Finally got around to finishing this chapter up. Not a lot of action here. Mostly plans for the future. Hope you guys and gals enjoy.



Mid-morning, Saint Domingue:

After a split up with Zed and Roger’s crew to facilitate the loss of Dedmond’s crew, the two ships sailed peacefully to a vacant coast on the Northern most part of what is now called Haiti. Zed and Roger were still on the Herron whilst John, Luke and other 5 other crew members sailed aboard the Charm. Of course the former members of the Charm’s crew took no time to adjust to sailing their now reunited ship. They would need that experience to compensate for the lack of men aboard the vessel as they soon realized that it took more than 6 men to bring the ship into port. Meanwhile The Herron had just docked and the crew had made their way to the loose, white sand, complimented by the turquoise liquid that washed its shores.

As the morning grew old and both ships had made port, the combined crew of 15 gathered in oneness as Roger, Zed and John took center stage…or sand rather, and were ready to give out orders.

Roger- “Listen uppah all ye. Thar (there) be two things we need geh’n (getting) befare (before) we make our way to The Lost Cityyah (City).

Zed- “Right. Chartman Luke. The Map if you will.”

Luke- *Holds up map and draws the attention of the audience*

Zed- “We are here.” *Points at Northern portion of Saint Domingue with a stick he found not too long ago.* “Our purpose here is to find an indicator. That which will lead us to where we want to be. The map says if we continue that way *Points stick to the south west* then we’ll see an old cottage…..Ancient library records that I read back in England say that in this cottage lies an indicator of some sort. Downside to our little search and rescue is that our indicator is said to be guarded by creatures of the Sprite kind.”

Crew Members- *Murmur in confusion*

Matthew- “Sprites? You mean those mythical midgets with pointy ears? I hear they bruise babies when no one looks and that’s where birthmarks come from.”

Mark- “I hear they like to cut your hair when you sleep.”

Zed- “Oh only if they were mischievous instead of nefarious. The ones we’ll be dealing with have a high probability of being rabid imps rather than playful nuisances.”

Roger- *interrupts what he deems as unnecessary descriptions* “The ather (other) group will set off to Trinidad close to South America. Shouldn’t take no mare (more) than a week’s sail. The Key is located on a Volcanic Islet named Kick’em Jenny. It hasn’t blown in the last 5 years so getting on the isle, getting the key and sailing away shouldn’t be too much of a hasslah (hassle).”

Ed- “Who goes where? Which one of our groups seeks to ascertain which goal?”

Zed- “Well I hate elves so I pick Jenny.”

Roger- “I have a deal to settle with them midgets. I’ll be staying here.”

Ed- “I will search with Roger. He is the more trustworthy of himself and Zed.”

Zed- “Can’t say I didn’t see that one coming “

Ed- “Can’t say your name isn’t synonymous with treachery and unscrupulouslness.”

Zed- “I can say….. I’ll be needing my Charm back since ye and Roger will be partnering up. Need a ship to get to an islet.”

Ed- “Fine. It’s all yours.” *Hands over Captain’s hat*

Zed- *Accepts Hat* “Well that was easier than anticipated.”

Amy- “I honestly thought you’d be happier.”

Zed- “I’m rejoicing with my inside voice.”

Mark- “We still need more members for our crew. Maybe about 10 men would do.”

Zed- “Aye. We can find some if we continue westwards on the coastline. If I’m right there should be seamen singing shanties in no time. That was the case last time I set foot here.”

Ed- “Where do we meet up after we’ve found the indicator and you’ve found the key?”
Roger- “We converge next at Dominicah. From there we take our next plan of action. For now… Get the on yar (your) way and commence our marchin (marching)!

At this the crew split in two with Roger, Ed and everyone else apart from Zed’s first mates and Amy on one party (P1) and Zed, the four first mates and Amy on the other party (P2). Not too long afterwards, party 1 set off into the direction of the indicator characterized by dense foliage and the call of inland animals waking from their slumber. Party 2 went off along the saturated and noisy coast complete with the squalls of all species of seabirds. The Sun illuminated the path of both parties with its endearing glow which signaled the start of what was going to be a long day.

Meanwhile: Reaper’s Bride.

Dedmond- “How many hours till we arrive in the Caribbean?” asked the captain whose voice hinted a disgruntled tone and mood.

Skeleton Gregory- “About 5 captain.” Answered the chief mate.

Dedmond- “Good. We are making headway. This pursuit shouldn’t take too long.” Whispered the captain. “Off the starboard bow!!! Move with the current that the trade winds direct.” Yelled the still angered whirlwind of fury.

At this command the ship’s motion shifted to the north-eastern direction. The vessel of bone and rotten wood caught wind in its tattered sails, its main mast being topped with a now decomposing disembodied cranium. The undead crew attending to their duties aboard The Reaper’s Bride; their captain awaiting his arrival in the Caribbean with great thirst. The morning sun lending its gleam to the sea forward the ship and later driving the darkness away from Dedmond and his crew. The darkness they had become accustomed to. Perhaps for shadowing a change in fate.


Meanwhile aboard The English Providence:

The ship had finally become aground. The occupants made their way to the shore where they planned to track one of the two pirate crews. They were careful not to port in the same area as to avoid being spotted prematurely. Their sailors’ hats cast shadows on the sand that each resembled a small bird with its wings slightly outstretched. Commander Williams however, had the largest hat shadow, signifying his authority.



Williams – “They made port to our west. If the library books I read are true, they’ll be heading inland and in a south westerly direction. We’ll apprehend on foot in the same direction until our paths cross.” *Looks at compass* “Five of our men will come with me to locate the bilge rats. The rest will stay here where you will guard the ship and notify English Sentries of our arrival. Now I will 5 men brave enough to join me on my endeavor step forth? Be ye reminded that we are dealing with some of the most notorious and blood thirsty scoundrels humanity has to offer. They will kill without a second thought.”

To the captain’s surprise none of the men who stood before him seemed deterred in the slightest. Their faces still struck with confidence.

Privateer1- “We knew whom we were dealing with when we decided to be privateers.”

Williams- “Good. Then you will join me. Four more brave souls step forward.”

Immediately, four privateers stepped over to the Commander and group was formed. They set off for the forest that awaited them where they hoped to encounter a pirate crew. They left in a queue with the Commander spearheading the formation. They brought no muskets or other form of heavy artillery, just their swords and hand rifles. The five men following the Commander wondered why this was so but none thought they had the authority to ask.


Back At P2:

Mark- “Are we bad people?” questioned Mark, breaking the absence of any sound apart from the swash and backwash of the waves; sea breeze rushing past the ear; trudging footsteps made in the damp sand and sea birds calling to one another.

Zed- “Well I wouldn’t kill in cold blood.”

Luke- “I don’t attack women or children or the elderly.”

Matthew- “I gave some of my money to a family in need once.”

Zed- “Y’know… come to think of it we are a charitable lot no? We have scruples.”

Mark- “Yeah. I think so too. I mean we are earning an honest living.”

Amy- “You 5 all walk around with guns and swords, indulge in drinking, rob other pirates and are wanted by England. Don’t get ahead of yourselves.”

Zed- “Well when you put it that way…”

Is the spacing in the dialogue too excessive or is it ok? It looked like it was gonna be an eye soar to read at first so I thought spacing would help. What do you guys think?