Waves parted and spray foamed as the sleek wooden hull of a schooner sliced through the rich Caribbean waters. The brisk westerly breeze propelled her swiftly towards her destination. Down on her main deck, men milled about performing various acts of work and leisure. This magnificent scene could be summed up with a single word: freedom. But mere days ago, this ship and most of her crew were anything except free. Rather, they'd been slaves to a shady plantation owner and a backstabbing Captain. Then, the Jackdaw and her pirate crew arrived. They stormed aboard, killed the Captain, and claimed the vessel as their own. This schooner, the Golden Vanity, was now a pirate ship, home to free men.

Within the Golden Vanity's hull, Thomas McNally sat in the late Captain Ericson's personal cabin. He was rummaging through the ship's charts, cargo manifests, even the Captain's personal letters. If mere chance had led the pirates to a prize such as this, Thomas reasoned, then certainly a little research into this vessel's history could help them gain more plunder. As Thomas examined the charts, he was quick to notice a series of courses plotted to and from Cat Island. Similarly, the schooner's manifests frequently listed sugar as a cargo item. This could only mean that the Golden Vanity had been transporting sugar for a plantation on Cat Island. But who owned this plantation? Thomas began reading the Captain's letters, most of which were exchanges between Ericson and his daughter, Alexa. Others were addressed to a "Lord Bancroft." The name meant nothing to Thomas, but perhaps Aldo Gaiani, First Mate of this schooner, might know more.

As if on cue, Aldo entered the cabin. "Thomas," he said, "We've arrived at Great Inagua."

Thomas stood up and faced his shipmate. "Great news, Aldo. Before we go on deck, does the name 'Lord Bancroft' mean anything to you?"

"Aye. Lord Damion Bancroft. The man's an Admiral in the British Royal Navy, and a wealthy plantation owner. Most of the cargo we hauled was for him."

"Interesting. Perhaps we could patrol the waters around his plantation? Anyway, let's get ourselves topside."

The two pirates made their way up from the hold and onto the Golden Vanity's main deck. Thomas took the helm. Before them stood the high cliffs that surrounded Great Inagua's natural harbor on two sides, with a serene village on the third side, and ocean on the fourth. From where Thomas stood, the place appeared tranquil and picturesque: a perfect place to rest and resupply.

As the schooner sailed into the harbor, Thomas immediately noticed four other vessels moored just offshore. They consisted of two frigates, one brigantine, and a colossal man o' war. All four vessels flew black flags and bristled with cannon. Sailors worked about their decks and rigging, likely preparing for voyages. When the Vanity drew close to the man o' war, Thomas noticed that her original nameplate (much longer than the new one) had been removed, and replaced by a painted timber bearing her new name - Champion.

"D'you think all these ships belong to Kenway?" Aldo asked, referring to the swashbuckler who introduced them to piracy.

"I think so," Thomas replied. "Looks like master Kenway's more than a mere Captain, but a bloody Admiral."

Maneuvering around the anchored ships, Thomas ordered the schooner brought to half sail. The crew lowered the foresail and furled the jibs, while John Cromwell, Thomas' Quartermaster, oversaw the operation. As the little ship approached the L-shaped pier, heaving lines went ashore, followed by hawsers. At last the Golden Vanity made port.

Immediately the restless crew ran ashore, eager to spend their pay on women and rum. John Cromwell joined them. Shortly after they departed, Captain Edward Kenway strode up the gangway.

"Gentlemen," he addressed Thomas and Aldo, "welcome to Great Inagua. What do you think of our little paradise?"

Thomas looked around at the village and beach, taking in the sights. All around he saw men drinking, fighting, whoring, and gambling, with no authority to step in and stop them. To Thomas, it looked like London's poor districts relocated to a tropical island.

"It's... quite the place," Thomas admitted. "It looks as if God picked up Gin Alley and placed it here."

"Aye, but unlike Gin Alley, we've no King sitting his bottom in a palace right next door to us."

"Captain, while you're here, I've uncovered some documents that might lead us to future loot."

Thomas led Kenway and Aldo back below to the main cabin. Kenway examined Ericson's letters along with the ship's charts, a look of concentration on his face. He studied them with the same curiosity that Thomas had. But unlike Thomas, Kenway did so with greater care and patience, having conducted similar examinations over the course of his career as a pirate.

"Ah, Admiral Damion Bancroft," he said at last. "I know of this man. Thomas, meet me at the manor in one hour."

"What manor, Captain?"

"The only one in town. It's on the cliff east of the village. There's a stone staircase leading up to it." Kenway turned to face Aldo. "And you there, Mr..."

"Gaiani," Aldo finished for him.

"Join us for that meeting. Understood?"

"Aye, Captain."

"Good. See you soon, then."

Kenway then departed the schooner, documents in hand. Thomas and Aldo soon left as well, strolling together along the pier. Ahead of them, the brig Jackdaw lay at her moorings. Past the brig, at the end of the pier, was a tavern. Outside the tavern was a deck, filled with groups of men and women, drinking liquor and playing games of chance. A band playing traditional folk songs stood at the shore end of the deck. Both pirates ordered drinks from the bar, and took a seat at an empty table. They sat in silence for several minutes, until Aldo spoke up.

"How large do you think Kenway's fleet is?" Aldo asked, looking towards the harbor.

"Big enough to keep a steady revenue coming in," Thomas said, taking a sip of his rum. "Just look at the state of this village."

Aldo examined the town. For a pirate port, the buildings were in surprisingly good condition. No structure appeared dilapidated, neglected or in danger of collapsing. This could only mean that the town was regularly maintained. Kenway and his crew took care of their own.

Some time later, Thomas and Aldo made their way to Kenway's manor. A stone stairway to the east led them up the hill to Edward Kenway's private estate. The manor itself was relatively small, built from wood, with only one story. The gardens surrounding the building were in pristine condition. Upon entering the home, the two pirates found it decorated beautifully, filled with luxurious furnishings.

"Lads! In here."

The shout from Kenway led them into a room decorated more plainly than the rest of the manor. This room contained chests, a wheel, a hammock, model ships, and various other seafaring relics. Kenway and Bonny stood behind a table at the room's far end. The documents from the Vanity were laid out on the table itself.

Thomas and Aldo joined the pirates. "Boys," Kenway began, "I believe we're on to something. As you know, Bancroft is both an Admiral and plantation owner. He is also a close associate of Governor Woodes Rogers, and a Templar. Do either of you know of the Templars?"

"Weren't they some kind of knightly order?" Aldo asked.

"Aye, that they were," Anne chimed in. "But they're more than that. The Templars are an order that wants to enslave mankind, using powerful relics called 'Pieces of Eden,' built by a prehistoric race. They believe enslaving us will bring peace on Earth."

"Another group," Edward continued, "seeks to prevent the Templars from succeeding. They are called Assassins."

"So you and Anne are Assassins?" Thomas asked of Kenway.

"Aye. Now, judging by these letters, Admiral Bancroft may possess a Piece of Eden. If so, we are obliged to relieve him of it. Thanks to you, we know where to begin our search: the Bancroft plantation on Cat Island."

Aldo spoke up. "I know the place," he said, pointing to its location on a chart. "It will be well defended. You'll find armed guards patrolling the grounds, a battery, and at least one ship at anchor off the coast nearby."

Kenway took note of this information. "Then we'll launch a joint attack. Thomas, you and I will sneak into the manor and hunt for the relic. The Jackdaw's crew shall pillage the plantation's warehouses. Mr. Gaiani, you and the Vanity's crew will discreetly capture any vessels moored offshore. Any questions?"

Thomas and Aldo remained silent.

"Good. Anne, Mr. Gaiani, you're dismissed. Thomas, come with me."

While Aldo and Anne left the room, Kenway led Thomas to a bookcase. The pirate captain faced Thomas, looking him straight in the eye. "Thomas," he said rather softly, "I've seen your skills at work, in battle and in the chart room. You have lots of potential. Now, you know more about me than most of my crew. Therefore, I see no more harm in sharing one more secret with you."

Kenway heaved the bookcase aside, revealing a hidden stairway. Thomas followed Kenway down the stairs, which led into a basement. The basement itself was lined with weapon racks filled with all manner of pistols, muskets, and swords. A shelf nestled within the racks held the various outfits that Kenway had acquired over his career. Thomas spotted an officer's saber almost identical to his. After gaining permission from Kenway to keep the blade, Thomas unbuckled his smallsword, took the saber, and replaced the blade with his old smallsword. That sword, despite having been by Thomas' side for years, in a sense no longer belonged to him. It was the blade of a Midshipman, someone who obeyed the laws and customs of England. Thomas was such a man no longer.

The basement opened into a natural cavern. The cavern itself was stacked with treasure. Paintings, rugs, candlesticks, silverware, chests piled high with gold all filled the space. It was enough to make a man go mad, or a woman swoon. Thomas then understood why Captain Kenway was capable of maintaining his own village, and a small fleet.

"There," said Kenway. "Now you know the greatest secret of this place. Swear to me you will never speak of this to anyone."

"I swear it, Captain."

"Good lad. Breaking that oath is punishable by death. No one's died from it yet. Do not be the first. Now see yourself out, Thomas. Go enjoy some women and drink. Tomorrow, the work continues. We've got a plantation to raid."