BLACKBEARD'S FAMILY
Book 4 of:
THE VOYAGES OF QUEEN ANNE'S REVENGE
Jeremy McLean
Points of Sail Publishing P.O. Box 30083 Prospect Plaza Fredericton, New Brunswick E3B 0H8, Canada
No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without written permission from the author of this novel.
This is a work of fiction. Any similarity to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental… Or is it?
Copyright © 2019 Jeremy McLean
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1. Stabbed in the Heart Through the Back
"We should strike now. We know where he'll be, and it's the perfect chance to kill him without a huge battle." Herbert sat forward in his wheelchair, one arm leaning on the table in the Queen Anne's Revenge war room. His other hand was in front of him, palm open and motioning in supplication to his pirate brethren.
"Although I defended you in the past to be fair to everyone, Herbert, you must know you're biased in this decision." Anne, the Queen Anne's Revenge quartermaster, sat stoically, her posture perfect, arms resting on the chair. She had a slight investment in the outcome due to her own past with their enemy, Calico Jack, but her tone and muted expression painted things otherwise.
Herbert lowered his head, more in frustration than shame, and looked up at Anne from under furrowed brows. "My emotions may be compromised, but my faculties aren't. I'm not wrong."
William, his arms crossed as he too leaned forward in his chair, stared at the wooden boards of the ship as he said, "I am inclined to side with Herbert." William gave Anne a sidelong glance, then added, "My apologies, ma'am." He couldn't help but channel his former royal guard nature when speaking with Anne.
Anne's clenched jaw betrayed her annoyance at both of William's comments. She didn't enjoy being outnumbered but also didn't enjoy being reminded of her former royal status. "And what if the information we were given is incorrect, hmm? What if we head to Tortuga and his crew is there waiting for us?"
"Impossible," Victoria said, shaking her head. "My informant doesn't make mistakes, and he wouldn't betray us. Besides, Calico Jack frequently visits Los Huecos to check on his commander Silver Eyes before travelling to Tortuga. Then, after he's had his fill of his baser inclinations, he heads back to his base of operations in Nassau. I know this from my time on his crew."
"Also, ma chérie," Alexandre, the Queen Anne's Revenge surgeon, chimed in, "it should be noted that when on land, Calico Jack would not travel to all places with his entire crew. A covert assassination should prove effective, provided he doesn't know we are arrivant."
Anne sighed, her responsibility as quartermaster wavering against the mounting offensive from her crewmates. "I suppose you may be right. But," she said, turning her gaze to her husband, Edward Thatch, "what does the captain think?"
Edward's hands were clasped together in front of his face, his fingers entwined and his elbows resting on the table. He had listened to everything in silence, his eyes trained on a map in the middle of the table, but not focused on any of the shapes.
He eventually looked up at all the eyes staring back at him, suddenly aware of the entire room waiting for him to make the definitive decision. He unclasped his hands, leaned back, and stroked his long black beard.
Herbert spoke again. "If we let this opportunity slip away and do nothing, we will eventually come to regret it. This isn't like before. We'll do this together, and we'll do it right this time."
The others nodded in approval when Edward turned his gaze on them. All of them agreed with Hebert's declaration. Herbert met Edward's gaze, unwavering, letting Edward know that he wouldn't hesitate in following him into the unknown battle ahead.
"Set course for Tortuga."
…
"You found him?" Edward questioned the breathless crewmates. "You're sure it was Calico Jack?"
The crewmates both nodded at the same time. "No doubt, Captain. From what William told us 'bout his looks and the manner he carried himself, this was Calico Jack."
"How many were with him?" Herbert asked, wheeling himself over to the commotion.
The sky was darkening above Tortuga and the Queen Anne's Revenge. The crew had only just finished settling the ship at anchor a ways from the harbour. The three masts' sails had been furled, and the halyards secured to the vessel, and the crew was ready for the long night at rest.
"Far as we could tell, it was just him an' two others what came to the tavern. They entered after a time and were bein' served food and drinks just as we left."
"That means we don't have much time. How many were in the tavern?"
"Not more than twenty."
"Then we proceed as planned," Edward said as he turned towards Herbert. "Get your pistol ready, Herbert, we're ending this tonight."
Herbert couldn't help but smile, but his eyes soon misted, and he cast his eyes downward. He turned away from Edward. "Sorry, Captain," he said, his words catching in his throat.
Edward issued a few commands to the nearby crewmates to prepare the ship for departure and bring the crew up from below before coming back. Then he knelt next to Herbert.
"No need for that now," he said.
Herbert nodded as he wiped his eyes. "I know, Captain, I'm not sure what came over me. The deed's not even done yet."
Edward nodded. "True, but we both know that this is revenge years in the making. It may not bring your legs back, but if it can bring closure, it's no wonder one would be overcome by the magnitude of it."
Herbert looked up at Edward, his eyes still shining in the waning light as the wind of the sea blew against his short brown hair. "Tonight changes everything. Tomorrow will start a new life for
