Pirate of the Red Pennant

The ship came like a phantom from the sea. Her sails were black, her hull the same dark color. No light shown from her decks or cabin, not even the flint needed to fire her culverin. Grappling hooks flew over the rails of the Sagrada Familia, and the two ships were interlocked. Men with cutlasses and pikes swarmed over the deck, hacking and piercing those of Captain Anjou’s crew who were left standing to defend their ship. A figure dressed in black swung onto the quarterdeck and Anjou’s sword reached out toward him. Mary Jane watched from the protection of the doorway. She could tell from her experience learning fencing from her father’s captain of the guard that Anjou was an expert swordsman. His right arm thrust forward with the sword, his left lifted behind to assure balance; his feet were positioned like that of a graceful dancer. The gold-and-steel blade danced in the light. Anjou had the advantage, and he pressed it fully, driving the other back. Then the ships bumped against each other. The jar tossed Anjou off balance while the other paid no notice; it was as if he were walking on air. Anjou was driven backward to the ship’s rail then he made a move Mary Jane recognized. Flashes of gold steel and brass turned in the light of the lanterns, the swords circled as if they were on their own power. Mary Jane let out a gasp as she saw what the assailant was doing. A long dagger appeared in the man’s free hand as he drove Anjou’s sword blade down his own, he trapped it where the sword and dagger crossed. With the gold-and-steel sword in the outward position, Anjou had no defense against the dagger that pricked his neck bringing bright red blood to the blade. Anjou’s life could have ended immediately but he chose to drop his sword to the deck.

“Yield and quarter!” Anjou called to his crew in Spanish. Immediately the Spanish crew of the Sagrada Familia dropped their weapons onto the deck. Mary Jane moved quickly and quietly to hide herself under a canvas overhang.

“A very wise decision, Captain,” Bartholomew Roberts said in English, hoping he would be understood.

“There need be no further deaths?” Anjou asked in English. “I appeal to your mercy.”

“Tell your men to line up and prepare to disembark on your longboats. You and your men will be free to go. I do not intend to stay long enough for your fleet to come to your rescue.”

“And my passengers, will they be released as well?”

“That will depend upon what use I may have of them.”

“I am Captain Carlos d’Anjou; this ship the Sagrada Familia is under the king of Portugal. Its cargo is the joint property of the Christian Catholic kings and His Holiness the Pope. Seizure of this ship constitutes an act of war. On board is Cardinal Lombardo of the Holy Church; any harm that comes to the Cardinal will send your souls to hell.”

“According to your Holy Church, I am already bound to hell for not having been sprinkled with its water, and I care not for the Catholic kings. But let us have a look at your Holy man!”

“Here he be, Captain,” answered Bill Hancock.

“Well, lads,” Bartholomew spoke so that the crew could hear. “We have another ‘father’ dressed in a skirt and such a pretty outfit.” Bartholomew cut the laces on the cardinal’s scarlet mozzetta and lifted it from his shoulders with his sword.

Cardinal Lombardo stood motionless, his eyes studying the pirate as if he were looking into his soul.

“I have always wanted me a cape of red so they couldn’t see me bleed if wounded in battle.” He placed the mozzetta over his shoulders to the applause of the crew. “Aye, a gold cross studded with diamonds.” Bartholomew’s sword lifted a four inch cross and chain over the head of the cardinal and dropped it over his neck making a fake bow. The crew shouted in unison, “Amen!”

“That cross was placed on me by His Holiness himself who blessed it. For you to wear it is blasphemy.”

“Aye, holy man, since I am already condemned to hell what difference can it make?”

“Captain Anjou, I will keep the cross and the cardinal for ransom, and you can tell the Pope he can have him back for 300 pounds of gold coin.”

Mary Jane could not contain a gasp at the pirate’s audacity. Hancock heard it and dragged her out onto the deck like a ship towing the captain’s gig.

Anjou moved as if to defend her. “The intended wife of Governor Maurice de Chavonnes, governor of East Africa, you had better not harm her!”

Bartholomew picked up the gold-and-emerald tiara that had fallen to the deck under the table. “Is this what ye were going to give the lady for her favors, Captain?” Anjou’s face flushed with anger, and he started to step toward the pirate, then thought better.

“It would have been a waste for the Lady Llewellyn. She will give ye freely if ye will but take her. Would ye like a kiss, Mary Jane?” She was startled that the man knew her identity. He pulled her to him, forced her head back, and kissed her on the mouth as if to prove his point. The crew hooted and hollered. “I’ve already paid the price for that!” he told her.

“Roberts?”

“Aye, John Bartholomew Roberts.”

“Captain, tell Governor Chavonnes he can have his bride for another 300 pounds of gold coins. I’ll not guarantee that she be a virgin but will be as I find her.”