Circle Sea 1: The Pirate Maze

Chapter Fourteen: Coming to a Head

Calvin Jones crept downstairs carefully and found cloaks for them all to wear in the cupboard under the stairs. They slipped out through the back door, avoiding his mother who was still busy in the kitchen. By the time she noticed they had gone it would be too late to call them back.

There was only one route that they could take because the village was really just a row of houses built along the edges of a single steep and winding road. Everyone else who was out and about that night would be on the same path, and the three of them would be much more likely to encounter  friend or foe as they drew closer to the harbour.

They kept their eyes on the way ahead as they moved rapidly down towards the sea. The houses were pressed tightly together, but there were deep shadows cast by overhanging archways, winches and protruding beams. They were concerned about meeting others but everything seemed quiet as night settled over the familiar buildings like a thick shroud.

In general the road was little more than a dirt track rutted and grooved by cart wheels and heavy loads, but as they approached the harbour itself the dust was gradually replaced by cobbles, which glittered softly in the moonlight. There was little sign of another living thing until they glimpsed the distinctive shape of the Queen’s Head, marked by its familiar hanging sign.

The indistinct rumble of a large crowd talking and laughing in the public bar could be heard from a distance. Jim and Polly knew that the attention of visiting sailors and the locals themselves would be on the gossip and storytelling which was undoubtedly taking place inside. They wondered if crew members of the Nag’s Head or the Swift would be in there at this moment - and what state they might be in...

There were two people standing by the doorway, their features picked out by the soft light which shone from misted windows. These two were not visitors however, but the very people who they were most keen to meet.

Jedediah Flint stood watching the door. He wore a long dark cloak, and a formal black hat. He looked as if he was waiting for someone and he rocked from side to side in his tight and shiny boots. His daughter Jessica stood beside him, as she always did, but her attention was less focused and she was the first to spot the three adventurers as they arrived. She seemed a bit uncertain and not entirely happy to see them.

‘Jessica, Mr Flint sir,’ Calvin called out.

The harbourmaster turned suddenly, surprised to hear a voice. He looked startled for a moment, but composed himself quickly.

‘What are you doing out so late, Master Jones?’ He asked, giving the young man a piercing stare.

‘We were looking for you, sir,’ Calvin replied politely. ‘Jim heard something tonight. That visitor, Captain Mercy from the Nag’s Head is up to no good.’

‘Is he indeed…’ said Flint as he turned his attention to the younger boy. ‘Now what do you think you heard?’

‘It’s the Captain, sir,’ said Jim urgently. ‘I saw him up at the schoolhouse. He was talking to Mr Darnell. I think he’s a pirate, sir.’

‘Is that right?’ said the harbourmaster slowly. He looked concerned but Jim couldn’t quite tell what he was thinking. ‘Are you sure you heard right?’

‘Yes sir,’ said Jim trying to sound confident. ‘He said he’s going to steal something. I think it’s called the Iron Needle. We told Mr Jones, and he’s gone out to stop them, but we think he’ll get into trouble if he tries to tackle them on his own.’

Flint nodded slowly, and seemed to be thinking.

‘Well, thank you for telling me,’ he said after a moment. ‘Now I think you should turn around now and go straight back home. I’ll deal with this.’