“We are setting sail at first light, if you’d like to join my crew,” said Blackbeard. Then he added, “And I suppose you know what a bosun is then, considering all your reading?”

“Yes, sir, I do! It will be my honor to supervise your equipment and crew.” James could not believe he was actually having this conversation with a pirate he had read so much about, and the very captain he had hoped to meet. It was as if it had been planned this way, as if it had already been determined this was the path he was supposed to take, and it made him feel as if he was making the right choice.

“It’s about time I have someone with a lick of sense serving at my side. My men are capable sailors and fighters, there’s no doubt about that, but they aren’t great thinkers. I could use someone like you,” he said, giving James a wink. “Oh and James, if you bring this butler of yours, do find him something more appropriate to wear. I have a feeling you’re going to have a Hades of a time with my other hands already, without them knowing your butler is aboard.” Blackbeard smiled and shook his head.

“Aye, sir!” said James, unable to keep himself from grinning. He was one step closer to realizing his dream, and he wondered what the next day would bring.

Chapter II

Smee anxiously waited for James to meet him on the dock so they could board Blackbeard’s daunting ship, the Silent Wraith, together. It was a massive black ship with black sails that were billowing in the wind like dancing ghosts. The most frightening aspect was the large carving of a skeleton, the ship’s guardian, which adorned the bow.

This was the last turn Smee expected his life to take when he embarked on his career in service to a great home so many years ago. He started out like most young servant men do in a large, impressive house, as a boot-boy. He worked his way up through the ranks, showing that he was capable, diligent, and dependable, and most of all loyal to the family, and he was proud he was promoted to footman, and eventually to butler. Now he was joining a pirate’s crew. He even looked the part: James had found him an ill-fitting blue-and-white-striped shirt, blue short-pants, and a jaunty red cap. He felt ridiculous. And none of it felt quite real.