Jacquotte

Chapter 10

   She bade goodbye to Bea, Mary, and the innkeeper, and apologized for not buying the soap. She left quickly and without explanation, not wanting any hindrance to her plan. Her plan was to go down to the port and steal a ship. Now, this was actually going to be easier than you'd think. However she needed a crew to maintain the ship. Luckily, she knew just where to look. There was a pub on the end of Broad Street where the French-speaking Caribbeans drank, the Salty Cow. It was rumored to be a pirate's nest.

Stepping in the pub, the cacophony of voices went silent as they looked at her. She knew she made a strange picture, a pirate girl with a baby. But she ignored everyone's stares, and walked straight to the bar, sitting down.

"Donne-moi une biere, s'il vous plait."

Her speaking French clearly surprised the bartender, but he complied with her request, sliding her a tankard of beer. Jacquotte nodded in thanks, and fixed Jonasen so he was slung on her front. She needed to be able to monitor him in this crowd.

Drinking her beer, she surveyed the men around her. They were obviously pirates, with their multiple tattoos and piercings. One in particular stood out, a wiry looking lad who sat in the corner. He didn't look as if he was older than fifteen, yet the other patrons of the pub gave him a wide berth. Out of fear or respect, Jacquotte couldn't tell, but she figured he would be a good place to start. She stood and walked over to him, confidently. She dragged an empty chair over to sit in front of him, and gave him her best poker face, which was pretty good. He looked at her with dark, curious eyes, but didn't say anything.

"Bonjour. Comment allez-vous?"

"Comme-ci comme-ca. Qu'est ce que tu veux? Est-ce que votre fils?"

"Oui, il est mon fils, et j'ai besoin d'une equipage. Peux tu m'aider?"

He didn't respond, just giving her a long, searching look. Finally, he answered, seeming to give in.

"Oui, je peux. Mais pourquoi? Avez-vous pas un homme? Es-tu seul? Je peux dire que vous etes des Caraibes. Vous etes loin de la maison."

"I need a crew to commandeer a ship. And you are correct, I am from Tortuga."

He didn't even blink as she switched to English.

"My name is Jacquotte, and this is my son, Jonasen. What is your name?"

"I am Silas. I will help you gather a crew, but tell me, what is your purpose if you manage to commandeer a ship?"

Jacquotte smiled, showing her teeth.

"What else does a pirate do? Plunder and pillage, of course."

She could see the doubt in his eyes, but he nodded.

"What is your plan to take a ship? It is not an easy feat."

"I've learned from the best. We must pick a suitable ship, wait until the crew departs, incapacitate any guards, and sail for the open sea."

"Easier said than done, Jacquotte. And who, exactly, did you learn from?"

"Matteo Romano. He taught me everything he knew."

There was a newfound respect in his eyes now. He had clearly heard of Matteo, and Jacquotte knew that he had his assistance now.