Mir Pacifica

Published: 27 Nov 2017

Thomas Marking found himself sitting in the Kings Gate tavern in the familiar booth at the rear and close to the fire which was now dead as the weather had finally broken and summer was on its way. For the last eight and a half months he had spent time with his family on their small holding. The quiet life of a small holding did wonders for Thomas’s recovery from the rigors of the war and, even though he still had dreams about some of the violence he had seen and been a part of; the tranquility of the farm days helped to settle his mind and calm his spirit.

Spending his days with the effervescent little brother also had its calming effect on Thomas until a nagging feeling of wanderlust began to fill his breast and his thoughts began to slowly return to dreams of adventure and a need to find himself. The die was cast and it was during the past week of his holiday that the urge to see new things and find something that was silently calling him to look for open spaces.

At the start of the next week he had said his good-byes to the family and turned his steps towards London and his delayed meeting with the Morgans at the Kings Gate tavern and now he found himself sitting alone and waiting for the two senior Morgans to join him and tell him what they had been planning.

The large silent figure of George stood placidly behind his bar as he wiped a newly washed pewter mug and surveyed the near empty bar; it would be only a few hours before the dock workers came looking for their tipple after a hard day’s work.

Thomas’s reverie was broken by the sound of booted feet approaching the booth. Peter and Henry Morgan had arrived and it was now time to find out what they had planned during the intervening months since the parade for the disbanding of the Regimiento De Toro forces. It now almost seemed ages since that day in Portugal and Thomas still found it strange to not being dressed in black and fitting his weapons in place at the start of each day.

Thomas looked up as the two older men arrived at the booth and as Henry slipped into his place with his back to the old brick wall of the tavern, Thomas took note that Peter was holding a long, thin and highly polished wooden case. It was about three inches square and a good yard long, Peter placed the wooden case on the table and then took a seat beside his father and facing Thomas.

Henry began the conversation. “Well lad, how goes it with you now that you have had the chance of rest and be well away from the King’s wars?”

“Much better thank you Captain Morgan but I’m getting the feeling of wanting to see other places.”

“Ah yes, that’s the way of the wanderer lad. Comes to all of us that gets the itch in their feet. So what have you planned then?”

“Nothing definite Captain although I do like the idea of going to sea now that we have so many ships at our disposal.”

“Yes I thought as much. Well lad we been giving it some thought on your behalf and would like to make suggestions if it be alright with you.”

“Indeed Captain, I’m open to any suggestions you may have.”

“Good, then I will leave it up to my young-un to tell you the details while I sit here and rest me old bones. Oh, there is one more thing I would ask you?”

“Yes Captain?”

“That young man Scully, would you trust him with your life lad?”

“Without hesitation Captain, in fact he has already risked his life on my behalf. Why do you ask?”

“Then what we have to say is better for your recommendation. I will now leave it to Peter to tell you what we were thinking on.”

Thomas turned his head to watch Peter Morgan as he began to speak and then lay out what the plan they had come up with might mean for Thomas’s future endeavours.

“Well Thomas, it has come to our attention that some time in the not too distant future, that after losing the colonies the King has plans to expand the Empire into the seas of the east. Now as you know the Brotherhood had a Captain at the table that had our interests covered in that direction. Unfortunately he was cornered by the Dutch and is lost at sea. Of all the Captains of the Brotherhood we thought you would be best suited to take up where he left off. Captain Chou left with no heir to his seat at the table but he had expressed a desire for you to take his place. If you agree then we would like you to take part in initiating your young friend Scully into the thirteenth chair. Do you agree Captain Toro?”

“I fully agree Captain Morgan but when would that be?”

“Tomorrow night Captain Toro. We have organised a fast packet to bring your friend here by then. Now back to the more important things. We would like to suggest that you re-organise your ships so that you can take your three frigates into the Mir Pacifica and take up where Captain Chou left us. It will mean that you will have a whole ocean to work with but the benefits should far outweigh the disadvantages. The Dutch have a distinct advantage out in the east and our allies the Portuguese are having a hard time of it. With your knowledge and friends we are hoping you can make some inroads into the Dutch plans.”

“I had never thought of using my ships in that way Captain Peter, but…yes I think I would like the adventure. Is there any way I could find help way out there. Local knowledge could be of great help if any were available.”

“Well Thomas, as it happens there may be a way that will help. Captain Chou had his home on an Island called Serua and, as far as I know he had only one nephew who we believe is now in charge of his holdings. That is one of the reasons we would like you to go out there and see if he can be found. Perhaps he may even have the adventurist spirit of his uncle and will aid you in your endeavours.”

“Will the island be easy to find? After all there can’t be that many islands way out there.”

“Oh my gosh lad! You are looking at an ocean so vast it takes ships months to traverse and even in these days of high adventure there is much of it that has not yet been seen by any man. I am told there are places where a good Christian sailor might easily end up as supper for some savages if he were not careful.”

Thomas almost broke into a chuckle at the sheer audacity of Peter’s claims that there were those who would really eat other men. As he watched the stolid face of Peter his smile slowly slipped as he realised that his friend was not joking and that there was a real likely-hood of just such events happening in those faraway places. Thomas took a quick glance towards where George stood behind his bar and the thought came to him as he saw the silent but dark face looking directly at him.

‘Was there a chance that George was one of those cannibalistic savages before he came to England?’

Thomas almost let a shudder run through his body as he realised that he may very well decide to go out into the vast blue yonder and never return, or worse, he may end up as supper for some savage race of men. Thomas shook the thoughts from his mind and returned to the here and now, there was a lot to talk about and even more to do before any adventure could take place.

Thomas turned his attention back to Peter as the older man continued.

“Now what we thought may be of value to you is that you break up your fleet so that you can send your two largest ships to the Indies. It appears the Lords of the Admiralty have decided to keep the rum supply for their navy. With our own plantations supplying all we need it would behoove you to keep those two ships on service just for that need. Next there is the ever expanding trade with the colonies in the new world. While their revolution is not seen as ideal for those in power it is still a very lucrative trade. We would suggest you keep at least three of your other ships on that trade. Lastly there is the need for all your smaller ships to keep their travel over the channel. With Napoleon now on the back foot and Wellington advancing in leaps and bounds into France there will be a need for a good service to and from Europe and of course our friends in Portugal and Spain.”

Thomas nodded his understanding and waited for Peter to continue.

“Now we have thought that if you take your three captured Frigates into the Pacifica Ocean then you will have well armed ships at your call, and they may very well be needed as there are pirates of all types that work the seas there. I am guessing they would not have seen too many heavily armed ships so far away. Now, while the Lascars and other pirate types can be dangerous, you will also have the Dutch wanting to keep a hold of their lands and trade routes. Do not be fooled even in those faraway places, it is almost every man for himself as there is little law or order on the open seas and the Pacifica is the largest sea of them all. Now the last thing I would mention is that old George has a desire to return to his island home and we would ask if you would take him home. He will also be invaluable in some of the places you may have to stop for water and supplies. So Captain Toro, what do you think of our plan?”

Thomas looked to two men in the eye as he let his brain try to fathom all the details he had just be told. Finally he nodded his head slightly and then replied, “It sounds like quite a challenge Captain Peter but I think I would like to try. Of course it will depend on finding the crews for the three Frigates and then getting the supplies we will need but I think I would like to try.”

“Good then we can move forward with our plans. Now then there is one last thing for me to do. If you would be so kind as to follow me up the stairs and we can get it all done with little more time wasted.”

Peter stood up and took hold of the narrow case. As he did so old Henry also stood and began to make his way toward the same stairs. Behind Thomas, George rapped smartly on the bar top to get the attention of his scullery lad to watch the bar and then proceeded to follow the three men upstairs.

At the top of the stairs, Thomas noted that the door was closed which in itself was unusual in that he had only ever seen it open before. Standing at the door was the familiar face of Percy Cruikshank’s driver. The large man stood impassively with his arms akimbo and his thick legs planted firmly as an indication he was not going to move for anyone or anything.

Peter opened the door and let old Henry walk in first and then he turned and ushered Thomas ahead while George took station on the other side of the doorway. Peter followed Thomas inside and then closed the door. It was a surprise for Thomas when he saw so many familiar faces of the council of the Brotherhood waiting for them.

Old Henry walked to the end of the table which had Peter’s desk added at the end to make sufficient space for all of them to sit. Around the table was an assortment of odd chairs evenly spaced with the single chair for old Henry at the top. On the table were the twelve parchments with the Black Hand diagram and small spot of dried blood.

It took only a few seconds for Henry to begin the normal ritual of seating the Captains and declaring the reason for the meeting of the Brotherhood. Thomas had taken his seat at the thirteenth chair and only the empty space of the seventh chair indicated that one of the brethren was missing. It was no surprise to Thomas that the rotund figure of Mister Percy was at the meeting and the small smile he received from his old friend made him feel almost at home again.

With the formalities out of the way, Old Henry turned to Mister Percy.

“Cap’n Rat, will ye call the roll for the vote?”

“Aye Cap’n Henry.”

Mister Percy began to call the roll of each Captain present and then turned back to Henry. “All be present but for one loss Cap’n.”

“Who be lost Cap’n Rat?”

“It be the Dragon of the East, holder of the seventh chair Cap’n Henry.”

Old Henry looked along the length of the table and began to speak.

“The seventh chair being vacant as the Dragon of the East is now lost to us, I call for nominations for the place of seventh chair.”

“I Cap’n Peter Morgan do place the name of Cap’n Toro upon the table, all in agreement show your signet.”

Peter lifted his silver topped cane, unscrewed the top to remove the small dagger inside and then plunged the sharp tip into the centre of the parchment and then sat back in his chair. Each Captain at the table then followed suit one after the other until there were eleven daggers with their silver slave head tops standing upright at the centre of their parchments. Thomas was not allowed to vote on his own behalf according to the rules of the Brotherhood.

Once again Old Henry spoke up, “That being voted on, I call Cap’n Toro to show his signet as proof of his standing in the Brotherhood of the Black Hand.”

Thomas reached down to his left boot and took out the baton he had carried since the day he had received it. There was a smile on Mister Percy’s face as he saw his young friend still carried the baton in his boot top. Thomas placed the un-opened baton on the table beside his own parchment and waited for the next words from Henry.

“Do all agree that is the signet of Cap’n Toro?”

A chorus of ‘ayes’ went around the table before Henry continued.

“Cap’n Toro being proven true, the Council of the Brotherhood asks you now take the seventh chair as approved by all present. Further we ask that you leave your signet as placed for any who may take the thirteenth chair in times to come.”

Thomas took a last look at the baton that had been his constant companion for so long, how was he going to prove his place now that the baton was left behind? He did not have long to wait to find the answer to the problem. As Thomas sat down in the vacant chair, Peter reached down beside him and lifted the slim case Thomas had seen earlier.

Peter Morgan laid the case on the table and, with a smile on his face, flicked open the two small catches on one side and opened the long box. From the box Peter took out another silver topped cane. It was the same full size as all the others but instead of the usual slave head it had a new silver head in the shape of a bull but the cane itself was well worn and had seen many years of use.

“Cap’n Toro, this be the signet of Cap’n Chou, the Dragon of the East, now it be your signet. As you may see we have taken the liberty to change our old tradition and topped it with your name sake. We here all agree that it be well deserved.”

Peter Morgan reached across the table and handed the old cane to Thomas before Old Henry spoke again. “Being as we now have a vacant chair, who would give names to fill the council?”

Mister Percy spoke up before any others although, as Thomas knew so well, most of this had already been decided.

“I place the name of Cap’n Roger Scully on the table for consideration of the Brotherhood.”

“Who be this Cap’n Scully?”

Mister Percy smiled as he spoke up for Roger Scully, “I will tell the Brotherhood that this young man has been returned to us by the hand of Davey Jones himself. Dead to the world he was after taking on a Frenchman of three decks and saving those he was responsible for on the high seas and was declared dead by shot and shell. I am told that Davey Jones did take his hand and return him to life. We of the council can only think that his place at the table is deemed good and worthy by Davey Jones his-self and no denying it.”

Mister Percy sat back in his chair with his usual smile as he looked around the table and dared any to gainsay him. Old Henry took up the next part.

“Is there another who would vouch for Cap’n Scully’s character and worthiness to hold seat at the table of the Brethren?”

Thomas caught the small nod from Mister Percy and stood up to look around the table before speaking.

“I Cap’n Toro would speak on the worthiness of Cap’n Scully. When we first met he was a young Officer in the employ of the Admiralty and came to help us in our war with the French. Twice he stood and saved my life with total disregard for his own and I deem him to be a friend and worthy of a chair at the table of the Brotherhood.”

Henry Morgan stood once again and addressed the Brothers. “Be there another who would gainsay Cap’n Toro’s recommendation?”

There was silence around the table and so Henry Morgan continued. “Being as the nomination of Cap’n Roger Scully has no detractors I ask for a vote. Those in agreement make your mark.”

It was no surprise to Thomas that each and every Captain present took out his slave headed dagger and once again plunged it into the parchment on the table. Thomas also had the pleasure of twisting the top of his cane for the first time and following suit. It was done. Now Roger Scully would be brought before the Brotherhood for the final part of his indoctrination into the secret world of the Brotherhood.

Henry continued, “Brethren, it is agreed by all present that Cap’n Roger Scully be offered the thirteenth chair. We, the Officer’s of the Brethren would ask you all to once again be present at seven of the clock on the morrow when the Cap’n will stand before us.”

Thomas watched as Henry Morgan raised his voice so he would be heard by the two men who stood guard outside the door to protect those inside from being disturbed.

“Master at Arms, I would ask you to call for food and rum, it’s time to toast those who have fallen and for those yet to join.”

While the food and drink were waiting to arrive, each Captain replaced his dagger in his cane and carefully rolled up his parchment and placed it in the leather roll for protection. With the table clear it was now time for all of them to talk over what had been happening in their small world and what plans they may make for the future.

At a knock from the door, Henry called for the Master at Arms to enter while those around the table watched the young figure carrying a large tray of mugs walk towards the table. Just behind the tray carrier were two more young teens that looked as though they worked in the kitchen and also carried laden trays, but of food.

Thomas immediately recognised the smiling face carrying the mugs of rum and he could not stop the wide smile that broke out on his own face.

“Well Lieutenant I see you have returned to your humdrum life of serving grog?”

“Aye Captain Toro but only until I find a good berth on a ship to go adventuring once again.”

“Well Snot you might just be in luck as I have just heard of a number of ships that will need good men, that is if you can stand to be under my orders once again.”

“I’m sure I can put up with being ordered about if it means I can find new adventures.”

“Then I will keep your name in mind when I am ready to move. Of course you will be under the orders of Captain Scully but I’m sure he will find some dirty work for you.”

“Then dirty work it will be Cap’n Toro. I’m sure me Da will be only too glad to see my back when the time comes.”

The inherent sense of merriment in Snot Morgan’s voice said it all and he left the tray behind and followed the kitchen boys out of the room with a smile on his face and a soft whistling as he closed the thick wooden door. The sound of his booted feet could be heard going down the stairs as those in the room took up their mugs of rum while Peter Morgan called for the toast, “To Cap’n Chou and all those of the Brotherhood who have fallen and now sleep in the arms of Davey Jones.”

Everyone in the room raised their mugs and called out, “Cap’n Chou and all the fallen Brothers.”

Thomas was not surprised to find that a room had been set aside for his use while he was in London, there was still much to be done before he could leave for Portugal to rejoin the three ships and make the plans for the new venture. Both for his own travels and the changes that would be needed for the rest of his company. Tomorrow would be a busy day and the pending arrival of his old friend would be anticipated with pleasure.

TBC

There ya go. The first installment of Thomas Markings incredible journey. Let Arthur know what you think of this chapter, and more importantly, what you think of continuing this story. Arthur