3. Jonto #4
Jonto stared around the room, making sure to look each man directly in the eye.
“The first part of my payment will be easy. Grant me and all of my crew pardons as far as this kingdom is concerned, ensuring that any one of us may roam your shores free from arrest or censure. Do the same for Captain Dubbin and his crew and make Dubbin and me admirals of your fleet while we’re serving your cause.
And, of course, we retain all of our ships and their crews under our control and ownership.
In addition, you’ll cede fifteen hundred acres of land, five hundred to Captain Dubbin and a thousand to me, made up of excellent grassland and forest, overlooking the ocean from one of your majestic cliffs. ”
She waited for the expected murmuring to calm down.
“Plus, these two estates will already have a manor house, barn with stables, and outbuildings ready and waiting for our arrival. Oh, and perhaps a small village or town nearby. In return, we’ll rid you of the invaders, and we’ll patrol your waters, keeping your shipping lanes safe and guarding legitimate merchant ships from marauders, other kingdoms, and any other unsavory individuals at minimal ongoing cost to your kingdom. ”
She raised her brows at the disbelieving looks on the counselor’s faces.
“In fact, once it’s known that Jonto’s fleet guards your ports, you can expect increased trade from kingdoms that are wary of entering your waters today because of increased pirate activity in the area.
” She grinned at their nervous laughter since she and her people had been the ones making many of the merchants wary of doing trade with several nearby kingdoms.
One of the King’s advisors, a handsome middle-aged man with a cleft chin, strong cheekbones, and a well-maintained body, pushed back his chair and stood. “Lord Bastion here, Captain. You say ‘at minimal cost.’ What exactly are those costs?”
“To your kingdom, nothing monetary. Our payment will come in the form of all gold, riches, and jewels we capture from any pirate vessels anywhere in the world. While there will always be ships from my fleet in this area, we won’t commit to staying here exclusively.
And as is the case now, their vessels will become the property of either Captain Dubbin or myself and will be added to our fleets.
” She stopped to emphasize her point. “Our fleets, gentlemen, flying under your colors when we’re serving your cause.
At no time, now or in the future, will our fleet become yours.
That must be explicitly written out in the contract should we come to mutually agreed upon terms.”
Bastion nodded and sat, giving way to a second counselor who’d risen and was politely waiting his turn. “I’m Lord Fitzgerald, Captain. I mean no offense by this question. However, I know it’s on the minds of many among the nobility and commoners alike.”
He waited for Jonto to nod, which she did after sitting back and resting her forearms on the arms of her chair. “Go on.”
“Very simply put, you’re pirates.”
Jonto pulled her lips off her teeth in a wolfish grin. “You won’t get an argument from me on that point, My Lord.”
After some of the uneasy chuckling died down, Fitzgerald ran a nervous finger around his collar and pulled in a calming breath before continuing.
“It’s a well-known fact that pirates rape, pillage, and burn.
If we grant you lands, pardon you and your people, and give you access to our cities, towns, and villages, what guarantee do we have that you won’t continue that practice within our borders? ”
Jonto’s eyes narrowed.
Lord Fitzgerald winced at the strength of her gaze.
“That’s an excellent question, My Lord, and this is my answer.
Yes, we’re pirates, but we’re not like those you described.
In my fleet, if any man rapes a woman or another man or forces himself in any way on another human being, they’re subject to my justice.
The same will be true whether they’re on board my ships or on land.
I’ll issue a fleetwide edict that my rules apply to…
how did you put it? No pillaging or burning, either. ”
“And what exactly is that justice?”
“I hear from both sides, and if I believe the injured party, then the guilty person is sailed out into the middle of the ocean and thrown overboard. I show no mercy, and my people understand that.”
Several brows were raised at that pronouncement.
The King glanced around the room. “Are there any more questions?” When no one spoke, the young monarch returned his attention to Lord Jonto.
“I need to discuss this with my counselors, and if we’re amenable, we’ll need to discuss what land is available and where.
I can tell you that your land will not be close to the capital city. ”
Jonto shrugged. “All the better, Your Majesty. I prefer a medium-sized town next to a port in fairly deep waters since I’ll be coming and going with my fleet. However, Captain Dubbin and I understand that our estates will most likely be in different towns and ports. We have no problem with that.”
The King stood. “Very well then. If we approve your terms, I’ll have separate contracts for you and Captain Dubbin drawn up in duplicate. You will both retain your own copies, as will we.”
And that was how Captain Jonto became an Admiral of the fleet and a member of the landed nobility halfway around the world, far, far away from her family’s lands and estates.