Port of Errors (17 page)

Without a change in expression, Black-Hearted sarcastically chuckled, only smiling slightly with his lips for a second or two. He then became abruptly serious. His eyes kept their commanding fire, unwilling to be humored.

Scurvy asked Bones to present Black-Hearted with the bounty from Captain Stirvin and the Letter of Marquee. Black-Hearted and Scurvy then discussed how they might steal back Isabel, using Scurvy’s Royal Commission as a basis for their revenge.

With Scurvy now ready for his role is creating a more even field, with which to negotiate for Isabel’s return, the Rogue and Roger’s Jolly set sail for Port of Errors one last time. But Black-Hearted, too, had a role to play if things were to go awry.

Although Black-Hearted’s relationship with Isabel was a secret to most, Captain Stirvin’s two South American informants kept digging deeper. Black-Hearted recognized it was only a matter of time before this curious liaison might be discovered. If so, Isabel might play a greater role in Captain Stirvin’s vindictive strategy. Black-Hearted felt Captain Stirvin would use her more aggressively, knowing of their relationship; not caring if she lived or died, if it meant seizing him. For now Isabel was safe, used only to control her father, Scurvy.

Chapter X

Queen Anne’s Royal dispatch arrived in Spain with Don Reina, well ahead of Admiral Flynn. Nevertheless, word of the supposed English attack upon la Real had reached both King Philip of Spain and King Louis XIV of France. King Louis petitioned Spain for war. The attack on la Real simply gave France what it wanted, a reason for Spain to declare war on England with the backing of the full alliance. With so strong an influence behind him, King Phillip was within weeks of a formal declaration.

Don Reina was hoping for war, looking to gain more power in his position as a wealthy land owner. He was therefore determined to find his way to France to side with King Philip. The day following his arrival in Spain, Don Reina was given word of six men who had committed a treasonous act against England. Assuming residency in the area, they were granted clemency as former English sailors, having brought documented information about Queen Anne’s royal fleet, obtained through Mr. Darcy.

Don Reina contacted Wiliam-Sean Guile by dispatch. The next evening he and the Traitorous Six sat to discuss with them a lucrative opportunity.

“I am willing to pay double the amount you would have received from your little mishap on Port of Errors,” tempted the Don.

“And how did you come to know about the incident?” replied William.

“All I know is you and tu compañeros were proven traitorous and now live here, in España. Treachery comes only through disloyalty and greed. I am willing to pay that which will quench your thirst for your riches; this will in turn secure your loyalty – at least for a time. Gentlemen, if money is your driving force, I have the perfect opportunity for you with limited allegiance. I only ask that you accompany me to France and that is all. I will pay a portion to you now and the rest upon my safe and timely arrival to France.

“And what of our safe return to Spain?” asked Royal Hawkins. “War is on the horizon. We mustn’t be caught in the middle or that coffer of gold you offer us is nothing more than a dead man’s chest.”

“I’m prepared to offer you a safe home in France, if you so desire,” proposed Don Reina. “But that is all I can ensure at this time.”

Weighing the pros and cons, Mr. Hall realized how close to Port of Errors they would come on their way to France. A terrific and devious plan grew about his mind. Mr. Hall asked for some privacy, dismissing Don Reina from the room while the Traitorous Six together discussed the possibilities.

Once the Traitorous Six had made their decision, they invited Don Reina back into the room. William offered the conditions. “We will agree to escort you safely to France on the condition that we stop first at Port of Errors. We need to…”

“Agreed,” concluded Don Reina, interrupting William. “I do not wish to know your plight nor such reasoning behind this stop at that dreaded island. We will set sail come morning. My men are loading the vessel as we speak. You are to be at port upon first light.”

Within a few days’ time they were on the high seas aboard a small neutral two-mast sloop, called Corazón del Mar. Considered to be the safest form of transportation, its size and versatility were unmatched.

The Traitorous Six were dressed in clothing resembling those of Spanish servants. Their faces were partially covered.

After several days Corazón del Mar dropped anchor at Port of Errors, west of the harbor, beyond the reef. The vessel was definitely small enough to pass over the reef and dock at the harbor, but they were hesitant to get too comfortable. The Traitorous Six took several crewmembers and set for shore before dark in two longboats. Don Reina decided to stay aboard his ship for fear of the English traitors intentions and unknown consequences.

Taking Scott and four of the Don’s men with him, William insisted, “I’ll find Mr. Darcy.” Then, believing Isabel was still on Port of Errors, he directed the others, “You locate the wench.”

Mr. Darcy’s property was no small estate. William and his men approached the west end through a large grouping of trees. Once they reached a safe position within the estate, William ordered Scott to an open window. Poking his eyes and nose over the window ledge, he looked around for a few seconds and dropped back to his knees.

“It’s all clear,” he whispered. One by one they climbed through the open window. Once inside, they scrambled through the dining area and living quarters, cautiously looking about until they reached the stairway beneath Mr. Darcy’s bedchamber. Nervously placing one foot in front of the other, they began to walk up in single file. When they reached the top of the staircase, each man reached for his weapon.

“We’re either very lucky or very foolish,” uttered Scott ever so quietly. “It’s too quiet. We’ve not seen or heard a single guard or servant this entire time.”

William smirked, disregarding the cautionary notion and entered Mr. Darcy’s bedchamber. “We’re not going to turn back now. We’re going to get what we came for.”

“I’m with Scott,” confessed Royal. “Something just doesn’t feel right.”

Suddenly a voice sounded through the darkness of the room. “That’s because you should never have come here,” acknowledged Mr. Darcy, who was awaiting the foolish young English traitors.

Scurvy, Bones and Captain Garrison stepped out into the open, together with Mr. Darcy and his guards, surrounding William and his men. A vicious fight quickly ensued, beginning with a volley of gunfire. Three of Mr. Darcy’s men were shot as well as two of Don Reina’s.

As soon as the volley ceased, Scott was backed into a corner by Scurvy, who put a blade through the left side of his chest, puncturing his lung. With a breathless groan, he fell to the ground, holding his mortal wound with both hands. He then exhaled and died just as Black-Hearted had promised.

Mr. Darcy squared-off against William and sustained a devastating blow just beneath his collarbone. Mr. Darcy managed to pull the hidden trigger of his hunter’s sword, striking William in the abdomen. Surprised by the abutting reverberation, William fell to his knees, holding his belly and gnashing his teeth in agony. Mr. Darcy staggered to his feet, covering his wound. Immediately, William commanded his men to fall back. Carrying William out, they busted open the front door in their escape.

Scurvy and Captain Garrison pursued the intruders. Mr. Darcy saw his precious door in ruin and, with a cracking voice, muttered, “No, not my door!” Weakened from his wound, he walked unsteadily toward the door, stumbling over his own feet to the floor. “Not my door.” His eyes closed, where he lay.

Captain Garrison and Scurvy left the estate in haste. Once they were out of sight, Mr. Darcy’s remaining loyal servants gathered over his body, staring in silence out of respect. Taking a knee by his side, they quickly rummaged through his pockets.

In the meantime, unknowledgeable of Isabel’s abduction, Robert Hall and his men crept up to Isabel’s door. One of the Don’s men stood guard as the others followed Mr. Hall inside. Even though Isabel was no longer there, upon entering Isabel’s room they seized an actual body lying underneath her covers. Wrapping the body snug in her blanket, they didn’t notice that she hadn’t screamed or struggled in the least. Continuing quietly on, they managed their way to shore, close to the harbor, when unexpectedly, a steel ball pierced the blanket from within. The person wrapped within the blanket was dropped like a brick. A cloud of smoke and feathers scattered about, obstructing everyone’s view. The shock and commotion was so sudden that no one noticed Tweed had dropped to the ground. A gaping hole in his cheek indicated the bullet pierced his face. Most of his teeth on the left side of his mouth were chipped or completely blown out. In all the confusion, Black-Hearted, Gunner and Eric were suddenly there, surrounding Mr. Hall and his men, prompting them to drop their weapons.

“Did I get’m?” asked Stephen. Wrapped within the blanket, Stephen was the closest size in comparison to Isabel and he was helpless to free himself. He did manage to poke his eyes and nose out of his cocoon, still unable to use his hands.

Neither Black-Hearted nor his men were able to lend Stephen a hand, while pointing their weapons at Mr. Hall and his men, who were more than twice the number.

“Drop your weapons,” demanded Black-hearted. As they did so, Black-Hearted continued, “Now, leave this place. Don’t look back or I’ll put a hole through your fool skulls!”

As Mr. Hall began to walk away with his men, Black-Hearted grabbed him by the sleeve. “Where do you think you’re goin’?”

Taking Mr. Hall by the wrist, Black-Hearted slowly sliced through his index finger. Mr. Hall screamed out in horrific pain as his blood gushed out and ran down his forearm. His face went pale as his finger was dismembered. Black-Hearted then extended his ring to Eric, who put a torch to the tip of Black-Hearted’s ring until it turned bright red. Pressing it against the back of Mr. Hall’s right hand, Mr. Hall screamed aloud as the ring seared into his skin.

“Do you take me for a liar or a fool?” asked Black-Hearted, asserting, “Did I not inform you that you would die if ever I saw you again?” Mr. Hall went white with the anticipation of what might be coming and he stayed silently petrified as Black-Hearted continued. “Now, says I, on – your – knees.” However, due to the pain, loss of blood and prospect of death, Mr. Hall lost consciousness and slipped to the ground.

Completely exhausted from their fight, Scurvy, Bones and Captain Garrison came within a fifty yards, or so, of Black-Hearted. As they approached, a fifty-caliber steel ball screeched passed them, tagging Black-Hearted in the leg. He very quickly dropped to the sand like a brick. A few more rounds zipped by, forcing everyone else to duck for cover behind a nearby log and a patch of tall grass. Now on his back, Black-Hearted scrambled for the same fortification. The men that had come to shore with Mr. Hall then joined in from the rocks closer to the water’s edge, about thirty paces out. However, the first few shots seemed to be coming from the harbor.

Black-Hearted, now throbbing in pain, looked to the harbor and could see the flickering lights of several long-barrel muskets and a few pistols discharging aboard an unfamiliar vessel now docked. The sound of each shot was as a tiny ping, muffled by the roar of the sea.

Don Reina had decided to pull into the harbor under the dark of night. Upon hearing the echo of gunfire, he and his remaining men had gathered their weapons in an attempt to help their crewmates, firing from the ship a few hundred yards away.

Feeling the urgency of the situation, Don Reina noted that Black-Hearted was in the fight. Fearfully yelling to his men, he gave the order, “Weigh up the anchor and stand by to set sail!”

“Hearted!” yelled Captain Garrison. He, along with Scurvy and Bones then ran toward the fight on shore, firing their pistols and striking one of Don Reina’s men in the forehead. A small array of bullets then showered them from the men in the rocks and Corazón del Mar. But Captain Garrison, Scurvy, and Bones didn’t slow down at all. Charging courageously forward, through the hail of bullets and around the small band of men hiding in the rocks, they made it to Black-Hearted’s side. Yelling out with a loud lion-like roar, Black-Heated returned fire toward the direction of the oncoming barrage.

Stephen was still entangled in the blanket frantically popping about as if to dodge the unseen gunfire. As he frantically sought a route of escape, he finally freed his mouth. “Get me out of here!” he shouted.

Scurvy nearly got his head blown off trying to reach out to poor Stephen.

Strangely enough, the shooting subsided to a disturbing quiet. Black-Hearted took a swift glance over his barricade. William, who knew he would soon be dead from loss of blood, was walking toward Black-Hearted, drunkenly waving his pistol in the air. Seizing the opportunity, Royal and Brent along with the other men hiding in the rocks, fled back to Corazón del Mar, where Don Reina was ready to set sail.

As William neared Black-Hearted’s position, Black-Hearted fought through the pain from his wound and immediately stood and threw his machete, catching William directly in the chest. Very nearly flipping over backward, William landed on his back with a solid thump in the sand. All the breath in him exited his body with one quick groan. Wiliam-Sean Guile was dead and Black-Hearted’s leg gave way, forcing him once again to the sandy ground.