Commandeering Commodore
Chapter 63
Other than Josette following Will around like a little puppy the trip back to Port Royal went without event. Will complained a bit to Elizabeth, but seeing as she thought it was 'cute' it did him no good. The wind and weather were fair and they soon were putting into port.
James, Will, Elizabeth, Alon, and Josette were all gathered at the rail as they tied off at the dock. The gangplank was run out and as Elizabeth and William stepped ashore her Father called to them from where he was making his way down the hill. They headed off to meet him.
Alon and Josette made no move to disembark, not sure what to do since Will and Elizabeth had walked off leaving them standing there.
"I would judge it to be all right for you to follow the Turners. Once they have greeted the Governor I'm sure they will be happy to get you settled in somewhere. If not then feel free to come and find me and I will assist you." James said kindly as he prepared to disembark himself.
"Thank you Commodore." Alon said with a slight bow. He took Josette by the hand and helped her down the gangplank and off towards the Turners.
"So Commodore, tell me bout yer fine little settlement here." Teague said as he put his arm around James' shoulders.
James straightened his posture, shrugged the arm off and said, "What would you like to know Captain."
Teague was looking around the dock area as he replied, "Tis the first time I've had the pleasure of visiting yer fair town Commodore." He continued to look around with a puzzled look forming on his face. "Ya haven't in yer fine Commodore-ly manner done away with the fluff have ya?"
James looked at him with confusion, "Fluff?"
"Aye Commodore, strumpets, bawds, tarts, ya know the whores Commodore, ya haven't done away with them have ya?"
James shook his head as he replied, "If only that were in my power Captain."
"Ah off to the tavern then are we?" Jack said merrily as he swayed up beside the two men.
"You are with me Sparrow, I'm sure the Governor is going to want to talk to you." James said.
Jack gave a pouty look at James, then looked at Teague and said, "Guess I'll join you later."
"Aye Jackie, what ever you say. I'll save ya some rum and perhaps a tart or two." Teague said, already headed towards the nearest tavern.
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They had been in Governor Swann's study for several hours and Jack was becoming more fidgety than usual. All this boring talk and discussion could have waited, in his opinion, until he'd had a chance to get a little taste of the tavern. It didn't make him any happier to know Teague was out of his sight. He kept glancing over at the door and then the window as he sat there so antsy he found it impossible to be still.
"Don't you agree Captain Sparrow." Governor Swann addressed him.
"What ever ya say Governor is all right with me." Jack answered with a wave of his hands, not having any idea what he was answering to.
James snorted and mumbled loud enough for Jack to hear, "So it's alright with you the Governor just sold your precious Pearl?"
That got Jack's full attention, "What? What's this about me Pearl? You'll not be sellin what's not yers ta sell Governor." Jack said emphatically as he got up out of his chair.
Governor Swann looked at Jack like he had just grown another head, "I assure you Mr…..er…Captain…Captain Sparrow, I have sold nothing that doesn't belong to me."
Jack glared at James as he returned to his seat. James returned a snarky smile in return, "Perhaps you would be better served to pay a little more attention to matters pertaining to you Captain Sparrow."
"The only thing I care about pertainin to me is the rum I'm not bein served at the moment cause I'm sittin here listenin ta a bunch of hot air instead of where I should be sitting and bein served said rum in a tavern as it were listenin to the drunken revelry sort o hot air which I'm much more accustomed to it would seem and have found I don't mind a bit for that matter." Jack said poutily.
"Indeed!" James said still smirking at Jack.
"The Captain may be right Commodore, you have both just returned from a long arduous voyage, a short respite from all this business may be in order. I see no reason why it can't be dealt with tomorrow. You have my leave to go gentlemen." Governor Swann said.
As he jumped out of his chair and headed for the door Jack said, "Thank ya Governor, just so ya know I don't believe none of them rumors bout you bein less than a fine man."
Weatherby gave Jack's back a sour look as it exited. "That man is intolerable at best James."
James snorted again as he replied, "The understatement of the century Governor, now if you will excuse me I think it would be wise for me to keep him close at hand."
"An excellent idea Commodore, the last thing we need here in Port Royal is a drunk and daft Pirate…er Privateer running about."
"My thoughts exactly Governor." James said as he bowed and made his exit.
As he walked out on the portico in front of the Governor's mansion he was surprised to see Sparrow still standing there.
"I would have bet money you'd be half way through a bottle of rum by now Captain."
"I didn't think ya was serious Commodore." Jack said without turning around, his voice full of something James couldn't quite put his finger on.
"About the rum?"
"About me ship Commodore." Jack said as he rounded on James.
"Your ship?" James replied puzzled.
"Me ship, me Pearl Commodore, where is she? What have ya done with her?" Jack said as he leaned towards James and poked a finger at him, his tone now clearly reaching towards anger.
"I haven't done anything with your ship Sparrow." James stiffened to his most Commodore-ly posture and stance as he replied, his tone becoming a bit aggravated at the accusation being directed at him. "It should be right there where you left……….." James' words faded out as he looked towards the dock and did not see the Pearl resting at anchor. James looked at Jack and said in a curiously puzzled tone, "It's not there."
"That's what I been telling ya Commodore." Jack said with agitation as he headed off for the dock.
After a moment of staring at the place the ship should have been James followed, "Sparrow, your ship seems to be…gone."
"Aye! Again!" Jack said back over his shoulder in a very unhappy tone.
To Be Continued
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