It was a crystal clear night as William Wadsworth sauntered down the roads of Plum Points harbor district. A cool breeze blew in from the ocean, carrying with it the glorious fragrance of unknown lands and lost treasures. William moved with a purpose as he passed by the pubs, the blacksmiths, and the merchants. He was headed for one place right now, Madam Laceys brothel. But it was not for the normal reasons that men usually visit these types of establishments. William didnt have a craving for women this evening; old Wadsworth was craving a ship.
Meanwhile, in the old musty Cauldron Pub just a few blocks away, Draven Cavenough was sipping ale while talking quietly with the only other person at his table, a young drummer named Alvin Reno. Alvin was only 15, but he had an old mans lifetime full of adventures already to his credit. Before long, Draven stood up, raised his glass, and shouted to the twenty-five men sitting elsewhere in the bar A round on the house, in the name of the good Captain William Wadsworth!
The shouts from the Cauldron Pub could be heard nearly a quarter mile away, where two men very quietly moved through the shadows near the ships currently docked in the harbor.
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OK, Wong, you know what to do. An Italian buccaneer whispered as he handed over a dagger.
Yes, Wong know the plan, be right back. The man from the Far East dove into the water and disappeared almost instantly. The Italian watched from the shadows of the harbor as Wong emerged at the bow of the closest ship docked in the harbor. With as much speed as he could muster, the Asian began work slicing into the rudder cables. As the Italian observed from the harbor, he noticed William Wadsworth walking past, his dark blue coat whipping in the wind, a long pipe in his mouth, a monkey perched on his shoulder, and a prostitute on each arm.
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Another round my good lads! Shouted Draven from atop the table he had previously been sitting behind. In the name of our most honored and beloved captain!
William Wadsworth! Answered the entire pub, almost in unison, as they raised yet another toast to the captain they had never met. Some of the men were now staggering, others seemed on the brink of unconsciousness, after the fifteen rounds of ale they had recently ingested.
Thats right men, William Wadsworth, the brave and fearless man who single handedly raided 3 bloody Spanish war ships. The fair and honest man who gives his treasure freely to all those under his command! Tonight my friends, we toast a legend! The shouts were becoming louder as more drinks circulated throughout the pub. Charles Breevy, the bartender and owner, began to worry if his supply of ale would run out before the night was over. Meanwhile, Draven Cavenough was hoping his supply of drunken pawns wouldnt run out before it was time for raid.
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Captain Benjamin Blarney was sleeping peacefully when a knock on his door awoke him.
Captain sir, sorry to bother you. It was the voice of his first mate, Henry Smythe. There is someone here to see you, sir. He says he has been sent by the mayor, says his name is Wadsworth. The name didnt sound familiar to Blarney, which was probably a good thing. Usually, if a merchant ship captain knew you, it was because you were a pirate or a thief of some type. Blarney rolled off of his bed and slipped on his jacket and boots. After a moment of thought, he decided to take his cutlass and dagger as well. He was a captain who possessed good intuition.
Ah, Captain Blarney! exclaimed William Wadsworth as he waved from the ground below the ship.
Cheers, my friend, I bring you gifts from my lord, and mayor of Plum Point, Paul Gilliam. Wadsworth stood with a beautiful woman under each arm. Behind him sat a cart, being pulled by a mule with 3 barrels sitting inside.
Permission to come aboard, kind sir! Wadsworths chest puffed out, his smile so wide it nearly stretched from ear to ear. Something about him made Blarney feel at ease, he seemed oddly trustworthy.
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The Italian buccaneer stood on the shore, nervously looking out into the darkness of the water. He had heard some commotion on the schooner that was docked beside Captain Blarneys brigantine. Someone keeping watch had spotted a man in the water. Several minutes passed while the crew of the schooner circled the ship, peering over the sides and looking for any intruders.
Giovanni the Asian whispered from the dark sea. The Italian turned his head and located Wong treading water. Man see me, whispered Wong We no able to get last ship. Giovanni swore under his breath. He motioned for Wong to join him on the shore. Too late to worry about the last ship now, it was time to get in position for the raid.
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Lower the gangplank! Blarney shouted. Wadsworths smile seemed to widen even more. He gently nudged the women to walk in front of him, as he strutted up and on to the deck of the Isabella, a large brigantine vessel. Most of the ships crewmen had been awoken by the disturbance, and were now eyeing the women, the barrels being lifted on to the ship, and Wadsworth, in that order.
Captain Blarney, I was sent here by the mayor to apologize for your recent troubles in our harbor. Word has reached him that, last night, an intruder was spotted on your ship, possibly attempting to steal some of your cargo. This much was true, the thief had escaped off of the ship, but not before the captain had gotten a good look at him. An odd looking man, with thin eyes and dark skin. A shot from the captains blunderbuss had only just missed the mans head as he dove into the ocean from the deck of the ship. Wadsworth produced a parchment from his jacket that appeared to have an official seal from the mayor of Plum Point on it. The letter stated that Wadsworth was a trusted colleague of the mayor would act on his behalf in regards to matters of the city.
I want you to know that I have personally been assigned to investigate this matter, and to put an end to any problems you have while trading in our town. Wadsworth continued But for tonight, to show our gratitude for the goods and the currency you bring to our town, I have a gift for you and your men. These 3 barrels contain the finest rum in St. Martins, direct from the Smoking Parrot to your ship! Also, Madam Laceys brothel has been rented out for the entire night, to you and all your men, free of charge. The lovely women with me will be glad to escort your back to the establishment at your leisure! A cheer went out through the crewmen as Wadsworth waved his hands in the air. Blarney gestured for all of the men to quiet down. He peered intently at Wadsworth, trying to determine the nature of this odd mans motives. Wadsworth stared back at Blarney, his smile now wider than ever. Finally, the merchant captain turned to his crew and shouted.
Alright, listen closely men. The captain began calling out names. After about thirty men had heard the captain shout their names, he continued You men are required to stay on the ship tonight, and will keep watch and stand guard. To the rest of you men, have a good night. A mixture of cheers and groans came from the crowd of crewmen that were all standing on deck. The majority of the crew that had been given the night off started to queue up for a night at Madam Laceys. The rest surrounded the barrels of rum, which was now being served by Wadsworth himself.
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The Cauldron was a sight to be seen. Drunken men were running throughout the bar, praising the good name of a captain they had never met. Alvin shifted nervously in his seat as Draven continued to rally the crowd with stories describing the amazing accomplishments of William Wadsworth. Just when Draven was running out of reasons to toast his friend, Mr. Wadsworth walked into the bar. Nobody seemed to take notice of him at first. Even though he was dressed in fine clothes fit for a noble, with a pet monkey perched on his shoulder. Alvin saw him immediately, breathed a sigh of relief, and then jumped up onto a table in the center of the pub.
Speaking of the good captain, here he is now! He yelled was he pointed down at Wadsworth. The captain waited for the crowd to quiet down and then pulled a small leather pouch from his jacket. He tossed it several feet in front of him and it landed with a thud. The bag opened and a few doubloons rolled out of it and in to the crowd. Now, all eyes were shifting from the small fortune on the floor to this man named Wadsworth.
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Wong and Giovanni stood several hundred feet from Isabella, attempting to blend in to the crowd as best they could. Very few people paid much attention to them, as the party, taking place on the largest ship in the harbor, was currently the talk of the area. Crewmen were staggering off in small groups and headed in the direction of Madam Laceys.
Plan working good. Wong muttered as quietly as he could Maybe 30 men left on ship. Make good fight. Giovanni couldnt help but smile at this comment. Wong was always ready for a good fight.
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That small bag of coins you see in front of you is nothing! Wadsworth spoke with determination and confidence It is but a small example of the fortune given to those men who will follow me to adventure! Tonight, every man in this bar has a great opportunity. You have the chance of a lifetime! I am about to take command of a new ship from the harbor, and anyone who will join me on this night will get an equal share of the riches it holds! The bar patrons stood watching silently. Wadsworth knew he was going to need every bit of charisma he possessed to sway this group in his favor.
If you choose not to follow me, know harm done. Consider the free drink you enjoyed tonight, along with any money you manage to scavenge off of the floor, a gift from me. A few men dove for the bag and a small scuffle broke out. Wadsworth spoke louder now.
But if you would prefer not to scrap on the floor in some musty pub for your gold, if you would rather take your place amongst the legends of brave sailors who have claimed endless fame and riches throughout these lands, then join me tonight! Join me, and we will sail from this dreadful existence, and in to a brave new world, full of fame and fortune! What say you, men of Plum Point? The fighting had stopped; once again every one was focused on this mysterious man.
I ask you now, and for the final time, who will join me? He was shouting with authority, as if he held the key to the fortune of every man within earshot.
Ill join you Captain! Shouted Alvin from his seat. He drew his small sword and pointed it high into the air.
As will I, let us go now, to our destiny! Draven joined in, both hands now clutching pistols. It was only a few seconds, but it seemed like a fortnight to the captain, as he waited for the reaction of these men. Wadsworth was amazed that the success of this raid ultimately depended on a group of drunks in a foul smelling pub.
Finally, one shouted out Im in as well! then another, soon men were shouting louder and stronger than they had all night. Wadsworth drew a beautiful silvered cutlass, and pointed it at the door. Very well, let us take what is rightfully ours! Moments later, the citizens of Plum Point were shocked to see a large group of men screaming maniacally as they ran towards the harbor.
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Giovanni heard the drunken shouting coming from down the road and began to retrieve a grenado from a leather bag under his arm. Within seconds, the men were in view. The Italian was shocked at the state of the drunken men following William. Some were staggering, barely able to stand. Others were so old it appeared they hadnt seen action in years. He lit a cigar and swore to himself.
Sweet Lord, Draven, this is the best army you could obtain? I would have rather took my chances with the women from the brothel helping us. Wong stepped closer and patted Giovanni on the shoulder.
You no worry, they be good diversion. Wong ready for good fight.
The men came passed by Wong and Giovanni, and William gave a quick wink to the pair as they marched forward. About the same time, the men who had been assigned guard duty aboard the Isabella took notice of the group. William watched as they began pointing and running towards the gangplank.
Now Giovanni! Now! He shouted and began running at the ship, his entourage keeping up as best they could. Giovanni lit the grenado he had been concealing under his jacket and hurled it at the ship. His aim was precise as it exploded just as it landed on the deck. Several of the crewmen scattered and a few dove to the ground. Moments later the captain appeared from below deck with a blunderbuss readied. .
William led the charge up the ships gangplank and his band of thirty drunks followed, still screaming like banshees. Some of them held old dull swords that looked as though they hadnt been used in years. A few had pistols, but most were carrying clubs, belaying pins, or anything else they could locate along the way to the ship. Wadsworth reached the deck and sliced through one of the men guarding the entrance to the ship. Draven aimed his pistol at the second crewmen standing at the entrance and pulled the trigger.
On the ground below, Giovanni continued to throw his grenados in to the ship, as he made his way to the gangplank. Most of them were exploding right on target. A few had fizzled before reaching the ship, and one had gone off just seconds after it was lit, almost taking the Italians hand with it. Wong had jumped back into the water after the first explosion and was now scaling up the anchor of the ship, preparing a surprise attack. Once his supply of explosions had been exhausted, Giovanni grabbed his cutlass and charged on to the deck, ready for battle.
Aboard the ship, Blarney located Wadsworth quickly. Anger and hatred swelled within the merchant captain as he realized the trickery this man had done to him. He charged directly at the brash pirate and pulled the trigger of his blunderbuss. William was shocked at the explosion occurring just feet from him. The shot clipped his arm, and sent a small trickle of blood down his jacket. His monkey, Drake, screamed and shot up the nearby crows nest. William seemed more concerned with the hole in his jacket than he was with the wound to his arm. He drew back his sword, inviting Blarney to engage him in a duel. Blarney dropped his gun and drew his own cutlass. The fight was on.
Wong climbed into the ship, dripping wet, and jumped into the melee. A flurry of chops to the heads of several crewmen sent them flying in all directions. Another man charged at Wong with a sword raised, but the Asian jumped into the air, spinning completely around, and connected with a kick to the skull of his opponent. The man crumpled into a heap. Draven was emptying his pistols on anyone he could find, dropping them to the ground and drawing new ones with each shot. Giovanni glided across the ship with his blade drawn, running through several crewmen from behind. As soon as he had killed his share, he began work on raising the gangplank, with the help of Alvin Reno, the young thief who had thus far managed to stay invisible in the shadows.
Wadsworths drunks were doing surprisingly well, given their situation. They had managed to knock a few men unconscious before they were reduced in number to a dozen or so. Whether it was the alcohol, Williamss promises, or both, something had instilled a sense of fearlessness in the men, and they fought on without worry of death.
The duel between William and Blarney continued all around the deck. Blarney was clearly the better swordsman, but William had the mental edge. The air was thick with the sound of the two blades clashing together repeatedly. Blarney had scored the best hits so far, and Wadsworth was bleeding from wounds on his arms and legs. While his shocked and frightened crew battled on, Blarney made a critical mistake. The merchant captain allowed his desire to see kill Wadsworth overtake him. Without concerning himself with the rest of the battle, Blarney focused all of his efforts on William. Soon, he had managed to bring his enemy within inches of death. The two men circled the ship one final time. Williams smile was now replaced by a look of terror. Had he been wrong in his planning? Would he pay the ultimate price now, without victory? The blade of Blarney seemed to answer that question as it knocked away Wadsworths parry attempt and slashed into his face. William screamed as he dropped his sword and stumbled backward. To the shock of everyone watching, the pirate stumbled to the edge of the ship, then over the rail and into the sea below. Draven ran to the edge where his friend had fallen and, without a moments thought, jumped overboard. Blarney had been so excited about his victory that he took no notice of Alvin Reno, who crept up slowly behind him. With one swift move, the young boy leapt behind the captain, and buried his dagger into the mans back. Blarney let out a yell as he looked down to see the blade now protruding through his chest. He dropped his sword and fell to his knee. Wong, angry over the death of his friend, jumped into the air and shifted all of his weight into his right foot. He brought it around and kicked Blarney in the head so hard that the snap of his neck echoed throughout the ship. Blarney slumped forward and crumpled into a heap on the deck, as Alvin pulled his blade from the body.
The crew of the ship, along with a few remaining drunkards, were no longer fighting, but were watching the men now standing around Blarney. Giovanni took control of the situation, just as he had been trained to do.
Alright, for anyone still breathing, this ship has a new captain. Youre now either with us or against us. If you wish to sail out of this harbor without anymore bloodshed, I suggest you raise the sails now, and let us be gone from here! It took a few moments, but slowly, the men seemed to understand. They began raising the sails, and making preparations for a quick get away.
During the commotion, Alvin realized that Draven was nowhere to be found. He raced to around the deck, looking over and into the water. Soon, he located his friend, attempting to tread water, with Wadsworth on his shoulder. Alvin called Wong over, and the two of them worked together, lowering Alvin with ropes, to help both William and Draven on to the ship safely. Wadsworth was alive, but just barely. Off of the ship, many citizens were screaming for the town guards, horrified at the massacre they had just witnessed. Giovanni had managed to scatter most of the crowd with a few final grenados, which he had saved just in case the plan worked. Before anyone could overtake the group, they had cut all ropes, raised the anchor, and put up enough sails to begin moving out of the harbor.
Several guards attempted to gain access to one of the other ships in dock, but after the commotion that had just occurred a few hundred yards away, every ship was armed and ready to kill anyone who attempted entrance onto their vessels, regardless of who that person said they were. Besides, three of the four ships would find out soon enough that they wouldnt be sailing anywhere until some simple repairs were made to the ships rudder cable. Not a difficult repair, but enough to slow them down for several hours.
The legend of The Drunken Raid on Plum Point has been told and retold throughout several generations. It is certainly possible that this tale has grown in size with each generation; however, I think that it is just as likely that every word of it is true. These five men, Alvin Reno the young thief from the New World, Wong the mysterious fighter from the Far East, Giovanni the Italian (who is also known as the Milan Raider), Draven the Dark, and Captain William Wadsworth, would eventually become known throughout the world for many generations. I have made it my lifes work to uncover the mysteries of these legends. In this book, lies the culmination of my research. Here are the tales of unlikely friends, and swashbuckling adventures. Here are The Unspoken Heroes.
Meanwhile, in the old musty Cauldron Pub just a few blocks away, Draven Cavenough was sipping ale while talking quietly with the only other person at his table, a young drummer named Alvin Reno. Alvin was only 15, but he had an old mans lifetime full of adventures already to his credit. Before long, Draven stood up, raised his glass, and shouted to the twenty-five men sitting elsewhere in the bar A round on the house, in the name of the good Captain William Wadsworth!
The shouts from the Cauldron Pub could be heard nearly a quarter mile away, where two men very quietly moved through the shadows near the ships currently docked in the harbor.
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OK, Wong, you know what to do. An Italian buccaneer whispered as he handed over a dagger.
Yes, Wong know the plan, be right back. The man from the Far East dove into the water and disappeared almost instantly. The Italian watched from the shadows of the harbor as Wong emerged at the bow of the closest ship docked in the harbor. With as much speed as he could muster, the Asian began work slicing into the rudder cables. As the Italian observed from the harbor, he noticed William Wadsworth walking past, his dark blue coat whipping in the wind, a long pipe in his mouth, a monkey perched on his shoulder, and a prostitute on each arm.
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Another round my good lads! Shouted Draven from atop the table he had previously been sitting behind. In the name of our most honored and beloved captain!
William Wadsworth! Answered the entire pub, almost in unison, as they raised yet another toast to the captain they had never met. Some of the men were now staggering, others seemed on the brink of unconsciousness, after the fifteen rounds of ale they had recently ingested.
Thats right men, William Wadsworth, the brave and fearless man who single handedly raided 3 bloody Spanish war ships. The fair and honest man who gives his treasure freely to all those under his command! Tonight my friends, we toast a legend! The shouts were becoming louder as more drinks circulated throughout the pub. Charles Breevy, the bartender and owner, began to worry if his supply of ale would run out before the night was over. Meanwhile, Draven Cavenough was hoping his supply of drunken pawns wouldnt run out before it was time for raid.
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Captain Benjamin Blarney was sleeping peacefully when a knock on his door awoke him.
Captain sir, sorry to bother you. It was the voice of his first mate, Henry Smythe. There is someone here to see you, sir. He says he has been sent by the mayor, says his name is Wadsworth. The name didnt sound familiar to Blarney, which was probably a good thing. Usually, if a merchant ship captain knew you, it was because you were a pirate or a thief of some type. Blarney rolled off of his bed and slipped on his jacket and boots. After a moment of thought, he decided to take his cutlass and dagger as well. He was a captain who possessed good intuition.
Ah, Captain Blarney! exclaimed William Wadsworth as he waved from the ground below the ship.
Cheers, my friend, I bring you gifts from my lord, and mayor of Plum Point, Paul Gilliam. Wadsworth stood with a beautiful woman under each arm. Behind him sat a cart, being pulled by a mule with 3 barrels sitting inside.
Permission to come aboard, kind sir! Wadsworths chest puffed out, his smile so wide it nearly stretched from ear to ear. Something about him made Blarney feel at ease, he seemed oddly trustworthy.
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The Italian buccaneer stood on the shore, nervously looking out into the darkness of the water. He had heard some commotion on the schooner that was docked beside Captain Blarneys brigantine. Someone keeping watch had spotted a man in the water. Several minutes passed while the crew of the schooner circled the ship, peering over the sides and looking for any intruders.
Giovanni the Asian whispered from the dark sea. The Italian turned his head and located Wong treading water. Man see me, whispered Wong We no able to get last ship. Giovanni swore under his breath. He motioned for Wong to join him on the shore. Too late to worry about the last ship now, it was time to get in position for the raid.
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Lower the gangplank! Blarney shouted. Wadsworths smile seemed to widen even more. He gently nudged the women to walk in front of him, as he strutted up and on to the deck of the Isabella, a large brigantine vessel. Most of the ships crewmen had been awoken by the disturbance, and were now eyeing the women, the barrels being lifted on to the ship, and Wadsworth, in that order.
Captain Blarney, I was sent here by the mayor to apologize for your recent troubles in our harbor. Word has reached him that, last night, an intruder was spotted on your ship, possibly attempting to steal some of your cargo. This much was true, the thief had escaped off of the ship, but not before the captain had gotten a good look at him. An odd looking man, with thin eyes and dark skin. A shot from the captains blunderbuss had only just missed the mans head as he dove into the ocean from the deck of the ship. Wadsworth produced a parchment from his jacket that appeared to have an official seal from the mayor of Plum Point on it. The letter stated that Wadsworth was a trusted colleague of the mayor would act on his behalf in regards to matters of the city.
I want you to know that I have personally been assigned to investigate this matter, and to put an end to any problems you have while trading in our town. Wadsworth continued But for tonight, to show our gratitude for the goods and the currency you bring to our town, I have a gift for you and your men. These 3 barrels contain the finest rum in St. Martins, direct from the Smoking Parrot to your ship! Also, Madam Laceys brothel has been rented out for the entire night, to you and all your men, free of charge. The lovely women with me will be glad to escort your back to the establishment at your leisure! A cheer went out through the crewmen as Wadsworth waved his hands in the air. Blarney gestured for all of the men to quiet down. He peered intently at Wadsworth, trying to determine the nature of this odd mans motives. Wadsworth stared back at Blarney, his smile now wider than ever. Finally, the merchant captain turned to his crew and shouted.
Alright, listen closely men. The captain began calling out names. After about thirty men had heard the captain shout their names, he continued You men are required to stay on the ship tonight, and will keep watch and stand guard. To the rest of you men, have a good night. A mixture of cheers and groans came from the crowd of crewmen that were all standing on deck. The majority of the crew that had been given the night off started to queue up for a night at Madam Laceys. The rest surrounded the barrels of rum, which was now being served by Wadsworth himself.
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The Cauldron was a sight to be seen. Drunken men were running throughout the bar, praising the good name of a captain they had never met. Alvin shifted nervously in his seat as Draven continued to rally the crowd with stories describing the amazing accomplishments of William Wadsworth. Just when Draven was running out of reasons to toast his friend, Mr. Wadsworth walked into the bar. Nobody seemed to take notice of him at first. Even though he was dressed in fine clothes fit for a noble, with a pet monkey perched on his shoulder. Alvin saw him immediately, breathed a sigh of relief, and then jumped up onto a table in the center of the pub.
Speaking of the good captain, here he is now! He yelled was he pointed down at Wadsworth. The captain waited for the crowd to quiet down and then pulled a small leather pouch from his jacket. He tossed it several feet in front of him and it landed with a thud. The bag opened and a few doubloons rolled out of it and in to the crowd. Now, all eyes were shifting from the small fortune on the floor to this man named Wadsworth.
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Wong and Giovanni stood several hundred feet from Isabella, attempting to blend in to the crowd as best they could. Very few people paid much attention to them, as the party, taking place on the largest ship in the harbor, was currently the talk of the area. Crewmen were staggering off in small groups and headed in the direction of Madam Laceys.
Plan working good. Wong muttered as quietly as he could Maybe 30 men left on ship. Make good fight. Giovanni couldnt help but smile at this comment. Wong was always ready for a good fight.
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That small bag of coins you see in front of you is nothing! Wadsworth spoke with determination and confidence It is but a small example of the fortune given to those men who will follow me to adventure! Tonight, every man in this bar has a great opportunity. You have the chance of a lifetime! I am about to take command of a new ship from the harbor, and anyone who will join me on this night will get an equal share of the riches it holds! The bar patrons stood watching silently. Wadsworth knew he was going to need every bit of charisma he possessed to sway this group in his favor.
If you choose not to follow me, know harm done. Consider the free drink you enjoyed tonight, along with any money you manage to scavenge off of the floor, a gift from me. A few men dove for the bag and a small scuffle broke out. Wadsworth spoke louder now.
But if you would prefer not to scrap on the floor in some musty pub for your gold, if you would rather take your place amongst the legends of brave sailors who have claimed endless fame and riches throughout these lands, then join me tonight! Join me, and we will sail from this dreadful existence, and in to a brave new world, full of fame and fortune! What say you, men of Plum Point? The fighting had stopped; once again every one was focused on this mysterious man.
I ask you now, and for the final time, who will join me? He was shouting with authority, as if he held the key to the fortune of every man within earshot.
Ill join you Captain! Shouted Alvin from his seat. He drew his small sword and pointed it high into the air.
As will I, let us go now, to our destiny! Draven joined in, both hands now clutching pistols. It was only a few seconds, but it seemed like a fortnight to the captain, as he waited for the reaction of these men. Wadsworth was amazed that the success of this raid ultimately depended on a group of drunks in a foul smelling pub.
Finally, one shouted out Im in as well! then another, soon men were shouting louder and stronger than they had all night. Wadsworth drew a beautiful silvered cutlass, and pointed it at the door. Very well, let us take what is rightfully ours! Moments later, the citizens of Plum Point were shocked to see a large group of men screaming maniacally as they ran towards the harbor.
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Giovanni heard the drunken shouting coming from down the road and began to retrieve a grenado from a leather bag under his arm. Within seconds, the men were in view. The Italian was shocked at the state of the drunken men following William. Some were staggering, barely able to stand. Others were so old it appeared they hadnt seen action in years. He lit a cigar and swore to himself.
Sweet Lord, Draven, this is the best army you could obtain? I would have rather took my chances with the women from the brothel helping us. Wong stepped closer and patted Giovanni on the shoulder.
You no worry, they be good diversion. Wong ready for good fight.
The men came passed by Wong and Giovanni, and William gave a quick wink to the pair as they marched forward. About the same time, the men who had been assigned guard duty aboard the Isabella took notice of the group. William watched as they began pointing and running towards the gangplank.
Now Giovanni! Now! He shouted and began running at the ship, his entourage keeping up as best they could. Giovanni lit the grenado he had been concealing under his jacket and hurled it at the ship. His aim was precise as it exploded just as it landed on the deck. Several of the crewmen scattered and a few dove to the ground. Moments later the captain appeared from below deck with a blunderbuss readied. .
William led the charge up the ships gangplank and his band of thirty drunks followed, still screaming like banshees. Some of them held old dull swords that looked as though they hadnt been used in years. A few had pistols, but most were carrying clubs, belaying pins, or anything else they could locate along the way to the ship. Wadsworth reached the deck and sliced through one of the men guarding the entrance to the ship. Draven aimed his pistol at the second crewmen standing at the entrance and pulled the trigger.
On the ground below, Giovanni continued to throw his grenados in to the ship, as he made his way to the gangplank. Most of them were exploding right on target. A few had fizzled before reaching the ship, and one had gone off just seconds after it was lit, almost taking the Italians hand with it. Wong had jumped back into the water after the first explosion and was now scaling up the anchor of the ship, preparing a surprise attack. Once his supply of explosions had been exhausted, Giovanni grabbed his cutlass and charged on to the deck, ready for battle.
Aboard the ship, Blarney located Wadsworth quickly. Anger and hatred swelled within the merchant captain as he realized the trickery this man had done to him. He charged directly at the brash pirate and pulled the trigger of his blunderbuss. William was shocked at the explosion occurring just feet from him. The shot clipped his arm, and sent a small trickle of blood down his jacket. His monkey, Drake, screamed and shot up the nearby crows nest. William seemed more concerned with the hole in his jacket than he was with the wound to his arm. He drew back his sword, inviting Blarney to engage him in a duel. Blarney dropped his gun and drew his own cutlass. The fight was on.
Wong climbed into the ship, dripping wet, and jumped into the melee. A flurry of chops to the heads of several crewmen sent them flying in all directions. Another man charged at Wong with a sword raised, but the Asian jumped into the air, spinning completely around, and connected with a kick to the skull of his opponent. The man crumpled into a heap. Draven was emptying his pistols on anyone he could find, dropping them to the ground and drawing new ones with each shot. Giovanni glided across the ship with his blade drawn, running through several crewmen from behind. As soon as he had killed his share, he began work on raising the gangplank, with the help of Alvin Reno, the young thief who had thus far managed to stay invisible in the shadows.
Wadsworths drunks were doing surprisingly well, given their situation. They had managed to knock a few men unconscious before they were reduced in number to a dozen or so. Whether it was the alcohol, Williamss promises, or both, something had instilled a sense of fearlessness in the men, and they fought on without worry of death.
The duel between William and Blarney continued all around the deck. Blarney was clearly the better swordsman, but William had the mental edge. The air was thick with the sound of the two blades clashing together repeatedly. Blarney had scored the best hits so far, and Wadsworth was bleeding from wounds on his arms and legs. While his shocked and frightened crew battled on, Blarney made a critical mistake. The merchant captain allowed his desire to see kill Wadsworth overtake him. Without concerning himself with the rest of the battle, Blarney focused all of his efforts on William. Soon, he had managed to bring his enemy within inches of death. The two men circled the ship one final time. Williams smile was now replaced by a look of terror. Had he been wrong in his planning? Would he pay the ultimate price now, without victory? The blade of Blarney seemed to answer that question as it knocked away Wadsworths parry attempt and slashed into his face. William screamed as he dropped his sword and stumbled backward. To the shock of everyone watching, the pirate stumbled to the edge of the ship, then over the rail and into the sea below. Draven ran to the edge where his friend had fallen and, without a moments thought, jumped overboard. Blarney had been so excited about his victory that he took no notice of Alvin Reno, who crept up slowly behind him. With one swift move, the young boy leapt behind the captain, and buried his dagger into the mans back. Blarney let out a yell as he looked down to see the blade now protruding through his chest. He dropped his sword and fell to his knee. Wong, angry over the death of his friend, jumped into the air and shifted all of his weight into his right foot. He brought it around and kicked Blarney in the head so hard that the snap of his neck echoed throughout the ship. Blarney slumped forward and crumpled into a heap on the deck, as Alvin pulled his blade from the body.
The crew of the ship, along with a few remaining drunkards, were no longer fighting, but were watching the men now standing around Blarney. Giovanni took control of the situation, just as he had been trained to do.
Alright, for anyone still breathing, this ship has a new captain. Youre now either with us or against us. If you wish to sail out of this harbor without anymore bloodshed, I suggest you raise the sails now, and let us be gone from here! It took a few moments, but slowly, the men seemed to understand. They began raising the sails, and making preparations for a quick get away.
During the commotion, Alvin realized that Draven was nowhere to be found. He raced to around the deck, looking over and into the water. Soon, he located his friend, attempting to tread water, with Wadsworth on his shoulder. Alvin called Wong over, and the two of them worked together, lowering Alvin with ropes, to help both William and Draven on to the ship safely. Wadsworth was alive, but just barely. Off of the ship, many citizens were screaming for the town guards, horrified at the massacre they had just witnessed. Giovanni had managed to scatter most of the crowd with a few final grenados, which he had saved just in case the plan worked. Before anyone could overtake the group, they had cut all ropes, raised the anchor, and put up enough sails to begin moving out of the harbor.
Several guards attempted to gain access to one of the other ships in dock, but after the commotion that had just occurred a few hundred yards away, every ship was armed and ready to kill anyone who attempted entrance onto their vessels, regardless of who that person said they were. Besides, three of the four ships would find out soon enough that they wouldnt be sailing anywhere until some simple repairs were made to the ships rudder cable. Not a difficult repair, but enough to slow them down for several hours.
The legend of The Drunken Raid on Plum Point has been told and retold throughout several generations. It is certainly possible that this tale has grown in size with each generation; however, I think that it is just as likely that every word of it is true. These five men, Alvin Reno the young thief from the New World, Wong the mysterious fighter from the Far East, Giovanni the Italian (who is also known as the Milan Raider), Draven the Dark, and Captain William Wadsworth, would eventually become known throughout the world for many generations. I have made it my lifes work to uncover the mysteries of these legends. In this book, lies the culmination of my research. Here are the tales of unlikely friends, and swashbuckling adventures. Here are The Unspoken Heroes.
