Round 2 Mafia Hit - Dead Men Tell No Tales

The port that they had all come to after last night’s dealings with the Frenchman was dark and foreboding. The stories told that even pirates were reluctant to come this way. The rumor was that you could find the need to draw your blade at any moment and die for any reason. The people of this town didn't seem to care so long as someone paid the price. The Captain let out a deep breath. Pirates expect to die eventually for their own crimes, but dieing for someone else’s was a different matter.

The Captain looked behind constantly, while attempting to navigate the crowded docks toward the waiting ship. Watching one's back in a place like this was important if you wanted to survive. The Captain did not notice the passing figure until the folded paper was pressed into the Captains own hand. Having heard many stories, the Captain suspected the meaning of this message. The desire to run to the ship and barricade the cabin door was suppressed. This would not be like last time. No more vessels would be lost.

Reaching the cabin, the Captain quickly closed the door and opened the note. There it was, just as the stories had always described. The black spot. It’s effect was the same too. Fear. The Captain turned on a heel and left the cabin. Orders were shouted, as the ship prepared to leave port. A sense of urgency swept over the crew as they felt the need to make haste coming from their captain’s tone.

Captain and crew made it to open sea just as the red rays of the sun touched the horizon. By the dawn’s early light, the Captain could see that it was already too late. The ships were there waiting. Even a craft as grand as this would have trouble when out-numbered. The Captain and crew may go down, but they would go down fighting. Giving the order, the first cannon was fired. The battle had begun.

Soon black smoke and gun powder filled the air. The force of the blast hitting the deck caused those too near to lose footing. The Captain fell back into the splintered handle of the wheel. The wood that the Captain once caressed lovingly had pierced a lung. This wouldn’t be like last time. There would be no escaping this battle. The Captain coughed and struggled to get free of the wheel. The winds were kind as the flag with the crossed sabers drifted down to cover the Captain. Leigh Williams would not have to see the final destruction of her beloved Aurora on this bloody sunrise.