A seabird bobbed peacefully on the blue tropical waves. He did not remain long, as he noticed the hull of a ship about to crash down on him. The bird spread his wings and took off in haste.
The pirate vessel Forsaken plowed through the waters where the oblivious seabird floated just moments before. Overhead, the frigate proudly flew all of her sails, which shone in the early morning sun. A jolly roger waved from her mainmast, instilling fear in all who laid eyes on it. About her decks, men worked, ate, drank, and slept. Those hard at work continued to repair damage inflicted during the engagement with the British vessels guarding Kingston harbor, while those sleeping inevitably awoke with hangovers. Rum did that to all who consumed the stuff, no matter his resistance to alcohol. Several pirates lost their lives the night before, alongside a great number of British sailors and marines. A few sailors deserted to the pirates, who were met with open arms by their new shipmates, much to their own surprise. Captain Thomas McNally ensured that the newfound pirates accepted the ship's articles before permitting them to sail aboard the Forsaken. Those that refused to go "on the account" were left behind on the crippled frigate, adrift without sails or rudder. They would get rescued, but their chance at a free life departed with the pirate ship.
Thomas, Captain of the Forsaken, paced about the ship, observing the crew's activities after taking an inventory of the cargo hold's contents. The stolen cargo from several previous raids, along with addition booty taken from the British frigate, still sat in the hold. Some cargo was getting saturated, especially crates and bundles stowed near the bilge. If the pirates didn't sell and discharge that cargo soon, it would prove worthless. Additionally, the pirates had fired off most of their ammunition, using up a great deal of gunpowder in the process. The pirate crew needed to restock on both once they next made port.
Thomas mentioned all of this information to Quartermaster Cromwell, who then asked where the Forsaken should resupply.
"Great Inagua," was Thomas' answer. "we'll sell the cargo and refill our stores there. Besides, we're going to need allies if we hope to defeat Bancroft's squadron."
"Aye aye, Captain."
One week later, the frigate sailed into the harbor of Great Inagua. Three other ships were already anchored in the harbor. Standing on the Forsaken's bow, Thomas recognized two of the vessels immediately. The first ship was the schooner Mary, captained by Aldo Gaiani, while the second was the imposing man o' war Champion. The remaining vessel, a brig named Renegade, was unfamiliar to Thomas. Though unnerved by her presence at first, Thomas remembered that no ship outside of Kenway's fleet would be permitted anchorage in this port. Therefore, the Renegade's crew were loyal to Edward Kenway. Hopefully Thomas could persuade them to join in his nearly suicidal plan of attacking a Royal Navy squadron.
The Forsaken maneuvered her way into the berth, with her crew heaving lines ashore as the ship approached. Men waiting ashore secured the lines while the crew heaved in, drawing the frigate's hull snugly against the wooden pier. The gangway then went ashore, followed by pirates carrying bundles of cargo in their arms. And so the unloading procedure commenced.
"Ahoy, Thomas," came a familiar voice.
Thomas leaned over the quarterdeck's port rail, and spotted Aldo Gaiani waving at him.
"Ahoy friend," said Thomas, returning the wave. "How are ye?"
"I'm well, thanks. You look no worse for wear."
"Aye. How are things here at the hideout?"
"Quiet since the action at the Bancroft plantation. Speaking of which, Mrs. Bancroft and her daughter are still living here."
Thomas had forgotten about her. "Good to hear, Aldo. Captain Kenway will be pleased."
Aldo then climbed aboard the moored Forsaken, making his way up to the quarterdeck, where he shook Thomas' hand.
"You've arrived just in time to see us off," he informed Thomas. "The Mary sets sail tomorrow morning."
"Where?" Thomas inquired.
"Nowhere in particular, just setting out capture some prizes. Come back with a hold full of stolen cargo. The usual passage plan for a pirate ship."
"Aldo, that's good news, but I'll have to ask you to reconsider."
"For what reason, Thomas?"
"The Royal Navy. They're after something of immense power. Find the other captains and their quartermasters, then have them report to the Kenway mansion tonight. I'll explain everything there."
Aldo felt uneasy about Thomas' words, but he lacked any reason to doubt the former midshipman. After all, he'd introduced Aldo to a pirate's life in the first place; a life he'd grown to enjoy.
"I'll see it done, Thomas," Aldo confirmed.
"Good man. See you at the mansion."
Thomas departed from the Forsaken and made his way into the tavern beside the pier. After enjoying a tankard of rum, the pirate captain proceeded through town and up the staircase leading to the Kenway estate. He was greeted in the garden by Patrick, the Vanity's former cabin boy.
"Thomas!" he exclaimed, embracing the pirate. "Welcome back!"
"It's good to be back," said Thomas as he knelt down and returned the embrace.
Patrick released Thomas, looking at the Irishman. "Where is Captain Kenway?" he asked.
"He's at sea, Patrick. Last I heard, he was sailing for Africa. Is Mrs. Bancroft still living here?"
"Yes. She's in the house."
Thomas stood back up. "Come on, Patrick. Let's go see Mrs. Bancroft."
Patrick led Thomas into the mansion's main hall. The hall featured a long dining table lined with chairs. Sofas and armchairs occupied two spaces within the same hall, one nearer and the other farther. Mrs. Bancroft sat quietly in one of the nearby armchairs. She rose to her feet when Thomas entered the room. The woman wore a green dress with matching shoes. Her neatly tied hair and clean skin suggested that she had been living comfortably at the mansion.
"Ah Thomas," she said as the young pirate approached her. "Is there any news on my husband?"
Thomas removed his tricorner hat. "I'm sorry ma'am," he replied, "but no. I haven't caught up with him yet."
"And what of Captain Kenway?"
"Sailing east, last I heard. How are things here? Are you and your daughters well?"
"We are, in fact. While I am not content living in a pirate port, life at Edward's mansion has been surprisingly comfortable. Our accommodations are sufficient, and the household staff are excellent at their work."
"I'm delighted to hear that. Truly. Now if you'll please excuse me, some old friends require my attention."
Leaving Mrs. Bancroft inside, Thomas returned to the front garden.
Later that same evening, Thomas and John were joined by Aldo and four other men in Kenway's office. Thomas stood behind the desk near the room's back end, while John laid out a chart of the Caribbean across its surface. After making sure the doors were securely shut, Aldo introduced Thomas to the four strange men accompanying him.
The first man, a tall Englishman with a weathered face, stepped forward. "Chris Pendleton," he introduced himself as he shook Thomas' hand. "Captain of the Champion. The lout over there is my quartermaster, "Bob Flanagan." Pendleton pointed to a short, stocky Irishman leaning in a nearby corner, who waved at Thomas.
A second pirate shook Thomas' hand. "Julien Renard," he said with broken French. "With me is Victor Hendrick. Victor is the Renegade's quartermaster, and I her captain."
"Pleasure to meet you," said Thomas politely. "Alright, please join me."
The seven pirates all formed a ring around the desk, with Thomas at the center. Aldo looked around nervously, checking for any prying eyes in the windows. He returned his attention to the group once he felt sure that all was secret.
"Gentlemen," Thomas began. "Do you all know why you're here?"
Silence for a few seconds.
"Because the British aim to wipe us out?" Pendleton chimed in, not quite sure of his words.
"Yes," continued Thomas. "A Royal Navy Squadron, under the command of Admiral Bancroft, is hunting for an artifact that will grant them nearly unlimited power."
"What is the nature of this artifact?" Renard asked.
Thomas looked at the French captain. "It's old," he answered, "built by an ancient civilization millennia ago. While we don't know exactly how it works, what the relic does is allow one man, on his own, to enslave many others."
"Something that must be worth lots of gold," Hendrick commented.
"Indeed. We don't want the Brits taking the artifact, or the gold its worth. That gold should line our pockets instead. And to gain those riches, we'll need to stop Bancroft and his ships."
"Agreed." John added.
"How do you suggest we stop them?" Pendleton inquired.
Thomas pointed at the chart, his right hand hovering over the island of Tortola. "An attack," he asserted. "Bancroft will have several ships in his squadron, at least one man o' war. The rest are likely brigs, schooners and sloops. With all four of our vessels, we have a strong chance at defeating them."
The discussion paused. Thomas knew that his proposition was extremely risky, but he saw no alternative. A land search for the relic itself was not an option, simply because the pirates did not know its location. Stealth was not possible, either. The strong British presence would make retaining discretion far too difficult.
"Sounds like a huge gamble," Renard said with a hint of bravado. "The Renegade shall sail with you."
"Excellent," Thomas commented. He turned to Captain Pendleton. "What of the Champion?"
Pendleton remained quiet for a second. "Before I answer," he said, "What about the distribution of prize money?"
Thomas answered his question. "The profits made from captured cargo shall get divided between each of our vessels. Shares awarded to each sailor will be distributed as per your ship's articles."
"And the artifact itself?"
"Sold off for additional gold."
A faint smile appeared on Pendleton's lips. "The Champion joins this endeavor."
Thomas looked around at the company. "Then we are decided. Our ships sail for the Virgin Islands, eliminate a British squadron, and capture a powerful relic."
Six heads nodded in agreement.
"Very well, gentlemen. You are dismissed. Tomorrow we make for sea."
Pendleton, Renard, and their quartermasters filed out of the room. The door creaked shut behind them. There was a clanking noise as the door's metallic latch locked into place.
Aldo and Thomas stood alone, facing each other from across the desk.
"Do you truly believe you can defeat Bancroft?" Aldo asked of his friend.
Thomas scratched his head. "I don't know, Aldo," he replied honestly, "but I'm sure as hell going to give it my best shot."
Aldo drew a knife, then forcefully drove the tool into the chart. The blade stuck out from the Virgin Islands.
"We'll finish this," he reassured Thomas. "It's time for Damion Bancroft to get what's coming to him."