Rosalind Moore - Updated

Character and Character History of Rosalind Moore (excluding above image) is copyright Kira M Hays 2010
Permission is not given for use of said character or character history without express permission given by the author.
Use of this character and character history without said proof will result in legal action.

Rosalind Moore was a proper English lass and daughter to a wealthy merchant living near the busiest Ports. Whenever any of his ships would come into port she would eagerly greet them as her older brothers piloted the ships in her father’s fleet. They would bring back tales of pirates and far away ports and cities that bustled with rich colors, some more elaborate than their own home town. As she grew she pleaded with her mother and father to allow her to travel with one of her brothers, if only for just once.

Finally her parents relented, and just before her 18th birthday she was allowed to set sail with her oldest brother on her father’s flagship, “Still She Stands”. The voyage was uneventful, until they hit the open waters between Scotland and Norway. Pirates descended upon them and brutally attacked the ship, pilfering the contents of fabrics and leatherworks and gold and jewels that they were carrying. Rosalind tried to hide, but her squeal of fear gave her away to one pirate who crowed with triumph at finding a pretty young thing. He grabbed her and hauled her to the railing and passed her off to someone else on the crew who bound her hands and feet so that she couldn’t scratch or kick.

Rosalind feared that she would be taken into the crew quarters and taken advantage of by all of the men, but as she was hauled up to the deck slung across one crewman’s shoulder like a sack of grain, she heard a rough authoritative voice call out to the rabble. Unceremoniously she was dumped to the ground and she glared up at the man who had called out.

The face she looked up into was that of a ‘normal’ sailor, of course it was only made sinister by the black leather eye patch on one eye and the stern look on his face. “Now what do we have here?” His Scottish accent rang true as he spoke.

“An English lass Captain, probably a ‘companion’ of sorts,” one sailor leered as he reached out to paw at her cheeks. He was sent reeling back as she snapped her teeth at his fingers, an indignant growl rumbling in her throat. The captain laughed.

“I’m no trollop you disgusting man,” Rosalind said with scorn as she struggled to stand. “I’m the daughter of Armand Moore, one of the top merchants in all of England.”

“Not something to be proud of on this ship lass,” the Captain cautioned, his expression becoming darker than before. “The English have done nothing good to the Scotts lassie.” He waved to her. “Take her to the brig; let her pride stew for a night.”

He shrieks of fear and disdain echoed into the belly of the ship, even as she thrashed in vain to try to escape. With a laugh two crewmen placed her in a cell, one cutting her bounds and the other grunting in pain as she kicked his shin, shouting obscenities. As the two men walked away laughing she felt the fear set in and she curled up as far away from the front of the cell as possible and she cried herself to sleep.

She was awoken by the stomping of feet as the whole crew went on deck, and let out a startled shriek when she saw the Captain standing alongside her cell. “Have you come to ravish me sir?”

The Captain laughed, “I am probably the most civilize man upon this ship lass. Tell me, how old are ye?”

Rosalind was taken aback, “Eighteen, Sir, as of last night.”

“How would ye like to be a part of my crew lassie?” Rosalind looked at him, startled.

“Are ye mad? Your crew would eat me alive!”

The Captain shook his head. “Nay lassie, I have spare quarters away from the crew, and they know that if I tell them to leave ye alone they will.” The Captain stood and pulled out a key ring from his belt and unlocked the doors. “Lord Sir Tyrious Nathanial Hammerdown of Bruce, at yer service Miss Rosalind Moore.”

Rosalind mustered herself and stood and gave the captain a proper curtsy befitting his station. “Thank Ye Sir,” And with some trepidation she took his arm, even as she feared that she would be made to walk the plank like in her brother’s stories.

But her fears of walking the plank were unjustified and she soon became part of the crew, and proving to be one of the best and fiercest fighters. Tyrious explained to her that most pirates feared women aboard their ships because it made them seem weak. But he told her that it only made him fiercer, because women are meant to be protected. Rosalind laughed at that and reminded him how she bested every one of his top fighters.

“That is true my lass,” he would chuckle and give her a peck on the cheek in the privacy of the captain’s quarters.

For years Rosalind Moore and Tyrious sailed the seas together, making port and posing as merchants, Rosalind using her father’s influence to get them better prices even as the rest of Tyrious’s crew pillaged the rest of the stores that same night. Slowly a bond began to form between Rosalind and Tyrious and he soon promoted her to his first mate and both had to ‘deal’ with a few dissenters, but those were easily replaced.

One day Tyrious hinted to Rosalind that he was working on a gift for her. She scolded him, reminding him about how curious she was and how much she liked but yet didn’t like surprises. He chuckled and told her that it would be a good surprise, and not to worry. From then on she was banned from his workroom and being the sneaky girl that she was she tried to get in and take a peak, but Tyrious knew how she was and prevented her from seeing it.

Finally one day Tyrious snuck up behind Rosalind and tied a stripe of cloth around her head. “Quiet lassie or ye’ll walk the plank,” he growled playfully into her ear.

“Please mister pirate, I’ll give ye whatever ye wish, just not the plank please!” Rosalind mock pleaded.

“Nay lassie, t’is you who I wish to give you something,” Rosalind hummed lewdly which caused Tyrious to chuckle. “Nothing like that lass, hold out your hands.”

Rosalind was curious and excited at the same time, so she eagerly held out her hands and gently Tyrious set his gift into Rosalind’s hands. Her fingers closed around it as she felt freshly treated leather and steel caress her palms. She took in a sharp breath and lifted her head in a questioning gesture that even Tyrious could read through the blindfold that he had put on her.

“Yes Rose, you may see.” Eagerly Rosalind removed her blindfold and blinked at the change of light and then gasped at what was in her hands.

A beautiful black leather sheath shined in the lamplight framed the silver dagger perfectly and at the bottom of the sheath there were three roses embossed and painted lovingly in perfect detail. Astonished Rosalind looked up at Tyrious with amazement in her eyes.

“Tyrious, it’s beautiful! She’s beautiful!” gently she untied the leather thong and pulled out the steel, whit glinted as the flames rose high. “Where did you get her?”

“Acquired her from the last raid on the English,” Tyrious replied. “Captain didn’t want me to kill him, so I took the knife from him instead,” Rosalind just looked at him. “Lassie ye think I grow soft? I lashed the coward to the main mast and ordered the ship sunk after every bit of finery could be looted from her stern.”

Rosalind laughed and sheathed the dagger before leaping into his arms, and raining kisses on his cheeks and neck. Tyrious wrapped his arms around her and held her tight and at the last moment as she was raining kisses, turned his head and she kissed him full on the lips. The contact thrilled through them both and they froze, looking at each other.

“I’m sorry lassie, did not mean for that to happen.” Tyrious said apologetically, setting her down on the ground.

“No Tyrious, its alright,” Rosalind said, closing the distance between them. “Don’t be sorry.” Tentatively she kissed him again and the fire grew.

Tragically, unforeseen circumstances causes Tyrious and Rosalind to part ways as a terrible storm had thrown her from the ship, her only saving grace being that she was able to take shelter in a chest that had been thrown off the deck as well.  After two days of bobbing at sea she finally washed up on a strange shore, just a few yards away from a Gypsy camp.  Rosalind feared for her safety at first, but soon found that they were not what the land merchants stories had portrayed them and they brought her into their fold after she had passed their test by drinking a potion that they offered her.  When she did not die, they brought her into the fold.

It was a hard life, but full of excitement and travel.  Slowly Rosalind learned the Rom language and their dances, her trills ringing high with the best of them.  She loved the travel and the sights and sounds of each town that she went to. Slowly her past started to become only a distant memory, though the Rom did allow her to keep her knife and sheath, as they all carried some form of knife, and knew how to use it with deadly accuracy.