Usual disclaimers. but then you all know that anyway!
Thanks to a quick proof-read by Starlight8 this lot is ready early... all 6 chapters! Okay... 5.5 chapters since one is rather short!
***
It was not until after Catherine had retired for the evening that Oran managed to speak quietly with Paul Fécamp, explaining that they intended to move on shortly.
"I understand Oran. it was a bad thing that happened, and I will be sorry to see you leave." He looked thoughtful. "Is there no way that Catherine could be persuaded to stay. more money. anything?"
Oran shook his head sadly. "I am sorry Paul, no. Even the thought of those Indians you told her about scare her less than remaining in New Orleans."
He nodded. "When will you be leaving?"
"Captain Lact is seeing if he can gain us passage up river - perhaps as far as Fort Assumption. we shall see."
"And Arnaud?"
Oran smiled darkly. "He will live to see tomorrow's sunset, but not much else." He rose, leaving Paul to lock up the bar. "I'd best go see how Catherine is, goodnight."
He climbed the narrow stairs, relieved to see that Catherine was already in bed. Bolting the door he quickly undressed and slid in beside her. He smiled as she sleepily snuggled against him - he was going to find it hard giving her up.
***
Jean Claude Lact waited patiently for Oran to arrive. It had been decided that although any Captain had the right to punish his crew as he saw fit it would be safer to wait until darkness had fallen - sometimes the authorities could be touchy! The ships boat bumped against the hull and Oran and a few of the crew climbed aboard. "Luc, assemble the crew and bring Arnaud," he ordered.
Soon all of the crew had assembled on deck, waiting patiently for the condemned man to arrive. "You cannot do this!" He started to curse and swear before Jean Claude ordered him gagged.
He looked sadly at him. "Rape at sea or after battle is one thing - an acceptable thing. I will not condone rape of a woman on land, especially when she works for a good friend of mine! This is our home port! We need the goodwill of the people here if it is to remain so!" He nodded to Luc Narbonne. "String him up!"
Arnaud started to fight and it took four pirates just to restrain him. His desperation gave him strength, but he was eventually overpowered and the rope placed around his neck. The noose was hauled higher, forcing him onto an upturned barrel and then gradually up higher and higher until he stood on tiptoes.
"Monsieur Duras?" Jean Claude Lact gestured towards the barrel.
Oran walked slowly forwards but he did not speak. Arnaud twisted wildly, trying to kick out at him without losing his balance, but Oran kicked the barrel away and he fell, jerking as he danced the hempen jig.
Jean Claude Lact ensured that the crew remained watching until Arnaud stopped twitching, only ordering him cut down when he was satisfied that the man was dead. He turned to Oran. "Monsieur, justice is done and honour is satisfied."
Oran nodded. "I will inform my wife, merci." He turned to leave.
"One moment." Lact placed a hand on his shoulder. "I have managed to find you passage upriver. One of my brother's ships is due to return to Fort Assumption tomorrow afternoon. If you can be at La Reine before she leaves he will give you free passage north." He handed him a small letter. "This may help with employment," he offered.
"Merci." He shook the Captain's hand. "May we meet again Captain," he smiled, thinking of the day that they would have the Swallow in their gun sights. Lact merely nodded and Oran was rowed back ashore.
On his return, he informed Paul Fécamp that they would be leaving the following morning before dashing upstairs to help Catherine pack.
Thanks to a quick proof-read by Starlight8 this lot is ready early... all 6 chapters! Okay... 5.5 chapters since one is rather short!
***
It was not until after Catherine had retired for the evening that Oran managed to speak quietly with Paul Fécamp, explaining that they intended to move on shortly.
"I understand Oran. it was a bad thing that happened, and I will be sorry to see you leave." He looked thoughtful. "Is there no way that Catherine could be persuaded to stay. more money. anything?"
Oran shook his head sadly. "I am sorry Paul, no. Even the thought of those Indians you told her about scare her less than remaining in New Orleans."
He nodded. "When will you be leaving?"
"Captain Lact is seeing if he can gain us passage up river - perhaps as far as Fort Assumption. we shall see."
"And Arnaud?"
Oran smiled darkly. "He will live to see tomorrow's sunset, but not much else." He rose, leaving Paul to lock up the bar. "I'd best go see how Catherine is, goodnight."
He climbed the narrow stairs, relieved to see that Catherine was already in bed. Bolting the door he quickly undressed and slid in beside her. He smiled as she sleepily snuggled against him - he was going to find it hard giving her up.
***
Jean Claude Lact waited patiently for Oran to arrive. It had been decided that although any Captain had the right to punish his crew as he saw fit it would be safer to wait until darkness had fallen - sometimes the authorities could be touchy! The ships boat bumped against the hull and Oran and a few of the crew climbed aboard. "Luc, assemble the crew and bring Arnaud," he ordered.
Soon all of the crew had assembled on deck, waiting patiently for the condemned man to arrive. "You cannot do this!" He started to curse and swear before Jean Claude ordered him gagged.
He looked sadly at him. "Rape at sea or after battle is one thing - an acceptable thing. I will not condone rape of a woman on land, especially when she works for a good friend of mine! This is our home port! We need the goodwill of the people here if it is to remain so!" He nodded to Luc Narbonne. "String him up!"
Arnaud started to fight and it took four pirates just to restrain him. His desperation gave him strength, but he was eventually overpowered and the rope placed around his neck. The noose was hauled higher, forcing him onto an upturned barrel and then gradually up higher and higher until he stood on tiptoes.
"Monsieur Duras?" Jean Claude Lact gestured towards the barrel.
Oran walked slowly forwards but he did not speak. Arnaud twisted wildly, trying to kick out at him without losing his balance, but Oran kicked the barrel away and he fell, jerking as he danced the hempen jig.
Jean Claude Lact ensured that the crew remained watching until Arnaud stopped twitching, only ordering him cut down when he was satisfied that the man was dead. He turned to Oran. "Monsieur, justice is done and honour is satisfied."
Oran nodded. "I will inform my wife, merci." He turned to leave.
"One moment." Lact placed a hand on his shoulder. "I have managed to find you passage upriver. One of my brother's ships is due to return to Fort Assumption tomorrow afternoon. If you can be at La Reine before she leaves he will give you free passage north." He handed him a small letter. "This may help with employment," he offered.
"Merci." He shook the Captain's hand. "May we meet again Captain," he smiled, thinking of the day that they would have the Swallow in their gun sights. Lact merely nodded and Oran was rowed back ashore.
On his return, he informed Paul Fécamp that they would be leaving the following morning before dashing upstairs to help Catherine pack.