Pirate Quest

Chapter One

I smiled as I set foot on land. Finally. I strode forward, laughing as a few members of the crew wobbled on rubbery sea legs. The group seemed like a group of small children being released from their lessons- their heads bobbing with chatter and their eyes wide at the change of scenery.

The streets were busy as ships were unloaded, market men were selling their wares, and children were running underfoot. The smells of the spices and cooking food made my mouth water. Green ivy grew between the cracks in the crumbling stone walls and vibrant banners were floating in the wind. The land seemed so festive and held the color my eyes had be longing for. The blue grey of the sea, while beautiful, became monotonous quite rapidly. This port was a favorite of mine. In fact, it had been too long since I last had seen the cobblestones of Port Worth- too many Jack Tars.

Most of the crew made their way to the local tavern, The Loading Dock. Thought I longed for a drink other than rum, I would join them later. For the moment, I had business to attend to.

"Blunderbuss," I called to my First Mate, a rash spitfire with a loyal heart. Her temper was as red as her cropped hair and her chosen name of a gun suited her. She was behind me in an instant.

"Captain," she replied, bobbing her head.

"Business is to be done," I murmured, and she nodded longingly gazing to our beloved pub. We circled back to the ship. I would laugh but it was disappointing, considering the tantalizing walk we had just taken.

When we arrived at the ship, which was a beautiful red oak brigantine, we quickly began to load the illegal cargo we carried into a smaller boat attached to the side of our ship. Whatever liquor we hadn't opened on our voyage was also swiftly packaged into hay-filled crates. Thankfully, the crew had done their part by loading most of the crates already. We glanced around carefully as we clambered into the boat and set off, our jolly boat gently lowering as we fed rope through the pulley.

I flinched as the boat hit the water, though I'd been through this many times before. Smuggling always made my heart beat differently and sweat trickle down between my shoulder blades. While escaping jail was somewhat of an easy feat, for a pirate that is, I had no intention of meeting a whip's end- or worse yet, dangling from the gallows. I felt my skin prick with goose flesh as I remembered the terrible smell of a dead man hanging or remembered the skeletons with clothes and boots and broken necks. Though I was a small child, the man who had raised me had dug his fingers into my shoulder forcefully telling me to peel my eyes open as a warning- he would not be helping me if I was caught. But I was young then, and it was foolish to dwell so long on such things now. Being scared led to mistakes.

Blunderbuss was uncharacteristically quiet as we came upon the tunnels we hoped were still secret.

We came to a fork, and I carefully steered the rudder to the left. I silently prayed that if anyone had followed us they would turn to the right or that somehow the setting sun had cast shadow upon us. Soon, the tunnel became too small for any sized boat. We swiftly secured the jolly boat. The water was up to my hips and flowed by us as we delicately lifted as many crates as we could take.

"Begad!" I exclaimed, my arms straining. I was only carrying two crates and Blunderbuss as well. We needed more hands, but, if we were to be discovered, I would not risk my crew.

Blunderbuss looked like she agreed with me, clenching her teeth and trying not to stumble through the water rushing past us. I forced my legs to step forward, fighting the current. The tunnel became even smaller, and I was required to yield, closely following Blunderbuss from behind instead of by her side. Finally, the end came.

The waterline had gradually lowered, and the rushing current had settled. Our once shiny boots were now covered in a watery sludge. I did not dare let myself wonder what was in the foul smelling sludge. The already diminishing daylight had faded as well, and we were left in the dark. Water dripped in the distance, echoing around us. Our only indication of the end was the wall that blocked our path. I gently set my cargo onto the ground and felt around blindly.

Where was the cursed brick? With every passing second, my pulse quickened further.

I sighed with relief as I found it. The wall began to spin, and Blunderbuss hastened through. I shoved my cargo through.

"I'm turning back to get the rest," I whispered, only loud enough for her. Blunderbuss's muffled "aye, aye, Captain" came through the brick.

I turned back and ran. The current was with me this time, and I carried no extra weight. I reached down to pick up the last lousy crate. I snapped back up around halfway down. There was an odd splash somewhere down the tunnel. It was different than the water speeding past my hips. Someone was here.

I froze and held my breath. Did Blunderbuss turn back? Should I abandon the crate? It would slow me down, but the ship and crew needed the money. I could stay here and hope they passed me, but the chances of that were slim. By now my eyes had adjusted to the dark and certainly the eyes of whoever had joined me had too. If it wasn't her, Blunderbuss would come storming back if I took too long, putting both of us at risk rather than just myself.

I cursed at myself. We should have waited until true dusk. I didn't want to be hanged!

Impulsively, I grabbed hold of the crate and ran. My splashes were surely louder. They would be close behind me soon. I began to panic, and my steps became frantic. I almost sobbed with relief when the water was finally to ankle level. I prayed that I would not lose my footing as I rushed to find the wall.

Where was the brick with half missing? I bit my lip so hard I tasted blood. My fingers felt wildly along the wall. I could hear their wet footsteps coming closer and closer. The splashes taunted me.

Instinctively, my body wanted to freeze. I fought the urge and forced myself to keep searching.