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

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

“We have a pact with Peg leg,” Oli says.

“Aye, we do,” the Captain agrees.  “Forget your eye patch and pull out your mandolin my First Mate.  The girls will need a song to carry them through the next while.”  Oli watches as the Captain stares into the sky.  “And a storm is brewing.  I’ll take first sleep so you’re in charge.”

“Aye, aye Captain,” Oli says with a grin.

Oli feels a nudge against her shoulder.

“Sir,” the ‘Harlot’ says to her with tear streaked cheeks and a determined stare.  “I wish to help pull the sheets and whatever else it takes to make the Nague fly towards Captain Peg leg’s ship the Surprise.

“Aye sister,” Oli replies.  “Help make them bows twang with the Master-at-Arms and the Shipbuilder.  We’ll handle lowering and raising the sails.”

“But we need to hurry,” the ‘Harlot’ says in a tone that surprises Oli; there’s no sarcasm only worry in it.

“We’ll make haste and if he hasn’t been eaten yet save your heart,” Oli assures her.

“Thank you sir,” the ‘Harlot’ says with a shake of her now clasped hands. 

Oli goes to her room under the fo’c’sle and straps her mandolin over her shoulder.

“Lasses all, hear me!” Oli shouts out as she walks towards the post of the main mast while lightly strumming the strings of her mandolin.  “We must save our friends on the Surprise from our friends the Cannibals.”  She starts strumming the strings of her mandolin with more vigor.  “There’s a wind building and a storm brewing, so we must hurry.  Now see Cook Nippie and Janet and receive your quota of rum for this wild ride.”  Zala and Aarini step to either side of her.  “Zala will choose which of you rest and which of you stay on deck to work.  We’ll be doing shifts of eight hours.  Helmswoman Synthia has turned the first hourglass over.  Those of you resting get as much kip as you can.  The rest of you!  It’s time to fly!”

“With me Aarini,” Oli sings as she saunters over to the Poop Deck where ‘Wheel Turner’ is waiting for them.  “You’ll be pulling the spokes one way or the other,” Oli says as ‘Wheel Turner’ steps back so Aarini can take the wheel.  “Zala will be calling the direction from the fo’c’sle where Master Jo Ann our beloved Navigator will tell her which way we wants to go.”

“Where will you be sir?” Aarini asks with a mixture of concern and excitement in her voice and on her face.

“I’ll be nearby,” Oli replies with a wink, “Giving orders between singing a song.”

The planks of the deck, the sails, and everything else are suddenly tinted a semi-translucent brandy colour.

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