Usual disclaimers. oh well!
***
Five days later Jack, Catherine, Oran and Little Feather sat in the bow of the boat watching the river bank float by. Even the drizzling rain could not dampen her spirits as they headed slowly towards Yorktown. Jack and Oran rigged up an old sail over their heads to give some protection from the rain before settling down. Catherine lay comfortably in his arms, soon falling asleep with the movement of the boat - a useful trick learned from her time on the Black Pearl. He twirled a loose strand of her hair between his fingers before pulling his hat down over his eyes as if napping himself, although he remained alert, listening, in case anyone approached.
***
Yorktown! Jack's nose twitched in excitement as he saw the large ships in the harbour, his eyes drifting eastwards towards the Atlantic Ocean. Oran was already asking around to find a ship heading southwards as soon as possible and started waving Jack over to where he was speaking with a stout man with dark curly hair.
"Jack, this is Captain Verde of the Bojador. He is sailing to Port Royal tomorrow evening and is willing to take passengers..."
"Captain," Jack smiled warmly, extending his hand. "Jack Duras an' my wife Catherine. You've already met Oran an' this is Little Feather..."
"Your man said you were willing to pay..."
"Depends on what you're offering... cabin?"
"I have a side cabin free... for a price..."
"Exactly, Captain, exactly! So why don't we head to a tavern an' discuss it?"
Captain Verde smiled broadly and followed Jack into a nearby tavern, the others trailing behind with the baggage, but stood to one side allowing Catherine to enter first. "Mistress Duras," he nodded.
"Thank you Captain," she smiled, quietly sitting in the booth whilst Oran fetched ales for them all.
Jack and Captain Verde started negotiating a price, until at last both were happy. "You can sleep onboard tonight if you wish, for we sail before dawn. Has your wife sailed before?"
"Many times," Jack smiled, thinking of what the man would say if he knew the real truth - that she could probably out-sail and out-fight most of his crew. "As have myself an' Oran."
"The savage?"
Jack raised one eyebrow as he looked at Little Feather. "Never even seen th' sea!" he admitted as he handed over the cost of their passage. "So it could be interestin'!"
Captain Verde smiled. "Aye, that it could." He finished his ale and rose, turning to Catherine. "Would you like to come aboard now Mistress Duras?"
"That would be nice, thank you," she responded, trying to keep her voice calm when she felt like shouting for joy... they were going home!
***
That night Jack and Catherine squeezed had into the narrow bunk together whilst Oran and Little Feather lay their furs on the deck beside the bunk. It was nearly dawn and the others were not awake - he wrapped his arms around her contentedly, enjoying their closeness. "Seven days luv, seven days..." Carefully they climbed out of the bunk, creeping through the cabin door before standing by the ships rail and watching the sunrise, their first sunrise at sea together for nearly a year.
Catherine shut her eyes for a moment, savouring the movement of the ship. "I've missed this so very much," she sighed as she leaned against his chest. Jack's grip tightened, cautioning her to silence as he heard footsteps behind them, but it was only Oran.
"Morning Captain." A broad grin spread across his face as he too looked out across the sea, his eyes drawn southwards towards the Caribbean - towards home. The three of them stood there together in companionable silence.
A short while later Little Feather joined them. Although he looked slightly green he did not complain and stared at the expanse of water in awe. Although the Mississippi River was a large river, nothing could have prepared him for the sheer scale of the Atlantic Ocean. He stared cautiously down at the waters, blue-green against the hull.
"Wait until we reach the Caribbean," Catherine smiled at him. "The water is a clear, sparkling azure and dolphins ride your bow-wave..."
"Dolphins?"
Jack laughed, slapping Little Feather on the back. "You'll see mate!"
***
Four days later Jack woke suddenly. He lay there listening to the noises of the ship, for a moment wondering what was wrong. He slipped quietly from the bunk, padding to the door. "Captain Verde?" he queried, seeing the man rushing past.
"Arm yourself Mister Duras, I fear we are pursued by pirates..."
Jack looked around at the panicking crew as they tried to ready the few cannon they had. Taking a deep breath he reached his decision, putting a hand on the shoulder of the Captain. "Use us," he offered. "We can help..."
Captain Verde stared at him in disbelief. "But you are traders..."
"Not entirely mate... and we have no intention of being boarded!"
"Who are you?"
Jack banged several times on the cabin door. "Everyone on deck, now you lazy swabs!"
Little Feather was out of the door almost before his final blow hit, Oran staggering out of the cabin close behind rubbing bleary eyes. Catherine shadowed them, last only due to the two larger men blocking her exit. She pushed them aside, standing alert before him, eyes scanning the deck.
"Jack?"
"Captain Verde, may in properly introduce m' wife Captain Catherine Sparrow and m' helmsman Oran Booth..."
"And you are?"
"Captain Jack Sparrow, mate."
"The Black Pearl!" Captain Verde gasped at this revelation. "But she's a pirate ship!"
"Actually a privateer mate, at least within Caribbean waters!
A glimmer of hope entered Captain Verde's eyes. He was a trader captain, not a fighter, and knew when he was out of his depth. Any crew from a privateer ship would be an unlooked for blessing in this situation, let alone their helmsman and two Captains. "Your wife is Captain too?"
Jack nodded. "Kitty, change quickly!" Without comment she disappeared into the cabin, closing the door behind her and soon sounds of rustling fabric echoed from within.
"Anything you can do," Captain Verde sighed. "Command is yours until we are clear or dead..."
"Tell yer crew - Oran take th' helm! Keep th' man next to you... he knows what his ship will take! I'll be there in a minute."
Captain Verde dashed away, shouting at his crew that their passengers would be fighting with them and that they were to obey Captain Sparrow. Oran nodded at Jack, disappearing up the stairs to the helm.
"And me?" Little Feather stood waiting.
"We'll only need you if they board - an' then it's kill everyone who isn't crew!" He grinned when he saw Catherine emerge from the cabin, barefoot in her leather trousers and one of the shirts that he had bought. A pistol was tucked in her waistband, her sword strapped around her waist and she was still plaiting her hair away from her face. "Damn, you look good in those trousers!" he leered, kissing her.
"Your wife fights?" Captain Verde stopped in shock, staring at her in disbelief.
Jack nodded. "Yeah, an' she could probably take most of yer crew too!" He glanced around the deck, noting an inexperience sailor struggling with the sails, his hands fumbling the knots in his panic. "Kitty - help loose th' gallants, we're gonna need every sail we've got!"
If the crew thought it strange that a woman was in the rigging with them they said nothing, obeying Captain Verde as he echoed Jack's orders, watching in amazement as she scrambled up the rigging, nimble fingers untying the knot that the young man was struggling with. The freed sail billowed in the wind, the ship picking up speed with its release.
"Yer have a spyglass?" Jack asked for knowing their opponent would be helpful.
Captain Verde shook his head. "Cannot afford one," he admitted, startled when Jack cursed.
"So what d' yer want t' do - fight, run or surrender?"
The Captain of the Bojador looked at his frightened crew, realising they would have no hope against an experienced pirate crew. "Run," he decided, "but we will fight if we have to!"
Jack nodded and dashed up to take the wheel from Oran. He glanced at the sails, straining in the strong wind as he shouted more orders in an attempt to get more speed from the smaller ship. He squinted over his shoulder, noting that the other ship was gaining. They were nearly at the Windward Passage - if he could hold them that long he was in home waters and they needed every hope possible. Guessing the ship's draft he skimmed close to some shoals, knowing that their pursuer would be forced to take a longer route. They fled southwards.
***
Captain Teves stared in surprise at the small ship he was following as it veered sharply, risking shoals in an attempt to avoid them. He cursed, spinning the wheel wildly to avoid ripping his keel, swearing at the madman at the helm of their target. He would get the ship though, knowing a ship that size could not outrun them for long, but the day stretched on and although he gained slowly it still eluded him. He shouted angrily at his crew, determined that the ship would not escape.
***
Jack stared despondently over his shoulder. The ship had closed and now he could make out her identity - it was the Willing Wench... Teves! He beckoned Captain Verde closer. "It's Teves - he's an 'onerable man. Surrender an' yer crew will be safe!"
He shook his head. "I cannot afford t' lose this cargo... I'll be ruined!"
"It's yer cargo or yer life!" Jack argued.
"Without this cargo I'll have no life!" Captain Verde shouted. "We will have t' fight!"
"Yer won't win mate, yer know that?"
He nodded sadly. "But I have to try..."
Jack sighed, handing the wheel back to its proper helmsman. "So then we fight..." He jumped down the stairs to the main deck, quickly finding his wife. She was leaning over the rail, staring at the pirate ship almost within cannon range.
She looked up on seeing him approach. "So we fight?" She sighed heavily when he nodded, accepting his offer of a hug.
***
Captain Teves smiled as he finally came into cannon range, ordering his gunners to open fire on the ship that still tried to flee. Smoke billowed as the cannons fired, slamming into the smaller ship. "Grapples ready!" he ordered. "Prepare to board!"
The crew readied themselves, leaning across the ships rail eagerly, some already swinging across to the other ship. One man suddenly fell, a pistol shot echoing across the narrow space between the ships. He shrugged, so they wanted to fight - he supposed it would have been too much to ask for a nice easy surrender. Grabbing a rope himself he swung across to the other ship, sword ready.
***
Catherine fought side by side with Jack, her sword soon slick with blood. She missed her own beautiful blade which was back upon the Black Pearl, her arm tiring. Although she had a few nicks, no serious blows had broken through her guard. She looked in panic as more and more of the crew of the Bojador fell, soon only a small group around Captain Verde and they were standing.
Jack knew it was hopeless - he had no intention of dying for a lost cause. "Parley!" he shouted. "Parley Teves!"
***
This is all I have managed to type over the weekend. Things are very hectic in the run up to Christmas although I hope to spend some time at the keyboard over the holiday to escape the dire Christmas television!
Thank you and welcome to all the new reviewers... and thanks to those that have been with me for a while. Your comments really do keep me going... the follow-up story plot is already being fleshed out...
If I don't update again before 25th December, I hope everybody has a wonderful holiday whatever religion they follow!
***
Five days later Jack, Catherine, Oran and Little Feather sat in the bow of the boat watching the river bank float by. Even the drizzling rain could not dampen her spirits as they headed slowly towards Yorktown. Jack and Oran rigged up an old sail over their heads to give some protection from the rain before settling down. Catherine lay comfortably in his arms, soon falling asleep with the movement of the boat - a useful trick learned from her time on the Black Pearl. He twirled a loose strand of her hair between his fingers before pulling his hat down over his eyes as if napping himself, although he remained alert, listening, in case anyone approached.
***
Yorktown! Jack's nose twitched in excitement as he saw the large ships in the harbour, his eyes drifting eastwards towards the Atlantic Ocean. Oran was already asking around to find a ship heading southwards as soon as possible and started waving Jack over to where he was speaking with a stout man with dark curly hair.
"Jack, this is Captain Verde of the Bojador. He is sailing to Port Royal tomorrow evening and is willing to take passengers..."
"Captain," Jack smiled warmly, extending his hand. "Jack Duras an' my wife Catherine. You've already met Oran an' this is Little Feather..."
"Your man said you were willing to pay..."
"Depends on what you're offering... cabin?"
"I have a side cabin free... for a price..."
"Exactly, Captain, exactly! So why don't we head to a tavern an' discuss it?"
Captain Verde smiled broadly and followed Jack into a nearby tavern, the others trailing behind with the baggage, but stood to one side allowing Catherine to enter first. "Mistress Duras," he nodded.
"Thank you Captain," she smiled, quietly sitting in the booth whilst Oran fetched ales for them all.
Jack and Captain Verde started negotiating a price, until at last both were happy. "You can sleep onboard tonight if you wish, for we sail before dawn. Has your wife sailed before?"
"Many times," Jack smiled, thinking of what the man would say if he knew the real truth - that she could probably out-sail and out-fight most of his crew. "As have myself an' Oran."
"The savage?"
Jack raised one eyebrow as he looked at Little Feather. "Never even seen th' sea!" he admitted as he handed over the cost of their passage. "So it could be interestin'!"
Captain Verde smiled. "Aye, that it could." He finished his ale and rose, turning to Catherine. "Would you like to come aboard now Mistress Duras?"
"That would be nice, thank you," she responded, trying to keep her voice calm when she felt like shouting for joy... they were going home!
***
That night Jack and Catherine squeezed had into the narrow bunk together whilst Oran and Little Feather lay their furs on the deck beside the bunk. It was nearly dawn and the others were not awake - he wrapped his arms around her contentedly, enjoying their closeness. "Seven days luv, seven days..." Carefully they climbed out of the bunk, creeping through the cabin door before standing by the ships rail and watching the sunrise, their first sunrise at sea together for nearly a year.
Catherine shut her eyes for a moment, savouring the movement of the ship. "I've missed this so very much," she sighed as she leaned against his chest. Jack's grip tightened, cautioning her to silence as he heard footsteps behind them, but it was only Oran.
"Morning Captain." A broad grin spread across his face as he too looked out across the sea, his eyes drawn southwards towards the Caribbean - towards home. The three of them stood there together in companionable silence.
A short while later Little Feather joined them. Although he looked slightly green he did not complain and stared at the expanse of water in awe. Although the Mississippi River was a large river, nothing could have prepared him for the sheer scale of the Atlantic Ocean. He stared cautiously down at the waters, blue-green against the hull.
"Wait until we reach the Caribbean," Catherine smiled at him. "The water is a clear, sparkling azure and dolphins ride your bow-wave..."
"Dolphins?"
Jack laughed, slapping Little Feather on the back. "You'll see mate!"
***
Four days later Jack woke suddenly. He lay there listening to the noises of the ship, for a moment wondering what was wrong. He slipped quietly from the bunk, padding to the door. "Captain Verde?" he queried, seeing the man rushing past.
"Arm yourself Mister Duras, I fear we are pursued by pirates..."
Jack looked around at the panicking crew as they tried to ready the few cannon they had. Taking a deep breath he reached his decision, putting a hand on the shoulder of the Captain. "Use us," he offered. "We can help..."
Captain Verde stared at him in disbelief. "But you are traders..."
"Not entirely mate... and we have no intention of being boarded!"
"Who are you?"
Jack banged several times on the cabin door. "Everyone on deck, now you lazy swabs!"
Little Feather was out of the door almost before his final blow hit, Oran staggering out of the cabin close behind rubbing bleary eyes. Catherine shadowed them, last only due to the two larger men blocking her exit. She pushed them aside, standing alert before him, eyes scanning the deck.
"Jack?"
"Captain Verde, may in properly introduce m' wife Captain Catherine Sparrow and m' helmsman Oran Booth..."
"And you are?"
"Captain Jack Sparrow, mate."
"The Black Pearl!" Captain Verde gasped at this revelation. "But she's a pirate ship!"
"Actually a privateer mate, at least within Caribbean waters!
A glimmer of hope entered Captain Verde's eyes. He was a trader captain, not a fighter, and knew when he was out of his depth. Any crew from a privateer ship would be an unlooked for blessing in this situation, let alone their helmsman and two Captains. "Your wife is Captain too?"
Jack nodded. "Kitty, change quickly!" Without comment she disappeared into the cabin, closing the door behind her and soon sounds of rustling fabric echoed from within.
"Anything you can do," Captain Verde sighed. "Command is yours until we are clear or dead..."
"Tell yer crew - Oran take th' helm! Keep th' man next to you... he knows what his ship will take! I'll be there in a minute."
Captain Verde dashed away, shouting at his crew that their passengers would be fighting with them and that they were to obey Captain Sparrow. Oran nodded at Jack, disappearing up the stairs to the helm.
"And me?" Little Feather stood waiting.
"We'll only need you if they board - an' then it's kill everyone who isn't crew!" He grinned when he saw Catherine emerge from the cabin, barefoot in her leather trousers and one of the shirts that he had bought. A pistol was tucked in her waistband, her sword strapped around her waist and she was still plaiting her hair away from her face. "Damn, you look good in those trousers!" he leered, kissing her.
"Your wife fights?" Captain Verde stopped in shock, staring at her in disbelief.
Jack nodded. "Yeah, an' she could probably take most of yer crew too!" He glanced around the deck, noting an inexperience sailor struggling with the sails, his hands fumbling the knots in his panic. "Kitty - help loose th' gallants, we're gonna need every sail we've got!"
If the crew thought it strange that a woman was in the rigging with them they said nothing, obeying Captain Verde as he echoed Jack's orders, watching in amazement as she scrambled up the rigging, nimble fingers untying the knot that the young man was struggling with. The freed sail billowed in the wind, the ship picking up speed with its release.
"Yer have a spyglass?" Jack asked for knowing their opponent would be helpful.
Captain Verde shook his head. "Cannot afford one," he admitted, startled when Jack cursed.
"So what d' yer want t' do - fight, run or surrender?"
The Captain of the Bojador looked at his frightened crew, realising they would have no hope against an experienced pirate crew. "Run," he decided, "but we will fight if we have to!"
Jack nodded and dashed up to take the wheel from Oran. He glanced at the sails, straining in the strong wind as he shouted more orders in an attempt to get more speed from the smaller ship. He squinted over his shoulder, noting that the other ship was gaining. They were nearly at the Windward Passage - if he could hold them that long he was in home waters and they needed every hope possible. Guessing the ship's draft he skimmed close to some shoals, knowing that their pursuer would be forced to take a longer route. They fled southwards.
***
Captain Teves stared in surprise at the small ship he was following as it veered sharply, risking shoals in an attempt to avoid them. He cursed, spinning the wheel wildly to avoid ripping his keel, swearing at the madman at the helm of their target. He would get the ship though, knowing a ship that size could not outrun them for long, but the day stretched on and although he gained slowly it still eluded him. He shouted angrily at his crew, determined that the ship would not escape.
***
Jack stared despondently over his shoulder. The ship had closed and now he could make out her identity - it was the Willing Wench... Teves! He beckoned Captain Verde closer. "It's Teves - he's an 'onerable man. Surrender an' yer crew will be safe!"
He shook his head. "I cannot afford t' lose this cargo... I'll be ruined!"
"It's yer cargo or yer life!" Jack argued.
"Without this cargo I'll have no life!" Captain Verde shouted. "We will have t' fight!"
"Yer won't win mate, yer know that?"
He nodded sadly. "But I have to try..."
Jack sighed, handing the wheel back to its proper helmsman. "So then we fight..." He jumped down the stairs to the main deck, quickly finding his wife. She was leaning over the rail, staring at the pirate ship almost within cannon range.
She looked up on seeing him approach. "So we fight?" She sighed heavily when he nodded, accepting his offer of a hug.
***
Captain Teves smiled as he finally came into cannon range, ordering his gunners to open fire on the ship that still tried to flee. Smoke billowed as the cannons fired, slamming into the smaller ship. "Grapples ready!" he ordered. "Prepare to board!"
The crew readied themselves, leaning across the ships rail eagerly, some already swinging across to the other ship. One man suddenly fell, a pistol shot echoing across the narrow space between the ships. He shrugged, so they wanted to fight - he supposed it would have been too much to ask for a nice easy surrender. Grabbing a rope himself he swung across to the other ship, sword ready.
***
Catherine fought side by side with Jack, her sword soon slick with blood. She missed her own beautiful blade which was back upon the Black Pearl, her arm tiring. Although she had a few nicks, no serious blows had broken through her guard. She looked in panic as more and more of the crew of the Bojador fell, soon only a small group around Captain Verde and they were standing.
Jack knew it was hopeless - he had no intention of dying for a lost cause. "Parley!" he shouted. "Parley Teves!"
***
This is all I have managed to type over the weekend. Things are very hectic in the run up to Christmas although I hope to spend some time at the keyboard over the holiday to escape the dire Christmas television!
Thank you and welcome to all the new reviewers... and thanks to those that have been with me for a while. Your comments really do keep me going... the follow-up story plot is already being fleshed out...
If I don't update again before 25th December, I hope everybody has a wonderful holiday whatever religion they follow!