Amazing! Simply amazing!
All the wonderful reviews I got from chapter 3...Wow! I am extremely happy and it made me write chapter 4 a lot faster than I had intended to and actually would have been uploaded Friday, but After 12 hours of no electricity huddling by the fire I built and having to type everything I wrote down, here you have Chapter 4. I actually have two versions of this chapter, but ultimately, I picked this one for why you are about to read...haha quite the adventure.
But seriously, because of all of the support I have been receiving from you all, I am more than happy to write as fast I can. I cannot thank you all enough! At this rate, if I keep getting all these beautiful reviews I may have a chapter out each day, hahaha.
Please enjoy!
Pursed lips parted to link against the woman before him. At first he hesitated against her mouth, but leaned forward cupping the back of her head to apply the right amount of pressure making it last. With a small smack, their lips broke. The lack of warmth missing on his lips made Edward long for more. Passion burned in Edward as he looked at her with glossy eyes. Her cheeks flushed from the attention he gave her as she bent down to sit in his lap leaning against him. The want to forget the mission and ravage the woman before him grew in the pits of his stomach, but 'the mission' he thought with annoyance. Annoyance he is there, annoyance he's doing it for the assassin's, annoyance that Kidd could not be there to help him stay focused. Not even in the presence of the gorgeous woman who lit a fire in him, could make him forget about Kidd. Wait—why did he think of Kidd when he saw this beautiful woman? Kidd is just a boy and before him is this perfect specimen of female. Sure they 'may' have some similarities like the smile and her clothes, but Kidd can't go from a man to a woman. 'Her bosom showed, number one clue that Mary is not Kidd—why the fuck am I even comparing. Shit!' he closed his eyes concentrating with all his might to keep little Johnny and his thoughts at bay.
"Mary" he began "as much as I want to do more than just kiss you. I cannot keep you company. I'm here on business and my partner is somewhere waiting for me. He is not feeling well and I don't want to keep him waiting more than he needs to." cussing himself internally for what he said picking up the woman from his lap.
"He must be really important to you." she stood.
Edward thought for a second, then chuckled a bit. "He is. Like a brother."
"Off you go then." she flicked her head with a smile.
"I'm sorry" he finished standing to leave, but not before giving her one last kiss and went straight to the bar demanding a triple shot of the strongest grog available.
The woman just laughed shaking her head at the opportunity lost. "Next time then" she said softly knowing Edward could not hear her and walked away.
Downing the shot followed by one more, Edward covered his face in frustration. "I want to get this mission over as soon as possible, find Kidd, and go." Why did he have to go out of his way for people and creeds he could not care about. 'I'm such a nice guy' he thought going somewhere else to listen and await the guests of the important meeting. Looking over to some women on his right he studied them contemplating if every woman he looked at would make him think of Kidd, but they did not and instead made him frown in disgust at their calling to him.
"When will his Lordship arrive?" asked one soldier. "Did he get caught up in something?" he questioned.
"I don't know, but we have to stay here and wait. Just drink some more." another insisted.
Just then, a dignified looking man with rich clothe walked in to the Catching Tail and is greeted by an older looking woman. The woman used her arm to show the man and his assistant the way leading to a staircase next to where Edward stood.
"That's him." said the soldier that permitted more drink. "Let's go" They both stood taking guard of the staircase waiting for the rich man to pass through so that they may follow from behind. Edward switched to his eagle vision and locked on to the wealthy man. Walking into a room farthest from the stairway, the man latched the door behind him waiting for someone to join him. Removing his eagle vision, Edward left to go outside of the Catching Tail and made his way around the building to climb up to the terrace of the room the man was in. Edward pressed himself against the wall spying as best he could through the french double doors. A knock at the door spooked the man in waiting queuing him to get up and welcome his guest. At first the wealthy man stood in the door way giggling whilst blocking the entrance, then stepped aside and let the person in. "Mary..." Edward whispered shocked to see her in the room with the sleazy rich man. 'I should not be surprised', he thought to himself, he met her here, so it could only mean she is a hired body there, but still, seeing her with him made Edward jealous. A second knock came about and broke Edward's jealousy spell to see whom the next person was. This time it was the Templar that the rich man graciously let in and had Edward freeze where he stood. Anger—no betrayl vibrated through his body as he saw the one and only Benjamin Hornigold welcomed in to the room.
"I thought it was just the two of us" Hornigold queried eying the woman.
"I thought we could have some entertainment while we discussed our plans on eliminating our targets. Besides, I am the one with the money here, not you." rebutted the rich man. "Were you even able to find that one fellow? What was his name again? Kenning? Kevin?"
"Kenway, I did. I sent a small army to follow him and James Kidd to ambush them. They should not get in our way now." said Hornigold checking the woman up and down as if he knew her. "Have I seen you before lass?"
"Do dreams count?" she winked.
"That scar on your eyebrow, I've seen it before." he reached a hand out to touch her, but she merely stepped away.
"Unless you have the money, you're not allowed to touch." she flirted.
"That's right pirate, keep your hands to yourself. Now lets begin, you say you can draw out the pirates to us and destroy them. How?"
Now shifting to look at the rich man, Hornigold agreed. "By going to Nassau and offering repentance in exchange for freedom we can lure them out and kill them also destroying the pirate republic. After we do that, the Templars should be able to have the advantage completely dominating the seas and allowing the cause to further reach other lands while searching for the 'star'. There are some troops in Nassau as we speak now and a few on the sea."
Edward breathed heavily shaking at the things he was seeing and hearing. Now he recognized the symbol on the man he killed back in Nassau that is tattooed on his hand. It was Hornigold's symbol he sailed with on his ship. Once a friend, now and enemy stood just mere feet away from him tempting him to beat the life out of Benjamin. Edward's vision started to become cloudy and twisted. 'Oh no..' Edward thought, 'I'm drunk...' he gripped on to the door frame in fear he would fall. 'Not good' struggling to stand up and stay focused on the events before him. Mary moved from where she stood walking out to the terrace pointing her face to the night sky inhaling deeply, but in reality, did her best to hide the sounds the drunk man was making, her eyes looking down at Edward in an act to dis sway the men from any suspicions by the terrace. Edward looked to her trying to keep his grip on reality as he glared at her mouthing "I will kill him" before he passed out. Taking pity on him she grabbed the doors closing them shut so hard it scared the men.
"Fight! There is a fight outside by the docks! Lots of soldiers are there, you better go!" she anxiously spoke.
"Let's finish this another time!" said the rich man scurrying out of the room Hornigold behind him.
Waiting until they left, Mary quickly opened the doors dragging the drunk man in. Looking around her, she searched for a pitcher of water in the room, of course, there was none. Running to the door she is stopped by Benjamin going back and looked down at the man on the floor passed out. Grabbing Mary by the arm, he held her as he ripped a part of her shirt off exposing a tattoo on her chest that only Kidd has near his collarbone.
"You—"
"Because of ya' I twisted me wrist fallin' from that tree back in Nassau. Thought you were goin' t' shoot me from the tavern. Guess not since I'm still 'ere." a wide grin on her face.
"No, but now I will." Benjamin said tossing her to the side making her trip as he pulled his pistol out aiming at her pulling the trigger sending the bullet straight into Edwards shoulder.
"Don't you dare hurt her..." Edward blocked the bullet meant for Mary and got up stumbling to take flight after Hornigold.
"Shit!" Mary yelled chasing after the men. Her main concern was to get Edward and quickly tend to his wound. Hornigold had the advantage above Edward. Not being drunk meant he could move a lot faster and he wasn't bleeding out. Falling into the sand Edward rolled trying to get up as fast he could but was failing as he watched Hornigold keep running to the docks for his ship.
"I'll get you! You bastard Hornigold! You're a dead man!" Edward screamed from the sand holding on to reality.
"Edward!" Mary threw herself down to lift the beat man using all her strength to get him standing to walk.
"Mary..." he whispered staggering with each step they took.
"Hush, we need t' get ya better before chasin' after Hornigold." she silenced having him rest against a shop's wall. Leaving him there, she ran into a tavern.
"She even sounds like him..." he blubbered. "I need to find Kidd..." nauseated to the spinning world around him vomiting.
"Jesus man!" Kidd ran to Edward who sat up to look at him as he removed the soldier's uniform top off of Edward to clean and dress his wound.
"I wan about to look for you Kidd. Find yourself a girl mate? You play while I work?" he puked. "Your lips is red..."
Kidd quickly rubbed the red paint off of his lips. "Sure" he opened a bottle of alcohol pouring it on to a cloth and jabbing it against Edward's wound before wrapping it tightly up.
"Geez man, can't you be more gentle!"
"Well maybe if ya weren't shit drunk, you would 'ave been able to stop Benjamin!"
"Fuck you Kidd. I let go of the most beautiful woman I ever saw because of you and the mission. Wait—how did you know?"
"Me? I didn't stop ya from messin' with that lass!" he avoided the question.
"Well sorry for thinkin' of ya mate! Next time I am with her, I will forget all about you and have some of my own fun. Anyway—I found out Hornigold is behind all this, and he's aiming the pirates to help the templars look for some 'star'. He was the one that sent that army back in Tulum and now to go destroy our Republic. Good thing Thatch is there... Thatch! We have to go warn and save Thatch!" Edward tried to get up crawling towards the ship.
"Hold up." Kidd got under Edward's good shoulder helping him stand getting to the ship. As soon as they were on board Kidd began barking orders to his crew and making his quartermaster set course to Nassau. Easing Edward on to the bed, he fetched a cup of water for the drunk wounded man. "If ya wanna take on Hornigold, ya need to get some kind of rest, else yer good as dead mate. Leave the captainin' t'me, I can do it now." he tucked the man in his bed. Edward watched the young man work on him lost in thought as he traced his fingertips lightly on Kidd's cheek lightly pulling Kidd in inches from kissing him.
"Whoah! The fuck mate!" Kidd screamed flustered falling to the ground. "You wanna kiss everything that moves when you're drunk!"
"Just wanted to check something out..."
"I'm not your toy mate. Go do that with the bonnie lass you left behind."
"Kidd" Edward called out to him. "Are you hiding anything from me?"
Kidd gazed down at his feet then stood up wiping himself. "No." he said walking out of the cabin to take charge of his ship. Edward watched him exit turning to look out the window into the midnight sea. "He smelled like coconuts." Laying down to sleep.
Kidd's ship rocked jostling Edward out of bed. "We're under attack!" a sailor yelled as Kidd's own cannons were returning fire. Edward looked out of the window seeing sparks from cannon fire puff in the darkness from surrounding ships as lightning crashed in to one ships setting it ablaze. He ran out of the cabin in the midst of returning fire ducking just in time from decapitation. Rain and seawater sprayed everyone as the battle was in the midst of a nasty squall. Shrapnel flew everywhere coating Kidd's crew as they scurried around some using the swivel to take charged shots while others loaded cannons and barrels. Finding Kidd's quartermaster first, Edward asked them where they were, bracing from the enemy fire. "Between Nassau and the Cayo Islands. We got pulled into a battle." The quartermaster pointed for Edward to look out. Peeking over the ship's railing, Edward could see it was a full on ship battle; seven ships in total. Recognizing one of the ships, Edward shot up "That's my Jackdaw! But why—" he cut himself off right away acknowledging the ship next to his,The Queen Annes Revenge in her full mighty power. Using his spyglass, Edward peeped through the device searching the Queen Anne for its owner and found him, fighting on board the odds against he and his crew.
"Kidd! Take her over there! Thatch is in trouble!" He ran to the wheel.
"I'll do me best, but I'm havin' a tough time getting' through with all these ships in the way."
"Take me to my ship then, she's closer!" Edward urged.
"I'm tryin!"Kidd said being shoved to the side by Edward as he grabbed hold of his wheel spinning it to force his ship to ram into an enemy. As members of Kidd's crew scrambled to the enemy's ship, weapons in hand to seize control, Edward jumped on to the frigate making quick work of its captain to control the wheel.
"Kenway!" Kidd hollered but was ignored. Edward was too focused on trying to save his friend from death. Sailing right past other enemy ships, Kidd's crew kept fighting as bodies added up around Edward killing any who opposed him. Rolling up next to the Queen Anne, Edward dashed to a pulley slicing the rope yanking him high up into the air landing on the course sprinting its length to hurdle himself on to the mast of Thatch's ship sliding down a sail and propelling off of it to stab two men cornering his friend.
"Just in time Edward! Let's give them hell!" Thatch ordered fuses sizzling in his hair.
The pair ran the length of the Queen Anne slicing and shooting soldiers down. The two of them together made a powerful force. The number of soldiers on Thatch's ship were rapidly dropping as the body count was escalating. Standing side by side they took on a group of soldiers until a heavy mass soldier tackled Edward down. Struggling to get up from under the weight the soldier, Edward punched the man in hopes to remove him to regain his spot with his friend. Thatch fired two pistols shooting the soldier as he dropped his dead weight on top of his comrade holding him down. Edward laughed that Thatch should have waited until he could slide out from under the man, but went deaf as Edward watched his friend get shot in the back. Like the devil, Blackbeard turned around and charged the soldier at full killing him with his sword, but another man shot at Thatch filling him up with more bullets execution style. The soldiers began to tag team Blackbeard as Edward screamed out to his friend fighting to remove the soldier and save him, but it was too late. Shoving the dead man from him Edward tossed a pistol to Thatch, but never caught it as he dropped down to his knees. "I'll see you below..." Thatch mouthed as he pulled a fuse with the last of his strength and tossed it towards a stack of gunpowder kegs blowing the ship up. Edward suffered from whiplash as his body crashed into the angry waves of the storm submerging him in a wild turbulence tearing his wound open. Sharks circled around the battle scene snatching and chomping down on any that fell in attracted to the odor of blood. Edward realized the danger he was in because of his own blood and swam as fast as he could on to a drifting piece of the ship's floor. "Thatch..." Edward cried pulling himself up as his Jackdaw came roaring towards him Ade hollering for his captain to come on board.
Edward climbed and boarded his Jackdaw solemnly. Ade raised his hand yelling "Captain's on deck", but hardly anyone wanted to cheer. Thatch, the great Blackbeard is now resting down below with Davey Jones. Gripping the Jackdaw's wheel Edward looked into the smokey horizon bouncing in the rough waves ready to command his crew. Kidd rolled his broken ship next to the Jackdaw offering condolences from he and his crew.
"I'm sorry Kenway" he said trying his best to fight tears.
"Nothing you could do about it Kidd. You were too busy yourself trying to keep the other ships from blowing our guts." He pointed out at the ship's broken ram, splitting sides, and torn sails. "Listen Kidd, I'm done running around for the Assassins and fighting Templars. I never wanted to help them in the first place, and I couldn't give a damn about Templars, I only stuck around for you. From here on, we split."
"Why Kenway? You don't 'ave t' be alone—Just come with me, or I'll sail with ya an' t'gether we can take Benjamin out for Thatch's soul." Kidd haggled.
"No, this time, you leave me alone. Don't follow me or come lookin' for me. I don't want to see you anymore. Full sail!" Wind blew into the fully opened sails propelling his ship away from his best friend's grave, away from his closest mate, and away from the past.
"Kenway!" Kidd choked on his tears being separated from his friend, but Edward was already sailing off and with his ship in the shape it is in, he could not hope to catch up.
Days came and went. Months added up to a year and still Edward chose a lone life. Harpooning became a hobby for him challenging all different types of marine life from sharks to whales. Money poured in from the hunting bounties and a little extra from discovering forgotten treasures, but still he is unsatisfied and upset at the death of Thatch. Ade and the rest of the crew watched their captain waste away drinking himself drunk every night, once in while crying. The rare times they did touch land, Edward would go straight to the tavern and fight or go to a whore house looking for the right woman. Even if he didn't find her, he still would hire a girl, but he never touched them and they always left crying from embarrassment. Edward often talked to himself drunk recalling a woman named Mary, but at the end of each mindless banter, he would always ask or look for Kidd.
One drunk night, Ade approached his captain with uncertain frustration. "Captain, the men think you've gone mad and they no longer want to be employed by you. I too have to agree with them."
"Then get rid of the lot. I don't need them." Edward said swinging the bottle in his hand.
"Sir, we set course to Tortuga and won't be leaving till you and Captain Kidd settle your problems. We caught wind that he has been there repairing his ship and doing his jobs there."
"Kidd? What does this have to do with him? I don't want to see him. He creates trouble where ever he goes. Did I ever tell you what his quartermaster gave me to drink?"
"Many times." Ade rolled his eyes. "We are going to arrive at the Tortuga's port in a day's time. Your men are depending on you." bidding his captain goodnight.
Edward stood in silence not comprehending fully what Ade told him. Walking down the steps to the starboard, Edward sat down scrolling through his memories he and Kidd shared. He began to laugh at some of the events and conversations that transpired between them. Each time one memory surfaced, his heart pulsed painfully hard in his chest feeling empty. Edward did not want to admit it soberly, but he missed James Kidd very much and not having at least one person around him that has known him better than his crew made him dejected. Something crazy happened in his mind, the thought of holding Kidd and what it would be like to kiss him invaded. An image of Mary faded in and out of the idea melting Kidd together with her as one slowly until it clicked. Edward's eyes widened catching his breath. The eyes, the smile, the clothes, the smell, the bullet whom he took the shot for...
"Ade! Ade!" Edward ran down to the crew's quarters in search of his quartermaster disturbing most from their peace.
"Aye captain?"
"Go as fast as you can and wake the crew. We arrive at Tortuga by noon! "
How could he be so dumb? How could he be so blind? He was so absorbed in his own gain, his own desires he neglected to see Kidd's truth even when he exposed himself to him. The spur of going to the island and seeing Kidd has his adrenaline pumping. No spirits, animal, riches, or woman could fill him with so much excitement than now. Ade watched his captain come alive when he spoke and saw him run back to his wheel with drive smiling in approval.
"You heard the captain. Everyone on deck!"
By noon Edward kept to the promised time arriving to the island of Tortuga. Edward's heart began to beat profusely in excitement so close to seeing Kidd. "Men! Enjoy your time here, we shall dock for a while. If you choose to leave, now is your chance, if not, I will let you know when we leave." he told his crew walking down the plank to the docks. First on his agenda, is to find out where Kidd is on the party island. Entering the local tavern he tipped off the bartender asking for any clues or whereabouts of a handsome young-looking man. The bar tender only shook his head not knowing anything to fit the description. Edward did not let it bother him, he continued to search for the younger pirate stopping at nearly every establishment on the island all giving him the same answer. Visiting one last establishment, a general store farthest from all the chaotic mess of the party island, he tried to open the door, but was unsuccessful due to the store being closed for the evening. Edward now was starting to lose hope. No one knew of the man he was seeking.
"Looking for something chum?" a bald man questioned Edward flipping a knife in his hand with two men on each of his side.
"Aye. Your mother wanted to see me again." He ridiculed them.
Without a word, the man caught his knife and threw it at Edward who stepped leaving to the side dodging the knife and had his pistol out for the man's heart.
"If you want to die tonight, keep going." the two men that were next to the bald man ran off yelling for their lives leaving him alone against Edward. "You asked for it." Edward ran to the bald man, placed his hands on his shoulders and flipped himself up in the air to land behind him twisting the bald man's neck.
"Looks like ya still got it in ya Kenway." a familiar voice called filling Edward's heart with hope. Looking around him, Edward dropped his guard completely freezing at the touch of something poking his back.
"Even though I said not to, you insist on spooking me eh?" Edward raised his hands up.
"What d'ya want Kenway? You made me leave ya alone and told me ya never want to see me again, so why are ya 'ere?"
"Well you certainly do make it hard for a man to find or forget you." he gave a small gesture with his head.
"What's that supposed t' mean?"
"It means I came to apologize." putting his hands down. "I'm sorry Kidd."
Kidd sighed tossing the stick to the side allowing Edward to look at him. Edward could not help but smile seeing his old friend again still looking his handsome self with the same stupid clothes and speech.
"Let's go talk elsewhere private" Kidd waved a hand for Edward to follow. Walking into a private home, Edward looked at all the decorum and fancy wallpaper around him. Fancy on Tortuga standard, fancy for pirate standards—which is not fancy at all. "I'm rentin' it. 'Tis a temporary place for me t' live till ready to set sail again. In the mean time, I've been takin' on side missions for our gain against the Templars. I'm close to catchin' Thornigold..." Kidd said softly to not upset Edward at the painful memories. "Where ya get them ridiculous lookin' clothes?"
"I did whaling for a bit to make some coin. A drunk needs money to buy rum." Edward laughed sitting in front of the fireplace. "Ahh—Kidd I'm sorry for talking the way I did to you back then. I was lettin' my emotions get the best of me. Finding out one friend is betraying us, then seeing the other die before me. It was not right of me to let you go. You've been with me for so long, I was foolish."
"Foolish is right. Even though I 'elped ya so many times, when I needed 'elp, you ignored me and rejected me." Kidd jabbed at Edward causing the both of them to share silence.
"So—I kissed a man?" he looked over to Kidd with uncertainty.
"Christ Edward!" Kidd barked in frustration grabbing Edward's knife using it to stab his finger smearing blood over his lips then tugged at his head wrap letting his hair drop. "Ya understand now? I'm a woman ya dumb shit. Mary Read be who I really am. Given by me mum." the truth revealed in clarity.
Someone should have smacked Edward with a crate full of cargo because he looked like he had been or at least seen the ghost of a dead man. He eyebrows knit together as he was about to speak but couldn't say the words constantly adjusting himself where he stood.
"No—you're wrong. Kidd is the illegitimate son of Captain Kidd..."
"A story I made up for James Kidd."
"Kidd is my mate."
"That means I am your mate."
"I can't accept this!" Edward got angry.
"You don't 'ave to" Mary said getting closer to Edward. "But if ya go tellin' people 'bout the real me, ya can forget what 'ole you'll stick yer willie in 'cause ya won't 'ave—"
"I think I love you." Edward looked at Mary hearing his heart beat so loudly in his ears overcome with nerves.
Mary looked at Edward her mouth gaped open ready to throw an insult his way, but was caught stuck in her throat. "Ya what? " she asked meekly.
Edward reached his hand out to tuck her hair behind her ear trailing down to chin so that her eyes meet his. "I said I love you."
She pushed his hand away stepping back from him in disbelief carefully watching him to keep their distance. "Ya still care for ya wife."
"Yes, but I don't love her anymore. She left me and never wanted me back. That was many years ago. Even after a year, I still kept thinking about you Kidd—er Mary." Edward name slipped.
"You told me you see me like a brother...in Kingston"
"I didn't understand my feelings then and felt confused. Trust me, if I could show you my dreams you would understand!" Mary gasped in disgust.
"What kinda sick dreams are ya 'avin' of me mate?"
"I don't know if they are sick, but it definitely had me thinking." he laughed. Mary now had a worrisome look on her face. Edward could tell she probably was having some doubts in her mind. "Back at Tulum. Seeing me with Cualli, you were jealous weren't you?" Edward inched closer to Mary.
"I don't know what you are talking about" She placed her hands on her hips defiantly the hue of her face betraying the image she portrayed.
"If I had known the truth then, and understood my feelings like I do now, please know I would have only seen you. Well, even you as Kidd I only saw you. I mean, even after you kissed me at Catching Tail all I thought about was you. That did not sound weird at all."
"Please leave." Mary walked to her door opening it up for the pirate to exit.
"Why won't you accept my feelings?" Edward refused to leave.
"Because I can't believe a man who only thinks of 'imself. Ya can't even 'ave faith in me."
"But I do!" Edward walked to her yelling shutting the door.
"Don't make this 'ard for me Kenway." Mary pulled her knife out on Edward.
"This is hard for me mate— "
"Ya know nothin' about hardship! I 'ad loved you since we sailed for Tulum. Ya flirt with Cualli while I'm in pain for savin' yer ass, an' then ya left me for a year to meself. I too was sad about Thatch. 'ow do ya think I felt mate? Because I can tell ya it ain't roses an' gems." Mary began to hiccup behind her tears. There, Edward went and did it again, hurting the people close to him only thinking of him.
"I'm sorry." Edward muttered in shame of his guilt. "I'll leave you then." he said opening the door to silently exit.
Mary stood behind the closed-door weeping against it her heart crushed. For the first time in her double life, Mary and Kidd were both exposing their true naked self. "I'll make you mine Mary Read." she was suddenly pushed out of the way by Edward forcing the door open to capture her in his arms kissing her spiraling into their raw desire for each other.
Welcome to the end of Chapter4!
I ended the chapter here with the intentions of...well-you would have to read and find out.
Please review and I would love to know your thoughts good or bad.
Also, I discovered I could put information on my profile about me, lame right? So if you are curious, you can check out that little blurb about me.
Much love!