Chapter 10: A Pirate's Pub is a Pirate's Home

I walked into the tavern, taking a bottle of rum from an unconscious sailor, along with his purse of gold, grinning to myself. I sat myself down at a table and kicked my feet up onto the table, counting my gold - no doubt it'd be enough for a visit... maybe even a couple of nights in Havana...

"You got it?" I looked up to see Harrison walking towards the table, taking the seat opposite me. I eyed him curiously.

"Aye..." I said slowly, thinking about the journal I had acquired. "What is it exactly?" Harrison grinned.

"Not your problem." He said simply, holding out a hand. I looked at his hand, pondering for a second, then decided better of it, and dropped the moleskin book in his hands, allowing him to ravage the knowledge within the pages. He stopped, anxiously looking through the pages before turning his gaze towards me. "There was another page." He informed me.

"Is that worry I hear in your tone Harrison?" I asked, smirking. Harrison stood up, searching through the flurry of turning pages. I eventually held a hand up beside my hood of the folded page, ripped out from the book.

The tavern sounds continued, and the women kept dancing, but everything was different - Harrison's fists clenched hardly and his eyes became stone blocks, observing me like a cobra.

"I've no aims to interfere mate," I reassured him, handing him the page slowly, "just curious is all." Harrison examined the page before taking it from my loose grasp, his hands relaxing and eyes slowly returning to their former jovial glint as he examined the names.

"Captain?" He asked slowly, looking up at me. "There is no last name." I took the page, examining it.

"Well, that's not my fault." I shrugged, drinking several gulps of rum, and wincing slightly at the taste. "Anyway, since I sailed all the way there and back, I figure the least you could do is recognize-"

"Your own fort is not enough?" Harrison raised an eyebrow from under his hood. I scoffed.

"I think you mistake me mate." I said, leaning back into my chair. "I want to be set up for life - not 'til next week. I want gold, not rubble." Harrison scoffed.

"You lack purpose boy." He informed me, speaking with the good ten years experience he had on me. "You lack direction."

"I lack a proper score." I stated. "One big enough I can buy my own island here and live like a king."

"That sort ain't too appreciated 'round these parts." I looked around to see Thatch there, followed closely by Hornigold. "Heard about your prize Tallon."

"You expected less?" I slapped Thatch's arm. "Not getting soft on me in your old age are you?" He laughed.

"Keep this up lad, and you'll be a Governor of your own isle."

"Pirate Governor." Hornigold corrected him. "Remember, you not be a King's Man anymore Tallon." I narrowed my eyes at Hornigold.

"What's wrong Ben?" I asked in faux-innocence, looking out amongst the horizon. "Is it because yours is a bit small?" I asked, looking at the small schloop that sat in the shadow of The Arrow. Thatch chuckled to himself, helping himself to a bottle of rum. Hornigold shook his head. "Taking a fort has attracted the attention of the Spanish. We'll be lucky if they don't retaliate-"

"Oh hush up Hornigold!" Thatch rolled his eyes. "The lad did good." I grinned at Hornigold before walking up with Thatch towards the bar, in order to fetch myself another bottle of rum.

"So lad, heard of any news?" I shook my head.

"You ever heard of Governor Jarrez?" Thatch thought for a moment.

"Aye, superstitious man."

"Aye, that's the one. His name was on a list. Along with numerous others - Torrez, Du Casse-"

"The Spaniard?" Thatch asked me.

"Your guess is as good as mine mate." Thatch thought for a moment.

"Last I heard, he was travelling to Principe." I nodded.

"That's where I'll go then." I went to move before Thatch caught my arm.

"Why'll that be lad?"

"Smythe's name was on the list, and he had a map of warehouses. Jarrez's name is on it, and he possesses his own fort." I explained. "Imagine what one man could do with all their effects!"

"We don't serve the whims of one man, Tallon." Hornigold had swaggered his way towards the bar. "We help provide for our own pirate community." I rolled my eyes at him.

"Hornigold's right Tallon." Thatch informed me. "We've got more to think of than our own necks." Thatch, I listened to. Hornigold however...

"I'll bring Jarrez back." I promised. "Have him explain the list to us all." Thatch nodded.

"There's a good man." He tapped my chest lightly before leaning on the railing with Hornigold. I jerked my head to Kengnok and Esmerelda as we made our way out of the tavern and down towards the bay, where I noticed a new ship anchored - a brigantine...

I shook off the new arrival and made my way to the rowboat, ready to get back aboard.

Once aboard The Arrow,I walked into my cabin, pulling my hood down. I closed the door and moved towards the desk, followed closely by Kengnok.

"Where's the heading?"

"Principe." I stated, planting myself in my seat, copying the names I remembered onto a scroll of parchment. I noticed that Kengnok was still there. "What?"

"The men have not even come ashore yet." I rolled my eyes.

"Fine - we'll set sail tomorrow morning. Make sure the Jacks get their ends off - I don't want any fumbling-s about the women aboard." Kengnok nodded and exited my cabin.

I kicked my feet up onto desk, examining the list. Who was this 'Captain' on the list? I bit my lip in thought, ruffling a hand through my hair. Something was strange about this... it didn't sit right with me...

But one thought about all the gold a Governor must have settled and qualms I had about this business. I felt bewitched by it - imagining the riches that would fill this ship - not rum or sugar, but real gold...