Andreas Island, January 31, 1720
Damn that bastard Kenway and his dressed up words! James groans as she is hit with a sudden wave of nausea, And now I'm getting a bloody cold. She rubs her face with her hands until she hears that bastard's irritating voice behind her. She looks up mournful at the sky cursing the gods if there is any, What have I done to be cursed with this irritant.
Edward strolls up and props his leg up on her bench, giving her his most annoying smirk. "Why look, it's the bastard son of the late William Kidd. Still a mere boy and yet ten times the demon his father was." She rolls her eyes and scrubs her face with her hands, settling them at her sides, "Fancy seeing you here Kenway, still looking sleek and mean. Did ya steal that costume off a dandy in Havana?"
She closes her eyes and takes in a shaky breath, feeling bile bubbling in the back of her throat. Go away Kenway, I'm not in the mood today. "No sir, I found this on a corpse walking around and talking shite to my face only moments before." James shakes her head, "You don't belong in that uniform Kenway." Edward cocks his brow and leans in, his rum stained breath fanning over her face. Curse her sensitive nose! She gags quietly and he ignores her jest, "So, what's this I hear about a planned raid on a plantation, Not keeping secrets from me are you?"
She sighs and shakes her head, "Not very well. You're in luck, I'm feeling ill today so I'll let ya in on our little plan." Edward nods eagerly and she smirks, "but I want half the take." Edward growls, "I'm doing all the work and you want half? I think ten percent is fair." James throws her arms down and stomps over, poking him in the chest. "You're a greedy muck worm Kenway, you're lucky I'm even sharing my prize with you!"
Edward rolls his eyes but eventually nods, and she continues eyebrow cocked, "Every day schooners packed with sugar sail past, coming from plantations nearby, most times they stop here, sell off a few crates. There's one man stopping today that will earn you a fine profit. So if you'd like to rob his plantation, I'll point him out." He smirks at her, "I would." She walks toward the center of the small island with Edward trailing behind, "Is it a mister Beckford who owns this plantation?"
"That's the man, he owns dozens around these islands, and he's bloody rich." Edward jogs to keep up with her pace, "Just the sort I love to see robbed." She stops abruptly and makes a vague gesture towards the crowds, "His agent is around here somewhere, find and follow him and he'll lead you straight to your prize. If you need me I'll be just over here." Edward runs off without even a second glance.
James grumbles angrily under her breath, "First thing he's said to me in a bloody month and it was just about was his damned riches." She kicks at the pebbles lying at her feet and flops down, legs and arms crossed in meditation. And I wish this damn illness would go away! I think I'm going to-
She's up and running to the nearest bush before she can even finish her sentence expelling the little bit of food she had inside her stomach. She wipes her mouth with her sleeve and takes in a shaky breath. Maybe I should just rest my eyes for a bit. She shuffles her way towards her bench from before and plops down. A large tuna sat hanging dryly over the fire and the smell coming from the burning fish made her stomach do flips. She chokes and rests her eyes, leaning back against the log, Just breathe Mary, you will be just fine.
She doesn't remember falling asleep but now she was being woken up with a kick to her boot. Her eyes shoot open and she hops up activating her hidden blade, she whips her head around to see a few familiar faces. Thatch and Adéwalé made a toast, for Jaysus only knew what, around the fire. "Don't kick me Kenway." She spat at the blonde.
He gives her a shitty smirk that makes her want to smack it off his pretty face. She huffs, Pretty? Pretty ugly maybe. She smirks happy with her analogy, "Why the hostility mate? Is that how you treat the man who just made you a whole 2,500 reales richer?" She sends him a deadly glare that makes him shrink back, "It was never about the money Edward." She snarls, his eyes widen and he tosses her a bottle of rum. "Well if it wasn't about the money, than what is it about?" James pops the cork off with her teeth and saunters over to the group, "Maybe I'll tell you someday Kenway." She plops down on a rock and tips back her bottle, the drink warming the path as it slides down.
She rubs her tired eyes as Thatch goes on about something, "Here's to our pirate republic lads, we're prosperous, free and out of reach of the Kings clergy and debt collectors."James stretches out her stiff shoulders and grins, "Aye, Nearly five hundred men now pledge their allegiance to the Brethren cost in Nassau, not a bad number." Thatch nods but points out a flaw, "True, yet we lack sturdy defenses. If the King's men were to attack the town he'd trample us."
Edward shoots up, God what stupid idea does he have this time? "Then let us find the observatory, if it does what these Templars claim we'd be unbeatable." Will he just forget about the damn thing already! Thankfully Thatch beats down his idea, "Not that twaddle again Kenway, it's a story for school boys. I mean proper defenses, steal a Galleon, shift all the guns to one side. It'll make a good ornament for one of our harbors." Adéwalé shakes his head at the absurd suggestion, "It will not be easy to steal a full Spanish Galleon, have you one in mind?"
"I do sir and I'll show you, she's a fussock she is, fat and slow." James hops up from her spot, "Then let's get going, if we sit here much longer the lot of ya will be too pissed to be much help of anything." She runs to the Jackdaw and hops aboard leaving Thatch, Adéwalé, and Edward looking baffled. "It's not like him to be so eager." Edward shrugs and follows James onto the Jackdaw.
Edward finds her leaning over the edge of the ship, he puts a hand to her back and she shrugs it off, "Get yer hands off me Kenway, I ain't no whore." He leans against the railing, looking into the bright blue sea, trying to form a proper sentence, "Mary-" He starts, but is quickly cut off. "It's James." She hisses, he rolls his eyes and continues, "James. What is it that has you so eager for plunder and you have yet to try and convince me of joining your cause today. Why the change in heart?"
She turns around, avoiding his gaze. "No reason, just bored I guess. And as for my cause, I don't believe you deserve to be part of my cause. Now don't you have a ship to captain?" She stomps away leaving Edward to yet again watch her disappear, what are you hiding Mary.
The weather takes a nasty turn while trailing after Thatch's' man o war, the waves rolled roughly, tossing the ship back and forth. James grips onto the railing, emptying her stomach yet again, Hopefully if I keep carrying on like this I can rid myself of whatever bug I've got. She leans over the edge watching the lightning crash over the waves and glanced over her shoulder when Thatch barks, "Bleeding bastards! We'll have to deal with this skirmish fast. Forget the galleon, send these interlopers to hell!"
Several gunboats swarms the sides of the Jackdaw, Thatch darts to the swivel gun firing at one of the boats, sinking it straight away. Edward swings the wheel sharply, aiming the cannons at three of the other boats, "Fire!" All three are heavy with damage, thank god he refilled his heavy shots. Thatch finishes them off with; One, Two, and then Three shots of the swivel gun. "We're ready to fire sir!" The crew yells to their captain, Edward holds his hand up.
"Fire!" The Jackdaw sinks the final gun boat, they couldn't stand a chance against Edward's forty-six guns. He halts his ship and pulls out his spyglass, "She's sailing for that island." Edward points towards an island with a large cliff on one side, he hands the spyglass over to Thatch who laughs, "I know the place, natural stronghold used by the French Captain Du Casse." Edward's eyes widen, "Julien Du Casse the Templar?" Thatch shrugs his broad shoulders, "The name's right, didn't know he had a title."
Edward turns towards his friend and hisses, "I know the man, if he sees my ship he'll know me from my time in Havana, meaning he may wonder who's sailing this ship now, can't risk that." Thatch growls angrily, "But I don't want to lose that Galleon. Let's think on it, maybe wait until it's dark before hopping aboard." Edward huffs and takes a seat next to James, "What do you think we should do Kidd?"
She stares straight ahead too irritated to even look at him, "I think that if we were able to clear out them soldiers that island might make a fine home, maybe even better than Nassau someday. Thatch is interested in the Galleon, why don't we keep the island for ourselves?" Edward smirks, "I like the sound of that." And slaps James on her shoulder.
He jumps up on the railing, gripping tightly to the rigging and shouts to his crew, "Gentlemen! As is custom among our kind, we do not plunge headlong into folly on the orders of a single madman, but act accordingly to our own collective madness!" He pulls his sword out from its hilt, thrusting it into the air. The blade shimmering in the sunlight. "The object of our attention is a square-rigged galleon and we want her for the advantage she'll bring Nassau. So I'll put it to the vote. All those in favor of storming this cove and taking this ship, stomp and shout Aye!" His crew cheers as he thrusts his sword up into the air again. "Those who oppose wiper nay!"
Edward, satisfied that not a single noise was made, hops down and storms to the helm. Grabbing onto the wheel he shouts, "Never was the king's council so unified! As much sail as you can, we're heading for that island!" Kidd leans back letting out an audible groan and clenches at her stomach. Thatch notices and nudges her with his knee, "What's wrong with you lad? Feeling a little seasick are we? I thought you were a sea captain, not a landlubber."
"Shut up Thatch, who asked you anyway?" Mary grumbles through lidded eyes. She hops up and shuffles in the direction of the Captain's cabin, "I've got some things to take care of, if you need me you know where I'm at." She slams the door shut and slides down to the floor. She loosens her corset and rubs her painful breasts wincing, I really have to stop tying this thing so tight. She takes in a sharp breath, heading for the chair in the center of the room and lays her head against the cool table. Just breath Mary, you'll make it through this.
Only seconds later she's jumping up and running to the window to throw up again. She stiffens, scared to move in fear of vomiting again, What is wrong with me? I've never vomited so much in my life. She places her hands to her cheeks and forehead, I don't feel warm and I haven't sneezed once, so why do I feel so sick? She gasps, "When was the last time I bled?"
Mary paces back and forth, whispering silently to herself, "No. No. No. No! How could I be so stupid! But I can't be pregnant, I just can't." She stops to lean against the table trying to regain her lost breath, "I've just been really stressed lately, I haven't caught my target. I'll get it in the next few days, I know it!" She hears a knock at the door, "Shite!"
She quickly buttons up her shirt and turns around just in time to see Edward slip through the door. She sighs, "It's only you." Edward gets defensive, "What do you mean by it's only me?" She glares at him, "What do you want Edward?" He strides towards her grabbing her wrists, "I came to talk about that night-" She cuts him off, "It's was simply a fuck, just blowing off steam, nothing to talk about, I know." She rips her arms from his grip, "But-"
"Ya don't have to worry Kenway, just go, Thatch will get angry if Du Casse leaves with that ship." Edward sighs and leaves the room, Mary chews at her lip knowing deep down this wouldn't be the end of the conversation, she was pregnant.
Great Inagua, February 15, 1720
Edward stands at the bow of the Galleon thrusting up his sword. "The cove is ours!" The men aboard the Jackdaw shout happily, stomping in time with their cheers. Edward hops from the galleon and wanders around the dock, hands on his hips admiring his newest prize. Thatch makes his way over to the man, clapping him on the back, "Great job Kenway, Now let's celebrate!"
Thatch whistles loudly at the Jackdaw's crew and shouts, "Bring out the rum lads!" Edward watches as the men practically fly off the ship and faces Thatch just as the last sailor jumps off, "Where's James? Figured he'd be the first one off." Thatch shrugs, grabbing a bottle from a passing deck hand and pops the cork off. "I don't know, he locked himself in your cabin after you left. Haven't seen him since, maybe he died." Thatch laughs and takes a drag from the bottle, "I'm going to try my hand at winning some gold."
Edward shuffles onto the Jackdaw and knocks on the door of his cabin, hearing no response he tries the handle. "It's locked for a reason Thatch, go away!" He chuckles at the frustration in her voice, "It's me, Edward, would you like to join the festivities?" There is a long pause and eventually she shouts, "I don't feel right Edward, go away." Edward shrugs and saunters off towards his crew.
Great Inagua, February 16, 1720
The day had come and gone and Mary hadn't slept, she was far too anxious to sleep. She pokes at her stomach and grumbles under her breath, "That fucking bastard, he did this!" She slams her fist to the table, throwing her shirt back over her abdomen. She plops down in the chair and hangs her head in her hands, How am I going to take care my targets if I'm pregnant! Better yet, how will I take care of a child and complete my contracts!
She stands up and walks to the door, deciding that exploring the island is just what she needed. She clambers down off the ship and stomps through the small town. She passes by an old shop and smirks, Throw a little money that way and we can open our own trading post. Maybe if we bring in a bit of money I can take a break from the assassins to raise the bastard. She continues down the dusty path that led to the beach.
As she continues down the path she feels anger bubbling in the pit of her stomach. "Shite!" Kidd grumbles to herself, she picks up a stray branch lying nearby and swats at the tall grass surrounding her, "That damned Kenway!" She whips the grass so hard she cuts a chunk out. She hisses in pain as the corset rubs against her swollen breasts and spins around when she hears a soft snoring. Her brows narrow as she advances towards him, Look at him, that lazy arse has no idea! I'm standing here worrying myself sick and he's just laying there snoring away! James gets a devilish gleam in her eyes and raises the branch up over her head.
She smirks, excited to disturb him from his oh so peaceful slumber, and brings her hand down. With one swift cracking of the branch, Edward jolts from his sleep. He's obviously hungover from the night before and can only muster up enough energy for grumble, "Ugh, Kidd.", under his breath. She glares at him and with a stern voice says, "Wake up Kenway."
She brings the twig back down, fully intent on leaving a welt on his ugly mug, but he grabs onto it instead. She struggles but he easily overpowers her and whips it across the field. She huffs and goes on the search for it, needing something to fidget with. He groans and swings his legs over the edge of the tree and hops down, "Where's Thatch about?"
She finally finds the damn thing and bends down to retrieve it, choking back a gag as her stomach acid raises. She quickly swallows the feeling and chokes out, "He left this morning with the galleon, has faith we'll discover a use for this old cove ourselves. Just as we'd hoped" Do it now Mary, before you change your mind. Edward looks around and gestures towards the dock, "Aye, we'll make something of it in time. We can keep a fleet here, little bit of fixing up and it'll be a decent place to call home. Might even convince my wife to come some day."
James blinks, What did he just say? That bastard had a wife?! She takes a deep breath trying to occupy herself by peeling the bark off of the stick, "You're married are you?" She eventually croaks. She clears her throat and Edward sighs turning to face his companion, "In God's eyes I am, she left me sometime ago." James walks towards Edward sadly, tapping him on the shoulder with the stick. "Even so, keep that fact hid away. Most of these pirates don't respect a man with higher commitments than rum and plunder. Come on now, let's go see what we can find."
The two make their way up a winding dirt path. Edward babbles on about the observatory and James can't help but to roll her eyes. "Always so concerned about that treasure Edward, there's more to life than riches, like ch-" She stops herself from continuing, I can't tell him now, I'll just keep this to myself. Besides with the life I live it probably won't make it another month. She stops, Oh god, why now? I don't think I'm going to keep this one down. She darts to some bushes at the edge of the path and hops down hiding just out of sight.
"What's going on Kidd? What's over there?" She throws a hand in the air and shouts to him, "Just stay over there a moment Edward." She leans down and as silently as possible, empties her stomach, she makes an attempt at standing falls flat on her ass. When was the last time she ate?Edward hurries to her side, "Kidd! What happened?" She swats his hand away and lifts herself up, dusting the dirt from her pants. "Don't worry about it Kenway, it's none of your concern. Now follow me, I think I saw something over there."
The two run through the thick forest and stop before a couple of metallic pillars, "I've seen this before, Clamber up on here, help me solve something." Edward climbs up and James glances down at herself while Edward focuses on the light. "James, you're purple!" She feels her heart race, I'm pregnant Edward, you're seeing the babe! She shakes her head and puts on a fake smile.
"The sight is based on how you view people, purple means- well purple means you're unsure." She nods satisfied with her theory then begins tugging at her shirt feeling it a little tighter than usual, Damn it! I've already put on weight and my breasts have defiantly gotten bigger, fucking kid is already trying to expose me. James is shocked out of her thoughts once again, she had been glaring down at her stomach for God knows how long. "There! I've got it!"
Her heart speeds up as Edward hops down and runs over a bit of rubble. He kick the rocks away and digs in the dirt a bit eventually pulling out a small stone. She lets out the breath she was holding and pats his back, lingering a bit longer than needed. Edward gives her a genuine smile and she almost fooled herself into thinking he truly cared. She straightens up and walks off, "Now that's a treasure you should be looking for, now come on, there's something else we need to see."
She darts off towards a large cave, leaving Edward to stare stupidly after her. "Wait! What treasure are you talking about?" Mary shouts from over her shoulder, "It's not important now, hurry up!" Edward eventually catches up to her but only because she stopped. "Here we are, what do you think?" She can hear him rustling around in one of the chests. He grins, "I think mister Du Casse was a man of many secrets."
"Aye and look here! A solid staircase leading to God knows where." She jogs up the stairs and into a large room filled with many books and decorations. They make their way to a locked gate and Edward mutters, "Not a nice way to kick off, but that is some damn fine gear." The smell emanating from the skeleton has her stomach doing flips so she starts in the direction of the desk, "I think these four templars may hold the keys, try the one you took off of Du Casse." Kidd takes a sharp breath as Edward fiddles with the lock.
She hears a click and he cheerfully shouts, "It works!" Edward joins his friend at the desk and glances down at the parchment she was studying, "Hang me, that's the map I sold Governor Torres in Havana! He said it marked the location of assassin encampments." Jim's head whips to the side so fast she swear her neck cracked. She sends him a look that could burn him up in a second, "You think maybe you owe them a bit of warning then? If you have any sort of heart beating in that chest?" Edward smirks, "I suppose I could, if it leads me to the other four keys." James turns on her heel and exits the room, "A bad excuse is better than none at all."
She darts out of the manor so fast she hardly made it off the porch before she was vomiting again. "What's going on with you man? You're acting strange. And you're still nursing that cold?" James pants trying to regain her wits but ends up hurling again. She finally regains her composure and snaps, "I told ya once and I'll tell ya again, It's none of your concern Kenway." And with that she disappears.
Edward searches the island up and down but eventually finds her on a ship ready to leave port. The crew works diligently around her getting ready to set sail. "Leaving already?" He sighs, Kidd turns her head towards the blonde, "I think this cove suits you best Edward, better than that costume does." Edward props his leg up on a crate and retorts back, "Oh come on now, we're pirates Kidd, we take as we please and become who we like, self-made men." James shakes her head, "But that look ain't you, it's not who you are."
"Who am I then?" James smirks, "Hard to tell some days. All I know is you like dangerous prizes. Don't worry, our paths will meet again someday Kenway." As the ship slowly shoves off, Kidd practically runs to her cabin. She slams the door shut and leans against it, trying to regain her ragged breath. She rips off her heavy coat and practically tears the buttons off her shirt.
She loosens the ties of her corset and takes in a sharp breath of fresh air, Looks like I'm not going to be able to wear this anymore. She looks down unhappily at a bit of pudge hanging just above her waist band and pokes a finger at her stomach, Don't make yourself comfortable in there, do you hear that?
At Sea, March 15, 1720
Unfortunately for Mary, the fetus had survived yet another month forcing her to yet again attempt to confront Edward. She stares off blankly into the blue ocean in front of her, as she bargains with herself, Mary this is it, you're going to tell him this time, you can't just hide something like this. He's bound to find out sooner or later, besides who are you to keep his child from him? "Captain! Watch out!" Her quartermaster quickly grips onto the wheel and jerks it to the side, the ship barely making it around the cliff that just seemed to pop up out of nowhere.
She stiffens her arms and straightens out her legs awkwardly, "Sorry Mate, just couldn't sleep last night." He frowns at the brooding look plastered across her face and offers to take over for a bit. She graciously accepts his offer but instead of resting she stands next to him with her arms crossed. The two standing in an uncomfortable silence.
He glances at her from the corner of his eye and frowns at the pained look on her face. "Captain, ye can go back to yer cabin to rest if ye want. I'll be alright here, I can tell something's bothering ye." James sighs and lowers her head graciously. "Aye, I think I'll take you up on that offer. You know where to find me if there's any trouble." She stumbles her way down the stairs and practically falls into the bed when she arrives.
She closes her eyes and lets out an restless whine, "Bloody hell, when will this sickness let up?" She rolls onto her side and brings her knees to her chest. This is so unfair, why do I have to suffer like this? Her mind wanders back to the passion filled night that put her in this predicament. Her cheeks brighten but her brows furrow, I wonder if he even remembers. Did he even know it was me? He could have just thought I was another one of his whores! I just can't wait to see the look on his face when I tell him.
She rolls back over onto her back and bores a hole into the ceiling above with her staring. She places a timid, almost fearful, hand to her abdomen. Afraid to admit there was actually something growing inside, How am I going to do this? She sits up and pulls off her coat and lifts her shirt. She pokes dejected at her stomach and yanks at her tightening waistband, I already showing! Her eyes flick over to her jacket for a second, I could always just get a bigger coat, but what am I going to do when James starts carrying around a brat?
"Damn it!" She flops back down onto the bed and rests her eyes. She kneads the flesh of her stomach and eventually drifts off to sleep, I'm just going to shut my eyes for a second, then it's back to business, I've been wallowing long enough.
Great Inagua, March 16, 1720
Mary wakes to the loud bellow of, "No sail, pull her in!" She grunts and sits up putting her head in her hands as she feels a wave of nausea hit. She breathes in deeply in an attempt to quell her sickness but ends up bolting to the porthole to vomit. She backs away from the window, then shakily throws her jacket back on. She stumbles onto the deck of her schooner, gazing around the empty docks of Great Inagua she mumbles, "This cannot be good." James sighs, hops off her ship and heads in the direction of the manor.
When she reaches the top she is met with the foul sight of Edward passed out on the table with a whore wrapped around his hips. What the fuck does he think he is doing? She angrily pulls a chair out, spins it around and plops down. She waits patiently for him to acknowledge her presence, when she receives none she slaps roughly at his arm jolting him awake. "Seems like this is becoming a common occurrence Kenway. Me having to wake you're drunken arse up."
Edward bounces his head up, staring at a fuzzy James and plops his cocksure head back down onto the table, "Ahoy Kidd, you missed quite a time." Anger bubbles in the pit of her stomach, or maybe that's another bout of sickness? "Aye, pity about Nassau and Blackbeard flying the coop." Edward sits up throwing the woman away from his body only she wraps her arms tightly around his waist. James can't help but to shoot her a glare.
He smirks then lifts her chin up with his thumb bringing his face only inches away from hers, "Why are you sending this lovely lass such an angry look? The infamous James Kidd isn't jealous is he?" She slaps his hand from her chin and adjusts herself in the chair. Her jacket slides open a bit revealing her small bump, his azure eyes flick down and he raises a questioning brow at her. She ignores his unaired question and adjusts her jacket. "We'll see about Thatch, Vane's about to see him now." Edward follows her gaze behind him, "This is what's left from your experiment in democracy?"
Edward smirks, "Aye, we do as we please and we take our time doing it." James growls, "For Christ's sake Edward, don't nothing but the stink of riches wrinkle your nose? One of these days your conquests will make the better of ya." His smirk drops off his face and he glares at her, "What's going on with you man?"
She hops up from her chair and shouts, "Reality mate, reality." She holds a hand to her stomach protectively, He really has no idea does he. I'm carrying your child Edward! Just say it damn it! She slowly walks away pausing when she notices Adéwalé, "See that you ain't pulled to the drink by this drowning rat." She storms down the steps, not bothering to stop when she hears Edward yell out, "Oi Kidd, I've lived longer than most men who've tread this path!"
James kicks the side of her ship, feeling the tears fall from her eyes, "That God damned bastard! Who does he think he is!" She kicks the side of the ship again, falling to her knees this time sobbing. Come on Mary, control your emotions. Get yer ass up your crew is staring! Mary sniffles, raising to her feet, then storms aboard her ship, yelling at the crew to man the sails, "We are headed to Nassau!" If he wants to play this games then I will play it, I ain't having anything else to do with his sorry arse.