Yet again, usual disclaimers apply throughout this tale. If you recognise it, it probably belongs to the Mouse – else it is mine!
Chapter 46 – Cancelled Debts
The town was in shock over the news that Captain Marra and her crew were to hang. They had not forgotten how the ship had helped them against the pirate Francis Bailie and many deputations were turned away by the Commodore. He did not like what he had been ordered to do; he was duty bound to follow the wishes of the Governor, but it did not mean he could not do something about it. He summoned Captain Theodore Groves into his office.
"Sir?" Theodore asked cautiously. He knew that his sister being married to Jack Sparrow made his own situation awkward at the fort and precarious in the extreme with the new governor.
"I think we should make an inspection of the battlements, Captain…" James Norrington suggested. Puzzled, Theodore followed him. They paced along the battlements, red coated marines hurried to make themselves look busy, but the Commodore and captain paid them no heed. Only when he was totally sure that they were beyond earshot did James Norrington speak.
"We need to warn the Black Pearl not to return…" he said quietly.
Theodore looked sharply at him, not quite believing what the Commodore had just said. "Are you suggesting what I think you are…" he stuttered.
"I cannot go," the Commodore continued, "you cannot go, for I suspect that the Governor is having you watched, and the Governor is bound to have the Turner household under observation also. We need to send someone that Jack Sparrow will trust. Any suggestions?"
Theodore thought for a moment, before settling on one man. "Sergeant Quist might be able to do it, if we can get him out of Port Royal. He is loyal and knew of the earlier deception… or Jill might do it? She has family here and in the Bahamas… a sister, I believe, at Nassau. Perhaps somebody could take sick?"
"Ah, yes, your maid..." James Norrington thought quietly for a moment. "Arrange passage for her on the next available ship. Perhaps your sergeant should escort her… ensure a ship's boat is quietly added to the cargo of the ship that takes them…"
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Will knew that Jack would try to contact him and guessed that Jacoby Roseridge would have him watched. "I've got to warn Jack," he told Elizabeth, "And Jack cannot come here! The Leochek escaped and has hopefully warned them, but we cannot take that risk."
Elizabeth sighed, and tried to reason with him that Jack was too clever to be caught, but Will would not be swayed. So he loitered near the docks, trying to find a captain sailing to the Bahamas that would take either a message or a passenger; he was surprised to see Commodore Norrington walking towards him in the evening light.
"It has been taken care of Mister Turner," he said quietly. "I suggest you return to your smithy and forget about old friends for a while…" Will looked sharply at the Commodore. "A life for a life," he smiled. "All debts are cancelled." Before Will could ask any questions, James Norrington turned and walked the other way.
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Frank Quist helped Jill down into the small ship's boat that Captain Groves had arranged for them, looking up and thanking the captain of the trading ship profusely for their passage to the northern end of the Windward Passage. They intended to sail the small ship's boat along the coast of Hispaniola until they reached Tortuga, or found the Black Pearl, whichever happened first.
"Don't worry about it, Sergeant. The crew know what you are doing, but won't talk! Port Royal owes those two ships, and it is a crime what the Governor has done," he growled.
Frank nodded, raising the small sail and heading eastwards. Jill sat quietly in the boat. She had never liked ships or boats for she could not swim and the deep seas terrified her. Her face was pale and she gripped the small seat, knuckles white, but gradually with Frank's reassurances, she curled up in the bottom of the boat and found herself lulled to sleep by the waves.
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They had been sailing for nearly a day when Frank nudged her awake. "Miss Jill, look – sails!"
He pointed towards the horizon where two ships could just be seen sailing westwards towards the Windward Passage. Their outlines gave him hope and he steered towards them, smiling delightedly when he could see that it was indeed the Black Pearl and the Leochek.
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Jack helped the two of them onto deck, before fastening the small boat securely to the Black Pearl with a towline.
He waved across to Arthur Jessop, indicating a meeting in his cabin. "So you say Norrington and Groves sent yer?"
The Leochek sailed closer and quartermaster Jessop landed gracefully on deck. "What's up, Captain?" he asked.
"Quist and Jill 'ere have been sent by Norrington an' Groves to warn us…" Jack hurried the group into his cabin. "So – what's it all about?"
Frank Quist explained about the removal of Governor Swann and that the new governor was Jacoby Roseridge. "The Commodore had no chance to warn the Leochek as she was in harbour at the time – and he was duty bound to act. They are waiting until those injured are better before the hanging… on the same day they have a big party at the Governor's mansion…"
"How long have we got?" Jessop asked worriedly.
"A week at most, considering time already passed. Jacoby Roseridge and his son have gone back to their plantation to plan the party…" Frank estimated.
"So they aren't at Port Royal?" A slow smile gradually spread over Jack's face. He turned to Frank Quist. "I'll arrange passage fer yer t' th' Bahamas… Nassau wasn't it you were meant t' be going to? Theodore can pick yer up from there…"
"And what of you?" Frank enquired.
"Best yer don't know," Jack smiled, humming to himself as he reached for a bottle of rum.
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