Skulls & Crossbones Read online

  Mindancer Press

  Bedazzled Ink Publishing Company * Fairfield, California

  © 2010 Bedazzled Ink Publishing Company

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any means, electronic or mechanical, without permission in writing from the publisher.

  978-1-934452-40-0 paperback 978-1-934452-41-7 ebook

  Library of Congress Control Number: 2010920803

  "Ladgarda" © 2010 Christine Rains

  "The Gallows" © 2010 Jove Belle

  "Valkyry" © 2010 Rakelle Valencia

  "Lost Treasure" © 2010 R. G. Emanuelle

  "The Hangman's Dance" © 2010 Jane Fletcher

  "Devil's Bargain" © 2010 Andi Marquette

  "Fifty Octaves Deep" © 2010 Alice Godwin

  "HMS Nefarious" © 2010 Rod M. Santos

  "Pirate Wannabe" © 2010 Aubrie Dionne

  "Road Pirate Wanted" © 2010 Victoria Oldham

  "The Brahmapur Buccaneer" © 2010 Matthew Fryer

  "The Kindness of Strangers" © 2010 Vicki Stevenson

  "Resolution 1838" © 2010 David Brookes

  "The After" © 2010 Carrie Vaccaro Nelkin

  "Captain, Hook, and Mr. Shrike" © 2010 Cat Conley

  "A Perfect Life" © 2010 Elaine Burnes

  "Stardance" © 2010 Trace Miller

  "The Passenger" © 2010 Megan Magill

  "Pipettes for the Pirate" © 2010 Holly Ellingwood

  "The Furies." Copyright © 2007 by Rajan Khanna. First published in Shimmer, Vol. 2, Issue 3. Reprinted by permission of the author.

  Cover artwork "Charlotte"

  by

  Kerem Beyit

  Cover layout C.A. Casey

  Mindancer Press

  a division of

  Bedazzled Ink Publishing Company

  Fairfield, California

  http://www.bedazzledink.com/mindancer

  Acknowledgements

  Many thanks to the authors whose work you'll find here, and thanks as well to the contributors' many cats and few dogs, who we're sure helped make these stories possible. Thanks to the gang at Bedazzled Ink for agreeing to work with two crazy editors. And a very special thank you to you, the reader, for spending some time with all of us.

  A Note From the Editors

  Greetings, and welcome aboard Skulls and Crossbones: Tales of Women Pirates. We put this collection together because we both love pirate stories and pirate history. But we also love stories about women who go adventureing, and pirates have a reputation for doing just that. So, we combined those loves and thus was born Skulls and Crossbones.

  We wanted to ensure that readers would have a wide-ranging experience with this volume, so we selected stories with a variety of themes, settings, and eras that fit our criteria, particularly that each story features a woman pirate either as the main character or the focus of the story. Here, you'll find the results of our selection. Next, we organized the stories for readers in a way that seemed logical and that also worked sort of like a music mix. We began with a specific mood and mixed stories together in such a way that the reader, hopefully, isn't jarred from one story to the next.

  With that approach in mind, we've provided a loose chronological and thematic journey through piracy. You'll begin your pirate adventure at sea, with "Ladgarda," Christine Rains's grim tale of revenge set in a Viking-like era. Next, Jove Belle escorts you to "The Gallows," an even grimmer reminder of a fate that many a pirate met. Rakelle Valencia's Viking, "Valkyry," seeks redemption and recognition for her achievements in bloody battles and a father's betrayal, and R. G. Emanuelle's sea captain finds that not all riches are gold in "Lost Treasure." Jane Fletcher shows us what happens when two unlikely allies invite a pirate to "The Hangman's Dance," and "The Furies" will take on a new crew member, but only if he's willing to pay a price, and author Rajan Khanna reveals what that is.

  Speaking of prices, what would you agree to do in a quest for revenge against a thieving captain and his first mate? Find out what one woman does in Andi Marquette's "Devil's Bargain" and then join Alice Godwin's siren crew in a quest for a legendary necklace in "Fifty Octaves Deep." You'll join the well-meaning but hilarious crew of Rod Santos's "HMS Nefarious" in a hunt for the dreaded Redbeard and then you'll engage in a bit of fun and time travel with Aubrie Dionne, discovering that pirates and history aren't always boring and that you could end up a "Pirate Wannabe."

  Victoria Oldham's present-day tale of long-haul trucking demonstrates that not all piracy occurs on water in "Road Pirate Wanted," while "The Brahmapur Buccaneer" proves her mettle in Matthew Fryer's story about a modern Indian woman who seeks to escape her abusive husband on board a freighter. You'll engage in "The Kindness of Strangers," Vicki Stevenson's story about a woman who runs a business at a lake marina that involves more than just renting houseboats to wealthy clientele, and David Brookes will take you on a tense ride aboard a Somali pirate vessel off the coast of Africa in "Resolution 1838." We'll finish the modern era with Carrie Vaccaro Nelkin, who reveals "The After," her vision of a post-apocalyptic world in which piracy may or may not offer a solution for better living to two survivors. Next, you'll be transported to a world of ice in which not all is as it seems in Cat Conley's "Captain, Hook, and Mr. Shrike," and after that, Elaine Burnes takes us off world, to reveal "A Perfect Life" in her story of intergalactic warfare. Trace Miller's "Stardance" demonstrates that not all pirates are human, and Megan Magill introduces you to "The Passenger," who jeopardizes official space pirate policy. Holly Ellingwood completes your journey, with "Pipettes for the Pirate," a tale about a pirate who needs a scientific evaluation of a life form that has attached itself to her ship.

  We chose these stories not only because they are well written, but also because we genuinely enjoyed reading them. Life as a pirate was and is violent and dangerous—even moreso for women who made a choice to do it or were drawn in through the circumstances of their lives. The stories in this collection present women as strong and courageous, yes, but also as multifaceted—brutal and brave enough to stand their ground amidst men, smart enough to lead them, or confident enough to reach their goals without them.

  We hope you enjoy your voyage, and thanks for joining us.

  Andi Marquette

  R. G. Emanuelle

  December, 2009

  Table of Tales

  Ladgarda Christine Rains

  The Gallows Jove Belle

  Valkyry Rakelle Valencia

  Lost Treasure R. G. Emanuelle

  The Hangman's Dance Jane Fletcher

  The Furies Rajan Khanna

  Devil's Bargain Andi Marquette

  Fifty Octaves Deep Alice Godwin

  HMS Nefarious Rod M. Santos

  Pirate Wannabe Aubrie Dionne

  Road Pirate Wanted Victoria Oldham

  The Brahmapur Buccaneer Matthew Fryer

  The Kindness of Strangers Vicki Stevenson

  Resolution 1838 David Brookes

  The After Carrie Vaccaro Nelkin

  Captain, Hook, and Mr. Shrike Cat Conley

  A Perfect Life Elaine Burnes

  Stardance Trace Miller

  The Passenger Megan Magill

  Pipettes for the Pirate Holly Ellingwood

  Authors

  Note

  This collection retains the spelling conventions of the countries where the authors live and work.

  Ladgarda

  Christine Rains

  The battle cry of hundreds of men rang out over the tumultuous waters. Ladgarda barked orders, and her lone feminine voice melted into the symphony of war. Her longships sliced through the sea toward the enemy's rear. So busy were her enemies with their certain tr
iumph over Ragnar's army, they did not know they were pinched between two forces until her men screamed with their hunger for blood.

  With her sword raised above her head, she clung to the dragon's head of her drekar as they closed the distance. Ladgarda rode at the head of her fleet in the fastest of her longships. Her councilors had tried to convince her to at least stay back on one of the knarrs, but the boats did not move fast enough for her liking. Her tactics involved speed and stealth, and only a drekar could provide that.

  She lifted her legs as her ship rammed the side of one of the enemy's. The sound of the impact was like a volcano exploding, and pieces of wood flew into the water. Ladgarda was the first on the rebels' boat, waving her sword in a dance of death. Blood sprayed from her enemies' wounds, and her blade swiftly donned a crimson coat.

  Her men followed behind her with ax and sword. There was no mercy for even the slaves that begged on their knees. Every one of her enemies fell, and she left a trail of corpses as she worked her way forward where the greatest numbers were already fighting with Ragnar's men. Ladgarda leapt from one ship to the next without a care as to whom was in her path.

  It had been Ragnar's foolish pride and his desire for fair-haired maidens that had brought him to this. She had been tempted to let him fall and disappear into the salt waters. She had been one of those maidens, after all. Yet, time and again, she came to fight for him, and swore after each time, there would never be another.

  She screamed as she hacked into a huge bearded man and kicked his corpse over the railing into the sea. Even in her armor, she appeared a dainty woman. Her long pale hair flew behind her like a silken cape. Many had underestimated her over the years because she was a woman. There would always be those who did, and she would use their stupidity to her advantage.

  Rebel after rebel fell to paint the waters red. Longships burned as Ragnar's archers cast flaming arrows into the heart of the battle. He was arrogant enough to believe that such a tactic would not harm his fleet, even as his foremost drekars went up in flames. At least it drove the enemy back toward her, and she gladly delivered them to their gods.

  Time meant nothing when she gave in to her lust for battle. The stars shone brightly as the rebels were defeated and Ladgarda sailed forward to meet her former husband on one of his knarrs. There was much celebrating going on amongst his men, and the drink had already made them clumsy. Ships knocked up against one another and floated too closely to the fiery remains of the enemy's boats.

  Ladgarda kept her men in check. There would be time enough for celebration when they had their reward. She strode onto the deck, flanked by her fiercest warriors.

  Ragnar greeted her, laughing, food and ale already stuck in his red beard. "Ladgarda!" His voice was the loudest on all the seas. "You have graced us with your presence again. I'm sure you're honored to have witnessed our victory."

  His men cheered. One of them fell backward off the railing into the water. His comrades laughed as they teased him before pulling him up.

  Ladgarda removed her helmet and shook out her thick hair. She tucked the helmet under her arm. "Yes, our victory, Ragnar." She gritted her teeth, wanting to shout out how her tactics had saved his men this day. Yet, insulting a man who claimed to be king was not wise. At least not in front of his loyal soldiers.

  "I wish to speak with you about our payment." She gestured to the cabin behind him. "In private."

  There were several lewd comments and hoots at her request. Her men did not even crack a smile.

  "Of course, Lady Ladgarda." Ragnar flashed his toothy grin that always reminded her of a shark's. He took one more long pull of ale from a mug and then led the way into his small cabin. The walls were too thin to provide them with any quiet, but at least their conversation would be private.

  She was all patience until she slammed the door closed behind them. "What do you think you were doing? You would have lost everything!"

  "Ah, mitt hjerte," Ragnar cooed and held open his arms. His round face was a ridiculous mask of excess. "The rebels were nothing. I crushed them like bugs under my foot."

  "Vitun katyri." Ladgarda spat at him and pushed at his broad chest. "If I had not come, you would have lost. Your men would follow you into the nine hells and back, but you're a poor general. You would not have known which end of a sword to hold if I had not taught you."

  He snorted and puffed. A red flush his face, and she knew it had nothing to do with the alcohol. "Watch your tongue, woman. I've no more use for it, so don't think I won't cut it out."

  "Threaten me all you want, but you know very well that I saved your ass here. I only want my payment and then I'll be gone for good."

  Ragnar laughed at the fury in her eyes and flopped down to sit on the bed. "You'll always come back to help me, mitt hjerte. As you said, my men would follow me anywhere. You cannot help yourself, either. Come, celebrate with me." He patted the lumpy mattress beside him. "Give me reason not to part you from your tongue."

  Ladgarda hissed with irritation. "I help because you leave me to sail the sea. If you do not rule, another would try to hunt me down, and I will not give up my freedom." She set down her helmet and folded her arms. "You're drunk already. I see the color of the drink stealing into the whites of your eyes. Who is going to command your fleet when you pass out?"

  He waved a big hand dismissively at her. "Bah, it matters not. I have my commanders, and there is Bjorn. Ivar is here, too." He belched and glanced up at her frightful glare. "No worries. I left Sigurd and Hvitserk back at the capital."

  She fought the urge to strangle him at the mention of their sons. She had never wanted to be a mother, but she had given herself over to Ragnar and birthed him four strong boys. Ladgarda had not seen any of them in nearly a decade. Though she did not have the maternal urges of softer women, she was proud that her boys were becoming powerful warriors and considered them her safeguard if Ragnar foolishly got himself killed. In the past few years, it seemed more and more likely such would happen.

  "My payment." Ladgarda could manage no other words without wanting to curse him.

  Ragnar sighed and kicked a chest under the bed with his boot heel. "You know where it is." He leaned back and dug a bottle from the mess of blankets. He thumbed it open and took a long drink. She yanked out the chest as he did so, ignoring the stench of him.

  "I remember when I first saw you. A beautiful Shieldmaiden. So young, so fierce. You fought so well—you still do—and I had to have you." He took another drink, and it dribbled into his beard. "Remember the first night I had you in my bed?" Ragnar chuckled before he fell back, lost to his memories. "How I had to fight to get the upper hand. It made the prize all the more worthwhile. I had more bruises from you in the morning than I did from the battle." Ladgarda flipped open the chest to make sure it was as full with coin as she expected. The moron carried half his treasury with him wherever he went. He always said it was in case something came up, and she supposed it was all the better for her. It made their transactions quick and nearly painless. She slammed the lid shut. "You loved your prize until something younger and prettier came along."

  Ragnar held out his hand to her. "Ah, mitt hjerte, let me kiss it better."

  She couldn't pick up the chest herself, but pushed it to one side and opened the door. Ladgarda called to one of her men to come fetch it. She looked back over her shoulder at her former husband. "And how is your newest little whore? What's her name? Helga?"

  Ragnar bared his teeth at her. "I have myself a princess now. Thora of Sweden. Don't you dare call her any such name. She will be my wife come the next full moon."

  The warrior picked up the chest and didn't wait for her order to take it back to her drekar. She had her men trained to know what she wanted without question. Ladgarda stared at Ragnar with cold eyes. Her chest constricted, and she silently cursed herself for it. She snatched up her helmet and pulled it hard onto her head. "May the Allfather bless your union, Ragnar. This is the last you'll see of me."

&nb
sp; Ladgarda spun on her heel and marched off through the rowdy festivities on the knarr without looking back. Ladgarda did not utter another word until she was back on her drekar, and then it was only a command to leave the king's fleet for the open sea.

  The frigid winds whipped at the fleet. The sails had been tied down, and her men chopped at the ice that had gathered on her ships. Ladgarda knew she would lose men and at least a few of her drekars if they stayed on the open sea for this storm. She handed command over to her most trusted man. "Sail west to Stockholm. We'll find relief from the storm there."

  The pale hair of his impressive beard mingled with the furs he wore. He gave her a stern look, but before he could open his mouth to say something, she marched down the center of the longship.

  "Row! Row for all you're worth, you filthy dogs!" she shouted at the men on the oars. Sweat poured from their foreheads already, even with the cold. Ladgarda did not stop to spur them on with the whip or her sharp tongue. She continued forward to her cabin and shut the door behind her against the foul weather. The storm was ill-timed. She had not had all her ships repaired from the battle. There was also word of a ship from the southern countries prowling her territory.

  After removing her weapons and armor, she seemed a much smaller woman in the lantern's flickering light. She seemed young still, despite the many scars on her body and the weight of leadership always threatening to crush her. She wrapped herself up in furs on the bed, even though sleep felt far away.

  There was a sharp knock at the door. She chided herself for being startled. "What do you want?"