The Dutch colors were flying high above the topsail as the Blind Lady cut through the azure tropical sea.  Captain Maxwell Hartwell stood at the wheel, barking orders to a colorful assortment of men and women he called a crew. The lookouts had spotted a large merchant galleon sailing low in the water and right off the stern.  The Blind Lady’s crew were trimming her sails short and bringing her around to the portside.  They’d catch the fat prize quickly while her crew stared into the setting sun.  It would be quick and deadly work.

“What’s she flying Shanks?” The captain called out.  Up in the crow’s nest was a large assortment of flags from various nations and companies, trophies from the Blind Lady’s numerous victory’s at sea.  

“Can’t tell from her cap’n! But she’s packin’ at least sixteen guns!”  The lookout shouted down.

“Don’t worry about that, we’ll keep them guessing at our game until we can wrap the noose around their necks.  Yuri!  Bring up the smoke!”  Maxwell’s face beamed with wicked pride.  His father had been in his majesty’s royal navy and had fought honorably against the French and Spanish. That honor had cost him his life.  Growing up amongst sailors and the sea, Maxwell had seen just how far honor got you in a sea full of pirates.

Yuri, the first mate brought up large barrels of thick black tar and lined them out on the deck.  Soon, dark black smoke billowed from both the fore and aft decks giving off the appearance that the Blind Lady was nearly scuttled and in bad need of assistance.  “Alright men, you know the drill.  Brawlers by the gunwalls, hooks and chains at the ready.  We’ll board them and take her before they can fire off one of those guns.  Kill any who resist, but spare those who surrender.  Remember loves, we’re not pirates, were privateers.” He said and the whole crew let out a joyful cheer in response.

────────

If you can't tell, I'm in the mood for a bit of swashbuckling and booty plundering today. I wrote the prompt in third but we can easily switch to first if you prefer. So, who will you be? A female member of the crew who thinks of her captain as something more? A passenger aboard the merchant ship about to be boarded? Or a fellow pirate captain hot on the Blind Lady's trail?