Hello all! A sort one fer now, but part two will be along directly. Things are heating up now, and sorry for the mushy bit, but I hope you like it (let me know or maybe I'll just keep doing it!! ;p)
After part II, chapter 12 will be Captain Jack Sparrow!
Drama, Romance, Mystery, all here for you, kind reader! SO, drop a line and let me know how you're likin' it!
Also, same deal, if you have names for me, let me have 'em, PLEASE:)
Chapter 11 part I: All Ashore
The first mate of the Empress stood on deck overseeing the scuttling of the former transportation her newest acquired crew had taken to get aboard. It made Jacob sad to watch, but as he sighingly reminded himself, it was his duty as well as a necessary action. It had been decided in a small meeting between himself, Lady Kate, the boy William and the older man Gibbs that the best way to forestall any suspicion would be to simply get rid of the evidence altogether. An empty boat drifting manlessly on the ocean invited all sorts of speculation and investigation; two things that they certainly could use avoiding.
"That'll run it, Sergeant." A lanky boy drill in hand and barely fifteen years of age addressed Jacob the way they all did. How it had started was a long story, one hardly ever asked by new comers. It was simply accepted at this point.
Jacob nodded and gave the order to put her to "kiss the water one last time". The small but lovely wooden craft filled quickly and soon was drifting under the surface. Before finally abandoning itself to the ocean's embrace, the bow raised itself in a salute to the Empress. Jacob touched his forehead to the condemned in respect, watching as the boat's bow disappeared altogether. He watched until he could no longer see the strange red lines and squiggles that had decorated her hull then silently slipped away off deck to the waiting comfort of a mug of rum.
oOoOoOoOo
Kate had decided to keep things from the crew until they had reached their next scheduled port. At said port, she had intended to leave them all behind and continue on the dangerous journey before her into lands and waters unknown. This was what she had intended, to go it alone in order to protect her crew. Sergeant, as always, would not allow it.
"You owe it to them," he said, looking in her eyes with fierce conviction burning in his own. He almost never looked at her directly and held her gaze for this long, and this time Kate found it was she that needed to look away. The next time he spoke, his voice was softer. He spoke so low that she almost had to stop breathing just to hear him. "I told you before; the crew have their own minds. Most of them would see it as cowardice not to attend ya in this, and the rest would just as soon not pass up an opportunity to meet Jack Sparrow." It was left unspoken as to why he himself would not leave her to this task alone. The shadow falling over Kate's face was one not just caused by light, but also by the fears clouding over her mind. Damn my eyes, Jacob thought to himself, I promised agin' it, but… He reached a hand out and brushed a loose hair behind Kate's ear. Then he crocked a finger under her chin and drew her face up until gray eyes met green. Neither of them seemed to be breathing now, as he forced himself to speak smoothly, "The crew will do right by them. You lead none that wouldn't rather die than not follow". He tried hard not to allow emotion to bleed into his words. He had tried to keep his mouth from twitching its corners down. He had tried not to let his gaze fall to his captain's lips. He even tried not to notice when she had dropped her own gaze to his. He especially worked hard at trying not noticing how close they were….
And as a knock came on the door, causing them to fly apart as leaves blown by a hurricane wind, Jacob soundly cursed himself for succeeding so well in trying. Lady Kate composed herself in seconds (to Jacob's disappointment) and called forth the interloper.
"We're at port, Cap'n, and the crew are waitin' fer ya on deck as ordered."
"Thank you, Simon." The red haired man smiled, nodded briskly and left to return to the rest of the men. Kate walked to the door and addressed Jacob without looking at him, "Ready, Sergeant?"
Jacob sighed inwardly but forced the painful lump out of the way of his voice box. In his most cheerful tone he answered his captain, "Aye, aye Lady – right behind ye!"
