the cursed skipper.

1.

Once upon a time, a long time ago in the year of 1604 when the VOC was an upcoming company, the Dutch skipper Willem Kuypers was steering his big ship.
He was on his way to Asia, for goods such as textiles, spices or yarn, when he got lost at sea. It was a dark, stormy night, full of terror. Willem's crew which existed out of normal sailors, special sailors the dutchmen called busschieters (which tranlates to busshooters) who were normal sailors until the enemies ship arrived, cooks, soldiers, nurses, doctors, and way more, feared for their lives. "We gotta stick together, men! Hold on, for your children, wives and mothers." Willem exclaimed as a big wave hit the ship. He fell and bumped his head on the steering wheel. His crew rushed towards him.

*the year of 1603*
"My love, are you sure you should do this? I don't want anything to happen when you, my love, and your men are out there. Have you heared the mermaid stories yet?" Helena Kuypers, Willems young wife said.

"Dont be ridiculous!" Willem yelled at his wife. He didn't like it when anyone other then he, himself, said what Willem should, and shouldn't do. "There is no woman that me, Willem damn Kuypers can't handle!" He said, a look of anger on his face.
"Dear, you know what they say. Fisherman Hendrik van der Decken was taken by these creatures, I only want you to be safe, my love."
Helena followed Willem around as he was packing his stuff.
"Mark my words. If these creatures exist, i'll come back with the prettiest mermaid in my left hand, and a bag full of spices in the other."

Helena couldn't help but smile a little. "Okay" she whispered, as she placed a small kiss on Willems shoulder.

*the year of 1604*
The first rays of sunshine hit Willems face as he woke up. A doctor on his left side, a sailor on his right. He was soaked by the waves and the rain. Willem got up immediatly, he ran onto the deck of the ship.
"How many did we lose tonight?"
A young sailor that was no older than sixteen took off his hat and held it in front of him.
"Five, sir."
"Where are they?"
"Two fell overboard, and the others are in the stockingroom, sir. We didn't know where else to put them, sir."
"Go and grab the cloths, Pieter."
"Its Klaas, sir."
"I call you whatever I want. I am the skipper, the captain, the boss." Willem said.

Willem was known to get mad easily. He was quite a scary man. Thats why he was the perfect skipper. Scary, bossy, strict and full of willpower. He wasn't scared to speak up. His crew, however was never allowed to speak up to Willem, if it wasn't in his favor. If they did, there would be consequences. There were many rumors about Willem. People who didn't know him, said his eyes would get red if he was angry, a gray sort of glow around him. There was rumors he would throw the sailors he didn't like over board.

"You're right sir, i'll go get the cloths, sir."
Willem nodded in response, his face getting rid of the tension.

When Klaas came back with the cloths, and another sailor with the dead bodies, they wrapped the three bodies that were left up in the cloth. They got them onto some stretchers. Willem said some prayers, and they let the bodies fall into the ocean.  "You did great work, men." Willem said, looking at the wrapped up bodies sliding down the stretchers. A big splash was heard and Willem turned around as if nothing happend.

"Crew!" He held onto a long rope.
"I want you all to clean up! The ship must look spick and span again! Starting now!"

Every single person on the ship, except for the sailor holding on to the steeringwheel went to clean up, as fast and good as they could.

"Diederik." Willem said, showing up behind the steering sailor.
"Yessir." Diederik answered, his voice was full of respect. He has been a friend of Willems for a long time, and now worked for him.
"Do you know where we are?"
"I'm afraid we've lost the way due to the storm. I apologize sir."
"Do you think we'll be able to find land?"
"I'll do everything I can, to get back on track sir. I assure you."
"Great, don't dissapoint me."