Morgan approached. He put both his hands on his shoulders and grasped them with a slight pressure. Rogers considered the possibility of being strangled. As if he had read into his thoughts, the other man let him go and moved a few steps away from him. He took one of the maps from the table and started studying it.
I think youre a careful man, he said sharply. So youre deceiving us, captain. The answer is just under your eyes.
Rogers raised his brows. He didnt seem to understand. Then a memory flashed suddenly in his mind, cold and merciless like lightning. He turned his eyes to the object Morgan was keeping in his hands.
Its just a map, your Excellency, he commented.
Youre right, the other one agreed and handed the roll to the pirate. I suggest you to observe it better, by the way. Its the only thing Wynne had with him when he was rescued. He didnt care about it. He should have. Why should a dying man worry about protecting a map?
He unfolded it in front of himself. He could feel the mouldy cracking of the paper under his fingertips.
Straight and curving lines were crossing each other, making definite and linear signs. They became then more and more indefinite, chaotic. Besides, there was no course to follow, as if Wynne had got lost.
He was heading to this island, Rogers claimed, plunging into the drawing. But I cant understand which sea he was sailing. He turned his eyes to the lower corner of the map. Then he raised his brows. A series of words had been written on that side. He read them and his eyes opened wide in surprise. Anger came later.
Do you think Im a fool?, he burst out. Was it all just a joke?
Henry Morgan held his glance with a harshness which didnt let any emotion come out.
No joke, he replied.
Thats impossible! Wynne cant have drawn this map. He was completely out of his mind when we found him. He hadnt eaten and drunk for days. He kept muttering meaningless words.
And hes still muttering them at the moment.
Rogers didnt gave up. He studied the map once more, his eyes flashing frantically into their orbs. Ill tell you again: he cant have drawn it, simply because this place doesnt exist!
The Devils Triangle exists, really!, Morgan exclaimed. He looked breathless. Wynne has been there, no doubts. And not only the piece of paper youre holding shows it, but also the fact we knew he was preparing to sail those seas.
***
When they came out of the villa, some soldiers approached them, ready to escort them to the coach. Roger had wanted Morgan to let him meet the prisoner. He still couldnt believe the story he had told him.
Please, Excellency, one of the guards suddenly said, opening the door of the coach which would drive them to the jail.
The coach turned into a strip of land bordering the beach. Morgan caught the opportunity of greeting the colons. Many of them bowed. A bit farther the coast made a small inlet, which was considered the real heart of the bay. There were a dozen ships at anchor there.
Here we are, Excellency, the coachman shouted after a while.
The road they were driving through was scattered with stones everywhere, becoming closer and closer till they formed a pavement ending in front of the fortress entrance. The access was composed of a brick arch obtained in the main wall. The grey mouths of the cannons came out of the upper cornice, surmounted by imposing battlements.
Once inside Fort Charles, they got off the coach in the middle of an octagonal square. Afterwards, they were led to the jails through a stone corridor, on whose walls some torches were flaring. A well-built man with a scornful air came through the dim light. He was panting and his face was wet with sweat. He was wearing a plain dress with dirty spots everywhere. Rogers could see blood trails both on his sleeves and on his collar. He then had the unpleasant feeling of facing the hangman.
Excellency, the last one greeted Morgan respectfully.
Best greetings, master Kane, Morgan replied. This is captain Woodes Rogers, a corsair at His Majestys service.
How can I help you?
Were here to meet Emanuel Wynne.
The hangman nodded decidedly, he caught one of the torches hanging on the walls and took them to another corridor, where some cells were alternating. When they got to the end, they walked down a flight of stairs. The slope became steeper halfway so they had to bend, as the ceiling was gradually stooping. They would find themselves underground soon.
Before we go in, I wish to ask you a question, Rogers told the governor. Youve prepared the execution for tomorrow. Why such a hurry?
Wynne is a pirate, so he must pay for his crimes, the other man replied.
Without a fair trial? Those thoughts flashed in the corsairs mind with a disarming easiness. Do you really consider me such a fool, Henry? Youve dragged me here for a much more important reason. Why are you spinning out? Lost in those thoughts, he got in front of a cell, without even being aware of it. The interior, which had been enveloped in darkness till then, was lighted by Kanes torch. He saw him fumbling about a heavy brass ring enclosing a dozen keys. He put one of them into the keyhole and made it turn, producing a resounding creaking. The bars opened on a poor, bare room, whose only furniture was a bedstraw. Being underground, there wasnt any kind of window, neither simple slits. A heavy smell of mould, excrements and urine was hovering all around.
Morgan was very interested in the shape lying on the bedstraw. It was still, covered in a filthy blanket. Are you sure you didnt go too far, master Kane? We want this man to be hanged before a jubilant crowd, not to die here like a rat.
Dont worry, the hangman assured him and moved towards Wynne. He then kicked his ribs. The pirate got up in a hurry, squealing. He looked like a ghost in the dim light. His thin face was marked by a bristly beard surrounding his cheeks in a mess. His long oily hair was falling on his eyes and behind his shoulders.
The governor showed a very false grin. Monsieur Wynne is very worn out by what happened to him. We dont need to treat him like this. We are among gentlemen. Now, please, leave us alone. We can manage by ourselves.
Really, Kane tried to disagree.
Morgans face became gloomy at once.
You can go, he repeated slowly.
The hangman left his torch on the cell wall and disappeared.
Wynne, Rogers called him. Can you hear me?
The corsair waited, hoping the other man would answer. But when he realized he would have to wait forever, he knelt down, a few inches from the prisoner. My ship found you off Nassau, do you remember? Im here to talk about the map. What happened to you?
Wynne lifted his head, staring at his interlocutor, but it looked as if he couldnt see him. Rogers thought he saw a greenish glare coming from one of his eyes. He held his breath. He wasnt sure, as the pirate had his hair stuck on his face. He then was persuaded that was just the reflex of the torch hanging on the wall.
The Devils Triangle, Wynne croaked after a while.
Did you really sail those seas?, Rogers questioned him.
I shouldnt have left my place. The captains orders. He will be furious.
He keeps telling the same story again and again, Morgan said in an irritated tone. He wants to go back to Bellamy. Even Kanes whip strokes couldnt make him change his mind.
He keeps telling the same story again and again, Morgan said in an irritated tone. He wants to go back to Bellamy. Even Kanes whip strokes couldnt make him change his mind.
When he heard those words, the pirate started, gasping like a fish out of water and letting deep rattles come out of the bottom of his throat.
Were you at Samuel Bellamys orders? Rogers moved his fingers cautiously, catching his arm softly. Wynne was clearly made shy by Morgans presence. If Rogers couldnt make him calm down, he would withdraw into numbness again.
The small man let out a surprised gasp. We got lost.
Explain it better.
The fog was everywhere.
Which fog? Rogers spurred him. What are you trying to tell me?
I must keep on watch, Wynne changed his voice. It sounded like the one of a man looking for confidence. The captains orders.
Rogers kept silent, waiting again.
Theres nothing to do, Morgan asserted. We are wasting our time. You have been able to learn something more, captain. Well grant it. However
Thats just what you dont understand!, the pirate burst out. A spark of consciousness seemed to light again into his brain. Theres a price to be paid by those who are looking for the treasure. A treasure which can change the destiny of the man who will find it.
Which treasure?, the governor suddenly asked.
Wynne started. He got free from the corsairs grip and crouched back on the bedstraw, in a foetal position. From that angle, Rogers could see the fresh whip signs.
Wynne!, Morgan exclaimed in a threatening voice. What treasure are you talking about? Answer, God damn!
The pirate burst into a series of moans and stopped talking. The governors insults couldnt stir him anymore.
Was that all you wanted to know, Excellency? That sounded more like a bare statement than like a question on Rogers part. Youve used me to find out the possible existence of a treasure?
Henry Morgans face turned gloomy. I didnt use you, captain. You had a precise task. To catch Wynne. And you succeeded very well.
It was a simple chance, to use your same words.
Of course.
What are you playing at, Henry?
The man stared at him doubtfully.
You owe me some explanation, Rogers went on soon after. I did my duty. And I thought that was all. But now youre involving me in this story.
The sound of some steps came from the bottom of the corridor, together with Kanes light whistle. They had clearly remained in the cell too long and the hangman was coming back to check if something had happened.
Theres no need of discussing the matter here, captain, Morgan hissed.
Im afraid there is, Rogers disagreed.
What do you want to know?
The truth.
Ok, the governor replied. Youre a trustworthy man, after all.
Hurry up!
Bellamy himself came to tell me what he wanted to do. Our past is not a mystery, isnt it? So you wont be surprised by our friendship.
Im not surprised at all, Rogers considered.
He asked us for a loan. Morgan was talking fast and he sometimes turned his eyes to see if Kane suddenly came. He didnt have enough money to afford starting such a dangerous journey. We wanted the list of the crew in return. Experience has taught us to get to know who is going to use the money we are spending. The only name of the list we already knew, was Wynnes.
So you sent me to look for him, Rogers highlighted.
Exactly. When we learnt that Bellamy had disappeared, we couldnt do otherwise.
The French man started talking again. He was sitting on the bedstraw, crossing his legs. Ill be punished because I stirred up a mutiny. But it wasnt my fault. I can swear it. Dont trust the man with golden teeth. Even if his face was hidden by his hair, he was clearly smiling. Whats more, I was the only one who could see. I was on the observation mast. I had to watch, just like the shaman had told us.
Rogers bent down once more. He was going to open his mouth, wanting to know what Wynne was referring to. The pirate was faster.
Our eyes often deceive us, captain Rogers!, he said.
And what about the treasure?, Morgan intruded.
There was no answer. Edward Wynne bent his head back and burst into an obscene and powerful laughter, clashing with his bodys thinness. He kept laughing also when the hangman came back. The governor had he whipped again and again, hoping to get more information. But the more Kane tortured him, the more the pirate laughed. He went on till his vocal cords broke and disgusting sounds came out of his mouth, forcing Rogers to shut his ears.
CHAPTER TWO
THE EXECUTION
Late in the afternoon, Johnny started on his way back.
Remembering what had happened in the morning, he decided to take the longest way. He could avoid going through the Spanish area in doing so. His mother was certainly at work, plunging as usual in the suffocating smell of spices which impregnated the Passàro do Mars kitchen. She wouldnt notice him, if he came home late.
He moved on along the east end of the harbour, getting over docks and road-steads. He sometimes cast a glance at the moored ships. Most of the crews had landed. He had often felt the impulse to sign on and leave Port Royal. But how? He wouldnt bear the sea, not even for a week.
He heard Annes voice echoing in his mind at that moment, as powerful as only she could have, accusing him of being just like his father. He thought again over the story he had invented with Averys connivance.
I had to hand him some pincers, he revised it mentally, trying to look convincing even to himself. He told me to hurry up, so I turned. I didnt notice a lower beam and I hit against it.
She might believe him, even if he could foresee her worried look, her goggle eyes and he wide-open mouth.
She was going to overwhelm him by her usual wave of scolding, about how dangerous the world was and everything else. Obviously, he expected her to ask the old man for an explanation. He would prove everything was right that same evening, when he was going to have a drink at the tavern.
I hope he wont get drunk, he thought.
Farther on, the ground made some terracing, following a flight of steps which had been built against the walls of the harbour. Johnny walked up there without even stopping to think about it. He knew the area like the back of his hand. When he got to the top, he stopped there to look at the bay.
He had seen that sight lots of times, but he felt a different emotion that day, which he had never felt before. The dying sunset light was enveloping everything in violet brushstrokes. He felt sure for a moment that the air was even full of electricity, almost bringing some change forward.
The wind is changing.
Johnny winced. A man had come close to him while he hadnt even noticed him, and he was staring at the inlet just like him. He was wearing a blue jacket and a shirt opening on his chest, tied by a green sash on his waist. He had knee-high boots on his feet. His face was pockmarked, as if he had been stung by hundreds of voracious insects and it was framed by a pair of long and thick dark sideburns, making it look as long as a beech-martens one.