Yet again, usual disclaimers apply throughout this tale. If you recognise it, it probably belongs to the Mouse – else it is mine!

Chapter 29 - Tortuga

There were numerous sore heads, even by pirate standards, the next morning. Everybody spoke in hushed whispers or in signs. Catherine found herself in the galley, one of the few with only a minor hangover, cooking up breakfast for all the crew. She knew her brother had to get back to Port Royal within the week and Jack had said that they would drop their four guests off as close to the town as they dared.

Theodore had been stooped over the large table in the cabin with Jack all morning. Maps and charts lay scattered about.

"So ole' Norrington knew then?" Jack chuckled.

Theodore sighed. "He guessed, but couldn't prove it. But he is more worried about Bailie."

Jack's eyes narrowed at the name. "Francis Bailie's a bastard to be sure. Ne'er set eyes on him myself, but Kitty could give you a description. I'll spread the word – men like him give us pirates a bad name."

Theodore bit back the retort that all pirates deserved it, but then there were pirates and then there were pirates – as he was rapidly learning.

Jack sighed and explained. "If people know we just want their goods, it's okay, but if they think they'll all be killed then they'll fight much harder…". He paused. "Plus dead people can't make return trips… so it's very short-sighted of Bailie, if yer get my drift? I owe him too for what he did to Kitty – I don't want him t' die too quick."

Theodore smiled, both he and the Commodore had guessed correctly about Jack's feelings towards the Captain of the Blessed Mae.

"I tell yer what. We need t' get a few supplies up at Tortuga an' I'll ask around when I'm there. Won't delay yer by more than a day, an' it might be worth it," Jack suggested.

"All right, " he nodded. The Commodore would not mind him being a day late if he could gather more definite information on the Francis Bailie and his ship the Blessed Mae.

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Tortuga was abuzz with news, not least of which involved the marriage of Captain Jack Sparrow. Every crew member found themselves feted with ale, and sometimes even rum, in exchange for news of the ceremony. They drank well, but their captain was another matter. If Francis Bailie had moved south then Jack wanted him dead. Searching the taverns took time, but within a few hours he had managed to gather six other captains that were in port. Most were younger men, and a woman, still trying to gain a name for themselves, and the lure of Jack's fame had drawn them to the table. They all eyed the gold band on his finger suspiciously, wondering if this was another of his many infamous ruses.

"Well Sparrow… what is so urgent that I had to leave a willin' whore for it?" Captain Robert DeWitt asked. He was a stocky man in his late thirties with an exaggerated view of his own importance.

"The Blessed Mae." The table hushed. The other Captains that had been having quiet private conversations turned sharply. "She's disappeared and is rumoured to be headin' south."

"Who says?" Captain Peter Gitlin asked, weasel-faced and weasel-voiced.

"I have my sources," Jack assured them.

"Name 'em Jack, or we'll up and leave," Robert DeWitt threatened. "Ain't gonna waste a night ashore for a madman's ramblings…".

Jack remembered why he had never liked Robert DeWitt, and realised he would have to name his source to keep them at the table. "Well, I've heard him called many things, but few have called Commodore Norrington a madman…"

"Norrington!" Captain Edward Harris hissed, his eyes bulging as he looked around worriedly! "What in God's name are you doing talking to Norrington? And why ain't yer hung?"

"That would be hanged," Jack corrected, "and I guess a formal dinner at the Governor's mansion ain't the place for a hanging nowadays, all those delicate people yer understand. Nice food though…" He paused, remembering and delighting in the expressions on his fellow captains' faces. "But," he twiddled his wedding ring, "having just married the delightful sister of Captain Groves…"

"So it is true!" Captain Pelagius Teves snorted, laughing. "You sneaky bastard!"

Jack just smiled. "If Norrington is right then the Blessed Mae headed south. I've heard rumours that she was spotted south of the Windward Passage last week…"

"I saw her," Captain Andrea Marra confirmed, the only female captain in the group. "Headin' south, like you say, 'bout four days ago, but…"

"Gentlemen, the Blessed Mae is bad for business! If she is in these waters then the English Navy will pull every ship they have to find her. The Commodore has a special interest in Bailie – a very special interest. Just think of two, three times the naval ships in these waters?" He paused to allow the implications of his words to sink in. "An' those naval ships'll be hunting pirates – any pirates they can find…"

Captain DeWitt looked at the others, not liking the way the conversation was leading. "Am I right in assuming you are asking us to do the English Navy's dirty work?" He sneered, laughing at Jack. "An' I thought you were a pirate."

Jack ignored him. "If Bailie keeps heading south, it isn't our problem. If he's intending on staying then it is! Black Pearl can outrun any navy ship in these waters… can your ships?" He paused. "Look - I'm in port for two days, takin' on supplies like. If you gentlemen hear anything, then row out. I keep a nice supply of rum…" He left the invitation open as he rose, scraping his chair back. "If you men and lady'll excuse me…"

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