Chapter 14 CARIBBEAN DECEMBER 1689
"I'm hungry." The Kraken said.
"You're always hungry." Flying Dutchman sighed.
They were sailing off the coast of Hispaniola. While Flying Dutchman was supposed to be keeping an eye out for shipwrecks, she had other things on her mind.
As Christmas approached, Flying Dutchman grew ever more into a state of panic.
She had remembered the Christmas tree, she had remembered the lights, she had remembered the traditional dinner even but she had forgot, and she couldn't believe herself for this. She had forgotten Britannia's present!
"Of all the stupid, foolish things to do…" She hissed to herself as she sailed along.
"Sounds to me like you need a hand."
Flying Dutchman groaned. "And how could you help might I ask Kraken?" She asked.
"I'd be willing to if you'd just give me a chance." The Kraken replied.
"Oh alright." Flying Dutchman sighed. "Sorry for being snippy."
"It's understandable. What you did, rather what you didn't do is sort of embarrassing." The Kraken replied. She sounded amused which only made Flying Dutchman madder.
"Are you laughing at me?" She asked.
"Why wouldn't I?" The Kraken replied. "I do find this little fact amusing."
"You find it amusing that I forgot one of the most important things for Christmas!" Flying Dutchman growled.
"For someone who doesn't celebrate it you sure seem to be beating down hard on yourself." The Kraken said.
True, she didn't celebrate Christmas at least not in the same way the humans did.
For them, Christmas meant the birth of their savior, Jesus Christ which is where the word Christmas came from.
For ships, they celebrated a different holiday. They called it Inlustris which meant Starlight for December 25 was the day the Ancients signed their pact with the mortal ships.
The pact signified the union between the mortal and the immortal, the joining of worlds.
There was only one ship still alive today that had witnessed this pact and she was Flying Dutchman's mentor.
If Flying Dutchman didn't find a present soon, she'd resort to hiding under the sea for all eternity out of pure embarrassment.
As much as she hated to say it, the Kraken was right. She needed help and she was desperate enough to get it.
"Any suggestions." She asked to the Kraken.
"Maybe try finding something she likes." The Kraken replied.
"That doesn't narrow it down much." Flying Dutchman said.
"Can you think of anything that she might really like?" The Kraken asked.
"Well she does enjoy art a lot." Flying Dutchman replied.
"Like what kind of art?" The Kraken asked, unable to keep the curiosity from her voice.
"Well I know she likes to paint." Flying Dutchman replied. "She's got a lot of unfinished paintings in her tent. I think she's run out of supplies and hasn't found the time to get more."
"So, then let's get some paints." The Kraken replied.
"Do you have any idea how much an average set is worth?" Flying Dutchman asked.
"I have some idea, yes. They're not cheap." The Kraken answered.
Flying Dutchman thought for a moment. There was no way she could afford to pay the price a painting kit would cost in London nowadays. But there might be a way she could make the money required.
It was something she'd sworn herself not to ever turn to but in this case, she'd make the exception.
"You're planning something, I can tell." The Kraken said.
"You still hungry?" She asked the Kraken.
"I'm always hungry." The Kraken replied. "What'd you have in mind?"
"A juicy French merchant ship, laden with gold." Flying Dutchman replied, licking her lips.
"Now you're speaking my language!" The Kraken squealed in delight.
Laughing, Flying Dutchman set the pace north towards the shipping lanes.
There were always ships about, regardless of time.
The West Indies held boast to the busiest shipping lanes in the world and the most common transistors, merchant ships either laden with supplies from Europe or ships loaded with coins, silks, and fine linens from the islands.
Knowing her chances would increase if she moved farther east into open waters, Flying Dutchman sailed into the Atlantic, dropping anchor in the center of a trade route known as the Triangle.
This trade route spanned the entire Atlantic Ocean from the port of Newport, Rhode Island in the British Colonies, to Canary Islands off the North African continent.
There were two main trade routes. A ship sailing from Europe would carry textile goods to Africa, then pick up slaves at auction and carry them to the West Indies or the Colonies, whichever had ordered them, then returned to Europe carrying sugar, tobacco, and/or cotton.
The second consisted of mostly the same materials but took a slightly different route. A ship sailing from the Caribbean took sugar to the Colonies, and then crossed the Atlantic with a hold full of rum and goods to Africa before returning to the Caribbean with slaves.
Flying Dutchman never thought much of the slave trade. She knew Britannia didn't agree with it, but accepted it on the grounds of economic welfare.
It was a very profitable industry, there was no argument there and while Flying Dutchman preferred to stay out of politics, even she couldn't deny its importance to the British Empire.
Flying Dutchman spotted sails on the horizon. As the ship drew closer, the wind changed direction and the fluyt almost gagged.
There was no mistaking that stench.
"Ugh, a slaver!" She groaned.
"Ick!" The Kraken agreed in her head.
"Nasty things those." Flying Dutchman sniffed.
"Agreed. Though highly profitable too I might add." The Kraken said.
"To the people owning them, yes." Flying Dutchman said. "Free labor, what's better from a business standpoint."
She could feel the Kraken's hesitation. "Alright, what is it?" She sighed.
"I do not wish to step outside my boundaries but, am I your slave?" The Kraken asked.
"You know I do not see you as such." Flying Dutchman replied.
"But am I? Answer me truly, Dutchman? Am I your slave or not?" The Kraken asked.
Flying Dutchman sighed. She'd never viewed the Kraken as her slave or her servant but then again, no matter how much freedom she gave her, she was still bound.
"I suppose technically yes." Flying Dutchman replied. "But know that you're lucky compared to others. Most would never have as much freedom as you do."
"I am aware and am grateful for it." The Kraken said. "I do not mind, being a slave. But I had to know for certain."
"I understand." Flying Dutchman replied gently.
The Kraken fell silent and she turned her attention back to the shipping lanes ahead.
Around noon, Flying Dutchman spotted a large Indiaman on the horizon. She was heavily laden with cargo judging by how deep she sat in the water but that didn't affect her speed much, if at all.
This ship was a fast one for sure and there was something familiar about her. When she'd first appeared over the horizon, Flying Dutchman had thought her to be a mirror image of herself but there were key subtle differences.
This new ship wasn't built to run against the wind like Flying Dutchman was. She also lacked the chase cannons that she had on her bow.
Watching her, the fluyt/Indiaman crossbreed deduced two things.
1. The new ship had the weather gage and
2. She was running faster with the wind than Flying Dutchman could hope to.
"Well that's just great." Flying Dutchman groused.
"You could always surprise her." The Kraken suggested.
"No funny business. I'll toss you a few rowdy crewmen if they misbehave." Flying Dutchman said.
"I guess I'll just wait here then." The Kraken replied, sounding a little sullen but agreeable.
Flying Dutchman sailed on, falling in behind the newcomer before diving.
Under the water, she was able to sail much faster than she ever could on the surface. All she needed to do now, was time her approach properly and surface alongside with guns run out. The sight of that should be enough to scare the other ship into submission.
Flying Dutchman carefully drew up alongside the other ship, moving slightly ahead to account for the time it would take for her to surface before slowing and matching her speed.
Then she shot straight up, rolling out her guns as she did so.
The Jolly Rodger flew up her mast. No sense in them guessing who she was.
Instead of surrendering at the sight of her, the other ship merely looked annoyed and bit her nose hard.
Flying Dutchman lost her temper then and lunged, bowling the other ship over.
The two proceeded to roll on the water in a good old fashioned catfight before Flying Dutchman got the other hand and pinned her down.
"Give in?" She snarled, her teeth just inches from the other ship's throat.
"Alright, I'll talk." She panted. "Damn, you're one mean bitch!"
"Comes with practice." Flying Dutchman grinned and backed off her.
She remembered her courtesies and helped the merchant find her keel.
The other ship shot her a grateful glance.
"What do you want?" She asked.
"Oh just whatever valuables you have on board." Flying Dutchman replied. "But since I'm feeling generous today, I'll leave you with half. Can't have you going into Port Royal on an empty hold now can I?"
The merchant narrowed her eyes. "You seem very familiar with my route. Who are you?" She asked.
"A pirate. Who are you?" Flying Dutchman countered.
The ship held herself proudly. "HMS Wicked Wench." She replied.
"British?" Flying Dutchman guessed. This ship certainly didn't sound like it. Flying Dutchman recognized the distinct Dutch accent.
"Well duh!" Wicked Wench snorted. "How many other nations use HMS as a prefix?"
"Good point." Flying Dutchman conceded.
"But if you're asking if I think you are then I was originally from Amsterdam." Wicked Wench added.
"So was I!" Flying Dutchman exclaimed before she could stop herself.
"When?" Wicked Wench asked.
"I was launched in 1670, and was captured on my maiden voyage." Flying Dutchman replied.
"1675." Wicked Wench said. "I too was captured 2 years later by the Brits during the last Anglo-Dutch war."
Flying Dutchman nodded. "I guessed as much." She said.
Wicked Wench shrugged and tied off to her. "Well if you're going to take half my stores I suggest you get to it before a warship shows up." She said.
"You know of any in this area?" Flying Dutchman asked.
"Aye, one. Her name's Sentinel. Stubborn bitch if you ask me. She's been hounding me since I left Calibar." Wicked Wench grumbled.
"Did you do something wrong?" Flying Dutchman asked.
"Hardly." She sniffed. "I just come across as a tinsy bit rebellious."
Flying Dutchman snickered. "I know the type." She said.
"You two huh?" Wicked Wench asked.
"Never could resist pestering authority when I could. Particularly British authority." Flying Dutchman replied.
"You and me are of the same mindset then." Wicked Wench grunted. "My flag might be changed but never my heart. I still hate the English and that won't change."
"I imagine not." Flying Dutchman chuckled with a grin.
She finished taking on the stores. "Well, I got what I came here for. It was nice meeting you HMS Wicked Wench." She said.
"Please, just Wench and I never did catch your name." Wicked Wench replied.
"If we do meet again, under more favorable circumstances, I just might tell you it." Flying Dutchman replied with a grin.
"Aw, that's not fair!" Wicked Wench complained.
Flying Dutchman merely laughed and sailed away.
"Hmph, pirates!" Wicked Wench grumbled to herself and continued on.
Flying Dutchman, triumphant, sailed due east towards the British mainland.
She sailed up the Thames a week later, having sailed underwater the whole way.
Several ships gave her curious glances but she ignored them, pulling up at the pier just past the bridge.
One of the dock handlers stared up at her surprised.
"Haven't seen you around here before lass." He said.
"I'm new." Flying Dutchman shrugged. "If you'd be so kind as to direct me to where I can offload my cargo." She said.
"East India?" He asked.
She shook her head. "Privateer." She replied.
"Ah, well you've come to the right place." He said. "What have you got?"
"Spices, silks, linens. Nabbed them off a pretty little galleon headed for San Dominique. I was feeling generous so I bargained for half the cargo. Poor thing looked abused enough already and I didn't want to add to it. But I took all the gold coin." Flying Dutchman explained.
A pair of inspectors came on board to check. "Not a bad catch." They said. "But half cargo means half price."
"Doesn't pay to be generous." She sighed. "I won't be as such again."
"You're new so I'll let this one slide but don't make a mistake like that again." The man growled. "If you have the opportunity to take the whole cargo then take it."
"So I shall." Flying Dutchman agreed though she had no intentions of going back to piracy again.
"May I see your Letters of Marque please." The man asked kindly. The letters signified if you were a privateer in the employ of the government.
They were the only thing that separated a privateer from a pirate.
Flying Dutchman was worried that Captain Vandecker's faked Letters of Marque wouldn't pass the inspection but they held up.
"All seems good." The man said. He turned his attention to the coins which all had the likeness of Queen Elizabeth on them.
"These are British." He said.
"The galleon I nabbed them from had them. She must've captured them herself." Flying Dutchman lied quickly.
"Damn frogs! Trying to steal our money!" The man hissed.
Flying Dutchman shrugged, letting him rant for several minutes before he carried on with business.
Flying Dutchman received a hefty £12,000 for her work.
"Now it's time to spend it." She said.
Restocking on provisions first, Flying Dutchman then turned her sights back into the channel where she sailed a few miles to Liverpool.
She knew of a good paint shop there. Nearing the coast, she spotted Britannia.
Deciding to play with her mentor a bit she dove beneath the waters and sailed up underneath Britannia's keel, brushing the tips of her masts gently against her.
Britannia halted, tensing at once. "Who goes there?!" She snarled.
"Relax!" Flying Dutchman smirked, poking her head above the surface.
"Dutchman, what are you doing here?" Britannia asked.
"Aw, come on, is that how you're gonna greet me?" Flying Dutchman pouted.
Seeing that her apprentice wasn't going to give her a straight answer, Britannia sighed and nuzzled her.
"Just stay out of trouble alright." She asked.
Flying Dutchman pulled her best innocent face. "Me, trouble? Pah!" She laughed and broke the surface completely, showering Britannia in water.
As the older ship shook herself unappreciatively, Flying Dutchman smirked. "Oops, did I mean to do that?" She asked.
Britannia nipped her playfully. "Oh get on you!" She laughed.
"Thanks, Britannia." Flying Dutchman smiled.
"I expect you home by sunrise though." Britannia said.
"I will be." Flying Dutchman promised and raced off.
Shaking her head in amusement, Britannia continued on her way.
Flying Dutchman raced along, quite eager to get into Liverpool and find Britannia's present.
Pulling up at the pier opposite of the shop, she waited impatiently while Vandecker when inside the store to purchase the paints.
After what seemed like eternity but was really only a few minutes, Vandecker reemerged.
"Got them at a bargain price too." He said as he climbed back aboard. "As soon as I mentioned Britannia he cut the price in fourths."
"Very patriotic man it seems." Flying Dutchman smiled and losing her mooring lines she raced off to the open sea.
The sun was beginning to set and Flying Dutchman drew on its strength to aid her in her journey once more.
The green blast could be seen from the shores of Britain. People stared in awe and wonder as it engulfed the fluyt and she vanished from their sight.
From then on there were murmurings, whispers of this new divine ship. Some said she was an enemy, others said she was their friend. But it wouldn't be until 1698 that the truth would come out.
Flying Dutchman took a moment to clear her senses of the fog that clouded her momentarily after her trip through the portal before sailing off in search of Britannia.
The older ship seemed to be resting comfortably when Flying Dutchman, getting another naughty idea, snuck up alongside her and yelled "Boo!" at the top of her lungs.
She backed off a second later though, a rigging line holding her bloodied nose. Beside her, Britannia panted.
"Don't do that again!" She hissed, her eyes wild.
"I won't." Flying Dutchman agreed.
"I didn't hurt you did I?" Britannia asked.
"No I'm fine." Flying Dutchman replied but it came out so garbled that all Britannia could hear was "N', Ibfeen."
She sighed. "Come here." She ordered.
Flying Dutchman hesitated, knowing what her mentor was about to do. "You sure?" She asked.
Britannia nodded. "Though you asked for it, I did give it to you so it's my job to take it." She said.
Sighing, Flying Dutchman relented and allowed Britannia to heal her.
Though the effort was enough to make her go back to sleep for the next few hours, she was up and awake right after.
"Are you going to tell me what you were doing in British waters, Flying Dutchman?" Britannia asked.
"You make it sound as though I'm a threat." Flying Dutchman replied.
"I know you're not but I am curious." Britannia said.
"That's for me to know, and you to find out." Flying Dutchman said with a smirk.
Britannia rubbed her hull against hers. "You know I can persuade you." She said.
"Not gonna work Britannia though I wouldn't mind the effort." Flying Dutchman replied, nuzzling her.
Britannia chuckled. "Well alright, as long as I get to know eventually." She said.
"You will." Flying Dutchman promised and kissed her.
A few days later it was Inlustris and Flying Dutchman woke early. Carefully, so as not to wake Britannia, she slipped quietly out of their tent and into the open air.
Closing her eyes and taking a moment to breathe it in appreciatively, Flying Dutchman set her sights on the Christmas tree set up on the dock nearby.
Flying Dutchman and Britannia had spent time in between their voyages to decorate the tree with a variety or ordainments. Most were collected from Britannia's many years at sea, sculpted by her very hand.
Flying Dutchman was careful to treat these ones with the utmost respect and reverence. To her, they were as precious as Britannia herself.
Quickly wrapping her own present and placing it gently under the tree, she sailed to Britannia and nudged her.
"Britannia." She murmured.
"Mmm…" Was the sleepy ships response.
"Wake up sleepybow its Inlustris." Flying Dutchman said.
"So it is." Britannia agreed with a huge yawn and opened her eyes. Flying Dutchman gave her time to stretch first before insisting that she come along.
"Now what is so exciting that you have to drag me to see it?" Britannia asked her.
Flying Dutchman had blindfolded Britannia and was guiding her along. The older ship attempted to shake the blindfold but Flying Dutchman scolded her. "Ah, ah, no peaking!" She chided.
Britannia huffed but did as she was told. Flying Dutchman halted in front of the tree and removed the blindfold. "Alright you can see now." She said.
Britannia opened her eyes and gasped. "Dutchman, it's-it's beautiful…" She breathed.
Flying Dutchman had used the remainder of her money for a wide assortment of candles that gave off a different radiant of light when they burned, also adding a distinctive sent to the tree.
"Did you do this this morning?" Britannia asked her.
Flying Dutchman nodded. "I wanted to surprise you." She replied.
"Well you've succeeded." Britannia said. "I love it, thank you Dutchman."
"That's not all, I got something for you." Flying Dutchman said.
"Did you really?" Britannia asked. "Or are you just pulling my rudder again?"
"Hey, that was actually really funny!" Flying Dutchman laughed, knowing what Britannia was speaking of.
"I didn't think it was." Britannia pouted.
Flying Dutchman shrugged. "Was worth it though." She replied.
Britannia nudged her. "Oh shut up you and get me my present." She said with mock authority.
Flying Dutchman grinned and gave her a mock salute. "Yes ma'am." She replied.
She picked up the package gingerly in her teeth and carried it over to Britannia, setting it down in front of her.
"Be careful with it. It's fragile." She said.
Britannia nodded and turning her head to the side, produced her own little wrapped package.
"It isn't much but it was the best I could do." She said, handing it to Flying Dutchman.
Her apprentice nodded. "You first." She said.
"No, you first!" Britannia replied.
Flying Dutchman shrugged. "Alright." She agreed and gently tore into the paper.
Inside was a wooden sculpted wolf howling under a full moon with tall pine trees clearly visible.
"How did… Britannia this is incredible." She whispered.
"Ah, I'm not that good." Britannia ducked her head shyly.
"Damn it Britannia why do you always downplay the fact. You are an amazing artist!" Flying Dutchman insisted.
Britannia just blushed, a soft giggle escaping her.
"It's beautiful, thank you." Flying Dutchman whispered, licking her behind the ear.
Britannia smiled, nuzzling her.
"Now it's your turn." Flying Dutchman said, practically bouncing with excitement.
"Well since you seem so eager I may as well not keep you waiting." Britannia smirked and very carefully tore off the paper.
The box inside was rectangular, made of live oak from the Colonies and finished red. Good was laced into the latch and hinges as well as the writing on the top.
"Read it." Flying Dutchman said.
Britannia did. In gold letters red her name. H.M.S. Britannia.
"When did you…" She whispered.
"That same day." Flying Dutchman replied. "I sent word when I was in London."
"What's inside?" Britannia asked.
"Open it and find out." Flying Dutchman answered with a warm smile.
Britannia did and gasped in surprise. There inside, were 24 top class oil paints complete with brushes.
"How did you know…." Britannia whispered, barely able to speak through the emotion that flooded her.
"All those paintings that lay unfinished. Well, I thought they could use a little love." Flying Dutchman replied.
Being very gentle, Britannia closed the box and placed it on the dock. She leaned against the pier, trying to get a lid on her emotions.
"I always wanted to finish those paintings." She said at last. "But I never thought I'd get around to it."
"Well now you can." Flying Dutchman said.
Britannia nuzzled her fiercely. Her voice cracking under her emotion she whispered "Thank you Dutchman."
Flying Dutchman was a bit surprised at the sudden flood of tears against her hull.
She nudged Britannia gently but questioningly.
"What's the matter?" She asked. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine." Britannia replied, her voice thick with joyful sorrow. "I'm happier than I have been in years." She held her apprentice tight. "I love you Long Shadow."
Flying Dutchman purred. It was the first time since she'd been renamed that Britannia had called her that.
"And I love you. Now and forever." Flying Dutchman replied and pulled back.
Confusion entered Britannia's eyes at first. Then Flying Dutchman gently tilted her head back and pressed her lips against hers.
Tears fell from both ships eyes but they were tears of joy. They had Inlustris and they had each other. What more could they want?