Pirate Adventure continues

[Dave-10 Quick Questions founder]

"Captain Vareese," cried the lookout from high atop the crows nest. "We have a ship coming up fast off the starboard bow. She's flying the colors of the Black Stag sir, they be the dreaded Captain Darkeye's pirates for sure."

Vareese swore, "Damn the Gods of Sea and Wind! The bastards must know we carry the fair Princess Celena. We must not falter men! Our mission to return Celena to the throne of Caspania stands, we sail on! Prepare yourselves dog brothers, we'll meet them blade for blade."

"All hands on deck." Yelled the first mate as he pulled his sword from its sheath. This was not the first time he had met up with Pirate Darkeyes and his band of cutthroats. He knew this night would be to the death.
As he looked at the ship bearing down on them, he knew he would once again meet someone he would rather not meet.

"Damn, this is getting old." He said as he prepared for battle.

How many years had it been since he had decided to leave his father's plantation and strike out on his own? His father had assumed that as his first born son he would take over the successful family business, but he had decided long ago that he would never waste his life here on the island. He had watched the ships that visited the harbor and listened to the exaggerated tales the crews would share.

He knew he would have a life at sea. But he didn't count on Darkeyes. They had tangled even before he went to sea.

It had been right after his coming of age, in a pub on the island. His friends had brought him there as a rite of passage, and gotten him stinking drunk. It was then that Darkeyes had approached, that scarred sneer on his face, and noted,"Well, well. The lad's not only still wet behind 'is ears, but he's soaked inta th' bargain."


It had not set well with Vareese. Not well at all.

As brothers at arme in military college, they had been in the same platoon, trained together, and competed against each other to the point that the school was too small for the both of them. Of course Captain Darkeyes dread of the seven seas had been known by his real name back then.

Darkeyes had left college early because he had gotten into a fight and was expelled. He left in a huff.He was not seen or heard from again until that night in the pub.

“Leave me be, Darius”, Vareese said grumbling. “A decent man can’t abide the company of one such as you, now that you decided to spend all your time with ruffians and thieves!”


Darius chuckled and took a seat beside Vareese, studying him closely with narrow eyes. “There’s too much gold to be made on the black market to be wasting me talents playing the good soldier like yourself,” Darius said. “Why, I could use a skilled hand. His dark eyes became narrower still. “The scalawag I have now is a sorry excuse for a first mate. Say the word and the job is yours.”

"The hell you say," Vareese muttered. "I wouldn't have it for all the gold in the world. Serving on the same ship with you wouldn't be worth it, let alone working FOR you. I've a different idea of where MY course lies, and it isn't with the likes of you!"

"I would rather be a galley slave in the service of the Princess Celena on the Royal galleon than first mate on your vile bucket of scum! Get out of my way, Monkey Man! I hear your mother was intimate with ..."





"Better to work with me, my old friend than to go against me", Darius said with a harsh growl.

Vareese took another gulp from his mug of ale. Even bolstered by drunken courage, it took a good deal more than he was willing to admit to have said those words to the man he once regarded as an older brother. A few years before, when they shared a small room in military college, they were the best swordsmen there; Vareese fought mostly with a long sword, while Darius favored the curved blade of the cutlass. Then Darius started taking their rivalry too seriously and now, Vareese had grown to hate the man he once sworn he would die for. He could tell from the cold glint in Darius' eyes that the feeling was quite mutual—so what was the real reason for his visit?

"FRIEND?!" Vareese exclaimed. "When were we ever friends? That time seems so long ago as to have never been! You have no friends any longer, only paid allies and mercenaries! Your crew would as soon slit your throat and take your place as look at you! Get out of here and take your 'offer' with you! I'll take my place in Her Majesty's Navy!"


The sneer on Darius' face slid into a scowl. The scar, still pink from the recent fight it marked, twisted, making his once-handsome, if insolent, face hideous. "A poor choice, me lad. I be makin' a name for myself already. I don't see that happenin' t' th' likes o' you anytime soon."


"You might be surprised," Vareese growled. Then, the alcohol in his bloodstream taking over, he swung at Darius.

A poor move indeed, in the bar on the waterfront that was nothing more than Darius's home office. Fourteen flea-infested sailors fought for the honor of pummeling his face. After eight weeks at sea without a bath, the odor alone would have sent Vareese to Davy Jones locker, had it not been for the quick intervention of a comely barmaid.

"'Ere, now!" the barmaid, Viki by name, exclaimed, bringing her - fortunately empty - pewter pitcher down on several heads, Vareese's and Darius' included. "Not in 'is bar, ye don't! Oi won't be harvin' it, Oi won't! YOU-" She pointed at Darius, "go back to ye're table an' stay there, wi' th' lot o' ya! An' YOU-" she pointed at Vareese, "siddown a' th' bar an' behave wi' y'r mates! Th' nerve!" she grumbled, as the cowed men separated and returned to their seats. "A gal cain't never git no peace, I tell'ee!"

"Can we, lovely lass?," a chastised sailor grinned as he rubbed his sore and bleeding head. "I'd love to have a piece of your action!"

"Not until thee hath washed thyself--several times!" Viki countered.

Viki's back retreated into the depths of the cellar, and the men, several of whom vied for her attentions, settled back into their normal groups, drinking and talking rowdily. But Darius' dark eyes were still upon Vareese, and well the younger man knew it.


Enough of the drink, he thought, pretending to imbibe. Time to decide what he REALLY wants.


But he never had, and soon enough the pirate and his crew had departed. Shortly thereafter, Vareese and his friends followed suit.


And now here they were. Vareese had done far better than Darius had expected, rising through the ranks rapidly. And now two ships, one honorable, one rather less so, faced off upon the seas over a living cargo that spelled life for one, and death for the other.


It didn't help, Vareese realized, that he was more than a little attracted to the princess. He sighed, and put the thought aside. Time enough for working out such matters after he'd ensured her safety.





"Captain Vareese," Celena called as she was hustled to her cabin. "What is the trouble, why are we braced fro war?"

"The dread pirate Rober- uh, Darkeyes approaches, milady," Vareese told her honestly. "But fear not. He shall not come nigh thy fair gaze. My men and I shall see to that, if it mean our lives."

Not wanting to worry her, Vareese answered cautiously. "My Royal Highness, any ship that carries treasure must always be braced for war."

As bright as she was beautiful, Celena was not fooled. Moving quickly, she retired to her cabin and removed the doublet, cape, and even the codpiece from her closet, garments she reserved for times when it was to her advantage to appear male. No one would bespoil her chasity or hold her ransom!

Meanwhile, on the deck, Vareese began barking orders. "Trim the sails! Hard to starboard! Maintain our distance if at all possible! Ready the cannon afore he grows too close! Take him amidships!"


"Aye, sir!" came the multiple shouts in reply.


Soon enough the maneuvering for position began between the ships. "Cannons ready, sir!" came the news.


"Tell the cannoneer he may fire at will!" Vareese ordered. "Aim for the waterline! And may the cursed ship go straight to the bottom!"

“The good solider” Darius had once called him. He was mocking him, of course, but Vareese took those words and made them his own. He was now captain of one of the finest ships to sail the Great Sea. And it was he who was entrusted with the mission of seeing the princess safely to Tarken to claim her place on the Diamond Throne. Suddenly the sound of heavy thunder filled the air. From her cabin, Vareese heard Princess Celena screamed in fear, but the sound was nearly drowned out by the roaring din around them. "Cannons!" A crew mate yelled angrily. "They're fireing bloody cannons at us Captain!"

"Then bloody fire BACK!" Vareese barked. "NOW!"


The cannons below the main deck roared, and the ship lurched backward slightly with the recoil. Vareese watched in some satisfaction as splinters flew from the other ship, and one of their sails tore.


We have the range over them, he thought in satisfaction. If we can continue outmaneuvering them, we shall win this battle.

Celena pulled on the unfamiliar male clothing while watching the door of her cabin. The scream should mislead them. If the ship was breeched, she would mingle with the sailors, avoiding the battle, if possible. Reaching under her bunk, she found the dagger she had hidden, vowing to use it on herself rather than have her honor comprimised.

The two ships engaged in a dance of death. circling and maneuvering, yawing first to port and then to starboard, as they attempted to get in a killing shot, or in the case of the pirate ship, to maneuver close enough to board.


Vareese had no interest in boarding Darkeyes' ship. All he cared about was either escaping and getting beyond reach, or sending the threat to the bottom of the sea. Another barrage from the naval vessel punched at least one cannonball-sized hole in the belly of the pirate ship, some three feet above her waterline.


But the naval vessel was not undamaged. Several sails were torn, and one mast had broken, about a third of the way from the top. As yet, however, her hull was intact.


"Finish this off!" Vareese shouted. "Stay out of range and take them down! I won't have the likes of them boarding my vessel, let alone threatening our 'cargo'!"

Unseen, three dark figures slid into a dinghy, and slipped to the dark side of the royal vessel. Quiet as ship rats, they crept up the lifeboat cables, until they reached the deck. Like plank rot, they merged into the crowd of warring sailors.

Another barrage from Vareese's ship caused the pirate vessel to cut to quarter-speed, in order to prevent taking on too much water. "Hard to port, and away, full sail!" Vareese ordered. "Let 'em do as they will, sink, swim, or get away - for now. We've too important a mission to bother with the likes of those cutthroats! All crew not on duty, begin effecting repairs!"


The crew scurried about, not realizing that three of those cutthroats were already making their way toward a very important cabin.

What would be there to stop them in the midst of this flurry? The ocean hurled, crashing an icy wave across the deck making Vareese's order almost impossible to obey. Nature had created the perfect moment.

"Blast and damnation!" Vareese exclaimed in intense disgust. The hours-long battle had caused him and his crew to neglect weather observations. "We've a demned nor'easter upon us! Trim the sails, and head her into the waves! But make sure we're away from the likes of Darkeyes, if we have to tack across the waves to do it! GO!"


Below decks, three skulking dark figures heard the howling outside, and felt the first lurch of a storm wave. They glanced at each other, unnerved.


"D'ye s'pose th' dory is still attached?" one wondered.


"I dinna know, but iffen we don't git our arses movin', she won't be, n'matter," another replied sternly. "Iffen she gits spotted, they'll be a-cuttin' of our line an' set 'er adrift. Then stranded we'll be."


"I got th' answer f'r that, right 'ere," the third said, patting his scabbard, "but we gotta find 'Er 'Ighness first. 'Ostages is always safe passage. An' 'th more important th' 'ostage, th' safer th' passage."


"'Er cabin orght t' be up 'ere," the first said, glancing around cautiously before leading the way.

Momentarily preoccupied, Captain Vareese absently surveyed his vessel, as crewmen hurried along in all directions, carrying out his various commands. A damn fine ship, he thought to himself, and a damn fine crew.
How many men could say they not only faced the Scourge of the Great Sea, but sent him scurrying away like a mangy dog with its tail between its legs? Why he—the captain suddenly snapped out of his reverie, sniffing. What was that foul odor? The sharp smell of unwashed feet and other parts better left unmentioned wafted past his nose. His men knew better than to go about in such a filthy condition, for he ran an orderly and clean ship—crew and all. Then where was that stench coming from? Suddenly Vareese’s blood ran as cold as the waters crashing against the ship’s bow. “Intruders!” He yelled. Dark Eye’s men are on this ship! Find them—now! The metallic sound of many swords being unsheathed at once echoed around him as Vareese, his own sword in hand, ran toward the Princess’s cabin.

"'Ere we go, lads!" one of the pirates said to his mates, as he paused before a door. "Ri' in 'ere we go, an' we has th' prize!"

They drew their cutlasses, evil grins spreading over their countenances. He flung open the door.


The Princess was indeed inside - but she was not quite what they were expecting.

"Who are you?" the "boy" demanded, in a harsh voice, one hand on his sword hilt, the other brandishing a dagger. "No one is allowed in the Captain's personal quarters."


Wide-eyed with surprise, the three pirates stared at each other. "Bu-but...isn't this...?" one began.


"Shut yer damn trap!" the leader snarled. "Spread out an' search! She 'as t' be 'ere someplace!"


"I said, GET OUT!" the youth snapped, whipping out "his" sword. The cabin boy stepped forward, in classic spada y capa form, sword warded high, dagger held low. "Do not think to outfight me. There is a reason the captain chose me for his cabin boy."

Bright green eyes peered out at them from beneath a sailor's slouch hat, as a fair young man tried to slide under the elegant royal bunk.

"Where is Her Hi'ness?" Arrse demanded as he drew his dagger and held it to the youth's neck. The boy recoiled from his stench, saying nary a word as footsteps approached the cabin door. The other two stowaways drew their swords, and waited.

The room was dark except the dim light that filtered through the tapestries hanging across the window, but the shape of a large table and chairs could be seen in the center of the room. They entered quickly, the sounds of the shouting on deck muffled by the closing of the door behind them. As they waited for their eyes to became accustomed to the lack of light they heard the sounds of a pistol being cocked and a chair scraping across the plank floor. A flash of gun powder was followed by a cry from the first pirate who had entered the room and his body landed with a thud.


"You! I will shoot you as I shot your friend if you don't leave now.'


The voice of a woman surprised the pirate as much or more than the shot that had hit his fellow pirate, but he smiled and continued toward the table.


"I think ye only 'ad the one shot, Missy or I'd be on the floor, too. Come ta me, now. I won' urt ye."

"One shot I may have," the disguised princess murmured. "Other things are as easily to hand. As it were."

A dagger flew from the darkness, embedding itself in the second pirate's chest. He, too, fell unmoving.


The leader of the pirate group stood alone, dumbfounded. Be this th' Princess? he thought, amazed. I'd not 'eard she 'uz this kind o' spitfire. Dangerous spitfire, she be. He moved away from the bunk, back toward the door. Perhaps a strategic retreat was in order. Then again, the rheumy-eyed sailor considered, Darkeyes was unforgiving with crewmen that failed their orders. Maybe it was better to take his chances with...whoever this was, princess or cabin boy. He moved further into the room.


"I tol' ye, I'll not be hurtin' ye," he reiterated, in as soft and coaxing a tone as a throat dried out with years of rum could manage.


His answer was a sharp swishing sound in the air. The sash around his belly fluttered to the floor, his shirt parted, and a thin, shallow bloody scratch appeared on his belly.


"The next will be more direct, I assure you," the gender-uncertain voice said in the darkness.


Where IS that blasted captain? the princess thought. He and his men are here to protect me, not wait for me to make a bloody mess of my cabin!

Meanwhile, judging by the lurching of the cabin, the seas outside were growing rougher by the moment.

The pirate leader hesitated, eyeing the thin, red and painful wound stretched across his stomach. A little deeper and she would have gutted him like a bloody pig. Damn, ‘tis not worth dyin’ for, this lass, he thought. More assassin than princess she be. As the leader turned to flee, his eyes widened in surprise as Captain Vareese ran him through with his long sword. The villain screamed and collapsed to the floor dead; Vareese casually leaned down and cleaned his sword on the fallen man’s grimy overcoat. His crew thought him a bit old fashioned to favor a long sword over a cutlass or rapier, but it served him well over the years. Looking up, he eyed the Princess questionably. With a polite voice laced with ire, he said, “First I discover smelly stowaways on my vessel and now I find that my Princess looks more like a cabin boy and fights like hired darkblade. I think some explanations are called for, Princess Celena—if that is who you truly are.”

You forget I have three older brothers." Celena remarked as she stepped over the pirates motionless bodies. The air outside the cabin was damp with spray of the turbulent sea, but she ignored it, happy to leave the stench of death behind. "I would not be denied the chance to learn to fight."

Vareese's eyebrow rose as he sheathed his sword. She fights? Skillfully, by the look of it... He glanced around the gory cabin before closing the door behind them. By jove, she is one hell of a woman! I wonder if she is promised to another, and if she might find a lowly captain - albeit of a noble, if impoverished, family - a worthy mate?


He offered his arm. "Come, Your Highness," he said. "You may have my cabin, if you will, until we arrive safely. I shall sleep in the bunks with my men. Speaking of which..." he turned to the crewmen who'd followed him to fight. "I believe we have a storm to weather?"


The crewmen disappeared like fog in the sun, and Vareese gallantly escorted the princess to his cabin down the narrow corridor.