W R
Show and Tell: More Mutiny Metals
This Three Troy oz, Badass bar represents the Captain’s share of the Booty, though in most common practice shares are divided equally among the entire crew and while on some other ships the Captain gets a bigger and best share of the Booty. Why? Cause he’s the Captain!
1Mutiny Metals bullion products are inspired by Pirates, made in Idaho USA.
Mutiny Metals on Instagram
Each bar hand poured/stamped, made of .999 fine silver bullion. Pick Badassery! Be a Pirate ☠️☠️☠️ Or, you know, choose boring and never be invited to badass pirate parties..........Have you joined the Mutiny?
1
RPirate Queen Ching Shih and the Raven’s Skull: Part Nine
4 R
The ostrich that sticks its head in the sand does not rid himself of his enemies. ~ Unknown
Madam Shih watched from the balcony of her Harbor Master's office.
The Storm Crow make its way into Quon Lu's inner harbor with the tamed Golden Lion in tow like a lamb on a leash. Looking through the large spyglass she could see the Raven appear upon the foredeck before making her way back to the stern. She felt relieved that her hopeful heir was uninjured, her chest swelled at the thought of adoption. It was a good display for all the people gathered along the waterfront to witness. And be sure to make it a festive occasion she prepared a fireworks display and a lion dance procession then declared a tax free day of commerce to further have the city on her side. Everything is ready to welcome back their heroes.
In further preparation lavish trays of gold silver perfumes and jewels we're placed upon the hall table along with the promised bounty in hope that this would be enough to sway her to accept her place here as her new daughter and rest from her travails and wandering lifestyle.
W"We know you like Shih but you’ve got to make the choice." Flint leaned on the rail with the Raven, "We all signed on for the adventure, frankly I don't trust Madame Shih, a good Ally when it comes to business maybe but I don't want to mix into their politics anymore."
"You may be right Flint." Though, she had mentally rehearsed declining Shih’s offer but actually doing that seemed much more difficult. She felt reluctant for reasons she couldn’t fathom on what humanity that’s still inside her.
"You know damned more than I do but I smell some problems, just be careful."
"Well I hope things go according to plan, if you hear a big explosion all bets are off and get both the Crow and the Lion out of here."
"You're kidding. Are you?"
“Yes.”
The two weeks with the crew of the Golden Lion revealed much Poa's philosophy. They were more Freedom fighters than that of pirates; their ruse in Shih's eyes is quite brilliant. Early on Shih was of that same mindset but as power, wealth and influence had changed her over the years. As far as Pirate business Poa was actually quite lenient with his disjointed tirades only a mere act. Many merchant Captains would rather be accosted by the Lion and let reputation do the rest. With military vessels largely depended on the Captain’s loyalties and or the lack of competence. No Imperial ship was ever a match to the Lion.
1Flint and Silver watched from the stern rail as the Raven steps off the gangplank followed by the newer crew mates hoisting along the body of Captain Poa. The wharf was now in good repair, cleaned up and tidy. The square situated after the wharf was also cleared of its usual freight and clutter but for a pile of wood sat where the crew of both the Golden Lion and Storm Crow had earlier made. Shih’s guards made a move to arrest Captain Sung and his crew but the Raven forcefully intervened. The guard obeyed her as they would Shih surprising enough.
3Flint ruminated, “In ways this place is like Nassau.”
Silver whispered, "And as in Nassau women always puzzle me."
Flint looked over to his friend, "That's one of the things that make them like the sea, unless you make the effort to explore the more you will know."
Silver let out a sigh, "The people sure have a different sense of honor around here."
"I think they believe in the same thing only she was put in a situation that one must lose."
The Harbor master protested the building of what appeared to be a funeral pyre. The Raven lifted her finger yet said nothing except a telling glare. The little sniveling self-important man backed away quickly as he came. From the sack she lifted the head of Captain Poa, kissed his head, and placed it at the top of his carefully laid body for all to see. A nearby trio of monks began to chant, as Captain Sung and his fellow crew lit up the pyre with their torches to bid their Captain goodbye. The monks concluded as one of them struck his gong thrice. The people cast their flowers that were meant to shower the Raven were instead thrown into the pyre for mourning. All clasped their hands together in respect to Poa. There was no cheering, no celebration, just quiet prayer.
6This was not the behavior Shih expected, the event turned into giving honor and respect to a revered man rather than celebrating the death of a villain. The crowd was subdued but respectful of Captain Poa’s last rights.
WA somber Shih steps into her garden. She sees the unmasked and unarmed Raven in a traditional silk Chinese dress watching the fish swim about the reeds of the tranquil pool. She just sat on the bench and quietly stared at the fish gathering at the near side of the pool, "I like this garden, it's quite beautiful."
Shih sat down on the bench with the Raven. She dismissed her personal guard and gently placed her hand upon hers. "You seem sad dear, what is it?"
“I found it so distasteful killing a man who only desires freedom for himself and his friends.”
John and Chang nailed Poa's testament on the public wall for the people of Quon Lu to see. A crowd immediately gathers around it. Minister Lee pushes his way through the crowd and reads the testament thoroughly and sees Captain Poa's name on the bottom. Alarmed at the contents, he reaches up to tear down the document at the protests of the crowd.
Chang intercedes, "Take this copy instead if you want it. I have more." John and Chang then carefully rested their hands on their flintlocks awaiting the Minister’s next move. Lee sneered before he and his guard took the copy, turned and stepped back through the growing hostile crowd.
3Flint stood over the Stern of the Storm Crow, and lowered his hand, "Cut the tether line!'
An axe head falls.
The line to the Golden Lion drops to the water.
Standing at its bow Captain Sung smiles, tips his hat then clasped his hands and nodded to Flint in respect.
Shih's replacement officer for the Golden Lion Captain Jir found himself and his command detail overwhelmed and thrown overboard into the sea.
The Prized Golden Lion raises its majestic sails and turns out to Sea, free.
5Shih squeezed the Raven's hand in affection, “This can be all yours, your place to rest yourself and find your Chi.”
"As much as I desire a family and place to call home, it may not be here for much longer."
"But I can still be a mother to you, it is what your heart yearns. I understand that your childhood was stolen from you and I know in your heart want some of that back."
"It is as you were."
"So we understand we share the same lives."
"But not the same choices."
"I am sorry that I've misled you."
“What is done has been done, but I am glad to hear you say that.”
"As your elder I can still teach you much."
A small smile lifted the corner of her dark lips, "I am almost three hundred years old and yet I still cannot fathom all what needs be known. In that time I've seen many friends die and I grow weary of deaths of more friends. Rest is but a fleeting fancy for me. Immortality is a curse of its own. My path takes me elsewhere the heavens lead me."
Shih stared at her in almost disbelief for what seem like long minutes until her facial features softened once again, "No matter. It is Regrettable and I have already named you as Ching Ha Peng,"
It had a cheerful quality and yet if enunciated slightly different it would mean ‘Dark Fruit’. The Raven nodded at the gesture, "That is a fine name. I like that."
4Shih’s eyes almost pleaded, "Please stay to be my daughter, the people of Quon Lu would need your leadership."
Raven focused away from Shih’s eyes, "I have seen what power can do to those with the best intentions and you chose to abuse it. The people wish to be free and now the Emperor offers an amnesty and make amends for his ancestor’s past. I cannot guarantee for certain that his descendant will be the same but it’s what your people want." The Raven gently squeezed Shih's hand in return, "You already know your power over Quon Lu is tenuous at best, will you do what is right for the people of Quon Lu?" With that the Raven placed a small scroll in Shih's hand.
She opens the scroll and sees the Emperor's seal, the terms we're more than reasonable.
'…therefore all will be allowed to keep their wealth, assets, and weapons so long she and the pirate council cede their power and authority of Quon Lu and the outlying regions. Only resisters will be killed or executed. Only peaceful people will be spared and pardons be granted. An office to deal with transitional issues with the new government and will be immediately establish by publicly elected representatives from Quon Lu.'.
The message ends with the Emperor's name and Imperial seal.
"Wealth, assets, and weapons.... " And that implied full citizenship rights! “How did you manage to negotiate this?" Shih stood up from the bench and gazed over the wall and city skyline at the tranquil mountains at the other side of the straight. "From a poor fishing village I built this city relying on my wit and effort; I am especially not endowed with skills and abilities as you have."
3"And I admire that accomplishment. I wish you had made different choices than I would. I cannot stop what Poa had already started. From what I have gathered you did have that vision of freedom, independence and liberty. Your people felt that that has changed from your original goal. I understand Leadership is not easy, you may be able to buy it but for a short time. But the people must want to follow you, your original vision of freedom. It is not just the skills and abilities but the desire for freedom that drive it.”
Shih wrestled in her thoughts for a few minutes more, a few deep breaths. She tossed a handful of grain into the pool as it came alive with the frenzy of feeding gold fish. “You are right and I forgot what it is like to be truly free; I created my own prison. I admit my mistake Ha Peng?” Shih then stared upward, “I’m sorry Poa, forgive me.”
The Raven giggled, “Then consider me as your absent daughter.”
“When all is said and done I can perhaps move back to Macau and open up a humble legitimate business.”
“Macau? Then it may even give me good reason visit to you again”
“Even when I retire from this I cannot vouch for what the other Captains will do, many are unwilling to cede any of the power that I have granted them.”
“That would be unfortunate as they will eventually be swept aside by the Jaiqing Emperor and his Portuguese allies, please just be out of the way when they do, I saw to help as much as I can.”
The voices of two familiar men reverberated just outside the wall. “Madam Shih, Madam Shih!” Both Jir and Lee burst into the garden and falling to their knees before the Pirate Queen. “We have trouble!”
Shih straightened to face them, “Why do you disturb us? And why are you all wet Captain Jir?
R“Et lux in tenebris to serve laboro, sum sicarius” “I work in the shadows to serve the Light, I am an Assassin”
Dang... a wonderful, once in a lifetime time of 300 years that Raven will finally have a real family...
Sometimes it is difficult to understand the motivations of people. Many of my friends wonder why I remain unattached despite the many opportunities and suitors and proposals. Soon I will be as old as Raven... but my thoughts are not the thoughts of others. I think I understand Raven.
History does record Ching Shih having a Daughter though remains .....unnamed.
So many different reasons in our up bringing factor into building a nurturing relationship with others whether its professional, familial, or other come into play as we how we fulfill them, how we cope with loss, and hope on our preconceived expectations. So Complicated. Raven tries to keep things at a professional level. Getting too involved may get into the feelings that hurt most, dealing with loss. Gold and Silver can be replaced. Friends and family can't.
I think that what is most difficult for me personally is dealing with the pain and hurt that I might cause someone.
Hi kerrislravenhill,
Visit curiesteem.com or join the Curie Discord community to learn more.
Thank you for actually reading this. I know this isn't really everyone's cup of tea but it's what I like to do and your timely acknowledgment encourages me to press on even in recent times when I felt like backing out and spending what little free time I have on other more productive pursuits.
Congratulations @kerrislravenhill! You have completed the following achievement on the Steem blockchain and have been rewarded with new badge(s) :
Click here to view your Board
If you no longer want to receive notifications, reply to this comment with the word
STOPAnother very well written piece Kerris. You are in the wrong profession.
This episode didn't come easy that's for sure, Thanks @silverD510.
The adventure continues on :D. I always have admiration for people who make long project. It takes a lot of dedication and willpower to keep on going.
Congrats for the curie vote :).
This started back in summer 2016 I began spinning fictional Pirate yarns about every piece of Pirate silver I collected from the Silver stacking community. I have fond memories playing pirate as a child, and my kids think i'm crazy reliving those days. One day I may put it all together in a Coffee table book, definitely no pop up version. Always liked epic story lines, Mangas like One Piece, Bleach, Naruto etc that seem to go on forever and I am amazed at the depths of those creative geniuses.
Grateful @kerrislravenhill for You being a Staple on #PirateSunday
Just pulling my share of the load Sir, carrying on.
Yo ho! liking that Mutiny Metal bar! Keep your powder dry and your sword sharpened.
And Kevin (Mutiny Metals) has just put out some beautiful 'Pirate' Crowns and half crowns I'm on to these babies!
I love your story and as I was reading, I imagined myself as them and I found myself in the joyful mood till the end. I wait to read more from you soon
Ching Shih was a real Pirate Leader and folk hero, was quite successful but eventually defeated. It's fun to imagine meeting these characters of those times and explore the cultures and values. I'm working around historical facts but there is not much in any records on the politics of its leaders members within the Red Flag Fleet.
Wooaw...... Great one there
Posted using Partiko Android