Final light of day silhouetted the mass of ships spreading along the course towards the first marker that could be seen glowing far into the distance by a good long glass. None knew what the marker was but all were eager to take part in recovering the bounty from its unfortunate victims. Most often the “marker buoys” were captured merchant ships painted in pitch and set ablaze. The fires would burn long and hot for several days and crews who were greedy or brazen would try to loot the items left aboard from the crew, some would find looting a tar ridden burning ship their grave undoing.
“Dark night!” came the command that Greyy used to tell her crew to be stealthy. All the lamps were extinguished except essential ones low mid decks. In this manner it was easier to let the sea and the stars guide towards a mark, as well as making it difficult for other vessels to see her. The sails she used were specially crafted of a deep green canvas that was more sturdy than the cotton sheets and easy to blend into the night sky. Only her colors, when she chose to fly them, gave any other reflective presence.
She knew there were other ships around and some were hunting her rather than the prize at the end. She was unwilling to allow a mistake as trivial as lanterns light to give an opportunity for the upper hand to one of those enemies. She was fairly certain she knew who had placed the bounty on her head; she also knew when it had taken place. Greyy set her course and her resolve to make any who wished to try for the bounties earn their pay.
“Kegan, you know of any obvious offenses we’ve participated in lately?” she questioned.
“Nay, Capt’n, j’ st the one wit’ dem dumb animals tis all.” he replied.
“Very well, that’s all I could figure too.” she said with a nod.
Still perplexed but too focused to give in to the distraction she marked out the charts below deck. She knew something was amiss but was unable to put her finger on it. The time in the pub she could feel icy daggers piercing her soul as if she had been on some kind of Pirate trial. No one had said a thing, and most were civil to her and her crew. There was still something that set her nerves on edge.
“This should be the course if Kerrs is staying with the plan. If he aint then we’ll cut across and head straight for Port Bistrot and whatever we cross will just have to move out of the way.” she informed all who were present. Tracing a long finger across the chart she demonstrated both ways.
“The way it’s meant to be should be marked clear enough to see from afar. If we stay near the front of the fleet we may be able to finish this with minimal casualty.”
Chapter 154
There are eight main check points along the way. The merchant vessels would not be altering their trade to accommodate Pirates so any that foolish enough to be found can be taken. Every check point should have a specific piece of bounty for each crew. The ship who reaches the end with the most of their own loot would be toasted in the victory celebration. Those who come in with their share and the most of everyone else’s would be hailed as leaders in the Pirate Order and reserve bragging rights until the title was taken by another.” She finished retelling the rules to her crew.
Some crews would try to put on a good show with advanced planning and plotting the strategy in which to gain the most loot, but the free rum and ale often made planning and fore thought a fleeting dream. Typically the ship with a strict captain or a determined crew would be those who finished well.
The regattas of the past ran on a predictable course. A heavy air hanging over the assembled betrayed the lively show as a front for something much more sinister. There was an unwritten plot that circulated around most of the crews. The crew of “Vharcan” was to be marked as a target of interest, any loot taken from her would add extra points at the end of the race.
The regatta was well under way and Greyy and her crew had worked its way up from the back end of the fleet to middle of the lead group of ships. The first check point was already burning from the ships before them, but not so bad that their loot was so difficult to acquire. When they retrieved all that was theirs they too set a torch to the marker adding their flame in order to make the others behind them earn their loot.
The second leg of the race was through open waters and could be easily lost if helmsmen and navigator were inattentive. The tight mesh of ships had thinned considerably where no other vessels were in sight. It would require the look out in the crow’s nest to pay close attention to the horizon in order to keep the proper bearings.
The horizon was clear as far as the eye could see; deep green blue of the ocean topped with gentle white caps of waves mirrored the crystal blue sky dotted with puffy clouds. There was no land, few sea birds, and very little action from local marine wildlife. It was almost too quiet and Greyy began to get an uneasy feeling deep in her gut. It added to the already heightened sense of edge. There was something not right, and she hated that the perfect day was marred by such a feeling of dread. They stayed the course but were ever wary as they tried to enjoy the day.
As they sailed to the next few check points Greyylene’s mind wandered to the Monk and his amulet he always had around his neck. She remembered its glow when he came around specific items and people and it made her wonder what color it would be on this trip.
“I don’t need a damn amulet to tell me we’re in trouble.” She said out loud causing others of the crew to give her curious glances.
“Oh carry on.” She snapped.
Chapter 155
The Regatta was known for its ruthless behavior and unorthodox acquisitions. Every pirate who participated knew and understood the rules of the waves. Each check point was marked by some kind of floating debris pile. Each captain who registered to race had an item that was unique to them they would find and need to retrieve from the waypoint. The further back in the pack of racers the harder the chance of acquiring the item would be. The markers would be set ablaze as each ship retrieved their item and then threw on a lit torch. As more ships passed the hotter the blaze and the more difficult it would be to acquire any specific item. The size of the flame would tell how many vessels had passed.
Greyy and her crew knew they would have items unique to them, but the malevolence displayed in the items selected put a sour note in an event that was meant to be lively and light hearted. The piece that was sitting on top marked for Greyylene came in the form of a large jug painted with a large black “X” on the side. From the seal on the cork and the stale acid stench it was almost painfully obvious that its contents were Cradle Rock Ale. The fact she got to the way point late, in manner of speaking, and that her prize not only was still there but also no other flairs were lit gave her a bit of a pause.
The prize that sat neatly on top of the pile at the fourth stop was a bare piece of Cradle Rock. The vile hunk of poison had a pink bow tied neatly around it like a present. The mocking tone of the stone sent another chill through the crew knowing there was something very wrong afoot.
The crew had taken a vote and mutually agreed to stow the heavy rock far away from anything it may damage and lock it in a metal chest hoping that would keep its evil from leaking out to the crew. Once it was safely stored the pink ribbon was tied to the handle of the chest before continuing to the next check point. Number five was the final insult she was willing to accept. At the top of the mound tied in a pink package was the head of one of the infected animals from her altercation with Buddy. It had not been preserved in any way so held a horrible stench and was infested with writhing little Cradle Rock infected maggots.
Sailing a short way off course to regroup and clear the stench off the deck and out of their noses the Captain called the crew to set a plan to vote.
“It is abundantly clear that there are some sinister shenanigans at our expense. I propose we skip the next way station and go direct to Port Bistrot. There we will meet with Mister Porter and see what news he may know. It will be dark soon. What say you?” When she finished her proposal she stepped back to allow for the crew to chatter among themselves.
“It be decided, Capt’n. We skip de rest o dis insolence ‘n go fer Port Bistrot. If nut’n else we keep our own ‘eads on our shoulders. Dis mess wit’ dat vile rock be not so funny one bit! We won’ be ‘avin none o that sort o play.” Kegan said with a firm shake of his head and a stomp of his foot. Bullseye and the rest of the crew nodded a firm resolve to not accept any more of the mockery. Finishing the Regatta in one piece had become a priority.
“Alright then. Ready the ship for open seas. Mind the deep waters and watch for ambush.” She ordered.
Chapter 156
As the sun set on another day of sailing and thus marking the end of the first day of the Regatta the crew of the “Vharcan” moved about the deck in a manner more suited for prisoners at the gallows than the eager sea farers and sailors running a race for sport. A heavy boding evil hung over the ship like a thick fog echoed in the sea and the sky. The sunset was a deep crimson with the burning sun a dusky hue of yellow. Stars in the sky seemed afraid to enter their canopy as the cursed ship made its way across the silver topped waves.
A new problem had presented itself in the shape of slithering ropes of sea serpents all around the ship. Their lithe bodies would bump and scrape the hull making the crew more on edge and well aware of the dangers infesting the night water. Closer and closer the writhing slithering snakes came to the hull making progress difficult at best. The prow was doing little to move the beasts out of the way and it was beginning to become a problem with their bodies entangling in the rudder. The water was so thick with the vile beasts that they threatened to capsize the boat and enjoy a meal of Pirate for their trouble. Drastic action was required.
A moment to think and Greyylene devised a plan to lure the creatures away from her boat.
“Kegan, how big a piece of Cradle Rock did we get as loot?” she asked.
“Oooh Capt’n ye aintt’ink’n what I t’ink ye t’inkin are ye?” He said as he reluctantly went for the chest containing the rock none wished to touch, much less see.
“Oh yes I am. I think it may be the only way to make a path enough for us to pass. We’re in the thick of this mass and I don’t think we’ll get through any other way.”
Dumping the rock into a large sack she held the top closed tightly before giving the whole thing a hearty smack on the deck hoping not to blow them all up with the volatile substance within. One more smack on the wood and there were smaller pieces to use. Donning gloves of thick leather and hoping it would be sufficient she reached into the bag and retrieved a smaller piece of the Cradle Rock. Glancing into the teeming swirling mass of serpent scales and yellow eyes she dropped the rock into the midst of a particularly thick mass.
It was almost immediate how the transformation took place. The yellow angry eyes that threatened to destroy the hull turned to a mad red glow full of the sickness. Each body that passed and touched the original one became affected immediately. The transformation not only was fascinating but horrifying to watch. All the serpents within reach of the “Vharcan” had become thrashing writhing wild ropes with no clear path or purpose. They moved away from the ship but in such erratic patterns it was difficult to know what they were going to do.
Chapter 157
Two things became very clear in that instant. The first was that the ship was now free and their plan using the Cradle Rock had worked. The second was much more disturbing. The Rock itself had been altered in some way making it immensely more potent and much more dangerous. The other note of interest that came was the Ale made with this altered stone would also be similarly potent. None of these thoughts were comforting.
The aftermath of feeding the rock to the sea serpents was not seen for several days, but the stories of that night became the stuff of legends. It appeared that several of the crews following Greyy also found them in the mass of snakes and in so doing also became the victims of the insanity.
Two other crews were trapped in the vortex of the swarm. One crew in a drunken frenzy thought it a good idea to hunt for meat to eat, the other merely found themselves in the way of one snake leaping from the water and landing on deck. Both ships were ravaged beyond repair or recognition and lost all crews to the insanity killing each other without knowing what they were doing. By morning the two ships were declared under quarantine, and set ablaze to stave off any further contamination.
Several hours after the incident with the serpents Greyy was back on the course laid and heading towards Port Bistrot. There was one more marker they were forced to pass. Kerrs had gone out of the way to ensure every ship had to pass regardless of any cheating schemes.
If all was as it should be there would be a thick billowing cloud of smoke seen off the port side soon. Assuming they were not the first in the pack there would be clear indication on the horizon, but as hard as the watchman in the crow’s nest peered he could not see anything. He even shook the long glass just to make sure it was working properly before peering again.
“Stay the course.” Greyylene ordered quietly. The feeling that she had all day in the pit of her stomach grew stronger.
“Strike the colors, and man the cannons.” She ordered. “I know we’re close and there is something very wrong.”
The crew rushed into action following the Captain’s orders, uncertainty fueled the urgency and the nervousness of the crew. Suddenly a cry from the crow’s nest spurred a restless frenzy.
“Ship Ho!”
Quickly grabbing the glass Greyy peered out to the horizon and as she watched the sky and sea became littered with sails. They were heading straight into an ambush!
“Hard Starboard!” she demanded.
As the ship turned heavy with the wind straight behind them the sails cracked to full and the small lithe vessel almost skipped across the waves. She did not know where they would head, but she knew to face the Pirates would be suicide.
“SHIPS HO!” was the next call that thundered across the deck.
“Yes yes, I see them!”
“No, Capt’n. Ships dead ahead!” the crewman said pointing out to the tall sails majestically lining the horizon.
“Well Shit!” was all Greyy could say as they sailed straight for the Navy fleet.
Chapter 158
They were being sandwiched between two fleets. There was an ambush to be sure, but neither fleet realized who was to be the final target.
The pirates at her back shared the same winds that filled her sails and were closing quickly, but it was apparent they had not noticed the Navy presence. Once the two fleets noticed each other a battle would ensue. She had no intention of being caught in crossfire between the rival forces.
The pirates were by no means prepared to battle the Navy fleet. Many of the racers were already heavy with loot and plunder from stopping at way points. The cannons from the naval forces would ravage the hulls and send all their ill gotten gains straight to the bottom of the sea. No self respecting privateer would risk that, at least that was her hope.
Straining her eyes searching the horizon Greyy studied the crews of each navy ship seeking out one in particular. She hoped the officers would be on deck, as any good officer should be. Finally she found the one she wanted and began to bark orders and coordinates to the helm. She held on firmly to the rails as the wheel pulled hard to starboard.
“All ahead Full! She ordered. Their course led them careening headlong straight for Captain Roland White’s vessel.
When the two ships were almost to collision distance Greyy grabbed the wheel and yanked hard avoiding the other vessel by mere inches. Her crew had taken oars to help push the other ship away to avoid getting tangled in their sails. Gazing up to the deck she saw the one she had sought.
“Roland, dear, so nice of you to come.” She yelled up to him giving a mock salute and a saucy wink. “If you would be so kind as to move ye’r bloomin’ arse we will be on our way.”
“Oh really now
? And are your friends needing me to move my bloomin ass too?” He said pointing to the other Pirates behind her.
“Oooh Noo sir. They be Not my friends ‘t’all, sir! Ye can do with them as ye feels necessary.” She answered with a sweeping bow trying to keep the panic she felt out of her voice and expression. She knew that if either of these two forces were to catch her she would be dead.
Chapter 159
The low sweeping bow from Captain White gave her the release she needed and the belly laugh she shared with her crew told them that for the moment they were safe. She had been far too close to let luck control her destiny in such a manner. Next time she would need to be more careful.
It was now quite apparent by the dogged pursuit of the Pirates that there was some bounty on her head. She would now need to be more conscious of her actions. Cursed ship or no, being hunted was not her idea of a good way to spend the day.
Cautious yet curious to see how the Pirate vessels would respond to the Navy presence she climbed the ropes to gain the best vantage point possible settling in the crow’s nest with a long view spyglass. As it became clear there would be a confrontation the Pirate ships broke away to avoid being boarded by any naval forces.
As sure as the sea is deep when the pirate force discovered they were running headlong into the navy fleet and panic ensued. The Navy bore down on the pirates with grace and swift determination. The Pirate Regatta annual event traditionally had sea battles but normally was between equally weighted drunken crews. The vastly overpowered pirates were forced to scatter like rats from a sinking ship in the face of the Navy onslaught.
It was a great victory for the navy who had taken several ships and confiscated their bounty. Several of the Empire’s treasures were returned to the chagrin of the privateers who had claimed them. Horatio and Roland had each gained a few big pieces of loot to prove their worth in battle to the favor of their commands.
Chapter 160
As night ushered the end of another day a collective sigh blanketed the crew. They had survived another day and lived to tell the tale. With a relieved sense of calm they continued on their chosen course following stars and the current. They were in familiar waters and could almost mark their path blindfolded. The exhausted crew was looking forward to having the Regatta done and the target off their backs.
Black White and Shades of Greyy Page 22