Blackbeard's Revenge (Voyages Of Queen Anne's Revenge Book 2)

by Jeremy McLean

  "So he was here to assassinate your Anne?" Bartholomew asked. "I don't understand."

  "So I take it Anne never told you?" Edward asked, glancing about.

  "Tell me what?"

  "She's the princess."

  Bartholomew laughed. "Princess of what?"

  "Denmark and Norway. Anne is the Queen's daughter."

  Bartholomew's jaw dropped and his brow cocked. After several protests, and Edward reciting the fact over and over, Bartholomew eventually accepted the truth.

  "But why would the Queen want to kill her own daughter?" he asked, not really expecting an answer.

  "I do not know. The Queen could feel betrayed after Anne left her again, or she considers Anne a liability. Any number of reasons, really. The two have a poor history, one Anne isn't keen on sharing, but she'll tell me when she's ready, I'm sure." Edward and Bartholomew stood in silence for a moment, letting the sombre talk overtake the moment.

  "Let us remove ourselves from this darkness and see your ship opened," Bartholomew said, patting Edward on the shoulder to get him moving.

  Edward smacked the key in the palm of his hand thoughtfully. "Not yet. I started this journey of the keys with Anne, and I want to finish it with her. It would not feel right without her."

  "Understood. We will wait for her to awaken. Now go back to her, you don't need to attend my sorry self anymore. I can manage."

  "One thing before I leave. Half of Plague's crew is still on the island. Could you organise the crews to bring all three ships out to sea? If we don't have to fight them, all the better."

  Edward started walking away towards the Freedom, but Bartholomew made him turn around with a question. "What are we to do with so large a ship?"

  Edward turned, walking backwards. "We're pirates, aren't we?" he asked, his arms spread open. "We sell it."

  Bartholomew smiled widely at the young man's boldness. Edward smiled back to his friend, then turned around to join his crew in returning to the Freedom, their home.

  On the waist, many were resting from the battle and the brush with death in the ark. Edward examined the injured and ensured the crew was doing well. They were in high spirits now that Plague was dead and Anne was safe, despite being battle weary.

  Nassir approached Edward, purpose in his eyes. "Captain, I must show you something. I held to this until now, as now the ship is whole."

  Edward was confused by Nassir's cryptic talk. Will he leave the ship again? "Lead the way."

  Nassir first took Edward to the stern. Right beneath the quarterdeck, there was a small square platform with railings on the sides. The location was in the same spot where Nassir had installed a rope for Herbert to climb down instead of having to crawl down the stairs.

  "Yes, I've been wondering about this platform. What does it do?"

  "I will show you," Nassir said with a grin.

  Nassir went to the side of the platform and began pulling on a rope. The platform rose as he pulled, and when he let go it was stationary. Then he pulled another rope and the platform descended again.

  "It still requires some testing, and the bow side is not complete, but I thought you would appreciate seeing it."

  "Nassir, this is brilliant. This is more than I could have expected. Now Herbert can stay in his wheelchair and travel around the decks. I'm sure Herbert will appreciate that." Edward patted Nassir on the shoulder, and the man smiled.

  "That is not all. I have one more surprise."

  Next, Nassir took Edward to the bow cabin. The cabin was mainly for storage, and held everything from cannonballs for the top deck to spices which could not fit in the lower cabin. It also had three large twelve-pound cannons for a frontal assault.

  Nassir moved to the corner of the room, which held something rather large wrapped in cloth. Edward had no recollection of seeing it before. Nassir unwrapped and revealed the item.

  Edward laughed in astonishment. "Nassir, it's beautiful. This is the figurehead you were making, right?"

  Nassir nodded and gazed upon his creation with Edward. The wooden figurehead was of a woman with long, flowing curls and piercing eyes wearing a Greek-style robe. The face was akin to Anne, and in the statue's hands were an hourglass and a spear.

  "This is not the same statue I was working on before. When you and this ship were taken, I believe the British Navy destroyed the first one I was working on. When I rejoined the crew, I began work on this one. Originally, the likeness was to be of Queen Anne, but later I chose the likeness of our Anne."

  "It truly is breathtaking. When next we are at port we will affix it to the bow." Edward stepped closer and stroked the face of the statue. The figurehead was so lifelike in appearance Edward believed the statue would start talking to him.

  "Go to her," Nassir said. "This will still be here."

  Edward nodded and left the cabin, heading to the lower deck. He passed Alexandre's cabin, which was filled to the brim with injured. Crewmates with lesser injuries were waiting outside. Edward inspected those waiting and peered into the cabin to see Alexandre and Victor hard at work providing care.

  Edward continued to the crew cabin and the bed beneath the stairs where Anne was sleeping. William was sitting bedside, talking with Christina and Pukuh, with a few other crewmates listening, and Tala at Christina's side.

  At the sound of Edward's footsteps, Tala turned her shaggy head his way. Christina noticed Tala and followed her gaze. "There you are, Edward," she said. "We were trying to figure out why Plague was sent after Anne. I say Plague was a warning for us to stay away from England."

  "The Queen would never send the Admiral of the Black as a warning. Anne was the main target, but we were all meant to die." William's arms were folded neatly across his chest.

  "We don't know that. If we were targets then why not destroy our ships? If they wanted us all to die they could have done it without even stepping foot on shore," Christina countered, combative as usual.

  Edward stepped between her and William. "We can debate this later. For now, Anne needs her rest, which means no yelling. We're setting sail presently, and all of you are needed above."

  Christina let out a sigh and strode off with Tala and the other crewmates. Edward watched as they left, leaving him, William, and Anne.

  "I need you to take over and have us sailing as soon as possible. I'll stay and watch over Anne."

  "Some say setting sail without the captain on deck is a bad omen," William claimed as he rose from his chair.

  "If you truly believe that, I am Davy Jones."

  "Well, as this ship is not the Flying Dutchman, I will see myself above." William passed Edward, but stopped when he reached the stairs. "Captain?"

  "Yes, William?"

  William stood straight and saluted. "It is an honour to serve on this ship. And, thank you for saving Anne."

  Edward was speechless. All he could do was nod to William, causing the man to leave up the stairs before Edward could wrap his head around what had happened.

  Edward sat down at the foot of the bed, and watched Anne as she slept soundly. Her colour was returning and she no longer breathed heavily. She was at peace.

  Edward relaxed as the fatigue from the day seeped in. Soon his eyes were closed, and, not long after, he was asleep.

  Edward awoke to the sounds of the sea waves lapping the ship. When he opened his eyes he was gazing into the ocean green eyes and ruby red hair on his love, Anne.

  "Finally awake?" she asked, chipper as ever.

  Edward leaned forward and passionately kissed Anne, embracing her tightly. He held onto her like she was his lifeline in the middle of a storm.

  Edward eventually uttered, "I'm sorry."

  "Sorry for what, silly?" Anne replied, pulling back to see his eyes, placing a hand on his cheek.

  "I almost lost you, and I am to blame."

  "Don't ever say that," Anne said forcefully. "It's because of you that I'm still here. You have nothing to be sorry about." Anne smiled and this time she embraced Edw
ard.

  After another moment together, Edward pulled away and took something out of his pocket. "Look what Bartholomew found." Edward opened his hand to reveal the final key.

  "Have you not opened the final door yet?" Anne asked, her eyes wide.

  "No, not y—"

  "Well, what are you waiting for?" Anne shuffled herself quickly out of the bed. "The door will not open itself, now will it?" Anne extended her hand to Edward.

  Edward smiled and took Anne's hand. Together the two moved up the stairs to the gun deck, heading towards the stern and the last locked door on the ship.

  "Capitaine," Edward heard behind him. Alexandre was standing at the door to his medical cabin, drying his hands. He had noticed the key in Edward's hand. "See me after you are finished. You as well, Princess. It concerns you both."

  Edward was suddenly worried. "Is it urgent?"

  "Non, non. See me when you are done."

  "I am sure I have you to thank for still being alive, Alexandre. I'll give you a proper thanks in a moment."

  "I look forward to it. God knows I haven't enjoyed enough hugs already," the surgeon said with mock disdain.

  Anne laughed, then she and Edward continued walking towards the stern, albeit at a slower pace. He and Anne were starting to gather a crowd. Those resting on the gun deck noticed the key, and Anne, and formed a line behind them. Many also expressed their relief in seeing Anne up and about so soon.

  Edward, Anne, and a dozen crewmates stood in front of the large and ornate double doors. Edward stared at the key.

  "Well go on, then," Anne encouraged with a grin. The crewmates nearby joined in with her.

  Edward lifted the key up to eye level, which at his height meant everyone else was staring up at him. "With this, the game is finally over."

  After the weight of Edward's words reached his own heart, he turned around and set the key in the lock. After a deep breath, he turned the key, grabbed the knobs to the doors, and opened the final room.

  What met Edward's eyes was the most lavishly decorated room of the Freedom: The captain's cabin. His cabin.

  Red carpet with gilded tassels lined the centre of the floor from front to back. Three gold chandeliers hung from the ceiling in a row, following the path of the carpet. On the side walls several tapestries were hung to keep the room warm, and at the back thick, patterned curtains covered windows to the outside.

  Like in the bow cabin, three twelve-pound cannons pointed to the outside. They were on wheels and could easily be turned about in the event the ship was invaded and Edward wanted to make a final stand.

  On the left side of the room there was a king-size bed with a wooden bedframe which appeared to be carved from a single piece of oak wood. Silk and cotton sheets with gilded embroidery draped the mattress.

  On the right stood a desk of intricate design. It held shelves on the bottom left and right sides, with a chair in the middle. The shelves held anything a captain could want: paper, sea charts, navigation tools, writing instruments, and a few books.

  A large round table with chairs was set at the back of the room, similar to the one in the war room above, but smaller and more intimate. This one was meant for entertaining and dining rather than meetings, but it did have a grandiose high-backed chair with red upholstery and gold trim, mirroring the war room.

  Edward and the crewmates nearby entered and examined the room more thoroughly. Littered about were small knickknacks like swords, guns, books, chests and a dresser full of extravagant clothes, a statue holding a skull, and bottles of various alcohols of rare vintage.

  "This was on the table." Anne held out a piece of paper to Edward.

  Edward read the paper. "Congratulations. Signed Benjamin Hornigold." Benjamin's seal, a hunting horn, was beside the signature in gold wax. Edward flipped the paper over, but the other side was blank. He laughed loudly and wiped away a tear. "How anticlimactic."

  "Indeed," Anne concurred.

  "I think this might change your mind, captain," a crewman said, lifting a heavy medium-sized chest to the table. The crewmate opened the chest with a smile, and gold coins fell out the top.

  Edward grabbed one of the coins. The other crewmates' jaws were on the floor, and they too grabbed hold of some of the coins, and tested them.

  "Real gold!" one confirmed excitedly.

  "There must be a thousand gold pieces in here," Edward said, his shocked expression turning to the widest of smiles.

  Edward picked up Anne in his arms and began spinning her around. The crew in the cabin were giddy with excitement at the wealth before them. They embraced and danced with glee.

  Anne laughed as Edward spun her in the air. He eventually dropped her back down and kissed her. "I think it might be the gold speaking, but I love you, Anne."

  Anne laughed and smacked Edward. "I love you too." She kissed him back.

  Edward caught sight of the medical cabin through the open doors of the captain's cabin. He glanced at the crewmen grabbing fistfuls of the gold coins, their eyes in a frenzy.

  "Hey, leave the gold in the chest. That's for the whole crew, and rightfully half should go to Bartholomew's crew, so no touching." The crew mumbled cries of dismay, but Edward silenced them, then turned his attention to Anne. "We should see what Alexandre wanted."

  "Yes," Anne replied.

  Edward and Anne returned to the bow where Alexandre and Victor waited in the cabin. Inside on the table lay the body of Plague, his head lying where it normally would be if attached, but a cloth draped over the face.

  "What did you need to tell us, Alexandre?"

  "There are deux things you needed to see. First, this." Alexandre pulled off the cloth covering Plague's chest. The material made a sickening squish as it caught on coagulated blood and was ripped off. "Notice anything odd?"

  Edward inspected Plague's chest, and what he saw didn't make sense. A large wound stretched from the dead man's left shoulder all the way down to his right hip. Opposite to that slash, there was another going from the right shoulder to Plague's left hip. The two cuts made an X in the centre of the assassin's chest.

  Edward knew the second wound was from him. "Was this from Bartholomew?" Edward asked, pointing to the first wound.

  "Non, I inquired, Bartholomew shot Plague here." Alexandre pointed to a bullet hole in Plague's stomach. "But this wound was fresh during your battle. I would estimate within five to ten hours old at the time."

  "He fought us with this wound? He must have been weak from blood loss even if he was able to stop the bleeding. That's how I was able to win."

  "You must give yourself some credit, Edward," Anne said. Edward cocked his brow. Anne pursed her lips. "Yes, you're right. You would not have won otherwise."

  "But who wounded him?" Edward asked.

  Alexandre shrugged. "We may never know. They could be dead now because of their fight."

  Edward nodded. If Plague was the one who survived with this wound, I would not wish to be the other person. "And you say you found something else?"

  Alexandre turned around, picked up a piece of paper and passed it to Anne. The paper was worn and flexed. The top of the paper read: "The Daily Courant," and the headline in big bold letters read: "Queen Anne's Daughter Dead."

  Anne's knees buckled, but she steadied herself on the table in front of her. Tears formed in her eyes. "This is why she wanted me dead. I am a disgrace to her, Edward." Anne handed the paper to Edward.

  Edward read the headline and some of the article. The paper stated how Anne Sofia Stewart, daughter to the Queen, was killed by an unknown group a pirates during a trip to Boston. The date of the paper was almost a year ago, a month after Anne assisted Edward's escape from jail.

  "This is her way of telling me I'm disowned." Anne wiped her tears away. "It is better this way, yes. I cut my ties long ago, it's only fitting she make it permanent." Anne began pacing the room. "And, I'm still alive. That is my revenge against her. She can tell herself I am dead, but it will never be true."
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  Edward, Alexandre, and Victor all focused on Anne, not saying anything. "What? Why are you all staring?"

  Edward didn't speak, he simply embraced Anne. At first she stood stock still, shaking, then her arms flew up and gripped Edward's jacket like a vice. She stifled sobs as tears fell on Edward's chest.

  After a moment, Victor joined Edward in embracing Anne. He waved for Alexandre to join after he seemed content to stand there. Alexandre sighed and placed his hand on Anne's head. Victor pulled on his shoulder and forced him to join in the embrace.

  The three let Anne dry her eyes, their gesture saying more than words ever could. "Thank you," she said meekly.

  Victor, Alexandre, and Edward released Anne from their embrace. "There is something I need to tell the crew. Something I've been thinking about for a long time, and now I know the perfect way to go about it." Edward turned to Alexandre and Victor. "Could you two gather the crewmates on the waist?" Alexandre and Victor both nodded and left the cabin.

  Edward started to walk away, but Anne stopped him. "Wait, Edward. What do you have to announce?" she asked.

  Edward leaned against the edge of the cabin door, his hand on the exit. "The ship's name," he said with a smirk, then he rounded the corner.

  Anne jumped forward, trying to catch up to Edward, wiping her eyes. "What do you mean? The ship has a name!" she yelled out the cabin door.

  Edward was at the stairs. "I'll explain what I mean up top," he yelled back, bounding up the steps.

  The salty air filled Edward's nostrils. It became a fine day for sailing. The waves from before they landed were gone, the wind was in their favour, and the sun shone all the harder.

  The crew waved and called to their captain as he ran to the quarterdeck where Herbert, Christina, and Tala stood. Anne was on his heels and even more people waved and hollered to her, glad to see her awake.

  On the quarterdeck, Edward could see the Fortune off the starboard side, and Plague's ship sailing with them off the port side, manned by men from both crews.

  "Captain," Herbert said, nodding as Edward approached.