Cover courtesy of @BarryVosloo
An action adventure pirate tale with all the expected elements. The ship carrying the governor's daughter is attacked at sea and she is kidnapped by Tortuga's most notorious pirate, Terrance Hollick. Spirited away to t...
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The Schooner has a narrow hull, two masts and is less than 100 tons. She is generally rigged with two large sails suspended from spars reaching from the top of the mast toward the stern. Other sails sometimes were added, including a large headsail attached to the bowsprit. She had a shallow draft which allowed her to remain in shallow coves waiting for her prey. The Schooner is very fast and large enough to carry a plentiful crew. It was a favorite among both pirates and smugglers.
Chapter 1
Terry Holllick stood amidships, feeling the wind on his face as the schooner, 'Bright Star', bit through the rolling swells like a rocking cradle. His crew of eighteen men, all busily performing their tasks, held a loyalty to Terry that was stronger than blood and when he gave commands there was never a hesitation to obey.
The Bright Star was familiar to all the merchants and ships of the line, and her captain spoken of in respectful whispers or raging curses. This day, word had reached the captain that a Brig out of Cuba was carrying colony taxes to Hispaniola through the windward passage, along with prisoners from the, Brethren of the Coast, as the pirates that sailed out of Tortuga were called.
The Bright Star intercepted the Brig, firing shots across her bow from their four guns, and ten of the crew boarded the stalled ship from their canoe and subdued a meek crew and their helpless captain. A big surprise for Hollick, as he supervised the release of the prisoners and the loading of all the bounty his own ship could carry, was the unexpected passenger.
Back aboard the schooner in the small but comfortable cabin, Hollick sat admiring the angry visage of the woman across from him.
"The Bright Star rarely has the honour of entertaining such lovely company." Hollick smiled.
"You are hardly entertaining, sir. I demand to be taken back to my ship."
"Ah, I'm sorry, that won't be possible, Miss...?"
"I am the daughter of the military Governor of Hispaniola and he will have you swinging from your own yard arm when he learns of this- this atrocity."
"A little strong don't you think, as no one was harmed in any way, including yourself."
"Snatching innocent victims from the high seas and holding them captive is an atrocity, sir."
"What of those we released from your ship, Miss Francorte? Did they suffer an atrocity?"
"They are criminals. Pirates, and how do you know my name?"
"Everyone knows of Governor Jean Francorte." Hollick rose and took a wine bottle from a cupboard, pouring a glass and offering it to the woman. "So, does Miss Francorte have a first name?"
She turned away from the out held glass and raised a stubborn chin. Hollick shrugged and sat down, sipping the drink himself. Her profile was a study in perfection and a sudden, crippling urge overcame him. He set the glass down and stood, moving to her side and taking her hand.
