A/N: Story suggested by CharlotteKat. Hope this doesn't disappoint.
The Sirens of the Sea
Chapter I
Western Atlantic
"Captain, there is a ship on a drift thirty-five fathoms away starboard," the ship's first mate called. "There appears to be smoke coming from her."
"Hard to starboard," Captain Smith of the HMS Triton ordered.
The crew scrambled about the deck pulling lines and rudders to turn the sails. The sails caught the winds which turned the ship to the right against the sea's current. A wave struck against the hull soaking several men. The rapid swaying not making the captain at all uneasy.
The drifting three-masted ship looked like it has been at sea without harboring for a long time. Her mermaid figurehead leading her on her aimless course. The sails were tucked in such a poor job. No anchor was lowered, as far as Captain Smith could see. There was a plume of black smoke billowing from a porthole in the lower deck. Smith's experienced instincts were warning him about pirates with what condition that vessel was in. He couldn't see its name on the stern since they could only see the bow.
"Ahoy!" called a startlingly feminine voice.
Smith looked at the crow's-nest and he thought he saw the skirts of a dress. But that would be absurd. Why would a woman climb up there? Let alone stand on a ship like that?
Soon as the announcement was heard, he saw the rest of the crew peering over the side.
Wait!
Those were not men. They were all women!
"What on Earth?" Smith said to himself. No pirates. That was for sure. Must have been a cruise liner or something.
The Triton aligned with the other ship. Lines were cast to hook onto the drifting craft and a plank extended. He ordered his men to control themselves. Not all of them were decent men, especially around ladies.
He was first to walk across the plank then two armed officers followed. "Ahoy," he called out of habit. "Hello. I am Captain John Smith of His Majesty's Navy." He studied the crowd. All women. About two dozen, each from various lands. Their dresses were filthy. Maybe they were harlots, he theorized. As he looked further through them, the only men visible were him and the ones he brought aboard. "Where is the captain of this vessel?" he asked. "Or any of the crew."
"They're gone." A gorgeous blonde lady spoke. Her accent was British, without a doubt. Welsh perhaps. Her sapphire dress showed an alluring amount of her cleavage that he had to keep his eyes on hers, which was futile. She continued her frantic explanation. "W-we were sailing for the colonies when pirates commandeered our ship. All the men were killed and we were taken captive." She was shaking and breathing heavily. Once she calmed her nerves, she resumed with her story.
Idiotas, I thought.
Barbara was giving the English sailors the usual damsels in distress story and they were believing it. Men are so gullible.
As she was distracting them, I snuck off the ship and into the water. I swam over to the next boat and scaled the aft hull to the captain's quarters. I prefer to swing by rope or jump the distance between our ship and theirs. But this way was the least likely I would be seen. I managed to quietly open the window with a special trick I knew. I slipped in after I looked in to see if the coast was clear. The cabin was small and no one was in it. Excellent.
As I said before, I hate having to swim in the to climb aboard. I was dripping water all over the floor. It will be a clear sign of my intruding, but the water was still the only way in without being spotted. If I could just get what I needed without anyone coming in, it'd be fine if there's some water on the floor.
First I looked through the captain's personal items. There was quite a bit of money, some gold, and jewelry. Not bad. Then I looked through his desk. Just documents and maps. The others would say it was worthless. But I like to get a quick look for any interesting information. On one big map had some rather important-looking markings. It definitely got my attention.
After getting what I needed, I went through the way I came.
"It will be alright, madam," Captain Smith said trying to comfort the poor woman. She and her companions have been through too much. "We will bring you to civilization as soon as we can."
"Thank you, thank you, thank you…." She was hysterical while she hugged her waist.
"It will be all right, miss…. What is your name?"
The fair maiden took several deep breaths and looked at him. "B-Barbara," she sputtered. "Barbara Kean."
"Ms. Kean. Is it Miss or Missus?" Smith asked.
"Miss," she answered almost immediately. "I've never married."
That was hard to believe. What man wouldn't ask for such a beautiful girl for her hand? Perhaps he could change that.
He ordered for the ladies to be brought aboard the Triton.
Later
"Captain!"
Smith burst out of his quarters from the officer's shout. What he saw next was horrifyingly outrageous.
He saw his men being overpowered by the women! They've gotten into the armory and half the crew was down. They were either lying dead or injured.
His men were overpowered by the weaker sex?!
"Oh Captain Smithy…!" a familiar voice drawled.
He turned to see Ms. Kean trudging up the steps to the deck he was on. She wasn't wearing her dress. She was wearing more man's clothing. Trousers, a sailor's jacket, and a hat for a captain. She was also wielding a sword and a pistol.
She sauntered over to him with the evilest, most mischievous grin and swinging her weapons around without a care. Golden earrings rapidly swinging from her movements.
"What the devil? What is the meaning of this?" Smith angrily demanded.
Ms. Kean gave a showman's gesture all around. "Don't you know a commandeer when you see one?" she darkly asked humorously.
"How could this be? You… witches! You will hang for—"
"Oh!" The shrew disrupted pointed her sword under his chin. "I just realized I didn't fully introduce myself. I am Barbara Kean, Captain of the Sirens. Queen of the Sea!" She made it sound like a well-practiced presentation. "And we are taking your ship." A roar of cheers erupted from her comrades.
What happened after that was a blur. Soon Smith and what was left of his crew were shepherded around the mainmast. They were not tied up though. The female pirates—the Sirens they seemingly were called—stood circling the men waiting for one of them to step out of line.
"Captain," one of his men whispered to him. Smith's first mate was killed in the mutiny so there weren't any more high-ranking officers. "Are we truly letting this happen?" the sailor asked. "Letting our ship be taken by these b—"
"Do not use the B-word!" a fierce woman with a bronze complexion and black hair ordered as she ambled next to Captain Barbara. Her serious demeanor expressed that if you vex her, she will do something inconceivably gruesome to you. "If anyone calls any of us that word, or anything unflattering, will be cut to pieces and fed to the sharks."
The virago's words brought a shiver among the imprisoned king's men.
"Now, now Tabitha, let us not be too hasty," Barbara said, not allowing her merry tone to dwindle. She leaned in and kissed her friend on the lips.
They must have the devil in them, Smith concluded.
The blonde-haired she-devil looked back at her captives. "Listen up lads!" she called proud and strong. "Let this be a reminder to you all. For generations, women have worked hard to provide for their mates, but men only saw us as servants. You force us to cook your food, raise your children, and be playthings for your manly urges. You believe we are weak and we should submit to your every whim. You! All men are either fat, old, arrogant, abusive, or utterly stupid. Some more than others."
The English sailors protested and cursed her, but her loyal she-pirates threatened them with their pistols.
"WELL NO MORE!" Barbara screamed through a psychotic smile which caused everybody to lose their voice. "We will prove that you are no longer on top. But lucky for you, we still like boys. That is why I'm offering an opportunity for any one of you to serve as part of my crew aboard my ship, the Siren. If you refuse, you will walk the plank. If you accept, you will live, but you are not in charge. You will follow whatever orders you are given. You are to keep your hands to yourselves. If you harm one of my girls, you will be flogged. If it's nonconsensual, it's unacceptable. But the upside," she propped her cutlass on her shoulder with a more calm, joyful tone, "you get to serve with some pretty girls with none of those dingy rules you used to follow…. Now, whose in?"
Smith was surprised that his men were discussing it among themselves. To be slaves to female pirates? That was completely mad. He had to put an end to this.
Captain Smith marched forward to the so-called captain of the Sirens. What a fitting name. "This is repulsive! We are sailors of His Royal Majesty, King George's navy. We are men of dignity and respect. We will not stupe down to pirates. Let alone women! If you plan to kill us, proceed to it."
Barbara tsked at his statement. He didn't care. He will not bow to someone like her.
"Well Johnny," she said, "I'm glad you said that. Because no ship should go down without her captain—"
"Wait," a reedy voice called from the quarterdeck.
Up there was a girl in dark clothing standing on the railing. Her halo of curly hair flared as she dropped from her perch and landed gracefully. She couldn't be more than sixteen. Swaying from her belt was a bullwhip. Why would she need that? Was she one of them? Smith did not see her among them on their ship. He thought she could have slipped from his sight as they boarded.
The girl approached Barbara without the slightest bit of fear. She had a calm, somewhat stoic expression. Once next to Barbara and Tabitha, she spoke. "I found something interesting in el capitán cabin. This ship could be useful to us. Perhaps it would be better to build a fleet out of the ships we capture."
The girl had a rich Spanish accent. She sounded intelligent and confident. She knew what she was talking about.
"Hmm, not a bad idea Selina," Barbara said approvingly. "But that doesn't mean the ship has to stay with her former captain."
Suddenly, John felt slightly seasick.
The Caribbean Sea, location: unknown
The sun neared the horizon. I watch from the quarterdeck chains. The day was pretty successful. Instead of just killing the Englishmen and looting their ship, we took the whole ship and more crew members. Only a dozen men took the offer. The rest turned it down. So we tied their hands and feet together and made them walk—or waddle—the plank. Their captain was the first to go. We also had to sink a few who did accept the offer, because they wouldn't have worked out. They were either too old, weak or had a look in their eyes that didn't give us a good feeling about them. One ugly, fat man stared at me very uncomfortably. Thank Dios that Tabitha noticed and sent him to Davy Jones's locker. But we got some able body men for workers. We had half of them brought over to the Siren to show them the ropes. The rest stayed on the Triton with Tabitha in charge and some of our best women. After finding that interesting map, I thought the British ship would be useful. It could get to the next course better than ours. Perhaps, with our growing crew, we should build a whole fleet of Sirens. It could give us a chance to raid more vessels.
We will surely be the Queens of the Sea.
"Gato?"
I turn to see my friend Ivy. The color of her auburn hair was brought out by her green clothes. She was slightly younger than me but there were plenty of girls around our age. One girl, who was a native from the Caribbean islands, was seven years old. She learned English very fast and is quite good at tying knots. And she is such a sweet girl. I hate that she'll have to grow up with murderers and thieves. Luckily some of the women here did not let go of their maternal instincts.
"What is it, Ivy?" I asked jumping down from my spot. I know she has some sort of news or something.
"Captain Barbara wishes to you," she tells me.
Only a few could call Barbara "Barbara." The rest refer to her as Captain or Madam. I was one of the highest-ranking members who could call her Barbara. Sometimes I like to call her Barb. She likes me like that.
"Gracias," I say walking past her.
I marched down the stairs and into the captain's cabin. Barbara was leaning back in her chair with her feet on her desk. She was studying the map I found. The silent expression on her face was a good sign that it was a good find.
"You've done well Kitty-cat," she says musingly. "We could make great use out of this." She had a very satisfied look. Sometimes that hard to discern if that was good or bad. Sometimes that look meant she was happy for something unpleasant. That's all I'm going to say.
"I thought it might," I responded.
"You have done so well in fact, you deserve a reward." She tossed me a satchel filled with jingling coins.
I caught it and weighed it in my hand. Forty gold doubloons. Not bad.
"Thank you very much," I say while tying the bag on my belt.
"That's not all though."
I look back at her. What more could there be? I am already the second mate. Only Tabitha beats me at the chance to become captain and I respected her. And Barbara said it was my age that prevents me from getting that high in the ranks. I don't care that much. I just look after myself and rake in my share of the bounty we take.
"You like boys right?"
That was odd of her to ask. She was probably only making sure I do because some of the girls like either boys or girls. Barbara, herself likes both men and women. She and Tabitha were in a relationship. "Sí," I answered. "Why?"
"I'm giving you first pick for any new boys, eighteen and younger, to use them for whatever you wish." She supported her head as she rested her elbow on the desk. Her never faltering cocky smile on her face.
Whereas my eyes widen. "Qué?! What?!" I demanded. Why would she do that? Have me pick out some random boys we take as slaves. "What am I suppose to do with them?"
She leaned back in her chair taking out a decanter of rum. "Oh, whatever you want," she drawled out her answer before taking a long swig of rum.
I wanted to argue further. Tell her I don't need any man for anything. Especially how she uses them. I'm not looking to having children in the near future. It's a miracle she hasn't become pregnant herself. However, I know she won't drop it any time soon. Also, it is my pick. That doesn't mean I do have to pick anyone. I could just not make any choice for every new batch of prisoners.
Leaving things at that, I left. With the last traces of the sun retreating behind the horizon, I sat on the rail of the bow next to the figurehead. The wooden mermaid was modeled after our late captainess, Fish Mooney. The sculpture had her olive skin and mismatched eyes. One brown, the other blue. I gazed up and watch the stars come out.
Cómo me encantan las estrellas.
Later that night
"A toast: to all you fine ladies. Are men better sailors?"
"NAY!"
My Siren sisters raised their glasses and drank to another successful bounty. We were dining in the great hall of our fortress, the Isle of the Sirens. It's a secluded island that hasn't been settled by any nation. Before I joined the crew, Captain Mooney discovered it and established it as our home port. For over a decade, it went from a small village to a well-built and beautiful stronghold.
Traditionally on the evenings of our return home from a raid, we all gather in the great hall for a feast. There were four long tables decked out in sumptuous food. The ladies of the crew sat at them eating without the unnecessary pleasantries like sitting up straight or using which fork. Men were among us too. Most of them were veterans who have taken the offer and had adjusted to life with us. They were pirates just like us, but us being women, instructed them to be more civil. We may live without society's rules, but we do have some civilities. Unlike the scurvy-ridden pirates who were too dumb to even read.
If you think about it. Our little society is a matriarchy. Men are treated like how they've treated us. That's funny.
Anyway. Whatever recruits we collect—male or female—we bring them here for orientation and training.
The head table sat me, Barbara, and Tabitha. We were the highest-ranking members of the whole crew. Barbara, the captainess, sat in a luxurious throne-like chair. Tabitha, the first mate, sat on her right-hand side and I was on the left. I may be considered a child in some places, but I've been through enough to earn a place at this table. Ever since my street urchin childhood in Spain, I had to survive. To be strong. After I traveled to the colonies, I eventually met Barbara and she took me aboard. She'd like me from the start. Started grooming me about piracy and feminine stuff. I thought femininity was pointless and impractical. But she claimed that female beauty—mine in this case—could be as dangerous as any weapon.
Ridículo—ridiculous, I thought. But… there was one thing that, uh… made me think that…. Whatever!
My point is, I worked hard to get where I am and I'm not giving it up.
The three of us watched over our sisters as they gorged themselves on food, wine, and male attention. Outside led to a terrace with an enormous bonfire bathing the hall in gold and orange light. The view of the silky-white beach and the sea was what made Captain Mooney decide to have our dining hall built on that spot.
When the water reflected the moon and the stars, it was my favorite image. I feel like I could hide and be free in that view.
"My ladies?"
A big man approached from Tabitha's right. Our most loyal gentleman. We call him Butch. He was a trustworthy giant who adjusted well to our arrangements. Though we may treat him like one of us. He's probably ranked fourth. Or maybe he outranks me for some of the more political stuff that I don't care for. Though I do have a place of honor at this table.
"Aye?" Barbara permitted him to speak.
"I'm worried this new plan you've got today may get Penguin's attention," he said coolly.
"Don't worry about it, Butch. I'm sure we can handle ol' Ozzy," our so-called queen reassured.
He nodded acceptedly and left after giving Tabitha a long look. Even from where I'm sitting, I saw Tabby smile a bit.
I knew that those two had a thing going on. I think Barbara knows about it. How does she feel about the woman she's… doing whatever with is friendly with another person? I'm glad I'm not in their situation.
Looking back to the crowd before us, I saw the drunkenness getting rowdier. There was certainly no dry cup among them. Everyone was laughing mad and fornicating as if they were alone. Some articles of clothing flew through the air. Thank Dios it was only upper bodies, for now.
I knew where this was going and I don't want to be a part of it. I had to get out of there before another orgy starts.
I turned to my two friends and said, "I'm getting tired. I think I'm going to turn in."
"Oh are you sure," Barbara asked as I stood up. She grabbed my arm and lightly pulled me back. "Please stay. Who knows. Maybe you'll join the festivities." Her face was bright and joyful while mine was red and burning.
Why was she so adamant about getting me to lose my virginity? Sure, we girls don't have to save ourselves for marriage, but that doesn't mean we have to bed with every possible partner we come across.
"I'm sorry, but I'm not in the mood. I need to lie down. Ten crowns say that at least two of them will get pregnant tonight." I waged gesturing to the wild crowd.
"I'll take that bet," Tabitha joined.
I then finally crept out of the hall and up the side stairs.
I let out a frustrated breath as I climbed the spiraling stairwell. I shouldn't be too angry with Barbara. She only wants what's good for me. I've never said this to anyone, but Barbara has been somewhat like a mother to me.
I lost my real mother when I was little in Spain. I had to survive by stealing. Unlike some girls who have to live off the streets, I made the right choice and remained unravished. After stowing on a ship to the colonies, I met Barbara and did not hesitate in bringing me on as one of the crew. I quickly moved through the ranks for my skills as a thief.
But sometimes I want to strangle her. She has taught me so much and what she thinks are awards can be rather uneasy for me.
I breathed heavily again as I walk up the steps. The walls of the tower were painted in the golden light of the torch lamps. My chambers were at the very top. Towering over everyone, giving me the view I desire and space I need. My only problem was the mountain of stairs I had to climb. I could go through the window from this little "path" I discovered along the roof and walls. But the stairs were closer and—
"OH!"
Just as I reached the top, someone came out of my door and we kind of bumped into each other.
"I beg your pardon, señorita Selina. I am terribly sorry," Javier rambles with an awkward chuckle.
"It's alright." I laugh along with him.
Javier was rescued from a shipwreck that we didn't cause. He took the offer and lived mainly in the Isle as a man-servant. He was the only boy here my age and the only one who's from my native country. And he was very handsome with his thick hair and a face that sculptors give to statues of gods.
I shifted between the top two steps a little. "What were you doing in my room?" I asked in our language.
Javier bowed his head slightly. A habit he developed from quickly learning how things worked around here. "I was merely feeding the cats and cleaning after them. Some of them appear to not know how to use the litter boxes." We both laughed. "If you don't need anything else, señora, I will be taking my leave."
I thank him for his courtesy and let him walk away. I almost stopped him for some reason. I do like talking to him. He is pretty easy to talk to. Mostly because we speak the same language, but, I don't have a lot of friends my age. I have Ivy and another girl named Bridgit to talk to. But maybe it's because Javier is a boy.
I entered my chambers and closed and locked the door. A big, welcoming bed just for me took up most of the room's center. I also had my own privy, a fireplace, and a bathtub. Scattered all over were half a dozen cats. They all flocked to me and I knelt down to their level. I love cats. I like a lot of animals, but I have a thing for small innocent things. But cats remind me of me. Sneaky, independent wanderers who can take care of themselves.
After giving them enough attention, I made my way through the shroud of curtains hiding my bathing area. I filled it with hot soapy water. Wonderful steam filled the room. I needed this, I thought as I disrobed. A satisfying sigh of relief echoed out of me as I sat in the warm water. My muscles relaxed in the soothing bath and the day's filth washed away.
What a day.
A new ship with more crewmen added to our growing fleet. A big bounty. A map that will lead to an even bigger bounty. Today was good and it was refreshing to end it with a long soak.
I must have been more exhausted than I thought because I dozed off into a dream. I just wish I could say it was a good one.
A dark alleyway damped from the harsh weather and littered with rubbish. It was a time for a fresh start and a life of struggle. Desperate people doing desperate things. And for the rich of the city, that depends on the day.
A happy family was strolling down the alley. A father, mother, and son of wealthy status—judging by their fine clothes—laughing and enjoying their evening.
But then a shadow emerged from the darkness and aimed a pistol at the family. All happiness vanished. The woman held her child closest while the man guarded them. The mugger demanded their money and jewels. The people tried to comply, but there was a struggle and a horrible bang.
The two parents fell to the cobblestones and the murderer disappeared in the darkness from once he came. The boy knelt in his parents' blood and wailed a scream I will never forget.
I lurched forward in a start. The water sloshing over the tub's edge. It was colder now than it was earlier. The fire in the hearth was much smaller in a bed of embers. I've been out for a while.
Why did I have to dream about that night?! That was perhaps my worst memory. I was like twelve, maybe thirteen, when I saw that mugging. I was hiding on a balcony after stealing some money, the next thing I knew, I saw a rich boy become an orphan.
Normally I wouldn't care about what would happen to the wealthy. But there was something about that boy. Maybe it was because he saw his parents die before him. I don't know. Sometimes I wonder if I should have done something. Stop the mugger? Call for help?
What difference does it make now? It was years ago and it's not like I cared then or now.
Thinking that I've been in there long enough, I climbed out of the bath and dried off. I just hope I toweled off the dream along with the water so it wouldn't follow me to bed.
The cats were already curling up wherever they felt comfortable. Most of which was on my four-poster bed. In my usual spot was my favorite black queen, Isis. I moved her away and slipped under the blankets. Curled up on my side with sweet Isis in my arms. I just hope I'll have more pleasant dreams. Not of a poor, cherub-faced kid.
A/N: I wrote this because I'm a bit of a history buff. I also like how characters of a show/movie or any modern story are put in an alternate universe of the past to see how they would be in that era. Like how Batman: Gotham By Gaslight is set in the Victorian Era. So I wanted to do a piece that takes place during a different time and someone suggested this.
Also, I thought since, in this period, the United States didn't exist yet, I thought it would be cool if Selina was born in Spain. I thought that since Camren Bicondova is Spanish, I thought it would be muy caliente. Similar case for Barbara. Erin Richards is from Wales. Why can't pirate-Babs?
Who else here loves Camren?