Accidental Pirates

CHAPTER 4: COMMISSIONING Restless, Morgan lay awake listening to the sound of Piper making noises in her sleep. A need to be comforted had sent her into the cabin. Morgan had instinctively made space, resting a hand upon the child, leaving it there even after the little one had drifted off to sleep. She found herself pondering if the connection was more for Piper’s benefit or hers. The sound of comfortingly peaceful breaths sending her back six years, to the fateful day that Piper had lightened her chaotic life.     _______________   Morgan was trying to keep it together. Staging an attack on the most heavily fortified ship in Crewtown was apparently an impossible task. The discussion with her cohorts was going absolutely nowhere. Worse still, she had a splitting headache, although a sharp smack against a headboard would do that to anyone. Nia had given her a foul concoction to help lessen the effect of a muddled brain. It was amidst that perfect mix of strained happening...

CHAPTER 3: AFTERSHOCKED Forced out of recollection by a persistent knock, Morgan dispatched lingering thoughts of innocence lost and leapt up from the dusty floor. After hurriedly unlocking the door, she moved towards the safety of her desk. Still wiping her eyes, she threw out a surprisingly calm request, “Come in.” It was the cabin boy that entered; his defiant stance matching the forceful closing of a door. As if it was an instinctual act, Sha stood to attention, then quickly hid the action in an awkward manner. Morgan hid her amusement. “You called for me, Captain,” He rumbled disrespectfully. Morgan smiled, offering polite words, “Hello Sha. Would you like to start, or shall I?” Her words had the desired effect; he was understandably confused by her sudden change in tack.  “Wasn’t me, wait maybe it was. Wait, what were we actually talking about?” Sha babbled. She continued in earnest, “Firstly, I would like to apologise for making you a cabin boy. I’m sure you respect...

CHAPTER 2: LITTLE ONE Not even sturdy boards and a newly washed deck could bring comfort, her mind overflowing with uncontrolled emotions. Desperately seeking a semblance of control Morgan ordered Marlo to organise the ships new charges and sought the seclusion of her cabin. Located at the stern beneath the quarter deck, the captains quarters were accessed from the main deck. The cabin itself divided into two distinct rooms, the day room was filled with chairs and tables, its walls decorated with all manner of weapons, there was space for an alcohol cabinet and almost as an afterthought a desk occupied the corner. Hidden behind the desk was a wooden panel that slid open giving one access to the night room. Morgan’s night room was a place of sanctuary, its shiny glass windows painting distorted patterns upon the bed, an effect that she could no longer do without. She locked the door as soon as the threshold was behind. Her hands shaking as she poured amber-coloured liquid, a whisky for ...

CHAPTER 1: HOMECOMING She was somewhat of a paradox, on the outside cold, heartless, ruthless, and cruel; but to those with insight, loyal, kind, and caring. Morgan’s other more conspicuous name was Bloody Mary, and fate had made her a pirate captain. She was standing on the quarterdeck of her vessel The Brothel Beauty, one hand at the wheel, the other protecting her eyes from the shiny glare of the low setting sun, its flecks brushing the sea before her.   She was in contemplation; mostly about the fact she should have everything that made most pirates happy, a seaworthy relatively low maintenance ship, a fearsome reputation that preceded her, and a decent nest egg. Yet, she still felt her path wasn’t her own; she had the incessant feeling that a life of running from the king’s navy and always being close to having one’s guts sliced open, simply wasn’t for her. Her breath was made distinct by the cold air, not surprising as it was late in the season. Most captains didn’t sail The ...