Disclaimer: I do own everything here...well maybe not the ocean, or spain or port royal but I own the story. :D
This is a story I'm working on and it is all mine but I wanted to put it somewhere and this is the only site I can find even though it is meant for Fan fiction and not just plain old fiction. Anyway enjoy reading :D
"Sayward!" called Maria from across a open field on the Spanish coast. "Sayward you mother wants you!" Maria called again
A sixteen year old girl stood up from where she had been sitting, hidden in the long pasture grass and stroked the horse grazing beside her. The horse was magnificent, but not a horse that nobles in Spain would ride. The horse was a mixed breed. Brown and white paint, not tall but his body was built for speed and endurance. He was a stallion Sayward was proud to own.
Sayward sighed as she gave the stallion one finale stroke. "I'll be back Equito," she said as she started walking towards the large Spanish mansion that she lived in. Once out of the long pasture grass Sayward started running, her long, full skirt swishing and occasionally tripping her. Once at the door she stopped for a moment to straighten her long, loose, dark brown hair that nearly matched her stallions bay spots. Once she was sure she was presentable she walked into the house and was met by her very agitated mother.
"Hurry to your room and get something nice on and fix your hair! Senor Flamez is here and talking to your father about marriage!"
"Senor Flamez! mother I can't marry him, he is nearly sixty and I'm sixteen!" exclaimed Sayward, who was in no hurry to be married no matter how rich the man was.
"Go get changed and don't complain about what you get. You are lucky to get a man as rich as Senor Flamez who is still young enough to see you."
Sayward scowled and ran up a set of stairs to her room. Her parents, especially her mother, did not keep it a secret that they thought her to be ugly. Sayward did not have the wavy black hair that most Spanish woman had and the fact that she spent more time in the fields with, or on, her horse then she did in the manor doing things expected of a young Spanish noblewoman, made her considerably less desirable in most young nobleman's eyes.
Sayward rummaged through the many dresses she owned, trying to find something that would repel Senor Flamez. She decided on a plain black Skirt and heavy white blouse that hung rather oddly giving her the appearance of having no shape. She then did her hair up in a tight bun at the back of her neck, she applied no make-up and slipped on a pair of black shoes. Sayward was quite happy with the look and she left her room and headed to the parlour where she would meet and hopefully repulse Senor Flamez.
When she walked into the parlour all eyes turned towards her. Sayward felt uncomfortable suddenly and unsure of herself, which was quite strange for her. She was usually comfortable with other people and confident, sometimes overly confident.
"Senorita." said Senor Flamez, standing up and giving a small bow.
"Senor Flamez" Replied Sayward coldly
"Sayward please sit. Senor Flamez and I have some business to discuss that may interest you." Said Sayward's father, Senor Montez.
Sayward did not sit, a shadow crossed over her face. "Is that what I am?!" she asked furiously "A business transaction?!"
She didn't even give Senor Montez a chance to respond, she just rushed outside and into the pasture in search of Equito.
It didn't take long for her to find Equito and when she did Sayward jumped on and took off at a gallop out of the pasture and down the road. Sayward was glad her father had opened a bank account for her in town otherwise she would have no money. Once in town she went straight to the bank and emptied her account, she would need most of it. Her next stop was to ditch this clothing and get something more practical. She bought a plain blouse that was comfortable and flattering but at the same time practical for work. She also got a pair of tight fitting black pants, a belt, a hat, and a rapier. Sayward looked the part of a buccaneer accept for the fact that she was very obviously a woman. The knee high boots she bought were comfortable and water proof, she was ready. Sayward also went to the leather craft shop and bought Equito a halter. Sayward rode down to the docks in search of a ship to carry both her and Equito to Port Royal. Sayward didn't notice the young, handsome man watching her dismount and then follow her as she went from captain to captain to try and buy her passage.
"Port Royal ya say?" said a dirty, dangerous looking captain.
"Yes Senor, are you making port there at all?"
"Just so happens I is, it will cost ya though."
"How much for me and my horse?"
"Ye horse cost ye plenty extra, say 200 all together"
"Okay, when do you leave?"
"Ta night. 12 o'clock"
Sayward started to walk away but the captain grabbed her wrist.
"I's be needin' that pay in advance."
Sayward shrugged and handed him 2 bags, each held 100 gold pieces.
The man watching her knew the captain and he knew Old Richard wouldn't be bringing the girl to Port Royal. The man's name was Bade, an English buccaneer and he was very good at what he did. Bade strode down the dock towards his ship 'BlackFox'. His first mate stood on deck getting things ready to leave within the hour.
"Karl, we're going to have a slight delay."
"Trouble Cap'n?" asked Karl
"You could say that, Old Richard just made a deal with a young lady to bring her to Port Royal. 20 gold pieces says she'll never reach her destination."
"Cap'n, you sure this it's wise ta get ol' Richard mad? Ya remember the last time ya 'elped a lass that got in wit ol' Richard?"
Bade winced as he remembered Caroline, the young a fiery English beauty. She had caused him nothing but grief and left him, taking a piece of his heart with her.
"I remember. But this girl is different."
" 'ow so?"
"Well she's a brunette, Caroline was a blond."
" 'air colour ain't worth a piece of gold, cap'n."
"She's a noble woman, that much is obvious, I'd say a Montez. But she's tough, and she's got a level head on her shoulders. She's dressed like a buccaneer and she's carrying a rapier."
"Okay Cap'n, it is your ship and your decision in the end but I'm not gonna stand in your way on this un." said Karl hesitantly, still not sure if this was a good decision.
"So you got a plan?" asked Karl
"Of course." said Bade as he strode away.
Karl shook his head and called after Bade.
"I don't suppose ya wan' ta share that there plan with me?"
Bade just laughed "Come with me to my cabin. I'll tell you there."
Karl followed and sat down on a offered chair.
"I want to keep it quiet with the rest of the crew so make something up about the delay. Tonight at five to midnight I want you to meet her on the docks. She'll have a pinto stallion with her."
" 'old on Cap'n. Stallion?! We bringin' a HORSE ON BOARD?!" exclaimed Karl, this plan was looking pretty bad.
"Yes." said Bade quite calmly "Now as I was saying. She'll be wearing black leggings, a blouse, hat and she has a rapier. Oh and her hair is brown and in a twist."
"Got what she looks like. Want me to conk her over the head?"
"NO!" exclaimed Bade, looking quite horrified. "Tell her you're there to bring her to Old Richard and then bring her here. Give her my cabin and take the stallion down below, I'll have my little brother get a stall ready with everything the horse will need for the voyage."
"When does she learn she's on the wrong boat?"
"When I decide to introduce myself. So can you pull that off?"
"Piece of cake." replied Karl as he left the cabin.
For Bade, Midnight came all too soon. Karl had just gone to the docks to get Sayward and Bade was just finishing moving his necessities into Karl's cabin. Karl would be sleeping with the rest of the crew. A Half hour later Karl, the girl, and her horse, arrived on the ship. Karl took the girl and horse down below to get the stallion settled and to show the girl how her horse would be travelling. Fifteen minutes later she was brought up to the captain's cabin where she settled down into a deep sleep almost immediately.
Sayward walked down the dock, leading a very nervous Equito. Karl found Sayward almost immediately seeing as it's not hard to find someone on a nearly empty dock leading a pinto stallion.
"Ma'am, I'm here to bring you ta Ol' Richard's boat." said Karl as he approached Sayward.
"Thank you. Will we be casting off immediately?"
"Soon as we is ready Ma'am."
"Please, Call me Sayward."
"A'right then Sayward. I'm Karl, the firs' mate."
Karl led her down the docks until the reached the 'BlackFox'. Bade had his ship right up against the dock so that they could use the ramp, otherwise Equito would have had to be left behind.
"Yer horse is going below deck, a stall should be ready fer him and enough food and water's been packed for the voyage to Port Royal."
"Thank you Karl." said Sayward.
They both went below deck and Sayward led Equito into the stall and took his halter off. Equito looked around wildly for awhile but soon settled down. Sayward carefully went over the bales of hay to make sure they weren't mouldy. They hay was top quality and Sayward was very impressed. Captain Richard seemed more like the kind of man who would save his money and buy the cheapest bales possible, meaning lots of mold.
"Everything satisfactory, Sayward?" asked Karl
"More then Satisfactory."
"Are ya ready ta see yer cabin?"
Oh Yes, thank you, I'm quite tired." said Sayward and a yawn followed soon afterwards as if to add emphasis to her words.
Karl led Sayward up to the captains cabin.
"Have a good night Sayward, by morning ya probably won't be able ta see the shore."
Sayward laughed "Please tell your captain thank you for the use of his cabin." she said as he left.
Sayward removed her hat and let her hair down then kicked off her boots and fell into the hard sea bed.