Pirates X Hearts of Oak

“Are you going to sit there teasing me all night senor? You told me you had a tale to tell? I trust this one is not tall, like most other ones I come across.” A one Mr. Captain Arturo leaned in closer, demanding with his thick Spanish accent to be told what he had come here to find out; because him and his ‘old friend’ had been exchanging unnecessary pleasantries for a good five minutes.

“Always ta’the point I see, jus’ like a Spaniard.” Arturo stopped himself from rolling his eyes at his friend’s comment; thinking that to be a Spaniard was must better than being some stinky old Englishman with his pants half falling down all the time, at least he, the Spaniard, had some measure of decorum and style. Ah, but this age old conflict between countries was not the main focus tonight, because no matter what language you spoke back home; everyone knew how to speak the language of gold. “So like I was say’in, those rumors about Captain Kidd havin’ that map, they be true as the lashes on me back.” Arturo’s informant’s voice became lower, causing Arturo to lean in ever more, until he had finished, and Arturo slumped back, aghast.

“You know I do not believe in such things! If he was so inclined as to have a map to this place, a place conveniently made of gold, he would not let such information get out! His entire ship would be bombarded with-“ A man interrupted ever so rudely by smashing into their table, slumping over the top and knocking over their drinks, Arturo sighed and the two of them knocked helped the man off of the table top to resume in what peace they could in a bar at Tortuga. “Aye, he would, but ye see, a secret like that ain’t so easy to keep, ‘specially when yer men aren’t inclined to stay aboard.” Arturo’s eyes narrowed at his companion, for he had a sneaking suspicion.

“So Arturo, you know what you be missin’, them facts and figures of yours.” Arturo nodded, folding his hands on the desk as his companion brought out a map and laid it out. Arturo eagerly, despite having said he was not interested, leaned forward and examined it. “This is a simple regular map…”

“Of course it be Arturo! Don’t yah listen to the talk about yer? The actual map was a’takin’ by…” He looked right and left, and did the cross over his chest. “Mermaids Arturo, they got the map now.” He whispered, as if simply saying the name ‘mermaid’ would get him eaten. Arturo really did roll his eyes this time, and the stinky Englishman spat on the floor in anger. “Damnit Arturo, they be real whether you like it er not. Captain Kidd sailed into the pass here, and went in with two ships, he came back with only one Arto, only one. I would know, I was on the one that made it!”

Arturo was now deep in thought, he spoke slowly, “I am not sure I still believe it, but whether or not I do, I must go in prepared. And I have a plan already I think!” His English friend seemed confused, but satisfied with his answer, he hadn’t known that he had Arturo’s interest the whole time; simply that Arturo was playing him for more information, mainly how it was that Captain Kidd went about charging mystic waters. Which until now had never been clarified as mystic waters; funny how quickly things acquired legends and names around the Privateer world.

“By this time in a fortnight, we will be on our way to El Dorado.” He rose suddenly and clapped loudly, several men dropped what they were doing, or who they were doing really, and trailed quickly behind their Captain. He left with the ring of a hum on his voice, he was always in a good mood when he had a clever plan.