War and Ruin

Abad Fadoul

"G'mornin' to ye, Cap'n."  Crew members greeted Evie as she paced about the deck of the ship in the early hours of sunrise. The sun was shining along the horizon as Evie stood at the bow of the steam ship. She walked slowly along the deck of her vessel. A once 18th century galley was dismantled and modified into a modern steam ship. O'Riley never wanted to discard the historical parts of the ship, so it was repurposed. Evie smiled to herself as she recollected the history of the Immortal Voyager.

"Well, what a fine morning it is indeed." Evie said as she stood next to Mr. Toole and First Mate Collins. "We will be arriving shortly, yes?"

"Aye Cap'n. The ports of Morocco are just over yonder." Collins pointed to a small dark spot along the horizon that must have been the marina for the ships to careen and the crews to disembark and sell their wares.

"I hope the port master treats me well. I've never known female captains to have it easy." Evie shifts in her shoes. "I'm doing my best to hide my features enough to try and just blend in and hopefully no one will pay any mind to me."

"Oh, they'll notice ye alright." Mr. Toole laughed but quickly stopped when he saw the glare on Collins' face. 

"Never ye worry, Cap'n. We are a well known crew and I doubt any of the tradesmen nor the port master will care about yer sex when we have loads of money coming into their ports." Collins patted Evie on the shoulder. "You bear the O'Riley name and flag, you'll be fine." Evie smiles at the two men and starts to head below deck to ensure all merchandise is secured and ready to be offloaded.  Collins leans over to Mr. Toole, "We can't let the port smith know Evie is the Cap'n."

"Damn right. He'll turn us out and we'll be making no money." Mr. Toole nods to Collins and they covertly agree to protect the truth.

"Ah, the famous O'Riley merchants!" A short and stout man with tanned skin and a long thick black beard wearing bright greens and gold silk and satin clothing greeted the crew as they marched off the ship with crates of items to be sold and traded. "It is always a joy to see you all. May Allah bless your merchant season and bring us all much revenue." His fingers each bore a massive ring with multi-colored gems. He starts looking more closely at the crew members as they pass him with large crates, clearly hunting for Jameson O'Riley. "Where is the Captain?"

"Ah, greetings Abad Fadoul!" Collins smiles brightly with arms open wide ready for an embrace. "It is so good to see you again! My, 9 months is far too long wouldn't ye agree?" While Collins fans himself like a peacock to create a diversion, Mr. Toole escorts Evie off the ship and corrals her towards the stalls selling large shawls.

"What are we doing? We can't already be buyin' anything!" Evie exclaims with frustration. "Will you let go of my arm? You're about to twist it off!" She yanks her arm out of Mr. Toole's grasp as she retorts in a venomous hiss.

"Listen, Cap'n. If the port master Abad Fadoul finds out yer the Cap'n, we won't make any money. We need to ensure our profits."

"Wait...so he would bar us from our rights as merchants simply because I'm a woman and the new captain of the O'Riley vessel?"

Mr. Toole sadly nods. "I'm sorry, Cap'n. We don't mind it all, but these people aren't really supportive of that way of thinkin'."

Evie's faces becomes twisted in anger as she shakes her head in disgust, "Well, I'll just have to push them in the right direction then won't I?" Evie stomps over to Abad Fadoul ready to confront him face to face. "Abad! Abad Fadoul!"

"My papers are in order- Oh, hello little Evie! Where is your papa? Hmm? Where is Captain O'Riley?" Abad smiles at her like a little child tagging along with her daddy. 

"I am Captain O'Riley."