Table of Contents
Title Page
Book Details
Open Waters
About the Author
Open Waters
Valerie Mores
Captain Jane Avery of the Tantibus has been pirating for more than ten years. With a crew at her command and a ship under her feet, she is a terror to anyone that has the misfortune of crossing her path. Her latest conquest is just one more on the list. When they find common whore aboard, Jane orders the woman be brought along, never realizing the impact one decision can have, and that even an unstoppable pirate has a weakness...
Book Details
Open Waters
By Valerie Mores
Published by Less Than Three Press LLC
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner without written permission of the publisher, except for the purpose of reviews.
Edited by Tan-ni Fan
Cover designed by Natasha Snow
This book is a work of fiction and all names, characters, places, and incidents are fictional or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual people, places, or events is coincidental.
First Edition March 2015
Copyright © 2015 by Valerie Mores
Printed in the United States of America
Digital ISBN 9781620045008
Open Waters
The wind wrapped around Jane, salty and cold, caressing her like a lover and teasing her wild, golden, curly mane. She closed her eyes, allowing herself to indulge in its comfort and wash away the memories that dared whisper against her consciousness. The past was the past. All that mattered right now was the present and the future. And what a glorious future she imagined it would be.
With a smirk, she opened her eyes and barked, "Coll: speed?!"
"Steady at seven and a half knots, Captain," the man's voice sounded from port side, rising above the crash of the waves.
Jane took another look through her spyglass at the large galleon cruising beyond the bow of the Tantibus, hovering just below the horizon. She frowned. They hadn't bridged the gap much since they started trailing the ship and the news was worrying. Considering the speed the Tantibus was traveling, she should have made excellent ground.
"Worth," she called out, into the organized chaos of sweaty bodies below on the main deck. A well-built man, skin tanned by the sun, with a mop of dirty, brown hair, broke apart from the others, taking just three leaps up the stairs before settling in his place at her side. "Take a look," she commanded, handing over the spyglass to her first mate and nodding her head toward the merchant ship. "Would you say she's riding low?"
Worth took the device and brought it up to his right eye, pointing it toward their prize. "No, she doesn't appear to be," he stated after a minute, scowling. He handed her back the spyglass.
Silence fell over them, with only the constant slap of the sea against the hull and the steady clamor of her crew ensuring the ship stayed on course and afloat filling in the background. She hummed in consideration and took another glance through the spyglass to ensure she wasn't completely imagining things. Finally, with a sigh, she was forced to admit that yes, her suspicions were entirely correct, as usual. Why couldn't she be wrong just this once?
Jane spun on her heel, facing the main deck. "Pull in the sails!" she shouted, gesturing to the men below, who paused and gazed up in confusion. "Bring her back around! North!"
"But Captain," a voice—Coll—sounded from amidst the men about the main deck, "what about the galleon? The loot?"
"She's not carrying. Nothing but a decoy," she stated coldly.
There were several groans of annoyance equal from amongst the crew. It meant extending their days at sea for another week or so as they chased down the true merchant ship and delivered the stolen goods back to their cache, and her men were already restless. They had been at sea for only a few days, but she had promised them a quick plunder, as the last port they'd docked at only housed them for a few hours. Not enough time for them to drink their fill or have a decent lay. Jane knew what her men needed and took great care to fulfill their desires, lest they decide having a woman as captain wasn't worth it.
She'd sailed with at least half these men going on ten years now, through her first couple of years aboard the Tantibus and as she climbed her way through the ranks, and these last few years as she captained. There had been a rough patch in the transition, when the captain at the time had suddenly decided he didn't much approve of her growing popularity and strove to throw her overboard on the standard notion that it was bad luck to have a woman aboard, despite the fact that she had been aboard his ship for years and he had displayed no concern towards her presence before. But she remembered that day fondly, as the crew turned on the then-captain, throwing their loyalties towards her instead. And once the man had been properly mutinied, the rest of the crew had argued over who should be his replacement. That was when Worth had spoken up, his voice booming out over the rest and nominated her. Yes, there had been some objections, but a majority seemed open enough to the idea that the notion passed. So, she'd found herself the newly-instated captain of the Tantibus and had been ever since.
Jane smiled at the memory. It hadn't been easy, that was for sure, but Worth had been there to help her out every step of the way. He had been her first real friend aboard the ship—despite his intimidating size, he was in truth, kind-hearted, at least to her—and one of the few who hadn't at one point or another, tried to proposition her like a whore. Of course, they all soon found that she wasn't one they wanted to mess with. Worth, she trusted, but she knew if his goals ever swayed from her own, she wouldn't hesitate to let him go. This was not a profession one could afford to be merciful and caring in. For now, though, they were aligned perfectly.
So really, it had been no contest who she'd wanted as her first mate. Jane glanced over at Worth, watching him berate a fellow crew member on his poor ability to adjust the main sheet. She knew she could probably have come to love him if they had met under different circumstances.
In another life, perhaps. But as it was, she had never been truly able to get past Thomas and the loss she had suffered.
Sorrow washed over Jane like the waves that surrounded her as the memories came unhindered now, despite her attempts to keep them back. They had grown up together, she and Thomas Avery, known each other since she could hardly walk. Being just a few years apart had never really mattered to them; he was the one who taught her how to fight with a blade at a very tender age, running over to teach her all he learned that day from his father. And later, he'd showed her how to fire a pistol. He had been the one to show her what it was like to be free, to live outside the rules of her household, to stand up for herself despite her gender, to be bold and daring, and later, to love. She couldn't remember the day she knew, the day she could feel their relationship change into something more. It had just happened. She came to realize she loved him, and had always loved him.
And she couldn't have been happier.
"Lost, Captain?" Worth questioned with a grin. The humor behind the question failed to bring a smile to her face as she continued to unconsciously stroke the charred wedding ring that hung on a silver chain around her neck. Worth must have seen the lack of reaction from her, as a beat later, he asked seriously, "Everything alright?"
He didn't know of her past. None of them did. And Jane had no desire to remedy that.
She grunted, her lips quirking as she leaned heavily on the railing. "Just don't like being played a fool. Nor the Navy's poor excuse for an attempt at it," she lied. Nevertheless, she mused, it was true, just not the reason for her current mood.
Worth let out a hearty chuckle at that. "Aye, but only you would call such a ruse a poor excuse." H
e gazed beyond the stern back toward the now slowly-disappearing dot that was the Royal Navy's decoy galleon. "I’m sure they'll try harder next time."
Jane allowed a small smile to cross her features. "Hopefully there won't be a next time," she said, giving Worth a sidelong glance.
The Royal Navy thought her a fool, she knew, but truly, this was just insulting. No matter, they would find she wasn't one they should strive to insult eventually.
Jane huffed at the thought. She really must be mad. Normally, she tried to avoid the Royal Navy at all costs. Their warships were something to behold and definitely not a force to be trifled with. Though, she knew some captains and their crew living under the piracy name that made it their life goal to bugger the Royal Navy, sinking crew down along with the ship without offering them a position under their flag. Jane however, had never felt the desire to stoop so low. The Royal Navy had never done her any wrong, save for attempting to prevent her from pillaging as she pleased, but that was more of a nuisance than an actual danger. She was indifferent to them, but if pressed, she would say she didn't enjoy their antipiracy laws and tactics. That just encouraged her to steer clear of their damned ships.
That is, until now.
Just a few weeks ago, while restocking in Port Nempth, Jane had gotten wind through her illustrious network that a merchant ship was departing from Port Farray to Port Hempsey to deliver fifty-six casks of gunpowder, a good number of 12-pounders, and various ammunition to the Royal Navy. And that just wouldn't do. There had also been rumors going around the taverns and whorehouses that the Royal Navy was amassing an armada big enough to hunt down and take out every pirate ship in British waters. It was a daunting thought, that her way of life could be threatened so easily. Again.
And she'd be damned if she didn't do anything about it this time.
Pillaging the armed merchant ship was the first step she and her crew were to take in what was bound to be a bloody battle between the Royal Navy and the various pirating vessels across the sea. She had no doubt that despite the united front some pirate captains put out, these were still pirates, and pirates usually lived by an every-man-for-himself rule. She garnered it wouldn't hurt to get a head start stockpiling for the war to come. Besides, she could use the ammunition. The better armed the Tantibus was, the better chance she had at surviving the upcoming war.
"What now, Captain?" Worth asked.
Jane remained silent as she continued to stare out at the vast expanse of ocean before her, fingers tracing the cracks and mars of the ring around her neck unconsciously. "There was another ship at port," she said after a beat. "The Liberty—dreadful name for a ship, honestly—she's the one we're after."
Worth hesitated for a moment. Jane could see his mind calculating, whirling like the wind around them. Soon enough, he was nodding in agreement. "But we've no idea where she's heading. Clearly, Landry's information was wrong, so she may not even be heading to Port Hempsey."
"No, she's definitely not, else we would have spotted her by now," Jane remarked assuredly. Her mind was calculating now, putting all the pieces into place, trying to stay a step ahead of her prize, even as she found herself a few steps behind. No matter, she'd make sure they caught up in no time.
"Then where? Kingsley?" Worth asked.
"Precisely," she confirmed with a nod. "It houses the only other Royal Navy stronghold close enough to Port Farray. That's where she'll be heading."
Worth gave another nod as he, too, gazed out at the sea before them. "She's got a head start. Leagues away by now."
"Aye," Jane agreed, her smirk growing into a knowing grin, "but she's weighed down by fifty-six casks. We'll catch up in a day or two. Long before she reaches port."
*~*~*
A day and a half was all it took.
By just a day's mark, Newby's call echoed down from the crow's nest to Jane and the crew on the main deck. All eyes cast about, quickly finding the pearl white sails of the Liberty highlighted against the cerulean horizon.
The merchant galleon was sure a sight to behold. Larger than the Tantibus—which was a sixth-rate frigate with only twenty cannons aboard, but had the advantage of speed and ease of maneuverability in the waters—with multiple decks, each of them housing several cannons, including two chasers on the main deck. In all, Jane concluded there were at least thirty aboard, plus seventy to eighty crewmen aboard with who knew what kind of combat training. In firepower, they were almost equal, but in crewmen, the Liberty outnumbered them two to one—if Jane's assumptions were correct, that is. And they almost always were. The boarding of the ship alone would be a challenge, but the fight to keep it would be even greater. She knew the risk, and had known from the beginning. Her men were more than capable of taking the galleon.
She just had to make sure they agreed to her insane plan.
"Gentlemen!" Jane crowed, as her men donned their weapons and loaded themselves up for the battle ahead. Metal screeched as swords were sharpened, ropes creaked as they were tightened around the cannons, and the click of pistols being loaded and cocked reverberated around the main deck. "Gather about."
A circle formed around her, men shuffling, their boots scraping the deck as all eyes looked to her for direction. This was when the thrill of the fight ahead and the adrenaline pumping through her veins began, filling her up and making her feel well and truly alive. She lived for these moments. It was at times like these that she could see the trust and loyalty these men had in her, in what she could do and what she could give them. She could see it in their eyes. They would follow her to the edge of the world and back again if she so demanded it.
For now, she'd just settle for capturing the Liberty.
"We all know the prestige of royal galleons. Outfitted with the best guns and cannons, made to withstand attacks and continue on to port like nothing happened. But we have the advantage here. She may be bigger and better at most things, but she doesn't have the speed and agility of the Tantibus. We've faced worse odds before and look, we're still here. And stronger than ever!" Cries of agreement rose up from the crew as Jane's words riled them up. Good. The more riled they were, the more unpredictable they would be once the fight began. Unpredictable meant victory.
Jane took a breath, and shifted her weight, restless with the thrum of excitement and continued, "If we can damage her rigging with a few shots from the bow chaser, we'll be able to get the Tantibus close enough to board and the Liberty won't be going anywhere. She's a newer model, so she's lacking the stern-chasers and won't be able to return fire without a turn. Which, with the disabled rigging, will not be possible. With her incapacitated, we get to choose the side of attack. She's strongest portside, so we'll match her starboard side. Despite this, she'll still think she can rake us through in just a few shots. What she won't be expecting is a boarding mid-pass."
Several voices rose in complaint, but Jane quickly shut them down with a raised hand.
"Yes, I know it's a gamble and those that take on that task are at risk of being picked off. But I believe it will catch them enough off-guard that we can get at least a dozen men aboard to start taking their crew out. Most of her men will be below deck, manning the cannons, so just taking out those above will leave fewer cannons to be loosed as men come above to take their places."
She watched as some heads nodded in agreement, and others looked about trying to gauge their fellow crewmembers' opinions.
Soon enough, Cooksley spoke up, his arrogant voice rising above the murmur of the other men, "Aye, but there's only so many men a man can take on before he's downed. It’s suicide, Captain. It'll never work and I, for one, don't fancy losing my life over something as half-brained as that." He looked about him, trying to gauge the reaction of his statements in the rest of the crew. Jane almost laughed out loud. Being malicious and ruthless had gained him little support amongst the crew. Besides, the last attempt at mutiny back when Jane had been newly captained hadn't gone too well. Those involved still lay at the bottom of the ocean somewher
e. Cooksley may desire her position but the odds of obtaining it were not in his favor.
Jane held up a finger. "Not with Coll, Newby, and myself picking them off from here."
The crew was silent, digesting the plan with furrowed brows and hard lines. But Jane just smiled confidently. Making a pass at the Liberty with her full strength would leave the Tantibus vulnerable to significant damage. Sliding into the Liberty's wake and firing their cannons at her stern would make a smaller target and delay boarding to its fullest. Jane knew from experience that the longer she waited to board, the more the crew was prepared for it and could fight them off. Quick and easy, that was the trick. Her plan was a new one, but they had never taken on a full-fledged merchant galleon before. A galleon warship would have been another matter and most likely impossible for the Tantibus and her crew, but as a merchant ship, the Liberty had to lower the amount of defenses in order to make room for more goods. And although the Liberty was carrying powder and ammunition of all sorts, she was not equipped to fight with most of it.
And it played out better than she would have thought possible.
Worth had volunteered—as Jane knew he would—to be one of the first men to board and he amounted to most of their success. The man was a fighter, parrying, blocking, and jabbing his sword in expertly-practiced maneuvers. Jane barked a laugh as she watched him twist his body and disarm his opponent with a flick of his wrist. She had taught him the move.
This was what she lived for, what she loved: the fight, the battle, watching her tactical plans play out before her, even if she wasn't down there in the fray of it all. The weight of the gun was enough, the smell of the gunpowder, and the quick, deft movements of her hands as she loaded another shot, downing the Liberty's crewmen one by one as they got in her crew's way.
"Secure!" Worth shouted from the Liberty's deck.
Jane got to her feet leisurely, striding over and swinging aboard the Liberty. Her boots thudded against the wooden deck as she landed gracefully, looking about the main deck. The Liberty's twelve remaining crew members were now kneeling, bloodied and beaten, before five of her own, guns and swords alike trained upon their bowed heads. The stench of sweat and blood hung in the air, only swept away occasionally by the sweet, salty breeze that washed over the sea.
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