Commandeering Commodore

Chapter 26

"Madame Turner, would you like to take a little tour of the island today? I think the weather will not be so hot today. I will arrange for a carriage if you wish." The Governor spoke as they sat at breakfast.

"I don't wish to go too far Governor, my Husband should be arriving soon." Elizabeth answered.

"A short tour might do you good. You don't appear to me the type to be cooped up inside for very long. I assure you if your ship arrives while you are gone I will send a runner to alert you."

"Very well then Governor, it might do me some good to get out and about."

"I will have the carriage ready within the hour, and perhaps Josette could accompany you, she knows quite a bit about the local history."

"Thank you Governor, now if you will excuse me I will go get ready." Elizabeth said rising from the table, pausing as the Governor also rose and kissed the back of her hand, and then headed for her room.

Josette was waiting for her as she approached her room. "The Governor says you would like to look around the island Madame."

"He and I both decided it would do me some good to get out for awhile. Will you accompany me Josette?"

"I would be honored Madame, now lets get you ready."

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Jack stared at Teague for a few moments before replying rather snappily, "I'm not in the habit of loanin out me stuff, especially to the likes of you."

"Now Jackie, ya loaned yer Pearl to the Navy, don't tell me you'd not see it in yer heart to loan your Da that compass for a wee bit." Teague said as he tapped the compass hanging from Jack's waist.

"I did not!" Jack said sounding very shocked.

Teague stepped towards Jack, who cringed a bit as the man put his arm around his shoulder and with a feral smile and said, "Ah but you did Jackie. 'M not stupid nor fool enough to believe that drivel you was spreadin as truth a bit ago. How do you think I knew where ta find ya? I heard rumors bout the Pearl comin to Tortuga with a fine Commodore aboard. Now what you and the Commodore's business may be here is nothin ta me as I have a feelin it has nothin what so ever to do with any swag or shiny, but the business I have with you and your compass is an important something cause that is what it has to do with. Now Jackie, we can do this the easy way or…………."

Jack swallowed audibly as he returned a weak smile, still cringing at the man's touch. "Don't suppose we could talk this over?"

"Ah Jackie, we just did. Did ya miss it? Maybe ya need a little encouragement to be listenin a little closer?" Teague said as he leaned into Jack's face and tightened his arm a bit more firmly on his shoulders.

Jack answered in a rather high-pitched voice as he tried to lean away from Teague, "No I'm good with it."

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"I am of the opinion Mr. Turner we have waited long enough for Sparrow to return." James said as he got to his feet.

"So we are going to get him." Will said as he also got to his feet and turned to face the direction Teague and Jack walked off in, putting his hand on his sword as he did.

"We are doing no such thing. We shall return to the Pearl and wait for him there. I am of the feeling there has been too much commotion here tonight for our contact to show his face. We shall return tomorrow and hope to have better luck at that time."

"But we can't just leave Jack!" Will said looking back and forth between the back door and James, a bewildered expression on his face.

"I assure you Mr. Turner, Sparrow is perfectly capable of taking care of himself and will be fine without our help."

"I think we should at least go tell him we're leaving."

"Mr. Turner, if you feel it necessary to inform Sparrow that we are departing that is your choice. I however am on my way to the Pearl. I shall see you there." Before James started to walk off he half bowed to Will and said with a gesture, "By your leave Mr. Turner." and headed for the exit.

Will started to follow James, then turned and started toward the back door, stopped and looked as James made his exit, and then finally made his choice and headed once again for the back door. He opened the door and as he stepped through and looked around said, "Jack? Captain Teague?" He thought he could make out the shapes of two men in the dim light by the wall several feet from the door. "Jack?"

"Ah William, I can't tell you how happy I am to see you." Jack said giddily as he spotted Will. Then with a glance at Teague he wiggled out from under Teague's arm and scurried over to stand behind Will, peering around him at Teague. "I'm thinkin it would be the oportune moment to be returnin to me Pearl to be continuin any discussions you might be in the mood to discuss. Aye?" Jack said looking uncertainly at Teague.

Teague said with a smile and a flourish of arms, "Makes no difference ta me Jackie, results will be the same no matter where the negotiatins done."

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James paused as he stepped out of the tavern and filled his lungs with a deep breath of the relatively fresh air. He looked from one side to the other and then headed off in the direction of the Pearl. He had only walked a few yards when there was a knife at his throat, an arm around his waist, and he was drug backwards onto an alley and unceremoniously shoved face first against the wall.

"Commodore Norrington I presume." A gruff whispered voice said very close to his ear. "I been waiting on ya, glad ya finally decided to show yerself without all the hangers on."

"I demand you unhand me this instant." James said, mustering all the Commodorely tone he could with the side of his face and half his mouth smashed into the wall in front of him.

"Do ya now? Well that truly is a brave…….or foolish thing to be demandin under the circumstances wouldn't ya say?. Don't know that I'm awares of too many men who'd have the bollocks to be demandin anything with a knife this close to their throats. You're a spirited one, I'll give you that." The man said with an insidious chuckle, but making no signs of releasing his hold.

To Be Continued

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