Usual disclaimers. humph!
***
Mid September
Jean Claude Lact looked at his younger brother with pride. Although Louis had only been on the Catalyntie for little over a month he had already found his sea legs and become friends with the crew. They had taken on a number of new crew members recently as well, and it had helped him not to be the only new person onboard. He worried sometimes at the anger that seemed to burn in his brother's eyes, but it was only natural considering all he had lost. Jean Claude hoped that it would pass soon though, it was not good to hold onto such hatred especially when there was nothing that could ease it. He saw that his brother talking quietly but intently with one of the crew, Henri Nevers - at least he seemed alright for now.
A shout from the top of the main mast shattered his thoughts. "Captain! Sail ho off the starboard bow!"
He drew his spy glass, squinting as he peered through trying to make out the ship's identity. He smiled, a feral grin - a British merchant ship. "Loose the topgallants, ready the cannon!" he ordered, swinging the wheel to alter their course, bringing the Catalyntie onto a bearing that would cut across the bow of their prey. He grinned - life was good and the pirate ship soon caught the slower merchant.
Cannons roared and pistol shot whizzed through the air as battle was joined, but the British ship was outclassed and outgunned by the French ship. Soon the pirates boarded and the merchant Captain ordered his men to surrender - swords clattered to the deck. "Take what we want men!" he ordered, pleased to find the smaller ship had a good supply of fresh water which was exactly what they needed.
Yes, he thought... life was definitely good.
***
Mary Groves sighed heavily as the servants once again turned away her friend Cordelia. Theodore had kept his threat and had forbidden any of her friends from visiting in the hope it would curb her gossiping tongue. Her mother had visited yesterday, but that seemed more part of her punishment than a relief for Rosamund Spense was very much on Theodore's side of the argument.
At least the awful Turners had finally left with their nearly deaf father and boisterous son and the garden was finally free of the hideous old donkey. It was nice to have the place quiet and almost to herself - well, apart from Edmund Groves but he had not spoken to her since the night that Catherine left so he hardly counted. Theodore had said that he was going to hire a maid especially to look after his father and for that she was grateful. The less she had to do with that obnoxious old man the better. The most delightful absence though was that of the Sparrows - it had almost been worth a broken nose to be rid of them.
She looked up as Collins entered the lounge. "Mistress Groves, there is a man here to see about the garden..."
Mary smiled. "Show him in Collins, I will receive him here..." Theodore had said that she could replant the garden how she wished and she fully intended to fill the ruined borders with lush planting. The little arbour needed attention too having served as a stable for over a month and she hoped that the builder would call later in the day. She looked up as the man entered - grateful that Theodore had not cut her off from his money entirely.
***
Mid October
Jean Claude had not changed his view of the world when he stumbled back to his ship four weeks later, pleasantly drunk and having spent a very entertaining evening with one of the many whores of Tortuga. He managed to row back to the Catalyntie, clambering onboard at only his second attempt - which was pretty good considering how much alcohol he had drunk that night. He rolled into his cabin, surprised to find Louis looking at his charts, studying them intently.
"Louis?" he slurred. "What are you doing?" He rested his hands on the table to help the cabin stop spinning.
"Learning as you told me to Jean Claude... how can I advance if I do not know such things?" Louis replied quietly.
Jean Claude shrugged. "True," he sighed, managing to sit on one of the chairs. "But you should be ashore, sampling the delights of one of the lovely ladies that roam the streets..."
"I've no time for Tortuga whores when there's British ships out there begging to be taken!" Louis argued.
"Well, this is the last day of shore leave for we sail in the morning. Go, enjoy yourself, for we'll not return until January to pay the levy..." Jean Claude tried to stand, fumbling with his purse, but fell back down in the chair with an oath.
Louis spun round in shock, staring at his brother. "Levy? What levy?"
"The levy to Sparrow," Jean Claude explained. "Twenty five per cent as per the accord." He held his head in his hands, wishing the ship did not sway so with the tide.
Louis was glad his brother was drunk, or he'd never have discovered the information. "You mean that we have been taking ships to pay Sparrow?"
"We have an accord Louis," Jean Claude attempted to explain. "You would not understand... we owe him our lives and we will pay as we agreed... it is a matter of honour!"
"A quick knife would solve the problem easier!" Louis said venomously.
Jean Claude frowned, his mind unable to either keep up or to argue with is brother. He eventually managed to stand, reaching in his purse for some coins. He thrust several gold pieces into his brother's hand. "Louis, Louis, go and get drunk, get yourself a whore and forget about it..."
Left with no recourse but to take the money, Louis left the cabin and rowed himself across to Tortuga. After that discovery perhaps it was not such a bad idea to get drunk.
***
Stupid whore! He had picked her for her red hair, reminding him of the Sparrow woman and all he'd like to do to her. He sighed drunkenly at her smashed body... why were women so fragile he mused as he staggered back to the dock. He'd never hit a woman like that before. It had been fun, but he'd have to be more careful next time and not so rough - well, at least until he had the pirate's woman in his hands. He chuckled drunkenly to himself - then he'd teach her a thing or two, oh yes he would.
***
Jean Claude was relieved to see his brother not so angry the following morning. They had sailed with the morning tide, heading south to the Atlantic east of Barbados so Jean Claude never heard of the red haired whore found battered to death in a dark alley - perhaps he would not have been so carefree if he had. He was hoping to catch some outgoing slavers, laden with money to buy slaves in Africa. The more he took the greater their seventy five per cent would be... and he wanted it to be as large as possible.
***
Late December
The Catalyntie sailed northwards, back towards Tortuga for the meeting with the Black Pearl. They had been very successful in the south and their hold was full to overflowing. Jean Claude was eager to return to New Orleans for Christmas. He was pleased with his brother's progress over the months, raising him to be second only to his Quartermaster Luc Narbonne.
"Captain?" Luc came to stand next to him at the wheel.
"Oui?" Jean Claude replied distractedly.
"I don't like the atmosphere amongst the crew," Luc warned. "There's been a lot of muttering about the levy these last few days..."
"It is to be expected, but we will keep the accord. This is the first year and it will be the hardest to bear, but they must not forget that they owe Sparrow their lives... he could have left us to die with not even enough shot for a decent death!" Jean Claude shuddered at the memory - it had been as close to death as he'd like to come.
"Aye, I know that but the crew are restless..." Luc said uneasily.
"Captain!" the lookout shouted. "Sails ho! Dead ahead!"
"Perhaps a bit of action on the return trip will take their mind off things..." He brought his spy glass to bear on the two ships, surprised to find one was a smaller pirate ship. He smiled. "And they've already taken a ship for us - how kind!" Perhaps Louis should take command of the boarding party he mused, thinking it was time that he learned how to command the men.
***
"Hallam!" Paul Candell shouted in alarm. "Sail off the stern! Another pirate vessel!" he warned as he stared through the spy glass. "Jesus, it's the Catalyntie!" he exclaimed.
Neithan Hallam dashed to the stern and snatched the spy glass from him, staring through it at the rapidly approaching ship. "Cut the lines! Get us away from here!" he ordered as the bigger ship loomed towards them, realising that Lact would take them if he could. He shouted down to the Captain. "Captain! We have to run!"
Anamaria looked at her second in command in shock. "Get us out of here now!" she ordered urgently. "Take us amongst the shoals!" She made her way as fast as she could to his side. Neithan put his arm around her worriedly - heavily pregnant with his child she was in no condition to fight but she shrugged off his arm and took the wheel herself. Even pregnant she was still the best helmsman onboard. Frantically she sailed amongst the shoals, often scraping the keel in an attempt to get away but even though the Catalyntie was forced to go a longer route she was still faster and rapidly gained.
"Load the cannon!" Neithan ordered the crew. "And prepare for boarders!"
A single cannon shot raked across their bow as Anamaria swung the wheel frantically to avoid them but the next shot smashed into them, lurching the ship sideways with the force of impact. "Defend the Captain!" he shouted as the larger ship boarded them, drawing his sword and placing himself in front of her as the French crew swarmed across their decks. But there was little they could do - vastly outnumbered the crew fell rapidly until only Paul, Neithan and Anamaria stood by the wheel.
Pirates rarely left other pirates alive when they took a ship, and the two men were well aware of this as they placed themselves in front of Anamaria. They watched in horror as the pirates swarmed up the stairs towards the wheel, Paul falling first to their many swords. A young blonde man stepped forward, obviously in command of the other pirates. "And what are you hiding here Monsieur?" He waved one of his pistols. "Step aside!"
"No!" Neithan argued. "Let her go safely!"
"I said step aside!" Louis raised his pistol but Neithan did not move. A shot rang out and he slowly slumped against the wheel, sliding downwards as he looked in disbelief at the hole in his chest. Louis Lact smiled when he saw the pregnant woman that had been shielded by the man he assumed was the Captain.
Jean Claude watched in disbelief as Louis shot the man defending a woman at the wheel. "No!" he shouted as his brother raised his second pistol at the woman. "Louis, no!" Realising that his brother could not hear him he frantically raised his own pistol, taking careful aim.
"Wha..." Louis jumped, his pistol flew from his hands as he fired, the shot flying high and taking the woman in the shoulder. She fell to the deck bleeding, trying frantically to protect her stomach. He stared in disbelief as his brother swung across from the Catalyntie
"Damn it Louis! She is with child! Even you should be able to see that!" Jean Claude shouted, incredulous that his brother would have shot her.
"This is a pirate ship, Jean Claude - or had you forgotten!" Louis snarled. "No survivors!"
"We may be pirates but we have some standards!" Jean Claude knelt down by Anamaria, trying to stem the flow of blood.
"And what would they be - pray tell dear brother? For this smacks of the same ineptitude that cost you the Swallow! The same ineptitude that sends us to Tortuga to pay a levy to bloody Sparrow!" He nodded to a number of the nearby crew, who quietly nodded back. "Well, brother - let me tell you something! The crew aren't going to pay Sparrow and they aren't going to follow you!"
Jean Claude looked up in alarm, never believing that his own brother would lead a mutiny against him. "Louis, don't be stupid..."
"The crew are with me Jean Claude!" A ragged cheer went up amongst the men.
Jean Claude looked at Louis in disbelief, shocked to realise the extent of the mutiny and his brother's part in it. "Louis, you are mad!" he exclaimed.
Louis smiled darkly. "This ship is mine now Jean Claude!" He turned to the nearest men. "Lock 'em up!" he ordered.
Jean Claude found himself forcibly removed from the smaller ship and bundled into his own brig. His eyes met with Luc Narbonne who shook his head quietly. Luc may not have been with the mutineers, indeed he had tried to warn him, but he would bide his tongue to save his own hide having no desire to share the fate of Jean Claude. He hit the floor with a thud, finding Anamaria practically thrown on top of him.
Jean Claude looked in hope as his brother paused, turning to look at him at the base of the stairs. "Why?" Louis shrugged, not speaking, and left. "For pity's sake Louis," he cried after him, "at least give me some bandages for the woman! Louis!" But his cries went unanswered.
Jean Claude eased the woman gently off him. Her face had smashed against the deck as she protectively cradled her stomach... she was clearly in shock. She pressed herself against the hull, trying to get as far from him as possible. "Madame, I must see to your wound," he apologised. "I promise I will not hurt you... Madame, do you understand me? I have to stop the bleeding!"
She looked at him, her eyes slowly taking in the bars surrounding them. She nodded as he pulled her shirt away from her shoulder. "Jesus!" he cursed for the shot had gone clean through, leaving a ragged exit wound.
"How bad is it?" she asked worriedly.
"The shot went straight through, but I will have to bandage it..." He looked around urgently for anything he could reach to stem the bleeding, but there was nothing. Jean Claude sighed, removing his shirt and ripping it into strips. He was relieved that the wound did not need cauterising else she would have rapidly bled to death. "Here..." he bandaged her shoulder as best he could. "That should at least ease the bleeding." He frowned worriedly, wondering what fate his brother had in store for the both of them.
***
Jean Claude looked in relief at the small island over the starboard rail. He recognised it and knew exactly where he was - but also knew that he was miles from any other island.
"Row 'em ashore!" Louis ordered, waving his pistol at his brother to ensure his compliance. "Nothing heroic Jean Claude, or I'll finish what you interrupted earlier..." He aimed and cocked his pistol at Anamaria - the threat clear.
He nodded, helping Anamaria down into the bobbing boat where four men waited. Two men held the oars, but the other two held loaded pistols at them - obviously Louis was not taking any chances. Once they were ashore one of the men threw him a sack... it fell at his feet in the sand.
"Henri, you do not have to do this!" Jean Claude spoke quietly hoping to persuade him. "There is no need for this mutiny..."
"We'll not give a single gold piece to Sparrow!" the pirate called Henri spat. "An' this time there'll be no Black Pearl on the horizon to rescue you!"
The boat rowed back to the Catalyntie. "Au revoir Jean Claude!" Louis shouted from the deck, waving cheerily as if nothing had happened, throwing a mock salute at them as they stood on the beach.
Jean Claude sighed deeply, watching until the ship was nearly out of sight. "Come Madame, let us find some shade!" He picked up the sack, surprised to see that his brother had left him a pistol, a bag of powder and shot as well as a stout knife. He shrugged. "Oh well, it could be worse!"
Anamaria looked at him in disbelief. "Worse! Worse!" she screeched. "How can this be worse! Marooned and if I ever survive this my child will be without it's father!"
"Your man was aboard?" he gasped in surprise.
"Aye, he was the last man standing... but my crew are gone, my ship is gone..." she sighed heavily.
Jean Claude stopped dead, turning to look at her. "Your ship Madame?" he frowned. "Who are you?"
"Anamaria Milon!" she shouted at him. "Captain Anamaria Milon!"
"Well Madame Captain, I am Captain Jean Claude Lact and although we do not have means to leave this island at least there is fresh water and game to hunt. Louis should have studied my charts better and not just dumped us on the first island he came to." He grinned. "Perhaps we may both have revenge on my brother yet Madame, but first we must find you some shelter!"
***
Well... if you want to know more then I want those reviews!!!
***
Mid September
Jean Claude Lact looked at his younger brother with pride. Although Louis had only been on the Catalyntie for little over a month he had already found his sea legs and become friends with the crew. They had taken on a number of new crew members recently as well, and it had helped him not to be the only new person onboard. He worried sometimes at the anger that seemed to burn in his brother's eyes, but it was only natural considering all he had lost. Jean Claude hoped that it would pass soon though, it was not good to hold onto such hatred especially when there was nothing that could ease it. He saw that his brother talking quietly but intently with one of the crew, Henri Nevers - at least he seemed alright for now.
A shout from the top of the main mast shattered his thoughts. "Captain! Sail ho off the starboard bow!"
He drew his spy glass, squinting as he peered through trying to make out the ship's identity. He smiled, a feral grin - a British merchant ship. "Loose the topgallants, ready the cannon!" he ordered, swinging the wheel to alter their course, bringing the Catalyntie onto a bearing that would cut across the bow of their prey. He grinned - life was good and the pirate ship soon caught the slower merchant.
Cannons roared and pistol shot whizzed through the air as battle was joined, but the British ship was outclassed and outgunned by the French ship. Soon the pirates boarded and the merchant Captain ordered his men to surrender - swords clattered to the deck. "Take what we want men!" he ordered, pleased to find the smaller ship had a good supply of fresh water which was exactly what they needed.
Yes, he thought... life was definitely good.
***
Mary Groves sighed heavily as the servants once again turned away her friend Cordelia. Theodore had kept his threat and had forbidden any of her friends from visiting in the hope it would curb her gossiping tongue. Her mother had visited yesterday, but that seemed more part of her punishment than a relief for Rosamund Spense was very much on Theodore's side of the argument.
At least the awful Turners had finally left with their nearly deaf father and boisterous son and the garden was finally free of the hideous old donkey. It was nice to have the place quiet and almost to herself - well, apart from Edmund Groves but he had not spoken to her since the night that Catherine left so he hardly counted. Theodore had said that he was going to hire a maid especially to look after his father and for that she was grateful. The less she had to do with that obnoxious old man the better. The most delightful absence though was that of the Sparrows - it had almost been worth a broken nose to be rid of them.
She looked up as Collins entered the lounge. "Mistress Groves, there is a man here to see about the garden..."
Mary smiled. "Show him in Collins, I will receive him here..." Theodore had said that she could replant the garden how she wished and she fully intended to fill the ruined borders with lush planting. The little arbour needed attention too having served as a stable for over a month and she hoped that the builder would call later in the day. She looked up as the man entered - grateful that Theodore had not cut her off from his money entirely.
***
Mid October
Jean Claude had not changed his view of the world when he stumbled back to his ship four weeks later, pleasantly drunk and having spent a very entertaining evening with one of the many whores of Tortuga. He managed to row back to the Catalyntie, clambering onboard at only his second attempt - which was pretty good considering how much alcohol he had drunk that night. He rolled into his cabin, surprised to find Louis looking at his charts, studying them intently.
"Louis?" he slurred. "What are you doing?" He rested his hands on the table to help the cabin stop spinning.
"Learning as you told me to Jean Claude... how can I advance if I do not know such things?" Louis replied quietly.
Jean Claude shrugged. "True," he sighed, managing to sit on one of the chairs. "But you should be ashore, sampling the delights of one of the lovely ladies that roam the streets..."
"I've no time for Tortuga whores when there's British ships out there begging to be taken!" Louis argued.
"Well, this is the last day of shore leave for we sail in the morning. Go, enjoy yourself, for we'll not return until January to pay the levy..." Jean Claude tried to stand, fumbling with his purse, but fell back down in the chair with an oath.
Louis spun round in shock, staring at his brother. "Levy? What levy?"
"The levy to Sparrow," Jean Claude explained. "Twenty five per cent as per the accord." He held his head in his hands, wishing the ship did not sway so with the tide.
Louis was glad his brother was drunk, or he'd never have discovered the information. "You mean that we have been taking ships to pay Sparrow?"
"We have an accord Louis," Jean Claude attempted to explain. "You would not understand... we owe him our lives and we will pay as we agreed... it is a matter of honour!"
"A quick knife would solve the problem easier!" Louis said venomously.
Jean Claude frowned, his mind unable to either keep up or to argue with is brother. He eventually managed to stand, reaching in his purse for some coins. He thrust several gold pieces into his brother's hand. "Louis, Louis, go and get drunk, get yourself a whore and forget about it..."
Left with no recourse but to take the money, Louis left the cabin and rowed himself across to Tortuga. After that discovery perhaps it was not such a bad idea to get drunk.
***
Stupid whore! He had picked her for her red hair, reminding him of the Sparrow woman and all he'd like to do to her. He sighed drunkenly at her smashed body... why were women so fragile he mused as he staggered back to the dock. He'd never hit a woman like that before. It had been fun, but he'd have to be more careful next time and not so rough - well, at least until he had the pirate's woman in his hands. He chuckled drunkenly to himself - then he'd teach her a thing or two, oh yes he would.
***
Jean Claude was relieved to see his brother not so angry the following morning. They had sailed with the morning tide, heading south to the Atlantic east of Barbados so Jean Claude never heard of the red haired whore found battered to death in a dark alley - perhaps he would not have been so carefree if he had. He was hoping to catch some outgoing slavers, laden with money to buy slaves in Africa. The more he took the greater their seventy five per cent would be... and he wanted it to be as large as possible.
***
Late December
The Catalyntie sailed northwards, back towards Tortuga for the meeting with the Black Pearl. They had been very successful in the south and their hold was full to overflowing. Jean Claude was eager to return to New Orleans for Christmas. He was pleased with his brother's progress over the months, raising him to be second only to his Quartermaster Luc Narbonne.
"Captain?" Luc came to stand next to him at the wheel.
"Oui?" Jean Claude replied distractedly.
"I don't like the atmosphere amongst the crew," Luc warned. "There's been a lot of muttering about the levy these last few days..."
"It is to be expected, but we will keep the accord. This is the first year and it will be the hardest to bear, but they must not forget that they owe Sparrow their lives... he could have left us to die with not even enough shot for a decent death!" Jean Claude shuddered at the memory - it had been as close to death as he'd like to come.
"Aye, I know that but the crew are restless..." Luc said uneasily.
"Captain!" the lookout shouted. "Sails ho! Dead ahead!"
"Perhaps a bit of action on the return trip will take their mind off things..." He brought his spy glass to bear on the two ships, surprised to find one was a smaller pirate ship. He smiled. "And they've already taken a ship for us - how kind!" Perhaps Louis should take command of the boarding party he mused, thinking it was time that he learned how to command the men.
***
"Hallam!" Paul Candell shouted in alarm. "Sail off the stern! Another pirate vessel!" he warned as he stared through the spy glass. "Jesus, it's the Catalyntie!" he exclaimed.
Neithan Hallam dashed to the stern and snatched the spy glass from him, staring through it at the rapidly approaching ship. "Cut the lines! Get us away from here!" he ordered as the bigger ship loomed towards them, realising that Lact would take them if he could. He shouted down to the Captain. "Captain! We have to run!"
Anamaria looked at her second in command in shock. "Get us out of here now!" she ordered urgently. "Take us amongst the shoals!" She made her way as fast as she could to his side. Neithan put his arm around her worriedly - heavily pregnant with his child she was in no condition to fight but she shrugged off his arm and took the wheel herself. Even pregnant she was still the best helmsman onboard. Frantically she sailed amongst the shoals, often scraping the keel in an attempt to get away but even though the Catalyntie was forced to go a longer route she was still faster and rapidly gained.
"Load the cannon!" Neithan ordered the crew. "And prepare for boarders!"
A single cannon shot raked across their bow as Anamaria swung the wheel frantically to avoid them but the next shot smashed into them, lurching the ship sideways with the force of impact. "Defend the Captain!" he shouted as the larger ship boarded them, drawing his sword and placing himself in front of her as the French crew swarmed across their decks. But there was little they could do - vastly outnumbered the crew fell rapidly until only Paul, Neithan and Anamaria stood by the wheel.
Pirates rarely left other pirates alive when they took a ship, and the two men were well aware of this as they placed themselves in front of Anamaria. They watched in horror as the pirates swarmed up the stairs towards the wheel, Paul falling first to their many swords. A young blonde man stepped forward, obviously in command of the other pirates. "And what are you hiding here Monsieur?" He waved one of his pistols. "Step aside!"
"No!" Neithan argued. "Let her go safely!"
"I said step aside!" Louis raised his pistol but Neithan did not move. A shot rang out and he slowly slumped against the wheel, sliding downwards as he looked in disbelief at the hole in his chest. Louis Lact smiled when he saw the pregnant woman that had been shielded by the man he assumed was the Captain.
Jean Claude watched in disbelief as Louis shot the man defending a woman at the wheel. "No!" he shouted as his brother raised his second pistol at the woman. "Louis, no!" Realising that his brother could not hear him he frantically raised his own pistol, taking careful aim.
"Wha..." Louis jumped, his pistol flew from his hands as he fired, the shot flying high and taking the woman in the shoulder. She fell to the deck bleeding, trying frantically to protect her stomach. He stared in disbelief as his brother swung across from the Catalyntie
"Damn it Louis! She is with child! Even you should be able to see that!" Jean Claude shouted, incredulous that his brother would have shot her.
"This is a pirate ship, Jean Claude - or had you forgotten!" Louis snarled. "No survivors!"
"We may be pirates but we have some standards!" Jean Claude knelt down by Anamaria, trying to stem the flow of blood.
"And what would they be - pray tell dear brother? For this smacks of the same ineptitude that cost you the Swallow! The same ineptitude that sends us to Tortuga to pay a levy to bloody Sparrow!" He nodded to a number of the nearby crew, who quietly nodded back. "Well, brother - let me tell you something! The crew aren't going to pay Sparrow and they aren't going to follow you!"
Jean Claude looked up in alarm, never believing that his own brother would lead a mutiny against him. "Louis, don't be stupid..."
"The crew are with me Jean Claude!" A ragged cheer went up amongst the men.
Jean Claude looked at Louis in disbelief, shocked to realise the extent of the mutiny and his brother's part in it. "Louis, you are mad!" he exclaimed.
Louis smiled darkly. "This ship is mine now Jean Claude!" He turned to the nearest men. "Lock 'em up!" he ordered.
Jean Claude found himself forcibly removed from the smaller ship and bundled into his own brig. His eyes met with Luc Narbonne who shook his head quietly. Luc may not have been with the mutineers, indeed he had tried to warn him, but he would bide his tongue to save his own hide having no desire to share the fate of Jean Claude. He hit the floor with a thud, finding Anamaria practically thrown on top of him.
Jean Claude looked in hope as his brother paused, turning to look at him at the base of the stairs. "Why?" Louis shrugged, not speaking, and left. "For pity's sake Louis," he cried after him, "at least give me some bandages for the woman! Louis!" But his cries went unanswered.
Jean Claude eased the woman gently off him. Her face had smashed against the deck as she protectively cradled her stomach... she was clearly in shock. She pressed herself against the hull, trying to get as far from him as possible. "Madame, I must see to your wound," he apologised. "I promise I will not hurt you... Madame, do you understand me? I have to stop the bleeding!"
She looked at him, her eyes slowly taking in the bars surrounding them. She nodded as he pulled her shirt away from her shoulder. "Jesus!" he cursed for the shot had gone clean through, leaving a ragged exit wound.
"How bad is it?" she asked worriedly.
"The shot went straight through, but I will have to bandage it..." He looked around urgently for anything he could reach to stem the bleeding, but there was nothing. Jean Claude sighed, removing his shirt and ripping it into strips. He was relieved that the wound did not need cauterising else she would have rapidly bled to death. "Here..." he bandaged her shoulder as best he could. "That should at least ease the bleeding." He frowned worriedly, wondering what fate his brother had in store for the both of them.
***
Jean Claude looked in relief at the small island over the starboard rail. He recognised it and knew exactly where he was - but also knew that he was miles from any other island.
"Row 'em ashore!" Louis ordered, waving his pistol at his brother to ensure his compliance. "Nothing heroic Jean Claude, or I'll finish what you interrupted earlier..." He aimed and cocked his pistol at Anamaria - the threat clear.
He nodded, helping Anamaria down into the bobbing boat where four men waited. Two men held the oars, but the other two held loaded pistols at them - obviously Louis was not taking any chances. Once they were ashore one of the men threw him a sack... it fell at his feet in the sand.
"Henri, you do not have to do this!" Jean Claude spoke quietly hoping to persuade him. "There is no need for this mutiny..."
"We'll not give a single gold piece to Sparrow!" the pirate called Henri spat. "An' this time there'll be no Black Pearl on the horizon to rescue you!"
The boat rowed back to the Catalyntie. "Au revoir Jean Claude!" Louis shouted from the deck, waving cheerily as if nothing had happened, throwing a mock salute at them as they stood on the beach.
Jean Claude sighed deeply, watching until the ship was nearly out of sight. "Come Madame, let us find some shade!" He picked up the sack, surprised to see that his brother had left him a pistol, a bag of powder and shot as well as a stout knife. He shrugged. "Oh well, it could be worse!"
Anamaria looked at him in disbelief. "Worse! Worse!" she screeched. "How can this be worse! Marooned and if I ever survive this my child will be without it's father!"
"Your man was aboard?" he gasped in surprise.
"Aye, he was the last man standing... but my crew are gone, my ship is gone..." she sighed heavily.
Jean Claude stopped dead, turning to look at her. "Your ship Madame?" he frowned. "Who are you?"
"Anamaria Milon!" she shouted at him. "Captain Anamaria Milon!"
"Well Madame Captain, I am Captain Jean Claude Lact and although we do not have means to leave this island at least there is fresh water and game to hunt. Louis should have studied my charts better and not just dumped us on the first island he came to." He grinned. "Perhaps we may both have revenge on my brother yet Madame, but first we must find you some shelter!"
***
Well... if you want to know more then I want those reviews!!!
