As I entered the Inn, the only sound that I could hear was a distant shanty, the clink and squeak of the grizzled bartender shining the tankards behind the counter. He looked up and started at me. He set the glass down as I approached the counter, reaching for what I was sure was a loaded shotgun. As I sat at the bar, I became aware that all the patrons and workers inside the darkened Inn were staring at me from the shadows.
Perhaps they had heard the commotion outside.
The bartender, who was looking at me in an expression of extreme suspicion, asked in a scratchy voice,
"What'll it be cap'n?"
I responded with the answer.
He handed me the glass he was just wiping down, now filled with a mysterious brown liquid.
I took a sip, immediately spat it out, and nearly retched.
"What is this?" I exclaimed.
The barkeep responded, "Sir Henry Morgan's Rum, stolen from a great horde."
It tasted of swill and garbage to myself. I guess it's not for everyone.
I asked him for a glass of wine instead. He grudgingly obliged.
I took a fair swig and asked for a room.
"Upstairs, on the left, second door."
He handed me a key in exchange for a few coins.
After I finished the glass, I made my way upstairs and began to take inventory of my belongings.
From my own stuff, not much more than a few coins, the clothes and my hat.
From the gentlemen outside, a small coinpurse, a dagger, and...
A deed?
It read:
The bearer of this writ of ownership is entitled to the command of the Sloop "Marianne". Signed, 4, Year of our Lord, Captain Jack, Purveyor of the Lords wishes in Avonmora.
A sloop? This is the greatest luck I have had in years.
As I dozed off that first night in Avonmora, I dreamed of grand adventures and blazing cannons.
Day 2:
When I awoke the next morning, I opened my eyes to the divine light of the sun.
Once I had gathered my belongings, I headed out of the Inn, and whistled down to the dock.
I asked a passerby the direction of the Marianne.
Once I found it, I leapt aboard, and found no men aboard.
I thought perhaps they are all just ashore.
Going below decks, I inspected the cargo hold, finding some very nice trappings, a pair of pistols, and a cutlass, I donned the gear and went up.
In the captains quarters I found a small chest with a note.
To the new owner,
May your journies be fruitful.
- Captain Jack
Inside the chest, enough gold for crew and rations for both man and gun. Gleeful with this, unawares of this note, I quickly obtained a small, but willing crew. Loaded the Sloop with shot, powder, drink and tack, I hastened the crew to sail.
My newly found quartermaster came to me and asked,
"Where we going captain? "
I responded, "onward, sir"
With a puzzled look, he relayed the orders to make full sail.
I left the harbour that night, first time aboard the Marianne would prove fateful.