Translator:EndlessFantasy TranslationEditor:EndlessFantasy Translation

In the darkness of the night, a wave of uncertainty bathed over Orff. This was not how he imagined it to be.

He had been plotting revenge for fourteen years. After all the sacrifices he made for it to end so abruptly like this it was like a cruel joke. If Teach was still around, he might even consider abandoning this expedition and simply wait for the next opportunity.

Now that he was the only one left, Orff was uncertain if he was still able to continue down this road. He was way past his prime and getting older every day. His skills were deteriorating, and while time brought with it experience and wisdom, it could not make up for his lost youth. These days, every night, his back and legs would ache in his sleep. Every fight of his was getting more and more strenuous, and his wounds took a much longer time to heal as well.

He did not know if or when he would be presented with a chance like this ever again tonight was as best of an opportunity as he could get.

Although Teach had lost, the battle was not over yet. He still had the Queen Annes Revenge, loaded to the brim with 90 cannons and a complement of nearly 70 sailors. If managed well, they might still have a chance.

The problem was that once the news about what happened on the shore spread throughout the ship, the pirates on board would surely unanimously demand that they set sail immediately.

Fortunately, the only ones who knew about the matter were Owen and the eleven men he brought back. As per Orffs instructions, most of the pirates were on the ready by the cannons on the second deck. The few pirates on the first deck were some of Orffs most trusted men.

The helmsman was silent for some time. Then he said to one of the pirates, Go and tell the people down there that everything is as usual, and tell them to get prepared as per the original plan, and then, to wait patiently.

Owen, who was still pressing a hand against his abdomen, looked to be startled. Mr. Orff, as the boatswain of this ship, I cannot turn a blind eye to you trying to deceive the crew.

Orff looked around at the others and said, Will you give us a minute? He then turned to Owen, reached out, and said, How are you doing? Can you get up? Lets go talk in the captains cabin. I need to know the details of what happened before we can make a final decision.

Owen hesitated for a second but eventually got to his feet with the help of the old helmsman.

The two men arrived at the captains cabin. Orff closed the door and moved a chair over for Owen to sit. Once they were both settled down, he said, When and where were you attacked?

Whats the point of discussing this now? Owen smiled bitterly, but he answered the old helmsmans question. The battle started about twenty minutes ago. We were only a street away from the governor generals House Inn. We were basically retreating as we fought. To escape, we even set a guest house on fire!

You said that Elmer was killed instantly, which meant no one else knew what your actual purpose was, Orff muttered as he was deep in thought. The wedding ceremony will surely be postponed because of this, and Bellomonte wouldnt have escaped. The garrison will attack us soon enough. We should fight back first, give them a taste of something sweet, and once we have the attention of all the defending troops, well send twenty menno, fifteen should be enoughto the city to search for Bellomonte.

Im afraid youre a little irrational right now. Weve already lost. We dont have enough manpower on this ship to carry out that plan. Also, even if, under the premise that were able to attract the defending troops, and if we can gather 15 people, theres still no one suitable to lead them, said Owen as he shook his head.

Ill do it.

What?

I said that Ill lead them, declared Orff with confidence. Why? You think Im too old to get back on the battlefield?

I hope that you will be as wise as you were, and not act out of impulse and adrenaline, lest you might drag the ship into more dangerous situations, Owen said. What we need to do now is to accept defeat and leave this place, not continue to raise our stakes in a hopeless situation.

Interesting, Orff suddenly commented. This is the third time in five minutes that youre saying we have lost.

The boatswains brows furrowed. Isnt that typical? If you didnt keep throwing caution to the wind, pestering me to go along with your crazy plan, I wouldnt keep repeating that.

Orff ignored the remark and continued, From the moment you set foot inside the room, youve glanced at the clock at least four times. Why? Are you in a hurry?

Owen answered feebly, I can understand how youre feeling after tonights failure. I saw the captain being shot with my own eyes. Right now, I am just as grief-stricken as you are, but suspicion is not going to help us get through the difficulties were facing. The sooner we leave this place, the smaller the loss well suffer.

Perhaps youll allow me to guess why youre in such a hurry, Orff answered squarely. Could it be that if we wait a little longer, well find out that there are actually no troops chasing you? Or should I say that youre worried that the captain might come back soon and expose your deceitfulness?

The helpless smile on Owens lips faded away. This time, he said nothing.

Ive known you for so long, but this is the first time Im noticing your excellent acting skills, Orff jibed. I have to admitI nearly fell for it. Would you like to know how you gave yourself away?

Owen raised an eyebrow. Sure, lets hear it.

Ive seen that name list that you compiled for the advance team. You said you were with Teach when the battle started, but the eleven men you came back with were all from your own team. None of them were from Teachs team. Thats just too much of a coincidence.

Orff paused for a moment to let it sink in before continuing, Your plan for tonight is almost perfect. When the advance team arrived on the shore, they were completely disconnected from the ship. After your team and Teachs split up, you immediately faked evidence of a battle, killed the men who didnt belong to your group, then come back covered in blood with the sad-sob story about how our mission has failed. Most people would believe you without question. You knew how the crew would react if they heard thisthey would choose to leave this place. That way, you can easily get rid of the ships biggest threat, like blowing off a cloud of dust.

But with Teach gone, you are the most popular candidate for captain. Why would I go through all that effort so that you can replace Teach as Captain? Thats not very worth my while, isnt it? retorted Owen.

Me? No, no. Ive never been a threat to you. The failure of tonights mission will lead to a series of events. With so many casualties, someone must be held responsible. If youre not stupid, you will use this to challenge me. When that happens, I wont even become a helmsman, let alone become the captain.