"Ship Ahoy!" came the cry from the crowsnest way up in the rigging. The captain looked up at her crewman to see where he was pointing and heard his voice carried on the wind; "galleon, Cap'n. Off our port bow".

The first mate, Rawlings, ran up to her and handed her a telescope, which she immediately brought to her right eye. A smile broke over her thin lips. "Well!", she said, never taking the scope from its target. "We're in luck, Mr Rawlings"
"Cap'n?"
"She's a Spaniard, and flying the royal standard"
Rawlings' eyes ignited at the news. "No doubt loaded to the gunells with Spanish gold and carrying a likely hostage!"
"My thoughts exactly", she agreed, folding up the telescope and turning briskly. "Run up the Jolly Roger, Mr Mate, and bring us about. We'll be rich before morning".
"Aye aye, cap'n" he acknowledged with glee, as he watched her disappear below, and turned to shout her orders to the crew.

The captain was a firebrand. Wild red hair, piercing green eyes and a trim, strong, athletic body combined with grace, wit and charm, had made her the fevered dream of society's elite young ladies back in the days of her dazzling naval career, and truth be told, most of them dreamt of her still. She had been part of that elite society and destined for its finest rewards, but everything had changed the day she was falsely accused of murder by a jealous rival, and she had become a desperado. Over night she had turned from Captain Kathryn Janeway - distinguished decorated naval officer, youngest captain in the British navy, tipped to go all the way to the top - into Captain Kate - infamous pirate, scourge of the high seas, wanted by the authorities in more than half the world. These days a long scar adorned her left cheek, but she was still and incredibly handsome woman.

Now she lived on her wits, collecting those about her who were equally eager to be away from society, and preying on maritime traffic around the globe. She was not a harsh commander, she had no need to be. Her crew respected her, worshipped her almost, obeyed her even when they were unsure of the wisdom of her decision because she had earned their trust by being right 99% of the time. All young men and women around the world that dreamt of independence and freedom and unaccountability, dreamt of sailing with Captain Kate.

When she reappeared on the poop deck, Kate was brandishing a gleaming cutlass and ready to launch herself into the heat of battle. She had turned her raggle-taggle crew of misfits into a skillful and disciplined fighting force, and she led by example. She had almost no concept of personal danger. She knew each member of her crew could look after themselves and she had no fear of death, having no one she thought would miss her, and feeling that it could only be a good thing since it would end her suffering. She had been injured many times, often seriously, but she accepted that what would come would come, be it life or death it was equally welcome and equally irrelevant to her. If she died it must be for a reason as surely as if she lived.

Their victims fought bravely but they were no match for the passion and greed of Kate's impeccably trained crew and the battle was short. Within 20 minutes the Spaniard's crew were defeated, the ship herself was scuttled, her cargo purloined and her precious passenger a guest of the infamous Captain Kate.

* * * * * *

The Princess Annika was not impressed in the least. "I had heard you were charming and dashing, Captain" she said in her clipped Swedish tones, as Kate stood proudly before her, "but I see I have been misinformed".
Kate clutched her chest in mock pain and merely smiled "On the contrary, your highness. You will find me a perfect gentleman,I can assure you. While you are my guest you will be treated with all the respect that is your due and you will be under my personal protection. I give my word I will die to protect your honour and your person".
"How...gallant!" came the disdainful reply.

Though they had never met, Kate had expected haughtiness from her hostage. Annika was well-known throughout Europe not only for her incredible Nordic beauty, but also for the frostiness that caused some to call her the Ice Princess. It was Kate's intention to melt that ice and discover the warmth she suspected lay hidden beneath. She had been struck almost senseless by the princess's beauty when she first saw her and had uncarachteristically delayed their meeting until she had composed herself and stilled the thumping in her chest and the tingling that had begun in her loins. She had no intention, however, of breaking her word to the princess. She was not in the habit of forcing herself on unwilling women, though she had encountered very few that were unwilling. No, she wanted this cool beauty to come to her willingly, and stay with her willingly.

Kate poured out two glasses of wine and handed one to Annika, who accepted it without acknowledgement. "You know, your highness," she said slowly, "you should be thanking me".
Annika snapped her head up from her glass, "Thanking you?!" she laughed "how so?"
"I have, at least temporarily, saved you from a loveless marriage to a sickly boy, have I not?"
"You are presumptuous, sir!"
"Yes, but I am none the less right for that. Come, come, your highness. I have spies everywhere and it is common knowledge that you are to marry the King of Spain's son. By all accounts he is a noble and honourable lad, but I fear he will not live to make you a Queen".
"Perhaps so, I have never met him. So long as he lives long enough to make me a mother I believe the King will be satisfied".
Kate laughed gently and held up her hand to forestall the princess' admonishment. "Forgive me, Highness. Since you have never met Prince Juan I feel it my duty to advise you against hoping to become Queen mother in Spain"
"What are you talking about now?"
"Your Highness...how may I put this? Let's say I have serious doubts about the prince's ability to perform his marital duties either to your own or his father's satisfaction. I believe, ma'am, that even your great beauty will be insufficient to tempt him away from his....'friend', Don Pablo of Aragon. To make you a mother he would have to find you at least interesting and I am convinced he has no interest in women at all, not even ones with your unparallelled....assets".

Annika regarded the captain as if she had just crawled out from underneath a stone. "If that is the case", she remarked "perhaps he will not be eager to pay your ransom. His father may prefer to find another sacrificial lamb for his son, rather than give his gold to a pirate".
"That is a possibility, but in that occurance, your own father will surely pay my price".
Annika laughed derisively and turned to look out of the window. "I would not rely on that, captain. My father sees me as a commodity to be sold for gain, be it political or financial. If I were his only daughter he may perhaps consider it prudent to retrieve me, but I have five sisters to replace me. He will not think me worth the outlay". She turned to face her captor, her face stony and unreadable. "You should have taken my little brother, captain. I'm sure his Majesty would have given you every last Crown in his treasury for the return of his pride and joy".

"Then he is a fool madam," Kate said sincerely, "If you were mine, I would give my life to secure your freedom and your happiness". She had said words similar to these many times but she realised now that she had never meant them before. She had heard the sadness and bitterness in Annika's words and she felt unaccountably and deeply sorry for the woman. Quite suddenly she didn't care about the money, she merely wanted to save Annika from the miserable existance she had described.

Annika did not answer but truned back to the window, her spine rigid. The captain thought for a moment about leaving her to her brooding but realised that she had no desire to be out of the princess's company. She cleared her throat and spoke again. "If I may, Highness, I have a suggestion".
"Well?"
"I do not necessarily have to send a demand either to Spain or Sweden, or for that matter any word at all. There are no living witnesses to your abduction...it would be a simple thing for you to disappear and start a new life on your own terms. There are many places in this world where no one has heard of you, I could deliver you to such a place, put you in touch with friends of mine who I am sure would be happy to help".
The princess turned. Her interest was peaked but she was not ready to trust this woman quite yet. "And what would you suggest I live on, captain? The gold you stole from my would-be husband perhaps?"
"I'm afraid my crew would never forgive me if I handed you that, Highness; but I can always get you money".
"Steal it, you mean?"
"Yes. But if you cannot bring yourself to live on stolen money.......I have other monies, ma'am, in the Indies. Money honestly earnt, before I became a pirate. It is not a fortune, but it would be enough to set you up".
Annika placed her glass down on the oak table and sat in the captain's chair, arranging her gown before she looked up. "And you would give me this money?"
"Yes, if you will take it".
"And what would you expect in return, captain?"
Kate smiled, it seemed her reputation had reached Sweden too. "Nothing, Your Highness".
"And you expect me to believe that, do you?"
Kate winced and turned away. Why should she care how this woman thought of her? But she did. "Believe what you will, ma'am," she replied a little sullenly, "it is a genuine offer." Annika was surprised to see the pain she had caused and her heart softened a little even though she remained suspicious. "I cannot blame you for suspecting my motives, your Highness" the captain continued as she poured out more wine. "No doubt you have heard many stories about me, probably most of them are true; but I assure you I would die before I would insult your honour. My only gain would be the knowledge of your freedom and your happiness" the captain was rattled, a feeling she was unused to. She could not remember ever having felt like this before, ever having cared so much about another's wellbeing.

Annika was a little shaken herself. Strange feelings were stirring in her and she was not entirely sure what they meant. She softened her voice and asked "Why?"
"Highness?"
"Why would you do this for me?"
"I...I am at a loss to explain it madam, but it seems your happiness is vitally important to me." She paused while she gathered herself together. "In any case it is time we left these waters. We will set sail for the Indies and I will take no action concerning you until you instruct me how you wish to proceed". Kate made towards the door but was stopped by the princess's soft tones.
"Captain, I must appologise for my behaviour earlier, I..."
"No need, your highness, I understand completely".
They stood staring at eachother for a few seconds, something almost tangible passing between them, before the captain tore herself away. "Good night, your Highness". Annika, though, was unable to answer until the door had closed behind her captor. What was it that those amazing emerald eyes had transmitted to her in those few seconds? Whatever it was it had caused her heart to race and made her feel faint. She backed up slowly, feeling for the chair, and collapsed into it with a sigh and a whisper of "Good night.....Captain Kate".

2

The Molly Malone weighed anchor in a dark silent bay, screened from the shore by a row of ancient tall rocks. The captain stared up at the stars and took in the scents of the evening as the boat was being lowered noislessly into the black waters beneath. She turned to her first mate, "You have the ship, Mr Rawlings. Wait for me until an hour before dawn, no longer. If I'm not back, leave, understand?"
"Aye, cap'n".
She held out a wallet of documents and added, "set sail for wherever the princess wishes to go. If she decides on the Indies, she'll need this". Rawlings tucked the wallet into his shirt and held the ladder still for the captain to descend, and as he watched her row silenty towards the shore he became aware of the princess at his side. "Evening, your Highness" he said, only the darkness of the night hiding his blush. "Good evening, Mr Rawlings. Was that the captain?"
"Yes ma'am"
"Where is she going?"
"Couldn't tell you ma'am. I don't ask her those sort or questions, it's better that way".
Annika frowned in puzzlement and looked up into his eyes. "What do you mean?" she asked.
"You see, ma'am; every so often the captain goes off on one of these 'jaunts', as she calls 'em. Errands of mercy, you might say. She never asks for help....She's not just a pirate, you know, she's a good heart."
"Yes, I know"
He turned and held out the wallet to her, "She asked me to give you this ma'am, she said you'd need it if you're going to the Indies", Annika took the bundle tentitively and inspected its contents. There was a bank document and another, written in the captain's hand, authorizing the bearer to collect the contents of an account. There was also a small piece of parchment merely reading 'Be Happy, K'. Annika clutched the papers to her chest and looked out across the water, but the little boat had already disappeared into the blackness. Quietly she said "So she believes she may not be back".
The mate nodded, "It's a possibility ma'am. She always makes such preparations, in case anything should happen to her". Annika found her heart thumping and a lump rising in her throat, but she refused to loose her dignity in front of a man like this.
"It is a dangerous mission then?"
"I'd say so ma'am. I don't know exactly what she does and, as I say, I don't ask too many questions, but I have my suspicions".
"And what are they?"
"I've an idea she's freeing slaves, ma'am".
"Slaves!? What makes you think that?"
"Just a feeling. I've known her a long time, ma'am. She hates slavery and everything it stands for, and these 'jaunts' of hers always happen when we're in a place like this, slave ports, markets, prisons. As I say, it's just a feeling".

* * * * * *

Keeping close against the rough stone wall, Kate slipped silently past the sleepy guards and into the passageway that led to the slave cells. The prison had been simple enough to get into, for one as experienced as Captain Kate, but she knew getting out would be another matter, and getting out with two frightened children in tow... well, she had to be prepared for trouble. She overpowered the elderly warder without much trouble, relieving his unconscious form of its bunch of keys, and found the cell with its two young occupants. As she entered the tiny cell, the young children huddled together in fear, but she held up her hands and spoke to them in their own language, calling them by their names.

"Do not be afraid", she said, as she crouched before them, "I have come to rescue you. Your father sent me". From around her neck she took the rope of beads with its bone pendant that their desperate father had given her to confirm her claim to be his emissary. Through her fear, the girl's face registered recognition and she stretched out a trembling hand to take by offering, clutching it to her chest, the tears slipping down her cheeks. Her younger brother leapt at Kate, throwing his arms around her neck and hanging on for dear life. She held him for a few seconds before gently disentangling herself from his clutch and pushing him slightly away. "You must both listen to me. We don't have much time before the guards realise I'm here. I will take you to someone who can deliver you home to your family, but you must be very quiet and do everything I say. Do you understand?" The children both nodded, their eyes growing large and Kate got to her feet. "All right then", she said holding out her hands to her charges, "come on... and remember, not a sound".

Kate led the way down the dark corridors, the young boy keeping a hold of her hand whenever he could, the girl following silently behind, hardly daring to breathe. Kate was constantly having to push them into doorways and round corners, hiding until one group of soldiers or another had passed by, and a few unlucky guards or warders slumped quietly to the floor with her knife in their guts. Eventually she managed to get the children out of the prison and into the jumbled streets of the town. She had instructed them to pretend she was their owner, for in this place a black face could not be made inconspicuous, and so she became imperious, speaking only English and giving them items to carry. Though they walked fast they did not appear hurried, and in this way she had hoped to be able to make it to the dock without arousing any suspicion. The plan worked well for a while but soon their luck ran out.

By sheer chance the unconscious warder and the empty cell had been discovered sooner than Kate had anticipated and the alarm was raised. Within minutes the escapees and their saviour found themselves being chased through the streets by soldiers with loaded muskets. They weaved in and out of doorways and alleys, leading the soldiers a merry dance until, by a rather circuitous route, they reached the bay where Kate's contact was waiting. Keeping a sharp lookout although she was sure they had lost thier pursuers, Kate settled the children in the small boat, covering them with sacks and blankets and gave a purse of gold to their their escort. "This is half", she informed him, "you'll get the rest when they're delivered safely, now go". As the little boat set out under cover of the dark night, to randevous with the ship that would carry the children home, Kate let out a sigh and whispered "good luck".

She stayed until the boat was out of sight and then turned to head back towards the bay where she had left her own boat, but as she crept back into the street she was spotted and the alarm raised. "Halt!" cried a voice above her on the wall, but she didn't. Her heart pounding she ran for the town gate and made it through just as the bullet sliced through the flesh of her thigh. The pain was awful but she knew she had to keep going, especially now that she was leaving a trail of blood that would become increasingly easy to follow as the dawn approached. She gritted her teeth and limped on, using every tree and rock to hide her from the advancing soldiers' eyes and by the time she finally made it to the secluded bay where her boat waited, they had lost sight of her.

Back on the Molly Malone Anika was panicking "But we can't leave without her!" she yelled at the first mate, her heart thudding at the idea of abandonning the captain.
"We can't wait any longer, ma'am, it's her own orders. I'm sorry!" but as he took a breath to shout 'weigh anchor', the lookout in the crowsnest yelled down "I see her, Mr Mate, she's comming!" When they hauled her over the side of the Molly Malone, the captain was barely conscious, but she still had authority in her voice.
"Get us....out of here, Mr Rawlings, and...send the cook to my cabin".

to be continued...

SW