The Founding Sisters #1 The Damned

Chapter 19

CARIBBEAN SEA, MAY 1698

Moonlach followed close in trail to Venegaza. The pair were cruising off Bermuda in search of fresh heavily laden targets to plunder. But for some reason, they weren't finding much. The shipping routes normally so filled with merchant vessels were laid bare. It was as if all European shipping had scattered and/or retreated to the safety of port.

It disturbed Venegaza. "Twenty years I've sailed these waters and not once have I ever seen them so empty before." She rasped.

"Maybe there's a storm coming." Moonlach suggested. She was not as easily spooked as her mentor but even she had to admit that something was very wrong.

"Perhaps. Or perhaps one is already here." Venegaza murmured.

Moonlach didn't get the chance to ask her what she meant by that for it was at that instant that both were surprised by a fleet of sloops. Venegaza reacted instinctively, putting herself between the threat and Moonlach teeth bared. She did not relax her stance when the lead sloop faced her.

"Tsk. Still overprotective as ever, I see." Kolduyna said. "If I wanted to harm you, I would have done so already. You may stand down."

Venegaza didn't. She maneuvered even closer to Moonlach, making it very clear to her former mentor that the young galleon was hers! Koldunya's eyes sparkled at this. Clearly the Russian was amused. "Give me a reason to trust you." Venegaza hissed.

"Very well. Stand down and leave us." Kolduyna ordered her fleet. One by one they left, leaving just the three standing there.

Venegaza reluctantly dropped her aggressive stance although she still remained close to Moonlach. "Alright. If you wanted my attention, you have it." She grunted.

"Your attention isn't what I desire, Venegaza." Kolduyna replied. "But I figured I should tell you that you can expect a distinct lack of resistance from the Royal Navy now."

"The Royal Navy was hardly a threat to my territory in any case." Venegaza huffed. She paused, noticing the look in her eyes. "What did you do?" She asked. "Kolduyna, what did you-"

"In my defense, they came after me!" The sloop grinned. "Attacked my hideout in New Avalon. I'm just ashamed I couldn't kill them all although I did get that pesky man o'war finally!" She cackled.

Moonlach looked at her mentor in concern when Venegaza staggered back into her, shaking. "Venegaza, talk to me." She asked. "What's wrong?"

But Venegaza wasn't listening to Moonlach. She only had eyes for Kolduyna. "You killed Britannia." She rasped.

"Why should you care? You have no love for the Navy!" Kolduyna snapped.

That was true. But if there was one ship who she could forgive, it would be Britannia. The flagship had been nothing but kind to her, even after she left the fold. Not to mention, she had been the one ship who supported an unofficial alliance with the Brethren, using them as a buffer against rogues like Kolduyna. Said ship offered her a sick grin. Venegaza couldn't contain her horror. "What were you thinking, Kolduyna?!" She rasped. "Britannia was the only ship holding Britain back. Instead of containing the Royal Navy you have released the worst of their wrath upon me!" Little did she knew how well she would be proven right.

"Her deputy and that Spanish flagship ran for their lives when they saw her killed!" Kolduyna cackled. "You should've seen them. Rightly humbled they were."

"And now out for revenge. You have all but doomed us!" Venegaza snapped.

"Go right ahead and preach your doom and gloom, Venegaza." Kolduyna snarled, losing her temper. "Let it be known that I have saved the Brethren Court from its greatest enemy." She whirled around and sailed off.