Chapter 108 - Black Sail XIII (1/2)
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
“Frazer is the most experienced pirate on this island. I heard of his name even before I come to Na.s.sau. Someone told me that he used to work alongside Henry Morgan to raid a Spanish settlement. After stealing all they could, they managed to loot a total of two million pounds in their last raid. After that, the rich b.a.s.t.a.r.d, Henry Morgan, was summoned by the queen, banished to jail the moment he returned to his country. As for Frazer, he left Jamaica and came to Na.s.sau. He remained here to recruit potential pirates to join his creed. At his peak, he had 11 pirate s.h.i.+ps, hundreds of cannons, and around 700 to 800 pirates under his command.”
“What happened after that?”
“I have no idea. Rumor says he wanted to accept the queen’s pardon secretly. When his band knew about it, everything changed. He was stripped of his t.i.tle as captain of 11 pirate s.h.i.+ps, and all his crew was dismissed. Right now, that old b.a.s.t.a.r.d is no larger than an ordinary pirate,” said the muscular man with a grin on his face.
“But, you still owe him money.”
“Alright! I have told you everything you need to know. It’s your turn to keep your end of the bargain, you…”
The muscular pirate suddenly stopped smiling and spat an expletive into Zhang Heng’s face.
“Last question. Where do I rent a house around here?”
After Zhang Heng’s question was answered, the ten silver pesos were placed on the table, and the deal was complete.
…
Right now, he was left with 58 silver pesos. Of course, getting a room at an inn was an option. However, the fact that he had to spend over a decade on this island had him thinking that it might be wiser to just look for a proper place to settle down.
The place he chose was a little further from the harbor but closer to the center of the island. The property in question was located near the farming plots, where its perks were serenity and a rental fee that was dirt cheap. Believe it or not, the entire house cost only 160 silver pesos, and it was 17 silver pesos for a two-year rent.
It was no better than a wooden cottage, with rotting wooden boards masking up a potential for collapse. Here in Na.s.sau, places in such a state were everywhere. At a time where piracy was rampant in Na.s.sau, Spain and France would send their military there to ensure things were in order.
Often, this led to large scale skirmishes with the pirates, eventually causing ma.s.sive collateral involving lives and property left irreparable.
Unsurprisingly, the battle-rattled houses here were worthless.
After Zhang Heng paid the landlord, he proceeded to purchase some essentials for his new nest. The very next morning, he was already up before the sun rose, starting repairs and modifications to the wobbly structure. His long time alone on that island had taught him how to build a wooden framed house with a tiled roof. Armed with the experience, he should be more than capable of mending and fortifying the home.
The subtropical climate of The Bahamas had it at a steady all-year-round temperature of 23 to 24 degrees Celcius. Though it was now spring, it wasn’t as cold as expected. Taking off his s.h.i.+rt, he climbed to the roof, subsequently fixing every hole with a hammer and some nails.
A little girl from the house next to his house kept peeking from behind a palm tree. Zhang Heng spotted her and flashed a smile. Startled, the barefooted little girl instantly scooted back home.
Not too long after that, another familiar face appeared in Zhang Heng’s sights. It was Marvin. Although only separated for less than a day, he had undergone a tremendous change.
A sleeve had been torn out of his s.h.i.+rt, and he was left with one boot. His face wasn’t too awful, just a few cuts on his cheek, dark blood flowing down his lips. It was his body that told a different tale, the festering purple bruises smothering what used to be yellowish skin. He seemed to have been through some very harsh retribution.