Usual disclaimers… such is life!

Sorry I was down last night, but I've been a bit depressed about life in general and the lack of feedback (other than the usual suspects) was getting me down.

Ani – I've already told you that you can have Theo! Moulin – thanks and hugs. Omala – I know you are a good reviewer… my first ever, still there, and all the more special for that! Mab – the hush-hush story hasn't even started yet, although Ani and I have plotted it out. She has to finish her story and I have to finish this one first before I can cope with it. I'll shout when it does start, savvy! Yoshimi – be careful, a girl needs those braincells. Captain RS – Jack doesn't reappear until Chapter 19… be patient as I promise he is worth it. Cap'n – I'm not giving up yet. Jisatsu – safe is a matter of opinion. Cherrikoo – See above about Jack reappearing. Jack is the only one cursed as the previous curse ended when all the coins were replaced in the movie. Will does not have to be involved at all. Theodore Groves is the one in the movie who called Jack the "best pirate I've ever seen" when the HMS Interceptor is stol… commandeered!

As you've all been so nice, I'm uploading two chapters today. Thanks.

Chapter 14 – The Attack on Port Royal

Bryn Corbin watched with satisfaction at the flotilla of ship's boats spread out around him. All but the gunners, and a few men to manage the sails in case of any emergency, were in the boats – in all, over one hundred men from the Black Pearl and The Crow. Their silent entry into the dark harbour had not been noticed and, as the first boat beached, the cannons from the Black Pearl sounded as she sailed into the harbour in the darkness, smashing into the fort above the town. The cannons from the second ship were but a few moments behind, smashing into the town.

All around was chaos.

Climbing from one of the lead boats, Bryn looked around, satisfied at the confusion the two ships were causing. He called Jacob Summersby to him. "Show me where she lives!" he ordered as the rest of the men ran through the town, looting and burning, killing all that stood against them.

Jacob Summersby led the captain of the Black Pearl to the small home above the chandlery, pushing the lower door open wide. He quickly climbed the narrow stairs, frowning in surprise at the second door being ajar. Bryn pushed past him, furious to think that the woman had fled, but the flames outside gave ample light and he could see that neither she nor the children were there. He roared with rage, pulling open drawer after drawer to reveal them empty. "Find her!" he shouted. "She was here today – she cannot be far!"

Drawing his sword he stormed down the stairs, charging towards the nearest knot of marines that were frantically trying to force the pirates from the town. He was angry, and he wanted blood.

88888

Bessie awoke with a start, terrified to hear the sound of cannonfire booming from the harbour. The older children, in their nightclothes, burst into the room, screaming for her, adding their cries to those of the youngest that were already there. They were followed, but a few moments later, by Theodore, still struggling to tie the laces of his breeches. His captain's uniform coat hung loosely from his shoulders, not buttoned.

"To the cellar!" he ordered. "If the house is hit you will be safer there!" He turned, lighting the lantern in her room. "Come, all of you…"

Bessie quickly slipped from the bed, picking up Emily and handing her to Pearl, whilst she herself carried Frances. Jack ran to get Cotton, for that is what they had named the macaw, whilst she hurried the children to follow the captain as he led the way in the darkness down the grand staircase and then through the small door that led to the cellar. It was cold, despite the balmy night, and the children shivered.

"I will fetch you some blankets," Theodore offered, "but then I must head to the fort…"

"You are leaving us?" Bessie looked at him in panic, frightened of being left undefended.

"Bessie!" He smiled at her in the flickering light, his hand reaching to stroke her face, but he stopped the motion, realising what he had been about to do. He hoped she had not noticed. "They do not know you are here? They have no reason to! Keep the children quiet and you should be fine… there is enough to distract them upstairs if they've a mind to loot, without having to look down here!"

Numbly, she nodded, taking the lantern from him with her free hand whilst he dashed back upstairs in the darkness. Long residence within the house meant that he knew every turn, even in the dark, and he quickly grabbed a number of blankets from the beds, and his sword from his own room, before hurrying back down to the basement.

"Here, wrap the children in these!" he urged as he buckled his swordbelt on. "I will lock the door and be back when I can!"

88888

Theodore locked the door behind him, fastening the buttons on his coat as he ran towards the town. Drawing his sword, he charged at the nearest pirate, relieved to see several groups of marines fighting nearby. "To me!" he ordered, rallying them in a tighter knot and forcing the pirates back down the hill towards the harbour. Whatever happened, he had to protect Bessie and the children and to keep the opportunist looter away from his house. In the confusion, he saw the Commodore, blade bloodied, as he too fought. Indeed, it appeared that every able-bodied man, and occasionally woman, were fighting to repel the pirates.

They fought on. Theodore lost count of the pirates that had fallen to the combined swords of his group of marines, and soon he sensed the tide turning in their favour. The pirates, laden with what they had stolen, were – it seemed – more eager to flee back to their ships than face them.

It was over.

88888