Chapter 53 – The Rain
The old woman laughed at Cole. It was the deep hearty raspy cackle of a witch, and Cole's hand fell limp at the sound, the sword falling harmlessly onto the floor. She found herself unable to move, her eyes held prisoner by the witch's own bottomless black orbs. Yet, Cole wasn't afraid. She felt oddly comforted by the woman's presence.
"I like you, Pomba," the woman finally said once she controlled her laughter. "Pardal will do just fine with you by his side."
Cole shook her head in confusion, grateful that she was able to move again. Her head was pounding, and her whole body felt wilted as though the life had been wrung from her. "I don't understand," she whispered, appalled at how weak her voice sounded now.
"You need to rest," Bruxa murmured, passing a hand over Cole's eyes. Cole laid back down as she fell into a deep sleep. "You have less than one week to regain your strength," Bruxa added, knowing Cole wouldn't hear her.
Bruxa pressed her hand to Cole's belly. "Such a strong boy grows here," she mumbled with a smile. Satisfied, Bruxa stood and exited the room, making sure to lock the door behind her. Bruxa had until daylight to gather the supplies needed for Cole's "transition" back into the world of the living. At dawn, Cole would wake and Bruxa needed to make sure she was waiting at her bedside when she came back to consciousness.
OOO
At first light, Bruxa had obtained the last of the things she needed. She was on her way back to the house, when she sensed a ship approaching. Startled, she glanced up and out to sea, but all she could see was darkness in the duskiness of the morning. It didn't matter. She knew the ship was there just as well as she knew that it was full of friend, not foe.
Silently, she went to her son and roused him from a deep, snoreful sleep. "Joshamee," she spoke quietly so as not to disturb the other pirates inhabiting the barn.
"Mmmmm?" he murmured. He peered out from slitted eyes that widened when he noticed his mother at his bedside. He jumped visibly. "Mother, you of all people know that it's bad luck to-."
"Rouse a sleeping man from sleep. Yes, yes of course I know this. I blessed you beforehand," she reassured him, waving a dismissive hand at him. "I need you to stand post at the beach, son. A British ship approaches."
"Who is it?" he asked with furrowed brows. Who would have followed them? Norrington was imprisoned and Autumn was dead. Who else would have reason to hunt them down?
"Worry not, my son. The ship bears friends. Go greet them and put them up at the inn. Tell them a story to keep them away from the house and the gazebo until the week has run its course. Report back to me by midafternoon. I must see to Pomba." With that, Bruxa disappeared out the barn door.
Gibbs shook the sleep from his eyes and stood to dress. Then he left to do his mother's bidding. He still could not even begin to fathom who would have been able to find them on Madeira. It was not an easy place to find and besides that, no one knew they were there. Shrugging to himself, Gibbs headed to the beach just in time to see the sun beginning to peek up over the horizon, casting a pink glow on a lone ship displaying a British flag. Gibbs sighed, for there would surely be rain this day.
OOO
Will and Jack lay under a giant tree as the rain poured down dampening the biscuits that Bruxa had provided for their afternoon snack. The pirates were drinking rum as they always did, but these days their laughter was less boisterous and there conversations were more sober. Jack wondered if they all thought he was a ghost or some such because he hadn't had more than a word with any of them. Not even Joel. They seemed to keep their distance as best as they could. Perhaps it had to do with Jack's own depressing mood. Who knew?
"She'll be fine, Jack," a soggy Will said suddenly, interrupting his thoughts. For once, Jack hadn't been thinking about Cole, and Will's reminder made him feel somewhat guilty. Jack stood quickly, grabbing a hammer.
"I know that Will, but we've only got six days, so let's get back to work, shall we? All hands on deck!" he bellowed, sounding just like the captain everyone remembered.
The pirates scrambled to their feet and began to work immediately, abandoning their half-empty bottles of rum. They worked hard yet carefully knowing something important was relying on their performances. They did not stop building again until they were sodden with mud and it was too dark to see.
OOO
Gibbs greeted the visitors cheerfully, pleasantly surprised by the company. He took them to the inn as he was instructed, making up a story about how Will, and Jack had taken Cole to the other side of the island for medical attention. They seemed to believe his fib, and the captain insisted that Gibbs take them to the doctor the next day. Gibbs explained that it was quite a trek, and even on horseback it would take several days. He didn't seem to care.
Surprisingly, the two elder gentlemen and the lass insisted upon going as well. Inwardly, Gibbs was quite satisfied with this because it would only make their journey slower, and that was exactly what he wanted.
He went back to Bruxa feeling quite satisfied with himself. As it turned out, Bruxa was satisfied as well. She helped him pack food and water for their journey and reminded him of the many places they could stop to sleep and eat in case he couldn't remember where they were (he could, even though he hadn't been to Madeira in years). After that, she told him to make sure they were dressed in the finest clothing they had brought and meet her at the gazebo just after dawn in six days.
Her son embraced her and hoisted the sack of food on his shoulder. He looked quite relaxed, which made Bruxa smile. Usually her son was a nervous wreck. She knew that was her own fault for raising him around so much superstition and witchcraft. She just hadn't meant for him to take everything so seriously. He had grown into a fine man, she decided as she watched him walk out of the house into the rain. Superstitiousness and all.
