The Windblade

[Ambrosia_64]

The Windblade (Closed!)

The ship was barely a day out of port, bustling with sailors being directed by an old salt, the very first mate who had signed on a few young men as sailors, promising an upfront payment of coin and a share of future "profits".

It wasn't a large ship-little more than a sloop really, meant for outracing Spanish galleons and slipping up beside them to engage in cannonfire.

There was an odd, motley mix of men abroad-clean shaven, respectable British sailors and bearded, rough and ready pirates of all shapes and sizes. There was crass, loud talk and bickering here and there.

A young man, little more than a boy really, in a long blue captain's coat appeared on deck and would be seen speaking to the first mate, gesturing with his hands. From the distance the newest sailor was watching from, he wouldn't be able to tell much of the boy except that he was small, wore an Admiral's hat, and had blond hair that was braided and disappeared down the back of his coat.

The boy disappeared below decks again, leaving the older man alone at the wheel.

 

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Hard callused hands worked on the deck pushing the mop across the wood with one single back and forth motion. A pair of powerful shoulders clenched and unclenched the tan practically black skin going taunt as the man toiled under the sun. He pushed the mop across the deck a few more times before he finally straightened and admired his work.

“First mate should be at least somewhat impressed” Edward Rackham murmured wiping away some of the sweat that was currently running down his face. While he was used to working such labors (or at least working hard labor under the sun) he wasn’t quite used to the pitch of the ship yet.

“Not a ship” Edward murmured to himself frowning “A boat”

Not that he could tell the difference…. Yet. He could tell you what crops to plant in the summer though!

He somehow doubted his fellow crew men would be impressed though.

The fourth generation in a family of farmers. By all accounts Edward was someone who SHOULDN’T be on a ship. His father had said as much directly to the young man practically screaming it at him as he threatened to run him through right then and there. Edward was packing at the time and as the argument got worse and worse was forced to run off with half of his stuff still in the house.

Not that Edward much cared. A life of farming was fine for his father but it was not for him. One of his younger brothers could take the burden if they so wished. No Edward was a dreamer! A romantic! His mother had taught him to read and with it opened his eyes to worlds just beyond his reach.
Worlds he was determined to get to.

That determination led him to the harbor where he quickly found work on a nice mid seized ship. He was still learning what each one was called but had heard the captain refer to this one as a “somewhat sloop”. He wasn’t sure what the somewhat meant but prided himself on at least knowing what ship his feet were currently planted on.

“All done” He called out to the first mate as he picked up his discarded T shirt. He didn’t bother to put it on however used it as a makeshift rag to wipe the remaining sweat off his muscular torso.

 

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"Good on ya boy!" Blevins bellowed, coming over to slap the former farm boy on the back. "Just gotta do that a few more thousand times this trip-keeps the boards swollen together."

Blevins was an older man with shoulder length grey hair he kept in a ponytail and a matching close cropped beard. He was in his fifties, face wisened from sun and salt walter, a not unkind look to his dark eyes, but always a crafty, calculated one.

He was stocky, maybe around five foot seven, and strong, powerful looking arms sticking out of a a torn up vest and tunic.

"Didn't ask yous before-any good with a sword?"

 

[EroticLiteracy]

His smile which was one of pride in his work quickly morphed into confusion. He starred at the man that was known his superior for several seconds even going so far as to cock his head before finally speaking.
“Sword?” Edward murmured in confusion “Why would I need to be good at a sword?”
He turned his eyes sweeping over and taking in the hip with newfound interest. He noticed several things, several things that in his haste and excitement he hadn’t noticed.
The swords
The pistol
The rougher veteran sailors
The revelation hit him like a ton of bricks forcing him to gasp and his eyes to go wide. He turned back to the first mate furiously stammering for several minutes as he realized where he was.
A pirate ship
“Uh no” He said suddenly filled with the desire to under sell his skills “Never picked up anything more point that a pitchfork I’m afraid!”

 

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"Fer boardin' parties, of course." Blevins was saying as Edward frantically looked around, his tanned face seeming to lose a bit of color, far as Blevins' eyes could tell.

"A pitchfork? You'll be run through boy! We better get you equipped! Every man aboard must be willing to fight in defense of the ship and 'er cargo!" His hand came down and gripped Edward's shoulder, a shake for emphasis. "Every man needs to be ready and on call to board another vessel and take THEIR cargo! Oh landing parties! Why, the Cap'n could order you into a thick set of cannibals armed with nothing but a knife in defense-or search!-of treasure!"

Blevins shook his head, as if pitying him. "Such a strong lad, shame to be cut down on his first outing."

 

[EroticLiteracy]

Edward suddenly felt very very sick.

The first mate talked of boarding parties and cannibals. It was enough to send Edwards head spinning and it took all he had to stay rooted to the spot and not throw up.

“I’ve-“ He spluttered trying not to faint “I’ve never held a sword in my life!”

For the first time starting his adventure Edward was hit with the realization he was in over his head. How dumb he had been! To think that he could just go down to the docks find a ship and go on an adventure! That he could just wander onto any old ship and have an exciting but relatively safe journey.

“I uh maybe this was a mistake” Edward finally said backing up “I didn’t know…. God in hell I am an idiot!”

 

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It was getting hard to keep a straight face, but at the same time-the boy really did need to know how to use a sword. Blevins crossed his arms and shook his head.

"Well, hopefully the Captain doesn't throw you overboard, not knowing how to use a sword." He intoned seriously. "You had best throw yourself at the Cap'n's feet-you signed a contract, you're one of us, now." Another slap to his back, the serious expression melting into a full grin.

"Good luck boy!" He said before turning and striding away.

 

[EroticLiteracy]

Good Luck?

GOOD LUCK!

To say Edward was panicked would be a massive understatement. A sense of panic and fear as clear and deep as the ocean he was currently sailing on filled his every bone. The first mate’s words ran through his head repeating itself over and over again. In a moment of clarity one of the first mates words reached him over all the others.

You had best throw yourself at the Cap'n's feet

“The captain” Edward said turning on his heel. The captain would be able to help him! Surely once she saw that he was in a panic over even the idea of being in danger she would want to get rid of him. He could work until then! Strike up a deal and try and pay her for the passage.

He practically ran up the wooden staircase. The captain quarters were directly under the wheel. He ignored the looks he got as he strode to the doors and instead began to bang on them.

“Captain!” He called out his voice high with fear and worry “Captain please! I need to speak to you!”

 

[Ambrosia_64]

There was a muffled "Come the hell in then!" From inside. Swinging the heavy, unlocked door open revealed a small Captain's quarters, a tied down bed and several bookshelves nailed to the wall-pieces of netting strung across each shelf to keep the many books snug within. A small table was in the center of the room not far from the bed, and it was here the Captain stood leaning over it, small hands resting on the surface, a complicated looking map unrolled across it.

It was the boy who had been talking to Blevins, glimpsed earlier. At least, looked like a boy. Maybe too pretty to be a boy? The large, bright blue captain's coat and the loose white shirt underneath made it even harder to tell. Blue, irritated eyes stared at him from beneath the admiral's black hat, one brow raising in askance.

The captain was short, no more than 5'2" or so, with a spattering of freckles across the bridge of the nose and the tops of the cheeks. Blond hair was tied back, disappearing under the back of the coat-and the pommel and hand guard of a sword could be seen poking through the opening of the coat-a glimpse of a pistol on the opposite hip.

There was a glance past him, confirming no fire, no attack-and then with an increased look of irritation, the captain straightened off of the table, rising to full height with squared shoulders. "What? What are you on about out there?"

The voice was rather feminine- the boy was either very young, or maybe not a boy at all.

 

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Edward was floored

He starred at the captain for several minutes. His eyes were alight with confusion and you could almost see the wheels turning in his head. He furiously connected the dots taking in what he saw and the evidence before finally speaking.

“You” He said his tone one of shock “You’re a…. A woman!”

The revelation only made his eyes widen further. He backed up shaking his head from side to side as he took a nervous gulp. He was suddenly unsure of what to do and a part of him wanted to run and try his hand swimming. How could he sit here and whine to a female captain? He would look like a fool?

“I uh” He nervously stammered “I need a…. Captain I was unaware of what type of ship I was signing on to. I’m a farmer longing for adventure not danger. I don’t even know how to wield a sword! I think it might be best for me to work below decks until we reach our next port of call and then I will take my leave so you can get someone much more capable than I”

 

[Ambrosia_64]

The captain stared back as he gaped at her, becoming even more irritated-and then her eyes narrowed after his shocked outburst, glittering dangerously. For a moment, it would seem like she was trying to decide to take offense or not-but he very much looked panicked and nonthreatening, and as he launched into a nervous spiel, she seemed to soften a little, the predatory expression shifting to a small, puzzled frown.

"Did Blevins...argh, just shut the door, boy." She said, despite being his age, maybe younger. Once he had done so she moved around the table, studying him. "You look plenty big enough." She said, looking thoughtful. "And you wanted to sail for adventure, right?" She could understand that. She'd grown up on the seas with her father, had taken over for him. "Even "safe" ships get attacked. We're privateers, not pirates-though it's a small difference, I suppose. We work for the British King, mostly targeting Spanish ships. The war and all."

He looked so nervous, maybe even scared. Who knows what Blevins told this one. The last story she'd heard, a man had been terrified of being forced to hunt sharks while swimming, armed with nothing but a spear. Elise sighed.

"And yes, I am of the feminine variety. A few men know here and there, some suspect-but for the most part, it isn't discussed- it's Captain Avery on deck, in ports, in bar room gossip. Got it?" She poked him in the chest, but not too hard-her gaze a little intimidating, commanding.

She couldn't afford to be widely known as such. Hard enough as it was.

"Listen. The seas are rough." She said, turning and walking back around her table, a glance to the map. "I won't lie to you, it can be dangerous. But if you can't wield a sword, I'm obviously not going to send you headlong into battle. We're not exactly desperate for swords around here."

She pondered him a moment. "What I do need are loyal crewmen." He seemed so nervous, guileless, she half couldn't help but feel a little bad for him. "If you want to go home, I won't hold you to your contract-but if you desire adventure, you've found it. I run a tight ship, but no one is going to stab you in the night, or steal from you."

Elise offered a tired smile. "I'd be willing to teach you swordplay, if you'd like."

 

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Despite the revelation that the captain was a girl he did what she asked. Almost immediately to boot! He turned on his heel going over to the door and gently shutting it before turning and giving her his full attention. Now that the shock of the captain being female was wearing off the young farmer known as Edward was beginning to see things in an entirely new light. The captain was pretty! And she didn’t seem to upset or even angry about his lack of skills!

He wasn’t sure what the difference between a privateer and a pirate was… but something about the captain made him feel safe and honest. When she spoke of the need for secrecy in regards to her identity Edward found himself nodding in silent support and agreement. There was just something… Something about her!
When the captain began to speak about life on the sea understanding dawned on Edward. How much of a fool had he been? Here he was on a ship out on the high seas during a war! Any ship he was on would be a target either because of the colors it was flying or just by being out during these dangerous times!

“I didn’t think captain” Edward finally said pinching the bridge of his nose “I was so eager to get away from the farm and go on an adventure I spared no thought of how dangerous the seas currently were!”

He chuckled at his own foolishness before finally squaring his shoulders.
“No sense looking back when I have to focus on moving forward” He said his tone sure “If you could teach me swordplay I would be honored to stay on your crew. I’ve no want to go home and if I am going to be out on the high seas I would be honored to be with a captain such as yourself”