News on William's rival.

"William, you know that I wouldn't call you back from sea if I didn’t consider what I am about to tell you to be of the utmost significance. Twenty three days ago I sent the fastest ship in my port to go look for you and deliver my missive. It has come to my attention through channels best left unsaid that the Pirate Captain Diego The Insane has placed a huge bounty on your head. It rumoured to be as much as half of his entire life’s plunder. Every pirate Captain with a ship will soon be out looking for you William. Diego’s the wealthiest pirate out there, beside yourself. I cannot have them chasing you to Shoal Water. I must protect my citizens.”

“As you should too Restan. It’s what any fine Governor would do,” William soothed his friend. What it must have taken the Governor to bring him here to tell William this in person was enormous. Just The Captains very presence in port was potentially endangering the lives of every single one of Shoal Waters residents. “I will leave Shoal Water as quickly as possible and I vow never to return until I have dealt with Diego once and for all.”

“God speed William. I pray that I will one day see you here in my study once again,” Restan said solemnly as William began to rise.

Bloody Will and Diego The Insane were names spoken in every bar throughout the newly colonised territories. Their battles had been the stuff of legend but through every encounter William had managed to come out on top. With every victory Diego’s tenuous grip on reality had gotten a little shakier. The seediest and most evil of men were attracted to his Captaincy and the deeds of his crew were told to frighten little children into behaving. William by contrast expected his men to exhibit the same upstanding morals as himself. Quarter was always offered and bloodshed avoided at all costs. It was only when cornered by a trio of Diego’s ships did William earn the title Bloody Will. Killing the captains of two of the pirate ships and gravely wounding Diego in a swirling swordfight on the bridge of The Catherine’s Fancy.

Governor Restan's words had imparted on William a sense of urgency and a keen desire to be underway. However the practicalities of being a ship's captain meant that he would have to remain in Stillwater for at least one night. There was no way the Catherine's Fancy could be unloaded of her cargo and resupplied in time to make the evening tide. Nor was he willing to sail with the cargo still aboard, as much of it was perishable and wouldn’t keep for another extended sea voyage. William would have to contend himself with catching the next tide, due in tomorrow afternoon.

Captain Kent's first course of action was to notify his first mate back at the ship of the changes and to give him instructions on reloading the ship and what to do about the sailors' wages. At the entrance foyer to Restan's mansion William procured from a servant a leaf of paper, a quill and some ink and jotted down a few simple orders.

"Jack

Have the ship unloaded as quickly as possible and made ready to sail on tomorrows tide. No later. Inform the men that I have but to cut their shore leave to just one night and that I would consider their cooperation a personal favour. Give each man enough in coin to satisfy their pleasures for tonight, what a sailor could be reasonable expected to spend on a first night ashore and one third more. I'll not have them too hung over so as to be unfit to sail come the morrow. Also let the men know that any who choose not to sail with me again because of these orders can collect the remainder of their wages from Tristan the Merchant in three days time.

William"

No doubt there would be some grumbling over the lack of time in port but William knew most of his men were loyal enough to return to the ship tomorrow. Any others would be replaced regardless.

Not waiting for the ink to dry the Captain quickly dusted the letter in fine sand and then folded the paper in three. He sealed the letter with a lump of wax marked with the ships insignia that he wore upon the index finger of his right hand.

Tucking the letter into his jacket pocket William left the mansion and began his walk back to the harbour town. Not far from the Governor's residence, a young child was found playing amongst the hills. William gave the letter to the boy instructing him to run it to the ship as fast as his young legs could carry him. The boy was given a silver piece for his troubles and Will told him, "another would be forth coming from his first mate," to ensure the message arrived safely and in a timely fashion. To a boy his age two silver pieces was a considerable fortune and could buy any number of lollies or other sweet treats. William Kent watched as the boy set off at a sprint before continuing his more leisurely pace.

Shoalwater was alive with hawkers pushing their midday trade by the time William returned to the town. He bought a delicious hot pork pie with a thick white gravy from one of the many vendors and then washed it down with an exotically spiced wine. Having broken his hunger, Captain Kent turned his attention to what must be accomplished in order to set sail tomorrow.