Black White and Shades of Greyy

by ElissaBeth Frear

  There were always moments when one crewmate would be the brunt of some joke or teasing. It had become a matter of principle and ship pride to cause the Elf discomfort or embarrassment. She was not easily embarrassed and eased into their rudeness with the grace and charm of her race earning some degree of respect among most of the deck crew.

  The fact that the Elf had thick skin eased the mind of the Doc. He had been concerned that this new crew was far gruffer than that of the merchant ship. His fears were unwarranted and after watching her return some good jabs it became a habit to watch with amusement as she defended herself with a wit and wisdom that left some of the sailors embarrassing themselves more than her.

  Any average crewmate had jobs that were clear and defined. Those who work hard earn a place to be heard and respected. The close quarters either make for a difficult voyage or one that is seamless as a well-tuned machine. Strength of will counts as deeply as physical strength, and Greyy had earned a place of respect for her tenacity and dogged determination not to be “out manned”. The Captain would stand at the aft castle and watch as the crew interacted with the tall female. In her own way she would drive the men harder to keep up with her, while she tried to keep up with them.

  Chapter 32

  Greyylene was also known to be something of a grand accomplice in pranks and other mischievous confrontations giving her a name with the crew as a joker. In order to pass time when seas were calm the crew would often tease one another. When a prank required more than one accomplice Greyy was always called in to assist. Her ease of movement and ability to hide in plain sight made her the perfect choice. She also proved to be very difficult for retaliation.

  No crewmember was safe from Greyy and her antics, not even the Captain. There was a time when the Captain had to remove Greyy from the kitchen for the sake of the crew’s sanity. Her “experiments” in culinary designs would take a sinister twist when jokers were found. Once a ring of jokes began it was next to impossible to stop them until they ran their course, which was usually brought about by some act of God and the violent seas. Most often the crew would be somewhat thankful for stormy seas.

  Along with jokes and pranks; filling down time on board consisted of sharing stories, songs and folklore from the different lands represented by the crew.

  Elvin folklore became almost as interesting as retelling of wicked stories involving the Empirical Navy. The Pirates and the Navy were not friends to say the least. Any opportunity to harass and torment the Navy was seen as a very good day.

  Shore leave on a Pirate vessel was much the same as any other sailing ship. The most popular places in town were taverns, pubs and brothels. Stiff drinks and occasionally a hot bath were necessary luxuries. Most pub owners knew to keep an eye out for not only the Pirates and privateers but also the Guards or the Navy. It only took a few visits to local pubs or taverns and names become family, until the authorities enter then everyone became a stranger.

  The spunky Elf would saunter into the tavern in Admiral’s Cove, such as was her standard routine, along with her small entourage of fellow crewmates and coconspirators in jokes. She was well known for her hell fire tendencies and she was unwise to cross. Small in stature, for an Elf yet tall to Human standards, she had a low tolerance for the brutish idiocy that comes with drunken sailors and lazy townspeople. She would be more than happy to pin a sorry hide to the wall just as soon as look at them. In this manner she had set herself apart from other Pirate crewmates and earned a reputation of being as hardnosed and ruthless as any other who claimed the name “Pirate”.

  Chapter 33

  A particularly restless night gave evidence there was something a bit off center. A full moon lit the night sky and distant storms brought an uneasy feel in its wake. The tavern was full to the rafters with brutes and villains of all sorts, even some of her crew was there. Every place was jammed elbow to elbow, save one corner occupied by a hooded Monk. Shoving through to the bar she asked the keeper what the problem was. His response was a little more than a surprise.

  “’ello, Bud, whatsgoin on with the Monk fella?” she asked

  “ooh ‘im. ‘e caused quite a stir a bit ago. Seemed Kegan the Mad there meant to make some trouble fer the lad. Meandered hisselfo’r to start a thing o two ended up gitt’nhisself knocked clean across tha room, ‘e did indeed.”

  Looking over to the large red headed brute, who was sulking in the corner rubbing a sore arm and looking a bit dazed, she ordered her drink plus an extra one and wandered over to the stranger.

  Kegan the Mad was an ox of a man who stood towering over all the other crewmates, including Greyylene. He was built like a house and had the temper of a serpent. He was often called in to settle disputes that required brute force and sheer strength. He was loyal to a fault and had a smile as big as all outdoors. His feats of strength were legendary and his presence commanded any space he happen to occupy.

  She knew all too well to have someone that could best the sort of fellow like Kegan the Mad as an ally would be much better than to have him as an enemy. Setting the drinks on the table in front of the Monk she sat without waiting for invitation.

  “What business ya got here, Monk?” She asked rather abruptly bordering on rude.

  “Actually, ma’am, I came to see you. I was lead to believe that you would be able to grant safe passage back to the main land. That is where I seek to travel.” he said matter of fact and without any notice to her harsh tone.

  “It haint for me to decide on ye’r passage, safe or otherwise, that’s fer Capt’n to decide. I tell ya true it won’t be free!”

  “Oh no ma’am I fully intend to pay for your trouble. And I am most certain you could arrange for my acceptance aboard your fine vessel.” he said drawing out a pouch full of gold coins.

  “Ya will need give me an hour before we ready to set sail. Then at the tide change we’ll go. I’ll meet ye back here in one hour, if ya late I leave ya behind.” She said as she stood to go.

  Chapter 34

  Meeting the Doc for a rather wicked task they had planned proved to be something of a funny adventure. The two jokers had gone out to the swamplands with buckets and pails fully intending to load the Navy Bath House with tadpoles and minnows. It was well known that the Navy would commandeer any establishment they deemed fit for whatever use they felt necessary.

  The sweet smelling waters with their pretty little flowers and oils would be perfect for showing the Navy “local hospitality”. Keeping close to the outside wall of the bathhouse they snuck in through a small opening behind one of the changing rooms. The houses were generally used only on weekends, and this being the middle of the week it should have been empty.

  There was no way of knowing that the local Provisioner and his mistress were spending an intimate rendezvous in the same waters that were about to be invaded. Greyylene and her accomplice saw the couple but decided to proceed knowing that it would be a grand story to share later.

  The Elf’s slight frame and nimble fingers were perfectly suited to slide her slimy catch into the murky waters of the couple’s bath. Several minutes passed before it was realized there was any problem. By the time the joke was discovered the pranksters had finished their task and were well on the way back to the tavern.

  Staying to the shadows and the sides of the streets, hooded and desperate to remain concealed they were surprised to hear the ruckus careening towards them. Greyy turned just in time to see the shop keeper’s wife step out from the doorway and watch as her husband and his mistress came screaming from the bath house, Naked!

  “Get IT OFF!! GET IT OFF!!” The mistress was running and flailing along as if set on fire all the while screeching at such levels as to wake the dead.

  It appeared that one of the tadpoles had haplessly gone too close to her skin and stuck fast to her back. She was in such a hurry to vacate the premises that she left all her clothing behind, as did her suitor.

  Chapter 35

  Almost back at t
he tavern the escaping duo turned and almost ran headlong into the Monk from earlier. Quick as lightning his arm moved her from almost mowing him down to straight way behind him. It seemed as though he past right through her. Turning to look at him she expected to see a sinister glare, but what she saw was him doubled over in hilarious laughter. Shocked at his response, more because it was figured a ‘holy man’ would be offended at such display of nudity, both pranksters stood in stunned silence watching what would happen next. Apparently he appreciated the joke far more than taking the offense.

  When much of the commotion had subsided the three wandered back to the tavern to let the ‘townies’ figure out the ruckus. The Monk walked along at a most leisurely pace with his hands buried deep in his sleeves.

  With no other comments made by anyone he said, “Who would ever bother to stop two considerate citizens assisting an old Monk to a destination?”

  And with that they continued on their way back to the tavern, slightly chuckling at the utter chaos left behind them.

  The ominous hush that greeted every visitor lifted as they were announced. The Monk, the Doc, and Greyy had become instant heroes of the pub. Their names would forever be spoken with awe and hilarity. The Doctor was on his last voyage with the pirate crew and was hoping to exit gracefully and without incident. Greyylene, however, would have nothing of slipping away into the quiet. She insisted on setting his name high on the list of favorite sons. The prank on the bath house was just the boost he needed to go down in infamy.

  Kegan the Mad was still nursing his wounded pride when they entered.

  “Oh come now, Kegan! Get o’reyerself. Drink an ale and light’n up!” Greyy quipped as they past his seat.

  Several things Greyy noticed about the Monk as they made way to their table. The first was the Monk’s silly grin; the second was the glowing stone hanging from a leather strap around his neck. The other thing that gave her cause to wonder was the wide birth those in the tavern gave them. It seemed that the Monk had a reputation and she was determined to learn it.

  “Alright, Monk, what is your name and what did you do to Kegan?” She demanded.

  He settled into a chair with his back facing the crowd, uncorked his bottle and took a long pull from it.

  “What no glass?” she queried?

  Shaking his head no and still drinking straight from the bottle, they sat waiting until he was finished.

  “My name, m’lady, is Sir Gilead. I come from the East from a land named Ur. I am of an Order of Wanderers and study the ways of healing powers and properties. As for your associate there, well, he was a bit unruly and felt the need to attack a “defenseless” Monk for sport. I was compelled to alter his thinking.” He said with a bit of a smirk, returning to the bottle.

  His speech and the short tale made her laugh outright. When she caught the eye of Kegan all Greyy could do was laugh and wink at his embarrassment.

  Chapter 36

  All through their drinks it was painfully apparent that the patrons were not interested in coming anywhere near the Monk or those who associated with him. There was a significant gap in the mass of bodies pressed close in the tavern. Those who frequented this establishment were known for their cutthroat ways and violent tendencies. The fact that many were shoulder to shoulder and not complaining was a testament to the degree of avoidance they wished to observe for the infamous Sir Gilead.

  As Greyy finished her drink she became fascinated watching the colors of the Monk’s amulet change from shades of dark gray to red back to an oily black depending on which patron happened to be near. She reached across the table to see what color the amulet would turn in her presence and was surprised at the faint blue that surfaced.

  More than a little taken aback she stood with a nod slamming her mug on the table preparing to return to the ship. As she walked the ’gauntlet’ of cat calls and lewd remarks, the saunter took on a more “feminine” sway and without looking back she gave a little wave over her shoulder.

  Greyylene was first to board and strode directly to the Captain in order to arrange permission for the Monk to journey with them. She felt his safety would be in jeopardy if he were to board a Pirate vessel. Not many would willingly accept passage with a crew full of cutthroats and brigands. Sir Gilead had assured her he would be fine so she complied with his request. Once all the crew had returned they set sail and began their three day voyage to the next port.

  Chapter 37

  Omens and superstition were common aboard most sailing vessels regardless of size or captain. To have a female was more often than not said to be ill fortune and to have any sort of “holy man” was thought to be far worse. For the crew of the Crimson Dagger’s “Terror of the Seas” neither the female nor the Monk seemed to matter.

  The crew had discovered that even the most routine trip was lightened by the song and story brought out by Greyylene. The Monk added a delightful perspective to the things he witnessed. When asked for his version of the prank on the bath house his unceremonious mocking of the hapless couple sent the entire crew into spasms of riotous laughter. The Captain too was driven to tears and hearty laughter. Long into the night the sounds of revelry could be heard echoing across the waves.

  More than one time Greyylene noticed the Monk sitting in a corner sipping ale and watching her. He would toast her at times when she caught him looking. Curious as to his true intent she meandered across the deck to confront him of his overt spying on her, but drawing close she would catch the pendant he wore change colors. She was not often taken off guard by an unusual item, but this devilry had the feel of something much deeper than she was prepared to acknowledge.

  Chapter 38

  Only a few days aboard the ship and Sir Gilead had made quite the impression on several of the men, and it’s only female. He was easy to speak with and several found themselves sharing things deep in their hearts that none would begin to think a sea hardened Pirate to share. Even the mighty Kegan the Mad was found slumped over an old barrel shaking in hard weeping with the Monk standing near offering a comforting word. This act alone kept Greyy far from the Monk's presence. She would skirt as far around him as was possible aboard a cramped vessel, until finally he was gone, at least for the moment.

  Pulling into any harbor sent a wake of nervous energy through the town and a buzz of the trill of a new town to rampage through the decks of the Pirate ship. As soon as the colors of the Crimson Dagger Pirates were shown streets cleared. Pulling into port of a small village between Dragon's Watch and Wayfair the crisp clean air carried the aromas of berry pies and meat stews. As the crew disembarked some were unable to help themselves but to smile at the delicious scents wafting on the wind like leaves.

  The presence of Sir Gilead immediately calmed the uneasy feel generally shared by the town’s people. The amulet he wore shone a bright happy blue. When other Pirates passed him in the streets the amulet remained the same color. The obvious show of peace added to Greyylene's cautious curiosity.

  Chapter 39

  Taking the road out of town Sir Gil continued on his "mission". Greyy stood at the corner of the small tavern in the midst of town watching as he vanished into the forest mist. When she turned back towards the tavern the happy glow of the town seemed to vanish with the Monk.

  The more towns they harbored the more apparent it became that Greyylene was not only an outlaw by association with Pirates but also by Race. The Elf couple that had ravaged so many towns and villages had seeded the population with a deep prejudice. For her being part of the crew of the carrack “Terror of the Seas” gave many ample excuse to fear and loath her. The reputation of their vessel along with its Captain, Kerrs Redgrave was enhanced by her presence.

  Kerrs was thrilled at the bonus feature to their vicious reputation by having the "Unlucky Female" on board. He would venture at times in nick naming her his lucky charm then chuckle at himself at his own joke. The terror from the renegade couple was of little concern to him, the outcome in add
ed reputation was sufficient to endear them to him.

  Nights turned to weeks, and weeks to months as the “Terror of the Seas” continued on a path of wanton destruction and chaos. Kerrs was trying to match the mayhem on land with his own terror on the seas. He felt that His Elf had a reputation to claim and he was going to help her attain it.

  Chapter 40

  The Pirates were known for vicious attacks on other ships. Most of the time they didn’t bother to care how big or small the vessel was, so long as it held the promise of value it was fair game. Those ships that were unwanted would be rammed and bombarded to the point of capsizing before being raided and the crew slaughtered in a massive display of hand to hand ruthlessness.

  The Captains of the boats taken would be tied to the main sail and either set ablaze or simply allowed to go down with the ship as it sank to the bottom of the ocean. Any of the overrun crew that resisted after the battle ended would join their Captain at the main sail and share his fate.

  With each life ruined and each vessel raided a piece of Greyylene was chiseled away and left like chum in the wake of the grand ship. The nights of revelry and joyous pranks began to fade in the darkness of violence. She still had mischievous tendencies but her soft heart became a walled fortress blocking emotions from escape.

  Her cold heart transformed her into an outstanding and ruthless pirate, but broke the inner softness of being a woman. Unparalleled in her fierce aggressive attacks on other ships she sunk or wrecked as many of the vessels as she helped to take. More often than not she would need ordered to stand down or have Kegan the Mad toss her over his shoulder so focused on the fight all other dangers paled around her.

  Chapter 41

  Preparation for raids or battles each crew had their assigned task and location on deck, or in the case of Greyylene high above the deck. Sitting on the top arm her bare feet entwined in rigging and her back against the mast she fletched arrows and strung bowstrings. She along with the watch in the crow's nest would keep watch for ships on the horizon.