Prisoners (ch 4)
1705-1706
With the sun setting to the east and night fast approaching, life on Nassau never rested. The streets were filled with lights and color and music playing all around you. It was a time of merriment and enjoyment. A perfect time to attack the fort. While in town, damian and some of the crew went scouting of how to get in the fort. The look along the base, the midsection, everywhere, yet there was no opening to make. If they can't find a way into the fort, these the plan will never succeed. All seemed lost until Damian saw some commotion happening at the front gate. Peeking his head, he saw a group of sailors entering the fort, they were flints men. What is going on on this island, pirates being welcomed in a nation's fort, Nassau is a strange place indeed thought Damian. Then the sailors disappeared into the fort, and the soldiers returned to their posts. That's when damien got an idea, a clever one at that. He sent of his men to rally everyone near the fort.. Once everyone had arrived, he explained to everyone his masterful plan.
“okay, here's the situation, there are two guards stationed at the entrance of the fort. we need a distraction to draw them away from it. once that happens, myself, jonathan and smith will make our way into the fort and find flint and his crew, when we find him, will kill him, cut off his head, and make our way out of that fort if possible. but before that happens, i need to chose one of you to lead the crew just in case we don't make it out alive.” He studied each man very carefully and most importantly quickly, time was not on their side. At the very end, he noticed a man around early twenties with light blonde hair with black eyes, one having a scar on it. Damian motioned the man to step forward.
“what's your name?”
“Benjamin Black Eye sir, at your service.”
“Alright Benjamin, you're in charge until we get back, understood?”
Benjamin nodded his head. Now that everything is in order, it time for the crew to play out their act. Led by Benjamin, the crew began to harass the officers guarding the fort by calling them “lobsters” or “brutes”. When touting didn't work they resorted to throwing rocks at the officers. That got their attention and soon went after chasing the crew allowing Damian, Jonathan, and Smith to enter the fort with ease. Once inside they saw a massive group of british and spanish soldiers which was unusual regarding the two nations pasts together. They were able to go unnoticed with the help of their clothing, however, it won't be long until they figure out who they are. Making their way to the back of the fort, the notice a lot of scruffy looking men around each corner of the fort. It would appear that pirates from all corners of the west indies came here. What exactly if Flint doing, was this a social event for all pirates Damian thought to himself. He didn't realize it but today was flints birthday and he apparently sent word of this to all his pirate brothers from every corner of the seas. And today, Flint would present the biggest gift any pirate would want to have, more valuable than treasure chest in the world, the death of your enemy. Once the trio managed to get past the pirates and soldier, they made their way to the top of the fort and managed to find a place that was undisclosed by the inhabitants. They then find a musket rack behind them and surprisingly, already primed and loaded. Something was not right here. As if this played out to easy in the trio fair. Although out of sight, they could still hear Flint and the ramboungeous crew of his until there was utter silence. Holding his breath, Damian listened carefully with the utmost interest.
“My fellow pirates, my brothers of the high seas, my scum of the earth, we are gathered here today to celebrate my glorious birthday. For as you all know, my reputation as a pirate has preceded me and has allowed me to gain much fame, infamy, and wealth. Though during my travels, I have encountered many foes who wish to take what is rightly mine, rightfully ours! For two long have we been hunted by soldiers of empires and mercenaries, this world is our for the taking and no one will stop us.” The whole court erupted in roars of cheering and roaring. Most pirates and outlaws viewed flint as a hero for the common man, and thats how flint wanted them to think. “As our first step to conquest of this land, I bring forth to u a gift that many have wanted since the age of the barbaric buccaneer pirate Francois L’Ollonais and William Kidd.” He motioned his hand to the left, taking hold of a brown bag that one of his crew gave to him. Damian couldn't see what it was, but he knew it was a bag.
“What are you waiting for, an invitation take the bloody shot you idiot” Jonathan silently cursing at his brother.
“He's right damian, do it and be down with it” second Smith
They were right, if he didn't take the shot, they would end up dead or worse, depending on Flint mood. Taking a deep break he cautiously aimed the musket at flint's head. His finger on the trigger and moments away from landing the killing blow. He would’ve taken the shot, but then flint shouted something that got the young boys attention. He didn't hear it the first time, but hearing again was just as worse as Flint shouted the five words again.
“THE HEAD OF ROBERT CALDWELL!”
All the life from Damiens face faded away, he felt numb, cold, and lifeless. His beloved father, Jonathan's father as well, and Smith's best friend was dead, by the hands of Flint. For in Flints hand, he held the bloodied, scarred, wretched face of their father. His hair was drenched in the stench of his own blood and his eyes gouged out of his head. Jonathan was emotionless, he didn't know what to do, and he was trying with all his might not to shed a tear, but inevitably he couldn't hold it in and quietly sobbed. Smith was worried of what happened to Isabella. Did Flint kill her, or do something much worse to her? Those were the thoughts that came to Flint's mind. As for Damian, he was completely broken on both the inside and outside. He couldn't even comprehend what was happening. How can this be happening he told himself. For their father's severed head was now show as a trophy won by flint.
Consumed by rage and emotions, Damian shouted “ DIE YOU MURDEROUS BASTARD” and fired the the weapon, he would have been on target had his eyes not been teary and his hands more focus on the rifle. His shot ended the life of a drunken sailor only a few feet from Flint with a long thud. Cocking his head to the right Flint got a clear view of the trio.
“Well, I see that we have some uninvited guest at my party. And look who we have, gentlemen, I give you, The Caldwells!” Soon every soldier and pirate stormed up the stairs to capture the trio. With the mission failed our tiro had to escape, but their tires were futile as they were surrounded by pirates and soldiers alike. They thought they were going to die that day, but if they were, they would go down in a blaze of glory. Backs to one another, they prepared for battle and battled they did. Damian unsheathed his dual scimitars and hack left and right at the oncoming threat of pirates and soldiers. Jonathan unsheathed his sword and started fighting with smith swinging his ax like a sling over his head. Blocking left and right, the trio was soon backed into a corner at the far end of the fort, but by doing so, they left a trail of dismembered limbs, screaming pirates in agony, running soldiers away from them. Yes though outnumbered, they held their own against the odds and they felt like they could win. Yet unknown to them, their wish would not come true at the eastern end of the fort, Flint loaded three matchlocks and aimed them at the trio. Picking one up, he aimed the first one at smith, pulling the trigger, he fired the weapon and the bullet went straight through smiths shoulder. In a moment of pain and agony, he fell to the ground clutching his wounded shoulder. Next was Jonathan, fint pick up the next musket and fired at his knee. Though Jonathan was a tough individual, not even he could take the pain. Being shot in the knee is the worst place to be shot at and he felt it first hand. Now it was just Damian alone facing the marauding horde. All around him, he saw the bodies of the fallen pirates that died by his blades and looked ahead to where flint was at. Breathing in, he sheathed back his swords and closed his eyes, waiting for his death wish. Chuckling, Flint aimed the last musket and fired. The last thing Damian heard was the phrase “You're just like your father, honorable to the bitter end.” With that our hero fell to the ground clutching his stomach where he had been shot. Now he and his brother and uncle were at the “mercy” of Flint and his crew. For they were now his prisoners.