The morning after narrowly escaping from Nassau, Thomas paced across his cabin, wondering just how in God's name that the pirate hunters knew they were in the harbor. Not only did the hunters know about them, but so did the British. Had disguising the ship failed? Unlikely. The ship's general appearance hadn't changed much after the battle at Cat Island. Hell, the pirates hadn't even changed the nameplate on her stern. Did someone tip off the governor, or his second?
Then another possibility occurred to him. The Bancroft plantation was just one of many similar plantations on Cat Island. The inhabitants of another plantation, likely even the one right next door, could have sailed to Nassau ahead of the Forsaken and reported the raid to the British authorities. For Thomas, this was the most plausible explanation. But if that was the case, the British would have attacked as soon as the Forsaken came within range of Nassau's harbor defenses. The British response to their presence was delayed. It wasn't until the pirates were safely ashore that they attacked, along with the pirate hunters.
He dreaded to think that one of his own crew had sold them out to the British. Then again, that would explain the delayed response from the local garrison. But if someone had indeed betrayed them, who was it? Thomas considered that the likely suspects were sailors and officers who had been member's of the Forsaken's (then the HMS Steadfast) original crew. Officers were far more likely to remain loyal to the Crown than any sailor. What about that young lieutenant Thomas shook hands with following the Steadfast's capture? He was the only officer of the frigate's entire crew to join the pirates. That fact alone made him a primary suspect, despite the lack of solid evidence against the man. His name was Bertram Weschester. Actually, was Mr. Weschester even still aboard? Thomas did not recall seeing the man after the battle.
Furthermore, where was this ancient artifact that Bancroft had hidden away? Captain Winston's letter to Bancroft mentioned that the relic was "secure and away." Perhaps only Winston himself knew the artifact's location, and he was now dead. Had any volumes, records, or charts been salvaged from the Prince? Thomas would ask Kenway when he next got a chance, but feared that all of Winston's records were destroyed by the fires.
The cabin door creaked open, and Quartermaster Cromwell strolled in. "Everything alright in here, Captain?" he asked, noticing the concerned look on Thomas' face.
Thomas stopped pacing. "Everything is fine, John," was his reply. "But I've been thinking. Did Mr. Weschester report back aboard after we fled Nassau?"
"Now that you mention it, Thomas, I don't believe he did."
"Then we'll search the ship for him. If he's not aboard, then he'll be charged with desertion. And if we can verify his supposed loyalty to the Crown, he gets charged with treason as well. Now let's find the son of a bitch."
With that, Thomas ordered a deep search of the entire frigate, from the main topmast all the way down to the bilge. Every man aboard, drunk or sober, took part in the manhunt. Bertram Weschester was nowhere to be found.
The crew then held a meeting down in cramped quarters below decks. After reciting his suspicions to the assembled, Thomas called for a vote regarding the fate of Bertram Weschester. He was overwhelmingly branded a deserter. If the Forsaken's crew ever found him again, Mr. Weschester would end up marooned, left to die alone on a desert island.
Following that, the Sailmaker then unveiled the new jolly roger for the Forsaken. The black flag depicted a skeletal, sword-bearing pirate crushing a crown beneath his boot, representing the pirates' collective hatred for authority. It was met with cheers and drinks from the crew, including Thomas, who gave it his blessing. Here was an ensign that would fly proudly above their vessel.
A week later, the Forsaken made a brief stop at the Crooked Island fishing settlement to purchase additional supplies. While the frigate was anchored, Thomas humbly asked the ship's carpenter, Mr. Glover, to improve upon the regal figurehead. Glover chiseled the coat of arms off the figurehead's shield, and in its place carved a human skull. He then painted the shield black, and the skull white, matching the colors of the ship's ensign. The golden lions flanking the shield were also repainted to a ghostly shade of white. The Forsaken then completed her evolution into a pirate ship.
Continuing south, the pirates captured and plundered three merchant vessels, all of them flying English colors. Each ship carried a cargo of either rum or sugar. The loot taken from these vessels would fetch a fine price to buyers (legal or otherwise) on Great Inagua, and provide the pirates with some deserved pay. Unfortunately, spending gold needed to wait, for the Forsaken's next port of call was Kingston, Jamaica.
The ship sailed into Kingston harbor two weeks after escaping New Providence Island. As usual, the anchorage teemed with vessels of every shape and size, from the smallest dinghies to the mightiest ships of the line. Among the many vessels, Thomas noticed from the quarterdeck, was a familiar brig named the Jackdaw. This could only mean that Kenway was aboard his ship, or somewhere in the city. Hopefully, Admiral Bancroft was somewhere nearby also. Locating Bancroft remained Thomas' top priority. Finding the Admiral meant discovering the artifact's location.
Thomas fetched a speaking trumpet and hailed the watch aboard the Jackdaw. After learning from the Jackdaw's crew that Kenway and Bonny were both ashore, Thomas ordered the Forsaken anchored. The pirate captain came ashore in the lead boat, followed by the quartermaster and bosun. With each man going his separate way, Thomas set out on his own in search of Captain Kenway. It did not take him much time to find his former shipmate.
Thomas found Kenway just outside of the harbor district. The Jackdaw's captain did not have any weapons on his person, and was moving stealthily between buildings. Thomas guessed that he was likely pursuing a target. Best to approach him quietly, with due care.
Thomas made himself clearly visible to Kenway by standing between him, and an Italian man wearing a red coat, who was quite possibly Kenway's target. When the Italian rounded a corner, Thomas walked up to Kenway through the crowded street.
"Edward," Thomas said softly as he neared Kenway, "any sightings of the Admiral?"
"Mr. McNally," Kenway replied hastily, "I can't talk with you now. There's a small political function being held at an estate just north of the parish church. Wear your naval uniform, and you might be allowed in. Now leave."
While Kenway went off to continue pursuing his target, Thomas returned to the Forsaken and changed into his officer's outfit. He then proceeded to the function Kenway had mentioned. After checking his saber and pistol at the door, Thomas joined the festivities. The event looked like quite a party, with the guests all dressed in their finest outfits. A string band played outside the gates, while servants laid out drinks and food on assorted tables. Nobility, wealthy merchants, dignitaries, and military officers all mingled about. Women idled about in conversation, amongst each other and with the men. Thomas recognized Governor Woodes Rogers amongst the guests, but no one else. He did notice two naval officers standing somewhat further away from the other guests. Finding their behavior suspicious, Thomas decided to eavesdrop on their conversation. He took cover behind a support column, just out of sight from the two men.
"So what does the Admiral have planned?" one officer asked.
"Not here, Ensign," the other replied, clearly superior in rank to the Ensign. "To discuss that, we need to talk elsewhere. Follow me."
The second officer, a Lieutenant, led the Ensign through town, with Thomas shadowing the two men from a safe distance. He followed them south, past the parish church, and through a commercial district. They stopped outside of a tavern, while Thomas took cover in a nearby bush.
"Okay Ensign," the Lieutenant continued, "these are our orders. We're to sail the fleet northeast, to the Virgin Islands. The Admiral believes that the artifact was buried by Captain Winston in a cave somewhere off Tortola, and that its location has potentially been compromised. We're to rendezvous with the squadron at the island, where we'll defend the artifact. The Admiral himself shall be joining the fleet. His flag is aboard the Resolute. Is that clear?"
"Yes sir," the young Ensign answered.
"Good. Now before we return to the ship, I do believe that we were followed..."
The senior officer drew his saber and began walking in the direction of Thomas' hiding spot. The young pirate reached for his saber, but grabbed only air. His weapons were back at the party! With no alternative, Thomas waited until the lieutenant was within arm's reach, then pounced at the man.
Thomas leapt out like a jaguar from the bush, tackling the surprised officer. The Lieutenant dropped his sword as Thomas knocked him to the ground. The two men wrestled briefly until the Ensign struck Thomas on the head with his saber's pommel, knocking him out cold.
The Lieutenant climbed steadily to his feet, his uniform dusty from the struggle. He brushed off his jacket after standing up. "Good job, Ensign," he said with a smile.
"Thank you, Mr. Weschester."
"Anytime. Now, let's get this imposter to a prison cell."
After sliding in and out of his senses three times, Thomas awoke with a splitting headache inside of the Port Royal prison. He'd been stripped of his uniform and dressed in rags. His was lying down on a cot made from straw. Regaining his senses, Thomas saw that he was alone in the room. It was little more than a cell, with three stone walls and an iron gate. The cell stank of sweat and urine. Footsteps of patrolling guards and the voices of nearby inmates carried along the solid stone corridors. One man asked aloud for a piece of bread. The guard passing by the man's cell told him to eat his own flesh if he wanted extra rations. This same guard, uniformed and hefting a musket, then stopped just outside Thomas' cell, and began unlocking the door.
"On your feet, scum," The guard growled in a familiar voice, "you're moving to a different cell."
The door creaked outward. Thomas rose to his feet. Standing to face the soldier, Thomas immediately recognized him.
It was John Cromwell, disguised as a British soldier.
Cromwell grabbed Thomas' upper left arm. "We're getting you out," John whispered into his captain's ear. "Suit up with this uniform and we'll walk to the shore." John then handed Thomas a bundle containing a soldier's uniform.
Once redressed in the disguise, John led Thomas towards the prison's exit. Toward freedom.