Captured at Sea
From Torg Adventure
Captain Scarlet
My cabin door opened and the setting sun streamed in. My executive officer led a young man in, shackled at the wrists. He was dressed in tri-corner, blue waistcoat, grey trousers, and black boots, everything battered and dirty and smelling of salt and powder. Rather the worse for battle. His face was more than handsome, almost pretty, even sooty from combat. Cleaned up, he could easily be an aristocratic dandy. The commander saluted and said, "The captain of the pirates, Sir." Surely not one so young would be captain.
The sounds of my crew capturing the last of the buccaneers filtered through the wood of the ship. I returned the salute. "Thank you, Matthews. Now leave us."
He saluted sharply again and I fluttered my hand near my face in response. My opponent was far more interesting than protocol. I perused the other captain as the door clicked shut.
"So, we caught you leeward, Captain. And not good odds, two on one." I took measured steps in front of my desk.
"Captain, if we hadn't torn a sail in the storm yesterday, you'd've never gotten close enough to fire a cannon." Something was wrong for the voice of the young man was high and lilting -- a woman's voice! And she was English, by the accent!
"Take off your hat, please. I want to see who I'm dealing with here," I asked a little petulantly.
Even with her hands cuffed, she removed the hat with a graceful flourish and shook her head. Her long red wavy hair fell past her shoulders. What I'd mistaken for a foppish aristocrat was a gorgeous lady, even with the grime. My sharp intake of breath was involuntary. "Captain Scarlet, I thought you were only a myth!" I immediately grabbed the keys to the shackles and approach the female captain. She was a legend. Even if she was a pirate, she was still a lady, and it wouldn't be proper for her to be manacled.
"A myth no longer, dear Captain. You know who I am. Now introduce yourself, if you please."
"Let me release you first." I took her hands and fit the key into the lock, twisting it and freeing the lady.
I bowed and said, "Captain Edward Tattersall, madam."
"Captain Katherine Scarlett, sir. Or Red Kat to my friends and enemies." She bowed as well, since she was not wearing a skirt.
"A person of your notoriety should not be chained like a common thief. Please sit and share a glass of port with me. This late in the day, surely you have dined?" he asked, his concern to treat the lady captain properly rang sincere in his voice. A hint of charm surfaced as well.
"Yes, in preparation for the battle, I feel my head is on straighter, if I eat prior to the combat. I will dine again later as well," she said as she walked to Tattersall's table. She smiled enigmatically.
He took a bottle from his desk and uncorked it, pouring the wine into two small glasses on table. Scarlett sat in my chair and took the closest glass.
"I appreciate your hospitality. "
