Chapter 18
New Friends and Old Acquaintances?
Saihrena watched from the bow of the ship as an island came into view. Jack had told her that when they reached Port Royal they would sail around to the back of the island and anchor there. They would make their way into Port Royal by horseback from there. She felt exhausted just thinking about it. In the two months time that she had been a true crewmember onboard the Pearl she had learned the entire ship. Jack had been as good as his word and would take the three girls down to the storage area of the ship where he could teach them unhindered, sometimes for hours at a time. Bandit had been a little more open about his teaching, using the deck. He had bags of bottles and other trash slung up by ropes and he would tell the crew to stay back as we shot. Rakasha, who was already excellent at the pistol, didn't need much training. But Gabriella and herself practiced whenever they had the chance, having only hit the target a few times the entire trip. While their sword skills were sharpening nicely, they still could barely use a pistol. Although it was rather equal because while Rakasha could shoot, her sword skills were not coming along, and she was still a very low beginner while herself and Gabriella were high intermediates with the sword.
"Ye ready te be on dry land again princess?" Jack asked as he wrapped his arms around her.
"Not entirely, if you remember the last time I was you will know that I have bad luck with land," she told him as she turned and gave him a short kiss on the lips. Her relationship with Jack had been progressing as well, though he still hadn't told her he loved her, she didn't know if he ever would tell her, or if he even did. She was happy though, and that was something she had never truly been.
"Well this should be a bit diff'rent, Liz and Will are friends o mine, not me enemies," Jack said as he pulled her closer.
"So how long will it be until we actually reach Port Royal?"
"Bout two days by 'orse, then we collect Will and Liz and the Pearl picks us up as we leave, with the clothes fer the weddin o course, and per'aps a preacher," Jacks smug smile as he revealed his plan made her giggle.
"Aye, aye Cap'n," she said, saluting him and giving her best imitation of the pirate lingo that she could. Jack laughed at her attempt and chucked her under her chin.
"That a gal, now go git ready," he ordered and she took off to their shared quarters to pack a little bit of clothing. They had dropped her cousin off on some other inhabited island, she couldn't remember the name of it for the life of her. While she missed his company she didn't miss his stoic, straight-laced personality. Jack had been incredibly happy to be rid of him, and celebrated quite hard that night. When she was done packing she went out onto deck and watched the island they were circling. They would be there soon enough, she had to say goodbye to some people before she left.
Port Royal lay in the distance. Jack had decided it would be safer if him, Bandit, Jonathon, and Blair, another member of the crew that had joined them, walked into Port Royal after dark. He had sent the three girls ahead to speak with Will and Elizabeth Turner. While Saihrena felt rather awkward about showing up unannounced at their house, having never even met them, she agreed it was better then Jack riding into town and announcing his presence to the Commodore. It didn't take them long to reach the town and as they entered people stopped and stared. It wasn't often that people rode into town, let alone three unescorted women who were dusty, dirty, and wearing trousers. Saihrena smiled at the impolite stare's and hopped off her horse. She walked up to the first person she saw.
"Excuse me Sir?" She asked, stepping in front of a well dressed man wearing a wig. Not being familiar with the customs of officials wearing wigs, she had no idea whom she was speaking with
"Yes?" He asked, looking down on her.
"I was wondering if you could tell me where the Turner residence is." She asked hopefully. His brows furrowed in confusion as he looked at her.
"What business have you with the Turners?" He asked.
"I'm an old friend of the family, it is sort of a surprise that I'm here," she told him, her cheeks blushing falsely as he looked her over.
"It is at the end of town miss?"
"Oh, where are my manners? Saihrena Silvern," she lied, having decided early on that her true name should be forgotten.
"A pleasure, I am Commodore Norrington," the man said, taking her outstretched hand and kissing it lightly. She straightened up imperceptibly as she realized exactly who it was she was speaking with. She swallowed the lump in her throat and forced a smile.
"The pleasure is all mine Commodore, if you will excuse me? I really must get out of these trousers and into something more proper," she said, curtsying slightly and grabbing her horses reins. Gabriella and Rakasha had dismounted by this time and followed her as she walked away.
Norrington's eyes followed the three strange girls as they made their way to the Turners residence. He would have to visit his old friends to see what they were up to, for it was obvious that something was indeed about to happen, he could smell it in the air. He just hoped that the lovely girl he had spoken with wasn't the cause of it.
They made it to the Turners with no further directions needed, and Saihrena boldly walked up to the door and knocked, Rakasha and Gabriella waiting shyly behind her.
"Yes?" A man in a black suit asked, opening the door.
"Is Mr. or Mrs. Turner at home, I must speak with them immediately," Saihrena requested.
"Mr. Turner is currently at the shop and Mrs. Turner is busy with a guest, may I take a message?" The man asked snootily.
"No, but we will gladly wait until Mrs. Turner is finished with her guest," Saihrena said, knowing full well that the butler could not refuse her now, he slowly opened the door and motioned for them to come inside.
"You may wait here, what are your names?" He asked, looking over their drab garments.
"I am Saihrena Silvern, and these two ladies are Gabriella Du'fon and Rakasha Telaho." The butler nodded and hurried off, presumably to tell the Mrs. about the unwanted guests waiting in the foyer. They stood there for a few minutes before the butler came hurrying back into the room, trailing a tall, beautiful woman. She had long brown hair done up in ringlets, and a kind expression.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, what can I do for you?" She asked, a large smile on her face.
"Mrs. Turner I presume?" Saihrena asked. Elizabeth nodded and Saihrena continued, "I am Saihrena and we have some business to discuss about a shipment of rum," Saihrena's eyes sparkled as she said the code. Jack had given her a code to tell to the Turners, he had said that he gave it incase he ever sent them some one with a message from him, and it could distinguish between the real Turners and anyone pretending to be them, for unknown reasons. Jack really was quite paranoid. Elizabeth's eyes widened as Saihrena spoke.
"Well, of course, umm, perhaps some privacy?" She asked quite flustered. Saihrena nodded and followed the woman into a sitting room adjacent to the foyer. "That will be all James," she said, dismissing the butler. She waited until the man had shut the doors before starting, "what news do you bring, how is Jack?"
"Jack is fine, and will be here later tonight. We were sent ahead because we were... less conspicuous than him, he told us to get things ready for him. Just like bloody Jack, always wanting the work done for him," Saihrena joked, her eyes twinkling merrily as the girl on the couch across from her laughed.
"Yes well, that does sound rather familiar, let others do the work while he sits back and waits for the, "opportune moment"." This sent every girl in the room into fits of laughter.
"Well, anyway," Gabriella said as she gained control of herself. "My name is Gabriella, and this is Rakasha and we are to be married on the Pearl in three weeks time, Jack said that since he wanted to visit with his old friends anyway you could arrange for some clothing."
"Oh a double wedding? Who are the lucky grooms?" Liz asked.
"Bandit and Jonathon," the girls spoke at once.
"Well I suppose if you are to be here for a few weeks you will be staying with Will and I," Liz said. "I must be getting back to my visitor, have James give you anything you need, and I will be with you all shortly," Liz said, rising and heading for the doors.
"One more thing, we bumped into the Commodore before coming here and I made up a story that you and I were old friends, so just in case he..." Saihrena said, waiting for Elizabeth to reply.
"Oh, of course, I can say we were friends in England and we've been keeping tabs on each other ever since," Elizabeth said, inspirationally.
"Perfect," Saihrena cried. She smiled as Liz left, and then went in search of James, she wanted a bath.
I know, this chapter was rather boring, but it needed to get done in order for anything interesting to happen. R&R!!! Love to all my reviewers, and what the hell, just in case love isn't enough, have some rum too!!! Okay, don't forget to review!