Nassau, Bahamas

June

1716

"Simple," Vane coughed, "We plunder at dusk. Wait for any meetings to take place and get them when they least expect it."

"Element of surprise." Edward scoffed, "I must say, these men are hardly surprised…"

Edward looked to the other pirates around him, he wondered if they knew anything about the Templars.

"What you mean, Kenway?" Ben stated.

"The Governor," Edward sighed, "I had a bit of a run in with him during my youth. Something tells me he would never forget my face."

"No harm then." Vane interrupted, "This will not be a stealthy fight!"

"Grand," Thatch bellowed, "We know the plan in and out, let's get to it then. It's not much time before July is upon us."

Edward walked away from the beach and to the harbor. He looked over to see the other captains dispersing to their ships. They had studied the map for a week, understood the area, and it had finally come to this. The biggest plunder that Edward had been a part of all year. He could feel the excitement as he stepped aboard The Jackdaw. Edward went to the wheel and took it as the full sails captured the wind and pushed them to Porto Guárico.

"How do you think Vane knew of this money?" Adé asked.

"I would like to think it was from eavesdropping." Edward stated, "God help us if he's working with the Templars."

Adé nodded, "I reckon you're not doing this just for gold?"

"Hell no, Adé." Edward chuckled, "You can bet your arse that I'm taking the Sage with me…"

"Take what you can, Captain." Adé assured, "You're a smart man, but even the smartest man can be foolish."

"Aye…"

"I'm suspicious of Vane." Adé confessed, "I can't help but his knowledge of this mission seems… too convenient."

"Agreed, Quartermaster." Edward started, "The gold is one thing, the Sage is another, we will have our own plan…"

"What is that, Captain?"

"Get to Torres first."

"I never want to lose you…" Edward felt the words spill from his lips.

He opened his eyes to laying on a bench, one that he hadn't laid on in years, the one that sat under the shadow of two tangled apple trees. Looking over to his side, a gentle breeze pushed his hair from his eyes as Caroline rested against the tangled green tree. Her gaze looked to him, it seemed real and profound.

"Why would you say that?" Caroline responded, "You'll never lose me."

Caroline's green eyes seemed too green, and her hair appeared too red. Edward pushed himself up from the bench and walked over to her. In this moment his body felt light. Edward paused for a moment, trying to take in the details that he may have forgotten, but his subconscious seemed to hold on to. Caroline pushed herself from the tree and ran out of the orchard. Edward had no choice but to follow.

Bristol was fuzzy in many ways, the streets were empty, but he remembered the road where Caroline was running, she ran to the large manor at the top of the hill. But as they climbed it, he realized her home was gone. They only stood on a large cliff; he realized there was a similar overhang in Kingston. Caroline walked over to the edge. Edward stood behind her and quickly looked over the edge into endless angry indigo sea before looking to Caroline again.

"I did. I lost you."

Caroline turned to Edward and stretched out her arms to either side; as if she were going to take flight and she took a step backwards.

"Then find me." Caroline said as she took the final step that left her falling down the cliff.

Edward pushed himself forward to catch her only to be a moment too late, he gazed over her body as it fell to the ocean, her red hair swallowing up her face as she finally hit the white foam of rough sea.

"CAROLINE!" Edward sat up in his bed.

Sweat dripped down from his brow and he took a second to wipe it away. Winded, he tried to get moisten his dry throat. The dream had left him feeling strange. He dreamt of Caroline, but vivid ones like these were rare. Edward raked the skin on his arms to awaken himself further. He stretched and pulled himself from his bed. He looked out to the East and saw the sun was peaking over the horizon for a new day as Queen Anne's Revenge was pulling into the meeting spot just off the coast of Puerto Guárico. It was time to find Torres, and the Sage.

Puerto Guárico

July

1716

Edward scoffed as he looked through the spyglass.

"Hardly any guards," Edward said, "With our four ships, they don't stand a chance."

Edward handed the spyglass to Adé who smiled and nodded as well.

"Shall we move to shore?" Adé stated

"Aye." Edward smiled, eager for a fight.

It was war the moment that Edward and his fellow Captains and crew stepped on the shore. The afternoon was filled with battle calls and musket fire. Blood began to stain the shores as Edward pushed forward to the fort. Thatch fought with the fury of ten men, his battle cry was harsh and unforgiving. Edward could tell that this battle would soon make him a legend. Edward pulled out his second sword, slicing men as the approached him, scarlet blood flying from his blades like water. Edward looked at the fortress in front of him and pushed his way up the stairs and to the entrance and to the only room with a visible window.

Edward's arm felt loose after battle he shook the blood from his blade and approached the small fort, pushing the door open he sheathed his sword and instantly recognized the only occupant: Laureano Torres.

Two guards entered, but it only took a moment for them to fall to the ground after two shots from Edward's pistols. Torres scorned at Edward. His white hair glistened with his finely trimmed beard. His spectacles perched on a sharp nose were being swallowed by smoke from his pipe.

"Well hello, Your Excellency," Edward started, "I had word you might be here."

Torres chuckled, "I know your face, pirate. But your name was borrowed the last time we spoke."

Duncan Walpole…

Edward heard the door open and footsteps approach his side, Adé crossed his arms and willed Edward to continue. Torres squinted his eyes, perhaps remembering Adé, shackling him up to a ship to Spain.

"So," Edward continued, "what's a Templar Grand Master doing so far from his Castillo?"

"Ha, I'd rather not say." Torres declared.

"And I'd rather not cut yer lips off and feed 'em to ya," Edward countered.

Torres rolled his eyes, "After his escape from Havana we offered a reward for the Sage's recapture. Today someone claims to have found him. The gold is his ransom."

To Edward, this was old news; it was all in the letter he read a week before, "Who found him?"

Torres hesitated, "A slaver… By the name of Laurens Prins." Torres sighed, "He lives in Kingston."

Edward nodded, "We like this story, Torres, and we want to help you finish it. But we're going to do our way using you and your gold."

Torres let out a sharp sigh, he had no choice, and he knew it. Edward felt his dream appear in his mind: The Sage leading them to The Observatory and to their early retirement. Their next stop was Kingston.

Kingston, Jamaica

July

1716

It was only days before Edward felt the familiar sweltering heat that came from Jamaica. Endless and thick, he constantly felt sticky, but for some reason, his heart rose. Edward realized that they were close to his treasure. Edward pushed through the crowd of traders on the beach, glancing at what they were selling. Crates of sugar and fruit lined the bay as Edward continued towards the city.

"Edward Kenway…" Edward froze for a moment and turned.

The hooded men grasped Edward's arms and forced him down the dark ally. Edward could feel the fatigue from his previous battle anchor his arms.

"You won't be interfering today," one of the two men coughed, "our orders let us eliminate meddlesome bastards like yourself."

Edward's body was slammed against the brick wall of the neighboring tavern. Music drowned out the fighting that would take place. Edward scanned the two men, they met at eye level, but their brute strength made Edward feel tired. He couldn't handle them, not today. Edward noticed the red cross that dangled from their necks, other Templars, here to ensure the Sage's safe transfer. Edward swore under his breath.

"I'll take his balls," one man laughed, "show the world how small Captain Kenway's balls are…"

They took a moment to laugh, Edward went at him with all the strength he had, forcing the man's head into a wall to take him down. Edward heard bones crack as he threw the first Templar to the ground. Feeling winded he turned to face the other only to realize he was outmatched. The second Templar effortlessly pushed him to the ground. Edward felt his head pound from the impact. His thoughts jumbled with the fall.

It was then that his blurred vision cleared. Edward saw someone had decided to assist him in this; from behind the Templar struggled and coughed as a pair of arms linked around his neck. He began to stumble as his wheezing turned to a gag, falling flat on his front side.

It was then Edward pushed himself to a seated position, collecting his breath, he decided to thank the hooded stranger. The stranger stood at his feet, extending a hand to help Edward to his feet.

"Thanks, mate," he coughed, "was really feeling the heat of that…"

The hood fell. It was then that Edward realized the person before him wasn't a stranger at all, red hair cascading down her shoulders to the longest length that Edward had ever seen, green eyes, and plump lips, Edward realized she had risen from the dead.

Caroline.