Ahoy Mates! My apologies on no chapter last week. Things are a little hectic, aye? But we all get that. However, I do have this new chapter as planned. So, I present to you...
Solomon's Story
“Alright mate, speak up. What’s your story?” Kat asked.
Solomon settled down on a crate to tell his tale. “Fine, fine. It’s not a long story, but I suppose you should know.
“I began in Tortuga, born to a poor family. My father tried to make a business blacksmithing, but many people in Tortuga liked buying their weapons elsewhere. They preferred getting pirated ones or exotic ones from travels or stealing them from Port Royal. It was much easier for them that way. However, it was because of him that I learned how to wield a sword at an early age.
“It wasn’t until later in my life that I realized the tyranny we all live under. I mostly avoided it living on Tortuga, the only free port left in these seas. Eventually, though, I decided it was high time for me to get out of there, like most young men wish to do, so I took for the seas. I wasn’t a pirate though, not yet at least. I may have grown up with them, but I tried my hand at being a merchant first.
“One day, the ship I was on docked in Port Royal for trading and such. It was my first time there, and I was rather excited about seeing this grand place I’d heard so much about. In my naivety, I didn’t realize the stories were all false. The Navy filched us when we got there, taking everything for themselves and giving us nothing for it. When we protested, they pointed to their uniforms and threatened us with prison.
“While we moped around town, we talked to others who lived there. They told us how it wasn’t the first time the Navy had done such a thing. They took unfairly from the townsfolk as well, yet nothing could be done about it. The Navy had the power.
“It infuriated me that these people were blind to the fact that they could do something. When my merchant ship left, I stayed at Port Royal. I felt the need to do something to help these people. I wanted them to feel freedom.
“There were few people willing to listen to me at first, but I began spreading the idea of a revolution. After a few months, word began to spread. People were hesitant; they didn’t want to go against the crown. In hindsight, it probably didn’t help that I had to hide from the Navy in King’s Run. Very few people were willing to come and talk to me.
“Eventually, I gained an adequate number of people ready and willing to be a part of a revolution. However, just a day before we began with a storming of Fort Charles, my camp in King’s Run was discovered. It was burned to the ground. I was lucky enough to be out preparing last minute plans.
“Perhaps they had thought it would deter me from my plans. They were wrong. The burning of my quarters only made me more infuriated. I was in the throes of fury, and nothing would stop me now from going into that fort with swords swinging.
“My revolutionaries and I gathered at daybreak the next morning. When I counted who all was there, it came up shorter than who had pledged themselves to the cause. The burning of my home had deterred many of them. I did not care though. My plans were going to be carried out.
“We stormed the fort, but we did not expect the militia waiting for us just beyond the gates. Without the rest of our numbers, we were overpowered easily. It seemed there was nowhere to run but back into the arms of the Navy. As they surrounded us, I raised my blade and began striking them down. I realized it was fruitless, but I would not back down easily. It took maybe two minutes for our small group of revolutionaries to fall.
“It was already known that I was the leader, so while the rest of the men were carted off to jail cells, I was escorted to the man in charge of the fort at the time, a Captain Roger or Randolph or something. Not a very impressive bloke, I’ll admit, but he was only temporarily in charge, so he just ordered me to be tossed into jail before my hanging. He said something about disrupting the peace and treason.
“Honestly, those idiots never learn. I had men of my own stationed in case we got captured. With that jail guard constantly being asleep, it wasn’t difficult for someone to slip the keys from his pocket and open the doors for all of us. We could have stayed to try again, but I got the feeling our luck wouldn’t be as good the second time. Darby, one of the secret revolutionaries, provided us with a ship and we escaped easily.
“That was essentially my life before you found me. My crew and I sailed for a few years, roaming the world for ports that we could plant the idea of revolution in. The crew got tired of the idea after a while though, but there was no mutiny until we were captured by that Navy ship. They bargained me and a good chunk of our supplies so that they could continue on their merry way. Lousy dogs. But you know the rest.”
“A revolutionary, eh, Solomon?” Kat asked as she locked eyes with Lawrence briefly.
Solomon scowled at her. “Did you miss that entire story Kat? I’m not telling it again. Yes, a revolutionary.”
Kat laughed and met Solomon’s hard gaze. “Mate, I think you’ll be just fine with us.”
Not overly long, yes, but tell me what you think. I appreciate reviews mates.
Again, I want to thank KeeperoftheCode for the use of his character. I finally got it right this time and sent it off to him before posting.
Well, nothing like this next week. Got a chapter all lined up. Just some minor editing...
And with that taunt I'm out! Thanks for reading mates!
-Kat Crestshot