the Legend of Libertalia: the Founding
The Golden age of Piracy, that's what they call it. But for us it was our time to rise, to defy the shackles the Whig wearers placed on us. We built a life for ourselves, we built a government for ourselves.
Everyone knows of pirates, the swash buckling buccaneers who raided and pillaged the world. With peg legs, Parrots and forcing their victims to walk the plank.
But the truth is far worse, for some Pirates did not consider themselves criminals, they saw themselves as free men. People who had shook off the oppressive chains of corrupted governments, which favored the rich and not the poor.
This is a story of a place that changed that, a place that would forever be different.
A place that lives in legend.
Its name was Libertalia, the Pirate Colony.
Chapter 1: Hard work for little pay
My name is Avery Filch, I am not one of those rich powder pricks that live in their high castles. NO I lived in a simple house or more specifically a single room of said house, with a bed, table and a bucket to hold my waste. 2 bob a week to live in a place like this, the roof barely holding, the walls don't keep out the cold, add that on what the price of moldy bread is today.
Like me old man and his old man before him, I work in the docks, mostly in the building of ships for the "good and Noble" Queen Anne for her war with Spain. It back breaking work, in the last week six of the lads, lost some of their limbs and they were lucky ones.
Just yesterday 1 poor sod fell from the rigging of the fore mast when the ropes snapped. Bastard boss just had us drag the body away and wipe the blood of the deck.
Then things changed yesterday when a group of officials began going through the inns. Press gangs, people who look for noble and loyal men to "RECRUIT" into her majesties navy, and for those who don't get what I mean, they don't give ya a choice, they just take you in for the navy. I was Lucky for a time.
Yet one night someone new came, he wasn't like the others, he was definitely an officer of some kind, but not like any I had ever seen, his uniform was tattered and patched up, his dark hair was loose and what wasn't tied back. Even his face wasn't like any officer, his beard was trimmed and almost stubbled but clearly visible, then there was his side burns which were barely touched. He called himself Benjamin Hornigold, and he claimed that he gained himself a Privateering contract for Her Majesty in the Caribbean and that he was looking for men to join him on a profitable venture.
Many of the lads joined up, either signing their names or simply scratching a mark on the paper. He eventually came to me, "What about you lad?", he grabbed me hands and looked at my palms, "A sailors hands" he said.
I yanked them back and simply gave him an answer "Not a sailor" And at the time I didn't expect to see him again.
Until poor jimmy lost his footing when fitting the sails into the main mast ropes. He slipped and was barely holding on for his life. And they all just looked up watching waiting for him to fall and die.
I don't even remember climbing up the ropes, all I really remember is grabbing Jimmy by his arm and heaving him back up. I could hear the cheers from below, but my attention was on something else, a Press gang pushing through the crowd, I knew that moment they were coming for me.
When we got down, they grabbed me and began to haul me away. At least until a voice cried out "Halt!" they all turned and it were him, Hornigold "That man there is a member of my crew gentlemen, we're leaving for the Caribbean soon"
They let me go!, I gave me thanks to Hornigold for the save but it wasn't free "I saw how you moved up there.... I'm gonna need someone who can move like that..... Your now part of me crew"
And so it was, I said farewell to the coast of England, and started the voyage to the new world.
Little did I know that my life was to change more times than I ever could think.
Chapter 2: A Privateer am I
Hornigold, didn't have any of those big impressive galleons or warships that the navy uses. Our job wasn't to attack the Spanish in big battles, but to raid their trade goods and plantations for a profit. His ship which he had christened the Benjamin, a very imaginative name I think not.
A simple schooner, a two masted ship with a few cannons, but she wasn't meant for her power, no her strength was in her speed. Schooners are good for maneuverability and speed, if you need to get in quick and get away fast then its a Schooner or a sloop you want. There were about 25 of us in that first trip, most of us were like me simple dock workers who signed up for a better cut of the profits we got from prizes, unlike in the navy where you only got a shilling a month where the officer would get 20.
We stocked everything we could into the hold, weapons such as cutlasses, as well as a few dozen muskets. It wasn't much, we lacked canons, only about ten, five aside not much against big trading vessels, but I remembered we could just take them from the prizes we earn. But before we left Hornigold came over to me as I cleaned some of the muskets we had, he asked me to stand, and he said "I have need of an experienced sailor.... someone who knows what there doing.... I am givin you the position of Bosun". That job was rather simple, keep the ship afloat and the crew in order.
For over three months we just sailed across the Atlantic, no eventful moments whatsoever. Hell the only excitement we got was as I saw something on the horizon so I called out, "Officer to the bow!" I just thought someone like Teach, would come running or maybe perhaps Burgess or Cockcram. But no it was the Captain himself, he came running with a spyglass, peaking out he scanned the horizon, "What did you see Filch?" he asked, so I told him what I thought was a sail and mast. I extended my arm in the direction that I saw it, and he followed the point and what do you know I was right.
"Spaniard" he stated "Sloop...Probably coming from a plantation on route to market", he paused for a moment, considering our move until he looked me dead in the eye "Mr Filch, call the men to arms"..
I nodded strongly, for our first taste of combat and privaterring, "TO ARMS LADS, GET THE CANNONS UNCORKED AND POWDER READY"
The crew ran back and forth, pulling the canons into place and the gun powder from the hold, they loaded the canon balls and powder as we quickly moved closer and closer, the Captain was right she was a sloop, a single masted ship with a small crew, we could see them rushing aboard their ship. Then the Captain came to me, "Filch, how good are ya with a musket...." I didn't know how to answer, I had learned how to use it but I had no idea how good I was.
He explained his plan, he had me climb the main mast and snipe the captain of the Spaniard sloop. I was quick up the mast, and sat calmly in the crows nest Musket in hand, I could feel my hands shaking, I only hoped I didn't miss. It only got worse as we came in alongside with the sloop, both our crew and their aiming their canons and muskets, swords readied. Then Hornigold began to shout out.
"Capitán de la mañana, negociemos" to you and me, morning captain let us negotiate, the Spaniard just nodded his head and sheathed his sword, "Su no es necesario para nosotros para luchar, no ya que mi mejor tiro puede terminar por matar a usted" or as I would put it "There is no need for us to fight, not since my best shot can end it by killing you"
And this was my signal, I aimed, breathed, fired and missed, I rushed to reload and prepare for the fight we were going to have, but thank god Hornigold managed to improvise and use his charm.
"Consider that a Warning" he shouted. The Spaniard looked terrified, even though I had missed the threat against him had caught him off guard, he was willing to sacrifice his crew, but he wasn't ready to die himself. He clipped his sword from his belt and laid it down, he then shouted over "We surrender Senior". We just crossed over and took everything they had, canons, muskets, swords and twenty sacks of sugar as well as twelve barrels of freshly brewed rum. Our first prize and it would not be the last.
Our first stop was a place in Jamaica, where Hornigold sold everything we took the sugar and the rum, and holy Mary. We earned more than I thought, the eventual tally per man was thirty Pieces of eight, that is more than I would earn in a year working in the docks.
And it didn't end there, we took several more small sloops, and we rolled in the money, we enjoyed life to the fullest. It was the time of our lives.
But like all the good times, things have to come to an end. One day the Captain gathered us all around for an important message, "Gentlemen, a Peace has been forged in Europe.... England and Spain are no longer at war.... as such our letter of Marque is now forfeit"
We were out of a job, we knew nothing else, for months almost years we had been fighting for our country and now because we weren't needed we were being cast out. And weren't going to sit back and take it as our lives were taken from us, for next year we couldn't get any form of work anywhere, we were sailors nothing more.
Then one day we made our decision, if the Whigs wouldn't look after us as a government should then we would make one for ourselves.
Chapter 3: Nassau
Our first taste of a pirates life came when rumors spread of a massive Spanish treasure fleet being sunk by a hurricane off the coast of Florida. So we set sail and headed north, yet once we got there, on its beaches was a Spanish flag and Spanish troops guarding chests.
I looked closely at the Spanish and saw their weakness, so I told the captain, "what do you see?" he just looked at me "Their not patrolling the perimeter, not standing ready for any form of attack... what does that tell you?", he suddenly realized what I was trying to explain, "Their not proper soldiers!".
"Exactly, now what are they doing? which way are they looking?". One of the lads, Teach was his name, Edward Teach, just stated the obvious "At us... at the sea".
I nodded and smiled at him "Precisely, no ones watching the forest!" they all looked at me and understood the plan I was concocting, instead of heading straight at 'em, we would come at them from the opposite direction that they expect.
And bloody hell did it work, the Spaniards did not see us coming, we got our hands on some of the cash enough to make it worth while. But now though we needed somewhere to hide and spend the cash, Hornigold and I spent hours going through the maps in his cabin. We went through countless possibilities, from some french ports to the north, anything Spanish was out the question, until finally we saw the answer.
A small English town, in the Bahamas, formerly a Dutch colony it had a fort protecting it and was close to the trade routes that ran north to the growing English colonies such as Virginia. Its name was Nassau.
Chapter 3: The new Pirate town
Nassau was everything we needed, on a island that was close to the key trade routes a nice protected beach by the town for the ship to drop anchor and unload what we had. Plus the town of Nassau was poor so any and all trade items would be welcomed, after all the town was a collection of the simplest buildings, many of them were haphazardly created. The beach was nice and empty excluding a few tents, but the important thing was an old fort, high up on the hill to the right from where we were coming in. Above it was the British colours, the fort was of the four pointed star design.
As we disembarked we found pirates already waiting for us, people we knew from the days of privateering, men like Thomas Barrow and Henry Jennings. As it turned out, they had done the same as us, raiding and attacking the Spanish treasure fleet remnants for profit, for hours we had conversations, many of them gloating for how much they had and how much they had taken.
Later though Hornigold, Barrows and Jennings decided to make a statement, they called us all together and marched on the fort. Which surprisingly despite having British colours flying above it, had no real soldiers inside, we took it without a fight, it was then we were told why we had taken the fort, Hornigold, Barrows and Jennings declared that the Fort and Nassau Town now belonged to us and that this place was now The New Pirate Republic.
It was then official that Nassau was a Pirate haven, we would run the town, defend the town and operate the town. We would use the harbor for our own, use the market to sell our takes from the prizes we take, soon over 500 hundred men were calling Nassau their home.
We were pirates but Benjamin seemed to forget that, sometimes we all thought that he still consider himself a Privateer. I even told him once after we took another Spanish sloop, that the war was over and that we were not soldiers anymore but criminals in their eyes. He just looked at me and said "Do you think this is going to last.... if the King comes and asks what we did, we get to say that we kept Spain's power in check"
The friendship we had was from that moment beginning to slip away, as I began to see that he was a Privateer in his eyes and that to him he was still fighting for the crown that had forsaken us.
Chapter 4; A ship of my own
As the months went on, I began to speak to the other members of the crew and a few were willing to follow me in going out on our own, get a ship of our own and begin to do our own pirating, no longer going after the Spanish, but also the Dutch, French and British.
Then Finally a chance came, one day we took a Spanish schooner, two masts and good amount of space. I asked Ben if I could strike out on my own, he just stated more friendlier than I thought he would, " 'bout time you asked" he pondered away for a moment and returned with a piece of black cloth "You've more than earned this" he gave it me and curious of course I opened it, It was a blank, but I smiled, I knew what it meant. I was ready to make a flag of my own.
He allowed some of the lads to take the ship back to Nassau, a few were good for sailing, but for taking prizes I would need a number that could take a ship. Whats worse I had no real reputation, other Pirates like Edward Teach, Charles Vane and Ben had their Reputations to call on when taking a Prize. For us though we would need to build one, I started straight away.
But first like I said Nassau, when we got there the place was buzzing with activity, ships filled the harbor, a great Pirate camp covering the beach, with the town behind it and the market within. My first job was finding a First mate, I trusted the lads already with me, Bill Cork became chief Gunner, Will Standish I made Quartermaster, he could read and write, keep good records and he was quick to recognize what could be sold and what couldn't.
Yet I needed a First mate, a person that I could rely on in a tough spot, someone I could trust with my ship when I was not aboard. But most of all someone the whole crew could trust. At first I though maybe Burgess or Cockram, but unfortunately they had already struck out on their own. Perhaps that weird chap, Rackham, but then I found that he had hooked up with Charles Vane the crazy bastard that was known for his bad temper.
I asked around for anyone willing to go on the sea as part of a crew, quite a number signed up but none asked about what position they would have. At least until someone I did not expect, His name was Mario De Venezia, an Italian who as he claimed had been kicked out of his family for converting to Protestantism. De Venezia wasn't his actual name, he explained that he "Didn't have a name... Venezia is actual the city of his birth". He had served as a Privateer for France against Spain, before loosing his job with the wars end just like us, he had served like us, I checked his hands and wrists, many marks from callouses from rubbing the skin against ropes. Many scars covered his chest from what I could see through the rips in his shirt.
A fighter, and clearly a good one, I agreed and stated "Welcome aboard the Liberty, First Mate Venezia" He smiled at the remark, offering his hand to shake, I accepted. By the next morning we had well over 30 men aboard the Liberty, as we had christened her, the lads joked that I drank an entire bottle of rum then smashed a bottle on her hull. As we prepared to set sail, I could see an old friend standing on the beach, Ben Hornigold.
Seeing him, I gave a shout "RAISE THE BLACK!", the lads shouted and cheered as they heaved on the ropes to raise our flag high, A White skull, with a sword thrust through it in a downward direction. I gave a static wave to Ben as we set off with the wind in our sails. He raised his hand in response bidding us farewell.
Chapter 5:A true ship
We were very successful, by the Autumn of 1717 the reputation I believed far from reach was quickly built. Soon stories were told in Inns of Avery Filch, the Pirate that Hell its self spat back out, The reason was rather simple. I picked up a trick that Teach used, better known a Blackbeard, where he used fuses, swords, pistols and a long beard to give him a hellish appearance. For me though it was a dark black oak made mask of a skull, I wore black make up around my eyes and mouth to give my eyes a white pale look and a black cloth cowl to cover the rest of my head, so it looked like I was dead.
To top it I would wear dark black clothing and old Spanish armor painted black and finally metal claws on my fingers, the lads loved the idea made me look like a demon. When we took a french sloop I stepped out and they quickly surrendered and when we bordered, I demanded the captain kneel, without saying a word, just pointing the claw to the wooden deck.
The Pirate from Hell, Azrael the Angel of Death made me famous in Nassau, more and more were willing to join up. Other captains like that I was bringing in more infamy and fear, something that they thought would keep the empires away. But the best part was the take, I respected my lads and shared everything equally. I allowed them to do what they wished with their money, but me I became a little business savy, instead of simply spending my take, I kept hold of it and when I had enough, I looked inland, to the fertile soil of New Providence. I ended up buying up a disused plot of land not far from Nassau about a few hours walk south from town, and was just by the ocean with its own small little protected cove.
The more money we earned, the more I invested in it. Until I could hire people, No I did not buy or sell slaves, I couldn't bear to do so, no I properly hired people from Nassau town to work the land. I ensured they were paid fairly from my own pocket at first, but later from the produce of sugar cane, tobacco, Tea, as well as the more traditional wheat. When I told the lads though, I feared they believed me to be retiring, but they just asked if they could build a camp there, so we could in a way build our own hideout.
I welcomed the idea and the Filch Estate became the Hell-bringers Hideout, soon the cove next to the estate itself, had a makeshift dock for long boats to fill up or empty out. Tents big and small covered the sands. With the Liberty Anchored just a stones throw away.
But soon that would change, for as we meddled and relaxed, someone shouted "SAILS!" we all looked out and saw the sails, a Spanish trade Galleon a big one at that, a three master, about 35 cannons at a guess. I called the lads up and made for the ship, once aboard I gave an order "Raise Spanish Colours" the lads did so and allowed King Phillip of Spains flag fly, with that up we could pull in close, I called Mario, "Do ya speak any Spanish?" I asked.
He looked at me and said "Fluently", I smiled and explained the plan, we would pull in close and Mario would demand Identification of the ship and its cargo. Something we had done with other powers, make them think we are pirate hunters and then spring the trap as we board under false pretense. We came in close and soon Mario called out his orders, in Spanish he shouted "By the Authority given to me by his most catholic majesty, I demand to speak to you captain".
The Captain came up onto his deck and looked out to see our small schooner, I ordered any man not wearing Spanish troop uniforms to be hidden below deck. The Spaniard shouted out in response "For what reason do you demand to speak". Mario looked to me without moving his head only his eyes, I explained what to say, "We demand to board your ship, to ensure the Legitimacy of you cargo".
The Captain looked to his first mate, I could see them clearly standing beside Mario in the uniform of a minor Spanish officer, I whispered to Mario, what he was to shout "We also wish your assistance, for we are under orders to bring to Gods justice a Pirate known in these waters as the Azrael"
This tipped the scale in our favor, the captain gave the order and allowed our "Spanish Soldiers" to board to search the ship, yet once we got close and the "Soldiers" lead by Mario crossed over, we sprang our trap, I bordered wearing my armor, but not my mask and claws, then when no one was looked I slipped on my claws, Mask and cowl and as out of no where the Hellbringer appeared on their ship. I Roared and the lads sprang up from the Liberty and overwhelmed the shocked Spaniards, they had heard the stories of the Hellbringer, they couldn't believe it, I heard them praying as the lads overpowered them, some were shouting "el Diablo", the devil whilst pointing at me.
They surrendered without a fight, which was good for us because it meant no one got hurt. To keep up the demon appearance, I kept my mouth shut, but I found this moment to boost the demonic reputation, we had been building. I waved over Mario and a few others, they agreed to give our rep a little push to infamy, I walked over to the captain calmly, growling beneath my breath and behind the mask. He started praying, pleading to God.
I knelt down and looked him dead in the eye, with the whole crew his and mine watching. I finally gave a few garbled words, but growly, almost like grunting through my closed teeth, to make me sound more demonic and cannibalistic. "If you wish.... to meet God.... I can send... you ...to him" I then stabbed him with my clawed fingers, pushing and pulling to make more damage, as he garbled with blood in his mouth, and gave him a crooked smile. Then pulled up, pulling his whole body up, I heaved up almost lifting him, slowly with great difficulty I almost carried this bloody guy with only the fingers on my right hand to the side of the ship and then threw him over.
As I did I heard the lads cheering and shouting, I couldn't make out what they were saying, until I clicked onto the idea they were chanting, making it look like I was performing a blood ritual. So I played along, I raised my arms and looked to the sky, then I shouted out in a dark, deep voice "blood for blood, Dark One, give us the strength to fulfill our vengeance on the power that betrayed us".
I turned to the captives who were even more terrified, fearing they were next, yet no "You have a choice" I stated, "You can Join your Captain, or you can spread the word of us, of what will happen to those who defy us.... if you choose the latter then board that schooner", they all poured off the trade Galleon and onto our small schooner, the lads took everything belonging to us, bringing it aboard our new Galleon, leaving a little water and food for the Spanish, and then watched them sail away.
Given our new reputation, we all agreed to christen the new Galleon, the Angel of Death.
Chapter 5: A Divided Nassau
For the next few months our little plantation grew, from a small plot of land into a proper estate, I had learned to have a continuous crop, so every section was of a different period of growth, so we were always growing and harvesting. After selling the crops and after payroll of the workers, the tally for each man was around £10 and thirty shillings, but things were beginning to change in Nassau.
Whilst we enjoyed the spoils of one our takes, I heard an argument coming from outside the Tavern, I peaked out and saw Vane, Teach and Hornigold arguing. I could see them getting aggressive, Vane most of all was pissed, pointing fingers at them both. I finally went out to see what was the matter and they saw me coming, Hornigold almost invited me into the conversation.
"What the hell is going on?" I shouted, Teach looked to me and explained everything, he said that the King of Great Britain had offered a Pardon to any and all pirates that surrender themselves. Vane was against it, claiming we should fight and kill every last one of them,, Hornigold was scared, he feared that this could be just the beginning, that British will come to Nassau to retake it by force.
Before things came to blows, I stepped between the three calling for calm. Vane was hard to push back, he always has been a mad man constantly taking things to far being to aggressive when he shouldn't. I mean I do bad things but that is so then people won't want to fight, there are times I think he does for enjoyment. Teach left the conversation, saying he was going north, saying he was going to do something big, something no one had ever done. It was only later I found out that he had blockaded Charles-town in order to gain medicine for his crew.
Ben asked me to walk with him, so we did through the busy streets of Nassau town, I could tell that Ben was beginning to rethink his position in our so called Flying Gang, as well as our republic. I could tell instantly that he was planning on taking the pardon as soon as the British came, And it wouldn't be long until they did, but I didn't plan on waiting for them.
I called the lesser known pirate captains for a special meeting at my Plantation, I asked them for a debate of sought. Strangely Ben and a few others came along, I told all that came, this was a true Republic council, that the decision we came too here would decide the fate of all Pirates.
On the date scheduled, I was surprised, dozens came. Ben Hornigold, Charles Vane, the new guy Calico Jack Rackham and some woman with him Anne Bonny was her name. As well as a few others like Burgess, Cockram and dozens of others, all of them were willing to talk and listen, Ben was rather impressed with my estate, I'm willing to bet he thought that I was going to take the pardon and retire to my Plantation, But I had served their empires once and they didn't do a damn thing for me.
At our little meeting, I informed them that there were many choices open to us all. Option one that we take the pardon and live quiet lives as farmers inland like I had taken as a side business, a few of them agreed, Ben most of all as well as Burgess and Cockram. But Vane and a small number were in favor of the second choice, forming a militia and defending Nassau town and fort from the British. But I knew that this was not going work, even if we could build an army of our own, we wouldn't stand a chance against the British Empire.
It was then that I put forward my preferred and more radical option, instead of taking an offer of surrender or dying for a lost cause. We would instead build a place of our own, I knew Nassau was technically British Soil first, so they were going to retake it sooner or later. But If we were to go somewhere that no one has claimed, I pulled out a map of the known world, I pointed to a large island sparsely populated, close to the old and still busy trade routes between Europe and India as well as the East Indies and coast of Africa.
I declared that anyone willing to come with me, can help in building ourselves a colony of our own. A place we could truly call ours. Several supported the idea, Ben was against it, saying "We can't build something to last, we thought Nassau would be ours, but now their coming for us"
He was right, but so was I. "Your right it was only a matter of time..... but Nassau is on the Map, so is Madagascar, but not where we are going" this swayed some, but they were still unsure, "Look here, with a little patience, I turned an abandoned plot of land and turned it into a proper business..... with some patience we can turn a cove or a plot of territory into a Pirate Colony"
This is what finally caught them, dozens of them signed up to the idea of establishing a place of our own. By the next morning the crews were informed, my guys stated they would and I quote "Follow you to hell and back".
Chapter 6: Madagascar here we come
We rallied everything we could, people rallied to the concept, yet every step our confederacy made, was something I constantly feared. It showed that we were becoming ever more divided, those backing the Pardon growed in number and the few wanting to fight were growing. I feared that Nassau was on the brink of Civil war.
If our Pirate Republic was to be successful, then we would have to hold united, but then news came across my ears. A Governor was coming for Nassau, Woodes Rogers was his name apparently, he had been ordered to come to Nassau and deliver the Pardon and he was bringing a fleet of warships.
We needed to leave soon, else we won't stand a chance, not if the British navy is sending man o'wars or ships of the line. Even the Galleon I captain won't stand a chance, against such ships. We gathered everything, wood, stone, food, livestock, willing colonists of all kinds.
Within two months we were ready, twenty ships, over 3,000 people, colonists, sailors and pirates all willing to sail across the Atlantic and prepare ourselves a colony of our own. By the best wind we were away, We said our farewells to Nassau, I personally went to see Ben before we boarded the Vengeance. He said "You know I would have to hunt you", I agreed, but by the end of a quick goodbye he offered a hand to shake, I accepted.
With the wind we watched Nassau fort grow ever smaller and more distant, until the oceans horizon was empty. Our ships moving swiftly through the water with the sun up high in the sky. For six months we maneuvered our way south to Brazil, we came across some Maroon settlements on some of the smaller islands, I convinced a good number to join us we would definitely need their skill and they can find freedom in establishing a new home safely away from western powers. From Brazil it was then a single straight cross to the Cape horn.
The Continent became so successful to fulfill our needs, that A council was gathered of all the captains and Maroons who joined us, I recommended that we push on to Madagascar, but some of the others were in favor of building on the continent, claiming it would be easier then, to gather food and resources necessary to build the colony. In the end a compromise was made, we would land on the continent itself, but in the straights between Madagascar and African coast. Where the water would be calmer.
Chapter 7: Libertalia
Finally after all most a year we made it to our destination, a large protected cove, it was truly perfect. The cove was large enough to hold a large town, large beaches curving round into a long crescent, a high cliff to our left, to the right of the cove, overlooking the entire area, the perfect place for a fort to protect us.
We soon landed and set up our temporary camp, the captains gathered together over what it was we were to call our new safe haven, all cast their vote. And the final tally was a landslide in favor of Libertalia, a land that we could truly call our own, for months and months we worked to build, every now and again some ships would go out and "Acquire" materials that we needed, but also to keep the lads busy, after all sometimes a man needs a fight.
By the time of our first true year cycle, the colony was well and truly established, we had housing for all who lived here, a massive courtyard hosting the market selling everything we produced or took from the trade routes, there were taverns and brothels for the lads to enjoy themselves in, breweries cooking up rum, bakeries making bread from our wheat. Above it all high atop the cliff, still in progress was a the immense fortress that would protect us all, and we already knew what she would have upon her walls. The largest guns we could procure or at least anyone could procure, 24 pound cannons, strong enough to punch a whole in even the largest of the Warships an empire might send.
At our heart was our Council, a confederation made up of every captain of every ship alongside elected members of the townsfolk and the Maroons. They were the ones who decided our laws, our system of governance, but the one thing they couldn't agree on was who would man the fort upon the cliff. None wanted the job, after all it would mean recruiting people from the town and off the Account to work, train and drill in a fort, like they were back in the army again.
Finally I gave in, I volunteered to command our forces in defense of Libertalia, I would be the one to recruit men to man it, I would be the one to convince them to give up the Account. Some argued, saying that they needed me at sea, picking off ships with my persona of Azrael the angel of Death, but after some explaining they agreed, that should the world discover our then why not make someone they all fear the one protecting it, with his "Dark Magic" and "Devil Sorcery"
So here I am sat atop a cliff in an office working the paperwork, going over the supplies in the fort, our powder stores, shot and cannon balls, whilst hearing outside the many, many, many men who willingly volunteered to be Libertalia's first Militia Brigade.
Yet one thing continues to pester my mind.
Just how long until the empires find this place?
Everyone knows of pirates, the swash buckling buccaneers who raided and pillaged the world. With peg legs, Parrots and forcing their victims to walk the plank.
But the truth is far worse, for some Pirates did not consider themselves criminals, they saw themselves as free men. People who had shook off the oppressive chains of corrupted governments, which favored the rich and not the poor.
This is a story of a place that changed that, a place that would forever be different.
A place that lives in legend.
Its name was Libertalia, the Pirate Colony.
Chapter 1: Hard work for little pay
My name is Avery Filch, I am not one of those rich powder pricks that live in their high castles. NO I lived in a simple house or more specifically a single room of said house, with a bed, table and a bucket to hold my waste. 2 bob a week to live in a place like this, the roof barely holding, the walls don't keep out the cold, add that on what the price of moldy bread is today.
Like me old man and his old man before him, I work in the docks, mostly in the building of ships for the "good and Noble" Queen Anne for her war with Spain. It back breaking work, in the last week six of the lads, lost some of their limbs and they were lucky ones.
Just yesterday 1 poor sod fell from the rigging of the fore mast when the ropes snapped. Bastard boss just had us drag the body away and wipe the blood of the deck.
Then things changed yesterday when a group of officials began going through the inns. Press gangs, people who look for noble and loyal men to "RECRUIT" into her majesties navy, and for those who don't get what I mean, they don't give ya a choice, they just take you in for the navy. I was Lucky for a time.
Yet one night someone new came, he wasn't like the others, he was definitely an officer of some kind, but not like any I had ever seen, his uniform was tattered and patched up, his dark hair was loose and what wasn't tied back. Even his face wasn't like any officer, his beard was trimmed and almost stubbled but clearly visible, then there was his side burns which were barely touched. He called himself Benjamin Hornigold, and he claimed that he gained himself a Privateering contract for Her Majesty in the Caribbean and that he was looking for men to join him on a profitable venture.
Many of the lads joined up, either signing their names or simply scratching a mark on the paper. He eventually came to me, "What about you lad?", he grabbed me hands and looked at my palms, "A sailors hands" he said.
I yanked them back and simply gave him an answer "Not a sailor" And at the time I didn't expect to see him again.
Until poor jimmy lost his footing when fitting the sails into the main mast ropes. He slipped and was barely holding on for his life. And they all just looked up watching waiting for him to fall and die.
I don't even remember climbing up the ropes, all I really remember is grabbing Jimmy by his arm and heaving him back up. I could hear the cheers from below, but my attention was on something else, a Press gang pushing through the crowd, I knew that moment they were coming for me.
When we got down, they grabbed me and began to haul me away. At least until a voice cried out "Halt!" they all turned and it were him, Hornigold "That man there is a member of my crew gentlemen, we're leaving for the Caribbean soon"
They let me go!, I gave me thanks to Hornigold for the save but it wasn't free "I saw how you moved up there.... I'm gonna need someone who can move like that..... Your now part of me crew"
And so it was, I said farewell to the coast of England, and started the voyage to the new world.
Little did I know that my life was to change more times than I ever could think.
Chapter 2: A Privateer am I
Hornigold, didn't have any of those big impressive galleons or warships that the navy uses. Our job wasn't to attack the Spanish in big battles, but to raid their trade goods and plantations for a profit. His ship which he had christened the Benjamin, a very imaginative name I think not.
A simple schooner, a two masted ship with a few cannons, but she wasn't meant for her power, no her strength was in her speed. Schooners are good for maneuverability and speed, if you need to get in quick and get away fast then its a Schooner or a sloop you want. There were about 25 of us in that first trip, most of us were like me simple dock workers who signed up for a better cut of the profits we got from prizes, unlike in the navy where you only got a shilling a month where the officer would get 20.
We stocked everything we could into the hold, weapons such as cutlasses, as well as a few dozen muskets. It wasn't much, we lacked canons, only about ten, five aside not much against big trading vessels, but I remembered we could just take them from the prizes we earn. But before we left Hornigold came over to me as I cleaned some of the muskets we had, he asked me to stand, and he said "I have need of an experienced sailor.... someone who knows what there doing.... I am givin you the position of Bosun". That job was rather simple, keep the ship afloat and the crew in order.
For over three months we just sailed across the Atlantic, no eventful moments whatsoever. Hell the only excitement we got was as I saw something on the horizon so I called out, "Officer to the bow!" I just thought someone like Teach, would come running or maybe perhaps Burgess or Cockcram. But no it was the Captain himself, he came running with a spyglass, peaking out he scanned the horizon, "What did you see Filch?" he asked, so I told him what I thought was a sail and mast. I extended my arm in the direction that I saw it, and he followed the point and what do you know I was right.
"Spaniard" he stated "Sloop...Probably coming from a plantation on route to market", he paused for a moment, considering our move until he looked me dead in the eye "Mr Filch, call the men to arms"..
I nodded strongly, for our first taste of combat and privaterring, "TO ARMS LADS, GET THE CANNONS UNCORKED AND POWDER READY"
The crew ran back and forth, pulling the canons into place and the gun powder from the hold, they loaded the canon balls and powder as we quickly moved closer and closer, the Captain was right she was a sloop, a single masted ship with a small crew, we could see them rushing aboard their ship. Then the Captain came to me, "Filch, how good are ya with a musket...." I didn't know how to answer, I had learned how to use it but I had no idea how good I was.
He explained his plan, he had me climb the main mast and snipe the captain of the Spaniard sloop. I was quick up the mast, and sat calmly in the crows nest Musket in hand, I could feel my hands shaking, I only hoped I didn't miss. It only got worse as we came in alongside with the sloop, both our crew and their aiming their canons and muskets, swords readied. Then Hornigold began to shout out.
"Capitán de la mañana, negociemos" to you and me, morning captain let us negotiate, the Spaniard just nodded his head and sheathed his sword, "Su no es necesario para nosotros para luchar, no ya que mi mejor tiro puede terminar por matar a usted" or as I would put it "There is no need for us to fight, not since my best shot can end it by killing you"
And this was my signal, I aimed, breathed, fired and missed, I rushed to reload and prepare for the fight we were going to have, but thank god Hornigold managed to improvise and use his charm.
"Consider that a Warning" he shouted. The Spaniard looked terrified, even though I had missed the threat against him had caught him off guard, he was willing to sacrifice his crew, but he wasn't ready to die himself. He clipped his sword from his belt and laid it down, he then shouted over "We surrender Senior". We just crossed over and took everything they had, canons, muskets, swords and twenty sacks of sugar as well as twelve barrels of freshly brewed rum. Our first prize and it would not be the last.
Our first stop was a place in Jamaica, where Hornigold sold everything we took the sugar and the rum, and holy Mary. We earned more than I thought, the eventual tally per man was thirty Pieces of eight, that is more than I would earn in a year working in the docks.
And it didn't end there, we took several more small sloops, and we rolled in the money, we enjoyed life to the fullest. It was the time of our lives.
But like all the good times, things have to come to an end. One day the Captain gathered us all around for an important message, "Gentlemen, a Peace has been forged in Europe.... England and Spain are no longer at war.... as such our letter of Marque is now forfeit"
We were out of a job, we knew nothing else, for months almost years we had been fighting for our country and now because we weren't needed we were being cast out. And weren't going to sit back and take it as our lives were taken from us, for next year we couldn't get any form of work anywhere, we were sailors nothing more.
Then one day we made our decision, if the Whigs wouldn't look after us as a government should then we would make one for ourselves.
Chapter 3: Nassau
Our first taste of a pirates life came when rumors spread of a massive Spanish treasure fleet being sunk by a hurricane off the coast of Florida. So we set sail and headed north, yet once we got there, on its beaches was a Spanish flag and Spanish troops guarding chests.
I looked closely at the Spanish and saw their weakness, so I told the captain, "what do you see?" he just looked at me "Their not patrolling the perimeter, not standing ready for any form of attack... what does that tell you?", he suddenly realized what I was trying to explain, "Their not proper soldiers!".
"Exactly, now what are they doing? which way are they looking?". One of the lads, Teach was his name, Edward Teach, just stated the obvious "At us... at the sea".
I nodded and smiled at him "Precisely, no ones watching the forest!" they all looked at me and understood the plan I was concocting, instead of heading straight at 'em, we would come at them from the opposite direction that they expect.
And bloody hell did it work, the Spaniards did not see us coming, we got our hands on some of the cash enough to make it worth while. But now though we needed somewhere to hide and spend the cash, Hornigold and I spent hours going through the maps in his cabin. We went through countless possibilities, from some french ports to the north, anything Spanish was out the question, until finally we saw the answer.
A small English town, in the Bahamas, formerly a Dutch colony it had a fort protecting it and was close to the trade routes that ran north to the growing English colonies such as Virginia. Its name was Nassau.
Chapter 3: The new Pirate town
Nassau was everything we needed, on a island that was close to the key trade routes a nice protected beach by the town for the ship to drop anchor and unload what we had. Plus the town of Nassau was poor so any and all trade items would be welcomed, after all the town was a collection of the simplest buildings, many of them were haphazardly created. The beach was nice and empty excluding a few tents, but the important thing was an old fort, high up on the hill to the right from where we were coming in. Above it was the British colours, the fort was of the four pointed star design.
As we disembarked we found pirates already waiting for us, people we knew from the days of privateering, men like Thomas Barrow and Henry Jennings. As it turned out, they had done the same as us, raiding and attacking the Spanish treasure fleet remnants for profit, for hours we had conversations, many of them gloating for how much they had and how much they had taken.
Later though Hornigold, Barrows and Jennings decided to make a statement, they called us all together and marched on the fort. Which surprisingly despite having British colours flying above it, had no real soldiers inside, we took it without a fight, it was then we were told why we had taken the fort, Hornigold, Barrows and Jennings declared that the Fort and Nassau Town now belonged to us and that this place was now The New Pirate Republic.
It was then official that Nassau was a Pirate haven, we would run the town, defend the town and operate the town. We would use the harbor for our own, use the market to sell our takes from the prizes we take, soon over 500 hundred men were calling Nassau their home.
We were pirates but Benjamin seemed to forget that, sometimes we all thought that he still consider himself a Privateer. I even told him once after we took another Spanish sloop, that the war was over and that we were not soldiers anymore but criminals in their eyes. He just looked at me and said "Do you think this is going to last.... if the King comes and asks what we did, we get to say that we kept Spain's power in check"
The friendship we had was from that moment beginning to slip away, as I began to see that he was a Privateer in his eyes and that to him he was still fighting for the crown that had forsaken us.
Chapter 4; A ship of my own
As the months went on, I began to speak to the other members of the crew and a few were willing to follow me in going out on our own, get a ship of our own and begin to do our own pirating, no longer going after the Spanish, but also the Dutch, French and British.
Then Finally a chance came, one day we took a Spanish schooner, two masts and good amount of space. I asked Ben if I could strike out on my own, he just stated more friendlier than I thought he would, " 'bout time you asked" he pondered away for a moment and returned with a piece of black cloth "You've more than earned this" he gave it me and curious of course I opened it, It was a blank, but I smiled, I knew what it meant. I was ready to make a flag of my own.
He allowed some of the lads to take the ship back to Nassau, a few were good for sailing, but for taking prizes I would need a number that could take a ship. Whats worse I had no real reputation, other Pirates like Edward Teach, Charles Vane and Ben had their Reputations to call on when taking a Prize. For us though we would need to build one, I started straight away.
But first like I said Nassau, when we got there the place was buzzing with activity, ships filled the harbor, a great Pirate camp covering the beach, with the town behind it and the market within. My first job was finding a First mate, I trusted the lads already with me, Bill Cork became chief Gunner, Will Standish I made Quartermaster, he could read and write, keep good records and he was quick to recognize what could be sold and what couldn't.
Yet I needed a First mate, a person that I could rely on in a tough spot, someone I could trust with my ship when I was not aboard. But most of all someone the whole crew could trust. At first I though maybe Burgess or Cockram, but unfortunately they had already struck out on their own. Perhaps that weird chap, Rackham, but then I found that he had hooked up with Charles Vane the crazy bastard that was known for his bad temper.
I asked around for anyone willing to go on the sea as part of a crew, quite a number signed up but none asked about what position they would have. At least until someone I did not expect, His name was Mario De Venezia, an Italian who as he claimed had been kicked out of his family for converting to Protestantism. De Venezia wasn't his actual name, he explained that he "Didn't have a name... Venezia is actual the city of his birth". He had served as a Privateer for France against Spain, before loosing his job with the wars end just like us, he had served like us, I checked his hands and wrists, many marks from callouses from rubbing the skin against ropes. Many scars covered his chest from what I could see through the rips in his shirt.
A fighter, and clearly a good one, I agreed and stated "Welcome aboard the Liberty, First Mate Venezia" He smiled at the remark, offering his hand to shake, I accepted. By the next morning we had well over 30 men aboard the Liberty, as we had christened her, the lads joked that I drank an entire bottle of rum then smashed a bottle on her hull. As we prepared to set sail, I could see an old friend standing on the beach, Ben Hornigold.
Seeing him, I gave a shout "RAISE THE BLACK!", the lads shouted and cheered as they heaved on the ropes to raise our flag high, A White skull, with a sword thrust through it in a downward direction. I gave a static wave to Ben as we set off with the wind in our sails. He raised his hand in response bidding us farewell.
Chapter 5:A true ship
We were very successful, by the Autumn of 1717 the reputation I believed far from reach was quickly built. Soon stories were told in Inns of Avery Filch, the Pirate that Hell its self spat back out, The reason was rather simple. I picked up a trick that Teach used, better known a Blackbeard, where he used fuses, swords, pistols and a long beard to give him a hellish appearance. For me though it was a dark black oak made mask of a skull, I wore black make up around my eyes and mouth to give my eyes a white pale look and a black cloth cowl to cover the rest of my head, so it looked like I was dead.
To top it I would wear dark black clothing and old Spanish armor painted black and finally metal claws on my fingers, the lads loved the idea made me look like a demon. When we took a french sloop I stepped out and they quickly surrendered and when we bordered, I demanded the captain kneel, without saying a word, just pointing the claw to the wooden deck.
The Pirate from Hell, Azrael the Angel of Death made me famous in Nassau, more and more were willing to join up. Other captains like that I was bringing in more infamy and fear, something that they thought would keep the empires away. But the best part was the take, I respected my lads and shared everything equally. I allowed them to do what they wished with their money, but me I became a little business savy, instead of simply spending my take, I kept hold of it and when I had enough, I looked inland, to the fertile soil of New Providence. I ended up buying up a disused plot of land not far from Nassau about a few hours walk south from town, and was just by the ocean with its own small little protected cove.
The more money we earned, the more I invested in it. Until I could hire people, No I did not buy or sell slaves, I couldn't bear to do so, no I properly hired people from Nassau town to work the land. I ensured they were paid fairly from my own pocket at first, but later from the produce of sugar cane, tobacco, Tea, as well as the more traditional wheat. When I told the lads though, I feared they believed me to be retiring, but they just asked if they could build a camp there, so we could in a way build our own hideout.
I welcomed the idea and the Filch Estate became the Hell-bringers Hideout, soon the cove next to the estate itself, had a makeshift dock for long boats to fill up or empty out. Tents big and small covered the sands. With the Liberty Anchored just a stones throw away.
But soon that would change, for as we meddled and relaxed, someone shouted "SAILS!" we all looked out and saw the sails, a Spanish trade Galleon a big one at that, a three master, about 35 cannons at a guess. I called the lads up and made for the ship, once aboard I gave an order "Raise Spanish Colours" the lads did so and allowed King Phillip of Spains flag fly, with that up we could pull in close, I called Mario, "Do ya speak any Spanish?" I asked.
He looked at me and said "Fluently", I smiled and explained the plan, we would pull in close and Mario would demand Identification of the ship and its cargo. Something we had done with other powers, make them think we are pirate hunters and then spring the trap as we board under false pretense. We came in close and soon Mario called out his orders, in Spanish he shouted "By the Authority given to me by his most catholic majesty, I demand to speak to you captain".
The Captain came up onto his deck and looked out to see our small schooner, I ordered any man not wearing Spanish troop uniforms to be hidden below deck. The Spaniard shouted out in response "For what reason do you demand to speak". Mario looked to me without moving his head only his eyes, I explained what to say, "We demand to board your ship, to ensure the Legitimacy of you cargo".
The Captain looked to his first mate, I could see them clearly standing beside Mario in the uniform of a minor Spanish officer, I whispered to Mario, what he was to shout "We also wish your assistance, for we are under orders to bring to Gods justice a Pirate known in these waters as the Azrael"
This tipped the scale in our favor, the captain gave the order and allowed our "Spanish Soldiers" to board to search the ship, yet once we got close and the "Soldiers" lead by Mario crossed over, we sprang our trap, I bordered wearing my armor, but not my mask and claws, then when no one was looked I slipped on my claws, Mask and cowl and as out of no where the Hellbringer appeared on their ship. I Roared and the lads sprang up from the Liberty and overwhelmed the shocked Spaniards, they had heard the stories of the Hellbringer, they couldn't believe it, I heard them praying as the lads overpowered them, some were shouting "el Diablo", the devil whilst pointing at me.
They surrendered without a fight, which was good for us because it meant no one got hurt. To keep up the demon appearance, I kept my mouth shut, but I found this moment to boost the demonic reputation, we had been building. I waved over Mario and a few others, they agreed to give our rep a little push to infamy, I walked over to the captain calmly, growling beneath my breath and behind the mask. He started praying, pleading to God.
I knelt down and looked him dead in the eye, with the whole crew his and mine watching. I finally gave a few garbled words, but growly, almost like grunting through my closed teeth, to make me sound more demonic and cannibalistic. "If you wish.... to meet God.... I can send... you ...to him" I then stabbed him with my clawed fingers, pushing and pulling to make more damage, as he garbled with blood in his mouth, and gave him a crooked smile. Then pulled up, pulling his whole body up, I heaved up almost lifting him, slowly with great difficulty I almost carried this bloody guy with only the fingers on my right hand to the side of the ship and then threw him over.
As I did I heard the lads cheering and shouting, I couldn't make out what they were saying, until I clicked onto the idea they were chanting, making it look like I was performing a blood ritual. So I played along, I raised my arms and looked to the sky, then I shouted out in a dark, deep voice "blood for blood, Dark One, give us the strength to fulfill our vengeance on the power that betrayed us".
I turned to the captives who were even more terrified, fearing they were next, yet no "You have a choice" I stated, "You can Join your Captain, or you can spread the word of us, of what will happen to those who defy us.... if you choose the latter then board that schooner", they all poured off the trade Galleon and onto our small schooner, the lads took everything belonging to us, bringing it aboard our new Galleon, leaving a little water and food for the Spanish, and then watched them sail away.
Given our new reputation, we all agreed to christen the new Galleon, the Angel of Death.
Chapter 5: A Divided Nassau
For the next few months our little plantation grew, from a small plot of land into a proper estate, I had learned to have a continuous crop, so every section was of a different period of growth, so we were always growing and harvesting. After selling the crops and after payroll of the workers, the tally for each man was around £10 and thirty shillings, but things were beginning to change in Nassau.
Whilst we enjoyed the spoils of one our takes, I heard an argument coming from outside the Tavern, I peaked out and saw Vane, Teach and Hornigold arguing. I could see them getting aggressive, Vane most of all was pissed, pointing fingers at them both. I finally went out to see what was the matter and they saw me coming, Hornigold almost invited me into the conversation.
"What the hell is going on?" I shouted, Teach looked to me and explained everything, he said that the King of Great Britain had offered a Pardon to any and all pirates that surrender themselves. Vane was against it, claiming we should fight and kill every last one of them,, Hornigold was scared, he feared that this could be just the beginning, that British will come to Nassau to retake it by force.
Before things came to blows, I stepped between the three calling for calm. Vane was hard to push back, he always has been a mad man constantly taking things to far being to aggressive when he shouldn't. I mean I do bad things but that is so then people won't want to fight, there are times I think he does for enjoyment. Teach left the conversation, saying he was going north, saying he was going to do something big, something no one had ever done. It was only later I found out that he had blockaded Charles-town in order to gain medicine for his crew.
Ben asked me to walk with him, so we did through the busy streets of Nassau town, I could tell that Ben was beginning to rethink his position in our so called Flying Gang, as well as our republic. I could tell instantly that he was planning on taking the pardon as soon as the British came, And it wouldn't be long until they did, but I didn't plan on waiting for them.
I called the lesser known pirate captains for a special meeting at my Plantation, I asked them for a debate of sought. Strangely Ben and a few others came along, I told all that came, this was a true Republic council, that the decision we came too here would decide the fate of all Pirates.
On the date scheduled, I was surprised, dozens came. Ben Hornigold, Charles Vane, the new guy Calico Jack Rackham and some woman with him Anne Bonny was her name. As well as a few others like Burgess, Cockram and dozens of others, all of them were willing to talk and listen, Ben was rather impressed with my estate, I'm willing to bet he thought that I was going to take the pardon and retire to my Plantation, But I had served their empires once and they didn't do a damn thing for me.
At our little meeting, I informed them that there were many choices open to us all. Option one that we take the pardon and live quiet lives as farmers inland like I had taken as a side business, a few of them agreed, Ben most of all as well as Burgess and Cockram. But Vane and a small number were in favor of the second choice, forming a militia and defending Nassau town and fort from the British. But I knew that this was not going work, even if we could build an army of our own, we wouldn't stand a chance against the British Empire.
It was then that I put forward my preferred and more radical option, instead of taking an offer of surrender or dying for a lost cause. We would instead build a place of our own, I knew Nassau was technically British Soil first, so they were going to retake it sooner or later. But If we were to go somewhere that no one has claimed, I pulled out a map of the known world, I pointed to a large island sparsely populated, close to the old and still busy trade routes between Europe and India as well as the East Indies and coast of Africa.
I declared that anyone willing to come with me, can help in building ourselves a colony of our own. A place we could truly call ours. Several supported the idea, Ben was against it, saying "We can't build something to last, we thought Nassau would be ours, but now their coming for us"
He was right, but so was I. "Your right it was only a matter of time..... but Nassau is on the Map, so is Madagascar, but not where we are going" this swayed some, but they were still unsure, "Look here, with a little patience, I turned an abandoned plot of land and turned it into a proper business..... with some patience we can turn a cove or a plot of territory into a Pirate Colony"
This is what finally caught them, dozens of them signed up to the idea of establishing a place of our own. By the next morning the crews were informed, my guys stated they would and I quote "Follow you to hell and back".
Chapter 6: Madagascar here we come
We rallied everything we could, people rallied to the concept, yet every step our confederacy made, was something I constantly feared. It showed that we were becoming ever more divided, those backing the Pardon growed in number and the few wanting to fight were growing. I feared that Nassau was on the brink of Civil war.
If our Pirate Republic was to be successful, then we would have to hold united, but then news came across my ears. A Governor was coming for Nassau, Woodes Rogers was his name apparently, he had been ordered to come to Nassau and deliver the Pardon and he was bringing a fleet of warships.
We needed to leave soon, else we won't stand a chance, not if the British navy is sending man o'wars or ships of the line. Even the Galleon I captain won't stand a chance, against such ships. We gathered everything, wood, stone, food, livestock, willing colonists of all kinds.
Within two months we were ready, twenty ships, over 3,000 people, colonists, sailors and pirates all willing to sail across the Atlantic and prepare ourselves a colony of our own. By the best wind we were away, We said our farewells to Nassau, I personally went to see Ben before we boarded the Vengeance. He said "You know I would have to hunt you", I agreed, but by the end of a quick goodbye he offered a hand to shake, I accepted.
With the wind we watched Nassau fort grow ever smaller and more distant, until the oceans horizon was empty. Our ships moving swiftly through the water with the sun up high in the sky. For six months we maneuvered our way south to Brazil, we came across some Maroon settlements on some of the smaller islands, I convinced a good number to join us we would definitely need their skill and they can find freedom in establishing a new home safely away from western powers. From Brazil it was then a single straight cross to the Cape horn.
The Continent became so successful to fulfill our needs, that A council was gathered of all the captains and Maroons who joined us, I recommended that we push on to Madagascar, but some of the others were in favor of building on the continent, claiming it would be easier then, to gather food and resources necessary to build the colony. In the end a compromise was made, we would land on the continent itself, but in the straights between Madagascar and African coast. Where the water would be calmer.
Chapter 7: Libertalia
Finally after all most a year we made it to our destination, a large protected cove, it was truly perfect. The cove was large enough to hold a large town, large beaches curving round into a long crescent, a high cliff to our left, to the right of the cove, overlooking the entire area, the perfect place for a fort to protect us.
We soon landed and set up our temporary camp, the captains gathered together over what it was we were to call our new safe haven, all cast their vote. And the final tally was a landslide in favor of Libertalia, a land that we could truly call our own, for months and months we worked to build, every now and again some ships would go out and "Acquire" materials that we needed, but also to keep the lads busy, after all sometimes a man needs a fight.
By the time of our first true year cycle, the colony was well and truly established, we had housing for all who lived here, a massive courtyard hosting the market selling everything we produced or took from the trade routes, there were taverns and brothels for the lads to enjoy themselves in, breweries cooking up rum, bakeries making bread from our wheat. Above it all high atop the cliff, still in progress was a the immense fortress that would protect us all, and we already knew what she would have upon her walls. The largest guns we could procure or at least anyone could procure, 24 pound cannons, strong enough to punch a whole in even the largest of the Warships an empire might send.
At our heart was our Council, a confederation made up of every captain of every ship alongside elected members of the townsfolk and the Maroons. They were the ones who decided our laws, our system of governance, but the one thing they couldn't agree on was who would man the fort upon the cliff. None wanted the job, after all it would mean recruiting people from the town and off the Account to work, train and drill in a fort, like they were back in the army again.
Finally I gave in, I volunteered to command our forces in defense of Libertalia, I would be the one to recruit men to man it, I would be the one to convince them to give up the Account. Some argued, saying that they needed me at sea, picking off ships with my persona of Azrael the angel of Death, but after some explaining they agreed, that should the world discover our then why not make someone they all fear the one protecting it, with his "Dark Magic" and "Devil Sorcery"
So here I am sat atop a cliff in an office working the paperwork, going over the supplies in the fort, our powder stores, shot and cannon balls, whilst hearing outside the many, many, many men who willingly volunteered to be Libertalia's first Militia Brigade.
Yet one thing continues to pester my mind.
Just how long until the empires find this place?
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