“So, what does that book say to do? Anything?” Cael’s words were a mixture of fear and excitement. He wouldn’t admit it himself, but growing up with Archer most definitely swayed him into a similar curiosity that Archer had.

“They are passive until you get too close…” Archer mumbled just loud enough for Cael. “So we should be fine here, but we need to make it onto the island. “Men!” Archer suddenly yelled out. “Drop the anchor and stay alert!”

The men, confused for a moment, rushed into action. Most had been in the crew since its formation, and they had learned to never question Archer. After all these years, they were still afloat and living a much better life than they had before.

“We should be fine for now! Swig!” Archer called out.

“Ay, Captain?” A lanky man came out from the busy crew.

“Bird's nest. Watch out for anything suspicious.” Archer said.

“Aint everything already suspicious enough?” Swig questioned.

Archer smacked Swig on the back, directing him to the ladder. “You know what I mean, ya fool.”

“Ay, Captain,” Swig nodded.

“Nothing should happen though, but just in case!” Archer called out while heading back to his cabin and directing Cael to follow.

“So, what’s the next step?” Cael asked, closing the door behind them.

Archer took out the notebook and flipped to the first pages. “After several attempts, we learned they become aggressive when you get too close. The ship, although it moves, won’t go past a certain distance…”

“Why?” Cael asked.

“He doesn’t say,” Archer answered.

“Then is there anything else?” Cael asked.

“Well…” Archer’s voice trailed off. “There is but…” Archer flipped the pages, showing Cael their problem. “It’s empty.”

Cael was stunned. Unable to properly formulate a sentence. “What?”

“Listen, I know that is bad but-”

“Bad? Yes, that's bad! What’s the purpose of the notebook then!?” Cael interrupted Archer.

“Listen, listen,” Archer said, calming Cael down and forcing him to sit. “I wasn’t finished.”

“Ok?” Cael asked. “Go on?”

“Well, I don’t think everything was alright up there for the guy,” Archer said while flipping through the book and showing Cael the last page. “One of the most important things to know is in the very back of the book. I was going to get to it, but then we ended up at the island.”

Snatching the book from Archer, Cael read the quick note in the back. “Are you serious?”

“I’m sure it’s making sure we go to each location he wants us to go,” Archer commented.

“I almost forgot!” Cael read from the book. “Almost, he says?” He rolled his eyes before continuing. “Each stop will have a map, and when you receive that map, you’ll be able to continue reading this notebook.” Cael finished. “That doesn’t tell us much.”

“Then we’ll have to go there and find out first,” Archer said, taking the notebook from Cael. “There’s one more thing,” his voice trailed off as Archer flipped through the pages back to the start. “Here we go,” he handed the notebook back over, pointing to the section for Cael to read.

“I suggest going from the back of the island, but don’t get too close with your ship. Instead, use a dinghy to sneak onto the island.” Cael paused. “Wouldn’t they just come to us, anyway?” Cael asked.

“Keep reading,” Archer encouraged Cael.

With a sigh, he continued. “The two ships at the front don’t move unless they see you entering their area.”

“See? Easy.”

Cael read over the paragraph once more before slamming the notebook shut and tossing it on the desk. “I guess it’s worth a shot,” he finally commented on the plan.

"Be careful with it," Archer said, dusting off the notebook, checking it for damage, and then tucking it away safely.

Cael leaned back in his chair, using the back two legs as support, while his legs plopped on top of the desk. This time, Archer didn’t bother to fix his friend's poster, and instead paced around the room. “We know how to enter, so what’s the next step?” Cael finally asked.

Archer continued his pacing, then came to a stop after deliberating his idea. “I’ll take 3 with me. We’ll get as close as we can and proceed to the island with a rowboat.”

“And I have to stay behind?” Cael asked. He knew the reason, but it still annoyed him.

Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

“I can’t trust anyone else with the ship,” Archer said. “I need you to make sure things stay orderly and that they don’t leave while waiting. Even though they have trust in us, I’m unsure what they would do if one of us didn’t stay.”

“Fair enough,” Cael said quickly. “How long do you want us to wait for?” He finally asked. It was a question he thought of immediately. They wouldn’t know what was happening on the island, so there had to be a time limit since it wouldn’t be good for anyone to wait longer than necessary in case they end up dying.

Archer went quiet, deliberating another thought. It took him longer than ever before, but when he concluded, he spoke. “A week,” he said flatly.

“That sounds reasonable. I was thinking about a month originally, but a week sounds much better.”

“They would get too restless if it was a month, and the island doesn’t seem big enough to warrant that long of a time. A week should be far more than enough. If I don’t make it back by then… well, it’s up to you.”

Cael sighed, thinking about the potential chaos that would ensue if Archer did not return. Cael held a good amount of authority- that much was obvious, but Archer was the one that rounded these up these misfits and he knew his authority would only carry him so far. “You better come back alive,” he finally said, his voice low.

Archer smiled. “Thanks for worrying.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Cael shooed the thanks away. “So, who’re you taking?”

“Well, you’ll just have to find out,” Archer said as he walked towards the door and Cael quickly followed.

Although the ship wasn’t moving, the outside was as busy as ever with chatter, singing, and prepping for the next plan. Roughly slamming the door open, Archer pulled out his flintlock, aimed it in the air, and let out a shot, silencing everyone on the ship. It probably wasn’t necessary this time, but it became a habit to get everyone's attention immediately.

With a deep breath, Archer yelled out. “First, we will take this ship around to the back of the island, then three of you will join me on the tender. In one week, if we aren’t back, Cael will take over and you all shall leave!”

Archer’s voice ranged out and the crew that stopped, stared and listened. And when Archer explained he would take three people, they all winced. Sure, they had nearly absolute faith in their captain. They were still alive and in an excellent position in life, considering other pirates, but the island in front of them made them want to stay away as far as possible.

“I have some people in mind,” Archer added, but if there is anyone willing to step forward to come with me, then I shall take you instead!” He didn’t expect anyone to step forward, but he figured it wouldn’t be a bad idea. It would be better to get people willing than the ones unwilling.

The silence trailed, but after a brief, awkward moment, one of the crew members shuffled through. It was the same lad from before who accompanied Archer to get the notebook. “I’ll go,” he said sheepishly.

“Ah, Robertson,” Archer said in a mocking tone.

“Flynt,” the pirate said under his breath.

“What was that?” Archer asked. Although he couldn’t hear, he knew what Robert had said. It was the same pattern every time someone called him by his name.

“Flynt. My name is Flynt!” He yelled out in response, making sure his voice was heard. “My name is Flynt, Captain,” he repeated his name after looking around at everyone's intense stares.

“This boy wants to give himself a nickname!” Archer yelled out, followed by a laugh. The others followed, laughing along, until Archer stopped and continued to talk. “You want a new name, Robert?” Archer asked with a grin and Robertson responded with a shake of the head. “Then ye got to earn it! But I can’t guarantee it will be Flynt like you want it to be!” The others laughed while one man smacked the boy on the back. “Having the ball to come volunteer, though, is a good start! What’s your reason, though?”

With the last two sentences, the men once again fell silent. Archer’s words clearly cut into them. For as much shit as they were giving Robertson for his name, he was the only one who stepped up and wanted to go into the unknown.

“I thought it wouldn’t be bad to see it through after finding the notebook.” Robertson timidly said.

Archer laughed, but this time no one followed. “That’s a fine reason, but I doubt it’s the only one.”

Robertson paused. “I want to prove myself.” His voice was serious and his eyes narrowed as he looked up at Archer, who in return took his intent seriously.

“Good! Good!” Archer broke the ice. “That’s what I want to hear… Now then,” Archer looked around at everyone else. “There’s two more spots. Any takers?”

Mumbling aroused from the crowd, and although no one came forth right away, one did followed by a third shortly after.

“I’ll go,” the first one said.

“Same here,” the third one followed.

“Grog and Jibb, ey?” Archer nodded his head. “Alright, Alright, that works. You three come with me. Now, for the rest of you lot!” Archer raised his voice. “Get the ship going and anchor at the back of the boat! Cael, direct them!”

“Ay, Captain!” Cael responded before kicking everyone into action as Archer led the three of them back to his room.

“It will be the four of us,” Archer reiterated after the door shut behind them. “No matter what happens on that island, my word is final. Do you understand?” Archer asked, his voice stern, causing the three of them to take a step back.

“Of course,” Robertson was the first to answer, albeit with a shaky voice, while the other two nodded their heads in agreement.

“We'll follow a set path, but I can't predict what awaits us on that island, so let me ask you again. Do you still want to go?”

The three of them looked at each other, then Grog spoke up, “Do we have a choice?” he asked, well aware of Archer’s personality at this point. Although still capable, he was one of the older ones in the crew and had been there the longest.

Archer smiled. “If anything, I would drag someone else into this room instead. As usual, since I didn’t need to pick any of you three, you’ll get first choice of whatever we find, and if you want it and can carry it, you can take it. Is that clear?”

The three of them nodded their heads. “Do ye know what’s on the island?” Jibb asked.

“Skeletons,” Archer answered. “That’s all I’m aware of.”

“That’s not promising, Captain,” Grog responded.

“No, but trust me. Have I ever steered you wrong?” Archer asked with full confidence.

“No… No you haven’t,” Grog answered.

“Now then, we will take off tomorrow , there’s no time or reason to wait any longer. Until then I give you permission to do whatever your heart desires! Get prepared, relax, calm your nerves. I need all three of you in the best shape you can possibly be in.”

“Yes, Captain,” all three of them responded.

“Good, good. This will be an interesting adventure and the start to one hell of a ride I’m sure, but it will be worth it, and your pockets will be full of gold by the end of it all.”

“I like the sound of that,” Jibb said, licking his lips.

“Now then, get out of here and get Cael for me. We have a long week ahead of us.”