Stockholm Harbour

I had docked my ship at the port in Stockholm, as this was my next destination for a raid. I had heard that the Swedish were quite wealthy and had many women and children that could be great servants to me as well as fetching me a healthy profit. I had summoned my most trusted guard and lover Adrian to me.

We had finally arrived in Stockholm and Captain Smith had docked the Golden Swan in it's port when I learnt that she had summoned me to her cabin. I went there at once and I entered and spoke to her.

"You summoned me Captain?

I looked up as my loyal friend Adrian had entered my cabin.

"Adrian, this port town is perfect for our next raid, it is said that many a rich sailor lives here with their wives and children. I want you to attack the town and bring me all their coin and jewels, remember that we can profit greatly from the spoils here to and I can sell on the women and children for a healthy price here. We shall split the profits between us 70%-30%, is that good enough?

Before I left the celebration I went to speak to my father. I saw that he has a new wife. So I spoke with her as well. I said good evening to everyone. I also let my father know that I was invited to the King and Queen's private residence. I left and got into the carriage the King had for me. We started our way when I saw that there was a ship in the harbor. There women and children being bound and put aboard the vessel. The closer I got to the harbor the men attacked the carriage. The men grabbed me and bound my hands. . What are you doing I demand to speak to the person responsible for this outrageous action.

I looked at Adrian before giving my response.

"Should you encounter any guards, Adrian, then deal with them the way that we always do. Eliminate them. Make sure that you tie the hands of the women and children too.

I nodded my head to Abigail and ordered the men to grab their swords.
We disembarked from the ship and began to ransack the village, looting gold, jewels and even the women and children. I had the men bind their hands as they were taken to Abigail's ship where we would get a healthy price for them.

As I raided a wealthy house, the owner, a wealthy merchant got in my way so I killed him with one blow. We were just about done with the raid as I noticed a carriage approach, the carriage looked very wealthy indeed. A lady got out of the carriage and started shouting towards me. I could tell that she was of nobility from what she was wearing. She was demanding to see who was in charge.

I finished the raid by burning the village and as the lady approached I held my sword to her throat.
"You want to see who is in charge lady, then I will take you to Captain Smith. You are going to fetch a nice price". I said to her as I got out rope and tightly bound her hands in front of her. As she was clearly of noble blood, Abigail demanded that all nobles had bags over their heads and so I placed a bag over her head and then escorted her towards the ship.

I was on the deck on my ship looking out towards the burning port village very satisfied with Adrian's work.
He had brought me many women and children too, which would fetch a good market when sold to traders.
I could see Adrian approaching with a lady, whom had a bag over her head so it must have been one of noble blood. I look towards him then away again waiting for his arrival thinking to myself."A noble lady, a handsome price can be made with a ransom for one with her blood

     Do you really think that you scare me.   Pointing that sword at me.  I have been around swords all of my life.   So believe me I am not afraid of you.   Take me to the one who is your boss.  Look at what you are doing.   You killed this man for defending his home. Then you burn down the village.    I realize that they want to sell us.  I know that the King Gustav and the other royal families have now been told what is happening.   I just hope that I can stall these individuals until they get here.  I am sure that it will be soon.

I could not help but laugh at this woman was saying. She really did think that she was above me.

"You have a mouth on you lady. I will take you to see Captain Smith. The man that you speak of impeded us in our path and refused to give up his goods so he got what was coming to him anyway. A wealthy merchant like him, well his daughter should do well for us. Now enough of your talk, you are going to see my boss and in doing so i am now going to cover your head until we arrive. He says placing a bag over Katherine head as they approached the ship.

I returned to my cabin and waited for Adrian as the prisoners were all brought on board and placed in a cell below deck where they would remain until sale time.

I began to split the profits of our loot between myself and Adrian, there were crowns, coins, jewels and even made sure that the split was as agreed. I looked at my map for the next port where I could begin my sale of the prisoners. I would not however sell the noble until I got to the much richer ports.

I could hear Adrian coming onto the ship with the prisoner and so waited for them to join me in my cabin.

I looked at Adrian he seemed like he could have been a good person.   I must say that he is a handsome man.     He deserved to die because you wanted what he had and did not want to give it to you freely.   Why should he have.   You did not deserve it.  You did not work honestly for it.  You took what did not belong to you.   Then turn a profit on selling people. I thought what he have done if someone had done this to him.   I am sickened by what I was seeing.   I hope that the Majesties will find us

I would not listen to any more of what this woman was saying. I knew that she was just doing it to try and get me to release her, but that would never work.

We approached the ship and I boarded with her and helped her up the steps and down into Abigail's cabin as she had her head covered and could not see.

"Abigail, I caught this lady too. She was travelling in a very nice carriage and seems to be very wealthy too. She tried to interrupt me as we were raiding, but we caught her and she demanded to speak to the person in charge of the whole operation. She does not shut up either. We should leave now.

I looked at the one he called Captain. She was tall and she is a beautiful woman and had a strong presence about her but I was determined not to show her any fear although I was quite scared. . What gives you the right to drag me here along with these poor people. We are not your property to sell. Exactly who do you think you are to terrorize us and burn down the village.

After the way I spoke to her I could not believe the words that were coming from my mouth. I was scared and angry at the way these criminals were treating all of us. How dare they come to this country and pillage and burn was not theirs. They had no right to take these people's property but they did not care and what is worse they plan to sell us all to the highest bidder like cattle. I was sicken at the thought of what fate waits for these poor people and myself.

I could not believe the way that this woman was speaking to me. She was in no position to question me at all. She was lucky I did not draw my sword and cut her.

"You have quite the mouth on you, young lady. What I do and how we do it is none of your business. If you have suffered what I have been through you would understand. Your said town is not the first I have raided for as pirates, we go as and do as we please.

I have some very nice buyers in a port not far from here, in search of servants and maids and I get paid a lot of gold, besides you are in no position to negotiate with me. Tell me, as you like to talk so much, who are you? You must be of high rank and from French Court, I would say looking at the jewels and fashion you wear.

I will be taking those jewels from you too. You are the one who wanted to speak with me and give me one good reason why I should not sell you like the others, for you would fetch me a very nice price. I say to her as I could see fear in her eyes even though she refused to show it.

I was informed that she had kicked two of my crew on her way up the stairs following a struggle. I looked towards Adrian.

"Adrian, you told me that she has kicked some of my crew, in that case, when we are finished talking here, make sure that her feet are bound too.

I am not sure that I should answer this woman's question what if she needed who I was being a Tudor. She will surely have help me killed or worse yet a prisoner. For my father was not always a good person to the likes of her. But if I do not tell her she will try to get it out of me anyway.   . I am Katherine Elizabeth Tudor. I am truly sorry for the pains you went through and what happened in the past does not necessarily have to infringe on your present. You can have my jewelry for it is not worth my life and I know it is not my business what you do or not do it is my business that you do not have to do it, especially to these people. Would you want someone to come and steal from you and then burn down your home? I don't think you would so why do you do this to others. You have no real reason except for your greed and we all have to pay for that. You don't have to bind my feet will not try to run you hate my words and I always keep my promises.

I looked at her as she answered my question.

"Well, well a Tudor, any relation to Henry VIII of England? You will not speak to me of my past, things happened and I was left with nothing and now I finally have something.

I have decided not to sell you for I have something special in mind for you. Tell me, if you say you are a Tudor then why do you wear French jewels and clothing? I say as I look to my crew.

"Raise the anchor we sail for the port at once, keep this prisoner here in my cabin, but sit her on the floor and bind her feet" I say as Adrian comes with more rope and sits Katherine down and tightly binds her feet.

I am not sure if I wanted to tell her.  But how many people have the last name of Tudor. .      I do not know who my mother is but, yes King Henry is my father.  I grew up in France.  I am in Sweden at the behest of the King of France, Francis I.  May I ask who you are?.

I looked at her and then she mentioned that she was the daughter of King Henry VIII. I could not bare what that man did to me and I did not like talking about him.

"Must be quite important for King Francis to have sent you in his place to Sweden. I have heard of the marriage here in Sweden, everyone has. I am Abigail and leader and Captain of this wonderful ship. Now because you attacked my crew you will have your feet bound together until I say otherwise, do you understand? I say to her as the anchor is raised and then I look at Adrian.

"Adrian, set course for the port where we shall present the women and children, but Katherine here will not be presented there as she is to come with us to the island.

I looked up at Abigail as I finished tying Katherine's feet.

"I will tell the men to set the course for the port. We should perhaps look at the map soon Abigail, to have a look at which ports we should attack next, do you not agree?

I looked at Abigail and Adrian.   Both my hands and feet are bound and I sit on the floor .     .     Madam, is it necessary for you to sell the children.  Please,  I beg you,  do not do this.  You have already taken everything from them and now you will take away their freedom. Turn them into slaves and property.  Let the people be saved from this especially the children.

I looked at Adrian.

"Adrian, you are right, we should look at the maps and work out our next plan of attack, perhaps the Danish ports could be next. I say to him as I look at Katherine again.

I thought about what she had just said for a moment.
"What you suggest I might consider, but these people will become my slaves and property if that is to be the case. You yourself may well prove to be a useful slave for me. I will think on it.

I can not believe that she is that devoid of feeling.  I am asking for the people be free and not in her cold grasp.  I see that she is cruel and without feeling. .     What is to become of us if I am the victor If I win this contest will you release us all.

I looked at Katherine as she spoke and I wanted to see if she really was my daughter. If she was then she would win this fight even with the hands bound.

"You will fight my pirate Maria in sword combat, if you defeat and disarm her then all the prisoners will be released. However, should you lose this fight then all prisoners will be sold to the highest bidder and turned into slaves.

You will fight her however your hands are to be tied behind your back during the fight, is that clear?