Here is the truth, I am not sure when I will finish this story, but I still have interest in it. It is an advancement in the Pirates of the Caribbean series and although it contains many main characters, the focus is shifted elsewhere onto new characters. My disclaimer: I own and have nothing to do with the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, franchise, ect.
This is a story just for fun. Hope you enjoy and please leave reviews. Please, try not to be to condescending though! This is just a past time; I am not a writer, but I would like to keep writing fun for me too! :) Haha, I hope that isn't too much to ask...
And here it goes...
Jack sprawled out in the crow's nest, a scummy rum bottle tucked gently into the crook of one arm, his trustworthy hat shielding his face from the sun's burning touch. While he relaxed aloft, enjoying the endless canvas of calm rolling seas and cloudless skies, six or so men sailed the ship below, unaware of his self-given break.
Yet, he found it difficult to fully relax, as his mind dwindled over and sifted through countless tedious subjects. They were three days out of Tortuga, where he had just recently restocked information from the pubs' grapevine. Most, twere merely the locations of fellow and foe crews, weather reports, or ongoing expeditions. Thoughts to mull, but not to follow in pursuit; especially for the case of one intriguing earful.
Jack had overheard whispers of a special shipment recently come into port. The tidbit stuck with him, even though he firmly decided not to investigate. In short, the shipment was part of the few lucrative business' he intended to keep his sticky fingers well away from. He considered himself too savvy to mix or mingle with its cockamamie crowd.
Still, like a cabin boy spending his evenings amongst a weathered crew, Jack's ears perked whenever the illicit subject rose.
Stories of a new rare variety on the black market for some years had trailed around the seas. Privateers and fishermen originally from African waters were lured westward by the increasing rumors of the foreign sea's magnificent fish. They sailed the largest vessels across the oceans, eager to try a hand in the new catch. For the first years, their trials had been rough, claiming many lives and good ships, while earning mockery from the rest of the community. Catching the sea's devils? It was an absurd quest, impossible and forsaken by anyone with half a brain. The Western fishermen and sailors changed turns between laughing at the foolish Easterners, and cursing them for enraging the seas creatures.
However, one evening it happened, rumor of a success filtered back. Some sailors claimed to have witnessed a captive devil fish on board an Eastern slave ship, though unsure of what had happened to the creature afterward. At first, the men at the bar brushed it off in disbelief; one rumor meant nothing. But then another followed, raising questions. After that, the stories piled in so often that nearly every seaman felt compelled to accept them. Lovely sea devils netted and plucked from their watery homes, so unfathomable, yet so widely spoken that it could not be easily denied. Naturally, everyone had an opinion on the matter.
Two primary stances arose in response, turning open conversations into battlegrounds. Most decent folks and several superstitious sailors stood in opposition. Messing with the creatures disrupted the sea's balance and risked upsetting the mystical forces that governed her. The greedy, which unfortunately comprised a large portion of the population, though hardly cared for the consequences of their actions. They saw only profit and beautiful enchanting maidens for their taking.
It was the first time in history that the idea of capturing or enslaving mermaids had become reality. The Easterner's unique catch quickly gained them a prestigious title amongst the black markets and unimaginable affluence. Better yet for them, they held complete control over the business for no one else dared to try, all too aware of the persistence and sacrifices it cost the initial hundreds of crews. And, it was still the most deadly business for any fisherman. Even at Whitecap Bay, where extensive lengths and structures had been prepared to aid the procedure, half a dozen men were dragged to the ocean floor each time the nets were cast. And, for all the crews' efforts, the prizes collected from these trips hardly outnumbered the souls lost.
Compromising the catch even further, most of the beauties succumbed to death on route to the markets. The Eastern crews, familiar with handling African slavery, had a difficult time understanding the delicacy of their new captives. Most people simply recognized this fact without knowing the extent of the conditions. Jack, through his nosy tendencies, had the displeasure of discovering a few of the Easterner's techniques.
The process of transport from the sea to customer was quite grueling and cruel. First, the fisherman left the maidens on deck to dry out in the sun until their tails disappeared, then tossed the fish turned humans below, often without offering a shred of cloth or towel. While the traders were true in arguing that the captives knew nothing of indecency or being naked, anyone with common sense should have seen the health issues with these actions. Ships and the weather turned cold from time to place, freezing the bare maidens. As well, knowing nothing of humanly hygiene, secreted wastes soiled their forms and any wounds often grew infected. As sickness and disease ravaged their fragile bodies, humiliation and weakness plagued the former sea warriors. It was rare that over two thirds of them survived on the first passage.
The traders in response to the high death rate, found a solution that made the trip no less wretched. On the market, the mermaids merely were advertised as extremely rare, difficult to find for purchase, and expensive. It was not uncommon that their prices could compare to those of a Royal Navy vessel. In storage, they were hidden, locked in iron cages, bound by heavy cuffs or thick ropes in secret dark back rooms and basements. This protected the traders' goods from the raids of thieves and soldiers. Actual buyers had to track through several side parties and undergo a trial before claiming a prize. Once one proved he would keep the trader's name hushed, he was paraded through the naked slaves and allowed his pick.
Many mermaids, were said to have been used by wealthy privateers for personal purposes, others were taken into the brothel business as exclusive prime harlots. It was almost unheard for one to be sold for reasons other than her ethereal body. Some saw it deplorable, but the business was so minimal that it hardly raised a concern in comparison to other more widespread troubles within communities.
As for Jack's view, he like many, found it easier to turn a blind eye while the problem had no direct relation to him.