Helen Hollick’s SEA WITCH VOYAGES series
is a pirate-based adventure fantasy. A fine blend of Sharpe, Hornblower and
Indiana Jones all stowed on one fine three-mast square rig
.
As one reviewer (the noted historical fiction author, Sharon Kay Penman) states so to the point:
"In the sexiest pirate contest,
Captain Jesamiah Acorne gives Johnny Depp's Jack Sparrow a run for his money."
I happen to know how much author Helen
Hollick adores her handsome pirate; a charming rogue who is tough to dislike
even by landlubbers.
So, in
order to dig a little deeper into his psyche, I asked to be allowed onboard the Sea Witch to speak with Jesamiah Acorne himself - knowing full well he is prone to fib a little when it suits his cause. (Laugh from Helen… “A
little? That’s an understatement!”)
*
Me (trying
to keep my stomach from shaming me even though the Sea Witch lies at anchor):
“Jesamiah,
in your fourth voyage, Ripples In The Sand, Tiola, the love of your life, must resort to her secret powers
to save you both from doom and death. Is she still part of this new, fifth
venture of yours, On The Account?”
Jesamiah (his fierce
countenance suddenly softening):
“What? I’d
sail without her? Never! Well, probably never. Assuming she wants to come with
me, of course. I get the feeling she could cheerfully drown me sometimes (grin).
I’d probably deserve it! Sometimes. I do have some doubts during my latest
Voyage though (On The Account). Jealous doubts. Tiola’s a beautiful woman and
I’m not too keen on her over-friendliness to someone who joins us aboard Sea Witch - that’s the other love of my
life: my ship.”
Me: “Ah, yes,
of course: Your beloved Sea Witch.” (If I let him, he’ll be giving me a lot of
bilge talk. So, I quickly try to change the subject back to the purpose of my
interview.)
“Now, you
don’t have to answer this. But with the relentless sea and your even more
unrelenting enemies, do you regret having given up your piratical ways? Now,
don’t bristle! You know, at heart you are a bona fide pirate. One with some
scruples, I admit. Still, you did prey on innocent merchant ships plying the
Caribbean, cheating them out of making an honest living, sometimes having sent them
to a watery grave.”
Jesamiah (scowling):
“No not
me…. I wouldn’t do that….I might steal a few things, a hold full of rum kegs,
gold and silver from the Spanish, some rum, hogsheads of tobacco… did I mention
rum? Us seafaring Brethren of the Coast we got a bad name because of scoundrels
like Blackbeard and Charles Vane. We’re just honest seafarers trying to make an
honest living stealing things from those overladen merchants. Doing ‘em a
favour really. They’re such poor sailors most of ‘em would never make it across
the Atlantic. We help ‘em out by lightening their load.
“Did you know
most pirates don’t want a fight? When we’re on a Chase we make a lot of noise,
shouting, firing our cannons and pistols, waving our cutlasses and all that, but
most of it is bluster. If the Prize surrenders peacefully, we liberate their
cargo and sail off. No one gets hurt. Least of all us. I suppose not all
pirates are like this though. There are a few vicious ones.
“A rich
Moghul ship was plundered in the Araby sea a few years ago now. On its way to
Mecca, carryin’ the Sultan’s family (or whatever he was called.) His wives,
daughters, grandmother, mother, aunts… The men were brutally killed, the women,
even the old and young were repeatedly violated. Those who weren’t slaughtered
killed themselves as the Muslim women regard it as a sin to be touched in that
way by a man who ain’t their ‘usband. I don’t ‘old with that sort of piracy.
Men, sailors, aye, they know what to expect, know how to fight back, but women
and children? No, I don’t ‘old with that…
“I guess
those rich, fat merchants sitting on their rumps in their fancy ‘ouses don’t
approve of any of us though. They ain’t got no sympathy for ordinary folk,
specially not for the poor. Did you know these pompous asses even hang women
and children for as a little as poachin’ a rabbit or stealing a loaf of bread? Black
Africans are forced into slavery, a woman can be stripped naked and flogged in
public for adultery (nothing happens to the men – so far as I knew its takes
two to …. well, you know). It’s a tough life in the early eighteenth century.
You take what you can, give nothing back.
“As it
happens, I do return to piracy in On The Account. But for a very good
reason – some Barbary pirate scumbags kidnapped my wife…”
Me: “That’s
terrible. But for now, I must ask
you to calm down, young man. I didn’t mean to offend. You see, none of your
loyal followers want to have you meet an untimely death. Promise us you’ll not
take undue chances, even now fighting for justice.”
Jesamiah (laughs):
“I’m not that
keen on an untimely death m’self! But what do you mean ‘young
man’? That’s downright condescending, Madam. I am a Captain. And I’ll be six and twenty on my next birthday, Fourth December 1719. Presents accepted. Rum preferably.”
Me: “All
right, Captain. Just leave your cutlass where it is. You’ve been very
forthcoming with me.”
(I notice
he fidgets, his eyes roam up the spars, then down to his furled sails, with a
nod here and there to the motly crew standing by). I sigh, “The Sea Witch is dancing around her anchor
rode like a cobbled horse, and your nose is twitching like a bloodhound’s on a
fresh scent. I realize it’s time to let you go, Jesamiah Acorne, you inimitable
handsome rogue. Godspeed, and may you sail straight into the hearts of those
who love you.”
Jesamiah: “Thank ‘ee kindly ma’am. Yes, it’s time for you to leave.”
(Touches hat,
gives a slight bow).
“I’ve got to
set sail for my next adventure – or at least I have to supervise the Wench
writing it. I’m a tad concerned as the sixth Voyage is to be called Gallows
Wake…. “
(loosens
uncomfortable cravat…. Walks off shouting orders to the crew to prepare to
weigh anchor….)
* * *
He leaves me standing
on his deck like an empty keg of rum and motions to a sailor who pushes me not too
gently toward the entry port where a swinging rope ladder dangles. It hadn’t
seemed that high when I clawed my way up just an hour ago. To gather up my
courage, I take a last glance back at Jesamiah. He was making his way up to the
wheel swaggering a bit as if to balance himself against the swell. I knew it
was to show off his youth and his strength to this meddlin’ old gal. Somehow
though, I feel I will meet up with him again; unless I broke my neck slithering down the slimy ladder into the waiting skiff.
“Goodspeed, Captain
Jesamiah Acorne; may you be in time to save Tiola, and yourself.”
* * *
In case you missed the
previous four books, they are:
Voyage One - SEA WITCH (also available for Kindle in Italian)
Voyage Two - PIRATE CODE
Voyage Three - BRING IT CLOSE
Voyage Four - RIPPLES IN THE SAND
