“Here ye be, lad, lemme give ye a hand,” Flint spoke quietly as he pulled the man on deck. “Welcome aboard me ship, lad, now, tell me who ye are?”
In a snooty tone, the man looked at Flint and spoke. “I am Sebastien Philippe de La Havre, Harbor Master for His Royal Majesty, King Henry IV, and I demand to know who YOU are, coming into my harbor on the evening tide. Protocol dictates that you shall wait the night outside the port, and have your ship brought in on the morning tide.”
Flint grinned and replied, “Ye obviously were’na listenin, lad, since I told ye who I was. But since ye seem ta be a bit thick headed, I’ll say it again. I be Captain BlackJack Flint, this is me ship. I’m in Calais on business, and I’ll be thankin ye ta get me ship ta the docks, so that I can get ABOUT me business. The ladies waitin fer me don’ like ta be kept waitin.”
De La Havre looked at Flint and asked, “Just who would you have business with at this hour of the night? There are NO good businesses open after sundown, so you MUST be up to trouble!”
“If’n ye REALLY wanna know, me business be with the Maison de la Rouge. I’m fairly certain ye’ve heard of them, and I KNOW King Henry has. So, if’n ye please, get yer pudgy arse up to the wheel, and tell me helmsman where I can put me damned ship, afore I get angry, cut yer damned throat, and toss ye overboard now!”, Flint growled in a low, menacing tone. The man yelped, and ran to the wheel, to aid Mr. Bradley in docking the ship. Flint chuckled softly and winked at his first mate, Mr. Thomas, over the harbor master’s head. “Amazin just what kind of power Madame Sylvie’s name has, isn’t it, lads?”
Two hours later, with the ship safely secured to the pier, Flint was giving orders to Mr. Thomas. “All right lad, I’m taking a small chest with a sampling of the jewels and cloth to Madame Sylvie. Keep the rest secure and dry, and I am willin ta bet that she’ll have a cart here tomorrow sometime to get the rest. Keep the mid and day watches aboard, liberty for the rest. Standard port rules apply, no booze or women aboard, and start checkin fer damage to both the ship and provisions in the morn.” Thomas saluted, and Flint walked down the gangplank, chest under his left arm.
Walking down the pier, Flint noticed a shadow in a doorway. He casually dropped a throwing blade from a hidden sheath into his palm. As he got within range to throw, the shadow spoke. “Stay yer blade, brother. It’s me, Magnus.” The shadow stepped forward, and it was as if the shadows themselves took form.
Magnus Pale, as he was known, was a wiry man, known for his expertise at gathering information, as well as more “artistic” talents. “Madame Sylvie sent me to watch fer ya. There’s strange things afoot, brother, I suggest we away quickly. I’ve already sent a coded message to yer Mr. Thomas advising him to prepare to put to sea as quickly as possible. I’ve horses this way.” Pale moved quickly towards a small alcove between two buildings, leading out two saddled horses. Flint began to secure the chest behind his saddle as he spoke.
“A’right Magnus, what the bloody hell is goin on? I’ve not even been in port two hours, and a’ready I’m in trouble? Even I am not THAT good.” And then a thought struck him. “The Elizabeth’s Pride. Bloody hell, that damned clumsy captain was related to someone important, wasn’t she????” The two men began to ride towards the south gate before Magnus spoke again.
“Ye know, BlackJack, all the years I’ve known ye, I’ve never known ye to make a move that stupid. Ye took out a ship belonging to the Queen of England, and killed one of her royal cousins.” Magnus raised a hand to cut off complaint, and continued. “That man was apparently one of Elizabeth’s favorite cousins, whom she thought highly of. Now the word is that her pet Privateer, Sir Francis Drake is after ye. I’ve orders ta get ye to the Maison de la Rouge, and let ye discuss things with Sylvie. Now let’s get out of here, while the gold I paid the guards at the gate to let us by is still worth somethin!”
With that, both men put their heels to horse, and galloped through the dark streets of Calais, into the night.
After about two hours of hard riding to the south and east, the men slowed the horses to a walk. Flint thought a few moments, then addressed Magnus again. “Tell me, brother, what news of the House? Business is well, I hope? I’m not goin ta get attacked by Sylvie’s brutes when I walk in there, am I?”
Magnus laughed heartily. “And what if they do, my brother? You know as well as I do that every single one of them was trained by the two of us sittin here, and I know full well ye didna show them ALL yer tricks, just as I held back as well. We’ve been livin this life far too long to expect anyone to not try to stab us in the back. And now, I’ve other duties, ye know the way from here, I wager?”
“Aye, lad. Straight on til mornin. Even I can’t get lost here… I’ve made this journey too many times. I’ll see ye after?”
“Aye, BlackJack. After. No worries about the cart, the arrangements have been made, the rest of the goods for the house should be offloaded and on their way by dawn. Tell Sylvie that she should expect the rest of the goods in two days. Try to stay outta trouble, a’right?” Magnus turned his horse, waved, and rode off into the darkness. Flint continued on his way to his final stop for the evening.
The sunrise found a tired dirty man approaching a large mansion, set in the middle of nowhere, on a lane lined with shade trees. As he saw the mansion grow in his vision, he pulled himself up straighter in the saddle, attempting to look more awake than he felt.. As he got within range, Flint could make out the bowmen on the roof, as well as the slack way that the men at the gate were only half watching him. Chuckling softly, Flint dropped his throwing knife from it’s hidden sheath yet again, knowing he was going to get to use it this time.
As he got into throwing range, one guard finally took notice of him, too late. The guard never even saw Flint move, and found his right shoulder pinned to the wooden door he was leaning against. The second guard quickly found himself in a similar predicament, as he was also pinned. Flint then quickly jumped from the saddle, drawing a pistol in his left hand, and cutlass in his right.
“Now, lads, I know ye were taught better than that. Why in the hells are ye sittin here letting yerself be taken so easily? This isn’t what Madame Sylvie pays ye for, is it? Or are ye getting lazy with the knowledge that yer Mistress be getting so powerful that most think it folly ta attack her?” Both men looked at each other, and didn’t answer. Flint laughed, and continued. “Do ye not even recognize the man who trained ye both? I realize it’s been nigh on a year since I’ve been gone, but do ye both have rocks in yer skulls?”
At the last statement, the doors began to open, dragging the stuck guards with it. Flint laughed at the two tripping over their feet as they were dragged into the grounds. As the doors came fully open, Flint found himself face to face with Madame Sylvie’s Housecarl.
“Captain, I see you have made it here safely, including your usual theatrics. Madame Sylvie is waiting for you in the main lounge. Breakfast will be there shortly as well. However, looking at and smelling you, I think a bath and clean clothes would be in order first. I shall tell Madame Sylvie that you are delayed.” The Housecarl clapped his hands, and servants came forward. Two stable boys quickly took the horse towards the stables, while a third handed the chest from behind the saddle to Flint. “I shall take that to Madame Sylvie, so that she may inspect the contents whilst you are in your bath, Captain.” Flint, knowing he would not win this battle, chose silence, handing over the chest, and allowing two more servants to lead him to the bathing area.
Two hours later, Flint found himself freshly scrubbed, shaved, and in clean clothes. He walked into Madame Sylvie’s main lounge, feeling quite relaxed. As he approached, he saw Sylvie sitting at the large round table, the chest he carried in front of her.
“Madame Sylvie,” Flint spoke, as he knelt, kissing her hand. “It does my heart good to see you well. I trust ye’ve had few problems in my absence? Magnus was as norm, maddeningly short on details.” He then took a seat next to her, which seemed to be the cue for servants to bring out platters of steaming eggs, sausage, croissants, and tea. Flint fell to with a will, piling food on the plate in front of him, while he waited for Sylvie to speak.
“It has been some time since you last graced our halls, Captain, and it is quite apparent that your manners have not improved with time. I know when last you were with us, we had finally gotten you to start using utensils properly. It would appear that your time at sea with your men has caused a reversion of your old habits. However, if the rest of your cargo meets the quality of the sample you have brought with you, we shall once again, be able to do business. Magnus gave me assurances that the rest of the delivery should be here by tomorrow latest, having arranged for the porters to remove it from your ship and onto the wagons during the night. Now, when you are done eating, we can discuss the more important issues that face you now. Of that business, one would have to consider Sir Francis Drake to be of your highest priority. Unfortunately, due to your current situation, you will be unable to see the others, as you will be leaving as soon as we are concluded here. I have already arranged with my merchants at the pier to give Mr. Thomas whatever he needs to get your ship ready for a month at sea, and for the bill to come to me. With the materials coming, it will be some time before I will be able to pay you your share, so I shall take payment for the stores out of that money. I hope you understand and can agree with this arrangement?”
Pouring them both a cup of tea, Flint leaned back in his chair. “Well, Madame, it would appear that ye’ve the advantage in our dealings this day. Whilst I agree with ye, that I must need put to sea quickly, I will trust that our previous business arrangements will set the tone of our futures, and that you will deal fairly. We’ve known each other too long, since before you started this household, and know too much about each other to hurt each other. Even Magnus doesn’t know the full extent of what we have done for each other in the past. Some secrets of yours I will take to the grave, as I gave my oath. That said, you are right, I must put out to sea quickly, but I need information first. I’m told that the Elizabeth’s Pride captain was a favored cousin of Queen Elizabeth herself, and that she has sent her fop after me.” Sylvie nodded, and he continued. “What I need now, is to know his last known position, and any and all information concerning how he is currently traveling. Single ship, fleet, how many guns and crew he has. I need to determine what is going to be better, to attempt to hide, or take the battle to him.”
Sylvie took her cup of tea, and nodded. “I will attempt to get the information you need. You are right, Drake is a fop, but he is one of the most dangerous fops on the seas, from all accounts. His victories seven years ago against the Spanish will live forever.”
Flint thought for a few moments, and made his decision. “Okay, if you can get the information about Drakes fleet, I would appreciate it. Use Magnus’ network, and have it waitin for me when I get to Lisbon. I don’t really want ta be sailin along the English coast right now, but if I can get enough of a lead, that will help. Also, let word get to Drake that I am runnin fer the Cape of Good Hope. Just give me three days head start a’fore ye leak that information, if’n ye please. I think if the ship’s ready ta sail when I get there, we can put out immediately. It’ll take the better part of a week to get to Lisbon this time of year, but if we can get enough of a lead on Drake, we might be able to take him, and rid the world of him.”
Sylvie looked at Flint, and sighed. “If you think that this is your best course of action, then I shall wish you luck. I think that mayhaps you are overreacting, but I have yet to get all of the information back on how close Elizabeth was to this cousin you killed. I shall pass your regrets to the others who wished to see you, as I do agree, you needs be off immediately. Magnus or one of his most trusted will be in Lisbon awaiting your arrival, and will have the most current and accurate information I can get for you. Please do travel safely, and come back in one piece. You have been part of our enterprise here from the beginning, and I would take it as a personal insult if someone were to remove you from my employ. Take care, my captain, and know that all within the Masion de la Rouge wish you and your crew a safe journey.”
Flint stood, bowed, and began to walk away. Stopping at the door, he turned and grinned. “No worries, lass. If I’m destined to die at the hands of some fop, I’d have been killed years ago. I’ll take care of Drake, and come back with some silks and spices for you in the bargain!” He then spun on his heel and walked off.
To Be Continued...
© 2010 Jack Black of Flint
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