Chapter III

The Lady who Became a Pirate (Part II)

'Do ye know why women bring bad luck to a ship?' Chang asked his captain as soon as the man appeared on deck that morning.

'Let me take over.' Was all Heero said, taking control of the helm. 'Go take a caulk.'

The Chinese man stared at the other man's back for a full minute as he reigned in his anger. He was not usually the kind of man who resorted to violence – pirate or not – but since they had rescued the woman the entire crew and the captain seemed to have become completely unreasonable. Not only that, but there had not been a single mention of the only reason why they had let Relena on board in the first place… To help them find the lost treasure of Romefeller. There had not been a single mention and no one seemed to care. Wufei was not seeing progress, he was seeing regress and he expected to see more regress unless they got rid of the woman and fast.

'We shouldn't risk docking at Port Royal. Town is swarming with privateers. The woman should be able to take a civil boat from Tortuga to Port Royal quite easily so when we reach the port in a couple of hours we should just send her on her way.'

'Why, Chang?' Heero asked, not bothering to turn around.

'You're teaching her weapons.' He said matter-of-factly.

'Aye. I noticed she lacked skill.'

'Barton's teaching her sailing knots, Maxwell's making bets with her and Winner's teaching her about ships and sailing.'

'What about Howard?'

Wufei frowned. First the captain would not look at him and now he was asking him silly questions while he was trying to make a point, treating him like a child. It was really hard not to lose his patience, but he didn't anyway. 'Howard's old.'

Heero frowned. 'And?'

'Can't ye see? She will turn us against each other.' He made his way around the helm until he stood in front of the unreasonable captain. 'We're isolated at sea. Men get lonely. A good captain does not bring a woman onto a ship full of lonely pirates.'

'So… What ye are afraid of is that we will turn against each other and fight to the death…over a woman.' Heero raised a sceptical eyebrow. Chang merely stared back at him, his point already made. 'You stayed, Chang. After Lowe disappeared, the four of you stayed with me. I have to believe a woman won't be enough to tear us apart.'

'Ye don't know that, Yuy.'

'Either way, I promised I'd take her to Port Royal and I'm a man of my word. Once we've reached Port Royal I'll let 'er go.'

The Chinese man snickered. 'I know ye, Yuy. You don't want to "let 'er go".'

'She could prove useful.'

'She doesn't know anything. She is not a pirate. How could she possibly prove useful?'

'If she doesn't know anything, Chang, then teach her something. Everyone seems to be teaching her something. Everyone but you.' The captain gave him a meaningful look and Wufei finally gave up, turning to leave.

'What is Howard teaching her?' he could not resist asking over his shoulder since Heero seemed to know the answer to his own question.

'To gamble.' The captain shouted back. 'It's not useful, but it is something.'

Wufei shook his head in disbelief and hoped the other man would come to his senses sooner rather than later.

XXX

Tortuga was like nothing Relena had ever seen. The streets were dirty, littered with empty bottles of endless varieties, stinking of vomit, piss and sweat. Drunken filthy men wandered the alleys like ghosts singing sea shanties and flashing toothless smiles. Most of them were pirates but there was a huge number of fishermen and merchants as well and even a couple men dressed in tattered old navy uniforms. The women that wandered the streets were just as dirty and vulgar, their bosoms jumping out of overtight corsets and their skirts torn, ripped in obvious places, some bearing so many stains of so many colours just the sight of them made Relena sick, to think of how those stains must have gotten there... She took hold of Heero's arm as soon as she caught up to him. It was surreal and she felt like crying for those wretched souls.

The captain gave her a long look, but did not say anything or push her away. He seemed to understand, and she was relieved when he pulled her closer. 'Winner, look after Maxwell. Chang and I are going to recruit more men.'

'Aye, Captain.' The blonde pirate nodded seriously before disappearing into an alley after the braided man.

'Ye should've had Maxwell stay with the ship.' Wufei commented with a grimace.

'Howard offered before I could say a word.' His own lips turned downwards in a clear sign of displeasure at the situation. 'Barton, did Winner give ye the money for the supplies? We'll be at The Scroll and Talisman. Come meet us when ye're done.'

'Aye, Capt'n.'

Relena's eyes followed Trowa down an alley to their right until she no longer could. She could feel the tension in the air and turned her head slightly so she could study Heero's frown. 'Is something the matter? Is it Duo?'

He gave her a sideways glance, considering whether he should tell her the actual truth or the made up one. 'Maxwell has a tendency to drink too much and get in trouble.'

'A tendency?' Chang snorted, earning himself a brief grave glare.

'He's very good at it.'

'Oh…' Relena squeezed the captain's arm, turning back to the sandy path ahead. 'I'm sorry.'

'Winner will look after him.'

They arrived at the tavern named 'The Scroll and Talisman' then and the captain gestured for her to precede him. She followed the Chinese man inside ready to discover yet another completely new world.

XXX

The Scroll and Talisman was one of the best taverns in Tortuga, if not the best, and that was all thanks to its proprietress, a woman of Chinese origins named Sally Po. Her iron fist and sympathetic demeanour inspired the admiration and respect of all of her customers, allowing her to keep a clean and organised establishment which was just what Heero needed to conduct his business.

'Ah! Captain Heero Yuy…' the owner waved as soon as she spotted them and they met her midway to the bar counter. 'I knew you'd show up sooner rather than later.' She smiled conspiringly. 'I heard stories…'

'I'm sure ye did.' He replied with an unhappy twitch of his lips. 'Can we have one of the corner tables?'

'Of course.' Sally's smile only widened despite the captain's unfriendly attitude. She gestured towards one of the more isolated tables, where a group of skinny sailors sat, and, at her glare, the occupants stood up unsteadily and scurried away. Heero nodded, pleased with her efficiency, and made his way to the table followed closely by Relena. Wufei fell behind.

'Sally.' He greeted in a quiet tone.

'Wufei.' Her eyes softened. 'Will I see you later tonight?'

'Aye.' He answered, watching her make her way to a particularly crowded table before joining his captain at theirs.

'Who is she?' Relena was asking when he arrived.

'She's the owner of this place.' Heero answered, his eyes scanning the crowd for desirable crewmembers.

'All by herself?' the young lady asked not just a little surprised. 'What about her husband? Her father? A brother, perhaps?'

'Sally was a pirate once.' Wufei told her, not at all in the mood for her sudden juvenile interest. 'She answers to no man.'

Heero saw from the corner of his eye when Relena turned to him, eager to ask a whole new load of questions. 'He's right.' He offered confirmation and hoped she would save her enthusiasm for later when he could answer her properly and with undivided attention. Thankfully, she seemed to understand the unspoken message and recoiled. 'Have ye asked Sally to spread the message?' he asked Chang.

'I thought we were discussing what we're looking for first.'

'Hn.' He looked around another time unable to find anyone especially interesting. 'We'll know when we find it.'

'What are ye looking for this time, Heero?' Sally was suddenly back with them, setting a bottle of rum on their table and a couple of cups. It was when she noticed the young lady. The smile disappeared from her face and her wide surprised eyes turned to the Chinese man for answers.

Wufei grimaced and shook his head. 'We're recruiting is what we're doing.'

'Of course ye are.' The smile returned to the proprietress' face. 'Do ye drink, dear?'

'What?' Relena looked up suddenly, she had not expected the woman to talk to her. 'Only wine… A couple of times.'

Sally nodded before turning back to Heero. 'I'll spread the word.'

XXX

Trowa spent everything Quatre had given him, which was not much, on supplies, made sure it would all be delivered to Howard at the Peacemillion and was on his way to The Scroll and the Talisman when he heard a very familiar voice yelling at someone in an alley. He sighed. Duo was a master at losing his appointed nannies and Quatre was far too gullible and trusting when it came to the braided man… How Heero could not see that or what went through the captain's head he had not the slightest idea, but Trowa knew trouble when he saw it. Or heard it, rather. Trouble seemed to follow Maxwell wherever he went.

He turned into one of the side streets, heading towards the voices. As they grew louder Trowa started to discern the words. 'Ye think ye can trick me, eh?!' an unknown voice shouted.

'You're the one who tried to trick us, sir.' Surprisingly it was Quatre's even voice that followed.

Trowa paused. If Quatre was there maybe things were under control after all. He wondered if he should turn around and head to the tavern, but he was so close to the voices now he saw no point in going after the captain without news. He found his mates in the next alley, standing with an old hunchback around a wooden crate that had clearly been serving as a table for a game of find the pearl before someone, he was not sure what exactly had happened yet, had tried to fool the other.

'Are ye callin' me a liar?' the hunchback waved a threatening finger very close to Duo's narrowing eyes.

'Ye see here, mister…' the braided pirate seized the man's wrist. 'And don't ye dare wave that nasty sausage o' yers on me face!'

'I do what I wish with me nasty sausage!'

'Duo, Quatre.' Trowa finally stepped in, no longer able to simply stand by and let the argument escalate. 'Capt'n's waiting.'

'Duo?' the hunchback questioned, using the distraction to pull back his hand. 'Duo Maxwell the scallywag?'

'Scallywag?!' Duo questioned insulted and took a step forward raising a fist threateningly. 'Who are ye callin' a scallywag?!'

Trowa rolled his eyes while Quatre held their hotheaded companion by the arm. 'Duo, you are a scallywag.' The blonde informed him.

'That may be, but he has no right to call me that.' He pointed his finger at the hunchback's face, but had to hurriedly withdraw it when the man retaliated. 'He tried to bite me finger off!'

'Duo.'

'Let me go! I'm gonna smash his ugly face in 'til not even his mother can recognise it anymore!'

'Scallywag!' the stranger provoked and Trowa had to hurry to help Quatre hold the enraged Duo back.

'Come on, Maxwell. Heero won't be happy if we get into a fight.'

'Screw, Heero! I want me money! I saw 'im hide the blasted pearl in 'is pocket and I told 'im where it was! I was right! Give me the gold!'

The hunchback hissed like a snake, pulling the flaps of his dirty overcoat closed around him and holding his chest protectively. 'Ye owe me and me associates a lot more than this, Duo Maxwell. Don't think ye can skim us off!'

'Yer associates, eh? Where are yer associates? Where? I want to see 'em get at me!' he escaped his fellows' hold then, but the old hunchback legged it, disappearing into the closest alley before Duo could even think of chasing him. He kicked the improvised table in frustration, sending the clay made cups crashing to the ground, but did not resist when Quatre led him away from the alley and back to the main street.

'Are ye drunk?' Trowa asked, giving him a once over.

'Nay. I'm fine.' The braided pirate waved away his concern.

'We didn't drink.' The blonde confirmed.

'We bought a whole barrel of grog though.' Duo whispered as if the captain and first mate were looking over their shoulders and grinned madly. 'They'll deliver it to Howard and he'll stash it away for us.'

Trowa snorted. 'And ye think we won't get caught?'

'I won't tell if ye don't.'

XXX

Chang gave the fifth young man who walked up to their table a once over. Short black hair, bluish eyes and a very thin – almost fragile – frame hidden underneath a heavy threadbare coat. 'State yer business!' he demanded.

'I hear ye are recruiting, sir! I'd like a chance to be a part of yer crew, sir!' the young sailor held himself rigid like a soldier, staring down at their table as he spoke. He was forcing his voice to make it sound deeper than it really was… The Chinese man frowned, not at all convinced and turned to the captain who sat on Miss Darlian's other side, his eyebrows knitted thoughtfully.

'Ye know we're pirates, not privateers…' Heero eyed the applicant seriously.

'Aye, Captain!'

'Do you have experience?'

'I worked for the Royal Navy, Captain!'

Heero's eyebrows raised and Wufei's frown deepened as he leaned forward, eyeing the sailor suspiciously. 'Are ye sure you don't work for them anymore?' the first mate questioned.

'Aye, sir! They kicked me out, sir!'

Relena, who was trying very hard to remain neutral, frowned, her nose wrinkling. It was a very curious young man they had found there. He did not even sound or act like a real person. He seemed worried, avoiding their eyes at all costs. She thought maybe her companions could be a little less threatening, at least Wufei, but she did not dare say a word. Instead, she took a sip of whatever Sally had poured in her cup and tried hard not to choke as it burned its way down her throat.

'Why would they kick you out?' the Chinese man only seemed to grow more suspicious.

'I'm sorry, sir! I'd like to keep that private, sir!'

'Ye'd like to keep that private, eh?' Wufei threatened to stand up, and Relena saw a flicker of fear in the sailor's averted eyes.

'What's your name?' she asked with a smile.

The young man blushed when their eyes met for a moment. 'Schbeiker, ma'am. Just Schbeiker.'

'What are ye doing?' Chang asked in a whisper, leaning closer to her. So close she actually felt threatened.

'Chang.' Heero warned, his glare making their applicant take a step back even though it was not directed at him.

'There's no way he's a spy.' Relena gave the captain her honest opinion. 'If he is he's a very bad one.'

The Chinese man snorted, clearly unconvinced, but Heero held her gaze for a long moment. She was determined and thoroughly convinced and he gave her the benefit of the doubt. After all, she had been right about the aspidochelone, and the skinny sailor in front of them really did not seem to present much of a threat. 'We have no readies to offer ye yet, Mr Schbeiker.'

'I know that, Captain! I heard ye talkin' to the men before me, Captain! I only wish to work, Captain!'

'Have a seat, Mr Schbeiker. Welcome to the Peacemillion's crew.'

'Aye, Captain! Thank ye, Captain!'

'Ye're welcome.' Heero nodded, though it was Relena's grateful smile he was looking at.

XXX

'One man.' Duo did not even try to hide his indignation. 'Ye've been here all this time and all ye got is one scrawny little man?'

'Watch how ye talk to me, Maxwell.' Wufei's eyes narrowed. The new recruit, Schbeiker made his presence a little more insignificant in his side of the table.

'Have ye come to do our job for us?' Heero asked with a raised eyebrow.

'Forgive him, Captain.' Quatre pushed his friend towards one of the gambling tables. 'He's had a rough night.'

'I hope ye've kept him out of trouble?'

'Aye…'

'You know why I picked ye to keep an eye on him, Winner.'

'Because I already know all of his tricks…'

'Aye. And because I can trust ye to tell me the truth.'

Quatre sighed. 'We had some trouble with a hunchback.'

'It wasn't Duo's fault, Heero.' Trowa defended. 'I was there too. The man provoked him.'

The captain nodded. 'And did ye get the supplies?'

'Aye. They must be being delivered to the ship as we speak.'

'Well done, Barton.'

The new member of the crew decided to speak then, surprising Quatre and Trowa who had been convinced the sailor was mute. 'That hunchback ye mentioned… Could that be him?'

All eyes turned to the liar's dice table where Duo and a group of men were having what was about to become a very heated argument. The hunchback stood with the group, clearly the one responsible for leading them there. Sally soon approached them and after trading a few words with the angry men she gestured one of them towards Heero despite Duo's very loud, very visible protests. The mean looking bald man gave the proprietress a very displeased scowl, but did as directed and left his comrades to parley with the troublemaker's superiors.

'Capt'n Heero Yuy, eh?' he questioned laying one giant hand on the table to support him as he leaned forward with a threatening grin on his face. 'Yer man owes me a lot of money.'

'And?' the captain met the man's evil eyes unflinchingly, his face impassive.

'And I'd gladly settle for 'is life if that woman wasn't so bloody annoying…' he hissed, sending a nasty glance towards Sally who stood watch by Duo's side. When he turned to Heero again the smile was back in place. 'She says ye are his captain so ye answer for 'im. I say I want me money. So? Where do we stand?'

The captain's eyes met the braided man's across the room and he could see Duo was actually worried he might sell his life or trade it… As if he had the right to do such a thing. He fought the urge to roll his eyes as he turned back to their bald assailant. 'Are ye a betting man?'

'Ye wish to bet yer man's life on the dice?' the man gave a thunderous laugh. 'I heard about ye… Yer previous capt'n was a scary man. Soulless they said. It doesnae surprise me that ye should be as heartless as he was. What do ye want if ye win?'

Heero eyed him seriously and smirked. 'I want your life.'

For a fraction of a second, the man's smile disappeared and his eyes widened, but he recovered quickly. 'Very well… But we each choose the other's contestant.'

'As ye wish.'

With a whistle the bald man had his men joining them, followed by an anxious looking Duo. The braided man fidgeted as the earthenware cups and the red-painted dice were laid on the table. He threw Wufei pleading glances, hoping the Chinese man would take pity on him and explain what was happening, but he did not even get a sideways look of acknowledgement. Finally, as everyone stood up he could not hold back any longer. 'Chang! Tell me what's going on!' he demanded in a whisper and, to his surprise, Wufei actually smirked.

'Heero's bet yer life against that man's.'

'On a game of dice?!'

'Shut up, Maxwell. Ye are the one who got us into this mess in the first place.'

He would have protested more, he meant to, but he ran out of words the moment the ugly bald man pointed at Relena and said: 'Let that wench represent ye, Capt'n Heartless.'

Relena was as surprised and horrified as Duo at the unexpected announcement. Heero met her eyes, but she could not tell what he was thinking for his face remained completely blank. A part of her wondered if that was not simply a defence mechanism to hide the fact that he was panicking inside. She knew she was.

'I saw Howie teaching you.' Quatre was suddenly beside her. 'You're good, Lena. You can do this.'

Over the blonde pirate's shoulder she saw Trowa nod his agreement and forced her lungs to work before she passed out. Heero had apparently already chosen some random ill looking thug to represent their adversary and Relena stepped closer to the seat that had been saved for her. The captain pulled the chair for her, seizing the opportunity to lean over the back of her chair. 'I never confirmed that I was betting Maxwell's life.' He whispered in her ear. 'If you lose I'll be a little poorer for it, but that'll be all.'

Then he squeezed her shoulder and stepped away before she could say a word. She twisted her neck as far as it would go, searching for him, but he was out of her line of sight. Sally stepped up then and started explaining the rules.

GLOSSARY:

Take a caulk - The gaps between the boards used to construct the ships' decks where caulked with materials such as oakum and tar so when someone took a nap they would wake up with black lines all over their skin and clothes, hence the expression which ultimately means 'to take a nap'.

Find the pearl - Some of ye' may know it as crossing-cups, but it's that game where someone hides something beneath one out of (usually) three cups and then shuffles the cups as fast as they can. When the shuffling is done the second person has to guess where the hidden item is.

Liar's Dice - If ye, searats, wish to know more about liar's dice I recommend ye watch some Red Dead Redemption videos... I'm really bad at explaining but I'm going to try anyways. Liar's dice is a game where all players start with 5 dice and a cup. At the beginning of each round they place their dice inside the cup and shake it before slamming it back on the table. Player 1 then looks at his dice and makes a bid (e.g. 'I say there are at least three ones on this table.'). Then it's player 2's turn and he can either choose to make a bid or call player 1's bluff. If he calls the bluff everyone at the table reveals their dice. If the bluff is confirmed, player 1 loses a die. If the bid was valid, player 2 (the one who called the bluff) loses a die. Everytime someone loses a die, a new round begins until all players except for one lose all their dice. The player who still has dice at the end is the winner.