Triplets in Love
By: Raven in Red
The Gardener triplet sisters' adventures continue as their relationships bloom even further and they take off after their sworn enemy. Long story, told in three parts, please R&R
Part Two: Sisters Apart
Chapter Twenty-Five: Taking Down the Black Pledge
Holly had been waiting for this day since the moment the fleet set sail. When the leading trio of ships, consisting of the Ocean's Hero, the Interceptor, and the Immaculate, sailed ahead of the fleet to scout out the waters ahead, they spotted a new ship on the horizon.
Due to Admiral Edmundson's incredible experience on the seas, Holly had chosen him as her right-hand man. He had passed on his normal duties to his first mate. "Admiral?" Holly called out to him from her position on the Hero's bow.
"Yes, Captain Gardener?" Edmundson was quick to appear at her side.
"Take a look at that ship out there," Holly gestured in the right direction. Edmundson pulled out his spyglass and took a good long look. Holly's heart pounded with anxiety.
"Reeve's colors," Edmundson declared as he tucked the spyglass back into his belt. "I recognize the ship, too. She's called the Black Pledge. When I was six, her crew attacked the merchant vessel my father was working on, killing him in the process."
"I'm so sorry," said Holly with true sympathy.
"Now that she's under Reeve's command, she needs to be taken down," Edmundson sounded like he was ready to kill.
"Alright, alert the messenger," Holly ordered. "Get him to inform the rest of the fleet." Once she received Edmundson's nod of acknowledgement, she went straight to the ship's helm, where Norrington was speaking to the navigator. "James?" she called to get his attention.
"Yes?" Norrington could sense the urgency in her voice.
"It's time," Holly announced with as much bravery and composure as she could, although she was beyond scared.
"Are you sure?" Norrington sounded as scared as he was.
"Come see for yourself," Holly took his hand and led him up to the bow. "There," she pointed.
"Oh, God," Norrington sighed. He handed his spyglass to Holly and then instructed, "Take a good look and tell me any details to can pull from the ship." Holly nodded, opened the spyglass, and pressed it to her eye.
"Bright red sails, ebony wood hull, flying Reeve's colors…I'd estimate at least one hundred and fifty crewmembers on board and…oh, God," her voice trailed off.
"What is it?" Norrington coaxed.
"Three decks of heavy cannons," Holly sighed and handed back the spyglass.
"Holly, this is one ship," Norrington took her face in his hands, attempting to reassure her. "We have fifteen. They don't stand a chance."
"You're right," Holly smiled as Norrington kissed her forehead. Then she got an idea. "I need to speak to Admiral Edmundson," she declared, releasing herself from his grasp and heading to the helm.
"Admiral!" she called out.
"Yes, Captain Gardener?" Edmundson had been working with the navigator, but he shifted his attention to Holly.
"I need you to help me plan the attack," said Holly.
"Of course, captain!" Edmundson jumped down the stairs from the helm and followed Holly into the meeting room. On the table, Holly laid out a piece of blank parchment along with four small model ships.
"Alright," Holly muttered as she made a rough sketch of the surrounding area and placed the model representation of the Black Pledge onto the parchment. "We're approaching an island, which means the water will be shallower."
"We can lead them into a trap," Edmundson was catching on.
"Exactly," Holly nodded. "Now, what we can do is get the trio to surround the Pledge and draw them closer to the shallows." She paused to place the other three models into a triangle around the first one. "Then, once it's shallow enough and there's no way they can escape, we drop anchor and open fire."
"I'm impressed," said Edmundson. "I never would have come up with that."
"Good, then it's settled," Holly said cheerfully. With that, the two left the meeting room. Edmundson went to relay the plan to the rest of the crew while Holly went straight to Norrington. "We have a plan," she said nervously rather than proudly.
"That's great," Norrington had a proud smile. "Let's hear it!"
"We chase them towards the shallows and surround them," said Holly.
"That sounds quite effective," said Norrington. Then he sighed. "Holly, might I ask why you're so worried about this situation?"
"I don't know," sighed Holly. "I guess I just have to always acknowledge the possibility of failure. No matter how secure the situation may look, there's always a chance that you'll be killed and taken from me." Once she finished her sentence, she pulled Norrington into a gentle hug. "I couldn't bear to lose you, James."
"And I you," Norrington reassured her. "We just have to do the best we can and never give up hope."
"You're very good at being reassuring," said Holly, beginning to cheer up. "I appreciate that."
"I have to be, seeing how much you worry," said Norrington, kissing her gently on the forehead.
"Captain!" Holly recognized Edmundson's voice.
"Yes, Admiral?" she acknowledged him.
"We're close," he said. "We should get into position."
"I would like you to do the honors, if you wouldn't mind," Holly suggested. She was still a little rusty with her abilities to command a ship.
"I would be honored, Captain Gardener," Edmundson bowed slightly before darting off to command the crew. Within a matter of minutes, the cannons were prepared, swords were sharpened, gunpowder and bullets were issued, and everyone took his respective position. Holly stood at the helm, having decided to steer the ship. She sighed with relief at how smoothly everything was going. Soon enough, Edmundson and Norrington both approached her.
"I'm sorry, Captain, but I must return and command the Immaculate," said Edmundson.
"And I am needed on the Interceptor," said Norrington.
Holly nodded, suddenly fearful. She was suddenly afraid of having to command by herself. In the past weeks, she had always had one of the two to guide her. "I'll be fine."
Edmundson saluted her and took off for a rowboat. Norrington stayed longer and pulled her into a quick but loving kiss. "I promise I'll come back safe." With that, he also left to get into a rowboat.
"Mr. Wesley!" Holly called out. Wesley was a trusted member of her crew. He carried several years of experience on the sea, and Holly trusted him.
"Yes, Captain Gardener," Wesley climbed up the stairs to the helm.
"I will be needing your assistance," said Holly.
"Of course, madam," said Wesley.
"You know the plan, right?" When Wesley nodded, she continued, "I need you to direct me when we get close enough to turn and drop anchor. Can you do that?"
"Of course," said Wesley. Without another word, Holly focused her attention on the Black Pledge. The trio was drawing ever closer. The Pledge was slowly approaching the shallows near the island.
"Yes," Holly muttered under her breath.
"Okay, now!" Wesley instructed. Without a moment of consideration, Holly gripped the wheel and turned sharply towards starboard, following the direction of the Immaculate and becoming a guide for the Interceptor. She loved the sudden whip of wind across her face from the sudden turn. It made her feel strong, confident, and determined.
Once she saw the Immaculate drop its anchor, she shouted, "Lower the starboard anchor!" The ship was soon locked into place. Since steering was no longer necessary, she went down to the stairs above the gun deck. "Ready on the guns," she directed. Each pair of men assigned themselves to a particular cannon. "On my signal…" she peered above deck for a quick moment. "FIRE!"
At that instant, the air was overwhelmed with the sounds of cannonfire. Holly darted back to the main deck. Sure enough, the Black Pledge was slowly falling to pieces. She didn't stand a chance. Although she was firing back, she was only causing trivial damage to the other ships. The Ocean's Hero only received damage to the figurehead and parts of the railing.
Finally, the Black Pledge began to sink. The trio had prevailed.
A little while later, rowboats were sent out to gather survivors. They were brought to the Ocean's Hero and lined up in handcuffs along the railing. Holly stood before them. "I know that each and every one of you sails under the flag of the former Admiral Reeve. I'll make this plain and simple: where is he?"
No one spoke up, so Holly continued, "It will go easier for you if you give us as much information as you can." Still, no one spoke up. Holly took a deep breath. "Reeve will be hunted down and brought to justice. I can assure you that."
"He…" one of the survivors spoke up in a voice barely louder than a whisper.
"Yes?" Holly knelt in front of him and looked him right in the eye.
"He does not sail on the Black Pledge, madam," said the man.
"Then which ship does he sail on?" Holly asked, keeping her voice calm and soothing.
"He sails on the Terror's Wing, madam," a new man spoke up.
Satisfied, Holly stood back up. "Anything else?" Silence followed. "Now, I just want to make something clear to all of you," she said. "Your fates are not my decision. That responsibility is not in my hands. But as long as you are on my ship, no harm will come to you. You will be well fed and you will be safe."
As soon as Holly was finished speaking, the survivors were led down to the brig. Holly leaned back on the railing and barely acknowledged Norrington when he approached her.
"Are you alright?" he asked. Holly shook her head. He gently pulled her into his arms and tucked her head into the crook of his neck.
"Those men are surely going to their deaths," Holly sighed.
"Holly, they're criminals," said Norrington. "They sailed under Reeve."
"Well, maybe I haven't gotten the full story yet," Holly realized. "I'm going to speak with them tonight. Maybe I can get them to trust us."
"Just be careful, sweetheart," Norrington took her face in his hands and kissed her forehead.
"I will," Holly promised.
Author's Note: One down…who knows how many to go. Well, they didn't find Reeve, but they're getting a little bit closer…