The Pirate's Booty (jena and demented-tiger)

[jena]

Jacqueline Brodeur was saying tearful good byes to her mother. Her father, a wealthy owner of a popular vineyard, had prearranged a marriage for her out of France, and had to leave by ship to her husband-to-be. A month earlier, she had stood in front of her parents, Jocelyn and André. Her father told her of her destiny nonchalantly. The two had never had a close relationship as he considered her too untamed to be dealt with. Her mother, whom Jacqueline loved dearly, only considered her free-spirited, one whom should not have been born in this day in age.

The year was 1668, and the day was April 16. The weather was nice along the shore. The sky was blue with only a few white, puffy clouds scattering along it. Jacqueline had started making a trousseau, but had not finished it. She hoped to have it finished by the time the ship reached their destination. Once everything was loaded on to the ship, she said one last good bye to her mother and promised to write every day.

She slowly climbed aboard the massive ship, and waved until she could no longer see her beloved mother. She stayed at the edge of the ship a bit longer, her curly brown hair flying in the wind. She was wearing a thin, but expensive, pale blue dress that clung to her curves. She was very well endowed and had full, lush lips. Her brown eyes were often hidden by long, dark lashes.

After she could no longer see land, she went down her cabin, determined she would finish her trousseau before she met with Comte Pierre de Lambert. She already despised the man, even though she had never laid eyes on him. However, she knew her duties as a bride, as they had been drilled into her by her mother who swore she would do her best to teach her everything she needed to know before she left. A tiny tear escaped from an eye as she missed her mother already.

 

[nladisha]

James Taylor wasn't having a good day. His expedition to Paris had been a disaster. He had only managed to get as far as Cardinal Brodeur's private study, when the police broke in. He'd barely escaped with his life after having been branded a Protestant English spy sent by the Huguenots to assassinate the Cardinal. His quest to obtain the one map of New France with the location of the French Piece of Eight had been thwarted. James needed that Piece, if he was to go after the rumored City of Gold. He already had the Brazillian Piece as well as the original, and the other 5 Pieces were all in New Spain, where the City of Gold - Ciudad del Oro - was located. He really needed that French Piece before he could get the other 5.

There was a knock on his cabin door. It was his first officer. "Captain, there's a sail on the horizon, to starboard. We think it's a merchant vessel."

"That's nice," James said, hardly looking up from his charts. He was studying the one good map of New France he did have, counting the number of missions from Acadia to the shores of Lac Superior.

"Captain," continued the first mate. "The men are getting anxious. It's been weeks since we've had ourselves a good kill, and quite frankly, some of them are getting impatient about this whole City of Gold business. All we have are 2 pieces of an old clay pot, and some of the men are beginning to say that if Coronado and his army didn't find anything, what chance do we have?"

"Are you suggesting mutiny, Mr. Evens?"

"No, Captain. But I think a good chase might lift everyone's spirits. Besides, we will need provisions for the Atlantic crossing to New France."

James sighed and set down his compass. He reached for his cutlass. "Tell the helmsman to set an intercept course for the sail. Load the port guns, ready the grappling lines, and have the men assume battle positions. I will be on the bridge presently."

The first mate smiled a predatory grin, like a shark's, showing his rotted, tobacco stained teeth. "Aye-aye, Captain!" He scuttled off as eagerly as a boy recieving a shilling for an errand. James could hear him shouting orders with enthusiasm. The ship heeled over in the wind as it changed direction, and the sailors adjusted the sails to compensate. The chase was on.​

 

[jena]

After a while of working on the trosseau, Jacqueline's hands began to hurt. She was just about to head back up when she heard a lot of shouting and moving about. She placed the dress down and tried to listen to what was going on. Was a storm coming? Curious, she walked to the door and stepped out.

Almost as soon as the female walked out, the captain of the ship appeared before her. Putting on her best smile, she said, "bonjour, Capitaine." The captain grabbed her arm and practically shoved her back into the cabin. He didn't know much of the French language, and could only hope she knew English. "My apologies, mademoiselle, but an unmarked ship is headed our way. Please, stay in here until I tell you it is safe." With that, he shut the door, locking it from the outside.

 

[nladisha]

James had long since lost his appetite for sea battles. After a while, they all melded together. Once they were in range of the enemy ship, the crew raised the colors - depicting an asp intertwined with a skull - and fired a few shots to scare the merchant. When the ship tried to run, a few well placed chain-shots ripped off pieces of rigging and sail. If the ship had guns of its own, the crew didn't think to fire them. Within minutes, the ship was dead in the water.

James' ship pulled along side it, and the men threw thier grappling lines to the other vessel, and scrambled across like rats. Now the other crew fought back with cutlasses and muskets, but the flying splinters and chain shot had taken thier toll. It was largely an excercise in futility. As usual, James let the men take the ship as they always did, throwing themselves into the battle with all the vigor and enthusiasm of a pack of dogs. Once they'd mostly secured the deck and the mastheads, James made his grand entrance. Granted, he had to fight off a few over zealous sailors who thought they could make themselves heroes by taking out a real pirate captain, but James had lived through enough scraps to hold his own.

"Search the ship, take all the provisions you can carry!" he ordered his men. "Ropes, sails, water, biscuits, rum, shot, and powder." He needed remind his men of all this, as many of the older crewmembers who had been veterines when James first sailed had long since died, and these younger men - boys really, as some were as young as 18 - were focused on filling thier pockets with as much currency and valuables they could lay thier hands on. He himself made his way towards the cabins. He encountered a locked door, and kicked it in, hoping it was the captain's and where he could find some charts, and possibly some cash for himself. Even though he was betting on the City of Gold, he still wanted a little bit of pocket change.​

 

[jena]

Jacqueline had been very frightened. Even though she knew English- her father forced her to learn through a tutor- she had no real idea what it meant for another ship to come towards them. That was, until she felt the vibrations from the cannon balls. She screamed and tried to get out of the cabin to no prevail. She pounded on the door until her hands were bruised and bleeding, but she still could not get out.

She heard a man coming to the cabin, and hoped that it was the captain of the ship. Instead, another man kicked through the door. Again, a scream escaped from the girl’s lips in horror. She tried backing her way until she hit the wall on the opposite side of the room. She tried screaming for help. “Capitaine, capitaine!” However, he was not coming as he was in battle with the rest of the crew. Jacqueline trembled with fear as she tried to find a way out. She hoped the man would just leave her.

 

[nladisha]

"Well, what have we here?" asked James aloud, to himself. A very attractive girl was cowering at the far end of the cabin, screaming in French. James smiled, and advanced on her. It had been a while since James had last seen a decent woman. Most women he encountered were either whores, female pirates (who were even worse than whores), or colored women. High class Spanish and Portugese women were few and far between, mostly confined to the heavily guarded cities, where men like James - or any Englishman for that matter - were not welcome.

"Bonjuor, Madmoiselle," James said. As a boy living in England, his father made him and his sister learn proper French, along with various other languages. James spoke the language much better than the his crew, whose French was a pidgion language, corrupted by various slang and African words. He drew himself up to try and look presentable. He wasn't much of a pain to look at, either. He was only 25, still a young man, but old for a pirate. Granted the tropical sun had not been kind on his tanned and burnt skin, but his civilized upbringing helped him take better care of himself than his men. He visited the ship's surgeon regularly to shave his facial hair, and keep himself groomed. He was athletically built and tall. However, his brown eyes and brown hair complemented his boyish features, making him appear a few years younger than he really was - though more a mischievious street urchin in fine clothes than the soft young nobleman he had been when he first found himself at sea. Still, he was a pirate.

"What's a pretty young thing like you doing way out here at sea?" he continued, still in French.​

 

[jena]

Still trying to find a way out, she looked at him in shock as he spoke French. The man’s pronunciation was a little, off but not by much. Jacqueline noticed he was advancing on her and was desperately wishing he would just go away. Although the man was quite attractive, danger and power seemed to cling to him like a second skin.

“Bon-bonjour, monsieur,” she stammered. She was extremely nervous to be alone with this man. She continued speaking to him in French. “I am on my way to meet my future husband, as I am to be married.” She stuck her chin out defiantly at him. Surely he wouldn’t touch a woman who was taken, would he?

Her mother had told her stories about pirates who overtook other ships and kept whatever they found. She herself had loved a pirate before she was to be married to Jacqueline’s father. The man had stopped in the city for a break to get supplies when the two of them met. He left her after having slept with her, and she had never seen him again.

Jacqueline looked at the man and then to the door, wondering if she could make it. She didn’t know for certain if he was one of these pirates she had heard about, but didn’t want to stay around to find out. She immediately tried to run to the door, attempting to duck around him to freedom, having no clue where she would go if she actually made it out of the door.

 

[nladisha]

"Not so fast," chuckled James, siezing the girl's arm. He spun her around quickly until he had her in a one-armed hug. She felt quite soft and delicate, unlike the other women he'd seen, who had the tough, sinewy build of peasants. It had been a long time since James had last been this close to decent noblewoman. "You look like a nice girl. A ship under attack like this is no place for a young woman such as yourself. My men have been at sea for some months now, and if they were to get you as close as I have you now, well, you couldn't wear white to your wedding, if you survived. Tell me, what is your name, and who is your fiance. I'm sure his family and yours would love to know you were safe and sound."​

 

[jena]

Jacqueline cringed in pain as the man grabbed her arm. She whirled around and glared at him. "How dare you grab me!" The female looked at him and listened to what he was saying. "And you are different? I don't see how as you're the one grabbing me and holding me so close as if you were my husband. My name is Jacqueline Brodeur, daughter of André and Jocelyn Brodeur. I am to marry Comte Pierre de Lambert, not that it is any business of yours."

 

[nladisha]

James' eyes lit up at the mention of Brodeur. "I know that name!" he exclaimed. "Andre Brodeur - elder brother of Cardinal Jaques Brodeur, the Papal representative to the missions of New France! Oh, you'll prove most useful indeed." He smiled with as much mischevious glee as a boy recieving his first wages. This little raid wasn't a complete waste of time after all. James turned the girl around. "Now then, Madmoiselle Brodeur, you will come with me. You have nothing to fear. I have experience with ladies - my elder sister was one - so I know the difference between one and a common harbor wench. If you cooperate, you will see. If you don't... well... let's not go there unless we have to, shall we?"

He lead the girl out onto deck. By this time, the crew had surrendered, and awaited thier fate. James' crew was transfering supplies to thier ship, and eagerly planning how they were going to spend thier loot. James got more than a few catcalls when they caught sight of his prize.

"Captain, speaking of prisoners," remarked his first officer, approaching him from the side. "What do you want us to do with these ones?" He guestured at the merchant sailors and the other passengers.

"Let them go," James ordered, surprising his first officer. "I need someone to tell Monsuir Brodeur that if he ever wants to see his daughter again, he should come to the Isle de St. Marcos in one week to negociate a ransom, or he can pick up her lifeless body at the nearest port." To the girl, he whispered, "Now come along, Madmoiselle, let's get you settled into your new quarters."​

 

[jena]

Jacqueline was very confused when he got all excited over her surname. How did the man know of her father and her uncle? They were very powerful men, yes, but what did that have to do with her ‘proving most useful’ to the man? So many questions running through her head, and yet for the first time, she was afraid to ask the questions that were burning in her mind. Her father would be most proud of her for keeping her mouth shut for once like a proper woman should do.

The female followed the man onto deck and almost cried when she saw the entire crew and how they had lost. The woman noticed the man that had walked up looked worse off than the one who held her arm and instinctively hid from him, hiding her body behind the one who had her. Sudden relief was apparent on her face as she heard the man tell the other who had walked up to let the ‘prisoners’ go. From the sound of the conversation, it seemed as the man who found her was the captain, or at least some sort of leader, of the group who invaded the ship.

Jacqueline’s relief was quickly changed to horror as she heard the man state that her father could pick up her lifeless body. She couldn’t die; she was too young for it! She had planned to get married and have children and grow old with someone before she died. She looked back towards the stairs to the cabins before speaking. “Monsieur, my clothes. Please, let me have clothes.”

 

[nladisha]

"You're hardly in need of any clothing, Mademoiselle," grinned James. "I think what you have on your back will do just fine. Come along now." He pulled her across the deck and over the plank now extended between the two ships to his own vessel. He got more than a few stares as he dragged her along the deck, and shoved her into his private cabin. James kept a pair of irons on his desk, just in case he needed to wrestle an intruder and incapacitate them. He clipped one ring to the girl's wrist, and the other to a hook hanging from the ceiling used to hang lamps.

"I apologize for this uncomfortable position," he said, refering to the fact the girl was practically hanging from her wrist. "I have some business to attend to. Pirate stuff. Once we're under way, though, I'll prepare something a little more comfortable. I won't be long. And don't bother trying to escape. You'll find no refuge aboard this ship, and sneaking back onto your own is impossible, unless you are a wrath who can pass through the air like smoke." With a smile and a tip of his hat, he slipped back out the door.​

 

[jena]

Jacqueline, too, had noticed the stares the man was receiving for having her. What were they staring for? Hadn't they seen a woman before? Surely this man had captured many. She wondered what he would do to her once they were aboard his own ship.

She was horrified of the predicament she found herself in, and was more than uncomfortable in the position the man placed her in. As soon as the man closed the door, she began to cry. Getting out was practically impossible for her. She tried to break free, but only managed to bloody her wrists. Jacqueline knew that the only thing to do was to stand and wait, hoping no harm came to her.

 

[nladisha]

It took time to finish off-loading the captured ship, then cut it loose. James watched it drift away. Then he turned to his first officer.

"Set a course on a north-northeast heading," he ordered. That would take them in the general direction of the Isle d' St Marcos. He'd refine his measurements later. His first officer gave him a funny look.

"That's too close to the mouth of the channel," he protested. "We'll be right where the French and British fleets overlap."

"And that's right where we want to be," James said. "Did you think I was taking that girl on so the men could have some entertainment for the ocean crossing? You're absurd! I still want the Cardinal's map. She could be the key to it. She could even be the key to the Key."

"Don't start on that again," groaned the first officer.

"And you, don't challenge my judgement. We will get the City of Gold, and then you will be compensated for your troubles. In the meantime, go below, and assist the quartermaster in inventorying the loot. I want to find how much we have. I will be in my cabin." With that, James headed back. He stopped to pick up a rope, then continued back. He returned to find the girl sobbing where she stood, with blood oozing from the shackle. "Oh for the love of god!" he groaned. "You just had to try, didn't you. Let me have a look at that." He released her from the shackles and took a look at her wrist. "It doesn't look too bad. I'll clean it anyway. And don't you try running off on me right now. We're many miles from land, and we're underway. As I said before: there's no where to hide on this ship, and unless you can turn into a mermaid, you won't get far swimming - at least in this world. You do want to live, right?"​

 

[jena]

Jacqueline was shocked how gentle the man was being, and by the fact he offered to clean her wrists. Looking at him so close when her one reaction was not to run, she noticed just how handsome he really was. The female was sure she would have had a crush on him under other circumstances. She wiped at her eyes to push the tears away. She surprised herself by not trying to run away. She was sure the reason for her not to run was because she didn’t think the other pirates would be as gentle as he was being.

When the man asked if she wanted to live, she simply shrugged. “I do, but you’re just going to kill me anyway. I may be a woman, sir, but I do know a thing or two. I’m sure you’re just going to kill me when you get whatever it is you are after.” She shook her head, sighing. “Well, I might as well know who my kidnapper and assassin is. What is your name?”

 

[nladisha]

"My name is James Taylor," James said. "Sorry if you were expecting something fearsome, like Captain Rips-out-living-heart-and-eats-it. And you will only die if you give me cause to kill you, if your rescuers double cross me, or if they're too proud to bother listening to my demands. And I do hope they'll at least hear me out. They'll be surprised at the price I've set for you." As he spoke, James examined the girl's cut. It wasn't that bad. He could dab it up with some cotton and put a small bandage on it. It was so slight, it wasn't even worth disinfecting. He had to admit this was all a new experience for him. The last time he'd had a girl this close to him, in this manner, was when he was with his sister - and she was usually the one cleaning his wounds, chiding him over his "boyish" antics, and how thier parents - especially thier father - wouldn't approve of his behavior. All the women he'd been with since were either prostitutes demanding money, or strong, no-nonsense tomboyish women whose bodies and need for carnal pleasure were the only feminine things left about them. This Ms. Brodeur was a welcome change from that. She seemed soft, delicate, and very appetizing to look at... James had to mentally chide himself from getting too carried away, though. He didn't want to hand Monsieur Brodeur damaged goods. It wasn't good business.​

 

[jena]

Jacqueline couldn't help but smile and chuckle a bit at the man's comment about his name. She didn't know quite what she was expecting when she asked for his name. "James Taylor..interesting. Very proper." Sighing, the female looked around. "So, is this where I am to stay while we wait to see if my father comes? I wouldn't hold your breath, though, Mr. Taylor. My father and I...do not get along." It was true, she didn't think her father would come for her, no matter how much her mother begged. He was not the type to deal with people the likes of Mr. Taylor.

 

[nladisha]

"That is a pity," James said, getting a sinking feeling in his gut at the thought he'd have to waste such a tender young life. James knew his father would do everything to rescue him and his sister - which only made him feel worse. He knew his parents and sister were all but devastated when he'd disappeared off to sea, and would certainly be horrified when they learned the company he kept and the proffession he chose. Which made him all the more determined to get that Key so he could get on with his last adventure and come away with enough loot to live like a king. Returning his attention to his captive, he sighed, "I would hope your father is a better man than to put your differences and whatever grudges you hold before rescuing his beloved daughter. Though perhaps your fiance might put some additional leverage on your father."​

 

[jena]

Jacqueline noticed the man get really quiet after mentioning her father may not come. "My father was glad to get rid of me. He told me constantly that I am a nuisance and that I need to think before I speak." She smiled a little. "One of my better qualities, I'm sure." Jacqueline scowled at the mention of her fiance. "Pierre can go jump off a cliff for all I care." In a huff, she sat down and crossed her arms. "What are you after anyway?"

 

[nladisha]

"I'm a pirate," James shrugged. "What else would I be after than to pillage and pilfer my weaselly black guts out? But I know when to pick my battles. If I were a lesser man, I'd demand a fortune for you. But then I'd be worried your father might try to double cross me with soldiers, if he agreed at all. But no, I ask for something much simpler that all but your uncle doesn't know exists; and if they did, they'd hardly miss it. You don't even know what I'm talking about, do you? See! All I want is a mere trifle. Your father would be a simple-minded fool if he throws away whatever he has to gain by your marriage just because he does not want to negotiate with a pirate."​

 

[jena]

Jacqueline was very confused by everything the man was saying. She didn't understand anything at all. "Not all pirates are bad though, Monsieur Taylor. I'm sure of it. My mother loved one once when she was young." She smiled at the thought of it. "Seems to me being a pirate would be fun. So full of adventure and never have to be told what to do or what to say." She sighed and drifted off into her own little world, thinking about how great it would be to not have to listen to anyone else.

 

[nladisha]

James rolled his eyes. He'd once had thoughts like those when he was a boy. He'd thought a pirate's life was nothing but none stop adventure - fighting the Spanish, dodging the law, encountering redskins, romancing ladies... But then the reality set in. Piracy was all about getting as much loot as one could carry, then spending it all as fast as one could. It was about associating with low-lifes and scum - prostitutes, slavers, maroons (escaped slaves), cut-throats, and rouge privateers. James himself had often stared at wealthy noblewomen when he made stops in New Orleans, Havana, San Juan, and Nassau; but none had ever spared him so much as a glance. Thier eyes were for the rich planters, not for a seaman. European noblewomen had even higher standards. If he wanted something better than a common waterfront whore, he had to settle for a pirate wench; and those weren't exactly the flower of maidenhood.

"I'd hardly call it fun," James finally said. "It's a hard, brutal life. It's especially hard on the women. Have you ever seen a female pirate? The only thing womanly about them is what's between thier legs. I must admit, you are a pretty lady, and I certainly couldn't see you in breeches, a navy coat, and boots; cursing and scratching like a man. Sometimes I wonder how I even got suckered into this lot." The last sentance was more to himself, as he looked down at the floor.​

 

[jena]

Jacqueline felt as though he was full of sorrow about the life he had chosen, and automatically placed her hand on his arm. She tried to comfort him without getting too close. "I believe everything happens for a reason, Monsieur Tyler. For some reason, you were to become a pirate. And for some reason, you seized my ship and captured me. I do not understand it, but I believe there is a reason."

Finally, as if the man's arm became extremely hot, she pulled her hand away. "So, what do I do as a captured person on this ship? Are there certain rules I must follow?"

 

[nladisha]

James felt a twinge of guilt for having to hold this woman captive. She was a such a sweet, innocent person, moved to pity, even for her captive. Her touch felt different than what he was used to from women. It was almost like his older sister's. Then she returned to the real world. So did James.

"It's quite simple," he explained. "Stay in my sight, and out of sight of the crew and any other vessel we encounter. You can only go where I escort you, when I escort you. Otherwise, stay in here. I won't bind you if I don't have to, but if you prove to be too much of a problem, I might. Or, I might lock you in the brig. Unfortunately, that's near where the rats like to make thier nests, and while you might be physically be safe from the men down there, there's nothing I can do to stop them from cat-calling you down there."​

 

[jena]

Jacqueline shuddered at the thought of the other men who were taunting her earlier. No, he would not have to worry about her going out without him, as she felt safe next to him around the men. The female believed he would keep all others away from her at any cost.

Sighing, she nodded. "All right. Well...two things. One, I'm getting a bit hungry as I haven't eaten since we left this morning. Two, where will I sleep? Surely not with you." Although the woman did not know or love Comte Pierre de Lambert, she couldn't imagine sleeping with a man other than her husband- or husband-to-be.