Waves crashed against the hull of the Hydra as it made its way to England. In the captain's cabin, Edward Kenway and Caedus (David Kenway) discussed what their plans would be once they returned home. Edward wanted to start his life anew, while David urged him to leave England and start a life in the new world or on one of the many islands in the Caribbean. But one thing they agreed on was that the wellbeing of Jennifer was paramount. They both knew they had to get her away from her grandfather Emmett Scott.
Anne was gawking at the face of her lover. In all honesty she didn't really know what she had been expecting Caedus to look like. Sometimes she envisioned a brutish man, other times a mutilated face. But this, he was gorgeous what surprised her even more was how young he was which made her realized that he had been a mere boy when he started.
"So, you two are really related?" Anne pointed between them.
"Aye," David replied, "Our fathers are brothers."
"But how did you become Caedus?" Anne wondered.
David proceeded to lite a pipe and started puffing after blowing two smoke rings he began his tale. "I was born Roger David Kenway, my father Jonathan Kenway was the younger brother of Edward's father. But instead of helping Bernard run the farm he took the first opportunity he got to serve aboard as a cabin boy for a whaling ship. My father ended up gaining a great deal of experience sailing as well as hunting becoming an expert harpoonist and navigator. His skill earned him recognition and he finally achieved his dream of becoming a Captain of his own ship.
It wasn't long after he became a captain that Jonathan met my mother, Cora of the clan MacDirk. Her father James MacDirk, was a Scottish Regiment Colonel, a grizzled veteran of the Second and Third Dutch Wars and now was an arms dealer. James didn't like my father since he didn't trust his kind."
Edward nodded understanding the feeling due to his own hostile relationship with his father-in-law. "Lowly status?" Edward guessed.
David shook his head, "Englishman." he replied causing Kenway to laugh bitterly. "He tried multiple times to get my mother to reconsider but James had raised all his daughters to be willful and fiercely independent and my mother was no exception. In fact, she was the most willful of the lot. So, my grandfather relented and the two were married though at the time he was hoping for it to fail so he could tell my mother he was right."
"Let me guess," Kenway cut in, "it didn't."
David smiled, "no it didn't, it lasted long enough for me to be born. Strangely enough that was when everything changed. My grandfather seemed to accept my father after I was born and from that point I became to focal point of his attention, I became his obsession. My father taught me to sail and navigate, while my grandfather taught me to fight with swords, axes, daggers, firearms, and even my bare fists. My Grandfather called me a prodigy as I took to it all like a fish to water. Once I was old enough, I joined the crew of a certain Joseph Flint.
"You were the cabin boy of Captain Flint?" Edward asked
David nodded, "course this was back when he was still a captain in the Royal Navy. After he was disgraced for having an affair with some nobleman's wife, he resigned and those that stayed with him became privateers. I serve with Flint for 4 years and in that time, Flint took me under his wing and made me his first mate when his original one retired. Then, after a particularly brutal battle we landed on Great Inagua where I discovered the Aegaeon, the rest is history.
I used the fortune I acquired during the war to set up a sugar plantation on Black Island, worked by slaves I liberated. This provided a cover for any coin I got in the future and any bags of sugar I obtain during my raids I could sell off as mine. All in all, a perfect setup. In the Caribbean, I am Captain Roger Caedus the most notorious and successful pirate in the Atlantic, but to England I was David Kenway, a humble Plantation Owner and whaler.
"If you were born Roger, why go by David?"
"By that point the Jolly Roger had become popular, so a lot of people were wary about doing business with a man who shared the name for pirate flags. Besides in a Christian society you can't go wrong with somethin' from the bible." David sighed and stared into the candle flame, "not long after, I heard about what happened to Uncle Bernard's farm, so I decide to go to England to check on them."
"You can thank my father-in-law for that," Edward said bitterly.
"Yes, I had the misfortune of meeting that grey sunken simpleton." David growled under his breath.
FLASHBACK
David was sitting at a tavern puffing on a pipe and draining his fourth glass of rum. Once again it seemed he would have to solve another problem created by other fucking people. He normally would not even bother but the fact that it was a family matter compelled him to interfere.
"Damn him," he growled, "damn him to Hades. Even his own Father thinks he's a good for nothing shite."
The person in question was none other than his cousin. He was blessed with gifts that very few in this world possess. And what does he do with them? Nothing. Instead, he had developed a habit of plunging headfirst into trouble.
First, he gets involved with a highborn woman who was drawn to his few moments of chivalry. Then proceed to antagonize her well connected nobleman Father. Though to be fair the man was vermin in every sense of the word. That's without his more 'secret' connections.
"Yet instead of doing his best to be a proper husband to her, his cousin decided to wallow in self-pity and drown his sorrows in drink."
As if to drive home how pathetic he truly was, the noblemen then had his uncle's family farm burned to the ground while gang pressing his cousin into service at sea. Now here he was trying to clean up the mess his cousin left behind.
Just then a man's voice roared out to him, "KENWAY!"
Not even turning around, David's lips curled as he toyed with his drink, "who's asking?" He snarled.
"I thought we had an agreement that you were to never come back England."
David smirked, "that's funny I don't recall ever making such a dubious promise." A hand grasped his hood and pulled it back, David spun around and grabbed the man by the collar drawing a large knife and placing it at his throat. "I would choose my next action carefully if I were you."
The two men locked eyes, "You're not Edward," the man said finally.
David chuckled, "well what do you know, it can think." He tightened his hold on the man and pressed the blade to the stranger's neck drawing blood
Before things could escalate, an older man stepped forward and gestured to David's attacker. The man put his hands up in surrender and David released his attacker who backed away and straightened his coat indignantly.
"Forgive my man, I thought you were that degenerate that tarnished my daughter," the older man explained. "My name is Emmett Scott, and this is Mr. Wilson."
"I see," David acknowledged, "I'm David Kenway, and the man you're referring to is my cousin." He turned to Wilson and frowned, "if this rabid dog remains in my sight, I'm going to open his neck," his hand rested on the hilt of his dagger causing the man to back away. "He tried to kill my family; his presence is an insult."
"You're mistaking," Emmet insisted, "I was merely sending a message to your cousin, no harm would come to your family."
David scoffed, "so you say. But since your minions did nothing to keep them out of harm's way that buys you nothing."
"There's no need for hostility," Emmett replied trying to keep the situation diffused.
"Considering what you did to my family, I think we are far past that." David growled.
Emmett frowned and gestured to Wilson who promptly left the tavern. David nodded and took a long drag from his pipe. "Edward may be the lowest of our family but he is still family and what you did to my uncle who already had so little was bad form on your part." He interlocked his fingers, "As a man who understands the importance of dignity, I'm sure you can agree that such an offense should not go unanswered."
Emmett nodded, "so how do you suppose that we handle this?" He wondered though he seemed to already know the answer.
David smiled "I recommend that I fight your man in a simple duel of honour. I win and you compensate for my uncle's losses twice over. If your man wins and you get my sugar plantation in the Bahamas."
Emmett cocked an eyebrow, "I didn't know you were a planter."
"Planter and Whaler," David replied. "The plantation is small but manages well enough, I often go whaling in order to increase revenue. A man must earn a living after all."
Emmett thought for a moment, David was after all a commoner and quite young so how threatening could he be. Wilson on the other hand was a veteran from the war and an experienced swordsman. With all these factors Emmett believed his chance for success was good and a plantation in the Caribbean would prove useful for the Order and the Company. In the end he agreed.
The following morning the duel would be set in the local square with a referee presiding. Emmett Scott was present along with his wife, daughter, as well as friends Aubrey Hague, his son Matthew, Tom Cobleigh and his own son Seth. All were eager to witness the Kenway boy's humiliation. Indeed, David arrived with a large bottle of rum in on hand then in front of the audience drained the entire bottle in one swig.
Wilson smirked seeing this, 'young and drunk,' he thought, 'this will be an easy victory.'
Caroline noted David's state with worry. she had known David for some time having met him on several occasions when he visited and had always left some money behind for them, spoils from his time as a privateer. Because of this, she immediately went to him in an attempt to convince him to back away. "You shouldn't drink before a fight."
"Drinking helps to loosen the muscles and adds courage."
"You don't have to do this," she pleaded, "I know Wilson, he is a hardened veteran, he will kill you."
David shook his head saying, " he can certainly try. But a bird of prey doesn't worry about the teeth of the rat."
A moment later another group arrived led by a large brown-haired man dressed in traditional highland garb complete with a green tartan kilt and sash over a grey studded overcoat. With him were Bernard and Linette Kenway.
"Good god," Aubrey swore, "is that his liege."
"Who is he?" Emmett asked.
"James MacDirk," Aubrey replied grimly, "their clan supplies weapons for the crown."
As the newcomers sat themselves opposite of the Scotts, Emmett then approached Lord MacDirk. "What is your stake in this?" He asked.
"The boy is my grandson," MacDirk replied, "and I want to make sure you honour your end of the deal. You Englishmen tend to be a slippery bunch."
Emmett grimaced at the implication, "I will not have my honour question by some Jacobite highlander."
"That would imply you or your sycophants have any to begin with," MacDirk quipped.
Having quite enough of being insulted Emmett whirled around and walked back to his seat. Wilson drew his cutlass and took a defensive stance while David did the same drew a smallsword and began twirling it in his hands.
Wilson chuckled when he saw his opponent's thin blade, "I half expected you to use a Scottish broadsword."
"A broadsword would be a fine weapon," David admitted, "if I was fighting an armoured knight. Fortunately for me you are neither armoured nor a knight, unless England has lowered the standards required for such a thing."
Wilson snarled as David smirked in return. They stepped towards the referee who spoke to both of them. "You are both here on a matter of honour, I am here to ensure you settle it honourably. There will be no backstabbing or throwing of your blades. If quarter is asked."
"No quarter will be asked," David declared.
"No quarter shall be given," Wilson agreed.
The two men turned and bowed to their lieges before facing each other. The referee clapped his hands, and the duel began with the two men circling each other. They clashed swords every now and then to test each other's defenses. David started twirling the blade in his hand switching between his hands. Sensing an opening, Wilson went on the attack thrusting and slashing at the younger man. But David deftly recoiled and dodged, avoiding the fatal blows with ease as he began hopping from one foot to the other.
Finally, David went on the offensive, with swift and vicious strikes. It became clear to Wilson that while the boy was young, his skill was undeniable. David's smallsword was everywhere, swishing through the air so Wilson couldn't see it and was unable to see where the next strike would be.
As they locked blades, David ran his smallsword at an angle along Wilson's blade before thrusting suddenly, delivering a cut to Wilson's cheek. Wilson backed off and checked the wound seeing crimson on his fingertips.
He looked back at his opponent who was smirking and swishing his blade in the air before winking at him. He ran his finger along his blade where Wilson's blood was and put it to his tongue. David chuckled, "I taste fear, and it tastes good." He raised his free hand and gestured with his finger, taunting Wilson.
Angered, Wilson lunged forward slashing at David's chest. David didn't even lift his sword as he deftly dodged each blow and at one point limboed to knee height in order to avoid a stroke and responding with a thrust to Wilson's knee once again drawing blood. Finally, Wilson managed to get close enough to land a slash cutting David's cheek. David hopped back and put his finger to the laceration he brought it to lips and licked the blood off. Running his tongue across his teeth, David grinned, "nicely played for a manservant."
As they dueled, James turned to Emmett, "I'll admit I almost sympathized with you, I was quite upset when my daughter married David's father. The idea of mixing out blood with that of an Englishman sickened me."
"Yet you seem fond of the boy?" Emmet said.
James observed the duel for a moment before speaking, "English or no he's still my grandson," he replied. "He may not bear my name, but he has my blood. Besides, God works in mysterious ways, I figured perhaps that boy could prove useful to me one day." He turned to Emmett. "There is a tool for every task and a task for every tool. "So far, he has not disappointed me and has managed my whaling business well,
Hearing enough Tom Cobleigh spoke up, "why don't you tend to your wager MacDirk." He snarled."
James simply smiled, "my good man, this wager was won before it even began."
Indeed, the duel continued with the same pattern, David dodging and parrying all of Wilson's attacks while delivering cuts and stabs all over Wilson's body. Though these seemed to all be superficial wounds they were still painful. Wilson was already bleeding from a dozen wounds. Three to the right arm, 3 to the left leg, 4 to the torso and two in the face. Each time David cut him he would back off and start swishing his sword around in a taunting fashion putting on a show for his opponents. But with each wound, Wilson seemed to grow more and more agitated as his own attacks became wilder and more desperate.
Seeing his opponent's enraged face, David chuckled, "why so serious Mr. Wilson, I'll put a smile on that face." With a fluid slash David opened up both of Wilson's cheeks, causing him to scream as he clutched his mouth. As the duel dragged on, it became clear to Emmett that the younger man was toying with his champion. David kept himself light on his feet, his movements akin to a cobra, swaying his body to and fro while his attacks were swift and vicious.
Aubray turned to Caroline, "If you had to fall for a Kenway, why couldn't it have been him." At least he carries himself well and is connected."
Caroline didn't reply as she continued to watch the duel. One particular strike his sword struck Wilson right in the pintel. Wilson now delirious from pain charged hoping to tackle him. This proved to be a colossal mistake as David fluidly rolled under Wilson knocking him off his feet before drawing himself up and driving his blade into Wilson's sword hand pinning it to the ground. Wilson scream came out of clenched teeth as David drove it further and further in forcing Wilson to release the grip on his sword Pulling out David smirked, "as I suspected, weak and undisciplined." David put a foot to his chest and his blade to his head. With two slashing movements David carved a perfect cross on Wilson's forehead. Then he placed the blade to Wilson's heart and said so that Emmett and his associates could hear. "May the Father of Understanding guide you...To the afterlife."
He thrust in and Wilson died a moment later. As promised, no quarter had been asked and no quarter had been given.
Cleaning his blade on Wilson's shirt. David sheathed his sword, turned to the audience and bowed. Before approaching the Scotts, "I hope this serves as a suitable warning to you Mr. Scott. I expect you to honour the terms so that further lessons can be averted."
"You have no idea who you're dealing with." Emmett growled. "We have powerful friends, that will not hesitate to destroy you."
David chuckled, "I don't doubt you do," he agreed. "But then again so did Alfred Hamilton. I'm sure you heard what happened to him." The faces of Scott and the Hagues paled at this as David shook his head. "Such a tragedy, a powerful noble set upon by pirates and cut to pieces by a disgraced navy lieutenant. I guess that proves nobody is above the reaper's grasp. So, I wonder, if that red cross you're affiliated with couldn't protect him, what do you think your chances are?"
The Templars remained silent as David continued. "In any case that's the Assassin Order's problem not mine. I think you should be more concerned with making sure the assassins don't stick a hidden blade in your back. The last thing you need is a war on two fronts. Now if you'll excuse me, I have business to attend to. But be warned, if I hear that any harm comes to Caroline or my family. The Assassins will become the least of your worries." With that David straightened up and walked away.
END OF FLASHBACK
Edward laughed softly as David finished, "I would have loved to see you end that degenerate's life."
David nodded with a smile, "I knew I couldn't touch him in England, but I could do plenty to his business. The seas are vast and infested with pirates."
"You attacked his ships?" Edward asked in disbelief. "How did you manage that."
David smiled, "Scott like all businessmen has rivals, I just found me the right one with the right sources and asked the fewest questions. He gives out information to my contacts who inform me or the reavers at the taverns.
"After the king issued a pardon and many of our brethren disbanded, I decided to use this to my advantage and tried my hand at whaling. Many of our brethren disbanded from piracy and took the pardon. So, I converted some of the ships I had captured into whalers and hired the very same men I had come to know to serve as their crews. Out of work and nothing to lose most accepted. I was able to gather 480 men with 16 vessels between them. This also had the added benefit of enabling me to attack whalers and sell their oil as my own. So, between whaling, Eleanor Guthrie and my humble sugar plantation, we were able to reap large profits. It also gives us a comfortable front when it comes to my retirement.
"Would it be possible that you could find a place for me in your whaling business?" Kenway asked.
David smiled, "of course, family looks after each other and since I've seen you with a harpoon, I suspect that you ought to do well here in the Americas. I take it this means you'll be leavin' the pirate business?"
Edward nodded, "I have a daughter to think about. The moment I receive another offer for a pardon I'm taking it."
David nodded, "a man must be free to make his own destiny." He smiled warmly, "you've certainly grown from that cocky bastard you once were. So, I will help you go legit. But first things first, I promised Lord Emmett that I would come for him if anythin' happened to Caroline. I will not have it said that I don't keep my word."
