A Motley Sisterhood of Pirates! (Part Eight: Blog Fifty-One)
By Dan Watt and Taylor Norris, co-authors of the Rita Walker series
“I was too busy to hear tales,” “Dizzying Blade” says with shake of her mane. “After demonstrating and defeating many of the girls and some of the boy horsies in sparring matches with different weapons I said I should win a prize each time I win. They are a very competitive bunch so they agreed. I told them for each match I win they must give me a bow and quiver and some of their spears. Unfortunately, most of the girls would not be able to pull the horsies’ bowstrings, nor hold the thick shafts of their spears. So, I said we would take their children’s. A lot of little ones broke out in tears as I was given their play weapons.” “Dizzying Blade” laughs and out of habit everyone including Olanis follow suite.
“Haven’t seen the “Harlot””, Olanis says glancing about.
“We’re to call her “Flag Weaver” now that she’s a proper woman with a single man,” “Wheel Turner” says. “She and her lover are staying indefinitely with the Horse People. She’s an ambassador now. I’m going to miss her little sarcastic replies.”
“And where is the “Ship Builder”?” Olanis asks.
“Down below,” “Wheel Turner” replies. “We’re going to get you your own ship as soon as the anchors are aboard,” she continues with a grin.
Standing beside the Captain on the fo’c’sle without her eyepatch Olanis sings loudly, “Grab the handles of the capstan ladies
Get the anchor to its place at the stern
Heave the ropes to raise the sails
We’re off
We’re off to the sea
Early in the day the Captain asked her to sing a song to rouse the crew. She changed a few words to bows and arrows because they rarely used cannons now.
Prepare the bows and arrows
Sharpen whatever blades you carry
And drink up your share of rum
We’re off
We’re off to war!
As she sings Olanis sees “Unibrow”, Janice, and the Cannibal fill up the pewter mugs that the crew has attached to their capris with leather string.
“I’m on first watch,” the Captain tells her. “Dizzying Blade”, “Wheel Turner”, “Storm Bringer”, “Ship Protector” Umi are with me. You’ll have Zala as First Mate, Aarini as Helmswoman, Janice as Navigator, Arsema as “Ship Protector”, and Amelie as Master-of-Arms.”
“Aye,” Captain Olanis says with a grin. “And Mesi and Althea?”
“Best let them sleep through it all,” the Captain says with a wink.
“Aye again,” Olanis says with a gleam in her eyes. She tingles all over at the idea of playing captain.
Dan Watt is the author of the epic dark fantasy fiction book BARD
Taylor Norris, RMT, as First Mate ‘One Eye’ Olanis: taynorris@gmail.com (Kitchener-Waterloo)
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;
Andraya Watt as Assistant-Master-at-Arms, Amelie
With Thanks To:
Fire & Steel for the Medieval Rapier: http://fireandsteel.ca/
Alex Watt for background pictures
Daiana Duca for background pictures
Krissy Karmaschek for background pictures
Caedar Writing & Artwork 