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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April in Port-au-prince wasn't much different than any other time save for late summer when the threat of hurricanes was more prevalent. With the threat of the Bright Star pirates around Hispaniola gone, trade was abundant. Merchant ships came and went with impunity and even increased their slave trade with Jamaica and Cuba. Peru and Brazil were also interested and took a considerable number of African slaves. The slavers were in their glory.
Alicia stood in the kitchen of her father's house and watched as the food supplies were delivered and organized in the fruit cellars. Two muscular Africans carried the crates of foodstuffs under the scrutiny of Tandy, the Francorte housemaid. When they left, Alicia asked Tandy if they could talk.
"When Missy Francorte wants talk, I talk."
"That's kind of what I wanted to talk about, Tandy. I would dearly love to have you just start a conversation with me. Tell me something about yourself or your family."
"Not my place, Missy, an I hain't got no family anymore. My daddy was killed on the boat coming here when I was jest a chick. My momma was sent someplace else."
"Oh, I'm truly sorry to hear that. Why do you not try and leave?"
Tandy looked a little shocked at the question then answered truthfully. "No place to go, Missy. Runaways gets strapped if they's women. Men gets hung."
The tone of hopeless acceptance made Alicia cringe. She thought back to Hollick's sarcastic toast when they first met and wondered, if the tables were turned, what would she do. She said a brief goodbye and left the kitchen, holding her skirts as she ran up the stairs to the front hall and out the door.
******
Private Daniel Benson tugged at his uniform jacket, straightened his hat and squared his shoulders as he watched the Governor's daughter come down the hill. He had just been relieved of guard duty and was taking his free time to the tavern in town. He quickened his step, hoping to arrive at the intersection at the same time as the woman.
"Good morning, Miss Francorte." He said, fast stepping the last few feet.
"Good morning, Private."
"Daniel Benson, ma'am."
"Good morning, Private Benson." She smiled to herself, quite aware of the strategy he was trying to employ.
"Are you going to town, ma'am?"
"Yes, I wish to see Captain Woodcuffe." She slowed a bit, allowing him to keep up without running.
"Ah. May I escort you?" Daniel was all over himself hoping for more time with the beautiful young woman.
Alicia thought for a moment then decided, any connection within the marines or the navy could only be beneficial. "Certainly, and thank you for your chivalrous offer."
