Black Seas

Black Seas is a fictional adventure novella set in the early 18th century, during the Golden Age of Piracy, written by German-American amateur author Judith J. Theisen. The story is heavily inspired by Jerry Bruckheimer’s Pirates of the Caribbean film franchise based off of a Walt Disney theme park ride. However, Black Seas is based more in realistic and factual representations of life at the time the story takes place, despite depictions of legends and magic.

The story takes place from shifting perspectives, mainly the protagonists’.

Plot Summary
The story takes place over the course of several months as Captain William Vincent and his crew aboard The Crimson Rose attempt to, overall, become noticed by the mysterious and powerful Council of Crows.

In January of 1715, young pirate captain of little notoriety William Vincent arrives in Port Royal. Once there, he is greeted by longtime friend and only female Royal British Navy officer Annalise Cutler, whom is simply called Ann. Ann takes William to free his arrested first mate Richard Gibson, and set off to meet with William’s lover Elise. William manages to convince Elise to come with them on yet another journey.

During this encounter, Ann runs off to meet with Samuel Swann, son of deceased but reknowned French trader Cyrille Caste Swann. Ann takes Samuel to his meeting with ruthless Commodore Ingle. However, Samuel largely distrusts Ingle and his trading company. It is during their awkward meeting that Samuel is told Ingle instead wishes to see Russian trader Spartak Morovich. Samuel leaves for town afterward.

Some time after Samuel and Ingle’s meeting, it is discovered by the Port Royal garrison that William had been there hours before, and that an officer had let him on the island. Before long, it’s also discovered that this was Ann’s doing, and Ingle demands she be executed. Ann escapes the island aboard Samuel’s ship, the HMS Solace.

William and Ann both arrive at Tortuga, and the crews of The Crimson Rose and the HMS Solace meet. William talks with Samuel and convinces him to come with them on a journey to Isla de la Desesperación, to find the treasure Gibson and his previous crew of Spaniards hid on the tropical island. Infamous female pirate captain Scarlett Amelia appears to also be on the same journey, but William notices she hasn’t already fired on them. Both crews arrive at Isla de la Desesperación, where it is announced Amelia was following The Crimson Rose.

During the expedition, Amelia’s crew hosts a failed mutiny, after which Samuel is sent to retrieve Gibson’s treasure and nearly falls to his death in the process.