Herbert waved his hand. "Blood brought us together by chance. The crew chooses to be with you. And if we're getting into specifics, I would say this crew raised you just as much as I have. I think Anne could hold some stake in that claim if pressed upon it. You two are like sisters."
Christina chuckled. "I suppose you're right."
There were a few more moments of silence, and then Herbert spoke up. "So, are you getting more comfortable with sailing?"
Christina spoke with her brother about how Anne wanted her to become helmsman, and her time with the ship, as well as the details of their adventure. She recounted the entranced islanders, knocking down the bell with the cannons, getting put under the spell and what had happened to Anne because of it, and finally the sailing to Nassau.
As she recounted the story, she saw him smile, and it warmed her heart. Up until then, he had seemed to be in so much pain. By the end of her telling, they were both holding hands again, and Christina was no longer crying.
After a few moments of silence, Herbert spoke again. "Christina, I need to ask you for a favour."
"Yes? What do you need?"
There was a long pause as Herbert sought for words. He didn't look at her, and instead out the window next to his bed. "I don't want to let this affliction ravage my body any more than it has. It will only get worse from here."
Christina pulled her hand away from her brother's. "What are you saying?" she asked, but she already knew the answer.
…
"How many spies for my father are aboard the Queen Anne's Revenge?
Edward, Alexandre, and Victoria stood in the study—Edward's father's former study. Edward kept a hand at his hip, ready to draw his weapon at a moment's notice. He didn't know what Victoria would do at this line of questioning.
Victoria stood silently for a moment before answering. "Half, perhaps a bit more than half. I'm not their keeper."
"And you've been sending him reports with our status, our whereabouts?"
"Yes," she replied, her face like stone.
Edward's rage reached a tipping point, and he pulled out the blade from its sheath. "Tell me why I shouldn't kill you right now."
Alexandre and Victoria both had their own weapons drawn, Victoria a short sword and round shield, and Alexandre a rapier.
"I doubt you could," she said first. Then she followed up with, "I wasn't the only one sending letters."
Edward calmed himself and dropped his stance. "No… no, you weren't." He put his cutlass away, and the other two followed suit. "Tell me why you did it. According to you, you hated my father, so why follow his orders and spy on me? Why report back to him?"
"Simple," she said. "Your father wanted to die, and I wanted him dead. It was an uncomplicated decision."
Her flippant attitude was making him angry once again, but he couldn't fault her for wanting the man dead. After all, Edward was the one who'd killed him. His father seemed to have a knack for bringing people together and setting them apart.
Like father, like son. "So, what am I to do with you then, hmm? If I cast you away, then by rights I should be casting away half my crew. By that reasoning, this whole bloody island was loyal to my father and his ends, I can't rid myself of all of them."
Alexandre stepped forward. He had the same slight smile on his face, the one that showed no genuine emotion. "Perhaps I can be of assistance. We were planning on leaving after this matter was settled, so we shall depart of our own accord."
The revelation took Edward aback and confused him. "You were planning on leaving the crew? I thank you for saving me the trouble, but why?"
"As I said when we first met, I was here for the entertainment. I enjoyed watching you over the years, but I have had my fill. Your wife may be able to illuminate you as to the breaking point that came about during her aventure."
Alexandre and Victoria turned around to leave and headed towards the door to the study.
"Hmph," Edward scoffed. "And what about that question about me that was puzzling you so? Do I enjoy the smell of blood?"
"Ah, yes, I found the answer to that some time ago."
Edward's jaw dropped. "And? What's the answer?"
Alexandre grinned. "What indeed," he said, and then he headed out the door.
…
The crew held Herbert's funeral on the deck of the Queen Anne's Revenge.
Before Alexandre and Victoria left, they heard about his passing and decided to attend and use it as an opportunity to say goodbye to the rest of the crew.
Sam also joined with some of his crew to pay their respects.
It was the first time in quite a while that Edward had been aboard his ship, but the circumstances were far from pleasant. He had already prepared mentally for Herbert's passing, but the suddenness and the manner were unexpected.
Only those who were on land in Nassau knew the truth of what had happened. They told the crew that he had died of illness from an infected wound and kept Herbert's head covered to hide his final shame. None of the crew who knew the truth blamed Christina for helping her brother end his life and end his pain, but it was a shock nonetheless.
Christina remained composed as best she could for the funeral, but her eyes were red, and she either kept one hand on her rose necklace or clutching tight to her pant leg. She told Edward that she couldn't bear to say anything given what she had done. Edward thought the poor girl wouldn't have made it through more than a few words either way.
And, so, the task fell to Edward. Edward walked up the ladder to the quarterdeck slowly. He
