Hades's Revenge (18 page)

“Yes, and I think it’s about time,” Jessop
said as he headed to the end of the dock where a small row boat
jostled back and forth in the water.

“I’ll meet up with you on the morrow,” he
said as he sat on the cross slat and positioned the oars in their
rowlocks and glided towards the tallship his father had
boarded.

The morning came fast for Jessop who had a
long and arduous evening to say the least, but if he were to help
his friends and take control of his own life, this had to
happen.

He met up with Olaf and William in the
snaking trail of men that headed for the
Revenge
. Their eyes
met but there were no words spoken. When Jessop looked towards the
back of the line, he could see the slightly limping barrel of a man
heading up the rear with his slim cabin boy carrying his gear just
behind. He wasn’t sure they saw him until his eyes locked with
Patience and the grim look she bore on her face.

William said, “Did you hear that a bunch of
settlers formed their own semi-autonomous government called the
Republic of Watauga a few months back. I’ll bet King George won’t
like that. I also read that John Adams suggested a Committee of
Correspondence to write a declaration of grievances. He wrote a
paper he’s calling
Rights of the Colonists
and another
gentleman named Warren has written a list of infringements and
violations of rights. People are talking about it all over
Massachusetts.”

“Seems things are swiftly changing
everywhere,” Jessop commented as they headed down the dock and onto
the gangplank. There he spied his father shading his eyes from the
sun and standing behind an uncharacteristically smiling Fin.

When all were gathered Fin started. “Thar be
a few things we be needin’ to hash out before we weigh anchor. This
gentleman here has come to collect his high falutin’ son for a wee
bit of a fee for his safe return.” There was a murmur of surprised
talk among the men as he continued.

“Our own Mr. Andrews is none other than one
Cornelius Aster.” Shock echoed through the crowd of pirates and
there were a few sniggers about the name Cornelius.

“While working the details of our lucrative
trade, a much more disturbin’ bit of information met me dainty
ears,” Fin met Jessop’s gaze with a smile and said, “Our captain is
fishin’ to meet Davy Jones ’imself. He’s been pulling the wool o’er
our eyes fer some time now, not to mention goin’ against the code
an’ bringing a woman aboard the
Revenge
.”

Outraged cries were heard from the men.
“That’s right, men, Patrick is no cabin boy but the captain’s own
daughter.”

Hands from behind the captain and Patience
grabbed them both, shoving them to the front of the crowd, while
the men gasped and Jessop could see Stubby just about faint at the
thought that a woman had been aboard all this time. Patience
struggled and glared at Jessop, calling him a pig as they were
placed next to Fin.

“Now, now, boys. The captain’s been good to
us. His mind has been addled by his illness and I wish ’im no harm,
but a crew still has to eat, so we’ll be taking the
Revenge
as payment fer his sins against us.”

The captain stood in silence, shifting his
weight off his bad foot. Patience was struggling against Bloody
Harry Cash and throwing insults at Fin, the crew, and Jessop that
would have made even the fiercest cursing pirate blush.

Fin said, “Well, looky here, boys, maybe we
were wrong about the woman. With a mouth like that, she might
indeed make a right proper pirate,” he continued, “To ease yer
departure from us, I’ve taken the liberty to pack yer things fer
y’all.”

A hand full of Fin’s men came forward, one
carrying an open air crate with Patience’s cat and Salty within.
Three others had bags and smaller kegs and a closed crate of all
the belongings of the captain and his daughter.

The last man was dragging William by the
arm, his hands tied behind his back and an old duffle bag Jessop
could only assume was William’s and his belongings.

“Don’t forget your lily-livered lackey, Mr.
Aster,” Fin said referring to William.

“Be sure to say yer goodbyes—don’t imagine
we’ll be seein’ the likes of ye folks again,” Fin said with a
salute as they were escorted off the ship and onto the dock where
their stuff was deposited next to them.

One man cut the ropes that bound William’s
hands and he rubbed his wrists. Someone had at least been
thoughtful enough to place the captain and Patience’s stuff in a
wooden cart.

The men onboard laughed and waved to them
then went back to their work. Patience checked on the animals,
collected her father and glared at Jessop. As she stepped past him,
she spit at his shoes to show her distaste. The captain had nothing
to say and they both walked off behind the cart that Patience
pushed.

Jessop watched the captain and his daughter
until he could no longer see them and then turned to his father. No
words were spoken. Jessop offered his hand but the gentleman pulled
him in and hugged him tightly in silence. A pat on the back broke
up the hug and his father turned to a man who waited in a dinghy at
the end of the pier to take him to the other frigate docked in the
bay that awaited him.

He waved with a smile once he was seated
then he too was gone. When Jessop turned to William, he said, “How
about we have a pint?”

Jessop nodded when they heard Olaf coming
down the gangplank with a bag and the harsch crock of mead tucked
under one arm shouting, “Wait for me.”

“What are you doing?” Jessop asked.

“I’ve had second thoughts about this pirate
idea.”

“You sure you want to give up your dream?”
Jessop said.

“Yes. It may have been good for my
ancestors, but well, I just can’t imagine being a pirate without
you two.”

They had a little laugh, which was a welcome
change from what they’d just gone through. They collected their
stuff and headed to the Cock and Bull.

* * *

They sat at a table in the empty tavern and
ordered a round of ale.

After a ‘Skoll’ William asked, “I’m a little
confused. Can you explain what happened on the ship? Did you really
tell Fin about the captain and Miss Patti?”

“I did. I couldn’t see any other way.”

“But how will the captain and Patience get
by without any money?”

“They’ll be receiving plenty of money later
today.”

“They will?”

“Yes. They will be visited by a solicitor
that will issue them a bank notice for one hundred sixty-five
thousand pounds—the going rate for a used frigate named
Hades’s
Revenge
.”

“Fin said he was confiscating the ship.”

“Yes, he did, but in reality my father owns
the Revenge and will be a business partner with Fin and the
crew.”

“But your father is a loyalist. How did you
get him to invest in a ship that steals from merchants to help the
rebels?”

“My father’s allegiance has changed a bit
since we were abducted. Seems King George stripped my father of his
title due to some clerical error, which turned out to be King
George’s accountants’ mistake. My father is not a forgiving man and
when King George wouldn’t admit the fault was with his own man, my
father’s loyalties changed for good.”

“Well now, there’s something I never thought
I’d see. Your dad supporting the patriots,” William said in
wonder.

“Why didn’t you go home with your father?”
Olaf asked.

“As I had suspected, in my absence my fiancé
and my father became engaged. They’re a much better match than I
would have been for Penelope. It’s really for the best, but I
didn’t want to go back to all the social upheaval that would have
gone with it had I returned. I think father is just as
relieved.”

“So everyone will go on believing you’re
dead?”

“Oh no. Just not willing to return. He’ll
tell them I was outraged by their impending nuptials and I found a
life elsewhere,” Jessop explained.

“Will you see him again?” William asked.

“I don’t see why not. There’s no ill
feelings between us, I just explained I couldn’t possibly go back
to the way things were and he agreed.”

“What about the captain and Miss Patti?”
Olaf asked.

“I’ve arranged for a well-respected doctor
to attend to the captain, have his foot dealt with, and make him as
comfortable as possible for the rest of his life. As for Patience,
she’ll have the money when he dies, so I think they’re set.”

“You’re just going to let them think you
betrayed them?”

“Yes. I think it’s best to let them have
their time together none the wiser.”

“I don’t agree,” William announced.

“And that’s your prerogative.”

“Why wouldn’t Fin just take the ship and the
reward money and skip town?”

“The reward money was his promise that he
would accept the terms of the agreement. Plus, he’s a good
businessman. He knows having a resource with deep pockets to back
you and pick up the maintenance expenses is partnership made in
heaven.”

“Does Fin know what you did for him and the
captain?” Olaf asked.

“Yes. He was an integral part of the charade
today on the ship.”

“Why did you make it such an elaborate
act?”

“I’ve learned the captain is a proud man. I
don’t think he would have agreed to it.”

“What if he doesn’t accept the money?”

“He’s a proud man, not a stupid man. He’ll
figure out it’s all been a ruse for his benefit. I imagine if he
wants to know who orchestrated it, he could investigate where the
money has come from, but I’m hoping he’ll just be at peace.”

“What will you do now?” Olaf asked.

“I don’t know. I’ve written David Bushnell
since our meeting—remember the man we met designing the
submersible?”

William nodded.

“He’s put me in contact with some other men,
who are deep undercover in recovering intel from the British
troops. I’ve sent them some ideas for inventions that might help in
their pursuit and they’ve offered me a position to put a team
together where we might make some real contributions to the rebel
cause.”

“And who might that team be?” William
asked.

“I don’t know yet, but I hoped you two might
be.”

“Definitely,” William said.

“You know, Vikings were quite good at spying
and interrogations.”

“Indeed they were, Olaf, indeed they
were.”

They laughed and toasted once more to the
new possibilities to come and the unknown horizons that lay before
them.

<<<<>>>>

To my loving husband for his support and
input as well as his suggested character ‘Olaf’ which was a fun
addition.

To my friend Trine Whelan who helped with
some Norwegian translation for Olaf, though she would have rather
he have another name.

T. Lynne Tolles can be found most days,
juggling one of two cat muses and a laptop, tripping over an
ancient Newfoundland dog and washing a never-ending pile of
laundry. When life doesn’t get in the way, she writes paranormal
romances for new adults.

Her passion for witches, ghosts, and vampires
together with a light-hearted wit are reflected in her loveable
characters and the adventures of mystery they unravel to find their
happily ever after.

Website:

http://tlynnetolles.me

Other books by T. Lynne Tolles

Somber Island

Mirror of Shadows

Blood Series

The Hunted

Blood of a Werewolf

Blood Moon

Blood Lust

Bloodstone Heart

Deadman’s Blood

Sisters in Blood