“If you help me with that lot, I’ll take you to Kingston,” I said, and I pointed my sword at the drifting ship.
“What about the crew?” Cassandra asked me, but her eyes remained fixed on the stranger, and his captivating pale green eyes.
“Any man left standing will go free, but the ship is greatly damaged, so they won’t be going anywhere until they can make repairs. Let’s bring this bitch about and go get what we came for,” I answered.
Once back aside the merchant ship, I told the Jamaican man to address the crew of the Demon Sea and offer to allow them to return to the ship. “Anyone still willing to sail aboard the Demon is welcome back, and any able-bodied man aboard that ship is welcome to join the crew,” he called out as the ships were again brought aside.
“Ye killed the Cap’n, did ye?” Barclay’s bosun, Rip Townsend, called out to me.
I nodded in response. “Self-defense.”
“I s’pose by order of the code, we have no choice but ta’ vote ye Cap’n. Doesn’t mean none of us like it, but we’ve only a few more days ‘til we make Port Royal. Once we’re on land, you ain’t me Cap’n no more.”
“We’ll be heading first to Kingston,” I stated, nodding at the Jamaican.
“Madame, if you would allow me to assist you,” he leaned in and whispered.
“Assist me?” Who in the hell did this dog think he was barking at?
“Madame, if I may please speak with you alone, I am sure that I can find a way to keep you and your ladies alive until we reach Kingston.”
“What do you mean, keep us alive?” I barked back.
“Ivory, perhaps you can give the gentleman a chance,” Cassandra whispered in my ear as she tapped me on the shoulder and drew my attention to the gathering mob of men behind us on the deck. Their faces bore the worn and ragged expressions of anger, mixed with the seawater and blood they’d dragged back aboard the Demon with them. My hands trembled as their ravenous eyes weighed and measured me, but I wasn’t immediately sure what they hungered. It was, however, instantly obvious that Barclay’s dead body meant only one thing to them—loss of future income. Somewhere between the oppressive midday sun and their encroaching footsteps, I found my frozen feet as well as my backbone, and my body turned towards them.
“Gentleman, please allow me to speak,” I shouted to them in the deepest tone of voice I could dig out from my belly. All the while, I clutched the grip of my cutlass to steady my hand. There was no time to think, and even though I knew Barclay had used me to end himself, they weren’t going to hear any of it.
“Killin’ the Cap’n didn’t win ye anythin’, lass. You ain’t a pirate, and ye never will be,” the boson growled. This was the same boson who, before he’d come back aboard, stated before the crew that according to the code I was Captain now. Of course, I knew nothing of the weight of the code or whether or not he was lying.
“Now let’s just hold on for a minute and assess the situation, shall we gents?” suggested an older gentleman whom I had known since we came aboard as Barclay’s quartermaster, Willy McCormack. Willy appeared to be at least in his mid-fifties. Either that, or his years of drinking and pirating had taken its toll.
“By all due process, lassie, as quartermaster of this here Demon Sea and according to the code, this here ship falls ta’ me for a vote. Even under circumstances such as these, and to appease the uneasy temperament of the remaining crew as well as these here new fellas, the rules are as they are, so there’s gonna be a vote. But first, we need to get ta’ the bottom of this here incident.”
“A vote?” I blurted out as I stepped toward the man and was handily held to an arm’s length by him.
“A vote is how it’s done, lass,” he leaned into me and growled with a knowing in his eyes that he wished to relay something to me once out from under prying eyes and ears. “Unless yer intention is ta’ end up in the drink… or worse.” He nodded.
I looked over the crew. In my mind, I began to count the numbers of those whom I’d saved from the merchant ship as opposed to the original sailors of the Demon. From what I could see the count was close. However, the doubts began to creep in that my few weeks aboard this vessel weren’t nearly enough to earn me a title—no matter who I killed or why. My only hope was that there were at least enough men on board who loathed Barclay and who’d be willing to tolerate the fact that I am a woman for three more days. Then, should they choose to abandon me in Kingston, so be it.
“Madame, may we please, please have a few words?” the soft-spoken Jamaican man asked again. Finally, something within me turned, and as much as it pained me to admit it, I almost listened to him.
“Yes, but first, I have something to say to these men.”
From there I dashed to the gunnel and climbed until I stood atop it, holding onto the lines as the ship lightly tilted in the calm water. Cass, Miranda, and Keara clung to each other and followed, standing at my feet. I looked down at them in the scorching heat and watched as the blades clutched in their hands trembled as if it were below freezing.
“You do not know me, nor do you know these women,” I stated.
“Aye, but I’d wait me turn,” one of the sailors shouted, and they all began to laugh.
“Gentlemen, gentlemen, we have the merchant ship to relieve of her contents. She is yet seaworthy, and should you feel the Demon unsuitable, perhaps you will find your way elsewhere with her.” The large and imposing figure of the man who’d now introduced himself to me as Alphonse Green had stepped forward to speak. I realized then that perhaps I should allow him my ear if I wanted to keep us alive. Rape and death at the hands of these beasts was not an option, and any alliances I might be so fortunate to forge were welcome. It had at last occurred to me that, in their world, there was but one place for a woman—regardless of how many dead men she knew. Unfortunately for them, their opinion of women had no bearing on me. My back was to the sea, and I did not intend to die at the hands of any man today.
“No woman can run a ship! The only woman I’m takin’ orders from is one who’s tellin’ me where to poke her,” One of the original Demon crew who went by the name of Felix gave this rancid opinion, and once more they all laughed. Thankfully, Mister Green stepped forward in my defense.
“Listen, mates. For now, let us relieve the merchantman of her cargo and enjoy our victory. When all things are settled, we shall have our vote. Either way, we all win and fill our pockets. Aye?” I believed that he was attempting to draw their attention away from me.
“Aye!” the men roared in agreement. Mister Green turned to Willy and pulled him aside. For now, the rest appeared to concern themselves only with their quarry and turned away. But I wasn’t finished yet.
“Please gentlemen, hear me out.” The words had barely left my mouth when I was caught unawares, swiftly disarmed, pulled violently from my perch, and thrown across the shoulder of Mister Green. “Get your hands off me,” I screamed through the crew’s roars of laughter. I was promptly relieved of my weapons, as were my cousins, who were corralled and led behind me. I was roughly shoved into what appeared to be the Captain’s quarters and tied to a chair.
As I sat there, alone in that dank, filthy cabin, awaiting my fate, I realized that although I am long on fight and will, I have come up quite short on the knowledge that, even in this other worldly place, a woman is worth about as much as a dog. My only salvation came in knowing we were alive, and regardless of what happened next, there was one less devil in the world. I could at least be proud of the fact that I was responsible for sending his black soul back to hell.
Chapter Two
~Hell Hath No Fury~
Willy McCormack and Mister Green entered the cabin some time later. I had a while to build up a full head of steam, and I could tell by the looks on their faces when they laid eyes on me that they were not amused.
“It’s about fucking time,” I shouted.
“Shut that foul mouth a yer’s, or I’ll shut it fer ye,” Willy shouted at me.
“Madame, please,” Mister Greene said and released me from my binds.
“You’ve got balls the size of coconuts, lass, but yer lackin’ quite a bit in diplomacy.”
“Diplomacy? What have I to be diplomatic about? Barclay was going to kill me. And where are my cousins?” I asked, massaging my aching wrists.
“Settle down. They are locked up in their quarters, and I ‘ave the key. They’re safe,” Willy said, easily pushing me back onto the chair by my shoulders. “Do ye wish ta’ live, lass?”
“What a ridiculous question! Of course we…”
“Then shut yer hole and pay attention.” Willy leaned back and propped his right hip down on what was Barclay’s desk and folded his arms at his chest. “We’re on yer side, lassie. Had ye not relieved him of his arm, sooner or later one of us woulda’ done it. Problem is, ye bein’ a woman and all, in order fer us ta’ keep this crew’s head on straight, we need ta’ work together.”
A sigh of relief blew out of me, and I took my first full breath of wind since I’d shaken Barclay’s blood from my blade. “Us? So what you’re telling me is I did you gentlemen a very big favor and you’re here to return it?”
“Not so fast, lass, we’ve still a bit a work ta’ do. We have close to sixty men out there—and that includes the ones ye called aboard who just lost their future income—well, at least that’s their version. All they can think of when they lay eyes on ye is fuckin’ ye, not followin’ yer orders. You need ta’ get that idea outta yer head the sooner the better.”
“Well, without any further disgusting appraisals of the circumstances my cousins and I now find ourselves in, do you have a plan?”
“First of all, where’d ye learn ta’ swing a sword like that?” Willy inquired as he pinched his right eye at me.
“My uncle taught me when I was just a girl, and I in turn taught them,” I said as I sat up and stuck out my chin with pride.
“Well, I’ve bad news fer ye, lass. No matter how ye can fight, yer still just a girl,” Willy leaned in an inch from my face and said.
“Which doesn’t appear to matter much now, does it?” I said through my teeth at him.
“I’m tryin’ to like ye, lassie, but that smart mouth a’ yers isn’t makin’ it easy.”
“You don’t have to like me, sir. However, I do feel under the circumstances you could at least give me a chance to try and save those girls and myself. I do admit things have gone horribly wrong, but we’re strong and as you’ve seen, we can take care of ourselves if only given a chance.” I sat quietly for a few moments and watched as Mister Green let out a sigh and took hold of the conversation.
“Madame, approximately thirty of these men came over from that merchantman,” Green commented. “Prior to the vote, I will again speak on your behalf, and I will bear witness to the fact that your altercation with Barclay originated from his call for no quarter. Not to mention the fact that I did witness the Captain take his own life.”
“But…you’re going to tell them I murdered him…to save their lives, aren’t you?” I wasn’t sure if I should laugh or cry. Truth be told, Green saw the whole thing, and by God’s witness as well, had he not thrown himself on my blade, I would have certainly killed him anyway.
“Woman or no, risking your life to save the lives of over two dozen men you do not know is a sacrifice that even they would have to admit is worthy of allowing you to live.” Green’s point was valid and well-taken, and yet I knew gaining any amount of their respect wouldn’t come easily. Unfortunately though, I tend to get a bit free with my opinions when cornered.
“Something indeed, yet I’d still have all of my female parts, which regardless of any valorous act, would still render me worthless.”
“Not so fast, lass,” Willy interrupted. “In case them bonny blue eyes a’ yers missed it, I’m the oldest fella on this vessel. It ain’t usual for men ta’ live this long out ‘ere.”
“What has your age to do with anything?”
“Sparing a man’s life is worth everythin’. Feedin’ him and keepin’ him in rum and whores comes next. So far, I’d say sharin’ that intelligence will save yer neck… and maybe even yer honor.”
“This code you spoke of. May I see it please?” I asked as I sat up straight as an arrow in the chair and scooted myself forward to the desk.
“What for?”
“I’d just like to know what the rules are aboard this vessel. Is that too much to ask?”
Green walked to the Captain’s bookshelf and lifted a familiar brown leather-bound volume and placed it in my hands. I opened the book, and there on the first two pages were the articles of the ship, which had been revealed to me as the laws of this vessel. I found it surprising indeed that men who behave so lawlessly would manage themselves in such a way, but I supposed there had to be some measure of accountability, if only to each other.
I dragged my index finger across the page, and nowhere in these articles did it say that a woman could not captain a ship if she were able in mind, body, and spirit. In my devilish attempt to be an annoyance to my new found allies, I read them aloud.
“Articles of Agreement of the Demon Sea. My goodness, I had no idea how formal pirates are. Who’d have known you were all so political?”
“Just get on with it, lass. We haven’t all day for this,” Willy grumbled as he dropped into the Captain’s chair.
“Fine, fine, fine…article number one—which, by the way, is probably of the most interest to us at the moment: The captain of the ship is to be elected by a majority vote of the crew: If at any time the crew finds just cause and sufficient evidence to prove the Captain unfit, or if the Captain is killed in battle, the Quartermaster shall act as Captain until the vote is taken. The Vote must be taken within one full day of its announcement. Failure to follow this procedure will be deemed mutiny. So, according to this, gentlemen, we actually have until approximately this time tomorrow to elect a new captain, correct?” I asked as I relaxed back into my seat with the book in my lap.
“Yes, yes, go on. Wait, what do you mean, we?” Willy sat forward as if poked with a pin in his back.
“I simply mean to say that, should you choose to honor the favor I’ve done for you as well as my kin, you’ll have no choice but to allow me to sign with you.”
“Carry on, Madame. We may discuss the situation entirely when you are through with this. Whatever this is,” Green said, folding his hands and now resting his hip where Willy McCormack had moments before.
“Number two: Every man has a vote in affairs of the moment; has equal title to the fresh provisions, or strong liquors, at any time seized, and may use them at pleasure, unless a scarcity makes it necessary, for the good of all, to vote a retrenchment. Retrenchment. What an interesting word. I’m rather liking this equality thing. Oh, that’s right. I forgot that only applies if you’ve a cock.”
“The mouth on ye, lass. What are ye, sixteen? Where’s a young lady learn such talk at such a tender age?” Willy huffed and crossed his arms. Green only looked down and shook his head.
“What? What did I say? And by the way, I was eighteen four months ago, and as I said, you don’t know me, nor my cousins. It’s none of your business where I learned anything. Number three: Every man shall obey civil command; the Captain shall have two full shares in all Prizes; the Master, Carpenter, Boatswain, and Gunner shall have one share and a half. The fund of all payments under the articles is the stock of what is gotten by the expedition, following the same law as other pirates; No prey, no pay. Seems fair to me.”
“Number four: If any man shall offer to run away, or to keep any secret from the Company, he shall be marooned with one bottle of powder, one bottle of water, one small arm, and shot.”
“Number five: If any Man shall steal anything in the company, or game, to the value of a Piece of Eight, he shall be marooned or shot. Honor among thieves, indeed.”
“Number six: That man who shall strike another man whilst aboard ship and whilst thes
e Articles are in force shall receive forty lashes on the bare back. Does it count if the other man strikes first?”
“All aspects of any altercation are taken into consideration. However, ask any man aboard to remove his shirt and should he bear the scars, you may ask him yourself,” Green answered with a cockeyed smile.
“I do believe you’re growing fond of me, Mister Green,” I said with a wink and a click of my tongue. I carried on. “Number seven: Any man who shall snap his Arms, or smoke tobacco in the hold, without a cap to his Pipe, or carry a Candle lighted without a lantern, shall suffer the same punishment as in the former Article. Let me see now, so far, there is voting, obeying orders, honor, and now swearing not to take her down in flames.”
“Number eight: Lights and candles must be snuffed out at eight o'clock. If any man desires to drink after such time, he shall do so on the open deck without lights. Do you gentlemen mean to tell me that pirates have a bedtime?”
“Me good humor is bein’ wasted on a smart-ass witch of a wench who’s determined to have me turn her ‘cross me knee. Remind me again why we’re botherin’ with this?” Willy shouted as he stood and slammed his hands down on the desk.
“I assure you, sir, I am not a wench. I am a prudent and intelligent woman. I cannot, however, deny the rest of your commentary, as I am more than aware of my sharp tongue and my pride in having irritated beyond measure almost every man I have ever have the displeasure of knowing.”
“Enough of this. Tell her now that she cannot sign the articles today… or ever.” Green intervened.
“And why can’t I?”
“No woman will ever, ever be a part of this crew. I don’t care if she can swing a sword like Blackbeard ‘imself,” Willy growled as he rounded the desk and pulled the book from my hands.
“Number nine!” I continued regardless. “Any Man that shall not keep his weapons clean and fit for an Engagement, or who neglects his business due to drunkenness, shall be cut off from his share, and suffer such other punishment as the Captain and the Company shall think fit. Number ten! If any Man shall lose a Joint in time of an Engagement he shall have 400 pieces of Eight; if a limb, 800. Now, please give me back that damn book because I didn’t have enough time to memorize the last one,” I said, and I reached out and snatched the edge of the book and held on, with Willy on the other end of it. Willy cocked his eyebrow and snapped his head at Green, who hadn’t moved a muscle this entire time and simply shrugged. Willy released the book back into my hands, and I continued.
Demons & Pearls (The Razor's Adventures Book 1) Page 2
