A/N - As promised, I'm all finished up with From the Ashes and am ready to continue with this story. I will do my best to keep to this schedule of uploading one chapter every week. That being said, school's starting back up again in a few weeks and I will be very busy with schoolwork and internship stuff. Anyways, thank you for being patient and enjoy!
Edward made his way back to the makeshift dock just as Sparrow, Barbosa, and Gibbs did. He adjusted his clothes and positioned himself to create the illusion that he never left his post. As the three of them climbed down the ladder and into the dinghy, Edward thought it appropriate to inquire.
"So, do you have a price for this treasure of yours?" he asked, already knowing the answer.
"Yes, I do," Jack lied while looking back and forth between Gibbs and Barbosa.
"Well, what is it?" Kenway asked, eager to know what lie Sparrow's cooking up.
"Don't you worry… besides… you said you didn't need payment," he countered.
"I did not mean to imply. I'm a curious man is all."
"Curiosity can get ye killed," Barbosa butted in.
"It's best ye not concern yourself with the capn's business," Gibbs added.
Back at the ship, Kenway contemplated the encounter. This is definitely something that the Templars would be interested in. But this… Isla Tumba? Never heard of it before, nor do I remember seeing it on any map. Maybe there's somebody at port who could enlighten me?
And so, he waited. He waited for another few days until they reached their destination: Tortuga. The port itself was as loud and rambunctious as always. Kenway only ever visited the port once or twice himself, and when he did, it wasn't very long. He belonged to the sea after all. Sparrow's crew began unloading their cargo, sugar and rum being the primary source. The night was still fairly young when the two pirate captains left the ship. They both walked to the nearest bar and grabbed a drink with Gibbs.
"Tell me Kenway," Gibbs began, "How was your life before this one?"
"Pirating has always been my life. Even as a lad, I spent my time around the ships that came to port, and I served as an apprentice to the captains that came in as well."
"Really?"
"Aye, of course I was never allowed out on the water. But the stories they told, they were what I grew up with," Kenway explained.
"The adventure aye?" Jack asked.
"Of course, and needless to say the coin is a fair bonus."
This elicited a chuckle from the two other pirates.
"What of you two?" Kenway asked.
"I was pulled into the Royal Navy when I was old enough to claim manhood," Gibbs explained.
"The Navy?"
"Oh yes. Though what with taxes and all that, I didn't make nearly enough to earn the keep I needed. I heard stories and ships being plundered and losing mountains of precious treasure—"
"So you took up to making a real fortune," Kenway finished.
"Aye."
"And you Jack? How were you dragged into this life?"
"Oh I wasn't dragged mate… I was called," Jack corrected.
"As we all were I imagine," Kenway added.
"Indeed," Gibbs added while raising his glass upwards, "To the pirate's life!"
"To the pirate's life!" Jack and Kenway echoed as they too lifted their glasses upwards before the three of them downed their drinks. Looking at his empty glass, Edward stood up from the table.
"I'm gonna' fetch another round," he announced before walking back towards the bar. Once he put in his order, he was joined by a woman.
"My, my, that's quite the getup," she eyed. Kenway turned to face her. She wore a very light dressed and had her raven black hair cut short.
"Thank you," he replied before turning back.
"Where'd you get it?" she asked.
"It was passed on from a friend… after he moved on," Kenway lied.
"Moved on?"
"He passed away some time ago," Kenway clarified.
"My, I'm so sorry to hear that."
"Don't be, it was long ago."
Kenway's drink was delivered to him and he went to return to his group.
"Where're you going sweetheart?" she asked, causing him to turn around, "I was thinking we could get to know each other."
"I'm sorry, but I don't have the time nor the money for that right now."
"Oh, come on," she cooed while walking closer towards him, "You look stressed honey… I can help you with that."
"Tempting, but I can't at the moment. Perhaps another time Ms—"
"Call me Hellen," she insisted, "What can I call you?"
"Edward," he said.
"Edward?" she repeated, reaching closer until her mouth was right by his ear, "Can I call you Duncan instead?"
"Duncan?" he repeated, suspicious of the woman in front of him.
"I'm going to ask you again sweetheart: care to stay at my place for a while?"
"Know what? Perhaps we could find a place more… private," he agreed.
"I was hoping you would say that. Follow me."
