Chapter 5 of this book. Took a while to type. I transferred it from Microsoft word to here so there might be some differences in how I' like it to look but here it is. It is also a bit lengthy but you can take a break if you'd like.



The captain’s anger seemed to have further kindled as he was ready to fight for his Charm but he knew it wasn’t a battle to be fought now. Roger, Matthew and John made their way to over to the Charm via wooden plank and soon they all joined Zed aboard it.

Roger- “Calm down Zed. If this be Dedmond’s crew then it surely won’t be easy to take out.” Roger said with a hint of caution, as he approached Zed from behind.
Ed- “I suggest you listen to your one eyed friend Mr. Zed. He already seems to have a bit more wisdom than you.” Uttered the Puerto Rican with the intention of aggravating Zed a bit more.
Zed- “Wait wait wait wait.“ *Looks at Ed and then Roger* “I’d say I have the most wisdom out of all three of us. From the looks of things, you *points at Ed* seem to have been captured by Dedmond. Something I have yet to do. And you *Looks at Roger* seem to have become visually impaired. Also something I have yet to do. I therefore declare me the wisest of we three till I lose an eye or get captured by Dedmond. So ha.”


At this remark, both captains (Roger and Ed are the captains at this moment since they actually own their own ships) drew their swords with similar intentions that put Zed in a less than favorable place.

Roger and Ed- “What was that?”
Zed- “Um…. I coughed… ‘….. Anyway that’s all beside the point. I mean we can all be wise together as long as we all don’t make any rash decisions…. Sword wise.”


Roger and Ed then put their swords away and gave Zed a playful grimace. After this Zed proceeded to ask Ed some questions that would shed some light on why he and the crew (Zed and Roger’s crew) were being followed. The answer was; as Zed put it before; Ed was put on a mission to do so by the Reaper himself. While this was happening, about 5 of Ed’s undead crew members crossed over to The Herron with the intention of finding the map they were sent for. Roger’s crew simply watched in shock as their shipped was being treated as if were the scene of a modern day crime. None of them dared to interrupt or engage Dedmond’s crew, as they knew the Reaper wouldn’t be too happy and would probably want replacements if he lost anyone. Dedmond’s crew also didn’t look like the approachable lot as they walked in an ape-like fashion and had disarming looks on what was left on each of their faces. When they finally found what they came for, they retreated back to The Charm in a successful manner.

 

John- “Um…. Roger and Zed..”
Both- “What?”
John- “It seems that they just raided or ship for the map.”
Roger- “What?!”
Zed- “Ah. I see. So this conversation you had me and old ‘one eye’ engaged in was just a diversion to steal our map eh? Well it’s gonna take more than that to sneak one pass me it will.” said Zed as if he had seen the whole thing go down and had caught Ed red-handed.
Ed- “You were the one who started the questions in the first place…. And I needed no diversion to take it from you.”
Zed- *huddles up with Roger, John and Matthew in an attempt at a quiet conversation* “He’s right y’know.”
Roger- “I care not! Map belongs to me and I AM going to get it Backaah!” Roger yelled as he turned away from Zed who was trying to have a whispering conversation with him.

Immediately following this Roger drew his sword and yelled at his crew to get over and retrieve the map. The once reluctant crew then did as they were told as if Roger’s words invigorated them like a war cry did its receiving soldiers on the battle field. The peaceful deck of the Charm soon became a grueling battle field as all men, (Along with Amy) undead or alive had at one another with swings and stabs. The clashing of swords and throwing of interjections like ‘AAAAAH!’ were enough to convince anyone within a 50 feet radius that there was a fight going on. In all this Roger was slashing his way to Ed taking out as many of Dedmond’s undying crew as possible. Ed was also crossing blades with Roger’s crew, being careful not to get cut but also landing a couple cuts of his own. Not too long into the fight the two captains found themselves dueling in the center of what has a crowd of sword fighting.

SWORDFIGHT Ed vs Roger:

Ed was the first to take a swing at Roger with his sword in his right arm but Roger, with his sword in the in the right blocks it resulting in an echo of steel clashing on steel. Roger shrugs off the weaker Puerto Ricans blade and retaliates with a stab at the gut to which Ed side-steps. Ed the swings at Roger’s face but the one eyed man is a bit too sharp (no pun intended) and blocks with his blade before delivering the first blow of the fight; using his left arm instead of a sword. The dazed Ed then narrowly blocks the incoming swing at his face and kicks Roger in the shin. The two then circle in a fixed ring as they are enclose in the brawl taking place. They both still slash and block, both determined to take home a limb or two at the end of the fight… meanwhile

Dedmond’s crew lost some limbs but simply took them back up and re-attached them as if nothing happened, then continued fighting what was becoming a losing fight for those without this ability. The man who had the map in-hand at this time lost the arm that held it. When he retrieved it he noticed that something went missing as he noticed Zed scurrying off with what the fight was about. When Zed noticed he had been spotted he simply ducked, then pointed behind the undead man as to alert him that he was about to be stabbed. This got his attention and gave Zed the window he needed to make it to the bow of the ship and fire off a gunshot…..this first heard for all the fight. This caught the attention of all fighters including the captains who hadn’t let up at each other till now. The confident looking captain then lowered the hand with the gun and raised the one with the Map.

Zed- “Listen up all ye uncivil and barbaric scallywags!” He said with shouting and well heard voice. “We needn’t be fighting like brutes over a measly piece of paper. What if I dropped it
overboard or tore it up with me blade? What would we all be fighting for then eh?”

Ed- “To see who could kill you for destroying our hope first.” *points gun at Zed*
Roger- “Aye.” *points gun at Zed*
All others (except Amy who just hoped Zed would get himself almost killed again)-“Aye.” *point guns at Zed*

Zed- “What? Even you Matt?”
Matthew- “I have to get paid somehow.”
Zed- “Yup. Ye be pirates alright…. Anywho seeing as none of you want to loose and all want to gain… hows about I make ye all a proposition? There be a way that we can all be satisfied.”

Ed- “How. Explain now or I’ll shoot you.”
Zed- “Like I haven’t heard that one before.”
Ed- *Shoots at Zed’s foot only to see his bullet miss its target as Zed anticipated a shot and jumped and landed on his feet*

Zed- “Told ya. Heard that one before. Good thing I am good under pressure. Anyway before anyone else takes a shot let me explain. Roger wants riches… from what you said earlier you want freedom from Dedmond Ed… and everyone else except the undead ones want riches as they seek freedom also. If Atlantis can free Dedmond… it can do the same for all you undead ones and Ed. It can also give you Roger and unfaithful crew, riches. Why fight then? I say we work together. Nothing beats the power of teamwork.”

Ed- “Why should I trust you? You attacked me and my crew.”
Zed- “Me? I opted not to do any such thing. Roger did. But forgive my impudent acquaintance as it is in his nature to be a bit rash. Besides….. I’m sure Dedmond would do you far worse if ya failed this quest. What makes him any better than Roger? I say. Backstab him. Help me and live again… or help him and hope he has the heart to let you go free. C’mon…. you’re not afraid are ya?”
Ed- “I fear nothing.”
Zed- “Yet here you are putting your undead life on the line while he relaxes in his cozy seas, ordering you to do his work for him. Join me. C’mon. Do it. You know you to….. mate.”


At this option Ed paused as if he were given new life. He looked at his reflection on his sword, recognizing his flesh started rotting and skin from his forehead start to peel off without even being touched. It was now clear in his mind that what Zed was giving him was better than what Dedmond had in-stored.

Ed- “Fine. I’ll join.”
Undead Crew member 1 (UCM1)- “What? Are you mad?” he said with a voice severely affected by dry throat.
UCM3- “If you double cross Dedmond there’ll surely be Hell to pay.” He said with a mouth in absence of a tongue.
Ed- “It might be too late for you… but not me. I am fresh. I will not rot to bone while doing another being’s bidding till the seas dry up.”

Now Dedmond was seeing all of this because of a special quality he possessed and some assistance from UCM2. Before he sent Ed out on his quest, he planted somewhat of a bug so he’d be able to track what took place aboard his resurrected ship. He too out one of his eyeballs and replaced it with UCM2’s eyeball as a means of vision……


Zed- “Good then. We have a deal. You help us. We help you. Nice and simple.”
UCM2- “HE might be in…..but not us. Dedmond knows about this. He can see all of it through my left eye. He is probably on his way right now. When he finds you. You’ll be joining us for sure.”
Zed- “Then we move swiftly knowing time is of the essence. But you negative Nancies won’t do us any good. Especially not with that eye there. I say we tie em up and throw em overboard.”
Roger- “Far oance (pronounced Oh-wan-ss) I agreeyyah.”

The now unified crew of Roger’s crew and… just Ed did as was suggested by Zed…..






Meanwhile on the Reaper’s Bride:

Dedmond- “That Zed…. He has done it again. Potentially robbed me of finding her….. GAH! Pull me anchor and ready the ship for sailing! We have been called out of our waters and will be sailing in pursuit of a certain thieving, conniving and mutiny inspiring man!”

Meanwhile aboard English Providence (English warship):

Commander Williams- *Puts down telescope that was being used to spy on the pirates from a distance* “They’ve finally stopped squabbling, the pathetic and disorderly things. It will be a pleasure getting rid of them. So immoral. So unfit for a proper life. They cannot contribute to this era in any way that doesn’t directly benefit themselves. Selfish.” The Commander said with a hint of strife in his tone.
Privateer1 (P1)- “Commander……?” said the respectful privateer in a humble manner being careful not to disturb the already angered Commander.
Williams- “State your quarry sir.”
P1- “How long were we sent to watch these pirates? What is our next plan of action? The crew are awaiting command.”
Williams- “They seemed to have made a treaty of some sort….an agreement. If they have truly unified we stand no chance. Our crew of 20 was sent to seek information not to launch a direct attack. We wait to see what else happens betwixt these scoundrels then report to the rest of the fleet stationed on the coast of Guyana. When they get heads on what is to be done….we attack in our numbers. He won’t escape this time. For now, keep the ship steady and hidden. I want no blunders on this endeavor. Do I make myself clear?”

All crew- “Aye Commander.” They said in a united and stern voice.
Commander- “Good. For the homeland. For the crown.”