Chapter 4
Captain Baine
My Outlaw Rose had just docked in Tortuga. Her rose painted hull bobbed up and down in the waves, and the gold filigree sparkled in the dying sunlight. My crew was excited; this was their first port for almost a year and a half. They couldn't wait to spend their hard earned riches on drink, food, and other finery's they dared not tell me about. They were all good lads, and now for a final warning speech and their long awaited freedom.
I stood and tipped up my dark green wide brim hat, with a single white feather fluffed out the back, up and stood, "Alright boys!" I called from the helm. All hands stopped what they were doing and every eager eye turned to me. "We've done incredibly well over this past voyage, and you've all made me so proud." I smiled a flashing smile, and they cheered. "But lads, I want ye back in three days. That means sober, alive, and ready to sail. If you're late, you're left."
Truth be told I couldn't leave a soul, I needed them all, but the threat was necessary for a few of my younger crew members. This along with the fact a spirited crew needs a good reminder that when a woman is in charge, there is still and Iron fist to have to answer to. I hated flogging a man, but should they force my hand, and my temper, each knew they had the wrath of God coming for them.
"A word of caution though;" I shushed their ruckus cheering, "If ye hears any hear tell about someone that be lookin' for Captain Baine or her crew ye comes and tells me right away. All of our lives could be on the line. Ye all know that we're stuck in a bit of a rotten situation, so use your heads." Each man nods and mumbles words of agreement. I smile; I know each one is loyal to the core. "Now get out there and wreak some havoc!" They all cheer and throw their hats in the air.
And with a last salute to my gracious name, off they go, almost at a dead sprint down the gangplank. All except my first mate, Omar, who began his check of the deck and watch. I laughed at their idiocracy, nodded to the Spanierd, and walked below decks and to my cabin. I scanned the room to make sure that everything was still where it was supposed to be. Sylvia and Marlow's perches were still there, and were still empty. My bed was neatly made, and everything else was as clean as it could be for being a pirate ship. I walked towards my bed, but when I passed my mirror I stopped.
Same ol' reflection; tall Celtic woman, with a sturdy build. My hair is light, sandy blonde and as straight as it could be. The whole mop was pulled back in a tight bun, but a few of my bangs escaped to frame my face. Though my favorite part of my appearance would have to be my eyes; pools of deep emerald green, with a lighter green circle around the black center.
I adjust my emerald green vest with Celtic runes for luck, strength, power, creativity, protection, and other such things, embroidered with black thread. Black lace adorns the top and bottom hems that hug my torso nicely, giving me a nice hour-glass form. Under that is a cream-colored, canvas, shirt with sleeves that gather at my elbows. On the bottom of my getup I wear a pair of easy fitting brown pants, and these are tucked into my dark brown, thick soled leather boots.
I then walked over to my sea chest, tossed my hat on the bed, and rummaged through the baubles; gems, masks, so on and so forth, until I came to a rough canvas sack. Outside and inside it was coated with whale oil, this made it waterproof to protect the precious things it contained. Inside were the three items that I held nearest and dearest to my heart. Only my raptors and I knew about the sack.
First, a hammered, pure silver pendant. It showed the image of a lone sparrow flying over the ocean at sunrise. For nostalgic purposes I slipped it over my head and let it rest on top of my vest. Second, a note handwritten by that pirate the night before I was marooned. It read:
Dearest Meara,
You have no idea how much this hurts me to leave you on the Siren's Island. Though what you should know is that I hold you closest to my own heart and I will come back for you. Hector has been very shady and I would never forgive myself if you were to get hurt because of that. I've made sure that you have your pistol, plenty of shot, and your sword. I tucked them all away in the longboat. I promise that I will be back no later than two years from now. The island has a spring, in a little grove off to the west, and abundant food source, you'll be fine.
With Love,
Jack Sparrow
P.S. I hope to see you in this dress before I die. I saw you ogling at it, so I got it for you. Keep it and the pendant safe until we meet again.
I smiled and my eyes stung as I read over the innocent words for the seven millionth time. I never heard him say the words written on this worn piece of paper, but seeing them written was almost as good. Gently I folded it back up and set it on my mattress.
The last item was the forementioned white, silk slip-of-a-dress with sleeves that came down to my elbow and flared out. It had a sweetheart neckline and on the seam were sown various colors of glass beads. All across the fitted torso were mystical, swirling designs. Some spread down into the skirt which was loose and flowed around my legs and bared my feet. I stood, held it up to my body, and twirled around letting the skirt flare out, causing me to giggle softly.
Just then there was a rush of wind as Marlow and Sylvia returned. Both lit on their perches, and I threw the dress on my bed and rushed over to them. "You're back!" I squealed stroking their feathers.
"Of course we're back! We said we would be by the end of the day." Sylvia crooned through her, and Marlow's guttural noises of happiness. "You look exhausted."
"You know I haven't been sleeping well with an out-of-the-ordinary price on my head." Marlow, then, squawked something in half his language and half mine. I turned to Sylvia for a translation.
"Well I've got news that will ruin your day. When I was spying on the devil man, the crew saw me. He's searching for Jack now, but won't waste too much time, because he's low on water. He'll have to dock here before tomorrow night." I listened and my heart quickened it's already jumpy beating.
"Curse my luck! Why didn't I go to Port Royal? Cuba even?" I began to pace.
"Now Meara, this isn't your fault. It just so happens that the devil man had to dock here." Sylvia said. "If you want some good news here; Jack's coming with all possible haste. If he could make the wind blow harder he would."
"Wonderful! Finally something goes right!" I exclaim, a little too excited. My raptors share a look. "What?" I ask sitting on my bed and making the pendent bounce on the top of my clothes.
"You got your sea bag out." Sylvia said as translation for Marlow. Both sored over to perch on my bed. "And you even put on your pendant." The little falcon lifted the pendant up with a talon and gave me a knowing look.
"What's that got to do with anything?" I snap taking it off and stuffing everything back in my sea bag' after carefully folding the dress back up.
"You miss Sparrow don't you?"
"I can't decide. I'm still furious at him for thinking that I couldn't hold me own against Barbossa, for marooning me, and I've enjoyed making my own way of things. Yet I miss hearing that voice every morning telling me it was time for my watch. The competitions we used to have." Most of which I won. I added mentally. Then I allowed my thoughts to soften and I stepped over to my port hole and stared out at the lazy waves. "The way he would tuck my hair behind my ear with the gentlest hand…" I placed my hand on my cheek imagining his fingers brushing my skin. Marlow made some chirping noises, and snapped me out of my reverie.
"He thinks yer trying to lie to yourself, and are doing a right poor job of it to boot." Sylvia said through her feathers as she preened herself.
"Alright fine!" I shouted and tossed the canvas sack on the floor. "I can't wait to see that bloody pirate again!" My excitement breaks its bonds and pours out through my lips. "But I can't leave my ship without a disguise." Marlow soars over to my mirror and grabs a large leather vest off it's hook and Sylvia hands me a similar sized thick canvas shirt.
"For…you know." Marlow says as he hands me the vest. He's learning my tongue quickly and speaks it as often as he can. I slipped the bigger canvas shirt over the one I had on and slipped the vest over my shoulders. Now for my hair.
I looked around and spotted my old three tipped leather hat, similar to Jack's, and plopped it over the top of my bun. "Perfect. I look like a proper sea-man now." I said with a smile at my reflection in the mirror. Satisfied that my disguise would work, I took it off and set it on my sea-chest.
"Then when the Black Pearl docks you can wear the pendant so Jack and the crew will know you." The falcon explained. "I think that Jack will be here by tomorrow afternoon, he wasn't too far away."
"Do you think Hector will wonder about it?" I ask. "He's the dirty dog that started all of this. For a tankard of ale he'd rat me out to the first cove that asked for a whisper of me name."
"I'm not sure. Perhaps we'll have to scout for you. Make sure you only show it to the right people." Sylvia suggested.
"Sounds like the safest route." I nodded and petted both of their little heads., "I knew there was a reason I kept you two feather-brains around." I teased. Both rolled their eyes.
"You should try to get some sleep while all is well. We'll help Omar with his watch." My feathered friends then left me to dream sweetly until the next morning.
I hope you guys are liking this so far! I'm having fun writing it, if it's any consolation. XD I would also like to say that REVIEWS make the world go roound so if you don't review, you;re trying to stop the world's rotation. jkjk XD
