“How dare he! First Vijendra fails to see me again and then I see him with another whore and what’s that urchin doing with them?” she spat out. “I’m going to make them pay for ignoring me.”
As the wagon left the town and followed the road out to his property, they passed by a shipyard in a cove. Several ships were in various stages of construction and piles of straight-cut timber lay close by.
“That’s the steam house” Vijendra pointed out a large building with smoke coming from a chimney. “Stop here George.”
When he noticed Michael had a blank look on his face he elaborated on what he just said. “The workers steam the timbers so that they can bend them for the ribs. When the timber becomes soft and supple it is then tied in position over some logs. When the timber dries it sets in that position and then they remove them and use them for the ribs of the ship.”
Michael could hear axes cutting timber and hammers hammering in nails.
“Indonesia’s indigenous people are inter-mixed with all of Asia and it’s reflected by the type of sailing vessels we make. The ship you were on, before I sank it, was a western styled schooner. They are slow and cumbersome. My ship has much taller masts than the traditional ones and the rigging is different and, with a lighter hull, it gives me plenty of speed. The long bowsprit is capable of carrying three foresails, while the three masts carry three staysails and three top sails. Even two mizzens on standing gaffs can be added for further speed. The fishermen and traders had adopted smaller rigs for inter-island trade. It’s called Pinisiq rigging” he explained to me. “Let’s go George.”
As they travelled further along the road Michael could see a jetty with a schooner anchored well off the end of it and other smaller vessels, bobbing majestically in the bay.
* * *
“Keep away from the docks, my boy. Black Bart and his band of pirates frequent the area. You’ll be fairly safe at the shipyard, so if you need somewhere to go then go there” he advised him after lunch, when they were alone. “You might even learn a trade.”
“I’ve heard Pricilla asking about you” Michael mentioned, changing the subject.
“What’s she saying about me?” he asked loudly, becoming alarmed.
“She’s just been asking if anybody’s seen you around. That’s…That’s all I’ve heard” he replied.
“Keep away from that one, boy. She’s dangerous” he advised him.
“A few people have told me the same story, so I’m trying not to go anywhere near her” he said.
“You look upon me as a pirate or a scoundrel, but in all reality I’m just trying to earn a living. The steam-ships, which are built now, can easily outrun us so I may have to turn to trading spices, timber and goods. The alternating east and west monsoon winds, makes this area a layover point for traders all over the world. The White Raj has made life difficult for me as well, recently catching and sinking several pirate ships” he admitted.
“I wouldn’t mind going with you, if you’re going to trade legally. How would the White Raj know if you’ve changed from being a pirate to a trader?” Michael asked.
“I’ll fly the British flag” he admitted. “I’ll probably have to repaint the hull, so his men won’t recognize us.”
“There’s something I want to ask you, but I don’t know if I should. There was another girl on the Teresa, but she was kidnapped by her ex-husband, Marcus. Her name is Sauli Bhanj; the Maharaja’s daughter and I want to know if she’s safe. If you hear anything about her or even hear her name, could you let me know?” he enquired.
“I can tell you’re in love with her. I’ll do what I can for you, young warrior and I’ll consider you as a cabin boy on my maiden trading voyage. I have work to do now, but George will take you back to your room as soon as you’re ready” he said, leaving me alone.
Chapter 10
Michael returned back to work the next morning, unaware of Pricilla’s hostility, and soon became engrossed in what he was doing. The cook was a plump woman and she was preparing the food when she heard the violent curse from the dining room. Michael had been cleaning the floor, before he had toset, the tables when Pricilla swore at him, throwing two chairs against the wall.
“You lazy piece of shit, this room is disgusting” she shouted as she scattered a bucketful of pipe ash over floor. “Do it again!”
“Yes Miss” he replied solemnly, when he noticed the cook poke her head through the doorway. “I’ll get right to it.”
“You better, or your life won’t be worth living” she spat at him before she left the room.
Michael was shaking with rage with what she had just done, but he was sure she was baiting him and waiting for him to react with violence. Pricilla was a beautiful girl with hostile black eyes and silky black curls, but her mouth seemed to be always twisted into a smirk. Michael gestured at her back with the forks, “Up you, you piece crap.” he thought.
Why don’t you leave here, boy?” sneered the fat cook. “I won’t miss you or anyone else for that matter”
“I don’t have another job” he mumbled as she walked away, ignoring her comments.
Surely this would be better than living on the street and, if he had a bit more courage, he would have laughed at her. Modena had been the cook here for a long time and she had an arrogant manner. Michael knew she was siphoning off the funds from the food that was sold and lining her own pockets; something he could use against her one day.
* * *
The man with the black beard kept taunting the skinny, beanpole of a man with the fiery red hair. Black Bart and his bunch of beer guzzling friends were drunk and they were ready to encourage and guffaw at anything he said. Michael noticed the redhead shifting uncomfortably, but he had to admire the way the man stayed where he was and refused to be hassled out of the place. Michael heard that his name was Jonny Jack and he was part of Benito Patel’s crew. The rum and the beer were flowing freely this afternoon and the place was packed.
“Don’t take it, Red” someone muttered as Black Bart cracked another joke about using him to push through his musket to clean the barrel.
“Another drink Red?” asked the barkeep.
“Yea, go on and have another one. Give him some carrot juice, Ed” he smirked.
The barkeep poured him another beer, but before Red had a chance to drink it, Black Bart suddenly grabbed him by the hair and started forcing the beer down his neck. Red slapped away his hand, smashing the glass to the floor and whirled quickly. Despite his skinny appearance he was a noted bare-knuckles champion and he had won all of his previous fights. He balanced himself before he whipped a right hand through the air on a straight line from his shoulder. His fist exploded in Black Bart’s face, blood and teeth flying everywhere. In one punch Black Bart was beaten and room became deadly silent. Red chopped with a left fist and ripped in an upper-cut with his right, before he watched his nemesis fall backwards to the floor.
“Get rid of him or you’ll be next” Red threatened to Bart’s mates.
Red knew he could have killed Black Bart if he kept hitting the older man, but he was content, for now, to get back to some serious drinking.
“I wish I could fight like that!” Michael thought with envy.
“Well done Red” shouted a couple of people, with a chorus of agreements following.
* * *
Michael left the tavern after a long brutal day and a night which went well past his normal finishing time. He felt too keyed up to go straight to sleep, so Michael decided to head over to the small cove which was only about a mile away. When he topped the small rise, he surveyed the majestic scene of the moonlit small bay and the small boats bobbing on the shimmering water. The upturned, half-built hulls of the schooners gave them a ghostly appearance and they looked like the skeletons of dead whales.
“I’m bloody working too hard; too many hard days and late nights. I would rather be out sailing and swabbing the decks” he mumbled as he started to relax and unwind.
A
ll of a sudden every inch of his skin felt itchy and then he felt the hairs on the back of his neck starting to rise. Something felt wrong, so he turned around and saw a young girl walking towards him; her body highlighted by the moonlight. She looked just like an angel, so Michael began to relax.
“Where did you come from?” he asked her.
“My Papa has a cottage, just over there” she mentioned, pointing towards the trees. “I know people are afraid of me, and I understand why, so I don’t take it personally.”
In the bright moonlight he could see that she had electric blue eyes, which seemed to glow slightly. She had shiny copper hair and her face was covered with freckles.
“What’s everyone afraid of?” he asked curiously, wondering who would afraid of this slim girl.
“My Papa is Jonny Jack and he doesn’t like me to have any friends” she admitted sadly.
“What about your mother, why doesn’t she intervene and allow your friends around?” he asked.
“Mama died of typhoid fever, so I just have my Papa” she replied.
“I’m sorry for you” Michael said sadly.
“I have to go back home, so I might see you around sometimes” she said, turning around and walking away slowly.
“Wait, what’s your name?” he asked.
“Audrey! What yours?” she asked.
“My name’s Michael” he replied.
“See you later, Michael” she whispered, before she turned and ran swiftly away; her white dress flowing behind her.
“Bye, Audrey” he whispered.
Michael guessed the time to be around midnight or a little bit later, so he turned around and went back to his room.
* * *
Jonny Jack was a regular drinker at the tavern and he was generally still there when Michael finished work about 9pm. The next evening Michael finished work early, so he decided to take his chances and talk to the lone man.
“Hi Red!” Michael said as he walked up to him, thinking about what to say.
“Hi Sonny, I’ve seen you around and you’re the new roustabout” he said.
“Yep, that’s me” Michael replied. “You’re a good fighter.”
“I try not to fight, but Bart pushed me too far and I had to do something” he mentioned. “Do you want a beer, Lad?”
“Yes, ok” he said, not being too sure because he had never drank a beer.
“How did you get to this little shithole called Avilla?” he asked curiously. “I’ve never seen you around here before.”
“I came here with Vijendra and that’s a long story” Michael said sadly.
“Well, I’ve got plenty of time, so why don’t you sit down and tell me your tale?” he asked.
He told Red his entire journey and he thought Red would have been horrified, but he just smiled and said, “Vijendra is a good judge of character and you will do well to listen to him.”
“He told me to keep away from the docks and Black Bart, but he suggested I could go over to the shipyard cove with safety” Michael said.
“It’s pretty safe over there and my cottage is nearby” he mentioned.
“I went over there last night when I finished work to unwind and relax; I think it was around midnight. Just as I was looking over serene bay, a girl approached me and we began to talk. She explained to me that her name was Audrey and you were her father” he said.
He stood up, spun me around and grabbed Michael by his shirt, ready to punch him. “Are you trying to harass me, boy?”
“N…No!” was all Michael could manage.
He looked deeply into his eyes and he could tell Michael was frightened, but he must have also seen that he was sincere, so he released him.
“My daughter, Audrey, is dead” he admitted, before he sat down again on the bar stool and gulped down his beer.
“She can’t be dead, because I saw her last night” Michael said as he sat down beside him, entirely mystified.
“Audrey and her mother both died from typhoid fever five years ago” he admitted. “That’s why I come in here and drown my sorrows, because it’s too painful to spend a lot of time at home.”
“B…But I saw her last night” Michael stressed, unsure of himself now.
“You’re not the first person to see her image, so don’t get too worried. She loved the cove and the shipyard and used to go there in her spare time. I also see her image sometimes at night, but there’s nothing I can do to ease her pain of leaving this Earth before her time” he admitted. “You must be a good person for her to talk to you.”
“Th…Th…Thank you” Michael stuttered. “I better go and get some sleep.”
Michael gulped the beer down, wincing slightly at its bitter taste. He walked away leaving Red to drown his sorrows.
Michael was exhausted from the days’ hard work, but he was more stressed from the turn of events and it wasn’t long before he drifted off to sleep. Something woke him up suddenly and he slowly opened his eyes, adjusting to the darkness. The moonlight streaming through the open window partly illuminated the room and Michael could just make out a dark silhouette of someone standing there in the darkest corner.
“Who’s there?” he whispered.
He tried to concentrate on the dark shape in front of him and he could just make out the shape of a person with long flowing hair. The dark shape moved towards him, leaned down and kissed him, before moving slightly away. Michael felt paralyzed with fear as the shape started taking form. He could see more than just an outline now as the image became clearer.
“Audrey, is that you?” he whispered, really scared now.
He felt another cold sensation on his lips as the image moved in close and kissed him again, before it disappeared.
“I actually felt that kiss” he thought, as he felt a panic attack rush through his body. “Am I going crazy?” he whispered.
Michael guessed the time to be about midnight and felt himself relax again, safe with the knowledge she didn’t hurt him. He drifted off to sleep again as he thought about her and the type of life she had on this tropical island.
Chapter 11
Michael worked hard for the rest of the week and he didn’t see any more ghosts or Pricilla for that matter, but he heard she was pissed off about something. Vijendra came to see him the very next morning on his day off work.
“I’m going back out to sea today and I’m going to be trading. Are you willing to come with me?” he asked.
“Has your schooner been painted?” Michael enquired, still unsure if it was safe to go out to sea with the legendary pirate.
“Yep, the Mabuhay is just plain white above the waterline now and it flies the British flag. Are you coming with me, Lad?” he asked me again.
“What are you going to trade and when are we coming back?” he asked innocently.
“I’m going to trade rubber, my boy. Are you coming with me or are you going to keep asking me all these goddamn questions, because we’re leaving now and we won’t be back for months?” he stressed.
“Let’s go!” Michael shouted with glee, bundling his few possessions and cash together. “I hate my job anyway.”
“The eastern part of this archipelago has plenty of new rubber trees growing, imported from Brazil. Rubber is going to become the number one export commodity, instead of sugar and spices” he admitted.
“Is all your crew coming with us?” Michael asked him as the two of them walked out the door.
“Only a few of my old crew are willing to swap the excitement of piracy for a boring life of trading. Constance is coming with us!” he mentioned as they climbed onto the wagon.
“Welcome aboard, Michael” said George as he slapped the reins on the horse’s rump. “It’s going to be a real adventure.”
“Well said, George” he suggested.
* * *
The longboat bobbed gently on the on the water, tethered to the end of the small rickety jetty and Dayang was there to greet them. The Light breeze seemed to be swirling around haph
azardly and Michael wondered if the large schooner would be able to sail out of the small cove. The other crew members were already on board and they were the last to arrive, so the small group wasted no more time and boarded the longboat. George, Dayang, Vijendra and Michael assumed the oarsmen positions as Constance untied the line, jumped in and pushed the boat out into clear water. Michael looked back to the beach and watched the activity as he tugged on the oar. Several men were busy attending to their unfinished crafts, while two young boys played about in a canoe.
The strength of the breeze increased slightly as they boarded Mabuhay. Michael was the only one who carried any personal items, so he stored them below in the corner of the galley while the longboat was raised on the rear davits. The schooner had also under-gone a minor refit to make it look like a normal trading vessel. Gone were the multitude of cannons and the four longboats, only to be replaced with just a single longboat on the davits and two small dinghies upturned on the top deck. The top deck was redesigned so that it could open up to accommodate bulk loading of goods and there was also room for the entire crew to bunk down below decks. The food lockers were also large enough to allow for months at sea and Michael felt pleased with all the other minor changes. The blue sky was streaked with thin wispy clouds and the sea birds were everywhere looking for the unwary fish. The gentle breeze appeared to be blowing over the hill and down the valley, because the palm fronds rustled ever so slightly and the water in the cove was smooth. There were eight other crew members on board and they rushed about, preparing to raise the sails, once the anchor was raised. Michael cast his eyes towards Constance, who was standing by their Captain’s side. Her skin had healthy milky-white glow to it and she looked beautiful as she stood there in the early morning sun. A splashing sound broke Michael out of his daydream, so he looked over to see a large school of mullet rushing to get away from a predator. The sea breeze had a mix of different smells to it; smoke from the smoke-house, freshly sawn timber, hot pitch which filled the thin gaps in the boards, rotting fish and a multitude of tree blossom. A few pelicans crowded around a lone fisherman as he cast his net, waiting for a free feed. Small long-legged sandpipers raced up and down the beach, looking for soldier crabs.
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