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

Chapter 35 – Port Maria

Year 2 - Early December

They eventually limped into Port Maria, HMS Resolute leading whilst the other ships waited offshore. There was a small fort here and the Commodore and Governor went ashore to ensure the pirates safety. Only when this was guaranteed did the Black Pearl and Leochek enter the harbour.

"I know you have had problems with Captain Sparrow in the past, Jacoby, but without the two pirate crews we would all be dead." the Governor explained to the plantation owner who had been in town arranging shipping for his next cargo of sugar.

"He kidnapped my son…" Jacoby Roseridge protested angrily.

"You got him back! All you lost was the ship! The Dauntless is gone too – the Dauntless man! And Port Royal is nearly destroyed!" Weatherby Swann cried, mopping his brow with a lacy handkerchief. He looked around worriedly. "Is Damian in town?" he asked.

"No, luckily he is at the plantation, although he was talking of riding into town later today." Jacoby Roseridge paused. "You and your daughter will join us, Governor Swann, until all this unpleasantness is dealt with… I insist!"

"I would be delighted to," the Governor assured him. "And I am sure that Elizabeth will too, but I believe the Commodore wishes to get the townspeople ashore and make plans to regain Port Royal…"

"Of course, of course," Jacoby smiled. "We must clear the town of pirates at all cost!"

Weatherby Swann looked at him sharply, unsure for a moment if he meant the pirates from Port Maria or the others from Port Royal, but he let the comment pass.

So the Black Pearl unloaded her cargo of townspeople, who were found shelter and food amongst the families of the town. The pirates stayed aboard their ships – they were tolerated by the people of Port Maria but not welcomed, despite the vociferous defence of them by those that had been rescued. The Commodore took over the only room in the small inn and called all the captains and their senior crew to a meeting.

88888

It was just as the pirates landed that Damian Roseridge rode into town. A large number of townspeople were down at the docks, staring as Captain Groves walked with his men and the pirates to the meeting. He dismounted, pushing his way through the crowd to see what was happening. Damian recognised the Black Pearl immediately – and Jack!

"Sparrow!" he bellowed, drawing his sword and charging at Jack, who did not move and just smiled. A sword intercepted the blow inches short of his face. "Captain Groves?" His voice mirrored his disbelief! "Why isn't this man in irons?" He noticed Catherine standing beside Jack. "Mistress Reyes…."

"All the pirates here are under the protection of the Governor and the Commodore – and therefore the English Navy." Theodore smiled as Damian gulped, trying to digest the information. "Now, perhaps you should join us. Your father is with the Commodore at this moment discussing events…"

"Events?" Damian queried, but the captain just indicated for him to precede the pirates into the inn.

He stooped his head and entered. The tables had been pushed together to make one large table and seated, waiting were several of the most important people of Jamaica – the Governor, the Commodore and his own father.

"Ah, Damian, I'm glad you arrived in time. Take a seat!" His father gestured to the chair next to him. "Commodore – now that we are all here, perhaps we can start?"

"Yes, Mister Roseridge, once everyone is seated." James Norrington said, waiting courteously for the women to sit. Damian was shocked to see Mistress Reyes take a seat next to Jack Sparrow and was stunned by her attire.

"Firstly," the Commodore began, "I will introduce everyone. There are some here who we do not know… obviously Governor Swann, his daughter Mistress Elizabeth Turner, her husband William Turner, Captain Groves, Captain Sparrow, Mistress Catherine Sparrow, Captain Marra and quartermasters Gibbs and Jessop…" he paused whilst people put names to faces.

"Wha…" Damian stared at Catherine, slowly realising why the pirate had been so angry that she had been hurt when the Gallian had been attacked.

The Commodore continued. "We all know the events of Port Royal and the fact that Bailie now holds the town. The fort is destroyed, the Dauntless too, and any townspeople or soldiers that did not flee must be assumed dead."

This was news to Damian. "How…" His father bid him to be silent, nodding to James Norrington to continue. He wanted to know more of what had happened.

"The Resolute was in port when this happened, but luckily some of her crew managed to reach open water and flee, although she sustained heavy damage. The Blessed Mae gave chase but fled when she was fired upon by the Black Pearl and the Leochek. I rallied those ashore that were still alive and we retreated, protecting the townspeople and the Governor." He sighed, remembering the perilous journey. "Two days later we encountered Captains Groves, Sparrow and Marra and managed to escape our pursuers."

"Are you going to overlook the fact that they are pirates too?" Damian Roseridge interrupted.

"At the moment, mate, the Pearl an' Leochek are about all that's standing between you an' the Blessed Mae – savvy?" Jack smiled.

Damian ground his teeth. He hated that word 'savvy' and the way that Sparrow drawled his speech.

"Unfortunately, Mister Roseridge, Captain Sparrow is right. With the Resolute badly damaged and the Dauntless sunk there are no ships within range to assist us. As Captain Sparrow bears no love for Bailie then, for now, we are on the same side." He stressed the word 'same' and stared at Damian until the younger man broke eye contact.

"If I may," Jack began, "we don't know how many others are involved in this. We've already sunk one of our own that tried to warn Bailie – but we don't know if there are more. Whatever we do, we must do soon, before reinforcements arrive like," he cautioned.

"Why are you helping us, Captain Sparrow?" the Governor questioned, "and Captain Marra?"

"It's personal Governor, but Port Royal has always been a special place to me…" he smiled, his hand touching Catherine's. "An' I couldn't have Will an' Elizabeth homeless, specially with a young' un on the way, now could I?"

The Commodore cleared his throat. "Exactly! So we must decide on our plan now."

"How soon can the Resolute be repaired?" Captain Marra asked.

The Commodore looked at Captain Groves. "About two weeks or more I'm afraid. She took quite a bit of damage below the waterline…"

"So the Resolute is out of it," Captain Marra sighed. "Which just leaves the Pearl and Leochek. Commodore?"

"Would you be prepared to have naval men aboard your ships?" he asked cautiously. Both Jack and Andrea inhaled sharply at the Commodore's request.

"How many men?" Jack queried.

"There are only about forty survivors from Port Royal, plus ten men here…" James Norrington ventured.

Catherine could see that Jack was about to refuse. Even split with the Leochek, it would mean about twenty-five to thirty enemy soldiers on his ship – enough to try to take each ship. He had been uneasy having them there before although he had trusted that the Commodore would not try anything with the townspeople on board. The pirates had confiscated their weapons earlier, but the thought of having them on the Black Pearl again without the townspeople alarmed him.. She leaned closer. "What if they stay in the brig?" she whispered.

Jack smiled and slowly nodded. "I have no objections to taking half the men, Commodore, as long as they have no objection sittin' in m' brig for the journey. I'll not have armed soldiers on my ship."

The Commodore did not like the idea, but he realised it was the only way. He would not have wanted armed pirates on his ship, so he considered the condition fair. "The Governor, Mistress Elizabeth and Master James will stay at the Roseridge plantation until it is safe for them to return to Port Royal. Mistress Catherine…"

"I stay on the Pearl!" Catherine insisted.

"No you don't!" Jack's head whipped round to face her! "No way, Missy!

Captain Groves, seeing the set of his sister's chin, interrupted. "Perhaps we can sort out my sister's safety later. The sooner we start, the sooner Port Royal will be in English hands again…" Catherine glared at him and stomped out of the meeting, cursing and swearing in a most undignified manner under her breath. "Jack – a moment…" Theodore spoke quietly in Jack's ear, laughing as Jack started grinning.

"You're evil!" Jack smiled to his brother-in-law. "Later then!" he agreed.

88888