THE GRAND STORY OF THE SEEMINGLY IMPOSSIBLE ADVENTURES OF BARON BRITPOP BLASTFURNACE

Fleeing The Carribean / The French Merchant’s Daughter

Baron Britpop Blastfurnace • Part 30

Fleeing The Carribean

Once again, I shall take up the narrative.

“New France is north, is it not?” I asked Captain Peanut Butter as we sailed.

“That is correct. It sits at the top of The Gulf Of Mexico. We will dock in New Orleans. It is little more than a swamp. A miserable place in the summer months. Insects as thick as butter. But it is located at the mouth of a mighty river that cuts across the entire continent, making it a strategic shipping port. We can resupply there and go unnoticed.”

So we sailed north.

Upon arriving in New Orleans, we docked alongside several other ships. The dock ran a considerable length up one side of a wide river. The dock was lined with buildings of all sorts. The crew headed to the nearest inn for some fresh food before the task of restocking began. Meanwhile, the Captain headed off to find a bakery selling cherry pie. A personal favorite of his.

We found a nearby inn and ordered food. It turned out to be some of the oddest food I had ever eaten. There were unusual seas creatures in red shells. I had to pull the meat out of its shell to eat it. There was a thick soup-like dish with rice and meat. It was very spicy and required lots of ale to cool the mouth while eating. But it was a treat to be on land again trying new foods.

As we were enjoying our meal, Andelbert was re-telling the story of our rescue from prison. Suddenly, my heart jumped. The daughter of the French merchant ship owner, whose ship we raided, was standing next to the table looking down at me.

“Baron Blastfurnace, was it?”

“You,” I said in disbelief.

“Surprised? Yes, I imagine you are,” she said. “Would you care to join me at my table? I hate dining alone. I would very much enjoy the company of a Baron.”

“Careful, Lad,” Stout said.

“Fear not. My father is onboard The Elise overseeing the loading of cargo for the trip back to France. What harm could I possibly do?” she asked.

I was suspicious, but my heart won the battle with my mind. I rose and followed her to another table. Moments later, Jonas left to find Captain Peanut Butter.

The French Merchant’s Daughter

“How is it you are dining here alone? Is it safe?” I asked.

“As safe as anywhere I go. I grew up on ships and spent my life in port towns. I have learned where not to go and how to defend myself if necessary. Plus, I have a knife safely tucked in my garments and am experienced in its use. I often explore port towns while my father handles business. I find the business side of shipping quite tedious. The real question is, do you feel safe? A pirate in port, recognized by a French shipping merchant’s daughter.”

“I am not a pirate. As I told you, I truly am a Baron.”

“Of course you are. A Baron who sails with pirates. How perfectly reasonable.”

“Tell me your name so I may one day find you again and provide proof of my standing.”

“For what purpose? I care not.”

“Why do you sail?” I asked.

“I sail because I love the sea. I sail because I love adventure. I sail because I want to see the whole world. I sail because I won’t be some man’s galley slave or baby factory,” she replied fervently.

“I also seek adventure. I am a blacksmith’s son. I am only a Baron because I invented silent horseshoes and won favor with Emperor Joseph. It was a reward I was not anticipating or ready for. I felt too young to settle into a life of Barony. So I decided to embark on an adventure first. I initially planned to visit France, but due to a lack of sound judgment on my part, I ended up on a pirate ship. It turned out to be the greatest adventure of my life.

“Captain Peanut Butter is unlike any other pirate. As you witnessed, when he did not kill your crew or take you as a prize. He also returned to my home at significant personal risk to enact a plan to capture the man who wanted me dead. I am loyal to him. But one day, I will return to my home as a Baron.

“I readily admit, when I first saw your beauty, it caused me to act the fool. But I now see that you are more than just fair. You are intelligent and have a will of steel.

“If your aim was simply to mock me, you have succeeded. And I deserved it. But I shall take my leave now. I am a Baron. I do travel with pirates. And I believe I prefer their company. I wish you a good day. I will bother you no more.”

I rose to return to my crew.

“Wait, I believe you. And you must leave. I did not come here alone. I was with one of the crew from my father’s ship. We recognized you, and I told him I would keep you here while he went to get soldiers. They may arrive at any moment. Go now.”

I stared at her for a moment absorbing what she had told me.

“Thank you… I do not know your name.”

“My name is Elise. Like the ship. Now go!”

We quickly made our way out of the inn and headed back toward The Jellyfish. To our surprise, we came upon Captain Peanut Butter walking with two soldiers. They each had a whole cherry pie and were laughing at whatever tale the Captain was telling.

The Captain noticed us and said, “Ah lads. Good to see you. I have a task for you. My good friends here need a couple of barrels of rum to go with their pie. See that they are delivered to their post immediately.”

With that, he went back to telling more of his tale. Apparently, the French soldiers in New Orleans had little desire to arrest pirates. Especially pirates who were generous with their rum.

Continues in Part 31:

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©2020 Mark Starlin