(
Chapter 4 Part 2
Flint did his utmost to dispel the disparaging concerns that were shrieking in his thoughts as he raced towards the southwest side of New Providence Island, and the retreat where he knew Vane would be most likely be lingering, and as familiar as he was with Vane, knowing he would be restlessly biding his time until Flint arrived, spoiling for a skirmish.
Why else would he have left his undeniable calling card plain as day where he knew Flint would discover it?
Flint gritted his teeth, blind rage exploding hot in his veins as he approached the remote beach front where he knew Vane most likely to be lying in wait. A snarl of fury curled on his lips, and he skidded his mount to a violent halt, bounding furiously off his panting horse as he noted Vane’s distinctly marked mustang grazing nonchalantly on the sparse sea grass surrounding the serene coastline.
Flint’s fingers curled tightly around the hilt of his scimitar, his frenzied gaze frantically scanning the desolate shore for any sign of his intended adversary. Not immediately locating his formidable foe, Flint hastened further down towards the sheltered cove that flanked the perimeter of the pristine beach.
"VANE!!!" Flint’s imposing roar echoed mightily over the gently cascading waves. " You obviously intended that I discover that it was you who committed the cowardly act unjustly against me."
The exasperated Captain expertly scrutinized the whole of the cove, he did not intend to be caught unawares by the wily Vane, and completely squander any chance of being on even keel when the impending skirmish began. "If you are any kind of man, you will muster up the courage to face me and try to explain your contemptible actions."
"Hmmmmm, Well, I’ve been told on numerous occasions that I’m more then man enough to get any job done."
Flint adeptly drew his sword, slightly taken aback, and abruptly shifted to face the raspy voice that met his ear from behind.
"I take it that was intended in a much different capacity, though." Vane let a slight smirk play on his lips as he brazenly strutted across the compact sand, his fingers drumming lightly on the hilt of his saber, his intense icy stare never leaving Flint’s vehement one. " I’ m here now…So ..You tell me."
Flint felt his whole body tense with outrage and pure adrenaline. He tightly clutched the inscribed gold bullion Vane had so insolently left for him before tossing it ominously towards the advancing Captain.
" Where in the FUCK is she, Vane?" He spat, his sword poised to strike, readying himself for the impending clash with the arrogant bastard who stole away his essential reason for existing at this point. " I swear if you have even harmed one hair upon her head, I will assassinate you where you stand."
Captain Vane stopped dead in his tracks, raising a curious eyebrow at a thoroughly different Captain Flint then he had ever encountered before; one that seemingly had actual feelings about another human being; rather than the bloodthirsty, vengeful pyrate he personally knew him to be, who barely gave a second thought to plundering then slaughtering a whole slew of his avowed detestable enemy.
So Vane HAD surmised correctly. Evangeline was more important to Flint than anything else at this point in time. A smug grin tugged at the corner of his lips. Now it was time to twist the knife deeper into the gaping wound that Vane perceived that Flint had to be feeling at the loss of his new found passion. He recognized it, because he had been on the receiving end of that all-consuming pain once before. And Flint had been the one to thrust him into that hell he had endured after causing him to lose the undeniable love of his life.
"She’s where she rightfully belongs, by her husband’s side, being the dutiful wife, as is her place." Vane felt a satisfying rush of satisfaction as he noticed Flint’s eye twitch with a scalding anger; The same rage he felt when he was betrayed by the treacherous Captain seething before him, now suffering the same fate that he himself had been callously blindsided by. He also realized that he was going to have to pay dearly for provoking Flint.
But… Just to even witness first hand Flint’s obvious torment by Vane’s own doings, was well worth whatever impending hell Flint’s fury was certain to unleash on him.
Vane sensed he was succeeding in getting under the enraged Captain’s skin, just the provocation that he perceived Flint needed to commence with the battle that Vane knew was forthcoming. But he wasn’t finished harassing the harried Captain quite yet. " I’m sure he’s taking great care with her, Flint. After all, he was wrongfully cheated out of his wedding night relations after being joined in holy matrimony with his lovely new bride."
Baiting Flint further, Vane continued his biting taunts. " Evangeline's husband was very eager to have her back, Flint, as a matter of fact..." A smarmy smirk arrogantly formed on Vane's lips. "He explained to me in vivid detail his intentions he had prepared for her upon her anticipated return to him."
Vane deliberately cleared his throat and raised a fascinated eyebrow. “I have to say, with Evangeline's delicate sensibilities, I don’t fathom how long she could actually suffer the good Lord's inherent lewd depravity. '' Vane’s gaze narrowed, his blue eyes glinting menacingly.
"What do you think...Captain?"
A guttural growl emanating from Flint set Vane in his fighting stance. He realized that he had pushed his adversary over the edge, and he welcomed what he envisioned was to come next.
A feral glower turned Flint’s eyes dark with the ferocity that was running rampant through his veins. He couldn’t evade the dreadful images that were assaulting his thoughts from Vane’s lurid narrative of Evangeline’s plight. The unspeakable barbarity Lord Webb was conceivably subjecting his Evangeline to whilst he tarried here with Vane had him distressed to his very core.
Time was ticking quickly away and Evangeline’s very well being hung in the balance. No more words. Flint realized that this encounter would have to become physical with Vane if he was ever to force him to confess where Lord Webb had Evangeline covertly detained. He had to make his way to her directly, all this fruitless bickering was just a useless waste of precious time.
An enraged Flint gritted his teeth and in an instant, swiftly swings his sword around, striking at Vane with all his might, but a dexterous Vane dodges the advance and steps backwards, barely missing Flint’s intended blow. Vane hastily recovers from his misstep, and drawing his dagger in his left hand, Vane quickly lunges forward and slashes at Flint's exposed shoulder from the missed strike, but a wily Flint reverses the motion from his initial strike attempt, batting the dagger away and throws a vicious punch into Vane's unprotected jaw.
Vane shakes his head, momentarily dazed from Flint’s savage blow, giving Flint time to spin to the right, and following the momentum from his hit, brings his sword around in a strike coming from the left. Vane ducks the sword strike, and charges into Flint with his right shoulder, hitting Flint squarely in the ribs. With Flint's back exposed, Vane attempts to jam the dagger into his kidney, but Flint bashes the back of his head with his pommel, throwing his right knee forcefully into Vane's stomach. Vane is left breathless and retreats to buy time, but slashes and cuts Flint across the abdomen with his dagger, a flesh wound, only enough to draw blood.
Flint winces from the painful dagger cut, his hand perceiving the wound to try to hastily access the bodily damage Vane inflicted with the laceration. Running from pure adrenaline and fury, Flint shakes off the injury and hastily tackles a recovering Vane, sending him reeling into the compliant sand, inciting hundreds of specks of the fine-grained silt to fly into the air, some of the tiny flecks making its’ way into the vulnerable eyes of Captain Flint, temporarily blinding him and giving Vane a chance to gain the upper hand on his waning combatant. Vane claws his way to his knees and dives on top of a still defenseless Flint, pinning the distressed Captain underneath the full weight of his body; Vane KNEW he had a vanquished Flint exactly where he wanted him now.
Vane’s every intention was to kill Flint, but a sudden insight apprised him that the anguished Captain would suffer more living forever with the fact that Evangeline would never be his again. But, before leaving his tell tale brand on his vanquished foe, Vane felt the need to clarify his actions; justify why he had committed such a despicable betrayal against a formidable Captain he had once shared a respectful camaraderie and bond with.
“YOU made Eleanor turn against me, Flint." Vane spat as he choked the combative Captain with his sinewy forearm, pinning Flint virtually helpless on the grainy sand. "You KNEW how I felt about her… How I wanted a life with her…How we were going to rule Nassau together."
Vane felt his heart sinking once more as the memory of how Eleanor tossed him aside like a useless piece of garbage at her father’s urging. He firmly pushed that feeling aside and let his anger dictate his present vengeful undertaking. " You were in Richard Guthrie’s ear about me, about how I would be the ruin of Eleanor, which would in turn, cause her to allow Nassau to deteriorate into oblivion."
He bowed his head close to Flint’s, a vicious snarl tangling his bloodied lips. " After your unwarranted interference, her father felt he had to give her a choice…Me or Nassau." His raspy whisper caught in his throat as he struggled to maintain composure. "I’m supposing you already know which fucking one she chose."
Vane grunted in surprise and dismay as the resilient Flint swiftly hooked his leg under Vane's and with a sudden twist of his body, Vane found himself where Flint was pinned just a moment before. Flint's chest heaved with exertion and rage as he used all of his might to keep Vane immobilized underneath his tenuous hold. " What...in ...the bloody...hell..are you... fucking. ..talking about?" Flint labored mightily as he strained to keep a burlier Vane in an inferior posture.
Vane snorted loudly, disbelief sparking hotly in his fiery glare. " She fucking abandoned our plan because you couldn't fathom losing reign as King of your precious Nassau ." Vane gritted his teeth, pushing hard against Flint's constraint, mildly surprised at the slighter man's impressive strength and dexterity. " You deliberately sabotaged us, you selfish bastard …But now… My avowed vengeance to watch you agonize in the pain that I personally inflicted upon you somewhat placates me.”
A wry laugh from Vane permeated the scant distance between the two Captains like a cannon shot. “Just imagine,” Vane growled, temporarily halting his struggles to drive his dire point home. “ The torment that is assaulting your very being right now will terrorize your soul for the rest of your earthly days.”
A satisfied grin settled on Vane’s lips, perfectly mirroring the mirth that danced purposely in his steely gaze. “ Never forget who caused you this misery, Flint, as I will always remember the anguish etched on your face for as long as I live.”
Flint’s thoughts were whirring madly through his head, frantically trying to comprehend the stunning information that Vane had suddenly inundated him with, meanwhile trying to maintain his tenuous advantage over the adept and cunning Captain.
No. Vane was mistaken. His eyes grew wide as Vane’s irrational ramblings all suddenly clicked into place. A frustrated breath exploded from Flint as he tentatively loosened his perilous hold on the misinformed man who’s deception was apparently based on non-truths and innuendos.
“Wait….” Flint mumbled through his exertion as Vane once again continued his task to escape the perturbed Captain’s faltering grasp. “WAIT!!!…” Flint shouted intently, startling a thoroughly stunned Captain Vane as Flint suddenly unhanded him and recoiled back from his advantageous position, displaying his hands in front of him to indicate he desired a cease and desist from their isolated personal battle.
Flint vigorously attempted to maintain his composure, inhaling deep gasps of air to stabilize his erratic breathing from his scuffle with Vane.
“ Vane…” Flint labored with the heavy words he needed Vane to hear. “ NO….No… You are wrong.” He ran an unsteady hand through the strands of unruly hair that had loosened during their struggle, and unceremoniously settled himself on the warm sand, a cross of dismay and confusion ingrained on his battle weary face.
Turning warily to assess Vane’s extrication from his sandy provocation, Flint shook his head in bewilderment, his perturbed gaze steady with Vane’s skeptical stare, both Captains leery of the other’s motives and design.
Vane shook his head vigorously, wondering if he had misheard Flint’s adamant proclamation of his denial of having any involvement in Eleanor’s decision to omit him from her life. Had he been completely mistaken about the entire mishap that had put him in this precarious situation with Flint at this very moment?
He cautiously brushed the fine granules of sand out of the nooks of his clothes, vacillating between trusting the truce that Flint so steadfastly proposed, or striking down the defenseless Captain from whence he sat, virtually defenseless on the serene shoreline. Vane chose the latter, his curiosity getting the better of him, he was extremely interested to hear what the flustered Captain had to say in his defense.
Flint sighed weightily as Vane towered above him, his fingers securely locked around the hilt of his dagger, a look of agitation engraved across his rugged features. “Just exactly what the fuck is going on here?”
Captain Flint peered up at Vane, squinting his eyes against the bright sunshine that outlined the burly Captain’s form. “ I don’t know what you heard or from who… But I swear upon whatever is holy that it wasn’t me who ambushed you or had anything to do with Eleanor’s estrangement from your relationship. ”
He shook his head adamantly as he continued to plead his case with the disbelieving Captain who was situated before him. “ Yes, I am quite firmly allied with Richard Guthrie, and yes, I heard rumors from my men of you and his daughter being involved in a relationship, but I in no way felt threatened or did anything to persuade Guthrie to intervene on my behalf whatsoever.”
An unsettled restlessness washed over Flint as he suddenly unseated himself from his sandy perch, poised eye to eye with a thoroughly confused Captain Vane, his earnest gaze burning into Vane’s like a raging fire. “ I don’t know the circumstances that destroyed your union with Eleanor, but I declare to you with 100 percent certainty that it was not me. On my grandfather’s grave, Vane. I did nothing to betray you.”
Throwing up his hands, his turbulent frustration evident, Flint kept his unflinching glower steady with Vanes. “ I don’t have fucking time to debate all of this with you right now.”
Braving an unsavory reaction by a conflicted Vane, Flint grasped him resolutely by his shoulders, and forcibly pulled the uneasy Captain close to him. “ I need for you to disclose to me where Lord Webb has taken Evangeline. If what you have conveyed to me regarding her confinement is in fact legitimate, I have to get to her without further delay, if not sooner.”
A speechless and utterly astonished Vane stood silent and conflicted, a thousand questions wreaking havoc in his head. Had he just mistakenly committed a horrible atrocity against a Captain who could make his entire existence a living hell if he chose to? How could he have obtained the improper intelligence that spurred him to perpetrate the vindictive act that had Flint more than likely wishing to display his severed head on a sharpened pike?
“Max….” Vane muttered abruptly, the confusion that was previously cluttering his brain promptly fading as a brilliant clarity began to rattle his thoughts, previous events flashing prominently through his memory.
Him being piss drunk in the brothel, devoid of all semblance of reason, his heart shattered into shards, trying in vain to find solace in the bottom of a rum carafe and cheap, willing women.
Hurt, angry, disconcerted and desperately searching for a reason why Eleanor chose to toss him aside as easily as she did, Vane deliriously rambled in his self-inflicted intoxication, to try to console his wounded soul and his injured pride, he steadfastly reasoned that someone had forced Eleanor to commit to her position as the sole magnate of Nassau, instead of their well laid plans to “rule” their island kingdom together, as undivided partners in every sense of the word.
After Eleanor tearfully relayed her fathers’ unwavering demand to him, Vane tried furiously to reason with her. Arguing fruitlessly with her for several tense hours, Vane frantically scrambled to make sense of her sudden reversal of their supposedly tangible intentions, and allocate blame where it, so desperately for him, needed to be placed, in order for his tormented thoughts to rationalize why the love of his life would throw him over as easily as if he never meant anything at all to her.
No one in their circle of compatriots would have access to Richard Guthrie’s inner workings to have that privilege of favor with the former sovereign of Providence Island. Even so, he righteously philosophized through his inebriated haze, not one of those opportunistic pyrates that dealt with the Guthries would have given two shits about his and Eleanor’s intimate relationship as long as it didn’t fuck with the bartering of their bounties.
The more Vane let his rampant theories torture him, the more irrational he seemed to become, deliriously trying to comprehend why Richard Guthrie would suddenly demand that Eleanor make such a rash decision that ultimately compelled her to cut him out of her life like a deceased cancer.
“Max?” Captain Flint blurted sharply, shaking a pondering Vane out of his deep-seeded reverie. “Who exactly in the fuck is Max?”
Vane quickly held up his hand, silently imploring Flint to respectfully halt his outburst, wincing arduously as he tried to conjure up the faint memory of his brief encounter with the brothel madam Max swimming so tantalizingly close to the surface of his thoughts.
Vane had become a frequent patron of the most notorious bordello in town since he and Eleanor less then amicably parted ways a scant interim in time before. His crew had prudently given him a wide berth, his hard drinking and inflamed temper had preceded him as of late, so wisely he was left alone with his drink of choice and unrelenting thoughts that been plaguing him incessantly in recent days.
He was at, what had now become, his regular station that certain mid-day, parked quite drunkenly in a reliable chair, when a soft, female whisper soothingly caressed his rum soaked brain.
“Captain Charles Vane.” Scolding, yet sultry, the inviting murmur continued. “ You’ve been sulking in this dark corner for far too long now.” Vane tensed as he felt a gentle touch graze his shoulders. “ Do you wish for a sympathetic ear in which to unburden your concerns?”
Vane sighed heavily and lifted his eyes from their lowered point of venue to meet the captivating chocolate gaze of the newly appointed brothel madam, consequently, Eleanor’s old “flame” before he clamored into the picture, Max, a sensuous, yet cunning adversary, Vane realized he must keep his guard up around.
Vane snorted derisively as he reached for his half empty carafe of rum, an apprehensive look hardening his pained features. “Where the fuck do you keep an inkling of compassion for anyone other than yourself, whore?” Vane decisively tipped the glass bottle to his lips, partaking in a long drawl, pointedly shrugging off Max’s obvious faux inclination of sentiment.
An insightful sigh fell from Max’s pouty lips as she nodded, shook off the bountiful curls that adorned her shoulders, and purposefully joined Vane at his roost in the secluded niche he had so decidedly carved out for himself.
“Come now, Captain Vane,” Max chided, her dark eyes dancing with mirth, “ You, of all people, should have a kinship with an unrefined whore such as myself.” She smiled slyly as she reached over and firmly collected the rum carafe from Vane’s languid grip. “ After all, we do have more than one thing in common…. Don’t we Captain?”
Vane cocked his head, a dry grin tugging at the corner of his lips as he brought himself up to full stature in his chair. “ So… Besides the both of us being royally fucked over by Queen Eleanor…” Vane smirked as he noticed Max’s expression darken at the mention of her former lover’s name. “ Tell me what other similar qualities do you actually think that WE both somehow possess?”
Max smiled knowingly, watching with subtle amusement as Vane snatched the carafe of rum from the table and drained the remainder of the sweet liquid from its captive container. “ Well, for one dear Captain, I do tend to “run a tight ship” as they say, as I’m sure with you being in command of your own vessel, you know the comings and goings of the whole of your crew, and the chatter that ensues, that I’m positive, always finds its’ way back to your discerning ear.”
Vane raised a curious brow at the guileful madam’s choice of wording she decided to try to bait him with. She did have his curiosity piqued…But what exactly was the fucking game she was really playing here?
Vane stared stonily at the caramel colored vixen for a long silent moment, quietly trying to formulate in his head what Max could possibly have that she was dangling so alluringly in front of him, whist all he really wanted was for her to fuck off and leave him to his drink and misery in relative peace and seclusion. He sighed deeply, weary irritation clearly written on his callous facade, and leaned in close to glare menacingly into her copper flecked eyes. “ I don’t have the energy nor the patience for this right now. Just spit it out, Max. What the fuck do you really want?”
An artful grin touched the corners of Max’s full, varnished lips as she motioned for one of her courtesans to deliver to them another generous decanter of rum. Her brown eyes glittered with expectation as she poured the outspoken Vane a copious tin of his chosen poison. “ Direct and to the point as usual Captain Vane.” She watched intently as he imbibed the drink in one fell swoop before she addressed him with the reason she had disturbed him in his obvious exhibition of assuaging the anguish that was evidently tearing him asunder.
“The unsettling..ahhh… business that occurred between you and Eleanor is the relevant gossip on the street at this point in time.” Max shifted uneasily in her seat as Vane’s fervent glower burned straight through her. But it was imperative that this information to be revealed to him so that she could hopefully escape her own implication in the matter at hand. “ I’m sure you are wondering who, and want immediate retribution against the party that persuaded Richard Guthrie to force Eleanor’s hand in this whole unpleasant fiasco .”
Max felt a tinge of relief as she noted Vane perk up at the mention of revenge against the perpetrator who uprooted his very personal, not to mention his business dealings, essentially leaving him floundering businesswise, and wounded beyond comprehension after losing the woman he thought would be by his side for all eternity.
“You know who went to Richard Guthrie with knowledge of Eleanor and I, then? Is that what you are trying to say?” Vane felt a hot surge of excitement boil his blood with the anticipation of destroying the back stabbing bastard who intentionally caused his life to become a virtual living hell he had to wake up and face on a daily basis. A raspy growl emitted impatiently from the highly agitated Captain. “ Well…Tell me, Max, who the fuck shall I be plotting my warranted vengeance against then?”
Max swallowed hard as she began to spin her concocted tale to hopefully make it believable to the demanding Captain’s ear. “ Captain Vane. Tell me who you think had been the highest earner for quite some time before you strove to make your mark on Nassau’s pyrate trade.” Max leaned in close to Vane, her eyes wide, her tone hushed as she privately furnished him the illumination he was so desperately seeking. “ Whom do you think has more to gain with you being completely out of the picture when it comes to acquisitions and bartering on New Providence Island?”
Max felt a calming alleviation as she noted a bitter recognition creep stealthily into Vane’s eyes. She had to lead the besieged Captain down a diverted path that did not implicate her in this whole sordid ordeal to keep her free and clear and well above any inkling of suspicion.
“Flint???” Vane rasped furiously, a vicious snarl curling his lips as the pieces of the puzzle he had been so fervently trying to join together finally clicked into place. Flint had delivered copious amounts of plunder and aspired to be the “king”of Nassau for quite a long spell before Vane came into play, and was also a valued confidant of Richard Guthrie.
Flint had also been out to sea for quite a while now, enough time for him to place a visit to Guthrie in Bath and relay his concerns about Vane and Eleanor’s relationship to Nassau’s self-proclaimed mogul of merchandise delegation.
So Flint would have to be the spurious blackguard that set Vane’s descent into his own personal purgatory in motion. The more he reasoned with the details of the entire scenario, the more he realized that it couldn’t be anyone else but Flint that so callously stabbed him squarely between the shoulder blades.
Max unconsciously bit her lower lip as she observed Captain Vane struggle mightily with the fabricated information that she had so deceitfully given him. She came to realize that he was painfully accepting that Flint was the culprit that had done this to him, even though if it wasn’t even close to being the truth in the matter.
She also recognized that one day Flint would more then likely come calling for her, but she was promised suitable protection from the merciless Captain from her co-conspirator in this false narrative.
“I see you have determined the offender who mercilessly brought this misfortune upon you.” Max judiciously poured a copious amount of rum she determined that Vane could use at that moment and watched in nervous apprehension as Vane once again felled it with one quick drink.
“Flint just made the worst mistake of his fucking life.” Vane growled, his stormy eyes as cold as the depths of the deep blue sea. “ When he comes slithering back to Nassau , he’s going to wish that he had never crossed me."
Vane stood abruptly and slammed a heavy fist on his precarious barroom table, sending the decanter of the rum and its contents scattering across the dusty wooden floor, temporarily halting the low murmur of the early midday crowd. “ And that’s NOT just an idle threat...That’s an absolute fucking promise.”
Max watched wide –eyed as an agitated Vane pushed forcefully through the bordello clientele and strode angrily out into the bustling Nassau street, relief flooding every pore of her body. He had easily believed the deceptive story she had concocted, she perceived, just to have a tangible sacrifice to enact his irascible wrath on. Vane now had his sights set on the ruination of Captain Flint. She unsteadily made her way to the bar, poured herself a draught of rum and let the sweet liquid burn away her trepidation. Present crisis skillfully averted.
Vane was Flint’s problem now.
Vane teetered precariously in the inconstant sand, feeling his knees weaken with dread as he balefully raised his eyes to meet the incredulous stare of the astounded Captain he had unjustly wronged by blindly enacting his revenge before he substantiated all of the propaganda Max had supplied him with.
The conviction in Flint’s glare was undeniable…He was not the culprit that had betrayed him. He knew Flint wouldn’t deny his involvement when called out, it was a code amongst pyrates…And Flint had just blatantly declared to Vane it was not him who caused the irrevocable damage that sent Vane on his misguided mission of vengeance. Vane now needed to eradicate the injustice that he had so grievously persecuted upon the blameless Captain. To make even the score.
“Let’s go get her back…..NOW.” Vane nodded briskly, and quickly headed towards his horse, ready to lead Flint to where he had absconded with the distressed Captain’s abducted lover.
Flint stood unsurely for a fleeting moment, his head spinning at the events that had just transpired in the matter of a brief juncture. He shook it to try to clear the million questions that were flooding his brain, and swiftly followed in the footsteps of a resolute Captain Vane. He wanted to interrogate Vane for answers to all of his inquiries, but at this point in time nothing was more important to him them having Evangeline safely back in his arms once again.
“ Do you at least have a credible explanation as to what the fuck just occurred here, Vane ?” Flint glared sideways at Vane as both men urgently vaulted into the saddles of their waiting mounts, Vane frantically spurring his horse to compel speed from the hesitant mustang. He nodded his head curtly at the beleaguered Captain as his horse finally found comfortable footing and sprinted off, leading the hurried quest to rescue Evangeline.
“ I’ll do my best to rationalize my actions to you on the way, Flint.” Vane met Flint’s sidelong inquiry with his own direct scrutiny. “ Right now, we need to extricate your woman from the unfortunate predicament she finds herself in.” Vane unflinchingly held Flint’s perplexed, yet steely glare. “ As you commanded Captain…The sooner…The better.”
Flint gritted his teeth, deftly swallowing his rising anger as he wheeled his horse to shadow the insolent Vane through the silted island terrain. He would deal with the cocksure Captain’s arrogance at a more suitable time. Right now, he had to concede that Vane was correct. Rescuing Evangeline was the foremost propriety at the moment. Only after she was safely returned to him, then would the appropriate parties suffer the consequences of their actions. And pay dearly they would.
“It appears that the cautious Lord is worried about retaliation from a certain nefarious pyrate Captain, who shall remain nameless, does it not?” Vane whispered gruffly, as he and Flint surveyed the perimeter of Lord Webb’s stately manor in the dimming sunset, handily camouflaged behind a wall of thicket brush.
Flint sighed in irritation, his skillful gaze scanning the impassive figures nonchalantly meandering about the Webb estate; a few in Royal Navy garb, and, more than likely, the ones in regular attire were guards for hire, and would not give Flint nor Vane too much of an issue when they proceeded with their expeditious plan of action.
“ It doesn’t appear that there are an insurmountable amount of sentries that could possibly overtake us.” Flint murmured quietly, completely ignoring Vane’s brassy barb that was apparently meant to try to ease the lingering tension still simmering between the two stalwart Captains.
Vane nodded his head in agreement, his hazel eyes carefully scrutinizing the situation at hand, his mindset quickly converting him into the warlord Captain that he was known to be. “ Looks to be about six outside, more than likely a few more inside.” Vane swiveled his head to face Flint, picking up a nearby stick to diagram his precise strategy in the compacted dirt.
After a few moments of intense deliberation between the two, Vane eagerly grunted his approval. “3 for you… And 3 for me…Nice even number.” He drew in a cleansing breath and stealthily drew his sword, his able fingers anxiously tightening around the hilt, the hint of a zealous grin starting on his lips as he observed Flint mirror his actions.
Flint nodded, bringing a quieting finger to his lips, the element of surprise was of the utmost importance, the masterful pyrates could be upon and annihilate at least half of the “enemies” number before they even realized what fresh hell had fatally befallen them.
Flint silently counted down 3…2…1… Both Captains rose stealthily through the underbrush, swords in one hand, Flintlock pistols in the other. With the aspect of shock in full effect, Vane managed to wound one of their intended targets with a shot to the belly, and Flint accomplished the same, felling one “Blue Coat” with a lead shot to the head.
Quickly discarding the depleted pistols, Flint and Vane swarmed upon their hapless pray before the stunned men even had a chance to unsheathe their swords or produce their firearms, and easily cut down the remainder of ill- fated defenders with the skill of their adept swordplay.
Flint’s heart was pounding with anticipation as both Captains now set their sights upon the Webb mansion, knowing that his Evangeline was sequestered somewhere within. Adrenaline coursed hotly through his body as they barraged through the door of the estate, only to be met with a second assault from sentinels Webb had guilefully installed throughout the manor.
Flint shouted as he followed Vane’s charge directly into the fray, swords swiftly dissecting their enemies feeble attack on the determined invaders who had nary a clue of what they were truly combating.
Flint called out to Vane as he fought his way through the arbitrary skirmish attempt. “ Do you have this under control?” He scowled menacingly as he ran his sword directly through a charging sentry , grunting with agitated exertion as he pulled the bloodied blade out of the decimated man’s midsection. He ventured a sideways glance towards Vane who was methodically cutting down a vexatious nuisance of his own.
Vane curtly nodded in Flint’s direction as he silent counted the reminder of assailants in his head. Three. He could handle that scant percentage with relative ease. Well, make that two now as he forcefully thrust his sword quite thoroughly through one of the offender’s throat, momentarily fascinated by the gurgle of the dying guard’s gasping last breaths.
Flint nodded his assent as he furtively made his way through the remainder of the first floor, his eyes expertly scanning the hallway, drawing room and a ballroom, all empty of could possibly become a potential problem for him.
Flint adeptly acknowledged that Lord Webb would more than likely have Evangeline contained on the upper level of the mansion, quite possibly in a locked bedroom where it would be most difficult to be stealthy or plan a sneak attack.
He bounded up the main stairs of the residence, scimitar at complete attention, shouting Evangeline’s name as he ascended. No need to be clandestine now, he was positive everyone who was abiding in the household realized there was a full blown ambush in progress, Vane still blatantly dispensing with the remainder of the detail in the downstairs foyer.
Flint stopped abruptly at the top of the stairwell, scrutinizing both directions for any sign of trouble, his senses straining for any inkling of Evangeline, and hearing none, proceeded to the end of the hall, his intent to splinter every closed door he came upon until he found the room in which Evangeline was detained.
Vane specifically stated this is where he had delivered her, and his every instinct shouted to him that she was still here, in this very house, frantically hoping for him to materialize and rescue her from her ruthless tormentor.
Flint was becoming quite anxious as he came upon yet another empty room with hide nor hair of Evangeline; Every moment that he lingered here and had not located Evangeline was a dangerous probability for her, as well as, himself and Captain Vane.
Flint kept his ear on Vane’s skirmish going on a landing below as approached the next door in the succession; If Vane became too overwhelmed with battle, Flint would of course make his presence known with his formidable swordsmanship.
Flint sucked in a deep breath of anticipation, his scimitar at the ready as he proceeded to splinter the door into pieces via a powerful strike of his boot, and his heart dropped into his nether regions as his eyes beheld the vexing scene awaiting him upon his aggressive entry.
“ I had a suspicion that you might endeavor to be the valiant lover and make an attempt to rescue the docile damsel in distress.” Flint stopped abruptly in his tracks as he heard Lord Webb’s ominous hiss; His right arm wrapped tightly around Evangeline’s waist, pinning her securely against his chest; His left hand holding a pistol cocked and at the ready, aimed directly at Evangeline’s temple.
“James!!!” Evangeline cried ardently, her heart soaring euphorically as she met the eye of her truest love, fervently praying he would be her heroic savior, and they both would escape this dire situation unscathed and together, always; where she knew that they both were meant to be.
“Well…Finally, we meet …. The infamous Captain James Flint…. In the flesh.” Lord Webb snickered darkly as he drew Evangeline tighter to him, emitting a painful gasp from her. “ After all of the valorous tales that I’ve heard tell of you; You really don’t strike me as being the mightiest pyrate king Nassau has ever endeavored to crown.”
Flint angrily gritted his teeth until his jaw ached, but he firmly held his ground, the blazing fury rising in him like an all consuming fire as his eyes flitted carefully over Evangeline, appalled at her battered appearance; her black and blue eye, cut and swollen lips and frightfully bruised arms.
“You fucking coward.” Flint growled sinisterly, his blue eyes glinting dangerously . Every fibre of his being was screaming at him to pounce on the perverse bastard that apparently had inflicted this undue abuse on the woman that he avowed to love and protect.
“ Is this how you treat the women in your life? Exact violence on them if they don’t succumb to your every whim and demand?” Flint’s glare turned stormy as he carefully sheathed his sword, his eyes flickering momentarily to a helpless and terrified Evangeline, then quickly back to stare daggers at the delusional Lord, his tone low and confrontational.
“Why don’t you unhand her Webb, and see how you fare when you match your wits against a more formidable opponent?” Flint challenged, his whole body tensing in outrage as Webb dispensed an arrogant laugh in Flint’s direction.
“Let me remind you, she’s MY wife, Captain Flint.” Webb spat. “Therefore whatever command I shall issue to her, she has pledged to obey and adhere to.” Lord Webb slid his arm up Evangeline’s trembling body, wrapping his hand like a noose around her neck, drawing a sharp breath of panic from a frantically struggling Evangeline.
Flint gritted his teeth harder, shifting his keen sense of aptitude into overdrive, waiting for a precise moment that he could possibly ambush and overtake Webb, conceivably without causing any additional harm to Evangeline.
“ And, as we all know, she deceived me and willingly became your illicit lover, after she professed in her wedding vows to be true and belong only to me.” An embittered sneer crossed Lord Webb’s lips as he glared furiously at a wary Flint, his hand controlling the pistol noticeably shaking with ire. “ You DO realize that I would be justified in killing you right where you stand,Captain Flint.”
Evangeline whimpered in distress as Webb tightened his vice-like grip on her delicate neck. Flint’s eyes darted quickly from Webb to Evangeline, a purposeful look of stoicism noticeably etched across his features, silently willing her to remain calm. He was going to extricate her from her maniacal husband, and soon they both would be wholly emancipated from this precarious situation; No matter what course of action he would be forced to take.
Flint reverted his gaze even with Webb’s, his thoughts perpetuating in high gear; Somehow he needed to distract the agitated Lord so that he could secure the pocket flintlock hidden in his baldric, without alarming an already contentious Webb.
Evangeline was beginning to feel peculiarly lightheaded from the constriction Lord Webb was placing on her throat, and an eerie tingling sensation was starting to wash over her. She found it increasingly difficult to stay on her feet, try as she might, the lack of air she was receiving from being constrained was slowly rendering her senseless to her immediate surroundings.
Still, through her cloudy haze, she realized that her beloved James had placed himself in a very precarious predicament, sheathing his sword and rendering himself utterly defenseless as to try and diffuse a belligerent Lord Webb, and dissuade him from enacting any further damage on her.
She had to do something, anything, as she perceived it was her husband’s every intention to attempt to kill James, despite what he may indicate to the contrary.
“ Though you may have murdered the guards that I had stationed here for protection, there are reinforcements headed in this direction as we speak, Flint.” Webb taunted, his eyes narrowing as he monitored the melee that was still commencing in his foyer below. “ I suggest that you surrender while you can, and perhaps the powers that be will be merciful and hang you quickly without the debacle of an embarrassing public display?”
An incredulous scoff started in Flint’s throat, but quickly died as he took notice of Evangeline’s pallid demeanor, she was fading fast, and Flint knew that he had to take immediate action to extricate her from the grasp of her indifferent abductor.
“Again…Let me be clear … Let HER go, Webb…” Flint initiated vehemently, but suddenly halted as a strangled scream emitted from Evangeline startled him, watching incredulously as her delicate hand lunged out with remarkable force to strike at the firearm that her husband had been holding her hostage with, thoroughly surprising a distracted Lord Webb, causing him to lose his grasp of Evangeline, who then proceeded to listlessly slump motionless to the bedroom floor.
Flint immediately recognized this was the chance he was waiting for and quickly grabbed for the loaded pistol that he had concealed in his baldric… Aimed it directly at Lord Webb’s midsection…And fired.
Evangeline was barely conscious, lying inanimately on the colorful Persian carpet that adorned the boudoir that the disturbed Lord had been keeping her sequestered in. She felt an instant sense of relief surge through her as she watched Flint fire his pistol at Lord Webb, but it was short lived as she detected another shot discharged directly above her, her blood running cold as she observed her cherished James stagger backwards then drop erratically to his knees, a look of pained shock frozen in his azure eyes.
Evangeline inhaled a sharp breath of horror as through her haze she saw James fall motionless just a few scant feet from where she was disposed, a thin line of blood trickling from the alluring lips she had just warmly caressed earlier that day as he departed for Nassau to secure a future that they both established they adamantly wanted…And so essentially needed.
Though she heard a loud crash from behind that she anticipated was her husband succumbing to a bullet wound, she ignored the fracas and tried to keep focus on James’ fixated gaze, his eyelids slowly closing, his breaths short and erratic, him profoundly murmuring her name until his eyes shut completely and he lie immobile, his hand desperately outstretched towards her as if her devoted touch could be his only salvation.
A weak sob wretched from Evangeline’s lips, NOOOOOOO… Her mind screamed as she felt her own self being engulfed by an enveloping blackness, the physical abuse and devastating shock she had just endured finally overwhelming her senses and plunging her into a dark chasm of oblivion. The last conscious memory Evangeline had was of her beloved James lying still beside her… She frantically whispering his name before finally submitting to obscurity and knowing of no more reality.
“James…”
Toby Stephens as Captain Flint, Gabriella Wilde as Evangeline
Artwork by 
Fanfic from the series Black Sails created by Starz