A few of his men hurried behind him, while the others began walking their injured toward the forest. I heard them grumbling about the tragic loss as they wandered off.
Reliving the heartbreak myself, I stood there like a helpless fool until Barlow set his hand on my shoulder. “Are you all right, mate?”
“No.” I shook my head. “I am not all right and neither is Renard. I should go talk to him.”
“Just let him go, for now,” Barlow advised. “Look, we’ve all had one hell of a day. And it’s far from over. Let’s just focus on one thing at a time, quartermaster.”
“You’re right.” I pulled my axe from my belt and held it tight as I began the trek through the ominous woods of the unfamiliar land. Heart and body aching, I sighed under my breath, “And it’s far from over.”
Chapter 20
Treason Among Traitors
December 15th, 1646
Magie Norie proved to be a decent fellow. He was friendly and took excellent care of our men in a swift and efficient manner. The severely injured are now at ease in the hammocks lining the sick shack, sedated by the magical smoke the sorcerer insisted they inhale. Those of us who only needed our smaller wounds cleaned or stitched have been cared for, as well. High, drunk, and happy, most of the men are on their way to town to spend their few coins on only the Devil knows what. As for me, I decided to sit here under the palm thatched roof overhanging the porch outside of the sick shack, in case the injured need assistance.
The night is calm, quiet and still, but gory memories from the battle keep flashing through my mind, and the painful words Renard shouted at me are still ringing in my ears. But overall, I am just too tired to care. Too exhausted to fret over what was. At this point, I’m just thankful to be alive and glad to finally have a grip on the things that lie ahead. We now have a ship of our own and enough money to do what need be done to retrieve Burton’s cargo and get him back to his family. There is still some deciding to do as to whether we’ll be able to talk the men into sailing all the way to England, or if we’ll have to come up with something else. Either way, we are closer than ever before to completing our mission. And I certainly feel good about that.
As I put the journal in my sea bag, a bolt of lightning struck the heavens, lighting the sky and illuminating the bay. Taking in a quick and ghostly glimpse of the Spanish ships we’d taken possession of, I was reminded of the logbook I found in Captain Don Juarez y Moreno’s cabin.
Wanting to know more about what that Spanish dog had planned, I figured I’d try to decode another page if at all possible. After taking out the book, I scooted closer to the lantern burning by the doorway and used its glow to light the page Zaire and I left off on.
While trying to pluck out any familiar words—mind reeling over the mystery at hand—I heard footsteps shuffling across the sandy path. Holding tight to the hilt of my sword, I squinted in the darkness looming between Magie’s healing hut and the sick shack, and hoped I wouldn’t have to use it.
As the shadow entered the glow of my lantern’s light, I saw that it was Taino. He’d escaped the wreckage of Terra Grande on Escudo Dorado with Renard, and though I saw him among the crowd filling the healing hut, we hadn’t yet spoken. As he drew nearer, I let go of my sword and said, “Glad to see you alive and well, old friend.”
“Old friend, indeed.” The long haired, dark skinned man took a seat beside me. “It feels as if we have not spoken in many months.”
“Aye, yesterday seems like years ago.” I stroked my goatee.
He rubbed his forehead. “That is always how it seems when years of work are taken from us in one day. And it is always strange sitting to finally rest afterwards, wondering what in the world could be next.”
“Next,” I sighed, thinking about the many variables that could affect my future plans. Knowing the book in my hands could play a big part in that future, I patted the leather cover. “There are many paths ahead of us, and I have a feeling the information hiding in these pages could help us decide which route is best.”
“What is that?” He cocked a brow.
“The logbook I found on Isabella.”
His dark eyes widened. “That is quite a prize. Do you read Spanish?”
“No. Not yet, anyhow. But I need to learn. Those ships were to report to someone who will surely be wondering why they have not returned. And will come after them, eventually. It’d be wise to find out about their plans as to either stop them or at least evade them.”
“This is true.” Taino nodded. “There are many of them and they are relentless. They will not accept failure.”
“Neither will I. Do you happen to know any of their language?”
“Better than English,” he hissed as if he regretted the skill.
“Would you mind helping me decipher the message here?”
“I will always help any cause that will keep us free.”
Glad to have his assistance, I offered him a cigarro from my sea bag and then settled in to read.
Listening as I read—blowing rings of smoke and twisting the clouds around his finger—Taino spoke no words at all. He didn’t have to. The glimpses I caught of the stoic expression on his leathery face assured me that these words meant something to him.
Once I finished the section I’d been struggling through, I looked in his direction. Lantern light shone on his dark eyes, showing me a reflection of the horrors he’d witnessed with them throughout his lifetime. It was then that I saw a tear running down his cheek. He quickly brushed it away. For a moment he sat in silence. I gave him the time he needed. As I awaited his response, a thick wind whipped between the huts, stirring the bamboo and shell chimes that hung from the covered porch. Thunder rumbled in the distance and rain began to fall.
Inhaling a deep breath of moist night air, Taino sighed, “Well, it is a good thing we won that battle and a better thing that you found that book. And it is best of all that you can read.”
“What is it? What are they after?” I asked, trying to keep calm as to not rush him.
“Not only had they intended to clear the land of us, but to take the survivors as slaves.”
“Ah, shit. I saw the word for slaves in there, but I had not imagined it was us they meant to enslave.”
“We might be free and proud, but our lives mean nothing more to them than that of a donkey, maybe less.”
For some reason this bothered me far more than the thought of fighting over land. Thinking of how awful it would have been if they had succeeded with this outlandish plan, I shuddered a bit. “Does it say where they were going to take us?”
“Isla Inagua.”
“I saw that island on Jenson’s maps. It’s north west of here.”
“Yes, so we must keep wide eyes on that horizon. It says they were to meet up with a fellow patrol ship, Magdalena, and there they would have divided the prisoners among them as galley slaves. So, Magdalena will surely wonder what happened to the consort and will soon enough—as you said—set out in search of the missing ships.”
Adding this thought to my already rough future plans, I laid my face in my hands. “Well, I suppose we’ll need to share this word with our leaders and figure things out alongside them.”
“Burton is your captain, now?”
“Aye, and believe it or not, he nominated me as quartermaster.”
Taino grinned. “I heard them calling you by your title in the hut. Well done, Bentley. They were wise to vote you in. As for us, we didn’t do any voting and made no serious plans. Renard took charge, and no one questioned the fine job he did. He used to serve in the French Navy, so his knowledge of sea battle paid off.”
“I heard that he used to serve. I guess Gean was his master gunner. Gean told me all about what a great team they made.”
“Yes, but the country they were so loyal to, shoved them aside when they were no longer needed. That seems wrong and foolish on the part of France. It is dangerous to betray a man who was strong in your defense.”
&nb
sp; That line hit me hard. As I sat there pondering on it with brows furrowed, Taino stretched out his bloodstained arms and yawned, “As for me, I am currently bound to no one and nothing but my own desire, and that is also a dangerous place for a man to be.” He shrugged. “Do you think it would be alright for me to join your crew?”
“Of course,” I quickly answered. “Well, I think it’s fine. I am not sure how all this works. I suppose I’ll need to ask Burton. But he should agree. Among other reasons, it would be wise to have a trustworthy translator onboard.”
“Every man is good at something, and it seems you have a nice array of skills on your ship. As for you and your many talents, you are especially good at rolling cigarros. Someone must have taught you well.” He patted my arm. “Do you have anymore?”
“One more. You can have it.” I handed it to him.
He lit it and then lay down on the planks. “I hope you don’t mind, but I’ll be sleeping right here.”
“You’re just as free as I am.” I grabbed my sea bag—still stuffed with the clothes I grew out of—and balled it up to use as a pillow.
Lying there on my back, watching the smoke from Taino’s cigarro twirl in the dying lantern light, I listened to the soothing sound of falling rain.
One might think that by now, I would be tired of rain. This weather had brought upon me many treacherous storms. It was raining the night my grandfather died. The night Robert Hale first staggered up to my door, the skies were dumping cold wet liquid onto the face of the earth. Frozen raindrops fell in the form of snow the day my sister went home to the Lord, and I nearly met my fate by shipwreck due to the wrath of a treacherous rainstorm.
This kind of weather certainly served as a reminder of the dreadful past that had marred my soul, but more importantly, it replenished the seed bearing plants of the earth, quenched the thirst of the living, and always reminded me just how alive I was. Water sustains life, and rain would forevermore represent my will to persevere.
Closing my eyes, I thanked God for all there was to be thankful for and drifted off to sleep.
X
“Bentley! Bentley!” The faintly familiar voice awoke me from my restful slumber.
Sitting up on the porch, I rubbed my eyes and tried to make out the approaching man’s face as it came into focus. In the faint hint of morning light, I realized it was Tennison walking towards me. Odd. Stranger yet, he was alone and holding his hands up in a surrendered pose. “We need to talk, Bentley.”
Alarmed by his freedom as much as by his grim and dreary tone, I sprung to my feet and asked, “What are you doing here? Who set you free?”
Looking more assertive than ever, Tennison said, “I slipped away from the crew. I know you don’t want to hear that, but it was for a good cause.”
“Good cause?” Taino sat up beside me and scratched his head.
Judging by Tennison’s expression, and considering the secret shared between Burton’s original crewmembers, I asked Taino to give us a moment. Gladly, he went into the sick shack to see if anyone needed help.
Alone with the mutineer—who had been our well-behaved and reliable servant for the last few months—I suggested that he join me under the shade tree, far away from anyone’s earshot. Once we were at a safe distance from the huts on the property, I said, “What news do you bring?”
He took a deep breath. “Well, Smedley has stirred up some trouble that I believe you have the right to know about.” Dreading the possibilities, my heart sank into my gut as he went on, “It started when Renard came back to the ship last night, angry and crying about Naked. We’re all sorry about losing Naked but Renard was heartbroken to the point of madness. While he paced and cursed and damned you for letting it happen—which I know you didn’t—Smedley took advantage of Renard’s natural despair and started feeding his hatred for you with explanations of his own.”
Trying to contain my frustration, I laid my face in my hand and inhaled deeply. “What did he say? And how did Renard respond?”
Tennison answered, “Well, Smedley started off by agreeing with Renard’s irrational thoughts about the cause of Naked’s death, which quickly led to them bantering back and forth about how you are not the leader your followers claim you to be. Of course, Rupert joined in, stuttering and whining about the awful things you’ve done and the ways you’ve stomped on those beneath you to get what you want.
Their rambling caught the attention of the crew, and with all eyes on them, Smedley and Rupert began sharing their view of your exploits. They started talking about how you and Burton teamed up with Jenson to steer Autumn Moon off course for your unspoken agenda, and even shared some of the superstitious tales Clarence told about the whole thing. They roped them in good with the details of the shipwreck, and then painted the horrific picture of our misery on that island.
In their version of the story, you’re the one who crowned yourself as king of the island, taking advantage of everyone’s labors. And they told everyone that you killed Walsh as well as Boa, like nothing more than petty peasants who questioned your authority. They went on and on about the awful way you smashed in Boa’s skull. That part was all within the truth, but the reason they said you did it was far from what truly happened.” He paused and started twiddling his fingers, then stuttered, “They told them you killed Boa so you could steal the raft…the raft that Boa and his men worked so hard on.”
“God blind me!” I kicked a nearby rock. “I should have killed Smedley and left him to rot in the sun alongside Boa.”
Tennison took a step back.
Angrily, I paced and fidgeted and mumbled my thoughts out loud. “No one believed them, did they? How could they? Burton, Barlow, and Peckadennel have all talked about how hard we worked on that raft. And they’ve seen the care I show my friends. There’s no way they’d believe them over us.”
“Some of them were dumb enough to believe what they were being fed, but there were a small number of men who weren’t buying it. When they started questioning the integrity of the tale, those mutineers assured the group that they hadn’t seen you for the monster you truly are, yet. They said you had only been behaving because you were outnumbered and warned them that it was only a matter of time until you claimed your next victim. But worst of all, they said now that you have your own ship, you and Burton are setting out to capture a great prize that you plan to fund your next attack with.”
“A great prize?” I asked with my teeth clenched, dreading that they gave away the location of the cargo.
“Aye. Smedley told them about Burton’s buried cargo and offered to tell them where the island is, in exchange for him and Rupert to live free under Renard’s command.”
“How did Renard react to this offer?”
“He took it.” Tennison shook his head. “Whether out of personal vengeance or to appease the impassioned crew, I am unsure, but he insisted that you are a traitor to the brotherhood and had to be stopped before you hurt anyone else. Renard used their excitement to earn his official captaincy among them and promised to guide them on this hunt for the prize you were keeping from them.”
“So, that’s it? They elected Renard as captain and agreed to go after Burton’s cargo?” I threw my hands up in the air!
“Aye. Some of them were afraid to upset you, but most were convinced that it was a good deed to stop you, and others were just being greedy and wanted the loot. But me, well, I knew it wasn’t right. Once they let us free, I risked my neck to escape so I could come here and warn you. I know I let you down before, and I’ll never forgive myself for what I did, so I don’t expect you to, either. But I just had to tell you this. You’re a good man, as is Burton, and I know how important it is for him to get those goods so he can return to his family.”
Wanting to trust him, but unsure if I should, I leaned over to the position where I could see the bay through the trees. Escudo Dorado was gone. “They already left?” My voice cracked.
“Aye. They left with the dawn. I got here as soon a
s I could. If you leave now, you might catch them.”
I slapped my forehead. “Isabella still needs repair. I don’t even know where all of our men are. We’re not supposed to meet on deck till noon. And we are hardly capable of sailing that damn ship, anyhow.” I relayed my dilemmas out loud as I prepared my weapons. “But I know where that island is and I will stop them. And you’re coming with me.”
“Me?” He looked confused.
“Yes. If you’re lying, I’ll kill you for it, and if you’re not, we could use a helmsman like you. Burton is the only one who knows a damn thing about navigation and I’d rather have him focusing on our course instead of struggling to man the helm with his one arm.”
The smile that crossed his face led me to believe he was being sincere.
It would be a cunning ruse to lay my faith in this daring act of treason among traitors, but believing this backstabbing mutineer offered my only route to seek the truth, and find it I would.
X
In no time at all, Tennison, Taino, and I were rushing through the filthy alleyways of Tortuga, searching for our crewmen. The dirt pathways between the rough buildings and many tents were littered with bottles, crates, and clothing, and were also busy with clucking chickens, yawning goats, and growling dogs. There were even a few snoring drunkards lying around. Beyond the aroma of seasoned meat roasting over the damp wood of the many boucans positioned around town, the place smelled like shit and piss. It was hard to take a step without landing in nasty puddles and while dodging them, I identified a few of the lumps as human waste.
This wasn’t much different from the marketplace in Exeter, but it had been so long since I’d strolled the crowded walkways of an established community, it all seemed foreign and strange. Plus, the structure of the few buildings were unlike anything I had seen in England, and like on Hispaniola, there were no women here, only ill-kempt men.
King of My Nightmare (King of My Nightmare, Book 1): Endless Horizon Pirate Stories Page 32