Yet again, usual disclaimers apply throughout this tale. If you recognise it, it probably belongs to the Mouse – else it is mine!
Chapter 45 – Treachery at Port Royal
Year 4 - Early January
Governor Jacoby Roseridge and his family swept up through the gates of the Governor's mansion in a large coach pulled by a team of four matched bay horses. He smiled as he stepped from the coach, offering his wife a hand as she struggled with her skirts. Two red coated marines stood to attention on either side of the door.
"Kindly inform the Commodore that I require to see him immediately!" he ordered.
"Sir!" The thinner of the two men headed quickly to the fort.
Behind his parents, Damian Roseridge calmly stepped out of the coach. Step one of the plan complete. He smiled secretively to himself, before following them inside.
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"Governor Roseridge," Commodore Norrington stood quietly waiting to be acknowledged. "You wanted to see me Governor?"
"Ah yes, Commodore. I wish to make some amendments to the manner in which this town is run – in fact, to the manner in which the whole of Jamaica is run! Swann was too lax in his dealings with pirates and I intend to put a stop to that immediately. Although I cannot rescind the pardons issued to the crews of the Leochek and Black Pearl, I can have them properly classified as pirates. Therefore, you will arrest and hang them at the first opportunity!"
"Governor, I…" James Norrington stuttered in shock.
"I believe the Leochek is currently anchored in the harbour, Commodore. I will expect prompt action," he said, smiling as James Norrington nodded and left to carry out his orders.
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Captain Andrea Marra and several of her crew sat quietly in the tavern, supping rum whilst Quartermaster Jessop stood quietly at the bar, fetching more drinks. She looked up as a shadow fell across her. "Commodore?" Then she noticed the red coated marines, weapons drawn. Instinctively she went for her sword, as did her crew but the marines raised their rifles.
James Norrington knew that there had been no way of warning the female captain and her crew. His burgeoning friendship with both ships was known, and with Captain Groves at sea, he could not have trusted anyone at hand to carry a message urging them to flee. "Take them to the cells," he ordered regretfully.
At that, and realising they would hang, Andrea Marra and her crew fought regardless of the aimed rifles. The marines discharged their weapons, a cloud of smoke filling the room. Arthur Jessop quickly assessed the situation, he saw there was no way he could help them, but realised that the Commodore had not seen him at the bar. He slunk quietly out the back door of the tavern, running for all he was worth for the docks. If the Commodore had taken Captain Marra then all the crew were in danger. He had to get the Leochek out of Port Royal and fast!
Andrea Marra and her crew tried frantically to fight their way out but to no avail. Most were injured by the gunfire, some were dead, and their resistance was soon over. As the manacles were placed around her wrists she looked into his eyes. "Why?" she asked in disbelief.
"Governor Roseridge has declared you pirates," he informed her as the marines dragged those still living from the tavern. "I'm sorry," he whispered, ensuring nobody could hear him, not wanting his words to reach Governor Roseridge.
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Arthur Jessop dived into the water, diving two fathoms deep to avoid the shots that splashed the surface. Frantically he swam for the Leochek, grateful that none of the marines chasing him appeared to be able to swim.
"Throw a line, quick!" he gasped as he neared the ship, climbing up as fast as he could. The crew on board looked at him in disbelief. "Treachery!" he shouted. "They've taken the Captain and most of the crew ashore!" He paused, trying to catch his breath. "Load the guns and weigh anchor, now!" he ordered.
They fired at the town as they departed, hitting the fort several times. Cannon fire was returned, but none hit the Leochek as she fled the harbour.
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He was relieved to see the Black Pearl quietly sitting at anchor at Tortuga when they arrived and rowed over to see Captain Sparrow immediately.
"Arthur?" Catherine frowned as she saw him climb over the ship's rail. He looked worried.
"Where is Captain Sparrow, Mistress Kitty?" he asked urgently.
"Probably in the Faithful Bride… why?" He was visibly shaking.
"We've been betrayed by Port Royal! They've taken the Captain and nearly half the crew! I only just managed to get the Leochek out of there before they opened fire from the fort!" he explained.
Catherine stood for a moment in shock, before exploding in a flurry of commands. "Oran! Get over to the Bride and get Jack back now! No excuses! Pull him by his beard if you have to!" He hurried to obey. "Come into the cabin Arthur… I think this calls for some of Jack's special rum!"
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Jack sat quietly as Arthur Jessop retold his tale. "Do you know why?" he asked.
"No other crew made it back – I don't know why. They just raised rifles and opened fire! I didn't even stay to see if they survived… I had to get the ship and the rest of the crew out of there!" He shuddered, remembering.
"That's okay Jessop… you did right by the Code, but it still doesn't tell us why?" He drank heavily from the bottle of rum before him. "We need to see Will!" he announced.
"You can't go there!" Arthur shouted. "They'll take you too!"
"Not if they don't know we are there!" Jack smiled.
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