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 Posted: Sun Jul 10, 2022 1:40 pm
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 Almina made her way up the stairs to stand next to her helmsman.
"Captain," they greeted her.
"How are we doing?" asked Almina, looking up at the sails. "I hope our new heading has been given."
"Aye, Captain," they replied. "The winds are blowing in our favor and the waters are letting us through with no issue. Based on the details we've gathered from the last sightings of Blackbeard and knowledge of this ship Revenge, it should take us only a couple days before we catch up to them."
"That soon?" exclaimed Almina looking over at them.
"Our new friend had that ship built for comfort and adventure. He didn't have the mindset of a pirate - a true pirate - at the time. Being able to defend and flee quickly from a recently captured prize in the face of danger wasn't taken into consideration. Not like you have with the improvements made on Odyssey."
"I suppose that's true. The Gentleman Pirate has been quite the amusing figure to follow stories of these past few months," replied Almina.
"You think we will be dealing with any trouble from Blackbeard?"
"No. No, there won't be any trouble. Not at first, anyway," she replied. "They won't be expecting the crew of Revenge to be aboard our ship. Blackbeard and his crew have no quarrels with us."
"So, we're going to be their Trojan horse?" asked the helmsman, frowning.
"Don't look so grim," said Almina. "We won't be entering into a war with this little reunion. Just will be helping various folks navigate some rough waters that they've created on themselves."
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Posted: Sun Jul 10, 2022 1:46 pm
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Posted: Sun Jul 10, 2022 1:57 pm
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Posted: Sun Jul 10, 2022 2:10 pm
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"Sir," said a lieutenant stepping into room.
"What is it?" asked her uncle.
"The ship we spotted earlier. It's drawing closer."
"Any chance of us shaking her off?" he asked.
"I am afraid not, sir. The winds are not working in our favor."
"You expect trouble from them?"
"Considering they have continued to follow us for this long, it would be naïve to think otherwise."
"Have the men begin preparing for a close encounter with our new friend."
"Yes, sir," said the lieutenant, saluting before leaving the room.
"Uncle?" asked Mary, turning to look at him. "Do you really think it will come to arms with this ship?"
"If it does, I want you to remain here in my cabin. I don't want you out there in the fray or down below where you would be more likely to get trapped should the ship take on water."
"I could help," she said. "You know how well I have adapted to using the pistol."
"I was entrusted with caring for you, Mary," he replied, cupping her cheek in his hand. "I will not be responsible for putting you in danger. I was already toeing the line by having you come on this business trip as it is when pirate activity has increased recently with their safe havens diminishing."
Mary said nothing in response but gave a nod of understanding.
"Now I must go inspect how the men are coming along and whether there is anything else I need prepared before our encounter," her uncle said before leaving the cabin.
She ducked hearing the loud boom of a cannon being fired even though she knew she wasn't in line of fire. True to her uncle's request, she had remained in his cabin but couldn't help gravitating towards the curtained windows to get a better glimpse at the ship that was fast approaching towards them.
"Second warning shot," she muttered under her breath.
Her eyes were instantly drawn to a small section of fabric - in comparison to the sails - that flapped in the wind attached to one of the opposing ship's mast. She gasped as she recognized the design drawn upon it - a white horned skeleton holding a time turner and a spear stabbing a red heart. It couldn't be, could it? Was the infamous Blackbeard attacking her uncle's ship?
"Arm up, gentleman!" She heard her uncle yell out from outside of the cabin. "Prepare to be boarded."
Mary realized her adventure on the sea aboard her uncle's ship was about to take a drastic turn.
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Posted: Sun Jul 10, 2022 2:31 pm
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Mary screamed and tried to wrench her arm out of the grasp of one of Blackbeard's crew members who broke into her uncle's cabin despite her attempt of blockading the door. When she started hearing more sounds of their crew meeting their maker from gunfire or other means of attack from the enemy, she knew it wouldn't be long before they would go to the captain's lodging.
"Now, now," said the man, bringing his face close to her ear. "No need to scream. We're just going to have a nice little chat. Captain's not in the food for playing hide and seek right now."
Once he dragged her out of the cabin and down to the main deck, he threw her in front of him. She stumbled from the combination of his forceful push and tripping over the limbs of a dead individual. As pain shot up her arm as she landed on it, she looked into the pandemonium happening around her. Between the blood, lingering powder from the now abandoned cannons, and soot from fires somewhere in the vicinity, she was having a hard time making out who was a member of her uncle's ship and who worked for Blackbeard.
"Enough!" called out a voice.
Mary was shocked to see everyone freeze upon hearing it. Soon the men who had looked around them with courage and defiance turned into frightened, defeated boys. The others, now clearly identified as Blackbeard's men, looked over with respect and submissiveness.
"Line them up," the voice called out.
It didn't take long before the remainder of her uncle's crew was roughly forced onto their knees to sit in a line. Mary noticed that the man who had grabbed her didn't make any effort to move her to join the group; he just continued to hover nearby to keep an eye on her to insure she didn't try to escape.
"This is his crew?"
"It would appear so," replied one of Blackbeard's crew. "Not much of a threat, to be honest."
"Indeed."
"F**king donkey," cursed one of the naval officers.
Mary held back her desire to roll her eyes at the man's boldness. She knew it would not end well for him.
"What was that?" asked the tall, imposing man stepping in front of him.
"Donkey!" responded the naval officer, then spit on him. "It's dirty pirates like you that make this world fall apart."
Mary heard the man let out a hum of thoughtfulness before pulling the sword from his belt and stabbing it through the officer. The other officers turned to look at the deceased man's body slop to the ground after the man pulled his sword back out.
"Anyone else want to put in their own two cents?" asked the man, looking over the group.
Some shook their heads and others whimpered.
"What do you want to be done with this one?" asked the man standing over Mary.
Mary was surprised when the man turned to look over and she recognized his aesthetic. This was him - this was Blackbeard. This was the most feared pirate on the Atlantic Ocean and in the Caribbean.
"A woman?"
"Aye," replied the man. "Apparently, the niece of the captain."
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Posted: Sun Jul 10, 2022 2:40 pm
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Posted: Sun Jul 10, 2022 2:48 pm
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Posted: Sun Jul 10, 2022 2:53 pm
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Posted: Sun Jul 10, 2022 3:03 pm
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Posted: Sun Jul 10, 2022 3:11 pm
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Posted: Sun Jul 10, 2022 3:23 pm
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Posted: Sun Jul 10, 2022 3:42 pm
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Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2022 1:43 pm
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