April 5th, 1763- Day One of The Midnight Dragon Pirate Crew’s Journey to Limitless
Fortune and Notoriety
Dearest Lenore,
I have only been a pirate for a mere seven days, yet already I find myself quite compatible with this life. I do miss you and our children, yet the tranquillity I’ve found among the gentle waves is undeniable.
I will no longer be chased by those parasitic debt collectors, nor will I be goaded by the imbeciles who frequent the Gentlemen’s Club I once thought sanctuary. Dare I say, I am gladdened by the prospect of hearing nary a discontented shriek over supper, nor the avid protest of bedtime.
I have heard your most arduous pleas for me to remain in your company. But I must say I do believe this was the greatest decision I could have made for our family. Stated plainly, the life of a scoundrel becomes me.
I was not created for dull conversation and the constant barrage of food propelled through the air at meal times. A man must never become idle; he must venture beyond what is known. If he does not hunger for adventure and bewilderment, he is no longer a man.
I have not abandoned you, rather I have saved you from a lifetime of unhappiness with a sorry old sod. Worry not for me, I assure you I am having quite the lark on these vast oceans and am well taken care of. In fact, Henry insisted his wife join us. While her cooking is not as favourable as yours, it is sufficient. As for finances regarding you and the children, rest assured once I make my fortune I will send a portion to you.
This shall not take more than a fortnight.
Regards, William Barlow
April 9th, 1763- Day Four of The Midnight Dragon Pirate Crew’s Journey to Limitless
Fortune and Notoriety
My darling Lenore,
I cannot begin to describe how tremendously I am missing your company.
The days are as long as I am discontent without you, my greatest love. I am beginning to fear that you were astute in your observation of my… deficiency of sailing knowledge.
We have not encountered a single ship during our journey. It is exceedingly difficult to pillage and plunder when there is a noticeable lack of vessels to pillage and plunder from. Moreover, I fear we have miscalculated our rations. Henry’s wife is now less of an asset and more of a burden. She may be the first we are forced to eat…
I jest. Partially. Our only option as of this morning, with no land in sight, is to try our hand at fishing. There are few pleasantries your absence brings, but if I must name one - it is that you are not here to laugh at the fools we are making of ourselves.
My crew are growing tired and hungry. Many have contracted a mysterious illness, and they are all losing patience in our expedition to untold riches. I am the captain; therefore, I must lead with dignity and decisiveness. It is with my wisdom that I have decided we shall return home as soon as possible. I am sure that in time, you will come to forgive me and eventually deem this but one of my silly failed hobbies.
Yours forever, Silly Willy.
Diary of Lord William Barlow- March 29th 1763
Tomorrow I am to set sail across the Atlantic.
Perhaps I will find the edge of the world, maybe a kraken. Lenore says I am no sailor, let alone a captain. She claims I am not knowledgeable enough to be a pirate; that I will surely lead myself and my crew to our deaths. She does not understand that death is a preferable fate to remaining in this town. Lenore has always been unreasonable, yet she has been more of a dreadful wretch these past few weeks.
I long for peace, yet my wife insists on disturbing me at every moment. Just yesterday she interrupted a rather important game of cards with men from the Gentlemen’s club. She bounded into my study, snatched the cards from my hand, and demanded I lay our children to bed. I immediately sent her away, for I could not afford to look weak in my own home with other noblemen as witness.
Regrettably, the damage had already been done. I became irate and distracted due to the disturbance. As a result, the smug bastard Lord Jarrel managed to pilfer one thousand pounds from my person.
I refuse to be further belittled in this way.
That is why I have formed a crew of my closest confidants. Henry, my dearest, albeit dull witted friend was the first to join. With Henry came his apprentice, Colin. The boy is useless in all endeavours. But my bleeding heart demanded I let him join, for without Henry he is without prospects. Thomas and Gregory were by far the easiest to convince.
All I had to do was promise unlimited alcohol.
Acquiring the ship was the most difficult feat. I had to persuade the bank to loan me the money required through offering my estate as collateral. The risk is tremendous, but I am confident that my coffers will be overflowing before the moon has completed its next cycle. Lenore will be begging for forgiveness once I send back what little treasure I deem her worthy of receiving.
Alas, I shall have to tolerate her and the incessant screaming of the children for one more night.
Freedom is within my grasp and tomorrow I can finally take it.
April 11th, 1763- Day Six of The Midnight Dragon Pirate Crew’s Journey to
Limitless Fortune and Notoriety
Lenore,
I mentioned in my previous letter that I would be returning home after having little success in my pirating exploits.
I apologise for any confusion this may have caused, for I have come to realise this was but a moment of doubt. Truth be told, I allowed your voice to run unbridled in my mind. You have always discouraged me from following my passions.
Unfortunately for you, I have rediscovered my conviction by means of a miracle. This morning, Colin, who I had the good sense of allowing onto my crew, made a remarkable sighting. A ship, about nine nautical miles to the south of us. We shall reach it in less than an hour. Once we arrive, I plan to unleash Thomas and Gregory to wreak havoc onto the unsuspecting occupants.
While this is ongoing, Henry and I will be emptying their coffers and supply stores. Colin is to be left onboard to receive all the treasure we acquire.
I am on the cusp of becoming a very wealthy man, Lenore. Soon everyone
who doubted me shall see what I am truly capable of.
Regards, William Barlow
April 11th, 1763- Day Six of The Midnight Dragon Pirate Crew’s Journey to
Limitless Fortune and Notoriety
Dear wife,
It is with deep regret and great happiness that I inform you this will be the last letter I write to you. I have fallen in love with a mermaid. This may sound like a bout of fantasy or unreality; I could not believe my eyes in the beginning myself.
She and ten of her fellow merfolk boarded our vessel early this morning claiming they could assist with our lack of resources. I was skeptical at first, however became reassured when they offered us a peculiar plant acquired during their travels.
After consuming the brown sap from within the green pod, I began to see my surroundings more clearly for I was finally satiated. All at once, the world was teeming with colour and all sorts of strange and mesmerising shapes. When I gazed upon our saviour she was no mere mortal, but an ethereal goddess of the sea.
I knew instantly that I must take her to wed.
If you saw her for yourself, Lenore, I am optimistic you would understand. I will be joining her and her people under the sea. May we meet again one glorious day in the future where we shall be glad of our diverging paths.
Goodbye for now, William Barlow
April 11th, 1763
Lenore ■■■■■■■■ mermaid ■■■■■■■■■■■■■ pirate ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■ ■■■ ■■■■■ stole ■■■■■■■■ ship ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■ drowning ■■■■■■■ mistake ■■■ forgive■■■■■■■■■
April 8th, 1763- Letter from Lenore Barlow addressed to Captain Merna-May Davenport
Dearest cousin,
I must thank you most ardently for sponsoring my family during this time of financial strain.
I was hoping to find you at the end of mass, alas you had already left the premises. I have heard from our dear friend, Liliver, that you intend to depart for the open ocean on the morrow and hope this reaches the docks before you leave us for your greatest love, the sea.
My husband fancies himself a master of the sea, despite his more than apparent lack of experience. You, however, my most wild and ostentatious cousin, were born for this life. I now find myself grateful for it, for I am in need of a favour.
Do not fret if this cannot be done, for you have already given most generously. However, I would gladly be further indebted to you. I wish for you to seek out my husband during your travels. I am wagering he not be difficult to find, as by now he would surely have given up on his exploits and decided to return home. When you do find him, please I beg that you let him drown.
I rather enjoy my newfound freedom.
Sincerely now and forever, Lenore Davenport
