Usual disclaimers. blah!
***
Mid-June
Catherine, Jack and Oran sat quietly on their horses, having said their goodbyes and thank yous earlier. Little Feather walked towards them, leading his palomino stallion. "I am coming too! You will need somebody to see you safely to the English territories." He smiled. "Perhaps I will travel further, who knows!"
Jack smiled delightedly. He liked Little Feather and had become friends with him during their time in the mine. "P'raps I'll show you t' Caribbean..."
Little Feather nodded. "Perhaps." He frowned, staring into the distance before shouting out to the tribe in his own language.
Jack squinted in the direction he had been looking. A rider was coming in fast - Red Cloud! He did not stop galloping until he reached the outskirts of the village, and only skidded to a stop when he reached Little Feathers side.
"They've got Running Elk!" he gasped. "At the Lact house!"
Jack and Catherine looked at each other in shock. "How?"
"She went out hunting for herbs two days ago... I followed her as she'd been behaving strangely." He glanced at Oran angrily. "Two Kickapoo scouts caught her near the river, but the French were too close for me to help. They had not seen me, so I followed them back to the house!"
Little Feather caught the glance. "Oran Green-Eyes behaved honourably. There is no blame Red Cloud!"
"But how can we get her back?" Red Cloud argued.
"I have to go back..." Catherine looked anxiously at Jack. "I am the only person that can get into the household without too much danger... I am sure a pistol to the head of Louis Lact will have the desired effect." Quietly she dismounted.
"No!" Jack argued. "It's too dangerous!"
"And how dangerous would it be for everyone if the tribe stormed the place? Running Elk would be dead before the first warrior gained the courtyard!" Catherine countered. "And how many others would be lost?"
Little Feather frowned. "We must take this to Lofty Eagle. We will abide by his decision!"
Jack dismounted, standing next to Catherine. "It is too dangerous!" he hissed as they followed Little Feather.
"What choice is there?" she countered.
"I don't like it!"
"You think I do? Sometimes there is no real choice!"
But Lofty Eagle liked the idea and was eager for the chance to get Running Elk back as well as to get his revenge on Louis Lact.
"If I do this, I want your word that the household staff will neither be harmed nor taken captive!"
Lofty Eagle looked at her in disbelief. The Chickasaw people often took slaves and the idea of leaving people behind if they were useful was alien to him.
"They are not your enemy," she pressed. "They are simply trying to make a living. If they take arms against you, fair enough - but the others go free."
He frowned.
Catherine smiled. "They go free, or I don't do it!"
Lofty Eagle stared at her, but she would not be swayed. Eventually he nodded. "Agreed."
So plans were made and Catherine found herself dressed in a blue pioneer dress and riding towards the Lact household with a pistol strapped to her leg. Out of sight of the household she dismounted, quietly kissing Jack. She put her fingers to his lips.
"I know," she whispered. "So don't say it!" Standing on tiptoe, she kissed him before walking away.
***
Louis Lact frowned, wondering how he came to be staring down the barrel of a pistol. "Madame Duras, what is going on?"
"Monsieur Lact, I suggest you ring for Nicolas and instruct him to open the gates. Order the guards to lay down their rifles and nobody will be hurt..." He rang the bell pull. "The native woman will be released, unharmed. If I hear a single shot before my husband walks through that door, you are dead."
Louis Lact stared at her in disbelief as he relayed her instructions to Nicolas. Eyes wide he ran to obey, her pistol ensuring his speed. "Madame Duras, your husband is dead..." Louis Lact wondered if her time with the savages had unhinged her mind.
Catherine raised an eyebrow. "You sure about that mate?" She smiled. "Philipe may have shot Oran at Olivier's request, but Oran is not dead..." She paused. "Nor is he my husband..."
"Oran is not..." He looked at her frowning. "Who are you?"
Catherine jumped as the door opened. "Jesus Jack!" she cursed. "Don't make me jump!"
"Sparrow!" Louis Lact looked from Jack to Catherine and then back to Jack again.
Jack raised his own pistol, passing Catherine a bundle of clothes. "I'm sure you want to get out of that dress luv," he smiled, turning to Lact. "I take it you've met my wife..."
Louis Lact's jaw dropped. He stared at Catherine as she changed clothes, shielded from his eyes by a high-backed chair. "Your wife?" he gasped.
Catherine walked back into view, strapping her sword on and tucking her uncocked pistol into her waistband. She threw the crumpled dress in heap on the floor.
"Lofty Eagle wants everybody in the courtyard," Jack said.
"I just want to get my belongings..." She turned as she left the room. "Try not to shoot him love!"
***
Catherine slipped along the deserted staff corridors, quickly gathering her three remaining good dresses and her secret supply of gold from where she had hidden it - for they would need money on their journey eastwards. She cut through the kitchen and out into the courtyard, passing a number of warriors that were looting the house for anything of use. The entire staff were sitting on the ground watched by the armed Chickasaw. She spotted Running Elk, somewhat the worse for wear, being protected by five warriors.
"Little Fox!" Lofty Eagle beckoned her over. "Oran Green-Eyes has already told us who are house staff. We will leave them here as was agreed."
Catherine nodded, quietly walking towards w here Cécile sat on the ground. She spoke quietly in French. "Cécile... I have done what I can - the Chickasaw will be taking the men but they will leave the household staff... when they are gone take everybody to the Fort where they will be safe."
Cécile stared at her. "You are with them, aren't you?"
Catherine sighed. "I have done what I can for the women and children... I'm sorry." She rose, turning regretfully and walking across to Jack. "Are we ready to go yet?" She was relieved when he nodded, wrapping his arm around her waist. "I want to be home Jack... home aboard the Pearl." She sighed heavily, watching the Chickasaw herd those they were taking out of the gate.
"Wanting those horizons luv?"
"Aye," she confirmed. "Horizons and wind in our sails..."
***
Jack, Catherine and Oran stayed a further night with the Chickasaw, deciding to set off eastwards the following morning. The tribe partied late into the night, but Catherine slipped away early for some peace, taking her furs to a dark spot beneath some trees. She looked up, surprised to see Running Elk walking towards her.
The Chickasaw woman sat down beside her. "Why?"
Catherine frowned. "Why what?" She opened a sleepy eye, staring up at Running Elk for she was tired and just wanted to sleep.
"Why did you risk yourself for me? It makes no sense."
"Why? To me it was the only logical choice..." She smiled sleepily. "Look, I'm shattered... do you mind?" She shut her eyes, turning over in her furs in the hope that Running Elk would take the hint and leave her to get some sleep.
Running Elk pressed her question. "But why did you risk yourself for me when I had spoken ill of you and the hold you have over Oran Green-Eyes?" She blushed.
Catherine sighed, hauling her protesting body upright, looking straight in her eyes. "Are you so sure I risked myself for you? Or did I risk myself to save others who could have died trying to rescue you... Little Feather, Red Cloud, Silent Wolf, Grey Owl... there was more to this than just you and when you understand that you will understand what makes the Pearl a united crew - Oran included. We don't follow the Code, we write our own."
"The Code?" Running Elk frowned for she had no idea what Little Fox was talking about.
"The Code - call it honour, loyalty, whatever you will!" She shut her eyes, burrowing her head in the furs. "Now, if you don't mind I'd like to sleep!" Catherine was relieved to hear her walk away but sighed heavily on hearing more footsteps.
"Room for one more?"
Catherine opened one lazy eye, relieved to see that this time it was Jack. She threw back the furs, moving over to share the warm spot as she snuggled against him, quickly falling asleep.
***
Okay - I've got some big thank yous that are long overdue for all you mad people that are actually reading this. If you haven't reviewed yet, please do... new reviewers are always welcome!
Anyway... thank yous are for:-
Mulberry - for being mental! Starlight8 - for being precious! Jenny - for not falling behind too much! DaydreamBeliever - you are missed! Untypical - Welcome to the mad house! Did you get my email about reading the first story? Aelimir, Catibug, Captain J.A., Jacks Foxy Lass, ShibShib and Minuet1 - hugs!
I will either get loads typed over Christmas or none at all... depending on family commitments and alcohol consumption!
***
Mid-June
Catherine, Jack and Oran sat quietly on their horses, having said their goodbyes and thank yous earlier. Little Feather walked towards them, leading his palomino stallion. "I am coming too! You will need somebody to see you safely to the English territories." He smiled. "Perhaps I will travel further, who knows!"
Jack smiled delightedly. He liked Little Feather and had become friends with him during their time in the mine. "P'raps I'll show you t' Caribbean..."
Little Feather nodded. "Perhaps." He frowned, staring into the distance before shouting out to the tribe in his own language.
Jack squinted in the direction he had been looking. A rider was coming in fast - Red Cloud! He did not stop galloping until he reached the outskirts of the village, and only skidded to a stop when he reached Little Feathers side.
"They've got Running Elk!" he gasped. "At the Lact house!"
Jack and Catherine looked at each other in shock. "How?"
"She went out hunting for herbs two days ago... I followed her as she'd been behaving strangely." He glanced at Oran angrily. "Two Kickapoo scouts caught her near the river, but the French were too close for me to help. They had not seen me, so I followed them back to the house!"
Little Feather caught the glance. "Oran Green-Eyes behaved honourably. There is no blame Red Cloud!"
"But how can we get her back?" Red Cloud argued.
"I have to go back..." Catherine looked anxiously at Jack. "I am the only person that can get into the household without too much danger... I am sure a pistol to the head of Louis Lact will have the desired effect." Quietly she dismounted.
"No!" Jack argued. "It's too dangerous!"
"And how dangerous would it be for everyone if the tribe stormed the place? Running Elk would be dead before the first warrior gained the courtyard!" Catherine countered. "And how many others would be lost?"
Little Feather frowned. "We must take this to Lofty Eagle. We will abide by his decision!"
Jack dismounted, standing next to Catherine. "It is too dangerous!" he hissed as they followed Little Feather.
"What choice is there?" she countered.
"I don't like it!"
"You think I do? Sometimes there is no real choice!"
But Lofty Eagle liked the idea and was eager for the chance to get Running Elk back as well as to get his revenge on Louis Lact.
"If I do this, I want your word that the household staff will neither be harmed nor taken captive!"
Lofty Eagle looked at her in disbelief. The Chickasaw people often took slaves and the idea of leaving people behind if they were useful was alien to him.
"They are not your enemy," she pressed. "They are simply trying to make a living. If they take arms against you, fair enough - but the others go free."
He frowned.
Catherine smiled. "They go free, or I don't do it!"
Lofty Eagle stared at her, but she would not be swayed. Eventually he nodded. "Agreed."
So plans were made and Catherine found herself dressed in a blue pioneer dress and riding towards the Lact household with a pistol strapped to her leg. Out of sight of the household she dismounted, quietly kissing Jack. She put her fingers to his lips.
"I know," she whispered. "So don't say it!" Standing on tiptoe, she kissed him before walking away.
***
Louis Lact frowned, wondering how he came to be staring down the barrel of a pistol. "Madame Duras, what is going on?"
"Monsieur Lact, I suggest you ring for Nicolas and instruct him to open the gates. Order the guards to lay down their rifles and nobody will be hurt..." He rang the bell pull. "The native woman will be released, unharmed. If I hear a single shot before my husband walks through that door, you are dead."
Louis Lact stared at her in disbelief as he relayed her instructions to Nicolas. Eyes wide he ran to obey, her pistol ensuring his speed. "Madame Duras, your husband is dead..." Louis Lact wondered if her time with the savages had unhinged her mind.
Catherine raised an eyebrow. "You sure about that mate?" She smiled. "Philipe may have shot Oran at Olivier's request, but Oran is not dead..." She paused. "Nor is he my husband..."
"Oran is not..." He looked at her frowning. "Who are you?"
Catherine jumped as the door opened. "Jesus Jack!" she cursed. "Don't make me jump!"
"Sparrow!" Louis Lact looked from Jack to Catherine and then back to Jack again.
Jack raised his own pistol, passing Catherine a bundle of clothes. "I'm sure you want to get out of that dress luv," he smiled, turning to Lact. "I take it you've met my wife..."
Louis Lact's jaw dropped. He stared at Catherine as she changed clothes, shielded from his eyes by a high-backed chair. "Your wife?" he gasped.
Catherine walked back into view, strapping her sword on and tucking her uncocked pistol into her waistband. She threw the crumpled dress in heap on the floor.
"Lofty Eagle wants everybody in the courtyard," Jack said.
"I just want to get my belongings..." She turned as she left the room. "Try not to shoot him love!"
***
Catherine slipped along the deserted staff corridors, quickly gathering her three remaining good dresses and her secret supply of gold from where she had hidden it - for they would need money on their journey eastwards. She cut through the kitchen and out into the courtyard, passing a number of warriors that were looting the house for anything of use. The entire staff were sitting on the ground watched by the armed Chickasaw. She spotted Running Elk, somewhat the worse for wear, being protected by five warriors.
"Little Fox!" Lofty Eagle beckoned her over. "Oran Green-Eyes has already told us who are house staff. We will leave them here as was agreed."
Catherine nodded, quietly walking towards w here Cécile sat on the ground. She spoke quietly in French. "Cécile... I have done what I can - the Chickasaw will be taking the men but they will leave the household staff... when they are gone take everybody to the Fort where they will be safe."
Cécile stared at her. "You are with them, aren't you?"
Catherine sighed. "I have done what I can for the women and children... I'm sorry." She rose, turning regretfully and walking across to Jack. "Are we ready to go yet?" She was relieved when he nodded, wrapping his arm around her waist. "I want to be home Jack... home aboard the Pearl." She sighed heavily, watching the Chickasaw herd those they were taking out of the gate.
"Wanting those horizons luv?"
"Aye," she confirmed. "Horizons and wind in our sails..."
***
Jack, Catherine and Oran stayed a further night with the Chickasaw, deciding to set off eastwards the following morning. The tribe partied late into the night, but Catherine slipped away early for some peace, taking her furs to a dark spot beneath some trees. She looked up, surprised to see Running Elk walking towards her.
The Chickasaw woman sat down beside her. "Why?"
Catherine frowned. "Why what?" She opened a sleepy eye, staring up at Running Elk for she was tired and just wanted to sleep.
"Why did you risk yourself for me? It makes no sense."
"Why? To me it was the only logical choice..." She smiled sleepily. "Look, I'm shattered... do you mind?" She shut her eyes, turning over in her furs in the hope that Running Elk would take the hint and leave her to get some sleep.
Running Elk pressed her question. "But why did you risk yourself for me when I had spoken ill of you and the hold you have over Oran Green-Eyes?" She blushed.
Catherine sighed, hauling her protesting body upright, looking straight in her eyes. "Are you so sure I risked myself for you? Or did I risk myself to save others who could have died trying to rescue you... Little Feather, Red Cloud, Silent Wolf, Grey Owl... there was more to this than just you and when you understand that you will understand what makes the Pearl a united crew - Oran included. We don't follow the Code, we write our own."
"The Code?" Running Elk frowned for she had no idea what Little Fox was talking about.
"The Code - call it honour, loyalty, whatever you will!" She shut her eyes, burrowing her head in the furs. "Now, if you don't mind I'd like to sleep!" Catherine was relieved to hear her walk away but sighed heavily on hearing more footsteps.
"Room for one more?"
Catherine opened one lazy eye, relieved to see that this time it was Jack. She threw back the furs, moving over to share the warm spot as she snuggled against him, quickly falling asleep.
***
Okay - I've got some big thank yous that are long overdue for all you mad people that are actually reading this. If you haven't reviewed yet, please do... new reviewers are always welcome!
Anyway... thank yous are for:-
Mulberry - for being mental! Starlight8 - for being precious! Jenny - for not falling behind too much! DaydreamBeliever - you are missed! Untypical - Welcome to the mad house! Did you get my email about reading the first story? Aelimir, Catibug, Captain J.A., Jacks Foxy Lass, ShibShib and Minuet1 - hugs!
I will either get loads typed over Christmas or none at all... depending on family commitments and alcohol consumption!