Pirates of the Storm (Stranded In Time Book 1) (15 page)

“We be PIRATES Coxen, or have ye
forgotten?”

“Being pirates does not make us
bloodthirsty barbarians! Have you forgotten that we are here to
make a profit? Killing and raping innocents and burning the town
does not bring profit. It only buys us trouble for future
raids.”

“Oh, I didn’t know we be respectable
merchants, now! How silly o’ me!”

“GENTLEMEN!” Captain Jamison’s voice
boomed out. “Whilst you do not see eye to eye…”

“Fuck ye, Jamison, it’s yer fault I be
lacking me eye!” Craig retorted.

“My apologies, Captain Craig, I did
not mean to offend and as always, I do regret the Panama incident.
I simply meant although there is disagreement, the raid was still
successful. John, we did bring back a good profit despite the fact
that the methods were distasteful.”

“Aye,” Coxen agreed, somewhat
calmer.

“And James, you and your men are all
returning able-bodied, thanks in no small part to John and the
fighting abilities of his men.”

“Aye,” Captain Craig
acknowledged.

“So, will you two call a truce and
agree to continue with this partnership?” Jamison asked.

“Aye,” the warring Captains replied
reluctantly.

“Good, then shall we all return to our
ships and prepare to sail for Diente Malo?”

“Aye,” the other two Captains
agreed.

Jeff and the others on the
ship relaxed and returned their long guns to the storage locker.
Shortly thereafter they greeted Captain Coxen and the other members
of the raiding party from the
Wandering
Wench
. Coxen was still muttering under his
breath as he brushed past the crew and headed to his cabin. The men
set to work unloading the spoils of the raid from the longboats. As
Jamison had said, it looked to be a pretty good haul to Jeff. Along
with casks of rum, there were boxes and sacks of jewelry, fine
silver, some gold coins and even a few bars of silver and gold. If
the other two crews were unloading similar items to their
respective ships, the raid had apparently been pretty
successful.

Even so, the Captain had seemed quite
upset and Jeff was curious to know what had transpired. So, after
the cargo was stored, he made his way to the Captain’s cabin and
knocked lightly on the door. “Enter, Mr. Greene!”

Jeff opened the door and stepped in,
“How did you know it was me?”

“None of the others would be so bold
as to bother me when I am in such a mood.”

“I’m sorry, Captain. I’ll
leave.”

“Don’t be silly, Mr. Greene. Do come
in. Would you care for some rum?”

“No thank you, Captain, I just came to
find out what happened on the raid.”

“What happened is that
Craig and his crew have not a sensible mind between them. After we
overcame the sentries, they ran amok on the settlers. While our
crew and Jamison’s were raiding the treasury and the Governor’s
residence, they set about pillaging the settler’s homes, raping the
women, killing the men and setting everything afire. This is
exactly the mindless barbarism we spoke of that drives the settlers
to join in the fight against us rather than simply locking
themselves in their homes and waiting for us to take what we want
and leave. While Jamison is right that we did have a successful
raid this time, I fear that our work may be cut out for us in the
future. Craig is young and foolish and he is going to cost us men
and profits. He is simply bad for business and after Diente Malo, I
think it will be time to take our leave of the
Grand Booty
and her
crew.”

“I’m sorry, did you
say
Grand Booty
?”
Jeff asked, snickering.

“Aye, Craig’s ship. Why is that
amusing to you, Mr. Greene?”

“Well, in my time, ‘booty’ is a term
used to refer to the butt, or… arse, I guess as you would
say.”

The Captain’s mood
suddenly shifted and he let out a hearty laugh. “So, what you are
saying is that in your time, the name of Craig’s ship would
translate roughly to ‘
Large
Arse’
?”

“That’s what I’m saying,” Jeff said
breaking into a full laugh himself.

“A fitting name for Captain Craig’s
command!” Coxen blurted out through bursts of laughter. The two
laughed together for a few moments before regaining their
composure. “Thank you, Mr. Greene for lightening my mood. But now I
must ask you to take your leave so we may both get some sleep. We
sail at dawn for Diente Malo and with any luck we’ll be able to
reach the settlement within two days and conclude our business with
Captain Craig very soon.”

“Good night, Captain,” Jeff said as he
stood up and walked to the door.

“Oh, and Mr. Greene, do practice your
sword play as much as possible before we reach Diente
Malo.”

“Expecting trouble,
Captain?”

“No, not really. I was just thinking
that there would not be much else requiring your attention and you
can’t be too well-prepared.”

“Of course,” Jeff nodded. “Sleep well,
Captain.”

“And you, Mr. Greene.”

Jeff made his way to the crew
quarters. Most of the crew there, including Robinson, were already
asleep in their bunks and Jeff slipped into his as quietly as
possible. Although Coxen had tried to dismiss it as nothing more
than being prepared, Jeff could not help but be concerned with the
Captain’s advice to practice his swordsmanship. He couldn’t help
but feel that the Captain was expecting trouble and that he might
be called upon to use his sword in a kill or be killed situation.
While he had realized the risks to himself when he chose to join
Coxen’s crew, the reality was only now hitting him that he might
have to kill someone, and possibly several someones in the very
near future. Though he was bone tired, this thought kept him awake
for some time before he finally drifted off into a fitful
sleep.

The next day, Jeff awoke before dawn
and made his way to the galley for a quick breakfast to fuel
himself for his sword practice. Jenny prepared him a plate of food
and, after checking the entry to the galley to make sure she was
not seen, gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. Jeff ate quickly at
the galley table as several other members of the crew filed through
for breakfast, so there was little time for conversation with
Jenny. When he finished his meal, she was still occupied with
serving the others, so he simply waved as he departed. As he
stepped out on deck, the Captain was just relieving Crabtree at the
wheel. The first mate looked exhausted as he trudged past Jeff
toward the crew quarters to grab a few hours of sleep. Jeff
followed him below deck and retrieved his sword as the big man
collapsed into his bunk and started snoring almost
immediately.

As Jeff headed back out on the deck,
Harrison was waiting for him. “The Captain wishes me to continue
yer trainin’, Mr. Greene. Are ye ready to proceed?”

“Yes,” Jeff nodded.

“Very good, defend yerself!” Harrison
yelled as he drew his sword and charged. Jeff surprised himself at
how quickly he drew his own sword and was able to ward off the
attack. For several minutes, Jeff was able to hold Harrison at bay.
“Hold!” Harrison finally shouted out as he stepped back and lowered
his sword. “A fine defense, Mr. Greene! Now we must work on yer
offense.” For the next hour, Harrison drilled Jeff on various
slicing and thrusting maneuvers before calling a break. “Take a few
minutes to capture yer breath, Mr. Greene. Ye have earned it. When
ye are rested, ye shall have some sparring matches to apply what ye
have learned.” Jeff nodded breathlessly and plopped down on the
deck.

Though he was tired, he was pleased
with the progress he was making. Harrison disappeared below deck
and shortly returned with a couple of thick sticks that were
approximately the same length as Jeff’s sword. “The best way to
learn be to fight full-out. Ye can’t do that with a blade. So, here
be yer sword for the sparring,” Harrison explained holding one of
the sticks out. Jeff stood up and took the stick from Harrison.
“Now, ye shall be fighting as if this be for yer life. Full swings,
full thrusts. I be doin’ the same as will the others ye spar with.
Protect yerself at all times and continue the fight until I say
‘hold’. Ready?”

Jeff raised his stick in a defensive
posture and nodded. “Ready.”

Jeff’s initial sparring session with
Harrison went reasonably well at first, but eventually the
experienced swordsman got the better of him and delivered a
stinging blow to Jeff’s sword arm. “Ye just lost yer arm, Mr.
Greene,” Harrison commented, “Catch your breath and I’ll find ye a
new opponent.” A few minutes later, Jeff was engaged in battle with
the other Stevens. This match went better for Jeff and he
ultimately was victorious when he lunged forward and thrust his
stick into the other Stevens’ gut. Harrison nodded his approval and
called a break while he selected the next opponent. After a few
hours and several opponents, Jeff was bruised all over from strikes
and thrusts he had absorbed to multiple areas of his body. Overall
though, he had fared pretty well for a beginner. He had lost 6
matches, won 8 and had managed a draw in his last match with Pike
when both men were so evenly matched that they both were gasping
for breath when Harrison finally ended the duel.

Harrison relieved Jeff of his practice
sword and congratulated him. “Not bad, Mr. Greene. Get yerself some
food and drink and collect yerself. We shall continue after ye have
eaten.” Jeff wearily made his way to the galley where Robinson was
waiting for him with a plate of food and an already cut-open
coconut to drink.

“I hear you have acquitted yourself
well, Mr. Greene. Eat well now, for if I know Harrison, the rest of
your day will only get harder.” Jeff smiled weakly and took a seat
at the table. He was exhausted and sore all over, but the food
tasted good and he was just happy to have a rest. Several other
members of the crew filed in and out for lunch, some of whom had
been Jeff’s sparring opponents. Each man looked at him with respect
and some offered words of encouragement, but Jeff was too tired to
really respond.

Shortly after Jeff finished eating,
Harrison ducked his head into the galley. “Ready to resume yer
practice?” he asked.

“Sure, why not?” Jeff replied as he
dragged himself to his feet. He looked over at Jenny and she winked
at him as he trudged out.

Out on deck, Harrison handed Jeff his
practice sword. “Ye look tired, Mr. Greene. Be ye able to
continue?”

“I’m not sure…”

“Wait here, I have something that will
help,” Harrison said as he turned and headed below deck. A moment
later, he returned with a handful of leaves. “Chew these thoroughly
but do not swallow them.” Jeff took the leaves and stuck them in
his mouth. The flavor was neither pleasant nor unpleasant, but
after a minute or so his mouth started to feel slightly numb. After
a few minutes he felt somewhat more energetic. Harrison could see
the effects on Jeff’s face. “That be better?” he asked.

“Yes. Is this coca?” Jeff asked,
basing his question on his knowledge of herbal
medicines.

“Aye, that’s what they called it in
Panama. Now, spit out the leaves and prepare to defend
yerself.”

Jeff walked to the rail and spit the
leaves out over the side. As he turned around, Harrison was already
attacking and he thrust his stick into Jeff’s midsection. “Ooof!”
was all that Jeff could say as he doubled over in pain. “Remember,
Mr. Greene, defend yerself at all times. When ye be ready, raise
yer sword and we begin again.” A minute or so later, Jeff felt like
he could breathe again and he raised his sword. This time, he was
ready for Harrison’s attack and he was able to hold off the master
swordsman for well over a minute before Harrison called a halt.
“Excellent work, Mr. Greene. Ye now are as good as any man on this
crew in a fair fight. Now, collect your breath and wits. It be time
fer an unfair fight!”

Harrison turned and went below deck,
returning momentarily with two more sticks. “Mr. Graves! Mr. Pike!
Would ye do the honors of introducing Mr. Greene to an unfair
fight?” The two men approached and each took a practice
sword.

“Two against one?” Jeff asked
tiredly.

“Aye. Raise yer sword when ye be
ready,” Harrison nodded. Jeff took a deep breath and raised his
practice sword. Graves and Pike raised their swords and began to
circle him. The two men suddenly converged on him and although Jeff
successfully blocked Graves’ attack, Pike’s wooden sword landed a
painful blow on his lower back. “Hold!” Harrison yelled. Jeff
winced with pain as he rubbed his back.

“Mr. Greene, when ye have more than
one opponent, ye cannot wait fer them to advance on ye. Ye must
advance on them! Observe…” Harrison gestured for Jeff to step aside
as he stepped between Graves and Pike. “Gentlemen, attack at will.”
The two men raised their practice swords, but before either one
could attack, Harrison moved quickly at Graves, knocking his
practice sword from his hands and then spinning to intercept Pike’s
attack. Graves scrambled to collect his sword as Harrison parried a
slice from Pike and then kicked his legs from under him. As Pike
landed flat on his back on the deck, Harrison once again turned
towards Graves who had just picked up his practice sword. Before
Graves could move to block it, Harrison landed a thrust with the
end of his stick hitting Graves in the gut. As Graves doubled over
and crumpled to the deck. Harrison charged at Pike who had just
regained his feet. Before Pike could raise his weapon, Harrison
smacked him in the side of his sword arm. “As ye can see, Mr.
Greene, ye can fight two, but ye must take the fight to them. If ye
give them the opportunity to time the attack, they shall quickly
defeat ye.” Jeff nodded in understanding.