Chapter III

The Silent Wraith cut through the choppy waves like a specter floating on mist. There was something supernatural about Blackbeard’s ship that James couldn’t quite put his finger on. It had been nearly a year since James had joined Blackbeard’s crew, but it was the first evening the captain had asked him to join him for dinner. Smee had taken over in the galley, giving orders to the men who worked below, and tending to James’s and Blackbeard’s every need. He had just brought in a feast for the two men, and Blackbeard was eating greedily, slopping the food into his beard, and wiping it with the cuff of his sleeve. James watched in silent horror as he picked at his own food.

James was hoping Blackbeard had asked him to dine with him because he was planning to ask him to be his first mate. The first mate usually dined with the captain, but they had lost Rusty Jones to another crew while in the Caribbean less than a fortnight ago, and now the position was vacant.

James was enjoying his life as a pirate even more than he expected, and though the crew hadn’t exactly embraced him as truly one of their own, they did at least seem to respect his skill and knowledge. Sitting in Blackbeard’s quarters, he remembered the day Captain Blackbeard introduced him to the crew.

“Listen up! We have a new bosun. His name is . . . James. I want you to obey his orders just as you would if I gave them to you, do you understand? And by the gods, give him a proper pirate’s name!” James recognized some of the men from the previous night, including the ginger-haired pirate with the deep wound on his face.

“I think you’ve already met my first mate, Rusty Jones,” said Blackbeard, which made James sigh. He was the very pirate he had met in the Crusty Toad who seemed to dislike James the most.

“We’ve not met properly. I’m pleased to meet you, Mr. Jones,” said James. Rusty rolled his eyes and scowled. James could see Rusty wasn’t pleased to have James on the crew. “I know we got off to a rocky start, but let me assure you, I intend to be an asset to this crew, and I will serve you and this ship faithfully. My extensive pirating knowledge is at your disposal, Mr. Jones. Feel free to come to me with your queries should you ever find the need,” said James, making Rusty shake his head with disgust.

“I’ll keep that in mind, Headmaster,” Rusty said, and walked away.

“Pay him no mind, James. He’s been in a foul mood since our run-in with Calico Jack’s crew,” said Blackbeard, making the other men laugh.