Chapter 6

Chapter Six - London Harbor, 1802

Josey was dropped back to the harbor, where he was to gather his crew and leave for France. Tobias dropped him off, along with some packages of food for the journey. Josey stood in the middle of the street, surrounded by the packages, ruffling his hair and processing all the information that had just been given to him. He spotted Mack drinking some ale from a barrel, and waved him over.

"Aye, captain?" Mack asked, reaching Josey.

"I need you to gather up the crew and meet me back at the ship."

"We leaving? What happened to staying for a couple of more days?"

"Plans have changed. We've been asked to perform a mission."

"A mission? Ain't that a bit odd for a band of pirates?"

"Enough questions, Mack! Go gather the crew and meet me before it gets dark." Mack shrugged and went to find the rest of the crew. Josey heaved a sigh and gathered up all the food packages on to his back and began a slow, lumbering walk to his ship.

***

Josey's ship, The Skull Sailor, was a big beauty. Made of dark, black ebony wood and carved to perfection, she stood, hidden amongst the other ships at the pier. Josey smiled when he saw her, her blackness shining in the low evening sun. She was like family to Josey, a home he would never abandon. He climbed aboard and stored the food into the small cellar on the top deck, then took his position behind the wheel, waiting for his crew. He placed his hands on the wheel, feeling all the familiar crevices and scratches made in the wood over the years. He breathed in the salty air, feeling the light ocean breeze ruffle his golden locks. Oh yes, this was home to Josey.

A few minutes later, Josey's crew hopped aboard, all of the men murmuring about the so-called mission Mack had said Josey would inform them about.

"Men!" Josey shouted, immediately grabbing their attention. "I have received information regarding a rescue mission. I am sure you have all heard of Walter Desmond, one of the richest men in England. Mr. Desmond has asked us to go to the south of France, and rescue his daughter from a clan of gypsies." The murmurs started up again, all the men surprised at this.

"Since when do we work for the rich?" One man asked.

"Since now!" Josey responded, his voice laced with anger. No one was allowed to question his authority. "Mr. Desmond has not seen his daughter for a year and has become desperate. He believes only we pirates can save his daughter now. And I intend for us to prove him right! He has offered to pay us a generous amount, the least we can do is try for the man." No one asked how much Walter would pay, since that was only the business of the captain. Maybe he would tell Mack the price, but it would only be between the two of them. "Do I have to say anything in order for all of you to start working?" Josey yelled, and the crew set to work, eight of the men preparing the ship for sail, while two of them went into the food cellar to begin preparing for the crew's supper. Mack climbed up to stand next to Josey, overlooking the men.

"Are ye sure this a good idea? One woman on ship full of men... Mr. Desmond may have asked you to save her, but I don't think he thought of ten lusty men out in the open seas with his daughter." Mack said quietly.

"No one will touch her," Josey growled, flashing burning eyes on Mack. Mack squinted at Josey, then shrugged and went to make sure the men were doing things right. Josey thought of Dianna's beautiful picture, and made a promise to himself, right then and there. No one in his crew would touch her, and if they did he would cut their hands off. He was going to keep Dianna safe if it would kill him.

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