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  (Just extra info in case you're curious)

  The Captain is the overall leader of the pirate ship, responsible for making strategic decisions during navigation and battle. They hold the authority to command the crew, set the ship’s course, and decide when to engage or retreat from combat. While the Captain has significant power, they are often elected by the crew and can be overruled or replaced if they lose the crew's confidence. The Captain also assumes other leadership roles not explicitly covered by other officers.

  The Quartermaster is second in command and acts as the representative of the crew's interests. They are responsible for maintaining order on board, overseeing the distribution of loot, and managing the daily operations of the ship. The Quartermaster also enforces discipline and resolves disputes among the crew. In combat, they assist with tactical decisions and may lead boarding parties. The Quartermaster often takes on roles such as managing supplies and supervising lower-ranking crew members.

  The Navigator is in charge of charting the ship’s course, steering the vessel through perilous waters, and ensuring they reach their destination safely. They use maps, compasses, and other navigational tools to guide the ship. In addition to navigation, the Navigator may assist in identifying enemy ships and hazards at sea, playing a crucial role in both travel and combat readiness. They may fill roles involving lookout duties and intelligence gathering.

  The Gunner is responsible for the ship’s artillery and all aspects of cannon operation. They oversee the maintenance, loading, aiming, and firing of the ship’s cannons during battle. The Gunner trains the crew in gunnery and ensures that ammunition and gunpowder are stored safely. In the absence of specialized crew, the Gunner may take on additional combat-related roles, such as overseeing small arms or directing fire during engagements.

  The Boatswain, or Bosun, is in charge of the ship’s rigging, sails, and general maintenance. They ensure that the ship remains seaworthy by supervising repairs, managing the deck crew, and overseeing tasks like hoisting sails or weighing anchor. The Boatswain also ensures that all equipment, including ropes, masts, and spars, are in good working order. They can take on other operational roles, such as leading tasks that involve deck management or emergency damage control.

  The Cook is responsible for preparing meals for the crew, using the provisions available on board. In addition to cooking, the Cook manages the ship’s food stores, ensures that rations are distributed fairly, and may be involved in foraging or fishing when necessary. Though their primary role is in the galley, the Cook may also assist with first aid, basic medical care, or other domestic tasks on the ship. In the absence of other specialists, the Cook may perform duties related to general crew support.

  Powder Monkeys are usually young boys or smaller, agile crew members tasked with transporting gunpowder from the ship’s magazine to the cannons during battle. Their role is crucial for maintaining the steady supply of ammunition needed for the ship’s guns. Powder Monkeys must be quick, careful, and brave, as their job involves running back and forth through the heat of combat, often under fire, to keep the cannons loaded. Due to their size and agility, they can navigate the cramped and dangerous passages of the ship efficiently. In the absence of dedicated crew members for this role, other available crew, such as younger sailors or even the Cook’s assistants, may perform these duties.

  Chapter 1

  “…and ever since that day, she has sailed the seas with nary a captain nor crew to helm her,” said a woman with soft, orange eyes that seemed to glow in the shadow created by her long brown hair.

  “Wow! And all that treasure?” exclaimed the boy in her lap, his eyes wide, shining with wonder and imagination.

  “Still in her hold,” she replied. “An entire galleon filled with gold and jewels.”

  This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

  “Whoa!” The boy paused for a moment before furrowing his brow. “But I thought you said pirates stole animal skins and cloth and spices and all.”

  The woman laughed. “How very right you are, my smart boy. But you see, towards the end, her captain became very greedy, and instead of selling his plunder and spending it right away, he hoarded it. And the more of his crew that died, well, that was just more room he had to store his ever-growing collection.”

  The boy stared off into the distance for a moment, pondering this information. Then, as if trying to make sense of it all, he began to look around the room. Their home was small and single-roomed–and sometimes it leaked–but he could just see all the gold and jewels piled up in every corner, filled to the brim until they had no choice but to sit on top of it all. Suddenly, he blurted, “One day, I’m going to take her! And her treasure! Gold. Jewels. Cloth. Whatever it is. I’m going to take it all! And I’m going to be the new captain of The Spectre.”

  The woman’s soft eyes squinted as a warm smile crossed her face, the corners of her eyes wrinkling in the way of someone who had spent their whole life bringing joy to others. She began speaking inaudibly as her face blurred.

  Suddenly, Jonathon was awake…disoriented and uncomfortable. His face throbbed with a dull ache–temple, cheekbones, jaw–all burning as if he’d been pressing against something unyielding for far too long.

  Where had he fallen asleep this time? he thought to himself, still groggy. Judging by the feel of the thing, and the smell of stale alcohol wafting through his nose, he guessed it was another bar.

  Jonathon winced slightly as he slowly lifted his head from its unforgiving resting place. As he sat up and glanced around, he let out a sigh of relief. He was indeed at another bar—the Plot and Plaster, to be exact. A terribly childish name for a bar, but the owner, Greig, had a tendency to be childish. And if a man like him wanted to be childish, you’d be hard-pressed to find someone who would challenge that notion.

  “Ah, it’s about time ye woke up, ya good-fer-nothin’ layabout,” said the man in question at the end of the bar, polishing his glasses. His voice a low rumble, like distant thunder.

  Standing at a little over six feet, the giant of a man towered over any who entered his establishment. And he wasn’t just tall; he was also burly. In fact, the only thing larger than his arms was his beard. He wore an extravagant, deep-red beard that hung down to his sternum. He had braided either side of his mustache and weighed the ends down with a pair of beautiful, solid gold beard tubes. The inner design of the tubes gave its wearer the appearance of a sea serpent wrapping around each braid of hair.

  Jonathon had always envied those beard tubes, and Greig’s knack for growing such a beautiful beard in the first place. Anytime he had attempted such a thing, he found his beard just grew outward and never properly down. He’d also found he liked the look of his face with just a modicum of scruff better anyway, so eventually he gave up on his endeavor. But he still envied the man, just a little bit.

  Jonathon smiled mischievously at the man and said, “Well, having to listen to you tell the same stories night after night gets to be so incredibly boring.” He faked a yawn before continuing, “It must have lulled me to sleep.” He looked around at the empty bar. “Maybe if you did more than polish those glasses, you’d have more customers in here, eh?”

  Greig paused his polishing for a moment and shot a dark look at Jonathon, a look that made him worry he had taken a step too far with his last comment. Jonathon’s terrified silence hung in the atmosphere around him for what felt like an eternity as the darkness crept ever closer to his heart. But then Grieg smiled, and Jonathon’s heart resumed beating.

  “You know,” Grieg said, continuing his ritualistic task, “most barkeepers tend to clean and polish all their glasses after the bar has shut down. Mayhaps if ye were able to get a real job, instead of living voyage to voyage chasing after a fairy tale, ye wouldn’t have time to harass me with such nonsense.” His gaze turned back to Jonathon and his face softened into one of concern as he added, “Besides, there’s a fine line between desire and obsession, Jon. If you keep chasin' these old tales, one day you might find the story bites back.”

  Jonathon raised his hands, laughing in defeat, “Alright, alright, you win. I surrender.” He let his hands fall to the bar and gave a long stretch before continuing casually, “I appreciate you allowing me to sleep it off at your bar, but I’m afraid I’ve eaten up too much of your hospitality for tonight.”

  He had heard Grieg’s concerned comment but was used to that kind of lecturing from the man. Grieg was always worried about “the cost of obsession.” As if Jonathon’s life-long dream was some dangerous curse that would cost him in the end. He appreciated the concern, and while he had to admit that even he had moments where his pursuit of The Spectre made him feel a sense of unease, both his unease and Grieg’s concern were unfounded. In the end, his prize would be worth the chase. He paused, placing a hand to his chin, feigning a spur-of-the-moment thought. “Mayhaps I’ll head over to The Sleeping Siren for the remainder of my night.”

  Greig laughed as Jonathon stood and walked toward the exit. “Ye know, at this point, ye’d likely have been able to buy yerself a manor with the gold ye throw away at that place.”

  “Ahh, but a manor doesn’t keep my bed warm now, does it, Greig?” he said with his arms splayed open wide, walking backward toward the door. He turned and began exiting the bar. He paused halfway through the door, hand resting on its frame. “But you know, Greig, you and I both know she’s more than just a fairy tale, and too valuable to be labeled as an obsession. One of these days, The Spectre will be mine. I’m so close I can almost taste it, and if my last tip is true, it won’t be long before I buy that manor you spoke of. Two, in fact. One for me, and one for you.”

  He exited before Greig could respond and made his way, slightly stumbling, toward The Sleeping Siren. He didn’t want to keep Scarlett waiting any longer!