De Monte Verde
Chapter Two
The Proposition
A short enjoyable walk later, we reached my late mother's fine drinking establishment. One could see it as fine, considering our neighbors. To the left, Alfonso Guzman, owner of a butchery that had to be a danger to public health with the multitude of blood and guts allowed to spew out into the streets. To the right, Luis Perez, a professional rat killer who liked to hang his victims outside his windows. But in the center was home. Uncharacteristically clean for the area, it stuck out enough it didn't need to be coated in bright green paint. But at the same time, it had to be. Hanging above the door was an intricate woodcarving bearing the venue's name, The Green Hill, it cast a rather odd looking outline upon the small fat man waiting beneath it.
"Francesca! WHAT IN HELL HAVE YOU BEEN DOING!"
"Walking. Now excuse me Uncle, but I have some words to exchange with the kind Admiral."
The entirety of 'Uncle's' baldhead became an awful shade of red. Most unbecoming if you ask me. But nothing was ever becoming on him though. He stepped to the side and made a low bow trying to conceal his face. But he was bald. Leading forward, we stepped into The Green Hill. The walls inside were covered with murals of forest that I had painted when I was younger. I was quite the artist if I do say so myself. But the bodies of drunkard customers, of which there was no serious lack, blocked their view. Upon reaching the far end of the tavern I detached myself from the Admiral. Concha, our hired bar keep appeared with two pints. The Admiral earnestly began chugging his.
"Proposition?"
"Ah! Well." Pint slammed atop the table, he continued, "I wish to settle our debt!"
"I never thought I would hear that so soon, I expected to be repaid on my deathbed."
"Well, I am not so sure now. Besides, you did not save me from much embarrassment. I still suffered greatly at the hands of Miss Vallado. So much that your help may have been-"
"You accepted the price! Now," I sipped my frothing mug, "how shall ye be choosing to pay me?"
He took another swig and pulled out a map from his waistcoat, "Hispaniola, that is how."
Unraveling it I found that it was a map of the Atlantic Ocean, a route to the Spanish Main. "So you are giving me are pirate infested island, how very nice."
"I am deploying from Cádiz in a fortnight, at the latest. And since you are always speaking of departing from the confines of this town and your Uncle, I would like to settle this debt by you accompanying me to the Caribbean Sea. We are being sent there to aid our trading ships from those bucanneer rogues. Of course, you are not obliged to helping us."
"Of course. Well. This is quite the offer. But, you cannot expect me to believe this will discharge you from being indebted.?"
"What else can I do! Or shall you plague me for the rest of my days!" he stood up rather violently, violently enough to send both of our mugs to the floor.
"I promise that the debt will be settled before I have finished the crossing. May I inquire as to when when are leaving?"
The Admiral sat back down, leaving the metal cups in their place on the floor.
"I have arranged for the carriage to arrive at first light. I am currently lodged at the- well the only inn in this forsaken place. I expect to see you there. I will buy you a new wardrobe once we reach Cádiz." He arched an eyebrow, which made him look incredibly silly in my opinion, "Debt settled?"
"You are getting there my dear Admiral, you are getting there."
A/N v00tv00t. Reviews would be very much appreciated.