“If you’re afraid of joining our raiding party, then stay behind on the ship if you want, Headmaster. We don’t have time for your theories,” Rusty had said, sneering at James in disgust.

“James has a point, Rusty,” said the captain. “We need at least a few men on the ship so we can defend you and the other men should this be a trap after all.”

Smee knew James didn’t think attacking the Dreaded Queen was a good idea, but he was relieved Blackbeard agreed to keep some men aboard the Silent Wraith.

“It’s not a trap, Captain, I assure you, else we would have heard before now what the Dreaded Queen’s crew was up to,” said Rusty.

And so it was decided, they would go along with Rusty’s plan. The Dreaded Queen was a prize Blackbeard had been after for quite some time, and it seemed to Smee there was some sort of grievance, and this attack was about more than just treasure. But then again, Smee thought there was something more to Blackbeard than his reputation would suggest. He could see how he got his notoriety—he was an impressive captain, a fierce fighter who showed no mercy to his enemies, and a master navigator, but he was also a good man, and very intelligent. Smee was surprised how much he admired him, though once he realized how much Blackbeard and James had in common, it wasn’t a surprise after all.

Smee, along with James, Blackbeard, and a handful of men had watched as Rusty and the other crew members rowed over to the goliath of a ship, moving slowly and silently through the heavy mist that clung to the water’s surface. Once they were about halfway there, they saw flaming harpoons streaking through the night sky like shooting stars, igniting the water that surrounded the men in their boats. “It is a trap! They’ve laced the water with oil!” said Blackbeard as the Dreaded Queen’s lanterns seemed to light all at once. If Smee hadn’t been so frightened, he would have been impressed with how well planned their enemy’s attack was, and awed by the full glory of the magnificent ship shining against the black horizon. He saw countless men and women lining the deck ready for battle, their swords raised and their voices singing out. But even more frightening were the crew standing at every cannon holding torches, ready to light their fuses, their howls and peals of laughter ringing in Smee’s ears. Smee was more afraid than he’d ever been in that moment, seeing his comrades encircled in flames, defenseless in their little boats, not to mention the multitude of cannons pointed at them and the Silent Wraith. He was sure he was going to die that day. But before Blackbeard could utter a command James spoke up.

“Raise the sails and advance on the Dreaded Queen!”