Trouble Brewing

Mid-afternoon and the skies were turning dark, the smell of rain in the air. "Wind is picking up Captain." Fane Logan calling to Captain Flint as Flint was coming out of his cabin. Waiting at the rail for the captain, Mr. Logan holding a spyglass for him. "There to the southeast sir."

Flint taking a look at the distant storm moving fairly fast toward them, "Damn. Give the order to batten down and prepare for some heavy weather." Handing the spyglass back to Logan, "Hate this time of year, storm season is not the time to go treasure hunting. Tell Mr. Quartermaster I wish to see him in my quarters."

"Aye sir." Logan went about relaying the orders for the crew.

Wasn't long before a steady rain begins beating on the decks of three ships, Flint's armada as they headed north by northwest, their bearing - the Florida coast and one special beach. Flint being worried about the storm and what affects on the spread of precious gold suppressed on the beach and if the winds were of any power - heavy gale force winds would have on the broken ships left behind. Would the blowing sand and high tides cover up the gold, hiding it from all? This was a real possibility.

Silver closing the door to Flint's cabin as saw the Captain standing at the window. "One shit-ass storm coming our way. Why in the f..king hell do we have to face such storms each time on our voyage for gold."

"Lady Fate making sure we appreciate the prize more once we have it."

"Damn I'll appreciate gold the same, with or without a bitch of a storm. Crap it all... Now that is my rant for this evening, you wanted to see me?"

"By morning if all goes well, we'll be off the coast of Florida, south of St. Augustine. Have a seat as we go over a few things that might be ahead and their possible aftermath. Best to have plans for the worst."

"Worst? Beside this storm what else could be worst."

"First sailing past St. Augustine in a stolen Spanish ship. If the Captain had missed his port of call there will be lookouts for the ship. Another is the beefing of more Spanish war ships to protect against pirates and the British. So now Mr. Quartermaster, pour yourself a mug of rum and let us start making different plans."

John Silver finding two mugs for Flint to pour rum and muse, 'This is different. Never has he opened up before about a coming battle. Wonder if this is how he handled Mr. Gates. Anyway man, listen and learn'.

Into the night with a raging storm tossing the ship about, Flint and Silver drank rum and planned. By the next morning the skies were blue and the sea calm. Flint walking on deck and looking about to inspect any damage. Silver behind him and there was Billy at the rail.

"She is missing sir. The Whydah Gally isn't with us. Nowhere in sight." Billy with a worried look, one of major concern. "Could she be shipwrecked?"

"Not one of the things we planned." Silver quip.

"That could be Billy and quite likely. Hand me the spyglass."

Flint searching the sea for any signs of the missing ship. Walking to the other side of the Blue Whale, he once searched. "Mr. Logan."

"Aye sir."

"Signal the Black Dolphin to sail east by northeast and search the coast for any signs of the Whydah Gally. Only five hours of search before returning back." Flint giving one last look toward the east, "Mr. Quartermaster have our course set due north and post crow's-nest watch on all mast."

"Aye sir." Silver now barking orders. Watching the men going about their duties, a smooth running crew. Turning to say something to Flint but the Captain had gone to the bow. He quickly followed.

Catching up to the Captain, "What is it? Why are we posting high lookouts?"

"Gut Mr. Silver. A pure and simple gut feeling that we are not alone out here. Sent the Black Dolphin closer to shore because I'm not going to lose her too."

"What makes you think we are going to ... oh shit." Silver was the first to spot the sails. Pointing "There Captain, sails in the distance."

Flint also having seen the sail had already lifted his spyglass. "Trouble Mr. Silver - trouble. Call all hands on deck."

Trouble was an understatement. There in the distance was the Whydah Gally and another ship to the west of her and closing fast. Flint couldn't make out the ship but knew it wasn't a ship sailing to rescue but was on the hunt.

Flint addressing his crew, "Men as many you know the Whydah Gally got separated from us during the storm and is now in trouble. Three hours sailing time due north if we are lucky and the wind stays with us, we'll catch the Whydah Gally. The bad news is, she is being hunted by another ship and at this time I don't believe it to be friendly. Billy Bones please hoist all canvas and Mr. Navigator set your course to intercept the Whydah Gally. Prepare for battle if our sheer size doesn't drive off the attacking ship."

Hours passed with heighten tension growing each second. The closer they got Flint was able to identify the other ship. It made his blood run cold as the attacking ship was none other than The Fancy and Captain Charles Vane.

"What the shit." Billy Bones and John Silver standing with Flint on the bow, "Where in the f..k did that come from?"

"Lying in wait outside of Nassau and out of sight. Our large ass can be spotted long before we can spot them." Flint handing off the spyglass to Billy. "As bullheaded as Vane is we are in for one hell of a fight."

"We are running a skeleton crew, not enough for a board campaign." Billy surveying the two ships ahead of them. "Vane is almost within firing distance and if the Whydah Gally had any damages because of that storm..."

"She has a broken mast and missing two foresails. That is what I can see and who knows what else." Flint with his hand holding his chin, "They will be in for a fight before we can get there. Damn it."

"Captain Bellamy is good, isn't he?" Silver now with spyglass.

Flint forward resting both hands on the rail and sighed, "Young with limited experience but knowledgeable. Not much we can do but wait and watch."

"You think The Fancy will run from us?" Silver asking.

"That would be the smart move because we can rip him to shreds. But no telling what crazy man Vane will do." Looking up at the wind in the sails and making some calculations, "Keep close watch Billy and tell me if The Fancy goes to port or starboard of Whydah Gally. Mr. Silver keep close check on our crow's-nest men, Vane may not be sailing alone. There was one other ship missing from Nassau harbour when we sailed."

"Which one?"

"Not sure but I believe it to be the Revenge with Stede Bonnet at the helm. Poor man doesn't know a damn thing about sailing much less a battle. Guess if it is him than Lady Fate is on our side today."

Pending battle was imminent and the crew of the Blue Whale making ready. Israel Hands, the Master Gunner and his gunnery mate, David Pew were diligently going about their duties, ready the cannons and keeping the power monkeys scrambling back and forth carrying gunpowder. An impressive action to watch, like a well oiled machine and that was due to both Flint and Hands who had been trained by the Royal Navy. Once the vast number of cannons were ready, the men sat beside their assigned cannon to wait.

"Play us a tune Mr. Pew." Shouted one of the waiting crew members.

Mr. Pew, Gunnery Mate was also one of the ship's musicians and at times before a battle music would be played making the wait for conflict easier.

On the Quarterdeck were gathered the ship's carpenter, De Groot who is in charge of the ship's structural integrity, Ben Gunn, the ship's Boatswain, Fane Logan, the ship's second mate and lead rigger and First Mate, Billy Bones.

"What do you know about this Sam Bellamy?"

Billy shaking his head, "Not a f..king thing. The Captain picked him up from Walter Brodstock while in Port Royal. There is a connection between Brodstock and Flint."

"Not happy about sharing our gold with a new crew." Logan looking up at Silver and Flint standing at the railing on the Poop deck. "We've been through shit with Flint and his madness and now to come at the last minute to share our gold."

"Logan is right."

Billy also looking up, "I heard and by the way of Mr. Gates before he died that Flint was going to give a share and half to all those that were loyal to him. Seems Silver has worked his way into Flint's favor."

"Silver is an okay guy. Can't fault the man for looking out for himself." Ben Gunn knew enough in order to win, don't buck the Captain. "I've watched Silver and the ass is clever."

"Think the Captain can see that?" De Groot asks.

"Hell Silver has made no bones about why he is here - the gold just like the greedy bastards we are. Gold man." Billy patting Logan on the back as he walked away.

The delay over and in the distance the sound of cannon fire broke the quiet onboard the Blue Whale. Captain Vane had maneuvered the crippled Whydah Gally into a position where the starboard was in line with the approaching war ship. Vane successfully placing the Whydah Gally between The Fancy and Captain Flint.

"Sail her to the bow side of the Whydah Gally and we'll nail the ass of The Fancy. With any luck we'll be upon them before they know it. Raise the black, I want the bastard to know not to f..k with my ships." Flint giving his order to Silver to be carried out. Under his breath, "Come on you son of a bitch don't run." Flint knowing he had the fire power to once and for all end Charles Vane and blow The Fancy out of the water.

A vigorous forceful battle taking place between Vane and Bellamy and it seems to be a draw, neither one gaining the upper hand. Smell of gunpowder filled the air and the crashing of timbers with shouts of pain could be heard. Sam Bellamy see the Blue Whale coming had seconded guess Flint's move and order repeated firing on the stern of The Fancy - making it vulnerable to Flint's attack.

"Coming around sir." Shouted Loan to the Captain.

Silver hastily joining Flint, "She making a run for it."

"Shit... I would do the same but hell." Flint looking though the spyglass. "Tell Mr. Hands to take careful aim at her ass and fire. We are close to becoming out of range. Now damn it."

Israel Hands had already aimed two cannons on The Fancy's stern and waiting for orders. "FIRE."

One falling short but the other hitting it mark square in the stern of The Fancy. "We left our calling card." Hands chuckled.

"Are we going to give chase?" Silver now looking at the departing ship of Vane's.

"They have the speed to out run us. No, must let the bastard go but there will be another time. Mark my words, this is not over." Flint turning from the rail, "Billy prepare to come alongside the Whydah Gally. Go aboard with Ben Gunn and De Groot to assess the damages. Mr. Logan keep up the crow's-nest watch, we may have some more company soon. Mr. Silver, come with me."

Silver following Flint to his cabin, "Henry Green should be catching up with us by now."

"That I know and I smell more trouble."

Reaching his cabin, Flint pulls out charts and begins to ponder them, "I'm looking for an inlet to bring Whydah Gally to safety while they make repairs. Leaving them isn't what I want to do not that I know Vane is lurking out there. F..k it Silver, things couldn't get more complicated."

"But they could Captain. What if the Black Dolphin doesn't return? What then?"

"Hell taking our gold from the beach is what going to happen. We'll going after our gold." Flint turning away, his eyes set with a brooding stare.

Inspection of the Whydah Gally finish and not a good sign if the ship had to face another battle before making repairs. She is sailable but with a severely damaged mast speed would be out of the question.

"A rowing skiff might be faster. Three knots sir, my estimate at top speed for her." Captain Bellamy sitting in Flint's cabin. "She has taken a beating to the port side. We took several direct hits at the water line and repairs are critical. Without restoring the damage we'll have to dump our guns and become defenseless."

"What about your cannons?"

"Only one down. Vane was more hell bent on sinking or boarding. He knew who we were." Bellamy rubbing the top of his left hand, a slight wound.

"What is your take on repairs Mr. De Groot?"

"The mast in beyond repair while at sea. However if we can find still waters for a day, the hull can be fixed in a day."

"Fine, a day lost is not that bad but no more. There is an inlet over there." Flint standing at his desk and point at the chart on it. "The Blue Whale will guard while you make your repairs. Mr. Silver please give these to Mr. Armstrong. Captain Bellamy, set your course for this inlet." Flint writing down the course to make repairs.

Captain Bellamy standing to leave when Flint held his hand up for him to remain. Retaking his seat, "There is more?" He questioned.

"The Black Dolphin didn't make our rendezvous and there is a high likelihood of another pirate hunting us. Both can bring trouble to our plans. Believe me, Charles Vane isn't finish only gone to regroup. This fight for the gold is just the beginning."

Sam Bellamy studying Flint's face. "I feel this is something personal between you and Captain Vane."

"Very much so." Flint's jaw set and his eyes narrowed, "It has come to that all because of one woman, Eleanor Guthrie."

"That is surprising. What is she to you?" Bellamy's head cocked to one side at the news. He wanted at ask what sort of partnership but the one thing someone doesn't do - don't ask many questions of Flint.

"Was. That is was as she was a partner until she sided with Vane and that is betrayal to me."

"She is one bitch walking on two feet. That's why I'm dealing with Walter Brodstock, he is a fair man."

"She has to be hard to deal with men that don't see her as an equal." Flint laugh, "And that is most of us sailing the seas."

Bellamy nodding at Flint's remark. "The Whydah Gally can't take another battle."

"As long as she is on top of the water Captain, she can do battle. Gold Captain Bellamy, greater than one can ever dream is only days away and we are going to claim it. Richer beyond your wildest dreams and that sir is your crew's motive for standing and fighting."