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You decide to interrogate the two captured pirates, to see if they'll join you instead. It seems strange, but press-ganging people on the open ocean is a good way to replace crew. Prisoners taken who aren't allowed to roam on a ship and do work are a bit of a burden, and a drain on valuable supplies.
The first man is a bit younger, not much older then when you started sailing, and joined up with the brown-sash pirates for opportunity, and was on his first voyage. While he could be lying, it seems to match up age and experience wise, he's a shoe in for easy recruitment. The older man is more difficult, and just speaks to you bluntly.
"I'll work ye sails for saltcakes and sweetwater, as the rest of them."
<span class="mu-r">"No complaints? You could get basic work for little pay on a Navy ship. I'd be safer."</span>
"I'm branded. Sides, at least pirates get an equal share, better then a boat-slave. But I'll do it."
Him having a pirate brand could be a problem if you run into naval patrols, and some ports won't welcome him. Best to keep him on board then, until you find a more permanent solution.
Finally, you arrive at <span class="mu-s">Mistress</span>. The island in the distance looks impressive and important. It's docks are filled with ships; you count at least five separate ships docked, and another on the horizon. It's always busy here, and that's on purpose. Nothing deters raiders more then ships filled with ready and horny men.
<span class="mu-s">Mistress</span> is the whore island. Everyone knows this.
From a distance, it's impressive coral structures speak to you. Coral-built buildings are much more comfortable and pretty then the ugly squat stone structures of your home island, but they require more maintenance and the expense of bones to build them up. Corals houses are for the rich, stone for the poor, earthwork for defense, and tents for the Deathless.
You dock and speak to the dockmaster, a woman. She asks for your name.
<span class="mu-r">"Captain Rich."</span>
"Hmm... I don't see you on the list. Is this your first time?"
<span class="mu-r">"Yeah... should I be on the list?"</span>
"First timers always must see the matron. She's at the top of the hill. The rest of your crew is to stay aboard in the docks until you've proven if you're civil. The matron will decide if you can stay, and what services are open to you."
<span class="mu-r">"..."</span>
Mistress is quite a strange island. Everyone on the island is a <span class="mu-s">woman</span>. The soldiers positioned on cannons facing the dock, the people walking the streets, the workers and people going about their day, all women. No men are allowed to live on this island permanently, though they can certainly visit. The only other men you see are small boys, very young, clutching their mothers and playing in the streets unknowingly. Soon they will be too old to stay here, and tearfully be forced to join one of the crews. Such is the way of things.
