The Jolly Maiden, in spite of her size, tossed and pitched on the rough seas. Sailors scrambled across her deck and through the rigging as they work to adjust the sails as the looming storm rushes to meet them.
Across the horizon, the dark clouds seem to boil as they advance across the otherwise blue sky. A flicker of light seems to dance through the clouds, several seconds pass before the rumble of thunder reaches the ship.
Captain Glaroon stands at the helm, his stance wide as he adjusts the ship’s heading, pointing the bow directly at the rapidly approaching storm. Not a word is uttered as his hard eyes take in the scene beneath him on the main deck.
Meanwhile, a bare chested bald man angrily barks orders at the sailors, “Secure that line Mr Anders!” He yells at one sailor, then steps to the side as another sailor rushes past him, “Buckles!” He calls to another man, the bearded man looks at him, “Sir?” “Go below deck, all hands on deck.” The man looks at the rapidly advancing clouds. Another bolt of lightning setting off a chain of light among the clouds, the clap of thunder is much closer this time.
Below deck:
Mr Randal glances at the rows of cages, each large cage holding several females, “Fucking women, they’ve no place on the sea, and this storm is the gods displeasure, mark my words.” He grumbles, his rotting teeth in clear view.
“Storms happen,” Shevens replies, “For all their crimes, these ladies have nothing to do with it.”
Randal spits, turns his back and starts to walk away.
He’s barely taken a step before Buckles comes down the ladder, seeing the two, “All hands on Deck, Thrinn’s orders.” He pauses, then adds, “Storms coming up fast, and it looks like the devil’s bedpan bearing down on us.”
Moments later:
An ebony skinned woman seems to almost materialize out of the shadows at the back of one of the cages, “Its time,” Shanna says in her thick, accented voice, “You got the key, little sparrow?” She asks, looking at a nearby cage.
A young looking redheaded girl grins, running her fingers through her red hair, she produces a key. Using the key, she quickly unlocks her own cage, releasing herself and the other prisoners in the cage with her. While the others race off as a group, Jennifer, better known as Sparrow among the imprisoned females, turns to the next cage, unlocking it in turn.
“Take the armory first, once we’re armed, we can take this ship,” Shanna grins, revealing a single gold tooth among her stark white teeth.
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