Chapter 7: Plans and pain
Written by Elizabeth
I of course, knew everything that would happen in this duel. But still, I thought it would be interesting to see first hand. So when Horatio's boat headed out, I was only too glad to join it. Lia and Natalie joined us, and we had a silent ride to the island where the fight would take place. I leaned back in the boat and watched the Indy growing smaller...How long would it be before Pellew came to save Horatio? I mused. Lia, of course, was being her usual bizarre self: I swear I heard her saying something about flying tarantulas circling Horatio's head. Either Horatio heard her, or he was just nervous, but at any rate he stood up and moved to the other side of the boat, where I was sitting.
"Nervous?" I asked him when he sat down. He nodded, looking like he was about to vomit. I laid a hand on his shoulder. "Don't be. We're right there, and if Simpson tries anything funny, we'll knock him cold."
This produced a nervous titter from him, then we fell silent, watching the island draw ever closer.
***
We stood off to one side, so as not to be hit by a stray bullet, and watched the proceedings before the duel with some interest. The man who was the referee brought out two boxes with pistols, and held them up for the men to choose. Simpson fondled them both, then decided upon the second one. I gulped in my throat. Horatio might come out of this alive, but it didn't stop me from being nervous. Horatio and Simpson stood back to back, and I noticed Simpson saying something. I slyly drew a little closer, and make out the following:
Simpson said softly to Horatio, "I'm going to kill you Snotty. Just like I killed Clayton, and your little pal, Archie."
"Kennedy?" Horatio gasped. I beckoned with my finger for the girls to come closer. "Yes." Simpson said coolly, "Oh, and when I win, I was thinking that I'll take care of the girls for you." I stiffened and leaned closer.
"The eldest one, Lia, I think," Simpson said, and his voice was almost a whisper, "I'll leave her alone, she can take care of herself. Natalie, the..." He called her something I won't repeat here, "She knows too much. Maybe she'll fall prey to a little 'accident'." He turned his eye upon us (We hastily looked as though we couldn't hear anything) and his eye fell upon me. "And that girl, Elizabeth. Well, she's not much of a fighter, now is she? One good snap of her wrist should keep her in line. Maybe she can take Archie's place."
I went cold. "You just try it, you filthy..." I hissed, preparing to strangle him, but Lia held me at bay. "Trust me, Liz, you don't attack a man with a gun. He's right, you aren't much of a fighter, but what you lack in fighting is made up for with brains. Out-think him." She whispered. I turned back to Horatio, and heard him say, in a hoarse croak, "You wouldn't dare!"
"Wouldn't I?" Simpson said, an evil smile on his lips. "Don't threaten me, Snotty, You're both no more than empty threats."
At that point, the referee came up and asked if they could not be reconciled, and the duel began. Something was nagging at my mind. What had Simpson meant about "Both are no more than empty threats"? Only Horatio was dueling, and no one else was threatening him, unless...unless he meant that the pistol Horatio was holding was empty!
"Oh God." I murmured, and dashed forward just as the referee called "Two."
"Miss Foresta!" (I failed to mention that by now all the senior officers knew my last name.) "What the hell are you doing?" The referee called.
I ran to Horatio and wrestled the gun out of his fingers. "Miss Foresta, I must protest, you are holding up the..." Horatio began, but he never finished, for I had shot the gun at no area in particular, and all that had happened was a small puff of smoke. "Simpson has emptied this barrel!" I cried to the general assembly, "This is an unfair match!"
"By God, you're right!" The ref said, and he took the pistol from my hand, giving it to some guy. "Fill this up properly and we'll fight this duel fairly!"
I glared at Simpson, then turned back to Horatio. "I hope you don't mind that I stole your gun, Mr. Hornblower." I said shyly, blushing. Darn it, when was I going to get over this blushing thing?
Horatio smiled at me. "Miss Foresta, I am in your debt. You saved my life by revealing this scandal."
Suddenly, there was a loud "Look out!" It was shouted by Natalie, who was pale white. What happened next seemed to happen in slow motion.
Simpson, outraged that I had discovered his scheme, had taken his gun and was firing directly at me. I froze. My god, I realized, I'm going to die. But I was wrong.
Horatio grabbed my shoulders and shoved me aside. I sprawled on the rocks and looked up in time to see Horatio fall: he had taken the bullet for me.
I rose up with a snarl of fury one normally only hears in wolves. I heard Natalie yelling something about Simpson being a piece of *excrement* (Insert cruder language here a.k.a. what do you think Natalie would say) and that he didn't deserve to live. He angrily said some much cruder language to her, and I paled since not even some of the kids with the dirtiest mouths are not that bad at school. I flew to Horatio's side and turned him over. He was breathing, though blood was trickling down from his shoulder. I shook him gently. "Mr. Hornblower, get up. I beg you, get up." When he didn't move, I leaned closer. "Come on, Horatio. Simpson will think he won. Get up."
Simpson was heading our way, a truly ugly look on his face. "Did I kill him?" He snapped at me. I don't know what came over me, but I stood up and took a swing at him. He grabbed my wrist and forced me down on my knees. "Whore!" He spat at me; "Try that again and you'll hurt more than this!" He began to twist my wrist, preparing to break it. I showed no pain, but was sure that I'd start shrieking the moment he let go.
"Let her go, Simpson! Your vengeance is with me, not her!" I looked behind me. Horatio was standing up again, and every word, every glance, even the way he held himself projected fury. "Yeah, let her go you bastard!" No need to mention who said that. I gasped with shock and pain, and Simpson dropped me rather unceremoniously on the rocks. "It's over! I shot you didn't I?"
"Mr. Hornblower has not taken his shot yet, sir!" The ref called, bringing Horatio a now loaded pistol. "You will let him shoot!" I rose again and crept to the side. Natalie and Lia joined me. "Lordy, Lizzy, I thought he was going to kill you. Twice!" Natalie said.
"Tell me about it." I growled, rubbing my wrist. Meanwhile, Horatio was standing there, finger on the trigger, aiming a well-deserved shot at Simpson's head. Simpson was on the ground, begging for his life. Horatio glanced at us, then turned his gun upwards and fired. I smiled. It was so satisfying to see the rat sniveling there on the rocks. So elated was I, in fact, that I murmured Horatio's words at him as I passed. "You're not worth the powder."
Horatio was clutching his shoulder now that he had dropped the gun. I ran to his side and touched the wound. "It's not too deep. I'm sure it will be all right in a week or two."
"Lizzy!" Natalie yelled. I turned around. Simpson was bearing down on us with a knife in his hand. Crap! I forgot about that! I thought. I started to reach for a sword or something to defend both myself and Horatio, but a gunshot fired off in the distance and Simpson fell back on the rocks, shot in the heart. Pellew had arrived.
I was about to breathe a sigh of relief when my leg caught on fire. I looked down in time to see Simpson, with his last ounce of strength, jab his knife even deeper into my thigh before he fell to the ground with a groan. I clutched the hilt of the knife without thinking, watching the life drain from him. Only when his head fell to the side did I pull out the knife, dripping scarlet blood upon my dress. It was then also that I screamed in agony. I tried to get up, but my leg refused to support my weight. I felt Horatio's arms press against my back, and I fell into them, sinking into blackness.
***
It was around three days later that I regained consciousness. The doctor told me that the knife had cut through several muscles, and though it would heal, there was a chance that I would always walk with a limp. I would have none of it, and managed to slide out of bed before I fell to the floor. The doctor helped me up and gave me a pair of crutches. "I'd suggest you use these."
"Never!" I said, and dragged myself out of there, pulling myself by my hands. I honestly don't know why I refused. Maybe being in this time had rubbed off on me. I was resting up from my exertion, leaning on the side, when I heard a very familiar voice.
"Elizabeth!" Horatio said quietly. I turned around. Horatio was smiling at me, one arm in a sling, the other behind his back.
"Mr. Hornblower! I trust you recovered from the ordeal with Simpson?" I said, noticing with some surprise that I was not blushing. Horatio nodded silently, then noticed my leg. "You refused the crutches?" He asked.
"They're ugly as Simpson! I wouldn't be caught dead with them."
"How about with this?" Horatio took his hand out from behind his back. His fingers were wrapped around a magnificent walking-stick. The wood was a deep red, polished until it shone, and there was a golden handle for me to hold onto. I took it gently, placed it on the floor, and took a few steps, leaning on it heavily. It seemed to work, and I lifted my body and kept walking with it until it seemed that I hardly limped at all. I turned back to Horatio, a smile shining on my face. "How do I look?"
He came to me, scrutinized me, then grinned. "You look like a real lady. Only a lady of the Queen's court could look so dignified."
Now I blushed, but this time it was rightly so. "Yes, well...thank you, Mr. Hornblower." I said.
"Please, milady," Horatio said quietly, "Call me Horatio."
"What?" I said, aghast, "But I am a woman, and you're a near stranger to me! It is a sign of respect to call you Mr. Hornblower!"
"In public, perhaps." Horatio murmured in my ear, placing his hand on my back and leading me back to the side of the ship, "But in private, Horatio will do. I know you want to call me that. I even heard you say it back on the island. Please, as a favor."
I hesitated, looked into those beautiful brown eyes, and any thoughts of saying no vanished. "All right, Horatio, if that's what you want." It felt wonderful to say his first name. It made me feel like we were equals.
Horatio nodded, and removed his hand from my back. "I was looking for you." He said in his normal voice. "Natalie and Lia are waiting for you in your quarters. You've been invited to dinner by Pellew, if you feel up to it."
"With this walking stick, I'm up to anything." I said, smiling. Horatio nodded again. "It was my father's walking stick. He thought I should have it. And now, you need it more than I. Keep it as a gift. A thank you for saving my life."
Man, this guy was fast. He had justified everything I was going to say. I shrugged my shoulders and prepared to move on, but paused. "Horatio."
Horatio, who likewise had been moving away, turned back. "Yes, Elizabeth?"
"Thank you for saving my life, back there on the island."
Horatio said nothing, merely smiled. I took this as a "You're welcome" and moved towards my quarters. But our conversation kept replaying in my head. My back tingled where Horatio had touched it. God, I'm becoming obsessed, I thought. As always, whenever I tried to sort out my feelings, I began to sing.
"Here I am,
On a ship full of strangers
I'm standing on the deck
But only friends can reach me
Still, I have to follow you
Though you might not want me to
I can't keep my mind off you
I can't stay away!!!
I've been too long
On this ship of war
I'm singing a love song
Hoping it might reach your heart now
But I'll sing this song
On this ship of war
I'll keep close to you
Cause I know you'll protect me, dear."
I had reached the stairs to go below. I continued down, still singing.
"But as I try,
To get inside your mind frame
You put up a shield
How long will it stand between us?
Still I'm going to follow you,
Though you might not want me too
I won't stop till I know you
I can't stay away!!!
I've been too long
On this ship of war
I'm singing a love song
Hoping it might reach your heart now
But I'll sing this song
On this ship of war
I'll keep close to you
Cause I know you'll protect me, dear.
I smiled to myself, then pushed open the door.
(c)The Begees
Written by Elizabeth
I of course, knew everything that would happen in this duel. But still, I thought it would be interesting to see first hand. So when Horatio's boat headed out, I was only too glad to join it. Lia and Natalie joined us, and we had a silent ride to the island where the fight would take place. I leaned back in the boat and watched the Indy growing smaller...How long would it be before Pellew came to save Horatio? I mused. Lia, of course, was being her usual bizarre self: I swear I heard her saying something about flying tarantulas circling Horatio's head. Either Horatio heard her, or he was just nervous, but at any rate he stood up and moved to the other side of the boat, where I was sitting.
"Nervous?" I asked him when he sat down. He nodded, looking like he was about to vomit. I laid a hand on his shoulder. "Don't be. We're right there, and if Simpson tries anything funny, we'll knock him cold."
This produced a nervous titter from him, then we fell silent, watching the island draw ever closer.
***
We stood off to one side, so as not to be hit by a stray bullet, and watched the proceedings before the duel with some interest. The man who was the referee brought out two boxes with pistols, and held them up for the men to choose. Simpson fondled them both, then decided upon the second one. I gulped in my throat. Horatio might come out of this alive, but it didn't stop me from being nervous. Horatio and Simpson stood back to back, and I noticed Simpson saying something. I slyly drew a little closer, and make out the following:
Simpson said softly to Horatio, "I'm going to kill you Snotty. Just like I killed Clayton, and your little pal, Archie."
"Kennedy?" Horatio gasped. I beckoned with my finger for the girls to come closer. "Yes." Simpson said coolly, "Oh, and when I win, I was thinking that I'll take care of the girls for you." I stiffened and leaned closer.
"The eldest one, Lia, I think," Simpson said, and his voice was almost a whisper, "I'll leave her alone, she can take care of herself. Natalie, the..." He called her something I won't repeat here, "She knows too much. Maybe she'll fall prey to a little 'accident'." He turned his eye upon us (We hastily looked as though we couldn't hear anything) and his eye fell upon me. "And that girl, Elizabeth. Well, she's not much of a fighter, now is she? One good snap of her wrist should keep her in line. Maybe she can take Archie's place."
I went cold. "You just try it, you filthy..." I hissed, preparing to strangle him, but Lia held me at bay. "Trust me, Liz, you don't attack a man with a gun. He's right, you aren't much of a fighter, but what you lack in fighting is made up for with brains. Out-think him." She whispered. I turned back to Horatio, and heard him say, in a hoarse croak, "You wouldn't dare!"
"Wouldn't I?" Simpson said, an evil smile on his lips. "Don't threaten me, Snotty, You're both no more than empty threats."
At that point, the referee came up and asked if they could not be reconciled, and the duel began. Something was nagging at my mind. What had Simpson meant about "Both are no more than empty threats"? Only Horatio was dueling, and no one else was threatening him, unless...unless he meant that the pistol Horatio was holding was empty!
"Oh God." I murmured, and dashed forward just as the referee called "Two."
"Miss Foresta!" (I failed to mention that by now all the senior officers knew my last name.) "What the hell are you doing?" The referee called.
I ran to Horatio and wrestled the gun out of his fingers. "Miss Foresta, I must protest, you are holding up the..." Horatio began, but he never finished, for I had shot the gun at no area in particular, and all that had happened was a small puff of smoke. "Simpson has emptied this barrel!" I cried to the general assembly, "This is an unfair match!"
"By God, you're right!" The ref said, and he took the pistol from my hand, giving it to some guy. "Fill this up properly and we'll fight this duel fairly!"
I glared at Simpson, then turned back to Horatio. "I hope you don't mind that I stole your gun, Mr. Hornblower." I said shyly, blushing. Darn it, when was I going to get over this blushing thing?
Horatio smiled at me. "Miss Foresta, I am in your debt. You saved my life by revealing this scandal."
Suddenly, there was a loud "Look out!" It was shouted by Natalie, who was pale white. What happened next seemed to happen in slow motion.
Simpson, outraged that I had discovered his scheme, had taken his gun and was firing directly at me. I froze. My god, I realized, I'm going to die. But I was wrong.
Horatio grabbed my shoulders and shoved me aside. I sprawled on the rocks and looked up in time to see Horatio fall: he had taken the bullet for me.
I rose up with a snarl of fury one normally only hears in wolves. I heard Natalie yelling something about Simpson being a piece of *excrement* (Insert cruder language here a.k.a. what do you think Natalie would say) and that he didn't deserve to live. He angrily said some much cruder language to her, and I paled since not even some of the kids with the dirtiest mouths are not that bad at school. I flew to Horatio's side and turned him over. He was breathing, though blood was trickling down from his shoulder. I shook him gently. "Mr. Hornblower, get up. I beg you, get up." When he didn't move, I leaned closer. "Come on, Horatio. Simpson will think he won. Get up."
Simpson was heading our way, a truly ugly look on his face. "Did I kill him?" He snapped at me. I don't know what came over me, but I stood up and took a swing at him. He grabbed my wrist and forced me down on my knees. "Whore!" He spat at me; "Try that again and you'll hurt more than this!" He began to twist my wrist, preparing to break it. I showed no pain, but was sure that I'd start shrieking the moment he let go.
"Let her go, Simpson! Your vengeance is with me, not her!" I looked behind me. Horatio was standing up again, and every word, every glance, even the way he held himself projected fury. "Yeah, let her go you bastard!" No need to mention who said that. I gasped with shock and pain, and Simpson dropped me rather unceremoniously on the rocks. "It's over! I shot you didn't I?"
"Mr. Hornblower has not taken his shot yet, sir!" The ref called, bringing Horatio a now loaded pistol. "You will let him shoot!" I rose again and crept to the side. Natalie and Lia joined me. "Lordy, Lizzy, I thought he was going to kill you. Twice!" Natalie said.
"Tell me about it." I growled, rubbing my wrist. Meanwhile, Horatio was standing there, finger on the trigger, aiming a well-deserved shot at Simpson's head. Simpson was on the ground, begging for his life. Horatio glanced at us, then turned his gun upwards and fired. I smiled. It was so satisfying to see the rat sniveling there on the rocks. So elated was I, in fact, that I murmured Horatio's words at him as I passed. "You're not worth the powder."
Horatio was clutching his shoulder now that he had dropped the gun. I ran to his side and touched the wound. "It's not too deep. I'm sure it will be all right in a week or two."
"Lizzy!" Natalie yelled. I turned around. Simpson was bearing down on us with a knife in his hand. Crap! I forgot about that! I thought. I started to reach for a sword or something to defend both myself and Horatio, but a gunshot fired off in the distance and Simpson fell back on the rocks, shot in the heart. Pellew had arrived.
I was about to breathe a sigh of relief when my leg caught on fire. I looked down in time to see Simpson, with his last ounce of strength, jab his knife even deeper into my thigh before he fell to the ground with a groan. I clutched the hilt of the knife without thinking, watching the life drain from him. Only when his head fell to the side did I pull out the knife, dripping scarlet blood upon my dress. It was then also that I screamed in agony. I tried to get up, but my leg refused to support my weight. I felt Horatio's arms press against my back, and I fell into them, sinking into blackness.
***
It was around three days later that I regained consciousness. The doctor told me that the knife had cut through several muscles, and though it would heal, there was a chance that I would always walk with a limp. I would have none of it, and managed to slide out of bed before I fell to the floor. The doctor helped me up and gave me a pair of crutches. "I'd suggest you use these."
"Never!" I said, and dragged myself out of there, pulling myself by my hands. I honestly don't know why I refused. Maybe being in this time had rubbed off on me. I was resting up from my exertion, leaning on the side, when I heard a very familiar voice.
"Elizabeth!" Horatio said quietly. I turned around. Horatio was smiling at me, one arm in a sling, the other behind his back.
"Mr. Hornblower! I trust you recovered from the ordeal with Simpson?" I said, noticing with some surprise that I was not blushing. Horatio nodded silently, then noticed my leg. "You refused the crutches?" He asked.
"They're ugly as Simpson! I wouldn't be caught dead with them."
"How about with this?" Horatio took his hand out from behind his back. His fingers were wrapped around a magnificent walking-stick. The wood was a deep red, polished until it shone, and there was a golden handle for me to hold onto. I took it gently, placed it on the floor, and took a few steps, leaning on it heavily. It seemed to work, and I lifted my body and kept walking with it until it seemed that I hardly limped at all. I turned back to Horatio, a smile shining on my face. "How do I look?"
He came to me, scrutinized me, then grinned. "You look like a real lady. Only a lady of the Queen's court could look so dignified."
Now I blushed, but this time it was rightly so. "Yes, well...thank you, Mr. Hornblower." I said.
"Please, milady," Horatio said quietly, "Call me Horatio."
"What?" I said, aghast, "But I am a woman, and you're a near stranger to me! It is a sign of respect to call you Mr. Hornblower!"
"In public, perhaps." Horatio murmured in my ear, placing his hand on my back and leading me back to the side of the ship, "But in private, Horatio will do. I know you want to call me that. I even heard you say it back on the island. Please, as a favor."
I hesitated, looked into those beautiful brown eyes, and any thoughts of saying no vanished. "All right, Horatio, if that's what you want." It felt wonderful to say his first name. It made me feel like we were equals.
Horatio nodded, and removed his hand from my back. "I was looking for you." He said in his normal voice. "Natalie and Lia are waiting for you in your quarters. You've been invited to dinner by Pellew, if you feel up to it."
"With this walking stick, I'm up to anything." I said, smiling. Horatio nodded again. "It was my father's walking stick. He thought I should have it. And now, you need it more than I. Keep it as a gift. A thank you for saving my life."
Man, this guy was fast. He had justified everything I was going to say. I shrugged my shoulders and prepared to move on, but paused. "Horatio."
Horatio, who likewise had been moving away, turned back. "Yes, Elizabeth?"
"Thank you for saving my life, back there on the island."
Horatio said nothing, merely smiled. I took this as a "You're welcome" and moved towards my quarters. But our conversation kept replaying in my head. My back tingled where Horatio had touched it. God, I'm becoming obsessed, I thought. As always, whenever I tried to sort out my feelings, I began to sing.
"Here I am,
On a ship full of strangers
I'm standing on the deck
But only friends can reach me
Still, I have to follow you
Though you might not want me to
I can't keep my mind off you
I can't stay away!!!
I've been too long
On this ship of war
I'm singing a love song
Hoping it might reach your heart now
But I'll sing this song
On this ship of war
I'll keep close to you
Cause I know you'll protect me, dear."
I had reached the stairs to go below. I continued down, still singing.
"But as I try,
To get inside your mind frame
You put up a shield
How long will it stand between us?
Still I'm going to follow you,
Though you might not want me too
I won't stop till I know you
I can't stay away!!!
I've been too long
On this ship of war
I'm singing a love song
Hoping it might reach your heart now
But I'll sing this song
On this ship of war
I'll keep close to you
Cause I know you'll protect me, dear.
I smiled to myself, then pushed open the door.
(c)The Begees