The Damned: Part 1~ Innocence

Chapter 5

TORTUGA OCTOBER 1675

Britannia sailed into Tortuga with Flying Dutchman right behind her.

Several ships paused to stare at the huge ship of the line and the three masted Dutch fluyt.

A few, probably former British sloops and brigs, actually saluted.

"As you were." Britannia rumbled gently.

She sailed in to the dock closest to the pub known as the Faithful Bride. Flying Dutchman joined her there.

"Now Vandecker can go ashore and find some crew. This is the best place to do it." Britannia said.

"And us?" Flying Dutchman asked.

"You're going to stay here out of trouble. I have to speak to the other Pirate Queens, well the ones who are here anyway." Britannia replied.

"Me, trouble?!" Flying Dutchman asked innocently.

Britannia's eyes narrowed. "Yes you." She retorted. "You're a magnet for it, whether you realize it or not."

Flying Dutchman sighed. "Yes Britannia." She agreed and the old sailing ship sailed off.

Flying Dutchman settled down to view the sights of Tortuga.

It most certainly wasn't that bad of a town. In fact, it was quite a nice little place.

Ships entered and exited the busy harbor and the streets were filled with drunken and drinking people.

The woman sat on barrels, a bottle of rum in each hand, chugging away and cooing enticingly at every male in sight.

The boys on the other hand, were rather enjoying themselves either in a drinking contest or if someone did something to piss them off and with a drunken pirate that didn't take much, they'd draw out their swords and start slicing away at each other.

Flying Dutchman found she didn't mind the intoxicated that much.

They stayed clear of her dock, keeping their jolly good time well away from her which was fine. She didn't mind. It wasn't like she could party like a pirate anyway.

Nearby a few ships were joining in on the fun. Flying Dutchman watched them curiously, eager to learn as much as she could.

One, a little sloop, noticed her. "Hey, miss. You wanna join in?" She asked.

"What are you playing?" Flying Dutchman asked.

"It's called dice. It's a human game but it's a fun one." She replied.

"What you do, is you have all the players make a bet on what the dice are gonna turn up as. The one who guesses the closest, wins. But we all have to make a wager."

"And what's the wager?" Flying Dutchman asked.

"Right now, we're wagering to see who's gonna go and pester Britannia." She replied.

"Are you really that scared of her?" Flying Dutchman giggled. "Aren't you?" She asked. "Wait, who are you?"

"Flying Dutchman." She replied. "I'm Carolina, I was a British sloop until about a month ago. Best change of flags I've ever had!" She laughed.

"Who'd you come here with?" "Britannia." Flying Dutchman replied, fighting a smirk.

"Wait, you... Are you her apprentice?" Carolina asked.

"Yep." Flying Dutchman replied proudly.

"Well it's about time!!!" Carolina exclaimed, her eyes gleaming. "You owe me 10 pounds Rebel!" Another ship in the group, presumably Rebel, groaned and handed her the money.