Chapter three: Prepare for Battle

The Trunfante was docked in adjacent to the Virgin Island of St. John. The ship's haul was full of the shiny treasures awaiting their new home in Europe. Antonio tossed a silver coin up and down in his hand, trying to convince himself that this was all worth it.

"Capitain," Juan hurried over. "The preparations are complete!"

Antonio took another long look at the coin in his hand, then he looked up and smiled. "Aye aye!" With a quick motion, Antonio tossed the coin up high in the air, picked up his elaborate green jacket and swung it over, putting in his sleeves quickly and adjusting it to fit. The coin fell fast and landed in Antonio's hand, heads up. He kissed it and slipped it into his side pocket. Juan offered the captain his large-brimmed, feathered hat. "Gracias, amigo." Antoino lifted it and placed it on his head with a slight tug downwards on the brim. He looked rather dashing and handsome with his dress uniform and broad grin. "Let's go home, eh?"

"Si, mi capitain!" Juan saluted and ran off to his duties.

Antonio peeled a banana and started to nibble it as he ascended the deck stairs. He looked around curiously. "Has anyone seen Lovino?"

"No, mi capitain," the navigator answered from behind the wheel.

"Hmm, dat's odd…" Antonio put a hand on the front rail, peering down on the deck, searching the busy faces to find his little friend, but the small Italian was nowhere in sight. His cheery expression faded.

He started to walk back down the stairs to search when his first mate called, "Capitain, we are prepared to raise anchor."

Antonio looked over at Capre, his first mate, and nodded. "Si, give de order."

"Elevar la ancla!" Capre ordered.

Antonio looked briefly again with a glance, but not seeing Lovino, resumed his spot up stairs. He was captain and had a job to perform. Lovino was alright and it wasn't like he would leave the ship alone…

Not too far away, Iggy was watching the Trunfante intently through his spying-glass. He chuckled to himself. "Once again, easy prey. When will that fool learn to pack lightly? A ship of that size is not built for speed, but it doesn't mean it should be weighed further down. No doubt he had to jettison some cannons in order to carry the treasure. Tsk tsk." He lowered his spyglass with a grin. "You are not very smart, Carriedo….but that's some of the fun. Heh." He collapsed the spyglass and put it inside his maroon jacket. Using one hand, he leaped over the rail onto the deck below. "Alright you scallywags! Prepare for battle! Ready the canons and make it quick! Let's hit it rich!" The crew cheered and hurried to obey orders, readying the gun powder and weapons. Iggy unsheathed his elaborately jewel handled cutlass and raised it in the air, laughing insanely.

Kirkland's ship was a slick, medium sized vessel, built for speed and outrunning other ships. It was rare that the Dauphin's sails were never without wind. This was actually a French ship Iggy had commandeered through a game of poker a few years ago. "I hate the French, but they had the right idea with this ship," he made the excuse. Besides, he looked for any chance to steal from anyone associated with Bonnifoy. The simple, but beautiful, wooden ship was trimmed in light blue, and on its bow was carved a shirtless woman, whom Iggy assumed signified a woman's dignity, or something as silly as that. The French were so stupid. Iggy just admired the craftsmanship, not the significance. This ship had proven faithful to Iggy in a tight squeeze. Somehow luck always seemed to follow him on the seas, while on land he was plagued with misfortune. Iggy had streaks of luck, but for this reason he preferred to stay on the ocean and detested making port. This was his ship and nothing on land was important enough to hold him there.

Thanks for reading this story and keeping up ^_^ I really appreciate it. Please look forward to more, and please leave reviews because they lift my spirit and encourage me to write more. Translations:

Elevar la ancla= raise anchor

Dauphin= Dolphin (French)