Port of Errors (19 page)

Mr. Black stopped in front of a locked door. “Sir, you’ll have to speak with Captain Stirvin before I can let you in. He told me specifically to let no one in without his express permission.”

Kenneth was confused. “This was the captain’s doing? Who is this woman?”

“Her name is Isabel,” confessed Mr. Black. ‘Please Sir; you’ll have to speak with Captain Stirvin about this. I wish no trouble from the captain.”

Kenneth quickly found his way to Captain Stirvin’s chambers. “Sir, with all due respect, I don’t mean to be paranoid, but what is a woman doing aboard this ship?” asked Kenneth straightforwardly. “Our articles, and those of the navy, state specifically that women are strictly forbidden to a vessel. Please excuse me if I am overstepping my bounds, but are we not in violation of that law? I’m just trying to understand, Sir.”

“Kenneth, I know my actions may appear contradictory, but this is no ordinary woman. I take full responsibility for my actions and that of my crew. If there is one thing I have learned from the Admiral, it is that the safety of our country supersedes that of any article or law.”

Still determined to know who the woman was, Kenneth delicately pressed, “So, who is this woman of such great an importance?”

“She’s the daughter of Scurvy Shaw, who is a friend to Black-Hearted. She is our means of control. Scurvy will do as I say, so long as she is with us.”

“Begging your pardon Sir, but this just seems to me to be just a vengeful act.”

“Do not question my intentions, Kenneth. You must understand. This is our only way to Black-Hearted; the only foreseeable way to put an end to his treachery. We are now at war with Spain because of this pirate.”

“For the record, Captain, I will do as you command but I am against the act. But you are my captain and I will trust your judgment. However, as First Mate, I need to know every person aboard this vessel, even a female prisoner. If something were to happen to you the woman will come to be my responsibility. You must agree Captain, is it not my right? May I see her? I wish to make certain our guest is in good health.”

“Aside Mr. Black, no one but you and I, may step foot in her quarters. You are young and very trustworthy and I feel we can use this to our advantage. You must make her feel welcome in your presence and then find out as much information about Scurvy and Black-Hearted as you can. But I’ll be watching. You are a great leader and a respectful man. I would like to see you further your career.”

Mr. Black escorted Kenneth back to Isabel’s room under the quarterdeck. On their way across the main deck, Kenneth thought to spark a conversation that might add additional light to the situation he was still so uncomfortable with.

“So, the woman is Scurvy’s daughter?”

“Aye, Sir,” replied Mr. Black, “Scurvy is working for the Captain as a privateer, due to her presence here.”

“Even so, Mr. Black, a female aboard this vessel can be very dangerous, arousing unwanted feelings amongst men who have been out to sea for far too long.”

“Captain Stirvin keeps a tight watch,” insisted Mr. Black. “The Captain is a man of true integrity and he made a promise to keep her safe.”

“I can only hope some good might come of this,” replied Kenneth.

When Mr. Black unlocked and opened the door, Kenneth was surprised to see such an attractive woman, though drenched in tears. But, he did not center his thoughts on her beauty, keeping in mind his true love, and therefore kept his composure. “So, what can you tell me about your father? He’s a friend of Black-Hearted, is he not?” Isabel said nothing. Kenneth felt sympathetic toward her situation, but knew his own involvement with Black-Hearted’s capture was more important to his career than anything else. He apologized, “I’m sorry things have to be this way. I do not wish to see you or any other woman in this situation. However, it has become necessary and I do not expect you to understand.” Kenneth stood up and began to walk toward the door. Just before exiting the room he vowed, “I can promise you one thing; I will make your circumstances here easier to bear.”

As the days passed, Isabel grew kinder toward Kenneth. He began to visit her more often than allowed. They talked not only of Black-Hearted and Scurvy, but of their lives and dreams. An innocent trust seemed to form between them as a forbidden friendship began to blossom.

In the coming days As the Crimson Reef sailed on to find the Rogue and Kenneth gained Isabel’s trust, Isabel soon expressed to him that Black-Hearted often sought for spiritual direction from an old acquaintance by the name of Father Morgan. Though Isabel did not know where Father Morgan lived, she seemed hopeful that such a man could be tracked down.

Captain Stirvin’s curiosity concerning Father Morgan brought back to his mind Father Whittaker, who directed both him and his best friend Davy, to visit a priest by the same name in a place called the Brier Wood. Captain Stirvin found this coincidence slightly odd and it heightened his sense of urgency to find him.

Named for its abundance of rosy brier patches and surrounding groves of trees, the Brier Wood was isolated from the rest of the world. Captain Stirvin knew they were close enough to investigate. Captain Stirvin ordered the ship’s navigator to reset their bearings, realizing the Brier Wood was located somewhere on the outskirts of St. Petersborough. Once they arrived, Captain Stirvin chose five men to accompany him on his trek inland to find this isolated township of approximately six hundred.

Captain Stirvin was unfamiliar with the area and knew not how to find the Brier Wood. They directed their paths toward the nearest church, thinking that a priest might be conscious of Father Morgan’s possible existence and whereabouts.

Upon finding such an individual, they were directed to a location hidden within boundaries of ghostly superstitions, where none dared venture. Without fear, Captain Stirvin and his men set out on foot for the Brier Wood.

When they arrived at the borders of the Brier Wood they were greeted by a few townsmen who came out to investigate their uninvited guests. Mayor Aden Longfellow was the first to be introduced. “Gentlemen, what sort of business have you in our humble little township?”

“I wish to speak with Father Morgan,” replied Captain Stirvin, “if he still lives.”

“What sort of business requires our priest?” Mayor Longfellow inquired in a defensive tone. “I can assure you that we support Queen Anne. However, the people of this village have been through enough. So, I must ask, what is the nature of your business with Father Morgan? And be aware; we are ready to defend what little we have with our very lives!”

In disbelief of their blatant disregard for his authority, Captain Stirvin felt to put these townsmen in their place. But, knowing they must be apprehensive for a reason, he put his feelings of flagrancy aside. “Mayor, we mean no harm. A moment of his time is all that is required.”

Mayor Longfellow lowered his guard. “It is a hard thing these days to trust anyone, Captain. Too many of our sons have been pressed into your navy unwillingly and we already number so few. Privateers also come seeking volunteers. What else are we to do? They plunder our homes if we decline! Are we to just stand by and watch our peaceful settlement disappear?”

“I suppose I understand but let me assure you, I come only to speak with Father Morgan.”

“You and your men will have to hand over your weapons.” demanded Mayor Longfellow. “I, in return, shall personally escort you to Father Morgan.”

“I shall go alone. But my men will stay here and retain their weapons,” agreed Captain Stirvin. “It is their right and duty under Royal Command.”

Mayor Longfellow, with a few townsmen, escorted Captain Stirvin in to the Brier Wood. Upon entering the seemingly empty and abandoned township, Captain Stirvin noticed a few frightened faces peeking out from several hiding places.

They arrived at a small church building in the center of town. It was quaint and mildly run down. There were fallen leaves scattered about the dirty walkway and steps. A large brass knocker hung from the center of the door. “Here we are, Captain.” One of the townsmen reached for the door and pushed it open. “We’ll have to accompany you inside, I hope you don’t mind.”

Father Morgan was a true worshiper and wore the usual garb. He was an odd-looking frail old man in poor health, with hands unusually large for a man of his height. Though he did not stand very tall, he was very nearly three-hundred pounds and slightly hunched over. He could barely walk ten feet before he had to relieve himself, which was an unusually artful and swift bowel movement to relieve the pain caused by a gastro-intestinal ailment.

After proper introductions, Captain Stirvin stated, “I have been charged by Her Royal Majesty, Queen Anne, to capture Black-Hearted the Pirate.”

“I think I’ve something for you,” claimed Father Morgan, clearing his scratchy voice. “Something that appeared to be of great worth, or so it seemed to the other lad.”

Father Morgan stood slowly up and waddled over to his library. Captain Stirvin could hear the sound of books falling to the ground, paper ripping and a few cries of pain from objects striking Father Morgan’s head as he rummaged through the years of clutter. This continued for several minutes as Captain Stirvin, Mayor Longfellow and the townsmen
stood in wait.

Father Morgan soon burst out of the library having finally found the item he was searching so diligently for.

The frail old man then placed a relic of some sort wrapped within a crinkled piece of old papyrus “This was intended for you.”

When Captain Stirvin unfolded the paper, a chill crawled up his back. Closing his eyes, Captain Stirvin spoke in a calm whisper. “I know this relic. But it cannot be. He died in a fire years ago. I saw the bodies.” He opened his eyes, still refusing to look, “Where did you come upon this cross?”

Captain Stirvin contained his emotions, stating, “I love Davy like a brother and I will return; there’s now no question about that. But right now I am here on the Queen’s business. There is a certain pirate that I must turn my attention to and in so doing, must ask you, Father, have you been in the company of Black-Hearted?”

“He is a recent acquaintance, but I dare not say more.”

“This man has sparked a dooming war between England and Spain. To keep such information from me is contradictory to the security of our country.”

“Captain, there is more to it than matter of security. I can sense the vengeance within your heart. There is a higher power by which I am held and to allow such reckless hate would be contradictory to that higher power.”

“Father, you have given me a hope long lost in a boyhood dream that I thought was dead,” said Captain Stirvin, as he handed the necklace back to Father Morgan. “I will leave this with you as promise of my return. However, upon my return, if I have not succeeded in my plight, I will not be as forgiving as I am today in my leave.”

“Please here me, Captain. I must tell you something that happened long ago and which has tied our fates together. You may not understand now, but if you stay a few more days, my story will make more sense.

“Years ago, before I was a priest, a warrant for my arrest was issued by King Charles for the wrong I’d inflicted upon others. But when England waged war on Spain I was forgiven of my crimes and knighted a privateer. I was later placed Governor over the island settlement of Jamaica. However, I still had such wicked enemies; enemies who would stop at nothing to see me and any of my family dead. Such was a young pirate by the name of Shawn Averson. He had once been a loyal member of my crew, but had since become captain of his own. After some time, he grew suddenly ill and almost died along with many of his crew. I wouldn’t help him for fear of death. He also had an insatiable appetite for riches; riches that I hid from him following a significant raid. So, he vowed to take my life no matter the cost. He killed my daughter. Your priest, Father Whittaker, helped me disappear, but in so doing, forced me to forsake my only son in order to save his life. I had to fake my own death, using a potion that slowed my heart and pulse.

“Ever since that day I have vowed to change my ways. I serve only God now. It is better to rid yourself of this hate. And so, I tell you in good faith that hunting your man down should be for the right reasons. You must open your eyes to all the facts before you can do this.”

Captain Stirvin had an understanding heart, but his will to avenge the crown and his good name was strong. “Whether for the right or wrong reason,” he replied, “this man deserves nothing but a slow and agonizing death. The world will be a better place without Black-Hearted.”

“Please, Captain, I understand your unquenchable hatred for such a man, having been laden with such evil upon my own heart. But, I beg you, stay a few days longer and your friend will return. Only then will you understand my dilemma in telling you more.”

“Father, I can’t make such a promise. If I find Black-Hearted, I will destroy his vessel and run him through with my own sword. Beside the news of Davy, capturing Black-Hearted myself is the only thing that will save your life for not cooperating.”