 
       
|
The Misfits of DametreosChapter 9: Scourge Of The Seas
Burtrand paced back and forth on the bridge of his ship, the Hornet. He was pondering the Royal Knight's shipping records his spies had just brought him. His last raid on their cargo ships had been interesting. Royal Knights had sent a navy escort with the cargo ships, and he had an interesting time dealing with them. He made it through, but barely.
“Sir!”
Burtrand turned and there stood his first mate, Sydney Smythe.
“Sir, I seen one of the crew who we sent after th’ lubber who jumped Georgie and his lady friend. He's got some sort of metal about the neck. I fear it's some treasure he ain't told you ’bout,” Sydney said.
“Send him to me at once!” Burtrand scowled.
A few moments later, the crew member knelt, sniveling at Burt's feet. Burt took his cutlass tip and lifted the cord of the pendant around the fool’s neck. The pendant was beautifully wrought of silver and diamond, hung on a leather thong.
“I see you have found quite a fair trinket,” Burtrand said.
“Sir! I didn't mean to! I was gonna give it to you, honest!”
Burtrand cut the cord holding the pendant and flung it into the air. He caught it and put it in his pocket. He then kicked the sailor in the face and sent him sprawling across the deck.
“Smythe!” Burt said, “hang him from the main upper yardarm!”
“Consider it done, cap’n,” said the first mate.
Burtrand descended the ladder to the main deck and entered his cabin, where he had a bottle of rum waiting.
Burtrand stepped out onto the main deck and inhaled the crisp salt air. He was excited to return to his secret hideout and recharge himself after a long deployment raiding ships. The treasure deck was laden with gold and silver and the pantry was running low on food.
“Ship ahoy!!!!” the cry came from the crow's nest on the mainmast, “She's right behind us sir, fifteen kilometers out!”
Burtrand climbed the rigging to the cross-trees and peered through his telescope. The ship was still to far away to tell what flag she flew, but it was obvious that she was pursuing the Hornet.
“Hold her steady!” Burt bellowed to his first mate, who was at the helm.
“Sir, is it the bloody Rose Marie again?” piped back Smythe.
“I'm not sure,” answered Burtrand, “we’ll know soon enough.”
The Rose Marie had been chasing the Hornet for a whole year. She was captained by Capt. Michael Brownstone, under the Black Falcon flag. She was specifically designed and deployed for defeating pirates and many a buccaneer’s vessel met it’s match against the cold, merciless hand of Capt. Brownstone. Burtrand had managed to escape from the Rose Marie a few times, but as his reputation as a pirate grew, Brownstone's pursuit became more relentless.
Peering through his glass, Burtrand could now make out what he already knew. What other ship could over take them that fast? The Black Falcon flag and tell-tale lines just confirmed that it was indeed the Rose Marie.
Burtrand scrambled down to deck.
“It's her.”
He knew that he was caught in open water. He only took this route because of the intelligence reports that the Rose Marie was on the other side of the island. One of his spies must have been working for the other side. That was something he would have to deal with later. For now, his attention was turned to what he feared the most: A sea battle with Rose Marie.
| Previous Chapter | Next Chapter |
|
|
