Havana, Cuba
June 1700

Captain Adelaida Guerrero has been in command of the Black Serpent for over a year now. She has gained the respect of her crew and proven to the doubtful that even a woman can be a great pirate captain. Their ship was docked in Havana's harbour and the crew were in the local tavern. The tavern was bustling with people; pirates and thugs alike. The summer heat beat down on the citizens of the city. Adelaida sat with most of her crew around many of the tables drinking their share and occasionally singing; badly. Adelaida sat on a chair at a table with her quartermaster, Sebastián, and two drunk others, Juan Javier and Miguel.

"Oi, cap'n!" said one of her crew as he approached the table with a rum bottle in hand.

Adelaida drank some rum and gestured for him to sit on an empty chair. She replied, "Sí, Ben?" wiping sweat from her forehead. She took off her tricorn hat and put it on the table.

Ben glanced around at the people in the tavern; he clearly wanted to make sure no one else could hear him. "On my way 'ere I was overhearin' these two men takin' 'bout an island that has some treasure 'idden somewhere on it."

Adelaida leaned forward with a smile forming on her features, "Go on."

"It's just south o' here. It's abandoned, not a soul to be found," Ben continued, "apparently a few of 'em were decidin' to raid the place for it."

"And?" she smirked, sensing something else he needed to say.

"I took the liberty of pinchin' their map and makin' certain they don't think to follow," Ben grinned. "They gave it to me after some persuadin'."

His captain grinned, reached across the table and slapped the man on the arm. "Ben, the next barrel of rum is on me!" she hollered and the whole tavern erupted into cheers. "We leave for this deserted place when it's finished."

"But what about-?" started Sebastián but he was interrupted by his captain.

"No te preocupes, mi viejo amigo! Haremos tiempo! (Don't worry, my old friend! We'll make time!)"

Half and hour or so later, with the rum drunk, the crew staggered back to the Back Serpent and prepared to sail. Adelaida shouted out orders and they sailed out of Havana under a light breeze, south towards the treasure island. She had one eye on the ocean and one on the map Sebastián held out unfolded beside her. "This treasure is buried inside some ruins it seems," she said, studying the map. "Something tells me it'll be hard to find."

"You're a finder of treasure, capitán. It won't be hard for you," Sebastián told her. "Even if you are a little drunk."

"Gracias, Sebastián," she said jokingly, "but none of this will matter if we're not quick because those bloody pigs will skin us all if we don't meet the rendezvous."

"Like you said, we'll have plenty of time," he assured her. "Otherwise you can always blame your lazy crew for being completely rat arsed and unable to function for us being late."

"Sí. I could," she replied with a laugh. She looked at him. "What does this island have in store for me? I would like to know more before we arrive."

"You'll have to ask Ben. He's the one who overheard the men."

"Sí," Adelaida paused and gave him a side eye. "What that meant to rhyme?"

"Not at all."

Adelaida chuckled and turned to look at the main deck, "Hey, Ben!" her voice carrying to all areas of the ship.

Ben looked up from scrubbing the deck. "Yes, cap'n?!" he shouted in response.

"Did you hear anything else about this place we're heading to?" Adelaida asked.

"All I 'eard that there was a lot of ruins on the island as well as it havin' a thick jungle an' plenty of animals. They said that they needed to 'ave plenty of ammunition on them for the trip."

"Is that it?" Adelaida asked.

"'fraid so, cap'n!"

"Alright, go back to your work." Ben nodded went back to his duty. She looked back at Sebastián, "When we reach the island, we'll dock and I will go ashore." Sebastián opened his mouth to object but she cut him off. "No buts Seba. If something does go wrong I still need you to meet the pendejos (assholes)."

The quartermaster sighed. "Very well, capitán."

"Even if it means leaving me behind," she added, earnestly. "But come back or-"

"We will definitely return to avoid your wrath, capitán," Sebastián said quickly. "I think some of the men would like to have children in the far future."

"I only did that once," she defended. "He was taking advantage of that poor woman. Pirates might like to pillage and murder but far to many of them rape. I prefer drinking, pillaging and murdering."

"Don't we all, Adela, and that was a day you put the fear of getting on your bad side into the hearts of these men," Sebastián said, nodding his head to the deck below them.

"Sí. And they should know my temper is not a thing to be messed with."

Sebastián cracked a smile, "It certainly isn't. If I ever anger you, it's my fault and I will accept the consequences."

"It will be."

Adelaida looked back to the ocean around them, wiping her forehead free of sweat. The hot summer sun laughing at those who couldn't escape his heat. Havana was slowly becoming a distant memory on the horizon as they left it behind. The map told them to head to the coast of Yucatán Peninsula. Looking at it closer it told them to go to a place she knew as Tulum. It was abandoned all right; just a lot a thick jungle stood behind her and her treasure. Tulum wasn't in any way special to her, hell she didn't even know that it housed ruins until Ben said. This raid was going to be quick, she could handle a thick jungle.

As always, let me know if any of the Spanish is incorrect. Thanks for reading!