The Dark Goddess [4]

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"Land ho!" A baritone voice called from the crow's nest.

Jo rushed to the starboard side, relieved to see the island of Jamaica come into view. She had made it all the way back to Port Royal alive and a great weight was lifted from her shoulders. Jo threw herself in amidst the men helping with the preparations needed to sail into the dock. Since her Father’s death Jo had been doing everything she could to prove to the men that she was worthy of the lofty position handed to her.

Coming into port was one of her favorite times on board the ship. William was at the helm expertly steering the ship while Pegg hobbled around on his wooden leg, calling out orders. The sailors bustled about the ship excitedly. Many of them spoke of what they would do once they reached the shore.

“Can’t wait to get to Madame DuFont’s,” one of the sailors cried out as he belayed a rope. “She got some mighty fine girls at that establishment.”

“Aye, it be good to have some woman flesh beneath me,” another agreed. It didn’t embarrass Jo at all to hear the men talk so crudely, she figured it was perfectly normal conversation.

“I be headed straight for the Three Horseshoes, best mead in all of Port Royal!”

“The food ain’t bad either! Better than hard tack!”

Jo didn’t miss the dark look sent her way, but they were too close to docking for her to care. Already she could see the city coming to life at the sight of the Dark Goddess. Whenever a ship came into port it was cause for excitement, even in the Sodom of the New World. Merchants would hurry down to take stock of the cargo and bartering would soon begin before much was unloaded. Prostitutes would strut their wares; innkeepers would send lackeys to advertise their premises; and other seamen would want to talk about any problems on the voyage.

They would remain in port at least three days, possibly a week to allow time for the necessary repairs needed on the hull and masts. They’d also need to restock provisions since the rice had been invested with maggots and they were running low on rum. Pegg would gather information about weather conditions.

“Drop the anchor!” William yelled out. Jo hurried to help Heng lower the anchor to slow their approach. Already all of the sails had been tacked down to prevent the winds from changing their course. Jo wondered how many, if any, of these men would remain to perform these tasks. What if she had to replenish her entire crew? Who would sail for her?

Joshua, a massive African her Father had rescued from slavery, tossed a hawser to a man on the docks and Jo watched as the bow of the vessel glided smoothly into place. The anchor caught on a reef below bringing the Dark Goddess to a firm stop. There were a few shouts of excitement at their excellent landing. Jo waited, holding her breath, to see what the men would do. Normally, they would begin to unload their plunder to be auctioned off to the highest bidder and then their spoils would be divided amongst them. Would the men protest to Jo receiving the biggest share?

“Alright men let’s get this cargo unloaded so we all can get paid!” Pegg yelled out before anyone could decide to do otherwise. Several crew hands grudgingly complied knowing that they wouldn’t eat if they didn’t complete this last task. Jo had no doubt that once the booty was divided some of these men would desert the Dark Goddess. It wouldn’t be hard for them to find work; piracy was in its prime.