A/N – Ahh, so, so sorry I haven't updated in what feels like years! Anyway,
here's another instalment but it's not as long as I had hoped it'd be. By
the way, 'Takoda' is a Native American girl's name which means 'friend to
everyone' (or so the internet told me, so if it's wrong, or your name is
Takoda or it somehow offends you, I'm sorry)
No violence or sex or anything this time round but hey their time will
come. *smiles*
Disclaimer : I own nothing except Sarah and other minor characters.....
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Chapter Seventeen - A step closer to our plans
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Peter had casually made his way to the Indian lands. A sense of spiritual healing, bonds of pure strength and light of joy echoed around and among the lands. A small smile crept onto Peter's full lips as memories of wild Indian parties that went into the dawn came to mind, younger days when time was of no existence and innocence still lingered. His smile gushed into a sneer as he averted his eyes to look at the ground. He wasn't angry as of such at the Indians but if however they were aiding his tribe in any such way against his leadership there'd be bloodshed.
Walking into the camp, Peter noticed that the Indians paid no attention to him as he strode right to the chiefs tent. For one second this startled Peter and he stood outside the tent for a couple of seconds before turning around to watch some of the women who were now looking at him. There was no sign of the people Peter wanted to see and so almost rudely he shouted in an aggressive fashion the names of Tiger Lily and John and to his surprise a young Indian girl, probably the same age as Lily stood up holding what seemed to Peter as the son of the pair.
Her English held her native accent but she spoke, looking him in the eye.
"Why?"
Peter wasn't amused at this comment and repeated her words disbelieving that she'd talk like that to him.
"They are away." She stated her tone a little more conversational.
"Where?"
"Do not know, but we are taking care of Michael."
"Does anyone know where they are!?" Peter demanded getting fed up of no answers.
The Indian girl shrugged.
"Well? Does anyone know where my tribe is!?"
All the Indian women looked up at Peter one by one throughout this sentence and the silence after it. In a way Peter was apprehensive of the women, ageing from young toddlers to very old mature ladies.
No men seemed to be about and Peter didn't hesitate to wait for them either.
"Let me know when they return." He said in a displeased voice before he flew into the air with all the grace and glory that he possessed.
A young Indian girl looked up and didn't even notice the awing smile she was giving to Peter's back. An older lady nudged her and gave her a stern look and the young girl sheepishly got on with what she was doing originally.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Sarah's face went blank, then her mouth went into an 'o' shape and finally a proud smile filtered her lips.
"I knew it, I knew it!" She cried.
A few people near her gave her a strange look but she never noticed them.
"I think I should introduce myself." The groom said to her, trying to calm Sarah's excitement a tone down and he held out his hand. "I'm Robbins, Ruben Robbins, pleased to meet you ..."
"...Sarah, just Sarah."
There was a moment silence then Sarah quizzed her face and looked at Ruben.
"Robbins? Wouldn't you be 'Hook'?"
"Robbins is my mother's name. I don't associate with my father, he has never been a father to me and thus I do not use his name, I'm not a pirate."
Sarah looked at him, firstly, sympathetically, and then puzzled once more. Her face asked the next question.
"James doesn't like burdens on his back. A bastard child wasn't going to stop him in his piracy, to share his wealth, to live life to the fullest."
"Why wouldn't he?..."
"He's not a family man."
"Do you meet or does he meet your mother?"
"My mother? She's been dead for a while now, I don't think James is that nice to go see her grave and take a flower in her memory, she was just another one of his whores."
Ruben closed his eyes for a moment. Whether it was in memory or in something else, Sarah did not know.
"A whore?" Sarah echoed very quietly after him and this brought Rubens attention back to her.
"That's why I thought you were quiet young, that's all. The old man must be wanting a new freshness or something, has he got any problems or anything?"
"Err?" Sarah mumbled. "Wait, I don't understand? Did he leave you? What were the circumstances?"
"My mother demanded after James had had his way with her, that he should cough up to her and for the child she was carrying. He said it wasn't his fault for the situation and that he was above her so he could have the last word."
"So have you ever met? I mean recently?" Sarah asked.
"No, but I've seen him, out and about, parading around the town, flaunting his wealth and privilege, not to mention his ship, I hope it sinks one of these days." Ruben finished but with less bitterness than Sarah was expecting.
"I think I should go." Sarah said noticing the bride looking over suspiciously. "Treat her well won't you. Don't take away her freedom; it's too precious to steal." The words suddenly made Sarah seem a lot older than she was.
Ruben frowned at first but then nodded intriguingly.
"Oh before I go. About what you said earlier, any problems and stuff. It's funny you should say that because I feel there is something wrong. I know I haven't been around for long or known him personally for a while but? He has been away lately."
"On his ship?"
"Don't know?" Sarah shrugged.
"Sarah I'm not going to patronize you because there's not much age between us but James Hook is James Hook. He's a deadly enemy to those in his way or who have displeased him. He's also a gentleman and an intelligent man but most of all, a pirate and pirates can't be trustworthy. Have you ever heard of a pirate who settled down in life? They'd rather die than be bound to an ordinary, unadulterated life. Just remember that ok? I've seen women who have been in my mother's situation and not lived to see their bellies grow.
Sarah's face was painful and affecting.
Ruben wanted to touch her arm or just wake her from what he'd said but Sarah's mind was too busy thinking and it was exposing through her face, in a frown between her brows.
Sarah looked up to Ruben in a mixture of sadness and anger but the pale blue eyes that bore straight into hers, echoed James' eyes which told the truth and his mood; Ruben wasn't lying for his sapphire's pierced her emeralds in a soft blue.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Leaving the Rat pub wasn't helpful as Sarah, in the dusk breeze found herself confused in questions.
So James had a son, that was for sure. The woman he'd been with, Ruben's mother was now dead; how? She didn't know but it didn't sound as if James had killed her, had it? So James didn't like hangers on? What was she then? Just some kind of side toy that was made to look pretty when James wanted to show her off? It was obvious it was her looks because Sarah had no noble history to flaunt that would impress the rich society of Ravens town.
Sarah sighed walking away from the pub, averting her eyes from the spot she had had an encounter with Peter and headed in her satin shoes down the hill, only because it seemed easier to concentrate on her thoughts. Going down hill would mean eventually coming to the port, possibly James was there, maybe she would find him and talk.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Tiger Lily placed her arms around John's waist and rested the side of her face on his shoulder.
She spoke in calming words of her people as John took off his glasses and pinched the bridge of his nose before rubbing his face.
John's sigh was understood by Lily and she released him so he could carefully look at her. He gave her a small smile before turning his gaze to the people who were before him, lounging, standing but mainly watching. The lost tribe all wondered if there was any new news but John did not speak and neither did Tiger Lily and so John's worries for their safety were not heard.
Dusk had now officially fallen and not long after John's fears, Slightly and Jake suddenly arrived unexpectedly on the secret hiding.
"I don't believe it!" Lily said a smile creeping onto her delicate features.
John caught on and noticed the two young men approaching, looking a little tired and a little dirty but never the less alive with no sign of Peter.
"Slightly, Jake!" John cried shaking their hands and pulling them into a manly hug.
Slightly didn't have time to relax from the hug as another person lunged their way forward holding him tight.
"God I've missed you. I thought Peter had...."
Slightly held onto Summer as tight as she held onto him.
"Don't say it." He whispered.
John ushered everyone further inside what seemed to be another underground cave, completely earthy and full of stones.
"How did you find us?" Lily asked.
"Jakes charm, I think your grandmother fancies him." Slightly smirked.
Jake smiled triumphantly before laughing as Lily rolled her eyes as if to say 'you're not the only one'."
"Hey, it's my stunning good looks too!" Jake added as the tribe gathered around John, noticing the arrival of an official leader, if only second in command.
Younger tribe members smiled at seeing Slightly and others were curious to why there was only one of the twins.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The port was now busy with a different sense of night life.
Ladies were already coming out into the street, their best clothes, snagged at the edges and their make up looking like china dolls.
The Jolly Roger's lights were lit and some noise could be heard aboard the ship in bursts of mumbles.
A plank type bridge with rope handles was lined from the ship down to the pavement where two ladies stood taking to three crew members Sarah didn't recognise, blocking the bridge. For some reason it was as if in Sarah's mind, that it was a sign not to board the ship. As much as she wanted to talk to James, this was his domain and his property. There were no bindings she had with him that officially stated that she had possession of half of the ship. The thought of strolling on board was bound to get James angry anyway and Sarah didn't feel in a mood to face his temper.
That's when she saw her. She was beautiful in Sarah eyes, stunning in fact. Her white blond hair framed her face in beautiful cascades of waves. Her porcelain skin would have been shining if the moon had be out as it lay over high cheek bones and the most delicate, straight nose Sarah had ever seen. She was taller than Sarah but the distance was misleading to her figure. As she carefully stepped towards the bridge, Sarah's face broke out, half hidden in shock as her own opinions and suggestions flew before she had time to think.
The young lady who didn't seem much older than Sarah but still held a more mature aspect about her, moved carefully down the bridge and Sarah got a second glimpse of her extremely rounded belly that only could say she was heavily pregnant.
The woman looked at Sarah noticing the rich dress she wore and sneered in her direction as she started to walk past, unappreciative of Sarah's gawping.
"Wait!" Sarah cried her thoughts running crazy.
The woman turned to her and Sarah noticed how her beauty up close was almost blinding. Her eyes beamed a bright blue and her skin held no blemishes and shone healthily and heavily.
"What?" The woman asked, her voice not half as nice as her looks.
"Err, is the Captain up there?"
The woman gave a full look over Sarah and even though her own clothes weren't to a standard like Sarah's, she still gave a displeasing look as if Sarah was below her.
"Listen girly..."
The comment was patronising and Sarah pursed her lips in her condescending attitude.
"...You're wasting your time seeing him, he's already in a bad mood and that was before we saw each other so I don't think he'd like a little girl frilling about him tonight, okay? Just leave the women to see him. Shouldn't you be back in your rich town house garden sipping something poncie? Is it not past your bed time?"
Sarah face was red and her fists were clenched but her mouth couldn't say the words she was thinking.
The woman gave a denigrating smile in her direction and walked off, trying to look superior in her state, turning her nose up to other women in the street.
Sarah watched her go and turned back to the ship before turning back to the women in the street who now had customers walking near and were getting into character.
"C'mon love you slip those pennies in me purse 'and and you can slip this in me, what ya say?"
Sarah noticed the woman grab the young mans crotch but he backed away either in surprise or embarrassment as the other man laughed. She turned her gaze back to the ship, possibly hoping James would come on deck. Thoughts now ran through her mind like a wild fire. Who was that woman? Why was she on James' ship? Who was the father of her unborn child?
"Err, maybe another time ladies." The other male voice spoke again, controlling his laughter.
"What's wrong? Don't fancy a woman tonight? Would rather 'ave him mmm?"
"Fuck you, you old bat." The voice spoke up again lazily.
Sarah turned her attention back to the customers who had declined. It seemed a little strange only for the fact they'd declined the prospect of sex being that they were young men but also that they sounded young.
The taller of the two was now walking faster towards Sarah.
His clothes looked poor but Sarah wouldn't have said that if she'd never worn the gowns James had introduced to her.
The smaller of the two caught up with the taller young man and they speedily made their way nearer Sarah and they stopped as their direction wandered over the majestic Jolly Roger.
Sarah turned her gaze to the ship and noticed the figure that she'd hoped for finally look down from the deck.
The two young men struck up a whispered conversation, one of them pulling down his cap, the other making sure his face wasn't in direct view of Hook.
James didn't bother looking directly down onto the pavement instead, looking out down the street, past the boys and past the whores before walking out of sight.
Sarah noted he was fully dressed, that was surely a good sign.
The pirates who had been standing by the bridge were looking suspiciously at Sarah as she still lingered, oddly by herself looking lost.
The young men waited till Hook had gone and proceeded closer to the bridge.
Sarah turned her back and started to walk away, she supposed, back to the house, although right now it seemed a little far away.
The two men were nearer to her and Sarah plucked up the courage to talk to them, hoping the consequences weren't dire.
"Excuse me, gentlemen but...." The words didn't come out as she frowned looking at them before a smirk had appeared on her lips.
"Hello Sarah!" smiled Jack, his hair slightly messy now that he had no wolf skin cap covering his head. "Bet you didn't recognise me without it." Jack pointed at his hair, shoving a hand through it and messing it about.
Sarah laughed but not before she'd given a quick glance to the other young man, his dirty brown cap covering his curls.
"Nice clothes." Sarah smirked.
Curly wore a grubby coloured grey shirt rolled up at the sleeves with a pair of worn black dungarees.
Jack wore a pair of three quarter brown pants and an old navy blue jacket which was very scruffy looking.
They all smiled at each other but Sarah made no move to embrace the pair. Instead she beckoned them away with a nod in another direction as the group guarding the bridge gave another suspicious look in her direction which she noticed.
Curly had remained silent still taking glances back up to the Jolly Roger as the trio started to walk away from the street.
In a quieter street, darker than the port, the trio halted and Sarah leaped into them holding them tight, her smile becoming girly. She stepped back carefully and noticed them, waiting for her to speak.
"What?"
"Dunno?" Jack shrugged and gave Curly a sly glance before speaking again.
"Did you hear that?" Jack asked very unconvincingly. "Let me just go check it out."
Sarah frowned but smirked, half Jacks sudden disappearance and half for being left with Curly.
"How are you?" Curly asked.
Sarah sighed, her smiled still lingering on her lips. "I'm good, I guess."
"Tried to find you but we couldn't."
"How long have you been looking?"
"Since you left. Said I'd come and find you in front of the others."
"The others?" Sarah asked with worry.
"Slightly the twins and Nibs."
Sarah stayed silent.
"Tried to go to where you said you were staying. Not sure if we found the right place but there was no sign of you, just a crazy old woman. It was the Rat pub right? I couldn't remember when you told me and Nibs, it seems ages ago."
"You were on the right direction; in fact you found the place, especially if there was a crazy, nosey lady there."
Curly smirked.
"But I'm not there any more." Sarah tone was slightly sombre and Curly didn't know if this was because she missed the place or for some other reason.
Sarah looked away from Curly as if she was thinking and Curly made a step closer to her until he put his hand on her upper arm.
Sarah looked up her eyes startled but they quickly relaxed.
"Why aren't you there any more Sarah?" Curly's voice was soft and concerned.
"Peter found me." Sarah said quietly.
For Curly's point of view, Sarah had just sunk into her own self as she uttered those words. She became frightened and upset and Curly saw this. It made him feel strong and glad he'd found her by some twist of fate. He felt like a man and he wanted to instinctively protect her.
Even though Curly had been silent and almost timid minutes before, Sarah had noticed his change that occurred a second ago. He boldly took her into his embrace and Sarah found herself wanting to be held by him because he was her friend and at that moment, it felt more than what James' hugs were to her because Curly understood her differently to James.
No tears shed from Sarah's eyes like they usually would, but instead, Sarah let her bad thoughts of Peter be banished in Curly's arms.
"Curly?"
"Yeah?"
"Where did you get your, err, new clothes?"
Sarah left his embrace and a small smile was playing on her lips again.
"Err, Jack stole them. I think they belonged to a farmers washing line, why?"
"Well, even though they look disgusting, they surprisingly smell clean."
"Only the best for us you know." Curly joked taking off his cap and shaking his curly mane from its confinement.
A little silence struck up between the two but before Curly could say something, Jack came into view smiling curiously.
"Well?" Sarah asked smirking.
"Oh, it was just a seagull, a really fast one too. Mad."
Sarah looked at Curly and he shrugged his shoulders with the same smirk that they all that on their lips.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Nibs wouldn't have known but luck was on his side.
After arriving at the camp to find it deserted and lifeless, pondering on what do next he just stood up and started walking again, unknown that Peter had arrived back at the camp a short while after he'd left.
The direction he was now heading in was the Indian lands. Of course it was a while before he got there and the males of the tribe were home. At the sight of Nibs who looked tired but would not say that he was, some of the younger girls in the tribe came to him with excited smiles on their pretty faces, cautiously glancing at the sky before speaking to him. As news spread that Nibs was in the camp, others greeted him, this time, elders.
The thing about Nibs was he held more respect for the Indians than Peter did and because he held a strong friendship with John, the Indians accepted him to a degree and his respect, into their circle without hesitation, knowing Nibs was trust worthy. It was known that along with John dealing produce and items in Ravens town from the Indian lands, Nibs would also be involved helping the tribe gain money by fronting John with the sale. This kept the constant racial abuse that they got from certain Ravens town folk at bay because a 'white' person was dealing.
Nibs smiled lightly at the chief who beckoned him to sit by the fire that was blazing brightly. The warmth and light was much appreciated. Tribe members hadn't fully sat down to appreciate the blaze and were obviously still carrying on with their jobs and activities.
The young girl who had talked to Peter previously during the day came over to Nibs, this time without young Michael.
Nibs gave her a small smile without showing his teeth and she sat next to him, a little too close for Nibs' comfort.
"Peter was here today, looking for the tribe."
Nibs looked at her sternly.
"Don't worry, we told him nothing but the tribe cannot be doing this. We still have an allegiance with him and we don't want him to go against us."
"Your people need to learn he is no more a threat because he is alone."
"He could still kill."
"I know, but things are changing."
"We know. It is in the water, it burns in the flames, the earth feels different."
"Peter doesn't control life."
"No, but he affects it."
Nibs was silent.
"They're with John and Lily."
Nibs looked at her, a relief dawning on his face and she smiled a small blush on her cheeks.
"John and Lily are happy yes?" It was more of a statement to think about than a question.
Nibs nodded softly but did not say anything.
"Michael is growing fast; I can see his father in him."
"Where are they?" Nibs asked about his tribe, John and Lily, hoping his comment wasn't harsh and that she didn't notice his annoyance or blunt declining of her sweet talk.
"Lady Quiller knows, no one else knows in case Peter did find out." She replied.
"Your tribe wouldn't tell him."
"No but in the event he found out. He could not accuse us of being part of hiding them."
"What if he threatened Lady Quiller?"
"Then he would be very stupid. Then there would be trouble. My people would not let him get away with that. People must have respect for their elders, especially such an old and wise person like Lady Quiller."
"Takoda, Peter doesn't care if he's stupid or there's trouble.
"We know."
"I'm glad."
Nibs looked into the flames and sighed realising he still had his satchel on his shoulder. He shrugged it off and noticed that Takoda was watching his movements.
"You will stay to eat won't you?"
Nibs watched as tribe members bustled about and he caught sign of a roasting beast and suddenly the smells of beautiful cuisine filtered his nose.
"If that's all right with your tribe."
Takoda looked offended that he'd hesitated. But Nibs knew that it was she who had asked him to eat and not the tribe and in the circumstances, she did not have the power to ask him to dine with the tribe, it was up to the seniors to offer him a seat.
"They will ask you when they see you I am sure." She smiled pushing a sheet of silky, straight, black hair over her shoulder and grabbed his hand to take him over to the seniors.
Younger girls watched with envious eyes and older ones watched with amusement.
Disclaimer : I own nothing except Sarah and other minor characters.....
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Chapter Seventeen - A step closer to our plans
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Peter had casually made his way to the Indian lands. A sense of spiritual healing, bonds of pure strength and light of joy echoed around and among the lands. A small smile crept onto Peter's full lips as memories of wild Indian parties that went into the dawn came to mind, younger days when time was of no existence and innocence still lingered. His smile gushed into a sneer as he averted his eyes to look at the ground. He wasn't angry as of such at the Indians but if however they were aiding his tribe in any such way against his leadership there'd be bloodshed.
Walking into the camp, Peter noticed that the Indians paid no attention to him as he strode right to the chiefs tent. For one second this startled Peter and he stood outside the tent for a couple of seconds before turning around to watch some of the women who were now looking at him. There was no sign of the people Peter wanted to see and so almost rudely he shouted in an aggressive fashion the names of Tiger Lily and John and to his surprise a young Indian girl, probably the same age as Lily stood up holding what seemed to Peter as the son of the pair.
Her English held her native accent but she spoke, looking him in the eye.
"Why?"
Peter wasn't amused at this comment and repeated her words disbelieving that she'd talk like that to him.
"They are away." She stated her tone a little more conversational.
"Where?"
"Do not know, but we are taking care of Michael."
"Does anyone know where they are!?" Peter demanded getting fed up of no answers.
The Indian girl shrugged.
"Well? Does anyone know where my tribe is!?"
All the Indian women looked up at Peter one by one throughout this sentence and the silence after it. In a way Peter was apprehensive of the women, ageing from young toddlers to very old mature ladies.
No men seemed to be about and Peter didn't hesitate to wait for them either.
"Let me know when they return." He said in a displeased voice before he flew into the air with all the grace and glory that he possessed.
A young Indian girl looked up and didn't even notice the awing smile she was giving to Peter's back. An older lady nudged her and gave her a stern look and the young girl sheepishly got on with what she was doing originally.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Sarah's face went blank, then her mouth went into an 'o' shape and finally a proud smile filtered her lips.
"I knew it, I knew it!" She cried.
A few people near her gave her a strange look but she never noticed them.
"I think I should introduce myself." The groom said to her, trying to calm Sarah's excitement a tone down and he held out his hand. "I'm Robbins, Ruben Robbins, pleased to meet you ..."
"...Sarah, just Sarah."
There was a moment silence then Sarah quizzed her face and looked at Ruben.
"Robbins? Wouldn't you be 'Hook'?"
"Robbins is my mother's name. I don't associate with my father, he has never been a father to me and thus I do not use his name, I'm not a pirate."
Sarah looked at him, firstly, sympathetically, and then puzzled once more. Her face asked the next question.
"James doesn't like burdens on his back. A bastard child wasn't going to stop him in his piracy, to share his wealth, to live life to the fullest."
"Why wouldn't he?..."
"He's not a family man."
"Do you meet or does he meet your mother?"
"My mother? She's been dead for a while now, I don't think James is that nice to go see her grave and take a flower in her memory, she was just another one of his whores."
Ruben closed his eyes for a moment. Whether it was in memory or in something else, Sarah did not know.
"A whore?" Sarah echoed very quietly after him and this brought Rubens attention back to her.
"That's why I thought you were quiet young, that's all. The old man must be wanting a new freshness or something, has he got any problems or anything?"
"Err?" Sarah mumbled. "Wait, I don't understand? Did he leave you? What were the circumstances?"
"My mother demanded after James had had his way with her, that he should cough up to her and for the child she was carrying. He said it wasn't his fault for the situation and that he was above her so he could have the last word."
"So have you ever met? I mean recently?" Sarah asked.
"No, but I've seen him, out and about, parading around the town, flaunting his wealth and privilege, not to mention his ship, I hope it sinks one of these days." Ruben finished but with less bitterness than Sarah was expecting.
"I think I should go." Sarah said noticing the bride looking over suspiciously. "Treat her well won't you. Don't take away her freedom; it's too precious to steal." The words suddenly made Sarah seem a lot older than she was.
Ruben frowned at first but then nodded intriguingly.
"Oh before I go. About what you said earlier, any problems and stuff. It's funny you should say that because I feel there is something wrong. I know I haven't been around for long or known him personally for a while but? He has been away lately."
"On his ship?"
"Don't know?" Sarah shrugged.
"Sarah I'm not going to patronize you because there's not much age between us but James Hook is James Hook. He's a deadly enemy to those in his way or who have displeased him. He's also a gentleman and an intelligent man but most of all, a pirate and pirates can't be trustworthy. Have you ever heard of a pirate who settled down in life? They'd rather die than be bound to an ordinary, unadulterated life. Just remember that ok? I've seen women who have been in my mother's situation and not lived to see their bellies grow.
Sarah's face was painful and affecting.
Ruben wanted to touch her arm or just wake her from what he'd said but Sarah's mind was too busy thinking and it was exposing through her face, in a frown between her brows.
Sarah looked up to Ruben in a mixture of sadness and anger but the pale blue eyes that bore straight into hers, echoed James' eyes which told the truth and his mood; Ruben wasn't lying for his sapphire's pierced her emeralds in a soft blue.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Leaving the Rat pub wasn't helpful as Sarah, in the dusk breeze found herself confused in questions.
So James had a son, that was for sure. The woman he'd been with, Ruben's mother was now dead; how? She didn't know but it didn't sound as if James had killed her, had it? So James didn't like hangers on? What was she then? Just some kind of side toy that was made to look pretty when James wanted to show her off? It was obvious it was her looks because Sarah had no noble history to flaunt that would impress the rich society of Ravens town.
Sarah sighed walking away from the pub, averting her eyes from the spot she had had an encounter with Peter and headed in her satin shoes down the hill, only because it seemed easier to concentrate on her thoughts. Going down hill would mean eventually coming to the port, possibly James was there, maybe she would find him and talk.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Tiger Lily placed her arms around John's waist and rested the side of her face on his shoulder.
She spoke in calming words of her people as John took off his glasses and pinched the bridge of his nose before rubbing his face.
John's sigh was understood by Lily and she released him so he could carefully look at her. He gave her a small smile before turning his gaze to the people who were before him, lounging, standing but mainly watching. The lost tribe all wondered if there was any new news but John did not speak and neither did Tiger Lily and so John's worries for their safety were not heard.
Dusk had now officially fallen and not long after John's fears, Slightly and Jake suddenly arrived unexpectedly on the secret hiding.
"I don't believe it!" Lily said a smile creeping onto her delicate features.
John caught on and noticed the two young men approaching, looking a little tired and a little dirty but never the less alive with no sign of Peter.
"Slightly, Jake!" John cried shaking their hands and pulling them into a manly hug.
Slightly didn't have time to relax from the hug as another person lunged their way forward holding him tight.
"God I've missed you. I thought Peter had...."
Slightly held onto Summer as tight as she held onto him.
"Don't say it." He whispered.
John ushered everyone further inside what seemed to be another underground cave, completely earthy and full of stones.
"How did you find us?" Lily asked.
"Jakes charm, I think your grandmother fancies him." Slightly smirked.
Jake smiled triumphantly before laughing as Lily rolled her eyes as if to say 'you're not the only one'."
"Hey, it's my stunning good looks too!" Jake added as the tribe gathered around John, noticing the arrival of an official leader, if only second in command.
Younger tribe members smiled at seeing Slightly and others were curious to why there was only one of the twins.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The port was now busy with a different sense of night life.
Ladies were already coming out into the street, their best clothes, snagged at the edges and their make up looking like china dolls.
The Jolly Roger's lights were lit and some noise could be heard aboard the ship in bursts of mumbles.
A plank type bridge with rope handles was lined from the ship down to the pavement where two ladies stood taking to three crew members Sarah didn't recognise, blocking the bridge. For some reason it was as if in Sarah's mind, that it was a sign not to board the ship. As much as she wanted to talk to James, this was his domain and his property. There were no bindings she had with him that officially stated that she had possession of half of the ship. The thought of strolling on board was bound to get James angry anyway and Sarah didn't feel in a mood to face his temper.
That's when she saw her. She was beautiful in Sarah eyes, stunning in fact. Her white blond hair framed her face in beautiful cascades of waves. Her porcelain skin would have been shining if the moon had be out as it lay over high cheek bones and the most delicate, straight nose Sarah had ever seen. She was taller than Sarah but the distance was misleading to her figure. As she carefully stepped towards the bridge, Sarah's face broke out, half hidden in shock as her own opinions and suggestions flew before she had time to think.
The young lady who didn't seem much older than Sarah but still held a more mature aspect about her, moved carefully down the bridge and Sarah got a second glimpse of her extremely rounded belly that only could say she was heavily pregnant.
The woman looked at Sarah noticing the rich dress she wore and sneered in her direction as she started to walk past, unappreciative of Sarah's gawping.
"Wait!" Sarah cried her thoughts running crazy.
The woman turned to her and Sarah noticed how her beauty up close was almost blinding. Her eyes beamed a bright blue and her skin held no blemishes and shone healthily and heavily.
"What?" The woman asked, her voice not half as nice as her looks.
"Err, is the Captain up there?"
The woman gave a full look over Sarah and even though her own clothes weren't to a standard like Sarah's, she still gave a displeasing look as if Sarah was below her.
"Listen girly..."
The comment was patronising and Sarah pursed her lips in her condescending attitude.
"...You're wasting your time seeing him, he's already in a bad mood and that was before we saw each other so I don't think he'd like a little girl frilling about him tonight, okay? Just leave the women to see him. Shouldn't you be back in your rich town house garden sipping something poncie? Is it not past your bed time?"
Sarah face was red and her fists were clenched but her mouth couldn't say the words she was thinking.
The woman gave a denigrating smile in her direction and walked off, trying to look superior in her state, turning her nose up to other women in the street.
Sarah watched her go and turned back to the ship before turning back to the women in the street who now had customers walking near and were getting into character.
"C'mon love you slip those pennies in me purse 'and and you can slip this in me, what ya say?"
Sarah noticed the woman grab the young mans crotch but he backed away either in surprise or embarrassment as the other man laughed. She turned her gaze back to the ship, possibly hoping James would come on deck. Thoughts now ran through her mind like a wild fire. Who was that woman? Why was she on James' ship? Who was the father of her unborn child?
"Err, maybe another time ladies." The other male voice spoke again, controlling his laughter.
"What's wrong? Don't fancy a woman tonight? Would rather 'ave him mmm?"
"Fuck you, you old bat." The voice spoke up again lazily.
Sarah turned her attention back to the customers who had declined. It seemed a little strange only for the fact they'd declined the prospect of sex being that they were young men but also that they sounded young.
The taller of the two was now walking faster towards Sarah.
His clothes looked poor but Sarah wouldn't have said that if she'd never worn the gowns James had introduced to her.
The smaller of the two caught up with the taller young man and they speedily made their way nearer Sarah and they stopped as their direction wandered over the majestic Jolly Roger.
Sarah turned her gaze to the ship and noticed the figure that she'd hoped for finally look down from the deck.
The two young men struck up a whispered conversation, one of them pulling down his cap, the other making sure his face wasn't in direct view of Hook.
James didn't bother looking directly down onto the pavement instead, looking out down the street, past the boys and past the whores before walking out of sight.
Sarah noted he was fully dressed, that was surely a good sign.
The pirates who had been standing by the bridge were looking suspiciously at Sarah as she still lingered, oddly by herself looking lost.
The young men waited till Hook had gone and proceeded closer to the bridge.
Sarah turned her back and started to walk away, she supposed, back to the house, although right now it seemed a little far away.
The two men were nearer to her and Sarah plucked up the courage to talk to them, hoping the consequences weren't dire.
"Excuse me, gentlemen but...." The words didn't come out as she frowned looking at them before a smirk had appeared on her lips.
"Hello Sarah!" smiled Jack, his hair slightly messy now that he had no wolf skin cap covering his head. "Bet you didn't recognise me without it." Jack pointed at his hair, shoving a hand through it and messing it about.
Sarah laughed but not before she'd given a quick glance to the other young man, his dirty brown cap covering his curls.
"Nice clothes." Sarah smirked.
Curly wore a grubby coloured grey shirt rolled up at the sleeves with a pair of worn black dungarees.
Jack wore a pair of three quarter brown pants and an old navy blue jacket which was very scruffy looking.
They all smiled at each other but Sarah made no move to embrace the pair. Instead she beckoned them away with a nod in another direction as the group guarding the bridge gave another suspicious look in her direction which she noticed.
Curly had remained silent still taking glances back up to the Jolly Roger as the trio started to walk away from the street.
In a quieter street, darker than the port, the trio halted and Sarah leaped into them holding them tight, her smile becoming girly. She stepped back carefully and noticed them, waiting for her to speak.
"What?"
"Dunno?" Jack shrugged and gave Curly a sly glance before speaking again.
"Did you hear that?" Jack asked very unconvincingly. "Let me just go check it out."
Sarah frowned but smirked, half Jacks sudden disappearance and half for being left with Curly.
"How are you?" Curly asked.
Sarah sighed, her smiled still lingering on her lips. "I'm good, I guess."
"Tried to find you but we couldn't."
"How long have you been looking?"
"Since you left. Said I'd come and find you in front of the others."
"The others?" Sarah asked with worry.
"Slightly the twins and Nibs."
Sarah stayed silent.
"Tried to go to where you said you were staying. Not sure if we found the right place but there was no sign of you, just a crazy old woman. It was the Rat pub right? I couldn't remember when you told me and Nibs, it seems ages ago."
"You were on the right direction; in fact you found the place, especially if there was a crazy, nosey lady there."
Curly smirked.
"But I'm not there any more." Sarah tone was slightly sombre and Curly didn't know if this was because she missed the place or for some other reason.
Sarah looked away from Curly as if she was thinking and Curly made a step closer to her until he put his hand on her upper arm.
Sarah looked up her eyes startled but they quickly relaxed.
"Why aren't you there any more Sarah?" Curly's voice was soft and concerned.
"Peter found me." Sarah said quietly.
For Curly's point of view, Sarah had just sunk into her own self as she uttered those words. She became frightened and upset and Curly saw this. It made him feel strong and glad he'd found her by some twist of fate. He felt like a man and he wanted to instinctively protect her.
Even though Curly had been silent and almost timid minutes before, Sarah had noticed his change that occurred a second ago. He boldly took her into his embrace and Sarah found herself wanting to be held by him because he was her friend and at that moment, it felt more than what James' hugs were to her because Curly understood her differently to James.
No tears shed from Sarah's eyes like they usually would, but instead, Sarah let her bad thoughts of Peter be banished in Curly's arms.
"Curly?"
"Yeah?"
"Where did you get your, err, new clothes?"
Sarah left his embrace and a small smile was playing on her lips again.
"Err, Jack stole them. I think they belonged to a farmers washing line, why?"
"Well, even though they look disgusting, they surprisingly smell clean."
"Only the best for us you know." Curly joked taking off his cap and shaking his curly mane from its confinement.
A little silence struck up between the two but before Curly could say something, Jack came into view smiling curiously.
"Well?" Sarah asked smirking.
"Oh, it was just a seagull, a really fast one too. Mad."
Sarah looked at Curly and he shrugged his shoulders with the same smirk that they all that on their lips.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Nibs wouldn't have known but luck was on his side.
After arriving at the camp to find it deserted and lifeless, pondering on what do next he just stood up and started walking again, unknown that Peter had arrived back at the camp a short while after he'd left.
The direction he was now heading in was the Indian lands. Of course it was a while before he got there and the males of the tribe were home. At the sight of Nibs who looked tired but would not say that he was, some of the younger girls in the tribe came to him with excited smiles on their pretty faces, cautiously glancing at the sky before speaking to him. As news spread that Nibs was in the camp, others greeted him, this time, elders.
The thing about Nibs was he held more respect for the Indians than Peter did and because he held a strong friendship with John, the Indians accepted him to a degree and his respect, into their circle without hesitation, knowing Nibs was trust worthy. It was known that along with John dealing produce and items in Ravens town from the Indian lands, Nibs would also be involved helping the tribe gain money by fronting John with the sale. This kept the constant racial abuse that they got from certain Ravens town folk at bay because a 'white' person was dealing.
Nibs smiled lightly at the chief who beckoned him to sit by the fire that was blazing brightly. The warmth and light was much appreciated. Tribe members hadn't fully sat down to appreciate the blaze and were obviously still carrying on with their jobs and activities.
The young girl who had talked to Peter previously during the day came over to Nibs, this time without young Michael.
Nibs gave her a small smile without showing his teeth and she sat next to him, a little too close for Nibs' comfort.
"Peter was here today, looking for the tribe."
Nibs looked at her sternly.
"Don't worry, we told him nothing but the tribe cannot be doing this. We still have an allegiance with him and we don't want him to go against us."
"Your people need to learn he is no more a threat because he is alone."
"He could still kill."
"I know, but things are changing."
"We know. It is in the water, it burns in the flames, the earth feels different."
"Peter doesn't control life."
"No, but he affects it."
Nibs was silent.
"They're with John and Lily."
Nibs looked at her, a relief dawning on his face and she smiled a small blush on her cheeks.
"John and Lily are happy yes?" It was more of a statement to think about than a question.
Nibs nodded softly but did not say anything.
"Michael is growing fast; I can see his father in him."
"Where are they?" Nibs asked about his tribe, John and Lily, hoping his comment wasn't harsh and that she didn't notice his annoyance or blunt declining of her sweet talk.
"Lady Quiller knows, no one else knows in case Peter did find out." She replied.
"Your tribe wouldn't tell him."
"No but in the event he found out. He could not accuse us of being part of hiding them."
"What if he threatened Lady Quiller?"
"Then he would be very stupid. Then there would be trouble. My people would not let him get away with that. People must have respect for their elders, especially such an old and wise person like Lady Quiller."
"Takoda, Peter doesn't care if he's stupid or there's trouble.
"We know."
"I'm glad."
Nibs looked into the flames and sighed realising he still had his satchel on his shoulder. He shrugged it off and noticed that Takoda was watching his movements.
"You will stay to eat won't you?"
Nibs watched as tribe members bustled about and he caught sign of a roasting beast and suddenly the smells of beautiful cuisine filtered his nose.
"If that's all right with your tribe."
Takoda looked offended that he'd hesitated. But Nibs knew that it was she who had asked him to eat and not the tribe and in the circumstances, she did not have the power to ask him to dine with the tribe, it was up to the seniors to offer him a seat.
"They will ask you when they see you I am sure." She smiled pushing a sheet of silky, straight, black hair over her shoulder and grabbed his hand to take him over to the seniors.
Younger girls watched with envious eyes and older ones watched with amusement.