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

Returning Home / The Dreaded Pirate Garra

Baron Britpop Blastfurnace • Part 31

Returning Home

As we reached The Jellyfish, Delmore Boissonnaeu, the owner of the Elise, and Captain Sebastian Brun were waiting for us.

“I demand you take these men into custody. They are pirates, and raided my ship,” Boissonnaeu loudly stated.

“I simply imposed a Caribbean passage tax on Monsieur Boissonnaeu. The good people of the Caribbean deserve something for allowing merchants the use their waters for trade. Wouldn’t you agree, Francois?”

“It sounds reasonable to me,” one of the soldiers said.

“And would you concur, Jean-Paul?”

“Oui. It seems only fair,” the other soldier said.

“This is an outrage. I demand to see your superior,” Boissonnaeu snapped.

“He is due to return in two weeks. Perhaps you would like to wait in one of our cells,” Francois replied.

“Where has Raynard gone off to this time?” Captain Peanut Butter asked the soldier.

“Urgent military business up the river, he calls it. I believe her name is Monique.”

The soldiers both laughed.

Monsieur Boissonnaeu spat on the dock in disgust and walked away. Captain Brun followed close behind.

The Elise sailed out of port soon after the incident. Heading back to France, I assumed. I didn’t see Elise before they sailed, and I feared I never would again.

We spent four more days in New France, resupplying The Jellyfish and enjoying our time onshore. The port of New Orleans was a fascinating place. A little bit of France mixed with the unique culture of the native peoples of the New World. The residents were as wild and spicy as their food.

“Where will we go now?” I asked Captain Peanut Butter during one of our meals.

“It is time to return to the Old World, young Baron. And to return you and Andelbert home.”

“Would you take us to France instead?”

“Ah, yes. For one-tenth of your traveling silver, if I recall correctly.”

“I am afraid, my silver has dwindled a bit since then,” I replied.

The captain laughed and said, “There is no need for silver. You have given the crew entertainment, excitement, and friendship. These are worth more than silver.”

Then the captain turned to Andelbert and said, “Your bread alone has paid your debt.”

“Thank you, Captain,” Andelbert said with a smile.

The following day, we set sail for France.

The Dreaded Pirate Garra

The ocean crossing was, again, far too long for my liking. At one point, Stout got deathly ill with a fever, and the whole crew was worried he would expire. But the fever broke after a few days, and he eventually returned to his old boisterous self.

Eventually, we spotted land.

“There she is,” the Captain said. “France.”

“Hard to believe. It has been a long, roundabout way to get here,” I replied.

Captain Peanut Butter laughed. “Aye, that it has. But it was a good adventure, was it not?”

“Better than I ever imagined.”

A voice cried out from the crow’s nest. “A ship!”

“To work, lads,” the Captain shouted.

We began our pursuit. Captain Peanut Butter handed me the spyglass and told me to keep an eye on the ship and report what I saw. As we neared the ship, I recognized it. My heart stopped. It was The Elise.

“Captain, it is The Elise. I beg you, do not raid her again.”

“We are pirates. We raid ships. That is how we survive.”

“I will give you the rest of my silver if you let her go.”

“Why? Because of the girl? Have you so quickly forgotten what the love of a woman did to Scar Arm in Spain? It nearly cost all of us our lives. You will have ample time for courtship when you are settled and cozy in your manor in Kapri. But pirates and love do not mix. Keep your silver. We will board her like the pirates we are.”

Before I could reply, another cry came from the crow’s nest. “Another ship!”

“Give me the spyglass,” the Captain said.

He looked and slammed the spyglass closed.

“It’s El Halcón, The Falcon. Under the command of the Spanish pirate Garra. He is as ruthless as they come.”

“Elise is onboard that ship. We have to rescue her.”

“Fear not, Lad. The Falcon is swift, but The Jellyfish is swifter.”

We raced to The Elise and pulled alongside her.

Captain Peanut Butter shouted, “If you want to live, you will board The Jellyfish now.”

“I would rather die,” Monsieur Boissonnaeu shouted in return.

“The pirate Garra is the Captain of the ship approaching us, and he would like nothing better than to grant your wish. Although, I fear he will not be so kind to your daughter. Your ship is already lost. If you value your daughter’s life, you will board The Jellyfish, now.”

Reluctantly, the crew of the Elise boarded The Jellyfish, and we left The Elise adrift to be taken by the dreaded pirate Garra.

“Will they pursue us?” I asked Captain Peanut Butter.

“No, they have no reason to. They just earned the easiest plunder of their lives, and have a merchant ship full of cargo. Both of which they can sell. They will be stretched thin sailing two ships.”

Captain Peanut Butter walked to the stern of the ship, where the crew of The Elise was under the watchful eye of The Jellyfish crew.

“Do not think you will get my thanks,” Boissonnaeu said to Captain Peanut Butter with disgust.

“It is not me you need to thank. It is Baron Blastfurnace who persuaded me to rescue you. For the sake of the girl.”

“He is no more a Baron than I am a King.”

“Believe what you will. It is of no importance. I will set you and your crew ashore at the nearest town.”

“You have cost me a fortune. A ship and all its cargo.”

“I have done nothing more than save your lives from ruthless pirates who would have taken them. If you are half the businessman you claim to be, you will recover. There is food in the galley. You will sleep on the deck tonight. By mid-morning, you will be on French soil.”

The Captain turned and went to his cabin.

As I watched The Elise and The Falcon fade from view, I felt a touch on my shoulder. I turned and found Elise standing next to me.

“So it really is true? You are a baron?” she asked.

“It is true.”

“Thank you for saving our lives. My father is too proud to say it. And too distraught about his losses to fully realize what Captain Peanut Butter has done. And what you have done.”

“Captain Peanut Butter has a good heart.”

“So do you.”

“Elise! Get away from that pirate,” Boissonnaeu shouted. “Come with me to the galley. We need to eat something before we are abandoned ashore.”

The crew of The Elise made their way below deck as Andelbert approached my side.

“I saw Elise talking to you. Have you finally convinced her that you are a Baron?” Andelbert asked.

“I believe I have. For all the good it does me. Tomorrow she will be gone from my life. Again.”

“You saved her life and the lives of her father and the whole crew. She will not forget it. Or you.”

“I want more than to be remembered.”

“Indeed. But I fear this romance was doomed from the start.”

“I suppose you are correct. If only my heart would listen to reason.”

“The heart and reason rarely join forces,” Andelbert replied.

Continues in Part 32:

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©2020 Mark Starlin