11-03: Privateers

Salt and wind, the smell of the ocean. The port city was a bustling trade hub, where even the children ran around, attempting to make a pocketful of money. Meanwhile, Veronica was stunned at the sight of the vast ocean in front of her, she's never seen anything like it. Though, she was also quite lonely, doing this all by herself.

However, a sudden hand on her shoulder made her jump out of fear and quickly turning around d to see who it was. A blind, red haired woman.

"Rena! Don't scare me like that!"

"Sorry 'bout that lass, but you looked quite adorable, starin' out at the sea."

"I've never seen anything like it. It truly is beautiful."

"Just wait 'til you come aboard. That 'pinion will either grow, or you'll want to go home immediately."

"Oh, right, why am I here anyways? Alone, too."

"Follow me, I'll tell ye all 'bout it."

Veronica nodded and followed Rena, walking on the edge of the port.

"Before I tell ye everything, do you know what I do fer a livin'?"

"No, not quite. I mean, I know it has to do with boats, and that you were with the royal family for quite a while."

"Ships, lass! Ships! There be a difference. But, onto the point at hand, I, as well as me crew, are privateers. Have been for the past, oh... hundred fifty years or so?"

"Privateer?"

"Oh, my sweet, naive girl. We're pirates, able to raid other ships, take captives, and sell stolen loot all completely legally. You'd be surprises how many enemies this kingdom has outside of this here continent."

"You're thieves and murderers, but it's legal?"

"Not as fun when describe that way, but aye, that about sums it up."

"So, that's what we do. And, since you've obtained that new little position o' yers, I figured you should see the real world. You've already seen blood and crime, but you've never seen the men and women lost at sea.  Not to mention, there is something I'm lookin' fer."

"And what's that?"

"My father's treasure. I've been searchin' for it since I was around your age. But, I've finally gotten all the clues, and pinpointed where he left it."

"And why did you need me for it? And alone too?"

"Mainly sex." She answered, without a hint of sarcasm or joking on her face. She was completely serious.

"T-That's it?"

"Course not lass. Just part of it. Like I said, earlier, I wanted you to see what happens at sea, getting to know, truly, what happens to naval forces with your own eyes."

"Sounds dangerous."

"It is. But I didn't captain my girl for five hundred years for nothing. London as yer on board, you'll be fine. Unless you're shot by an arrow. Or directly hit by a cannon. But what're the chances o' that happenin'?"

Veronica nervously chuckled as they got to the most important part of the port. The docks.

"There she is. The Old Mermaid. I've captained her for over four hundred years. A beauty ain't she? Hard to believe she be cursed." Rena spoke, pointing at one of the larger ships that were docked.

The Old Mermaid, true to it's name, had a mermaid figurehead. It's wood was in pristine condition, colored like mahogany. Two, large masts and at least twelve cannons on each side of her.

"It's pretty... Wait, did you cursed?"

"She, not it. And yes, she is cursed."

"I probably shouldn't get on then..."

"Don't worry 'bout that lass, she only be cursin' the cap'n." A voice said from behind the two. A man, rugged and middling in age, but very obviously strong.

"Aye, she be the reason why I've lost my sight and mortality. Anyway, this here is Jacques, my Quartermaster. He ensures my crew be fed and ensuring I know how to keep 'em loyal."

"And so far, they'd follow her into the depths of the Brine Veil with a smile on their face and a mug of rum in their grasp."

"Sounds like a pretty loyal crew." Veronica said.

"Aye. And you'll get to meet them now. Come on, we haven't all day."

Veronica quickly followed the two pirates on board the cursed ship. She still took every step carefully, not wanting to be cursed herself, and not wanting to fall into the water, especially considering Veronica never learned how to swim.

"All hands on deck!" Jacques yelled out. In a minute, all the crew members had jolted up and formed themselves in front of Rena. A rough count of fifty men and women were on board.

"Ladies and gentleladies, we've here an important guest. Consort to Princess Celia herself. She'll be with us for the next month or so. Treat her as you treat me, and we'll have no problems. Understood?"

"Aye aye, cap'n!" The crew yelled out in a trained response.

"Now then, we should be off now. Raise the anchor and pull out of port! Set a heading northbound." Rena ordered. Without missing a beat, everyone began their duties. Hoisting the sails, raising the anchor, and slowly moving the ship out of Port to a point where they can lower the sails.

"And now, you get to see what real freedom feels like."