Captain Lupe De Feu
Chapter 16
Day 14-Aboard the Mariana-Somewhere in the Atlantic
Bowler and Geoffrey ran around the deck with pirates on their shoulders. If they stopped or slowed down, pirates watching would crack them with a whip. The on-looking pirates cheered and laughed at the bear and leopard running around.
Jim was at work scrubbing the deck. His hands were cut from the glass he’d had to clean up. Black Beard had recently killed another of the original crew by pelting him with glass bottles. At the moment, they were using another prisoner for target practice; knife target practice. Jim knew he would have to clean up the mess they’d leave for him afterward.
Sabeena was having fun whipping Martin. It was a game to her. The other pirates would hold him until she was ready with the whip. Then they’d let him go. She would whip him with the small, single-tailed whip until he turned black and blue with bruises on his arms and legs. They laughed when he tried to dodge the sting.
The rest of the crew were currently in the cargo hold, bound with the door locked.
Once the sails were up and the ship was on course the pirates had a lot of free time to torture their captives, drink rum and play cards.
Lupe was in the captain’s cabin with Black Beard.
“Where be yer treasure?!” Black Beard asked again.
“What treasure are you talking about?!” Lupe asked just as loud.
Black Beard hit her across the face with the back of his hand again. Lupe took a moment to recover.
“The treasure you took during the war! Where did you bury it?!”
“The little bit of treasure I had went down with the fleet!” Lupe answered.
“Oh no. No! No! No! You be lien’ through yer fangs! There be a rumor fer 8 years that you buried the bulk of yer treasure somewhere in the Caribbean Isles!” Black Beard continued.
“It was just a rumor! The treasure we gained was split amongst the crew!” Lupe answered.
Black Beard hit her again! Lupe lunged for his throat! Bengamin yanked on the chain around her neck to hold her back.
“Take her back to the cell!” Black Beard ordered.
“Yes, sir.” Bengamin and Robert hurried her out of the room and down the hall. They forced her into the cell, chained her leg and locked the door. Then they hurried back to the deck. They knew it wasn’t smart to be around Black Beard when he was in a bad mood.
Lupe carefully lied down in the bottom of the cell. She was sore, and tired. Black Beard had beat her almost every day, trying to get the location of a treasure that didn’t exist.
And she knew he would get worse the closer they came to what was in his mind as the location of the treasure. She just hoped that somehow she’d be able to free her crew. Then she realized she was beginning to think of them as her crew instead of the crew.
Then there was Jim. If he was truly Johnson’s son, she was going to do everything in her power to make sure he would be safe. She’d watched Johnson die, she wasn’t about to stand around and watch Jim do the same.
But she quickly forgot about that. She made herself as comfortable as possible lying on the chains and tried to get some sleep.
Chapter 17
Day 34-Aboard the Marina-In Caribbean waters
“Where is the treasure?!!” Black Beard yelled.
“There-Is-No-Treasure!” Lupe answered.
Without looking, again Black Beard took out another gun and aimed it at Jim. Then he paused and smiled. “The chart be right over there.” He pointed to the charts on deck.
Lupe glanced at the chart, then at Jim.
Black Beard cocked the pistol, as Jim gulped staring into the barrel.
Lupe walked over to the charts and pointed to an island off the coast of Puerto Rico. Then to her surprise, Black Beard actually uncocked the pistol and walked over to look.
“Mark it.” He ordered Bengamin.
Bengamin took a pencil and ruler and marked a route to the island.
“Now, make a map of it!” Black Beard ordered handing Lupe a piece of paper and a pencil.
“I can’t draw.” Lupe replied angrily.
“You’re really pushing my little bit of patience!” Black Beard yelled. “Blare! You draw what she tells you to!” Black Beard took the paper and pencil from Lupe and pushed it into Blare’s gut until he took it. “Take them down to the cell until they’re done.”
“Aye!” said Bengamin, Robert and Saleena.
“Put the rest of the crew in the cargo hold until I decide what to do with them!” ordered Black Beard.
The pirates forced everyone back down below.
“Okay, what did the beach look like?” Blare asked. His ankle was chained to Lupe’s ankle. And Lupe was in the cell.
“I don’t know. Some boulders, rocks, and sandy shoreline.” Answered Lupe massaging her forehead.
“You talk like you’ve never seen it.” Remarked Blare as his pencil scribbled on the paper.
“I haven’t.” replied Lupe.
“You mean…there really isn’t any treasure?” Blare asked.
“Of course there isn’t!” Lupe snapped.
Blare became silent as he finished the shoreline.
“Make a compass parallel with the paper.” Instructed Lupe.
Blare continued drawing. “Now what?”
“33 paces North, 21 paces North East, 167 paces North West.” Said Lupe quickly.
Blare quickly wrote down everything on the map.
“Mark an X at the end and put a couple mountains around the outside.” Lupe instructed. Then she leaned forward and glanced up and down the hall for anyone. Then she reached into her boot and pulled out one of her knives. She handed it to him through the bars. “Hide it in the back of your belt.” She whispered.
Blare quickly took the knife and stuffed it in his belt against his back. Then he watched Lupe reach into her bandana and pull out a key. She handed the key to him.
“What’s this for?” he whispered.
“It’s the key to the cargo door.” She whispered. “If I’m still here when Black Beard goes ashore to look for the treasure, use the key to get out. If I’m not, wait until the pirates go ashore, get everyone out of the cargo hold, and take back the ship. He’ll only leave a few pirates on board.”
“Okay.” Blare whispered stuffing the key in his shoe.
A few minutes later, Bengamin and Robert came down to inspect his progress. When they found he was done, they took the map and bound Blare in the cargo room.
“Good! Good! Finally some progress!” commented Black Beard rolling up the map. “We go ashore tonight and spend the night on the island. Bengamin, you, Saleena and Nathan are in charge here while we get the treasure.”
“What if it’s a lie?” Bengamin asked.
“Then we cut off the crews’ ears and cut out their eyes one by one until she tells me the truth!” Black Beard ordered. “Let’s go!!”
“Arrr!!” The pirates shouted happily. They were going to get their treasure! The pirates piled out of the ship and into the longboats and headed to shore.
Chapter 18
That night-Aboard the Mariana
Martin awoke at the sound of Blare moving around.
“Be quiet. I’m trying to sleep before I have to walk the plank tomorrow after they get the treasure.” Martin complained.
“Argh…if I could just reach…it…there!” Blare whispered.
They all heard a slicing sound.
“What was that?” Elizabeth asked.
They heard Blare stand up.
“Blare?” asked Geoffrey.
“Hang on a second, and be quiet.” Whispered Blare. He began to cut the ropes binding them one by one until what was left of the crew were free.
“Much better.” Commented Martin rubbing his wrists.
“Come on. We’re going to take back the ship.” Instructed Blare.
“What?” Asked Elizabeth.
“Are you crazy?” Asked Bowler.
“Most of the pirates are spending the night on shore. It should be easy to overtake the few pirates left on board.” Said Blare hurrying over to the door.
“How are we going to get out?” Asked Jim.
They heard the click of the lock.
“Lupe gave me the key and knife.” Answered Blare opening the door a crack and peeking out. The coast was clear. Blare opened the door and tip-toed down the hall. He peered in the cell. Lupe was gone. “They must have taken her with them.”
Martin, Elizabeth, Jim, Geoffrey, Coal, and Bowler followed him out. When they reached the ladder they stopped and peered up. All was quiet.
“Come on.” Said Martin taking the lead. He climbed up the ladder and peered around. The ship seemed completely barren. He climbed up and searched the deck.
Everyone suddenly froze when they heard the sound of swords clanging. They all followed the sound. They hurried across the deck towards the sound. They arrived just in time to see someone dressed in a red, gold and black suit run Bengamin through with a silver sword.
“Who are you?” Martin asked cautiously.
“I should have done that 5 years ago.” Remarked Lupe turning around to face them. Then she thrust her arm and sword in a downward motion to throw the blood off the sword. Then she sheathed the sword on her side again.
The group stared.
“Where did you get that uniform and sword?” Asked Elizabeth.
“I took the sword back from Bengamin, the dead rat, and I always take my uniform wherever I go.” Lupe answered stepping down to the main deck. “Don’t have to worry about those three anymore. Take their weapons. There’s plenty of powder in the kegs below.”
“What do you think you’re doing?” asked Geoffrey.
“What do you mean?” Lupe asked walking up to him.
“Are you trying to take over?” asked Geoffrey angrily. “Because I’m sick and tired of pirate captains!”
“How many times do I have to say it to get it through everyone’s thick skull? I am not a pirate!” said Lupe.
“And how do we know that? You dress like a pirate, you fight like one, you look like one…the only thing that isn’t pirate about you is the way you talk.” Said Martin.
“Oh, so you want me to use a pirate slang from now on, is that it? I can use a pirate slang be you scurvy lop-eared flea bittin’ poor excuse for a buccaneering dog!” said Lupe unsheathing her sword.
“Just stop it!” Said Blare. “It’s been hard for all of us. But the only way we can get anywhere is to stop fighting!”
“How can we be sure she’s not going to be just like Black Beard?” asked Geoffrey.
“And how are we going to get anywhere with such a small crew?” asked Elizabeth. “There’s only 7 of us.”
They began to argue again. Lupe stood off to the side and leaned on her sword. After getting tired of waiting she cut in the fight. “Look, while you guys are figuring everything out, I’m going to be on the island. So, good luck to ye yellow bellies on yer cruise back to England an may the good Lord be with ye.” Lupe tipped her hat and walked to the last remaining longboat.
They stared at her.
“I’m going too.” Said Jim walking over. “I’m going to be a privateer.”
“Jim, you can’t…” began Martin.
“Why not?” Asked Jim as Lupe handed him his machete.
“She’s a pirate! You want to help her thieve, murder and destroy?!” asked Martin.
“True Privateers don’t do that.” Said Jim. “I’m going to be a privateer like my father was.”
“I believe her too.” Piped up Blare. He walked over to the longboat.
“But if you two leave, we’ll only have 5 left to man the ship.” Said Elizabeth.
“Like I said. Good luck be with ya, matey.” Replied Lupe setting up the longboat.
“Wait, why are you going onto the island?” asked Martin.
Lupe stared at them. “I’m going to bring back Black Beard’s head on a pike.”
“Now you’re talking like a pirate.” Said Martin. “I’m coming with you.” He said hurrying over and helping them with the longboat.
“You’re going up against all those pirates?” Asked Elizabeth.
“Aye.” Answered Lupe.
“Okay.” She hurried over and helped.
Soon they were all, except one, in the longboat heading to shore. Coal stayed behind to guard the ship. He went down below to the cargo room and carried up fireworks. He was instructed to shoot them off if the pirates returned.
They came ashore and hid the longboat in the foliage. They’d brought tools that could be used as weapons and plenty of rope and supplies for 2 days in the jungle. Then they chopped their way through the thick brush.
“Uh…what should we call you?” Martin asked. “Since you’re the new Captain an all.”
“You can call me Captain, Captain Lupe, or Lupe. But I prefer being called Captain in battle and while in public.” Lupe replied.
“Oh. I didn’t know it was that complicated.” Replied Martin.
“You’d be surprised how complicated a privateer’s life can be.”
“You mean, pirate’s life.”
“Whatever. Just keep quiet. I smell their camp ahead.” Lupe replied.
Martin sniffed the air. “I don’t smell anything.”
“About a quarter a mile ahead.” Said Lupe. “You keep talking and you’ll give us away.”
“Shut-up, Martin.” Elizabeth hissed.
A few minutes later they came upon the camp. The pirates were lying around snoring as the fire in the middle of the group smoked black ashes.
Lupe cut and passed out pieces of rope. “Try not to wake them up until they’re tied and gagged.”
“Why don’t we just kill them?” asked Geoffrey.
“Privateers turn in pirates to be tried for their crimes.” Lupe whispered.
“But what’s to keep them from putting us on trial?” asked Bowler.
“A Marque.” Lupe answered.
“A what?” asked Jim.
“A Marque is permission from a country to attack other countries and their vessels. Some also permit privateers to hunt pirates and bring them in. Right now I have a Marque that states that I should bring in any captured pirates for trial.” Lupe whispered.
“You do?” asked Bowler. “What else do you have up your sleeve?”
Lupe didn’t answer. “Let’s get them shackled back on the ship.”
They split up and began carefully, slowly, and quietly binding the crew and dragging them back to the longboat one by one. It took most of the night. It came down to one last pirate, Black Beard.
“You tie him up, it’s your turn!” Elizabeth hissed at Martin.
“But Bowler’s stronger than me, aren’t you Bowler? You’d do it much better.” Martin whispered to Bowler.
“But I’m big and clumsy. He’ll surely wake up. Geoffrey could do it quicker and quieter because he’s a leopard.” Bowler said.
The only one they didn’t try to stick it on was Jim. They were mostly worried about Black Beard’s gun, sword, and knife at his side.
“Oh relax. I’ll get him.” Said Lupe stepping out of the foliage.
“Wait, Lupe! You forgot the ropes.” Whispered Jim.
“I won’t need them.” Lupe turned and whispered back. She walked over to Black Beard and put her sword blade against his throat.
Black Beard awoke with a start. He reached for his sword but quickly noticed the sharp blade against his throat. He stared up at Lupe. “You!”
“Yep.” She answered with a mean and toothy smile. “Toss away your gun and knife.”
Black Beard reached for them.
“Ah! Ah. Slowly.” Instructed Lupe pressing on the sword.
Black Beard reached slowly and tossed the weapons away.
“Jim, take the weapons.” Lupe ordered without taking her eyes off the pirate.
Jim quickly ran into the camp, snatched the weapons, and ran back into the brush.
“Now, I challenge you to a duel.” Lupe said.
Black Beard smiled. He’d never backed down from a fight. “Alright.”
Lupe stepped back to let him up.
Black Beard got up, brushed the grass off of his uniform, and pulled out his sword.
Without saluting, they quickly began the fight. Black Beard lunged at Lupe with his sword without warning!
Lupe sprung back. She’d seen his arm begin to move before the sword did. She kept her sword point placed towards his eyes the whole time. Black Beard however, untaught, left his sword point go any which way, so long as it made its mark in the other person.
Black Beard lunged, swinging several times! Lupe blocked the blows with her sword with equal force and pushed him back with the last clash! Black Beard stumbled back, faltering! But he quickly regained his balance and attacked Lupe again! She dodged, whirling around and punching him in his kidneys as he passed by!
“Arrrr! I should’ve kilt you before we can upon this cursed island!” Black Beard growled.
“But that chance is gone.” Lupe smiled.
Black Beard lunged, screaming! He brought his sword down as he rushed forward!
Lupe side-stepped him and stuck her sword straight through his gut!
Black Beard turned sideways and fell back off the sword blade. He lied on the ground for only a moment before getting back up. He lunged very slowly at her once last time. Lupe swung her sword level with his throat!
Jim closed his eyes and tried not to listen to the sickening sound of Black Beard’s head hitting the ground.
Martin and Blare stared at the gruesome sight.
Geoffrey and Elizabeth ran to the bushes to puke.
And Bowler got a slight shiver up his spine.
“Ugh…I didn’t think she actually meant what she said about taking back the guy’s head.” Martin whispered.
“Of course I did.” Lupe answered from the camp. “How else are we going to collect the reward?”
“Reward?” asked Martin, his eyes seemed to turn into dollar signs.
“Yep. 40,000 pounds for Black Beard, and 5,000 pounds for each of his crew.” Lupe answered. “Get the other longboats and put the pirates in them. They have to pay their dues.”
Chapter 19
Day 35-Aboard the Marina-In Caribbean waters, off the coast of a Puerto Rican Island
Lupe stared, leaning on the rim of the aft deck. She stared at the Puerto Rican Island, barren of civilization. Lupe pondered the thought of making it her new hideout. Her last hideout had been on an island where she grew up off the coast of England. This new one was one of the perfect spots.
But then she realized it would take quite some work to get her new crew in shape enough to begin fighting in the wars once more; a lot of work.
She grinned thinking about what she’d told Black Beard about her ‘supposed’ treasure. But then she turned at the sound of her new crew setting the sails.
“What are you doing?!” Lupe yelled. It was the only way they could hear her at their perches high at the sails.
“Setting the sails, of course! We’re heading back to the mainland, right?!” Martin yelled back.
“No! No! Not yet! Take down those sails and set the anchor again! We’re not leaving yet!” Lupe ordered.
“Why not? We have all the supplies we need!” said Martin.
“That’s it! Everyone line up on main deck immediately!” Lupe ordered. Then she walked over to the anchor wheel that Geoffrey and Bowler were pushing and flicked up the latch. The chain went limp as the anchor crashed into the clear water!
“Hey!” yelled Bowler and Geoffrey. That anchor was heavy and they were almost finished bringing it up. Lupe stood up to them, even though they were at least a foot taller than she. They glared down at her. So she pointed towards the line already forming on deck. They angrily walked over and stood beside the rest of the crew.
Lupe walked over and glared at them. They stood slouched, and Martin was even lying against the deck rim.
“Did I tell you to set the sails?” Lupe asked.
“No.” Replied Martin lazily.
“Stand to attention!” Lupe ordered.
They finally stood straight, all except Martin.
Lupe walked over to him. “Are you challenging me?”
“Uh…what do you mean?” Martin asked.
“When you disobey and question a Captain’s orders, you are challenging them.” Lupe walked over to a crate and pulled out a sword. She walked over and handed it to him. “I accept.”
“What?” Martin asked.
Lupe stepped several paces back and uncoiled her single-tailed whip. “To disobey is to challenge.”
Martin glanced at his friends for help. Then he slowly stepped out of the line. He carried the sword uncertainly as he stared at Lupe disbelievingly.
Lupe began to walk around in fighting circles. Martin was forced to follow, or she’d come upon him from the rear.
Martin stepped forward to swing at her. With a flick of the wrist, the whip tail bruised his hand holding the sword.
“Ouch!” He grabbed his hand and bent over.
Lupe whipped his arm this time, and the sword flew out of his hands onto the deck away from the crew. “Now get back in line.” Lupe snarled through her teeth. “At ease. Geoffrey, Coal, you’re staying here to keep an eye on the pirates, the rest of you pack what you’ll need for two days. We’re going ashore.” Lupe ordered recoiling her whip and putting on her belt. Then she turned and walked towards the ladder.
“Why?” Asked Elizabeth.
Lupe whirled around and glared at her.
“I-I mean, Aye Captain.” Elizabeth quickly corrected.
Lupe turned and climbed down the ladder.
The crew breathed easy as soon as she was gone.
Lupe hurried down into the captain’s cabin. She closed the door and surveyed the area. It was a bare dump. She walked over and shoved all the torn charts and papers off the table.
Once everyone was packed and ready to leave, they let down the longboat.
Lupe leaned over the side and began to slap the water in sequences of 5’s. The crew in the boat stared at her.
“What are…?” Martin began.
“Shhhh.” Lupe hushed quietly.
The crew leaned over the side of the boat and peered into the clear depths.
Jim jumped back as he saw a face in the water. The face broke the water surface and revealed a fish-like body attached to it. He had two arms, black mossy hair, and gills on either side of his face. He was covered in spikes and fins.
Instead of legs, he had a large shark fin that swished back and forth to keep him afloat. He was blue on the top, with a white underbelly, and the tips of his spikes and fins were black. His teeth were relative to his size, and were very sharp and pointy. He was a black-tipped reef shark.
“You rang?” he asked with a huge and deadly smile.
She leaned over and whispered instructions into his ear. “Understood?” She asked sitting back down in the boat.
“Aye, aye, Captain.” He replied with a salute before diving back under the ocean surface.
“Uh…uh, what was that?” asked Elizabeth with a shaky voice.
“Long famed mer-people. Not just a myth.” Lupe chuckled.
The crew took another moment to glance at what they could see under the boat.
“I’ll explain later. Right now we have to get to shore before noon. ” Lupe ordered. She and the crew picked up the oars and rowed to shore. Then they cut their way through the thick underbrush typical for a tropical island. They soon came to an opening in the brush. It was the pirates’ camp.
The crew sat down to rest, but Lupe began searching through their stuff.
“Now what?” Asked Bowler sitting on the dirt ground.
Lupe picked up the map Blare had drawn. She looked it over. “Blare, do you want to use this in your novel?”
“No. I don’t want anything to remind me of that cursed skunk.” Replied Blare.
“Fine.” Lupe tore up the map into pieces too small to be put back together. “Break’s over. We must head on.”
The crew all stood up moaning.
“I know you don’t want to do this without an explanation, but you’re just going to have to trust me.” Lupe said taking the lead into the dense jungle.
They followed slowly behind. They soon came to a large tree.
Lupe walked around it surveying it while the crew took another rest. They’d been walking for hours.
“Hurry. Get up! We have to be back to the ship before dark. Otherwise someone could take the ship.” Lupe urged. She was very tired too, but she had to give a good impression on them if she were going to keep them moving.
The crew got up groaning at the journey. They were sore, in poor health and were out of shape because of being prisoners for over a month.
“Come on. Not much further.” Lupe returned several yards ahead of them.
Jim was able to catch up to her. He noticed she was counting her footsteps. Over an hour later, Lupe stopped at a spot between two large trees. She’d reached pace number 150.
Jim peered up at the tall trees and glanced around. “What’s here?”
“You’ll see.” Lupe answered walking over to the tree on the right. There was a large hole in the back dug out by wild animals using it as a den. It was large enough for a person to enter. Lupe sat her sack on the ground and pulled out a lantern. Using matches she lit the lantern and climbed in.
Jim walked over to the hole and listened trying to see inside. He heard Lupe singing a pirate song.
A moment later Lupe heaved out a large chest locked with a padlock.
Jim stared at it. Then he tried to see in the hole again.
Lupe threw out another heavy chest.
Jim jumped aside so it wouldn’t hit him. It was also securely locked.
“Aye, these be heavier than I remember!” Lupe tossed out another one; her voice would trail off every few seconds, then get louder for another few seconds, like she was walking back a forth a good distance.
“You’re talking like a pirate.” Jim commented staring at the chests beginning to litter the ground.
“Of ‘course I be! Ev’ryone be thinkin’ I’m a pirate, right?” Lupe asked from the darkness.
“I don’t think you’re a pirate.” Said Jim.
“Well, if ye didn’t before, ye will now.” Lupe replied tossing out another heavy chest.
Martin and the others finally arrived at the trees.
“Lupe! Where are you?” Elizabeth yelled.
“We’re right here.” Said Jim coming out from behind the tree.
“There you are.” Martin panted. He and the others quickly flopped onto the ground. They were totally exhausted from the trip out.
“Now I’m glad I had you pack enough supplies for two days instead of just one.” They heard Lupe’s muffled voice coming from somewhere.
“Uh…”Martin sat up. “Where are you?” He jumped when something poked him from underneath. When he got poked again he instantly stood up. “What was that?”
“Me.” They heard Lupe’s muffled voice from underneath ground.
Then they noticed that Jim was missing.
“Jim?” asked Bowler.
“I’m down here too.” They heard Jim say from below.
“How’d you get under the ground?!” asked Geoffrey.
“Pick a tree. I need some help carrying the heavier stuff.” They heard Lupe grunting.
Even though they were tired enough to go to sleep, they jumped up and raced over to the tree on the right. Martin tripped over one of the smaller chests hidden by the tree roots.
“What in the world?” he glanced back and forth at the chests.
“Is this what I think it is?” asked Elizabeth as her eyes widened with delight.
“Down here!” They heard Jim through the hole in the tree.
They hurried into the hole, stumbling over each other until they all were tumbling down into the darkness! They all grunted as they hit the ground in one huge mass. Dust rose off the dirt floor and made them sneeze.
Lupe walked over to them. “Remember I said I didn’t have a treasure?”
“Yeah.” Martin moaned from underneath the pile.
Lupe and Jim stepped back so they could view the underground room. The room was actually a cave, larger than a house! Treasure chests were piled everywhere! Four torches hung from the walls attached to metal clamps driven into the stone. It was a young cave and had very few small stalagmites and stalactites. The walls were chipped in places from having chests rammed into them so they would all fit. Fifty chests covered the cave floor. They were all locked by large padlocks, which apparently fit the same key.
The crew stared, still tangled in a pile, at all the chests full of treasure.
Lupe stepped out of the cave and glanced at the sky. It was almost sun-set. They would have to stay the night. Then they would finish the hard chore of taking the treasure back to the ship.
Chapter 20
Day 37-Aboard the Mariana-In Caribbean waters, off the coast of a Puerto Rican Island
The crew all stared wide-eyed at the treasure in the middle of the deck. All the chests were in a pile stacked up on top of each other. The stack measured 5 meters in diameter and 2 meters high.
“I thought you said there wasn’t a treasure.” Said Blare, quickly sketching the sight.
“I lied. I gave him a false map. Besides, would you rather I’d blabbed and Black Beard would’ve gotten away with the treasure and killed us all?” Lupe responded folding her arms.
“Shut-up, Blare.” Martin whispered as they stood around the treasure pile.
“No, no, it’s all right. I don’t mind being asked questions as long as they don’t question my command.” Lupe answered. “You’re all getting your cut of the treasure. You know why?”
“No.” answered Geoffrey.
“Because I’m inviting you to be my new crew. Indefinitely.”
Their mouths dropped.
“You get your fair share of the treasure if you join me. If not, I’ll give you enough treasure to pay your wages for your work as the crew of the Mariana until we get to New York. Make your decision now. You may ask me any question you want concerning your decision.” Said Lupe standing in front of the treasure chests, putting her arms behind her back and standing tall to add to the effect.
“Yes, where and when did you get all of this treasure?” Blare asked.
“That’s a little hard to answer. I don’t remember where it all exactly came from, but I know the bulk of it came from the galleon Toronto, the merchant ship Lisa, and the galley-frigate Titan. They crossed into my territory and I took them and made the men still alive, prisoners. The prisoners they had I set free, and I took all of them to the mainlands when I gave my 10% to the Kings and Queens. What was left, I split amongst my crew. A few chose to bury their treasure with mine on this island. This is what is left.” Lupe explained.
“You mean, this is only a couple pirate shares, from a couple of ships?!” asked Martin.
“Yep. The rest went down with my fleet, was taken back by the attackers, or was spent by my crew.” She answered.
“How much treasure did you take all together?” asked Bowler.
“Well…let’s see…in total at one time…I think I had more than two seperate rulers combined.” Lupe answered.
Martin nearly fainted.
“Any other questions?”
“Yeah. What was that mer-person you were talking to?” asked Geoffrey suspiciously.
“Oh, him. That was Jacque.” Said Lupe.
They waited.
“Well? What did you tell him?” asked Elizabeth.
“I told him to rally the others for the trip through the war zone. They’re very resourceful.” Lupe answered.
“How…why do they listen to you? There have only been sightings of them. And how did you find them?” Asked Bowler.
Lupe laughed. “First of all, I didn’t find them, they found me.” Lupe walked over to Jim, took off her hat and uniform and handed it to him. “Hold that for me for a moment.”
“Aye.” Jim answered.
“Remember when I told you I lost my fleet? I told you it was a massacre. It was the slaughter of my crew. I’ve searched for them for 5 years, and still haven’t found one still alive. They either died fighting, or were tried and hanged.” She paused to unbutton her shirt at the top. Then she pulled it down far enough to show them a bullet scar on the left side of her chest below her shoulder. “Whittlefield and Lawson shot me with a pistol.” She spat their names. “The bullet didn’t kill me, but I would have drown for sure, if Jacque and Bethany hadn’t pulled me from a watery grave.” Lupe buttoned her shirt again. She walked over and took her suit from Jim and slipped it on. “Thank you. Bethany and Jacque are the rulers of an undersea kingdom. They call it the City of Gold, because it glows from the bioluminescent inhabitants.”
They stared at her.
“It glows in the dark.” Lupe simplified.
“Oh.” They all quickly understood.
“Anyway, at that time, they were very young, only a little older than Jim. They weren’t supposed to leave the city, but they were curious about my large fleet coming into the Caribbean waters. They told me that when they saw the other two fleets reduce my ships to splinters they couldn’t force themselves to leave. They saw me, and a few others in the water. So they snatched us all up and took us to a cove in the Cape of Honduras. When I woke up, they explained everything. I was the only one who survived. Ever since then we’ve been good friends. And being friends with young rulers-to-be can be very profitable. They’d always wanted to establish a good alliance with a group of us land dwellers. And I unknowingly became that connection. Bethany and Jacque agreed to be in an alliance with me until the war ends, or until our contract runs out, which won’t be for a long time. And under their command, they have the whole army of mer-people at their disposal. So, in a way, they are also part of my new crew. They’ve assured me that they hand picked all of their soldiers because of their loyalty. And I am doing the same for my crew. I’ve tested you this whole voyage, and you passed the test.” Lupe explained.
“You mean, none of this voyage has been real?” asked Martin getting angry.
“Oh, no. It’s all been very real. I gave everyone in the crew several chances to leave the ship before Black Beard took over. But you all stayed, for one reason or another.” Said Lupe.
“You mean you knew it was Black Beard and that he was going to mutiny all along?” asked Elizabeth.
“Yes. And I kept telling everybody that. I came aboard this ship to hunt Black Beard and Bengamin down. I was heading to Morocco where I knew they would try to capture the Queen of Egypt. What I didn’t know, was that the Queen, Black Beard, and Bengamin were on the same ship as I was, but by then it was too late. I couldn’t in good conscience leave the Queen, the crew of the ship, or the Captain without warning them or trying to save their lives; your lives.”
“Crikey. That whole time you wanted us to be your new pirate crew.” Commented Bowler.
“Ah, ah! Privateer crew. I’ve never murdered anyone in cold blood in my whole life, never ordered anyone to do the same, haven’t captured a friendly ship, haven’t over-worked my crew, and haven’t tortured any captives.”
“You took captives?” asked Jim disbelievingly.
“Quite a lot of them. I treated them well, so a lot of them joined my crew. And they were the loyal ones. I guess they didn’t like being whipped by their other captains, and naval officers.” Lupe commented.
“Anything else we should know about you before we decide?” Geoffrey asked suspiciously.
“Yes, one more thing. I served in the navy for 4 years. I quickly became a General and achieved numerous honors and metals while in the navy and while a privateer. I think they’re still in the chests.” Lupe finished.
The crew was silent. All of them were thinking extremely hard about her offer. They could either go back home into poverty as farmers, or sailors with questionable captains and crew, or they could become privateers under the Wolf of Fire and fight in the war and gain immeasurable wealth.
Jim was the first to step forward. He only took a couple of seconds to decide.
“You’re my new cabin boy.” Lupe patted Jim on the shoulder. Jim’s face beamed at the gain of his new rank. “And because you were going to be my son, and you’re Johnson’s son, I’m giving you his share of the treasure here on deck. That’s 1/5 of the treasure chests.”
Jim smiled, but then his glee quickly disappeared.
“What’s wrong?” Lupe asked.
“Lupe, respectfully, I only want my fair share of the treasure. 1/5 is too much.” Jim said. The last thing he wanted to become was a greedy brat.
“Heh, alright. If that’s what you want.” Lupe answered.
“And there’s one more thing.” Jim paused.
“What is it?” Lupe asked.
“Will you adopt me? I mean, legally adopt me when we go back to Johnstown?” Jim pleaded.
“You mean Martin isn’t your legal guardian?” Lupe asked eyeing Martin.
“No. The orphanage was going to put me to hard labor in the city. Martin volunteered to teach me how to be a sailor until I was old enough to be out on my own.” Jim explained.
Lupe glared at Martin. She hated child labor and anybody that supported it.
“Don’t be mad at Martin. He saved me from hard labor in the city. It’s much better out here on ships.” Jim quickly added.
“Okay. I’m not mad at Martin. And I’ll adopt you as soon as we get to New York.” Said Lupe.
Fulfilled with instant joy, Jim leaped forward and hugged her before she could react.
“I’ve wanted a mother for a long time.” Jim commented holding onto her.
At first, Lupe was uncomfortable. The last time she’d hugged someone was over 20 years ago. But soon she relaxed and returned the show of affection. Now, at the age of 25, she had a son. When they were finished, Lupe quickly adjusted her suit again.
Martin stepped forward. “I would have to be a complete idiot to pass up this chance of a lifetime. Besides, I would be lonely without someone to pick on.”
“I’m in.” Elizabeth stepped forward.
Blare raised his hand as he sat on the side of the ship. “I’ll join. As long as I can write about the voyages and draw as many pictures as I wish.”
Lupe thought a moment. Letting Blare draw her would mean it would be harder for her to disguise herself. But Blare would be a valuable part of her crew, if he could recognize enemies in disguise from just drawing them. “Alright.”
“Fine.” Blare continued to draw, glancing up at the group that was quickly forming in front of the treasure.
Then Bowler and Geoffrey stepped forward at the same time.
“Are you sure you’re willing to trust me?” Lupe asked looking at Geoffrey.
“Yes. You’re story sounds truthful.” Geoffrey answered gruffly.
Coal was the last one to step forward. His smug turned into a wide smile.
“Alright then. Let’s divide up this here treasure.” Lupe turned around to face the treasure and begin cutting it into 8 shares.
Chapter 21
Day 50-In an Orphanage- In Johnstown, New York
“No.” The older woman answered strictly. “You can’t possibly have enough money to adopt him.”
“And how would you know?” Lupe asked with a straight face.
She was sitting in a poor mockery of an office. The wood was old, rotted and dirty. There were only four chairs, one behind a small cluttered desk, one in front of the desk, and two up against the wall. The desk looked like it had been used as a target for guns and knives. And the room was barely big enough to accommodate her, the cranky puma, Jim and Martin.
Lupe sat in the chair in front of the desk, the puma sat behind the desk, and Martin and Jim sat along the wall.
The puma had a frown plastered on her face, and her large stomach was packed behind the desk. Her clothes were new, but she was ugly.
“I know that you can’t pay enough because Jim brings in more money in a few months than several of the other children combined bring in, in several years. And your clothes don’t show you of any kind of good stature or wealth. And your accent needs a bit of work if you’re trying to scare me with that fake upper-society talk. ” The puma answered in a snob-like manner.
Lupe was dressed in her common shirt, pants and boots. She decided to lay her accent on real thick.
“How much, exactly, does Jim bring in?” Lupe asked.
“10 pounds every two months.” The Puma grinned showing off her yellow teeth.
“Really?” Lupe asked flatly.
“Yes.” The puma paused to glance over towards the door, and mouthed a fierce order.
Lupe, Martin and Jim glanced over at the very young sparrow, dressed in rags, all dirty, beginning to wash the office room. At the quick, silent order, the sparrow picked up the water bucket and rag it was using to clean with, and hurried out.
“Now, you’d best be on your way. Now that the voyage is over, you no-longer need Jim.” The puma quickly returned their attention away from the hall and the rest of the orphans, forced to stay out of sight when inspectors or other people came in.
Lupe turned around to face the puma. Then she pulled a bag of coins out from under her shirt, and flopped the bag on the desk in front of the puma with impatience.
The puma stared at the bag. Then she carefully reached over and pored the coins out of the bag.
“This much just for Jim?” her mouth dropped.
“No. For the whole orphanage.” Lupe answered.
Martin and Jim stared at her. What would Lupe do with an orphanage?
The puma just stared at Lupe.
So Lupe reached into her pocket and pulled out another bag and slapped it on the table.
“That’s my final offer.” Lupe said flatly.
The puma just stared silently at the coins on the table. She finally found her voice, “It’s a deal!”
“Fine. Vacate the premises immediately.” Lupe ordered standing up. “I want reports on all the children here in the orphanage.”
“They’re in the desk, along with the deed to the property.” Said the puma getting up from the table and stuffing the money in her pockets. She quickly left the building without looking back.
“Well, you own the orphanage, now what?” asked Martin getting up.
“Didn’t you know? All wolves love pups. They’re legally mine now. And they will be treated as such. I expect everyone to welcome the new crew.” Lupe explained.
“New crew?!” Martin asked wide-eyed. “They’re just kids!”
“No, no. Only the oldest ones will join the crew, long enough to get experience until they’re old enough to go out on their own. The young ones will be put in a new building, built overtop this one. I’ll select someone personally to take care of them and the facility, until they’re old enough to leave, or someone adopts them.” Lupe answered.
“Oh. Well, that’s better.” Martin calmed down.
“Jim, you’re promoted from cabin boy, to ship’s boy. Train the one that’ll be taking your place, just as the crew has taught you how to be a sailor.” Lupe turned to Jim.
“Aye, Captain.” Jim said.
Lupe searched through the desk drawers. In the mess, she found the papers she wanted, along with the deed. They all turned to leave, but had to halt behind the doorframe. Young, dirty faces peered in at them from in the hallway. Once they saw they were looking, the children quickly turned and ran down the hall.
“Whoa! Wait, guys!” Jim called.
They stopped in the hallway.
“Get everybody together. The old puma, Cratchet, is gone. Lupe’s the new orphanage owner.” Jim explained. “And she’s my new mom.”
The children stared at each other in question. How could there be a new owner when the orphanage was making so much money off of them?
Lupe stepped into the hall and glanced at each one of them.
They shivered, under her cool gaze and yellow eyes. They instantly recognized her as a wolf. One brave child stepped forward. A silver fox, only around the age of 10, with red hair and raggedy clothes, stood straight and tall in front of the stocky wolf.
“We’re not afraid of you, just like we weren’t afraid of Cratchet.” The little she-fox had to gather up her courage to defy the new owner.
Lupe got down on one knee in order to look at the girl in the face. “Is everyone as dirty as you?”
“Yes.” The fox answered quietly.
“Hmmm.” Lupe stood up. She turned to Jim. “Where’s the best clothing store in town?”
“Just a couple blocks away.” Jim answered.
“Good. We’re going to take all of the kids there as soon as they’re cleaned up.”
The kids began to whisper amongst themselves in more surprise and question.
Lupe turned to Martin. “You’re in charge of the getting the boys their clothes and baths.”
“Aye, Captain.” Martin replied. He walked down the hall and headed downstairs to the boy’s part of the orphanage.
“Jim, go fetch Elizabeth. Then you two return here until I come back with Anne.” Lupe ordered hurrying down the stairs.
“Anne? Who’s Anne?” Martin asked.
“The new supervisor of the orphanage.” Lupe replied hurrying out the door.