned once more and this time caught the eyes of her new Captain gazing right at her. His look was intense and powerful and Morgan caught herself reaching for her weapon before she realized what she was doing. She played the move off as though she was just checking it which also made her more comfortable knowing the blade was there.

Morgan would turn and watch the bar. Her pose deceptively relaxed proven during the time a fight broke out and one of the patrons threw a glass. It flew towards Mad Pete who wasn't paying attention and Morgan simply reached out and knocked the glass towards the floor before it hit Pete. It was kind of like that baseball game she heard about when they went into civilized territory. Pete still looking into his drink thanked Morgan. She was taken aback before she realized he could see behind him from the small strip of mirror at the back of the bar. Did that mean Pete wanted to get hit with the glass? Morgan shrugged off his thanks and returned to her own drink forgetting about the barfight.

From the mirror Morgan saw Captain Rohan get up and stagger away. He obviously had a room in the inn. She did not and had plans to drink herself into a stupor and wake up sometime in the morning in the bar with all the other drunkards with no room. They sang, she even got and danced as the night grew into the early morning hours. Morgan had stopped drinking hours ago and had the same stale ale from before. The other men however didn't have that self control and most were drunk off their ass. Morgan laughed and slapped a few heads together when drunkenness turned to hornieness.

It was well into the mid day when Morgan knew it was time to get on the boat. She saw a few pirates scrambling with beside her as they walked to the dock. Morgan started singing a hearty jaunty tune loudly. Someone roared beside her wanting her to shut the fuck up. His head was pounding. Morgan laughed and sang even louder and more off key. "How the hell is it you're so wide eye and chipper Morgan?"

Morgan gave a sweet sexy smile and heard a few moans for it. "Because I can handle my liquor boys and has always been a morning person. Sooooo," she began another verse to more groans as she walked up the plank to her new home.

 

[rakzor]

Rohan woke before the sun came up with a start. Had he heard a noise or was it in his dreams? He quickly decided it was just his dream and drug himself out of bed, hand still clenching the dirk underneath his pillow. Rohan donned his fresh clothing and slipped out through the window. He didn't like going through the door, you never know when another pirate, somone he had plundered, or even one of his own crew would be waiting on the other side to deal him low. Rohohan hopped from the window sill down to the dusty road and rolled to absorb his fall. He gave a quick look around and set off for the Claw.

The Claw was cold and dark at this time of the morning but Rohan liked it that way. He boarded the ship, tossed his dirty clothes in the Captain's quarters and began going over charts. He had a crew and it was time to start making money. He worked for hours, plotting a course to the waters that held the shipping lanes where he could easily prey on passing ships. He also kept in mind where he might run into the Black Pearl since Rohan intended to keep his promise to his newest deckhand Morgan. He was just about done when he heard steps on the gang plank.

Rohan walked outside having to squint his eyes at the noon day sun. He looked down the plank at his drunk crew members and smiled knowing that they felt like shit at all the drinking they had done the night before. He heard Morgan singing and all the boys groaning telling her to shut up. She sang even louder and that made him smile.

Rohan's demeanor changed, "Alright boys, get yer asses on the ship and prepare to shove off, lets go, no fucking around!" Rohan spouted orders for the next 30 minutes before the ship left port, sails in the wind, CHaron's Claw found the open sea for the first ime in a month. Rohan kept a close watch on Morgan for two reasons: to make sure none of the other crew members tried to do anything to her, and because he couldn't keep his damn eyes off her.