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 small boat nudged the shoreline and the three men climbed out, pulling up into some grass and scrub. They ran hunched to stay off the skyline as much as possible until they reached the back of the buildings in the town square. A three man patrol marched past their place in the shadows and when it was gone, they stole across the road and into the shadows on that side of the street.
"How do you expect to do this, with the place lit up like that and guards everywhere?"
"That's why he's here. He's familiar with this town and the ways to get around, right?"
"I can get you to the house without being seen but that's all."
"That's all I ask. Let's go."
The three figures slipped into the shadows and made their way up the hill out of sight of the Marine guards and patrols. Once at the edge of the property, they dropped down and studied the terrain.
"This is as far as I can take you."
"It will do. I'll go the rest of the way alone. If you don't hear a commotion, you'll know I succeeded, otherwise follow the original plan and take yourselves away to safety."
He pulled the hood of his coat over his head and began crossing the huge lawn to the rear of the house. The two men watched him go then gave one another a look of uncertain hope.
At the back of the house, he found the kitchen entrance and, testing the handle, slipped inside and stood quite still. A noise from the next room alerted him and he crept to the doorway and peered in at the short woman busily stirring something in a large pot. He looked again when she turned and realized he knew her and called her name softly.
"Who that? I got me a big kitchen knife here."
"It's me, Tandy." He stepped into the light from the lantern and smiled.
"Lordy, me! Mister-"
"Shhh, I don't want any unwanted company.." He approached and gave her a hug. "Are they treating you well, Tandy?"
"I's doin' okay here. The Governor, he ain't none to pleasant but Missy Alicia treats me real well."
"Glad to hear that. I'm going inside so I want you to forget now that you even saw me, okay?"
"Never laid these eyes on anyone, no sir." She winked and patted his arm as he slipped past and into the house proper.
Slowly he made his way up from the kitchen to the main floor and stayed by the door watching the throng of revelers drinking, dancing and generally taking every advantage they could of the Governor's largess. The music changed to a waltz and a lot of the guest moved to the side of the floor, turning to watch the daring few remaining. With their backs to the entry hall, he quickly crossed to the stairs and mounted them two at a time to the second floor where he stopped again to see if he had been noticed. A light shone from under the door at the end of the hall and he made his way there, pausing every few steps to listen. With a cautious hand on the handle, he turned it slowly and opened the door.
