Henry and Edward went to the open window Blunes had used to escape not moments ago. Henry helped Edward up and out of the window and then jumped up to start pulling himself through. The militia noticed and fired upon them, eliciting more screams from the crowd below. The bullets hit the window, causing the glass to shatter over Henry's head, and then he let out a scream.
Henry lost grip of the window ledge and began to fall. Edward grabbed Henry and pulled him back up inch by inch. Once Henry was high enough, he pulled himself over the edge and onto the roof.
Edward's eyes were focused again despite their puffiness. He lifted Henry's shirt and examined the wound on his back. "Good, the bullet missed the spine. Do you think you can walk?"
Henry pushed himself to his knees. "I think so. Help me up." He extended his hand and Edward helped Henry up to his feet; he was able to stand, albeit shakily. "How about you?"
"The danger has rejuvenated me; I'll be fine."
To Edward's left, a wooden board connected the warehouse to another building. "There!" Edward pointed. "Let's go that way."
Glass shattered as bullets ripped through more windows nearby, aimed to hit Edward and Henry. The two ducked down, glancing into the warehouse again. The militia were rounding up everyone they could and chasing after the escapees.
Edward moved forward, crossing the wooden plank with ease. Henry was moving slowly and he limped with each step. "Hurry, Henry!" Edward yelled. Henry shuffled across the plank, peering to the ground forty feet down. "Don't look down! Focus on me," Edward commanded. Henry trained his sharp brown eyes on his best friend as he took the last few steps across.
The militia were crawling through the window when Henry crossed over. Edward kicked the wooden plank over the edge and it fell to the ground below with a snap. More militiamen climbed to the roof and opened fire. Edward grabbed Henry and helped him move forward this time.
Edward and Henry hurried around the side of a rooftop entrance to escape the gunfire. Another plank led straight across to the next building. The two crossed once more and removed the plank so none could follow. The next building Edward and Henry were on had a flat roof and no discernible way into the building itself.
Suddenly, on the far building over, in front of the one Edward and Henry were on, a head popped up out of nowhere. When the person saw Edward and Henry, he stood up.
"Captain, this way!" Jack yelled, waving at Edward.
Edward, having no time for astonishment, moved to the ledge with Henry. Unlike the prior buildings, there was no wooden plank to bridge the gap.
Damn and damn again! Edward searched, but could find no other means of travel across. I guess there's no other way then. Edward pulled Henry back a fair distance, then pulled Henry up and over his shoulder, carrying him. The pain in his arm, as well as the injuries from the fight, flared, but Edward pushed it to the back of his mind.
Henry groaned in pain. "What are you doing?"
"I'm jumping across this ledge."
Henry considered what he wanted to say for a moment. "Please don't kill us," he pleaded, in no position to argue with Edward.
Edward bent his knees and focused intently on Jack. He took deep breaths as he tested his legs. Edward ran as fast as he could to the edge of the roof with Henry draped over his shoulder. He planted his foot down on the ledge, bent down, and jumped off. At the apex of his jump, Edward slowed and fell. He pushed Henry off of him at the last second. Henry fell and rolled onto the roof, but Edward slammed into the wall of the building and clutched to the edge for dear life.
Edward's grip was precarious at best, and his fingers were shaking with the effort he was pouring into holding on. Edward was already low energy, and this pushed him to the limit. One by one his fingers slipped. Before Edward and Henry were about to be wrenched from their perch, Jack grabbed onto Edward's hand and pulled him up.
Sam was on the roof as well, helping Henry into the trapdoor. Jack helped Edward move into the hole and shut it afterwards.
The four were in the attic of an abandoned building. A small lantern with a faint light illuminated the empty space.
"We should be safe here until things die down," Jack assured them, sitting down on the wooden floorboards.
"How did you find us?"
Jack scratched his head. "Well, I asked Sam and he eventually told me. We went to the warehouse and watched the match. After the militia arrived, I noticed you heading to the roof. I'm acquainted with the owner, and I knew the approximate location you would head to, so I entered this building in the hopes we could do just this."
Caught up with Jack's succinct explanation, Edward noticed Nathan treating Henry. "Not that I'm ungrateful, but, Nathan, why did you follow my crew?"
Nathan removed the bullet from Henry's back, then glanced at Edward before examining his surroundings. "I thought I was at home. Where are we?"
"You're… we're… never mind. We are at your home, in your attic."
Nathan was shocked. "I have an attic?"
Sam pulled Nathan back to Henry's open wound. "Focus, mate."
Jack stepped closer to Edward. "Captain, I want to thank you for your help over this past week. I can't thank you enough for what you did."
"I don't need your thanks, Jack. I know you would do the same for me. I need you to promise me this sort of thing will not happen again."
Jack was silent for a moment as the shadow of tears filled his eyes. "I'm sorry, Captain, but I don't know if I'll be able to keep that promise. I was in a dark place, and you brought me out, but I feel as if I'm on the edge… I need help to stay on the right side."
"Then we will all be there for you. The worst thing you can do is believe you are alone and without a family, Jack. I don't know the details of how you lost yours, and we're not a replacement by any means, but you have us now and always." Jack nodded, the tears flowing from his eyes now. "And I know not how the Admiral of the White is involved, but if you desire revenge, I will make it happen." Edward extended his hand to Jack.
Jack took Edward's hand firmly in grasp. "I will have his head, and then I will tell you my story."
"You've got a deal," Edward said.
7. The Portsmouth Pillaging
"Do you know where we were supposed to meet?" Edward asked, a hood covering his face.
"Now, I knew I was forgettin' sumthing," Sam replied with a laugh.
"I know where we were to stay, follow me." Henry advanced his horse to the front of the line.
Edward and company reached Portsmouth in a week and a half. With their injuries, and taking care to avoid the authorities, they were forced to move slowly. There were a few scares along the way, and Edward refusing to shave his particularly massive beard, for which he was well known, didn't help.
Portsmouth was inundated with rain, the overpowering smell of mud and wet horses filling the air, but Edward could still smell a faint hint of the sea air. The horses' hooves clopped and splashed through the pools of rain. Being one of the busiest ports in England, Portsmouth didn't let the rain stop its commerce, and Edward had to guide his horse around the dense crowds.
Portsmouth had several dry docks for repair of ships, and most notably for warships. Because of its strategic position leading directly into the English Channel, Portsmouth also possessed one of the largest naval bases. Edward's ship, the Freedom, was being held somewhere in that dock.
Not much longer now, girl. We'll be out at sea soon.
The horses trotted slowly through the streets, over the cobblestone ground, along the edge of the Paulsgrove and Fareham Lakes, and stopped in front of a large inn. The name on the sign read "The Coast and Jib," with a picture of a triangular sail behind the words.
The group tied their horses at the stables in the back and entered the inn from the front. The pleasure upon leaving the wet outdoors and entering the dry indoors, with a crackling fire and the smell of roasting meat wafting from the kitchens, was immeasurable.
The innkeeper and bouncer stopped Edward and company as soon as
they entered. "I am sorry, messieurs, this inn is filled with a party. If I am not mistaken the Cobb Inn and the Sea Wench have vacancies."
"We're part of the party," Edward assured the man.
Anne was sitting at a table in the dining hall drinking ale and laughing at one of the stories being told when she noticed Edward and the innkeeper talking, so she sauntered over. "Everyone, the captain is finally here!" she yelled to the crew.
The crew rose from their seats and crowded the entrance. The innkeeper and bouncer moved out of the way, knowing enough to see Edward was telling the truth. Edward walked into the inn, causing the same reaction as a few weeks prior. Everyone wanted to talk with Edward and ask him questions at once, not allowing him an inch to move nor a moment to breathe.
When the crew saw Jack, many hugs, smiles, and laughs were also brought his way. Jack returned them all in kind, the warmth of kinship strengthening his resolve to abstain from his vices. When he was offered ale or rum he declined politely and the crew, remembering their senses, switched to water.
The middle of the day still held the darkness of rain clouds overhead. The sombre atmosphere, and the ramifications from the night before, meant the crew had a somewhat quiet lunch, much to the delight of Edward, Henry, Sam, and Jack. They hadn't eaten much on the way to Portsmouth due to the clandestine trip.
"The date of departure for the Freedom was changed to five days from now," Anne said.
Edward was shocked by the suddenness and urgency brought on by the statement, despite Anne's calm. "Are we able to steal Freedom back by then?"
"Of course. Everything is prepared, we should be able to take the Freedom without a hitch. We have a diversion planned to help us out of the dock, but leaving the harbour is the problem."
"So, we don't have a plan for escaping the harbour itself? Far from being ready, wouldn't you say?"
"Rarely is anything perfect. We can only plan so much," William pointed out, sitting down beside Edward. After the month since being in prison, William was clean-shaven and resembled his old self. "Luck is also part of any plan."
"William! You shaved. Now I can look at you straight," Edward jested.
"Well, someone has to be presentable from this lot."
"You mean someone must be a pratter, right mate?"
William eyed Sam coldly, but he was unfazed. "You should do the same, Edward. It will make passing unsuspected easier," William suggested.
"No," Edward said flatly.
"Why not?" Anne asked.
Henry smacked his palm to his face and muttered, "Here we go again."
"I will not shave this beard because this is a symbol of what the marines and the government has turned me into. Blackbeard is now a name by which I am well known, and to take away the beard is to take away that name. I will use that name and this beard to strike fear into those who made me this way." By the end of his speech, Edward was standing and all eyes were on him. He sat down, embarrassed, and stroked his beard. "I will trim my beard, but no more."
Anne grinned. "I guess there is no way around it then. The beard stays."
"So, back to stealing Freedom, why can't we steal her after she's left the harbour? This harbour is filled with Navy ships waiting to attack us when we try to leave."
"The issue with taking the Freedom after she has left the harbour is twofold: Firstly, we have no idea where the Freedom is headed. Try as I might, I could not divine where she will be stationed. Secondly, ships are expensive. If we wanted to take the Freedom we would need a ship of our own, and of close rank to the Freedom. I still have quite a sum of money, but not enough for the size of ship we need. Not to mention if we did engage in a battle the Freedom would be harmed, and there is a chance we could accidentally sink her."
Edward nodded. "Understood. We leave tomorrow to take the Freedom then." Edward took a swig of some rum. "Anne, would you be so kind as to tell our distraction about the plans? I imagine they are in another inn?"
Anne moved from her seat. "Yes, our friends are at an inn down the road. I'll let them know." She left with William following her.
"Tell them I'll be over later to catch up!" Edward yelled to Anne as she left. Anne waved back to let Edward know she heard him. Edward finished his rum and approached the front of the dining hall. "Crew, may I have your attention please? I have an important announcement to make." The crew eventually ceased their jesting, story-telling, and rabblerousing to listen to Edward. "You've all journeyed a long way to be here, and I know all of you made sacrifices for this group of friends I have the pleasure of calling my family. I cannot tell you how proud I am to have you as my crew, as my brothers."
The men yelled a loud "hear, hear!"
"I am also proud to tell you tomorrow is a special day, so you'd best sober up and sleep well. Tomorrow, for the first time in over a year, we set sail!"
…
The sun was peeking out over the horizon, providing warmth to Portsmouth and offering good fortune for sailors. The previous rain washed away the filth and the clean smell of salty sea air breezed over the city.
Edward's crew travelled through the streets in the open, heading to the ports occupied by the marines. The only people up at this hour were other sailors heading to the wharf to fish or take merchandise from this port to another. Edward's group passed in a triple line behind William, the passersby staring at them with adoration in their eyes.
The crew were dressed as marines, with William dressed as their captain, and Henry beside him as a lieutenant.
William wore a more decorative outfit, not typically worn at sea, but one used for ceremonies. The coat was dark blue, almost black, with gold buttons along the front and gold trim. Underneath, he wore a white waistcoat which puffed around his neck, and on his head he wore a tricorn hat with matching blue colour and gold trim. Epaulets with his rank insignia were on the shoulder.
Henry wore the more traditional dark royal blue coat with gold buttons and gold trim. Beneath the coat, he wore a white tunic which was form-fitting instead of puffy like William's. Most of the crew wore something similar to Henry, but without the gold. Those in the back, who were supposed to represent the lowest ranked, wore civilian clothing, albeit cleaner than the crew was normally used to.
The inn was close to the port, so it didn't take the crew long to reach the wharf. It contained five ships, two in dry dock for repairs, two in open docks, and Freedom in an enclosed dock for supplying.
The costumes the crew wore were so well done that none questioned their appearance, despite its suddenness. William guided the group to the enclosed dock holding the Freedom. It was a large wooden structure with an open front leading to Fareham Lake.
The crew passed through a corridor which opened up to the closed dock. It was of simple and economical design, merely consisting of the dock itself surrounding the sides of the ship, and an open front for easy departure.
The Freedom was floating there, a fifth-class frigate with fifty-three guns and three masts, swaying with the rise and fall of the tide. The fortress home, made of Caribbean pine, was like a dream come true for its former—and soon to be current—crew.
Before setting foot onto the Freedom, the crew stopped for a moment to admire the beauty of their ship, their home. Some of them pushed Edward forward and he was jostled out of his silent reverie. He took a few tentative steps up the gangplank and onto the waist of the ship, listening to the familiar sound of his footsteps against the wood. Edward leaned against the railing as he examined his ship.
The main mast in front of Edward was broad and strong, with fife rail at the base, main top at the middle, and crow's nest at the top. Edward examined the stern section with the quarterdeck, holding the wheel, and poop deck above the stern cabin. At the bow, the Freedom had a forecastle deck above a bow cabin, facing the open harbour. Everything was as Edward remembered, bringing back the nostalgia of his previous adventure. Even the smell of the Caribbean pine mixed with the sea air and reminded Edward of the acrid gunpowder, the
iron, the battles and adventures, and the lazy days at sea.
Edward turned to the crew with a wide smile on his face and motioned for them to board. The crew shared the same happiness over finally being able to return to their true home.
When Edward's back was turned he heard a voice ring out behind him. "What is going on here?" Edward ignored the voice and continued preparing the ship with the crew. Stick to the plan. Regardless of who arrives, look as if you belong. But that voice sounded so familiar.
"Henry?"
Edward's eyes widened. How does this man know Henry's name? Edward turned to see who had entered, and his jaw dropped at the sight. His best friend from his home island of Badabos, Robert Maynard, was standing there in a full marine uniform and holding a musket.
Robert had not changed in the almost two years since Edward saw him last. Blond curly hair, smooth features, blue eyes, five foot ten inches, medium build with a toned body. When Edward and Henry set out to be whalers, before being branded pirates, Robert began his training to join the marines.
When rumours started circulating around about a pirate named Edward Thatch, Robert had searched around for the truth of the matter, eventually ending up in Portsmouth just miles away from where Edward was imprisoned.
We can still salvage this as long as he doesn't see me.
As if hearing Edward's thoughts, Robert turned his gaze to meet Edward's eyes before he could turn away. The shock of recognition was painted on Robert's face when he saw those eyes. To anyone else Edward could have been passed off as someone else, but from Edward's and Henry's best friend, no disguise could hide them.
Knowing the futility of continuing the charade, Edward stepped down off the ship back onto the dock. He walked up beside William, who was still ranting at the marine in front of him and trying to salvage the plan.
"What are you doing, soldier? Return to your post and prepare this ship for departure," William commanded, oblivious.
"William, you can stop. This man knows who I am, and if I know him, he's already made his decision on what he is about to do. Isn't that so, Robert?"
Blackbeard's Revenge (Voyages Of Queen Anne's Revenge Book 2) Page 8
