Usual disclaimers… and even Santa can't fix that!
Merry Christmas to you all!
Chapter 10 – Port Royal Reunion
Henry Holt crept through the streets of Port Royal, having drawn the short straw and been chosen to go and speak with the Turners. He hoped he would see Bessie, but knew it was best for now that he did not for he would want to approach her, to comfort her, and that would not be safe within the town. He scratched cautiously on the kitchen window of their home, seeing a light, and smiling at the startled face of Will. In a short while, the door opened. "Henry?"
"None other!" Henry smiled, sidling in past the wary smith. "I need you to get a message to Bessie…"
Will shut the door and led Henry through to the parlour where Elizabeth was worrying her embroidery, muttering curses under her breath. She looked up and gasped. "Henry!"
Without waiting to be asked, Henry sat in one of the chairs, turning to face the two Turners. "I need you to take a message to Bessie. And before you ask, no – Jack is dead. I saw it with my own eyes. Bryn Corbin took us and there are but six survivors from that encounter – myself, Joshamee, Paul, Wyn, Lucas and Gethin. We picked up Jem in Tortuga…"
"Bessie will be abed by now," Elizabeth reasoned. "As will the children…"
"I need you to go to her tomorrow and get her to walk out to the bay. We've a small ship there, not much, but it's a start again. Joshamee wants to tell her himself – we owe Bessie the truth of what happened at least…" he explained.
"I still had hope," Elizabeth sighed sadly, wiping an unlooked for tear from her eye. "I can't believe he's gone. I guess I'll never believe it…" She placed her embroidery beside her. "I will go to Bessie's early in the morning and send her out to you," she offered. "Do you need any supplies – can she bring anything?"
"We could always do with fresh food," Henry admitted. "Fruit especially…" He looked at the small mantle clock. "I must be gone though, and let you good folks retire to bed," he said, rising to leave.
"Thank you for telling us," Elizabeth replied, rising to hug the pirate. "You will all take care now, won't you?"
"As best we can," Henry assured her. "We're going to head back down to the Windward Islands later, keep clear of Tortuga for a while. Corbin will want us all dead if he can find us."
Will nodded. "Safe travels," he said quietly, checking that the coast was clear before ushering Henry through the door. "We'll get Bessie to you tomorrow!"
Henry nodded and disappeared into the darkness.
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Bessie walked through the market, grateful that Elizabeth had volunteered to stay with the children. Her mind was awhirl with the news that some of the crew had survived. Six! Just six! Her mind shrank from the enormity of the loss, even more so than the Black Pearl. Although the ship was Jack's pride and joy, it could be replaced, regained even… the men had been her family. Cautiously she loaded her basket with citrus fruits, mangos, bananas and whatever else she could see was fresh, ensuring the black fabric at its base was not seen. She covered the fruit with a cloth and headed towards the edge of town, remembering the last time she had walked this path – when Jack had been waiting for her in the trees.
"Mistress Sparrow! I am surprised to find you up and about so early!" Bessie turned in horror to see Captain Groves walking towards her. "Taking a walk?" he asked, keeping his tone innocent as he eyed her basket. He knew the path she was on led out of town, to a certain bay, and wondered if she was already consorting with pirates. "It is a lovely day, is it not? Perhaps I can escort you?"
"I… I…" Bessie stuttered.
"Who are you meeting, Bessie?" Theodore asked, taking opportunity to peer beneath the cloth that covered her wicker basket.
Bessie sagged, sighing heavily before looking up at him. "Please," she said quietly, "a few of the crew escaped the slaughter… they wanted to tell me how Jack died. There are only six – they are no threat except to Corbin…" She paused, searching his face, tears in her eyes. "Please, let me know the truth about how he died… just this once..."
Theodore Groves shook his head ruefully. "You'll be getting me court-martialled next, Bessie!" he said, chuckling at her confused expression. "Let me escort you anyway. There are greater threats than a few old pirates along these trails…"
"I don't know if…" she flustered.
"I insist," Theodore assured her. "And then, perhaps, I could carry that heavy basket for you?" He could see she was torn, trying to make her decision. Finally she nodded.
"They won't like it, you know," she warned.
"I will wait at the top of the slope," he assured her. "I will not walk further than that."
"Thank you," Bessie said quietly, still unsure if what she was doing was wise but unable to see a way around it. At least he had not summoned the watch, clapped her in irons and marched her to the Commodore to explain her actions. She handed him the basket.
"Well, we'd best be off then," he smiled, walking down the path as blithely as if the two of them really were out for a morning stroll.
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Reviews?
Drui – Jem was not surprised that Gibbs was elected Captain for it was logical. The look of shock was more a case of being stunned at the confirmation of Jack's death, extinguishing any hope he may have had of Jack merely losing his ship… again! ;)
Pen – thanks for that fascinating information that blood in seawater is black. It's amazing what you can find out reading a fanfic these days! :D
