Author's Note: I dearly love how the creators of Black Sail are writing the back story leading up to one of my favorite novels of all time, Treasurer Island. The rich well developed characters they have created and I can't help but have my own idea of the life of Captain Flint and Long John Silver the years before we find them in Robert Lewis Stephenson's wonderful book. So my mind went to work and I started writing my take on their lives; using not only historical events, famous pirates of the Golden Age of Piracy and the wonderful interesting characters of Black Sail. This story will follow somewhat the story line on Black Sail but we all know that Flint and John Silver have secretes and intriguing mystery about them so let's get started with my take of their lives. Hope you enjoy.
New Quartermaster
"Beautiful morning isn't it?" George Brodstock greeting his younger sister as she came into the office. "We have two ships waiting to unload and Captain Burgess is in the accounting office. I must attend to him therefore will you please oversee the off loading?"
"Delighted. Get me out of the building on such a gorgeous day." Sarah Brodstock placing some fresh picked yellow and pink flowers in a vase, all the while humming a catchy tune. Checking the schedule to see which ships were in port, she picking up a writing slate and headed to the docks. The Golden Queen was anchored and her crew was busy ferry their cargo to the docks where others were loading it on to hand wagons for a trip to the warehouse.
The year being 1715 and the thriving southern port of Charles Towne in the Carolina colonies was bustling with ships for both import and export. The Brodstock Trading Company was one of three main trading companies located in Charles Towne and today very busy. Sarah Brodstock standing on the dock, looking down the Copper River and out into the harbour watching the tall mask of several ships waiting to be loaded or unloaded and enjoying the gentle breeze blowing from the sea. Life for her was good and she takes pleasure in being useful around her brother's business. An intelligent lady and educated, she made herself indispensible to her older brother and relished in the fact she was good at day to day business of international trading. Sarah being small in frame with beautiful dancing blue/green eyes and rich dark auburn hair, she could turn the heads of many a gentlemen but preferred the company of a good book or music.
"Good morning Miss Brodstock." Quartermaster Hardy smiled at her. "We have quite a cargo today for you."
"So I see Mr. Hardy." Sarah smiling back at the weather worn but handsome quartermaster of the Golden Queen. "How was your journey this time?"
"Uneventful, downright boring I must say. The only thing of interest out of Nassau is the ongoing gossip of Captain Flint and a Spanish treasure galleon he is in search of."
"I've heard many a story of this Captain Flint almost to the point that he is not real but a figment of some over active seaman's imagination." Sarah taking stock in what is being unloaded all the while talking with Quartermaster Hardy. She love the tales of high adventure coming from the West Indies.
"Oh he is real Miss Brodstock. Very real and bigger than life. Now the man is a distinguished seaman and his skills are impressive, clever in many ways, an educated man. Why he became a pirate remains a mystery, fact he is a man of great mystery. I have met him. The sight of his ship, the Walrus if feared by many."
"Perhaps he will sail into Charles Towne harbour one day and I'll get a chance to meet this Captain Flint."
"I doubt that Miss Brodstock. He only trades with Eleanor Guthrie. They have some type of partnership or agreement between them." Mr. Hardy picking up a fallen sack of something and replacing it on the shuttle wagon. "Fact, some of your cargo today is from the Walrus."
"Yeh yes, Richard Guthrie and his daughter. They have the Bahamas under tight control and my brother has done business with them for years. What about you Mr. Hardy, ever want to sail the high seas in search for the big prize?"
"No, I very content being on the middle ship for the Guthrie Trading Company. I pays well and no bloodshed. Call me a coward but I like to keep my skin intact." Mr. Hardy looking out at sea, "One other tidbit of information, Mr. Guthrie has vanished into thin air."
"What do you mean?"
"Just before we set sail, word came that a British Man-O'-War, the Scarborough was anchored at Harbour Island in front of Mr. Guthrie's residence but no one has seen him of late. Vanished - now that raises the question of why an English naval ship would anchor there. Could the Crown be on to Richard Guthrie deals and his side profit?"
" Perhaps. Now that small piece of information is important to us. Thank you Mr. Hardy."
The day was long with two ships to inventory their cargo and it wasn't until late that evening when Sarah finally entered the office to finish up with the tally of the days business. The sun was fading outside and three flicking lights from candles gave off a warm glow to the paper in front of her as she work. The creak of the door opening drew her attention from the work at hand toward her brother's face.
"Long day George." Sarah greeted her brother.
"Yes and a profitable one at that. Captain Burgess has brought a post from Walter for you." George handing Sarah a seal letter from their oldest brother Walter Brodstock. "I'm afraid it is bad news."
"You know of the news?"
"Yes, but please read it for yourself."
Sarah opens the letter and reads. Yes it was indeed bad news for Walter's wife had come down with a fever and died two weeks ago. "He is asking me to come to Spanish Town to live and help with the family. Their three children are in need of me."
"What do you think Sarah? There could also be a place for you with the business."
"Brodstock Trading Company in Port Royal and another at Montego Bay. Our brother has been an industrious man in building the company. That I would love to see the operation but George, three children - I don't know." Sarah looking once more at the letter, "I have a life here, a good life here... I don't know and tell me what I know about children."
"They are all girls. Need a women's touch in bringing them up. Now if they were only boys I would say your place is here in Charles Towne but they are our nieces. You have been a good aunt to my two but their mother is still very much living. We'll miss you but Walter needs you, he needs his sister for moral support at this time."
"I guess you are right George but I still am leery about uprooting here and moving to Jamaica. I've made my life here in the Americas, with your family."
George slowly standing and walking over to the window to watching the setting sun and evening darkness fall. Taking a deep breath, "You must go if only for the time being. Walter needs you and if at some time in the future you wish to return to Charles Towne... well then do so. Our home is always open to you Sarah. Who knows my dear sister, you may just find what you have been looking for there."
"I haven't been in search of anything my dear brother."
"I know better. You are still searching for that one man, the one to spend the rest of your life with. You haven't found him here and maybe, just maybe he is there in Port Royal. A new adventure waits for you. Go my dear girl with an open mind and heart."
"I guess I must but under much protest. For me, a decade here and this is home but my family needs me so I guess I must go."
"Captain Burgess is sailing for Prot Royal in three days with a cargo of fabric, tobacco and housewares before going on to Nassau. I ask him to book passage for you."
"So you knew I would go. Okay, but three days not much time to pack. Alright, it is settled and it will be good to see Walter once again." Sarah turning back to her work when something crossed her mind, "Did Captain Burgess tell you about Richard Guthrie?"
"Yes he did and something isn't right there by any means. We need to be very careful with our operations from now on. My best guess is England is taking a serious look at the piracy in the West Indies and we are not immune. They have turned a blind eye in the past because of being the Spanish and French ships being attacked but the English merchants are very much at risk now. The pirates have expanded their horizons."
"Will you welcome the English?"
"No, not really but it is coming. British strong rule is coming and that is very unwelcome here. Only time will tell Sarah, only time will tell if we wish to give up our independent ways for the crown. The new King George has shown great aggression toward spreading his rule over the world which includes us. No Sarah, I will oppose any British firm rule here but my dear, it is coming. Mark my words, it is coming."
John Silver standing at the rail looking at the vast sea, the waves gently rocking the great Spanish Man-O'-War they had overtaken. His side hurting from a beating by one of his fellow crew members but in the end well worth it. Many of the crew members were now showing partiality the once thief but Silver has made himself a likeable soul. Within days and as he had guessed, Captain Flint was once more in command and the crew that once had turned against them now gone. The sea air felt good on his face, a fleeting moment of freedom as the wind filled the sails above his head.
"We are short handed."
Silver turning to see Captain Flint had walked to his side, "Yes and if you don't run into any dumb pirates or the Scarborough trying to take down this prize of a great Spanish ship we'll be able to make Nassau. Or I'm I stepping out of my place here to thinking we are headed to Nassau. Just a quick look at the sunrise this morning I'm not sure."
"Keen you are my man." Flint leaning both hands on the railing. "We are sailing around Cuba and on to Jamaica."
"May I ask why?"
"The Scarborough is hunting us and I wish not to engage with so few men. My plan is to trade ships and rebuild my crew. An old friend of mine is in Prot Royal. There we'll find another ship to enter Nassau with."
"Well he help? I hate to say it Captain but we are somewhat short on the friendship side. And the gold, all that gold just for the taking. My guess is you have many bad-asses still after you skin."
"It shall be ours but without this giant of a ship. I have a plan."
"Of course you do." Silver turning to face Flint, "We still have a problem on board. What should we do with Dufresne. His loyalty to you is in question. Let me rephrase that, he has no loyalty to you."
"What would you suggest? Have him dropped overboard."
"In my experience with this crew, I should say by dealings with this crew, Dufresne has lost his creditable and we should let them decide his fate. A vote of confidence would be my suggestion and I'm pretty sure I can project the outcome."
"Yes, sound suggestion and while we are voting, a new Quartermaster needs to be chosen. You up to the job?"
"No. not me. I don't want to be a pirate or a f..king Quartermaster. Not in my plans. I've told you I'm only in this venture for my share of that gold. No and I do mean f..king NO. Not Quartermaster."
"But you have casted your lot with me and now I must lean on you. As much as I dislike the mire thought of you as Quartermaster I have no one else. You are a bright man John Silver and we both know the only reason you are still here is because of $5 million in Spanish gold resting on that damn beach. You want a Quartermaster share of that gold - then be the best damn right-hand man to me."
"Well, since you put it that way. The Quartermaster's share is greater than..."
"Just being a crew member or cook. Come John Silver and call all hands on deck. Time for voting."
