They sailed onward, and two days later, they intercepted the Indigo. She was a massive ship, heavily laden with treasures she was carrying to Kingston in exchange for sugar and rum. "Stay in the cabin. If they take over the ship, which is highly unlikely, I want you to hide here." Carson removed a panel in the wall, behind which was a very small room, stocked with rations, rum, and wine. "It can be locked from the inside. There is another panel, here." And to her immense surprise, when he removed it, sunlight came streaming in. The sea glistened below them. "It's a bit of a drop, but if the ship is taken over, wait until they pull into harbor some where. When it is dark, jump and swim to shore. Once on shore, find a place to hide until I can come find you. If I am wounded or otherwise incapable of rescuing you, I have made arrangements with Cod. Do you understand?"

She nodded grimly, and he quickly resealed the panels. "Now please, Amber, stay in the cabin and don't come out. I wish to return you to your family in one piece." He walked to the door, but she rushed after him, taking his hand up into her own.

"Be careful. Don't let your haste to find her interfere with your concentration." she said, softly.

He smiled kindly down at her, and he gently brushed his finger across her cheek. Then he was gone.

The men were tensed, waiting for action. The canons had been loaded. Now they were merely waiting for the Indigo to come into range. "Cod," Carson began, "-hoist the colors." The crew laughed in anticipation, and the skull and cross bones made its way up the mast where it finally came to rest at the top, flurrying in the sea breeze.

Their opponents had spotted them, and it was only a matter of seconds before the fight began. "FIRE!"

The canons roared as the Endurance opened fire upon the Indigo. They met their mark as the canons tore open the side of the massive treasure ship. But instead of fighting, she turned and ran. "She's pulling hard to starboard lads!" yelled Captain Reed. "Hold your fire!" The Endurance followed the Indigo's example as they began their pursuit. "Open fire!"

Even the sea seemed to tremble as the canons continued to fire upon the english galleon. But as the Indigo was weighed down with gold, the Endurance was quickly upon her. "Prepare to board!" And with an ear splitting roar, the pirates swung across the sea and boarded the Indigo. To their immense surprise and disappointment, they met little resistance, and in a matter of minutes the ship was in their control. Carson quickly made his way to the belly of the ship on the pretense of finding the treasure.

There were very few prisoners, eight or ten at the most. Frantically he searched for Isabelle, and he was careful to look into every pair of eyes, but she was no where to be found. Frustrated he yelled, "Does anyone know if a woman was ever aboard this ship?" There was no reply. "ANSWER ME IF YOU WISH TO KEEP YOUR LIFE!" he roared.

Finally, in the back, he heard a feeble voice. "I know who you seek."

Peering into the darkness, the captain saw a very old man who appeared to be dying. He was very badly wounded. Bringing him a ladle of water, he carefully held the old man's head as he gave him a drink. "Now, tell me what you know."

"We were atta-attacked by the Tainos two days ago, and most everyone was killed. I myself was sorely wounded. Thinking that they would take us host-hostage, I pretended to be dead. The rest of prisoners were taken to the deck, and the Tainos Captain and his first m-mate remained below. They were arguing about something, and finally they decided to let the remaining crew, prisoners, and the Ca-captain to live in exchange for the treasure and one prisoner whom they had taken particular interest in." he explained, pathetically.

"Did they say why?" Carson asked urgently.

"From what I understand, they thought that she was a wo-woman in disguise. I always thought that he was too pretty to be a boy." he added.

"Is that all?" he asked, disappointed.

"No. They planned to take her to a prison on Barbados, where they would hold her for ransom."

He was so close! Isabelle had been in this very room mere days before! "Thank you, my friend. You shall be rewarded for your words."

Re-entering the deck, he regarded his men gravely. Striding towards the Captain of the Indigo, he demanded, "Where is the treasure?"

"Captain Reed, we were attacked just two days ago by a Tainos ship. They took all of the treasure and killed most of my crew, as you can well see. I have nothing of value on this vessel." he said, defeated.

Reed heard his crew groan, and he hid a smile. But continuing with the charade, he scowled fiercely and began to pace, setting the crew on edge. They watched his every move, and he exaggerated every motion, pretending that he was deep in thought. At great length, he turned and faced the captain of the Indigo. "I have no qualm with you, Captain, and I have no need of your crew or your ship. I see no reason why more unnecessary blood should be spilt this day. Count yourselves lucky for I am feeling merciful. I want your prisoners and slaves, and then I will give you a half-hour to disappear behind the horizon." He could see the expressions of shock upon all of their faces, including his crew's, without turning to look on them. Then bowing low, Captain Reed returned to the Endurance, followed grudgingly by his crew. Today he had not made many friends, but he was their captain, and they either followed his orders or died. But at the moment, he did not care. Finally he was seeing the fruits of his labor.

Two days later, they pulled into harbor at one of the Grenadine Islands. There they bought new supplies, and although he was reluctant to waste time, he allowed the crew a day of furlough to spend as they pleased. Amber went into town, accompanied by Carson, who bought her several necessities, such as ribbons, jewelry, and even a new frock. They had a pleasant time, but she could see that his thoughts were occupied elsewhere. He had not told her anything that had happened aboard the Indigo, and so she was left to wonder.

The following morning, they set sail for Barbados, and Reed was on edge, barking commands and being short with everyone, even Amber. The crew interpreted it as anger at not obtaining any plunder from the Indigo, and so they spoke to him only when necessary and gave him a wide berth.

Finally after a hard day and half of sailing, they could see the coast of Barbados. That night they circled the island, searching for the prison, and at length, the Captain spotted it. Silently they crept towards the sleeping island, and about a half mile off shore, they anchored the ship. "Do not, under any circumstances leave the ship," Carson told her, as he was strapping on his sword and gun. "If there is any disturbance at all, hide immediately in the secret chamber I showed you. I am not sure what will happen on the island, but I am making no assumptions." He stared at her for a brief moment and then turned to leave.

"Carson!" she called after to him, and she lunged into his arms.

At first he was caught off guard, but slowly his arms circled about her, crushing her gently to his chest. "I pray that you return in all safety. May God bless your endeavors," she said quietly.

Then with a peck on the top of her head, he was gone.

Carson had explained to his crew that there was a woman being held in the prison, and if they obtained her and returned her to her family, there would be a great reward. However, he did not tell them that she was the daughter of King Larson of France or that he was in love with her.

In a rouse, one of the men had been bound in chains, and the captain was dressed in his finest. Flanked by several of his crew, the rest were strategically placed about the prison should a fight ensue, they made their way toward the prison. "Who goes there?"

"I am Sir Winston, a privateer of his Majesty the King of Tainistan," Carson lied. "I have a traitor to the crown who necessitates immediate imprisonment."

There was a moment's hesitation, but then the gate was raised, and the company proceeded forward. Once within, they were met by a group of soldiers. The obvious leader of the group was a stout, pompous looking fellow, who looked down his nose at them. "Present the warrant and proper identification."

Never breaking eye contact, Captain Reed reached into his coat and withdrew the forged papers, all appearing to bear official seals. Upon looking them over briefly, the pompous man ushered them forward and into the bowels of the fortress. The prisoner was taken away, and Reed and his select company were led down a dimly lit hallway to a small room. Quickly, Cod turned down the opposite corridor without being noticed.

A man was sitting at a desk, a cup of wine in his hand. Behind him, hanging on the wall, were rings and rings of keys. There could have been thousands. The man stood when the small company entered the room. He was fair haired with pale blue eyes, but his countenance was harsh and cold. He inclined his head to the captain, and Carson obliged with a mock bow. "I am Sir Lionel, the overseer of this happy establishment," the man began. "What is your business here?"

"I have just deposited a notorious criminal into your growing collection. We are fortunate to have this murderer off the streets."

Sir Lionel narrowed his eyes, as if he were scrutinizing every detail of Carson down to his phony confession. At length, he pulled a snuff box from his coat, snorted, and beckoned for him and his men to sit. His one kind gesture was to offer some wine to his guests before refilling his cup and unceremoniously placing his feet on the table. "You have not told me your name or the name of your vessel."

Carson smiled to himself at the irony of the situation. He calls me rude and yet he rests his dirty boots on the place where we drink our wine. "My name is Sir Winston, and I am in the service of His Majesty. The criminal I have so graciously bestowed upon you is a one Ken Dean, a murderer and thief. His crimes are too numerous to recite."

Once again, Sir Lionel glared suspiciously at the small company, but Carson did not bat an eye lash. He carried himself beautifully. After all, he was a pirate, a master of deceit. "You still have not told me the name of your ship," Lionel prodded.

"She is the Kaimã." Carson thought that he heard one of his men snort at the generic Taino name, but he prayed that it was his over-active imagination.

"Hm." The room grew unpleasantly silent as Sir Lionel once again swept the room with his critical stare.

"Might we have some more wine?" the captain interjected. "That is if your hospitality can be spared."

And so it went. According to plan, Carson continued to get the man drunker and drunker, and the captain, although tipsy, was capable of maintaining his head. Finally, Sir Lionel passed out on the table, his hand still gripping his wine goblet.

Carson crept over to the wall of keys and proceeded to confiscate them all, handing a few rings to each man in his company until they were divided. Stealthily he and his crew crept from the room and down into the bowels of the prison.

Word Count: 2050

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