“Aye, Captain, I’d say it is.” Chibs concurred.
“It won’t be the sneak attack we’d hoped for. But when those slaver ships leave the bay, I mean to lay them on the bottom,” said James. A flash of lightning danced across the sky as he spoke illuminating has face and emphasizing his deadly intentions.
“Captain, we risk killing all aboard. If they have slaves in their holds…” Chibs voice trailed off as the Captain met his gaze.
“I know Chib. The best we could hope for are empty holds I suppose. How could we know with any certainty?” James asked. Lilith, still at the wheel had overheard the dilemma.
“Captain, the Shepherd was taking slaves from this anchorage to America. If those slavers turn north once they exit the bay, that would mean they are holding slaves, yes?” Lilith said, both men looked at each other and then at the girl manning the wheel. The solution had been staring at them, they both had just failed to see it.
“Aye, Lilith. If they turn north, they will surely have to be hauling slaves.” Chibs answered.
“What would you do then girl? If the ships leave the bay and turn north?” James probed. Lilith squinted a little thinking through the scenario thoroughly.
“I suppose if they turn north, we could follow them at a distance perhaps? Maybe lure one of them off and force her to strike colors the way the other Americans did?” Lilith said. It seemed almost too simple a solution, but it was all she could come up with. Chibs laughed, drawing a sideways look from Lilith.
“I suppose that’s the best plan any of us could hope for. Lilith, you may make a fine Captain someday. I’d sail under your banner,” he said warmly. Lilith smiled at the compliment and stowed her reservations at Chibs’ humor, irritated with herself for thinking he was laughing at her expense.
“Once the storm breaks, we will do just that. But I hope those bastards turn southward, I have a mind to put them all on the bottom. Chibs, hold this course for now. We’ll circle back around and hopefully catch them as they leave,” said James. The tone of his voice betrayed his blood lust, an almost tangible excitement at the prospect of engaging the slavers ship to ship. “Then we will storm their camp with every available hand.” Lightning emphasized his point again, flashing through the sky and silhouetting the rigging against the decks.
After just a couple hours the winds began to slack to a stiff but manageable level. The rains waned as well as the seas until there was just a steady drizzling over short choppy waves. The Maiden had turned east after running up the coast for about an hour and with the storm dying down, Chibs had her come around back toward the coast. Sunrise crested over the eastern horizon, filling a thin band of open sky between the horizon and a cloud line of overcast grey with brilliant sunshine. The sun burned through its path not quite two hours before it was occluded by the thick layer of rainclouds stretching across the sky. The storm from the previous night seemed to be summoning an encore, the southern skies were lined with thick, dark cloud formations that hung very low in the air above the sea surface. Captain James had remained on deck, allowing Chibs’ to get some needed rest after manning the watch during much of the storm. Lilith came back up on deck after short rest. Her clothes were still soaked through and with the seas calming she relished the breeze, the smell of the sea seemed even stronger after the storm.
“Lilith!” Captain James called over to her as he looked over the bow through his glass. The eastern coast of Jamaica peeking back into view on the horizon. “Fly the black, girl.”
“Aye Captain!” Lilith answered a chill of excitement running down her spine.
“Someone fetch Chibs from his hammock and see to it the guns are all made ready!” James clamored out, sending deckhands scrambling.
Lilith raised the ship’s black flag, with its horned skull, trident and broken chain. Lilith felt a sense of pride sweep over her as the breeze filled the flag. She looked at the white broken chain running across the bottom of the black field and a knot rose into her throat. She thought of her mother, wondering what had become of her. She thought of Captain James and Chibs and all the changed fates of the slaves aboard the Shepherd. She remembered the washroom from the estate in Haiti and the ill intent of Francis, she vividly pictured his eyes, how they glazed over with fear when she plunged the knife into his throat. The sound of gun ports opening interrupted her thoughts and a woman on the crew approached handing her a sword and a set of pistols.
“Miss Lilith, the Captain’s ordered us all to prepare for battle. You’ll be needing these.”
“Thank you.” Lilith replied, she buckled a thick leather belt around her middle tucking sword and pistols into place. Looking back up at the black flag her eyes met the empty black eyes of the horned skull. She then turned her gaze out over the larboard rail where the Unholy Shepherd matched pace abreast of the Drowned Maiden. They unfurled their black flag; the horned skull and trident were identical but the broken chain across the bottom was blood red. It was Captain Trina’s subtle nod to James, a confirmation of sorts that the Maiden remained the flag ship of their small fleet. Aboard the Shepherd the crew was in a flurry, arming up and readying their guns. Captain James walked up onto the quarterdeck and nodded over to Lilith.
“Beautiful, but fearsome.” He said.
“She is, well both ships really Captain.” Lilith replied looking back up at the black flag
