Usual disclaimers... but I'm plotting!
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Chapter 24 - Pursuit
Once again Jack doubled back, lanterns dark as he ordered the sweeps deployed to get more speed from the Black Pearl. He needed to be safely hidden in the bay before morning, before whoever was commanding the HMS Dauntless realised that something at Port Royal was of utmost importance to him. He sighed as the anchor was slowly lowered before rowing himself ashore and sneaking into town. But Will's house was silent, nobody was home and worriedly he worked his way towards Bessie's home. There were troops everywhere and the lower town had clearly been attacked. He hurried on, having to take to the rooftops as he got nearer to the docks for fear of the patrols. He was relieved to see a light on above the chandler's shop and climbed closer, scratching at the window to be let in.
"Jack!" Elizabeth opened the window and he scrambled through quickly, stopping in horror at the state of the room. A figure lay in the bed, but it was clearly not Bessie.
"Bones?" he gasped.
His crewman turned and looked towards him, clearly in a great deal of pain. "I'm sorry Captain," he winced. "There were too many of them..."
"Hughes attacked the whole town," Will explained quietly, a sleeping Billy against his shoulder. "Seven other women as well as Bessie were taken, although here was clearly his main target..."
"Coverin' his tracks," Jack sighed, "an' improvin' his profits..." He sat in despair on the bed, scratching Daffodil's ear as she jumped on his lap, purring loudly. "How long ago?" he asked.
"Two nights," Elizabeth sighed. "As soon as we could we came here, but they had already struck..."
"Bones is lucky to be alive," Will explained. "They clearly thought him dead and wrecked the place before they left... looking for the map I presume?"
"Probably," Jack mused, but his mind was clearly not on the map. "Th' other women that were taken - describe them!"
"Young, unmarried..." Elizabeth began.
"No!" Jack interrupted. "Describe them!"
"They were all blonde and pretty Captain," Jacob Bones said, realising what Jack meant. "He'll be heading south!"
Jack grinned. "Over that distance I can still catch him!"
"How do you know where he is headed?" Elizabeth puzzled.
"He's a cargo of young pretty blonde women," Jack explained. "Best prices will be from the Spanish - and that means south!"
Will looked at Jack worriedly. "South?" he frowned. "How do you know - have you ever traded women Jack?"
"Now what sort of question is that Will?" Jack blinked in surprise. "I'm not that stupid! Tradin' women is more trouble than it's worth!" He grinned at Elizabeth's horrified expression. "But if I'm t' catch th' bastard an' get Bessie back, then I must be gone!" He glanced down at Jacob Bones who was clearly in no fit state to leave. "Look after 'im Elizabeth - I'll be back when I've got Bessie!"
"And the others?" she pressed.
"If he hasn't sold 'em already," Jack promised, climbing back out the window and disappearing into the night.
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Jack was being followed. He knew he was being followed - he could sense it, but every time he looked behind him he could see nothing. Worriedly he hurried along the track, heading for a place he knew he could hide and ambush the person who was trailing him. Whoever it was, he could not lead them to the bay where the Black Pearl was hiding.
He crouched behind some bushes, watching the trail, waiting silently with his pistol cocked and ready.
"Daffodil!" he exclaimed in surprise as the small cat padded along the trail, mewing as she saw him. She rubbed herself against his legs, purring in delight. "Dammit cat!" Jack cursed. "I haven't time to take you back!" He set off again, a small four-legged shadow trailing him. Jack stopped. "Shoo!" He waved his arms at the cat, but it just caught up with him, twining around his legs with pleasure. "D' yer really want t' be a pirate cat?" he frowned, picking Daffodil up and carrying her as he walked across the sand to where he had left the small boat. He climbed in, putting her in the bow of the boat before pushing off. He hoped Elizabeth would not be too worried over the cat's disappearance. He threw her up onto deck, trusting to the cat's instincts to land safely before climbing up himself. A disgruntled meow greeted his arrival. "Well yer asked fer it!" he answered, scooping her up again and walking towards his cabin.
He nodded at Lucas Combe and Oliver Fernin who were on watch, who stood still stunned by the flying cat. "Find Gibbs an' send him t' m' cabin," he ordered. "An' rouse th' crew - we're leavin'!"
"Aye Captain," Lucas acknowledged, disappearing below in search of the Quartermaster before bashing hammocks and waking enough crew to set sail. Whatever had happened at Port Royal he did not know, but from Jack's expression it had not been good.
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Okay girls... reviews?