Yet again, usual disclaimers apply throughout this tale. If you recognise it, it probably belongs to the Mouse – else it is mine!
Chapter 49- Riling Roseridge
Year 4 - Mid-February
Jack looked through his spyglass at the ship on the horizon. It was one of the Roseridge fleet. He smiled. Andrea Marra and the Leochek may have left the Caribbean whilst things calmed down, but he was determined to keep things bubbling nicely. It was a perfect day for riling Roseridge.
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Year 4 - Early March
James Norrington sighed, shutting the door after yet another raging visit from the Governor. Jack Sparrow had sunk another of his merchant fleet and Jacoby Roseridge was far from happy, but how could you explain to the man that the Navy's ships were not fast enough to catch the Black Pearl and that, in your heart, you did not blame the pirate. Apart from the attacks on any ship owned by the Roseridge family, no other English ship had been attacked. French, Spanish, Dutch – yes, but English – no. Whatever you said about Jack Sparrow, he had a sense of honour, honour in his own warped way, but no less honourable for all that. The town notables hated Sparrow, siding with the Governor, but the poorer townspeople loved him as they knew he was interested only in rich cargo and would not attack their ships.
Weary, the Commodore rubbed the bridge of his nose, feeling another headache coming on. Damn Sparrow!
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Robert DeWitt sat on the sand, watching the small fishing dories working in the bay. He looked up at the sound of a horse approaching – Damian Roseridge.
"Mister DeWitt, glad to see you've waited." Damian dismounted, tying the dapple grey gelding to a tree.
"Well, it was such a pretty view…" Robert DeWitt replied sarcastically. "What's up?"
"I think the second part of our plan can be put into effect now. Bring the others in as soon as possible. Hit Port Royal - with the Resolute at sea there is little chance of being caught – especially if our little trap works."
Robert DeWitt nodded, standing and striding down the beach. Damn puppy would be teaching him how to suck eggs next!
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Captain Alfred Sibley cautiously sailed his ship into the harbour at Port Royal as dusk fell, the gathering gloom rendering the views from the fort ineffective.
Silently, deadly, they crept in until the boom of their cannons announced their arrival. The townspeople fled in panic, screams filled the air as buildings exploded and people died. The pirates swarmed through the town whilst their ship, The Gauntlet, bombarded the fort.
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Commodore Norrington was sitting in his office when the onslaught began. "Wha…" He ran outside, reaching the battlement as the cannons on the parapets were already returning fire.
"Pirates, Sir!" Robert Gillette shouted.
"What ship?" he demanded, reaching for his spyglass for a better view of the ship in the dim light.
"Don't know Sir, she is unknown here!" the Lieutenant replied.
"Continue firing Gillette. I'm going down into the town…" Commodore Norrington drew his sword and ordered a troop of red coated marines to follow him to the Governor's mansion. They charged down the hill. If only the Resolute was there, but she was on duty at sea.
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"Matilda! Edward! Go with your mother, now!" Jacoby Roseridge was no coward. Strapping on his sword he headed for the door of the Governor's mansion. His eldest son, Damian, followed, his pistol and sword ready, as a number of pirates burst through the gates.
He stood in front of his father, pistol raised at the pirates, but swivelled on his heels at the last moment. "Goodbye father!" He pulled the trigger, smiling as his father's disbelieving eyes stared at him in death.
"Take what you want, Sibley," he laughed, before standing en-guarde. Sibley's men spread out, rushing through the Mansion snatching valuables as their captain pretended to fight with Damian. A few swift cuts, a bash on the head, and the alibi was complete. Alfred Sibley obligingly doffed his hat and left.
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"Where were your men, Commodore!" Damian Roseridge demanded. "Where were they when the pirates stormed our home and killed my father!" He walked close to the Commodore, eye to eye. "You are a disgrace man! A disgrace to your uniform and a disgrace to the King! He paused, as if trying to control himself. "As my father's heir I will be assuming his duties until a new governor is sent by the King. The other families have assured me of their support with this matter, indeed, they have insisted that I take the governorship following father's death! I will have your obedience, Commodore!" He stormed from the office.
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