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Chapter 12
Mutiny
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Long Bay
Whatever the Observatory was, it was situated in a beautiful place. The water was bluer than Samantha's eyes and the small islands in front of the main one made it so much more beautiful. Everything was so green and beautiful throughout the island – at least from a distance. When Samantha walked out of the cabin in the morning, all she could see were big green spots in the horizon. It was a lovely hot morning and she was wearing her usual baggy not-so-white-anymore shirt, her huge brown pants under boots and a black head band on her head.
Edward was not on the helm as usual, but on the main deck, surrounded by his men and their shouts. There was a big discussion taking place on the ship, in which the men appeared to be tired of Edward's hunt for this «Observatory». Only a few seemed to take Edward's side in this pursuit for gold and glory. The Captain assured the men this trip would be «worth the costs» and although not very convinced, the crew returned to their places. Edward then saw Sam standing by the rail and gave her a poor – yet gladly received – smile and made his way to the helm Adé was now holding.
The ship approached the island and, when still rather far away, the anchor was released and the men were informed that only the Captain and the Quartermaster would actually go to the island – in a small boat. Samantha was very surprised and disappointed, wishing to see the insides of the island herself. Edward walked down the stairs, heading for his quarters, and gently made a gesture for Sam to follow him. At first she was confused, but chose to follow him into the cabin. He was preparing his armor, with all sorts of weapons, and immediately walked up to her.
-Listen, I'm going to the island with Adé. – He said, tightening his belt.
-I know. – Sam nodded.
-That means you'll be staying in the Jackdaw with the crew. I want you to stay in this cabin, Samantha. Alright?
-Why?
-Because even though I trust my men, I still have doubts on some of them. It is safer if you stay here.
-I will be fine.
Samantha was touched for Edward's concern, it made her feel appreciated at last on that ship.
-Stay here, popsy, please. – He said and leaned closer to her.
Sam pushed Edward, avoiding another kiss. She could not deny that if given the choice to go back, she wouldn't have avoided the kiss from the previous night. She liked Edward very deeply, so these kinds of gestures filled her with this little happiness beyond meaning.
But that does not mean she did not think of it as wrong. Some recent feelings could not compete with a lifetime of lessons.
Edward was disappointed with this action, but placed a hand gently on the girl's face and gave her a kiss on the cheek. She felt as if all of her blood ran to her face, but said nothing. When Edward turned around to leave the cabin, they saw Bill standing there, with his usual inpatient face staring at Sam. He gave her a mad and strangely amused look and called Edward, who followed him outside the cabin. The girl felt a bit scared as she remembered the Captain would not be there to stand between her and Bill. Adé would leave the ship as well, so the best decision was probably to follow Edward's rules and stay inside the cabin.
…
About two hours later, Samantha opened her eyes and realized she was still lying in the Captain's bed. She had fallen asleep by accident and wondered how long she had been out. The noise outside the cabin had increased and she realized that must have been the reason why she woke up. Why were the men being so loud? Had Edward returned?
She risked stepping outside the room and immediately noticed Adé's presence. He was by the other men, in a sort of circle they had formed. As Sam saw him, she assumed the two men had returned from the Observatory and searched for Edward with her eyes, not spotting him anywhere. The girl pierced through the small crowd and saw Bill in the center of the circle, speaking to all the men. The ship was in the exact same place near the island and the small boat which had carried the Captain and the Quartermaster there was back. Why was Edward nowhere to be seen?
-We have voted and this is our decision. Anyone who strongly disagrees is welcome to join Kenway and let that be the end of it. – Bill preached.
-This feels wrong… we should at least wait and see what he has to say. – Joe spoke.
-He is mad, Joe. He is so blind by this idea of gold that he does not attend our needs anymore. You heard what Adé said, we are going. – Bill added.
Samantha walked closer to the Quartermaster and asked what was happening. Adéwalé's look revealed that whatever they were doing would not please the girl and remained silent for a few seconds. Bill rolled his eyes to the sight of the girl and approached her.
-And then there is this matter. – He spoke loud, to the men, while pointing at Sam. – The girl cannot join us. She is going to sell us out.
-What?! We cannot leave her here. – Adé snapped.
-What is going on? – Sam demanded. – Where is Edward?
-You know who her family is. – Bill explained the Quartermaster, ignoring Sam. – Once we reach land, without her dear Kenway, she will give us up in a blink.
-And what do you intend to do? – Adé asked.
-Dead or not, she stays here.
Samantha felt her heart in her mouth and looked at Adé, searching for some assure she would be alright. He said nothing and she almost called out for Edward.
-What is going on, Adé? – She asked, nervous.
-We are fleeing, Sam. – He explained. – I returned to the ship without Edward and we intend to leave this damned place without him as our Captain.
-You are leaving him?! How can you do that?! – Sam asked after a few seconds of letting herself adapt to this information.
-He is no longer a Captain who… - Adé attempted, but was interrupted.
-We don't need to explain her anything! – Bill thundered. – Is she not our prisoner?
-No longer, Bill. – Adé said.
-No, you're right. By now she is nothing but Kenway's little bitch.
-Excuse me? – Sam snapped.
-She is not like that, Bill. – Joe defended.
-Oh please. Forget what the bitch tells you for a while and notice the facts: she sleeps in his cabin every night and he lets no one else touch her! Why else would she have returned here?! It's one more reason to flee on this Captain of ours: why should he have a whore to fuck every night and we get nothing?
-Shut the hell up! – Sam yelled. – Nothing ever happened between me and him so don't you think you know what goes on when you are completely wrong!
Bill was definitely not in the mood to put up with Sam and slapped her right there. Adé placed his arm in a protective gesture but there was not much he could do when Bill's words had convinced almost every man in that ship.
-You've been nothing but fucking trouble since the first day you stepped in this ship! – He said and slapped her a second time.
-Enough, Bill! – Adé threatened.
Bill stared into Adéwalé's eyes for a few seconds and the Quartermaster gave in. He could not protect Samantha anymore, not when the entire crew stood against Edward and she defended him. Bill's words made sense and Adé sighted deeply.
-I'm sorry, Sam… - He said. – You must stay.
-Thank you. – Bill said and his eyes met Sam. – You walk the plank.
It took everything Sam had in her not to cry. The men yelled that she was to walk the plank and abandon the Jackdaw. There were still many meters to swim to reach the shore and the girl was frightened. She had had a few swimming lessons years before, when the long trip to Kingston was to take place. She had gone to the sea many times near her house, but never put to the test on high seas. What if she drowned? She refused to do as the men said and even told them he difficulty in water, but that just made men like Bill angrier and he pushed her off the ship, making her fall on the blue waters on her back.
It took all of Sam's mental effort to try and reach the beach. «Control your breathing; coordinate your arms…», she thought to herself as the image of the Jackdaw became smaller and smaller and beach came closer. After many minutes of struggle and a lot of water swollen, Sam felt four strong arms grabbing her and pulling her to the sand. She coughed and coughed for a couple of minutes and when se looked up, didn't recognize the men who had helped her. What were they doing there?
-Thank you… Thank you so much. – She was able to say.
-What do we have here?
Samantha looked behind the men who had saved her and a third one was standing there. He was tall, had very dark eyes, his clothes revealed his vanity and higher job in a ship (as well as his Captain hat), but the main and first feature Sam noticed of him was the huge mustache covering his face.
The air was very hot and that made it hard to breathe. Sam didn't even have time to admire the beauty of the place where she stood because that mysterious man grabbed her by a shoulder and brought her to her feet. And that was when she saw Edward lying down next to a palm tree, behind Mr. Moustache, not moving… as if dead. Her heart skipped a beat and she used a great deal of self-control not to run to him.
-What has happened to him? – She asked as calmly as her voice allowed.
-Are you from his crew, lass? – The man asked. – I did not know pirates could carry their whores with them now.
It was something Sam was now used to hear, but still pushed the man away and rushed to Edward's side. He was curled up on the floor, not a sound coming from him and with blood all over his hands and stomach.
-Edward? – Sam called. – Edward! Wake up! – She shook him.
For a moment there silence was set and Samantha stared at Edward. Was he dead? Would he never boss her around and call her «popsy» again? His blue eyes were now shut and she didn't even hear the sound of his breathing anymore. Samantha felt her body burning up from the nerves and yet freezing on the outside from the shock. Tears did not appear in her eyes and she felt dizzy, not knowing how to deal with whatever she was feeling.
-Wait… I know you. – Moustache man said. – You're the one from all the missing posters. I suppose it is a double reward for us, mates!
…
Sam was taken to the ship of the man she now knew was called Roberts. Her hands were tied behind her body and she was taken to the cargo hold, to a dark and humid brig (where prisoners are confined). All she had was a place where to sit and a bucket for her needs. She was kept there for several days, on her own, with nothing to do and no one to speak to. Two meals a day were delivered to her and although disgusted, forced herself to eat so she'd survive. The highlight of her day was whenever someone came to clean the cargo hold and she could watch them (not having the courage to speak in the first days).
-Do you think you can tell me where we are going? – She spoke on day, to a dark skinned man who was scrubbing the floor with a tired expression.
He raised his head to her and admired the girl for a second, then returning to work.
-Port Royal. – He said. – Do ye know where that is?
-Aye! Yes, I do.
Samantha had been in Port Royal so many times that it was hard for her to believe she was going to a place so close to home. They were literally going where her father spent most of his time… He would likely be there, perhaps awaiting her. But what if he knew of the decision she had made? Would he take her back? Had Lydia even told him of the encounter?
-Captain Kenway… - Samantha murmured. – Is he… Is he dead?
Her voice failed her in that last question and the man faced her once more.
-No. – He admitted. - He is in a poor condition, though. He will be joining you once he is capable of walking.
Samantha did not know if his words were true, but a feeling of relief took over her.
-Why are you taking us to Port Royal? – She asked.
-Kenway has a big amount of gold on his head. Roberts is taking him and you to the British navy so we can keep the reward on your asses.
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