“So, what you are saying is that you want me to protect the sea, while you play along in your playground?” said Captain Baldi to Udall, the messenger sent by Logan. Baldi, wearing the pirate hat with beaded braids, was looking at the proposal that Logan wrote. It listed the details about the distribution concerning spoils and foods.
“Yes, yes!” said Udall. The pirates seemed to be in vigor mood, they gathered around the Udall which made him nervous. They were making fun of his petty uniform and the sheepish look. They roared with laughter. They were on the ship; the tide rocked the ship gently. Baldi flipped the pages.
“So in the time of distress, concerning the spoils, trade in food… Huh…” murmured Baldi, reading through the contract. “Well, Mr…”
“Udall,” said Udall, blinking stupidly. The pirates laughed again, treating him like a monkey at the zoo.
“Mr. Udall, I like your deal,” smiled Baldi, glimpsing up playfully. “But it came to my mind that. Urh, I need to see your base first. If we can talk to you over drinks it’ll be better. It’s such a nice island! It is beautiful! We are not in a hurry do we?”
“But, but we are in a hurry!” shouted Udall.
“Well, Mr. Udall, you might be, but we are not,” grinned Baldi, drinking the bottle of rum, and burped at Udall. Udall frowned with disgust.
The pirates laughed and Baldi cackled, tapping Udall’s shoulder.
“Well, the meeting’s over. See you later,” said Baldi, and gestured to his crew.
The crews burst into laughter and grabbed Udall. Udall resisted but it was no use, he squealed in terror. The crews carried him over their shoulder, went to the edge of the ship and threw him over the deck. He screamed and plunged into the water.
Baldi waved at Udall, who was struggling in the water, and crews waved at him too. Udall swam to the coast and started running. When Udall disappeared among the woods, Baldi looked at one of his crew, who was really short.
“Eh Pablo?” said Baldi, smiling playfully.
“Yes Captain,” said Pablo, with a squeaky voice.
“Follow him along,” said Baldi, gulping his rum. The crew cheered and grabbed him. They carried Pablo to the deck, swung few times and threw him over deck. Pablo screamed and splashed in the water. He swam to the shore and followed Udall.
In Poe’s refugee camp, they sent a squad to meet Alvin in the creek. Gilbert was planning on going with them, but Poe ordered him not to. It’s about three day’s journey for the squad. If they don’t come back in seven days then Gilbert will form his own squad and go. They left in dawn.
About twenty men left, they needed more people to do the guard duty. They brought the kids around Tasha’s age and made them to stand at the gate while the adults patrolled around the region. Tasha went back from the first duty in night time. She yawned and collapsed on the pile of blankets inside the tent. She took out Alvin’s old revolver from her pocket and threw it on the table.
Diana gave her some soup but Tasha shook her head and just went to sleep. Jake blew the soup at the table, put the mouthful of it and swallowed it. Next to him, Nancy was sipping the herb tea. The air was bit chilly, as it rained yesterday.
Diana talked to Gilbert about the squad. Gilbert said he had to stay because Poe didn’t want him to leave the base. He assured her that he gave the squad the picture of Alvin and that those men were trustworthy. Diana was hopeful to see Alvin again! She was filled with excitement.
Poe, however, seemed to be in dread about current situation, as more hostile population arrived near region. The scouts from the coast arrived yesterday. They reported to Poe that many ships have arrived in the island and they were savaging the camps nearby shore.
He dared not to move toward the creek with women and children involved. He needed Nina’s army, and he was anxious to move to the creek. Catherine however didn’t want Nina Polchinski in her presence. She planted few of her men inside her squad to discourage the search.
The pirates were on the move, they collaborated with themselves. They started surrounding the island. Captain Baldi started attacking the other ship and submitted them under his command. They are ready to ravage the whole island.