Chapter 02 - The escape and the crew acceptance

I walked fast, running from a corner to an alley, from a shadow to another, and when I reached the docks, I could see that the non-Spanish ships were already recalling their crews to leave at the first lights. Most of them would carry a number of citizens with them when sailing. And the Galleon, alone, wouldn’t be able to chase any of them, mostly quick merchant brigs made for speed and an average load, to have chances to escape hostiles, usually pirates. The ships would leave because they knew the favourable trade they had until then was done, and would spread the news of Spanish inept stupidity. The next morning, the new Governor would use the galleon to blockade the port and to extort them such a fee that most of their earnings would end up in the Spanish treasury. Or more likely, in the new Governor’s. Because as much as they pretended to extort people for the crown, it was well known even by Father that they were all a corrupt bunch that would keep the most for themselves. Political games sentenced father’s destiny not only for the richness they thought to plunder from the island, but also because even a single honest administrator would highlight too much everyone’s corruption to the nobles. Not that they would care or didn’t know already, but would have to take measures to save their face in front of such blatant evidence. And people don’t like to hang by their neck.

I managed to reach the Dolphin not long before their intended sail. It surprised me to see a frigate, which was a ship more unique than rare amongst pirates. In fact, it was mostly used as an escort or to hunt pirates. I ran up to the ship on the gangway, since calling aloud for permission to board wasn’t advisable at the moment, and once aboard, I asked to speak with the captain. The man at guard was suspicious, but nonetheless sent for the captain, who was still awake, giving the emergency.

“Who is bothering us at this time of the even…. Oh, Milady Cyndria… to what do I owe the honour?”

“I have a message and a request from my father, Captain.”

“It must be a very important and confidential matter to send his own daughter out here, alone, in the evening, even in a place nearly void of criminality like Simòn de Alpeche.”

“It is… can we discuss it privately? Not that I don’t trust your men, if you trust them, but I don’t trust prying ears in the darkness.”

“Very well put, Milady. Sure, follow. Boatswain, come too.”

He accompanied me down to his big cabin, sat at the desk and pointed me to a chair. The boatswain sat in another. “Speak.”

“My father is warning you that he’s being relieved of duty by Colonel Diego de Villanueva, who is clearly used to rule through fear and violence. You should leave asap, as I see you are doing already… will you manage at night?”

“Yes, we smelled danger the moment the soldiers unloaded, and we are about to sail. I know this port like my own pockets and could sail out at night even with closed eyes. And what about the request?”

“He’s asking to bring me with you. Paying, of course. Despite the little… favours… he did to you in the past, he’s not thinking you’d help me for free, seeing the importance of the request. But he trusts your word, nonetheless. Also, it may cause you some… problems with Spain authorities.”

He laughed. “I love causing problems for Spanish authorities. Your father is the only one who earned and deserves my respect amongst them. At last, he opened his eyes, I guess. Why does he want to send you away? Why not through the galleon?”

“Because the Crown sentenced him to death. Or, if so decided by the Colonel, to be an administrator under the new Governor, the Colonel himself, witnessing the destruction and ruin of almost fifteen years of hard work. The Colonel decided to allow him to save his life if he gave me to him as a bride. You know my father wouldn’t sell people, imagine if he would sell his own daughter. He’s going to try and kill the Colonel at dinner, in an hour or so.”

“Your father is a man of honour, we should try to save him… maybe if you give us directions, we could get him and bring him to safety.”

“No, for two reasons. Armed guards, who are loyal to the Colonel, by now surround the house. I almost walked into them when I was leaving. Second, he’s going to do that to give me – us – time to flee. I appreciate your offer, though. And before you question my apparent lack of distress, my father grew me to be practical. I’ll cry for him inside or in private. And I’ll find a way to get revenge. But we are forgetting something. Here… this should be enough to pay my passage anywhere, I guess.” I stood and put a very precious gold necklace, full of emeralds, on his desk.

“Yes, it will be enough. Robert, give her the cabin next door. I don’t think we’ll have guests of honour anytime soon, so she can keep it. I don’t think she’d be safe amongst the men, no matter what orders we issue. Get ready to sail any moment now.”

I followed the boatswain, and he brought me to a nearby door, opened it and introduced me. Then he left.

It was a small cabin, barely containing a bed, a cupboard drawer, a wardrobe and a small table with a chair, with a small porthole above the table. It was more than enough for my needs. I explored it thoroughly, but found no place where to hide my possessions. Jewellery, gold and letters of credit. Enough to make any man on the ship slit my throat with no second thought. In the end, the safest place would be inside the mattress. Not even a decent place to hide things, but it was the only place where nobody would check. Hopefully.

A knock at the door startled me.

“Who’s there?”

“Captain Hood.”

“Come in.”

He entered the room and dropped a bunch of clothes on the table. “Try these on. If you are going to stay on this ship, it’s better if you appear one of us, at least at a distance. And you can’t stay closed in the cabin forever.”

“Thank you very much, Captain.” I could now observe him better. Not handsome by any means, fair at most, but his aura of confidence, his pose, his voice, were captivating. I could see immediately why he was nicknamed ‘Blackeyes’ when I met his gaze. Deep black hypnotic eyes that mesmerized me. Then he turned his attention to something else, and the spell was broken. The captain was clearly of noble descent. His fiery stance also made people trust him naturally. Some people abuse that quality; he was one of those who didn’t. The boatswain was obviously bearing a great deal of respect for him. I got his point. Men alone on a ship for weeks, even months, could be a real danger for any female. Imagine one as young, and I guess as pretty, since I enticed the Colonel's interest so quickly as me. I would risk becoming the toy of the crew. I wished my knives would be enough in case of need.

He left, and I started to undress. I found a pair of pants and a shirt that were fitting fine above my covering underwear, without showing much of me. Luckily, my father taught me to wear trousers for riding, and I wasn’t too shy about wearing them. I put my dress in the wardrobe, and then I left the cabin, with the bunch of discarded clothes. A young sailor was just out there waiting. He took the clothes, told me to go upstairs, pointing at a stair, and ran away.

Upstairs, I was back on the deck. I realized that we sailed without me even noticing, but at least half an hour had passed since I walked aboard. We were moving slowly in the harbour; I could see the lights of the other ships and movements on board of them, and the lights of the town. And at that very moment, I heard gunshots from the house and screams. I ran to the captain, who was manoeuvring the wheel, and he understood at once. He gave me a spyglass and I watched toward my house. My hopes were shattered when a wounded Colonel left the house and started barking orders. I watched for just a few more moments until I saw two men dragging my father out. Father was still alive, but after the Colonel asked a couple of questions and received spit in his face as an answer, he personally took a gun and shot Father in the head. I cried just one tear for each eye, then my sadness was replaced by determination and hate. I turned to the captain, but before I could speak, he motioned me to keep silent.

I got it immediately; we couldn’t risk anyone hearing us. At that moment, I noticed the sails were black, and all onboard lights were off. We were able to see because of the city lights, but soon we’d be covered by the size of the galleon and also become totally invisible. It took almost an hour to leave, moving so slowly, but as soon as we were out of the harbour and out of sight and earshot, the captain started to bark orders, and all sails were unfurled. As soon as the captain was free of duty, he told me to follow. Then he called all the crew.

“She’s a guest who paid for a passage. Consider her my personal guest. If any of you touches her, I’ll make him regret it for the rest of his then very short life. Is that clear?”

“Aye, Captain!” Answered the crew.

Then he turned to me.

“Better you go to sleep, it’s been a taxing day for you. We’ll talk in the morning. Robert will give you something to eat before you retire.”

He made a gesture, and the boatswain approached and motioned me to follow. I ate some sort of soup, very filling and energetic, even if not that tasty. I drank a mug of water, then reached my cabin, locked and bolted the door and dropped on the bed. I realized only then how tired I was. And despite my brave words and my resolve, I cried. And cried. Until I fell asleep.

Hard knocks on the door awakened me. “Yes?”

“Time to rise, breakfast ready in five minutes!” said a voice.

I hurried up, realizing I was still dressed. Opened the door, and on the floor, there was a pitcher and a small basin. I took them, washed as best as I could and left, leaving the items on the floor outside the cabin again. I’d ask later about them.

Breakfast with all those men was strange, but after a moment of silence when I appeared, the chatter started back, and I ate. Nobody talked to me, though, but I could understand it. I was an outsider, a rich, stuck-up Spanish young woman only paying for a ride.

After breakfast, I went on the deck and saw the captain at the wheel. He was relieved a moment later by the navigator. I would learn later that Blackeyes was a sailing master himself, but a navigator to give orders was still lightening the weight on his shoulders.

He approached me. “Did you sleep well, Milady?”

“I did, Captain, thank you. Can we drop this Milady thing? I’m just Cyndria. Cyn for friends.” (Read like ‘chin’ in Spanish)

“Fine, Cyndria. What can I do for you?”

“As you said, I can’t stay in the cabin forever. But I will get bored doing nothing. Father educated me to be active, not the airhead bimbo of the typical nobility. I’d like to help around. Maybe the crew will accept me enough to be friendly. And I honestly don’t want to stay hiding in safety. I want to learn and join you. Piracy never appealed to me as much as now that I have a target to focus my hatred on.”

“It’s a good idea to help. I hope your delicate hands will be able to bear it. I’m not convinced you’ll make a decent pirate, though, that if I decide to accept you amongst us. We are rough men, while you are a delicate, very young woman. Anyway, you’ll start your sailor duties immediately. Boatswain! She’s going to work. Start her with the basic duty, as any new sailor of the crew!”

“Aye, Captain! Come, Miss.”

“Wait!” Interrupted the Captain. “Cyndria, your name is too peculiar. Choose a new one. You’ll be known amongst us with that name.”

“Uhm… Cyndria… you’d read it in English like Cindria… Cinder… Ash. I think it could do. Ash. It’s what I intend to make of any Spanish vessel I can put my hands on. Plus, an English name could divert their attention from my real identity.”

“Nice choice. It can also be associated with a man, so it will leave the doubt and keep you safer. It’s good that you speak good English…”.

“Captain, you forget who I am… I learned to speak fluent English, French, Latin and some Portuguese. Along with also a lot of other things. Father, being alone and not having anyone to share his passions with, shared them with me. So, I’m well versed in tactics and history as well…” I smiled. I didn’t find it useful to speak about my fighting and swordsmanship training, since I thought I could be made fun of and humiliated by their practical expertise.

“That’s good to know. In the future, I may ask for your help in some matters where we lack knowledge. Now go.”

Thinking about it later, I realized that he didn’t disagree with any of my requests. And that made me quite suspicious.

Swabbing and scrubbing the deck for the whole day wasn’t exactly what I thought I’d be doing, but the boatswain was a gentle man, for what you could find amongst pirates, and soon took me in sympathy and under his protection, and explained to me that every single one of them started there. It was like an initiation.

Lunch was uneventful, and by half afternoon I was very tired, but managed to finish. I knew I’d have to repeat everything the next day, but for now I could rest a moment. Or so I thought. Instead, I was sent to help the cook with dinner. A burly man, who became bitter toward the world because of some wrong he suffered, which brought him to flee the law and, in the end, to become a pirate. But he wasn’t a fighter, so he passed his days in the kitchen. I admit it, as the daughter of a noble, I never went near a kitchen if not to call for someone or to give orders. Now I was about to help a cook, for what he could do on a ship, and to learn something about cooking.

In fact, he too soon took me on his right side. I could see that, even if burly, he was ordering me around with some softness. But mind that by saying ‘soon’, in that environment, means that it happened in weeks, not immediately. At the moment he simply pointed me to a sack of potatoes and told me to clean them of dirt with a rag, then peel them, cut rotten and bad parts and put then the potatoes in a thin net next to a porthole. As soon as the net was full, he dropped it in the sea, then pulled it back, let it drain a little and emptied it in a box. When the box was full, he told me to cut the potatoes in thick slices, then in sticks, then dices, and drop them in a big cauldron. It was already half filled with other vegetables, some left over from lunch and some water. It took me more than an hour, but being used to use knives, I did it faster than us both expected. Next, he pointed me to several pieces of what had been dried meat, which was now overcooked and soft, and told me to cut them the same way as I did with the potatoes. Once the cauldron was full, he started the fire and told me to start cleaning everything. The rotten pieces of the potatoes would go to the fish, as any other discarded piece of inedible food. I would later find out that it was unusual, and in most ships, they wouldn’t bother if the food was rotten or not, they would cook it all the same. Blackeyes believed in a healthy diet for the crew, instead. As an effect, most of his original crew had almost decent teeth instead of the rotten sets of most sailors.

In the following days, I was doing the routine without even being told, and as I became quicker with the passing of time, I got more duties added. I once suspected they gave me some chores only because I was a woman, but then realized that it was just that I was the lowest ranking member of the crew. Not even a real one, and thinking about it, someone else was doing those same chores before, when I wasn’t yet doing them.