Freedom's Horizon (WLW) (Full Trilogy - Editing)

Book One: Part Two: Chapter Twenty-Three

February 1726, The Caribbean Sea, Aboard the Midnight Scarlet

"You want us to sail into that?" Margaret asked as she sent an inscrutable expression back over her shoulder and toward Francisco. "You cannot be serious..."

"I am, very much so. Captain Margaret," Francisco replied as he stepped up to her. They stood on the upper deck of the ship and Aimee couldn't tear her eyes away from the dense smog. He leaned against the railing of the ship beside Margaret, which swamped Aimee's attention instead. With how little they could trust him, she couldn't look anywhere else any time he moved. Not with the risk to her family. Francisco was eyeing the boats being loaded by the crew with their supplies. "On that island there is a cave that holds that which you seek. It is also the only patch of earth that can grow the herbs to revive all of you. The jars in which you house those herbs are filled with dirt from this island. Once we find the cave, we will know what is to be done next."

The Ghost Crew had been sailing for the better part of a week toward an island only Francisco knew and Aimee could tell Margaret was at her wits end. It wasn't just that they were entertaining Francisco's agenda. It was also due to his claims that the fog at which they stared would lead them to an island. That it would take them to the place with their answers for everything and anything they could think to ask. What was even more daunting was that he now expected them to venture into that fog to an island that was mostly uninhabited and was completely hidden. There could be trouble. There could be absolutely nothing there. Worst of all, it could all be a trap.

Aimee glanced at the current captain and received a turgid nod indicating it was all in her hands now. Margaret had agreed to let Aimee take the helm, so to speak, and make the decisions for the good of her crew. Even with that said, she hadn't ever been a person choosing anyone's destination. The responsibility hit her chest like a sack filled to the brim with heavy bricks slung right at it. Aimee took a steadying breath and lifted her hand toward the fog. Before she could get a single word out, Lana screamed down from the crow's nest, rattling the entire crew and sending them into panic.

"¡Navío naval acercándose! ¡Babor a popa!"

Margaret stepped forward, arriving at Aimee's side as she grabbed the looking glass from her sash and peered out over the water. Aimee looked and spotted a ship coming toward them from the portside of the stern. With a gulp, she quickly glanced back toward the captain as her face blanched. Margaret slowly turned back toward her and looked deeply into her eyes. Something in hers terrified her and she reached out for her as she began barking orders. The crew were sent scattering about to their battle stations and Aimee was at a loss. As she listened to their powder monkey making his rounds to get everyone stocked with at least one bullet in their pistols, her hand was left hanging in the air. Margaret moved away from her hand and Aimee promptly felt the worst was upon them as a foreboding aura filled the air.

A sense of dread surrounded her as she swept her gaze over the faces of the crew passing them. They each bore the same expression as Margaret, then came tragedy. When she turned back toward the captain, she felt hands tightly gripping her shoulders. She gazed up into the captain's eyes and found tears. Aimee shook her head and tried reaching up for Margaret's hand again. Before she could get a chance to grab her hand, Margaret hugged her.

"Do not stop moving no matter what you hear. Take Lana and flee." She commanded as she waved her hand for the little girl to join them. Lana began descending the rigging along the main mast and Aimee glanced back at Margaret in disbelief. Just what is she playing at? "Get to the island, we will follow soon."

"Cap--"

"No! Aimee! We haven't the time for you to second guess me! Just trust me and wait on the beach!" She grasped Aimee's cheeks in between her hands and she felt tears burning a trail down to her thumbs. Margaret gazed deeply into her eyes until she nodded, securing her arm around Lana's shoulders. "Get in the first boat on the starboard side. It has the most gear. You get there safe and we will deal with--"