Realistic or Modern Wolves of the Sea

[mrXenox]

In June of 1722, privateer captain Liam Bowen stole a fragment of a map from the dangerous pirate Connor McKinley, this map, fabled to lead to the legendary city of El Dorado, has had a bloody history. Many have fought and died to get their hands on it. It is now August, and Liam Bowen has taken his ship, the Seawolf, to Port Royal to seek shelter from his enemies and to seek aid from his friend ___. With the pirate he crossed relentlessly pursuing him, and the enticing treasure of El Dorado just out of reach, he must plan to find the rest of the map.

 

[mrXenox]

Liam nearly stumbled as he stepped off the gangplank, trying to compensate for a roll that was not there. “I’ve been too long at sea” he muttered to himself as he stepped on to the wharf at Port Royal. The very first thing he noticed was how miserable the place looked; the town had never recovered, even thirty years after the earthquake. The town as it was now was only about a third of its original size; he wandered through the streets, looking for a public house. He kept patting at his breast pocket, as if to assure himself that his prize was still there.


He walked until he spotted a wooden sign hanging over the cobbled street, he strained his eyes to read the fading painted letters, “The Casque and Cup” he pushed the door aside and sauntered in, his good mood putting a bounce in his step. His first mate, who had been travelling silently beside him, went to the bar to get a drink. Liam’s thirst, however, was completely dwarfed by excitement. He pulled the scrap of parchment from his breast pocket and unfurled it on the table, looking at it for the first time since he had managed to steal it. On it, was a dot labelled “El Dorado” and a crude sketch of a landmark to be used as a reference point. By the time his first mate sat down beside him with a tankard of ale, he was practically giddy with excitement.


His excitement rapidly soured to suspicion as another person entered the bar, he stared at the newcomer and quickly stuffed the wrinkled piece of parchment back into his pocket.

 

[Soviet Panda]

"Port spotted!" the man in the crow's nest shouted.


"I bloody well know there is a port over there! I plotted the damned course! Do what you are supposed to and look for the ship that took my map!" was the shouted reply of Connor McKinley, known to some as Flintlocks Mckinley. The reason he got that name was on him at that moment. Twelve double barreled flintlock pistols, all loaded and ready to be fired.


He had only caught a glimpse of the ship that little theif was on, whether he was a captain or a stow away didn't mattwr to him. He did, however, catch that it was a brigintine, and headed for Port Royal. Rumors had kept him up to date on where it was headed, just in case it decided to sail in a different direction.


"Lower the colors!" he shouted again. Even though Port Royal was significantly smaller then it had been since he last visited, he doubted they liked pirates anymore now then they did in the past. Of course, his first mate could have done that, but he viewed having women on the ship as bad luck, as proven by the stolen map fragment.


As they neared the port, he shouted once more up the the man in the crow's nest. "I want to know if any brig is leaving or coming into the port, get Ken to run for you!"

 

[MittyMittens]

Freya was leaning against the side of the ship, watching the what barely could be called a town, come into view. Though if it had a tavern she couldn't complain much about it. She was dying for a bit of whiskey since the captain's wonderful personality had only been magnified since the map piece had been stolen. Though most would have thrown in the towel and left McKinley's ship at dealing with his ornery temperament, mostly towards her, her stubbornness and pride would not allow her to do so, often pushing his buttons on purpose but had been less inclined to do so since the map piece had gone missing. She had no desire to go back to the life she was living before hand and rather enjoyed life on the sea even if it was tedious at times. She turns to look back at McKinley pushing her weight off the railing of the ship.


"We'll get the map back so stop being so sour, especially to me. I'm not the one who lost it..... Maybe I'll bring a cat aboard, perhaps our bad luck with counter act each other" She states with a small smirk as she makes her way past him to start shouting orders to get the ship docked so the Captain could examine the ships already there for any familiarity to the one the thief was aboard. She turns her attention to McKinley again after everyone was busy with their duties of docking. "Your best place to start looking is at the local tavern or brothel. I've found that most men who have been at sea for an extended amount of time end up there before anywhere else or at least end up there eventually." She states with the folding of her arms across her chest. "I doubt anyone's come here for the sights..."

 

[ToteMaus]

The ship coming into port caught Annabelle's eye, it was not often she saw warships like that enter the harbor. She watched it glide into the anchorage from where she sat, perched on a quay and sharpening her cutlass. It wasn't a navy ship, she could tell that by the lack of uniforms, bells, or any sort of military organisation. It must be either a pirate ship or a privateer vessel, either way, there was likely gold to be found on board. She rushed along the quay too meet the ship as she docked.

 

[BrownBear]

In need of rest, Domingo took his small sailboat and docked in Port Royal, which was controlled by the British. Domingos own homeland at this time was controlled by the Spanish, though being mixed and knowledgeable of each race he usually never chose a side to identify with. The ride was tough and kind of suicidal considering he used a small sailboat to get here. Either way he was happy to return to Port Royal. He was somewhat well known for being a frequent visitor, always checking on how his philanthropic efforts were going, occasionally doing a book signing or telling stories. He saw that the conditions and the town was still in shambles, which either meant the British or someone was stealing his money, or that the earthquake was more devastating than he thought. As he stepped off his small sailboat and onto the docks, he was immediately harassed by poor children. As if by instinct, he gave all in the small group currency and wafted them off, in feign annoyance. Being an orphan himself he understood the hardships of the streets... how know one cared. So he did what he could.


The children didnt recognize him because they were children, but usually a couple residents, especially business owners of which he had partnerships with, could make out who he was. But he was usually clean cut and better dressed during those visits. This time around he wore a large black hood over his head, which covered a simple black tunic, loose black pants, and big black boots. He sported a maroon sash on his waist to add some personality. He also grew a small beard, and his hair was dreaded enough to look like cheetos coming out of his head. If anything he looked like a local coming back home for a visit.


So no one bothered him as he entered the tavern called the Casque and Cup. As he made his way inside, crossing the street, he took in his surroundings for a moment though. He made note of a beautiful young women walking towards the docks. Then he noticed a jolly young man step off the gangplank of a ship, with pep to his step. He was making his way to the tavern. In the distance Domingo made out a large ship coming... hopefully not pirates. He stepped in before noticing the flag.


Being completely alert, once habit a couple years ago, was something he had to remind himself to do now since he hadnt traveled alone in so long. He was feeling the rust and slight hesitation in his mind.... the feeling that money has made him softer. But at the same time it has helped him and many other ways. Although not having as much experience in adventure and battle as he did before he still entered many competitions and hired many teachers to further in enhance his skills in the ways of a fighter and marksmen.


Anyways this was exciting for him, although his servants begged him not to leave, to stay and marry. He told them he was still young and had time.... but perhaps they were right. He considered that this perhaps would be his last adventure. He sighed not knowing how to feel about that. He was worried that he would grow old and boring but at the same time wished to share his riches with someone. Someone not just of a family of wealth but someone to love and be loved by. Domingo did not know how marriage would pan out. First of all, he is not of noble blood. Secondly, he is not certainly not pure Spanish as evidence of his skin. and Thirdly, even if he did find family whom would offer a daughter, would he even want her. He let out another deep sigh. Perhaps he could just go home, bask in his riches and die... wow thats depressing.


In the tavern he sat at the bar in his balck hood and ordered a simple wine, not looking to get tipsy... he looked behind himself and noticed that the same jolly man had walked in. He sat at the bar not too far from Domingo with whom seemed to be his traveling companion. He quickly stuffed something in his pocket... pretty suspiciously.... perhaps it was something of value. Domingo sipped on wine, looking down at it, only to glance up occasionally at his surroundings and the jolly but suspicious pirate.

 

[mrXenox]

Liam took a mental note to not take the map out in public again after noting the strange glance the stranger gave him. But as the newcomer kept looking up at him from time to time, his feelings of suspicion returned. He stood to leave, dragging his comrade with him to the door.


Liam felt his blood run cold as he opened the door to see the masts and spars of the all too familiar ship in the sky above the buildings. He just stood there for a moment, halfway through the door and staring at the harbor.

 

[Soviet Panda]

About to depart his lovely Sea Dragon, Connor notices a woman hurrying, if not running, towards his ship. 'Oh no. Not another one.' he thought to himself before completely getting off his ship. The look on his face promised murder if she tried to get on his ship as ge stormed over to her. "I do not care what you are or why you want on my ship. I already have one on board, and that's bad enough. You will have to give me enough gold to work as ballast if you want passage, and then some!" he shouted at the stranger as he approached her, and even when he reached her. "Freya! Go get that cat you suggested, at least it will kill the rats." he shouted over his shoulder, the stranger ignored for a while. He had a feelig he would do a lot of shouting at that port, and he was already going horse. "I don't have time for you pleading for me to let you on my Sea Dragon." Pushing past the stranger, he makes his way in land. A tavern was a good place to start as any, and a good drink to soothe his throat wouldn't go amiss. Searchig for an old favorite of his, he eventually finds it. "The Fish." was what it's sign potrayed, a rather large red and gold fish. It wasn't the nicest place in Port Royal, but for him it provided plenty of entertainment.

 

[ToteMaus]

She clenched her teeth and looked at his back, shouting "Bâtard!" She paced up and down the quay, visibly seething. She had considered shooting at him, but there was still law and order in this shell of a town.

 

[MittyMittens]

Freya just nods as she's told to retrieve a cat for the ship and makes her way off the ship giving the woman who McKinley was scolding moments ago an amused look at seeing her get angry at his comments. She continues on, going in the opposite direction of the captain, she'd been on a ship long enough with him to end up at the same tavern as him. She had every intention to find a mouser but first wanted a drink. Besides the cat could wait until they departed no sense toting it around before hand. She makes her way to the Casque and Cup, touching the pistol at her hip to double check she had it before spotting the man standing in the doorway. "You coming or going? Either way you're in the way" she states as she pushes past him not recognizing him as the one who stole the map piece since she was not there while it happened. She makes her way straight to the bar not bothering with looking around since in her experience it only invited people to speak with her when she preferred not to be bothered especially before she got her whiskey. Though she didn't mind a good conversation it seemed most men that spoke with her were hardly looking for conversation. It was also wise on her part not to let on too much about herself since most people didn't look too kindly on pirates and she had no desire to be memorable in that regard. "Whiskey" she states dryly to the bar tender when he finally made his way over to her. She takes a sip of it once it was served to her, rolling her shoulders back a bit afterwards. It had been too long between drinks. She had brought some on board last trip but found it had been raided barely into the voyage followed by one man overboard to the dismay of the captain and a few others who no longer hassle her.

 

[BrownBear]

Domingo twisted his wine glass and glanced at the jolly pirate once more. He was getting up to leave, not even taking a swig of his ale. Probably felt too exposed out here, which means he was suspicious. He chugged his white wine and left coin on the bar country. He shuffled his way past the noisey crowded tavern and stepped right behind the jolly pirate who had stopped halfway outside. He seemed to have froze. Domingo looked over the mans shoulder to see outside.


Just as if the moons, planets, and stars could align so could the characters of this story. Domingo was behind Liam. In the distance was annabelle who was chasing down a McKinley. Domingo squinted his eyes at the man carrying twelve pistols, then looked at the ship from before one more time. Their flag was down. A pirate flag. It was Flintlock. The girl should not be chasing down that dangerous pirate. And why was the man in front of him frozen like that? What was the connection? Any who... flintlock and his Sea Dragon were well known throughout the Caribbean. Domingo and his partners have been robbed by him numerous times. The business group tried gathering mercenary's to catch him but they failed miserably or he was too elusive. The Irishmans crew were powerful and clever as well, especially his first mate Freya Ekland. Rumour is she is from the land of the famous vikings, where the women fought side by side along with the strong, tall blonde, blue eyed warriors. Someone not to try.


and there she was.... pushing past him right now and heading to the bar. Domingo froze as he made a quick glance into her eyes. It seemed her captain was heading another direction. He soon realized he had not been breathing and quickly inhaled...

 

[mrXenox]

Liam stood in shock for a moment after the woman pushed past him, at last, his sense returned to him and he started sprinting back towards the harbor. He knew that he had to get out of this port, and the sooner the better. He ran as fast as he could, heedless of the staring townspeople. As his boots thudded on the worn cobblestones of the streets, all he could think of was what pirates do to those who cross them. He patted his pocket once more, as if to make sure that the map had not deserted him along with his luck.


As he arrived at the wharf, the last casks of water and provisions were being lowered into the hold of the Seawolf, and he charged back up the gangplank. "Get ready to depart!" He shouted to his crew, they looked at him, dismayed that they wouldn't have the opportunity for shore leave. He looked around with trepidation, at the rapidly setting sun, at the townsfolk, and at the ominous clouds in the distance. He noted that the waves were lapping hard at the cays, and heard the foreboding rumbling of thunder in the distance, but he decided he'd rather face the coming storm than Flintlocks McKinley.

 

[ToteMaus]

Annabelle stormed after the pirate, right up to the door of the tavern known as "The Fish" she threw the door open and strode in, scanning the crowd for the man who had offended her. She was well known for her violent temper, and she had now resolved to teach him a lesson in manners. She pulled a man up from his seat by the collar, only to throw him back down when she realized he was not the one she was looking for. Some of the patrons stared at her, some ignored her as she continued to search the tavern.

 

[Soviet Panda]

Connor saw that stranger enter The Fish, and immediatly assumed that a pretty girl like her simply needed some extra cash, if you understand what I'm saying. Then he saw her pick up a rather large and heavy looking man by the collar, then throw him back down. 'They have to protect themselves sume how.' he thought to himself, but still putting a hand nonchalantly on one of his pistols. Suddenly Ken, a crane of a boy with long lanky hair, came barging in, spotted Connor, and rushed to him. "A brig is gettin' ready to leave, Jeff saw it." he said anxiously.


"Then run back and tell the crew to get ready. And to prepare the colors." An evil grin blossomed on his face. For some reason, that brig seemed like a pheasant flying away in a sudden panic. Now why else could that be unless they recognized the Sea Dragon. "Oh, and find Freya, she's probably lying face down in a pig pen by now with her head full of whiskey." Getting up, showing that he was also called the Pirate Leprecon outside of his hearing, he strode off purposefully towards the door, headless of anyone who may be looking for him, but still with a hand on a pistol.

 

[ToteMaus]

She finally sees the man she was looking for, striding after him and taking a pistol from its holster at her hip. She neared him as he reached the door and pressed the barrel of her flintlock to the back of his head. "Remember me?" She asked in as threatening a tone as possible.

 

[Soviet Panda]

"Can't say I do. I tend to try and forget people that want to threaten me." That voice sounded femanine, why? He hadn't insulted any women with a gun that he could remember. He just remembered denying that strange woman passage on his ship. Was this her? Nah, couldn't be. As quickly as he could, he whirled around to try and swat the pistol away before the trigger was pulled. Then he saw the face, and recognized it. It was that girl! How dare she hold a pistol to his, Flintlocks McKinley, head!

 

[ToteMaus]

"I did want to fight for you, now, I just want to splatter your brains across this tavern floor. No one treats me with such disrespect!" She shouted as she pulled the trigger, but he swept the gun to the side at the last moment, the gun went off a few inches from his ear, and the lead ball found itself embedded in the door frame.

 

[Soviet Panda]

The noise of the shot was deafening in his one ear. Of course it had happaned to him before, it happans on any ship (they're a lot smaller then you'd think). So he didn't flinch much, that wasn't saying it didn't hurt.


Using the swat motion to pull out the pistol at his hip, and point it at the women. "I don't like people shooting at me. Sit down Marissa, I don't plan on making a mess." the last part was directed to supposedly the tavern's owner, a pleasantly plump women. Suddenly sending his left out for a jab aimed at her stomach. Whether it was a hit or miss didn't really matter to much, just that it startled her. "That was for my ear." which was slowly having it's hearing returned, "and now I beg your leave." that said sarcastically. Opening the door without turnig around, he exits The Fish and heads towards his ship, there no one wanted to shoot him. Most of the time.

 

[ToteMaus]

She considered running him through with her cutlass, only for a moment. While lost in thought, his punch caught her in the stomach and she doubled over in pain. She stood up once more, seeing that the pirate had gone, she decided to go back to her ship, which was waiting in the harbor. She was dismayed to find that the man she had just tried to shoot was also going to the harbor, and happened to be taking the same route. She slowed down enough to keep behind him, hoping he wouldn't see her.

 

[MittyMittens]

After taking one more sip of the whiskey she turns her attention back towards the door to take another glance at the man standing in the doorway since it was such a strange thing to do, especially since he didn't stumble back when she pushed past him, proving he wasn't some confused drunk. She lets her long nails scratch her chin for a moment at the sight, another man was blocking her view of the one she pushed past previously. She wondered what the connection was before leaning to the side to watch the man take off. Curiouser and curiouser. She lets out a sigh before turning to her drink, downing it in quickly before placing some coin on the bar top and slips out of her stool and weaves her way through the tavern to amke her way to stand next to the dark man not looking at him but watching the previous guy take off down the streets and no doubt to port. "You have any information on him?" She asks, it was a shot in the dark but better something than nothing. She looks up at the sky, putting a hand at her brow to see the darkening clouds in the distance, frowning a bit at that. She looks over at hearing her name, seeing Ken running in her direction to tell her the Captain was setting sail. She frowns a bit at the idea of leaving so soon but at least the captain wasn't leaving her behind.

 

[Soviet Panda]

Reaching his Sea Dragon, he boards it shouting orders to ready the sails and prepare to leave. Of course, he didn't leave right away. He may be a ruthless pirate, but he held to his promises, even if it had been forced out of him at knife point. 'Hope she remembered the cat.' he however thought to himself.

 

[mrXenox]

Liam's eyes never left the Sea Dragon as his men tossed off the lines binding the Seawolf to the pier. As soon as his ship was free he took the helm. "Full sail" he shouted in a commanding voice, and he watched as his men scurried up the shrouds to unfurl the square sails. As the canvas spread out across the spars, the sails caught the stiff north-easterly wind and Seawolf started to float away from the wharf. As the sails were let out completely, the ship started out towards the mouth of the harbor with great speed, which made his haste evident. He moved his lips in a silent prayer that the tide was high enough for their hull to clear the coral.

 

[BrownBear]

Domingo looked to his side at the very odd and out of place question. It was Eklund of Sweden. Domingo did not show his face, only tilting his hood to the side. "Know idea.... but Id be a liar if I told I wasnt curious." He said playfully. He looked to his side and this confirmed his suspicions. She was tall, fierce.... almost wild looking. Smelled a bit like whiskey too. He looked in front of himself and spoke. "It seems your captains leaving...so you must be leaving... which may be a good thing for me." He said chuckled a bit to himself, and walked out of the door. He walked across to the docks and made way to his sailboat. He saw the ominous clouds ahead, but thought nothing of it. He decided to follow one of the ships, feeling somehow certain that their destiny's were interlocked.... he felt that this could be made into a great story.

 

[ToteMaus]

Almost dejectedly, she strode onto her ship once she had reached her ship. The walked into the cabin, slamming the door shut behind her, and earning her a few bewildered looks from her crew. She sulked in her cabin, reclining in her chair and looking at the choppy waters of the harbor through the stern windows.

 

[MittyMittens]

Freya looks over at him at his comment he said before he slipped out the door. She raises an eyebrow curiously at hearing it, he was more than just a local as she assumed previously. She watched him leave, he was rather curious as well, from his attire he didn't seem like he was wanting another attention. She quickly makes her way back to the ship, stopping momentarily at spotting some cats hanging around a local fisherman, hoping for fish scraps. She chuckles a little at the idea of grabbing a black cat but figured she'd be nice since McKinley was waiting on her, even though she thought the black cat suspension was rubbish. She grabs a friendly orange tabby smiling a little before boarding her ship, glancing over at seeing the stranger from before boarding his own ship, and frowns a bit, he must be crazy to go out with what looked to be a bad storm rolling in in a ship like that. She makes her way over to the captain. "The man you're looking for wouldn't happen to be ye high" She motions with her hand. "Have brown hair and blue eyes would he?" She states cradling the cat in her arms.