Chapter Eight
"Hey and ho and up she rises,
Hey and ho and up she rises,
Hey and ho and up she rises,
Early in the morning."
Joanna opened her eyes and sat up to see the sunlight streaming through the curtains into the captain's cabin.
"Breakfast's ready, Captain!" Peter's voice came through the door.
Joanna got up and stretched, and then smiled when Bourbon fluttered onto her wrist.
"Come along, Bourbon. Let's see what the day is up to," Joanna said, and then left the cabin. She stepped out into the sunlight and looked down at the lower deck to see all of her crew members already there. Adelinde and Hawk were arguing over a map, Hastings was hanging off the side of the ship, cleaning up the barnacles that had gathered there, Peter was sweeping the deck, Theo was mending a fishing net, and Annette was sitting on one of the steps, a large piece of brown fabric in her hands as well as a needle with thread.
"Morning, Captain!" Hastings called up to the helm.
"Good morning," Joanna blinked. She watched as Darius and Bastian swung over onto the British Pride, and she couldn't help but grin when Darius raced over to Annette.
"A fine day it be for sword practice, ay?" Bastian called up to the helm.
"Sword practice?" Joanna frowned.
"Some members of your crew need to learn more how to be pirates, so you haven't a need to worry for them when battle comes," Bastian nodded. "When was the last time you had swordplay, Captain Joanna?"
"Not for a very long time, I admit," Joanna shrugged.
"You are going to Shipwreck Cove. You need to become better again. Draw your sword," Bastian said, gesturing to the weapon at her side. "Everyone on this ship will get training today."
"Before breakfast? Let me eat first, and then I'll fight," Joanna said.
"Oh, very well," Bastian answered, and then walked down the stairs to the deck. He quietly approached Theo, moving towards him from the back, so he couldn't see him. The pirate captain quietly drew his sword, and he laughed with pleasure when Theo spun around, his own sword in hand, and blocked the attack that Bastian had thrust at him. Theo then lunged forward, swinging his sword and nearly getting Bastian, but Bastian was fast and blocked the assault. Both men were smiling as they fought, both moving professionally, but in very different styles. Theo moved with planned and strategized steps, with grace almost and a feline speed, while Bastian's movements weren't at all calculated, but he too was fast and clever. He signaled for more of his men to join the ship fight, and five others swung over from The Darius. Knowing that this was all fun and practice, Hastings , Peter, Adelinde, and Hawk joined in the fight, all of them laughing as they ran across the ship and jumped up on the railings and into the jibs. Bastian's men gave instruction as was necessary, and everyone benefitted from the fight. Bastian signaled to Darius as he ran by, and Darius smiled and pulled out a sword on Annette.
"I haven't a sword, nor do I know how to use one," Annette smiled, putting her sewing work down and standing up. "I'm afraid I'll just have to surrender."
"Surrender is not an option," the boy said firmly, much to Annette's surprise. "Here."
He handed her a sword, and she took it uncertainly. She then stepped forward and nearly tripped on her long skirt.
"Hmm. Come with me, prisoner," Darius said, taking her hand and leading her to the railing. He whistled, and two ropes were thrown down to them. "Hold on," he ordered, and he and Annette were pulled up to The Darius.
Joanna joined the fighting a minute later, having finished her breakfast in a hurry so she could be part of the action. She moved next to Peter, who was battling two of the men, and then helped him ward them off. She and Peter worked as a team, though it was clear that she was the better swordsman, for she had had far more practice and experience. She found her way over to Theo, who was thoroughly enjoying his fight with Bastian. She found quickly that Theo didn't need any help whatsoever, so she raced to the other women on the ship and helped them.
More and more of Bastian's men boarded the ship, all of them wanting to practice and enjoy the fake fight. Darius and Annette came over as well, landing on an isolated part of the ship. Annette was in a pair of black breeches, and although she wouldn't admit it, they were significantly more comfortable than her skirts.
"Now we should be able to fight!" Darius said triumphantly. "Besides, when you meet real pirates, it'll be safer if you're wearing breeches. They won't consider you to be a wench or a prisoner."
Annette laughed lightly, wondering what on earth her father would think of all this, but then she held out her sword, protecting herself from Darius.
"That's good!" he smiled, swinging his sword again and watching her block it. "That's the first thing you need to know, how to protect yourself."
He danced with her for about ten minutes, making her move lithely in ways that, as a genteel, sophisticated English woman, she'd never had to move before and never could have because of her dresses. Darius was extremely fast and flexible, being all of eight years old, and so he caught her off guard many times, but his training helped her, and before half an hour was over, he gave her a little shove towards the adults fighting.
"Go on," he said. "I think you can do it."
Annette wasn't at all positive of that as she moved to where Hawk and Adelinde were fighting. The adults were much faster and much trickier than Darius had been, but Annette did her best, holding her own until Bastian gestured for five of his men to cut her off from the others and attack her.
"That wasn't nice," Joanna, who had taken the place of Theo five minutes ago, said.
"It is good for her. It will get her blood boiling and her heart racing," Bastian chuckled. "She needs to fight with instinct, not like a dancer. You need to be more outgoing. You are defending well, but you are not opposing."
Another half hour later found the former fighters stretched out on the British Pride's deck, basking in the sun and resting. Annette brought up food, while everyone was in that situation, and the crews and people of both ships were able to have a delicious meal.
"Well done, all of you, for being out of shape," Bastian said from his place in between Joanna and Theo. "I am impressed. And for one who has never before fought, you have done well," he addressed Annette as she handed him a mug of cold water.
"Your son is an expert teacher," Annette smiled, her eyes catching Theo's momentarily before she looked away, blushing.
Bastian grinned, watching her leave, and then turned to Joanna.
"I believe we should practice as teams this evening. We should be arriving at Shipwreck Cove in the late hours of the night, and I want to see to it that all of you going within will be able to protect yourselves somewhat, as well as each other. You, Hastings, and Peter seem to make a wonderful team, and Adelinde and Hawk are impressive together."
"Annette and Theo have nothing in common, fight wise," Hawk said from Joanna's other side.
"I think, give time, they might do quite well together," Bastian shrugged, ignoring Theo's questioning look. "We'll divide into partners this afternoon, after everyone is rested. Darius is falling asleep over there, and I dare say some of your crew could use a reprieve from battle."
"I daresay," Joanna sighed, getting up and stretching. "I'm certainly tired."
"This afternoon, then," Bastian nodded, getting up and moving to Darius, who was cuddled up on the deck. He picked his sleeping son up and then brought him over to the larger ship.
"I don't think I'll be able to move again," Annette said, sitting down in front of Joanna and the others and stretching her tired and bruised arms.
"You did survive," Peter grinned.
"You're to fight alongside Theo this afternoon. He's to show you more fighting tips," Adelinde yawned.
"I'll only be a thorn in your side, I'm afraid," Annette said, addressing the sailor.
"I highly doubt that," Theo said good-naturedly. "I look forward to seeing what you can do."
"As do I," Joanna nodded.
The afternoon came and went, and not only were the crew of the British Pride well-prepared for battle afterwards, but they were amused as well. Bastian hadn't just meant for Theo and Annette to fight together. No, he had tied Annette's left wrist to Theo's right and had then watched, with no little amusement, as they attempted to defend themselves. Theo had had to teach Annette some valuable lessons, ones that would no doubt come in handy later, and as soon as they had taught themselves to work together, they did indeed make quite the team. Joanna, Hastings, and Peter took some time becoming fighting comrades. Hastings had an uncanny desire to be the leader of their threesome, and he and Joanna fought each other for some time before finally working to fight everyone else. Joanna came up on top as the leader, naturally, and much to Hastings ' quiet annoyance. Hawk and Adelinde seemed as though they had been fighting together all their lives, almost as though they were sisters separated at birth. They had the same fighting styles and techniques, making them a powerful force.
Dinner was served to the famished crews of both ships, and then Bastian pointed out a massive island not far from where the ships were, approaching quickly.
" Shipwreck Island ," he said simply. "My ship and I will stop here. We can't escort you through Devil's Throat."
"I understand. Thank you for bringing us," Joanna said as the ropes holding the British Pride to The Darius were severed.
"Always a pleasure, Captain. Take care in the passage. It is quite dangerous. There is a terrific swell as soon as you get through the passage, and it will try to pull you against the other ships within. That is where you must be ready," Bastian said, grabbing hold of the rope that awaited him. He was pulled up onto his ship, and he and Darius waved to the crew of the British Pride as Joanna moved it towards the volcanic island.
"Captain," Annette said, approaching the helm as they sailed.
"Aye?"
"I thought we might wish to have a bit more security. It isn't much, but it may help," Annette said, unfolding the brown fabric she had been working on earlier.
It was a flag, made of coarse brown material with a large white falcon stitched onto it.
"Very good. Hastings , take down the British flag and hoist this one in her stead!" Joanna shouted, and instantly her orders were obeyed. "Prepare yourselves for rapid waters! Peter and Theo, tie down the sails! Adelinde, Hawk, and Annette, secure all loose items on the ship! See to it especially that the cannons are secured! At my call, all of you grab hold of something solid and hold to it until I say otherwise!"
"Aye, aye, Captain!" the others hurried to obey.
There were no lights at all to guide Joanna and the ship into and through the Devil's Throat passageway, and it was certainly a tedious job. With the dim lighting coming from the British Pride, Joanna could see the remnants of what must have been hundreds of ships, floating on the water or pressed up against the spacious walls. There were jagged rocks only a few feet below the ship, she knew, and she prayed heavily that they wouldn't find a dip in the water that would make them crash against the shoals.
The captain had adrenaline rushing madly through her as she evaded one boulder after another and finally saw lights at the end of the tunnel. She knew they were almost into Shipwreck Cove, for she could see hundreds of ships all piled up together in one giant mass, and she kept in mind Bastian's warnings.
"Tie yourselves down, everyone!" she shouted, and her crew immediately rushed to obey, grabbing hold of the masts or whatever other sturdy objects they could find.
Joanna bit her lip as the water picked up speed, turning into a regular rapids as they drew closer to the entrance of the cove. The ship rocked from side to side dangerously, and then it was suddenly swept up into the roaring waterslide of water that was pushing them at a frightening speed towards the shipwrecked mass. The ship nearly flew over a particular mass of water and then crashed into the cove, swirling almost out of control towards the other ships.
Joanna mastered the helm professionally and managed, with no little sweat and worry, to get it to sail smoothly towards the other ships that were loose and then to the mound of ships all piled up together. She took in a deep breath when the British Pride finally slowed and came back down under control.
"That was some sailing, Captain," Theo complimented as he released the mast and moved towards Joanna.
"Thank you," she smiled tiredly and then called for the rest of the crew to join them on deck.
"The plan is this," she explained when everyone was listening. "Hawk, Annette, and I will go to the Brethren Court , or whoever of them is here, and see about getting Jack out, so he can come with us. Theo, I want you to man the helm and keep her moving. I don't trust a single pirate in this cove, and I want our ship to be moving at all times, so no one can steal her. Hopefully, Hawk, Annette and I will be back within an hour with Jack. If not, we'll formulate some other plans."
"Aye, Captain!" the men saluted, and they hurried to unfurl the sails and, in Theo's case, to take the helm.
"We're leaving Theo to man the ship?" Hawk asked Joanna as they moved towards the longboats.
"Aye. Bastian seems to have a good bit of faith in him, and even if he doesn't, we have Annette. I tend to think Theo wouldn't leave without her. He'll also have Adelinde here, who isn't going to leave this cove until we find Jack," Joanna nodded. "I think the ship will be safe. This will also be a good test for Annette, to see how well she can do as a pirate."
"Indeed," Hawk nodded and looked back to see Theo handing Annette his sword. He made sure she was comfortable with it and then returned to his duties.
Annette trotted to the other two women, placing a tricorn on her head as she did so.
"Let Hawk and I do all the speaking," Joanna commanded as Peter and Hastings helped lower the longboat they had just stepped into.
"Aye, Captain," Annette nodded.
"And whatever we say to do, do it," Hawk added, and Annette nodded again.
The women could hear guns firing and shouting as they tied the longboat to the only dock available. They then climbed out and made their way into the mountain of ships.
Drunken pirates staggered past them, some of them threatening the women and others of them almost asleep on their feet. Only one managed to answer comprehensively where the ship of the Brethren Court was located, and the women made their way there. The whole place smelled of rum, sweat, and fish, and the mixture of smells was most foul. Annette never complained and she never spoke, doing exactly as she had been told.
They found the Brethren Court 's ship in good timing, and Joanna warned the others before they stepped inside.
"Let me do all the talking. Neither of you speak. I've never met these people before, and I don't know how receptive they will be to even listening to me. Keep your hands on you weapons, because we may need them. Here we go."
There were three of the pirate lords waiting for them when they stepped into the captain's cabin of the ship. Mistress Ching looked upon them with utter disgust. Captain Vallenueva, with his snuff and handkerchief, was just dabbling at his nose and stood up in rather an arrogant fashion when the girls entered. The last of the three, Captain Jocard, was giving orders to his men, but he turned to look at the women.
"What are the likes of vu doing in here?" Captain Vallenueva demanded. "We have no time vatsoever for little girls."
"We're here for Captain Jack Sparrow," Joanna said boldly, glad that Annette was standing on one side of her and Hawk was on the other. It made her feel safer, somehow.
"Captain Sparrow is in confinement," Mistress Ching huffed. "He will not be freed until we can be sure that he won't try and escape again."
"Which will never happen," Captain Jocard added.
"It isn't right to keep him here against his will," Joanna frowned, folding her arms across her chest.
"According to the writings of Morgan and Bartholomew, the pirates are always to have a king, and Jack Sparrow has tried to leave his duties many a time now," Captain Vallenueva sniffed.
"First off, it's Captain Jack Sparrow," Joanna scowled. "Secondly, if he doesn't want to be the King of the Pirates, then he should be allowed to leave. He'd make a rotten king anyways. I know that for a fact."
"If you want to see him, you may, but you will not be allowed to take him away from here," Captain Jocard frowned.
"Joanna, might I have a word?" Annette whispered to the infuriated captain.
"If you have something worth saying," Joanna huffed.
"What Morgan and Bartholomew wrote is of no actual standing," Annette spoke, and all eyes turned to her.
"What do you mean?" Mistress Ching demanded. "That book has been the book we live by for centuries! Of course it is of actual standing!"
"Forgive me for disagreeing, ma'am," Annette said softly, "but their book of piracy has only existed for maybe the past seventy years. You see, it was all a joke on their parts. Morgan and Bartholomew were young men when they put that book together. They thought it would be a wonderful pun, to frighten their fathers into thinking they were pirates or were somehow related to them. They handwrote every rule in that book just for amusement, and then they took it to a master bookbinder and had him make the book look ancient. The book isn't really that old, and the only rule in there that still abides today is the rule of parlay. That agreement existed long before Morgan and Bartholomew. I tell no lie. I know Morgan and Bartholomew personally, and they are still alive."
"How do you know any of this?" Captain Jocard demanded, scowling at the young woman.
"Patrick Morgan is my great grandfather."
"You are a terrific liar," Captain Jocard said with somewhat of an amused smile.
"There is another matter at hand," Annette continued. "Captain Aaron Savage has begun tormenting pirates and British alike. He's searching for something, and I'm sure, if you have heard of this legendary pirate, you would know what great a threat he poses."
"Of course we know him," Captain Vallenueva growled. "Who do you think took the Key to the Dead and put it in safekeeping?"
"Do you have it?" Joanna gasped.
"No. It was stolen from us," Captain Jocard frowned.
"As for you, little miss," Captain Vallenueva scowled at Annette, "you know how to barter. You can go see Jack Sparrow. He's housed in the Bastille de France. You may not take him out, however. We will consider your requests to release him."
"Thank you," Annette bowed and then turned and left the ship with Joanna and Hawk.
"Your great grandfather?" Hawk asked, an eyebrow arched.
"Aye. I didn't make that up. As far as I know, he and Bartholomew are still out sailing in the Indian Ocean ," Annette nodded. "I wouldn't lie, Hawk."
"You've had to be a diplomat for your father before, haven't you?" Joanna asked, and Annette just smiled.