Usual disclaimers... blah!
You've been so nice, here are three more for you.
Extra special thanks to Mulberry for getting up early Sunday morning her time to edit these with me!
Asfet Mau - wow... guess you learn something new every day! ;)
***
Mid September
As soon as they were rid of Jedidiah, Jack ordered the anchor raised and they sailed southwards along the Strait of Malacca. Singapore! News of their destination had spread amongst the crew and eager smiles and knowing grins covered their faces. Singapore! Even Jack had a spring in his step, eager to sample the delights of the dubious town. Even if Catherine would not want him visiting the brothels, there were still plenty of entertainment and alcohol on offer to a man of his tastes. Although the Portuguese had burned down the trading post over a hundred years earlier, it had risen again and remained a magnet for every free-minded sailor in the region - the Tortuga of the East.
Catherine frowned as she looked at Jack, noticing the grins of the crew. She had heard the tales that Jack told of the place, never dreaming that he would bring her here.
"Run up our colours!" Jack ordered. "An' raise th' three captured reds below!" William hurried to obey. "Let 'em know who we are, an' we're not t' be messed with an' we'll have little trouble... although they'll still probably try t' board us a couple of times..."
Catherine looked at Jack in shock. "Board us?" she gasped in disbelief.
"Well th' Pearl is th' best ship in th' Caribbean an' far better than most of what's 'ere. I'll leave her well defended, never fear. Nobody will take her." He glanced at her clothes. "Best change into a dress luv... they can be funny about, you know..." He waved his hand, taking in her attire. "Religion an' all that - doesn't do to upset 'em."
Catherine nodded and quickly went to the cabin to change. She returned in the cream-coloured cotton dress with the embroidered bodice that Jean Claude had bought, her cream shawl over her shoulders to protect her from the sun. She figured that the cotton would at least be cooler than the sweltering heat, far cooler than the heavier brocade dresses. "Better?" she asked, slipping her hand into his.
"Much," he grinned, reaching round to tighten her laces. Although trousers were much more practical onboard, he did prefer her in a dress - showing off her curves in all the right places. "I'll show yer around," he offered, "an' we can sort out what yer need fer provisions, but then I want yer t' stay onboard - fer safety..."
"For safety?" Catherine raised an eyebrow, looking at him in surprise.
"M' ships not the only thing worth stealin'," Jack cautioned. "An' I don't intend t' give them a chance... savvy?"
"Don't be daft Jack," she snorted.
"Daft?" he smiled, twirling a strand of her hair between his fingers. "Yer are beautiful an' with yer colouring, yer are rarer here than those emeralds... an' Africa isn't th' only slave trade in th' world." She blinked. "Exactly!" Jack kissed the top of her head before looking up, scanning the area and the nearby ships. "Drop anchor!" he ordered. "Kitty an' I will be going ashore. I want an' escort of ten men fer her safety!"
Catherine gaped at him, looking nervously towards the shore. "Ten?" she whispered, blushing as the crew clamoured to be picked.
"Ten!" Jack assured her. "Yer can pick 'em..."
Catherine walked slowly down the stairs to where the crew had gathered. "Oran," she smiled, winking at him, "and... Paul, Lonan, Isaac... William.... Evin, Benedict, Abel, Joshua and... and..." She looked around, hating having to pick the last man, smiling as she realised that they all held their breath in the hope she would pick them. "Um... err... Tobias!"
Those not picked muttered good naturedly, whilst the others grinned in delight, checking over their weapons and readying themselves to go ashore. "Varne and Jackson!" Jack ordered. "I want th' two of yer to go as well t' stand guard over th' boats. Trust nobody!"
"Aye Captain!" they grinned, happy to be included in the group.
***
The boats were lowered and Jack helped Catherine down into the first boat. Those going ashore climbed down and quickly rowed to the docks. Jack left Samuel Varne and John Jackson guarding the boats and, offering Catherine his arm, walked into the town.
At first Catherine thought the town was much like Tortuga as Jack threaded his way through the streets to the stores where she could obtain provisions for the ship - mainly food and water or the odd item that took his fancy. However, the seedier side of Singapore soon became apparent as the whores started to cluster around them, calling suggestively to the men that were her escort. Even the whores in Tortuga were not that brazen, nor that scantily clad. They shouldered their way past, knowing that they would have time and money to play later - Catherine's safety in the town was far more important. Although Jack was not overly worried, their numbers had been chosen to deter any potential threat and he was reassured by the fact it was daytime. There was no way he would ever bring Catherine ashore at night.
"Hey!" A slim, oriental man approached Jack, eyeing Catherine. "You selling?"
"No!" Jack replied brusquely, shoving the man aside, amazed that the brothel owners were trawling the streets during daylight.
The man fell backwards. "I would give you a good price for her?" he called after him, refusing to be discouraged by the refusal. "Whatever you want... gold, jewels, opium..."
Jack picked up the pace, determined that Catherine would get the things she needed as quickly as possible. He felt her grasp on his arm tighten as a few minutes later another man approached, this time a European man, tall with lank greasy brown hair.
"Are you selling mate?" he asked, trying to sidle next to Jack. Oran didn't give Jack a chance to reply before punching the man in the face, knocking him to the ground. He sat there in the dirt, rubbing his jaw. "Maybe later then?" he called eagerly.
"Can we go back Jack?" she asked quietly. She did not like being unarmed at the best of times, and this was not one of them.
"Don't worry luv, I wouldn't sell yer," he smiled. "Well, not fer what these scum can offer..."
"Jack Sparrow!" she gasped, clouting him good naturedly, if a little hard.
He rubbed his arm. "Ow!" he pouted, relieved that she had smiled a little. "Alright! Last shop is up here an' then we can head back... deal?"
"Deal," she smiled, relieved to think she would soon be free of the town. If it was like this in daylight, she dreaded what it became at night. She quickly ordered the items that she needed and Jack guided her back to the boats, relieved not to be approached by any more men even if a fair number stared.
Jack was surprised that she was trembling when they reached the Black Pearl. "Yer okay luv?" he asked, helping her onboard. She bit her lip, nodding, but he could clearly see she was not. "Go to th' cabin - I'll be there in a minute..." He patted her bottom, shooing her within.
"Captain?" Jean Claude smiled, walking towards them. "Did you get everything?"
"Aye, it will be arriving shortly," Jack replied. "But I want double watch all the time we are here... especially around Kitty!"
"It was that bad?" Jean Claude frowned, having been to Singapore before himself and knowing what the place was like.
"Worse," Jack admitted sourly. "I had two offers t' buy 'er in broad daylight! It was never that bad b'fore."
"You're getting old Captain, with the rest of us," Jean Claude laughed. "You were not married the last time you came here... it changes a man's perceptions." He looked shoreward. "And you don't need what this place is offering anymore," he added quietly.
Jack looked at him wryly. "Ever th' philosopher Jean Claude." He shrugged. "Get th' crew t' draw lots - a third asleep, a third ashore and a third on watch..."
"You are not going ashore?" Jean Claude frowned.
"Like yer just philosophised... I've got everythin' I need in that cabin," he said quietly, looking towards the closed doors. "An' I want t' be clear of here by t'morrow night!" He sighed. "Come an' get some gold fer th' crew - at least I can give them a Singapore t' remember!"
***
When Jean Claude had left with the gold, Jack clicked the lock and sought out Catherine who was sitting quietly on the bunk in the side cabin. "Yer alright luv?" he asked worriedly.
"Fine," she smiled weakly. "I just never saw myself as something men would want to buy..."
"I'd buy yer," Jack smiled, "whatever th' cost." He kissed her on the nose. "Let's get yer out of that dress anyway... it'll be easier t' fight in yer trousers..." He reached for her laces.
"You're not going ashore?" she frowned, hearing the cheers from the crew as the gold was divided amongst them and lots were drawn.
"Why should I want to?" Jack smiled. "I have everythin' I want right here!"
***
You've been so nice, here are three more for you.
Extra special thanks to Mulberry for getting up early Sunday morning her time to edit these with me!
Asfet Mau - wow... guess you learn something new every day! ;)
***
Mid September
As soon as they were rid of Jedidiah, Jack ordered the anchor raised and they sailed southwards along the Strait of Malacca. Singapore! News of their destination had spread amongst the crew and eager smiles and knowing grins covered their faces. Singapore! Even Jack had a spring in his step, eager to sample the delights of the dubious town. Even if Catherine would not want him visiting the brothels, there were still plenty of entertainment and alcohol on offer to a man of his tastes. Although the Portuguese had burned down the trading post over a hundred years earlier, it had risen again and remained a magnet for every free-minded sailor in the region - the Tortuga of the East.
Catherine frowned as she looked at Jack, noticing the grins of the crew. She had heard the tales that Jack told of the place, never dreaming that he would bring her here.
"Run up our colours!" Jack ordered. "An' raise th' three captured reds below!" William hurried to obey. "Let 'em know who we are, an' we're not t' be messed with an' we'll have little trouble... although they'll still probably try t' board us a couple of times..."
Catherine looked at Jack in shock. "Board us?" she gasped in disbelief.
"Well th' Pearl is th' best ship in th' Caribbean an' far better than most of what's 'ere. I'll leave her well defended, never fear. Nobody will take her." He glanced at her clothes. "Best change into a dress luv... they can be funny about, you know..." He waved his hand, taking in her attire. "Religion an' all that - doesn't do to upset 'em."
Catherine nodded and quickly went to the cabin to change. She returned in the cream-coloured cotton dress with the embroidered bodice that Jean Claude had bought, her cream shawl over her shoulders to protect her from the sun. She figured that the cotton would at least be cooler than the sweltering heat, far cooler than the heavier brocade dresses. "Better?" she asked, slipping her hand into his.
"Much," he grinned, reaching round to tighten her laces. Although trousers were much more practical onboard, he did prefer her in a dress - showing off her curves in all the right places. "I'll show yer around," he offered, "an' we can sort out what yer need fer provisions, but then I want yer t' stay onboard - fer safety..."
"For safety?" Catherine raised an eyebrow, looking at him in surprise.
"M' ships not the only thing worth stealin'," Jack cautioned. "An' I don't intend t' give them a chance... savvy?"
"Don't be daft Jack," she snorted.
"Daft?" he smiled, twirling a strand of her hair between his fingers. "Yer are beautiful an' with yer colouring, yer are rarer here than those emeralds... an' Africa isn't th' only slave trade in th' world." She blinked. "Exactly!" Jack kissed the top of her head before looking up, scanning the area and the nearby ships. "Drop anchor!" he ordered. "Kitty an' I will be going ashore. I want an' escort of ten men fer her safety!"
Catherine gaped at him, looking nervously towards the shore. "Ten?" she whispered, blushing as the crew clamoured to be picked.
"Ten!" Jack assured her. "Yer can pick 'em..."
Catherine walked slowly down the stairs to where the crew had gathered. "Oran," she smiled, winking at him, "and... Paul, Lonan, Isaac... William.... Evin, Benedict, Abel, Joshua and... and..." She looked around, hating having to pick the last man, smiling as she realised that they all held their breath in the hope she would pick them. "Um... err... Tobias!"
Those not picked muttered good naturedly, whilst the others grinned in delight, checking over their weapons and readying themselves to go ashore. "Varne and Jackson!" Jack ordered. "I want th' two of yer to go as well t' stand guard over th' boats. Trust nobody!"
"Aye Captain!" they grinned, happy to be included in the group.
***
The boats were lowered and Jack helped Catherine down into the first boat. Those going ashore climbed down and quickly rowed to the docks. Jack left Samuel Varne and John Jackson guarding the boats and, offering Catherine his arm, walked into the town.
At first Catherine thought the town was much like Tortuga as Jack threaded his way through the streets to the stores where she could obtain provisions for the ship - mainly food and water or the odd item that took his fancy. However, the seedier side of Singapore soon became apparent as the whores started to cluster around them, calling suggestively to the men that were her escort. Even the whores in Tortuga were not that brazen, nor that scantily clad. They shouldered their way past, knowing that they would have time and money to play later - Catherine's safety in the town was far more important. Although Jack was not overly worried, their numbers had been chosen to deter any potential threat and he was reassured by the fact it was daytime. There was no way he would ever bring Catherine ashore at night.
"Hey!" A slim, oriental man approached Jack, eyeing Catherine. "You selling?"
"No!" Jack replied brusquely, shoving the man aside, amazed that the brothel owners were trawling the streets during daylight.
The man fell backwards. "I would give you a good price for her?" he called after him, refusing to be discouraged by the refusal. "Whatever you want... gold, jewels, opium..."
Jack picked up the pace, determined that Catherine would get the things she needed as quickly as possible. He felt her grasp on his arm tighten as a few minutes later another man approached, this time a European man, tall with lank greasy brown hair.
"Are you selling mate?" he asked, trying to sidle next to Jack. Oran didn't give Jack a chance to reply before punching the man in the face, knocking him to the ground. He sat there in the dirt, rubbing his jaw. "Maybe later then?" he called eagerly.
"Can we go back Jack?" she asked quietly. She did not like being unarmed at the best of times, and this was not one of them.
"Don't worry luv, I wouldn't sell yer," he smiled. "Well, not fer what these scum can offer..."
"Jack Sparrow!" she gasped, clouting him good naturedly, if a little hard.
He rubbed his arm. "Ow!" he pouted, relieved that she had smiled a little. "Alright! Last shop is up here an' then we can head back... deal?"
"Deal," she smiled, relieved to think she would soon be free of the town. If it was like this in daylight, she dreaded what it became at night. She quickly ordered the items that she needed and Jack guided her back to the boats, relieved not to be approached by any more men even if a fair number stared.
Jack was surprised that she was trembling when they reached the Black Pearl. "Yer okay luv?" he asked, helping her onboard. She bit her lip, nodding, but he could clearly see she was not. "Go to th' cabin - I'll be there in a minute..." He patted her bottom, shooing her within.
"Captain?" Jean Claude smiled, walking towards them. "Did you get everything?"
"Aye, it will be arriving shortly," Jack replied. "But I want double watch all the time we are here... especially around Kitty!"
"It was that bad?" Jean Claude frowned, having been to Singapore before himself and knowing what the place was like.
"Worse," Jack admitted sourly. "I had two offers t' buy 'er in broad daylight! It was never that bad b'fore."
"You're getting old Captain, with the rest of us," Jean Claude laughed. "You were not married the last time you came here... it changes a man's perceptions." He looked shoreward. "And you don't need what this place is offering anymore," he added quietly.
Jack looked at him wryly. "Ever th' philosopher Jean Claude." He shrugged. "Get th' crew t' draw lots - a third asleep, a third ashore and a third on watch..."
"You are not going ashore?" Jean Claude frowned.
"Like yer just philosophised... I've got everythin' I need in that cabin," he said quietly, looking towards the closed doors. "An' I want t' be clear of here by t'morrow night!" He sighed. "Come an' get some gold fer th' crew - at least I can give them a Singapore t' remember!"
***
When Jean Claude had left with the gold, Jack clicked the lock and sought out Catherine who was sitting quietly on the bunk in the side cabin. "Yer alright luv?" he asked worriedly.
"Fine," she smiled weakly. "I just never saw myself as something men would want to buy..."
"I'd buy yer," Jack smiled, "whatever th' cost." He kissed her on the nose. "Let's get yer out of that dress anyway... it'll be easier t' fight in yer trousers..." He reached for her laces.
"You're not going ashore?" she frowned, hearing the cheers from the crew as the gold was divided amongst them and lots were drawn.
"Why should I want to?" Jack smiled. "I have everythin' I want right here!"
***