As the door opened, a figure started walking out. His beard was smoldering as he took a swig of his drink. He watched as the men of the crew stared at him. He sighed as the wind whistled around him. Angelica and the rest of the loyal crew were released. Jack had backed up and quickly brought his two goddaughters behind him in a protective stance.
"Gentlemen," Blackbeard began to say before taking another swig of the drink before throwing the bottle at Jack's feet. It shattered upon impact as the bearded man came to the railing. "I be placed in a bewilderment. There I were, resting, and upon a sudden, I hear an ungodly row on deck." Angelica started to make her way up to her father. Blackbeard places his hand on his sword and it starts to vibrate, wanting to be released. "Sailors abandon their posts without orders, without leave." As the man talked, the rope of the ship began to move. "Men before the mast, taking the ship for themselves." His grey eyes watching the men before them.
Jack started to notice the strange movements around the ship and so did the rest of the crew. Faye narrowed her eyes as she started to ready herself for an attack as her hands hovered over her guns. Carmella had a hand on her sword at the ready as she watched warily.
"What be that, First Mate?" Blackbeard asked.
"Mutiny, Captain," Angelica informed him.
Blackbeard placed a hand around his ear and asked, "Again?"
"Mutiny! The girls have kept their end of the bargain, though," Angelica said.
"Aye," He said. "Mutiny," He mutters in silent anger and annoyance. "I will acknowledge that the girls have kept their end." As he spoke, the rope started to creep its way towards the crew. "But, what fate befalls mutineers?" He asked rhetorically as he started to unsheathe his sword. "Now, we know the answer to that, do we not?" He said as he looked at his sword. "MUTINEERS HANG!" The sails then unfurl on their own, causing the ship to lurch forward. The wind blowing through the holes gave an eerie sound. Blackbeard then thrusted his sword forward as the ropes began to wrap the crew one by one. Lifting them up and towards the sails. No one was safe except for the two girls. Faye watched with wide eyes as a man tried to flee overboard only to get snagged and dragged up to the sky. From afar one would think there was a spider web on the boat with its next meals all wrapped up tight.
As the two girls were distracted seeing what was happening to the rest of the crew, Angelica had made her way down to the girls and grabbed them by the wrist. She was making sure that they didn't try anything. "You two behave or else," She hissed under her breath. Carmella narrowed her eyes and just growled in response. The wind whipped around the three as Faye was also quite peeved.
Blackbeard had a smug look on his face seeing what his ship had done. From above, Jack was dropped down, by his ankles, in front of him. "Captain, I wish to report a mutiny," Jack said calmly. Both girls just facepalmed as they heard their Godfather trying to swindle his way out of this one. Faye's eyebrow twitched in annoyance, while Carmella rubbed her temple to stave off a headache. "I can name fingers and point names," Jack continued.
"No need, ," Blackbeard said as he swayed his sword around. "They are sheep. You, their Shepherd." He then sheathed his sword. When he did so, Jack was released and dropped to the floor. He looked at him. "You are just lucky that your Goddaughters kept their word." He started to make his way down to the deck.
"Have I mentioned, sir, what a lovely daughter you have?" Jack asked as he didn't move from his spot, trying to change the subject from his Goddaughters.
"Not helping Jack," Carmella hissed. Faye just nodded in agreement.
Blackbeard then pulled out his pistol and aimed it at Jack's head. "A fitting last sight for a doomed soul and a rather pathetic attempt of flattery," he said with Angelica by his side.
Angelica then leaned in close to her father. "Remember, Father. We need him. We also don't want to anger those two," she whispered as she glanced back at the two girls.
"If I don't kill a man every now and then, they forget who I am," Blackbeard said as he looked back at Jack.
"COWARD!" Called the priest as he started to make his way towards the Captain and First Mate.
"Hmm?" Blackbeard drawled in question.
"They do not forget. Your crew sees you for the miscreant you are. A coward!" The priest said with his finger pointed at the two. "A coward no matter how many you slay."
"Ok, you probably should not say that," Carmella growled as she went to pull the priest back.
Faye nodded and did the same as they tried to drag the man away from his own death. "Yeah, this is not your fight," She hissed. Before they got too far, the Quartermaster blocked his path with his sword.
"Twice in one day, I find myself bewildered," Blackbeard said unamused.
"At least you aren't bored," Carmella piped up which only resulted in her getting a glare from both Blackbeard and Faye.
"You are not bewildered, you are afraid!" The Priest said. "You dare not walk the path of righteousness, the way of the light." He said confidently as Blackbeard started to walk towards him.
"No, sir. The truth is it be much simpler than all that. I am a bad man," Blackbeard simply said.
Carmella coughed under her breath, "Understatement." Faye gave her a quick hit to make her stop. This was not the time.
"That too," The priest said with a flat face.
"I might have to kill you too, catechist," Blackbeard said as he started to walk away only to raise his gun.
"No!" Angelica said as she stood in front of her father.
"All Latin blood like her mother," Blackbeard said with a bit of frustration.
"Father, I beg you," Angelica pleaded.
"Ah, there I be again, forgetting why the missionary is here. My daughter fears for my soul or what's left of it. You truly wish to save me, my child?" He asked. His hand gently cupped her cheek and down towards her chin.
"Every soul can be saved," Angelica said as she watched her father.
"Be that true, young cleric?" Blackbeard asked as he looked over to the man.
"Yes. Though you I see as a bit of a long shot," The priest said.
"Agreed," Both Faye and Carmella said, which resulted in a scowl and a glare from Blackbeard.
"Still, I pray for every unfortunate soul on this hell-bound vessel," The priest continued.
"You disarm me with your faith," Blackbeard said as he put away his pistol. "Eight Bells!" He called out. "Which of you unfortunate souls stood watch?" He asked as he started to walk around.
Jack finally sat up and raised a finger to the sky. "I did. I stood watch."
Blackbeard chuckled darkly before saying, "Gunner." He was getting the attention of the dark skinned man but he didn't say anything. The man turned to look at the man hanging on the ropes right in front of them. "You?" Blackbeard asked.
"Aye," The man said in a scared guy breathed heavily as he watched the scene.
"Aye," Blackbeard said simply. "The cook. Perfect. Lower the longboat!" He called. It wasn't long before the cook was placed in the longboat and brought out into the sea. The lantern swayed as the man tried to row his way out.
"Bring her about!" Blackbeard called to the Quartermaster, as he started to turn the wheel. The ship groaned as it changed direction and towards the frantic man.
"Why do you do this?" Angelica asked in a panic tone.
"Mutiny. Our laws be clear," Blackbeard stated.
"Our laws allow the Captain to show leniency," Angelica tried to persuade her father.
"I have given this man a chance to determine his fate, a gift not afforded to all," he stated to her. Blackbeard had let down all the other crew members in the process to have them witness the consequences for their actions.
The priest walked up by the Captain's side. "Oh, you now," Blackbeard said. "Chance to show the worth of your prayers. Pray he be delivered from…evil?" He said sarcastically. The priest looked worried. When the cook was in range, Blackbeard shouted, "Course made!"
Carmella started to make her way to the front in a frantic state. Her tattoos and eyes started to glow and she started to make the water form a protective barrier around the small boat and man. Most of the men weren't paying attention as beams of fire sped towards the cook. All of those who looked at the fires in despondency. It wasn't until the flames died down did they see that the cook was protected.
Blackbeard screamed in outrage and wasn't sure what had happened. "What is the meaning of this!" He growled.
"Our bargain was that we are allowed to protect lives if need be," Carmella said smugly as she had her arms folded. Her tattoos and eyes were still glowing and it made the crew gasp at the new sight.
"Gunner! Quartermaster! Hold her down!" Blackbeard said as the two men barreled their way down and restrained Carmella. Faye was trying to pull them away but was pushed to the side. Jack just narrowed his eyes and his fists were clenched as he saw the glow vanish. Blackbeard smirked seeing how the power was gone and he looked out to the boat. He saw how surprised the cook was. His eyes then were brought back to Carmella who was fighting to get out of their clutches. "You know when I feel closest to our maker? When I see suffering, pain and anguish. That's when the true design of this world is revealed."
"And I see it revealed when in times of hardship and tragedy, kindness and compassion are shown to those in need," the priest said before looking over to Carmella and Faye with a smile.
Blackbeard raised a brow, "Perhaps you should pray for him to stay unharmed, yes?" He asked casually.
"Please, there's still hope…" The priest tried to persuade him but to no avail.
"Again!" Blackbeard called out before two more pillars came out from the front of the shipo. This time with no protection for the cook. Faye, Jack, and Carmella just watched with sadness in their eyes as the flames consumed the longboat.