The morning sun was hard to see through the heavy fog, as The Raptor was pulled out of the harbor by crews in jollyboats. BlackJack and Mr. Thomas stood at the bow, watching the crews pull the ship.
“That damned harbormaster is gettin his bloody revenge on me for scarin the shite outta him when we came in,” BlackJack fumed. “Mr. Bradley is probably one of the finest helmsmen I have ever sailed with, and could get out of this damned harbor blindfolded at full sail. Just because the fool had no sense of humor, he’s goin ta make the entire crew suffer, and that irritates the livin hell out of me.”
Mr. Thomas placed a hand on the captain’s shoulder, and spoke quietly. “I thought ye might see it that way, which is why I paid a lad to slip something into his food after we’re gone… It won’t kill him, but he’s gonna be squattin fer a week!” Thomas winked, and both men laughed loudly.
BlackJack spoke after the laughter died. “That was mean, my friend… Mean that you waited until we were gone to have it delivered. I would love to see that prissy snob’s face as he has to try to keep his cheeks together while doin his job.” He laughed again, as he turned back to the crews pulling the ship. He climbed up on the rail, hand on a line, and looked around the harbor for several minutes. Jumping down, he said, “Hell with this. Call the crews in. As soon as all the boats are aboard, hoist all sails, and tell Mr. Bradley to make for Lisbon, at all possible speed. We’ve too much of England’s coast to travel, and I do NOT want to run into Drake this close to his own territory. I’ll be catchin some sleep if’n ye need me.” BlackJack turned and walked away, hearing the calls and whistles of his orders being carried out.
Several hours later, BlackJack left his cabin in time for the changing of the watch. He spoke quietly with members of the crew, an encouraging word here and there on his way up the ladders, and each crewman smiled as the captain spoke. Arriving on the quarterdeck, he turned to Mr. Thomas. “How fares it, lad? Any troubles yet?”
Mr. Thomas shook his head negatively as he replied. “Nay, Captain, been smooth sailing. We’re currently pushing about 10 knots, with a good tailwind. Our calculations are showing us currently about off the coast of Boulogne. We should be clear of France in about three days, if the wind holds. At this rate, we should hit Lisbon in about a week, if things go well. Providing we have no delays between here and there, of course.”
BlackJack nodded, and smiled. “Then let us hope that we can avoid Drake and his like til after we hit Lisbon. We’ve no surgeon on board, and I am hoping to pick one up there. Plus, I’d rather wait til we get Magnus or his messenger aboard with our information. I don’t like not knowing what we face. Do me a favor right quick, and summon the crew? We should probably tell them what we have going on.” Thomas nodded, and spoke to the Bosun, who began whistling for attention on deck. Once the crew was gathered, BlackJack addressed them all.
“Lads, I owe ye all an apology. I know I’d promised ye a few more days in Calais, but things have changed. When I arrived at our factor’s home to discuss the selling of the goods we just took from “Elizabeth’s Pride”, I was informed that the captain of that cursed ship was a cousin to Queen Elizabeth! And, apparently a favored one at that! So now Elizabeth has sent her pet fop after us! That fop, Francis Drake, has been ordered to take the ship, and bring us all to her to hang! You don’t want to HANG, do you?” A loud “NO!!” came rolling at him from the assembled crewmen. ‘We’re not gonna let him take everything we’ve worked for without a fight, are we?” Again, the crew screamed their agreement. “Then here be the plan, lads. We’re to set course for the Cape of Good Hope, and hope to lure the fop from his fleet, where we can sink his ship, and send him to the crushin black depths!”
The crew, frenzied by now, shouted and hooted for five minutes before quieting down again. BlackJack smiled, looking to his officers on the left and right of him while the crew carried on. Once calm again, BlackJack addressed them once more. “Then that’s that, lads. Keep your powder dry, your blades sharp, and be ready for anything. I’m hoping to get enough of a lead on him to wait for the fight til we are ready for it, but keep a weather eye for sails on the horizon. I hate ta do this to ye, but until we deal with Drake, we’ll not be takin any prizes. So the goal here is to rid the world of him as quick as we can! Now hop to, and let’s see how fast this bird will fly!” He nodded to the Bosun, who began whistling, and turned to Mr. Thomas. “I’ll take the watch from here, Mr. Thomas. Get some rest, and I’ll see ye in the morning.” Mr. Thomas nodded, and went below.
The next week flew by quickly, with no issues. The ship was quickly brought to dock in Lisbon Harbor by her Harbormaster, a man who had dealt with BlackJack and his crew before, and didn’t ask questions. Once the ship was secured at the dock, BlackJack was speaking with his officers before going in search of information and a surgeon. “A’right lads, I want noone ashore, we’re to be here only a day or two, if we be lucky. I want the watches doubled, and any who question or wish to be released from the ship, tell them they have two options. Stay on the ship, or have his throat cut. But be sure that at least one or two who do decide, are able to sneak off. I want Drake to know where we be headed, to bait this hook. I’m hopin with the threat of throat cutting, the men will realize that the info I’ve given them is good. I want Drake, and I want him where WE have the advantage. Let’s hope I can find what I need quickly, and we can be out of here just as quickly.” The officers nodded and headed to their stations, while BlackJack gathered his wits and weapons, and headed ashore.
As BlackJack walked into the nearest tavern, it occurred to him that he and Magnus had not set a meeting location for when he got to Lisbon. He walked in, and stood at the door a moment as his eye adjusted from the noon-day sun outside, to the dim light of the tavern. Spotting an empty table in a corner within reach of a window, he made his way through the sparsely populated room and sat down. A server came up, and asked his pleasure. “What have ye today that be fresh, and not fish?”
The serving girl looked at him like he was speakin in tongues, and replied “Cozido à portuguesa,” in a thickly accented English.
“What the bloody hell is that?” BlackJack asked. The server thought for a few moments, as if trying to find the words, and finally said “Pig stew”. BlackJack laughed, and replied, “That’ll do, along with a mug of ale. How much?” The girl held up three fingers, and BlackJack pulled four silver coins out of his pouch, and handed them to her. “The last be fer you, lass.” She smiled shyly, took the coins, and ran off.
Satisfied that his food would arrive promptly, BlackJack leaned back to survey the room he was in, and to think about his situation. He was in a city that he enjoyed frequenting, but being pursued by Drake was going to shorten his stay considerably. He was not happy about that, but it was a necessary evil. He also was trying to figure out how to find Magnus in the large dock area, but decided that if Magnus couldn’t find him when he wanted, then he and his information gathering network was not as good as he believed. Chuckling to himself, he knew that was one of Magnus’ passions, and was certain that there was a lookout who spotted the Raptor as soon as the Harbormaster went out to meet her.
At the front of the room, a singer stepped up on the makeshift stage, and began to sing quietly. Something about the woman’s voice was familiar, so he paid a little closer attention. Of average height, she was dressed in an unusual fashion. She was wearing some sort of flowing pant, with a form fitting gauzy shirt coming to about the knee, and a fancy short sleeved coat, with some sort of panels hanging from the elbows over the rest. Her hair was covered, so he couldn’t tell color or length. Still, his curiosity was piqued, and he watched the way she moved. He found it amusing the way some of the men were enthralled with her every movement, as the bells sewn around her hips jingled with her movements, in time to her music.
“That be close enough, lad,” he spoke quietly to the shadows that started moving on his left. “Methinks that ye’d best be telling me who ye are, and what ye want afore getting closer.” He still had not turned his head, since the individual was taking pains not to be seen by the other patrons, BlackJack chose to not give him away until the man’s status as friend or foe was determined.
A slight chuckle could be heard from the shadows, and then the voice spoke. “Your reputation serves you well, Captain. I have word from your brother. Magnus says he’s unable to join you, and he shall see you after.” BlackJack nodded, putting away the blade he had drawn, and the newcomer came forward. “I’m known as Aerak. That’s all you need know of me, as I am just as sought by the Queen of England as you are, for other reasons. I’ve been sent to take Magnus’ place on this mission. Once she’s done singing, we can head back to the ship, and talk privately. I’ll go ahead, the fewer people who see me in port, the better. And I give you my word that I will not kill any of your crew slipping into your cabin.” Before BlackJack could speak again, the shadow disappeared.
During the conversation, the singer finished, and she approached BlackJack. As she got closer, he was able to make out details of her face, and he laughed loudly as he stood up. “Melina, it does me good to see you. Would that we could chat here, but I’ve been told we must need leave immediately.”
She smiled, and replied, “Yes, Jack, we need to go now. Aerak is a wanted man, and still recovering from his last escape. He’s almost as good as Magnus, I’m told. Have no clue as to who Magnus is, though. It’s been too long since I have seen you as well, brother. We have much to discuss, let us be off.” She placed her arm in his, and they made their way back to the ship.
We hope this missive finds you all in good health for we have several wonderful events up and coming. Feast of St George on April 9th and Feast of St Anthony on May 13th-15th. We hope to see all of you there.
We will be organizing gift baskets for the Barony of Sacred Stone and the Barony of Hidden Mountain for their upcoming birthdays and would love to showcase the skills of our artisans. If anyone is willing to donate their time and skills for these baskets it would be appreciated. Please let us know. Thank you.
