Jump to content

Bloody Bill Flint

Member
  • Posts

    221
  • Joined

  • Last visited

Everything posted by Bloody Bill Flint

  1. Bill cleared his throat and stepped to the middle of the weather deck where all within sight would be assured to hear him. "Attention!" his voice boomed. He waited until he was sure he had their attention before continuing. "Mr Pew has authorized me to go ashore and conduct drill for the selection of a Marine contingent to be divided betwixt the watches. Those of a desire for candidacy and not presently engaged in other duties may meet me in the armory in five minutes to draw weapons. Additionally, those already assigned as Marines and having been transferred from The Dog will keep their postings." Five minutes later Bill was overseeing the equipment issue. Every man was given a musket, sidearm, and cutlass. Flint enlisted one of the powder monkeys to act as the ammo handler for his expedition. He marched them off the ship and skirted wide towards the beach to avoid undue attention from the locals and find a secluded spot for musketry. As they marched he lectured them in the arts of war. "First and foremost," he admonished, "Don't forget nothin'" "Keep your musket and pistol clean as a whistle, and your cutlass scoured" "When we're ashore we march single file, far enough apart so one shot don't go through two men. Step where the man to yer front stepped afore to hide our numbers." "If we strike soft ground we spread out abreast to make us harder to track." "We march until dark so as to give the least chance at us." "We never sit down to eat without postin' sentries, in the woods or the pub" "When the ship's under fire, if you ain't in the riggin', kneel down behind the rails while ye reload so their Marines don't have a clean shot" "We're not infantry, our shots need to be precise. Aim small, miss small." "If we take prisoners, we separate 'em til we've had a chance to examine 'em. That way they can't cook up a story betwixt 'em" Bill's lectures continued until they came to a deserted stretch of beach. Here they gathered materials and constructed mannequins for targets. Drill lasted the better part of three hours. Flint was a harsh task master and demanded perfection from his men. "Make a full effort, our crews lives depend on us!" He handed out praise and obscenities with equal gusto and measure. When he collected enough observations he ordered them to prepare to return to the ship. Stadtmeyer and Brocke would join Press and Styles as lookouts. Ian Hatrick couldn't shoot to save his life and would possibly need a replacement. He was pleased to see the men automatically fan out over the soft sand with no reminder. When they returned to the ship he sought the quartermaster to give his report.
  2. And so the crew celebrated the christening of The Lucy. However the shore was beginning to wear on William F. Flint, Marine of the Larboard Watch. Although his leave wasn't to end for several hours he decided to return early to duty out of a restless urge to do else but pour grog down his gullet. He was up the gang plank and spied Mr. Pew and Tucker in conversation. From what he could hear at that distance something was amiss on the ship. He decided to join them and be appraised of the situation and so drew near to the two men. "Ahoy lads. Keepin' busy?"
  3. The fleet began to mill about confusedly as they watched the exchange between their Captains. There were murmurs of interest passed from hand to hand. "To the 'Lucy'!" Bill Flint roared. The sailors yelled their assent and echoed his cry. "Now, those of ya what's on duty back to it! Those t'ain't follow me to the pub and we'll raise a proper celebration to the old girl!" This was met with even more enthusiasm by those on shore leave and the Redlegs led them away so the watches could return to duty. "There he goes, the Piper afore his rats!" someone crowed from the Lucy which brought a good natured grin and a bellow of laughter from Bill. "And it's all for me grog, me holly jolly grog. It's all for me beer and tobacco. For I spent all me tin with lasses drinking gin...." the song went up as the crowd drifted from sight.
  4. "Not sure" Flint replied "It's best we go and have us a look-see." He extended his hand and that special grin to her. "Shall we Miss Tribbiani?"
  5. Captain! A shandy if you please my good man.
  6. Bill held her close and drank in her tale, listening patiently. "It wasn't your fault. He was an evil man. Whose to say he wouldn't have killed you or Anthony the first time you displeased him had you become his....'puppet' as you so put it. To attempt to place your own moral code on a wicked being like that is futile. You can't assume he would have been satisfied with that one act of submission. Who knows what vile demand he'd have made of you next. I do sympathize with the loss you feel for your brother, but you cannot bring him back. He loved you and wouldn't want you to torture yourself so. He knows this wasn't your fault." Again he kissed her forehead.
  7. He folded her in his arms and kissed the top of her head. He stroked her hair and back. He dried her tears. Then he spoke in a soothing voice. "It's alright Treas, I am here for you my friend." "Now...take a deep breath and tell me everything from the beginning." He kissed her forehead. "Take your time."
  8. The clod of sand hit him square in the back and he wheeled upon her. He stormed up to her and seized her by the elbows, pinning her arms to her sides. "Because I'm your friend!" he thundered "What we share means the world to me, I can see your pain plain as day, and as your friend I would be remiss if I didn't do anything to help you heal!" His rage had mostly spent itself and his voice calmed "Now, are you going to let me help you or are you going to keep throwing a fit?"
  9. "Why shouldn't I?" was all he said. Then gave her that smile. That special smile that was hers and hers alone, albeit a much sadder version. And then he turned and walked away.
  10. Bill scooted closer and wrapped his arms around her. "Of course I know that lass, I was just hoping a small jest would put a smile on your face." He paused for a moment and when Treasure didn't reply he went on. "C'mon Treas, what's eating ya?" Still she said nothing. "Listen, I don't aim to make this out to be anything you don't want it to be. I'd much rather be loving friends than friendly lovers anyways." He put his cheek aside hers and lowered his voice to a soothing pleasant tone. "I know some old pain is haunting you. I've known it since I asked your story. It would mean so much to me if you'd let me be that loving friend and unburden your heart to me. Please let me listen to you." With that he fell silent. This was in her hands now.
  11. Bill plopped to the sand beside Treasure. "Surely I wasn't that bad." he said, giving her that special grin.
  12. It was one of the few times through out their years of association that Treasure Tribbiani would underestimate William Flint, but it was one of those times that would bring that smile that Bill showed only to her none the less. For a man who'd spent most of his life in forests filled with predators of both the four and two legged varieties, Miss Tribbiani was not so nearly stealthy as she supposed. Her need to go out at this late hour arroused his curiosity. He watched silently, all the while keeping up the facade that he was sleeping, as she dressed and headed for the door. As soon as it closed behind her he sprang from their bed and threw on his own clothing. And out the window he went, dropping like a panther to the thoroughfare and startling a drunk. He quickly uttered an apology and dashed to the entrance of the inn. He leaned against the door frame and affixed the afore mentioned grin to his visage and waited for her to appear. Then he thought better of accosting her and slipped back into the shadows to follow at a distance and see how things would play out so as not to interrupt some private errand of hers.
  13. He followed with out hesitation. His blood pounded louder in his veins. His mouth was growing dry from anticipation of what might come. Just to be certain he was reading her signals correctly he stopped in his tracks. She turned and began asked why he stopped. "I need a drink" he said with a mischievous grin and pulled her into an embrace and gave her a tentative kiss upon the lips.
  14. Focusing on the glint of her collar Bill lunged forward and swept her into an embrace. "Why of course I can, and now I've caught you, beg for mercy" he said with a laugh.
  15. Bill's blood roared in his ears. The little minx. What was she up to? Well he certainly wouldn't find out sitting here. He tore after her into the street looking about for her. "Treasure?" he called out softly.
  16. "Well Treasure," Bill began "I suppose I'll need a room sooner rather or later, besides, if I don't go with you then who'll be around to guard your purse and virtue from all the rascals here abouts?" He grinned devilishly at her and poured himself another tankard.
  17. "No," Bill replied, "I have not, I may seek one later but for now I think another drink is in order." "Surely your purse has become somewhat light," she countered Flint merely grinned and produced another purse that he had obviously taken from the would be thief earlier. "Care to join me for one more Miss Tribbiani?"
  18. "Pew wants to leave", Bill said suddenly breaking the silence. "Pardon?" Treasure replied. "Mr. Pew is considering staying behind when the fleet weighs anchor." Flint repeated. "Why in the world would he do that?" Treasure asked "He's afraid his health has gone. Moreover it's his intent to put myself and Eric Franklin forth as his replacements." With that he signaled for another pint and slipped back into his thoughts.
  19. Flint grabbed Treasure by the elbow and began to lead her away. "I think we'd best be going now my dear." He paused momentarily to scoop up Pierre's dagger. "A gift for you m'lady" he smiled brightly as he handed it to her. "Now, let us be on our way to the Surgeons to inquire after our dear friend Mr. Pew"
  20. "I believe he's at the Surgeon's house" said Bill and together they stepped from the shop. They hadn't gone far when they were accosted. Bill and Treasure heard and smelled them approaching long before the first one spoke. Instinctively they knew it was the two hoodlums who'd been following them most of the day. Then the voice from behind spoke. "What do you suppose we have here Claude?"* asked the first Bill immediately whirled and faced down the two men who were little more than boys actually. "I'm sure I don't know Pierre, mayhaps a couple of song birds" replied his companion "Agreed," said Pierre, "But they don't seem to welcome our company, I think they want to fly away." "Oh but they can't" said Claude "Those purses are too hefty for them, let's do them a favor and help them unburden themselves" "Oh yes, do let's" replied the first and they both drew daggers from their sleeves "It occurs to me that the little one's feathers will fetch a pretty penny in the market, we should take those as well" said Claude " We're not looking for trouble" said Bill " No, but trouble has found you", replied Pierre "Now you just be quiet fancy man and you won't be hurt, of course I cannot promise the same for your lady friend here" and he reached for Treasure. With that Flint sprang into action. He drew the hatchet from his belt and held it low on the handle. He brought the haft down with tremendous force across Pierre's forearm. There was a sickening crack of bone as the boy's arm bent in two at a most unnatural angle. The brigand barely had time to scream in pain before Bill stepped into him and drove and elbow into his jaw, shattering it. Flint then took a half step back and brought the tomahawk up, hooking it's beard behind Pierre's neck. He used this as a grapple to pull the would-be robber into Bill's waiting knee, which connected soundly with Pierre's testicles. The thief doubled over, clutching his ruined manhood, and began to retch himself. Bill took the opportunity and delivered a backhand blow with his free hand to the side of Pierre's head which lifted the hoodlum off his feet and deposited him on his back unconscious. Flint swiveled to face his adversary's accomplice who stood agape in horror at what had just transpired. "Well?" Flint growled. *translated from the French
  21. Bill arranged for his parcels to be sent over to the Heron. He turned to Treasure. "Well Miss Tribbiani? Where to now? A bit of repast? Or shall we pay a call to Mr. Pew?" He followed her gaze out the window and spied the two hoodlums from the market hanging about. He sighed and shifted the tomahawk in his belt so it would be more close to hand when the time came.
  22. "I em a Soldat by profession Mein Herr und am much traveled. I haf been in die employ ov die Sultan of Incirlik qvelling ooprizings on his behaf in his holtings in Araby as well as protecting his lands against die Cossacks. Ov late I vas die employee ov Die Margrave auf Ansbach-Bayreuth ins Hesse. At mein Lord's behest I und my Kompanie ver enroot to die kolonees to Fort Oranj of die Dutch holtings in New Amsterdam. On die vay ve ver most mercilessly attacked by die Frankreichers, only mein self und a Herr Thomas Halsey, ein Englichermann were spared. He vas ransomed back to die Englich vhilst I vas brought here." Seeing a small look of doubt on Williams face he continued "Mein loyalties are not changed easily Herr Kapitan I am a provezzional. I am not seeking vealth, I am seeking to be ov zervice as a good Soldat must. I hav no doubt been vritten ofv as a loss in mein Lords accounts and must now seek employment else vere. I vil be your man until you no longer hav need ov me.
  23. The man snapped sharply to attention and knuckled his brow "Ulrich fon Sandt-Thorvald at jour zervice Herr Kapitan, I speak Englich, Dutch, German ov course, Franch, pazzable Spanich, unt zome ov de dialectz ov Araby. Alzo I vread in dies lankwages." "Mozt unvortunately Mein Herr I do not meet jour virzt reqvuirement az I am not Englich, but Prussian." he added merely for Williams amusement as well as his own with a wide grin that shined of gold.
  24. A solidly built man of some thirty years with a highly pronounced scar bisecting his face from left eyebrow to right cheek pressed forward. He called out to William in a thick German accent "Mein Herr, perhaps I may be ov zervice"
×
×
  • Create New...