It was more than a decade ago, when Pete Flinn - a young sailor - won this old treasure map. He had already forgotten the name of the dilapidated, dirty inn at the end of the world, where he met this old ragged beggar, who challenged him to a poker game in hope to improve his paltry income. But Pete had the better end and won the game. He felt pity with the poor old sot and instead of taking his last few coins he was confident with a faded piece of paper.
The beggar told Pete a wild story and that he once has been a crewmember of the dreadend pirat Cpt.Krudos. After an attack on a lonely merchant ship they were fleeing an British frigate that suddenly appeared at the horizon. The "Sea-Ghost" had a good lead, but the enemy frigate was almost equal fast as Cpt.Krudos ship. Several days went by and the sails of the British warship where still recognizeable in far distance. Unluckily the pirates had already been on sea since several weeks and slowly ran out of fresh water and provisions.
Next day a mighty storm was coming up. This was a a great chance for the pirates to get rid of their persecutors. Even the frigate was as fast as the "Sea-Ghost" under normal conditions, the bigger frigate had to stroke almost all sails in a heavy storm, while the "Sea-Ghost" was still able to sail with only slightly reduced sails. But without fresh water and food it was impossible to survive the following days.
For this reason Cpt.Krudo decided to drop anchor near a small archipelago to take new supplies on board. It would last almost one day until the "Sea-Ghost" comes into range of the warships cannons. So there was still enough time to go ashore, take up supplies and to disappear in the uprising storm.
Cpt.Krudo was shure, that his plan will work - but he wanted to be on the save site and decided to bury a part of the most precious loot. So he and only six of his most trustworthy crew members went off board and rowed to the biggest of the four islands. The beggar was one of them.
The plan worked out as expected and Cpt.Krudo could shake off his persecutors. But only a few weeks later he ran out of luck. In the opinion it was just a merchant ship he attacked a galleon. But it was a trap! The galleon was heavily armed and a lot of soldiers awaited him hidden under deck. After the camouflage of the cannons was removed they shot the "Sea-Ghost" into pieces and only the cook and the beggar survived the massacre and were taken on board of the warship as prisoners. They had luck and escaped the gallows, but were sentenced to livelong forced labor. During this time the beggar drew the treasure map and kept it hidden until the day he was reprieved by the new governour after almost 40 years of captivity.
Pete had already heard about of Cpt.Krudo, but he didn't believe that this old drunkard had actually been a member of the Cpt.Krudos pirate-crew, specially as he had'n ever heard about the mentioned archipelago. So he almost forgot about the map and the buried treasure.
Now more than ten years later he had become commander of a frigate himself.
One day a group of four small islands came into sight, that where not mentioned in any sea-card. It was very obvious, that the biggest of the four islands was fertile and populated. It was a good oppurtunity to complete the reserves. Additionally they had been on sea for weeks and the crew would welcome a few days relaxation. There was already much tension amongst the men and the first officer Lionel Hiatt obviously rebeled against Pete. He was very upset that the upper command had given Pete the lead over the ship. He was much longer a member of the crew and was convinced, that he had earned the job more than this newcomer. Of course it was not an open revolution, but he did everything to make Pete's live as difficult as possible and didn't leave out any opportunity to argue against Pete's decisions. Additionally he was popular with the majority of crewmembers and Pete was not shure, if he could count on the loyality of them when it comes to an open rebellion. So he thought, it would be a good idea to give the men a few days to relax and to come down a bit.
While Pete looked through the telescope suddenly the story of the beggar came into his mind.
Didn't this archiplage look exactly like the drawing on the faded piece of pergament that this lousy sot gave him half an eternity ago? Pete went to the tresore and took out the old map. Even he had never thought that it would become important some day, he had kept it over all the years. And indeed, the arrangement of the four islands, the strange formation of rocks in the interior of the biggest one - everything looked exactly like the old man had descibed in the map.
The Capitan had not much hope to find the treasure - if it ever exists. So many years had gone by. The vegetation had changed and maybe the waves had changed the shape of the shore. And even he might be able to find the right location, it was questionable if there was something left of it. Maybe someone had already dug it out or it was rotten in the moist sand. However, Pete ordered to drop anchor in front of the shore.
When he and a dozend of his men entered the beach, the conjecture proved true: the island was actually populated. Behind some hills and a small palm forest they found a little settlement. The aborigines where friendly and welcomed the strangers.
Some days passed and Pete and his crew enjoyed this little paradise. Of course Pete tried to find the place, where Cpt.Krudo supposedly had buried the treasure. But it was as he had assumed at the arrival. The surroundings had changed over the years and it was almost impossible to locate the right place exactly.
Pete wasn't able to find the treasure that he had in his mind, but unexpectedly found another one. Kelani, a young indigenous beauty with long black hair, wonderfull big brown eyes and a breathtaking body showed noticeable interest for him. She cared for him whenever it was possible. And Pete felt confortable near her. He never was maried or even had a solid relationship before. But it was something, what he had missed during the last years and he started to think about his past life and that he whished more and more to settle down somewhere and to start a family.
The more he was thinking, the more he became aware of the feelings, that he had developed for this unspoiled, natural beauty while he and his crew relaxed on the island. And she seemed to feel the same and returned his affection.
Of course Pete knew, that he couldn't simply stay and had to return to his ship and crew. But he would come back after he had ended his mission and make her his wife.
Almost two weeks the crew of the HMS Stormcloud made hollidays on the little island. There had been already rumors about the relationship of Pete and Kelani, as well as about Cpt.Krudos treasure that should be buried somewhere nearby.
So Pete decided to continue with the mission and to leave two days later, when he noticed that someone had stolen the treasure map from his bag. Kelani remarked his anger and finally he told her about the beggar and the mysterious map. For his surprise Kelani obviously knew about the legend of Cpt.Krudo.
"What would you say, if I know where the treasure is hidden!" she whispered while lying in his arms. "What - no, that can't be true!" Pete jumped up. "Relax - and keep cool! No one should hear what I'm telling you now. The treasure is doomed - so I never told anybody about it. It turns people into greedy beasts and makes them to do evil things. You are a good and eager man. I love you and I trust you. So I'll tell you the secret." Kelani layed her arm arround Petes neck and gave him a tender kiss. " Some time ago after a strom I discovered a halfburied chest at the beach, that the waves had uncovered. It seemed to be very old, but it was armed with metal and was in an astonishing good shape. It was full of gold and gemstones. As said - gold turns men into monsters. Here on this island it's nothing of value, but people are even ready to kill. So I decided to bring the chest to annother place and to bury it again. Unfortunately the chest was very heavy and I couldn't move it as far as desired. It's hidden not far from the firsts location. Yesterdays I noticed some men of your crew digging at the beach near it. I'm afraid they will find it earlier or later."
Pete fighted with himself. This treasure would make him a rich man. But the more he was thinking, he came to the conclusion, that he had already a good live, a lot of wealth and just needs a loving wife and maybe some children to be happy for the rest of his live. Kelani was right and this doomed treasure better stays dissapeared forever.
"You are right my dear! We have all we need. So I don't care about the treasure anymore. But if one of my men discovers it, I'm afraid the curse could be fulfilled. There is already much trouble on board and this treasure would lead to an open rebellion! Someone obviously knows about it and is already searching for it. And now someone has stolen the map, he knows where to look."
"I knew that I can count on you!" Kelani smile tenderly. " You are not like the others. But I'm afraid, the treasure will not only apply your men against each other, it will bring my people in danger, too! We should care, that the accursed chest will never crop out again!"
Pete and Kelani decided on digging out the chest in the following night and bring it to a secret place where no one will ever find it. Next day he and his crew would leave the island and complete their mission. After that he promised to quit his job at the navy and to return to Kelani to make her his wife.
To avoid to arouse suspicion Kelani told Pete a hideaway at the beach where she wanted to meet him at midnight.
The night came and Pete left the ship secretly and swam to the nearby shore. What he didn't knew was, that his first officer Mr.Hiatt had already noticed, that something was going on and had watched Kelani and Pete since days. He saw Cpt.Pete leaving the ship and followed him together with a handfull of his followers in secret distance.
Pete reached the beach and after a short walk he reached the location where Kelani awaited him. After a short hug and a loving kiss she leaded him to a small group of palms near the waterline. "Here it is. It's only a hand's breadth below the surface. I had no spade and had to bury it with bare hands." she said quietly. Pete started to push away the soft sand and after just a few minutes he could see the rusty lid of an iron-bound chest, when suddenly Mr.Hiatt and his men appeared obviously out of nowhere.
"Look, look" the first officer said with a diabolic grin. "So the legend is true. The treasure really exists. Mhh, no wonder that no one found it where we suspected it. This little whore took it away. But now she has leaded us to the right place." He pulled his rapier. Pete drew his weapon too and stood in front of his lover to protect her. "You have stolen my map! And now you are
starting an open rebellion? You know that the gallows awaits you and your men for this! It's still time to stop! So think twice what you'r doing!" Pete shouted angry. But the first officer did not intend to give up so close before the finish. "You fool! This island is hundreds of sea-mile away from the usual trading routes and isn't even registered in any sea-map. Do you think anybody will find out what happened at the end of the world. It was my turn to become the captain of the ship - but they set you in front of my nose. You - a parvenu, a nobody, a bloody rooky! Ok, you haven't been a bad captain. But still, most men are with me and share my opinion that I've earned this position more than anyone else. But I'm not a murderer - get out of my way and you can live here in peace together with your little slut - as well the few men that are still loyal to you. It will last decades until the next ship anchors here and perhaps you all will have died of old age until then."
Pete didn't wanted to let the multinees get away, but then remembered his big love, that hided behind his broad back. He was ready to give his own live for justice, but not to sacrifice the live of this young innocent woman. So he agreed and put away his saber.
One of Mr.Hiatts men had brought a shovel and so it lasted only a few minutes until the rest of the chest was dug out. The first officer himself opened the heavy lid. The content was dirty and covered with wet sand, that had found its way into the initially sealed box after Kelani had opened it for the first time. Mr.Hiatt took out one of the dirty coins and rubbed it at his skirt. After some seconds it got back it's original gloss. "Gold - it's pure gold! We are rich!" The first officer laughed like a madman and danced arround the chest.
"OK!" Pete said disgusted."You have what you wanted. Now let us go!" The mad laughter suddenly became still. Then the first officer turned to Pete and Kelani. "No! Not yet! First we have to do something. The men who disagree with my takeover are still on board. I cannot let you warn them. Grab them!" he turned to his men with a sharp shout. The rebels tried to overwelm the couple, but Kelani fought fought back bravely and scratched the face of one of the attackers like a wildcat. Annother of the morrons kicked into the back of the young woman and struck her down violently. Pete initially did not want to resist not to endanger the live of his lover, but when he saw the mistreatment of the helpless woman he became a berserk. He struck down one of the rebels with his fist and drew his saber once more. He was a good fighter and a dangerous opponent. It wouldn't become an easy task for the insurgents.
Kelani tried to stand up and to assist Pete. But annother punch against her backhead sent her to the realm of dreams.
She woke up standing upright with her hands overhead. The night was already almost gone and a blood-red sky shone in the first sunlight. She wondered about her position and tried to take down her hands, but wasn't able to move. She still was dazed from the hit against her head, but then she realized that she was tied to one of the big palmtrees near the beach. She tried to shout, but some kind of primitive gag made of a wooden stick and a leather-cord muffled her crying effectively. After her still clouded look became a bit clearer, she remarked that the open treasure chest was empty. Laboriously she turned around as much as the merciless bindings allowed. First she recognized some goods like dishes, pots and boxes scattered on the floor. Turning to the other side she saw the frigate still anchoring in the small bay. Some distant commands were carried over the water. Then she noticed in horror the liveless body of Pete lying facedown in the sand, the saber still in his hand. She couldn't see any serious wound, but she wasn't able to notice any sign of live. She desperately tried to get loose, but it was futile. The rough ropes kept her securely in place and the gag silenced her.
The sun already stood high on the firmament when she recognizes, that the frigate lifted ancor, set sails and slowly picked up speed. Her mouth felt dry, the ropes hurt her and she almost had given up her restless attempts to free herself, when suddenly in her canus she noticed some movement. When she looked back she realized that the saber had fallen out of Pete's hand. Barely noticable the fingers had startet to move and the fist slowly opened. He was alive!
Again she tugged with all her remaining power at the shakles until her wrist got bloody. Tears ran down her cheeks and she tried to make sounds as loud as possible despite of the gag. She was afraid to loose conciousness again because of her desperate efforts, when she suddenly heared some voices behind the smooth hills coming steadily nearer ......
RalphB's BDSM Gone Wrong: The human's best friend
