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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A weak sun painted the streets around the port and managed a faint brightening of the cell containing Hollick and his crew. He peered from the window and could see the Bright Star anchored next to the frigate that caught them the previous night. There was an early morning bustle of workers lading some of the merchant ships and by putting his face against the bars, he could see the edge of the Governor's building up the hill. As he watched he suddenly tensed. The figure coming down the hill looked familiar, even with the hood over the face. It was Alicia, he knew it.
Alicia turned once to make sure she wasn't being pursued then cut across the square and approached the military jail.
"Good morning, Miss Francorte."
She stopped abruptly, facing the grinning face of the marine guard.
"Do I know you, sir."
"No ma'am, but we all know the Governor's daughter." "I see." She hadn't wanted this at all. being noticed made her mission that much more dangerous.
"We's glad to see you escaped from them pirates, ma'am. Was me what carried the news of their capture to your father." He straightened and even preened a little.
"Really. He must have been pleased with your diligence."
"I can hope, ma'am. Loyal to the Governor, I am."
"Yes, well I was supposed to visit the prisoners and deliver a message to their Captain." She prayed her station would be enough to gain compliance.
"Oh... well I'm not sure as how I can- I mean I have orders to keep a weather eye on them and nobody said anything about visits or messages." His grin slipped.
"What is your name, marine?"
The tone had a bit of iron and he wondered if he had erred in even speaking to her in the first place. "Uh, Charlie- Charles Mountpiece, Private, ma'am."
"Very well, Private Mountpiece, I don't think my father would entertain any good will toward someone interfering with a specific request made on his behalf. It will take but a moment and I would be inclined to mention the dutiful Private Mountpiece when I return home."
He looked up the hill, around the square then back to the Governor's daughter, praying what he was about to do would stand him in good stead.
Hollick came to the door as he heard the debate between the jailer and the marine guard. A moment later the door opened and Alicia stepped into the cell.
"What are you doing here?"
"It is a pleasure to see you as well, sir." She made strange expressions with her face and told him she was delivering a message from her father.
He had to almost laugh at her charade, managing to hold it in check as she frowned and waited for him to do something.
"Do something." She finally hissed, glancing back at the guard.
