New Providence, Year of Our Lord 1713
Sadly all good things come to an end and Roger's days of glory serving the Royal Navy ended when the war did in 1713. Now french and spanish ships were off-limits. Some of his crew left to find new jobs, but most stayed with their captain. Roger was not willing to give up a life that had suited him so well, fortunately for him Roger anticipated this eventuality and had prepared accordingly. In his year in privateering, Roger had gathered enough wealth for him and his crew to retire for life. Instead of retiring Roger and his men ignored the royal decree and underwent a massive change in identity.
Roger donned a metal mask with a red mouthless skull painted on it over his face to hide his identity as well as his youth. Slits for air were cut into the unpainted area's of the mask. He then crafted a personal banner for himself, two red boarding axes crossing over a red trident on a black field then took on the name Caedus. To avoid being recognized he changed his armament to four double barrel pistols, a sai and a han jian sword replaced his dagger and smallsword. With help from Flint, Caedus created a story around his new persona, of a former british captain captured by the spanish and suffered torments under them that left his face horribly disfigured. So the career of Captain Roger the Privateer was over and the career of Captain Caedus the Pirate had officially begun. He repainted his ships and gave the Gideon a black colour scheme before renaming it Aegaeon. The Aegaeon would always be accompanied by the Octavius, and the Bucephalus now renamed the Kimera and Manticore respectively.
Caedus' crew where all veteran seaman and they would train any new recruit. This was especially emphasized on the Surgeons, cooks, carpenters and coopers to ensure the ship had a healthy pool of replacements for lost members. Though Caedus wore all black his crew had taken to assorted articles of green clothing from pants to shirts to overcoats. To cement his newfound path, Caedus began writing down the Articles that every recruit had to agree to if they wanted to join him. The recruits all swore blood oaths upon Caedus' sword as opposed to a bible These articles are known as the Caedus Code.
Article I: Parley. None shall harm those under a banner of Truce Peace or Surrender unless broken by the opposite party.
Article II: No Man shall force themselves upon any woman. Any offender shall be flayed to death.
Article III: No man shall flee from their duties during any engagement. Any offender shall be marooned.
Article IV: No man shall seize the shares of a fellow crewman. Any offender shall lose a hand.
Article V: No man shall spill each other's blood aboard ship. All grievances will be settled ashore.
Article VI: No man shall engage fellow pirates unless they draw first blood.
Article VII: No men shall snap his firearm, smoke tobacco or light a naked candle in the hold of the ship.
Article VIII: No man shall do harm to women or children. Any offender shall be keelhauled to death.
Article IX: Every Man is limited to grog while at sea. Any other alcohol aboard will be reserved for medical purposes.
Article X: Every man must keep their weapons and equipment maintained and ready for service at all times.
Article XI: Every man shall have an equal voice in all affairs and an equal claim to all provisions.
Article XII: Every man crippled during an engagement shall receive compensation for their loss. The loss of a limb equals 600 pieces of eight. Less severe injuries such as an eye, or three fingers one hand shall receive 200 pieces of eight.
Article XIII: The Captain, The Prizemaster, Quartermaster, Bosun, First Mate and Striker shall receive 3 shares of all loot taken from a prize. Surgeons, Carpenters, Cooks and Coopers receive 2 shares, and the crewmen shall receive 1 share.
Article XIV: No woman or child shall be allowed aboard the ship, save for those who are crewmembers or those who wish to enlist. They must consent to the articles and contribute to the running of the ship and giving battle.
Caedus knew he would need to integrate himself with his fellow pirates and establish a reputation. As with all pirates, veterans and newcomers, Caedus found his way to the island of New Providence and the pirate haven of Nassau. Behind his mask, he smiled, the place was an utter cesspool and gods help him he loved it, everything seemed natural and free. In other words the ultimate expression of defiance to the established social order. They chose Richard Guthrie, a wealthy black marketer to legitimize their stolen goods. Caedus had managed to set up a system with Guthrie regarding some of his goods. Using the wealth he obtained as a privateer, Caedus purchased a sugar plantation under his legal name and used it as a front for the sugar he seized in his raids. The sugar would be taken to the plantation which was put on a merchant ship owned by Guthrie, who then sold it to a legal port. Thanks to his alter ego Caedus was able to do business personally with Guthrie without drawing suspicion. To keep up appearances, Caedus had some of the slaves he freed to come 'work' there. While seemingly there to make sugar, they were really being trained to fight and sail.
Before going to the Tavern Caedus stopped to deliver his goods to the warehouse. There he found a strikingly beautiful woman that seemed to be in charge.
"Can I help you with something?" she asked once she noticed him.
"T'was told this was the place to sell contraband," Caedus replied.
The woman nodded, "you were told correct, Mr.-"
"Caedus, Captain of the Aegaeon."
"Caedus?" The woman smirked, "that means slaughter in latin."
Caedus nodded, "I see you're well-read, Miss-."
"Eleanor Guthrie."
"Richard's daughter I presume," Eleanor nodded, "I must say I'm surprised, to see a woman conductin' business."
Eleanor cocked an eyebrow, "is that a problem?"
Caedus shook his head, "you can be an albino dwarf for all I care, as long as you know the trade, it don't matter to me none."
Eleanor nodded, "Good, now what do you have for me?"
Caedus handed her a list of what he had which includes tobacco, sugar, and rum as well as one other thing that caught Eleanor's attention, "you also have cannons?"
"A couple dozen," Caedus replied, "a few lost their carriages but nothin' that can't be replaced."
Eleanor nodded and Caedus brought his haul inside. After inspecting the goods she laid out her terms, 4 reales on the dollar. This caused Caedus to stiffen, "what your asking for is fifty-percent of our profit," he pointed out.
"The terms are steep, but the more you earn the better the terms," She replied
Caedus shrugged, "fair 'nough, though I'd prefer more exclusive terms."
"What did you have in mind," Eleanor wondered.
"Sixty-forty my way, should I fail to deliver than the rate is reversed and the sixty goes your way."
Eleanor smirked, "you must be really confident to take such a bold gamble, it could end badly for you."
"Then it's a good thing I know what I'm doin'," Caedus replied holding out his hand. "Do we have an accord?"
Eleanor thought for a moment before taking his hand, "Let's hope you deliver on your end Captain Caedus."
With the deal struck Caedus turned to leave when Eleanor's right-hand man Mr. Scott stopped him. "Caedus a word in private if I would." The pirate captain nodded and the two men left to talk privately while Caedus men stood to watch to ensure no one overheard them.
"How many?" Mr Scott asked once they were alone.
"Roughly 600," Caedus replied, "can your queen handle it?"
Mr. Scott nodded, "if you can help us with supplies we'll manage."
"We'll do what we can," Caedus replied, "but if it's too many, other arrangements can be made."
Mr. Scott nodded, "I cannot express how grateful I am for what you have done not just for me and my family but also for our people."
Caedus returned with his own nod, "kingdoms built on the backs of slaves don't deserve to stand." Later, Caedus made his way to the tavern, there he met with fellow pirate captains including Joseph Flint, and Benjamin Hornigold.
"Ahoy Caedus," Flint called out. "Take any more prizes?"
Caedus nodded, "2 convoys and 4 slave ships, honestly it's a wonder why the Europeans never run out of vessels."
"Why do you bother with those slave ships anyway?" Hornigold scolded. "No money to be made there."
"No," Caedus agreed, "but there's no shortage of good men aboard."
"A waste of time if you ask me," Hornigold insisted.
"I wouldn't expect you to understand, Hornigold." He walked over to the veteran pirate and placed a hand on his shoulder. "They say a man doesn't know himself until his freedom is taken from him. I wonder Hornigold, if you were to lose your freedom how well will you know yourself?" Hornigold backed away and raised his hands in surrender.
Flint beckoned Caedus to follow him. "Come with us Caedus, we have something important to discuss. Caedus nodded and followed Flint, Thatch and Hornigold to the Fort. The Fort of Nassau was an abandoned Starfort situated on a cliffside overlooking the town and the harbour. In a state of disrepair, the pirates made efforts to restore it and armed it with 40 cannons.
They headed for Fort Nassau, which was on the high ground, giving them a clear view of the town and harbour. They entered the command barracks where they found Henry Jennings already there. Jennings was the unofficial 'mayor' of Nassau and along with Hornigold, were the most senior members of the group as well as the de facto Leaders. Caedus had great respect for Jennings and greatly disliked Hornigold due to his prejudice against africans. Also, there was Edward Thatch, Sam Bellamy and another man Caedus did not recognize. He looked young and was rather thin and had dark circles around his eyes. Yet something about him seemed off like he just didn't belong.
"Who's the kid?" Caedus asked Thatch.
"That'll be James Kidd, the bastard son of the late William Kidd. Don't let his appearance fool you. He can get vicious if need be."
That took Caedus off guard, as he took another look at James. "Never heard of him," Caedus said finally, "and I've heard of most every other pirate."
"I like to keep it that way," James spoke up. His accent indicated english, yet the pitch of his voice sounded wrong for some reason.' Caedus was now very suspicious of this one. Kidd looked Caedus up and down. "Sleek costume you got there Caedus, D'you take it from a corpse?"
Caedus, shook his head. "aye from someone who no longer 'ad need of it."
"I see," Kidd said skeptically.
Once Caedus and the others took a seat, Jennings and Hornigold stood and addressed the gathered pirates. "Nassau is a small shanty town right now," Jennings said. "It's run down, yet a place we pirates can call home. With a little effort and a bit of gold we can make it something more, a haven."
"What do you have in mind?" Caedus asked leaning forward on the table.
Hornigold stood up, "I've spoken with Jennings and the others, together we want to turn Nassau into a republic, a place where pirates can live easy and free. Away from the British, Spanish, French, Dutch, Portuguese or whatever kings. You and Flint are the most notorious pirates in the Caribbean, we would ask you to join us in achieving this dream."
Caedus and Flint looked at each other. "What do you think?" Caedus asked.
Flint gave him a nod, "this idea has merit," Flint admitted. "And making a new free country sounds very appealing."
Caedus returned the nod before they both turned to the group. "Very well, Benjamin let's see where this little venture goes, I'm in."
"Then we all have an accord," Hornigold asked to everyone. The other pirates nodded in agreement. So, Henry Jennings, Benjamin Hornigold, Joseph Flint, Edward Thatch, James Kidd and Caedus formed the Pirate Republic of Nassau. It was agreed that Jennings and Hornigold would be the leaders of the Brethren. These men also recruited fellow pirates Charles Vane, Jack Rackham and Olivier Levasseur to form the Flying Gang, a group made up of the republic's most successful Captains.
It was nighttime by the time the council ended as they were heading in seperate directions, Caedus cornered Kidd and pinned him to a tree. "What kind of game are you playing at Kidd!" He demanded, placing his sai to Kidd's neck.
"What are you on about Caedus?" Kidd asked. He struggled to get free but Caedus' iron grip held him in place
"Don't play coy with me Kidd," Caedus snarled. "It takes a deceiver to see a deceiver."
Kidd stopped struggling. and stared at Caedus' silver eyes. "How have I been false?"
Caedus released Kidd and backed off. He rubbed the chin of his mask pretending to think. "Well how bout the fact that you're not the son of William Kidd. Or the fact that your not a pirate, at least not like us. Or maybe it's the fact that you're a girl."
Kidd reeled back by that. 'How did he know?' She wondered in horror, still she had to keep up the charade. "I'm not a girl," she insisted indignantly.
Caedus looked at her obviously amused. "Really? Then whip out your cock and take a piss on this tree then."
Kidd's eyes darted to and fro, trying to think of a way to get out of this. "I don't have to take a piss." She lied, truthfully she did need to badly and nighttime was the only time to do it.
Caedus gave a short laugh. "You try to sound like a man yet ending sounding like a young boy and you look far too old to be a boy. Unfortunately, the dirt on your face and your clothes are not enough to hide your more obvious features or the way you carry yourself. Not that it makes a difference, I've seen prettier men than you. But that is a moot point." He paused and looked out into the harbour. "I admire your courage to undertake this amusing charade." He came towards her, "word of advice li'l girl," he grabbed her throat and his thumb stroked her neck coming across no bumps. "There's a reason doctor's call it an adam's apple." He whispered.
Kidd flicked her wrist and a hidden blade appeared she came up to him and tried to aim it at Caedus' manhood. With astounding speed, Caedus caught the blade with the side prongs of his sai. He grabbed her arm and aimed the blade at Kidd's chin.
Caedus growled and shook his head. "Don't try that again," He warned. "If you still wish to keep your li'l secret that is."
"If you tell anyone," Kidd declared, "I swear I'll-"
"You'll what?" Caedus challenged, "prick me with your li'l cheese knife?" He laughed again. "Don't worry li'l girl, no one'll know, least not from me."
"You won't say anything?" Kidd asked in surprise.
Caedus shrugged, "a girl keeps secrets, not my place to spoil them." With that, Caedus released her. and drew his sword and aimed it at her throat. "But be warned Kidd, should you play the Brethren false, they won't find what's left of you."
Kidd nodded rapidly, Caedus sheathed his sword and turned around but before he could leave, Kidd called after him. "You say you're a deceiver Caedus, so who are you deceiving?"
Caedus turned to her, "everyone puts on a mask in front of society, that's all anybody ever does, we play parts." With that, he walked off leaving Kidd alone against the tree.
Heading back into town Caedus was confronted by two men, "they say you're new to the island." One of them stated.
"Aye," Caedus confirmed warily his hand resting on one of his axes, "what of it."
"Forgive us," the other man said sensing the tension, "but all newcomers are brought before him to undergo a 'special initiation' no exceptions."
Caedus cocked his head to the side, "pray tell, who wishes to meet me?"
The two men looked at each other and replied, "Yellowbeard."
Caedus cocked an eyebrow, he felt like the name seemed familiar but he couldn't place it. Curiosity got the better of him so he decided to play along, "as you wish, but don't try anythin' funny." He followed the two men to a brothel, Caedus guessed because this 'Yellowbeard' must be quite the womanizer. Still, there were worse places to meet. They led him into a room and closed the door. In the room was a group of pretty and shapely women, likely the choicest girls. Yellowbeard must have quite a wealth to afford them. they surrounded a figure wearing a big hat and a large cloak. The figure looked up revealing the face of a blonde woman.
"You're Yellowbeard?" Caedus wondered. The blonde stood up and removed her cloak revealing a shapely figure and between her legs was-.
"Ahh," Caedus said in realization and inwardly cursing himself for not putting the pieces together, "I see now."
He unbuckled his belt and the girls swarmed him. Removing his clothes before ding the same to each other. One of them, Max he believed her name was tried to remove his mask only for him to grab her wrist and shake his head. "Don't" he warned, "remove...the...mask." The girl nodded before continuing. The Mask stayed on throughout the entire orgy and though the girls tried to wear him out, in the end, it was Caedus that wore them out. In the end, Caedus and all 5 girls were on the bed basking in the afterglows of pleasure.
"This is just the beginning Caedus," Flint declared.
Caedus nodded, "Indeed old friend,' he replied. "So, what is our next venture?"
Flint grinned, "I hear there's a treasure fleet bound to sail from Havana soon. What do you say Caedus up for a little treasure hunt?"
The chuckle Caedus gave was all the answer Flint needed.
Under this new persona, Caedus became one of the most infamous pirates in the Caribbean. He was as ruthless as he was successful wreaking havoc and taking ship after ship. With each ship captured the loyalty of Caedus crew swelled along with their riches. For the first half of his reign of terror Caedus made it a point not to target British ships. As a result, the Spanish and French in particular came to fear him. Despite their demands of Great Britain to stop him, King George did the bare minimum to do so. There was no love lost between Britain, and her rivals and Caedus caused no grievances to the king's ships. Most British captains chose instead to ignore him since the alternative would be to fight. something they usually tried to avoid.
Pirate crews were usually a democracy, and every decision was for them to decide. But by this time Caedus' crew was firmly cemented behind him. He was vicious as a fighter, brilliant as a captain, and ruthless as a pirate. Yet for all his cruelty, Caedus showed that he genuinely cared about his crew. Joshua personally thought that Caedus did it fearing the man would talk under torture. Caedus also understood the importance of medical personnel. Because it is hard to find professional physicians at sea, it was understandable why Caedus would press some into service. The Aegaeon's crew had two surgeons and four surgeon mates tasked with tending to his crews ails. Due to their importance these men were usually placed in the most protected part of the ship during battle. Caedus also made it a point to keep them well supplied with medicine, whether he got it through legal means or by raiding.
Most Spanish and French captains just surrendered whenever they saw the black hull and sails of Caedus' ship approaching them. But every now and then some Spanish or French warship got bold and tried to fight him. but they ended up the same way, with the ship sunk and the crew slaughtered. The Aegaeon proved itself on multiple engagements, it's size and power allowed it to overtake the smaller ships such as sloops, schooners, brigantines, brigs, luggers and corvette with ease. Yet able to overtake the large merchant ships.
His habit of targeting slave ships provided him with an endless supply of men willing to fight for him. those that didn't were sent to a secret haven known only as maroon island where they were taken in by the benevolent and mysterious Maroon Queen. The Maroon Queen's husband Mr. Scott worked for Richard Guthrie and was the one that helped Caedus locate the island. This led to a close partnership between the Maroon Queen and Captain Caedus who also helped supply the former slaves with weapons and supplies whenever he could.
One time, Caedus came across a fleet of three Spanish galleons headed for Havana. Two of the galleons were 30 gunners, the third had 50 guns. Despite these overwhelming odds Caedus decided to attack. Together Spaniards out gunned him, but individually, they stood no chance. The Spanish guns could not match Caedus' cannons which were fitted with gunlock mechanisms. In the engagement that followed, the Aegaeon took on each galleon in turn sinking the first two and crippling the third. As the pirates engaged the Spanish. Caedus found a challenger in the captain. The Spaniard drew his pistol and fired, but he seemed to have missed since Caedus kept coming as if nothing had happened. He raised his axes to cut down the Spaniard, but the Spaniard drew his sabre and blocked them in time. Their duel continued even as the rest of the galleon's crew had been slain.
"You heathen," The Spaniard roared. "God will strike you down for all your atrocities."
'Oh so he's one of those,' Caedus thought in amusement. He got up close to the Spaniard's face. "What's your god waitin' for then?" He jeered.
"The proper time to strike."
Caedus laughed, "No time like the present. He better hurry 'fore I kill you." Caedus hooked his left axe to the pommel of the Spaniard's sabre and used his right axe to chop off the man's hand. The Spaniard screamed as he cradled his bloody stump.
Hector, Caedus' Quartermaster, dragged a man in front of Caedus. "Foun' this little shit hidin' in the hold captain," he said as he sneered at the man. The man turned out to be a cardinal who was on his way to havana.
"Well, well, well," Caedus laughed. "Lookie here boys, a man of the cloth, come to spread the good news." He turned to the Spaniard. "This man is a prince of your church," he began. "Tell me, do you think your god save him from the likes of ME!"
Joshua voiced his objections. "Captain this is a holy man, please spare his life."
Caedus ignored him. "He is a fraud, who preaches the word of a false idol to keep the people from tearing down his decadent order." He raised his hand and snapped his fingers. Out of nowhere a black Jaguar leaped up on the poop deck and stood beside Caedus. Caedus stroked the big cat's ears affectionately. he turned to the cardinal and said two words. "Dinner Attila."
Joshua and the spaniard watched in horror as the cat had the cardinal for dinner. The Spaniard looked at Caedus and spat, "Arder en el Infierno, (burn in hell)."
Caedus was about to finish him off when he spotted something on the man's hand, a ring with a red cross on it. He clutched the captain's hand, pulled him close and whispered in his ear, "may the father of understanding guide you-," he then plunged his sai into the man's throat. "-in the afterlife."
The pirates looted the ship, as it happens, the cardinal had brought a large amount of gold with him, 40,000 spanish doubloons. Caedus took a ring off cardinal's finger and the captain and placed them in a pouch. "A fine addition to my collection," he chuckled. Joshua was shocked at what he had just witnessed and wondered if he should reconsider a different career.
Caedus knew that this leniency from Britain would only go for so long. Knowing that action against the British was inevitable and began building a fleet. France and Spain hired pirate hunters to destroy him, but these skirmishes all ended the same way. Caedus defeated every hunter that dared to engage him. Some hunters even decided to join him and Caedus would add their ships to his fleet.
During this time, he would meet with fellow pirate Edward Kenway. The two became fast friends and for a brief time Kenway was part of Caedus' crew. But he ended up leaving to join another pirate, Abel Bramah. Caedus took an immediate disliking for the pirate captain and advised Kenway not to join the scoundrel. Despite offering him to join his crew Kenway sailed with Bramah anyway.
In the years that followed, Caedus continued attacking treasure fleets and slave ships. With each successful capture, the crew became more and more loyal to him. Soon he was one of the most successful pirate captains in Nassau second only to his mentor Captain Flint. When it came to taking prizes, Caedus was merciful to merchant vessels. If they surrendered peacefully, they were treated fairly the ship would be thoroughly stripped of everything while leaving them with enough provisions to make it to a safe harbour. Those that fought back or flew a false flag of parley were dealt with more harshly often resulting in the death of the captain and left with a skeleton crew. Warships, on the other hand, were a different matter, no quarter was given and Caedus usually sank such vessels. Though he did board them if he got the opportunity in order to take their cannons. Slave ships depended on how the captain dealt with the slaves, if they cooperated, they were spared, if they sent the slaves adrift in rowboats, then they were allowed to escape. But if they dumped the slaves overboard the crew was chased down and slaughtered to a man. If they dared to scuttle the vessel with the slaves inside, they were flayed alive, strapped to the masts of their ship and sailed into Havana or Kingston to serve as a warning. This combined with his treatment of warships was what earned Caedus a ruthless reputation.
Caedus became known for never taking off his mask in public. As well as being intimidating, his mask became widely known and added to the mystery and his infamy, many stories circled around what was behind that mask. Stories that Caedus made no effort to suppress.
"They say his teeth are filed to fangs."
"I heard the skin on one side of his face is burnt clean off."
"I imagine he's a leper."
"A monster is behind that mask, not a man."
"Not a monster, a Demon in human form."
Caedus smiled to himself as he sat with Flint. A revolution was starting here one that would shake the established order in Europe to its very foundations. He was at the forefront among several others. What they did in the next few years would decide whether they will live on in infamy or fade into obscurity, a page in someone else's history book.
End of Sequence
