>>32507172

You and Catherine return from the jungle to find Mary and Oscar conversing. The sight of your return sparks their interest as they hurriedly come to your side. Catherine puts a hand on Oscars shoulder and ushers him away from you and Mary.

You try to say something, but you just hang your head and look back into the jungle. Mary slips her arms under yours and presses her cheek into your chest in a tight embrace.

“Life is full of hard choices, James.” She whispers, muffled through the fabric of your shirt. You stand with your arms at your side as she hugs you and grabs your hand, pulling you towards her house. Catherine is seen talking with Alesa and Oscar as she nods to you as you pass, acknowledging that she knows where you’ll be. As you enter Mary’s home, you kick off your boots and sit down heavily on the edge of her bed. Mary closes the door and sets the lock before joining you. You don’t really have anything to say about the matter, and Mary understands that. She just wraps an arm around your side and leans her head on your shoulder, offering you all the comfort she can give.

Eventually, you both become tired enough that you get ready for bed and undress. Once under the comforting weight of the blankets, Mary scoots up behind you, putting her hand over your heart and running her fingers through your hair a few times before kissing you on the cheek. You fear you will be plagues by foul dreams, but the night proves to be steady and calm.

Once the morning comes, you suddenly wake with a foul sense. You crack open your sleep filled eyes to see Catherine standing over the bed.

“Good Morn’ to ya, Cap’n.”

You pull a strange face of disbelief and give up trying to figure the bodyguard out, letting your head fall heavily back onto the pillow next to Mary’s. You’ll deal with the day later.

----

>Wake up, it's noon!
>Wake, but stay in bed with Mary
>Rise and deal with any nagging matters

>>32507210
>Rise and deal with any nagging matters

holy shit, you're actually back?

>>32507414

Working...

>>32507483

From the grave.

(Side commentary post, sorry folks)

File: Green-Turtle-Cay.jpg (33 KB, 700x525)

33 KB JPG

Your sleep never really returns as you lay in bed, the image of Catherine watching over you unable to leave your head. Eventually, you lose out on your drive to sleep and crack open your eyes once again. You don’t even bother to check if Catherine is still there as you slip out of Mary’s grasp and dress. With your affects upon your person, you stride out into the small main room of the abode, spying Catherine sitting in the lone chair with her boots stretched out on the heavy rough-hewn table.

“Alright, lass. Up we go, I’ve got some business to take care of.” You exclaim as you hang up your overcoat and roll your shoulders as you try to wake yourself up.

Catherine nods and tips the chair forward with gentle ease, eliciting a small ‘thump’ as all four legs make contact with the flooring once again. She rises from the chair and makes her way to the door, opening it for you as you exit. The sunlight filters through the sparse cloud cover as the beautiful day looms over you. The heat of the sun on your bronzy skin and the smooth sea breeze that sweeps in from the lagoon comforts you as you begin strolling about the familiar planks that make up the gangways and boardwalks of the outpost.

>Visit the Tavern
>Visit the builders
>Visit the prisoners
>Find the Bonnets
>Stroll and talk with Catherine

>>32507688
>>Stroll and talk with Catherine

>>32507688
>>Find the Bonnets

As the sun beats down from behind the wisps of cloud you decide to strike a conversation with your new bodyguard who hums along to an unheard tune as she beats the planks alongside you. Struggling to think of something to start, you turn to look at her face. Just as you are about to open your mouth, Catherine interjects with her own husky voice.

“You dunnae have te be conversin’ with me, Cap’n. I’ll be more than happy te stroll along with a man as fine as ye on a day as fine as this’n.”

You cannot help but feel a tad of rose flush at the compliment, but you smile in return to the statement.

“Well, you must see how I’d want to, Catherine.” You begin. “A mercenary woman from the east-indies who wanted te become me own bodyguard without any hesitation? Not exactly an everyday trife m’dear.”

“Nae, I s’pose not, Cap’n.” She responds, a smirk streaking across her face.

You take another look at her, spying that she must’ve found some replacement attire for the old uniform that you met her in as she was now donning a pair of leggings, her usual boots, a simple cream coloured shirt under a shortened open coat, the tails cut off to end just above her hips. Her guns still proudly brazen upon her stomach and the boarding axe hanging weightily from her hip.

As you both round the corner of a walkway you spy the Bonnets conversing by a stack of netted crates.

“If’n ye keep eyin’ me like that Cap’n Abbot I fear yer girl’ll be out fer me head” She whispers to you as you approach the siblings, giving you a wink a stiff pat on the back.

>Talk to the Bonnets about the sloop
>Talk about future plans on acquiring wealth
>Talk about the attack by the bounty hunters
>Formally introduce Catherine

>>32508102
>>Formally introduce Catherine

Be polite

And then

>Talk about the attack by the bounty hunters

>>32508125

I will certainly go about writing that. In a bit. As which is unsurprising, the surprise thread has delivered me a surprise interruption. If you'll be paitent, I'll get to it as soon as I can. In the mean time, if anyone else enters the thread, feel free to cast a vote as well, as I do my best to combine them/go with the majority.

>>32508238

I'm sure more people will tickle in eventually

>>32508125
This
>>32508238
Then back to oblivion with me

>>32508125
I agree with this man

File: Abbey5.jpg (154 KB, 1280x852)

154 KB JPG

Thank you all for the patience as usual. I had to help my grandfather tend to the grape-vines. My sincerest apologies to all of you.

--------------------

Alesa and Oscar look up from their enrapt conversation as you approach with Catherine. Oscar smiles and Alesa closes one eye and smirks at your entrance with a quip.

“Aye, so the Captain and his faithful, but late, bodyguard approach us, brother!”

Oscar stifled a small laugh as you stop in front of them and exchange the necessary pleasantries.

“Now, my friendly Bonnets, I do believe that you were not properly acquainted to my new friend here; Oscar, Alesa, this here is Catherine Skinner.” You explain.

Catherine produces a slight bow and extends her hand first towards Alesa, who shakes it heartily. Next, she extends it to Oscar who shrinks a tad from the intimidating presence of the tattooed lass.

“Excellent to be meetin’ ye, Catherine. My pleasantries to yer family.” Alesa adds.

“Much thanks, lass, but m’dad lies at the bottom o’the sea sommwheres an’ me mum be sommat I know not.” Catherine laughs.

“I’m sure we’ll have many interestin’ encounters with a big ol’ lass like yerself at our sides, Catherine.” Alesa responds, Oscar nodding in agreement.

“Well, I’m sure you can all ask your questions for each other at a later date, but for now, hows’about we yammer about them young boys that come lookin’ fer me head, eh?” You add.

“Aye, I agree. I be quite interested in how they’d be trackin’ ye down.” Catherine agrees.

>How do you think they found us?
>What should we do about the possibility of future incursions?
>Safety of Green Turtle Key

>>32510264
>>What should we do about the possibility of future incursions?

All of them are good topics but safety first

>>32510264
>What should we do about the possibility of future incursions?

“However they found out where I lay, I think we need to prioritize how we can stop it from happening again.” You begin. “If they can find out where I am, then I think that we should start getting’ down to questionin’ everyone who comes in here. Now, I know that be no way to treat a stranger an’ a guest to our home, but it can at least cut down the possibility. I don’t want to go on an move homes…”

Alesa and Oscar nod in agreement. “I don’t especially want te get goin’ meself, James.” Alesa adds. “Me ol’ stompin grounds may be down to the south isles but this’ns my home now.”

A brief moment of silence is broken by the sandy voice of the scotch lass Catherine. “Well my fair Cap’ns, if’n ye want te listen to a mere soldier o’ fortune, I’d be sayin’ that we get some real guards ‘round ‘ere.”

You tap your chin and scratch your chin hairs as you ponder the thought. Having dedicated guards that hung around the outpost would certainly increase security around the place and maintain the order while you and the other captains were gone and give you a piece of mind in knowing that Mary would be safe… But that would mean having to hire more people, which mean more money, which means that you would need to increase the amount of looting and plundering to pay for all the men. It’s a conundrum that you are alone in making the choice as the leader of this lagoon.

>Take the plunge and go about getting guards for the place, knowing the consequences
>Shy away from the guard situation, not wanting to make any bigger waves with the powers that be than you already make.

>>32510603
>Take the plunge and go about getting guards for the place, knowing the consequences
Anything bigger than a village has a few guards

>>32510603
>Take the plunge and go about getting guards for the place, knowing the consequences
yeah, that's probably the best

>>32510603
>Take the plunge and go about getting guards for the place, knowing the consequences

“I think Catherine is right on this matter; maybe a few guards to keep watch o’er the place would be a swell idea.” You say.

Moments go by before resolute nods of approval are displayed at the statement.

“Now… how do you think they knew where to find me?” You question. “Everyone who’s ever set foot in the lagoon is either a friend to the cause or’s met a watery grave, y’see.”

This proves to be the most perplexing question that you’ve asked all day. You cannot simply fathom that a crew of boys that were hauled across the ocean to your little slice of freedom knew exactly where to go. You hated that you immediately thought that someone must be ratting you out to the English Navy, but what else could it be?

Alesa spoke up as the group pondered furiously. “I think that’d be the least of our worries as of yet, I think the safety of our home is a priority.”

You ponder, but eventually agree to the statement. As it stands, there is nothing stopping the Navy from coming into the lagoon and ending your little enterprise. The natural choke point into the lagoon proved a promising defensive position but there was nothing to play off the advantage.

“Now, as I sees it, we be needin’ some defenses. Cannons, maybe walls, somethin’ to keep any craft we nary want in the lagoon.” Alesa added again. “I know just where we can be… acquirin’ such surplus.”

Intrigued, you spur the smuggler captain on.

“There be an old fort out west, dear James. Off the north coast of Heneago; the Atwoods keys. No place claims that place, at least, no empire this side o’ the world. Prob’ley nothing more than squattors, or no one at all be there.”

>Take her up on the offer, sail will all three ships
>Sail with Alesa
>Sail with Oscar
>Figure out a different way to acquire the surplus needed to defend Green Turtle Key

>>32511178
>Take her up on the offer, sail will all three ships

>>32511178

>Take her up on the offer, sail will all three ships

Why not all 4?

>>32511275

No captain, no name, no nothing yet. Just a bunch of greenish crew for her.

>>32511178
say, those boys came in a ship, right? if they have a canon or two, that could be a nice starting point to install them somewhere while we go fetch the bigger/other ones, right?

>>32511342

I think they were dropped off rather than sailed there themselves

“Abandoned… how well do ye know this information, Alesa?” You ask.

“I’d know mighty well, James. Used t’be me old captain’s storehouse fer his contraban.” Alesa answers.

That is more than good enough for you to oblige, and you order the Bonnets to make ready their men and vessels for travel and transport. They nod and scurry off in the direction of the tavern to gather their men. Catherine plants a hand at your shoulder as you round the corner of the crowding street.

“Smart decision there, Cap’n Abbot. Yer not as daft as I thought ye.” She exclaims.

You reach up to give her hand a pat and laugh. “Well, I was a smart enough te hire ye, wasn’t I?” you answer.

She pulls a face and laughs in return as you both stroll through the crowd, the sea of people parting around your bodyguard like a stubborn stone parts the waves.

“Catherine, can I trust ye to gather me First-mate and fill him in on the plan?” You ask.

“Aye sir, ye can count on me te follow yer every whim.” She adds back, tipping an imaginary hat as she parts ways from your side. You watch her bob above nearly everyone in the crowd, and you wonder what a lass has to eat to get that big.

In about an hour and a half, the ships are primed and ready for travel, the majority of the long-term supplies hauled out and stored within the warehouse inland. The extra room in the holds being made for the promise of cannons, ammunition and other military surplus to help shore up the lagoon’s defenses against unwanted raiders and interlopers.

>Set out to your ship and begin the voyage
>Last minute meeting with the Captains
>Meet with Mary before you leave
>Tell Catherine to watch over Mary

>>32511662
>Meet with Mary before you leave

>>32511662
>>Meet with Mary before you leave

>>32511662
Your quest has encouraged me to reinstall sid meiers's Pirates

>>32511662
>Meet with Mary before you leave
>Tell Catherine to watch over Mary

File: Abbey4.jpg (202 KB, 1600x1197)

202 KB JPG

>>32511762

Just doing my job, my friend. You won't regret it.

------

Not wanting to be reprimanded by your lover, you head over to Mary’s to inform her of your departure. The quick jaunt from the piers to her home was paved in sunlight as this morning’s clouds had all but departed in the stiff breeze. You rapped your knuckles across her front door as you lean against the sturdy wall of her home and wait for her to come to the door. Soon enough, the familiar face of your Mary filled your vision as the door opened.

“James! How do ye? Come in, come in.” She greets.

You smile and enter her hope, slipping an arm around her waist and planting a kiss on her lips as you pass the threshold.

“I’m off on the sea once again, Mary.” You announce. “After the attack at our home, we need te focus on the safety of the lagoon and the people within. I don’t think I could go on if’n somethin’ happened to ye.”

“I understand, James. Be careful though, what do ye mean to do?” She questioned.

“I’ll be gone with Alesa and Oscar, she knows of an old fort that we can pillage the cannon from.” You answer.

“…how long will ye be gone?”

“From Alesa’s estimations, no more than three weeks, my love.”

You embrace Mary in a tight hug as you squeeze each other for a moment, Mary on her very tip-toes, pressed tightly against you. You brush a lock of her fiery hair out of her face and behind her ear, kissing her deeply before you release your grasp.

Before you leave her home, you make one last comment. “You’ll nary have te be lonely while I’m gone, Mary.”

>Set sail and lead the way via the south passage
>Set sail and have Alesa lead as she sees fit
>Split up the ships and convene closer to the Atwoods Keys

>>32512111
>>Set sail and lead the way via the south passage

>>32512111
>Set sail and have Alesa lead as she sees fit

>>32512111
>Set sail and have Alesa lead as she sees fit

Dual storylines, ho!

-----

As you convened with the Captains, you appointed Alesa the leader of the convoy as she is the most familiar with the territory. With 3 full crews and empty holds beneath them, you weighed anchor and begun the voyage out to the fort. The winds were fair and the day was just, standing at the helm of the Abbey, the sea stretched out before you as you spied the Dodger ahead of you, the sleek, dark-painted ship skimming deftly through the waves; Oscar’s brig in the rear, The Walnut sailing jauntily close by. You peer back at the lagoon, the piers barely visible, but you know even though your eyes can’t see the two figures watching you depart, that they are there.

~~~~~

You watch James’ ship glide out of the lagoon and make for a westward heading. You know he will do nothing but good out there for his home and his people, but you always worry, you cannot help it. The breeze shifts your skirt beneath you as the sails of the Freeman’s Abbey disappear out of sight and you turn around to return home. As you walk along the boardwalks, people stop and greet you, raise a hand, or tip a hat in your direction. A few years ago, you would be puzzled at these actions as nothing more than a server girl in a tavern, but ever since you met James and came to the Caribbean, you’ve been treated with the respect of a governess.

Reaching your home, you spy a figure seated at your table, back to you. They are leaning back in the chair, boots on your clean table.

>Call out and question the person
>Scold the intruder with putting their boots on your table
>Leave and hope they are not home when you return
>Confront your interloper

>>32512619
>Call out and question the person

>Scold the intruder with putting their boots on your table

>>32512619
>Confront your interloper

If we could do write-in: I would have called for muscle first before confronting the interloper

>>32512619
Seconding this: >>32512793

Not afraid of a scuffle, you slam the door behind you and raise a finger accusingly before closing the distance. “Ho there, stranger! You best not be dirtying up me table, you hear? I can get yet thrown out of here afore ye know it, and ye’ll be beggin’ fer them to take ye away afore I be done with ye!” you shout, grabbing a fire poker as you pass the small wooden stove on the way to the table.

You raise it above your head as the chair gently thumps back down and the intruders feet slide off the table with a muffled knock of boots colliding with the wooden floor. The sunlight was shining directly through the windows, obscuring your view of the whole person. As you adjust your grip on the poker, you see some unmistakably female legs swing around the chair and turn into the spear of sunlight.

“Nae, nae lass. I dunnae want te whither under yer wrath, dear no.” Catherine chuckles, hands outstretched and raised to shoulder height.

You peer up at the large woman who stands nearly a foot taller than yourself with a scrunched nose and furrowed brow.

“What’re ye doin’ in my house? Are ye not supposed te be watchin’ over James?” You ask.

“He asked me specifically to watch o’er his dear lass while he was away, said ye needed some ‘o my good company, he did.” Catherine answered, dropped her hands and patting you on the shoulder. “I didnae mean to startle ye lass, just thought I’d let m’self in while ye were away.”

“Well, I s’pose if James trusts you with his life… you’d be right to be trusted by me.” You answer.

>Ask her to leave, you don’t need company
>Ask her if she would stay in James’ home
>Ask her if she would stay in your home

>>32513062
>Ask her if she would stay in your home

>>32513062
>>Ask her if she would stay in your home

>>32513062
>Ask her if she would stay in your home

Catherine removes her hand and leans up against the table, one leg raised from the floor. “Ye dinnae have te talk te me, nor do ye have to oblige by me, Miss Brennan. If’n ye want I can be as silent as a stone and as still as a mountain if’n it pleases ye.”

You feel sorry for acting so aggressively with Catherine and you ask her to stay with you, in your home while James is abroad on the sea. “I can make a fine bed for ye, Catherine, if you please.”

Catherine chuckles and shakes her head at the comment. “No need, Miss Brennan. I’ll be perfectly fine sittin’ in this here chair fer my sleepin’, the sparse bit that I’ll be doin’. I’m on duty, ye remember?”

You laugh at the comment yourself, and after conversing and insisting again and again, Catherine is persuaded to use your bed in the early morning while you do housework. Settling in for a moment, Catherine pipes up with an offer.

“So, Miss Brennan-“ She begins.

“Catherine, call me Mary.” You interject.

“Aye, Mary, would ye care to accompany me to the shanty fer a wee dram o’ the spirits?” she finishes.

>Go with Catherine to the tavern
>Politely refuse, and remain at home
>Offer a different activity [Write in]

>>32513343
>Go with Catherine to the tavern

>>32513343
>>Go with Catherine to the tavern

File: 1377526543854.jpg (283 KB, 1000x624)

283 KB JPG

“Aye, I think that’d be downright pleasant, Catherine!” You reply, a smile on your face and a crooked arm outstretched.

Catherine laughs and takes your arm as you exit your home, walking arm-in-arm towards the tavern.

You don’t know much about this woman who has recently shown up around your home, but you like her.

~~~~~~~

The seas are swift as you cut the waves with expert care. The small convoy of ships slips between islands and reefs as you pass the English port on Providence Island. With nary a Navy ship to be seen on the horizon, the Bahama Shoal seems to be clearer than the sky above. The stiff south-west breeze propels the Abbey neatly at full sail, the pennants and Jolly Roger flying gracefully atop the masts. At this rate, the three week trip will be naught more than two at the worst. Motioning the first-mate to take the wheel, you step back and pull out the small spyglass in your possession. Peering around the rigging that lines your vessel, you spy Alesa at the helm of The Dodger, clad in a lithe outfit. You linger a moment or two too long before moving your gaze on to the islands around you, checking for any sign of danger. You begin to doze, and enter your cabin as you approach Exuma Island, forgetting what had transpired in these waters the last time you made way through it.

~~~~~~~

With a the tavern in sight, you unhook your arm from Catherine’s and approach the tavern keeper; passing by groups of merry men who shout and salute your passing by, dancing with you as you cross paths toward the long wooden bar.

“Hoy there, can I trouble ye fer a bottle?” You shout at the tavern keep over the din of the tavern.

“O’course, Mary! Here, thisn’s the good stuff James brought back.” He finishes with a wink. You thank him and turn back around towards Catherine.

>Drink in the tavern near the band
>Drink in a quieter spot in the tavern
>Take the bottle to the beach near the piers.

Rolled 13

>>32514093
>beach

>>32514093
>Take the bottle to the beach near the piers.

>>32514093
>Take the bottle to the beach near the piers.

“Follow me.” You half-shout at Catherine as you approach.

Nodding she grabs your outstretched hand as you lead her towards the wharf and piers.

“I say this is a good a spot as any.” You begin, leading her down from the wooden planking to the soft, white sand that lined the lagoon. Bottle in hand, you sweep your skirt under your knees as you plunk down into the sand, a few feet from the lapping surf. You raise the bottle to your mouth and bite the cork stopper, pulling to the effect of a brazen ‘pop’ as the pressure is released from the fermented spirit. Before drinking any yourself, you offer the bottle to Catherine, you thanks you and takes a quick swig to test the taste before taking a second mouthful.

“Thank’ye kindly Mary. This be some fine spirit fer the likes o’ me.” Catherine begins. “I’m nae used to drink as fine as this’n.”
You pass the bottle back and forth as the afternoon progresses, enjoying the casual conversation that drink provides between strangers. As you become a little fuzzy around the edges, you gaze up at the imposing woman with unabashed wonder. What stories she must have; what tales she must’ve taken part in. You are beyond curious with her appearance, as she is unlike any woman you’ve ever seen in England or the Caribbean.

>Ask about the pirate brandings
>Ask about the tattoos
>The Guns, the Axe
>The scars

>>32514614
>The Guns, the Axe

>>32514614
>Ask about the tattoos

>>32514614
>>The Guns, the Axe

You raise an arm to meekly fondle at grip of one of the four pistols that lined your companion’s stomach in an elaborate holster. Catherine spots your groggy maneuver and casually swats your hand away, laughing as you rub your hand gingerly.

“Curious, eh?” She begins. “Well, let’s just say that o’er my time huntin’ pirates in the east-indies, ye can never have enough shots! I be collectin’ these from captains that I hunted in te East, yaknow.” she ends it with a laugh. You turn your gaze to the formidable looking axe that lies on the sand between the both of you. Reaching out a hand to lift it, you underestimate the weight of the tool. With both hands, you raise the iron-headed axe upright and give it a little jib about in the air as your arms start to tire. Catherine grabs the handle with a single hand and twirls it about before taking another pull of the bottle and setting it down on the opposite side. “I took the axe cause it’s a useful tool aboard a vessel, yeah? It can repel boarders, cut their ropes, split their heads and give ‘em a good knock about too!

As you continue talking with your growing friend, you become enrapt with your companion’s many tattoos. They swirl and play about her arms, starting at her hands and ending on her collarbone. They depict many images and words; some you recognize. A crest of a family, a kraken strangling an anchor, a smokey figure bearing a noose… all quite chilling and beautiful in their own right. Before you can speak, Catherine begins to explain.

(cont)

>>32515063

“I was waitin’ fer you to ask about ‘em. I gets ‘em where’er I go about the seas. Some be depictin’ scenes, some depictin’ moods I had at the time… many of ‘em from pirates and rogues I killed. All hopelessly poetic ‘o me, I know.” She begins with a husky chuckle. “Allotta ‘em are personal te me, but I’ll let ye in on one fer now.

Catherine brandishes her arms and chest toward you as she bears all the ink on her skin and you gingerly raise a finger and trace along her skin and stop over the one that intrigues you the most.

>A woman with scales atop a raging sea on her forearm
>The East-India trading company sigil with a branded ‘X’ over it over her left collarbone
>Tally marks in both her palms

>>32515086
>A woman with scales atop a raging sea on her forearm

>>32515086
>A woman with scales atop a raging sea on her forearm

>>32515086
>>A woman with scales atop a raging sea on her forearm

You stop and point on a figure of a robed woman bearing scales perched atop a raging sea; your finger slowly circling the spot. You look up at Catherine who’s face hardens a little, something you had not seen considering her jovial and good-natured smile that is usually stuck on her face.

“Aye, this’ns a personal one o’ mine. This’d be lady justice, except she bears nary a blind; fer justice on the seas ain’t blind when a certain man is doling out his judgement.” Catherin rasps. “Fer this’n be the figurehead that sits atop a hunter’s vessel foul. Where’er he goes, brutality an’ death surely follow him. George Ainsworth.”

Your eyes widen as the name registers in your head, the man that nearly killed James as he left for the ragged isle off the Bahama shoal. You pass your thumb over the image a few times before hugging Catherine gently, the warm sand shifting between you two.

~~~~~~

It began to darken, and the nearly full moon arose, lighting up the sea around you. You emerged from the cabin at the behest of an urgent crewmate.

“Cap’n! Cap’n! The Walnut be ringin’ her bells!”

You bolted awake, your coat barely catching up with you as you ran out into the gallery and up the steps to the helm. You whipped out the spyglass to your rear towards The Walnut. Oscar could be seen issuing commands to his men left and right, the bell ringing clear and loud across the water. Your signalmen had already begun communicating with The Dodger about the disturbance, and Alesa took her vessel into full sail, setting her swiftly out of course to maneuver. Oscar peers directly at you before pointing Northwest.

He’s returned.

>Tack northward and engage
>Pull away and hope to out-run him
>Protect the Walnut until it makes it safely away
>Order the Bonnets to attack with you

>>32515693
>>Protect the Walnut until it makes it safely away

>>32515693
>Protect the Walnut until it makes it safely away

>>32515693
>Protect the Walnut until it makes it safely away

“We protect Oscar until he is safely away.” You command your first mate.

He nods, shouting the order aggressively down at the deck full of crew, who raise a fist and return a hearty “AYE!” to the order. With the communications given, the Walnut peels back behind the Abbey as you tack to the Northwest directly toward the encroaching frigate. With the empty holds, the Walnut and the Abbey were unusually fast for their respective sizes. You gazed forward with your spyglass; the ivory coloured vessel supporting the wide-eyed lady justice was crashing through the waves directly toward the convoy’s position. There he was, Red coat about his shoulders, graying bearded face and hefty scowl. Ainsworth was not one for dramatics, but it seemingly came natural for him.

~~~~~~~

“You’ve dealt with him before?” you asked Catherine, pulling away from the hug.

“Aye, wee lass. He’s the one they hired te kill me former cap’n in the east-indies. Only a handful of us nary escaped his wrath. I was knocked about the head during our battle aboard our ship and knocked o’erboard. He killed every man aboard that vessel as I had been lain out about some bit ‘o drift on the seas. Fishermen done found me floatin’ and picked me up. I been wanderin’ the West Indies e’er since.” Catherine’s tale pulled at the strings in your heart for her sake and James’.

“James had a his own encounter with the braggard, y’know.” You informed.

Catherine clenched her fist in the sand, the tattoos on her forearm rippling as the muscles in her forearm contracted. “Ya don’t say…”

~~~~~~~~~

The distance was closing rapidly, and this time there was no storm to mask your movements. No time for speeches, no time for prayers.

>Hard to starboard and try to circle
>Skirt close In hopes of trading broadsides
>Try to cripple the Repentance

>>32516115
>Hard to starboard and try to circle

>>32516115
>Hard to starboard and try to circle

“HARD STARBOARD!” You command loudly and in short seconds, the ship begun to pitch in response. The Abbey begins to turn its side to the incoming vessel who has not changed course.

“READY CANNONS!”

You stand ready, calculating the angles in your mind’s eye as your vessel turns to face his. As soon as the furthest gun clears the angle, you give the order to fire. You can hear the command echo down the line as men chain together the order. A thunderous chorus erupts as your broadside cannons spew forth their attack and recoil across the deck on their rockers; an impressive cloud of smoke accruing around the side of the ship as you glide past the white haze. The Repentance shuddered under the impact of a few of the cannon balls and quickly turned to face her own cannon against you.

Your eyes widen as you kneel back away from the railing, shouting for bracing. You cling to the upper gallery as the Abbey shakes and groans under the impacts of the projectiles, some ricocheting into the water, others ripping through the hull and the gun ports. You turned your head to see that the Repentance had furled its sails and pulled alongside you.

“LOAD GUNS!” You shouted, drawing your pistol. Men around you were scurrying and shouting as the broadsides of both ships were silent as they reloaded their guns. However, something unexpected happened. There was no bark and roar of cannon, but rather, shouts of men and hooked lines flying over the gap. You gritted your teeth as you contemplated your next order.

>PREPARE FOR BOARDING!
>CUT THOSE ROPES AND MAKE DISTANCE!
>READY TO DEFEND THE DECK!

>>32516505
>CUT THOSE ROPES AND MAKE DISTANCE!

>>32516505
>READY TO DEFEND THE DECK!

>>32516505
>READY TO DEFEND THE DECK!

File: french_frigate.jpg (78 KB, 752x554)

78 KB JPG

“CUT THE ROPES! CUT THE RO-“ You begin to clamour as gunfire erupts from the closing vessels. You stagger up from the gallery decking as a clawed iron hook slams into the boards and retreats swiftly, anchoring itself in the railings. You spy gangs of men heaving the heavy ropes, pulling the vessels tighter together by the second.

You see your men hacking away at the ropes, but for every one they manage to cleave another takes its place. You retrieve your dropped pistol and draw your cutlass, swinging it over the gallery railing and shouting “PREPARE TO DEFEND THE DECKS MEN! LOOKS LIKE ANOTHER DAY OF RECKONING!”

Your men quickly abandon hacking at the ropes and gather rifles and weapons alike and form a tight wall on the deck, firing in two columns. As the ships make contact, they produce a bass ‘clunk’ that echoes out of the hold. With bayonets affixed, your crewmembers waited as planks and gangways sprouted across the gap, bridging the two ships together. As your men gave their last volley at the incoming hostile crew, you gave your pistol into the mass, picking off a man hanging from the rigging and watching him drop to the sea below. Moments later, a stream of men charged across the gap onto the deck of the Abbey, and the formation broke into a melee of bayonet, hatchet, cutlass and dagger.

Your first-mate and quartermaster at your side, you wade into the thick of the battle, joining in with your men in the conflict.

>Try to push the enemies back across the gangways
>Try to locate Ainsworth
>Try to get to the gallery for a better view

>>32516855
>Try to push the enemies back across the gangways

>>32516855
>Try to locate Ainsworth
he's the main threat after all

>>32516855
>Try to locate Ainsworth
Push the captain into the water and you win

>>32516855

You command your men forward in an effort to push the defenders off the deck. With a gallant warcry, your men tackle and push their assailants in a shoving match towards the railings, gaining some ground, then losing it, and then gaining it again. Eventually, both crews become too tired to continue such a Hellenic style of battle and reengage in the melee. You swiftly dispatch member of Ainsworth’s crew as you spy the red-coated man standing atop a gangway, overseeing the battle. You dodge in an out of conflict as you make your way towards him, his eyes on you the entire way. With a swift jump that leaves a pang of pain in your side, you mantle the gangway in front of him. Raising your blade toward him in challenge, he opens his mouth to speak, but your footing leaves you as you tumble back onto the deck of the Abbey. You can see the three masts and familiar colours on the opposite of the Repentance, The Dodger has rammed her other side and has begun boarding.

------

Alright, I'll leave it there for tonight. Wednesday at 3:30pm central we will continue with our regularly schedules appearance, so fear not. Thanks once again for sticking around to read my somewhat incompetent writings, and I hate to leave it on a cliff-hanger such as this, but duty calls and after an 8 hour Quest, I am all but spent. I hope you enjoyed the little character development of Catherine and Mary; just something I thought I'd try out.

>>32517113
I like your writing. Was very sad when the quest went on hiatus.

>>32517113
really enjoying it, thanks for running

>>32517417
>>32517479

Thanks very much, anons. I appreciate it.

>>32517113

Good thread, caught this a little too late to participate today

Hope you archived this