The docks were a bustle of noise and activity. Ships with their tall empty masts swayed patiently on the water. The smell of rotting seaweed and fish hung heavily in the damp morning air. Simon pointed toward a large vessel with three masts, bobbing teasingly in the water, some way from the dock. “Can you see out there? That’s our ship.” Squinting against the early sun, I nodded as the great vessel came into view. It was a magnificent, sleek ship with high sides and an even higher stern. “It looks very big.” “It is a very big ship, and it’s owned by some very wealthy people.” “What is so special about the cargo?” I asked, curiosity getting the better of me. “It’s gold and jewels, stolen from the great wealth of Europe.” My mouth dropped open in shocked surprise as I stood staring at him. “Simon, what about pirates?” “What about them?” “Well, if we have a cargo that is as valuable as you say it is, surely we will be a target for pirates?” “I can’t say that they won’t be a problem to us, but that ship has seventy-odd guns.
