Jack sighed. "I must admit, with everything that has happened, I find it hard to believe in God as well at times. Then I think on all the blessings He has provided me now, and it is easier to believe."
Edward contemplated Jack's words for a moment, but his mind was not swayed. Edward turned in his seat. "Herbert, you've been listening, yes? Can you tell us what you think?"
Herbert locked the helm and turned his wheelchair. He adjusted his glasses as he wheeled himself over to the table. "You mean about God or about the clue to the key?"
"The key. I think I've had enough theology for one day. No offence, Jack." Edward handed the paper to Herbert.
"None taken," Jack replied while tuning his violin.
Herbert examined the paper. After he read through, he folded the paper and gave it back to Edward. "Your assessment is sound. There is a book in the cabin below called Atlas Cosmographicae, would you mind grabbing it for me, Edward?"
"Certainly. I'll be back in but a moment." Edward went below and into the stern cabin, the war room, and after a few moments' search he found the Atlas and brought it back up to Herbert.
Herbert read through the dusty old tome, scanning different maps until he found a map of the known world. The map was separated into two half-circles with a line horizontally down the middle. The two circles were separated directly between the New and the Old world.
Edward laughed. "This is perfect. This map shows exactly where the island should be."
"Yes, and we should arrive in about two to three weeks," Herbert estimated.
"But, Captain, what about the last part about needing two crews?" Jack asked, pointing in the general direction of the paper.
"We'll need to return, but there's no harm investigating."
"Fair enough."
Edward gathered the crew and let them know the plan. After the crew realised this was for the last key, they cheered and wanted to feast and break out the strong stuff, but Edward dispelled all hope of merriment.
"You may celebrate and feast after we retrieve the key. Currently, there is nothing to celebrate, but I can assure you once we are done we will have a party to end all parties!" Edward exclaimed.
Much to Edward's dismay, but simultaneous delight, his comment elicited more cheering than before. He was eventually able to calm the crew and focus them on work so they could head to the next island.
When the Freedom reached the estimated spot of the equator, Herbert travelled from east to west, moving north and south in a zigzag along the equator to maximise sight for the crew.
Edward peered through a spyglass onto the open sea. The air filled Edward's lungs with the feeling of the sea and invigorated him despite the monotony of their task. Days passed with his and others' eyes behind spectacled vision.
"What I don't understand is how this island was not found before," Edward said to no one in particular.
"Is that really so odd, brother?" Pukuh asked as he joined Edward at the starboard railing on the waist.
"Pukuh, I haven't seen you in ages."
"All this trickery and deception is not my strength. I am a warrior. The only deception I use is when I resemble the tiger stalking my prey."
"Yes, well I'm rather glad we didn't have to resort to a battle to save Nassir. I don't think we would have been as lucky as our previous battles. So you think this island not being found is normal?"
Pukuh leaned against the railing. "Well, yes. Benjamin created this for you, so it is natural you should be the first to find the island."
"What about the last island that Daniel Richardson found?"
"He was meant to find that island, as you are meant to find this one."
Edward stroked his beard. "You say it so elegantly, but perhaps I should ask how, then. How would no one find this island?"
Pukuh shrugged his shoulders. "How would none be able to open the locks on this ship? How does a man have a golden arm? How were any of the islands we travelled to created? How does one travel from the future? These are things men are not able to explain. Over what we have seen, is a lost island so hard to believe?"
"Well, when you put it that way," Edward said, turning around and leaning on the railing with Pukuh.
"My father, after regaling me with amazing stories about his adventures with Benjamin Hornigold, said to me: 'My son, I tell you truthfully, if Benjamin wanted to stop the sun in the sky, he could do so. That man makes the impossible possible.'"
Edward, still sceptical despite all evidence to the contrary, folded his arms. "He must have been some man."
"You two are alike, but perhaps you are a bit more."
"A bit more what?"
"You have done impossible things, and you are being moulded by Benjamin. Soon, I think you can surpass him. If I stay with you, maybe I will see you stop the sun in the sky. Then I will tell my father: this man made the day stand still."
Edward laughed and slapped Pukuh on the back. "You truly do have a vivid imagination, Pukuh."
"Captain!" a man in the crow's nest yelled. "I see land off the port bow."
"Good work, Richard." Edward turned to the stern. "Herbert, did you catch that?"
"Aye, Captain. Changing course now." Herbert spun the helm to port, turning the ship southwest.
As the Freedom drew closer to the island, many of the crew crowded around the bow of the ship to watch. Some were on the waist, others hanging off the rigging, and some standing on top of the railing or on the shoulders of others.
The island itself was large and covered in foliage. Palm trees surrounded the island without end, and was too thick to see through. Edward had Herbert do a circle around the whole island, which took several hours, but eventually Edward found what he was searching for on the expansive beachfront.
There. A path between the palms. "Land us here, Herbert!" Edward yelled.
Herbert turned the ship to the island and commanded the crew to trim and furl the sails, then drop anchor. The ship slowed until gently gliding to a stop just off the shore.
Edward and nearly the whole crew departed in longboats to the island below. Edward led them through the path. The path so cleanly led through the multitude of palm trees, it had to be man-made.
The canopy of palms swayed with the wind from the ocean, rustling and crinkling as if they were trying to say something to each other or the visitors to their island. The grass too sang its own song for the crew of the Freedom as they passed by.
The crew was taken in by the beauty of the island so greatly that when Edward happened upon a set of stone steps he nearly stubbed his toe. His jaw dropped with what he saw.
In front of Edward, two massive stone platforms stood side by side up a set of steps. Beyond the stone platforms was an impossibly tall wooden carving of an angel with a spear standing atop a devil, ready to strike. On the left and right of the carving were two giant stone double doors. The doors were covered by a spiked wooden wall which extended as far as Edward could see, and by his guess around the whole island.
Edward climbed the steps to the top. He noticed a moss-covered stone tablet between the two platforms. He pulled off the slimy and slick moss to reveal a carved tablet depicting people climbing onto the platforms and opening the stone doors.
Edward turned around to the crowd. "Alright, I want half of you to step onto the left platform, and the other half onto the right platform," he yelled.
The crew followed their captain's direction and separated as best they could into halves. Once everyone stepped onto the platforms, nothing happened. The stone doors didn't move an inch.
Edward addressed the crew once more. "Everyone on the left platform, I want you to move to the right platform."
Edward ascended the right platform once more as the crew on the left joined him. As more and more of the crew stepped onto the right platform it slowly descended with the weight until the platform became completely flush with the top of the steps.
Rumbling started underneath their feet. The stone double doors left of t
he angel and demon opened. When the door was fully open, the rumbling stopped.
The crew stepped off of the right platform to investigate, but as soon as a few left the stone doors closed. Edward called them back, and the door opened again.
"Anne, see what's beyond the door, would you please?" Edward asked.
"Certainly," she replied.
Anne went to the left stone door and peered inside. "There's not much to tell, really. There is a path leading to the left with high walls, and a platform fifty feet ahead. Do you want me to head inside?"
"No. Come back." Anne followed Edward's direction. "Now, to the left platform."
The crew moved to the left platform, and this time the right stone door opened. Anne passed through the right door and examined what lay beyond.
"This side is the same as the other, but mirrored. A path leading to the right and a platform down a ways," Anne yelled.
"Alright, come back. I have an idea of what we need to do." Anne did as requested and returned to the platform as the crew descended the steps and sat down. The only ones left up the small set of steps were Edward, Anne, and Henry.
Edward folded his arms and sat on the edge of the left platform. "We'll need help to proceed through this trial, and not the help Captain Smith provided last time." Edward alluded to the marine captain who chased them halfway around the world before Edward was finally captured and sent to prison. "We need a pirate crew who will cooperate with us on this."
"Do you have one in mind?" Henry asked.
"Well, I think the choice is obvious. We need to find Bartholomew Roberts and the Fortune."
"How do you expect to find Mister Roberts?"
"How did you find him to help us escape Portsmouth?" Edward asked the two of them.
Anne leaned against the right platform. "Well, we found Roberts rather by accident, or we had the good Fortune, if you would," Anne said with a smirk, "to be found by him. He heard, as the world had, about your capture, and the Bodden Brothers pointed him in our direction."
"Perhaps Roberts left a way to find him with the Boddens, or with the Boddens' information network they may be able to find them anyway."
Henry stepped down from the platform he was on. "So, back to Bodden Town then?"
Edward stood up. "Yes. Back to the ship, men."
Anne stepped ahead, and Edward followed down the steps, but Henry's hand on his shoulder stopped him. "Edward, can we talk for a bit?"
Anne stopped halfway down the steps, waiting for the two of them. "Go on ahead Anne, I'll catch up," Edward said. Anne nodded and headed back to the ship with the crew. Edward sat down, and Henry sat opposite him. "So what did you want to talk about, Henry?"
"I'll make this brief. I want us to make a stop in Badabos."
Edward's brow shot up. "Our hometown? Why?"
"I haven't seen my family in two years. I want to see my mother. I want to see if she's doing well."
"How to say this delicately… No."
"Why not?" Henry asked, anger seeping into his tone.
"Going back is too dangerous, Henry. The people of Badabos know us, and they've seen the ship before. I'm not subjecting the crew to danger because you're homesick."
Henry stood up from the platform. "We can land the ship on the north beach, away from the harbour, only a five-minute walk through the woods to town. None would know we arrived, and I can disguise myself."
"A disguise, really? That's your plan?" Edward scoffed. "You and your father are well known in Badabos, you're bound to be recognised."
Henry motioned towards Edward. "All I need to do is don as big a beard as you and no one will recognise me. Hell, the way you are you would never be spotted either."
Edward was going to object immediately, but shut his mouth for a moment. "You know, that is true. My appearance has changed in these two years. This could work."
"See? Trust me. Everything will be fine. I'll see how my parents are, and then leave. We'll stay a day at most."
Edward folded his arms and stared at Henry. "I don't enjoy our hometown, but I don't want my personal distaste to affect my judgement, so we'll visit for one day."
Henry embraced Edward tightly. "Thank you, Edward."
"Don't make me regret my decision."
"I promise, you won't."
25. The Black Death
The Freedom landed on the north side of the island of Badabos. Some Badabos natives had joined Edward and Henry before they were labelled pirates, but few were left. John was one of them, but he, along with most, decided to stay on the Freedom and opted to send a representative with letters and money.
"John, why don't you join us? If you don a disguise I'm sure no one would recognise you either."
"N-no, Captain, I think I should stay on the ship. The more people we send in the more risk we take. Besides, I don't have any family to see."
Edward frowned. "Well, as long as you're sure."
"I am sure. Please be careful."
"I will."
Edward and Henry travelled into town with a few of the crew. Pukuh insisted on helping gather supplies so he could stretch his legs. He wore civilian clothes, but he somehow managed to carry a concealed spear.
While walking through the forest, Edward and Henry recounted childhood misadventures together in those very woods. The crew smiled at the light-hearted nostalgia amongst the friends.
When they reached town the crew left Edward and Henry, heading off to do their business. "Are you joining me, Edward?" Henry asked. "I'm sure my mother would love to see you as well."
"No, I don't wish to intrude. I will walk around town for a bit then head back to the ship. You can tell your mother I said hello."
Henry nodded and left to see his home for the first time in two years. Edward watched as Henry jogged away between the houses.
Well, now what? Edward scratched his head.
As he glanced about, the town brought back memories for Edward, both joyous and melancholic. The hate he held in his heart was vaporous, like trying to grab smoke. Edward could see the bad memories, but all he caught in his net was nostalgia.
Memories of Henry, Robert, and Edward playing in the streets, going to school, working in the fields. A face long since forgotten filtered into Edward's consciousness as well: Lucy, his former flame. I wonder if she is still here.
"So where are we headed, Captain?" a woman's voice asked behind Edward.
Edward turned with a start. Behind him stood Christina in a leather vest and a loose tunic underneath. She also wore comfortable trousers and boots.
"What are you doing here?"
Christina placed her hands on her hips. "Am I not allowed on shore?"
"Well, you are, but…"
"As I understood, anyone was allowed ashore as long as they wore a disguise if they were from here. I'm not from here, so there's no risk, correct?" Edward pursed his lips. "I'll take that as a no. Now, I want the full tour. I want to see where the great Blackbeard grew up." Christina grabbed Edward's arm and led him through the streets and into the town.
The two walked along a small market street curving up from the harbour. Christina was more fascinated by the market in Badabos than any island she had been to before. She was laughing and pulling Edward along the whole time, eliciting chuckles from passersby.
When Christina bent down to admire some wares from a local merchant, her wooden rose necklace dangled out in front of her.
"What a pretty necklace," the merchant commented.
Christina glanced at her necklace and smiled. "Thank you." She leaned closer and held the pendant out so the merchant could see better.
"Impressive quality. Would you be willing to part with it?"
"No!" Christina snapped, anger flashing forward in an instant. She pulled the necklace close in a protective stance and eyed the merchant like she would a lecherous vagrant. Others in the market stared at Christina and whispered to each other.
Edward placed his hand on Christina's shoulder, making h
er jump. She became aware of the eyes on her, and the way she'd acted to the merchant. Christina sincerely apologised to the merchant and explained how the necklace was sentimental. The merchant accepted her apology, and the mournful empathy in his eyes told her he understood what the pendant meant to her.
Edward and Christina traversed the market street for a few more minutes. Christina stared at the ground, melancholy painted on her face, while her fingers unconsciously caressed the rose.
Edward grabbed her hand and pulled her to the northern side of the town. He took her through the different whitewashed and brown houses and stores until they reached the edge of Badabos.
"Where are we going, Edward?" Christina asked.
"To the only spot which matters to me in this stinking town," Edward replied.
Edward took Christina to a small grassy hill which went higher and higher until the whole town was visible at the peak. At the edge there was a straight drop of about two hundred feet to the ocean below. Edward sat at the edge, overlooking the ocean. Freedom had arrived in Badabos at about noon, and now the sun was halfway to setting on the horizon. Christina sat down beside Edward, their feet dangling in the air.
"Before we set out on our journey, I, Henry, and our friend Robert Maynard used to come here nearly every day. We used to play games, tell stories, and talk about the ports we would visit when we were older." Edward smiled as he recalled those halcyon days.
"Who is Robert Maynard?" Christina asked.
"Do you remember before we stole the Freedom back from Portsmouth, when we bound a marine before departing?" Christina nodded. "That marine was Robert Maynard."
"Oh." Christina laid her hand on Edward's. "That must have been difficult."
Edward gave her a hollow smile before staring at the ocean and the bright sun. The wind breezed gently through his black and her strawberry-blond hair.
"Can I tell you a secret?"
"Of course."
"Betraying Robert wasn't difficult for me at all. I acted without hesitation, and I don't feel ill over what I did. The one thing I feel is confusion over how I don't feel anything."
"Why should you? He would have stabbed you in the back if he had the chance."
Blackbeard's Revenge (Voyages Of Queen Anne's Revenge Book 2) Page 27