Transition Plan Chapter 18: First Homecoming Part 5: Going Ashore
On the voyage home, Tarzan, Jane, Archimedes, and d'Arnot spent a great deal of time dining and teaching Tarzan the 'right' way to speak French - in addition to practicing his 'private French lessons' Jane teased him about in their cabin. Evenings were spent sharing wine over the astonishing story of Tarzan's survival in the jungle. D'Arnot was fascinated and amazed at the stories of Jonathan's upbringing in the jungle by a gorilla family, and the couple's abilities to talk to animals. While it saddened him for the Count and Countess' violent demise, he was in awe of Jonathan's ability to survive and adapt, to be loved by a gorilla mother, and that he was considered a kind and benevolent leader of the animal world.
It gave d'Arnot hope. He was inspired by the tender devotion and love between Tarzan and Jane that he could see every day. He was especially charmed how Jane was drawn to Tarzan even when he was more gorilla than man, and for her 'sacrifice' to willingly live a simple life in the jungle together. He knew of no other English noblewoman who would ever make that choice. In their own way, they were much like Lord Clayton and Lady Alice.
Hours were spent secretly planning how to take back Clan Greystoke. They were generally of one mind on all the plans.
D'Arnot discovered that Tarzan had impressive unorthodox natural fighting skills, and he helped direct that talent. He warned that there could be violence and attempted abduction by John Clayton's secret thugs, and so the young couple must be prepared to defend themselves. Seeing that Tarzan was incredibly talented as a knife fighter, he taught him the more elegant skill of fencing, which he took to immediately, outperforming the Captain after only a few lessons. Tarzan was adamant about never using a firearm and the reasons why. The Captain was worried that would be a real disadvantage until he learned that Tarzan could avoid being shot with reflexes faster than any normal man possessed.
D'Arnot reflected that any of Clayton's cronies would have a very ugly surprise should there be an unprovoked attack on the new Count of Greystoke. The Captain also learned about Jane's uncanny talent as an archer that would also work to their advantage. She was no helpless damsel who would a juicy target for ransom, and appreciated Archimedes all the more for giving her the basic skills of hunting despite the 'norms' of English society. He realized their harsh jungle existence honed their fighting abilities to razor's edge, no more so than Jane's face off with Naima with only a bow and arrow and Tarzan's bare-handed wrestling with Naima's mate.
After two months at sea, they slowed in the English Channel and started up the Thames River to London's major harbor in Essex. It was December in England, and Tarzan had never experienced cold weather. Jane showed him how to protect himself from the elements. She wrapped him tightly in borrowed coats from the Captain and crew and showed him how to wear scarves and gloves. Tarzan was very interested in seeing the ice form on the ship, the mist of his exhaled breaths, and learned the hard way about the effects of freezing rain and snow. Having Jane close to him and caring for him in a completely foreign environment warmed his heart.
Tarzan began to see the English countryside and the signs of human civilization. He was impressed at the technology and extent of the homes, buildings, infrastructure, and how many people lived together packed together so densely in one place.
Tarzan also noticed the organic smells of mankind, the odor of decay, and the chemical smells of technology. Tarzan observed, "You English are too many. You live on top of each other, and foul your own watering holes, the ocean, and your nesting places."
Jane sighed with the truth of his observation, "There is unfortunately much history in England and the rest of the world to prove how correct you are, my love."
Once ashore, they gathered their luggage and d'Arnot arranged a carriage to take them to the Porter estate.
Tarzan stood in awe of the pair of horses, "What are these fine animals, Jane?"
He approached them and instinctively stroked their faces, to which the horses responded with a nuzzle and satisfied whinny.
Jane noted their instant comfort with Tarzan, and said, "They are horses, dear husband. They did much of the world's work until trains, automobiles, and trucks came along."
"They are magnificent, Jane."
"We have a whole stable full at the estate we can meet. And ride."
His eyes lit up, "Ride? Oh, of course. You told me of your horse riding stories with your father."
"Yes dear. Few experiences are better than a horseman and his mount galloping through the woods and fields together."
"I cannot wait."
She hugged him as they prepared for the coach ride to Jane's estate. They thanked the Captain, parted company with d'Arnot, but only for a couple of days while Archimedes helped Tarzan with the legal aspects of regaining his peerage. They confirmed where and when to meet. D'Arnot and the Professor had become good friends, and were united in helping Jonathan and Jane succeed.
"I'm eager to tell the many silent friends of the Count who stay loyal and wait patiently for the Count's ascendency, Archimedes," grinned the old Captain.
Archimedes shared the Captain's enthusiasm but reminded his friend,"But as we agreed, only after they spring 'the surprise'. Jonathan does not 'exist' to anyone in this world until we say so."
"Of course my good man. 'Mum's the word', as you English say," smiled the Captain.
"Merci," quipped the old Professor in deference to his new French friend.
As they descended the gangplank to shore, a scary looking, plump, balding man in a dark suit approached the Captain, and he whispered, "Quick Jonathan, tend to your belongings with your face turned away, and make sure your hair is tucked into your cap. Tarzan, Jane and Archimedes, this is one of John Clayton's closest allies – Sir Cedric. He's going to know what happened to his boss."
The man gave the Captain a creepy smile, "Welcome back, Captain d'Arnot. I presume the 'delivery' went as planned?
"It did, Sir Cedric. All was in operation when I left."
"That is good. Tomorrow morning we need to talk about the next shipment. The reward for your success is to go into the unknown again with another cargo load."
"As you wish sir," d'Arnot bowed.
He referred to Jane and Archimedes almost coldly, "It appears you brought some cargo back in return. That is unexpected, Captain."
"I found what was left of the Porter expedition, Cedric," said d'Arnot cheerfully.
Tarzan had his back turned working with their luggage and equipment but could overhear the conversation and tone. D'Arnot could hear the threat in Cedric's voice. He knew the other Captain had orders to dump the Porter's bodies at sea on the way back, even if the lucrative 'gorilla acquisition' expedition had gone as planned. Cedric pursed his lips that he would probably never get the real story of what happened. But it was no matter. These eccentric people seemed harmless enough, or may have even been sympathetic to the mission. Or clueless of their real intent.
Jane was convincingly tearful in front of Sir Cedric and the rest of his serious looking colleagues, "Oh thank goodness, kind sir, that the Captain chanced by us. We've lived for months stranded there. We needed to get off that awful place."
Cedric feigned surprise, "The Porters? We heard that you all had been lost forever. John Clayton was the leader of that expedition."
Jane cast her eyes down in one of her best 'fake' displays of emotion ever, impressing both her father and Tarzan, blurting out her words in heavy sobs, keeping her ringed hand in a glove and in her pocket, "Alas, dear sir, Mr. Clayton was killed in terrible accidental fall while trying to hunt a wild animal. He snapped his neck caught in a vine. It was terrible. We buried him in the jungle. I am afraid the body would not last in the terrible heat. With the threat of carrion eaters we had to act. But here is his ring."
Tarzan raised an eyebrow on her very convincing acting, imbedded with the real truth of what happened in her words.
Sir Cedric bowed courteously, and accepted the ring, "I am sorry to hear of his demise, but thank you for your testimony and bringing back proof of his demise. I will report this for you, but you may have to make a statement. I am the Chief Operating Officer of Clayton Industries. This will make it easier with the coroner and the courts in the transfer of his Executorship of the Clayton estate to his dear, sweet wife."
"Whatever is necessary to ease the transition for his unfortunate wife and children, we will surely do," affirmed the Professor.
"He left no heirs."
The Captain responded appropriately, "Oh. Dear. Again I offer my sympathies, Miss Jane and Professor. I am so sorry you all had to endure this all this. It must have been terrible."
She dabbed her eyes with her kerchief and settled down, "Thank you, Captain and Sir Cedric. He took care of us well in our expedition. He was almost like kin."
Cedric offered, "To soothe your terrible experiences, Professor Porter, we will make full restoration of the fees we charged you for the expedition for your troubles and furthermore we will donate that sum in your name to Oxford."
"You are most kind, Sir Cedric," Professor Porter said.
Cedric whispered to d'Arnot, "Inform Captain Sewell that refund is coming out of his paycheck for the rest of his life."
"Y-y-yes sir," noted d'Arnot.
Sir Cedric seemed satisfied, and departed. The dark man thought, "Well, inadvertently John followed my plan. His blind thirst for hunting wild game finally caught up with him. His carelessness got me what I needed to consolidate power. With him out of the way, Agnes will be easy to deal with now."
"Boss, do we need to deal with the Porters?" asked a crony, tightening his grip on his knife.
"No they are harmless. If the Professor publishes his journeys though, let me know. We may have more to deal with. Let them live their small lives in peace. A Christmas gift to them from me."
"You are too kind, Sir Cedric," another henchman offered with an evil grin.
"Don't insult me, oaf," Cedric snarled.
When Cedric and his colleagues were well out of sight, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
D'Arnot said in a low voice, "That is your most formidable enemy, Count Clayton. Sir Cedric is even more ruthless than John."
"Even the hyenas would not accept that man as one of their own," Tarzan snarled.
As d'Arnot's dock workers loaded their luggage on the back of the carriage, Jane and Tarzan spoke softly together.
"Jane. Your explanation to Cedric. That was as good as any fiction we ever read together. But about that 'wild animal' comment. Surely I am not like that?"
"You haven't had the benefit of being on the receiving end of your evening behaviors the past two months, my dear," she winked and smiled, pecking him on the lips.