Broken Soldier ~ Assassin's Creed 4

Chapter Eighteen

Edward's POV

Dear Edward,
We're getting old, aren't we? I'm twenty, you are twenty-one. I still have four years of school left ahead of me. It is beginning to get so dull. I'm bored of it. What I wouldn't give to live a carefree life, like you. Do what I please, that kind of thing. I just keep getting orders from teachers and peers and it isn't exactly the most glamourous way to live... The worst lessons are the ones which involve cooking. In fact, the amount of flour I have had spilt on me during cooking lessons could have made, at least, a few dozen loaves of bread.
I miss you dearly. I only hope that when you come back you will throw a birthday party, of sorts. Either that or I will throw one and invite you to mine. Also, I hope you like this gift. I believe it is a shark's tooth. I'm not sure where it was imported from, or even if it is real, but I thought it would suit you. And, thank you in advance for the book of poems. I have yet to actually receive it but I adore Isaac Watts' work so I am sure I will make great use of the book.
Finally, Edward, I just wanted to show how much I miss you. I know I say it in most of my letters, but it is true. I miss you so much. Hurry back. I don't know how much more I can take.
Elisa.

I smiled at the letter, folding it and slipping it inside my belt. I also drew the necklace from inside the envelope and looped it over my neck. The tooth was definitely real; a sailor can always tell. I quickly blew out my candle and settled down to sleep. None of the other crew members had noticed that I was awake yet, and I was glad for that. The Jacobite's crew didn't take kindly to...care and compassion. Of course, a few of them knew about Caroline, my wife, and about Elisa. Though, barely any of them believed me when I told them I was only married to one of them... 

Elisa had reason to worry about me. There were many times where we had been attacking another ship and something had hit me. A piece of the ship, swords, even a man's severed arm at one point. Even the thought of a sweaty arm, covered in blood and dirt, slapping against my face, the owner of it nowhere to be seen, was enough to make me feel sick. I shivered slightly in my hammock, pulling the thin sheets closer to my neck. 

Sleep began to wash over me, though not in a relaxing way. The terrifying dreams which haunted me daily ran through my mind once again. They flashed like cannon fire - some of them were quite literally cannon fire. My head ached. The images kept flying around like gulls in storm. I carefully sat up, aware that I could potentially fall on top of another crew member. With delicate footwork and careful movement, I managed to drop down slowly and began walking toward the stairs leading to the top deck.

The night air was cool. Stars decorated the skies like tiny lanterns. The moon danced in the ocean, playing along the waves. A sense of trouble lingered in the air. I turned to face the captain. It was dawn, at least. He wouldn't have been at the helm if it was any earlier. Abel Bramah was his name, or Captain Bramah, as he preferred to be called by the crew. His eyes were fixed on me, though he showed no signs of greeting me. We both simply stared at each other for a few minutes, before I took a seat on a stack of boxes to watch the night sail past.

The day rolled in and the rest of the crew were beginning to fill the deck. I had heard the wake up calls from the captain's first mate not moments before men emerged from below decks. I manned a cannon, smiling at the sight of the clear stretch of water. Perhaps there wouldn't be any fighting today. Well, apart from the arguments between crew members. Most of the time, I was the cause of the arguments aboard the ship, but there were a few little dramas which didn't involve me. I was in the mood to see one of those dramas, just as long as I could stay out of it.

Nightfall came again. We were ready to head back below deck to rest when the captain gave orders.

"Fire cannons on the broadside, men! We're taking a ship!"

"Where is she, ser?" I asked, loading a cannon ball into my own cannon. As soon as the words had left my lips, I spotted her. She was a frigate, nothing too special, though she was beautiful. Her sails were a massive contrast of white against the black sky. The crew aboard began manning cannons as well, firing warning shots. "Should we fire now, ser?"

"Yes, Kenway. Fire, you bloody louts!" We all gave a yell, firing straight at the ship's helm. "Ah, the HMS Intrigue. Fire as soon as you're ready. Do not await my orders." There were pops of musket fire, the hammering of cannon balls into the water and screams of dying men. 

The other crew was winning. We had de-masted the HMS Intrigue, but our magazine had gone up in flames. While we all attempted to douse the flames, our captain was killed by a man with blades at his wrists. He approached me, but an explosion split us up before he could get to me and kill me. We landed with a splash in the water and swam towards the land, which I later found out was Cape Bonavista.

I laid on the sand, spluttering at first before laughing while watching the stars. Before long, someone else washed up beside me. I looked over to see the man with the wrist blades. He groaned, clutching his stomach. I watched blood cover his hands.

"Was it good for you as well?" I said with a laugh. He coughed, yammering on about Havana. He wanted me to somehow get him there for some kind of meeting. Of course, he offered me money, what with me being a pirate and all. When I tried to take the money from him without having to do any work - I did say I was a pirate - he pulled a flintlock on me. However, it simply clicked. Wet powder doesn't light. He stumbled to his feet and limped away into the forest. I chuckled, standing up and following after him. "I'm onto you, sneaksby!"

He finally turned to fight me after at least half an hour of me following him. He pulled his swords from their sheathes. I did the same. His injuries weakened him. He could barely stand straight at this point, having lost quite a lot of blood. I barely swung my swords once before he fell at my feet. I stripped off his clothing to provide myself with more armour. He wasn't going to use it anymore though, was he? I also procured a pouch from his belt, which held a glass cube and a letter.

Mister Duncan Walpole,
I accept your most generous offer, and await your arrival with eagerness. If you truly possess the information we desire, we have the means to reward you handsomely. Though I will not know your face by sight, I believe I can recognize the costume made infamous by your secret order. Therefore, come to Havana in haste... And trust that you shall be welcomed as a brother.
Your most humble servant, Governor Laureano Torres y Ayala.

I folded the paper and slipped it and the cube into the pouch, securing it on my waist. I set off. My destination? Havana, to collect this handsome reward.