Chapter 41: Alliances
The Implacable's fleet group was about to depart with a shipment of supplies when word reached them; on January 7th, 1778, Doctor Benjamin Franklin was informed that the French had openly declared an alliance with America. Therefore, they were no longer required to guard French shipments to the American continent, and Admiral Norrington's fleet of four was doing more than a satisfactory job of harassing the British at sea. It came down to the decision that would be made in council.
Bootstrap Bill, Hal Starr, Elizabeth and Will were openly debating what they were to do. There were several arguments being presented.
Harold Starr believed that they ought to remain here and assist Admiral Norrington in his mission. However, the likely reason for his argument was a French mistress he had acquired recently.
Bootstrap believed that they should depart for America, if possible bringing James's group with them; with the alliance, the French had no real need of someone pestering the British.
Will and Elizabeth, however, were more interested in returning to the Caribbean and Tortuga, to assist in reparation and recovery.
"Our loyalty is to Jack, and we ought to head to the colonies and assist in his dealings there," Bootstrap protested.
"Admiral Sparrow also told us to remain here and protect the French shipments. I believe that extends to protecting the French people, and as such assisting Admiral Norrington," Starr retorted.
"What of Tortuga? As our fleet departed, so did the supply flow going in. We should return there. Once Jack hears of the alliance, he'll definitely send orders to both France and the Caribbean, so we should at the very least remain in one of those places," Elizabeth explained.
As Hal had been considering taking his mistress to Tortuga anyhow, he decided he could side with the Turner couple. However, America would definitely function as well. "I have to stay out of this. Perhaps we could simply continue on our assigned mission until otherwise notified."
Will and Elizabeth consulted each other, then said, "It probably would be best to return to the Pearl and her fleet; if there's somewhere else Jack wants us, he'll tell us then."
"Agreed," Bootstrap said. "Now, we'll just have to get a message to James. Take the night off in Paris. I'll get supplies ready for the return trip."
As they'd been told, Will and Elizabeth enjoyed the night off in Paris. As they wandered, they actually found themselves following the same route James and Ana had taken only a few weeks previously, though they had no knowledge of this. They even sat down on the same bench. The Turners sat on the banks of the Seine, comforted by one another's presence.
Elizabeth sighed, contentedly. "So what's the next venture of the Dread Pirates Turner?"
Will laughed. "I don't know. How does the military sound?" Elizabeth expressed her enthusiasm for the idea in facial features that suggested she had just bitten into a very rotten apple.
"Oh, come on. Just imagine it. Wife of the infamous General William Turner, the only commander with a spotless record, an enormous estate somewhere in the countryside, gardens, orchards, seven children—"
"Hold on there, General. Did you just say seven children?"
"Yes," he said, realizing his error. "Yes, I did."
She seemed to consider it. "All right, seven. But only if you carry three of them."
He paled incredibly at the thought. "All right, all right; four?"
She smiled, snuggling into his shoulder. "It's so wonderful when we think alike, isn't it, darling?"
"Yes, dear," Will said, resigned.
"Ahh. You're learning, General Turner."
"Yes, dear; I know exactly who has the power in this family."
"Good man." She tilted her head to look at him. "And one other question, General; an estate in the countryside? As in not somewhere near the ocean, or even water?"
"Oh, no, Elizabeth; do you truly think I could ever give up the sea? I've heard wonderful things about some of Massachusetts, particularly outside Boston. There's a place called Braintree barely a few miles outside Boston that is rumored to be absolutely beautiful in the spring. So is that a 'yes', my dear?"
"It's a maybe, General. The Army may not want you, anyhow."
"What would they not want of me? The famed pirate, Captain William Turner, son of the dreaded Bootstrap Bill Turner, compatriot of Admiral Jack Sparrow, pillager of the seven seas, and indeed the most feared—"WHACK.
"Second most feared—"
"Better."
"Pirate in the world?"
"True enough; they probably would want you for the publicity," Elizabeth conceded.
Will massaged his sore head. "Was that really necessary?"
"Yes."
"And why was that?"
"Because Jack's one up on you."
"Only one, and I run a close second."
"Egotist."
"Yes, ma'am."
Elizabeth sighed and shifted. "So what shall we do next?"
"we could raid, pillage, plunder—"
"We will not be pilfering our weaselly black guts out, William. Think of something better," Elizabeth said huffily.
"We could just bother James. The Dauntless is moored just down the way."
"That sounds absolutely terrible, William, an activity for those with no moral compass whatsoever." She grinned. "I love it!"
The Dauntless rocked silently in the soft waves, bereft of activity. Will crept forward, towards the captain's cabin. He saw the door, and that it was ajar. There were sounds of motion inside. Excellent; he'll never expect company. He gestured to Elizabeth, who nodded. She stood, then held up three fingers. He nodded, then held up three of his own. He ticked them down; three; two; one...
The two planned to burst in the room, shouting, "Evening, James!"
What actually happened was that they got the first syllable of 'evening' out, then stopped dead at the sight before them. Then they were forced to retreat as two pistols aimed in their direction and had they moved not a second before, their heads would have been blown off.
James and Ana looked at each other and said simultaneously, "You sleep with a gun under your pillow?"
A/N: Say-no-more, know-what-I-mean-nudge-nudge! What d'you think, eh? REVIEW!
