The Sea Hawk was a mighty vessel built with speed and crew in mind. She had a threefold sail shape and was capable of flanking even the most maneuverable of military crafts. She was well loved by the sea with few stresses showing on the mast. It was the deck and sides that showed its trade. Cannon scars and bullet holes could be seen even without squinting. Hack marks from axes and hooks lined the railings. It was a ship that carried its crew into excitement and danger instead of taking them to safety. Of course a ship is only at the mercy of its captain and The Sea Hawk’s captain was Oliver Tressilian.
The sun was rising over the beaches of Normandy when the Captain walked up to the top deck of the ship. The crew gave nothing more than a nod as they were in the full swing of preparing for the days tasks. Oliver’s first mate, Mohammed, shouted an announcement of Oliver’s arrival when he reached the steering wheel. The young ship hand who was behind it stepped to the side and let Oliver take over. “It would seem the good lord has seen fit to give us fair weather Captain.” He said and then left.
“The boy speaks well does he not?” Oliver mused to his first mate. The man was often the more ‘professional’ of the two in the day to day tasks of reading and maintaining a ship; however, it was because of this that Oliver got along so well with Mohammed. As Mohammed led other believers of Islam in their daily prayers Oliver would study the maps and trade routes for their next plunder. As Oliver dealt with villainy and scum to secure sales of their plunder Mohammed would translate and access knowledge hidden from white men.
“Are you sure about this protection theory?” Mohammed asked with his deep tone. He was a naturally large man standing at over 6’ 4” that was toned by several years of slave work there were few who ever considered Mohammed anything other than a force of nature. “The crew is content with our haul from the Spanish merchant we boarded a few days ago. Another attack could earn us too much attention from Spain. Their military is already searches for us to the south.”
“It is for that very reason we should inquire about the treasures this ship holds. Anything important enough to decree safe passage for one ship along with acceptance from all means the Spanish have a true treasure. A treasure that could be used to trade for safe passage back to the New World.” Oliver had labored over the maps they had acquired from the past conquests and found a very unique pattern in the recent merchant ships. All of them were taking routes that avoided the central channel waterway. A natural current that swept down from the north towards France and Spain.
Normally this would be one of the busiest corridors of the ocean, but instead it was abandoned. It wasn’t until they found a merchant too drunk to know what a secret was to share what he had been told. Merchants from all over were sent a letter informing them that a small military convoy was setting sail from Oslo with a destination of Bilbao, Spain. With the passage through the Celtic sea blocked by the Spanish armada Oliver saw an opportunity to return to the New World or at least past the Spanish fleet. He considered the likely treasure to be some sort of payment to show Spain had Norway’s support against France and other rival countries in Europe. Promise of weapons or even new war machines. No matter what it was to seek out merchants and friendly allies to sign a stay of crossing the English Channel meant it was monstrously important. Important meant powerful and that what Oliver needed.
“The ship is prepared Captain. Flags have been changed and weapons are primed.” A deck hand called up. The timing was perfect as Oliver found a small dot in the distance. A ship was approaching and whatever it carried was about to meet its new home. The Sea Hawk flew its Spanish colors as camouflage. The plan was to get up alongside the ship and pretend to be an escort ship through hostel French waters. When the ruse was discovered they would act quickly and take the ship. Best case they take the ship as well. Worst they pull the treasure to their vessel and escape.
The sun was rising over the beaches of Normandy when the Captain walked up to the top deck of the ship. The crew gave nothing more than a nod as they were in the full swing of preparing for the days tasks. Oliver’s first mate, Mohammed, shouted an announcement of Oliver’s arrival when he reached the steering wheel. The young ship hand who was behind it stepped to the side and let Oliver take over. “It would seem the good lord has seen fit to give us fair weather Captain.” He said and then left.
“The boy speaks well does he not?” Oliver mused to his first mate. The man was often the more ‘professional’ of the two in the day to day tasks of reading and maintaining a ship; however, it was because of this that Oliver got along so well with Mohammed. As Mohammed led other believers of Islam in their daily prayers Oliver would study the maps and trade routes for their next plunder. As Oliver dealt with villainy and scum to secure sales of their plunder Mohammed would translate and access knowledge hidden from white men.
“Are you sure about this protection theory?” Mohammed asked with his deep tone. He was a naturally large man standing at over 6’ 4” that was toned by several years of slave work there were few who ever considered Mohammed anything other than a force of nature. “The crew is content with our haul from the Spanish merchant we boarded a few days ago. Another attack could earn us too much attention from Spain. Their military is already searches for us to the south.”
“It is for that very reason we should inquire about the treasures this ship holds. Anything important enough to decree safe passage for one ship along with acceptance from all means the Spanish have a true treasure. A treasure that could be used to trade for safe passage back to the New World.” Oliver had labored over the maps they had acquired from the past conquests and found a very unique pattern in the recent merchant ships. All of them were taking routes that avoided the central channel waterway. A natural current that swept down from the north towards France and Spain.
Normally this would be one of the busiest corridors of the ocean, but instead it was abandoned. It wasn’t until they found a merchant too drunk to know what a secret was to share what he had been told. Merchants from all over were sent a letter informing them that a small military convoy was setting sail from Oslo with a destination of Bilbao, Spain. With the passage through the Celtic sea blocked by the Spanish armada Oliver saw an opportunity to return to the New World or at least past the Spanish fleet. He considered the likely treasure to be some sort of payment to show Spain had Norway’s support against France and other rival countries in Europe. Promise of weapons or even new war machines. No matter what it was to seek out merchants and friendly allies to sign a stay of crossing the English Channel meant it was monstrously important. Important meant powerful and that what Oliver needed.
“The ship is prepared Captain. Flags have been changed and weapons are primed.” A deck hand called up. The timing was perfect as Oliver found a small dot in the distance. A ship was approaching and whatever it carried was about to meet its new home. The Sea Hawk flew its Spanish colors as camouflage. The plan was to get up alongside the ship and pretend to be an escort ship through hostel French waters. When the ruse was discovered they would act quickly and take the ship. Best case they take the ship as well. Worst they pull the treasure to their vessel and escape.
