"Quick! Hide!" Gwendolyn whispered in a panic.
"I refuse to hide while my crew and, most importantly, my ladies-in-waiting are savagely attacked! I shall stand and fight with you!" I argued.
"But, your High—"
"No, Gwen. If anyone is going to hide it's you. Now get down and get ready for a fight."
I could hear the chaos ensuing on the deck above as the sea battered our ship, seemingly on the side of the pirates. We had been sailing for over four weeks now, bound for the West Indies, where I was to be married as part of an arrangement to ensure our stronghold in the Caribbean colonies. While I was disappointed, I always knew this is how it would be. It's our duty as women to be the glue that binds.
"Down below!" I heard a rough voice shout amidst the slaughter above our heads. We were losing, quickly. I would
not
let them take my ship! I grabbed the hem of my emerald green silk dress, brushed the fiery red locks from my face and stood, ready to fight, my sword in front of me.
Then it dawned on me, "If we let them come down here, we're cornered. Ladies, our only chance is to get up there and fight alongside the crew. I understand you're frightened. So am I. And I know not all of you know how to wield a sword, but we've been practicing on our voyage. I ask you now...if any of you are willing and able: fight with me!" I didn't wait for a response. I marched to the steep wooden steps, climbed, unlatched the lock and pushed my way out of the dark underbelly of the ship and into the bright sunlight.
Immediately I found myself face to face with one of those dirty dogs, who seemed amused by my holding a sword. I showed him immediately as I raised it, ready to fight. I could have just run him through, but that wouldn't have been very sporting. "Raise your weapon, sir. And fight me like a man, you bloody coward!" Our swords clinked and clashed as we danced around the deck, but it didn't take me long to defeat him. I knocked his sword aside and kicked him overboard before turning and attacking the next pirate that I saw.
By this time a several of my ladies had joined me on deck and were doing their best, although it wasn't long before they started to be bested, one by one. Their training was not as extensive as mine, and, in the time that it took me to defeat five of our enemies, they had all been captured and were being taken to the other ship. I tried grabbing their petticoats with one hand while I fought off pirates with the other. But as they flew out of reach and as the men of my crew fell one after another, the others dropping their swords in surrender, I started to see there was no hope and my fight...was fading.
"Do you yield, madame?" I heard a deep voice behind me.
"Never," I turned to face a tall but handsome man with shaggy hair the color of sand. He was better dressed than the others. "Am I addressing the captain?"
"No, madame. I'm his first mate, Kip, and will gladly take you to him."
"I go willingly to no one," I raised my sword to him.
"Not even...to save your precious cargo?" he gestured toward the enemy ship, where my ladies were on their knees, hands bound, crying, pirates' swords aimed at the backs of their necks.
What do I do?
I couldn't just let them die, but, on the other hand, I couldn't surrender. I wasn't brought up to surrender. And what if I did? That didn't guarantee their safety! I had to think quickly. What could I trade!? What could I possibly give them that they can't take!? I dropped the sword and pulled a small jewel-encrusted dagger from my waist.
"Let them go," I commanded.
The man called Kip laughed at me, "I don't think you're in any position to demand anything, madame."
"Actually I am. I would like to offer a trade."
"Oh? And what would you like to trade?"
"Them for me."
"Six women for one!? You must be daft, woman," he laughed louder.
I didn't back down, but instead stepped closer and said, "You will address me as Your Highness, pirate!"
His face shifted and became more solemn. He stepped toward me, but stopped immediately as I raised the dagger and pressed the blade against my throat saying, "Come no closer, pirate. It would be a shame to lose a bargaining chip that could make you all rich beyond your wildest dreams." He looked to his ship, as if seeking someone's approval. I didn't dare turn my gaze from him for a moment.
"What are your terms, lass?"
"Let my ladies go. And the rest of my crew. Take whatever valuables you want. I care not for those. But leave them to sail away with their lives and enough provisions to make it to their destination. In exchange, I'll accompany you to your ship. My ransom shall be quite large, I can assure you."
"I have to speak this over with the captain."
"Then go! Stop wasting time!" Thankfully he couldn't see my legs shaking beneath my gown, as he grabbed a rope and took the short swing back to his ship. I lowered my blade as I watched him disappear into the main cabin. I took a moment to marvel at the size and luxury of the ship, clearly stolen from someone important. The main cabin was one level above the main deck and all of the wood was in pristine condition.
I walked to the rail of my ship and ran my hand across the wood grain, knowing that I would soon be taken from it.
But I'm doing the right thing.
I looked at my ladies-in-waiting, who appeared to have calmed down a bit and were looking to me for answers. I smiled and nodded and mouthed, "It's going to be okay." Moments later Kip emerged and walked to the spot where our ships were a mere few feet apart and hopped back over. I immediately put the blade back to my throat.
"That's not necessary, Your Highness. The captain has agreed to your terms. Now if you'll accompany me—" Kip started.
"My ladies first. And your word of honor that they and the rest of my crew will be allowed to safely set sail with provisions, as discussed," I demanded.
"My captain is a man of his word, Your Highness. I will not allow his honor to be questioned! Not his!" he shouted.
"Very well," I lowered the blade. "My ladies..."
Kip motioned to the crew, who looked thoroughly disappointed to be letting women off of their ship, and they cut each girl loose and helped them to their feet. They led them to the rail and helped them back over to my ship. Each hugged me as they rushed past into the main cabin, terrified. Gwen stopped and wrapped her arms around me, "Your Highness, what are you doing?"
I hugged her back, "The right thing."
I then turned to them and the rest of my crew and spoke loudly enough for them to hear, "These men will be allowed to board and take what they want. They will be leaving enough provisions for you to reach Port Hope. Show them no fear and no fight. Please let my betrothed know that I have been taken and have him prepare a hefty ransom for these men. And I shall meet you all there soon." I turned back to Kip, "Have your men board, under instruction that they are to cause no harm to the crew and follow our agreement."
"Aye," Kip motioned to the crew, who immediately started boarding in silence. This is MUCH more civilized than their initial attack. I stood and watched each carry an armful of cargo back to their ship, the last of which was several trunks of my dresses and jewels.
Just things...
I thought, as I watched. Precious family heirlooms lived in those wooden crates, but, in the end, they weren't worth the lives of any more of my crew.
"That's the last of it, Your Highness," Kip looked at me solemnly, almost respectfully.
I nodded and turned to my crew, "Safe passage." The men bowed and the ladies, crying, curtsied. I gave them a reassuring smile as I allowed Kip to take my arm and lead me to the other ship. I stood and watched as we pushed apart, the water between us growing more and more. My ladies were waving and I did all that I could to hold back the tears.
They will NOT see me weak.
Dark clouds were rolling in from the distance. We would have a storm upon us soon. When they were finally far enough that I could no longer make out the details of their faces, Kip said, "The captain is waiting for you, your Highness."
The crew snickered and leered at me as Kip led me across the massive deck to the recently oiled stairs, leading me up to the captain's quarters. I ran through every stereotype of pirate captain in my head, picturing him with long grey hair and a scraggly beard, a hook for a hand, an eyepatch over his left eye and definitely a peg leg. No question about that last.
Kip knocked and I heard a deep, rugged voice say, "Enter, Kip." He pushed open the door and motioned for me to go inside. I stepped into the room, confidently, so as not to seem weak, but jumped slightly as the door slammed shut behind me. I was all alone. It took a moment for my eyes to adjust to the combination of a dim interior with light pouring in (well, what light there was from the now cloudy skies) and candlelight. It was quite a large space! To my left, a long rectangular table, surrounded by chairs and covered with maps. To my right, a large four-poster bed. Candles burned everywhere.
After waiting for what seemed like hours, my breath causing my pale bosom to heave, a figured appeared in the doorway adjacent to the bed, what I assumed to be the washroom. As he came closer, I started to make out his features.
THIS is the captain?
He had medium-length, ruggedly messy black hair, dark but gentle eyes and the perfect amount of unshaven stubble on his face to make him seem a bit...dangerous. His lips looked soft and not weatherbeaten. As he came closer, dressed in a black loose shirt with a black vest over black leather trousers and boots, he towered at least six inches over my head. My breath caught and my mouth must have dropped open.
A small, knowing smile formed on his mouth. "You were expecting a hook and peg leg and all of that?" he almost chuckled.
"I beg your pardon. Not at all," I pretended to be offended by the notion that I could be so short-sighted.
