"I think you were on the receiving end of one of his practical jokes, my friend."
"I do not know. He was very convincing," Pukuh replied, a dubious look on his face and his arms folded.
Edward sighed. "We strike on the count of three."
Edward stepped to the edge of the hut and counted out to three on his fingers. On the third, Edward dashed out with his cutlass forward. The guards only realised what was happening when Edward and Pukuh were upon them.
Edward sliced the chest of a man napping on the ground. Pukuh stabbed another with his spear who was turning around.
The wolves pounced on the guards. One man lifted his musket at Edward. The pack leader jumped over the fire and ripped out the man's throat. The musket fired into the air as the man struggled weakly before dying.
Edward fought with another man for his musket. Ordinarily, Edward would have easily overpowered the small man, but he was fatigued after their day-long trek through the forest. The man twisted and pulled and pushed for supremacy. Edward lifted his foot and stomped hard on the man's toes. The man's grip loosened. Edward jerked the musket forward and the barrel hit the man in the nose. The man released the musket, clutching his broken nose. Edward shot him in the chest.
When the villagers finally gained grip on what was happening, they rushed in to help. The warriors used their fists and legs to subdue the enemy before them. The Mayans once more fought alongside the wolves like their ancestors had before, as the legend goes.
When Edward killed the last guard near him, he found Pukuh. "Let's save your father."
"Onward, to the palace."
Edward and Pukuh ran past the villagers and the warriors killing the guards, and rushed to the steps of the limestone palace.
…
Christina stood at the edge of the forest, and ducked between some pines. She made her way to the back of the village and could see the fields. On the right side, nearest the pyramid, Christina noticed large corn stalks, then to the left of the corn was squash or possibly pumpkin, then tomatoes and other vegetables, and other things Christina didn't recognise at the far end.
The plant didn't appear to be big, but the picture could be deceiving. Christina examined Alexandre's drawing by moonlight. Once she was confident she could spot it, and reasonably sure that the field was clear of enemies, Christina and the wolf entered the farmland.
The smells of the plants, vegetables, and freshly turned soil ignited Christina's senses. Living on a ship had its advantages, but fresh produce was not one. Christina forced herself forward, lest she pick one of the corn stalks or tomatoes. The smell of lantern oil and sweat also helped bring Christina back to her mission.
She scanned the different plants by the subtle and pale light she was afforded, trying to discern which was which. Alexandre's drawing being exceptionally detailed was a boon, as Christina knew nothing of plants, especially the medicinal kind.
I hope none of these are poison.
As Christina was inspecting the plants, she heard footsteps behind her. She turned around to see a fat man with a musket reaching down for her. Before she could react, the wolf struck and suddenly blood spurted from the man's neck. The wolf released the man and backed away. The man gripped his throat with one hand, still alive. Christina lunged at him, pulled out her daggers, and thrust them into the base of his neck. He fell backwards with Christina on top of him. When he hit the ground she fell off him and onto some plants.
Christina quickly rose and pulled her daggers from the corpse. Her face and clothes were spattered with blood. The wolf appeared again in front of the body, and Christina pet it in thanks. The wolf panted, baring its tongue and bloody fangs, in delight. "I think I will name you Shadow. No, wait, too obvious. Tala… yes, I'm fond of that."
Christina went back to the plants and examined them as best she could, taking as much time as she felt she could spare. She narrowed it down to two different plants with the same features in the little amount of light. Even with daylight, She suspected she would still have issues differentiating them.
I don't have time for this. Christina took her pack off her back.
Christina emptied her supplies onto the ground until the pack was empty. She filled the pack with the two types of plants, root and all, taking what she hoped was more than enough to be able to cure Anne.
After Christina had filled the pack to the brim, she strapped it onto her back and ran into the forest, Tala following closely behind. As Christina passed the village she could hear the sounds of battle and war cries still raging.
I hope Edward is well.
Christina ran through the forest, the rush from the previous fight still pushing her on. Once Christina's energy wore off, she slowed down to a jog. She and the wolf pushed themselves the whole night to reach the ship as quickly as possible. Christina took a few short breaks, and shared some dried meat she'd pocketed before.
Christina was long past tired, pure determination driving her legs forward. She herself didn't know how she was still moving, but kept advancing for as long as her body would allow. Anne's life depended on Christina, and she would not let her, nor Edward, down.
When morning approached and Christina was close to the ship, something caused her and the wolf to stop in their tracks. Tala instantly began growling, pulling her front paws down and lifting the hind in an attack stance. Christina was too shocked at first and stood in stunned silence at what she witnessed.
You must be joking.
In front of Christina and Tala was a black bear. Fur dark as jet, beady eyes, large paws with sharp claws, and deadly teeth greeted them. The bear was a medium-sized male, three hundred pounds and much larger than Christina or Tala.
Before Christina could take a safe route around the bear, Tala lunged forward. Being predatory, Tala saw a threat despite there being no cause. Christina flung her hand out at Tala a moment too late. The two animals began fighting.
Damn. Alright then, time to test my skills!
Christina removed the pack, pulled out her daggers, and jumped into the fray.
14. The King & Blackwood
Inside the palace's main room, the light of the moon shone on a white man with a grey moustache. The man held a musket and was standing above the King, who was bound and lying on the stone floor. The old man leaned down and gripped the King by the cheeks, pulling his face forward.
"We've been fighting for days, I've taken control of your village, and I am losing my patience. I will ask you one last time, tell me where the gold is, or I will burn this village to the ground," the old man threatened.
The King spat in the old man's face. "There is your gold."
The old man backed up and cleaned his face with a handkerchief as a younger man kicked the King in the chest. "There is simply no reasoning with you, is there?" He turned to one of his subordinates. "Grab one of the villagers. Maybe killing his people one by one in front of him will loosen his tongue."
Before the man could fulfil the order, a gunshot sounded outside. The guards nearest the opening of the palace peered outside to see what the commotion was about.
"The villagers are putting up a fight," the young man reported.
"The men can handle a small uprising," the greying man said.
"I don't think so, the villagers have help." The young man pointed.
The older man walked over to catch a glimpse of what the younger man was talking about. "Well, those savages are making a right old mess of things, aren't they? We've work to do." The old man took his younger companion and the King away, leaving guards to cover them.
…
Outside the palace, Edward and Pukuh were ascending the limestone steps to the top. They could see the light of lanterns or a fire flickering between the stone columns.
Before reaching the top, Pukuh stopped Edward and motioned for him to move off the steps and onto the side. Pukuh went to the right and Edward to the left.
Edward peered over the edge of the stone building blocks. He could see two men facing t
he stairs with their muskets pointed forward, with another two men behind them. Edward and Pukuh stealthed their way to the top level of the palace, through the columns, and into the large palace room.
Pukuh threw his spear into the chest of the guard on the right. After a blood-curdling thunk, the man fell, dead. All eyes moved to the noise. Edward used his cutlass to impale a man through the chest from behind. When he drew the cutlass out the man fell face down and bled profusely onto the limestone. Pukuh used his knife to slice open a third man. Blood splattered over Pukuh's body as the man lost control over his limbs.
The last man fired his musket at Pukuh. The shot hit the Mayan warrior in the arm. Pukuh clutched the wound with his opposite hand. Edward swung his blade horizontally against the shooter. The power of the blow tore the musket to pieces and sliced open the shooter's stomach.
Edward rushed to Pukuh. "Are you well?"
Pukuh lifted himself off the floor. Blood seeped through his fingers. "I am fine. We must go. The only way out, aside from the steps, is to the roof."
Edward helped his friend walk forward, Pukuh showing the way to the roof of the palace. The two passed through several stone corridors and up a winding staircase until reaching the roof. Upon emerging they could see Pukuh's father and another older white man at the edge.
As Edward and Pukuh crossed the threshold of the stairs, they were greeted by two young men and musket barrels staring them in the face.
"Please, gentlemen, join us," the older man said. "Oh and drop your weapons, if you would be so kind."
Edward and Pukuh dropped their weapons to the ground, and they were prodded forward, closer to the edge of the palace roof. Pukuh's father was at the edge, on his knees, with his hands bound behind his back.
The wind blew coldly on the tall and open viewpoint Edward and Pukuh were perched upon. The two could see the entire village from where they were. From the pyramid, the tip of which reached the palace roof, to the religious stone buildings, and the many huts where the villagers lived.
The old man peered below, to where the fighting was nearing an end. His men were almost all killed and the villagers were freed. "Such a shame, they were good men… Oh well, more gold for me." The older gentleman with the long moustache moved closer to Edward and Pukuh. He lit a pipe and smoked, blowing a pungent yet sweet smell in their faces. "Strange bedfellows you have here, King. Who is this young chap?" he questioned, pointing to Edward.
"My name is Edward Thatch, also known as Blackbeard. I owe this village much, and I could not sit by and watch it be overtaken by anyone."
The old man whistled. "Seems we have a celebrity here, and our fortune doubles. There is a bounty on your head, pirate. We can turn you in after we are done here."
Bounty? No matter, I'd love to see how you will escape here, old man. "Speaking of your business here, what is that exactly?"
"Oh, I am glad you asked." The old man pulled on the rope tied around the King's hands, lifting him up. He then pushed the King out to the edge of the roof, precariously teetering on the brink. "Legend tells of a treasure of gold in this forest. We stumbled upon this village on our search. A Mayan civilisation still standing after all these years, with this much wealth in architecture? It must be where the gold is. If you know where the gold is, tell me now, or your King and benefactor will be taking a trip."
Edward and Pukuh both jerked forward on instinct with the threat. The men with the muskets pushed the barrels into their chests hard. Edward and Pukuh calmed themselves, but didn't give the old man any information. Edward couldn't tell the old man anything because he didn't know of where any gold was, or even if the old man was right.
"I see one of you is injured. So between the three of you, we have two natives who know the location, and one bystander. Can you guess which one of you is expendable?" the old man asked with a sneer. "Johnny, let our bearded friend rest his legs."
One of the younger men nodded, then backed up a few paces. He pointed his musket at Edward's leg and fired.
The bullet seared through Edward's thigh and he fell to the ground with a yell. Edward gripped the wound as it bled onto the stone roof. Johnny pointed a pistol at Edward's head, keeping the threat active.
"Now, the next one goes through his head. Which one of you will tell me where the gold is, hmm?"
Pukuh eyed his father intently. The King nodded to his son. "Alright, I will show you what you seek," Pukuh hissed through gritted teeth.
"Don't, Pukuh," Edward whispered between deep breaths. "Don't let this bastard win."
"We do not have much choice in the matter, Captain." Pukuh eyed Edward intently. "Follow me," Pukuh commanded, walking back to the stairs of the palace.
Edward stood and did his best to stay on his legs. He leaned on Pukuh for support as the two made their way slowly to the stairs.
The old man pulled the King back onto steady ground. "Now, your warrior here is clearly more reasonable than you are."
"You should have tied my legs too," the King scoffed.
The old man's eyes narrowed, and then he looked down at the King's unbound legs. The King reared back and kicked the old man in the chest, shoving him backwards over the edge of the roof. His body hit the stairs and tumbled down to the ground below. Each sickening thud sounded loudly through the whole village and drew all eyes. He was dead on the first step, and by the last his body was a mangled mess.
When the two younger men watched their boss fall off the roof, Edward and Pukuh grabbed their weapons and fired. With those three dead, Pukuh's village was freed from the white men who tried to take their treasure.
Edward, with his arm around Pukuh's shoulder and hopping on one leg, walked to the King. The three peered over the edge of the palace roof to the scene below. They could see the bloody and broken body of the old white man at the bottom of the palace stairs, and all the villagers gathered around.
Edward laughed. "Nice work, Sire. I didn't expect that at all."
"You did not receive my message?" Pukuh asked.
"Is that why you were staring at me? I told you, Pukuh, I don't have such a power. Stop thinking foolishness. Benjamin tricked you."
Pukuh folded his arms. "I don't believe you."
Pukuh's father ignored the exchange and instead overlooked his people who were gathered at the foot of the palace. "My son, and our brother Thatch, returned to save us!" he yelled over the side. "You owe them your thanks."
The villagers cheered and screamed their thanks to Edward and Pukuh. The two of them waved and smiled at the praise. Their timing could not have been more perfect, and they were able to help avert disaster, and hopefully on their own ship as well.
…
Their legs were heavy and tired beyond all concepts of fatigue, yet, through willpower alone, the pair continued to move forward, slowly. The one, shaggy fur matted with blood and gaping wounds everywhere, dragged one useless hind leg behind the three others. The other, on two legs, with bloody wounds and deep cuts, inched forward on a broken leg, the bone sticking out the back.
Christina breathed deeply, producing ragged, exhausted sounds. Her vision was doubled, and the world spun. She relegated her sight instead to the ground beneath her, watching as she forced the foot she could use forward.
A bit farther, she told herself.
Christina's animal companion, the wolf she'd named Tala, was beside her, in equally bad shape, or worse. Christina leaned on Tala and on a stick in her other hand.
The bear had done a number on the pair, but it now lay dead along the trail of the woods. Tala and Christina were a good team. They attacked together, with Tala drawing the bear's attention while Christina attacked it from behind. The two managed to kill the bear, but with the state they were left in, the gains scarcely outweighed the losses.
Christina missed her step and tripped over a branch. She fell to the ground, her body heavy and her mind on the verge of shutting down. She forced her face forward, focusing her eyes ahead. She could see bright sunlight in
front of her which could mean only one thing: the beach.
Christina pushed with her weak arms, trying desperately to rise, but she could only extend her arms halfway before they wobbled fiercely and collapsed. Nevertheless, Christina would not stop. She knew the crew was depending on her to bring the medicine back, and she would not let them down.
Christina once more pushed on her feeble arms to gain leverage. When she was about to fall again, Tala suddenly appeared underneath her chest and helped to lift her up. Christina was able to stabilise herself on her hands and knees, but she could no longer muster the strength to stand up now that she had fallen this far.
This is all I need. I can do this!
Together, with one arm wrapped around Tala, Christina and her wolf companion were able to keep moving forward. The clear goal in front spurred Christina onwards, and Tala instinctively sensed the mood, picking up the pace to help her ahead.
Christina and Tala passed the threshold as a pair, emerging into the noonday sun and falling forward onto the sandy decline of the beach. They fell and rolled over on their broken bodies twice before stopping and sliding on the sand.
The hot sun beat down on them. Christina's vision was on the sun high in the blue sky, and she did not possess the strength to move even her head anymore.
This is far enough, right? Please don't die, Anne.
Tears rolled down the sides of Christina's face as she drifted into unconsciousness. The plant medicine in the pack still on her back was there for the taking; her only hope was the crew would see her and find the plants for Anne.
…
"We have to hurry," Edward said as he tried his best to run, the wound on his leg hampering his abilities.
"I know," Pukuh replied. With the bullet wound on his arm, and the constant moving over the past days, even he was beginning to tire and slow down.
"I have a bad feeling about the bear corpse we saw." Edward turned his head, but he could no longer see the body.
"The bear had bite marks and strikes from daggers. Christina and the wolf with her killed it," Pukuh assessed.
Blackbeard's Revenge (Voyages Of Queen Anne's Revenge Book 2) Page 17