Port of Errors

by Steve V Cypert

  Captain Stirvin stood outside the cell, while Black-Hearted stood and walked close enough to keep the conversation quiet and too low for Kenneth or Alfonso to hear.

  “In all my years,” whispered Black-Hearted, “I never thought I would be in such a situation with my best friend.”

  “I don’t know what to say, Davy. Why did you allow such a thing? I know your wound isn’t as bad as you let on. I was told it was barely a scratch.”

  “I can’t do this anymore. It was the only way out and the only way to keep you safe. You’re the only family I know, Joseph. You’re like a brother to me. Even now, I can hold no ill-will against you. Whatever happens to me; if I die, you need to know I died a better man.”

  They continued to talk and quietly reminisce. Black-Hearted pressed unusually close as they spoke.

  Just then an officer ran down to the cells. “Captain, we need you topside, Sir!”

  Captain Stirvin glanced back at Black-Hearted. “I’ll be back,” he said, as he turned and walked up to the main deck.

  The officer updated him on the current situation as they made their way. “There are two longboats afloat in the water.” Pointing out the longboat in the distance, the officer insisted, “One of them looks like it could be ours, Sir.”

  Once they were close enough they could see a man hunched over inside one of the boats holding a second individual. It was Nathan Crapo, one of Black-Hearted’s men.

  Captain Stirvin’s heart sank when he could see that Nathan was holding a woman. His face turned pail and his whole body went numb.

  “No!” He yelled, as he jumped hastily into the sea and climbed aboard the longboat. There lay Katherine, his wife. Pushing Nathan aside, Captain Stirvin quickly took her into his arms. His eyes stared into nothingness, tears streaming down his sun drenched face. All his thoughts were tangled in an unrelenting knot of emotion.

  “Katherine!” he cried, as he rocked her back and forth. “Not my Katherine!”

  Her limp body swayed with his every move, her hair blowing about in the silent breeze.

  Placing Katherine’s head gently down, he took Nathan by the shirt and yanked him close, pleading, “What happened to my wife?”

  Nathan replied, “The lad that escorted your wife; he joined himself with another ship, as did Isabel. It was Isabel that shot your wife when she tried to escape.”

  “Where did they go?” asked Captain Stirvin. “Did they say where they were going?”

  “I heard them say Port of Errors. There was nothing I could do.”

  “Who was it that took her? Tell me and you might escape your own deadly fate.”

  “I don’t know, but it was a large ship. The name on her bow read the Blue Raven.”

  The Brier Sea pulled alongside of the longboat, opposite the Crimson Reef. Captain Stirvin boarded the Brier Sea, transferring his wife’s body safely aboard as well. After securing her body, Captain Stirvin instructed Nathan to follow him aboard the Crimson Reef. “Have this man placed in irons,” ordered Captain Stirvin, as he shoved Nathan into the hands of a few of his men. “Take him to a cell below deck.”

  Trailing behind, William’s Revenge could barely be seen following, being so weighed down with the extra men.

  “Change course!” shouted Captain Stirvin. “We sail for Port of Errors.”

  “But what of Scurvy, Captain,” asked one of the officers.

  “He’ll not get far on a day’s lead. We’ll have him in chains before the week is up.”

  Over the course of the next hour Captain Stirvin didn’t speak or move, as he stood pondering. He would never hold her in his arms again. The thought of going through life, without his dear wife, made each minute all the more unbearable.

  Leaving the next high-ranking officer in temporary command over the Crimson Reef, Captain Stirvin boarded the Brier Sea accompanied by two young sailors, Justin Walker and Ryan Warrick. He needed more time alone with Katherine in the captain’s chamber to gain proper closure. The two young sailors were to stand guard just outside the doors and were to remain there until Captain Stirvin reemerged.

  As the top of the hour approached aboard the Crimson Reef, the cell guards were due for a change. When the relieving guard entered the bilge, something was different, it didn’t seem right. He took extra caution in his steps. Alfonso was sitting up in his cell, smiling and taunting him closer, in a luring fashion.

  As he walked a bit closer he could see the guards on the ground near Black-Hearted’s cell. Their weapons were missing and the cell door was open wide. From the darkness of the shadows, two hands reached out and grabbed him. A dagger was placed firmly at his throat. Nathan continued to hold the guard, as Black-Hearted walked into the open.

  “You won’t make it out alive,” uttered the guard, “with or without a hostage.”

  “Don’t fret for my sake, I’ll take my chances. Unfortunately for you, I’ll be needing your assistance.”

  “We’re still moving and there are close to a hundred men. How do you think you are going to escape?”

  “Don’t ask,” he replied with that same devilish smile he’s known for. “Trust me. You don’t want to know.”

  As the crew vigilantly kept their course, a barrel labeled “salt” unexpectedly rolled down the center of the main deck, leaving a trail of black powder. The barrel slammed against the mainmast. As the crew looked to the origin of the barrel, there stood Black-Hearted with a small dirk held against the guard’s neck. Nathan, Kenneth and Alfonso stood right behind him with two unconscious guards slung over their shoulders.

  Black-Hearted held a small flintlock pistol in his other hand. “Hello me hearties,” he jested, smiling with a mischievous grin. Firing his pistol, the trail of black powder lit up with a bright flash of white smoke, igniting a flame that raced toward the barrel.

  Total chaos quickly ensued, as the crew ran from the barrel. In all the confusion, Black-Hearted scurried for a way off the ship, followed by Alfonso, Kenneth and Nathan. Using the chaos as a cover, they flung grappling hooks over to the Brier Sea and jumped ship along with most of the crew. Still under fire from a few sailors, Alfonso was hit and dead before he could hit the water. The pull of the Brier Sea yanked the others with a sudden jerk toward her hull.

  The flame finally reached the barrel, causing a disastrous explosion that rattled the ship. Captain Stirvin, still aboard the Brier Sea, busted out of his cabin having heard the enormous explosion. All he could do was stand back in unbelief and watch as his beloved ship was destroyed and deserted.

  A large hole was cratered in the center of the main deck, as the mainmast fell on to the quarterdeck. Splinters of lumber and rope came down like hail, as a blanket of fire covered the ship’s topside.

  Black-Hearted, Kenneth, and Nathan slammed into the Brier Sea still holding to their grappling lines, which were unfortunately longer than the height of the hull. They quickly slipped along the hull, until they were sucked underneath the surface of the water. But they continued somehow to hold with a steady grip. Their pants began to shred from the force of the sea and razor sharp barnacles, which cut through to their skin. The geriatric old men aboard the Brier Sea took a hold of the grappling lines and pulled with all their might.

  “Pull!” yelled Sterling, joining in. “Pull harder.”

  Soon Kenneth’s head emerged from the water followed by Black-Hearted and Nathan. Against the friction of the sea, they pulled free of the water and proceeded up the side of the ship, completely exhausted. Bleeding, beaten and battered, they finally managed to board the Brier Sea.

  Black-Hearted approached Captain Stirvin, “Sorry Joseph. But we all needed our freedom.”

  “What about my men? We can’t just let them drown out there in the open sea.”

  Father Morgan spoke up. “There’s still one more ship following us.” He pulled out his telescope to show Captain Stirvin.

  “It’s William’s Revenge,” said Captain Stirvin, after spying it out. “You’re right. Captain Nokes
can fish them out. Besides it’ll slow him down. I’ve nothing left to lose. I’ll join with you if it means we catch the Blue Raven.”

  Captain Stirvin enlightened Black-Hearted of the situation, informing him of Isabel’s presence aboard the Blue Raven. Sterling then relinquished his command to Captain Stirvin and Black-Hearted.

  “Tighten the riggin’s!” hollered Black-Hearted. “The time has come to test our fate. To Port of Errors we go – and the Blue Raven!”

  Blinded by the recent death of his beloved wife, Captain Stirvin’s mental state was too compromised for him to be in command. A self-realization of his condition led him to a feeling of disconnect. He knew he was incapable of leading a crew at this time. To the contrary, Black-Hearted was more intense in his pursuit. His knowledge of Isabel’s forced presence aboard the Blue Raven pushed him to lead the crew with much greater determination and vigor. Captain Stirvin retired for the time being, waning within the captain’s chambers to morn over his beloved and dearly missed wife. Contemplating everything that had occurred over the last few days, he was devastated and needed time to heal; time he didn’t have.

  The farsighted old lookout soon shouted with notable excitement, “Off the portside bow, a ship heading westward away from Port o’ Errors.”

  Black-hearted took his telescope and ran to the portside gunwale atop the quarterdeck, shouting, “Aye, the Blue Raven she is, mates!”

  With enough push in her sails and only a few degrees difference in course, the Brier Sea could possibly intercept her.

  Justin Walker and Ryan Warrick, the two sailors standing guard outside the captain’s chamber, informed Captain Stirvin of the sighting.

  Captain Stirvin was concerned for the well-being of his wife’s remains. Before they continued on, he had Justin and Ryan lowered with Katherine’s body into a longboat and sent them on their way to Port of Errors, only a couple of miles away.

  Sir Fouste spotted Captain Stirvin in his attempt to head him off. Looking through his telescope, Sir Fouste confirmed, with a quizzical snicker, “A host of old men?” His face grew bitter as he questioned, “What am I that I should be thought of as such easy prey? Am I not a worthy opponent?” Taking a more careful look, he identified Captain Stirvin. But, as he took a closer look, he also recognized Black-Hearted! “What is this?” he wondered. Laughing to himself snidely, he quipped, “Together again, huh? They’ll try and head us off. She’ll drag heavy in the wind with her damaged bow and they’ll never catch up. Keep a straight course!”

  But as the Brier Sea gained some ground, Sir Fouste began to worry. Soon all hearts were racing.

  Captain Stirvin ordered, “Prepare the Cannons! Keep her steady!”

  “He gains, but we’ve the advantage!” stated Sir Fouste, confident in his course.

  Within sixty yards of the impending collision, a rush of adrenaline swelled through their veins as every limb tensed up for the impact.

  “We’re going to collide!” yelled Mr. Hall.

  “Brace for impact!” shouted Captain Stirvin.

  Slightly ahead of the Blue Raven and nearing her stern, Captain Stirvin was sure to ram them as he had hoped. The Blue Raven darted out a bit further, as the wind bloated her sails with a constant force.

  Unable to maintain her speed, the Brier Sea could not hold enough wind in her sails. Though, she still managed to clip the portside stern of the Blue Raven. Snagging a heavy line on the Blue Raven’s aft mast with her bowsprit, the Brier Sea was too weak at the bow, allowing the Blue Raven to snap her bowsprit at the base. Large slivers of wood flew through the wind and out to sea. As bow and stern met for that one brief moment, they were about to fire, when Black-Hearted spotted Isabel. “Hold your fire! Isabel is on the main deck!” Then turning to Isabel, he exclaimed, “Jump, Izzi, Jump!”

  Nathan knew that Isabel was not what she seemed, calling out to Black-Hearted, “You mustn’t put you trust in that woman!”

  But Black-Hearted would not hear him.

  She looked to Sir Fouste with a tainted grin, standing just behind the gunwale. Turning back to Black-Hearted she extended two small pistols, pulling the trigger on the first. Dumbfounded, Black-Hearted could not think clearly enough to move. As the doghead slammed down to ignite the gunpowder within the chamber, Captain Stirvin lunged forward, pushing him out of harm’s way. Letting off her second and last round, before dropping below the gunwale, Isabel laughed with ill-pleasure and fired.

  Father Morgan shrieked out in pain as Mayor Longfellow darted over to his side with Sterling. “Morgan,” he cried. Kenneth and a few others returned fire with urgent vehemence.

  Father Morgan smiled. “Now I can die in peace – and God, forgive me.”

  After careful examination of the wound, Mayor Longfellow stood in open disappointment. “You were barely grazed in the arm,” he stated, “You’re not dying, you old fool.”

  “I’m not?” replied Father Morgan, a bit surprised. “Well, it sure felt real enough. It hurt like the plague.” Relieved, Father Morgan smiled, releasing a little flatulence from the excitement.

  As the two ships were about to pass, Sterling gave the order, “Fire.”

  All cannons on his starboard side exploded at once, hitting the Blue Raven on the portside with an astonishing blow. The back end of her keel sustained significant but manageable damage, with a minor fraction that shook the whole vessel.

  “They must have damaged the keel,” replied Royal Hawkins. “Nothing else could have shaken us in such a way. We cannot afford to take another blow like that. We’ll be crippled.”

  Sir Fouste returned fire with several sporadic blasts. A few minor but successful hits damaged the Brier Sea on the upper deck. The firing continued for a small while. But to no avail, the Blue Raven sailed on, leaving the Brier Sea too far behind to catch up.

  Sir Fouste taunted the Brier Sea with a mocking salute and a farewell wave.

  Captain Stirvin stood with a ready musket and fired. Sir Fouste fell backward with no outward sign of recovery.

  Black-Hearted could only watch as the Blue Raven sailed off into the distance with Isabel. Captain Stirvin placed a wary hand on Black-Hearted’s shoulder from behind. All color seemed to fade from Captain Stirvin’s expressionless face as he gasped for air.

  “Joseph?” questioned Black-Hearted. “Joseph!”

  Growing weaker, Captain Stirvin slumped down into Black-Hearted, who cushioned the fall into his lap.

  Black-Hearted discovered a wound to his belly, where the blood soaked through his shirt.

  Captain Stirvin then whispered in his ear, helping him to understand what needed to be done for both of their sakes. In turn, Black-Hearted called on Father Morgan, who joined in the conversation.

  “This man’s wound is fatal,” insisted Father Morgan. “There is nothing more we can do.”

  Turning to Captain Stirvin, Black-Hearted became all the more undone. “You can’t die now.”

  As he cradled him to the captain’s chamber, placing him on the bed, Black-Hearted continued, “I just found you, you’re not going to leave now.” Black-Hearted was determined to save his long lost friend. But as time was crucial, time was running out.

  Chapter XVIII

  Not far from Port of Errors, the Brier Sea soon arrived, dropping anchor beyond the surrounding reef. Holding Captain Stirvin, Black-Hearted rowed in to shore with Sterling, Father Morgan, Kenneth and Nathan.

  “Hold on, Joseph,” pleaded Black-Hearted.

  Justin and Ryan, who had brought Lady Stirvin in, waded just off shore to help them in.

  “Captain!” yelled Justin, as he and Ryan ran toward Black-Hearted, baring their pistols. “What have you done?”

  Not at all concerned, in the moment, about the number of men standing against them, Justin and Ryan stopped when they realized how many weapons were actually pointed at them.

  “Set down your arms or be shot,” demanded Sterling. As they complied he continued, “Now, step away.”

  Mayor Lon
gfellow quickly gathered up their pistols, as Black-Hearted placed Captain Stirvin on the ground taking a humble knee beside him. Trying to help Justin and Ryan understand, Kenneth explained, “Captain Stirvin took a blow to the belly. This was not the doing of Black-Hearted or any of us here.”

  Captain Stirvin lifted his head, attempting to speak to Justin and Ryan. He then ordered them, “Allow these men do as they need. I am still your commanding officer and you will do as you are told. Now, where’s my wife?”

  “She’s in the longboat, Sir,” confirmed Justin. “What will you have us do?”

  “I wish to see her. Bring her to me.”

  Justin and Ryan hurried to the boat where Katherine lay. Just knowing they would no longer be a threat, put the men more at ease. Father Morgan took a knee by Captain Stirvin and offered him a drink from a small metal vial, for comfort from pain, before slipping out of consciousness.

  Arriving with Lady Stirvin’s body, Justin and Ryan laid her gently by his side. Captain Stirvin smiled as he looked to his dear wife, caressing her face one last time. Then, becoming limp, his hand slipped to the ground. Black-Hearted could no longer contain his emotions as he cradled Captain Stirvin in his arms, weeping like that of the child he once was at the orphanage. He pulled the dirty old cloth from his pocket, stained with those very memories long since passed. He wiped the dirt from brother’s face, as he considered him to be.

  “May God rest your soul,” he stated in deep sentiment. “I’ll see you soon.”

  Justin and Ryan were astonished at the care and love Black-Hearted openly displayed for Captain Stirvin.