Chapter 7: The Black Spot

The Redeemers dropped anchor near a remote island, preparing to send ashore parties to gather fresh water and provisions. James led the first group, while Jonah oversaw preparations with the crew.

As the longboats were ready, a dreadful pirate ship appeared around the headland. Its black sails billowed ominously as it cut through the waves toward Damascus. The crew prepared weapons just in case, though their mission was peace.

The pirate vessel slowed alongside The Redeemers, and its captain hailed them. "What business do you have here, preacher?" The grizzled pirate eyed them suspiciously.

"We mean no harm," said Jonah. "We only seek to resupply after our long voyage."

The captain guffawed. "This be Blackheart's rock, and none set foot without his say. I know you—you're that fool, Crowe, who has gone soft and turned pious. Blackheart has no love for false saints."

He withdrew a soiled black flag from his coat and flaunted it before throwing it aboard their deck. "Take that as his mark. You and your flock have until sunrise to be gone, or else face his wrath. Tell Blackheart that Davy sees you."

With that, the black-sailed ship turned and sailed away, leaving the Redeemers with an ominous threat. Jonah knew they faced peril but would not be cowed from their course. He ordered a swift gathering of supplies before sunset and a swift departure at dawn. Their voyage continued, though shadows now crept in from the darkness without and within. A darkened ship loomed on the horizon as the sun dipped low. Through a spyglass, Jonah spied its sails—a skull and crossed cutlasses flew defiantly above an ominous black canvas.

"Blackheart," he muttered grimly. Tales of the ruthless pirate's cruelty were legendary. He prowled these waters, preying on vessels he deemed intruders.

As night fell, lights flickered evilly aboard the lurking vessel. Jonah knew Blackheart watched their campfires, waiting to see if they would dare challenge his dominion by staying after dawn. But the Redeemers' mission was salvation, not savagery. They would depart this morning.

The crew worked efficiently under the keen eyes of their former brethren. James and Lukas maintained a watch, scanning the inky seas for signs of treachery. None showed forth, yet still a pall of menace hung over the island with Blackheart's looming presence. Jonah prayed the coming day would see them safely past the pirate's reach to continue their sacred goals unhindered. Blackheart's vessel glided towards them as morning light broke over the waves. His silhouette was clear upon the forecastle, dark hair whipping in the sea breeze.

"Come to preach to poor sinners, Crowe?" Blackheart called mockingly as his boots thudded across the Damascus' deck. "Such lofty dreams, and from one who plied evil's trade so well."

Jonah met his eyes calmly. "We seek only to spread God's love."

Blackheart guffawed. "Love? You fool no one with your piety. Mark me—these waters are mine. Any man who sails them defies me at their peril." He glanced at the cross-adorned sails in disgust.

"Leave this island by noon, or I'll tear those symbols from your mast myself. No false faith will challenge me; do you understand?"

Jonah held firm. "We mean no challenge. Our mission is peace."

Sneering, Blackheart turned on his heel and quit their ship. His threat hung cold in the air until The Redeemers bore safely away, yet the shadow of the pirate king fell darkly over their souls. Blackheart paused at the gunwale and looked back, his pupils ablaze. Your crew may heed only you, Crowe, he sneered. But these seas are mine.

Jonah met his glare unwaveringly. I serve a higher power now, as do my men. We answer to God alone.

Rage twisted Blackheart's face. So the preachin' cur defies me, does he? Mark my words, your false faith will avail you naught against my wrath! I'll see your ship at the bottom and feed your beating hearts to the sharks!

With that roar of fury, Blackheart leapt back aboard his vessel. Its sails filled with menace as the pirate king spat curses and brandished cutlasses, promising a reckoning.

The crews locked stares in defiance, meeting hate-filled wrath across the narrowing sea. Then the Damascus pulled smoothly away, leaving Blackheart's lingering malice in its wake. But all knew a storm was brewing that might test their faith to its depths before the clouds finally broke. Blackheart's ship closed the distance, its cannons protruding like fangs. "You defy me still, Crowe," he bellowed.

Jonah stood resolute. "We seek only-"

"Spare me your prattle!" Blackheart interrupted. Reaching into his coat, he withdrew a soiled object and brandished it at Jonah. "This is what I think of your false faith—the black spot! None have survived it, and you shall be no different."

He flung the cursed symbol aboard the Damascus, where it settled at Jonah's feet like an ill omen. The crews watched tensely as a breeze caught the fabric, stirring it slowly as if a harbinger of impending doom.

Blackheart sneered triumphantly. "Your time is short, preacher. Pray to your God, because when next we meet, only one ship will leave these waters flying."With that, he turned his vessel about, sails snapping in challenge as the pirates departed with sinister laughter in the wind.

The black spot lay ominously on the deck, promising death. Jonah knew they had now raced not only the sea but time itself to escape Blackheart's murderous intent. Their voyage had indeed taken a perilous turn. The crew stared in haunted silence as Blackheart's sails receded into the mists. His parting curses lingered poisonously in the air.

"Can we survive his wrath, captain?" asked Lukas nervously. Blackheart's terror was no secret among sailors; his vengeance left few alive to tell.

Jonah sighed. "With God at our side, all things are possible. But we must be wary; Blackheart does not make threats idly."

"Mayhaps confronting him was folly," muttered Cooky darkly. "Now we have a price on our heads."

"Our mission is righteousness, not retreat," Jonah replied firmly. "God guides our ways. But from this day forward, we must watch the horizons twice as keenly. Blackheart remains a shadow over these seas until his evil is vanquished, and he will stop at nothing to see us dead. Pray that our faith proves harder than his hatred."

The crew set about securing the ship with troubled hearts. Blackheart's enmity was a storm cloud looming over their quest for redemption. Only by facing the darkness within and without could they hope to find the light beyond. Jonah climbed the ladder and raised his hands. "Blackheart seeks to sow fear, but this is the Lord's work, not man's," he called. "Have faith; our cause is righteous, and God is our shield. Though shadows crowd our path, the light ahead remains undimmed."

"The pirate thinks to cow us with his threats," Jonah continued, "but mightier than any earthly force is the love of the Almighty. As long as we walk in His grace, no evil can overcome us. Blackheart holds only power over flesh; God holds power over soul and spirit.

"We knew our quest would not be easy. But trials make faith stronger, as gold is purified in fire. Stay true to our mission of redemption, my brothers, and no darkness can extinguish the torch we carry for all mankind. Blackheart may rule these waters, but the entire sea answers to God above."

Jonah's rousing words lifted the men's heads. Cheers and amens rose up as their courage was restored. Though the storm clouds gathered, the redeemers' faith in their heavenly guide gave them hope to face whatever waves might come. Blackheart glared through his spyglass as the Damascus unfurled its sails and departed. The preacher thinks to outrun me, does he? The pirate king snarled. We'll see about that.

His crew watched him warily, knowing Blackheart's wrath when defied. That fool Crowe has signed his death warrant! No man lives who refuses me, and I'll see his entrails slung from the yards before the moon is full!

Their quest may hide behind pretty symbols, Blackheart continued, but these are waters of blood, not baptism. The preaching' dogs will learn that right away when we next meet in battle. I'll tear their holy flag to shreds and paint my hull with Crowe's intestines!

His first mate, Davy, sighed. It's best not to make rash threats, Cap'n. The sea works in strange ways.

Blackheart rounded on him with an icy glow. When I want counsel, I'll ask for it. That ship is mine to destroy, and I'll revel in Crowe's dying screams. Mark me, lads—that preacher dies, and his faith dies with him. No man defies Blackheart and lives! His laughter carried dark promises into the gloom after their retreating foes. Vengeance was coming on the waves, as certain as the tide. That night, as his crew rested, Jonah stood alone at the forecastle, gazing up at the glittering stars. His hands clasped the rail as salty spray misted his face.

"Lord, grant us your protection as we sail into danger," he prayed silently. "Blackheart's malice hangs thick upon these seas. Guide our way to spread your hope, that darkness may not overtake us."

A shooting star blazed briefly across the heavens before fading into the abyss. Jonah took it as an omen, praying their light would not dim so easily. But perilous waters and storms lay ahead, and in the spirit, if not the letter, they had declared war upon the ruthless pirate monarch.

Jonah's eyes followed the celestial roadmaps wheeling endlessly above, finding comfort in their immutable courses. Whatever tempests might assail them, God remained sovereign over wind and wave. Taking courage from the eternal stars, Jonah kept his watch through the silent hours, guarding his crew as they sailed onward under God's guidance alone.