Commandeering Commodore
Chapter 9
James boarded the Pearl and walked over to Will and Elizabeth who were engrossed in talking to Mr. Gibbs.
"Commodore," Mr. Gibbs said as he gave James a nod of his head, "Welcome aboard the Black Pearl."
"Thank you Mr. Gibbs, now where is Captain Sparrow? We should be headed out as soon as possible." James replied as he returned Mr. Gibbs nod and then looked around for Jack.
"Cap'n said to be alertin 'em when all our guests were aboard Commodore, I'm thinkin this be all of ye so I'll just be off now to go let 'em know." He headed off in search of Jack, stopping several yards away to take a swig from his ever-present rum pouch before continuing on.
As they stood there watching Gibbs walk off Jack appeared from somewhere behind them.
"Ah, the lovely young wedded-ly blissed couple, dear William and Elizabeth luv, I see you made it." Jack said with a glinting smile and hands waving about as he walked around in front of the couple. "Welcome aboard me Pearl." he said with a grand gesture.
"Thank you Jack." Will answered.
"I'm glad you decided to transport us Jack." Elizabeth said.
"Trifles luv, besides I was given rather inevasable encouragement on the matter by a certain stuffy and unbearably overbearing Commodore." and then swaying back on his heels, fluttering his hands about, and looking around with a questioning look on his face said, "Speaking of said Commodore, has he not arrived yet? A bit rude I'm thinking to not be his prompt and proper self on such a momentous occasion."
"I am right here Captain." James said a bit annoyed.
Jack's head snapped around, he gave James a mock surprised expression, leaned in very close to James' face as if checking to see if it really was the Commodore, and waved his hands about in said face as he spoke, "Oh, there you are! Sorry mate, didn't recognize you without all the fine naval frippery upon and about your person as it were ….and the wig of course, you're nigh unrecognizable without that particular accouterment . Thought you was one of the deck hands."
"Indeed!" James said in a haughty tone, or as much of a haughty tone he could muster as he leaned his head back as far as he could from the pirate…sorry.. privateer's face thrust in his.
"Jack," Will said as he watched the Commodore's expression go from a little peeved to much more peeved, "Jack," a little louder this time. Elizabeth, getting the gist of the situation now added her voice, "Jack! Now's not the time! We need to get on with what we're all here for."
"Yer right luv." Jack said after a few moments. He withdrew slightly from James' personal space but did not loose eye contact with the man, "Mr. Gibbs!" he called out loudly.
"Aye Cap'n." Mr. Gibbs replied from a short ways away.
"Show our guests to their accommodations." and sashayed off towards the wheel waving his arms about, giving orders to the crew as he passed to make ready to sail.
"Aye Cap'n." and then addressing the three, "Jest follow me and we'll get you all fixed up and settled in all right and proper." They picked up what little luggage they had brought with them and followed after the man.
Mr. Gibbs showed James to his cabin and then Will and Elizabeth to theirs.
As he started to shut the door he said, "After yer settled you may be wantin to find a bite to eat. Cook usually keeps a bit of eatables and the like ready fer the crew. Probably be able to find somethin to fill your stomachs in the galley, although I'll not be pronouncin it the best vittles you've ever eaten.
"Thank you Mr. Gibbs, I'm sure we can make do with whatever we find." Will said with a smile for the man.
"Aye lad, that's what ye be sayin now. May change yer judgment once ye lay eyes on it or try eatin any of it." Mr. Gibbs said with a grimace as he closed the door.
"I think we will have much more than food to worry about on this mission Will." Elizabeth said as Will turned from the door to face her.
"If you're talking about Jack and the Commodore I am in full agreement."
"It shouldn't be too bad while both of us are on board to keep a watchful eye on them, but once I leave the ship at Saint Dominque it will be up to you to prevent them from doing each other bodily harm." Elizabeth said as she walked over to Will, put her arms around his neck, and kissed his cheek. "But right now I think we can come up with much more pleasant things to occupy us Mr. Turner."
Will smiled and returned her kiss, "I think that's a fine idea Mrs. Turner."
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Jack was singing to himself in a low voice as he guided the Pearl out of the harbor. He was almost always in a good mood when he could leave land behind and be out on the water. He never tired of the feeling of his Pearl beneath him as she glided across the waves towards the horizon and what lay beyond. His thoughts turned to just where over the horizon they were headed now, and just what all this would mean for him and his Pearl. He had his doubts that it was going to be as simple as the Commodore made out. He knew the Commodore was honest to a fault, but he wondered if the Commodore was capable of perhaps not speaking the whole truth, withholding parts of the truth as it were. "Humm." he said to himself as he tapped his chin with a couple of his fingers as he pondered this. "Now that's an interestin thought, could our dear Commodore be holdin somethin back? Never really contemplated the idea that the Commodore would be capable of anything even remotely in the way of bein dubious or deceitful, may have to be keepin a bit of a closer eye on him I'm thinkin."
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
As James entered his cabin he could feel the ship was beginning to make way. "Good." he said to himself, "The sooner this is over the better." Now although James loved the sea and in his opinion didn't get to spend near enough time sailing, especially since his promotion, he would be glad when he had completed his mission and was able to return to Port Royal. Always being an almost compulsively neat person, he began to put the few things he'd brought with him into the chest of drawers. He had set his satchel on the bed when he'd entered the room, and now went from opened satchel to dresser with each item, refolding it on the way, and placing it neatly in the drawer. He had almost finished when he noticed the mirror sitting to one side of the dresser. He stood there for a moment or two contemplating the reflection staring back at him, and then with a snort said, "Deck hand indeed!"
To Be Continued
Reviews are appreciated
5