Chapter 9
(Will's View)
Our little group walked into the Faithful Bride and my jaw dropped. Peals of laughter brought me out of my shock. I turned towards the noise and saw Jackie clutching her stomach from laughing so hard. I threw a glare in her direction, which just caused her to laugh harder.
"Is this a…I mean to ask is this a …" I could not bring myself to say it.
Jackie though was happy to fill in the blank for me, "a whorehouse, yes. Of course, it is also the best tavern in Taratoga, too." The amusement was still in her voice, but I was glad to see that she was no longer laughing out loud.
She grabbed my hand and started to pull in the direction that Jack and Mr. Gibbs had went. We neared the back room where they had both entered and sat down. Jack looked over at Jackie and nudged his head towards the bar, and she answered with a nod.
"I am going to the bar to get us some drinks, stay here and keep a sharp eye out."
As I saw her fade from view behind other patrons, I muttered to myself, "Keep an eye out for what, everyone here."
I leaned back and tried to listen to Jack and Mr. Gibbs' conversation.
(Jackie's View)
I made my way up to the bar without any trouble. I saw the bartender, and sighed in relief, 'a familiar face.'
"Aye Tom, how goes it?"
I could tell immediately that he did not recognize me. His eyes narrowed as he approached me. "What would an uppity wench like ya be doin in my tavrn?"
I could not help it, I had to mess with him. I slid my hand down and gripped one of my new daggers from its hiding place, and in one swift moment was leaning across the bar. With one hand I was holding the front of Tom's shirt and with the other had the dagger to his throat, being sure that it was not close enough to his throat to harm him.
"What did you call me?" I growled in a low voice.
Tom's eyes widen in surprise. "Ray?"
I let him go and chuckled, giving him a small smile, "Aye, it's me."
"Why I didn't know ya dress'd in lady's knickers," then he wrinkled his nose slightly, "humph looks good on ya."
"Well take a good look, it will probably be the first and the last time"
Tom chuckled but if you did not know him you would have thought he was growling.
"What can I getcha den?"
"Bottle of run and four mugs, my good man."
He reached behind the bar without looking and brought out the bottle I asked for and then sat four mugs on the counter. I reached out and placed some money on the bar, but he covered my hand with his.
"Naw on der house. Me getting at see someone in here dress'd so fine, and not have to worry for her safety, is payment enough."
I nodded at him to express my gratitude. He then leaned in close to me and lowered his voice, "Ev'n tho I know you can handle yourself watch your back. I wouldn't want to lose one of me fav'rit pirates!"
I beamed a smile at him, "Don't worry, Tom, someone tries anything they will get what they deserve." I turned to make my way back, and I heard Tom speak again, "That's what I'm afraid of, don't go breakin up me bar!"
I did not turn around but responded to him over my shoulder, "I'll do my best not to."
I had only went a couple of steps away from the bar, when a hand reached out and grabbed my wrist. I looked down at the man, who had laid his hand on me. He looked to be middle age with a long, thick, tangely beard, which still had some of his last meal in it. He grinned up at me and only one tooth showed.
"No need to look further, Lovey, I'm right here."
I smiled sweetly at him and placed the bottle and mugs on the table. To quick for him to react, I flipped him out of his chair and onto the floor. Then I placed my boot over his throat and put a little weight on it. I gave him the same sweet smile again.
"Nobody touches me without my permission!"
As he gasp for breath, I could tell that he was trying to say something. While I did not remove my foot, I let some of the pressure off.
"I did na recog'nize ya Ray."
I heard several gasps around me and then murmurs of conversation. I took my foot from his throat and reached a hand down to help him up. I shrugged at him.
"No harm done."
His body sagged in evident relief. I picked up my bottle and the mugs and continued on my way. As I got close enough to see Will, I saw a fat prostitute trying to rub up against him, my vision went red. I covered the distance in three steps and pushed the bottle and mugs into Will's hands and grabbed the woman by the throat.
"This one is mine, hands off, or I will cut them off!"
The woman's eyes teared up and she hurried off. I turned back to Will, who was shaking his head at me. "Was that necessary?"
"Probably not, but it made me feel better."
I then walked passed him and took the rum into the back room. I split the bottle between the four mugs. I handed one to Jack and one to Mr. Gibbs. I then held mine out to toast.
"Take what you can, give nothing back." We all toasted together. After taking a sip, I picked up the fourth mug and headed back to Will. I held his mug out to him.
Will wrinkled is nose at me, "You know I don't drink."
"You're a pirate tonight! And pirates drink. Bottoms up."
I clinked my mug with his and took a sip. He lifted an eyebrow at me, but took a sip from his own mug. He immediately started coughing. I pounded him on the back, and suppressed my mirth.
"It goes down smoother with each sip."
When Will had caught his breath, he started to speak, "What is it?"
"Only the good lord's finest, rum." Will nodded his head, that he understood.
We stayed silent, but it was a comfortable silence. Will finally leaned towards me, dropping his voice, "Jack has already put his plan in motion. He told Mr. Gibbs that he would be using me as leverage to get back the Black Pearl."
"Good no worries then. Tonight was a success, another reason to drink too." I clinked my mug with his again. "Drink up."
I leaned towards Will this time, picking up the conversation, "Did he explain how the pirate, Ray, figured into this?"
"Um no, Mr. Gibbs never brought it up, and neither did Jack." I nodded to acknowledge I had heard and straightened up. Looking around I saw Tom coming near us. He was holding two more bottles of rum.
"The crew of the Renegade, and Dirty Bull, with his apologies, each send you a bottle of run. Dey said it was good to see ya back in here." He didn't wait for me to respond, just sat the bottles down and walked back towards the bar.
"Well," I looked over at Will and peered into his mug, "since your cup seems empty it is only right and proper that I give you one of these." I sat down my mug and opened one of the bottles and handed it to Will and then opened the other for myself.
Will didn't refuse this time, just tipped his back. I followed his example and did the same with mine.
I don't know how long we sat there drinking, but before we knew it the bottles were empty and we were both were very drunk!
