Passage to St. Kitts
Chapter 6
After returning to the Governor's house to change into dry clothes and reassure Elizabeth that he was still alive, Will walked to his shop, followed by Joseph. "Is that you, Cotton?" called a voice from the loft. Gwen came down the stairs. "Oh, Will, it's you. Cotton was supposed to come and escort me to Dr. Althorpe's this morning, but it appears that he's late."
"I can escort you, if you like," said Will. "Joseph, if anyone comes by, tell them I'll be back shortly."
"Thank you, Will," said Gwen, tying the ribbons of her hat. "Jack prefers I not walk around alone. He's always afraid I'll run into someone from one of his raids who doesn't remember him fondly."
"He's made some enemies," agreed Will. "Best to be safe." He smiled at Gwen and offered her his arm. She took it, and they left the shop. "Will you be with the doctor all day? Elizabeth was going to come down later this afternoon to see you."
"Yes, I spoke to her yesterday. I should be back in a few hours. Dr. Althorpe was kind enough to offer to show me how to make some different medicines for cough and fever. It shouldn't take too long."
As they strolled down the street, Will saw the wife of one of the plantation owners leaving a shop with her two daughters. He tipped his hat, "Good morning, Mrs. Salton, Miss Salton, Miss Jessica."
The lady nodded slightly. "Good morning, Mr. Turner." Then her eyes fell on Gwen. An expression of acute indignation crossed her face, and she quickly ushered her daughters away. As she bustled off, Will heard her mutter, "That pirate's whore."
Will stopped dead in his tracks and stared after the ladies, opened mouthed. Gwen tugged on his arm and urged him to continue on. "Don't pay any attention, Will."
"Didn't you hear what she said about you?" he asked indignantly.
"Yes, I heard," said Gwen. Her face, though paler than it was when they started out, was perfectly composed. "It's not the first time someone has said that about me. It won't be the last."
Will resumed walking, though his face was no longer relaxed and smiling. "Does Jack know that this sort of thing keeps happening to you?"
"No, and you won't tell him," said Gwen forcefully. "He'd just get as enraged as you are. There's nothing to be done about it after all. And besides," she added bitterly, "it's true."
"It is not!" Will was shocked. "How could you think of yourself that way?"
Gwen shrugged. "I don't generally. But the fact remains; I'm living with Jack Sparrow without benefit of clergy. The kindest thing you could say is that I'm his mistress."
"No," said Will. "You're Jack's lady."
Gwen smiled warmly. "Will, you say the loveliest things. It must be why Elizabeth loves you."
Will walked in silence for a few minutes. "Have you tried to convince Jack to marry you?"
Gwen laughed. "No, he's not ready for that. I don't know that he ever will be. He's Captain Jack Sparrow, Will. He's not a normal man. I knew that when I became involved with him." She shot Will a wry smile. "You could say I've made my bed and now I must lie in it."
Will continued to look troubled. "Do you love him?"
Gwen smiled "Of course I do! And he loves me, more than he's ever loved anyone, I believe. He can't bring himself to say it, but I know it. Don't let that woman's comment disturb you, Will. I've learned to shake it off."
"How is it that Jack doesn't know?" Will asked.
"Why do you think I prefer having Cotton escort me around?" asked Gwen mischievously.
Will raised his eyebrow. "What does Cotton's parrot say?"
Gwen mimicked the parrot's tone, "She's a bonny lass, she is!"
--
Annamaria walked through the streets of Port Royal, ignoring the stares she was receiving. It was inevitable, after all. A black woman, dressed as a man, armed with a sword and pistol was something that was nearly unheard of. It was one of the reasons she tended to avoid going into the towns they stopped at, and why she almost never stayed ashore when they were in port, preferring to sleep aboard the Black Pearl instead. She could handle herself, but why ask for trouble? She reached the street where Will's shop was located and entered. A quick look around the shop showed that it was empty except for a large black man examining the swords Will kept in a rack near the forge. "Where is Will Turner?" she asked.
The man turned to face her warily then gaped at the sight of her standing in the doorway. "Master Will will be back shortly," he said, clearly stunned at the picture she presented.
Annamaria frowned and shut the door behind her. "Is Gwen Tracy here?"
"No ma'am. Master Will is escorting her to the doctor's."
Annamaria looked at him in puzzlement. "Who are you?"
--
Will stepped inside his shop, disturbed by the discussion he and Gwen had just had. He was so preoccupied, that he didn't even see the blow aimed for his face until it had landed. Off balance and unprepared, Will's head snapped around and he staggered into the wall. He'd barely started to regain his balance when a second hard slap had landed, bouncing his head off the doorframe. Blinking, he managed to block the third blow and was finally able to see the furious woman standing before him.
"You bastard!" screamed Annamaria, launching another blow.
With a fencer's quick reflexes, Will managed to grab her wrist, twist her arm behind her and shove her against the wall. "Stop it!" he shouted in her ear. "What in God's name is the matter with you?"
Annamaria merely shrieked more curses at him and stomped her heel on his instep. Howling in pain, Will staggered back, releasing her. With bloodlust in her eyes, she started to draw her sword and stopped with it halfway out of the sheath. Joseph suddenly stepped forward between the two of them, hands half raised. Realizing what she was about to do, she stopped and slammed her sword back into the scabbard. Will stepped back and raised his hands in front of him. "Anna, stop. What have I done?"
"You own a slave?" she spat at him. "You of all people, whom I THOUGHT was my friend, you own a slave?"
Will groaned and glanced at Joseph, who was looking as if he didn't know whether or not he should jump in to protect his master, or to protect the strange black woman who would dare to strike a white man. "Anna, it's a long story. Sit down, please? I'll tell you the whole thing." He gestured toward a chair. "Would you like some rum? Lord knows I could use some."
Annamaria lowered herself stiffly into the chair Will had indicated. "How could you, Will?"
Will handed her a mug and looked at her warily. "The Governor gave him to me yesterday. Come on, Anna, it's been less than twenty-four hours. Give me a break. I haven't figured out what to do yet." Annamaria relaxed slightly and took a swallow of the rum. "That's better," Will said. "Joseph, would you like a drink as well?"
Joseph looked startled. "Thank you, sir," he said cautiously.
Will handed him a mug. "Joseph, I'd like to formally introduce you to Miss Annamaria Simmone. She's the second mate of the privateer ship, the Black Pearl." He smiled at Annamaria as he spoke. "She's a free woman, and a good friend. When she's not trying to kill me that is. Anna, this is Joseph. He's been in the West Indies for two years, and in my EMPLOY," he emphasized, "since yesterday."
"Employ?" said Annamaria sarcastically.
"Employ," said Will firmly. "Now if you've decided to let me live for a while longer, I need to get to work. I've a lot to do if I'm going to sail with you next week." He got up and retrieved a case that was leaning against the wall near the forge. "Though I'm glad you stopped by, I've got something for you." He opened the case, took out a sword and offered it to her, hilt first. "Just don't kill me with it."
Annamaria's mouth dropped open, and she reached out to grasp the hilt. The sword was gorgeous. The dim light from the window of the shop glittered along the length of the blade. It was lighter than the sword she'd been using and the balance was perfect. The hilt was wrapped with dark red leather and gold wire. Two small garnets decorated the ends of the crosspieces and a larger garnet glittered on the pommel. Annamaria was speechless. "Will, I..uh,"
"Jack gave me the stones," Will said, "when I told him I was going to make this for you. Consider it a joint gift from the two of us." To Will's amazement, Annamaria burst into tears. Not only had he never seen her cry, he'd never even imagined that she could. "Here," he said hurriedly. "Elizabeth and Gwen commissioned a scabbard and baldric to match. He pulled out a leather scabbard and sword belt dyed the same dark wine red as the leather on the sword hilt. He lifted her old baldric off over her head, and buckled the new one in place, fastening it with a large gold buckle set with several small garnets. "Again, the stones come from Jack. The tanner put a finish on the leather so the color won't bleed all over your clothing the first time it gets wet." He stepped back and looked cautiously at the tears still streaming down her face. "Are you okay?" Without answering she flung her arms around his neck and hugged him. Then she mumbled something about making sure Gwen had an escort from the doctor's house and rushed from the shop.
Will smiled and turned to Joseph. "Do you think she liked it?"
Joseph looked at him with wide eyes. "You made a sword like that for a woman, a black woman?"
Will grinned at him. "She's a fine swordsman, but her old weapon wasn't well balanced." He drew her old sword from the scabbard he still held. "See? You should be able to balance it on your finger about an inch and a half or two inches from the hilt. With this one I have to balance three or four inches from the hilt. This means the hilt isn't heavy enough. I can't really tell without taking it apart, but the tang probably isn't very wide."
"What is a tang?"
"The tang is the part of the blade that goes inside the handle. A properly balanced blade has a tang that is nearly the same width as the blade. But since it's easier to make the tang narrower that's what some people do. Yes, it's easier, but the sword isn't as good. Look." Will took a sword from his rack near the forge and balanced it on his finger. "See? This is one I made. It balances one and a half inches from the hilt. It's no where near as fancy as the one I gave Annamaria," he said indicating the plain brown leather and steel wire wrapped hilt, "but the blade itself is the same quality. This one is heavier and a bit longer. It's made for a larger person with longer arms." Will reversed the hilt and offered the sword to Joseph. "Here, try it."
Joseph was taken aback. 'Is it permissible for me to touch this?" he asked uncertainly.
Will shrugged. "It is if I say so. Take it."
Joseph took the sword and hefted it in his hands. Will corrected his grip and started showing him how to stand, balance and hold his arms.
Chapter 6
After returning to the Governor's house to change into dry clothes and reassure Elizabeth that he was still alive, Will walked to his shop, followed by Joseph. "Is that you, Cotton?" called a voice from the loft. Gwen came down the stairs. "Oh, Will, it's you. Cotton was supposed to come and escort me to Dr. Althorpe's this morning, but it appears that he's late."
"I can escort you, if you like," said Will. "Joseph, if anyone comes by, tell them I'll be back shortly."
"Thank you, Will," said Gwen, tying the ribbons of her hat. "Jack prefers I not walk around alone. He's always afraid I'll run into someone from one of his raids who doesn't remember him fondly."
"He's made some enemies," agreed Will. "Best to be safe." He smiled at Gwen and offered her his arm. She took it, and they left the shop. "Will you be with the doctor all day? Elizabeth was going to come down later this afternoon to see you."
"Yes, I spoke to her yesterday. I should be back in a few hours. Dr. Althorpe was kind enough to offer to show me how to make some different medicines for cough and fever. It shouldn't take too long."
As they strolled down the street, Will saw the wife of one of the plantation owners leaving a shop with her two daughters. He tipped his hat, "Good morning, Mrs. Salton, Miss Salton, Miss Jessica."
The lady nodded slightly. "Good morning, Mr. Turner." Then her eyes fell on Gwen. An expression of acute indignation crossed her face, and she quickly ushered her daughters away. As she bustled off, Will heard her mutter, "That pirate's whore."
Will stopped dead in his tracks and stared after the ladies, opened mouthed. Gwen tugged on his arm and urged him to continue on. "Don't pay any attention, Will."
"Didn't you hear what she said about you?" he asked indignantly.
"Yes, I heard," said Gwen. Her face, though paler than it was when they started out, was perfectly composed. "It's not the first time someone has said that about me. It won't be the last."
Will resumed walking, though his face was no longer relaxed and smiling. "Does Jack know that this sort of thing keeps happening to you?"
"No, and you won't tell him," said Gwen forcefully. "He'd just get as enraged as you are. There's nothing to be done about it after all. And besides," she added bitterly, "it's true."
"It is not!" Will was shocked. "How could you think of yourself that way?"
Gwen shrugged. "I don't generally. But the fact remains; I'm living with Jack Sparrow without benefit of clergy. The kindest thing you could say is that I'm his mistress."
"No," said Will. "You're Jack's lady."
Gwen smiled warmly. "Will, you say the loveliest things. It must be why Elizabeth loves you."
Will walked in silence for a few minutes. "Have you tried to convince Jack to marry you?"
Gwen laughed. "No, he's not ready for that. I don't know that he ever will be. He's Captain Jack Sparrow, Will. He's not a normal man. I knew that when I became involved with him." She shot Will a wry smile. "You could say I've made my bed and now I must lie in it."
Will continued to look troubled. "Do you love him?"
Gwen smiled "Of course I do! And he loves me, more than he's ever loved anyone, I believe. He can't bring himself to say it, but I know it. Don't let that woman's comment disturb you, Will. I've learned to shake it off."
"How is it that Jack doesn't know?" Will asked.
"Why do you think I prefer having Cotton escort me around?" asked Gwen mischievously.
Will raised his eyebrow. "What does Cotton's parrot say?"
Gwen mimicked the parrot's tone, "She's a bonny lass, she is!"
--
Annamaria walked through the streets of Port Royal, ignoring the stares she was receiving. It was inevitable, after all. A black woman, dressed as a man, armed with a sword and pistol was something that was nearly unheard of. It was one of the reasons she tended to avoid going into the towns they stopped at, and why she almost never stayed ashore when they were in port, preferring to sleep aboard the Black Pearl instead. She could handle herself, but why ask for trouble? She reached the street where Will's shop was located and entered. A quick look around the shop showed that it was empty except for a large black man examining the swords Will kept in a rack near the forge. "Where is Will Turner?" she asked.
The man turned to face her warily then gaped at the sight of her standing in the doorway. "Master Will will be back shortly," he said, clearly stunned at the picture she presented.
Annamaria frowned and shut the door behind her. "Is Gwen Tracy here?"
"No ma'am. Master Will is escorting her to the doctor's."
Annamaria looked at him in puzzlement. "Who are you?"
--
Will stepped inside his shop, disturbed by the discussion he and Gwen had just had. He was so preoccupied, that he didn't even see the blow aimed for his face until it had landed. Off balance and unprepared, Will's head snapped around and he staggered into the wall. He'd barely started to regain his balance when a second hard slap had landed, bouncing his head off the doorframe. Blinking, he managed to block the third blow and was finally able to see the furious woman standing before him.
"You bastard!" screamed Annamaria, launching another blow.
With a fencer's quick reflexes, Will managed to grab her wrist, twist her arm behind her and shove her against the wall. "Stop it!" he shouted in her ear. "What in God's name is the matter with you?"
Annamaria merely shrieked more curses at him and stomped her heel on his instep. Howling in pain, Will staggered back, releasing her. With bloodlust in her eyes, she started to draw her sword and stopped with it halfway out of the sheath. Joseph suddenly stepped forward between the two of them, hands half raised. Realizing what she was about to do, she stopped and slammed her sword back into the scabbard. Will stepped back and raised his hands in front of him. "Anna, stop. What have I done?"
"You own a slave?" she spat at him. "You of all people, whom I THOUGHT was my friend, you own a slave?"
Will groaned and glanced at Joseph, who was looking as if he didn't know whether or not he should jump in to protect his master, or to protect the strange black woman who would dare to strike a white man. "Anna, it's a long story. Sit down, please? I'll tell you the whole thing." He gestured toward a chair. "Would you like some rum? Lord knows I could use some."
Annamaria lowered herself stiffly into the chair Will had indicated. "How could you, Will?"
Will handed her a mug and looked at her warily. "The Governor gave him to me yesterday. Come on, Anna, it's been less than twenty-four hours. Give me a break. I haven't figured out what to do yet." Annamaria relaxed slightly and took a swallow of the rum. "That's better," Will said. "Joseph, would you like a drink as well?"
Joseph looked startled. "Thank you, sir," he said cautiously.
Will handed him a mug. "Joseph, I'd like to formally introduce you to Miss Annamaria Simmone. She's the second mate of the privateer ship, the Black Pearl." He smiled at Annamaria as he spoke. "She's a free woman, and a good friend. When she's not trying to kill me that is. Anna, this is Joseph. He's been in the West Indies for two years, and in my EMPLOY," he emphasized, "since yesterday."
"Employ?" said Annamaria sarcastically.
"Employ," said Will firmly. "Now if you've decided to let me live for a while longer, I need to get to work. I've a lot to do if I'm going to sail with you next week." He got up and retrieved a case that was leaning against the wall near the forge. "Though I'm glad you stopped by, I've got something for you." He opened the case, took out a sword and offered it to her, hilt first. "Just don't kill me with it."
Annamaria's mouth dropped open, and she reached out to grasp the hilt. The sword was gorgeous. The dim light from the window of the shop glittered along the length of the blade. It was lighter than the sword she'd been using and the balance was perfect. The hilt was wrapped with dark red leather and gold wire. Two small garnets decorated the ends of the crosspieces and a larger garnet glittered on the pommel. Annamaria was speechless. "Will, I..uh,"
"Jack gave me the stones," Will said, "when I told him I was going to make this for you. Consider it a joint gift from the two of us." To Will's amazement, Annamaria burst into tears. Not only had he never seen her cry, he'd never even imagined that she could. "Here," he said hurriedly. "Elizabeth and Gwen commissioned a scabbard and baldric to match. He pulled out a leather scabbard and sword belt dyed the same dark wine red as the leather on the sword hilt. He lifted her old baldric off over her head, and buckled the new one in place, fastening it with a large gold buckle set with several small garnets. "Again, the stones come from Jack. The tanner put a finish on the leather so the color won't bleed all over your clothing the first time it gets wet." He stepped back and looked cautiously at the tears still streaming down her face. "Are you okay?" Without answering she flung her arms around his neck and hugged him. Then she mumbled something about making sure Gwen had an escort from the doctor's house and rushed from the shop.
Will smiled and turned to Joseph. "Do you think she liked it?"
Joseph looked at him with wide eyes. "You made a sword like that for a woman, a black woman?"
Will grinned at him. "She's a fine swordsman, but her old weapon wasn't well balanced." He drew her old sword from the scabbard he still held. "See? You should be able to balance it on your finger about an inch and a half or two inches from the hilt. With this one I have to balance three or four inches from the hilt. This means the hilt isn't heavy enough. I can't really tell without taking it apart, but the tang probably isn't very wide."
"What is a tang?"
"The tang is the part of the blade that goes inside the handle. A properly balanced blade has a tang that is nearly the same width as the blade. But since it's easier to make the tang narrower that's what some people do. Yes, it's easier, but the sword isn't as good. Look." Will took a sword from his rack near the forge and balanced it on his finger. "See? This is one I made. It balances one and a half inches from the hilt. It's no where near as fancy as the one I gave Annamaria," he said indicating the plain brown leather and steel wire wrapped hilt, "but the blade itself is the same quality. This one is heavier and a bit longer. It's made for a larger person with longer arms." Will reversed the hilt and offered the sword to Joseph. "Here, try it."
Joseph was taken aback. 'Is it permissible for me to touch this?" he asked uncertainly.
Will shrugged. "It is if I say so. Take it."
Joseph took the sword and hefted it in his hands. Will corrected his grip and started showing him how to stand, balance and hold his arms.