Captain Bane's Arc

Chapter 5 of 6

Captain Bane returned to the harbor center square where the statue of Captain Blackstone stood. He traced his transparent finger along the carved names of captains who'd reclaimed their stolen ships. His own crew had started gathering—three sailors from the tavern had pledged their help last week. Progress felt real now. Bane stepped back and studied the monument again. Soon his name would belong here too. Movement caught his eye across the square. Workers had finished construction on a new fountain—the Fleet Memorial Pool. Water jets erupted from carved stone ship hulls arranged in a circle. A bronze compass rose gleamed at the center, its points catching the light. The fountain celebrated captains who'd won back their vessels. Bane walked closer and watched the water arc through the air. His chest swelled with pride. The city was ready to honor victories like the one he'd soon claim. He stood before the fountain and let the spray mist across his transparent form. Three crew members had joined him. The statue bore proof that others had succeeded. Now this pool marked the path forward. The backstabbing cur had stolen his ship, but that mistake would be corrected. Bane reached toward the bronze compass rose, his ghostly hand passing through the metal. When his vessel returned to the harbor, he'd bring it here first. His crew would stand with him. His name would join the others carved in stone. Captain Bane turned from the fountain and headed back toward the docks. Everything was falling into place.