Norrington
Chapter 35
As she stood there next to James Elizabeth, for one of the few times in her life, was at a loss as to what to do. She was taken aback at how thoroughly the man next to her seemed a broken husk of his former self. She had always viewed him as strong and self assured, confident in his actions at all times, always knowing where he stood and the right course of action for any situation, in other words undefeatable. Yet here he was standing in front of her brought to the very lowest depths of defeat. She looked at Will with tears in her eyes, "We need to get him home and do what we can for him Will. Please go tell my Father we are leaving."
"Right." William said, his voice sounding as if he were just as taken aback by the Commodore's present state as Elizabeth.
Elizabeth gently took James' hand in hers as she waited for Will to return.
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Rose was still trying to free herself, with no success, when the two men returned.
"Now me fine lass, all yer gonna succeed in doin with all that strugglin is doin yerself some bodily damage if ya persist in that manner." One of the men said as he leaned in close to her. She could smell the rum on his breath along with sundry other more foul odors emanating from him. She did her best to make the stream of curses understandable through her gag but only managed to illicit a gruff laugh from the man. "Aye, she's got spirit, got ta give 'er that."
"The sooner we get shed of her the better in my opinion." The other man said, his words slurred by rum.
As the apparent meaning of those words sunk in she froze. They weren't actually planning on doing away with her were they? She hadn't really thought about that, only thinking they meant to hold her for ransom. She immediately began making all manner of beseeching and imploring noises through the afore mentioned gag, hoping the men would remove said gag and allow her to speak.
"Aye, but we got to do it in the proper way mate. 'member what we was told ta do, no sense in bringin his wrath down upon us ya know. 'Sides there's the matter of the other half of the money ta be thinkin bout. Got ta make sure everything goes like it's spose to."
"Right bout that mate, he can be a bit dogged bout stuff when he's been ill done. Determined bugger that, won't let up till he's had his vengeance from what I've seen and heard. Wouldn't want ta be on the wrong side o that!"
"Ye've said a mouthful there to be sure. So we just makes sure all goes as smooth as kin be then it'll be no worries, aye."
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James allowed himself to be led along by William and Elizabeth, no longer having the strength to resist. The longer he dwelled on his circumstance the more it defeated him, the more it was etched in his mind just how hopeless his situation, his position, his life had become. He wasn't aware of his surroundings at all until he had been gently eased into a chair and a steaming cup of tea had been set before him. He looked around in a semi daze and was surprised to recognize his own dining room. Will sat on one side of him and Elizabeth on the other, both staring at him with concern.
"James, drink." Elizabeth said softly as she indicated the cup in front of him, "It will help."
James looked down at the cup on the table, looked back up at Elizabeth, and then back at the cup, his mind so shattered he was unable to process the simple task of getting the cup from the table to his mouth. He closed his eyes and slumped back in the chair as visions of what had happened in the gazebo played mockingly through his mind's eye. He moaned pitifully, dropped his head forward burying his face in his hands and scrubbed viciously at his face, trying desperately to wipe the images away.
Elizabeth placed staying hands on each of his arms, attempting to stop his actions. Her voice was filled with emotion as she leaned close, "James please let us help."
William placed a consoling hand on James' shoulder as he added his concern for the man to Elizabeth's, "Commodore…..James, we are here for you."
Will and Elizabeth looked towards the doorway as they heard the front door open and shut, a moment later Jack entered the dining room.
Jack nodded to Will and Elizabeth and then stood there for a few moments, a look of compassion on his countenance as his gaze settled on James. However when he finally spoke his words were anything but compassionate, in fact they were spat out in a most unsympathetic and sarcastic tone. "So the great Pirate Hunter, Scourge of Pirates everywhere has been brought to his knees by a mere lass. Oh how the Brethren would love ta see ya now Commodore, sittin there cryin like a babe, and them laughin to a man at ya, now what a sight that would make, not ta mention the tales twould be told over a mug or two of rum in every bawdy house in the Spanish Main."
William and Elizabeth looked at him with horror, both sputtering out words meant to stop his cruel monolog. Jack just smiled, winked, and held a finger up to indicate they should remain silent. He moved over next to James as he continued, leaning over and poking the man rather sharply with his finger in the shoulder as he did. "Bloody Hell Commodore, if I'd a known this is all it would'a taken ta get the best of ya I'd a gotten ya a tumble or two a long time ago, saved meself all that alludin of ya."
Jack did not miss the stiffening of the Commodore's posture as he continued, "So Commodore, in our future dealins, if there be such and I'm of a questionin mind bout that as yer present circumstance is threaten ta be a permanent circumstance no doubt, I'll have ta keep it in mind rather than stock me Pearl with shot and the like I'll keep a few doxies on board ta toss to ya at the opportune moment." Jack said with a laugh. He wasn't laughing long however as he was but a moment later backpedaling as the Commodore suddenly stood up and kicked the chair away from him, whirling to face Jack with a very angry expression and a very sharp blade in his hand.
"Draw your sword Pirate. I will not be baited by the likes of you. Do I make myself clear?" James said threateningly as he advanced towards the retreating pirate.
Jack answered with a tilt of his head and a smile as he made sure his hands stayed as far away from his sword as was possible, in fact they were presently palm together held out in front of him, "Un-dispiritedly it seems Commodore."
To Be Continued
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