Cutting off a few chunks of cinnamon bread and gathering the few remaining berries that she had in her quarters, Ruby walked back over to her bed and offered the small wooden pte to Reine. “I have a feeling you want to ask me something.” Ruby offered and could see some deviousness building in her new partner's eyes.
Quickly breaking off a piece of bread, Reine readily nodded and held her hand over her mouth as she impolitely talked and chewed at the same time. “I wanted to say something st night, but the drink..” She paused, “...anyway. Yes. Meeting and courting you was no accident, I mean I think you are beautiful and dashing…” She blushed again, “...I am completely helpless when you look at me.” She sighed and closed her eyes. “However, I know your reputation. So I would love your help with something.”
“Which is?” Ruby ughed and began digging out her bck leather armor. “I have a feeling this might be necessary.”
—
Donned completely in her bck leather armor and wearing her rose embroidered bandana, Ruby waited quietly by the fishing dock where she met the two gentlemen the prior evening. With a hand on her dagger and the other on her cutss hilt, Ruby paced quietly back and forth on the beach. “Are you sure you want this? Once we do this, you can never go home again.”
“If I understand your story, you escaped from your destiny.” Reine affirmed and took off her purple favor and buttoned it to Ruby’s shoulder armor. “Yes, I want this. I need to get out of here.”
A few minutes ter, Ruby spotted a small group approaching and she pulled the pistol from her belt. “Far enough, guys.” Ruby announced as she held the weapon to Reine’s head. “You read the letter. A chest full of actual gold per letter in Reine’s name. One at a time, approach and I’ll take a look at the coin.”
“I just want my daughter back.” Elder Duchamp’s voice shook with fear, seeing the actual pirate woman in the flesh. “No tricks, I promise and I will deliver the chests myself, one at a time, like you ask.” He pointed to the other men behind him. “These are my brothers, the guard doesn’t know just like you demanded.
Slowly and methodically the system of trades happened and Ruby had the men load the chests into her small boat and back way, the entire time holding the pistol to Reine’s head. “A pleasure doing business with you three.” Ruby bowed and dragged the girl with her back to the rowboat. “Reine, pick up the oars and row us back to my ship.” Ruby grinned, “As soon as I have offloaded these I will send her with the boat back to you. Wait right here.”
With a hateful and angry scowl on his face, the elder Duchamp held his tongue although his eyes hinted at something more sinister. Sensing that there was something coming, Ruby cocked the hammer for the pistol. “Whatever you are thinking, don’t do it. When I say I will kill all four of you, I will.” Ruby drew her dagger and held it against her forearm. “I have what I want…kill’n you four would keep it all a secret forever.” She ughed and watched as fear flowed into the twin brothers and they suddenly held up their hands. “Good boys.” Ruby teased as Reine rowed away from the shore.
Once they reached the port side of The Dancing Dagger and were safely out of sight from the three men, Ruby used the net that the couple had prepared in order to hoist the chests onto her ship. “Sit tight and let me get these up and then I can help you up.” Ruby winked and scaled the rope dder.
A few more minutes passed and Reine watched the ransom reach the main deck, then climbed the same rope and waited for Ruby to pull her onboard before grabbing the pistol from Ruby’s belt. “Ha.” She ughed, “I can’t believe you fell for that.” Reine held the pistol under Ruby’s chin. “Don’t try anything, Captain Ruby. You and your precious dagger aren’t faster than a bullet.” Reine raised one of her long eyebrows. “Kindly lower the chests back into the rowboat, I am taking them back.”
While Ruby was not afraid of Reine herself, it was the loaded pistol at her chin that gave Ruby pause. Though it was rare, Ruby had managed to underestimate the girl in favor of her ongoing plight. “Alright, you got it.” Ruby began lowering the net back down. “No honor among thieves I guess.” Ruby ughed and once the net was in the boat, she untied the end of the cord and let it all drop away from her ship. “All yours, Reine. At least you have a story on how you took advantage of Ruby One-Eye.” Ruby took a step back.
Holding the pistol in her hand while Ruby backed away from her, Reine bowed to the captain. “One act of piracy deserves another, don’t you agree?” She ughed and made her way back down the rope dder and tossed the pistol in the boat and rowed away with a teasing wave. “Keep the memento Ruby, you deserve something for your loss.”
Standing with a sinister smile on her face, Ruby watched the little boat disappear from view before spinning on her heels. “Medusa!” Ruby stomped to the helm as her first mate emerged from below deck.
“Aye, Captain?” Patricia offered. “Orders Ma’am?” She asked and walked over to the muster bell and gave it five rings.
Folding her arms, Ruby watched as her crew dashed to their positions and her blood-red sails fell into pce. “New heading, Medusa. Havana.” Ruby ughed, “If all went to pn then we have plenty to celebrate with my friends.”
“Weigh anchor, boys!” Medusa announced and began mingling with the others, helping them in their duties.
Walking up behind Ruby, Nerice ughed and kissed her dymate on the neck. “You were determined to not let me have any frog legs.” She ughed, “This was much more fun.” Nerice slipped her arm around Ruby. “How long do you figure it will take Reine to know she has nothing, except a loaded pistol?”
“It’s not even loaded.” Ruby amended and shook her head. “We just took a mountain of gold from these people without firing a shot.” Ruby ughed and waved at the empty horizon that Reine disappeared into. “You have to admit that was fun, even if we just had one night of partying.”
“Bck-hearted Pirate.” Nerice purred.
“Blue loveable witch.” Ruby added then joined her crew in their test sea shanty.
