Pirate Queen Ching Shih and the Raven’s Skull: Part Five

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My Chinese 40 inch Da Dao War sword “Feng,” is based on the Wudhu styled broadsword. This beast is of Manganese alloyed steel meaning it’s blade is designed tough duty and quite abrasion resistant. At 3 pounds 10 oz. it is a heavy sword that wields more like a club than sword and that makes it an ideal as an anti-armor weapon as well. (An American Silver Eagle show for scale)

Pirate Silver Show and Tell

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Wicked Sick Relics Dragon 1oz .999 fine silver Limited Edition bar Looks like the Welsh Dragon too, Interesting!

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Mutiny Metals Half Oz .999 Fine Silver Bullion Pirate style Bar

Mutiny Metals on the WEB bullion products are inspired by Pirates, made in Idaho USA.
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Pirate Queen Ching Shih and the Raven’s Skull: Part Five

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The Raven made sure this Blood bar would remain safe. It's preservation was more paramount than her share of all the gold and silver aboard the Storm Crow. It will be the constant reminder and memories stemming back years now how she chanced upon Machél 'the despised'. The caravan made that fateful rest stop in the Andorran deep forest of the Pyrenees mountains that summer of 1494. How she desired the power to free herself from her master's devices, as he treated all of her traveling sisters like animals especially a child he can satisfy not only his own appetite yet still try to pass her as a virgin for silver and gold to those desperate enough. In those few days Machél taught her the Dark Ways, she remembered his tired raspy voice, "Once done then cannot be undone, you will no longer walk the 'Day' " and gave to her his herd of sheep before passing on into eternity. The sheep provided the right alibi for her time away gathering food do it won't appear fruitless in her Master's eyes. But revenge still spurred her blood hot not just upon her Master but one day upon those that betrayed and killed her family, even if took centuries.

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Flint emerged at the cabin door, "We'll be underway in two hours, did you want to see the new recruits?"
"Thank you Captain, send them in at your convenience. I hope you had a chance to enjoy yourself in Quon Lu."
Flint answered with just a broad grin.
The crew of the Storm Crow had become her family. Like many of the crew Flint had seen his share of betrayal, this stoic, by the book, former naval officer, with his career and life taken away by a single mistake. John Silver the opportunist, whisked away by a Press Gang against his will survived well with his sharp wit and tongue more than by sword.

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Having learned with Captain Avery and Jennings, the unrepentant Charles Vane simply lived by his own rules, so far not willing to share his painful past, but willing to work amicably with others to a common end. Captain Fuscetti to whom this vessel was under his former command, no longer had the stomach, by his own free will before his crew transferred his command to me before retiring to a wealthy Hero's welcome in Edo city Japan. It was certainly an unexpected turn however the Angel Diva and her hosts in the heavens determined the Raven's path. As a neophyte Captain she relied on, of all people, the ship's old cook Chang, until crossing paths with this trio of men from Nassau of the Caribbean. Recognizing his talent I made Flint the Captain to the agreement of the crew.
Everyone had a life, had a story. Despite their different styles can work together to a common goal. Yet all had a common desire, freedom.
Three Asian men filed into the cabin, the first man was excited, young, with eyes filled with glory and riches. The second was older, cautious, his callous hands accustomed to heavy labor, his head held straight and proud. And the third carried an air of arrogance and ambition.

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"Welcome aboard gentlemen. I am Tianna Mintauru, you likely heard of me as the Bloody Raven. Xuèxīng de wūyā"
"For clarity, I am not the Captain, more like a Ship's Master." She opened a small wooden chest and began to count out three stacks of ten small silver coins, the promised signing bonus. "I trust Mr. Silver to be reasonable judge of men and that you three have demonstrated to his satisfaction of your seafaring skills. You first, what is your name?" The Raven presents him an inked brush to post his name.

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"Ling, I am Meng Ling", as he scrawled an X on a space in the ledger.
"And you sir?"
"Teng Shu, Madam." Taking the brush he posts his name on the next space.
"And finally you."
"Fong Yeung."
She observed how the ring of silver lit the eyes of the new recruits. "What do you men know of Captain Poa and the Golden Lion?"

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The three men hesitated then chattered in Chinese to one another as to confer on how to answer.
"Qǐng tíng xiàlái shuō yīngyǔ , Please stop and speak in English!" Leaning back in her chair, "You are now members of this crew and everyone depends on clear chain of command. If you must speak Chinese do so at your own time and leisure. I am not like Shih."
Ling speaks up first, "Captain Poa is a good leader, fine Captain and great swordsman as I hoped to serve him one day."
Yeung objected, "He is scum I say! He commands a tough and experienced crew."
Shu then replied, "Does it matter, I have family to support." He eyed the little stacks of silver, desperate eyes, likely a family to support or heavy debts to pay.
"Shu, you are free to speak your mind, all of you do."
"I understand he is a capable and successful Captain despite the politics and rumors."
"He is only self-serving as Shih says, Shih is the 'Mother' and provides!" Says Yeung.
"Have any of you served with Captain Poa?" asked the Raven.
All three shook their heads.
"Captain Poa picks only the best crew, good fighting men too. I tried to join the Golden Lion but I was too inexperienced as a fighting man." says Ling.
The Raven's brows arched, "Sounds like the kind that attracts only the most capable men."
"Not all the time" Shu adds, "He speaks of 'the Philosophy' as he was once a Buddhist. But there is talk of ships that prefer to travel in his waters simply because he is rumored to be more lenient on captured ships in taking only enough, often sparing crew and passengers, but always ranting like a madman."
Yeung shakes his head, "A Pirate has no time and effort to waste on sentiments, that's why you will never see a rich Monk."
"I see, there seems a method to Poa's style." The Raven opens the money box again and places another two pieces of silver on Shu's stack. "I like good information to work with. Shu, I sense that your honest assessment of Poa's character ringing true."
The color drained from Ling's face, "Are we going after the Golden Lion?"
"Yes Ling as a bond to Shih, but if you are reluctant to engage the Golden Lion, you are free to depart but leave with one silver teal for your time. Any of you?"
The men looked at each other nodding their assurance to stay.
"Good, then take your silver and go settle your personal affairs and return in an hour then report to Mr Silver, your quarter master."
It still wasn't much information to go on. The conflicting details of this Pirate Captain was still much of an enigma but it was time to confront this Captain but she felt things are not as they appear to be.

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1, My own photos/pictures 2. Flint and Silver from Black Sails, Starz Entertainment 2016 3. “Ling, Shu, and Yeung” from The Pirates Live action the Movie 2015 4. Chow Yun Fat as Captain Poa/Seng from Pirates of the Caribbean At worlds end 2007W Wiki CommonsR Clip art vectors from 123RF

Previous Episodes

Pirate Queen Ching Shih and the Raven’s Skull: Part One Pirate Queen Ching Shih and the Raven’s Skull: Part Two Pirate Queen Ching Shih and the Raven’s Skull: Part Three Pirate Queen Ching Shih and the Raven’s Skull: Part Four Pirate Queen Ching Shih and the Raven’s Skull: Part Five

“Et lux in tenebris to serve laboro, sum sicarius” “I work in the shadows to serve the Light, I am an Assassin”