A Hidden Queen

Epilogue

A refreshing ocean breeze blows in, bringing peace to the beautiful scenery. An officer of the Royal Navy walks along the bay front of Port Adsecen. His longer bright blonde hair was pulled away from his oval face. A deep turquoise ribbon holding it at bay. A beautiful young girl hung on his arm. Her light brown hair was thick and wavy barley fitting under the sun bonnet. Her green dress complicated her olive skin, making it effortless glow and deepening the olive-brown eyes.

Unfortunately, despite the beauty around him, Jackson Pierre had too much on his mind to pay attention to it. The events over the past several weeks have been complicated. After the trial, The Governor's crew was disbanded, being dispersed amongst the other captains and officers. Governor Smithen had suddenly resigned as Governor. And The Admiral had sent for Lord Clayton Morgan, Jack's brother-in-law, to step into the role for the time being. Jack soon found a full house with his sister and her family as they looked for a place to settle into the small port. If he was being honest, despite the disruption to his routine, he found it all a good distraction.

Ever since the trials, Jack had felt like there was a target on his back. A need to watch his surroundings with every movement. Despite the good results, James had made his unhappiness clear. The threat had not gone unwarranted, forcing Jack to keep his guard up while dealing with the loss of a friend. Jack and James had been together for many years, as they grew older Jack could distinguish the difference in personality in James. James had always been a condescending ass, but never once did he think that he would have to fear him. And that fear only deepened as he began to devise a way to advise Josephine of James' whereabouts.

Soon, Jack created a well laid out routine. He made an accord with the postmaster; whatever letter came to him unposted from Jack, was to be addressed to Morga and sent out first thing. There was a risk in taking a man into your confidence, but the man was loyal to money alone and the generous amount Jack put in his pocket was as good a motivator as any. He knew deep down he would never lay eyes on the young woman again, but that did not mean he could not do everything within his power to protect her.

"Uncle Jack?" the young girl calls in a high-pitched voice.

Jack glances at his niece. Miranda was a beautiful girl at thirteen; her thick hair bouncing lightly as she walked beside him. Even though she took on the more prominent characteristics of Clayton, Jack could clearly see Allison written within her delicate features. He feels his heartbeat quicken with anxiety as she suddenly ceased their walking. She becomes increasingly quiet, staring down at the ground before focusing on him with a concerned curiosity.

"Yes?" Jack hums.

"Is what Mr. Thaddeus said is true? Was Josephine Cater really a queen?"

Jack let's out the breath he was delicately holding. He knew that Miranda would have questions after their little detour to see the old naval fisherman on one of their previous walks. If he was honest, he had fully expected a bombardment of inquires right away, but Miranda had not come to him with such until weeks later and even than it was a guarded measuring of release.

"Well, Mr. Thaddeus is the oldest and wisest among us. He had spent more time on the ocean than many of us have been alive. So, what he says is law. If he says that she was truly a queen, then Josephine was."

"But you never mentioned it before now. Did you not know her importance when she was here on the island with you?"

Jack opens his mouth to speak but quickly shuts it. Even though he was oblivious to such facts before, he had never doubted Jospehine's role to the pirate nation once told. The woman was too special to be anything less than what she was. But it nagged him greatly that he had not known all the facts concerning the nation and their governmental system. That is why he went to find Mr. Thomas Thaddeus, a man who knew more about the pirates than anyone. Thaddeus' own naval past was buried many ages ago, but the man spoke of the Carter's as if they had played a special role in his life. He gave Jack all the facts, leaving out nothing, not even the smallest detail.