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Charles Towne on one hot and muggy day in late August 1718 when James Flint, just an ordinary citizen walked along the pier close to Smith's Quarry near the mouth of Copper River and the harbour. A breeze was giving some relief to the scorching afternoon heat but not enough. His thoughts turned to Nassau and wanting to hear any news as the last correspondence from Mr. Drake wasn't the best information. His hopes for a free Nassau were starting to dwindle and yet at the same time he secretly wishing to return, to see once more see Miranda and to command a ship and sail the seas again. A decade of being a pirate had become him even if he had thought how much he hates that life there was still the adventure he longed for, the shear exhilaration of battle but now... yes now he had made a choice and nothing more to be done about it.

A voice broke his muse, "Good afternoon Mr. Flint."

Looking over his shoulder to see the man he so didn't wish to lay eyes on again but there Colonel William Rhett stood. "What brings you out on a hot day?"

"I stopped by your home and your house servant told me I might find you down here by the quarry. Let me buy you a round at the Golden Swan Tavern and try a cool off a bit."

"Thank you but no. Not really interested in drinking with you Colonel."

"Well sir I know we are not on the best of terms however I would like to make a small gesture to make amends. Please allow me this chance and let me buy you a pint."

"My speculation is this is not a social call and I am not interest in anything you have to say." Flint being quick to rebut Rhett but the man wouldn't take no for an answer.

"No. You are right. This is not a social call but one that is important to Charles Towne. Do you know of Stede Bonnet?"

"I do and not very kindly. What is this about?" Flint slowing his pace a bit to listen to Rhett.

"Let me buy that drink and I shall inform you about Bonnet."

They walked toward the Golden Swan Tavern without any further conversation, all the while Flint thinking what had happened over the past five months. Colonel Rhett had been given the Command of the Carolina Militia and the small flotilla of ships given to one very qualified British Naval Officer, John Thomas Coram. Maybe all for the best as Colonel Rhett had little savvy at sea battles. Reaching the cooler shade of large oak trees and the small tavern, they found a table in the crowded place. Waiting for their drinks to arrive before beginning once more to talk.

"You know this is the season must all ships find dry dock for careening. To seek inland water ways to protect from sea storms while the ships lay on their side. The process may take up to four weeks."

Flint taking a long drink only looked at Rhett and nodded. "I know."

"We have good intelligence that Stede Bonnet didn't keep his pledge to the Crown when given a pardon but resume his piracy ways this past July changing the name of his flagship to the Royal James and now calls himself Captain Thomas."

"Interesting but what does that have to do with me?"

"I'm getting to that, just bare with me for a minute. Like I said, I have receive word and very reliable word that he in the last six weeks has been a very successful pirate, having captured several merchant ships and assembled his own squadron of pirate ships and has sail from the Delaware Bay to the Cape Fear River north of here. He in command his sloop-of-war flagship Royal James with two other ships Francis and Fortune and all being well armed, however, all together, only forty-six pirates crewed them."

"So he is improving in his ability to find followers. Strange but I guess one can learn over time how to captain a ship."

Rhett laughing, "You have a low opinion of the man."

"Very low indeed."

"Lord Ashe has ordered me to command an operation to find and destroy this pirate threat. Captain Coram is at sea so we are without the help of those ships. I do have volunteer militiamen and quite a few sailors from Charles Towne to sail as soon as we can with two armed sloops and a combined total of over a hundred men. Lord Ashe has requested you to captain one of the sloops in our hunt for Stede Bonnet."

Now Flint leaned back in his chair, ordering another round and remained quiet. There he sat for a long time thinking and the offer was tempting on many accounts. It was Stede Bonnet that had join with Charles Vane in attacking the Blue Whale and Whydah Gally off the Florida coast when going after the Urca gold and again sailing with Blackbeard and the battle at Charles Towne. Flint had lost good crew members in both battles and his personal score needed to be settled with Bonnet.

Rhett not liking the silence of Flint couldn't wait for an answer but pushed, "Well what say you Mr. Flint."

"It is Captain Flint and I shall take Lord Ashe's offer under consideration and give my answer by noon tomorrow." With that he stood and walked out the tavern leaving Rhett somewhat dumbfounded.

Later that evening in the quiet of his home, Flint begin to face what he had known for some time - to captain a ship once more. This wasn't going to be easy as he had given his word to Sarah about returning to sea and it was eating his very soul. He being so engrossed in his thoughts that Sarah was able to stand in the doorway watching the man deep in reflection staring out the window.

"Something troubling you James?"

"Oh, Sarah I didn't hear you come in."

"I know that look. Tell me what is going on?"

Flint set down on the casement of the window sill, folded his hands on his lap and looked down at the floor. "You know me all too well. Yes there is something troubling me and you are not going to like it."

"Try me."

"Colonel Rhett came to visit me today with a request..." Flint went on to explain to Sarah what had transpired earlier that afternoon. She listens but her eyes told the mind-set attitude she felt slowly taking control - anger. For Sarah this was not the news she wished to hear, the mere thought of James returning to sea cut at her very soul.

"Damn it James, you promised me. No...Oh hell no James... Why in the shit now."

"There is a score to be settled with Bonnet and Sarah please understand..." Flint trying to take her arms but she pulled away from his hold.

"Understand what? That you are not a man of your word. That breaking a promise is nothing to you..." She turning away from his face trying to hid tears of anger and rage welling up in her.

Flint made a step toward Sarah when the door opened and for a second breaking the tension. Their house servant, Annie-Jane came into the room, "Excuse me but Mr. George Brodstock is here to see you."

Flint standing to square off toward Sarah, "Your brother is here I wish to speak with him."

"Alright, maybe he can knock some sense into your heard." Sarah turning to Annie-Jane, "Show him in."

George Brodstock entering the parlor knew in an instance things were strained between them - possibly about the gossip on the streets and he was about ready to add fuel to the fire. "James good evening and to you my dear sister. I came by to have a little chat with James."

"Chat away George, we were in need of a break." Sarah taking a set in one of the wing chairs and folding her arm across her chest in a huff.

"I was hoping to speak in private Sarah if you don't mind." George moving a little closer to Sarah.

"She can stay George. About time we stop keeping anything from the fiery redhead. You know her tempter. She is already having one of her times may as well keep it going."

"Okay. I have been told by several sources about you meeting with Colonel Rhett this afternoon and what he wanted. Please tell me you are going to take the offer."

Sarah jumping to her feet, "What the shit! Not you too George. Why in the hell... Oh please tell me your reasoning for James to return to battle. With his pardon he had promise me to leave that damn way of life behind. To become a gentleman and leave the sea to others."

"Our brother Sarah. What happen to Walter was at the hands of Stede Bonnet. He took everything from Walter including his eye sight. If I could Sarah I would bring justice for our brother and balance the account with my own hands. Now James here has the chance. Only he is in the position to rectify what Bonnet has done."

Outraged flames flashed in her eyes as she yelled at her brother. "This is the first I have heard the name of the pirate that destroyed our trading company and raped Mary. Why wait so long in telling me? What had you hoped to gain by keeping all this a deep dark secret? What is your reason George?"

"My fault dear sister. I...Maybe I was trying to protect you by not giving you his name or details. It wasn't Bonnet that raped our niece Mary but his Quartermaster and two other men."

"No... Oh my god no." Anger now turning to tears coming swiftly to Sarah's eyes as she heard George's words. "Mary was raped by three men?"

"Yes."

James taking Sarah in his arms and held her close as she cried. "How could this happen without you telling me?" Sarah sobbing into James' chest.

"I'm sorry Sarah but I'm also hearing this for the first time. Look at me..." James holding her away so she could see his eyes, "It is time to do something about righting a wicked wrong. I cannot rest knowing this happen to your family and do nothing. Yes, I am breaking my promise to you and please my dear, understand why."

Sarah broke away from the hold James had on her and went to stand at the window looking out. "Both of you leave me alone...Get out... This is too much to take in... Oh hell... Just please go."

Flint and George leaving Sarah as she requested and headed for the study and some rum. "She is unset." George turning to hold his glass to be filled.

"She will be okay given enough time but I have leaned to leave her be when she is so furious. Give her time to process everything that has happened."

"You think she will understand our reasons for going after Bonnet?" George looking at his filled glass before taking a long drink.

"Oh she will understand but liking it is another question. That George is something I don't know. This returning to the sea is something I have been longing for and now I stand a very good chance of losing my wife because of it."

"So you have decided to captain the other ship going after Bonnet?"

"Yeah. Pretty much made my mind up at the Golden Swan Tavern but wanted to make Rhett squirm a bit. My little payback for him and how he treated my crew. I just don't like the man."

"Oh he is okay I guess. I know he has one fine son, Oliver and one can't be all bad and raise a fine young man. Try and tolerate Colonel Rhett for the sake of the family as Oliver is marrying my daughter Alice."

"Now I am being forced to play a little politics for the sake of the family. Well maybe I can... Hell it could also help me. Yeah I shall do as you ask."

George thankful for James and now taking his time in asking, "James I have a large favor to ask of you."

"And what might that be?"

"Bonnet and his crooks stripped Walter of all his assets, money and left him without a way to make a living to care for his girls. I've been helping as well as the other brothers but Bonnet should pay and pay dearly."

"You have something in mind?"

"Yes, I do. I want the same for him as he did to Walter but I need your help. Here is just a brief thought as details need to work out but I believe with your aid it can be done..." And so George Brodstock filled Flint in on his plan. The two came to an agreement and Flint being the pirate at heart was delighted to oblige. Yes they had a plan.

The next morning Flint was on his way to take command of Sea Nymph and help Colonel Rhett capture Bonnet. Standing on the dock waiting for his answer was Rhett himself and his Quartermaster, John Tomlin of the Royal Navy.

"Good day gentlemen." Flint greeted the two. "I have my answer and it comes with terms."

"What terms may that be?"

"That I take the lead, that the battle when we engage shall be at my command and if by any chance the pirates flee into the woods that we follow and capture them. This excursion shall not end with Bonnet escaping."

"Agreed. It was my intention for you to take the lead Captain." Rhett shaking his head in agreement.

"Fine. Now if you will, I should like to meet my crew."

Tomlin smiled at him, "Welcom aboard Captain Flint. I have heard so many things about you..."

"Mostly all bad I'm sure." Flint chuckling at the tales Rhett might have told Mr. Tomlin.

"Well yes but that you are an amazing sea Captain when it comes to battles. Now shall we meet your crew?" Tomlin leading the way to board the Sea Nymph.

Once on board, "Hello Captain." Ben Gunn smiling at Flint. "Glad to have you back."

"Gunn you old sea dog." Flint giving Ben Gunn a hardy hand shake, "Good to be back. I see another face I know. Muldoon they haven't found you out as yet. And you there, Farlan McPhee good to see you again."

McPhee shaking Flint's hand, "We heard you were taking the Sea Nymph on a hunt and joined the crew yesterday. So some of your old crew decided to join the hunt. Joji, Randall, Tiny, De Groot and of course you can't sail without a doctor."

"Dr. Howell with you too?"

"Aye Captain, just like old times on the hunt." Muldoon chuckled, "Only without the black."

"I hadn't made up my mind as of yesterday."

"Well let's just say we knew you couldn't past up hunting down Bonnet for breaking our code. There is still the matter of honor among us. Still accounts to balance before we all head out to met Davy Jones for that last voyage." Ben Gunn slapping Flint on the back, "Hell Captain, we have sail with you too many long years to quit now. Figured you need men you can trust and we know how you think."

Flint turning to Tomlin, "You sailing on the Sea Nymph or on the Henry?"

"On the Henry sir. This is your command and I am sure that I'm not one of the chosen ones to sail aboard." Tomlin bowing a little to Captain Flint. "Colonel Rhett wishes to sail tomorrow at day break. The ships are fully fitted and ready."

"Very well." Turning to Ben, "Call all hands together as I wish to address them and spent some time to get to know who I'm sailing with."

"Aye, aye Captain. Damn it is good to be back in business."