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

Chapter 34 – Flight

Catherine swung across to the Resolute. She still was not the most graceful person with a line, but she made the deck before landing on her backside. One of the pirates, the quartermaster of the Leochek, Arthur Jessop, laughed and gave her a hand to her feet.

"Thanks!" she smiled.

"The captains and the men?" he asked, glancing shorewards.

"We ran into Bailie's men just after we found the townspeople. They stayed to give covering fire…" Catherine explained, glancing worriedly towards the shore.

The man nodded, shouting across to his crewmates on the Leochek. "Ready the shoreward guns! Captain might need her own covering fire…" Those on deck hurried to obey him.

"Mistress Cat!" A young voice shouted across from the heights of the Black Pearls crow's nest. "Mistress Cat! Men approaching the shore!"

"You'd best get back, Mistress," Tobias advised. "We're going t' cut the lines now…"

She nodded and swung back to the Black Pearl as he turned and nimbly ran across the plank to his own ship. Catherine's swing was a little more graceful than before thanks to a timely catch from Zeke. She rushed over to Elizabeth.

"Elizabeth, take your father to rest in the main cabin, everybody else below decks – quickly!" She turned to Ned Cotton who was tending some of the numerous injuries, but realised she could not take him from his doctoring. Casting her eyes around the crowded deck she spotted the tall, dark form of Zeke. "Zeke – spare blankets, you know where Jack stores them? We need them. Find some!"

"Mistress Reyes?" A shocked voice came from behind her. "Mistress Reyes! What are you doing on a pirate ship?" She turned to see her brother's maid, Jill Tager, staring at her. "How…. you left with Mister Wells?"

"Later, Jill, later! Help me get these people below decks and out of the rain." She smiled. "And it is Mistress Sparrow now, this is my husband's ship."

Jill's eyes widened, and several of the nearby townspeople gave her a wider berth. She gasped as the guns of the Leochek sounded, pounding the shore with their cannons. "Quickly! Everyone below decks! Now!" She turned to Elizabeth. "Keep an eye on them.. I'm going aloft!"

Despite the rain, she climbed quickly, reaching the crow's nest with only one minor slip. Climbing in beside James she took the spyglass from him, desperately scanning the shore. "Jack… where are you…" She could see James Norrington, his uniform made him easy to pick out, and eventually she could see Theodore and Will. "Jack…"

At last she found him. He fought back to back with Joshamee Gibbs as they struggled up the beach towards the boats. A cannonball hit nearby and sand flew everywhere. Taking advantage of the confusion, they turned and ran after the other defenders, reaching the last boat just as it pushed off. She realised she had been holding her breath, exhaling in a gush.

"Sail ho!" a sailor from HMS Resolute cried in alarm.

She whipped round, eyes scanning out to sea. Damn! It was the Blessed Mae! "Cut the lines, Ned! Prepare to run!" The remaining crew of the three ships, scrambled up into the rigging, frantically unfurling the sails whilst the returning crew climbed aboard, rapidly hauling the small boats on deck. As quickly as she dared, Catherine urged James down from their dangerous viewpoint.

Suddenly Jack was there, bellowing orders as his crew ran to obey. "Ready the upper cannons only!" he ordered, realising the townspeople sheltered below. She hugged him, gasping in shock as he swayed. "Easy, love…" he hissed in pain.

"Jesus, Jack, you're hurt!" Two sword cuts sliced his shirt, blood seeping sullenly from the wounds, but worse was the bloodied hole in his shirt from a pistol shot, just below his right shoulder. It was only then she realised he had been fighting left handed on the beach.

He kissed the top of her head. "Later! Now get below and calm the townspeople. Things might get rough!" he warned.

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However fast they could run, the Resolute could not keep up. The Blessed Mae was gaining on the slower ship, hindered as she was by her previous damage and Jack would not leave any of his crew behind on the other ship. Already the Resolute had taken a number of fresh hits. The Black Pearl turned and fought, despite carrying the townspeople, the Leochek echoing her. When the two pirate ships drew level with them, the Resolute turned too. Only when they made a stand did the Blessed Mae retreat and sail back to Port Royal, knowing she could not take three ships – even if one was damaged.

The three captains and Commodore met in the main cabin of the Black Pearl, as Governor Swann was too frail to swing across to the Resolute. "But where can we find sanctuary…" he asked, flustered as he adjusted his wig. The taking of Port Royal had distressed him greatly and, never a brave man to begin with, he was at a loss in such circumstances.

Jack lounged in a chair, mentally wincing as Ned removed the shot from his shoulder. "There are numerous safe harbours, but Port au Prince would probably be safest. Th' Resolute can get repairs there too."

"What about Nassau?" the Commodore suggested, preferring to head for a English port.

"Too bloody far… and I'm not putting my neck into a noose for anybody!" Jack retorted.

"It'll have to be closer, Jack." Theodore sighed. "The Resolute is still taking on water. Despite the bilge pump being manned continuously, if we don't make repairs soon she will sink."

"Hispaniola?" Andrea ventured.

Theodore shook his head. "She'll not make the crossing…"

James Norrington sighed. "Then it must be the first Jamaican safe harbour we reach."

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