The Price of Gold

andhernamewasmaleficent‌:

Milah pounced on the opportunity to tell the story of it. It was one of her favorites, really and one her former captain was glad enough to share after a bit more rum than usual.

“You mean you’ve never heard of Captain Jones and the Jolly Roger?” She clicked her tongue in admonishment before walking up the ramp of her ship and running her hands along the rails. “She used to be the Jewel of the Realm, you know. Fastest in his majesty’s royal navy.”

She turned to look at her would be client. “Captain Jones, first of his name, was tasked with an important mission. His brother, an adorable lieutenant was joining as navigator, as he was the best and his brother was more than willing to use the importance of the mission to spend more time with him.”

“But the beloved captain died due to lies told by the crown. The brother did not like this. He cast off the uniform of the navy and raised a different flag, the sort that would yield to no crown. And thus the second Captain Jones was born.” Then she shrugged. “As for the name change, I think it was some obscure reference to another land, and my captain could be a bit...extra. But jovial or not, her wood is enchanted. She holds up better than any vessel we’ve encountered.”

The Price of Gold

justmilah‌:

Once could be a mistake, but the amount of times the lady gave her a looking over made Milah grin. She managed to not give a little shimmy. After all, business and pleasure rarely ended well.

She narrowed her eyes a little. “Milah,” she admitted. “But since that is likely to give away certain things I’ve adopted the name of the ships two previous captains. Jones is far more neutral in things.” 

She stood up from her lean and stepped away from the table before looking over her shoulder. “You can see the Jolly Roger. But most of the lads will be scattered for their dalliances, of which I’m in no hurry to call them back from.”

As she left the tavern and strolled to the docks where her beauty was docked, she wondered what sort of task would enable a ‘name your price’ tag on it. It was either dangerous, important, or both. She’d have to figure that out.

The Price of Gold

justmilah‌:

Milah considered her words for a moment. The lady had good points, all valid. However, one point gave her pause. “If a captain doesn’t care about the well-being of his crew, he’d be more likely to try to take advantage.”

She had to admit, she was curious. Though she appeared refined - or a rather eccentric form of refined, perhaps - she was not the sort of wilting lady Milah spent a good part of her time pitying at best.

“I’d love to take your gold,” she assured her. She pursed her lips in contemplation. “What sort of proof are you looking for?”

The Price of Gold

andhernamewasmaleficent‌:

“I know plenty of ships. But I’m rather intimately acquainted with the best of them,” she said with a sparkle in her eye.

That sparkle grew brighter as her grin spread. “I know enough. Even get the pointy end sticking where it belongs most times.”

She took a long sip of her mead, eyebrows raising. Prove her worth? She arched a curious eyebrow and settled in, elbows leaning against the table. 

“Unfortunately for you, I care about my crew. There are questions that need to be asked. On the other hand, if I weren’t the inquisitive sort, you’d still be looking for a pirate. Now, if nothing else, I can at least point you in the right direction.”

The Price of Gold

andhernamewasmaleficent‌:

Milah snorted into her drink and set it down with a grin. “With such pretty words like those, I reckon I have a better idea than you claim.” She stood to ‘move along,’ however, because far be it from her to encroach on a lady’s alone time.

She paused her escape at the words, leaning down against the table and hummed in thought. “Well. I do no dealings with privateers. A bunch of scurvy dogs who use the crown as their excuse and hide in the royal skirts when things get rough. Pirates, on the other hand?” She tried to remember if there were any hot tips they’d heard about recently. Things were bound to be slow for the next bit, and they could use a job. “I might know a ship.”

She lowered back onto the bench. “What’s the job, then? Love, revenge, or wealth?”

The Price of Gold

andhernamewasmaleficent‌:

It had been a good day. Her boys were happy with their spoils, the merchants were more reasonable than they tended to be in barter, and best of all, she’d been able to let off some steam by employing the company of her favorite gentleman of the night at this port. (Her favorite lady was off taking care of her sick mother.) And since she had people seeing to restocking the hold with dry goods and such so she had the evening to herself.

And what better way to spend her evening than in the local tavern? A but of fun, some drinking, maybe a brawl if she was lucky. After getting her drink she turned and surveyed the sea of tables before her eyebrow arched in sparked curiosity.

After grabbing another drink, she slipped over and slid into the empty chair across from the unusual patron. Milah placed the drink in front of the woman. “You’re a little out of your way, love,” she observed as she took a sip. “Unless the gentlefolk have taken to consorting with the lowlifes for fun. I’d watch your coin purse if I were you. I hear there are pirates about.”