A Motley Sisterhood of Pirates!  BOOK Three  (Part Fourteen: Blog Seventy-three) By Dan Watt and Taylor Norris, co-authors of the Rita Walker series

Note:  The pictures of Helmswoman “Wheel Turner” Synthia were taken, as a favour, by professional family and baby photographer Kimberley Lee (kimberleyleephotography.co.uk)  

Helmswoman “Wheel Turner” Synthia stands on the Forecastle deck of the Freya with her rapier drawn.  She glances towards the Sterncastle deck, where Arsema, First-mate Arsema, she corrects herself, is turning the ship’s wheel.  She stares behind Arsema and up to the Poop deck.  Captain Olanis is there, staring into the fog with a telescope. 

Synthia turns her head towards the sea, where only shadows of the dreaded island, where the monstrous Captain Barthadrow has made his base, are visible.  She spits into the wind.

“Thinking of him?” Master-at-arms Amelie asks from just across from her, with a snarl.

“Aye, but if Admiral Alejandro’s plan works, he won’t like being there much longer.”  Synthia glances out to sea once more before turning back to Amelie.  “So, we’re going over some of the moves “Dizzying Balde” taught you, for close combat with a sword?”

“Oui,” Amelie replies in her thick French accent.  “Knives and some daggers are best in closest combat, but you can use your rapier.  First, hold the unsharp edge in your free hand so the sharp edge is always facing your opponent.”

“Your octopus isn’t going to attack me while we practice, is it?”  Synthia asks with a mischievous grin.

“Dixopus,” Amelie corrects her.  “And I’m pretty sure she’s a she since there’s little dixopuses now.”

“So, you’re a godmother now,” Synthia says with a chuckle.  She sees Amelie’s eyes narrow and prepares to be attacked.  

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 (pictures by: professional family and baby photographer Kimberley Lee (kimberleyleephotography.co.uk); (El Cid Rapier by blades-uk.com) Andraya Watt as Assistant-Master-at-Arms, Amelie Maegan Curlyo as Master-at-Arms “Dizzying Blade” Sadie (pictures of Maegan by Ben Kraehling)     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

Tags: Pirates, Science Fiction, Story Telling, Weapons, Writing