A Pirate's Treasure (Closed for Perplexia)

[bluepen85]

Name: John "Redbeard" Robinson
Age: 34
Description: 5'10", 175 lbs, red hair, green eyes, long scraggly red beard, multiple scars on his face from battle and several scars on his torso as well

Year: 1716
Location: The Caribbean Sea off Hispaniola

John Robinson was born in southern England in 1682, he was the son of a merchant sailor father and a mother who died while giving birth to him. His father never made much money as John grew up and the promises of riches that were available in the new world drew John's father there when John was just 14 years old.

Once in the English colonies, Johns father would often leave him in charge of the family's modest cottage as he went out and earned money doing odd jobs on ships along the harbor. John grew up around the water, and always wanted to be a sailor when he became of age. His red hair and punitive appearance always made him an easy target for bullies growing up, but this bullying toughened up John to the point that he was angry a lot of the time when he became of age and decided to go out on his own.

At 18 John joined a sailing vessel transporting goods too and from islands in the Caribbean. He did this for several years without incident. But one time, while sailing through the Bahamas, Johns ship came under attack by what everyone at that time called Privateers, but John knew them as Pirates. They attacked his ship and took their goods for their own. Many men on John's ship that day died, but he was spared. He never knew why he was spared, but he was fascinated with the Pirate style of life from then on.

John spent the next few years exploring the back alleys of his home port, looking for and eventually finding the underworld known as Privateering. He was soon a mate on a small vessel that went out and took what they wanted without any kind of regards for the rules. John was loving it. He soon started growing a beard to mimic his captain. It grew in thick and red, and made him look much more fearsome. It wasn't long until John came into command of a ship of his own. Of course because of his fearsome looking beard he gained the nickname of Redbeard from his crew.

Redbeard was a very successful pirate, taking out over 80 English and Spanish ships, plundering them and taking captives he would later trade for supplies. No one stood in his way, even the other pirates soon came to fear him as his legend grew. It was in the Spring of 1716 when Redbeard came upon a small English vessel off the coast of Hispaniola. A perfect target he thought as he had his men raise their Jolly Rodger and make their intentions clear.

 

[Perplexia]

"Get below miss" shouted one of the crew to Kira Deverox. Her long auburn curly hair piled upon her head with her emerald eyes staring wide eyed at the pirate ship approaching fast had her steadfast upon the deck. "Miss please go below" Kira looked at the man giving her orders and frowned heading below the deck to hide in one of the cabins.

Their ship was now under siege from a pirate, how exciting. Yet she was pushed below instead of being able to help. Kira was only 18 and on her way from France to England to be wed off to Lord Kent. This idea didn't sit well with her at all. She liked living in the french country estate and being able to ride horses bareback, swim nude in the water, climb trees, and practice fencing with the stable boys. She had gotten quite good, and eventually they refused to fence with her because she beat them every time.

Practicing knife throwing was also one of her particular favorite hobbies. On her coming out party she had one of her suitors stand in the center of the room w/ an apple on his head. Her parents the Lord Pierre Deverox and Lady Kathrine Deverox were appalled. She rarely had any one call after that stunt, and she was much happier for it. Its not that men didn't appeal to her, its simply they were stuffy and boring. They wanted to talk about themselves, and their goals and dreams, and disregarded her desires for adventure and travel. "A woman's place is by her husbands side" her mother would tell her.

Kira had a plan that as soon as the ship landed she would take off on her own. She had a few coins, and some minor woman skills like sewing and cooking that would get her odd jobs to let her keep up her travels. There was no intention to marry a stuffy Lord.

Shouts and screams with thumping of falling bodies interrupted the 5'4 petite girls thoughts.

 

[bluepen85]

"FIRE" Redbeard shouted at his crew as they fired warning shots across the bow of the small ship. This always excited Redbeard, the taking of a new ship. What would he find on the ship, who would he find on the ship, and how much money could he make off of both of them?

He stood at the helm of his ship as the crew ran around below him, loading the cannons, preparing their grappling hooks for once they got close enough to the other ship. Redbeard wasn't like most pirates, if the people were willing to surrender then there would be no need for further bloodshead, he would simply put them adrift in their life boats with meager supplies and fire the ship once he took what he wanted. He looked across the water at the ship they were about to board and could see that this wasn't your normal merchant vessel, it was owned by someone of great wealth and had the means to buy whatever they wanted. Today was going to be a good haul.

"Surrender now and your lives will be spared!" he shouted out at the ship, "Take up arms against us and you will die where you stand!" A shot wizzed over Redbeard's head from a musket.

"Okay men, that's the way they want it? FIRE at will!" he shouted, followed soon by a hail of gunfire and cannon fire. One cannon ball hit the front side of the ship, blowing a hole in it. Men on the upper deck of the other ship fell off into the clear blue water of the Caribbean Sea. The battle raged for more than half an hour, some of Redbeard's men fell, but more of the opponent's men fell. Finally a small white flag of surrender was raised on the small vessel.

A loud cheer went up from the pirate ship as they threw their grappling hooks across to board the ship. Soon Redbeard was standing on the deck of his catch of the day.

"Men, go below and search the ship for anyone not up on deck and return them here before we gather today's haul!" Redbeard shouted as his men dispursed quickly to search the ship.

 

[Perplexia]

Kira listened intently to the battle above ducking behind some boxes incase anyone came down. What she didn't count on was her green dress poking out from behind the box.

A man reached down and grabbed her by the arm. "what we got here, you're a pretty one i think i'll keep you" For that Kira's nostrils flared and her knee found his groin, as he bent down her fist met his face with a right hook. The man hollered and Kira bolted up the steps only to find herself surrounded by amused pirates.

"looky here" one of the men said as they circled around her like a wild beast. One reached for her and she gave him a kick in the groin. The men roared with laughter. "Hey captain, i think we found something that will peak your interest.

 

[bluepen85]

Redbeard paced the deck as his men gathered up everyone that was already on deck and tied them to the mast of the ship. Others collected the bodies of the dead that laid about the deck and simply tossed them overboard. He heard several cries of the women on the deck as their husbands were tossed into the sea below to become chum for the sharks that often circled the boats.

He heared shouting coming from down below decks as people were found hiding in different parts of the ship. He continued to pace for a moment before looking at the people already gathered around the mast.

"All of you will be set adrift in the ship's lifeboats, with supplies that should last you long enough for someone to find you or you find an island that you can find a settlement on." he announced to the group of people before he heard someone running up from below decks.

An auburn haired woman emerged from below decks, panting and out of breath. She was quickly grabbed by two of his men as they annonced that he should come see what they found. He walked over toward the woman, who seemed to be fighting with the two men on her arms.

"She giving you two trouble?" he asked the pirates on either arm. "And what be ye name young lady?"

 

[Perplexia]

Kira's eyes shot daggers at who appeared to be the captain of the ship. "Aye this wench is a fiesty one. Took down two of our men with her bare hands"
"my name be none of ye concern" she stated forcefully.
"unhand me now you beasts" Kira announced to the men holding her.

"Kira Please" one of the men being escorted to the boat stated. "please cooperate so he'll let you come with us"

Kira scoffed at the man "if you please sire i would like to join my kindsman" her voice stated with the gentle sweetness of a lady, or in her case one who had been taught the art of deceit and mimicking.

 

[bluepen85]

Redbeard looked the young woman over, "This little thing took down two of MY men with her bare hands? That cannot be, she looks like she could hardly lift a fork, much less take down two men." he scoffed at the pirate who spoke.

Redbeard stood there as the young auburn haird woman refused to give her name and continued asking to be released. That's when one of her fellow captives let her name slip. "Kira is it?" he asked her in a mocking manner, "Well Ms. Kira, me thinks you might be of use on my ship. What do you think men??" he shouted out around him, he was answered by a roar of laughter and many eyes leering at Kira as she stood there in the grasp of two pirates.

"Yes, I think it'll be a great idea if you come aboard me ship and become my personal stewart. I need the help in my cabin and plus I need something to look at that doesn't look like it just had barnicles scraped off their face that morning." The men laughed for a moment behind Redbeard until they realized that he was speaking of them.

"Take her aboard and lock her in my cabin." he ordered. "The rest of you search the ship for any valubles and ammunitions. Then fire the ship!" he barked as he walked back towards his ship and across the plank that joined the two. Now it was time to break in his newest stewart as he made his way to the cabin.

 

[Perplexia]

"NO" she announced as he turned his back on her. "I would sooner walk the plank that serve the likes of you filthy scoundrels. I am a lady Sir, and i will be treated as such." The men dragged her screaming and kicking . It proved to be a hassle getting her on the other ship. One man took out his knife and held it to her throat. "Captain let me save you the trouble an just slit this one and feed her to the sharks. The sharp knife cut into her skin and blood began to trickle down her neck.

Kira screamed again not giving an inch. "unhand me you pig" she screamed and earned a backhand from the other guy knocking her unconscious. With that they picked her up and carried her to the cabin dropping her on the floor an locking her in.

 

[bluepen85]

Redbeard walks upon his own ship as he listens to the srceams coming from the other boat of the captives being lowered in the lifeboat. They were screaming for Kira, but there was no way they were getting her back now. He walked towards his cabin just as the men who had carried Kira over were walking out.

They informed him that Kira had become combative again and had to be knocked out. Redbeard drew his fist back and punched one of them square in the face, breaking his nose, the blood streamed down his face. "Let that be a lesson to ye, and for any man on this ship, While she is on this ship, she is to be respected and no one is to lay a hand on her but me. Got it?" he bellowed as he walked past the men and into his cabin, locking the door behind him.

Kira was simply laid in the floor at the foot of his bed. He walked over to her and picked her up, placing her on his bed as he could see the shiner starting to form under her eye from where his man had hit him. Redbeared walked over to the small desk he had in his cabin and began to study the maps there as the foot traffic on the deck above him became louder and louder as more men got back on the ship with the plunder from the small vessel. He sat there and waited for Kira to awaken.

 

[Perplexia]

Kira came to with the noise outside the cabin. Her hand went to her face "ouch" she exclaimed trying to open her eyes. As she looked around the cabin she saw the Captain staring at her.

"stay away from me" she advised him in a threatening tone. "let me do the plank i don't want to be here, and i won't be your steward."

Kira knew she would need to find a way out of this. There was no way she would consent to being some mans slave.

"I'll make a deal with you" she stated trying to be rational "Let me duel your best man, if i win you will set me free, if i don't, then i will be your steward."

She wasn't sure he would go for it, although she knew that he would probably find some humor in the idea. If anything he may think that it would be amusement for his crew.

 

[bluepen85]

Redbeard sat at his desk a while until he finally heard Kira stir in the bed. He stood up and walked over towards the bed as she awoke and grabbed her face where she had been hit by the member of his crew. She suddenly jerked back from him when she saw him approach.

"stay away from me...let me do the plank i don't want to be here, and i won't be your steward."

Redbeard laughed out loud, "Walk the plank? You've been hearing too many stories Ms. Kira. I'm not that kind of pirate. No, I like you right where I have you." he told her. In all of his years of piracy, he had never once made anyone "walk the plank", he never knew where people got this idea from.

He heard her mention making a deal with him and his ears perked up as he listened to her proposal, which only made him laugh out loud yet again as she proposed she duel with a pirate. Pirates don't know much about a lot of things, but one thing they do know is swordsmanship and how to handle a cutlass at their side. If anything it might be amusing to see her try, but he would never let her go, regardless of the outcome of the duel.

"You want to go blade to blade with one of my men?" he asked her mockingly. "Fine Ms. Kira, show me what ye have. But I make no promises of what happens after the duel." he tells her as he grabs her by the arm and drags her out on deck. His men were gathering their bounty on deck as he came out.

"Men, it seems that we have a fighter in our midst and she has challenged one of you to duel. Who be brave enough to take on this woman and show her how a pirate can handle his sword?" Redbeard shouted out to all his men, waiting for a volunteer to step forward.

 

[Perplexia]

"I'm not going to fight unless we have a deal" she advised him. But it was too late to argue she was being tossed a sword and a volunteer stepped forward. "come on missy" he baited her. "ok girly" she baited back.

Swordplay was one of her passions. A smile came to her face as they began. It was quickly noted that the lass knew what to do with a sword when she released the mans pants around his ankles and caused him to fall.

The crew laughed and cheered saluting her brass. The fallen pirate did as well. Kira did her curtsying and bowing and smile till she reached the edge of the ship with one foot up she was ready to dive over board.

 

[bluepen85]

Rebeard saw a man step forward to accept the challenge, he grinned an pushed Kira into the middle of the ring of pirates that had gathered to see the spectacle of a woman crossing swords with a pirate. Someone from the crowd tossed Kira a sword and soon they were crossed.

It was obvious very quickly that this was no ordinary woman, I must remember to keep her away from all sharp objects.... he thought to himself with a small chuckle. The circle of men moved around the two as they crossed blades, Kira was holding her own, he noted, when she caught the man and his pants fell to the deck of the ship. The crew erupted with laughter, as did Redbeard, not noticing that Kira was inching her way towards the edge of the ship.

Redbeard's eyes darted to find her and saw her on the edge, ready to jump. "Are you sure you want to do that missy?" he shouted out to her. "Just look at the water below ye, it's bound to be teaming with sharks feeding on the bodies of your fallen ship mates. They're always looking for live bait!"

He knew that she would never really jump when she saw the large fish circling the boat, no one was that simple minded. She had to know life aboard his ship was much better than a life being torn to pieces by man eating sharks. Redbeard stepped from the crowd of men and towards Kira, he extended his hand towards her. "You really only have one option miss."

 

[Perplexia]

Kira sighed at her prospects. "I want your word you'll let me go at the next land fall" she advised holding up the sword. "I want your word that i will be unharmed and unscathed." she looked down at the sharks circling. "I also want your word that the next ship you take you'll let me fight with the crew."

She wasn't sure he'd go for any of it, but if she was going to have to stay on board she didn't want to be anyone's pleasure whore, and she didn't want to be locked up in a cell.

"I don't care what land you drop me off on, i'll make my way just fine. I can take care of myself. " Still holding the sword up and watching for any moment toward her she waited.

 

[bluepen85]

Redbeard eyed Kira as she stood there, thinking over her options before he heard her sigh and she began to speak. Not only speak, but make demands of him. He simply scoffed at her as she spoke.

"I want your word you'll let me go at the next land fall...I want your word that i will be unharmed and unscathed....I also want your word that the next ship you take you'll let me fight with the crew."

"Fight with the crew? A woman?" All the men around him laughed as did Redbeard. "I will not let you go the next time we make port, you will not fight with my men, but I will give you my word that no one on this ship will harm you. You simply do as you're asked and you will find that life can be pleasant. You choose to take up arms again against myself or any of my men, then you will be taken and tied to the mast of the ship....completely naked." he told her with a raised eyebrow.

He took another step towards Kira, now only a few feet away, the circle closing in around her, Pirates on one side, sharks and sure death on the other. "So why don't we hand over the sword and come back to my cabin missy, otherwise, we'll take it by force and bring out the rope." he told her motioning towards the mast of the ship, letting her know the other option was to have men leer at her naked body for the rest of the day.

 

[Perplexia]

Kira scowled at him, and looked up at the mass. Perhaps she addressed this the wrong way. She sighed and handed him the sword handle first.

Stepping down from the edge of the ship she headed toward his cabin shuffling her feet like a spoiled child as she did.
Once back in there she plopped herself down on his bed. "i don't see why you won't let me fight. I can fight just as well as any of your men, if not better. I may be a girl, but that would surly distract the the ship attacking more then it would your men."

She doubted she would get anywhere with her pleas but she had to try. She lived for sword play. "if you won't let me fight, the least you could do is let me train them. I'm fast and skilled. It would certainly give you an advantage."

 

[bluepen85]

Redbeard returned Kira's scowl with one of his own, showing her that he was serious with his threat. His eyes fell towards the sword which was turned towards him handle first and handed over. He turned as the crowd of pirates parted and let their captain through and back to his cabin. He could hear Kira's shuffling feet behind him on the deck as she slowly followed him.

He closed the doors behind them as she sat down on his bed and began to complain once again. He held his hand up quickly as she finished about fighting with the men. "I will have no more talk of you fighting side by side with my men. You're a woman and there's no place for you in battle." he told her in a disparaging manner. What would the world think if he was seen fighting side by side with a woman, as an equal. He'd become the laughing stock of the Caribbean.

"if you won't let me fight, the least you could do is let me train them. I'm fast and skilled. It would certainly give you an advantage."

Redbeard thought it over for a moment, she did have quite the skill with the blade, he thought. "Okay, you may train with some of the men each day, but by no means are you to pick up any kind of weapon in battle. Do you understand?"

"As for when you're not training, you are to be my personal servant. Serving me my meals, keeping my cabin tidy, helping me dress when need be, etc. If you treat me with respect, then I shall treat you with respect. You step out of line, then you know what your punishment will be. Are we clear?" he asked her as he paced back and forth in front of her as she remained seated on the bed.

 

[Perplexia]

"Yes Captain" she said with a smile. Elated that she would be able to have some sword play each day. "I promise you that i will try my hardest, but please understand I've never had to clean a thing in my life, much less serve anyone. But I will try."

Oddly she was partially relieved for her new circumstances, they would surly think her dead, she wouldn't have to marry the lord. She could keep her dignity and train the bunch of mongrels with a sword.

"when can i start training?" she questioned with a tone of excitement.

 

[bluepen85]

Redbeard saw the look of joy on Kira's face as he gave her permission to train some of his men. He'd never met a creature quite like Kira, able to defend herself, yet beautiful like the morning sunrise while you're out to sea. He couldn't believe she was that excited to cross swords with a bunch of men.

"You must learn quickly then if you have never cleaned before in your life. I will not tolerate a slow learner." he told her firmly as he walked over towards his desk and took a seat. "You may begin your training with the men tomorrow as it is getting late in the afternoon." he told her finally, seeing a look of disappointment in her face.

"Now, it's been a long day and I am tired and hungry. Come here and help me with my boots and then visit the galley and find myself something to eat. Once you've returned with my dinner I will give you your rations." he instructed her as he sat there in his chair, awaiting her assistance with his boots.

 

[Perplexia]

Kira practically lept off the bed toward his chair an lowered herself to her knees. Nodding in agreement that she would have to be a fast learner. Undoing his boots she planted her knee down firmly and pulled from the heel up, until the boots came off one at a time. On the last one she landed on her butt, and gave a laugh of amusement. Placing them in the corner she made her way out of the cabin and down to the galley.

"stop staring at my breasts and give me the captains dinners with my rations please." The cook quickly looked away blushing. "sorry miss ain't ever had a woman on board." "its ok, whats your name?" she asked the cook. "names Roche Miss Kara" "well its a pleasure to meet you Roche. Say Roche, i got a bit of a dilemma. The captain wants me to clean, and i haven't the faintest idea what that means." Roche let out a bellow of laughter. "Tis ok Miss, I doubt the Captain knows what that means. Just put things in piles all nice like, that should do 'em alright. Don't you let him scare you none either, that Captain is as fair an just as they come."
Kira wasn't quite sure that was true, but she nodded thanking him and taking the food back to the Captain.
"Here's your food Captain" she said smoothly placing it down on a table.

 

[bluepen85]

Kira's aura of excitement about her plight upon his ship struck Redbeard as odd. He couldn't understand why she'd be so excited to be forced into a life of servitude upon a pirate ship that spends 300 days a year at sea. She was a strange one indeed. He leaned back in his chair as Kira got down on her knees in front of him and began tugging at his long boots. The first one came off with ease, but the second on gave her a problem and she tugged so hard that when it came lose she fell right back on her rear.

She laughed at herself, as did Redbeard. He watched her put her shoes to the side and exit the cabin to fetch his meal. Redbeard sat there and pondered what he was going to do with Kira at night. There was definitely no way he would let her sleep with the rest of the crew, he trusted his men, but not enough to keep their hands off a woman, something they saw rarely while at sea. She'd have to stay here in his cabin, he had given her his word not to harm her and that was the best way he saw fit to keep his word.

She soon came back and placed his food down in front of him. "Very good Kira, you may eat your rations as well." he told her as he picked up his fork and began eating, looking over at Kira.

Half way through their meal he spoke, "Kira, you are to spend this night, and every night here in my cabin. I feel that for your own safety that you should be kept away from the men at night. They're good men for the most part. But a lovely lass such as yourself is a rare thing to see on the open seas. And I can't promise they'll always be able to control their natural manly urges." he finished, placing another bite in his mouth and chewing slowly.

 

[Perplexia]

Kira ate what he gave her for her rations without complaint. Sure it wasn't what she was use to. But neither was being on ship out at sea. She had wanted adventure and now she had it.

From what she had read, she had it made when it came to a captain. Most would have already violated her, and then passed her around the crew. This one however seemed genuinely concerned for her safety. As he declared during his pondering of where she was to sleep.

"Yes Captain" she responded after emptying her mouth of potatoes. "I have no problem sleeping on the floor sir" she added after her next bite. From the look on the captains face she guessed he was taken back by her willingness to cooperate. But Kira was a realist. This was her situation. Sure it wasn't the ideal one she would have chosen, but it was still an adventure, and he was allowing her to train his men with the use of a sword. Yes she would have preferred to fight along side of them. But not only did he still have to earn his trust. He still didn't have hers completely.

Finishing she rose and went about straightening up the cabin while he ate. "do you think sir i could get a pair of trousers to where. A dress is hardly adequate for sword training or cleaning."

 

[bluepen85]

Redbeard couldn't believe that she actually volunteered to have herself sleep on the floor of his cabin, not a word about another bed, or cot being brought in. He must have been treating her fairly well for her to be this cooperative, he thought.

He sat there and continued eating as Kira finished her meal and began walking around the room, picking up things and moving them, but not really doing much besides making her self look busy he mused. Redbeard put the last bite of his meal in his mouth when Kira spoke once again as she picked up his boots she had previously taken off to put them away.

"do you think sir i could get a pair of trousers to where. A dress is hardly adequate for sword training or cleaning."

"I'm not sure we have anything on board that would be to your size." he told her, looking over her body and trying to gauge it. "I can check and see what the men brought aboard from your ship and see if there are any smaller trousers in there. But I'll need to see your legs to see how long these pants need to be. Go stand over there and lift up your dress for me." he suggested.

"And while I find you some appropriate clothes, please take the remnants of our meal down to the galley." he told her as he waited for her to show him her legs.

 

[Perplexia]

Kira was a bit standoffish at the thought of showing him her legs. "its ok sir i can sew, and if they are too big can use rope to hold them up till i have time to hem them" she said as she went to pick up the plates. "would you like any wine or anything else from the galley Captain while i'm there"

Yep she decided no she was not going to lift her dress.

 

[bluepen85]

Redbeard looked at her with a scowl on his face as she refused him. He wasn't trying to do anything too inappropriate, maybe deep down inside he was, but his intentions were good and pure on the surface. He looked her over as she asked if there was anything he needed.

"Fine, you can sew well and good, but if you don't let me see the length of your legs then you're going to be trying on several pairs of trousers right in front of me." he told her plainly, "So if I have a better idea of the size to get you, the less you'll have to try on and show me later. So it's really up to you." he finally was trying to reason with her, pointing out that there really wasn't a place for her to hide in the cabin to change, so she would have to do it out in the open with him there.