The Founding Sisters #1 The Damned

Chapter 6

AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS JULY 1695

She couldn't believe it. Moonlach would not believe it. Even though Lang Schadow had been gone for over a year, she refused to accept the idea that her beloved sister had fallen to the Cape's wrath. She had promised and nothing would make Lang Schadow quit her promises. She would move hell itself to get back to her precious little Pearl before she allowed that to happen.

The only explanation Moonlach would accept was her sister was lost somewhere. Perhaps captured and under another nation's control. Lang Schadow would use that to find her way back, of that Moonlach was certain. But that wouldn't stop her from going out to find her. She still wasn't quite yet at the point where she could go out to sea on her own but quite frankly, she was out of time. She had to go. She had to find her sister and then tie herself off to her in a way that would ensure they'd never be separated again.

Her homeland disappeared behind her as she picked up speed, unencumbered now by open water and an uninterrupted breeze. The waves flashed by at a speed that would make most other ships slow out of fear that their masts might snap. But Moonlach sensed her spars could take more canvas than she currently had deployed so she let the rest loose, the sheets taking the wind. There was a slight strain on her muscles but nothing she couldn't handle. A laugh escaped her as she went even faster, building up a massive bow wave as she strained to leave the water behind altogether. The sea wouldn't permit that however, no matter how fast Moonlach went.

All ships knew how to sail. It was rarely a thing that needed to be taught outside the finer points of the art. But Moonlach had not been confined to port because of her lack of sailing ability. She'd been confined for her lack of experience. She simply did not know what dangers may lurk in open waters, beyond her nation's protection. Who she could trust and who she could not. And now her course took her southwest, towards the Caribbean.

Most ships would take at least 14 days to make the journey from far north, 10 perhaps if they had the winds at their backs. Moonlach made it in 8. The deep blue waters beneath her keel faded to a beautiful azure tint. Here seemed to be a good place to start searching.

The outermost islands were windswept and mostly barren although a few possessed some natural harbors she felt might provide shelter. There didn't appear to be anyone occupying them at the moment however so she continued on. One island stood out from the rest. It had a very intimidating coastline, nothing but sheer green covered cliffs as far as her eye could see. And yet Moonlach sensed not all was as it appeared.

As it turned out, her guess was right. Rounding a corner, she saw a large opening. It was a cave of some sort but she could feel a draft running through it. That indicated it went right through the cliffs to, the center of the island perhaps? Maybe there was a harbor in there. Moonlach set her course inside. The rocks blocked most of the wind, choking her lower sails but the uppers still had enough breeze to propel her through at speed.

There was indeed a harbor on the other side. Actually, it was more like a town and it had to be the strangest town Moonlach had ever seen not that she had seen many in her short life. The city was composed entirely of shipwrecks, one stacked on top of the other. It was midday but streetlamps still glowed brightly. A set of docks extended out from the town, some more fancy than others. A hierarchy Moonlach guessed. Amsterdam had something similar.

The harbor was set like crescent moon with the town at the center. There was a cluster of ships over by the far wall. Moonlach started towards them, slowly as she listened to their conversation.

One was a small sloop who gave off a very cheeky vibe. The second ship was painted a beautiful red. She had three masts like Moonlach but her design was more English. The third ship was unmistakably a Blackwall frigate. Veere had drilled into Moonlach to memorize the shipping books. None noticed her yet which was fine, Moonlach wanted to listen not interrupt.