by Loki » Fri Mar 20, 2015 5:29 pm
"Merciful Release"
T'was no accident in the naming of me Flagship, given to it by my trusted crew. For years we plied the cruel seas in search of fame and fortune. They followed me in whatever direction the winds took us and we made a hard living, seeking letters of marque to ply our trade. But fortune was rarely on our side and we was haunted by Captain Bart, as mean a captain as any ship could ever have, who ruled his crew with a Cat O Nine and the dreaded threat of marooning for the smallest mistake. It seemed that whenever we had a prize in our sights, Bart would rise up on the horizon and we stood no chance against his ship, It was faster and outgunned us. We fought hard every time but never got the riches we truly deserved.
We had docked in Tzogos one fair evening to allow the crew a chance to go a wenching and a gambling while we had our fair sloop careened. Sure enough on the other side of the docks sat the Frigate of Bart, she was a poor sight for the eyes an uncared for vessel. I knew I had to save her from ruination. Knowing Bart as I did it was fair bet to say he was a drinking and a gambling in the Blue Bottle Inn, while his crew would be confined to ship. So I sent me Quartermaster to the Inn to gain Barts ear and rally me crew, while I headed to the ship with me sailing master. On the quayside was Roberts a slovenly pirate if ever you spied one but he was loyal to the crew, if not to Bart.
Roberts was easily bought for a piece of eight and we were allowed onboard, me sailing master set to work and soon we had purchased the loyalty of the crew, with the promise of rum and fair treatment for all. The ship was ours for the taking we just had to deal with Bart, I left me sailing master to prepare the ship for a fast exit. I headed to the Blue Bottle Inn.
I opened the door of the tavern and the whole place fell silent, I trembled as I thought my plan had got out and Bart would be waiting for me but no he was not to be seen. My quartermaster approached and informed me the crew were ready and Bart was with a wench in the back room. I seized my chance and drew me cutlass striding forward with bold steps I entered the room and plunged the cutlass tight to his throat. I told him --------------
"Come, don't be in a fright, but put on your clothes, and I'll let you into a secret. You must know that I am Captain of your ship now, and, therefore you must walk out. I am bound to Bermuda with a design of making my own fortune and that of all the brave fellows joined with me..."
Bart was growing red with rage at this thought and rushed for his pistol laid at his side. Meanwhile outside the room we had a growing crowd who wanted to see who was brave enough to take on Bart. They were baying for blood but I had not come here for that. I merely wanted the ship that he had stolen from me 5 long years ago after cheating at pirate bones. I swung my cutlass hard and fast and knocked the pistol clean out of his hand. " your next move will see ye dead Bart, but if ye want to live then play the bones with me, If ye win ye get my ship and crew, if ye lose ye keep ye breath in ye body".
The table was set and the bones bought out from behind the bar, 6 bones a piece were placed into flagons and we both shook them hard. Bart rolled first and two skulls came out. Had good fortune deserted me again I wondered, I emptied me flagon and the bones rolled for what seemed an age there were three skulls. Bart was angered by this and drew his pistol and me Quartermaster sliced him clean through the head. The Tavern owner immediately cracked open a barrel of finest rum in celebration for Black Bart was dead and no more would the port suffer from his self imposed taxes. Indeed sometimes luck can be with you when all seems lost. After a hard nights drinking we went to me Ship, The Sailing Master had been busy and a new Name plate she bore - I asked him how he came up with the name his simply replied " twas a merciful release for alL "