Chapter Twenty-Six
Downstairs in the dining hall…
"Captain? Seems that the Mouse King dented you harshly!" One of Jack's shipmates called.
Jack, seated the head of the table, rolled his eyes as he replied.
"Yes. Hasn't everyone noticed that since?"
"Sir? That's exactly what Morgan Kingston has wanted: to make sure you're dented for battle. Against all the others… you've been the target of the wealth since his descendant tossed it into the sea!" The same mate answered.
His name was Matthew but Jack knew him. He was a cousin of and Jack remembered his name was taken from Jesus's apostle, Matthew. He turned to each one of the crew – all from decedents' from 1830's Pirate Dawson's crew. Jack vividly imagined the figures of the crew and mates: hearing their cries as they fought against the Mouse King pirate… the cannon's being fired against the ship… blood poured out from one mate to the other… the faithfulness of the crew… Edward Mayfield's descendant… it was his turn to take charge.
When all the men had his attention, Jack spoke.
"It is now the hour of midnight, men. As caption of the ship, I would like to request that we prepare the ship this very evening. Due to Morgan Kingston's disappearance, I know he's left to prepare his own ship for battle. He also knows our ship has the machine to dive into the sea and fish out the chest. As I applaud all of you for having kept it safe all this time, now I'm asking you to assist me with drawing it out. It will be used for the purposes of the Church and if we win… I will take some of it for my sons' and for my future family's welfare."
"That's exactly what the original Dawson pirate would have wanted you to do, Jack." A deep voice from the doorway answered.
Turning, Jack watched as Doctor Drosselmier made his presence known. He was thankful the doctor was present to hear the plan of what Jack hoped to do. He wanted to make sure that Rose and his sons' were well out of the way because Jack knew one thing he didn't want Rose to witness. When he met Drosselmier's eyes, he answered.
"I don't doubt that one bit, Drosselmier. Your descendant was a part of Dawson's original crew, wasn't he?"
"Yes. That he was." Drosselmier answered and he walked over and beside Jack. As if they all were in a tavern of old, Jack redirected his attention to the mates. Yes. All of them, in the flickering of the candlelight, looked like pirate mates.
"And the eyepatch you're wearing makes you all the more Captain like." One of the men announced.
"Does it, indeed?" Jack asked but he knew this wasn't something he wished to talk about. Instead, with Drosselmier and Albert to his sides, Jack Rose and asked Albert to place the map down. The faithful butler did so. Once it was out on the table, the candle light made it glow and a few of the crew stood; trying to make out what it was showing. Jack managed to ask for silence when they tried to take hold of it.
"Silence, men. I need to explain what I know about this. My late wife knew of this treasure and this is a copy of the original. I know Kingston has the original but that one doesn't have the marks where the gold is located. Rachel was smart enough to have written down where the coordinates are but Kingston doesn't have this. So, she hid this one in a Nutcracker doll and for as long as I was married to her… she made sure I didn't even touch him. Throughout that period, we grew into a family but I was under the power of Kingston. He, as you all know, was her brother but also the original Mouse King's descendant."
Here, Albert spoke.
"He eventually called himself 'The Mouse King' but from the history of the pirates… he's now called 'The Mouse King's Grandson.' Seems more Morgan likes being called the grandson rather than the Mouse King."
"That would make sense. Original names sometimes don't settle with the successors when they are carried out." Another one of the mates answered.
Then one of them, a young mate, raised his hand and Jack asked.
"Yes?"
"Captain? What is your approach of attack? If what you say about Kingston is true, how are we going to progress with the attack?"
"This evening."
"The ship has been in wait for as very long time, Captain." Matthew answered and he turned to the younger mate. His name was Bartholomew but the men addressed him as Bart. Bart was in his early twenties but could easily be mistaken for being younger… fifteen or so… but his maturity showed in his ability to take orders and Jack knew him to be a fine fisherman. Though he was thankful they didn't use nets most of the time when they fished. Bart nodded as Matthew explained.
"Captain Dawson's ship is a galleon."
Matthew smiled and Jack sided with him when he announced.
"Captain Dawson, here, has the very first Dawson's original galleon ship since it sailed to New York in 1830. Captain Dawson, along with shipmate Mayfield and Drosselmier, all teamed together and with our ancestors, made a deal that they would gather together one day and take the treasure and use it wisely when the time was right. Though, as we all have known, when family life replaced their agreement, the treasure was lost and forgotten."
"But it wasn't until Dawson here," Albert gestured over towards Jack, but he ignored him, "married Rachel Kingston that it was became known. The pirates adapted to the life of citizens and the crew, such as Dawson, Mayfield, and Drosselmier, including myself, General, settled down and established their families. Very few grew up with the history because the pirates didn't want to endanger their children. But Kingston managed to find them. I'm not sure how but he managed to find them. When the two ships fought in battle, Kingston was mortally injured but had a son with him. He told him to do what he could to keep the ship intact and sailed elsewhere. But not until he managed to learn where Drosselmier, Dawson, General, and Mayfield left."
"And Mrs. Mayfield is…" Bart asked as he narrowed his eyes.
Jack nodded as Albert continued.
"Yes. She is Mayfield's pirate descendant. He must have found his way to England where he married and established the name Mayfield. But he kept in contact with the other mates, who dispersed after arriving in New York, and one of them contained the map."
"The one Kingston has?" Another of the crew asked.
"Yes." Jack answered.
"But how was it that Kingston had the original but didn't know of its coordinates, Jack?"
"That's a part of the mystery which was never explained." Jack replied.
Albert seemed to be out of breath and remembering he was recovering from broken ribs, Jack took up the next part of the story.
"Mystery with pirates has always been around and continues so, crew. All we know is Morgan Kingston is the Mouse King's grandson… from 1830 to this moment… 1912. And all of us are from the Dawson's line – General, Mayfield, and Drosselmier."
"I must say that all our names were strange when we grew up, captain." Another man spoke.
Jack looked at him and he noticed the man's muscles. He would be useful when the ropes would be pulled up and he was exited for this. Yet at the same time… he was nervous. Jack was more known for business affairs and not sailing a galleon ship. Especially one from his ancestor. And he also remembered he was weakened: broken jaw and missing an eye. But Jack kept this to himself as he asked.
"Is that all that needs to be explained before I lay out the plan?"
"No, sir."
Were the responses. Feeling the courage of the captain, Jack then drew his shoulders back and ignoring the sling, he changed subjects.
"We're all going to head down to the docks this very night. I plan on preparing the galleon before Kingston can send any of his rats to my house. I've known that the manor has secret passages but Albert was generous enough to inform me that he's locked all of them. That makes me feel better because my fiancé is expecting. And I also have two sons' who lost their mama not too long ago. I wanted to know why Rose's uncle wrote to me and requested I marry her on fast business but it wasn't until Morgan sent a blackmail letter that informed me I shouldn't keep our history a secret any longer."
He paused when he remembered the Titanic and how Rose appeared that eventful day.
"As you all know, the Titanic made her mark in the books' and everyone is still talking about it. But that didn't matter. When Rachel passed away, it was evident that something was stirring so when I received her uncle's letter, Morgan sent the threat and disastrous results followed."
He gestured toward the eyepatch and the sling.
"Damaged me indeed and I am not cable of fighting when the time comes. That's why I called all of you. I need all the help I can call because I know Kingston has his own ship."
"But it's not the Mouse King's." Drosselmier added.
Turning, Jack felt the doctor place his hand on his shoulder as the others leaned in and their attention was pulled in. This was going to be an adventure and if Jack were living in the times of pirates… he was starting to feel how a captain would feel when it was time to talk to the men about attacks and their enemy ship. He felt the hairs stick on the back of his neck as Drosselmeier explained.
"Morgan Kingston wasn't able to create the original ship so he built his own galleon. Only this one is a little stronger from Dawson's. Dawson's has been hidden for 82 years but Kingston's is new."
"Which would make it easier for him to attack us." Another of the men replied.
"You're correct." Drosselmier answered.
Jack inwardly swallowed when he pictured how the scene would play out. But he didn't feel the temptation to let that bother him. Instead, he kept his composure when he thought about Elizabeth and his two sons'. He knew another source of strength was prayer. After he offered a Hail Mary, he spoke on.
"We can't afford to wait. I wish to see that ship out on that sea before dawn tomorrow. I know Kingston's sent some spies to watch the manor but I'm thankful to Albert the passages have been locked and Elizabeth as well as my sons' will be guarded tonight. Some of you are skilled with fighting and though I know all will be there, some of you are going to remain here to guard my family. Albert," he turned and the butler raised a brow, "are you willing to fight or stay here?"
"With my broken ribs, I'm sure I wouldn't be of much help here but I can push through it." Albert answered but Drosselmier called.
"Albert? Broken ribs and fighting against pirates who are a part of the police force? Which sounds better?"
"Oy." Albert answered but Jack turned and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"I will find a way to manage with Drosselmier. I know the boys' will keep you occupied when we're all gone."
"That's assuring because I dislike being left out of an adventure." Albert answered but Jack knew Albert. Understanding Albert looked at the master of the Dawson mansion and captain of the ship as he added, smiling.
"Well… at least tell me all about it when you return. And I'm sure your boys' are going to want to hear the whole adventure, too!"
"Then we'd best not waste time." Drosselmier answered.
"If I know Kingston… he's probably already waiting for us to leave now."
"And sent those rats of spies to follow the soldiers as they leave for the war room with their weapons and suits of armor!"
"We can't let him stop us from doing what is right." Drosselmier answered and Jack nodded. He was thankful he would be with him when they encountered the enemy but he also was grateful he had someone on his side. Knowing Kingston, Jack was prepared for anything and he was happy he'd asked the mates to arrive so he could accomplish this. Remembering Elizabeth and his two boys,' Jack turned and asked.
"Are you all ready?"
"Yes, we are." They all answered.
"Then let us set forth." Jack spoke and he felt a different shiver run down his spine. When Albert placed his hand on his shoulder, he nodded and blessed him. Jack thanked him and with the help of Drosselmier… soon exited the dining hall… entered the main lobby… and then found himself in his new car… setting off for the docks of New York. His heart pounded against his ribcage as they drove off.