Life is hectic, and hell.
That is the only explanation I can offer for the wait.
Please supply me with thoughts and if I should even continue this story, or just scrap it all together.
Thank you!
For this chapter, listen to 42 by Coldplay.
-g.
Waves lapped at the Jackdaw, bringing one of the only sounds around them to fruition as the rest of the crew remained deathly silent.
The monstrous ship they followed lumbered a good few leagues ahead of them, unawares they were being tailed by one wishing to see it fall, making time towards a large island chain to the south west.
Liete had a shallow realization that if they were to attack that ship head on, they'd all flounder. She found no fear in the thought, simple understanding was her thought as she held loosely onto the rigging of the mast.
Using his body to shield the woman from the view of the ship, Drew held a hand out to his mistress in an attempt to soothe her. Woman were delicate, like flowers, like... really beautiful things.
"No need ta' be scar'td mistress. Them ol' hands 'ull neva catch tha likes a' Kenway!" Although his words held the tone of blind belief, they were still spoken in a whisper as Liete flashed another soft smile towards the simple man to quell him and solidify his own faith by presenting her own.
Drew smiled widely, the gaps in his teeth pronounced as he turned back to the chase at hand.
Liete turned the opposite way, looking to the helm of the ship to find Edward lost in another world, a world she didn't even exist. This world encompassed all his greed, and freedoms he'd trounced through merrily to bring him riches and ambition that never quelled.
His eyed watched the ship like a beggar watching a feast from the windows of a manor.
Beside him, Adewale fisted his hands against the railing his own eyes watching the ship with a healthy dose of fear and anxiety riding herd over his mind. His mouth hung open slightly, ready to bark orders at any moment.
Teach, on the other hand, stood well behind Kenway, his legs spread wide hands hooked into his belt. His expression was one of mirth and thought, watching the unfolding event akin to a spectator at a lords match.
Liete, bored with the observation of others, rested against the mast once more. Unsure of her role in these moments, she was reserved to wait silently here for the climax.
She held no investment in the situation, she was as good as cargo at the moment and even if she tried to reach Kenway in an attempt to read the situation better, she'd never get to him now.
She couldn't reach wherever he was, and felt the loneliness of the vast ocean comfort her yet again.
Edward held the helm steady, whispering to Ade as needed for increased or decreased speed. The beauty of possibilities whipped past his eyes as the waves gave way like churned butter, drawing the Jackdaw after the bounty with a silent and calm resolve.
Her cargo, and her potential sung out to his ambition like a sweet siren song. Mapping out of her advance through the crisp morning fog, Edward calculated the area the giant was predominantly headed towards.
He made a mental check list of the area, unsure of the terrain, unaware of two gun boats and brig peak from the east from the fog and hidden by a small expanse of land in his hyper focused thoughts.
Kenway locked his jaw in sudden annoyance as Edward Teach cursed foully before spitting out a name between growls.
"Charles Vane! As reckless as they come!" Teach turned his body staring at the dark flag waving agitated in the wind, anger warming his cheeks at the ruined chance of nabbing the galleon.
Edward, who motioned to Ade who barked an order for faster speed, left one hand on the wheel as he also turned towards the impending battle of the smaller ship and the monstrosity. This Vane was doing exactly what Edward was trying to avoid, and if he knew how to read battles as well as he thought he did… well this wasn't going to end well for the unknown pirate captain.
"An old friend of yours?"
Teach gave the younger man a glare as he pulled a looking glass from his belt extending it with a flourish as Vane sent the first cannon shot towards the Galleon. The water around them reverberated with the shot, as each and every eye looked to the skirmish as the Jackdaw caught wind, pulling away from the fight slowly.
"Not a man I call friend… but we've been doing this kind of work for so long, I can' help but respect the man." Edward didn't answer as the Galleon finally returned fire to the small brig, making the captain give out a gruff yelp of anger and grim acceptance as the two gun boats were caught in the vicious return fire.
The small masts of each ship snapped like twigs, raining wood into the water, men that hadn't been shot into oblivion gave dead man screams diving into the ocean for a chance of life. The gunboats now practically blown into nothing left the lonely brig which sustained enough damage to leave a large hole in its side with no back up against the hardly damaged monster it faced.
The brig threw open its sails, turning quickly on its rudder in an attempt to flee. Edward looked to the Galleon and could read its next move easily. The attack by this Charles Vane had brought the Jackdaw to the attention of the Galleon's crew as he zeroed in on the spotters readying the large mortars.
"Charles vane slinking off with his tail between his legs, that's good news for us…"
Teach's words disappeared into thin air as Edward grasped the wheel with white knuckles, fresh panic flooding into his veins at the coming attack. His next words were spoken calmly and precise as he aimed the Jackdaw in the exact opposite direction, turning the wheel hard over.
"Ade, we need speed."
The darker man bellowed orders to the scrambling crew, chaos erupting in the just stoic deck of the ship as the extra sails flapped open as men gave off cries of effort and panic pulling the ropes attached to the sails with all their strength.
Just as they began to reach top speed, the unmistakable thunder of the mortars erupted from the Galleon. Edward scanned the skys above them looking for the tell-tale pre debris from the blasting powder to get an idea of the trajectory of the coming mortars. Just as he found the glint to the left of their ship, and Edward once again pulled the wheel hard over to the right, his focus was pulled momentarily to the figurehead of white.
Edward's panic nearly doubled once he brought his attention to the front of his ship. Liete had found her way wedged between his own mortars, leaning out nearly over the crashing waves against the front ram of the Jackdaw. Her arms were thrown out and above her own head, grasping onto the tied ropes of the front pulleys, her free hair whipping past her shoulders as her dress did the same. The outline of her body was near to scandalous as each and every curve she possessed lay bare before any with the power of sight.
Although he couldn't see her expression, nor any part of her face, Edward knew she held no expression of fear. No, she'd moved from her semi-protected area to her wide open perch out of the madness controlling that mind of hers.
Edward nearly flinched as the mortars began to slam into the water mere yards from the Jackdaw's deck. His crew bellowed and hollered, in fear or excitement was another thought all together.
Biting his tongue, Edward forced himself to look away from the Siren figurehead, and focus on the escape at hand, searching the skies for the next attack as another thunder strike sounded.
He couldn't focus on Liete, he'd surely kill them all if he let himself be wrapped in her madness now. Everything within him screamed to dash forward, grab the insane woman and stash her to some semblance of safety in his quarters.
Mortar rained from above again to the left, and Edward nearly collided with the sight but for a quick maneuver which sent the Jackdaw away from the islands he'd projected their attackers to be heading for.
A cheer erupted from the adrenaline riding crew, a lone whoop cackling madness drifting just below the hum of men's voices sent chills down Edward's back.
Why had he made the decision to keep the insane woman aboard for this dangerous expedition? Hell he'd advised Kidd to sit this one out lest he fall as nothing more than a Lad. His mind had been clouded with visions of the men left alone with their own devices taking Liete for their own, pirates having never needed consent upon the seas. He dreamed safety was only within arm's length of himself.
As another round of mortar came, clipping the right side of the Jackdaw ripping through a small area of railing and a few ropes which instantly were caught in rough hands, Edward let out a disgruntled bark setting his mind back on task as the Jackdaw creaked and groaned in protest but held firm as she pulled out of range of the galleon.
Liete's cheeks ached and burned as her smile the size of a Cheshire cat held firm with each droplet of mortar rain. The burning debris lit her eyes with satisfaction and excitement as each thunderous roar brought fresh terror into her being. The possibility of death was nearly orgasmic as her senses became hyped, the bellows of men and slamming footsteps on wood, the salty sea spray that left her face dripping and her dress cold and damp, overwhelmed her entire existence.
No wonder men lived like this, unwashed and cramped below, for the liberty and delight of freedom to live and die as once pleased.
Oh, to be a man with the choice to die within crashing waves and metal fire.
On the horizon, five small ships which resembled the companions of the brig whom attacked the galleon just minutes before, sped across the waves towards the Jackdaw as the deafening clap of firing metal fell away.
"Bleeding bastards! Let's deal with this skirmish fast, forget the galleon! Send these interlopers to hell!"
Edward once again ignored the older man's obvious words, bellowing for the men at the cannon positions to ready, torches suddenly sparking to life from the few lanterns hung and kept aflame.
The moment of calm before the small gunboats came into range were wrought with sudden dread for Liete who remained in her position at the bow, a beacon to aim for.
"ADE!"
Edward's voice was deep and sharp, causing the larger man to jump and his grip on the railing to increase. Looking to his captain, Edward flung a hand pointing towards the Jackdaw's bow, but before the quarter master could react, the Jackdaw was struck by a small cannon's shot.
The Jackdaw groaned as shards of wood flew through the air, men diving out of the impact area near the wooden figurine of the boats namesake. Edward stared in horror, Adewale giving shouts to return fire as cannons on the right side of the ship flared to life and the wood beneath their feet shook with force.
Liete was nowhere to be seen as the space she'd inhabited was now full of debris and broken railing.
The cannon roar negated any other sound, as fire blasts gave the air around them heat and thick with smoke. Thankfully, fear kept the men's aim true, and two of the gunboats erupted in flames and splintered wood. A third caught the butt end of the firing squad, and the man whom took aim on Edwards right with the precise swivel gun, held aim firm as another lit the gun powder.
The shot flew straight and placed a large hole in the water line of the little ship which immediately began to sink.
As the sailors worked quickly to reload under the shouts of Adewale, Edward held his breath as disbelief racked him to his very core. As his hands continued to steer the ship spot-on, swinging the ship in a quick ark to again come side to side with the remaining gunboats, one of which loosed another shot directly into the stern nearly directly at their feet. Wood gave way, but held strong under the attack as Adewale let loose a scream which was quickly drowned out by the short range cannons tearing through the last assailants.
With dying throws, the ships blew to pieces, distant cries filling the air as the Jackdaw left the carnage behind. Her crew, gave a soft cheer for the very stuff of life, as its captain scanned for flashes of snow for his own sanity.
Edward didn't realize he hadn't been breathing until he suddenly gasped for breath when some angel took mercy on him, revealing Liete in all her glory being helped to her feet but her ever constant puppy from the position on the floor he'd seemingly thrown her to when the cannon balls had struck.
He took another gulp of air, relief flooding his limbs sending him nearly limp and useless from the rigid prospect of having lost Liete so soon to the depths.
Tearing his eyes away from her lilthe body as she began to laugh merrily her hands holding onto the giant man's own hands, Edward scanned the horizon to find the galleon far off and nearly invisible in the changing fog.
Glancing back to his woman, Edward felt another dose of relief, before stepping down from the helm.
Adewale slid into his place, a nod of respect passing between them, before he turned away barking orders once more at the crew below who working off leftover adrenaline rushed back and forth.
Teach, who had stood firm in the same position since the beginning of the battle, offered Edward a hand which he used to pat the taller man on the shoulder. His other hand offered the spy glass he'd kept handy motioning towards their distant prize.
As Edward focused on the galleon, Teach took the moment to take in the witch who now having regained her footing was dancing from foot to foot her mouth moving a mile a minute as she showered her man-slave with praise and other things he couldn't hear. Small slivers of wood were caught in her locks, which curled as the sea spray dried within the tendrils. Her porcelain skin was marred in several areas, burnt by the sun and an array of scratches that hardly bled brought color to her ghostlike visage.
Magnificent, his mind whispered before Edward lowered the spy glass murmuring.
"She's sailing for that island."
Teach crossed his arms, turning his focus away from the beautiful woman to watch as the galleon slid into the cove an island.
"I know the place. A natural stronghold used by a French captain named du Casse."
"Julian du Casse, the Templar?" The sharp turn on Edwards voice made Teach give the man a side eye as he in turn looked to Teach with an intense stare.
"Names right… didn't know he had a title."
Edward shook his head lightly, a sudden feeling of awe and foreboding filling him. He knew the moment the vicious man's name had been spoken, he'd be the one to bring him to meet his maker. Whatever people called it, Edward only knew it as intuition.
"I know the man and if he sees my ship he will know it from his time in Havana. Meaning he may wonder who's sailing her now. I can't risk that."
Not if I want the observatory atleast, Edward thought treacherously as the older man grew a thoughtful sneer as he moved forward unbinding his arms before holding them out in a welcoming gesture.
As he spoke, Liete ascended the stairs to the helm as if floating, her face lit with pure please. A small cut marred her cheek, a bead of blood stopping near the corner of her mouth, enveloped in one of her dimples giving her a ghastly look about her smile.
"And I don't wanna lose that galleon… Lets think on it, maybe wait till it's dark before hoping aboard."
Edward glared at the man's last words which filled with a note of sarcasm left a bad taste in his mouth. It was either his words or the way he moved towards Liete, a slight swagger in his walk.
"So, did my skirmish meet yur standard m'lady?" Liete raised an eyebrow at the gruff accent that entered Teach's speech when he turned his attention to her.
When the smaller ship had sent its cannon fire towards her place at the bow of the ship, she simply stared in awe at her impending doom. Drew on the other hand had acted with incredible speed and strength as he'd grabbed her arms, throwing them combined outwards towards the deck of the ship.
Although he'd landed on her, leaving her lungs wanton of air for several minutes afterwards causing her to stay still for a spell until her breath returned, Liete practically bathed in the feeling of life.
When he'd helped her to her feet, she'd grasped his palms to her own, practically boxing his ears with praise for her new friend. He'd turned as red as a beet as she jumped from foot to foot, singing his worth and letting her over enjoyed excitement flood through.
Liete was alive, with fear and freedom.
After she'd let the happiness drain from her every pore, she'd excused herself from her friend and headed towards the helm. Her previous anger at her captor-like lover faded now, replaced by the need to share war stories with him as he peered at her with his eyes filled with the very life she now touched upon.
Liete found her gaze turning sardonic at the older man as he gave her a smile filled with pomp and lilting tease.
"Seeing as you have done none of the fighting, I can't say I've enjoyed one of 'yur' skirmishes yet. Maybe next time Master Teach." Her words brought laughs from all the men about, from Edward to the crew who'd turned an ease dropping ear to their conversation.
Teach grinned beside himself, as Edward moved forward offering an arm to Liete flicking a finger towards Teach behind his back.
Liete's smile grew wicked as she took the offered arm, Edward turning her to return to the steps as he offered with his own pageantry.
"Seems my prediction was true. We did have gun and cannon fire rained upon us."
"and I shall say it again, I am not a doll needing to be placed within glass."
Edward laughed full bellied and open as he escorted her to the double doors of the Captain's chambers. The crew around them either made calm by battle or the fearlessness of her station during the battle, went about their work with jests and light chatter, a shanty starting up between a few of them going about their work to set sail towards the island strong hold.
At the door Edward gathered Liete within his arms as he gave her his most charming smile, lifting one hand to cup her bloodied cheek letting himself get drawn into her swirling ashen eyes. As he stroked her cheek, Liete cheekily grinned as well leaning her face into his palm, delighting in the momentary reprieve after such a high of emotions. The valleys of her soul still remained full, putting her at an ease she hadn't felt since she'd shot her rapist, since she'd made love to this man.
"No, you are no doll love. A statue of courage, stoic and enduring in the face of death. From the moment we met in fact."
Edward captured Liete's lips, his emotions of fear and panic at the thought of her death giving it a touch of desperation. Her lips tugged at his very heart strings, as Liete found her feet stuck to the very deck.
Pulling away after several minutes, and a few hoots and hollers from around them, Liete's eyes spun as fast as hurricanes before she motioned towards the ocean around them.
"Don't get to comfortable now captain, we've a battle ahead."
Edward kept his arms wrapped around the mad woman giving off another diaphragm laugh. Pecking her lips once more, Edward knew Liete the madwoman had tasted to allure of pirate life,
"Of that, there is no doubt."