-1Summery: Raven's the new pirate aboard 'The Robin' and starts to fall for the Captain. But when she realizes where she remembers him from she finds herself unable to open up to him for fear that he might cut her throat. RobXRae.

Playing Pirates

Chapter 1: The Escape

By Chamzi

My name is Raven. I am a pirate. And I am going to be hanged for it…

Last night while my crew took refuge in a small tavern on the western coast of Tartuga Island, we were ambushed by the navy. The low down scabrous dogs didn't have the guts to fight us while we were in top condition. They had waited until the grog(1) had taken it's affects on our bodies. Now over half of my hands are dead…and I'm tied to the main mast of a British navy ship.

The sun was hot, and the skies were clear, what should be classified as a nice day… But to Raven the sun's heat was torture. She found herself wishing for the 50th time that the dirty navy soldiers hadn't taken the captains hat from atop her head. Still she was fortunate that they had left the black bandana on. The hempen ropes dug into her wrists like sharks but she ignored the pain, she was much to busy watching a filthy bilge rat (2) guard play with her duffle.(3) She glared at the fat man as he attempted to do amateur tricks with her cutlass(4) such as throwing into the air and caching it by the hilt. She smirked as he cut his hand on the sharp blade. Serves the scabrous dog right. He clenched his hand rather tight trying to ward off the pain as he noticed her smirk. One thing about pirates, you don't let them get the better of you when you're suppose to be one of Britain's best. Being that she was tied to the mast he simply slapped her across the face without fear that she might counter attack him. Raven knew full well that if she wasn't tied to the mast that the greasy man wouldn't have had the courage to strike her. She was after all one of the most notorious pirates of the time.

"Sir, we have a problem," A small guard told the captain to Raven's left. His voice was urgent and slightly worried catching Raven's attention.

"What is it?" She listened eagerly. Perhaps she could use it to her advantage.

"There's a pirate ship about half a kilometre north… closing fast."

It was silent for a moment. Pirate ship? It couldn't be my remaining crew come back to get me. There wouldn't be enough men to get her sailing let alone enough men to create the speed at which it would need to catch up.

"Load the cannons and set the sails full. We take them in just like all other pirates." he stressed the word 'pirates' as he passes Raven, knowing she was listening.

Struggling in her bindings, Raven tried to reach the dagger concealed deep within her sleeve. If she could just reach it she could use it to cut the ropes that bound her and escape to the approaching pirate ship… Provided it didn't sport a no quarter flag(5). It would be a risk but it was either be hanged by land lubbers or possibly by another pirate ship. Shouts of panicked guards scurrying to load the guns met Raven's ears and she knew the ship was close. Only problem was, her binding were so tight it made reaching her dagger near impossible.

The crack of the cannons filled the air and Raven felt the ship rock as it was hit by pirate ship's guns. With all the soldiers busy with the pirate ship behind her, Raven struggled harder. But again the ropes proved to tight. She sighed. What she wouldn't give to be in the action. Another boom and a crack. The pirate ship was in close range, she could tell by how close the crack followed the boom of the cannon. If she could simply get loose she's be able to board the ship.

She sighed again as she lowered her head. A good thing too. For at that moment another cannon was sent right through the mast behind her head breaking it clean off. The splinters flew and Raven hunched her shoulders up to protect herself from the deviating wood. The rest of the mast creaked as it fell down and onto the deck of the large navy ship. Checking over her shoulder she found the mast was cut clear off just above the ropes. She smiled. Perfect. A large part of being a pirate was pure luck, and Raven had it. In abundance. Heaving her shoulders up she wriggled the ropes up over the broken mast creating slack in the tight ropes. She struggled desperately until she brought the thick heavy ropes over her head before tossing them to the ground. She grinned mischievously as she took a nearby belaying pin(6) and used it as a club as she snuck up behind the fat guard who held her duffle. Hitting him hard in the back of the head she picked up the belt and her belongings that he had taken from her. She quickly hid back behind the large broken mast as she secured her belt around her waist. Just as soon as she had it secured did another soldier find her. She quickly drew her cutlass and with a confident grin she engaged in a swordfight. Like a dance they're footing matched and the sounds of the metal clanking together created a sort of rhythm. That is until Raven gave him a quick boot in the chest sending him over board to feed the fish.

Quickly she made her way up to the poop deck(7) dodging soldiers here and there. The deck was empty as all the hands were down on the main deck manning guns. Raven glanced over the railings to find a large beautiful pirate ship. It's white sails were full and it's power could be seen in the way it held itself against fire. Raven smiled slightly at the sight of the classic Jolly Roger flag atop it's main mast. The words 'The Robin' were scrolled handsomely along the side of the beautiful ship. Raven glanced down to the main deck to make sure all the soldiers were busy before grabbing a line responsible for holding up one side of the large sails at the aft(8) of the ship.

"Here goes nothing…" Raven whispered to herself as she took hold of the line with a strong grip before using her cutlass to cut the line. It sprung up with the speed and force of a cannon and Raven had to clench her teeth to repress the pain it brought in her shoulder as it launched her up and over the edge of the ship as the sail fell from the cut line. Letting go at the peek of propulsion she soared through the air some what like she was running and hit the water next to 'The Robin'. The sound of the cannons were drowned out by the water around her ears and the bubble of air rising to meet the surface. She took a deep breath of air as she surfaced again thanking the gods that she'd never have to do that again. She quickly swam to the Jacob's ladder(9) that occupied the side of the pirate ship. She hurried up the side of the boat as more guns fired and cracked holes into the ships. She grabbed onto the scuppers(10) and hauled herself up over the ledge of the ship. falling on her back before taking a few deep breaths. Glancing up over her shoulder she found a few men, cutlasses drawn and at her neck. Raven held her hands above her head before speaking.

"Ahoy, you lot wouldn't happen to need some help would you?" She smiled slightly and a man offered a hand to help her up.

"Shiver me timbers(11)…" He grined slyly as he looked her over quickly. Aye, a real beauty. He thought to himself as he took in her wet purple locks and violet eyes. She too looked him over in admiration. He was strong and skilled, she could tell that just by the way he stood. But it was his eyes that caught her attention. They were so blue, like the seas themselves. She could have sworn she had seen those eyes before. Buy from where she couldn't say. He was obviously the captain as no one dared stand to close to him. His red vest acted strongly against the black of the rest of his clothes making him stand out among the rest of the crew. A small black goatee sported on his chin seemed to make him more confident. His grin grew slightly as he noticed the cutlass sheathed at her side.

"Can you fight?" He asked. His voice was deep and held authority.

Raven grinned and gave a quick nod, "Aye." She glanced at the navy ship and back to the Captain of the pirate ship before her grin turned to a frown. "but you ought not fight them. They have 50 men on board at least. You must take leave."

He gave her a quick suspicious look before deciding she was probably right. Turning over his shoulder he barked out an order, "All hand hoay!"

"Aye aye!" the crew cried back in unison.

"Set full sail! We're leaving!"

Men quickly went to work setting the sails to make an escape, and just as the ship started forward about 10 soldier hands had swung themselves over on lines and onto 'The Robin's' main deck. The ship began to deviate from the parallel alignment it had with the navy ship and was soon off. Drawing her cutlass, Raven took arms against the invading soldiers. The soldiers were now outnumbered 2 to 1 and Raven took full advantage of it. Quickly she had two soldiers sprawled on the deck bleeding before taking a third by the throat and slitting it, letting him fall to her feet.

There was a loud cheer from the crew as the last of the soldiers fell.

"Feed the fish, than get back to work!" The Captain ordered. At this the pirates began to search the soldiers pockets for anything valuable before throwing the bodies into the water for the sharks.

Raven began to walk to the prow(12) of the ship before she was joined by the captain. He grinned.

"You're a lass." He said simply.

"Aye…" Raven said hands resting on her hips, "Is that a problem?"

He simply grinned and held out a hand for her to take, "Not at all. I'm Captain Richard. Welcome to the Robin."

Anyways, that would be the first chapter. I have much more things planned for this story so hopefully I wont get bored of it. I hope it was as entertaining to read as it was to write.

(1) Grog- rum diluted by water, but can be used as a term for any alcoholic drink.

(2) Bilge rat- the bilge is the lowest part of the ship which contains slimy disgusting waters.

(3) Duffle- a pirates belongings.

(4) Cutlass- a typical pirates sword.

(5) No quarter flag- a pirate ship with red on it's flag meaning that even if you surrender you will not be treated well. Where as the Jolly Roger flag will treat you well if you surrender.

(6) Belaying pin- A short wooden rod to which a ship's rigging is secured. They're often used as a weapon because they're everywhere and easy to get a hold of.

(7) Poop deck- The high deck at the back of a ship usually above the captains quarters.

(8) The back of the ship

(9) Jacob's ladder- the ladder used to get onto a ship.

(10) Scupper- the opening on the edge of the ship that lets water pass through.

(11) Shiver me timbers- like saying wholly cow or surprise or heavy emotion

(12) Prow- the front of the ship.

Please review, I'd always like to know what people think of my writing and what I can improve on!