Pirate Hunters
Chapter 1

by Scarlet Eve

"Brace yourselves!"

Wind, rain, and ocean spray lashed up against the ship, rocking it from side to side in stomach lurching motions. The sails flapped uselessly against their ropes. The crew held on tight to whatever they could find - the storm had come up so quickly they hadn't had time to tie themselves down.

Captain Jay held tight to the wheel, steering the ship into a large wave that was cresting towards them, threatening to capsize the ship. The wave crashed into the ship, and shouts could be heard all over the deck. Through the rain, Captain Jay saw one crew member go flying, but managed to grab hold to a rope before falling down into the ocean.

"Captain, daylight that way," the quartermaster shouted over the roar of the storm. Beside the captain, he was pointing off towards the north west. The captain nodded and hauled the wheel in the direction that the quartermaster pointed.

"I believe Port Royal lies in that direction!" the captain shouted. "It'll have to do."

The ship tilted and swayed while the crew hung on for their lives.

The black storm clouds rolled away from the city, revealing the bright, Caribbean sun. The citizens of Port Royal emerged from their homes and shops to resume their daily activities. Storms were hardly anything to worry about in the Caribbean.

At the governor's mansion, the soldiers, dressed in red coats, emerged from their shelters and resumed their patrols around the walls and gates. Inside the mansion, the Governor, Duke Dermail sat at his desk, reading reports of merchant ships who either lost against pirates or managed to get away. The aches in his bones continued to remind him that he was too old for this work.

Standing to stretch his limbs, his eye caught a framed painting on the wall. A young man and his wife stood side by side, dressed in their best and smiling for the artist. His son and daughter-in -law, only a few months before their untimely deaths at sea, which took his grandson as well. Now he only had his granddaughter, and unfortunately, as capable as she was, she would never be able to take over his role at Governor. It just wasn't the way things were done.

A soft knock at the door drew his attention. "Come in," he called and sat back down in his chair. The door opened and a young, blonde woman stepped inside: his granddaughter, Dorothy Catalonia. She smiled at her grandfather and dipped a curtsey.

"Hello, my dear," Duke Dermail said, smiling at her as she walked across the office towards his desk.

"Grandfather," she replied with a smile. She deposited a letter on his desk. "We've just received a note that an emissary from the Winner Company will be arriving here soon, to discuss trade routes with Port Royal and the Bahamas." Dermail picked up the paper and glanced it over, which confirmed everything Dorothy had just said. It was signed with a flourish by Zayeed Winner. He set the note down.

"I suppose opening up trade with the Arabian nations would be a good idea," he said, stroking his beard. Dorothy had taken a seat in one of the chairs on the other side of his desk. She nodded her head.

"It would bring more wealth, to be sure," she said. "If they can keep those pirates off their tails."

Dermail grunted a laugh. "You're right there, my dear."

Dorothy leaned forward in her chair. "I've heard an interesting rumor as well," she said, lowering her voice. Dermail raised an eyebrow.

"Oh? How is it you come across these rumors?" Dorothy smiled.

"You wouldn't want to know, I'm sure. Anyway, rumor has it that the disgraced prince and princess of the Sanq Kingdom have disappeared," she said.

"The Sanq Kingdom? You're sure?" Dorothy shrugged her shoulders.

"Like I said, it's only a rumor."

Dermail leaned back in his seat, stroking his beard once more. "Interesting."

A/N I'm excited to share this story with you. I hope you enjoy!

-SE