[center][b][h2][color=cyan]Edward Teach[/color][/h2][/b][/center]

	In a small tavern a, few blocks from the main square where the town celebration was in full swing; Edward sat at a table with a few others, cards in hand and some already folded. The three other men at the table seemed mildly frustrated and suspicious as Edward sat relaxed a good stack of coin in front of him and a young, red headed, woman draping on his shoulder, both exchanging whispers and muffled laughs. "Well [i]boy[/i] your go." one man said in a raised voice. On the table were four cards, not really amounting to much in the way of advantage: Queen of hearts, Five of Spades, Eight of clubs, Ace of clubs. It was Edward's bet on an already loaded pot with eight copper pieces, six silver, and 3 gold doubloons. Pulling up his hand he looked at his cards then to the young woman. [color=cyan][b]"What do you think?"[/b][/color] she furrowed her brow and pursed he lips slightly, pondering the cards Edward had and the cards on the table. She then whispered in his ear and kissed his cheek. Edward raised his eyebrows looking to his cards. [color=cyan][b]"I do believe that is talk better left behind closed doors."[/b][/color] The woman blushed as she playfully smacked his chest. "Teach! bet or fold!" the dealer said annoyed. [color=cyan][b]"All right, all right. Just 'cause they're losing doesn't mean I can't have fun."[/b][/color] Edward said as he tossed three silver pieces into the middle of the table off handed as if he didn't seem to care.
	The two other men at the table still in the current hand seemed exasperated with what had transpired and shifted in their chairs uneasily. One folded, took what coin he had left on the table and left, leaving the final man against Edward in the final round. The man looked hard at the cards on the table and in his hand then matched Edward's bet. The dealer collected the bets and dealt the last card in the round: Five of hearts. Edward sat up in his chair to look at the cards on the old table before waving his hand to signal no bet. The dealer looked to the other man who was more than happy to see that card pop up and that Edward passed his bet. With a great deal of confidence he pushed his six silver pieces and two doubloons into the middle of the table. "All in." The people watching gasped and looked to Edward who was unfazed by the man's play. Pushing the appropriate coinage into the table the woman draping over Edward looked slightly concerned. [color=cyan][b]"I was hoping you would do that."[/b][/color] Edward said. "HA!" the man interrupted Edward. "Your games are over." He turned his cards to show he had the eight of clubs and eight of diamonds. "Full house, Edward. Now take your slut and-" [i]BANG[/i] The man was stopped dead in his tracks as he was sweeping the table of coins by a large knife embedding into the table between him and the coins. There was uneasy silence. [color=cyan][b]"As I was saying; I hoped you would do that, cause I have an appointment to keep tonight."[/b][/color] he slowly turned his cards to show a pair of fives. [color=cyan][b]"I do say you came close, but one should never jump the gun."[/b][/color] The man slowly lifted his hands from the table. [color=cyan][b]"Also, that is no way to talk to a lady, apologize."[/b][/color] That was the last straw for the man, he slowly showed his anger in his face as he started to yell and reach for his own knife. "Why should I apologize to-" with a blur of movement Edward grabbed his knife, closed the distance between the two of them and had jammed the handle of the blade into his lower jaw. The man reeled back taking a few steps them dropped to the ground unconscious.
	The room was quiet looking from the man on the floor to Edward and back in different combinations. Collecting his coins Edward turned to the young woman he was with holding his hand out into which she placed hers. [color=cyan][b]"With this I must bid you farewell."[/b][/color] He kissed her hand in a half bow. "Don't be a stranger, Ed." She replied. Edward then left the tavern and headed towards the docks avoiding the main square with the prize he had just won.