"Pirates of the Emerald Sea" by Karen-Birgitte "Ellemerr" Borud

The folks of the plains speak English, the natives of the sea speak Spanish and the barbarians of the mountains speak Norwegian. All Spanish words are written in italic style, with the exception of names. Both Isabella and Octavia speak fluently both English and Spanish, Isabella is a half-breed while Octavia is of pure, blue plains blood. Isabella also speak some few words of Norwegian, Octavia do not. The ship “Snake’s Eye” is a Chinese junk ship, though it got the front of a Viking dragon ship with a big serpent head. It’s made of green wood and run tree typical junk sails of dark colour. The ship belonged to Isabella and was a gift for securing a costal city from nasty weather, but she lost it to Octavia in a wager, and went along to see the ship was taken good care of. Isabella designed it herself and could sail it alone if needed.

Mages:

Herbalist/Potions master: earth + water | Healer: fire + water | Traveller/Messenger: air + earth | Weatherworker: air + water | Dragon: fire + earth | Illusionist: fire + air

Pirates dwelt in the Emerald Sea. And who would blame them? There was much prey, safe harbours and plenty of food and fresh water. And besides, no pirate with respect for himself could ignore the call of the Treasure. Wise men frequently asked why anyone would bother risk their lives for naught, but still ship makers, sailors, fishermen, explorers and adventurers would stream to the safer parts of the Emerald Coast. It was the same way with Dragons, some said; if a Dragon was discovered in a cave at the mountainside, knights were sure to go there in a steady flow. Most of them would die. The Dragon would release its fury on nearby human settlements, and more would die in a couple of months then would have died in all the Dragons years if left alone, and even the greatest Dragon hoard  couldn’t rebuild all the villages destroyed. Yet the knights went after the dragons, and the folks of the Water travelled to the Emerald Sea. Soldiers came also, sent by the royalties to secure the land and collect the Treasure, and the later was what mattered most, though none would say so aloud. Always battles raged on the Emerald Sea, where the pirates dwelt.

One of the ships of the skulls flag was named Snake’s Eye, the name was written in curly writing and silver colour by the shipside and by the front a great serpents head raised, the eyes made of gigantic green glass, always staring to the horizon. The ship was not the most famous of its kind at the Emerald Sea, nor the deadliest or fastest, but it was well known, feared and dangerous enough. The ship’s captain was a woman, which was rare but not unheard of, besides, she was one of the Pirate Lords of the Emerald Sea, and a highly regarded Lady of the Depths, known as the Octopus Lady. She was a good swordsman and a better captain, and her beauty was famous also outside the watery world. Aboard her ship was also a weather-worker, and she was one of the better magicians of wind and water in the world. She was the daughter of a native witch from where she got her powers, and a white gold digger of blue blood, from where she got her lust for treasure. The captain Octavia called her Isabella. Others usually called her Storm, Deadly, Sea Witch or the like, which amused her enormously. Isabella always smiled, and it usually wasn’t a nice smile.

*

The day this story begun, the ship named Snake’s Eye lay hidden behind the waterfall of the Rio Fuego[1], in a feared bay said to be haunted by ghosts or worse. The ship appeared to be abandoned. By the nearby costal village Puerto Luz[2] a small boat silently rowed towards the harbour. In the boat were two young women, talking silently, the words taken by the sea. The lady rowing had a baggy, white shirt, dark, baggy pants and leather, knee high boots. Around her neck hung a silver cross with an emerald in, by her side hung a slender and skilfully made rapier, on her back hung a huge broadsword and by her feet in the boat lay a flame-bladed Kris. On her shoulder was the tattoo of a crowned octopus, slightly concealed by her shirt. Her hair was long and dark, her skin was browned by the sun and her piercing eyes were black as midnight. The other woman wore a short dress with loose trumpet sleeves and leather boots decorated with carvings and bands of pearls. Around her raven black hair was a light, reddish band, in which a grand, green feather was fastened. Around her waist was a similar band, a belt, fastened by a buckle of white bone, engraved by a big, black S. Below her shoulder was the tattoo of a snake resting its head on its tail, encircling a black pearl. A similar snake crawled around her index finger, this one made of green onyx. Her face was painted in the style of the native magicians, her skin was of the native, reddish brown colour, her eyes was the deepest emerald green. Around her neck was no cross, but a sharp throwing knife, at her waist hung a bent dagger in scimitar style. “… You see, my dear capitan[3], illusions are the work of air and fire, and as you might know, el fuego[4] isn’t my strongest gift. But let me worry about magic, as I do, and you worry about not hitting the shallows that lie dead ahead…” Suddenly, fog rose from the waters, and something odd was happening to the little boat too. Somewhat it started to blur, and within few seconds it was gone completely. Only the ripple of oars could be seen on the deep waters. A wind rose from the sea.

*

“Remind me again why I made us do this,” Octavia whispered to her native friend. “Oh please,” the young magician replied, smiling teasingly. “Do you really need more reason then a part of the Treasure?” “Right now, I think I actually do,” Octavia said, looking down on the last fashion dress and the pearls she was wearing. She seemed highly uncomfortable. The weather-worker snorted. “If a dress is all it takes to conquer you, capitan, then I can hardly understand how you’ve become a Pirate Lord of this sea. We need a crew, and just walking into a town where the royal marine is awaiting a high ranking officer in your normal outfit would not be the best of ideas.” “But why this town at all? Why not Puerto Cruz[5]? The marine would never dare go into Puerto Cruz.” “Ah, but you wanted a crew of quality, right, nothing like the old crew… It was a disaster, you know. You should be happy you didn’t suffer mutiny…” She smiled even more, her green eyes narrowed and grew dreamy. Octavia wondered why she always looked so happy when she was talking about disasters… “And,” the half-breed continued, “We’ll need the key if we shall have even the slightest chance of getting even the tiniest bit of the Treasure… Now, maybe that old gypsy was wrong, but if the key is here, we’ll have to find it before the marine… It would explain why that officer is coming here too.”

Of course, she was right, her dear weather-worker, they needed a good and loyal crew for once, and Puerto Luz was by far the best place to get it. If they were lucky some of her earlier crew-men and –women would be there too, some of those she knew would follow her loyally even if a part of the treasure was involved. And if that key was really there…! She sighed and shuffled up the skirt of her dress, rose to her feet and strode into the heart of the village, Isabella floating along disguised as a servant maid, though moving like a royalty and smiling like a… Isabella. None could smile like her.

*

They entered the tavern “El Luz de Ophelia”[6] to find it crowded as ever, not only by the normal inhabitants of the city, and the usual pack of sailors seeking hire, but also by marines and even gentlemen and courtesy-women. “Well then,” Octavia thought as they settled at only of the few free tables, “I won’t stick out as the only one in a silly dress. Anyways, do they really think they are safe at the Emerald Sea, even in Puerto Luz, just because they’re travelling on a marine ship? If only I could get a crew to my ship I’d show ‘em what life’s really like down here in the Watery World…” Octavia’s thoughts was disturbed by the barmaid taking her order of sugary water for herself and plain water for her “servant”, though she’d much rather have some of Ophelia’s famous red rum. Isabella on the other hand seemed highly pleased, but then again, she’d never got the taste for good alcohol. “Oh,” she supplied when the barmaid was about to go with the order, “and you may tell mrs Ophelia that miss Amelia Cross is here to see her.” This was a new barmaid that executed the order without knowing that she was the messenger of an old code, but one of the older ones turned around at the name Cross and gave the two disguised ladies a quick smile before turning back to her work. Shortly after an elder, native woman with grey hair in a knot and a weather bitten look came over to their table, carrying a tray with their drinks. “Señorita Cross,” she greeted them, “un agua dulce y un agua normal.” “Grazias, señora Ophelia[7]. It is good to see you again,” the pirate replied, giving the old lady a smile so warm and filled with affection that it was hard to believe that she actually was a feared ocean thief. “It is good to see you too, my lady. But I doubt you’ve come all this way just to say hola[8] to this old lady, eh?” Right to the case, as usual. Well, Ophelia was a busy woman. “No, señora. I’m here on business again, I’m afraid. Mi padre[9] sent me. He’s having trouble with the piracy around Port Blue and need good men, crew for his new ship “Eagle Eye”. Fighting men, mind you, and he wouldn’t mind a mage either, a Dragon if there is one around, he said. What is a Dragon, anyway?” she asked, as even though Isabella had told her everything about it long ago, Amelia Cross knew little of magic. “A Dragon, dear niña[10], is a mage that gets his power from earth and fire, like a Weatherworker gets power from air and water. These are the two most common of the six mage orders at the Emerald Sea, and the Dragon is dreaded as the most dangerous mage. I’m afraid there’s none available in Puerto Luz now. The only ones are at the marine ships, and one of them is the officer himself! The other, though, is a local, his name’s Manuel Drake, so the parents knew what they did when they named him. His not the cleverest nor the best mage, but he’s still a decent Dragon. They say he wasn’t too happy to go aboard the Flaming Swan, but of course, it’s for the common good, so who’s to complain?” At that the old lady paused, giving Octavia time to think about what she’d heard. She’d like to try and catch that ship, the Flaming Swan, but she’d need a crew before it left, and that key. How long would the ship stay in port, anyway? As if reading her mind Ophelia said “The marines will be here for three more days, so you’ll be safe in Puerto Luz ‘til then. I’ll try and find some good men for your father fast, and maybe you need some supplies for the voyage home dear? I wish I could give you a bed for the night as well, but tonight I’m booked up, perdón[11]. I’ll reserve some from tomorrow, okay?” Octavia smiled, Ophelia really did think of everything. “Si abuela, grazias,”[12] she replied, and Ophelia left her, returning to her kitchen.

*

“Excuse me, mademoiselle, but we heard that you might need a bed for the night?” Abruptly awoken from a long range of thoughts regarding everything from keys to Treasure to crew to how absolutely horrid the sugary water tasted, Octavia looked up at the three courtesy women standing by her table. At first thought forgetting how she was dressed she wondered whatever the silly girls was speaking to her for, but as her hand went to the non-present handle of her rapier she recalled who she pretended to be. “Er, yes, but you really shouldn’t worry about me, I’ve heard there’s lots of inns in the town and I’m sure I can find a civilized room somewhere.” She smiled something she hoped was a good mix of a polite and a please-get-away-from-me-morons smile and half turned her back on the ladies when they, to her great regret, continued. “Oh, but really, you cannot! Ophelia’s is the best place in town and we heard from some handsome marines (they got such a fine uniform, don’t you think?) that most of the other inns are filled to the brim with the most impolite manner of creatures, maybe even pirates! And besides, you wouldn’t be any trouble at all; we’ve got an extra bed in our room. I’m sure Ophelia can put your maid somewhere along with the rest of the servants or something. We ladies should stick together you know!” And they smiled and giggled like the completely useless bunch of chicken-brains they probably was. If she accepted their offer, would she have to behave in the same manner to blend in? On the other hand, it was tempting not to have to look around the whole town for a free bed, and she might be able to nick something valuable. Besides, it was only for one night… “All right, my ladies, I’ll think about your most generous offer. My name, if you didn’t listen in on that too, is Amelia Cross. I’m the daughter of Admiral Cross of Blue Port.” “Actually, we did overhear your name!” the front most lady said in a giggle. Octavia noticed she had blue eyes and blond hair, like the typical Plains-(wo)man, and a ridiculous light-blue dress and the most silly headdress she’d ever seen, made up with lots of blue ribbons, pearls and even some silver. What a waste.

“My name is Amelia too!” the woman said with great excitement. “Amelia Bones! You know, if we put our names together, Amelia Cross and Amelia Bones, it makes Amelia Crossbones! That’s the symbol of pirates, you know, isn’t it amusing?! And this,” she pointed to her two friends, one of them another blond in a pink dress and the third a redhead in a green dress, both complete with the blue eyes, “is Mary Montero,” the redhead, “and Julia Evens. It really is a pleasure to meet you.” “Oh no, the pleasure is all mine,” Octavia lied with a somewhat weird grin. At her other side, Isabella seemed to control herself not to burst out laughing, but the Plains ladies seemly didn’t notice, giggling and chattering on. She gave Isabella a begging look, but the native raised, bowed for the company and said “My lady, I’ll arrange for your luggage to be sent to your new room and make sure lady Ophelia gets word of the lucky circumstances. Enjoy yourselves.” Another bow and she swooped off, leaving Octavia to suffer; she already regretted her choice of company. Surly, any other tavern, even a hayloft, would be better then this.

*

Upon entering the room she’d shear with the three Plainslings, Octavia was positively surprised. She’d expected it to be filled to the brim with torture instruments like corsets and stiletto shoes, but either all was locked up in the big wardrobe, or there was none. Except the pair of stilettos miss Julia was wearing, but miss Julia was without doubt the weirdest of the three. She talked a lot, but only about her tragic love back home, obviously some kind of enemy to her family, but the perfect man, according to her. Octavia sighed heavily when Julia for the third time recounted the tale of the romantic evening when her love had found her at her balcony, and was once again positively surprised when Amelia rolled her eyes to her. It seemed she wasn’t the only one to find the romantic gossip utterly useless and dead boring. Making a quick excuse about needing a chat with her “servant”, she leaped for the door, interrupted by Amelia who asked to come along. She gave it a quick thought. Actually, her plan was to use the spare time to talk with Isabella about plans, keys, maybe some food and the like, but then again, she couldn’t just leave the poor girl there to almost certain insanity. “Well all right, you may come. You two have fun, she directed at Julia and Mary before closing the door.

“I’m sorry,” the real Amelia said to the fake one. “She really is like that all the time. We did hope she might change slightly during this trip, but no. It’s an endless flow about how she misses him and how she can’t swim and how much safer she’d felt if she was only in his arms…” She smiled and sighed. “Well, we’re out of there now. Nice excuse; I’d use it if we had a servant, alas… Well, I’ve used every other excuse I could think of. Or did you really plan to see your maid? Please, don’t let me disturb you! I only wanted to get out from there…” Octavia sighed, but smiled back to the lady. Like she could speak with Isabella about piracy now… “No, no, I was just hungry for some fresh air. It’s too long since I was last in Puerto Luz. Only gets out when my father needs a hand. But you probably haven’t ever been here before? Would you like a tour?” She had nothing better to do, anyway. Isabella would have to look for key-clues on her own.

*

“Are you sure it’s safe? Shouldn’t we have asked some of the marines to accompany us?” “Oh, don’t be such a sissy. Those marines usually talks more rubbish then Lady Julia three times over. And there are places we couldn’t go if accompanied by marines…” “But, Lady Cross, don’t you think they’re handsome?” “Honestly, miss Bones, I do not. They walk funny; they wear the most ridiculous uniforms and all of them with the same haircut. No, even Pirates are more handsome then marines.” “True. As long as they clean themselves properly.” A giggle. “But believe me when I say that the marines are to be preferred compared to the men of the court back home!”

They kept talking like this as they walked trough the streets of Puerto Luz. There weren’t many people out this evening, but the air was warm and sweet and the stars were shining bright. Octavia was surprised by how much at ease she felt with Amelia. She felt like they could talk about anything and still agree; their minds were on accord. She almost didn’t have to pretend like being miss Amelia Cross, even. “Where is it the marines can’t go, Amelia?” the Plainsling asked curiously. “Oh, all sorts of places. There are inns that are mostly visited by pirates. It wouldn’t be wise for anyone bearing a uniform to go into such a house. But in our dresses it wouldn’t be much wiser. Still, there are certain places we’d be welcomed, places that cares about anyone but marines. They are usually run by pirates but they are looked upon as free ports, places where neither man nor woman is allowed to do a bad thing to anyone, not even if they wear a dress. The marines are the exception because they’re stupid. If they get the option to catch a valuable head they don’t care where they do it.

“And you know where to find these free ports?” Amelia asked; she seemingly had a hard time believing all that Octavia told her. Well, the poor thing had never been to the Emerald Sea before; she would surly get quite a many surprises. “Well, of course I know! My father often took me to Puerto Luz when I was young and thought me all he knew of the city. Now I go here on his behalf. I get much help from Ophelia but if she’s too busy to gather me what I need I’ll find it on my own. I am a waterling, after all.”

*

Shortly after they entered the bar “Dos cervezas y un bocadillo[13]”, a smaller and much messier place then Ophelia’s. Amelia wrinkled her nose but didn’t behave as poorly as Octavia was afraid she might. Octavia soon found a familiar face there and guided Amelia over to the table. The woman gave her a curious look but didn’t ask. The hooded figure at the table hardly moved as they seated and Octavia greeted her.

“Hola, señorita Sanches.” The hooded one didn’t answer, but she glanced up to display a square face, battle scarred and weather bitten. She got a smile like sour milk. Amelia couldn’t help but stare at her, so Octavia nudged her in the side ‘til she stopped. The hooded one lowered her head to her beer, making a kind of grunting noise, though without answering. “You remembers your old friend Amelia Cross, don’t you señorita?” Still no answer. “Oh, common Ana, don’t be that way. I was only wondering if you and the boys would join on my fathers new ship, I know he’d appreciate it. Besides Ice, you’re the best navigator on the Sea!”

The hooded one looked up again. “Besides Ice, says you? Well I bet ya got Ice hooked all up already, so whatever should ya need an old gal like me for?” The voice was rusty, typical for one that didn’t use it for anything unnecessary. “Now you’re just playing mean, Ana, and we both know you’re a really nice señorita under that big, dark cloak. I want you on this, Ice will be busy with too much other things. Dad will need people he can trust. Believe me when I say you want this job. If you turn me down now, you’ll only be disappointing the boys. I want you to come, and I want you to take the boys.” “I’m not interested. Already hooked.” All until then, Octavia had kept a smile on her face. Suddenly it was exchanged with disbelief. “You’re kidding me.” Her voice was rougher. She’d forgotten everything about playing a lady. The hooded one just gave her an empty look and gulped down some more beer.

“Already hooked?! By who? And when, from eternity and to this day, hasn’t my offer been better than anyone else’s? Drop that scallywag of a third rate captain, whoever it might be, and take me! I --” She suddenly remembered Amelia and broke off. Taking a deep breath she returned the lady’s voice to her mouth. “My father needs you. I’d be really happy if you could come. Think about it, at least. You’ll always know how to find me.”