Four days later, after sailing close to the coast and rowing when there was no breeze, the pirates arrived in Mole St. Nicolas. The mission was welcoming and for the first time since leaving the cavern they all shared a good meal. The news from Port-au-Prince about the disastrous attempt to catch the pirates was dire. The entire island was put on alert and anyone aiding the fugitives would be thrown in jail. Captain Woodcuffe had survived a partial amputation of his left arm and the Dark Sea had to be towed back to port, needing a total overhaul. Thirty six Marines were lost in the assault on the cavern as well as several crew and the first officer of the Dark Sea.

"You have put your mission in jeopardy, my friend." Hollick addressed the leader.

"We have no fear of the Governor. We are here with the King's blessing. Besides, if no one tells, he'll never know."

"You are a trusting soul, sir. In my dealings with he and his cronies, it's what you know not who."

"Well, one cannot change fate. Your people are welcome to stay if they wish. We can find suitable accommodation and they can begin to be productive and support themselves."

"You are very generous. They will be a credit to your community, sir."

"And you?"

"I intend to get back to sea... as soon as I get a ship."

"I see. And by, get a ship, you mean...?"

"Thank you for all your help and kindness, sir." Hollick grinned and shook the man's hand. He put an arm around Alicia and the two of them left for the longboat.

Hollick hoisted the sail and headed south down the end of the island back toward the port city of Port-au-Prince.

"Is this wise, Hollick?"

"It's the only place I have a chance of getting a ship; I can't attack one at sea in this with just you and I."

They stayed silent, enjoying the relatively calm sea and the warm breeze. A few blossoms of white cloud dotted the sky and the terns dipped and banked on their endless search for food. The sun began to drop below the horizon and Alicia was stunned when Hollick pointed out the green flash that was seen on rare occasions.

"That was beautiful! How does it happen?"

"Just an event in nature, like Saint Elmo's Fire. Not to be explained but enjoyed."

The darkness came on quickly once the sun disappeared and Hollick dropped anchor nearer the shore. They ate from some of the provisions the mission had donated and then settled back and stared up a jewel dotted sky.

"This is so beautiful, Hollick. Was it like this aboard the Bright Star all the time?"

"No. Sometimes, not all the time. And there was never a beautiful woman to enjoy it with either." He turned toward her and felt her arm encircle his neck. They kissed and pressed against one another, hungering to get closer and closer. In the pitch black of a moonless night, the longboat rocked rhythmically on the soft swells of the sea.

******

Mid-summer and the port was bustling with commerce. A number of Merchant ships sat at anchor in the harbour and small boats plied the waters between them and the dock, transporting passengers and merchandise. A squad of Marines marched past the end of the street leading up to the Governor's house and his carriage waited until they moved by. The driver flipped his whip and they took off again the rest of the way down onto the wooden board road that fronted the dock entrance.

The carriage halted and Governor Francorte climbed out, stretching and waving the carriage away. He stood a moment, taking in all the activity and beaming inside over the funds that would be pouring into the government's coffers.

"Surveying your domain, Governor?"

"Captain Woodcuffe. Just the man I was coming to see." He glanced at the pinned sleeve and coughed slightly. "How are the repairs to the dark Sea proceeding?"

"I expect a short sea trial within the week, sir."

"Excellent! Just in time to fetch my new intended from Jamaica."

"You are remarrying, sir!"

"I'm still of an age, Captain and she is the daughter of Pierre Tremblay, probably the wealthiest trader in the Caribbean."

"A slaver, sir. I know his name."

"Yes, well, merchandise is as merchandise does, right, Captain?"

Woodcuffe frowned at the phrase and kept his voice civil, replying. "I could take the Bold Sea. She is sea ready right now."

"No. It must be the first ship of the line for this occasion. So, you think a week?"

"I can see that it is ready this week for certain, Governor."

"Excellent. One week from this day we leave for Jamaica."

"We, sir?"

"Yes, Captain. I will be sailing with you to greet my new wife."

And ingratiate yourself with Tremblay, I'll wager. "I look forward to the experience." Woodcuffe saluted and moved on down to where the repairs were being done.

"She'll be fit and trim to sail in two days, Captain." The carpenter answered when asked.

"I'll want a trial, Mister Kenney."

"Absolutely, sir. Haffta trim the sails and work the yards in the jewel-blocks. Run up the top gallant. Helm. Windlass. Everything gets a run, sir."

"I meant, I want to do it."

"Ah, oh- oh, fine, sir. That's good then. Skipper knows his ship, right, sir?"

"I intend to. It must be ready to sail by Friday."

"Aye, sir. She'll be ready."

He nodded and walked back up the dock road, into town and his office.

******

Hollick sat on a wharf post watching the repairs on the Dark Sea. He and Alicia had been in Port-au-Prince for over a week and he had been making good use of his time. He watched as Woodcuffe consulted first with the Governor up the street and then with the carpenter and he knew by instinct that something would be happening soon. He wandered over to the workmen and began a casual conversation, talking shop. The information he gleaned was more than expected. Not only that she would be tested and ready to sail Friday but that it was carrying the Governor to Jamaica.

Hollick left the dock and met Alicia in a small pub away from the main district where there was less chance of recognition. He told her about the ship and when and where it would be sailing.

"Why would your father go to Jamaica?"

"I have no idea. He never visits the Governors of other islands, they all come to see him. Look, Hollick, what good will all this do? You can't steal that ship by yourself."

"I don't plan to. This month is the annual gathering of many of the Brethren of the Coast in Santo Domingo. It's a celebration of the memory of Francis Drake. They are all over the island right now, some I've recognized."

"I don't understand."

"I've contacted a number of men, Alicia, and through them a man I know I can trust. He agreed to capture the Dark Sea as soon as she is well outside the harbour but not yet away from the many coves along the south coast. I will take command and with enough temporary crew, we can sail back to Mole St. Nicolas and get my men."

"Why would they steal a ship for you?"

"The Captain is a wanted enemy of the French and British. He has been their scourge in the Leeward islands for some time and was the man that rescued us after the hurricane. Captain Henry van Dught."

Hollick continued to describe his plan and how it would all take place and Alicia gave up objecting. She felt confident in Hollick and in the end that was all that mattered. The subject of her father came up again and he wanted to know why she wasn't more curious about his intended trip.

"My father and I have nothing left for each other. What he does is his business, as what I do is mine."

He put his arm around her and pulled her close. "Once we do this, things will change forever. It won't be like before when I had my own ship. This will put us on posters throughout the Caribbean. That's really why I mentioned your father. If you have any doubts or reservations..."

"None, my love. Your pirate queen is fully committed."

******

"All that work and she was blown to smithereens in a cave, eh?" van Dught shook his head and refilled Hollick's tankard. "Well tomorrow when they sail you'll have a new deck under your feet, my friend."

"I'm in your debt Captain... again."

"Nay, the hurricane bit was a seaman's duty. But yes, this favour will be expensive at some point." The pirate Captain laughed noisily and clanked his tankard against Hollick's.

"I pay all my debts, Captain, no worries there."

"Well and good then! Tomorrow we carry the day with the liberation of the Dark Sea. A toast!"