Frederick and Geraldine
Chapter 10- The Fight

The pirate quartermaster, Maro, saw two galliots

Coming towards the carrack; the first one had ten cannons.

To start the maneuver on the carrack, he asked his pilots.

They were attacked by a volley of fire; maniac in action,

Maro caught up with this army and replied with another

Volley of fire, but he had to retire the carrack.

Then, the army came alongside it and fought in a smother.

This assault was preceded by some flurries of the bullet attacks.

Using the muskets and some small arms designed for superior

Accuracy, the army could leap from ship to ship;

Once the ships had met, the battle had been waged; ulterior,

They used long polearms and swords which were kept on their hips.

The first galliot approached and used the bowsprit,

A protrusion which was angled upward from the bow,

To charge the flank of the carrack; some pirates wanted to quit.

The bowsprit penetrated the breeze upper the low

Waist of the opened deck, in the middle; it could be used

As a connection between the ships; a part of the army

Fiercely attacked the pirates making them be confused.

The ships collided; raw in front of the enemy,

The hidden soldiers started to shoot; they held the fire

At a close range; this ship was narrow for the artillery,

But into saving some honest lives they had to inquire.

These guns were placed on the centerline by the military.

The pirates turned to the opposite direction, but they were

Attacked by the second galliot equipped in the same way.

The bandits could barely put up a resistance; their deaths were near.

The fight had lasted until it was all done in their play.

The first galliot caught the carrack with the help of

The other one; Maro ordered one of his crew to cut

A small hole in the carrack to make this ship sink thereof

And to hurry the soldiers to save the hostages, but

They would need to know if there was a way to swim to the shore.

They abandoned quickly the carrack; the result of the fight

Was the victory of the army, stopping the devil's roar.

They took three pirates captive; three escaped in the waters' night.

The governor had the loyalty of a gentleman

While keeping his word in front of Frederick and while

Dedicating himself to protecting any merchant

And any passenger; they disembarked on that emerald isle.

(Frederick, Pedro, Naimah, Miguel, Cruz, Ivan, Pedra, Chiara, Francesca and the remained crew went to Prinylas. Cruz was injured but still alive. At least, while having tears in his eyes, Frederick embraced his junior who looked exactly like him. The child smiled and touched his father’s face with his little hand. Geraldine embraced Frederick and kissed him while crying.)

The governor had built frigates and galliots to maintain

Safety on the coast and to guard them against the invasions.

Then, he sent them to capture the pirate ships hoping to gain

Peace, wealth and a good fortune for the future generations.

(In Prinylas, in a bedroom, Ivan and Erica were talking while lying on their bed.)

(Erica said,)

I love you and I have proven it to you so many times.

Maybe it would be healthy if we would remain simple

Peasants to work in the fields; I miss this life sometimes.

You're my man and I listen to you, '' she drew her wimple.

(Ivan said,)

''Sometimes, you're exhausted, '' '' I'm afraid of getting sick, ''

''All the time, I need to protect you; it's hard for you to live

On your own, '' '' you make a lot of money; you want them quick, ''

''I'm like my aunt, but I also find a nice way to give;

(Ivan continued…)

I like to build a wealth, not just to spend them for my needs, ''

''This is why you sold everything you had in Russia and

Started a business elsewhere; you followed your instinct leads;

You don't think positively when you don't have the needed funds,

''

(Erica replied. Ivan asked her…)

''Do you suggest this is the reason why my Turkish store burned?

I've told you that after I had returned from Russia, someone

Threatened me near the border and took my fur I had earned.

It could be the nun's ex-husband, '' ''It could be anyone, ''

(…suggested Erica. Ivan replied.)

''It could be another fur trader; anyway, there is

A disruption in the business conditions; Naimah has

The same opinion; I started doing business,

'Cause I wanted a big family, but my life became a haze, ''

(Erica was a great observer.)

''Because you started to get into some risky affairs, ''

''Are you talking about the gold? '' ''Yes, '' ''I needed new

Relationships; all remained to this nun for her future years

Was this gold, which had been deposited to the bank, ’’ ‘’It’s true,

’’

(….concluded Erica. Ivan continued…)

‘’ She met me and gave me the map and the document

That empowered me to accompany the messenger

To Russia after traveling across the continent.

I would receive twelve kilos of gold for this adventure.

She had sent an act to one of her friends living in England

Authorizing him to take the gold out from the bank

And to pay a messenger to bring it home, '' '' I understand.

''She wrote about some security conditions, '' ''That ship sank,

(Erica continued…)

But maybe the sailors had been killed before sinking.’’

‘’I have to tell you a secret, '' '' Why do we go to Portugal? ''

''Because I fear of that person who fired my shop after taking

My fur; with the remaining money I opened this life portal-

I bought our trip; I couldn't turn back to talk to the nun.

I should meet the messenger; '' ''Why have you created problems? ''

''Because Frederick didn't keep his word; he preferred to run.

He had promised me to stay two weeks in Athens before I embarked.''

(Erica asked him…)

''Why did he change his mind? '' ''Because of what had happened in

Selanik; He concluded that he had been chased by the pirates.

I needed time to go to give the map, '' Ivan said with a grin.

'' To wait for me to come back, you would stay there in silence.''

(Erica should stay on the ship to wait for Ivan. She said…)

''Maybe that pirate followed us and killed the messenger.

Let's think positively, '' '' He took the gold; we need protection.

Moreover, the nun told me that she hadn't informed her

Ex-husband about the gold because of losing his affection.

This woman wants to donate her gold in exchange for freedom.

The map is vital to her as the commission is to me.''

'' The messenger came with his servant in this garden of Eden.

Why didn't they take the ship? '' ''To watch it sailing on the sea! ''

(…exclaimed Ivan and continued…)

If something had happened to the gold, he would have asked

The authorities to investigate the missing, ’’ ‘’ At least,

He should verify this transport in the port of Constanta.

Imagine how some poisoned thoughts could spoil the hope's feast! ’’

(… exclaimed Erica. Ivan asked…)

'' Where do you know this from? '' '' I've read his journal, '' '' I must go

To tell the governor everything I know and to ask him

To help me, '' ''This nun is very important to you; although

You don't say it, you do it; means not making money on a whim.''

'' I understood the idea of freedom in life,

Especially for a woman; I wanted to fight against

An old, Russian mentality; started with an inner strife

While hoping to find some ways to achieve true happiness.''

(Ivan continued….)

'' Don't forget that I overcame my own human condition.

''I think it is also about the faith that spurred you; read

Some chapters aloud for me before sleeping; your diction

Is nice, '' ''Hope it's not philosophical; don't turn in the bed! ''

(‘’Just a little, ’’ replied Erica and fell asleep.)

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