Yet again, usual disclaimers apply throughout this tale. If you recognise it, it probably belongs to the Mouse – else it is mine!
Chapter 36 – Return to Port Royal
The preparations went well for the journey. Arms were loaded on board and, although the troops were unhappy about having to travel in the brigs of the pirate ships, they accepted it. On the last night, Jack decided to visit Theodore on board the Resolute to see how the repairs were progressing. At least she was not sinking anymore and the lower decks were gradually drying out.
"Wanna come?" he asked Catherine. "Wish yer big brother luck for tomorrow?"
She smiled. "It will be nice to see how the repairs are progressing," she agreed, accepting his offer and climbing down to one of the ship's boats with him. Jack grinned - she did not suspect a thing.
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"Jack Sparrow, you bastard! Put me down this instant!" Kicking and fighting for all she was worth, Catherine screamed obscenities regardless of who could hear them, but he was too strong for her. Slung over his shoulder, her fists pounding on his back, she found herself being carried below decks. "You worthless, two bit pirate!" She landed on the floor with a thud and heard a door clang behind her. Looking up she eyed her surroundings angrily - the brig!
"You'll be safe here, luv," Jack smiled. "Trustwall will see you're fed!" Whistling jauntily, he climbed the steps back up to the main deck.
Theodore could hear his sister shouting and swearing from where he stood. "I take it she isn't happy about it?" he smiled, thinking she had definitely picked up some colourful language from her brief time aboard the Black Pearl.
"I'll not take her into battle if I can help it… and thanks to young Roseridge the townspeople won't accept her." Jack was developing a deep hatred for the man who had spread stories about Catherine, ensuring everyone knew she was Mistress Sparrow, wife of the infamous Captain Sparrow. Nobody would give her shelter whilst the ships were away, claiming they were full with Port Royal refugees – more likely they were afraid of upsetting the Roseridge family. Yes, he definitely was growing to hate Damian Roseridge.
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The two pirate ships slipped quietly from the small harbour of Port Maria that evening, sailing cautiously around the coast until they came within distance of Port Royal. The fort on top of the hill was a mess, still burning in sections. Commodore Norrington peered at the town through Jack's spyglass, fuming at the ruin.
It had been decided at the meeting that the Black Pearl would sail into the harbour and destroy the Blessed Mae whilst the Leochek patrolled outside, ensuring any other ship did not sneak up on them. As many pirates as could be spared from both ships were to go with the Commodore – including Jack. Joshamee Gibbs took command of the Black Pearl.
So it was that nearly a hundred men sneaked through the town, led by the soldiers who knew it best. Suspecting that Francis Bailie in his arrogance would be at the mansion, the soldiers and pirates crept upwards towards the high ground, stealthily checking houses as they went. Everywhere was silent – no townspeople, no pirates. James Norrington frowned, worried for the missing townspeople. Quietly, they continued up the hill towards the mansion.
As they drew closer, it became obvious where Bailie's pirates were. Lights poured from the windows, drunken laughter echoing down towards those silently encircling the mansion. "Where's Jack?" Will hissed at Theodore, suddenly realising that the pirate was no longer with them. Theodore looked around and shrugged, not having seen him leave the main party. They sat quietly, waiting for the signal from the Black Pearl to announce her presence.
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Joshamee Gibbs ordered lights shuttered as the Black Pearl slid into the harbour. The Blessed Mae sat at anchor, only a small number of men maintaining a watch on board. Their eyes were not on the sea; they looked towards the town, bemoaning their exclusion from the revelry. The quartermaster would have taken the ship and could have; he still had enough crew to do so easily, but Jack had ordered the ship destroyed. The Black Pearl's cannons roared, smashing into the other ship. Joshamee smiled, realising that their approach had not even been noticed. Destroyed the Blessed Mae would be; but Jack had said nothing about not salvaging anything worth taking before she sank.
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Jack had quickly parted from the main group of attackers, sneaking through the night. By the time Will and Theodore finally noticed he was missing, he was already inside the mansion, a silent shadow gliding through the house. He crept up the stairs, hiding in the darkness, looking around sadly at the damage inflicted upon the rooms by the drunken pirates. He could hear most of them in the large hall, where he had danced with Catherine, smashing glass and out-of-tune singing evidence of their pleasures. He jumped on hearing the Black Pearl start her attack, risking a brief glance out of the window; admiring his ship's firepower as she smashed the Blessed Mae. The drunken pirates in the hall below ran out of the front door in confusion; many felled by a volley of shots from those waiting outside. Jack heard curses above, the sound of furniture crashing, and the frenzied stomping of somebody trying to put their boots on fast as the attackers burst into the mansion.
"Come on you bastard," he smiled. He had guessed correctly where he would find his target. Francis Bailie would not be getting drunk with his men, not when there was a woman to be raped. He grinned, a feral grin, as his target came crashing through the door of the master bedroom, dancing on one leg as he hauled his second boot on. It was almost too easy. Jack fired, his shot ripping through the leg that was supporting the hopping captain. He fell with a startled cry and an oath, finding Jack's sword at his throat as he struggled to rise.
"Sparrow! What the…." Francis Bailie cursed, reaching for his pistol. Jack kicked it away, looking up as Theodore dashed up the stairs towards him.
"Captain Groves – he's all yours!" Jack smiled, his teeth glinting in the dim light.
Theodore signalled two red coated marines to assist the wounded man to his feet, checking to be certain he was totally disarmed, before they dragged him, none too gently, down the stairs. The Commodore, standing in the hallway, looked up at them. "Congratulations Captain Sparrow. We will mop up here…".
Will glanced up to see Jack descending the stairs and was amazed at the sight of Francis Bailie being dragged across the lobby, blood from his leg marking his passage. "You didn't kill him?" he said in surprise.
"I want Kitty t' see 'im hang!" Jack smiled grimly. "A quick death would've been too good for 'im!"
Captain Bailie looked at Jack in disbelief. "You betrayed me for a woman?" he gasped.
Jack smiled, a dark smile devoid of humour. "Aye, fer a woman!" Though only when Francis Bailie was out of earshot did he mutter to himself, "Fer my woman!"
"That's if she's still talking to you after you locked her in the Resolute's brig," Theodore laughed, relieved at the ease with which they had managed to retake the town.
Will looked at them, stunned. "You locked Catherine in the brig?"
"It was th' only way t' stop her following mate!" Jack protested. "Although she might've stopped swearing by now – what' d' ya say Theo?"
Theodore laughed again. "I'm just glad it is you that will be unlocking the door!"
Jack no longer smiled, looking back up the stairs to the door from where Francis Bailie had emerged. He turned to Theodore. "Talkin' of doors, yer might want t' look in the room above. I don't think Bailie was asleep without company…"
Theodore paled at the thought, cautiously peeking through the door. True to Jack's fears Francis Bailie had not been alone. One of the Governor's maids was sobbing in terror on the bed. "Miss?" He approached cautiously. "Miss, please, you are safe now."
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Jack eventually crept down to the brig of HMS Resolute. Catherine was asleep. He smiled at her, thinking she looked so peaceful, curled up beneath a naval-issue blanket. He opened the door and walked softly across to her. "Kitty?"
She opened a bored, lazy eye. "Oh, so you decided to return then. That's nice."
Jack frowned. He had been expecting a response, but not this. He was, however, not disappointed for long. A slim fist shot from beneath the blankets, catching him full in the face.
"Bastard!" she hissed, launching herself at him in fury.
"Tha's my Kitty!" he slurred, checking his teeth with his tongue before grasping her wrists and kissing her.
"Nice shot!" a droll voice laughed in the doorway.
"Theo!" she glared at her brother. "You're as bad! You were in on this too!" She stood to her full height, all five foot of it, berating him.
He held her at arms length, before kissing her on the top of her head. "Port Royal is safe now. Francis Bailie and his men are either captured or dead – and the captured will hang as soon as the fort can be rebuilt." She sobered at the mention of Francis Bailie. "Jack has offered to take the townspeople back tomorrow, so he will need your help, especially until Elizabeth arrives…"
Jack stood quietly rubbing his jaw. "I'll row yer back t' th' Pearl luv… come on." He held his hand to her, smiling when she took it.
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