Dawn rose over the scenic Cat Island. At the Bancroft plantation, all was strangely out of order. A huge pirate raid the previous night halted all regular work in the fields. Instead, pirates, slaves, and marines worked as one to repair the damage, and bury the dead.
Up near the fort, Thomas McNally respectfully layed an officer of the Royal Navy to rest beside his fallen marines. The officer was just one of many men who'd lost their lives during the battle. Thomas took care to ensure that each man was placed properly in the grave. After reciting a prayer over the deceased, the young pirate ordered the mass grave filled in. A group of black plantation slaves proceeded to carry out his instructions. Thomas then began walking alone towards Admiral Bancroft's personal manor.
Inside the manor, Edward Kenway was seated at the Admiral's desk, studying his letters. In the dining room, two pirates kept a watchful eyes on the manor's occupants. Among the occupants was a butler, a cook, three housemaids, Bancroft's wife Shannon, his daughter Jane, and Alexa Ericson, daughter of the schooner Mary's previous captain. Not having decided their fate, Kenway ordered them secured in that room. They'd most likely be taken to Great Inagua, as hostages.
The sun shone through the windows behind Kenway, illuminating the parchment in his rough hands. The letter he held suggested that the artifact was no longer at the plantation.
Lord Bancroft,
Per your order, the relic is secure and away. The Assassins shall not take it from us.
My vessel shall patrol the waters to the South of Hispaniola. Should you have further need of my services,
seek me out there. You are always welcome aboard.
Sincerely, Your most humble servant, Captain Gerald Winston
Gerald Winston. Why did that name sound familiar? Kenway also noted that the letter failed to mention the artifact's location. The damn thing could be hidden anywhere.
Footsteps sounded. Thomas entered the library, his blue uniform splattered with blood. "The fort is secure, Edward," he reported. "Some of the Mary's crew are holding new recruits there."
Kenway lowered the letter. "Nice work, Thomas. I trust you didn't have any trouble?"
"Quite the contrary. The fort was packed with marines. Defeating them all nearly killed me."
"You're still in one piece, aren't you?" Kenway motioned Thomas to join him behind the desk, which he did. "Read this letter, Thomas."
The younger pirate took Bancroft's letter from Kenway. His jaw dropped when he noticed the signature. "Captain Winston!" Thomas remarked in shock. "He was in league with Admiral Bancroft."
"To what extent, I wonder?" Kenway thought aloud.
"Maybe exploring the wreck of the Prince will provide answers. The artifact might even be in wreck."
"The Jackdaw carries a diving bell. Treasure hunting on that wreck won't be a problem. But first, we have other matters to attend to."
"Such as what, Edward?"
"Such as what to do with the tenants of this home."
Kenway stood up from the desk and strode towards the dining room. Thomas followed close behind. It was then that they noticed a portrait on the wall. The painting displayed a naval officer seated in a plush chair. The officer was middle-aged, likely fifty years old. His eyes were dark green, while his hair was silver and balding. A spyglass rested in his right hand. The adornments on his uniform indicated his rank as that of an Admiral.
"This must be Bancroft," Thomas commented.
"Aye," said Edward, "Or a relative of his. But now, we must see to our hosts."
Thomas followed Edward into the manor's luxurious dining room. The hostages were all seated around the room's central feature: a long, broad, mahogany dining table. While table accommodated sixteen guests, only half of the oaken chairs were occupied. The two men and six women sat silently, occasionally peering around at both their captors and each other. Looks of uncertainty and fear hung on their faces. Two pirates, both from the Jackdaw's crew, watched over them. One hostage, a petite brunette girl no more than eighteen years old, tightly gripped her mother's hand.
Those two must be Bancroft's children, Thomas thought, noticing that their nightdresses were made from fine silk.
Kenway leaned over the end of the table nearest him, resting his hands on its cooled surface. "Good people, you have nothing to fear from us," He addressed Bancroft's family and household staff. "Our business is with Admiral Damion Bancroft."
The Admiral's wife stood up. "You invaded our home and slaughtered our staff!" she protested haughtily, pointing a finger at Kenway. "That is not business!"
"Your husband, Mrs. Bancroft, has something we desire. And not just coin. Thus far, Admiral Bancroft is... reluctant to cooperate. Do you know where he's gone?
"No, pirate. And if I did know, I certainly would not tell you."
Ignoring her, Kenway eyed the seven other hostages. "Anyone else know where the good Admiral is?"
Silence.
"Very well." Kenway then straightened up and looked at Thomas. "Mr. McNally, allow Mrs. Bancroft and her daughters to change into outfits more suited for travel, then escort them down to the pier. The household staff shall remain here."
"Aye aye, Edward." Thomas then escorted the three Bancroft women upstairs to their dressing chambers.
"What about me?" another young girl asked of Kenway. Unlike Mrs. Bancroft and her daughter, this young lady wore a cloth nightdress. Blonde hair hung down to her shoulders. Her youthful blue eyes had tears welling in them.
Kenway recognized this girl. One of the late Captain Ericson's possessions was a locket with her picture framed inside it. The Welshman went down on one knee before the child, placing a hand on her shoulder. He gently wiped a tear from her left eye. "Is your name Alexa Ericson?" Kenway asked soothingly.
"Yes, sir," she replied in a wavering voice.
"I knew you father. He was a good man, an honest man. Admiral Bancroft is a wicked man. Do you think your father would like it if you kept living here, in a bad man's house?"
"No, sir."
"Good girl. You're going to come with us to a new home. A better home. Now go and get dressed. You have a great adventure ahead of you."
As Alexa left the room, Kenway stood back up. "That was touching, Captain," one of the pirates commented.
"Thank you," Kenway said reflexively, and returned to the library. He then drew the hidden blade concealed beneath his right sleeve, and used its sharp blade to carefully remove Admiral Bancroft's face from his own portrait. The picture would help when it came time to ask around for Bancroft's whereabouts. Perhaps a local innkeeper or harbormaster had seen him, his troops, or his ships somewhere in the archipelago. Any bit of information helped, no more how slight.
Some time later Kenway, Thomas, Mrs. Bancroft, her daughter, Alexa, and the two Jackdaw crewmembers all gathered at the plantation pier. The three women had changed into dresses with heavy petticoats. Lacking any proper sailing attire, Thomas advised them to wear the most weather-resistant clothing they owned. Despite his advice, all three women refused to wear trousers, believing such an act unladylike. One of the Jackdaw's boats lay in wait on the beach beside the pier. After assisting their female cargo into the boat, the four pirates shoved off, manned the oars, and rowed away from shore. The little craft pitched lightly in the swells. Thomas took hold of the tiller. He steered them southeast, where three ships drifted.
One ship, a frigate named HMS Steadfast, was at anchor. Two smaller vessels were made fast to her sides, their crews making repairs and burying the dead at sea. The Steadfast was an impressive vessel, painted in the standard yellow and black striped pattern of the Royal Navy. Her gun decks carried forty four cannon, one mortar, plus four swivel guns mounted on the quarterdeck's rails. The ship's figurehead proudly displayed the Royal Coat of Arms, flanked by two golden lions. Thankfully, both her rigging and hull appeared relatively undamaged from the battle. The HMS Steadfast, once a noble frigate of the King's navy, was now a prize.
Thomas steered the boat alongside the schooner Mary. As they approached, Aldo Gaiani greeted them from the schooner's deck.
"Thomas!" Aldo called, waving to his friend. "Welcome back. You missed a serious fight, my boy."
"I bet. You should've seen what happened up at the fort."
"We heard that blast from... Hey, who's that?" He'd spotted the three women in the boat.
"I'll explain later. Get us a ladder, please."
Aldo draped a pilot ladder over the schooner's side. The women, with some difficulty, managed to climb aboard. Once up on deck, Thomas noticed his crew was repairing the damage caused by the battle. A group of men worked on mending a section of the port side rail, which had broken thanks to a cannonball. Three pirates lowered a splintered spar down from the rigging. The sounds of hammer strikes and sawblades cutting reached Thomas' ears.
A second pilot ladder hung from the Steadfast's main deck. Curious to explore this new vessel, Thomas ascended the fiber ladder. His boots then hit the deck. The situation here was much the same as aboard the Mary. Repairs were being made, loot divided up, wounds tended to, and the dead laid to rest. The survivors from the Steadfast's more loyal crew were on their knees, clustered around the frigate's mainmast. Several pirates kept watch on them. Such scenes were familiar to Thomas, having been involved with dozens of engagements aboard the Prince. Still, it was a rare day that pirates succeeded in defeating a Royal Navy vessel.
Behind Thomas, Kenway made his way up to the frigate's quarterdeck. He then stood beside the wheel, facing forward. "Listen up, lads!" he called out.
The work stopped. All heads including Thomas' turned to face Kenway.
"Today, we add a new ship to our fleet. HMS Steadfast needs a new Captain. As our articles demand, we'll put it to a vote. Who wishes to command this ship?"
This was the opportunity Thomas had long awaited. A chance at his own command! The temptation, with all his youth ambition and vigor behind it, was impossible to resist. He stepped forward. "I do, sir!" he said with enthusiasm.
"All in favor of Thomas McNally, raise a fist and shout 'aye!'"
"Aye!" rose a collective shout from the pirates.
Kenway's gaze centered on Thomas. "Thomas McNally, the crew has spoken. You are now Captain of the Steadfast. What are your first orders?"
The newly appointed Captain looked around at frigate's crew. Most were kneeling around the mainmast in captivity. Only small number of the seamen had deserted to the pirates. He needed more personnel to properly crew this vessel. Remembering how he became a pirate in the first place, Thomas strode over to the captive navy men. He stood before them, back straight and hands behind him in a position of authority.
"Gentlemen," Thomas addressed the captured sailors and marines, "you have nothing to fear from us. Until this day, you have toiled and suffered, enduring great hardships with little in return. The brutal discipline has stung your backs, crushed your souls. Meager rations left your bellies empty and your tongues parched. Your pockets sat empty while the King's coffers piled high with gold. Life with the Navy has left you battered, broken, and defeated.
Aboard a pirate ship, you will find no such pain. Here we live as true men. We take what is ours, keep what we earn. Never are we without food, or without drink, and women await us in every port. Our lives are short, merry, and above all, free. Will ye sign on, lads?"
About twenty men stood up. Pirates walked over to greet them, shaking hands and even embracing their new brothers. Among the deserters was a junior officer, a Lieutenant by the looks of him, shook hands with Thomas.
"What's your name?" Thomas asked the Lieutenant.
"Bertram Weschester," he replied.
The young Captain graciously welcomed Bertram to the crew. He did the same with the other new recruits. Ordering those who refused to join put ashore, Thomas joined Aldo and Kenway on the Steadfast's quarterdeck.
"Great work, Thomas," said Kenway, shaking hands with the young Captain. "Congratulations on your new command. Aldo is now Captain of the Mary."
Thomas embraced his friend. "That's great news!" he exclaimed joyfully.
"It sure is!" Aldo said proudly. "My first ship. This day was long overdue."
"Glad it finally arrived."
"Aldo has orders from me," Kenway interjected. "He's to sail with the women to Great Inagua, then await our return. The ladies shall reside in my home."
"New playmates for Patrick?" Thomas asked, referring to the Mary's former cabin boy.
"Indeed. Now Thomas, it's best you sail for Nassau and recruit more crew. But be careful; New Providence is a British stronghold. With this frigate, and your history as a midshipman, I trust you'll fit right in. Anne, the Jackdaw and I are sailing for Kingston. Meet us there once you're able."
"Aye aye, sir. I'll see you in Kingston."
"One more thing, Thomas. Your ship needs a Quartermaster. Who is yours?"
Thomas had the name in mind before it even left his lips. "John Cromwell," he said.
"Good. Now lads, we have our jobs. Let's get to work."
With that, the three ships parted ways. Lines snaked along decks, sails fluttered downward, and masts creaked with effort as the Jackdaw and Mary caught the wind, setting southerly courses. Thomas ordered the Steadfast's anchor hauled in and full sails set. The frigate's clean white sails captured the wind, fluttering as they were heaved tautly into place. With her rudder swung hard to starboard, she set a northwesterly course, her bowsprit aimed straight at New Providence Island.
Thomas stood on the quarterdeck beside the helmsman. He thought about improvements that his new ship required. The regal figurehead needed to go, for starters. A decoration more suitable would replace it. Now what of this frigate's name? The 'HMS' prefix no longer suited her, nor did the name Steadfast. She needed a title that complimented her new life as a pirate ship. Revenge? No Quarter? Forsaken? Yes, Forsaken! That name reflected the Royal Navy's (and possibly also God's) view of pirates as a whole.
From this day forth, HMS Steadfast was now the pirate ship Forsaken.