A Motley Sisterhood of Pirates!  (Part Five: Blog Thirty)

By Dan Watt and Taylor Norris, co-authors of the Rita Walker series

“You’re a genius First Mate Olanis,” ‘Wheel Turner’ says and slaps her on the shoulder.  “Up you go while I pass the skin sacks to you.”

Oli grunts as ‘Wheel Turner’ gives her the sacks.  “If we really wanted to get fresh water we would need to hook up a pulley and use buckets,” she says through gritting teeth.

“There’s a wind coming up and dark clouds in the sky that says are time here is up,” ‘Wheel Turner’ replies with her own grunt.

“I’m thinking we tie a string to the sacks and place them on some of the broad leaves so we can slide them down,” Oli says wiping perspiration from her forehead.  You might be able to carry them but they’re too heavy for me to lug down.”

“Aye,” ‘Wheel Turner’ says. 

Oli sees ‘Wheel Turner’ hack off a couple of leaves from unfamiliar plant.  The leaves are as long and wide as she is. 

Once they get to the water Oli makes one of Umi’s Ama whistles.  In a short time she sees the pinnace being rowed their way.

The growing waves rock the pinnace as it makes it back to the Nagua.  Once the two water sacks, seaweed, and dogweed are loaded Oli goes with ‘Wheel Turner’ to see the Captain on the Fo’c’sle.

“Captain and Navigator,” she and ‘Wheel Turner’ say in unison.

“There’s fruit and fresh water and we found a new people,” Oli tells the Captain.

“Taller than the Real Talls and with a dorsal fin along their backs,” ‘Wheel Turner’ adds.

“Well,” the Captain says as she pinches her chin in thought.  “All we saw was Peg leg’s Surprise pass us with the Cannibals’ ship close behind.”

“And there are full moons crossing,” ‘Storm Caller’ says ominously.

“Ah!” Oli cries out.  “All of us women will be howling at the moon.  It will be a crazy ship for the next while.  Poor, poor ‘Ship Builder’.  He’ll be hiding more than normal.”  She laughs.

“And Janet will be singing her lamenting songs,” ‘Wheel Turner’ adds with a groan.

“Two full moons crossing one another,” ‘Storm Caller’ says again.

Everyone goes silent.

“The Cannibals will be wanting to feed,” the Captain says in a wearisome tone.

Dan Watt is the author of BARD an epic fantasy story

Taylor Norris, RMT, as First Mate ‘One Eye’ Olanis:  taynorris@gmail.com

With thanks to Joanne Gosling (Navigator ‘Storm Caller’ Master Jo Anne): Joanne is an Interior Decorator who specializes in closets: Jgosling@calclosets.com Calclosetsjoanne or Joannegosling22@gmail.com;

Leah Weir (Helmswoman ‘Wheel Turner’ Synthia): model and cover editor;

Fire & Steel for the Medieval Rapier:  http://fireandsteel.ca/

Alex Watt for background pictures

Daiana Duca for background pictures

Tags: Action Adventure, Blog Story, Female Pirates, Science Fiction