May 11th, 1523 - Genoa
Making her way out of the Royal Palace, Catalina headed towards the harbor with her 'honor guard'. She did not fear the petty nobles and jealous captains of the Genovese Navy, but it was always wise to be ready.
Each of the twelve sailors walking along with her was an arsenal: they carried a cutlass and dagger, two pistols, and a musketoon, all loaded and ready to be used. All dressed in simple but functional attire, pants, boots, a shirt, having an arming coat hiding a shirt of fine steel mail.
Catalina walked with a half-smile on her lips. After months of intercepting turkish raiders in the mediterranean, and building a small fleet of five ships, the Lady Pirate received another prize from her employers.
Dame Commodore Catalina Erantzo, owner of a new letter of marque, this one valid until revoked, and now bearer of a tax-free permit for all trades in all ports allied with the Genovese Government.
Her sailors would be more than happy with the 10% raise on their wages.
"Commodore!" The Familiar voice brought her back to more immediate concerns, and she nodded to Emilio and Andreas.
"Gentlemen. Any news of our quarry?" Rich or not, successful or not, Catalina could never forget nor forgive the Francos.
Emilio nodded to Andreas, who spoke in a low tone. "More rumors of an interesting kind, Commodore. Prince Alberto of Portugal is missing, and while the King insists his son just left on a leisure trip, some people seem to have witnessed the boy, rather dishelved, being hurriedly taken aboard João Franco's frigate, the Hermes III."
The redhead pirate shot a brow up. "So, Duke Franco wants to disturb more than the treaties with Spain?"
Emilio spoke up now. "Well, he is a close relative of King Manuel. If Prince Alberto disappears, João would be in the right age to be named Regent, and maybe even King."
Catalina smirks, shaking head. "So, the villain is finally playing his hand and showing his true colors. Emilio, find Jacob and tell him all the men will be paid a ten percent more, as of now. Next, check the ships high and low, and have them ready to depart in three days. Andreas, give the men a three-day shore leave, then dig around on these rumors. See if anyone has any idea where João is going."
The two men nodded simply, and left. Catalina paused to watch her ships lined up a distance from shore, powerful galleons built as replicas of the Rebellion. She was already eager to see if the portuguese Frigates would be a challenge.
The Lady Pirate whispered a single word, an oath many times repeated: "Revenge."
Each of the twelve sailors walking along with her was an arsenal: they carried a cutlass and dagger, two pistols, and a musketoon, all loaded and ready to be used. All dressed in simple but functional attire, pants, boots, a shirt, having an arming coat hiding a shirt of fine steel mail.
Catalina walked with a half-smile on her lips. After months of intercepting turkish raiders in the mediterranean, and building a small fleet of five ships, the Lady Pirate received another prize from her employers.
Dame Commodore Catalina Erantzo, owner of a new letter of marque, this one valid until revoked, and now bearer of a tax-free permit for all trades in all ports allied with the Genovese Government.
Her sailors would be more than happy with the 10% raise on their wages.
"Commodore!" The Familiar voice brought her back to more immediate concerns, and she nodded to Emilio and Andreas.
"Gentlemen. Any news of our quarry?" Rich or not, successful or not, Catalina could never forget nor forgive the Francos.
Emilio nodded to Andreas, who spoke in a low tone. "More rumors of an interesting kind, Commodore. Prince Alberto of Portugal is missing, and while the King insists his son just left on a leisure trip, some people seem to have witnessed the boy, rather dishelved, being hurriedly taken aboard João Franco's frigate, the Hermes III."
The redhead pirate shot a brow up. "So, Duke Franco wants to disturb more than the treaties with Spain?"
Emilio spoke up now. "Well, he is a close relative of King Manuel. If Prince Alberto disappears, João would be in the right age to be named Regent, and maybe even King."
Catalina smirks, shaking head. "So, the villain is finally playing his hand and showing his true colors. Emilio, find Jacob and tell him all the men will be paid a ten percent more, as of now. Next, check the ships high and low, and have them ready to depart in three days. Andreas, give the men a three-day shore leave, then dig around on these rumors. See if anyone has any idea where João is going."
The two men nodded simply, and left. Catalina paused to watch her ships lined up a distance from shore, powerful galleons built as replicas of the Rebellion. She was already eager to see if the portuguese Frigates would be a challenge.
The Lady Pirate whispered a single word, an oath many times repeated: "Revenge."