Prologue
If you had been standing on the docks of Port Royal around midday, on that fateful Saturday, you would have seen the white sails of the Intrepid on the horizon. The Intrepid was a respectable ship, crossing form England, captained by the British sailor, Capt. Thropp. Capt. Thropp was immigrating to the Caribbean with his eight year old daughter, Melena.
Melena ran up to her father at the wheel, and asked him when they would be docking.
"Do you see that blur on the horizon, Lena? That's where we will dock." Captain Thropp answered. "Now run along, don't stay on deck too long."
Once the child had left, the Capitain took out his spyglass and gazed off onto the horizon. A ship could be seen coming fast towards them.
"Pirates. Ruben, come here! The captain called to a trustworthy member of the crew. "Pirates are fast approaching," he said calmly, "I want you to take Melena in the lifeboat, to Port Royal, keep her safe. Here are some shillings; you can get a room in Tompson's hotel. I'll meet you there when we have dealt with the pirates."
* * *
Five minutes later, Sailor Mark Ruben was rowing a sorry-looking lifeboat toward shore, it's only passenger, the young Miss. Thropp.
Melena was sleeping at the bow of the boat by the time it bumped up against the dock. Ruben woke Melena, paid the shilling to the boat master, and asked for directions to Topmson's Hotel.
* * ~ * * ~ **
A couple pf days passed with no sign from the Intrepid, until one night, after Melena was asleep, a messenger knocked ominously at the hotel room door.
"Good evening sailor, I understand that Captain Thropp's daughter is temporarily in your charge." Said the messenger
"Yes, we are awaiting the return of Capt, Thropp."
"Well, I have some distressing news for you: the Intrepid was attacked by pirates. Every man was either killed or captured. The pirate ship in question has long-since vanished, I suggest you find yourself a new captain, sailor."
Ruben staggered, distressed at the news. "What should I do about the girl." He asked as the messenger turned to leave.
"Orphanage." He said before walking out the door.
If you had been standing on the docks of Port Royal around midday, on that fateful Saturday, you would have seen the white sails of the Intrepid on the horizon. The Intrepid was a respectable ship, crossing form England, captained by the British sailor, Capt. Thropp. Capt. Thropp was immigrating to the Caribbean with his eight year old daughter, Melena.
Melena ran up to her father at the wheel, and asked him when they would be docking.
"Do you see that blur on the horizon, Lena? That's where we will dock." Captain Thropp answered. "Now run along, don't stay on deck too long."
Once the child had left, the Capitain took out his spyglass and gazed off onto the horizon. A ship could be seen coming fast towards them.
"Pirates. Ruben, come here! The captain called to a trustworthy member of the crew. "Pirates are fast approaching," he said calmly, "I want you to take Melena in the lifeboat, to Port Royal, keep her safe. Here are some shillings; you can get a room in Tompson's hotel. I'll meet you there when we have dealt with the pirates."
* * *
Five minutes later, Sailor Mark Ruben was rowing a sorry-looking lifeboat toward shore, it's only passenger, the young Miss. Thropp.
Melena was sleeping at the bow of the boat by the time it bumped up against the dock. Ruben woke Melena, paid the shilling to the boat master, and asked for directions to Topmson's Hotel.
* * ~ * * ~ **
A couple pf days passed with no sign from the Intrepid, until one night, after Melena was asleep, a messenger knocked ominously at the hotel room door.
"Good evening sailor, I understand that Captain Thropp's daughter is temporarily in your charge." Said the messenger
"Yes, we are awaiting the return of Capt, Thropp."
"Well, I have some distressing news for you: the Intrepid was attacked by pirates. Every man was either killed or captured. The pirate ship in question has long-since vanished, I suggest you find yourself a new captain, sailor."
Ruben staggered, distressed at the news. "What should I do about the girl." He asked as the messenger turned to leave.
"Orphanage." He said before walking out the door.