The Pirate RPG !!!! Come one come all!

[tancred]

It was ealry morning, and as Kira had already noticed, most of the crew was indeed down in the mess hall eating breakfast. They had to eat heartily, for it would be a long day--the Queen of the Sea had to make for open waters while the getting was good! A rather vague and to some even unkown accord had been made with James Hawkins and his ship (vague and even unknown as Captain Calen was keeping a stiff lip about it), yet there could always arise trouble from the governor and his troops from the raiding of the arsenal. So indeed, the pirates would be setting sail again, and they ate to their fill to sustain themselves for a long day.

There were, however, members of the crew who were not in the mess hall, and up to things of their own. Calen was in her quarters. Ana, Emil, Gibbs, and Aimee were at the helm talking and laughing with each other. Gavin and Will were talking silently off to the side, Kira was in her room, Gwen and Lydia were still sleeping. And Jose and Gabby were studying maps in his quarters.

Suddenly, a call went up from the middle of the ship. "CAPTAIN! CAPTAIN!!" It was Ed, the same pirate who had made a pass at Gwen and who had tried making one at Gabby. He ran topdeck, and waited in the very middle. He had ahold of another pirate's arm, George the Blade. And George did not look too happy to be there.

The commotion being raised, it was not long before the entire crew came topdeck to see what was the matter. Finally, Captain Calen herself came out. "What is it," she asked, looking quite disturbed. "We all know that we will be setting off soon, so I hope this isn't anything major."

"It is, I'm afraid," answered Ed. "The articles of our ship have been broken! There is a thief among us!"

At this, Kira gulped audibly. But to her relief, Ed continued, and raised George's arm. "George here," yelled Ed, "has stolen from me!"

Calen and her first mate, Black Bill, stepped forward. "George," she said. "Is this true?"

George looked frightened, and he hesitated, stammered, and said nothing.

"Don't lie now," urged Calen. "I hate liars worse then I hate thieves. I'd shoot you for lying. I might not be so cruel to a thief."

George sighed, and finally replied, "Yes Captain. I did indeed steal five crowns from Ed as he lay sleeping in his cot. I snuck them from the chest that was beneath his cot, and turned away. Yet, he awoke at that moment, and saw me. That was nigh on fifteen minutes ago."

"I'm glad you were honest with me," said Calen. "Now return the five crowns to Ed." George reached into his trouser pocket, and produced the coins for Ed. The pirate grabbed them quickly. Calen turned to her first mate. "Bill, what, according to our articles, is the punishment for thieving amidst the crew?"

"Moses' Law," replied the first mate. "Forty stripes with the whip, minus one."

"Then that shall be your punishment, George," said Calen bluntly. "Count yourself lucky, for I'm sure our articles state that I could also maroon or shoot you. Bill! Do the deed!"

Bill was just about to put hands on George, when the guilty pirate shouted, "Wait! I am guilty of my crime, and will gladly take my punishment. However, as the Captain is administering justice, then I demand that it be taken out fully. For there is another breaker of our articles amongst us!"

At this, hushed whispers spread throughout the gathered crew. Calen's interest was piqued. "What do you mean," she asked. "Be swift, for you all know we must be off with the tide!"

George explained, "Remember when you and some of the others went to raid the armory for more guns and ammunition, Captain?" Calen nodded. "Remember your orders? You said that only those you had picked were to leave the ship. All others were to remain behind. Well, I saw a member of the crew coming back on the ship--they had left in full disobedience of your command!"

"Who did such a thing," growled Calen, her temper rising. "Who dared disobey me?"

"It was her," yelled George, and he pointed to Gwen. The crowd departed until Gwen was left standing there isolated. She was shocked, and her knees began to quake. Yet she also knew that it was true. She bowed her head.

"Is this true," inquired Calen. "Do not lie."

Gwen answered quietly, "It is true. I left to settle a personal score with someone in New Providence. I did not think or consider that I was disobeying you. All I could think about was getting even with someone. " Gwen looked as if she would weep. Jose, Gabby, Lydia, and Gavin all gathered about her to show their support. They did not think that Calen would punish a woman.

And Calen did not want to. Her heart softened, for Gwen had been one of those who had risked their life in order to try and rescue her. And Calen did not see it as a serious affront. She thought for awhile, and then spoke, "I see very little harm in what Gwen has admitted to doing. Therefore, I am willing to leave her unpunished."

"You can't do that," objected George with great vehemence. "According to our articles, the punishment for disobeying the Captain's orders is the same as thieving--Moses' Law. It is only fair that she be punished just as I am!"

Calen hesitated. The crew began to murmer out loud. Ed joined in the debate. "Captain Turner," he said. "George speaks truly. Think of it. You can't play favorites. You can not punish one, and pardon another when the rules have been disobeyed. Do you not know that if you were to do so, you would undermine your own authority? If today you refuse to punish this French woman, tomorrow you may not be able to punish another of the crew who disobeys. That disobedient pirate can simply say, 'Well, the French woman got off, so why can't I?' That would be favoritism and not a strict upholding of the articles. If you want to maintain your authority...if you want to be a right and just and fair captain...if you want to be able to be obeyed at every turn, you HAVE to whip both George and Gwen this very instant!"

At this, most of the crew exploded into very loud and even angry shouts. "UPHOLD THE ARTICLES! WHIP THE GIRL!!" There was pushing and shoving and downright rowdiness. The situation looked volatile, and for the first time in a long time, Calen was fearful.

Coming to the conclusion that Ed and George were right, Calen sighed, bowed her head, and waved her hand at Bill to signal that he should go through with it.

Bill turned to Gibbs. "Gibbs! I will whip George. You whip the girl."

Gibbs' eyes went wide, and he put a thumb to his chest. "Me!? Why me?"

But there was no gainsaying the first mate or the captain. George and Gwen were grabbed, and taken to the main mast, in full view of the entire crew. Their wrists were bound in front of them, and the ropes were hung from hooks on the mast. Essentially, they were facing each other with the mast in between them.

Jose rushed up to the Captain. "I can not believe you are doing this," he said angrily.

"I can not help it," said Calen silently. "My hand is forced. I can not leave her unpunished and still remain captain." Calen turned to Bill and Gibbs. "Lay bare their backs," she ordered ruefully.

"But Gwen's modesty," objected Jose. "Let me do it." Calen nodded. While Bill ripped off George's shirt entirely, Jose approached Gwen from behind, and drew one of his daggers. He cut her blouse so that all of her back was exposed. Yet some of the dress's material still hung from her neck and covered her chest and stomach. He whispered in Gwen's ear, "I wish I could do something for you, but I know not what. And the crew is eager for blood. They will have their sport. Stay strong, senorita. Close your eyes, and think of pleasant things. It will be over with soon enough. Gabby and I will take care of you afterwards." Jose turned, and walked away.

George and Ed exchanged subtle glances with each other glances that noone else saw. For they were partners in crime, and had planned this all the while. George was also very liquored up; he wouldn't feel much. He looked at Gwen and sneered. "Are you read for this," he gloated. "This is going to be fun!" He winked at her evily, and Gwen shuddered, lowered her head, whispered a small prayer, and closed her eyes.

Gibbs, still reluctant, had to have the whip forced into his hands by Bill. He and Bill stood behind their targets.

Calen looked sad and defeated. "Let's make this quick," she ordered. "Get on with it!"

[tancred]

Sorry that was so long. It has just been in my head for so long, and I needed to get it out in detail. Hope you guys didn't mind and didn't fall asleep.

And Ms. Turner, I guess you posted as I was writing. Sorry about that. Maybe we could assume that your post takes place after mine?

[Athena]

Kira winced at the mention of a thief among them. And she was vastly relieved when the pirate came forward. She watched admiringly when the man, who called himself Jose, stepped forward to protect the women, Gwen was her name, modesty. However, when the pirates brought out the whips, Kira felt her insides clenched with an icy fist. The mere sight of them made Kira remember with a burning anger the pain and humiliation she had felt for the numerous times that she had been whipped when she was a slave. The old pain rose once again inside her and her sight filled with red of anger. Ana, who stood beside her, noticed her reaction, and gently put a hand on Kira's shoulder.

"Don't do anything rash girl. You don't know what you will soon regret later on"

However, far from calming Kira, her reaction drew the oppisite effect. Kira whirled around her eyes blazing.

"They have no right to whip that women! So what if she snuck off. She was payin' someone back, an' they probally deserved it! Tis the rules of the street to pay someone back for the wrongs they did to ye!"

"Aye senorita, but here we are not on the streets, we are on a ship were order must be kept by the law of the pirates."

Said the Spainard Jose, he nodded sadly to Gwen who looked terrified,

"I pity the poor lass, and oh how I wish how I could take her place and feel the pain upon me instead of her."

Kira was about to interject angrily, but suddenly, Emil came out carrying a bundle. He stepped out onto a wild scene. The whips were poised to fall on their hapless victims back's. As Emil stepped out to the center, the thing that he was carrying moaned and moved. Kira's job dropped down with shock. That thing in Emil's arms was the same thing that Kira had stolen the money and jewelry from, the young women that Kira had thought was dead. Suddenly Emil spoke, his voice carrying over the crowd.

"I believe we have another stowaway. The girl fainted when I approached, and now I have brought her here."

Emil looked around at the pirates staring at him, he gave a short frown in the direction of Gibbs who was holding the whip over Gwen't back. Guiltily, Gibbs dropped his whip to the floor.

"If I may suggest so Captain. Why don't we postpond the trial until later. For now, there is an injured women to attend to, and I believe that I shall need Gwen's help to heal the women, and I can't have her able assitance if she is to be whipped." Said Jose, as he smoothly took the women from Emil and turned to face Calen. All of those assembled there turned to look at Calen and see what her descion was.

Exept for Kira, her mind was whirling furiously as she thought. The women who she had stolen from was alive. Perhaps soon somebody would realize that it was Kira who had stolen from her. And the whips. Kira inwardly winced at the memory of them. She felt gratitude to the Spaniard for saving Gwen the torment of them, at least for a little while. Kira didn't think that she could contain herself if anyone else was whipped or punished.

[Daughter of Almost-Evil]

I deleted my old posts, thanks Athena, we'll carry on from here.

[Summer Sparrow]

The crew grumbled amongst themselves, seemingly rather dissappointed with the lack of any whipping being done that day, and muttered inaudible insults.

Ana felt somewhat relieved with the proceedings, but she was also starting to worry, the crew's attitude was really starting to discomfort her, but she paid no heed and focused on the new stowaway that Emil has found on board. "More stowaways?" Ana pondered to herself, all the more better, they could be indentured and become part of the crew, since this lot is starting to prove troublesome.

Ana looked on as Jose and Gwen followed Emil who was carrying the unconcious woman towards the Surgeons Quarters, and as she was about to trail them; Ana noticed Kira looking quite anxious and uneasy.

"Are you coming or not?" she asked.

"I think I shall wait here awhile, I'm learning about ropes! Gibbs here is going to teach me!" she replied, tugging at Gibbs who was securing the ropes of the first mast. Gibbs looked puzzled. "Eh? I am?"

Kira nodded vigorously, but Gibbs looked back at Ana with a blank stare and shrugged.

Ana laughed, "Alright! Keep an eye on her then Gibbs!" she said and left following the others.

After Ana left, Kira let out a hugh sigh of relief, "Thank you Gibbs!"

"Eh? I'm still puzzled miss! Yer better get goin' for I ain't got no time teachin' young un's anythin!"

Kira giggled with a knowing twinkle in her eyes, "I knew that Gibbs! But before I go on my way, I was just wondering what is a Shebec? I heard the story about Ana on a shebec, and was wonderin' about it."

Time for stories now Gibbs always had, and he settled himself comfortably on a box, and Kira sat beside him.

"Well miss, Shebec's are ships, mammoth ships, much larger than this we're on, tis usually run by corsairs, these people are ruthless! No mercy I tell you! Most of em' come from the exotic lands of Egypt, India and the likes, probably the richest pirates on these here waters, and these people work for no one but their own, unlike most of us, like me for instance, I used to be a privateer, means I plunder those Spanish ships 'cos the Queen told us too! Wretched liars! Now we are too be hanged by that very same Queen for what we are, ironic don't you think?" He let out a soft sad laugh, and pulled himself back up.

"So that's what they are..." replied Kira thoughtfully. "Well, thank you Gibbs! And as I promised I shall be off now." replied Kira and went on her way.

[Mrs Dan Hawkins]

Calen nodded at Jose to take Gwen away from the men.Hopefully they would forget this and she wouldn't have to feel the whip on her back again.On a whim Calen decided to follow them to the surgeons quaters.She entered to see Gwen sat to one side whilst Jose inspected the stowaways wounds.
Calen walked over to Gwen, picked up a cloth and began cleaning her wounds .As she gently wiped away the blood she whispered to Gwen.

" i'm sorry for that"

Gwen remained silent and Calen felt she had to explain more.

"If i were to stop them i would not have remained Captain and that would have caused more problems for you " she paused to take an even breath " on the whole this is the lesser of the two pains"

"how is it " Gwen whispered

Calen sighed

" Do you remember when you first came upon this ship?
Gwen nodded

"the men wanted to claim you as treasure , and if i had not stopped them they would have had you no-matter that Jose , Will, Gavin , Gibbs and Emil would have defended you crew would have got you in the end , im sorry if you feel this was worse "

Having finished cleaning her wounds Calen turned and left the room , heading for her cabin.


*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^

[Summer Sparrow]

While Captain Turner and Jose attended Gwen's wounds, Ana and Emil attended the unconcious young woman they had found on board. From the looks of her, she seemed to be of a well to do background, although her clothes were tattered they seemed too large for her, and her hands were smooth. Definately some rich man's daughter or something Ana thought.

Ana prepared some hot water and and a clean cloth, with that she gently wiped the young woman's face. After a few minutes she apperead to come around.

"Are you alright?" asked Ana and sat beside the bed.

She looked disoriented and rubbed her head. "I.. I don't know, yes, I think so." The young woman tried to get herself up and Emil helped her sit upright and gave her a glass of water, from the looks of her she hadn't had any water for some time, and gulped it down greedily.

"I am Ana, and that is Emil, you are aboard the Queen of the Sea, do you have a name miss? And how in the world did you get here?" asked Ana again.

[tancred]

Delayed for a while, the Queen of the Sea finally set sail out of New Providence's harbor. The tide and the wind were perfect, and the ship made good speed. Jose spent most of the first part of the day rushing between the surgeon's quarters and the helm, trying to ensure good headings on the latter and comforted friends on the former.

Gabby had stayed with Gwen and Susanah the whole time. The latest stowaway was fine. She was weak from lack of food, still dizzy from her fainting spell, and a bit traumatized by something, but she would recover well enough. Gwen was still shaking. She had narrowly avoided being whipped, but only for the time being. That fate still awaited her seemingly, she just didn't know the time or the place. Jose and Gabby tried to console her as best they could. They would see what they could do, and speak to the Captain on the matter.
*******************************

At about one in the afternoon, the lunch bell rang. The majority of the crew rushed off to the mess hall to scarf down whatever it was the cook had prepared for them. Jose and Gabby took their food with them, and retreated to his quarters. While Jose sat at his desk eating, Gabby paced back and forth across the room, her hands held together and twiddling her thumbs.

"Is something wrong," asked the Spaniard after a swig from his mug.

"I'm worried," answered Gabby without putting a stop to her pacing. "The crew was very open in their hostility today. They haven't been like that in a long time. And poor Gwen! I fear for her. She doesn't deserve to be punished at all."

"Perhaps you should sit down for awhile, and eat," said Jose. "It might calm your worries a bit."

"No, I can't eat," she said. "I'm too upset, my mind is all awhirl, and my stomach is too upset as well."

"Maybe this will change your mind," said Jose as he placed a rather block-looking object that was wrapped in paper upon his desk.

Immediately interested, Gabby went to investigate. She carefully unwrapped the paper, and looked at its contents. "Is this what I think it is," she asked with eyes widened.

Jose smiled. "Yes it is. It is chocolate! Have you ever had any before?"

"No," squealed Gabby with delight. "Well, ok once, but that was only the smallest of bites. Chocolate is really only for the rich or outright nobility. So, I could never have any, and we only got a little bit at the store, and even then very infrequently. So, a few years ago, we had our largest shipment yet--about four bars just like this. Gavin had told me all about the wonderful taste of chocolate. I wanted to try some. So, when noone was looking, I snuck into our storeroom and cut off a piece, not even an inch thick. And I loved it!" At this, the smile on Gabby's face faded. "Of course, father also caught me...and he...well...yeah...."

Jose rose from his chair, and embraced Gabby. "I'm so sorry to hear that," he said in a soothing tone. He parted from her moments later, and tried to smile. "But this chocolate here is all for you! Chocolate is indeed for the rich or for kings and queens on far away thrones. It is rare for most of us. Yet I deemed it an expense I could well afford while at the shops of New Providence. And besides, It goes indeed to a Queen...a woman unmatched in all things." He kissed Gabby's hand, and the young woman blushed a very bright red. "Now sit, and have some chocolate. Its all for you."

Gabby say upon Jose's bed, and began to eat some of the chocolate. Her first few bites were quick, and then she slowed down to fully enjoy it. Her eyes rolled as she experienced a rich taste unlike any other she had had before. She sat there in a chocolate heaven for some time.

And it was only then that she noticed Jose was drawing her from the other side of the room. "What are you doing," Gabby asked. "Are you drawing a portrait of me?"

Jose laughed lightly. "Yes," he answered. "I am. I hope you do not mind. I figured the chocolate was doing another good deed if it were taking your mind off things...and allowing me to draw you while thus distracted."

"You silly goose," chided Gabby. "I would not have objected. All you would have had to do is ask, and I would have gladly posed for you. Only, you've drawn me as I was eating! I hope I do not appear animalistically voracious in that drawing!"

"Not at all," said Jose. "You do eat with pure grace. I have captured you in the drawing at a good and sublime time. "

"Very well," said Gabby. "I only fear I would not be such a good subject for a drawing. I am not Lydia or Gwen or anything."

"Nay," said Jose. "You are not. You are Gabby, and that is so much more! Did I not say she was a veritable Queen? Were I Raphael back in the day, I would use you as a model for one of his angels. Only, I lack the talent of Raphael, and the angels lack your beauty."

Gabby blushed mightly now, and looked away. The portrait was soon finished, and she rose with her last piece of chocolate. "I've heard chocolate is an aphrodisiac," she said thoughtfully. A coy look now crossed her face as she let out a little giggle and twirled her hair about her finger. "Jose, are you trying to win my affections?"

"Is it working," asked Jose with a slight laugh.

"No, its not," she said bluntly. Jose's face fell just a little. Gabby walked over to him now. "You are a silly goose yet again! You won my affections back at the store when you gave me that rose!"

She hugged him, and Gabby and Jose stood in each other's arms for some time.
*************************

The pirates Ed and George stood together up in the crow's nest. They were alone, and noone knew they were there. It was a very secret place, and the wind so strong that they could barely hear each other. What they discussed was thus completely between them. "Well that didn't go down quite like we planned," complained George.

"Aye," said Ed thoughtfully. "It just may have gone down better!"

"Yes," agreed George enthusiastically. "I didn't get whipped!"

"Well, there is that, too," said Ed. "But no, I'm thinking of something else. This will definately work to our advantage."

"How," asked George. "I don't get it."

"You will," said Ed as he slapped George on the shoulder encouragingly. "Soon...."

[tancred]

I apologize for the double post. It was just imperitive I get this out while I had time on my day out.
********************************

Three days had passed, the Queen of the Sea had made good time and was well out to sea, and Captain Turner had made no sign whatsoever that either George or Gwen were to be whipped. To avoid any questions on the matter, she stayed in her quarters almost the entire time, and her orders came only through the person of her first mate, Bill. And to avoid any reminders of the whole thing, Gwen had been secretly ordered to stay put in the surgeon's quarters due to some "illness."

Thus, it was that the mood on the ship was kind of quiet. Too quiet. And it was also depressing. It was almost midnight now, and most of the pirates had gone to their quarters. Only a skeleton crew manned the wheel, the crows nest, and the mast. Yet there were those who were still awake. Jose, Ana, Gabby, Emil, Lydia, Gavin, Will, Gwen, Kira, Gibbs, Aimee, and Sussanah all quietly made their way to the mess hall. It was all too depressing for them, and they needed some release.

There was a little singing, a little drinking, and lots of card playing. Gibbs desperately wanted to play a card game that involved money, but it seemed only he, Jose, Will, and Emil had any at the moment. So, it was only a friendly game of cards between all of them that was played.

And most of the drinking had been done by Gibbs and Ana. While Gibbs could go on and on doing so, Ana could not. She hadn't eaten much that day, and so the rum went to her head that much faster. "I think I am going to turn in for the night," she said, a hand upon her forehead and her eyes closed. "I feel a bit woozy." She rose from the bench, and stumbled as she made for the door.

"Do you need any help to your room," inquired Jose.

"No thanks," Ana replied with a slight grin. "I might puke on you. I'll be fine."

Ana staggered alone across the ship, and bumped her way to her cabin and her small cot. Without even bothering to change, she merely collapsed on to her excuse for a bed, and drifted off to sleep.

An hour later, and Ana stirred in her sleep. Something had disturbed her. A sound perhaps? Already lying on her back, she opened her eyes slowly. Instantly a hand clamped over her mouth, and vice-like hands held her arms down onto the bed. She struggled and tried to scream, to no avail. She could see no faces. Only the glint of the steel of drawn pistols and swords.

"Be very quiet and still," hissed a voice. "And p'raps we won't kill you!" Ana stopped fighting, and was quickly yanked from her bed.
*******************

Inside the mess hall, the party was still in full swing. Kira was doing quite well at the card game (cheating, some said), and so everyone else was determined to stay in the game, and cause her to lose. Joking taunts and laughter ensued as all were enjoying themselves.

Just then, there was a call from outside the mess hall. It sounded like Ana. Emil looked to the closed door, and called out, "Ana, is that you?"

"Yes," came the reply. "It is me. Come out here. All of you."

"We're playin' cards," yelled Gibbs without looking away from his hand. "Come back in if you need to talk to us."

"No," came Ana's voice again. "Come updeck. All of you. Please!"

There was a mysterious urgency in her voice this last time, and Emil convinced all the others to follow him and see what was the matter. They followed Ana's voice up to the deck. To their amaze, there was a whole crowd of the pirate crew standing at the other end, torches in hand. Ana was there, too. Only, her wrists were bound behind her back, and she struggled to call out to them while a pirate muffled her with a hand over her lips. As soon as the party-goers were on deck, more pirates came up behind them with weapons drawn.

"Ana," yelled Emil, and made a move as if to charge across the ship to her rescue.

"Ah, ah, ah," said a sinister voice. "There will be no rashness such as that now. Ana here will die if any of you makes a move. And for that matter, so will all of you. And there is no cause for that. Killing is not on our minds tonight. Sit next to your friend here, remain quiet and passive, and all will go well for you...to a degree." Facing outright death, the friends all complied. They were disarmed, and made to sit in the middle of the deck. Swords and loaded pistols kept them silent and still.
*******************************************

Calen sat motionless in her cabin, while her first mate Bill stood attentively by the door. Both said no word, and made no movements. There was a knock on the door. "Come in," said Calen unenthusiastically.

The door burst open, knocking Bill backwards and to the floor. In rushed at least twelve pirates, Ed and George the Blade at their head. All had swords and pistols in their hands, and thus it was that neither Calen nor Bill made any move against them. "Evening, Cap'n," said Ed with a grin and a mock tip of his hat.

"What are you doing," asked Calen in an exasperated voice. "What is the meaning of this!?"

Ed put a finger to his chin as if in deep thought. "Uh...er...I think you might call it a mutiny," he answered mockingly. "Yeah, that's it. A mutiny!" The pirates all yelled and cheered.

Calen could not believe it. "What," she yelled. "This can't be! You are all breaking the Articles of this ship! You can't mutiny! I order all of you to stand down. I order all of you to leave me and my faithful crew be. Return to your quarters peacefully, and I will not punish any of you in the morning. These are my commands. I so order it!"

"I think I've had just about enough of your orders," spat George. He and three other pirates approached Calen. While two bound her hands behind her back, George gagged her with an old rag. "There, that's much better!"

Bill could not stand his Captain to be manhandled in such a fashion. He drew his sword and rushed at George. He didn't get very far, and fell dead to the ground with several bullet holes in him. Having no time to mourn or to even cry for her first mate, Calen was rushed up deck, and thrown down on the ground with the others.
**************************************

Several hours passed, and dawn was approaching. A mock trial was held, in which only Ed spoke. He concluded, "And so, Captain Calen, we have mutineed. You have led us into unneccessary dangers by taking us into New Providence and raiding the arsenal there. You promised us loot and wealth, and yet we have not had any plunder or gold in several months' time. Despite the sudden increase in the female population of our crew, you have denied us the pleasure of enjoying these maidens. And we of the crew are totally justified in breaking the Articles of this ship...because you broke them first in refusing to whip the French woman when justice demanded it. Thus, have we mutineed. What have you to say for yourself in your defense?"

Being gagged, Calen could of course say nothing. Muffled curses and threats emitted from her lips. The crew laughed and jeered. "Very well," continued Ed. "That is not good enough, and you are found guilty of being a bad captain. You are captain NO MORE!! As punishment, you, Will, Emil, Ana, Aimee, Jose, and Gibbs will be marooned on yon island on the horrizon over there. The lovely maidens Gwen, Gabby, Kira, Lydia, and Sussanah shall remain here...with us." At this, he cast a lustful look at them, and the crew hooted and hollared. "Consider yourselves lucky, Ana and Aimee. We would have kept you as well, but you are far too strong a woman to have on board, Ana. You'd probaby stab us all in our sleep with forks from the kitchen if you could. And you Aimee are going, because, well, you're Jack's daughter. We all know what he did to Barbossa. And we don't want Jack coming after us!"

George tuned in, "As usual, your weapons and enough powder for one shot will be available to you. But they're all overboard now on a small wooden plank. You better hope it doesn't sink!" At this, the dreaded plank was dropped over the side, and Calen was the first motioned on to it.

Jose's heart raced. They were going to keep Gabby! How he wanted to smite all the pirates there! But two things comforted him. One was that the pirates had not found Gabby's dagger that she stored in her bodice. And the other was that Gabby, Gwen, and Lydia all knew about the secret escape hatch in his quarters. He made eye contact with Gabby. He motioned with his eyes in the direction of his quarters several times until Gabby understood. As he was motioned on to the plank at sword-point, he finally called out to her. "I love you Gabby! I shall come back for you if I have to!"

"Sure you will," mocked the crew. Right after Gabby had yelled back that she loved Jose, the Spaniard was prodded off the plank, and into the sea, the last of those being marooned to fall into its cold depths.

[Athena]

Wonderful post Tancred
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Kira bit her lip in thought as she was hustled back with Gwen, Gabby, Lydia, Lydia, and Sussanah. She was probally in the least danger as opposed to the other girls. They had taken her conceleaded daggers but they had forgotten several things. She had been born on the streets and had grown up learning how to use her small size to her advantage. She could fight with or without weapons equeally well. And though she didn't have her lockpicks anymore, she knew how to shimmy open doors and chains using common tools found around her. The women that surronded her complicated manners. Kira cast a practiced eye at the pirates that surrounded them. As Kira had grown up on the streets, she was well used to the ways of men who had been denied for to long. One of the reasons that she had cut her hair and dressed herself in boy's clothes was to prevent the men that surrounded her on the streets from desiring her, and she had succeeded. Though she didn't know why the pirates had wished to have her. Well, perhaps they would take what they got Kira thought cynically. One of the drunken pirates made a grab for her, with a wrinkled nose she swung her hand hard and hit him in the nose, where his nose broke upon impact. The pirate howled in pain and stepped back glaring at her. Some of the other pirates noticed their mates distress, and turned to help subdue Kira. As they came closer to the small girl, she abruptly fell to the ground and rolled. They missed her and swore and began to look for her.

Kira rolled off to the side where she could eye the proceedings. The other women were not having as much luck as her, though each of them were putting up a vailent fight. Kira realized that soon they would be overcome by the pirates that were surrounding them. Suddenly, Kira felt a hand grab her by her hair. Yelping in pain, she was dragged out of her hiding place and was face to face with the pirate whose nose had been broken earlier. Suddenly, Kira spit upon him. The one moment distraction was all she needed to lunge into him and they both fell to the floor. She grabbed his pistol and stood up, over his prone body and fired the pistol into the air.

[Mrs Dan Hawkins]

Calen was plunged into the cold water below her , hands still tied behind her back gag still in place. She began to sink and so started to kick frantically to resurface , once her head was above water she made for the island she started to sink once more only to feel an arm around her waist pulling her up again , it was Jose.
She was dragged on land and her hands were untied and as soon as they were off she ripped off her gag.

"why those slimy, two faced , good for nothing BASTARDS!!" Calen finished panting

"calm down Cal we'll find a way to rescue the girls" Will said

"a mutany a bloody mutany because those two brainless bastards, should have seen that one coming though" Calen put her head in her hands

"no use thinkin bout that now we need to be thinking of a way off here" Ana pipped up

"we need to find a way to rescue the women back on the ship" Jose reminded everyone

"knowing that crew you probabily should be praying for them" Calen whispered

She cleared her through
"and we do have a way off "

"really ? what is it?" Amiee asked

"the only other ship that will pass this island , James's ship"

"WHAT they tried to kill us last time we were there!" Gavin yelled

"and the accord i made with him will stop that from happening again"

" you are no longer the Captain of The Queen Of The Sea how can it help?" Jose asked

"Amiee do you still have the compass?"

"yes"

"then it can still help , besides that im still here as well"

"and that will help how?" asked Emil

"you'll see " she replied turning to face the sea once more

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[Niphredil]

Gabby did not want to believe what was happening, but regardless, it was indeed happening. She had watched helplessly as her friends and love were cast into the ocean, unable to do anything for them. And now here she was in a room, with the other women, being yanked at by menacing pirates. One of the pirates grabbed her from behind, linking his arms with hers rendering her unable to move. She wanted to scream, but couldn't. Another pirate, Ed, came up to her and stood before her.

"Mmm," said he, as he stroked Gabby's cheek with his rough fingers, "pretty. I'll be having this one first."

"No you won't!" said the pirate still holding Gabby. "I get her first! I'm the one that caught her. Mate."

"Yeah, well I'm now a ranking officer on this here ship, and I rank above ye. So I get her. Mate."

Gabby mustered up all her courage, and said, "What's say neither of you get me and you lovely gentlemen just let me go?"

The pirate that stood before her chuckled, and said, "My, my, she does have spirit!"

"You have no idea," said Gabby. She pushed herself back against the pirate holding her, and lifting both legs off the floor kicked Ed in the stomach. Unfortunately, she didn't do much damage, only knocking him off his balance momentarily. When he regained composure he swiftly punched Gabby in the stomach. She hunched over, and coughed. Ed grabbed her by the hair on the back of her head, and forced her to look up at him.

"Oh, now I'm going to have to teach ye a real lesson." he said through gritted teeth. Ed looked to the pirate holding Gabby and said, "Ye can have her when I'm through with her." The pirate let Gabby go, and Ed dragged her off to another room "where he could get to know her better," he told her. He was just about to enter this room when he stopped. "No," he said, as an evil grin came to his face. "I've got a better idea." and with that he pulled Gabby to Jose's quarters instead. "This will be much more comfortable, don't you agree?" he said as he opened the door. He pushed Gabby on to the bed, and closed and locked the door behind him. He walked slowly over to her, as she lay on the bed, looking her up and down the whole time; then he stopped a few feet from her, and began looking around the room. "I think I'll make these my new quarters," he said, as he walked over to Jose's desk. "A'course, I'll need to do some redecorating, and get rid of all this clutter!" he said as he in one motion swiped all of Jose's maps and other belongings off the desk.

"You'll pay for that." Gabby said. Her eyes went wide as she realized what she'd said. Ed raised his eyebrows.

"Will I now? Foolish girl, you don't really think he'll come for ye? Do ye?"

"He will come for me." Gabby said resolutely. "I know he will. And he'll kill you."

"Oh? How? Will he swim? Or will he be flying in?" Ed laughed and walked over to her. "Even if he does come for ye, me beauty, who's to say he'll still want ye when he finds ye? After you've been with so many men?" It took all of Gabby's strength to fight the tears that were forming as he said this, but a single tear managed to escape and roll down her cheek. Ed moved his head closer to her's, and whispered in her ear, "Take it from me, lass; no man wants another man's leftovers." Just then they heard a gun go off; Ed looked away from Gabby for a moment, and she used this opportunity to pull out her daggar, stabbing Ed through the neck. His eyes went wide in surprise, and he stumbled backwards, holding his hands on his throat. It sounded as though her were trying to speak, but all that came out were gurgling noises. Gabby stood up, walked over to him, and leaned over him.

"This daggar was given to me by Jose." she said. She took the hilt of the daggar and pulled it, slicing Ed's neck wide open. "I told you he would kill you."

Gabby used the bedsheets to wipe the blood off the daggar and her hands, and then, deciding that wearing a dress at the moment would be terribly inconvenient, she looked through Jose's dresser and found a pair of trousers and a shirt and jacket to wear. No sooner had she finished changing her clothes, did there come a knock at the door. Gabby grabbed Ed's pistol just as a man with black hair and blue eyes -- What was his name? -- came bursting through the locked door, also with a pistol; he looked from Gabby to the pirate, and then at Gabby again. Gabby pointed the gun she now held at the man, and cocked it. "Close the door," she said. He did as she told him, and then sighed and shook his head.

"Well, so much for me bursting in here galantly and saving the fair maiden in distress." he said.

"What are you talking about?" asked Gabby.

"You, love. I was going to save you." he said.

"I got that part, the question is why?" she said, still pointing the pistol at him.

"Because I thought you needed saving! Obviously I thought wrong." he said as he motioned to the now dead body. "Name's Derek Bennet. Usually I'm a sailor under the command of Captain James Hawkins."

"So you're the spy. And you're going to help us?" Gabby said.

"I'm going to try. But time is not on our side. My orders are to stay with Captain Calen and every minute we get farther away from the island she's on, so we must get the other girls together, and get off this boat, and quick. Then of course comes the hard part."

Gabby lowered her pistol. "And what's the hard part?" she asked, as she raised an eyebrow at him.

"Getting off the ship unnoticed."

Gabby smiled and said, "No, my good sir, that will be the easy part." she walked over to where a chair and some books sat, just as Jose left them, and moving them out of the way she revealed the trap door to Derek.

"Jose did this. He didn't trust the crew."

Derek chuckled, and thought, Thank God for paranoid people. "That's perfect. Now come on, we must hurry!" he moved to the door to open it.

"Mr. Bennet?" Gabby asked.

"What?"

"Why did you come for me first? I mean out of all the girls, why me?"

He hesistated a moment, and then said, "Um, alphabetical order, love." he winked at her and opened the door.

[Summer Sparrow]

Great Posts Everyone!!
********************************************

still marooned.... and getting quite dark

"In any case Captain, we might as well make ourselves comfortable before any rescuin' comes our way, I'm off to find some wood, who's coming with me?!" said Ana.

Silence.

Suddenly Emil came up behind her, "I hate sand."

"Ack! You scared me Emil! It's getting dark, come on, let's go, Will! We might be needing a hand boy!" she yelled to Will, and Will came reluctantly over.

"How are we going to see anything inside there?" he asked.

"Ah, thank God for this then aye,?"

Ana made a torch by sparking a tiny amount of the powder shot between some flint rocks, and they ventured into the dense jungle, meanwhile Gibbs, Gavin and Jose stayed near the shore with Aimèe and Captain Calen.

After about half an hour, they re-appeared again.

"That took you a long time" mumbled Captain Calen.

"Sorry, but look what we found!" Ana beamed as she shoved a wooden box in front of them.

"A box? How delightful." replied Jose sarcastically.

Ana rolled her eyes, and opened the the wooden crate. "RUM!" and laughed gleefully. "Probably the rum-runners again."

Gibbs and Emil cheered as they brought in another carton, along with the fire wood of course, and they started a big bonfire right on the beach.

Captain Calen was reluctant to join in the merriment. "Cap'n have some!" offered Ana.

"Don't think so, and you all shouldn't drink anymore!" she yelled. "We must keep a sharp eye out for passing ships!"

"Well Cap'n that indeed, a good thing, to be sure, but *hic* you're not the Cap'n so I think, we might not be listening to you *hic* anymore" said Gibbs as he fell with a thud.

********************************************

Sorry couldn't help it! It just won't be the same without RUM!

[Lady Disdain]

Lydia felt strangely removed from herself, as though she was watching what was going on from somewhere else. She saw the laughing, intoxicated crowd, saw Gabby being dragged away, saw herself and Gwen being surrounded.

The rude gestures, the coarse remarks - fortunately she could only understand a very few of them, but she had a feeling she would be made to understand them all too well very shortly. She lost all hope - and with that hope, she stopped caring.

She knew perfectly well - no, DAMN well - that there was no happy ending in store. She almost laughed at herself for the furtive thrill the swear word gave her. When someone has no hope, no reason to try for self preservation, then they become dangerous.

Lydia was well aware that she would be raped and almost certainly be killed. There was pretty much nothing she could do that would make it worse for herself.

Unfortunately she was at the distinct disadvantage here, being unused to fighting, outnumbered, and also unarmed.

She tried to think. Most of them were foxed, having decided with the relative naivete of most infant governments that the most important thing is free flowing alcohol. Several of the men had already collapsed, the rest were becoming clumsy, their words slurring. They also seemed inclined to quarrel among themselves, which she could only see as a good thing. Now, how to turn this to her advantage?

[tancred]

It was indeed still dark out. Dawn was approaching,
but there was a terrible fog rolling up with the
waves. And while the others sat around the bonfire,
either resting or drinking, Jose paced back and forth
along the shore. The women were still on the ship!
Particularly his beloved Gabby! Jose was a wreck. He
didn't know what to think, and he tried to shun any
thoughts of Gabby alone with lusty pirates and unable
to escape. "Poor Gabby," he sighed. "And Gwen,
Lydia, Kira, and Sussanah! This can not be born!"
Jose rushed into the ocean, the tide coming in and
pushing him back.

Jose's comrades looked at him, and shook their heads.
As much as they too lamented the fates of their
friends, they knew it was pointless to try and swim
back to the ship. Alone out of all of them, did Gavin
understand how Jose felt; the fact his sister was at
the mercy of those evil pirates was tearing him up
inside.

"Hey now," yelled Ana. "Come back here, Jose!
There's no use!" Ana rushed down to the shore, and
tried to pull Jose back. He would not push her away,
as she was a woman, but Jose still struggled against
her. And he was too strong. Ana was slowly being
dragged into the sea with him. Amidst choking on the
salty sea water that splashed into her mouth, Ana
called back to those by the fire rather impatiently,
"Some help! Please! Emil, get down here!"

It was only due to the large size and brute strength
of Emil that Jose was dragged back to the fire. He
was exhausted, and had no more energy left. He vowed
silently to himself, "I may have to wait for now, but
I will get you back, Gabby. I swear it!"

Ana tried to cheer Jose up. "Here," she said with as bright a smile as she could manage. "Have some rum!" She nudged a bottle of the liquid against the Spaniards chest until he took it.

"But its only morning," objected Jose. "A very unseemly time to drink. And I have to keep an eye out on the Queen of the Sea; it could still be in sight if only for this detestable fog!"

Ana hiccupped, "Ah, but we didn't really sleep last night. A few more swigs of the good stuff, and then we can doze right off. Then wake up in the evening all refreshed and with a little lighter of spirits. Calen and some of the others aren't drinking now. Let them keep their eyes peeled for anything. Don't worry. We will get Gabby and the others back. Its just that we can't do anything about it just yet." She hiccupped again, and went cross-eyed for a second.

Jose took a good draught from his bottle, and drifted off into deep thought. After about forty-five minutes of drinking, he finally spoke up. He was obviously tipsy. "You know, Ana and Gibbs," he said to the only two people still awake with him, "I failed in my duties as a knight in not rescuing Gabby." A very deep frown cast over his face as he remembered even further back. "For that matter, I failed even worse back at Cartenega with my family and Rose. My poor family and friends! However, I believe I know why I have failed. Unlike a true knight, and unlike the great Don Quixote, I do not have a squire. I need a squire!"

"What's a squire," asked Ana stupidly. Gibbs merely looked at Jose with jaw agape, showing that the same question was on his mind.

"Well," explained Jose. "A squire is a person studying to become a knight. They are apprenticed to a knight, and help him suit up in his armor, take care of his weapons and his horses for him, announce him before potentates and ladies, and ride with him into battle. Generally, he assists the knight in everything. Much like Sancho Panza did for Don Quixote. I need a squire!"

Ana and Gibbs looked at Jose like that was all fine and dandy, but they didn't really understand nor care at the moment. Jose smiled at Ana. "Lady Ana Pearl," he said, "are you ready to become my squire?"

Ana's eyes widened, and she almost fell backwards. "Who? Me?"

"Yes, you, senorita. If you do, I can promise you the same things Don Quixote promised Sancho Panza: fame, notoriety, new clothes, the governorship of an island, all the food you could eat, wealth and jewels, and all the noble ladies love a good squire. Not as much attention from the ladies as the knight himself, but still well enough."

"Er...," stumbled Ana. "...I don't really go for ladies. You know?"

"Ah yes," continued Jose. "Quite right. I have never heard of squires attracting men before. But in your case, I don't see that as a problem."

Ana giggled to herself at the compliment. "And what's this you say about the governorship of an island? That sounds very nice!"

Jose then told her how Don Quixote had conquered an island, and let it be ruled by his squire. This set Ana's mind into fantasies of being her own ruler, of not having to fear about being caught or punished for piracy, of mounds of gold and jewels that were all hers, and of all the pastries and rum she could desire. "Deal," she shouted, and jumped up to her feet. "I will be your squire!"

Jose rose as well, and motioned Ana on to her knees. "Now draw your sword," he directed, "and swear your squirely service to me."

On her knees, Ana swore, "I, Ana Pearl, do hereby swear to be loyal to Sir Jose y Ortega in all things. Just like a good squire should be. On the distinct condition that I get my island, my pastries, my gold, my rum, and every other good thing my master has a share in."

"Very good," smilled Jose. He took Ana by the hand, and raised her up. "You are now my squire. Squire Ana Panza Pearl!"

Ana rose with the widest smile upon her face. "Governor of an island," she said dreamily. She hiccupped, her eyes rolled back, and she immediately passed out. Jose was too drunk to catch her, and she fell with a thud. He merely lay down nearby and drifted off into sleep himself.

Gibbs looked at them both like they were batty. "Silly Ana," he said to himself. "She shouldn't hit the bottle like that so hard. It might end up costing her one day." With words such as that coming from the drinking man Gibbs was, anyone who would have heard the words would have known indeed that Gibbs was amazed at the amount of drink she had put down.