Usual disclaimers... phooey!
***
Will was surprised on his return to find Elizabeth packing up their personal possessions into a number of stout trunks. The two young cats had already been caught and caged and James the donkey was tied in the small yard. "Elizabeth?" he frowned.
"Jack is right - we have to leave," she declared, continuing to force clothes into the last and smallest trunk. "Jean Claude said he would help us get to the Black Pearl tonight and James can always carry our belongings.
"Jack won't let you take him..." Will warned.
"Rubbish!" Elizabeth declared. "Surely Jack would not disappoint the children - the girls would be heartbroken to leave him behind..."
"Elizabeth - I cannot see Jack allowing a donkey aboard the Pearl!" Will protested. "We don't even know where we are going..."
"My father would give you protection," Isaac offered. "The son of Bootstrap Bill and his family would always be welcome at Tortuga - and especially so since it appears he is an outstanding swordsmith!"
"Tortuga!" Elizabeth gasped. "I'm not sure if..."
"Don't worry," Isaac assured her. "I am sure my father will not hold your family name against you," he grinned.
"I..." Elizabeth spluttered, until she realised he was teasing her.
"Well if we are leaving then I must arrange a cart," Will reasoned. "I will have to leave some tools behind but still must take the necessities - we can move things quietly out to the Pearl today." He looked across at Isaac. "And since my wife is likely to strangle you if I leave you here, you have just volunteered to help!" Isaac's grin faded for he realised this would involve a lot of heavy lifting.
***
"You wanted to see us Commodore?" Murtogg ventured, wondering if his absence from his post had been noticed even though Mullroy assured him that nobody had checked.
"Come in and shut the door," he ordered, not speaking further until Mullroy had closed the door and returned to stand next to his partner. "I understand you are both friendly with the Sparrows - and more importantly Mistress Sparrow. Is this true?"
"Yes Commodore," they replied in unison, wincing as they waited for the Commodore's response but it was not the response they expected.
"Good!" he smiled. "Few would admit to that considering the current situation in town, but it confirms my belief that you are the men I need for a special job." He paused, smiling at their obvious confusion. "You are assigned to the care of Mistress Sparrow from now until her innocence can be proven - however long that may take for I believe her innocent and will not hang her whatever the Governor wishes. I want you to split your watches so that one of you is always in her presence. She is to eat properly and I will arrange for the same food that I am served to be sent to her daily. She will also receive proper medical care, which the Governor appears to have withheld to date. I also wish for her to receive water for washing and a clean shirt to replace the one that has been ruined. Before this evening she will have at least one if not more blankets to cover herself at night. The only things I cannot grant her are visitors due to the current unrest and alas her freedom. If there is anything else you feel that she requires you are to see me personally - not your superior, not my clerk, but me."
"Um, err, yes Sir," Murtogg stuttered, amazed by his orders. Mullroy was simply speechless.
"I am aware that there is a growing faction within the Fort that seek to curry favour with the Governor so I will make one thing clear. In the matter of the care of Mistress Sparrow you will ignore orders from everyone except me, even if the person is a Lieutenant - or the Governor himself. This town is under martial law and as such I command it and not him. If anyone questions your actions you are to refer them ot me - do I make myself clear?"
"Yes Commodore!" they echoed still in shock.
"For all I know, we may be the only three people in the whole of the Fort who believe in her innocence. Do not speak of this to anyone and trust nobody!" he warned, watching as the importance of his words sunk. "Dismissed."
He watched as they departed, assured that at least Catherine would have proper care now before turning his attention to the pile of papers that the Governor had left on his desk - clearly nothing had been done whilst he was away.
***
Catherine looked up in shock as Murtogg and Mullroy walked down the stairs to her cell carefully carrying a steaming bowl of water, some towels and soap. "Compliments of the Commodore," Mullroy smiled as Murtogg unlocked her cell for him, placing it before her. "We thought you would like to clean up before dinner..." he announced.
"Take it away," she sighed.
"Mistress Kitty?" Murtogg frowned, not understanding for he had thought she would like to freshen up. Anyone who remained within the cells for any length of time tended to become a bit, how would one say, ripe.
"Murtogg, Mullroy - you are really sweet but if I am to hang then I will hang as I am and not tidied up for the town notables..."
"I don't think the Commodore was thinking like that Mistress Kitty - he thinks you are innocent!" Mullroy protested.
"Thinking won't get me out of here and Spense is determined to see me hang..."
"But the Commodore said you were to have anything you wanted... well, except for visitors or your freedom, that is. What do you want? Food? Blankets?" Mullroy asked.
"That would be kind," she smiled genuinely. "And if he truly means anything then a nice bottle of wine would deaden this leg nicely..."
"I'll be right back!" Mullroy dashed off to find what she had asked for.
"The Commodore said we were not to leave you alone," Murtogg told her conspiratorily. "He is afraid some of the troops might try something I believe..."
"It's Jack trying something he'd be better to worry about," she smiled to herself, wincing as she hauled herself into a sitting position.
"Here," Murtogg offered. "Let me help you Mistress Kitty..."
"What is going on?" an angry booming voice echoed from the stairs. "Why are you in the cells with that woman Murtogg?"
"Commodore's orders Sir!" Murtogg replied innocently.
"And since when does that include such solicitous care?" the man demanded. From his uniform, Catherine assumed him to be a Sergeant.
"Since about an hour ago Sir," Murtogg smiled.
"Get out of that cell!" He paused shouting as Mullroy returned carrying a tray of steaming food and an already uncorked bottle of wine.
"Excuse me Sergeant Gordon," he said politely, squeezing past him and entering the cell. He placed the tray next to Catherine. "Here you are Mistress Kitty," he smiled. "I'll just get the blankets..."
"What is this?" the Sergeant cried in disbelief. "Wine? The woman is to hang!"
"It's the Commodore's orders Sir," Mullroy explained. "Whatever she wants he said..."
"We'll see about that!" Sergeant Gordon shouted. "Both of you with me - now!"
"I am afraid we cannot do that Sir," Mullroy explained. "Well, one of us cannot. We are assigned to the care of Mistress Sparrow and at least one of us is to be with her at all times. He also said that we were to refer you to him if there were any problems. The Commodore was quite precise with his orders Sir."
"I am ordering you both to come with me!" Seargent Gordon shouted angrily, his eyes bulging with fury.
Mullroy rose slowly. "I will come with you Sir, but Murtogg will have to stay with Mistress Sparrow." Both marines left the cell, locking the door behind them. Mullroy stood before the Sergeant but Murtogg remained next to the cell door.
"Murtogg - I am giving you an order. With me!" he screamed, aware of Catherine's mocking smile. "Now!"
"I cannot Sir!" he apologised. "I cannot disobey the Commodore."
Sergeant Gordon looked as if he would explode, grabbing Mullroy's collar and propelling him up the stairs. "We will see about this!" he fumed. "And you two imbeciles will rue the day you crossed me!"
***
***
Will was surprised on his return to find Elizabeth packing up their personal possessions into a number of stout trunks. The two young cats had already been caught and caged and James the donkey was tied in the small yard. "Elizabeth?" he frowned.
"Jack is right - we have to leave," she declared, continuing to force clothes into the last and smallest trunk. "Jean Claude said he would help us get to the Black Pearl tonight and James can always carry our belongings.
"Jack won't let you take him..." Will warned.
"Rubbish!" Elizabeth declared. "Surely Jack would not disappoint the children - the girls would be heartbroken to leave him behind..."
"Elizabeth - I cannot see Jack allowing a donkey aboard the Pearl!" Will protested. "We don't even know where we are going..."
"My father would give you protection," Isaac offered. "The son of Bootstrap Bill and his family would always be welcome at Tortuga - and especially so since it appears he is an outstanding swordsmith!"
"Tortuga!" Elizabeth gasped. "I'm not sure if..."
"Don't worry," Isaac assured her. "I am sure my father will not hold your family name against you," he grinned.
"I..." Elizabeth spluttered, until she realised he was teasing her.
"Well if we are leaving then I must arrange a cart," Will reasoned. "I will have to leave some tools behind but still must take the necessities - we can move things quietly out to the Pearl today." He looked across at Isaac. "And since my wife is likely to strangle you if I leave you here, you have just volunteered to help!" Isaac's grin faded for he realised this would involve a lot of heavy lifting.
***
"You wanted to see us Commodore?" Murtogg ventured, wondering if his absence from his post had been noticed even though Mullroy assured him that nobody had checked.
"Come in and shut the door," he ordered, not speaking further until Mullroy had closed the door and returned to stand next to his partner. "I understand you are both friendly with the Sparrows - and more importantly Mistress Sparrow. Is this true?"
"Yes Commodore," they replied in unison, wincing as they waited for the Commodore's response but it was not the response they expected.
"Good!" he smiled. "Few would admit to that considering the current situation in town, but it confirms my belief that you are the men I need for a special job." He paused, smiling at their obvious confusion. "You are assigned to the care of Mistress Sparrow from now until her innocence can be proven - however long that may take for I believe her innocent and will not hang her whatever the Governor wishes. I want you to split your watches so that one of you is always in her presence. She is to eat properly and I will arrange for the same food that I am served to be sent to her daily. She will also receive proper medical care, which the Governor appears to have withheld to date. I also wish for her to receive water for washing and a clean shirt to replace the one that has been ruined. Before this evening she will have at least one if not more blankets to cover herself at night. The only things I cannot grant her are visitors due to the current unrest and alas her freedom. If there is anything else you feel that she requires you are to see me personally - not your superior, not my clerk, but me."
"Um, err, yes Sir," Murtogg stuttered, amazed by his orders. Mullroy was simply speechless.
"I am aware that there is a growing faction within the Fort that seek to curry favour with the Governor so I will make one thing clear. In the matter of the care of Mistress Sparrow you will ignore orders from everyone except me, even if the person is a Lieutenant - or the Governor himself. This town is under martial law and as such I command it and not him. If anyone questions your actions you are to refer them ot me - do I make myself clear?"
"Yes Commodore!" they echoed still in shock.
"For all I know, we may be the only three people in the whole of the Fort who believe in her innocence. Do not speak of this to anyone and trust nobody!" he warned, watching as the importance of his words sunk. "Dismissed."
He watched as they departed, assured that at least Catherine would have proper care now before turning his attention to the pile of papers that the Governor had left on his desk - clearly nothing had been done whilst he was away.
***
Catherine looked up in shock as Murtogg and Mullroy walked down the stairs to her cell carefully carrying a steaming bowl of water, some towels and soap. "Compliments of the Commodore," Mullroy smiled as Murtogg unlocked her cell for him, placing it before her. "We thought you would like to clean up before dinner..." he announced.
"Take it away," she sighed.
"Mistress Kitty?" Murtogg frowned, not understanding for he had thought she would like to freshen up. Anyone who remained within the cells for any length of time tended to become a bit, how would one say, ripe.
"Murtogg, Mullroy - you are really sweet but if I am to hang then I will hang as I am and not tidied up for the town notables..."
"I don't think the Commodore was thinking like that Mistress Kitty - he thinks you are innocent!" Mullroy protested.
"Thinking won't get me out of here and Spense is determined to see me hang..."
"But the Commodore said you were to have anything you wanted... well, except for visitors or your freedom, that is. What do you want? Food? Blankets?" Mullroy asked.
"That would be kind," she smiled genuinely. "And if he truly means anything then a nice bottle of wine would deaden this leg nicely..."
"I'll be right back!" Mullroy dashed off to find what she had asked for.
"The Commodore said we were not to leave you alone," Murtogg told her conspiratorily. "He is afraid some of the troops might try something I believe..."
"It's Jack trying something he'd be better to worry about," she smiled to herself, wincing as she hauled herself into a sitting position.
"Here," Murtogg offered. "Let me help you Mistress Kitty..."
"What is going on?" an angry booming voice echoed from the stairs. "Why are you in the cells with that woman Murtogg?"
"Commodore's orders Sir!" Murtogg replied innocently.
"And since when does that include such solicitous care?" the man demanded. From his uniform, Catherine assumed him to be a Sergeant.
"Since about an hour ago Sir," Murtogg smiled.
"Get out of that cell!" He paused shouting as Mullroy returned carrying a tray of steaming food and an already uncorked bottle of wine.
"Excuse me Sergeant Gordon," he said politely, squeezing past him and entering the cell. He placed the tray next to Catherine. "Here you are Mistress Kitty," he smiled. "I'll just get the blankets..."
"What is this?" the Sergeant cried in disbelief. "Wine? The woman is to hang!"
"It's the Commodore's orders Sir," Mullroy explained. "Whatever she wants he said..."
"We'll see about that!" Sergeant Gordon shouted. "Both of you with me - now!"
"I am afraid we cannot do that Sir," Mullroy explained. "Well, one of us cannot. We are assigned to the care of Mistress Sparrow and at least one of us is to be with her at all times. He also said that we were to refer you to him if there were any problems. The Commodore was quite precise with his orders Sir."
"I am ordering you both to come with me!" Seargent Gordon shouted angrily, his eyes bulging with fury.
Mullroy rose slowly. "I will come with you Sir, but Murtogg will have to stay with Mistress Sparrow." Both marines left the cell, locking the door behind them. Mullroy stood before the Sergeant but Murtogg remained next to the cell door.
"Murtogg - I am giving you an order. With me!" he screamed, aware of Catherine's mocking smile. "Now!"
"I cannot Sir!" he apologised. "I cannot disobey the Commodore."
Sergeant Gordon looked as if he would explode, grabbing Mullroy's collar and propelling him up the stairs. "We will see about this!" he fumed. "And you two imbeciles will rue the day you crossed me!"
***