The Voyage of the Pied Piper
Ch. 5
“Fifty-five…fifty-six…fifty-seven,” I muttered. This was something I really enjoyed; counting my gold. “…and sixty-two. There, finished.” I looked back over everything I had neatly stacked into piles of gold and silver. Dividing it evenly into four quarters I put one of the piles into my desk drawer. I then divided two of the piles left into sixty-three different piles and proceeded to put them into individual coin bags. A treat for my crew to spend at the next port, which, we should be arriving at any day now.
“Jim! Get in here!” I yelled as Jim stumbled into my cabin.
“Yes, Captain?” he asked. I motioned to the stack of coins.
“Those are yours, and please give out the rest of the pay.” After he deposited his money into his side pouch he picked up the coin bags.
“Captain, scout just said land insight. Best be gettin’ ready.” I stared at Jim looking for any insubordination. Finding none, I nodded and dismissed him. It’ll be about half an hour before we land in port and another half hour to get past the port officials and their tight rules of trade. I have plenty of time to get ready.
I sat at my desk until Jim closed the door. Winding up the music box I opened the lid and let the music wash over me. I usually only play it when we’re on a raid, but to get in the mood of being a lady, I always play it. I opened up the secret door behind the book shelf and browsed the dresses available. Being in port it was hard to explain that I was the captain and a woman at the same time. I might as well just play the role expected of me. I found a green dress that contrasted with my red hair nicely; I even found a jade necklace that matched perfectly. I went through the check list in my head: hat, gloves, parasol, and spectacles, all in good order. When I was all finished I heard a lite tapping at the door.
“Oh, please do come in.” I said in my most maidenly voice I could muster up. I am so glad I am a pirate and not some pinch-faced stuck-up ‘lady.’
Jim came through the door, “M’lady.” He said. Just what I needed. My face went flush and I quickly closed the music box.
“When will we be arriving?” I squeaked out trying to be firm yet ‘lady-like.’
“Soon,” Jim couldn’t help smiling. He never could when I was all dressed up like this. “You should probably head out on deck. The inspector will be onboard any minute.”
“Thank you, Captain Jim. You have been so nice to let me on your ship.” I mocked and did a terrible job of a curtsy. I headed for the door.
“Please, m’lady,” he said stepping in front of me, “let me get the door.” His grin got so wide I swear I could see where his molars were supposed to be.
Stepping out onto the deck I opened my parasol to block the harsh sun from my delicate face. Women are such wimps. All the crew stopped whatever they were doing and looked up at me and took off their caps and hats. Among the crowd I saw the boy from the other day gaping up at me. Well, there’s always the first for everyone in my crew. Soon we were at dock and the port official came to check out our ship and rigging.
“Hey! Jim! Fancy seeing you here again!” the port official yelled from the starboard side of the dock. “Miss Cardew, is that you? How is your mother doing? Still bedridden?” I had almost forgotten how nosey this port official is. Last year I had to feed him some crap about my bedridden mother because he asked about my parents. Real luck landing him as our ship inspector.
Tim, or was it Todd, came on board and walked directly towards me. When we were finally face to face he once again started talking.
“You know, it’s so nice to see respectable people here in Cartannia. Most of them are bloody pirates trying to pass as normal people. You know this is like pirates breeding ground, right? I hope you’ll be careful, Miss Cardew. I wouldn’t want anything to happen to you, especially when your mother’s not well, right? I saw your ship from a distance and requested to be your inspector.” I guess it wasn’t luck that I ended up with him. “So, what’s your business here, Missus?”
I took a deep breath. It’s hard not shooting someone this annoying.
“I’m here to get some herbs that seem to only be available on this little island out here in the middle of now where. Why do you think that is…um, Ted, was it?”
“Thomas, Ma’am. Well, this is quite a fertile island, right? Personally I think it’s because of those bloody pirates and their liking for killing that made this island so uninhabitable for anything but the plants, right?” I really wanted to shoot him. How long do I have to put up with this bigmouth suck up? I’ve endured a lot of torture during my career as a pirate, but this has to be the worst.
“This has to be my lucky day,” Thomas continued, “It must be you, Miss Cardew. You said you were Irish, right?”
“Um,” I started to step back, too much into back story that I didn’t have. If I revealed myself to have any inconsistencies… “No, actually, I’m Scottish.” I turned around quickly so I could get out of the conversation; unfortunately my bloody heel got caught in the deck. My body continued to spin but my feet couldn’t catch up and I started to fall.
“Miss--” I heard Thomas yelling as I fell towards the deck. Everything seemed to go in slow motion. I twisted and braced for an impact. The impact came faster than I expected and…softer. I glanced up.
“That was a close call.” I could hear Thomas behind me as I stared up into gray eyes. “What’s your name, boy?”
“Cain.”
My heart skipped a beat. The new boy, what if he blows our cover? What if he calls me Captain?
“Well, that was too close,” Thomas repeated. He seemed a little more distant then he normally is. “Miss Cardew, if you need an escort I’ll gladly volunteer.” He sounded so hopeful.
“No, that’s ok,” I said quickly wrapping my arm around Celvin’s. Why was he calling himself Cain? “Cain’s my escort. Thank you, Cain, for catching me.”
“You’re welcome, Miss Cardew.” Celvin said putting emphasis on my name. Luckily, Thomas didn’t pick up on it; he was too focused on looking like a lost puppy. Serves him right, being so biased to pirates.
I stood there with Celvin as we watched Theodore, or whatever his name was, leave the ship after glancing around.
“Damn it, Celvin, you almost blew my cover.”
“By catching you?” he chuckled. This wasn’t funny.
“By the way,” I asked, “Why did you tell him that your name was Cain?”
“Because it is, now.” He smiled and walked away. This boy is infuriating! What the Hades does he mean by ‘it is now?’
Whatever, I have bigger things to worry about then some stupid boy with his stupid riddles.
The ship docked and we were finally at port. The plank was lowered connecting the ship to the bustling of the dock and local fishermen selling their wares. I walked down the plank being careful not to catch my heel in a space in the boards. Once down there in the hub of noise and excitement I quickly located the Fisher. He was the farthest away yet right in the middle of all the running and auctioning. A huge clothe hung around his stand saying ‘FISH – GREATPRICES – FREE TASTING'. I slowly walked up to him.
“Fish! Fish! Fish for sale! You, young lady! You would like to try my fish? Sir, try my fish? You, Miss, buy my fish? Great prices!” he yelled along with all the other fishermen trying so hard to sell one of their fishes so they could afford a drab of rum down at the local tavern.
“Actually, I am very interested about your fish,” his face lit up, which is saying something because his skin was quite dark to begin with, “Mr. Fisher.” I said the words and I could tell in an instant he understood. His face fell, probably because he wasn’t going to sell one of his fish.
He leaned in close, “What would you like to know?”
“How to fall down the rabbit whole.” I answered.
He nodded.
“Come this way.” I followed him past the crowd and into a little alcove off to the side. “Who are you trying to find?”
“The Canary.” I whisper. No one should over hear us here, but it wouldn’t hurt to be overly cautious.
“Well,” he fidgeted, “I seem to remember where he was…maybe something else would jog my memory?” I glared at him and dug in my handbag and pulled out two copper coins. His face lightened and he eagerly accepted the coins I offered.
“Oh, yes, yes, yes! I remember now! He works out of the back of the Blue Tavern till next week. Of course, I might not be so forgetful later is someone comes asking questions…” he hints. Oh, now he’s just asking for it. I lean in close.
“You know,” I whisper shoving another copper coin in his hand along with the barrel of my gun into his stomach. “I can get very impatient very quickly. I hope this won’t take any more of my time.”
He laughed nervously. “Nice doin’ business with you, ma’am.” He quickly turned around and scurried down the alley.
Great, now I have to find a bloody pirate in an island filled with pirates and my only tip was that he works his business out of the back of the Blue Tavern, a pirate haven, and now I’m out three copper coins. This has been a stressful morning.
Where’s my gun?
