Amelia Koch
| Name: | Amelia Koch |
| Location: | The House |
| Rank: | Wench |
Noted Favors and Awards
Biography
I was born in Stuttgart, Germany. When I was only three years old my mother moved us to Essen, Germany. My mother told me that we moved because my father was trying to kill me because he didn’t want a child. Life was quiet until I was nine years old; my mother got incredibly ill. We couldn’t afford for a doctor to come and see to her. I soon learned how to cook, clean, take care of myself and my mother, and I was already working when I turned ten. My mom withered away little by little. She couldn’t walk, she had a hard time breathing, she was coughing up blood, and so much more. She soon died two years after she first had signs of her illness. I was twelve years old when she died. I was left alone to fend for myself and try to stay alive. When I turned thirteen a man picked me up off of the streets and gave me work and a home. He ran his own butcher shop; people in the shop would call him Al. He had lost his wife in child birth and needed someone to care for his small children and help in his shop, he would soon decide to make a change in his life and move to England. I decided I had nothing left in Germany, so I agreed to join him and made my way to England. Because he was a friend to my late mother's, the terms of the contract I signed were quite generous. In exchange for my passage, I had to sign a document which indentured me to him and his family for a period of 4 years. In the mean time my food, clothing, and living expenses were paid for by Al as if I were his own child. Once we arrived in England he set up shop and we began to work. There I learned about different kinds of meat and how to cook them. He also taught me how to read and write. I was soon cooking and caring for him and his son, Alexander Jr., and his daughter Clarissa. He was my master and a father too of sorts. Even though he was harsh with me most of the time, he still cared for me like I was his own daughter. Alexander on the other hand was very sweet and generous in offering me help. Al soon gave me the name Amelia (which in German is “work”) and my last name was changed to the same as his and his son’s, Koch (cook). I soon turned sixteen and Al gave me some extra cash to go out on my own and travel around to figure out what I really wanted to do with myself. Alexander gave me a set of my own knives that shined like diamonds in my hands. I was soon on my way to Paris, France hoping to find someone that would take me to work as their apprentice chef. I traveled by carriage, I walked; sometimes someone was nice enough to give me a horse. I had enough money for the ship cost but little else. When I got to Paris it was almost my 17th birthday. I looked around the city hoping to find someone who would take me in, but everywhere I went I was rejected and had several doors slammed in my face. Days went by without any results. I would sleep on the streets, sleeping with all my belongings in my arms. I would buy food with the little money Al had given me, that was left after my voyage from England. I was walking through town half starved and extremely thirsty when finally I found a kind gentleman who was willing to take a chance on me, Henry. I spent two years in his care and apprenticed under him refining my cooking skills. Sadly one day shortly after my 19th birthday I found out that Henry was to be taken prisoner and scheduled to be hanged for crimes against the King. I knew these were hollow accusations but there was no way to prove his innocence. If I went back to his home I would also be taken prisoner. I had to leave immediately. I sold what I could and decided to return to England and then for no reason at all I made my way to Wales, there I was once again with no home no family and half starved. I had over heard two people talking about looking for people to join their crew. They split up and this man walked by me and gave me one look and outstretched his hand to mine. He looked at me and smiled. I wasn’t sure what to do so I took his hand, hoping that he wasn’t going to try and kill me or something. He started talking to me in this language I didn’t quite understand. I told him in German that I didn’t know what he was saying. He smiled again and started talking again but this time I understood what he was saying. “Why aren’t you a half starved little thing,” he said chuckling. He pulled me up so I was standing. He looked at me with a stern look and then walked around me. I wasn’t sure what he was doing but I just stood there. He was now again standing in front of me and looked me in the eyes. He looked down and saw that I had a knife set in my arms. “Are you a cook?” I shook my head in agreement not knowing what else to do at the time. “I am looking for a few shipmates would you care to join me and my crew in our voyages and cook for the crew?” I stood there for a moment wondering if I should or not. I looked up at the old man, “I would be delighted since there’s nothing here for me.” He stood up straight, ”GREAT! I am called Captain Morgan, Captain David Morgan to be exact, but you can call me Captain Morgan. Here I will show you the way to the ship and you can go ahead and make yourself comfortable in the cook’s quarters.” I turned around and grabbed my remaining money and belongings and followed Captain Morgan to his ship. When we got there I almost dropped my things in amazement in how beautiful his ship was. It was black with a crimson red trimming. There were gold railings, and the sails were as red and dark as blood. There were men running around getting prepared for Morgan’s arrival. They all stood in an orderly fashion, well sort of. Most of them were very young and shabby looking. Captain Morgan began ascending to the ship and waited for me to come aboard. I hurried to his side not knowing what I was getting myself into. He turned to his men and again starting talking in a language that I did not understand. He turned to me and smiled and introduced me to everyone on the ship. His first mate was a woman that stood proudly in front of them. They called her Mistress Blade. There was another woman next to her who was the Quartermaster she was called Tempest Stormbringer. They both stood proudly and once we went down under the deck footsteps could be heard above us running around trying to finish getting ready to leave. We got down to the cook’s quarters and I soon settled in nice and comfy. Captain Morgan left me to make arrangements in the cabin. I was soon finding myself organizing everything and soon I had everything where I wanted it to be. The cabin was a lot bigger after organizing everything. I was able to find a bed behind everything. I soon went up on deck and we were just sailing away from Wales. That was the last time I felt like an orphan, now I have a family, strange as they may be. I soon learned how to speak English properly and could communicate with everyone on board. And ever since I have been sailing with Captain Morgan and it’s nothing like I’ve ever experienced.
