Reine's Ransom.

  Months passed as the new Captain Ruby-One Eye acquired a crew and set off on her first raiding spree. Merchant ships both big and small fell prey to the few cannons she had on board her small sloop, ‘The Dancing Dagger.’ Much like the ship's name, the new captain used the ship like it was an actual dagger and through some feat of both art and deathly eerie grace could deliver explosive ruin to the bigger vessels and have enough maneuverability to avoid return fire. Many battles were over before they began when the opposing captain witnessed the blood-red sails in odd angles and Ruby’s bright red fg with a skull in a tricorn and twin daggers painted in bck would suddenly appear from behind.

  Fear of the ‘The Dancing Dagger’ had become the main reason for the quick surrenders even though that was no guarantee for survival. Through her relentless attacks and unlikely decision to grant mercy, Ruby’s reputation had grown by epic proportions. Merchant vessels weren’t the only casualty of her intense attacks. Naval vessels from any country that dared come into the warm waters Ruby called home, were met and set abze without any quarter. Given that the people were soldiers and sailors for hire to protect ‘their’ waters, Ruby made sure that even the lifeboats were destroyed.

  It was easy for Ruby to slide into a small harbor and offload then sell the items they’d acquired for chests full of silver and gold, while maintaining an anchor away from that port’s actual dock. While these were jaunts into civilization, Ruby stayed long enough for Nerice to trade away what they’d taken and go right back out to sea.

  “All work and no py makes T-...” Nerice cleared her throat, “...the captain…well cold.” Nerice walked behind Ruby and massaged her shoulders with her partly covered blue-scaled hands. “We could use a real break. All of us, especially you.”

  With her hands on the boat wheel, directing her ship through the tiny isnds that made up the Lesser Antilles, Ruby took her eyes off the white-capped water for an instant and gazed lovingly at her dymate, “Ner-Ner.” Ruby sighed and gave her lover a kiss on the cheek. “I know we need a break. The crew more than myself.” She ughed, “They have coin that they are dying to spend.” She turned the wheel so she could catch better wind, then continued. “I have been thinking about this for days. I would have been upset without being able to dance and py for as long as we’ve been out here.”

  “You do give them more than any other captain.” Nerice huffed, “Which is ridiculous, I might add.”

  “Aye, why do you care?” Ruby asked and poked Nerice’s side that held her scroll case full of papers that documented every wreck that Ruby had created. “We have ten times that down in the depths, so don’t worry about what I give away up here.” A set of heavy boots came up the small set of stairs that lead to the helm and Ruby looked over just in time to see her First Mate, a woman named ‘Medusa.’

  Easily six feet tall, Medusa was a sight to behold. A woman that bore more muscle than lots of guys Ruby had seen in the past, what made the woman a terror was the image she portrayed with that girth. While her real name was Patricia Sweet, she was anything but sweet and came by the name Medusa well. Somewhat long and wavy brown braided hair peeked out from her cap, giving the appearance of hideous snakes. Patricia’s left eye was white and completely useless, giving her the appearance of something mystical. Completing Medusa’s ensemble of intensity was a pair of heavy cutsses strapped to her back that most people couldn’t wield properly with two hands, while the big woman could wield in each hand. It had taken Ruby less than a minute to assess all of Patricia’s features and the big booming voice that made Ruby hire the giant dy on the spot.

  Walking to the helm, Medusa lightly tipped her hat to both Ruby and Nerice, “Capt’n…” She patted Nerice on the shoulder, almost sending the tiny mermaid to her knees, “..ahoy Natasha.”

  Unwilling to use most of the crew’s more silly names, Nerice used everyone’s proper name except for Ruby’s. “Good Afternoon, Patricia.” Nerice offered and pulled a blue cowl over her head, then rubbed her shoulder.

  “Aye, Medusa.” Ruby trained her dazzling and deadly hazel eye on her First Mate, “...now serve up your piece.”

  “Capt’n…” Medusa gred right back at Ruby, completely fearless. “Been up here near twelve hours, tis the truth of it. The boys be need’n ya fresh if’n we go on another spree.” Medusa ughed, “Me eye hath closed for well o’er eight it was. So I know you need a little break as it were.” Not willing to take no for an answer, Medusa used her bigger form and gently pushed Ruby away from the boat wheel. “Heading Capt’n?”

  Unlike other captains who might have gotten into a fight over something like this, Ruby didn’t see Medusa’s act as any form of aggression and simply stepped back and then rubbed her eye. “Mayhaps this be well.” Ruby patted her First Mate. “My thanks you have, Medusa.” She grabbed Nerice and pulled her tightly to her body, “Heading is fun, my dear. Aye, tis true we finally go a’shore. Fill the sails with heavy wind and take us to Bridgetown, savvy?”

  “Aye, Aye Capt’n. Bridgetown it be.” Medusa smiled and waved to one of the crew, “Pull our colors, we are headed in!” The rest of the crew cheered and began to dance pyfully on the deck with the good news. “Methinks they are happy, Captain Ruby.”

  Suddenly more tired than she realized, Ruby leaned heavily on Nerice and after agreeing with Patricia, took her dymate’s hand. “Natasha, escort me to our quarters then come back and double-check the heading for Medusa.” Ruby purred, “After which I will require more of your massage services, if you please.”

  “Certainly, Captain.” Nerice ughed and handed the map and compass to her assistant. “Or…I will let James know everything now and just stay to keep my captain happy. If that is alright.”

  Years of love had tempered Ruby’s will versus Nerice’s and she tiredly acquiesced. “Aye, that be work’n for Ol’Ruby it does.”

  Without knowing how long had passed, It was a knock at her door that startled Ruby from her long sleep. Leaning over to kiss Nerice on her cheek, Ruby rolled out of her bed and opened one of the stained gss windows that covered the rear of her ship. “Aye…” Ruby muttered sleepily, “...Who goes there?”

  “Captain, it be Caddis Cyden.” He offered politely, “Medusa sent me, she figures we be a little ways to port, Captain. Mayhaps you wish to bring the dagger to rest?”