Chapter 21: Discovery

Will was first up the ladder of the Pearl, followed by Judah, then Jack.

"Sure, it's good to see you back, Captain," Gibbs said.

"All quiet below?" Jack asked.

"Haven't heard a peep out of 'em since you left, an' that's a fact," Gibbs assured him.

Jack frowned. "Not a peep?"

"No!" Gibbs frowned, too. "Seems a bit odd, don't it? But no, we'd have heard 'em!" Gibbs looked at Judah, who was still recovering his breath after the climb up the ladder, sweat beading his brow. "An' just who is this fine young lad, Captain? Looks a bit worse for wear."

"Name's Judah. He's Lady Fanshawe's 'evidence'," Jack said. "Anamaria, come over here!"

Ana came, one brow lifting at the sight of Judah's injured but nonetheless magnificent frame. She frowned a little at the livid marks on his chest and abdomen. "Aye, Captain?" she said. She raised her chin a little at the cool look the slave was giving her.

"This is Judah," Jack told her. "I want you to take 'im in charge: he's had some dealings with one Mr. Cray recently."

Ana's eyes whipped to Jack's. "Cray! Lucius Cray's on that island? An' you and Turner payin' 'im a little visit? You're off your head! Bloody hell, Jack! What if he'd caught you?"

"Well, he didn't, so stop scolding," said Jack, testily. He noticed the poorly suppressed amusement of Will, Gibbs and even Judah, and thought about taking Anamaria to task for insubordination, but finally just sighed and frowned at her, needing her cooperation more than he needed to maintain his dignity, at present. "Judah's in your charge. See that his wounds are treated, and get him some food and clothes." He turned to the slave, and said conspiratorially, "Ana's a good nurse, but watch yourself or she'll take the top of your head off."

"As the Captain would be knowin' from experience," Gibbs added to Judah, with a sidelong glance at Jack.

"Hmmmph." Jack eyed Gibbs with disfavor, but was unable to deny this sally. "Let's go release the ladies, Will," he said, retreating in good order.

Judah looked down at the pirate wench. "So, Miss Anamaria," he said, both humor and respect in his eyes. "It seems you have the command."

"As far as you're concerned, I do," she agreed, an edge to her voice. "And don't you be forgettin' it, man."

o-o-o

Will followed Jack down the companionway steps and nearly collided with him at the bottom. Jack had stopped, staring. "The door stop's out," he said, his voice grim. Will looked, and sure enough the door was no longer wedged. A cold feeling started in the pit of Will's stomach.

They strode quickly to the door and Jack threw it open. The men walked in: no ladies, only Owens, gagged and tied to a chair with bright scarves, dressed in his underclothes, his big dark eyes full of distress. The cabin a complete shambles. And the window open with the makeshift line of bed linens hanging out.

As he crossed the room, Jack let out a string of profanity that terrified his Cabin Boy, and brought a tinge of color to Will's cheek, even as he marveled at the pirate's eloquence. Jack drew his knife and Owens closed his eyes while his captain sliced through the scarf gagging him.

"What happened?" Jack demanded, shortly, although of course he already knew. He bent to cut the scarves binding Owens' wrists and ankles.

"I couldn't stop them, Captain. I tried, honest, but they…they gagged me, an' then took my clothes, an' tied me up. They…they're stronger than you'd think, for women I mean. Your lady put on my clothes, an' Miss Swann put on some o' yours, like she wore back at Tortuga."

"What did they say?" Will asked, his voice tight with anxiety.

"They're gone to see Lady Fanshawe's property," said Owens, simply.

At this point Gibbs walked in and took in the situation at a glance. "Mary Mother o' God!"

"Exactly!" growled Jack. "You saw and heard nothing?"

"Not a thing, as God's me witness," Gibbs confirmed. "They must've been quiet as church mice."

Jack swore foully again, and said, "By God, I'll murder her! Will, are you coming?"

"Of course I'm coming!"

"I am, too, Captain, and some of the others," Gibbs said quickly. "No need to go over by yourselves this time—safety in numbers an' all."

"Safe for whom?" Jack said, furious that his men would be put in jeopardy because of that spoiled baggage. But even as he thought this, he knew his handling of her had been partly to blame. He swore again.

Gibbs said: "Safer for you an' Turner, and the ladies, and don't go arguin' about it."

Jack nodded, briefly. "Let's go, then."

"Can I come too, Captain?" Owens piped up.

Jack rounded on him. "No! And if you say another word about it you'll be scrapin' paint off this ship for a year! Savvy?" The boy nodded, his eyes wide. Jack said, smoothing a little of the anger from his voice, "You'll report to Anamaria after you find some clothes. She's seein' to a guest, and will likely have need of you to fetch and carry."

"Aye, sir," Owens managed to say, and was suddenly a little thankful to see the men stalk out of the cabin. It would be far easier to endure Anamaria's sharp tongue and demands than his Captain's black mood.