Drakeness from small Beginnings

Chapter 26: Tew's Mansion

–----------Nathan's point of view----------------

We passed a sluice gate and I started the engine again. I noticed Jo sitting down on the passenger seat. She was so beautiful. Even though her shirt was wet at her left side, because of the blood. Even though the dirt on her face. Even though the scar and the new cuts, even though all her flaws, I really loved her.

I guess, I first noticed, I had fallen in love with her, when Talbot continued to threaten to kill her. That was the first time, I really thought about, what life would be without her and came to the conclusion, that it would be hardly worth living. We had spent so much time together, but somehow my stupid self didn't her as more than a friend earlier.

I really meant to tell her after we moved together with Elena in New Orleans, but I was afraid, that she would reject me. I was afraid, that she would see me as another Rafe, who just wanted to use her as a punching bag. I knew it was hard for her to forget, how she had suffered. She almost did, but then all this mess started again and she was dragged right back to him.

This is all my fault. I should have left her in New Orleans, where she is safe.

My gaze wandered to her hair. She had tried to control it in a ponytail, but some strands kept falling in her face. Suddenly her dark brown eyes met my blue ones.

-----------Jo's point of view----------------

I noticed, that Nate was looking at me.

"What?", I asked.

He quickly turned his gaze away.

"Nothing. Just ... your shoulder looks really bad."

I knew this wasn't what he thought about, while looking at me, but I had no idea why else he should.

"Nah, I'm fine really. It just bled again, but I'm okay now. I really am."

He looked like he was about to say something.

"Hey, guys, there's the elevator!", Elena interrupted our awkward silence.

Nathan and I opened the gate and Elena drove the car inside.

"Okay. Here goes nothing.", Nate said and pulled the lever to activate the elevator. Surprisingly it still worked. We soon were able to look over the tops of the trees.

"Wow. It's like a postcard.", Elena stated.

"Yeah, Libertalia. Come for the beautiful views.", Nathan said.

"Stay for the life-or-death gunfights.", I finished.

She laughed. After a few minutes, we finally reached the top of the cliff and opened the gate.

This time it was my turn to drive, as I didn't want Nathan to do all the work alone. He sat down next to me and Elena sat in the back again.

"Next stop: New Devon.", I said and began driving.

After some time Sully called Elena through the walkie-talkie. He told us, that he still didn't find a place to land, but saw some Shoreline trucks heading north. We promised to call soon and Elena ended the call.

After some time we needed to cross a bridge, but of course it crashed, while we drove over it. Our car fell into the river beneath and was dragged away by the current.

"Turn around. We're heading for the falls!", Elena screamed.

"I can't. The current's too strong.", he replied, but tried to turn the car to the bank. Eventually the car got stuck right next to it.

"Come on, Elena. Climb up the rocks.", I told her and she did as I said. I climbed immediately after her. When I reached higher ground, I turned around to give Nathan a hand. He took mine, but slipped and fell down, back in the car.

"Nate!"

The car swam towards the waterfalls, but there was nothing, I could de to help him. He threw his climbing hook and held onto the rope, just in the moment the car fell down and exploded.

"Nate?", I screamed as I run to the cliff.

"I'm okay. I'm okay.", he shouted back.

He jumped to the cliff, where I was standing. I immediately grabbed his arm and pulled him up.

"Don't worry. I got you.", I said and pulled him into a tight hug once he was standing again. "Don't ever do that again."

He just laughed. "I'm trying."

We pulled away from the hug.

"Well, so much for the car.", Elena stated.

"Yeah, looks like we need to walk from now on. Yay.", I commented sarcastically.

We started walking and soon found some more bodies. Well, skeletons in cages.

"What a bad way to die, huh?", Nathan said.

"Mmh. Look at the sign. It says "traitor". I guess, he was one of the rebels.", I considered and he nodded.

We went on and reached New Devon. Unfortunately it was flooded. We figured, that we had to go to the only house, that was still intact, for we thought it was Avery's. Unfortunately we could also spot Rafe and his Shoreline-mercenaries. They were still making Sam lead them.

"Well, at least he is still alive.", Elena stated.

"Yeah, for now. Come on. We need to free him.", I said and jumped into the water.

Unfortunately we had to swim a lot, but eventually reached the mansion. We killed the mercenaries and entered the house through a broken window. In the second floor we found a huge room with a table. There were skeletons sitting on almost every chair.

"Good lord.", Elena said.

"Looks like we found the party.", Nate commented, which caused me to chuckle.

"Well, we're a bit late, aren't we?"

At each place we found cards with some sigils of the pirates.

"Oh my god. It's them." Nathan grabbed one of the cards.

"You're right. It's the founders. They all died here at this table."

"What happened here?", Elena questioned us.

"Well, I'm not a forensic expert, but I would say poison." I took a cup from one of the skeletons hands.

"Apparently.", Nathan stated.

Suddenly I realised something. "Nathan. Did you notice, that two chairs are empty?" I went over to the two chairs. "It's Avery's and Tew's. They poisoned the other founders!"

"Oh my god, you're right." he grabbed a piece of paper and read it. "It's an invitation from Avery and Tew. Obviously the other founders started a rebellion and the two invited them here to kill them, to end the fights."

"That's terrible.", Elena stated.

"That's my ancestor."

"What?", she looked at me in shock.

"Avery. He's my ancestor."

"Hey, can we just talk about the fact that it took just one second to kill all those men to become the ruler of Libertalia!, Nathan interrupted us. "These were history's most popular pirates and they all died, in an instant, at this very table. And Avery and Tew were in the possession of Libertalia."

"My great-great-great-whatever-grandfather was a pirate and a ruler of Libertalia. Wow, if I say it that way it sounds pretty damn cool."

Nathan chuckled.

"So, now that our two hosts aren't at Tew's mansion ...", Elena started.

"We should head over to Avery's.", Nathan finished her sentence.

"Okay, come on, guys. Let's go."