This is the last story Kaitlyn and I wrote in our Pirates of the Atlantic series.
The Cast
Captain Jake Cardinal of the Scarlett Ruby, based on William Turner and Captain Jack Sparrow ~ played by Alvin
Becky Cardinal, based on Elizabeth Swann ~ played by Brittany
Matthew Mimosa, based on Hector Barbossa ~ played by Simon, third mate of the Scarlett Ruby
Captain Dave Senoj of the Swimming Frenchman, based on Davy Jones~ played by Dave
Captain Ethan Murdock of the Dark Revenge ~ played by Uncle Harry
Sam Muggins ~ played by Theodore, galley cook
Allison Mimosa~ played by Jeanette; seamstress, cook, nurse, and nanny
Nora~ played by Eleanor, second mate of the Scarlett Ruby
Scully, based on Joshamee Gibbs~ first mate of the Scarlett Ruby
Charlotte, based on Bootstrap and very loosely Tia Dalma~ played by Vinny
Jack, based on Jack the monkey~ my OC Rodney
Thad Coldsteel~ quartermaster who controls the treasury
Cutthroat Pitzel, based on Pintel~ played by Kaitlyn's OC Arnie, the helmsman
Ketchum Kert Spaghetti, based on Ragetti~ played by my OC Roger, master gunner
Wally Nipperkin~ played by Kaitlyn's OC Walter, carpenter
January Jones~ navigator
Joshua Godspeed~ the reverend
Slick Blackwell~ the doctor
Pirates of the Atlantic Episode 4: Encountering Family Ties
Chapter 1: Nora's Supply Run
"Friedrich, while you're here visiting, do you think you could go through your father's desk drawers and organize them for him? He hasn't had the time to take care of it."
"Of course, Mother. Hopefully it won't take me more than the afternoon; then again, who knows the last time he sorted it out," Friedrich wondered aloud.
He went into his father's study and began to pull out all of the papers and documents from one of the drawers of the desk. "There are even ones stuck behind the drawers!" he sighed. With a struggle, Friedrich pulled the drawer out all the way and picked up all of the papers that were stuck behind it. "Why in the world would he keep a receipt for kindling from fifteen years ago? Wait a minute, what's this?" He uncrumpled a piece of paper pinned to an envelope. At first he skimmed over the writing on the paper, but once he realized what it was, he read it carefully and examined the unopened envelope. Friedrich put the paper and envelope into his inside coat pocket and thought, "I have to find her and give this to her! It could mend our relationship!" He jogged over to his mother who was on her balcony looking out onto the Loire River.
"Mother, I hate to tell you this, but I just remembered an engagement that I have in England. I must leave tomorrow morning in order to get there on time. I am so sorry to have to leave after only being here two days."
"Oh, that is such a pity, Friedrich! I hope it isn't anything terribly serious."
"Don't worry, Mother, it isn't serious. It is just important business."
xxxxxxxxxx
It had been four months since the search for the Grecian treasure room had ended. Becky had stayed on Jakeston for the last two months of her pregnancy, but when she was ready to deliver, she went onto the Scarlett Ruby so that her child could be born on the ocean. Jake and Becky welcomed into the world a healthy baby boy whom they named Christopher Jake Cardinal. Little Christopher was two months old now, and Becky still hadn't left the island on any excursions.
Matthew and Allison had quickly settled into married life. When Allison did not have to be at sea she helped out at Trixie Pitzel 's dress shop. There were days when Dr. Blackwell needed help in a delivery or surgery, and Allison proved to be a reliable nurse. She even served as a nanny to little Christopher when Becky needed a break.
Nora had been gone a whole month with a smaller ship on a supply run for Jakeston, and she finally was coming home. The last place she had docked was Portsmouth, England. However, before she left for home, she had one more errand left to run.
"You boys go on back to the ship without me. I'll be back before departure time." Nora jogged along the docks yet ran the opposite way from her ship. She ran until she reached the front of an average-looking house. Rather than using the large iron knocker, Nora rapped upon the door with her fist.
"Yes, how may I—oh!" the maid who answered the door stopped and smiled. "What a pleasant surprise, Nora! He'll be so glad to see you! The poor thing has been rather grumpy these past few days, so a visit from you should cheer him right up. He's in his study."
"Thanks so much, Alice. And you know that old man is always grouchy, even if I'm here. I can't stay too long, 'cause my ship's waitin'." She walked into the study without knocking.
The old man turned his head and got up when he saw her. "Nora!" he exclaimed and hugged her. "It 'as been far too long since I got a visit from ya."
"Hi, Mr. Witherman! I know, but at least I'm 'ere now. Tell me, what has been going on around here lately?"
"Actually, there is somebody in town who would like to see ya."
"What? Who is it?" Nora asked cautiously.
"Fritz. He's at the Dankworth Family Inn not too far from 'ere."
"No, uh-uh! There is no way I'm seein' 'im!" Nora crossed her arms.
"Don't be that way, Nora. He said that 'e had sumthin he wanted to give ya. He mentioned that it was urgent that you 'ave it."
"You really think I can trust 'im?"
"I do, yes. Go see 'im, now, Nora."
After a long sigh, Nora gave up. "Fine. I'll go see 'im. But if it goes awry, expect me to be coming back 'ere."
"Sumthin tells me you will be coming back to talk to me whether it goes wrong or not," Mr. Witherman muttered as Nora walked out of the room.
Nora went to the Dankworth Family Inn and found out what room Fritz was staying in. She summed up enough courage and knocked on his door. It opened, and…
"Nora! Y-you're here! I didn't think you would ever come!" Fritz was going to hug her, but her face told him that she was not in the mood for such a thing. "You look well, except for that bottom lip of yours. How did it—no, I don't want to know."
"Witherman told me that you 'ad sumthin to give me. This had better not be some sort'a trick you orchestrated to get me caught."
"You're my little sister, Nora! Why would I ever do something like that to you? Just because I'm in the British army doesn't mean I am out to get you. And yes, I do have something to give you. I found it behind a drawer in Father's desk." He pulled out the paper and envelope. "I thought you should take a look at it. I have a feeling that whatever is in the envelope will explain more about things."
Nora took it from Fritz and looked it over. Her eyes widened as she read the paper. She analyzed the envelope. It had the name Jake scrolled on it. "Fritz, you 'ave no idea how important this is! Th-thank you so much!" She gave him a quick hug and was about to leave.
"You're welcome. Nora, don't leave yet, please! It's been five years since you ran away. Can you at least tell me what you have been doing these years?"
Painfully, Nora turned around and sat down in the chair near the door. "I found him, Fritz. I found Jake."
"You mean our illegitimate cousin, the one who that envelope is addressed to? How did you find him?!"
"Yes, him, the reason I ran away in the first place. He's pirate Captain Jake Cardinal. I 'eared about him while I was at an inn, so I went down to 'is ship and made sure I was right in thinkin' it was 'im. He looks like he's related to us, and he grew up an orphan in England. I joined his crew, and I became his second mate."
"His second mate? Goodness, Nora, such a high position for a female!"
"Yeah," she said proudly, "I made sure I got a good job. He really had no choice but to make me his second mate. How are your kids and wife?"
"They're quite well, actually. They still love the Christmas gifts you sent."
"How'd you know I sent it to 'em?"
"You were the only one I thought of who would mysteriously send them wooden swords and boots. Cynthia wasn't too pleased about them, but she cannot bear to take them away and disappoint them."
"Heh, I figured she wouldn't approve. That's why I sent 'em," she smirked. "Look, Fritz, I've got to go. My ship is waitin' for me, and I want to get this letter and envelope to Jake as soon as possible."
"Well, I will be staying here at the inn for a few weeks until my ship home arrives. So, please, at least come visit me and explain what you find out. I want to know about our cousin as much as you do."
"Maybe I will, if I can. Goodbye, Fritz."
"Farewell, Nora. It was so good seeing you." Fritz gave her another hug.
Nora quickly left the inn and ran back to Mr. Witherman's house. She ranted all of her pent-up feelings about her old life and about getting this new information from her brother. Witherman quietly listened and then gave his advice. He told her to give the envelope and letter to Jake and let him decide what to do with it. Nora felt much better after talking to Witherman. She hugged him goodbye and briskly went back to the ship.
"BONG! BONG! BONG! BONG!" the large church bell rang out, informing everybody on Jakeston that a ship had returned.
"Well, Nora's back! I'm going down to see how everything went!" Jake called behind as he walked out the front door.
"Goodbye, honey! Say 'Hi!' to Nora for me! Wave good bye, Christopher!" Becky picked up his hand and showed him how. He simply cooed happily.
Sam Muggins was already on the dock waiting for the ship to arrive before anyone even noticed it in the distance. He and Nora had been spending almost every lunch together the three months after the Greek treasure hunt, and Sam had missed her company the month she was gone. He helped unload the smaller things off the ship as soon as it was tied to the dock.
Nora carried her belongings over to Sam as soon as she saw him. "Boy, am I glad to finally see you again."
"Welcome back," he struggled as he set a heavy box on the ground. "How are you?"
"Not too good, actually, but it's nothin' really. I'll get over it. I 'ave sumthin for ya," she forced a smile and tried to change the subject.
Able to tell that something really was bothering her but she didn't want to talk about it, Muggins played along. "Ooh, really? What is it?"
"Well, you'll have to open it to find out!" She pulled a parcel out of her stack of belongings. "Here ya go."
He opened it, and inside was a leather weapons holster.
"I noticed all you had to carry your weapons was that measly rope strap holdin' up your cutlass. But with this, you can carry up to four different weapons, including a cutlass, knife, and pistol. I had them stitch your name into it so nobody would try to nab it from ya."
"Thank you, Nora! It's just wonderful! And it was so nice of you to think of me!"
Smiling gleefully, she said, "Glad you enjoy it so much!" Muggins was about to say something else, but Nora caught a glimpse of Captain Cardinal coming up to the ship. "Oh, sorry Sam, the cap'n's here, and I've got to talk with 'im." She quickly picked up her belongings and met up with her captain.
"Did you find everything you needed to get?" Jake asked after exchanging greetings.
"Yes, and even more than that. I picked up some very important information."
"It seems like every time I send you or Scully out to do things, you come back with something extra. What is it this time?"
"It concerns your mum, Cap'n," Nora said urgently.
