AN: I'm only putting my author's note up top to warn you of a long chapter. At first, it's kind of slow. But, things are starting to pick up and I'm sure you don't want to hear me ramble after reading it all. You'll hate me for the ending, though. I'll get the next chapter up as soon as possible, Erica!
Chapter Four – Retentissant Crescendo
The storm dwindled down into a heavy drizzle by six o'clock that evening. The clouds still hung low and grey over the port no thunder or lightning made itself present. During the storm one part of James' mind said 'It's only rain and a bit of wind. Why not just go back to work?' But the other more logical side argued that he shouldn't leave Melissa Hart alone. This side seemed not to trust the woman completely. There was still that certain air about her that made him uneasy at times. But, her charm was undeniable even to him.
The two people in the commodore's office had been chatting on and off during the storm. Miss Hart had been asking many questions about the quality of the soldiers in Port Royal, how many there were, what kind of power the great ships in the harbor bore, and a number of things of similar comparison. It was an odd subject for a lady to question. The atypical topic disturbed James slightly. However, the commodore answered them but, only to a point; he had no wish for anyone outside the tight-knit circle of officers and town leaders to know what the navy in Port Royal was capable of. He hadn't made the place civilized just to give away his method of making it so. Even if the person he spoke to was the charismatic Melissa Hart.
The witty, almost cool demeanor Melissa carried had been steadily sliding away to a more jovial side. She spoke rather openly of her family after James managed to scoot the conversation from navy to personal.
It was the slacking of the rain against the roof that turned his attention from her. James thumbed his watch cover open, glanced at the time, and then shut it almost as soon as he'd opened it. A disapproving expression set his lips into a thin line. "Regrettably, as much as I've enjoyed this little chat, I must see back to my duties. I must have lost track of the time…" He rose from the chair behind his desk and strode over to the still empty fireplace. The reminder of 'duty' had suddenly turned the commodore back into that strict, almost unfeeling man she'd bumped into earlier that day. Melissa rose as well with a small sigh, pulling the hood of her cape over her head. She'd had a feeling this would happen. He'd actually appeared to be listening when she spoke, nodding or agreeing or adding in a comment where he felt necessary. By this time, she had suddenly realized how smoothly he'd shifted the topic away from the King's Navy. And away from her goal. He didn't trust her.
James was sliding his arms into the still-damp sleeves of his jacket when he spoke. "Where are you staying? There's no sense for you walk back in the rain."
"Oh no, I couldn't possibly trouble you. Besides, the Andersons had invited me to tea. It's only a short walk from here."
"It's not a problem, Miss Hart," James replied as he shrugged into his jacket, simultaneously setting his hat on his head. "It's the least I could do in return for your 'impeccable' timing last night." He was mentioning the dance and the escape from Richard Stevens. Melissa chuckled warmly. "Though you may be a bit late."
"I suppose you're right," she said. "I won't be late, though. They eat dinner early and had invited me for afterwards. This is actually perfect timing." She knew of course, he was only being polite by offering the ride to Anderson's.
The commodore grabbed a rain cloak from a hanger by the door, throwing it over his shoulders. Melissa hesitated at the door and noticed him check the inside pocket of his jacket. The sight of the rebel report seemed to jog James' memory. And, for a moment, he paused to consider something.
His idea had been first to stop by Governor Swann's to drop off the report with the intention of returning after Miss Hart was seen back to the Andersons'. But, as she had said, the place was only a few blocks away, while the governor's was on the outskirts of the town.
The commodore strode towards the door and opened it for her. It led onto a small porch that overlooked the harbor. From the porch ran some steps. Melissa walked out onto the covered entrance. Rain still fell. Though it wasn't nearly as bad as an hour before, she would have preferred it to have stopped. Mentally, she kicked herself for not bringing anything more weather worthy. She heard James lock the office door behind them, then turn to step by her and head down the steps.
Her own expression disapproving of the rain, she followed after him. The pair moved swiftly around one side of the building where James' horse stood tied to a post. The mare was munching placidly on some grass that grew between the base of the office building and the street. Her dry spot under the overhang was probably one of the more sheltered places within a twenty foot radius apart from the office and Maria enjoyed it thoroughly.
As James approached her, she showed some glee at seeing him. But, it changed to suspicion as she spotted the woman following close behind him. She snorted in contempt, nostrils flaring. Melissa came to a stop about a yard out of the horse's reach, eyeing the beast. "It doesn't bite, does it?"
"No, she doesn't," James replied, loosening the knotted reins. He jerked slightly on the thick leather strips, shooting a commanding glare towards the mare. Melissa was amazed at how human-like the animal acted. The bay snorted again but ducked her head slightly and turned away from Melissa.
"Incredible," she muttered as she walked almost timidly towards the horse. James was hooking one foot into a stirrup and hauled himself up easily. Maria turned slightly and halted broadside to Melissa.
"We get a lot of that," he replied with a half weary expression. He offered a hand to Melissa. Still keeping a wary eye on the horse, she gripped it firmly with one hand while the other lifted her skirt slightly so she could step up into the stirrup. Scooting into a side-saddle position behind James, Melissa rested one hand on his shoulder to steady herself. She felt him stiffen slightly at the contact. "Are you…all set?" he queried.
"I think so," she replied unsurely, looking balefully down at the street.
"You're not afraid, are you?"
"No!" Melissa declared immediately. "It's just…I haven't exactly ridden a horse in some time."
"Forget how high up they were?" he replied. Melissa could practically hear the smirk that creased his features even though she couldn't see it. She glared at the back of his head.
"As a matter of fact, I did."
"Hold on, then." She barely had time to grip his shoulder tightly before he poked the horse with one heel, sending the bay into a canter.
--
"Dey aren't headed for his house." Aleale watched from the corner of a candle shop about a hundred yards from the office building. She wore no protection from the rain but she seemed oblivious to the water running down her face. "You tink dat Spaniard gonna stay to her word?" Her normally dulcet voice rang with annoyance and her eyes flashed. "She's gettin' too close to 'im," the woman finished, glaring over one shoulder. "I don' need 'er tah tell me dat. I got eyes. And so far, we haven't gotten a lick of information from 'er on da port." She glared over her shoulder. "What say ye tah dat, captain?"
"The girl doesn't matter. As long we can be rid of that commodore, she ain't important." The man that stepped up beside Aleale did not return her pointed glare and kept his own yellow-eyed gaze on James' horse until it disappeared behind a corner. His very appearance had intimidated many of the tougher men in Aleale's company but the woman had not been afraid, declaring he was only a pirate. She had chosen to ignore the fact he was Kordell Dantes, pirate captain of the Winged Demon. His yellow-green eyes had given him the nick name Dantes the Devil. Dark in appearance and ruthless in manner, Dantes wore all black. No flamboyant decorations littered his person.
He'd built a reputation pillaging the American coast and was now setting his sights on the Caribbean. But, many of the defaced crews of some of the more well-known captains warned him of the man who'd all but crushed the pirate opposition within the Spanish Main. So, Commodore James Norrington was his only obstacle in taking control of Jamaican waters.
"Mebbe not tah ye but I gots soldiers to tink of. Ye only want de Spanish Main to be free of dat man. We want our country back from de whole blasted lot of dem. And since we bof want de same man dead…?" She crossed her arms over her chest irately. "Melissa Hart's part in dis plot is biggah dan you tink. Doh she may be takin' a mighty long time in playin' it."
"Per'aps," Dantes replied. "But 'er attitude is too unpredictable. She seems liable to shift sides, me thinks. Once she proves to be of no further use…" He made a cutting motion with one hand under his chin. "We don't need to leave anyone alive what can get us unto trouble." Aleale snorted, seemingly satisfied as she waved a hand to dismiss the comment.
"It makes no difference tah me. She's just some half breed whelp lookin' for vengeance. I only allow 'er along because she helped wif Port Smalle ad Ballon. Besides, I've already sent Hakim for a few tings." An almost sly light entered her dark eyes. "Can't be too careful." Dantes snorted.
"Ye never told me Hart's full story."
"No, I didn't. She nevah told me de whole ting either. But as ye know, Melissa Hart is half Spanish. Well, her mother was the Spanish half. I knew dah woman personally. She was a pirate." Dantes nodded sagely. It was slightly uncommon to find a female pirate but when one did, they were rather commendable.
"I can see where this be goin'."
"So ye can. The mother was killed when her captain's ship was sunk by Englishmen. Melissa Hart learned of it and swore a terrible oath to get vengeance on da English."
"Yet she stays with her father?"
"Her fadah never knew and for dat, she couldn't blame 'im."
"She hasn't been married off yet?"
"Dhere have been attempts. At least t'ree young men died while engaged to 'er." Aleale curled a lip. "All of dem English. You can imagine how dhey died."
Dantes gave a low, menacing chuckle. "Too bad she's fickle." He shook his head. "Such a waste of ambition."
--
Maria was glad to be rid of the extra weight. Her canter was almost a smug little prance as she moved away from the Andersons' front door. Of the strange female that had ridden her, she was gone and Maria was content. No one else to compete with for her master's attention. All of this James could tell of his horse. That strange and rare affinity that sometimes appeared between a man and a beast was present between him and Maria. With Miss Hart back at Anderson's, he could now turn to more important matters. Like the preparation of his men.
He pushed Maria into a gallop and made for Weatherby Swann's. The report that was tucked snugly into his jacket seemed to nag at him, constantly reminding him that a threat was approaching Port Royal. And yet again, he'd be dealing with pirates. This new message spoke of a monster of a pirate's ship scooting into Fort Ballon's harbor just as the second rebel attack went into action. That made it rather obvious the pirates were dealing with the rebels. It was an unfamiliar ship but from the report, the men on duty described it as 'having seen many battles.' It was probably some pirates that had come to stake a claim in Jamaica. Well, they'd get no warm greeting from Port Royal as long as James Norrington was around.
James furrowed his brow, squinting slightly against the rain. And then there was the subject on whether or not they'd be able to send Ravel and Port Ballon some extra men in case the rebels decided to attack again. The decision would be partly up to the governor. James knew what kind of strength Port Royal possessed but he didn't want to stretch anything too much, just in case the rebels and pirates decided to attack them before they did the others again. And it was unlikely they'd go after the same port twice. Port Royal was by far the most productive and had become the principal port in Jamaica. It was more than likely the next target.
He was just turning Maria towards the governor's household when a person darted out from behind a corner, upsetting the horse. The bay whinnied in surprise and reared back. The action almost dislodged James from the saddle. From his haphazard position, he could just barely spot a bundle of something under his arm. Close on the person's heels came a pair of red coated soldiers – Murtogg and Mulroy. The two bumbling men hadn't even noticed him as they raced by, shouting. James' horse sidestepped nervously, tossing her head. He hushed her and patted the curving brown neck before him comfortingly. As he did, a blue-coated officer skittered to a stop on the cobble stones. The man was hatless. "Commodore!"
"What in God's name is going on, Hutchinson?" James demanded as he spotted the young lieutenant. "Who are those men after?"
"My apologies, commodore but someone's broken in to your office. A small sloop had been struck by lightning and I stopped by to see if you were there, for the thing was aflame even in this weather. The flames were posing a threat to the Dauntless, what was near by. But, as I went, I noticed the doors were ajar. I went in and found a man rummaging through your desk. We saw each other at the same time, I think." The man flushed slightly, glancing down at the street. "We pulled on each other simultaneously but he got the shot off first. I ducked and he ran."
James blanched. "What about those two?" he asked, meaning Murtogg and Mulroy.
"They had followed me to say that the fire on the sloop had been contained, saw the man, and chased after him."
"What did he take?" He couldn't help but panic slightly. If that man was working with the rebels then he had had access to the soldier and military personnel records of Port Royal. They'd know how strong they were…or how weak, depending on how many bodies the rebels had rallied to their cause.
"Nothing more than a few records of…"
Hutchinson's voice faded away. The man, being an officer, knew about the rebel attacks from Gillette. The lieutenant's eyes grew wide and James didn't need a direct answer to know what had gone missing. "What did the man look like?"
"I didn't get a clear look at him before he ran out but I could tell he was either a pirate or a rebel. He carried a lot of pistols across his chest."
Maria shifted nervously under him, eyes rolling slightly. "Gather a search party. And, if you take my meaning, I don't want it to be obvious. Be gentle." Hutchinson nodded vigorously. If worse came to worst, they'd have to search houses and the like for the man. "The last thing we need is panic among the civilians."
"What about Murtogg and Mulroy, sir?"
James sent a worried look in the direction the thief and two soldiers had disappeared. Hutchinson followed his gaze, blinking against the rain. "We'll just have to trust their judgement," he replied. "Snap to, lieutenant!"
The man jumped before saluting and taking off for the main barracks. James clapped his heels to Maria's sides and continued on to Governor Swann's but, this time at a much faster pace.
--
"So you're happy with William?"
"Yes."
"Even though he's a pirating blacksmith?" Elizabeth's father's tone of voice was far from serious and laughter twinkled in his eyes. Elizabeth gave him a pointed look sent the man into a chuckle. The father and daughter had finished dinner about a quarter of an hour ago. Steaming cups of tea sat before them now.
"Yes, even though he's a pirating blacksmith!" Weatherby Swann, leant back in his chair, chuckling as he sipped his tea. Her expression softened as she thought of her husband. "Will's more than I ever could have asked for."
"Though he's not exactly Prince Charming, he is of good character," he replied. But, as he spoke, an almost sorry look briefly flashed across his features. Over the rim of her tea cup, Elizabeth spotted it easily. Her formerly smiling visage faded slightly as she set the delicate cup on its saucer.
"You wish that I'd married the commodore, don't you?"
Governor Swann looked up at her. She couldn't quite identify the expression he wore.
"I won't lie to you, Elizabeth. I do wish you'd married Commodore Norrington. You wouldn't be living in a tiny apartment over a blacksmith's shop if you had."
Elizabeth smiled despite the half-uncomfortable topic. They'd had this discussion before. "But I wouldn't be with the man I love. I wouldn't be as happy."
Her father was used to the conversation as well. "No, I suppose you wouldn't. I have to admit, you'd probably just get yourself into trouble more often. The commodore doesn't exactly frequent his household nearly as much as he does his work place and you'd have to entertain yourself."
"Me, get into trouble?" she joked, faking an incredulous expression. "You dare think that?"
"Elizabeth." Governor Swann's tone was serious but he smiled as he spoke.
"Yes, I know," she said with a sigh. "You're probably right, though. Trouble seems to find me wherever I go." Her father nodded. What with the previous drama, caught up in pirates and not seeing his daughter for what seemed like years had been unbearable. If only that Jack Sparrow hadn't shown up… No, it was wrong to blame the man. Even if he was a pirate. Elizabeth at least believed in him and if she did, so would Governor Swann.
He moved to speak again when a maid fluttered into the dining room. "Guv'nah, the commodore to see you."
"Speak of the devil," Elizabeth muttered into her tea cup. Her father shot her a stern look.
"Can it wait?"
"He says it's urgent and insists upon speaking with you, sir," the girl replied. Her gaze flickered to Elizabeth. "Alone."
"Very well. Elizabeth, if you'll excuse me…" He rose from his chair as the maid disappeared into the entrance hall.
Governor Swann found the commodore standing anxiously by the front doors, one foot tapping slightly and his arms crossed over his chest. As soon as he spotted the older man, James strode over to him. "What brings you here at this time of night? Nothing serious, I hope."
"Quite serious, actually," came the tart reply. James whipped the report from his jacket and handed it to him. "Port Ballon was set upon rather early this morning by rebels and pirates. I suspect the two are working together – the rebels need the firepower to remove the men from the fort and the pirates want control of the Caribbean. This is purely my speculation but I highly suggest we prepare for an imminent attack."
"S-so soon?" was all the governor could muster as he looked at the startling figures on the report.
"Immediately, if at all possible. My office has been broken into and the rebels may now know what we're capable of. There is a search party after the thief but I don't think they'll reach him in time."
The two men's eyes met over the top of the damp piece of parchment. The governor's was slightly startled and unsure; the commodore's was the exact opposite. Governor Swann's gaze turned away, his expression growing more decided as he spoke. "Do what you must. We don't need another catastrophe like that mess with the Black Pearl."
"My sentiments exactly, governor." And with that, James pivoted on one heel and threw the doors open. A gust of wind blew in as he did, lightning arching through the clouds once more and the rumble of thunder growing in their ears. The storm had regenerated and a storm of another kind was about to begin.
Elizabeth stepped out of the dining room just as the doors closed behind James. She found her father staring after the commodore. "Father?" she queried, walking up to him. "What's going on?" The puddle on the hard wood floor was unnoticeable and Elizabeth contemplated calling for someone to dry it up.
The governor didn't seem to acknowledge for a moment that Elizabeth had questioned him. "That man's sincerity frightens me," he said quietly, almost too quiet for Elizabeth to hear him.
"What? He hasn't done anything uncouth, has he?" she asked incredulously. James had changed in the past few years but the odd expression on Governor Swann's face startled her.
He did look at her finally. "Oh, no. Rather the opposite." All Elizabeth could summon for an answer was a confused expression. Seeming to come back to reality, her father smiled suddenly and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Come. There's something I must tell you. I think our little port is about to go through the fight of its life."