Here it is! Before I get to the story, I wanted to take a quick minute to address something a reviewer brought to my attention. After Jake rescued Allison from Mimosa, he had welcomed her back to the Scarlett Ruby, but how could that happen if he purchased the ship after Mimosa had mutinied and taken Allison? When we first wrote the story, we had originally planned Jake to have the Scarlett Ruby the whole time because Mimosa just left with part of Jake's crew. What we have written now works better. I apologize for the confusion. Thanks for faithfully reading!
Pirates of the Atlantic Episode 2: The Search for Sir Drake's Sword
The Cast
Captain Jake Cardinal of the Scarlett Ruby, based on William Turner and Captain Jack Sparrow ~ played by Alvin
Becky Cardinal, based on Elizabeth Swann ~ played by Brittany
Matthew Mimosa, based on Hector Barbossa ~ played by Simon, former rival of the Scarlett Ruby
Captain Dave Senoj of the Swimming Frenchman, based on Davy Jones~ played by Dave
Short Stack Muggins ~ played by Theodore, part of Mimosa's crew
Vinegar Stan~ part of Mimosa's crew
Allison Fairchild~ played by Jeanette, rescued by Jake
Nora~ played by Eleanor, second mate of the Scarlett Ruby
Scully, based on Joshamee Gibbs~ first mate of the Scarlett Ruby
Tobias Threepwood~ third mate, bosun who controls the anchor and the ship's rigging
Thad Coldsteel~ quartermaster who controls the treasury
Cutthroat Pitzel, based on Pintel~ played by Kaitlyn's OC Arnie, the helmsman
Ketchum Kert Spaghetti, based on Ragetti~ played by my OC Roger, master gunner
Wally Nipperkin~ played by Kaitlyn's OC Walter, carpenter
January Jones~ navigator
Pugwash~ Chinese chef
Chapter 1
Everyone in Jakeston was excitedly bustling around town, for their own Captain Cardinal was marrying his love Becky in just two hours. Since there was no church in Jakeston yet, the wedding was to take place on a hill that overlooks the entire island. As a wedding gift to the captain, Wally Nipperkin had built an arbor up on the hill for Becky and Jake to be married under. They had sailed Captain Griswald in from the Chinese High Seas to perform the wedding services. (Griswald, like anyone else who came to visit Jakeston, was kept below deck during the last half of the voyage in order to avoid his knowing the exact location of Jakeston.) Becky felt like this day would never come for her, and to think, three months ago she thought she would be marrying Nelson. Jake had been ready for this day ever since he was sixteen.
The wedding ceremony was nothing new: the same boring old "I dos" were said, and it ended with a kiss. The reception was a grand success, and all were happy; well, for the most part everybody was. Nora was a little frustrated that she had to wear the fancy Maid of Honor dress that Becky made her wear: pink with all the frills and lace imaginable. Celebrations of the marriage carried on for a week (gifts being delivered, parties every night, constant "Congratulations"), but then it was time for Becky and Jake to prepare to go on their honeymoon.
Jake gathered a somewhat smaller than normal crew together and set sail with Becky in the Scarlett Ruby. The first objective was to drop Allison off at her home in Wales, then to go on his honeymoon with Becky somewhere near England or Italy, then to seek an underwater treasure off the coast of Ireland.
A couple days after setting sail, Jake began the process of swearing Becky in as a pirate. Nobody in the crew was angry that another woman was joining because Becky had weaseled her way into the hearts of everybody. Nora brought out a small table, and Scully brought out the book of Pirate Code and a Bible. Tobias Threepwood and Thad Coldsteel draped a burgundy robe over Becky's shoulders.
"Put your right hand on the Bible and your left hand on the Code. Do you, Becky Cardinal, solemnly vow to always follow and uphold the pirate code of honor and promise your sole loyalty and devotion to Captain Jake Cardinal and his crew of the Scarlett Ruby as long as you remain breathing?" Jake inquired.
"I do," Becky proudly stated.
"And what is the name you have chosen to be known as?"
"Red-Eyed Beck."
"Very good; please sign the contract." Jake handed her the quill pen. After she signed her name, Jake signed his name and announced, "Everybody, please welcome our new crew member, Red-Eyed Beck!"
Everybody cheered; and they brought out the celebratory root beer, which was a special recipe developed by Jake (It is spiked with a trace amount of rum.). A couple of the men brought out a mandolin and a harmonica and began to play some upbeat music.
"So, Red-Eyed Beck," Nora approached her, "what's the inspiration behind your name? I understand the 'Beck' part, but the rest has got me stumped."
"Well, Jake and I were talking about how passionate and hot-tempered I can be about certain things. I thought that the 'Red-Eyed' part of my name could be like a symbol for my temper and burning passion."
"Wow, that sounds like your name fits you perfectly then! I say it strikes the perfect amount of fear into a person."
"Thanks," Becky said proudly. "Say, what's the story behind your name? Is Nora your real name, or did you just come up with it?"
"I think that," Nora took a sip of her root beer, "that story should be saved for another time. All you hav'ta know is that my name is Nora."
Just then, their celebrating was cut short when the lookout in the Crow's Nest noticed a small dinghy with a white flag waving.
One of the three people in the dinghy was identified as Captain Matthew Mimosa…again. The other two were what remained of his crew. Grudgingly, Jake allowed the three men permission to board his ship. Mimosa then entered Jake's office and began to explain why he was already breaking their agreement by trespassing into Jake's waters.
"You see," Mimosa began, "soon after I gathered a new ship and crew, I began an expedition to find the sword of Sir Francis Drake."
"That is a pretty ambitious thing for you to take on," Jake remarked. "Did you find out some new information about it or something? I mean, all I know is that the Spanish stole Drake's sword from his ship and hid it in some sort of complicated hunt."
"I indeed did come across new information. But before I share this information with you, I must know for sure that I can trust you to help me find the sword."
"You have my word, as long as I can know for sure that I can trust you. After all, you're the one that mutinied from my ship. And I would love to finally be able to find that sword."
"Fine, you have my word as well." The two captains shook hands, and Mimosa continued relaying his story. "I found information on how the Spanish hid Drake's sword, and how to go about finding it. One first has to find the four large slabs of rock hidden in four different locations, and then he would have to find the puzzle that was missing the stone tiles. In each of the locations of the tiles, a Spanish riddle written on the wall directs to the location of the next place. I had found the first tile, but that ruthless Captain Dave Senoj of the Swimming Frenchman took the tile and did away with most of my crew. Senoj proceeded with bombing my ship until it sank; only I and the two other men with me, Vinegar Stan and Short Stack-if I can even call him a man since he has only been a pirate for two weeks-, were able to escape."
"Wow, it sounds like you have been through a pretty wild adventure already. Do you remember the riddle for the next tile?"
"Yes, it tells of an island cave off the southern coast of Africa. I can direct your navigator to the coordinates I was going to use while on my own ship."
"After I take a look at them and approve, sure you can get right on that," Captain Cardinal agreed. "By the way," he added with a smirk, "Allison is still here."
"O-oh, really? Why-uh- is she still here?" Matthew asked, getting a little flustered.
"We were on our way to her home before we picked you up. Maybe you can tell her that now we have to either take her along on this adventure, or we can drop her off with enough money for her to take herself home."
The Scarlett Ruby changed her course for the coordinates Mimosa gave. Mimosa explained to Allison why he was there and gave her the options Jake suggested.
"I…think I would rather stay on board and wait until afterwards to go home. I feel safer on this ship than if I were to go on by myself. And I would much rather see the sword in better hands than Senoj's; after all, he and his men are the ones who raided my home city multiple times and kidnapped me in the first place."
"Oh, that's right. I had forgotten that he was the one who first kidnapped you."
"And you were the second," Allison added.
"Er- right. I…was. Well, it all worked out in the end, didn't it?"
"Yes, I suppose it did."
"Anyways, I'm, uh, glad you'll be staying on the ship. It is the safest place for you."
Meanwhile, on the other side of the ship, Jake was explaining to Becky their new plans.
"So, do you understand now why we have to postpone our honeymoon, darling?"
"Yeah, I guess so. Mimosa had better not be sending us on a wild goose chase though, or I'll really let him have it."
"Just think: this gives you a chance to experience the true life of a pirate for the first time."
"Hmm, okay. I don't like having to postpone our honeymoon, but this does seem more important."
"You're so understanding; that's why I love you." Jake gave her a kiss then went off to go yell at a pirate who was dozing off while on duty.
Once the rest of the crew learned about the new plans, Nora and Red-Eyed Beck took it upon themselves to start training Allison in some forms of self-defense in order for her to be less of a burden to those who would have to protect her. The girls tried to make her feel like she was doing a great job, but in reality, she was doing horribly. Allison kept tripping into the obstacles, and her aim was terrible. One time while practicing knife throwing with a fake knife, she nearly swiped the bandana right off of Cutthroat Pitzel's head.
The crew was very wary of Captain Mimosa and his two pirates while they were on board. Everyone was more concerned about Mimosa and his seasoned crew member than his new recruit; for the crew knew that Mimosa was the former first mate, and this Vinegar Stan was a man of no friendly words…if he even said anything. Mimosa's new recruit, Short Stack as he was called, was very inexperienced and very cheerful. Nora however found this a very dangerous combination for a pirate and decided to approach him.
"Hey there, you!" she called out to Short Stack.
He whirled around startled to hear a woman's voice. "Oh, uh, y-yes, Ma'am? Did I do something wrong?"
"No, you didn't do anything…yet. What's your name again?"
His words tumbled out, "Muggins Sam, er- Sam Muggins, or Short Stack."
"Which one is it?" Nora asked impatiently.
"My name is Sam Muggins, but Captain Mimosa gave me the nickname Short Stack."
"Well, Muggins, I just wanted to warn you that you may be a guest on this ship, but you're gonna have to take orders from my cap'n too. Ya might even have to take orders from me and the first mate. So, jest make sure that ya pay attention to what goes on around ya. Kay?"
"Sure, yeah, I-I understand, Ma'am," Muggins nodded violently.
Nora was about to walk away but then stopped. "And one more thing: the name is Nora. Don't call me 'Ma'am.'"
The Scarlett Ruby stopped halfway into their journey to the island at a port to gather more supplies and more men for their hunt. Captain Cardinal also purchased two schooners, just in case they would have to sail in tight water passes. Then they continued along their way going at full speed to try to catch up to Senoj.