“And what would that be, mate?”
“We’ve paid nothing for your services. What’s in it for you?”
“The answer to that, you’ll know soon enough,” verified Sir Fouste. “Just be satisfied to know it is well worth it.”
They changed into their commoner clothing in the shadows behind the brothel and soon were on their way to Port of Errors.
Captain Stirvin, still on Port Lorne, happened upon a couple of past acquaintances, Gabriel Rodrigo and Edgardo Lopez, South American adventurers, dealing in significant information on matters of international affairs. Very confident foreigners, they kept themselves well groomed, in neatly dressed attire. Both were very notably short and stocky, complete with pronounced accents. Although young, they were well versed in current politics of neighboring countries and gossipy tidbits of information.
They were flirting with a few local wenches outside a small tavern when Captain Stirvin found them. Edgardo and Gabriel were humorous to watch around the ladies. They always insisted that they were gifted in matters of love and romance. And although they never tired of trying, they succeeded in neither love nor romance. Gabriel loved tall red-headed women. He was speaking to such a woman, as Captain Stirvin watched in amusement from a short distance unbeknownst to them.
With his thick South American accent Gabriel inquired, “How are you doing this fine day, mi amor?”
“Oh, sorry, I didn’t see ya down there.”
He laughed playfully, catching on to what he thought was a Scottish accent, “Scottish, are you?”
“Yur completely cabbaged. Had a pint too much, have ya? I’m Irish, eeijet!”
“Scottish, Irish – beautiful is beautiful in any province, mi lady.”
“Yur a bit thick aren’t ya. Do ya ever stop talkin’?”
“You’re a feisty one, mi amor. Aye, me gusta feisty. Grrr.”
“Shut yur hole,” she shouted. “Piss off, ya Bollocks, before I clatter ya good.”
Staring with lustful eyes, Gabriel pressed, “You have lovely long legs. I’ll have you know that sometimes it is worth it to live down here. The scenery can be quite pleasing.”
All the while Edgardo just stood by rolling his eyes in embarrassment.
“Oh, yur a gas if ever there were. But, I be in need of a real man,” she insisted. “Someone I might understand when he speaks. Someone tall and…” Her eyes suddenly grew wider, looking passed Gabriel “like that there fine piece of man.”
Captain Stirvin walked up to Gabriel and Edgardo from behind, greeting them with a firm hand upon their shoulders. As he pulled them away, Gabriel uttered his last tawdry line. “Till we meet again, my red dove.”
Taking a seat within the old tavern, Captain Stirvin inquired, “Have you any information regarding la Real, a merchant ship sailing past England on its way to France? She belongs to a Spanish Don who goes by the title and name of Rafael Reina. But what business has he with France? What information can you provide?”
“We have no such knowledge,” replied Edgardo, “as of yet. But I can assure you, we can secure information about this man over the next few days, for a good price of course. As you know, our services are not free. This can be dangerous work, mi Capitan.”
“Find the information and I’ll make it worth your while,” agreed Captain Stirvin. “But it better be reliable information or I’ll have you hanging in irons before week’s end.”
After leaving the tavern, Captain Stirvin met up with Admiral Flynn to discuss the probable alliance between Spain and France and how it might actually be an advantage to them.
“What we need to do is gain favor with Spain and create an alliance of our own,” suggested Admiral Flynn.
“That will never happen. You know The Queen already holds such animosity toward Spain and would rather have reason to wage war against them.”
“Yes she would and that is why we must find a way without her knowledge, for her wellbeing and that of the kingdom. Besides, she’ll never have reason to war against Spain. If so, we would quickly lose favor with our allies. The Queen knows this and so we stay in wait amid the unrest, until Spain’s eminent alliance with France. We may well be surrounded by the enemy before year’s end. We’ll not last long. We must take action now.”
“And what do you suggest?” asked Captain Stirvin. “We’ve no standing with Spain. King Philip holds the same animosity for us that Queen Anne does for Spain. Our threat is the very reason King Philip leans toward an alliance with France.”
“Daniel,” said Admiral Flynn in a clam and trusting tone. “What you say is true; however, King Phillip of Spain is young and inexperienced. He relies too heavily upon King Louis, who just happens to be his grandfather, mind you. Phillip already feels inadequate, constantly under Louis’ wing. As King of France, Louis continues to pressure Philip into an alliance, knowing he can use Philip to gain greater power in the Atlantic. But Philip is not yet joined in alliance, he is teetering. Philip might also feel the need to break away from this would-be alliance to make a mark of his own in the world. This we can use to our advantage.”
“Perhaps there is a way,” reasoned Captain Stirvin. “As you well know, a Spanish merchant of high standing with King Philip will be sailing through English territory from Denmark within a week’s time. Queen Anne signed the right of passage not two weeks ago. If we can find favor with this merchant, while at the same time, in confidence, suggest Philip’s dependence on France is making him appear weak, perhaps we are taking a small step in the right direction.” And then rethinking his objective, he considered his own integrity. “But Admiral, what of Queen Anne? I cannot keep such a thing from her.”
“Aye, Captain, but you must. She cannot know,” replied Admiral Flynn. “Once we have gained Spain’s trust, she will see the value and she’ll thank you for it. Our actions will prove us innocent and the outcome an advantage. We are doing nothing wrong, Daniel. We have only thought through the possibilities. We have not yet acted on them. But once we figure the proper steps, you will have to choose whether to follow this course without the Queen’s knowledge or let things happen as they may. Though, the latter may place our country in a very compromising position. No, Daniel, we must act and act quickly for Queen and country.”
Following a long and thoughtful pause, Captain Stirvin agreed on his own terms. “I am a man of faith, Roman Catholic by birth. As you know, the Church of England has gone through much change, parting farther and farther from its true traditions and beliefs. Queen Anne is the last of the Stuart line. Since she is barren, she will have to will her kingdom to another – outside of the Stuart Dynasty. If I can gain greater trust, I could be of some small influence on her decision and steer her toward a successor with more traditional beliefs. Yes, for Queen and Country is noble. But, greater still – for God and The Church, I admit that I must.”
They carefully considered every stratagem with much discussion over the following days. Finally, on the eve of the third day at Port Lorne and about three weeks subsequent to the English Pride’s yet undiscovered skirmish with Black-Hearted, Edgardo and Gabriel returned with some interesting information.
“La Real is a massive galleon,” began Gabriel. “There are a number of large cannons and a small military force on board. They carry something of great importance.”
“That does nothing for me,” quipped Captain Stirvin. “I already know of the wealth they carry and it is of no concern to me.”
Edgardo quickly interjected, “But Capitan, not only is there a mass of wealth, but Don Reina carries with him documents that prove an alliance not only between Spain and France but several smaller countries and provinces, all opposing English rule. What information the Don carries with him is of even greater importance to the alliance than any amount of wealth on board.”
“Then it may already be too late,” replied Captain Stirvin. “If those documents make it into King Louis’ hands, Queen Anne must be notified. She will have her reason to wage her war against bo
th France and Spain.”
“There is already word of a planned skirmish over la Real, within the next few weeks,” added Edgardo. “Not much is known, but these plans do appear to be on a larger scale involving a growing number of pirates under a single flag.”
“If this is true and as time allows, la Real is to be attacked upon English waters.” Captain Stirvin stood to take his leave. “If we are swift enough, this may prove to be the very thing we need to gain Spanish trust. You have my thanks.”
“But Capitan,” said Edgardo in fervent haste, “Gabriel and I were hoping to see such gratitude in the form of something a little more tangible and monetary.”
“Oh, yes, of course,” replied Captain Stirvin. “Come to the Crimson Reef tomorrow evening, before six o’clock and you’ll get your reward. But be aware, if you fail to arrive on time you will receive no reward. We must weigh anchor before sunset.”
Eager to find Admiral Flynn again, Captain Stirvin became all the more restless. But it mattered not; he and Admiral Flynn could not leave the harbor, but instead were obliged to await the return of their men the next day.
Using as much time as they could before their men returned, Admiral Flynn and Captain Stirvin plotted their course well into the early morning hours in hopes of pin-pointing the location of la Real, as she sailed from Denmark to France. They decided upon separate routes, meeting up again at Port Lorne, two weeks hence.
The approaching dawn was shortly coming. While they retired for the remainder of the night aboard their respective ships and anticipated the coming day, Black-Hearted and Captain Garrison dropped anchor at Port of Errors.
“We’re going to be here a few days,” explained Black-Hearted to Mr. Wresfin. “Mention anything ‘bout our intentions to anyone and you know what’s to come of you. Besides, you’ll be branded a traitor once they find out what you’ve done. What we do is on your head as well. Remember, silence is your friend… your only friend.”
Turning up a peculiar ring on his right index finger, Black-Hearted smeared a small amount of ink on what appeared to be a heart on its face. Mr. Wresfin watched as Black-Hearted then ominously placed it over a small flame. Black-Hearted didn’t flinch or lose his expression as the ring turned red. He then took Mr. Wresfin by the wrist and slowly branded a black heart into the backside of his right hand. Promptly Mr. Wresfin shrieked out from the burning pain. Black-Hearted quickly ripped it away, stating, “You’re marked as crew now. You serve aboard my vessel. You leave this island before we set sail and I’ll hunt you down.”
Gunner then took him by his trousers and thrust him overboard, bloodying his nose upon landing face-first on the water. Swimming to shore, he looked all about for an escape, knowing that if he could reach England, he would be safe. Nevertheless, he was confused, afraid to let anyone know what he had done in preparing Black-Hearted and his crew to act in the name of the Queen. He didn’t know what to do and so he turned instead to the bottle.
When Black-Hearted finally arrived in town he separated from his men, venturing on to Mr. Darcy’s residence. Taking his hat off, Black-Hearted placed it gently on the mantel. The holes in his hat appeared larger than normal in the light coming through the side window, projecting a few rings of light onto the wall.
“So, the plan is it in order then?” asked Mr. Darcy.
“Aye, very much in order,” replied Black-Hearted. “I have me a frigate and she’s a beauty. I be callin’ her the Rogue. So, what news have you?”
“There is talk of a Spanish merchant, sailing to France from Denmark, no doubt attempting to gain favor with King Louis. This vessel will be sailing through English waters within the next week. King Philip has petitioned Queen Anne for the right of passage in the name of a wealthy Don called Rafael Reina.”
“What good is a merchant vessel to me?” asked Black-Hearted, thrown off by the seemingly worthless information. “There be many a ship under the same lot and none be of worth to me in these matters.”
“Hearted, these are unsettling times,” began Darcy. “An alliance between Spain and France has caused quite a stir, making for very unstable relations in these parts. This ship will be well-manned and loaded with riches of every sort. But I have reason to believe there is something of greater significance aboard this ship; something of invaluable worth to King Louis of France.”
“And what might this be? Gold, silver, the finest art? I have seen them all. What else is left?”
“I have word of a document, signed by Savoy, Bavaria and others, including Spain. Hearted, they have come under contract to form an alliance, threatening English rule. Your attack, in the name of Queen Anne, will only strengthen this contract and may well provoke the very war you desire. The Queen’s allies will be sure to separate themselves from her, after this blatant act.”
“You have word? That’s not good enough. We must be sure,” cautioned Black-Hearted. “We need time to prepare. A week is not time enough.”
“But neither is two months. The next such opportunity will not come again for another few months, at the least, if not better than a year’s time. Your intent will be found out for sure by then. In two months the whole Eastern Atlantic will have word that you commandeered an English vessel and they are not ignorant, they will realize your plan to act in the Queen’s name. You must act now.” Paused for a moment to let Black-Hearted think, knowing this was the very opportunity he has been waiting for, Mr. Darcy continued, “Ever since Henry Morgan took Panama in the name of England, thirty years past, Spanish ties with England have rotted to nothing. While tensions are again wavering, you must use it to your advantage before things settle any more than they have. England wishes to gain Spanish Succession, but Spain and France will soon have an official alliance. The King of Spain is the grandson to the King of France. This alliance is imminent. To keep relations cordial, Queen Anne has signed the right of passage for this Spanish merchant. It may only take this one assault, in the name of England, to disrupt any peace. No country in the world will ever wish to side with England and her allies will cut her right off. She’ll not be trusted by any.”
“If I am to do this,” stated Black-Hearted, “I’ll need to know everything about Don Reina and his merchant ship.”
Mr. Darcy then disclosed, in detail, as much as he knew, though it was not very much. Following this brief summary, Mr. Darcy offered Black-Hearted a proposal of a different nature that he hoped would be of benefit to them both.
“Six English sailors, including a few officers, are arriving at my home later this evening,” disclosed Mr. Darcy, in confidence. “They are prepared to sell me some quite useful information. It seems the Queen’s Royal Navy has not compensated these men sufficiently to maintain their loyalty.”
“And what sort of information might this be?”
“I will tell you in exchange for the chest of doubloons that I am offering to them. However, if you choose to recover my gold, they cannot know that I had anything to do with it. I must keep an appearance of honesty, you know.”
“Honesty?” uttered Black-Hearted. “Darcy, you deal with traitorous men and pirates and everyone knows this. That, my friend, be an appearance far from honesty.”
“Well, it matters not,” he replied. “If you recover my gold, I will give you information concerning locations and destinations of the Queen’s fleet and where each ship might be on any given day.”
“I’ll bring back half your gold for the information. I require the other half.”
“I thought as much. Done, then! I can still sell this information for a goodly sum.” Mr. Darcy took a few silver pieces and placed them into Black-Hearted’s hand. “Here, go in to town. Have a drink or two on me. I can’t have you standing around while I deal with these men. It’s bad for business. Come back with a few of your men when you’ve had drink enough to satisfy and wait beyond the trees until their leave. Follow them beyond the boundaries of my estate and to the shore before you make yourselves known. We can’t give them reason to blame me
for any of it. Do whatever you must to recover my money and then we’ll have us a chat. Hearted, after tonight, you’ll be well aware of your enemy’s position and always one step ahead.”
“Aye, says I, and vengeance be mine!”
Chapter VIII
It had now been about three weeks since Black-Hearted’s attack on the English Pride and a month and a half since he had taken Isabel from Scurvy as payment for the Weeping Lady. Isabel seemed to be happy despite the fact that they rarely saw one another these past six or so weeks.
Isabel did not yet know of the Rogue, Black-Hearted’s new flagship, anchored beyond the reef. She noticed Roger’s Jolly docked at the harbor as she walked down the hill from her cottage toward town. Figuring Black-Hearted would soon be by to see her, Isabel thought to acquire some freshly prepared fish and other necessary fixings for supper.
Knowing she had long had a place in Black-Hearted’s heart, Isabel was kind and sweet to the rough and callus pirate. However, she was also young and imprudent. Time and time again, her flirtatious ways placed many a man into the harmful path of Black-Hearted’s jealousy and rage.
Just before Isabel wandered blissfully into the marketplace, she took note that a handful of mysterious men were disembarking from a small vessel also docked at the harbor. It was the six traitorous English sailors. They were a mostly handsome bunch, with the exception of Tweed, who looked like a mischievous troll. Leading the Traitorous Six was Wiliam-Sean Guile, who was responsible for their insidious scheme to sell off a confidential log that described projected docking days, times and locations of each naval vessel. The Traitorous Six was comprised of Robert Hall, Tweed, Royal Hawkins, Brent Sherman, Scott Coles and William.
William had become quite the unsavory thorn in the Queen’s fleet after being pressed into service. Being very opinionated, disclosing his thoughts and beliefs all too liberally, William was often in trouble, but never thought of as a traitor.
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