Nassau, Bahamas

June

1716

"We've been lucky, Captain." Adé declared as Edward took the wheel, "Smooth sailing all the way."

"Aye," Edward sighed, "Perhaps we're in the right place at the right time."

Edward steered The Jackdaw into port as the crew began to rally around on deck. Edward's eye caught sight of Thatch's ship, Queen Anne's Revenge. Edward thought of that night with DuCasse, and his final words. Shaking the thought from his head, Edward let go of the wheel and joined the crew on the sandy beaches.

"Kenway!" Thatch called, walking down the pathway from The Old Avery, "Where you be headed?"

"Thatch!" Edward greeted, he was surprised at the bear hug he received from his mentor, "I was about to indulge myself at the Avery."

"Aye, I'll join you after I take care of…." Thatch patted his chest, "I have to send a parcel."

Edward nodded. Instantly realizing that he was sending coin to Emilia. Edward's heart sank deeper inside of him, and his thirst grew. Everywhere he looked, he saw Caroline. Memories flooded through him and he couldn't put the rum to his mouth soon enough.

"Easy, Captain." Molly said as she wiped the bar with a dirty rag, "The sun has only just come up."

"Oy," Edward cleared his throat of the burning rum, "For the love of God, Molly. Just pitch me another."

"Can't till I see some color." Molly scolded, "Can't always be giving out free drinks, especially to someone as thirsty as you."

Edward dug in his pocket only to find string. He let out a sigh. He was nowhere drunk enough to do anything too brash, but had enough in him to talk back. Edward stared at his empty mug when another was pushed in front of him.

"You need a drink," said a soft voice, "Just don't tell Molly."

Edward's stomach dropped, he looked up to see cascading auburn locks, silver eyes, and freckles. Cheeks sculpted with age, but she had the figure of a young woman. A pink flower was pinned behind her ear, with her looks, probably from an admirer.

"I'm Anne." the red-head said softly, "I'm new here, but don't be thinking I'm some simpleton."

Her accent reminded Edward of home. Seeing her made him think about Caroline, it burned within him that this girl stood before him. Confident in her ways, she was still merely a child and he could tell.

"I'm Edward… Thanks for this." Edward replied lifting the mug to his lips.

"What makes a man so thirsty?" Anne asked, throwing her hair over her shoulder and resting her hands on the bar, "Must be a good story."

Edward's throat constricted, "Afraid not…"

"Oh… Quiet type." Anne chuckled, "Can't say I'm surprised… Either you all are all mouth or nothing at all."

"You all?" Edward asked, not amused.

"You." Anne laughed awkwardly, a twisted smile that only comes with youth, "Pirates. Criminals… People that I typically would try to avoid."

"Oh." Edward felt his brow tighten, "Then you've come to the wrong place, lass. What brings you here?"

"My husband lusts for gold." Anne said softly as she handed out a mug to another pirate too drunk to stand straight.

"Husband? You seem a little young to be married…" Edward's voice faded, he took another large drink.

"I'm not young, Edward. I'm nineteen." Anne said sternly, "Best you remember that."

Edward couldn't help but scoff at her, "Is that what you call a threat?"

Anne stood for a moment and parted her lips to speak only to be interrupted.

"I'll have what he's having." Thatch boomed, "Let's go, lass."

Anne hurried out another mug and set it in front of Thatch before attending to other tasks. Edward and Thatch shared the silence. Letting it speak for the things that Edward didn't want to say, that Caroline was gone. More than gone, she'd become a memory, distant, and unclear.

"I'm sorry, Kenway." Thatch confessed, "I really am."

Edward looked up to Thatch and his impressive dark beard, "What would you have done?"

"You're asking?" Thatch looked to Edward.

"Aye…"

"Figure… I would have done the same." Thatch said, "Let her fight, be in the moment, live as a pirate."

"She told me she had a feeling that this would go awry." Edward confessed, "I can't help but think that I should have taken it more seriously… That this is of my doing."

"Christ," Thatch took a drink, "You must let this go. You're a boy, Kenway."

Thatch looked to Edward as a father did to a son. It was overbearing but needed.

"You… You think she's gone." Edward said.

"How long it's been?" Thatch started.

"Weeks…" Edward began to feel the wishful thinking. He felt the season change but Caroline was no longer with him he took another drink and finally felt the level of alcohol rise in him.

"Months, lad." Thatch replied, "Long enough for a letter to be delivered, long enough for someone to see her, long enough for a sign."

Edward looked to Thatch as he pushed himself from the stool. Edward felt his familiar hand on his shoulder and for a moment he felt eighteen again.

"This wasn't your fault, son."

Yes… Edward thought This Hell is of my own making.

"Edward?" Rose poked Edward's shoulder, "Edward!"

"AH!" Edward's eyes peeled back and let searing light in. His mind shattered with a sharp pain.

"Jaysus, what are you doing?" Rose tried to catch his look, "This is no place to be… Christ… You need a bath!"

"Rose, damn," Edward looked up, realizing he was on a table, "What happened?"

"Oh, Gods," Rose rolled her eyes, "I think the proper question is what didn't happen last night."

"Enlighten me." Edward pulled himself off the side of the table, his artillery felt heavy on his shoulders and he resisted the urge to vomit.

"You started calling the new barmaid Caroline!" Rose scolded, "Then started asking her to leave with you and passed out on the fucking table! But only after you starting a bar brawl and took a public piss!"

"Christ." Edward's memory was erased, not even fragments of fuzzy events filled his mind, "I don't know what to say… I'm sure it was quite an experience."

Edward felt a sharp pain explode over his cheek.

"FUCK!" Edward called out, "You hit me?"

"YES!" Rose stomped, "You need to get your shite together, Edward. Jaysus."

Edward glared at Rose, "Recent circumstances -"

"SHUT IT!" Rose cut in, her eyes began to gleam with fresh tears, "Caroline's gone, but we still are here. The sun still rises and sets."

Edward took another step closer and looked down to Rose.

"You don't know anything." Edward concluded, he felt his throat constrict and felt the urge to spend another day with rum.

"I don't know anything? I've lost by best friend!" Rose countered, "But I know one thing, you've been a babbling drunk since we've been here! It's been months Edward. We need something else to do. We have the Book that you've had NO interest in looking at! We need to find the Observatory before the Templars do! We're out of money! The crew -"

"I don't need this!" Edward waved Rose off and turned around, stepping into the blaring sunlight leaving her behind.

"YOU THAT'S RIGHT! IT'S ALL ABOUT YOU! I FORGOT!" Rose boomed, her small steps quickly trailing behind him, "I forgot that you always put yourself first! You become a pirate, you leave for years, you didn't find Caroline in Nassau, and she found you only after becoming an Escort! She only made sacrifices for you and as soon as she's gone you crumble to nothing."

Edward froze and looked to Rose. His heart raced with fury as she approached him, staring him dead in the eye, he realized that Rose was more angry than he had ever seen her before.

"When I met you… I saw a man of quality," Rose stated, "You? I don't know who this man is." Edward watched Rose's eyes scan his body, "This pathetic man who can't be a captain for the fool's errand he's forced us all to take."

Rose turned away, but Edward firmly grabbed her arm.

"You think you know…" Edward started, "I've known you for a long time, Rose. Long enough to know that you've never suffered the loss that I've suffered. You've never looked into someone's eyes completely vulnerable. Known someone could level you with their eyes. Feeling like… God granted you an angel in this Hell, and you wouldn't know what it's like to be their lead. To have that forever, to know it would be there forever if it wasn't so ruthlessly taken away. No Rose, you don't know, don't test me of my power as a man when I've felt and loss more than you will ever know."

Edward released Rose's arm as a single tear fell over her tanned skin. Rose dug in her pocket, pulling out a think leather bound book. She handed it him with no words and turned back to The Jackdaw cradling her head in her hands.

Edward looked down to the book and the familiar red cross that was embroidered on the cover. Rotating it, he saw that leather straps kept the book bound shut.

Edward went back to the ship and locked himself in his quarters. He quickly opened the book, realizing it was actually an envelope. Filled with letters, all dating throughout the year, Edward gazed at some; all explaining plans as the year continued. Edward pulled out the last letter and opened it.

Meeting with current Headmaster to transfer Gold for The Sage. Meeting will commence mid day. All who dare to interfere will be eliminated; permission to kill on sight is granted.

Mission to take place: Porto Guárico

July 1th, 1716

It was a short note, but it was all Edward needed, a time and place. All he needed were allies… more importantly: coin. Edward concluded that he would need more arms for this mission. His mind scanned the potential captains that would join him. He knew now that he would go back to The Old Avery, only not just for drink, but to expand his crew as well.

"Back again to entertain us, Captain?" Anne laughed as she poured a drink.

"No, Anne. I wouldn't' say that." Edward sighed and approached the bar, "Apologies for my behavior. I didn't mean to offend."

"You didn't." Anne said sincerely, "I only wished to be Caroline. The way you 'spoke' so fondly of her."

Edward bowed his head as silence filled the space between them.

"Who is she?" Anne broke the silence.

"She is… She was…" Edward debated for a moment, "A great woman."

"She is or was?" Anne tilted her head to one side.

"Just get me a pint, would you?" Edward said as he tossed a couple coins on the bar.

Anne nodded and turned to the keg.

"Make it two."

Edward took the mugs and went to a table closer to the deck. Looking around he scanned potential men. The night was young and he would wait.

"Edward…."

Edward was startled, "Oh, Rose."

Rose played with the end of her long dark braid as she sat across from Edward. She took a deep breath before looking up to him.

"I wanted to apologize for my brashness…" Rose stated, "You know me well enough to know that I have a mouth on me."

Edward smiled for the first time in what felt like forever, "It was the first thing I noticed about you."

"A lifetime ago." Rose smiled solemnly.

"Aye," Edward said, taking a drink, "A lifetime ago."

The sun had set and it was dark for hours as Edward let the time pass with rum. His mind drifted to Caroline and her laugh, her touch, her personality, and her overall unique way that made him fall in love with her. He refused to forget the small things. How her hand fit his and how she could never lie. The small things she did lingered… Edward closed his eyes and thought about her sweet aroma.

"Oi, you, why the long look? Are you falling in love?"

Edward was pulled from his thoughts by the voice of Calico Jack Rackham. Edward felt the rum in his veins drunk enough to want to fight; too drunk to do anything about it. Edward's eyes traveled over to the man walking alongside Calico Jack, it took a moment for his vision to focus on the tall man and raspy voice of Charles Vane. Charles Vane was a captain. Edward knew it would be wise to have him a part of his mission. Picturing The Jackdaw alongside the Ranger made him feel like this mission could be done.

"You're welcome to Nassau, gents," Edward said as he pushed himself to his feet, "Everyone is who does his fair share."

Charles strolled over to the table and ran his hand over a bloodstained piece of wood. Clearly unimpressed since his last visit.

"So this is the new Libertalia? Stinks the same as every squat I've robbed in the past year."

Edward let out a scoff, "It's a different kettle of fish when someone else does it, eh? Perhaps sail less and housekeep…"

"We was led to believe Nassau was a place where men did as they please," snorted Jack.

Thatch's greeting could have been a battle cry as he walked onto the terrace. Edward felt relief as Thatch took the heat off of him.

"Captain Thatch, as I live and breathe. And what is this magnificent muzzle you've cultivated?" Vane said, running his own hand over his chin.

"Why fly a black flag when a black beard will do?" laughed Thatch.

Edward let their conversation continue and he returned his attention to his mug, taking down the rest of the rum before making his way to the group.

"The word is, the Cuban governor himself is fixing to receive a mess of gold from a nearby fort," Vane started.

Edward's heart quickened, pumping the rum out of his body, he realized that Vane knew about the gold, the mission he was going to ask him to join.

"Until then, it's just sitting there, itching to be took."

Edward nodded and looked to the others, but suspicion began to rise in him. He would join Vane on this mission for gold, but knew he had to keep one eye open.