Chapter 10 – The Hunt Begins

"Always know when to underestimate your enemies."

'2nd August 1777,

Despite my newly appointed task, the past two days have been rather boring. I have carried out my regular duties on deck and now I await further orders from captain Locker. I suspect that soon Locker will send me away, in pursuit of another one of his precious keys on roads untraveled. I recently had a vision of jungle trees and a river, but I don't exactly know how that can help me. At least I will be fortunate enough to have Elizabeta's company, I have grown rather fond of the girl and after seven years at sea a women's company is always greatly cherished…'

Once again the hot midday sun beat down on the HMS Lowestoffe and her crew. The birds soared high above them, and were the only patches of white in the clear empty sky. Nelson rested on deck where he was enjoying his lunch, biscuits and dry meat. Elizabeta joined him, as well as Collingwood, and together they sat and talked while they ate. After some urging from Nelson and Collingwood, Elizabeta told them the story of how she came to be an assassin, a captivating tale that Nelson listened to with much interest.

'When I was no older than nine years of age,' She started. 'My family served one of the richest families on all of France. We were happy and we were safe. The family that I grew up with was wide and powerful, they had a great political influence and all that stuff that I don't really care about.'

Elizabeta went on. 'Anyway, one night my father had caught the lord of the family, Lord Antoine something, I can't remember. He was cheating on his wife with another woman, probably some whore that he found or one of the servants. Can you believe it? My father had served Lord Antoine for quite some time, but I don't think he cared about my father's loyalty and my father knew it too. Lord Antoine payed my father to keep quiet, said that if anyone found out about the affair the family name would be ruined.

The next day my father got me and my mother and we ran off to Amsterdam because he knew that Antoine would never trust a man like him to keep his word, thought that my father was too noble for that. My father disguised himself as a tradesman and took a cart, but on the way we were ambushed by some hired thugs, I would assume. My father took a knife to the chest and my mother was dragged away by some boys, they couldn't have been older than fifteen. I thought that I was as good as dead, there were men everywhere trying to get me, and then he came.'

Elizabeta paused to add effect. 'One man, he came out of nowhere, and with his white cloak and hidden blades he killed seven men. The rest of the thugs ran for their lives, they were scared shitless.' Elizabeta laughed and then was serious again. 'When it was safe the man in the white cloak went to my father, who was still alive. With his last dying breath my father thanked the stranger, and then asked him to see that his daughter was safe.

I remember watching my father die, and then the man closed his eyes and laid him softly on the ground. He came over to me and allowed me to see his face underneath the hood, he had the bluest eyes I have ever seen, they were like sapphires. Then he said to me: "There is only one life that I will be able to give you, and it is not a very good one." At first I had no idea what he meant, then as I got older he taught me the ways of the assassin. I have killed many men so far in my time, and some women, and because of it I have also saved many lives. So, now I am here under captain Locker's command and attempting to win another futile battle against the Templars.' Elizabeta stared at her food for a moment. 'It is not a great story but it is mine.

For a long while everyone was silent, and then one of the listening sailors spoke out. 'Do you really expect us all to believe that a puny little thing like you is an assassin?' The sailor had the slurred voice of a drunk.

'That's the truth.' Elizabeta stated.

'I bet I could beat you in a fight with one hand tied behind my back.' The sailor challenged slowly.

Now Nelson spoke, 'I would like to see that.'

All the commotion had gathered most of the rest of the crew and now they stood in a circle around where Elizabeta and the challenger stood, over the cargo hold.

One of the seamen tossed the half-drunk challenger a sword and Elizabeta drew out her own blade. Nelson took note of Elizabeta's strong stance and stature. She had discarded her white assassin outfit and was now dressed as a common sailor wearing a white long-sleeved shirt, a pair of dark brown trousers and some black boots. Her blonde hair was tied into a single flowing stream that hung down her back.

Without her hood on, Nelson could see that Elizabeta's brown eyes were bright with enthusiasm on her pretty face. Then Nelson looked at Elizabeta's sword. The hilt was coloured gold with a leather type strip around the handle to add better grip. From the handle protrude the long clean blade that curved slightly towards the tip.

As Nelson had expected, the half drunk sailor attacked first and his strikes were swift and powerful. Elizabeta handled her attacker with ease, as he made no attempt to hide his movements. When she spotted her opportunity Elizabeta brushed the sailors blade to the side and cut him with one stroke across the chest. The sailor's shirt split open and blood seeped out from the wound beneath it. The man winced with pain and before he could retaliate Elizabeta's sword was thrust at his neck. Elizabeta held her sword still in the killing position, the end of her blade caressed the mans neck as she spoke, 'Do you yield?' She demanded firmly as she flicked her blonde hair out of her eyes.

The defeated sailor cursed. 'I yield.'

Elizabeta smiled in her victory and then immediately turned towards Nelson. 'Nelson.' She called, 'I seek a real fight, get your sword.'

My God, she's going to challenge every man on the ship, Nelson thought.

Nelson stood up slowly and paced into the arena shaped by the rest of the crew.

Suddenly a voice came bellowing over from behind the crowd. 'Stop this!'

It was captain Locker. 'Nelson, I have new orders for you.' His voice was suddenly soft but authoritative again. 'You and Elizabeta are to meet me in my cabin at once.' Locker turned and face Elizabeta, 'I can't have you embarrassing my sailors like that. No more fighting on deck, do you understand?'

Elizabeta bowed her head slightly. 'Yes sir.'

'As for the rest of you, return to your stations.'

The men mumbled to each other as they broke out and continued their work. When Locker had returned to his cabin, Nelson and Elizabeta sat patiently in two wooden chairs as if they were children.

'Tomorrow morning we will be docking at Port Royale.' Locker sat down at his desk. 'When we arrive I will be putting you under the command of Sir Peter Parker. Now, he will think it is because of your excellent finds at the Caicos Islands. Remember that Sir Parker has no idea about the Assassin's, and I'd like to keep it that way. Elizabeta will be serving with you to keep you safe. Track down the other keys. We suspect that there is one somewhere in one of the Spanish territories, perhaps Nicaragua, start there. Are there any questions?'

'Can Collingwood accompany us?' Nelson asked, 'He is a good sailor and I would like him by my side on this mission.'

Captain Locker hesitated for a moment. 'Very well, but he is not to learn of our true purpose, and that's an order.'

Nelson and Elizabeta were dismissed and they left Locker's cabin together.

'We still haven't had that duel.' Elizabeta said promptly.

Nelson laughed. 'One day, I promise.'