"You look like you could use a drink, Captain."

You turn to see Victoria, your first mate. Her purple hair is tied back in a ponytail. It always seemed to be tied a little towards the left side of her head. The thought came up to question why, but you've learned from experience not to question a woman on her hairstyle.

"Way ahead of you, V," you say raising your cup from the bar top for emphasis.

"I'll have what he's having," she addresses towards the bartender.

"Got any news on The Sanguine?" you ask.

"Yeah, boss, and it's not good. Procter is working on the repairs now. He said we might need the hull replaced."

"I sure hope not," you reply.

"We've been through worse, Cap," Victoria replies.

You take another sip from your cup. The latest job smuggling cargo for an English merchant paid well, but the damage sustained fleeing from a Spanish Galleon could very well cost the entire payout, or worse, put you in the hole. The wizard on board the Galleon hit The Sanguine with more than a few nasty spells. If Victoria didn't fire back with a perfectly aimed fire bolt, the entire ship might be at the bottom of the Caribbean.

"I sent Freddy to find us some work," you say to Victoria. "Did he come back with anything?"

"Nothing yet," she replies. "Although knowing Freddy, he probably got distracted by the nearest gambling hole."

"He always comes through in the end, despite his tendencies," you reply.

"What's next for you, Cap?" Victoria asks.

You finish the cup and slam it back down on the bar top. Sunlight pours into the poorly lit building through several open windows creating rectangular beams of yellow. You're reminded of the Caribbean heat each time a wave of warm air floods in. Your crew had certainly seen better days. The last three ships you targeted weren't carrying anything substantial. Your most recent job would have been a huge payday if not for the Galleon's attack. At least you managed to escape alive and with most of your crew. Victoria's former life as naval mage certainly came in handy there.

"Cap?"

"Sorry, V. I must have zoned out for a second. My plan is to..."

You look for Freddy

"…look for Freddy. No telling what he's got himself into this time."

"A wise decision, Captain."

You flip a few coins to the bar and take your leave. The sudden sunlight in contrast to the dimly-lit tavern assaults your vision. You tip the point of your tricorn hat a bit lower to protect your eyes. The tavern is one of many upon a windy, sloped path. You pass by several street shops lining the cobbled pathway. A group of expressionless soldiers march by and receive a smile and tip of your hat. Tension between Nassau and the English occupation was at an all-time high. The governor's hold over the city had been steadily declining for years. Criminal activity only escalated with the diminishing control. Still, the English possessed the best firepower and wizards in their employ.

Eventually you end up at a table underneath a covered patio. The entire overhang is covered with a green ivy. Three men sit at the table along with a crowd eagerly huddled around the players. You see Freddy in the middle always with a perfectly trimmed goatee. You never know how he finds the time, especially at sea, to trim each hair to the exact desired length. He holds his cup of dice with the usual several rings upon his fingers.

"Not your lucky day, is it Freddy?" one man at the table speaks.

"No one can lose this many times in a row," he replies. "My luck's about to change… and your coin purse is about to get lighter."

"Ha-ha, you've already lost several months of wages," the other man chimes in. "Pretty soon you'll be putting those fancy rings on the table."

"Done," Freddy replies taking a ring from each pointer finger.

"Call," both his opponents say simultaneously and push their coin piles forward much to the amusement of the crowd.

The three players shake their cups, rolling their dice, and slam the cups upside-down on the table. Then, they carefully peak underneath to see the result being careful not to let their opponent see.

"Four fours," one man speaks.

"Five fours," the other one bets.

"Eight fours," Freddy says. The crowd gasps at the sudden increase and start placing side bets with one another.

"You mad dog, no way there's that many," the man to his left speaks.

"Call me a liar then," Freddy challenges.

"Liar."

Freddy's two opponents remove their cups revealing their rolled dice. Between the two of them, they have three fours.

"Ha-ha-ha it's still not your day, Freddy!"

Freddy lifts his cup to reveal his roll. Each of the five dice shows a four. The crowd roars, threatening to riot. Freddy's opponents stand up and knock their chairs to the ground in fury.

"There's no way you could roll that without cheating."

"Looks like my luck's finally turned around. Thanks for the game, gentlemen," Freddy says. Noticing you, he gets up to greet you.

"Captain, there you are! I was getting to know the locals," Freddy says. Quieter he adds on with a wink, "and they don't have quick eyes."

"Yeah, well, they have quick feet," you say pointing towards the table. As Freddy rose to greet you, his two opponents had taken their coin back and run off.

"Damn, and we still had several more rounds to play. Anyway, I bet you're here wondering about potential work. Don't worry, I didn't blow it off. I found us something and it could be big."

"What's the job?" you ask.

"You heard of Woodes Rogers?" he asks. Seeing you nod he adds on, "I ran into his man, Dampier. They're in the market for a captain; a captain who's lived a life of danger and romance. One who all captains dream about becoming. I told him if I find anyone like that, I'd tell him."

Narrowing your eyes you reply, "Very amusing. What really happened?"

"Ha. They are looking for a ship. The job is very hush-hush at this point. You're supposed to meet him tonight at his estate."

"I suppose we don't have much of a choice. We need money and a lot more than you were just playing for. I'll meet with Rogers tonight."
"If you need me, I'll be here," Freddy replies. Turning back towards the crowd, he shouts, "Alright, who's next?"