The Pirate RPG !!!! Come one come all!

[Niphredil]

When night fell Gabby found herself to be exhausted, so she decided to turn in. She and Gwen had managed to hang some sheets from the ceiling, so that each girl could have her privacy. Gabby was just about to close her makeshift curtain when there came a knock on the door. It was Gavin.

"Hi Gabby, just thought I'd check in on you before bed," he said, when Gabby opened the door. "Everything all right?"

"Yes, everything's just fine," Gabby said, smiling. "oh, before you go, I managed to pack some of your things before leaving this morning." She went over to her pack and pulled out a few items of clothing and a couple of books.

"Oh, that's great! Thanks Gabby," he said. When he took the things from her, Gabby quickly grabbed one of the books from him. "I'll hang on to this one if you don't mind." Gavin eyed her suspiciously. "Why?"

"No reason, I just... like it," she insisted.

"Oh really?" he took the book from her and flipped through some of the pages, and in so doing came across a rose, the very rose Jose had given her. "What's this then?" he asked.

"Gavin, just give it to me please."

"Now, hold on. It's just a flower, what makes it so special that you'd want to keep it?" he asked, holding the book over her head and out of her reach.

"A very nice person gave it to me." she said.

"Who?"

Gabby hesitated for a moment, before murmuring, "Jose."

"What?" Gavin said, his tone changing from one of playfullness to one of anger. "Why did he give you a rose? And when?"

"It was this morning, he saw how upset I was because you were missing, and he probably noticed the huge bruise on my cheek, which you haven't even said anything about, and felt sorry for me and wanted to cheer me up. Which is more than I can say for you." she said. Sure, Gabby was slightly frightened by the thought of an almost complete stranger doing something so romantic, but she still tried to lay the guilt on Gavin as thick as she possibly could. It worked.

Gavin sighed, and said, "I'm sorry. Listen, I want you to be careful around this Spaniard, Gabby. I don't trust him."

"I know you don't. But trust me, all right?"

"All right." They embraced. "Good night, baby sister. And sleep well." Gavin also bid goodnight to Gwen and Lydia before leaving them. And so, Gabby finally slipped into her nightgown and after a few falls, managed to get comfortable in her hamock.

~*~*~*~

Next morning, Gabby was rudely awaken at dawn; apparently the Captain had decided that Gabby could start earning her keep by helping the cook with breakfast. Once the crew had eaten, Gabby, who was by then quite exhausted, slumped into a chair and prepared to eat her own breakfast.

"Not so fast, you!" the cook said gruffly as he sat down to his own meal. "Clean off the table, and do the dishes, and then you can eat." By the time Gabby was done with all the dishes, she was almost too tired to eat, and her food was long cold. Much more of this, she thought, and I'll walk the plank voluntarily.

[tancred]

Thanks for the heads-up, Calen. Must have gotten my heroic leads goofed up there. ;D Yet, while I referred to Jose as Tancred, you referred to Tancred as someone else.

Very nice post, Nilphy! *claps*

Keep the great posts coming, everyone!

[Mrs Dan Hawkins]

Oh leave me br Tanc it was late and i was tierd!

Keep up the good work everyone

[tancred]

Only kidding with you, Calen.
****************************

Jose and Ana sat there near the wheel for some time, both thinking of de Soto's map to El Dorado, and how it most likely lay somewhere amidst the pirate loot on the Isle de Meurta. While Ana thought mainly of all the gold and jewelry the map could lead to, Jose thought about the map and the Isle for other reasons.

Presently, Gibbs stumbled up to the wheel. "You're late," chidded Ana.

"Sorry, Miss Ana," Gibbs said apologetically. "I overslept."

Once Gibbs looked away, Jose raised his hand to his mouth, simulating a chugging sound. Ana giggled. But only a little; she was tough, and had to maintain an untrusting air around the Spaniard. Laugh as much as she could inwardly, she outwardly had to show that she did not find Jose too terribly funny.

"But I'm here right now," continued Gibbs, "and all ready to set us in to New Providence. Emil is on his way up here, as well."

Jose gave Gibbs a few measurements, winked at Ana, and departed.
*************

It was nearing noon now, and Jose had just left Captain Calen's quarters. She seemed somewhat tense and distracted, and thus it was that Jose was able to garner from her the permission to use Lydia, Gwen, and Gabby as his assistants in drawing maps and measuring the movements of the stars. The Captain did insist upon only one assistant per day, though.

Jose knocked on the women's quarters, and was let in. "Goodday, fair dames," he said with a tip of his hat and a slight bow. "I have good news. You are both to be my assistants, along with Gabby." Both women brightened up, and smiled. "However," said Jose, "only one assistant per day. And today, I will be training Gabby." Gwen and Lydia's smiles turned to frowns and disappointed sighs. Jose went on the with the bad news. "I'm afraid the Captain demands that you both swab the deck today. She doesn't seem in all too good a mood, either, so I'd hop right to it! Where is Gabby anyway?"

Having been directed to the kitchen, Jose walked briskly in that direction. There he found Gabby sitting down in front of a plate of cold, untouched food, and looking altogether exhausted and unhappy. "Senorita Gabby," he announced. "I am here to relieve you of your duties. You are to be one of my cartographal and navigatorial assistants. If you would come with me, please?" He offered Gabby his hand. She smiled, took it, and followed Jose back to his quarters.

Once they had gotten there, Jose spoke quickly. "Learning how to use the astrolabe, telescope, and make proper measurements according to the stars is the hardest thing. Its also day time, so that will have to wait. I'll teach you how to use maps, draw them, measure distance on them, and otherwise how to assist me in making them." The would-be-knight cleared his table, and brought out a large folder of maps and blank sheets of paper. He went into detail about the making of maps and his preferred way of working--all the better for her to aid him, and to make their work smoother and quicker.

After about an hour of instruction, Jose bade Gabby have a seat. "How are you, Gabby," he asked.

Gabby sighed. "I am ok, I guess," she said. "I suppose I am many things. Confused, frightened, unsure as to what all is going to happen, worried about Gavin, tired, butterflies in my stomach, and a little hurt.... Yes, that's about it."

Jose gently touched her bruised cheek with his knuckles, and thought outloud. "So fair. So gentle, and yet, I perceive very strong and determined. Dear Gabby, how could anyone have done such a thing to you?"

Just as he was about to withdraw his hand, Gabby felt a sudden impulse; she closed her eyes, and held Jose's hand to her cheek. Stirred with compassion and effection, Jose clasped her hand, and kissed it. "Gabby, you needn't be frightened around me. You can trust me, and trust me also to protect you however I may. And those butterflies you feel in your stomach...I believe they also flit about uncontrollably in mine. Gabby...I think...or rather I know that I...I am...."

It was at this moment that a loud call went up from above deck, "LAND AHOY!!! NEW PROVIDENCE IN SIGHT!!!"

Jose looked away. Bad timing! "I am needed above deck," he explained. "There are some apples over there. Help yourself to them, as I don't think you had a very good breakfast. And look amongst my maps. Find one you like, and I want you to make a copy of it. I'll return as quickly as I may!"

As soon as Jose had left, Gabby pocketed an apple, and bit into another. She looked over many maps as she ate--many intruging ones of far away places she had never even heard of before. She flipped through the notebook of them. To her surprise, at the back of the notebook were not maps, but drawings of people.

Gabby poured over them in amaze. For not only were the drawings good and accurate, but they were also of people on the ship! There was Captain Calen barking orders and looking bossy. There was Aimee, sitting with a finger to her lip and looking rather mischieviously coy. There was Ana fingering some gold, and with a lusty twinkle in her eye. Emil with arms folded and looking protective. Gibbs with a bottle of rum to his lips. Will trying to convince some other crew members that he didn't have the English Disease. Gavin hard at work. Gwen in a corner, looking rather withdrawn and secretive. And finally, there was Lydia sitting alone with her chin in her hands--altogether sad and lonely.

"No drawing of me," thought Gabby. "Wonder what that could mean?"

Beneath these drawings were some older ones. Ones that were less rough; more worked upon and finished looking. Some had been painted. One was of a woman. A Spanish woman by the choice of paint color and the style of her dress. She looked just a tad older than Gabby herself, and she was very stunning in appearance. On the back of the painted drawing were the words, "Dulcinea. 24/9/1648."

"1648," mused Gabby. "That is well nigh five years ago."

The final painting showed a group of people. An older looking man and woman, two younger men, and one younger woman. The drawing was so good, that Gabby thought one of the men in the picture was a younger Jose. She turned the picture over. On the back was written, "y Ortega. 2/5/1648."

"A family portrait," wondered Gabby. "The one person just has to be Jose."

Just then, Gabby thought she heard footfalls coming down the hall. She hurredly placed the pictures back in a fairly accurate order, the drawings on the very bottom. She stacked everything up, and took the map that had been on the very top, and began to study it; pretending as if she had not looked at anything else, and had merely started to draw the first thing on the pile. She made a few quick etches on a blank sheet of paper to show that she had been working.

Jose walked in the door. "How is it coming along, my little map-maker," he said with a grin.

"Uhh," stumbled Gabby, trying to maintain an air of innocence. "Alright I suppose."

Jose looked at the map she had in front of her and then at the sheet of paper she was drawing on. He chuckled a little. "Your rendition of south Africa's Cape of Good Hope looks a little deformed there," he said playfully. "But not to worry; you will get the hang of it soon. Or I am no cartographer, and my name is not Jose y Ortega!"

Gabby giggled at the somewhat silly Spaniard, and thought long and hard about the drawings she had seen.

[Summer Sparrow]

The story of the City of Gold was not exactly new to Ana, she had heard it before long ago, in times when she was a little girl surrounded by her family, happier times before the disease and ambush of strange people in big floating ships. It was a myth that her grandparents used to tell, she had long forgotten about it, believing it was no more than a fairy tale, but this piece of news that Jose has shared with her almost shook her to the bones, what if the story really was real? Could it be that old map showed the way to it? But how do we find the map?

Ana quietly pondered over this and as impossible as it sounded, Ana found herself slowly believing the tale, does this have anything to do with Jack? That conclusion made Ana truly worried, as they might be facing something larger and more dangerous than she had ever expected. Ana couldn't exactly figure it out, but she was determined to find out, and once her mind was set, there was no turning back.

She was startled out of her dream world when the quartermaster shouted 'Land ahoy! New Providence in sight!"

"So fast?" she wondered to herself, and stood up, she could clearly see the busy New Providence harbour, much larger and grander than Port Royal, with rows and rows of ships with the British Flag proudly waving on each mast. A sinking feeling was setting in the pit of her stomach, she looked over to Emil, but he gave her an assuring look.

Ana kept her silence, unnusually, and rolled down her sleeves, she haven't been very lucky before, but she tried reassuring herself, and was a little relieved that no one actually knew her real name.

Ana looked over to Captain Calen, the captain looked calm indeed, probably she never been caught before, Ana thought to herself.

Will suddenly appeared and gazed ahead, a smile crept to his lips, and for the first time Ana saw his face lighting up, and his eyes twinkled, he seemed absolutely happy.

"She must be a really special lady eh?" Ana asked.

"Yes she is, she's.... she's Elizabeth." he replied, as if he had summed up everything which is glorious in one little sentence.

Ana shooked her head and chuckled. "Well, I hope this special lady of yours might help us, she is the Governor's daughter right?"

Will looked at her puzzled, "What do you mean?"

"Yes, what DO you mean Ana?" asked a voice from behind, Ana spun around, Captain Calen.

"Well, look around you! We're pirates for godsakes, and we cannot possibly hide the fact, and SO, in an effort of not drawing any unwanted and unnecessary attention, I propose only a few of us to go ahead to New Providence, while the rest of us stay here, namely all of YOU! " yelled Ana to the crew.

Some grumbling was heard coming from them.

"Such a genius aren't ye? Well Ana, for your information, I had already informed everyone of the fact, were you not listening?" replied the Captain.

"You did? I'm terribly sorry Captain, I was... distracted. Anyway, apart from that, Will, maybe Elizabeth can help us, I will tell you later about it, all I can say now is that we might have to strenghten our defences." Ana continued, her eyes looking around the ship, it was armed well, but not very well in her mind, and she strode off.

Will and Captain Calen looked around the ship too, wondering what exactly did the pirate lass meant by that.

[eowynangel]

'Land ahoy! New Providence in sight!"

Gwen was ajusting her new clothing when she heard the cry announcing earth.
She started and checked her appearance in the mirror of the cabin. It was perfect ! Nobody could recognize her at first sight. She caught Lydia looking at her manly looks with dismay. The lady didn't see see the use of this masquarade. A small smile crept on the french woman's lips. She knew this would be useful... yes it would indeed be...

"L'heure de la vengeance a sonné" she muttered.

She bid goodbye to Lydia, pretending she wanted to test the effect of her new wardrobe.

She climbed on the deck, unoticed of the crew, who was listenning at the pirate lass called Ana.

"I have to find a way to go to my "beloved" city" Gwen thought. "There's some people here I will be delighted to see..."

She smirked lighty, thinking of the dagger hidden in her hat. Revenge will be so sweet... They will pay for the miserable life she had had...

She saw some of the pirates preparing embarcations to go to earth. Her face lit up as she saw a perfect way to accompany the expedition unoticed. She slowly made her way to the place when she was pushed.

"I'm sorry" mumbled the man, without a look at her.

It was Will, looking feverish and happy. He hurried up to speak to his sister. Gwen frowned at the sight of captain Calen.

"Hopefully she will not notice my missing. Or I will be in big trouble"

She shrugged her shoulders and slid into her hiding place.

"I have to succeed. And my honour will be restaured"

With this thought in mind, she waited silently.

*****************************************
Translation :
"L'heure de la vengeance a sonné" means "Time for revenge has come"

[Mrs Dan Hawkins]

Calen watched the crew ready the ship for docking, they were all a little disharted by the fact that they could not set foot on dry land .She walked over to Black Bill she needed to tell him one last important thing before they left ........


************************

[Lady Disdain]

Lydia hardly heard the bustle going on as people prepared to make for land. She knew she wasn't going to be able to go. And unlike that Frenchwoman, she knew she would never be able to disguise herself adequately as a man. She was as trapped as the time Patrick Lancing had asked her if she wanted to dance, and rather than hurt his feelings she had said she didn't feeling inclined to it just then, and then he had followed her around all night and kept her from being able to dance with anyone else.

She was supposed to swab the deck. But she didn't even know what swabbing was. And anyway, it was most unfair to make the prisoner you were holding for ransom do work. It wasn't at all the way it was in the stories.

Of course in the stories, she would have been beautifully cared for by a noble member of the band who had been tricked into it and had fallen for her. Oh what was the use. She wasn't in a story. This was real, and it was frightening.

She felt all hollow inside, but she knew that she wouldn't be able to eat. Food just wasn't appealling to her. She hadn't had more than the one meal since she'd gotten here, and that she had hardly been able to get down. She'd only done it cause that girl's brother, Gavin he was called, had asked her to.

Somehow she didn't want him to worry.

[tancred]

With no flag flying from its mast, the Queen of the Sea made port in New Providence. Very secretive and subtle, just as Captain Calen wanted. The most notorious and recognizable members of the crew were told to stay below deck. Only Calen, Will, Ana, Emil, Gibbs, and a few other trusty lads were going ashore, and their attire was going to be very low-key. Jose was allowed to go ashore on the pretense that he had lenses to buy for his telescopes.

Lydia had just discovered what "swabbing the deck" meant, and she was still staring off into space with a horrified look upon her normally fair face. After about twenty minutes of fruitless pouting and moping, she had finally resigned herself to the task. Yet, it was at this moment as Lydia was about to take her first stroak with a mop that Captain Calen approached her, and ordered her back into her room. Lydia smiled widely, and looked very pleased.

Catching the hint of a smile upon Lydia's lips, Calen poked her in the shoulder a few times. "Why the silly grin, little girl," asked Calen with a fierce tone.

Lydia's smile vanished, and she clapped to attention immediately. She answered nothing, however.

"I'm guessing," continued Calen, "that you think you won't have to swab the deck now. Well, believe me when I say that you do! You'll just have to wait until after I get back."

Lydia objected, "But you might not return for some time. If I wait until that time, I could very well be mopping in the dark!"

Calen offered a mock frown of sympathy. "Aww! We wouldn't want that, now would we? Too bad!"

"But why must I wait," asked Lydia emphatically. "Let me do my duties now."

Calen took Lydia by the arm, gently but firmly, and pushed her off towards her quarters. "I don't want you above deck while we're in port," the Captain explained. "Not only might you be seen, but the sight of land and freedom might tempt you to try and escape. Same goes for that too-spirited-for-her-own-good girl, Gabby. Put her in her quarters!" Gabby and Lydia were rounded up, and ushered into their room. Calen herself locked the door so they couldn't get out, and walked away with a smile upon her face. She had assumed that Gwen was in the room already. She assumed wrong.
*****************

Calen, Will, Ana, Emil, Gibbs, two pirates, and Jose all jumped onto the dock of New Providence with wobbly sea legs. After becoming acclimated and paying the docking fee, the group walked off, and discussed their plans in a dark alley. Hearing of their plotting, Jose wanted nothing to do with it. "Yes," he said, clearing his throat. "If its all the same to you, I'll be going to purchase some new lenses now." Calen rolled her eyes dismissively, and Jose walked off.

He strolled along the pier and marketplace for some time, making a few purchases here and there. Jose had one last destination to go to, when he thought he spied a familiar figure. He winced and did a double take. Was that Gwen? Those were certainly his clothes walking around! Gwen must have slipped ashore in disguise, and so Jose decided to follow.

Gwen walked silently and smoothly through the streets, familiar haunts to her. She ducked down an even darker alley than before. Even as he entered the alley, Jose spied Gwen at the other end. Although there was a door to a faceless building (Jose could not tell what it was, for the sign must have been on the front), the French woman did not use it. Rather, she climbed some empty barrels that lay stacked nearby, and slipped through a second level open window.

Jose ran to the door, and placed his ear against it to listen in on anything that might transpire. "What was Gwen up to," he thought. "She certainly is being very sneaky about it. And determined, too! If the Captain finds out she left ship without orders, there will be trouble! I think there's trouble now, though. What the devil is she doing? Should I stop her before she does anything? Nay, I can not force my will upon her's. What she has decided to do is probably important to her, and as I am only guessing as to her purpose, I can not stop her now. If she needs help, only then shall I intervene."

And almost as if on cue, there was a loud crash from inside. There were muted sounds of a struggle and a fight. A clang of weapons. Danger was afoot!

And that was enough for Jose. He quickly crossed himself, said a quick prayer for forgiveness, brandished his sword, and kicked in the door.

[eowynangel]

Gwenaëlle smiled in satisfaction. She had managed to leave the boat unoticed ! She looked around her swiftly and took an alley, who lead into the center of New Providence.

After a short walk (for her memory of the path to follow was still very fresh) the young woman stopped in front of a dark construction, hidden in a small alley.
She looked at the door, ready to burst in but finally decided against it. She percieved some empty barrels which were giving on a window of the second floor. Gwen smirked a little and silently slid inside the building.

At last, here she was, returned in the house of her nightmares... But now, she will have the power to change things... To revenge...

She heard voices downstairs, which she immediately recognized. A light shiver ran down her spine... She didn't know if it was fear or exitement, but at the moment she honestly didn't care.

Once downstairs, she headed to the place the voices were coming from. She burst in, looking triomphantly, holding her dagger at her former employer's throat.

"Surprised to see me ?"

"Gwenie, my little baby dool" the man smiled fakely "You're back ! We have greatly missed you and your... charms"

Despite the dagger's threatening, he extended his hand to touch the french girl's cheek.

"There, there" he said "Stop holding this dagger like that... Or I will be really really angry... And you know what I do when I'm angry..."

Gwen could feel her determination weakened with his words. She slowly let the dagger go...

"Catch her" shouted the man to his minions.

Gwen reacted switlly, and tried to find a way to escape. But they were too numerous for her... She had to find a way...

One one her employer's men catched her roughly by the arm and she let out a cry of pain.

"Maybe it wasn't such a good idea she thought, as she struggled.

An other man burst in the room and Gwen became desesperate. The man looked familiar however and she gasped as she looked carefully at him.

It was José !

[~Kawaii~]

Aimèe came out of her little room... thing. That she was staying in. And was extremely suprised to see an almost empty deck.

She shouted across to one of the younger, quieter pirates. "Where's everyone gone?"

"They've gone ashore miss." The man shouted back. "Duties to do they said. Went off as quick as they could."

"You what?" Aimèe shrieked "They've gone without me? How could they! I don't believe them!" Aimèe Started to exit the ship.

The pirate followed her. "No miss, you're not allowed." He grabbed her arm.

Aimèe shrugged him off. "Get off me. I'm going after them. They ain't gonna get away with leaving Aimèe Sparrow behind."

Aimèe soon found herself on the street. She started walking - but little did she know it was in the opposite direction to everyone else.

[tancred]

When Jose burst through the room, he saw an obese, lazy, rich looking man seated at a table. The man was in his 40's, had a shaven head, a greasy face from eating, and most disturbing--a few signs upon his face from the English Disease. There were two armed men there, and both had hold of Gwen's arms. The young woman looked frightened, and struggled with her captors.

Jose spoke loudly and bravely at the men there. "Unhand the Lady Gwen, you knaves," he yelled.

All the men chuckled to themselves. "Gwen," laughed the seated man. "A lady? Are you certain you have the right Gwen? And who are you to be making demands anyhow?"

"I make demands, because I have a sword," answered Jose in a voice of steel.

In reply, one of the men who held Gwen drew a sword with his free hand, and the other drew a pistol. Jose gulped inwardly, but otherwise looked unphased.

Jose was just wondering if he were going to get out of the situation alive, when Gwen acted. Because the men holding her had drawn their weapons, their grip on Gwen was not as strong. Seizing the opportunity, she stomped one of the men's foot, forcing him to drop his pistol, and the other she elbowed.

Thus free, both Gwen and Jose were free to act. Jose ran to her side, and handed her his longest dagger. The one man had lost his pistol, yet he drew his sword. And the other still had his sword. Jose engaged his opponent readily, and a fierce sword fight ensued. Having the shorter weapon, Gwen stood back, and assumed a defensive position. Her opponent charged her.

Luckily for Gwen, she was very nimble and lithe. She dodged and ducked under most of her adversary's sword strokes. And with one last duck, the man overswung by a wide margin. This opened him up to a counterstroke, and Gwen slashed him across the stomach good. He collapsed in a groaning heap.

Jose handled his man rather easily. He was just a hired thug, and not the most highly skilled swordsman. Gwen watched in awe as Jose ran circles around the man, basically toying with him. Gwen could not believe it--a navigator and cartographer, essentially a man of science and books, that good with a sword? Jose could have killed the man easily. He merely slashed him lightly across the shoulder, and kicked him through the wall once he had had enough of a workout.

Jose turned around...only to find that the forgotten fat man had snuck up behind Gwen, and grabbed her. He had ahold of her right arm, and had it twisted behind her back, so that if she moved, it caused great pain. His other hand held a pistol, and he had it pointed at Gwen's head.

Jose drew another of his daggers, as well as his sword.

"Ah, ah, ah," scolded the man. "No funny moves, or the pretty lass here dies."

Jose did not drop his weapons. He merely relaxed and lowered his arms somewhat.

"Such a good fighter," praised the man. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Henry Gore, and I own this establishment. I've seen the way you fight, and I'd like to hire you to work for me."

"Never," exclaimed Jose. "Just leave Gwen be, and I might show you mercy."

"There you go again about Gwen," sneered Henry. He yanked on Gwen's arm, and she gave a cry of pain. "Why do you care so much about her? You do know what she is, right? She's just a common prostitute. She loves for money, and nothing more. Of course, I've had her for free on numerous occassions. Now why would you want to risk your life for something like that?"

"Gwen can not help it that she was forced in to her job by you," retorted Jose. "Now let her go!"

Jose did not know what to do, for they seemed at quite the impasse. It was then that Gwen saved the day yet again. She pretended to faint, and fell limp and backwards against Henry. The foe thus distracted, Jose let fly his dagger. It glanced viciously off the side of Henry's head, taking his ear with it. The man collapsed in agony.

In an instant, Gwen had reclaimed her dagger, and pounced upon the fallen Henry. She was about to take his life when Jose held her back. "No, Gwen," he counseled. "Wait."

Jose placed his foot upon Henry's neck, and applied some pressure. "Now," said Jose slowly, "I believe we were discussing an agreement. You were about to disown all claims you had upon Gwen as her employer. She owes you nothing, and is a free woman. You will not seek to harm her in the future, not dare to force her back into your employ, and will not get the authorities after her. Am I correct in understanding your terms? Speak up, for I can not hear you."

Henry gurggled, "Yes...I agree to all those terms. Let me go!"

Jose released his foot, grabbed Henry about the collar, raised him to a sitting position, and drew the blade of his sword dreadfully close to Henry's face. "Now listen here," Jose raged. "Men like you make me sick! Forcing yourselves on women like that. Look at my sword! Can you read the words on the blade?"

"No," gasped Henry. "Its Latin, and I do not understand it."

"I should have expected no better from an English cur such as yourself! I'll translate for you. MEMOR MORIBUNDUS or REMEMBER DEATH. Death is what you deserve, and death is what you shall get, if you don't entirely forget about Gwen this very instant!"

Henry fainted. Jose took his money purse from its place on Henry's belt, and rose. He handed the purse to the French woman. Gwen spat in Henry's face, and kicked him a few times in the ribs. "Come now, Gwen," said Jose, taking her hand. "That man shall not harm you anymore, and you should forget about him. Be satisfied with your vengeance, and let us go. Before we return to the ship, I must go to confession!"

[Summer Sparrow]

As they were wandering through the streets of New Providence, which was swarming with elite socialites (who gave them curious looks) Ana tried to look confident but probably her eyes betrayed her, nonetheless, she tried talking to calm her nerves.

"Well Mr Turner, I suppose we will be paying Ms Swann a visit then?" she asked the young man.

Will looked back at her with a smile, "Are you sure? Her house is probably swarming with officers, the commodore might also be there."

Ana gave an irritated look, "That won't do, you would have to see her somewhere else, or.."

"Or without any of you! That is what I want, let me be alone to go and see her!" said Will, in an almost hopeful voice.

They thought about this for a moment, "Very well, you shall go off to see her, but we trust you would get back to us, with the keys and maps of the armory! We'll wait for you here" replied Ana pointing to The Black Sheep, a small tavern.

Will nodded and strode off.

"Well Captain Turner! It's just you and us now!" said Gibbs, offering her his blackjack, And and Emil let out a small chuckle.

Suddenly a weak voice came from behind them...

"Doom awaits you...."

[Summer Sparrow]

Sorry but I was meaning to add to my post! -continuation-
******************************************

"Doom awaits you!" said a weak voice from behind.

Ana spun around, and to her amazement, an old woman was sitting crossed legged near the pebbled road, she was smoking something very fragrant, and her hair was stricken white, pulled into a tiny bun, about her shoulders were many scarves; very striking in color, and she had her eyes closed, only later did they notice that the woman was totally blind.

"A gypsy! Pay no attention to her miss! Always mumble odd things! Tis bad luck!" said Gibbs and hurriedly sauntered off into the tavern.

Ana still stood there, somehow she was drawn to this old woman, though she only looked like a beggar to the common eye, her words striked Ana like a piercing sword.

Ana crouched to the same level as the gypsy woman, "What do you mean old gypsy?" she asked.

The old woman chuckled, "Indeed old I am, yet you are an old spirit as well, I can sense it, you have much to learn about yourself, and of others.." she replied, seemingly talking incoherently.

"She's talking rubbish Ana, come let's have a drink-!" said Emil. Ana hushed him.

"You have a young girl with you, she has something very valuable with her, where is she?" asked the old woman suddenly.

Ana frowned, her thoughts traveled back to the ship, a young girl? There are lots of young girls on board, but something precious?

"None of us have anything precious, except Lydia, since she's the daughter of a wealthy merchant-"

"Ah.. but not all that is precious is silver and gold, and when without stars, you will need it to find your way." said the old woman again. Ana was puzzled once again, but after a while-

"The compass!!" Ana almost shrieked, she looked back to Emil, who was quite startled with her sudden outburst.

"Emil! Where is the compass?"

"Calm down Ana, I saw Gibbs hand it over to Aimèe before we stepped off the ship!" stammered Emil.

"Aimèe! We must find her!"

[Summer Sparrow]

"Aimee! We must find her!" said Ana.

"She’s on board the ship, I gave strict orders for her, including the rest," answered Captain Calen calmly.

Gibbs suddenly appeared again from the tavern, "Whats all the fuss miss?" he asked Ana, who seemed quite shaken up.

"Gibbs, after you gave Aimee the compass, did you see her leaving the ship?"

Gibbs eyebrows knitted together, he seemed quite deep in thought, “I don’t think I have, but knowing the little lass, she’s bound to be around here somewhere!” he replied.

Captain Calen shook her head, “Is it so hard to obey my orders?”

“I’ll go over to those warehouses near the western docks where our ship is, she might not be far off” said Ana. “I’ll follow you ” said Emil.

“Meet back here in a couple of hours” Ana said to the Captain and Gibbs, and they went running to the western docks.

“Well Captain, you’re with me now, we should go over to the east docks, near the bastilles.”

“Do you think that is wise? The Bastille would probably be crawling with officers!” huffed Captain Calen.

“Be discreet” replied Gibbs and he was off, Captain Calen trudged reluctantly behind him.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ana and Emil made their way back to the ship, where a couple of pirates were lounging on deck.

“Oi, you dog, seen the young girl? Aimee Sparrow.”

The pirate snickered, “Sparrow, much like her father too, she’s a feisty one! I tried holding her back but she got away.”

“Did you see where she went?” roared Emil. The pirate backed away, “I.. I think she went towards those alleys over there!” he stammered, pointing to a row of alleys, where an assortment of shops were located.

“Good, come on”

As they approached the alley, aptly named, Dark Alley, they were surprised to see the shops were all closed.

‘That’s odd, are they all out of business?” Ana wondered aloud. Emil went ahead to check, everything in this part of town was eerily quiet.

“Something’s amiss.” Whispered Emil.

Suddenly they heard a loud commotion coming from a distance, and they hurriedly went towards that direction, when they arrived they could see two groups of people shouting and sneering at each other.

"Great, a gang fight, who would want to fight over this alley, all the shops are out of business!" queried Ana.

"I think they’re closed because there is a gang fight today," corrected Emil.

"Oh.." replied Ana with a foolish grin on her face.

"And don’t you think it’s odd the officers are not here to break the fight?" asked Ana again.

"No I don't think so, being the fort and the bastille on the other side of town, it would take quite a while for them to get here." replied Emil.

Without warning the two ‘gangs’ attacked one another, the noise of the screaming and whacking were overwhelming, but amidst the commotion, a boy scrambled up towards the rooftops and rang the alarm bells to alert the officers, it rang loud and clear.

"We'd better go before the officers arrive!"yelled Emil over the commotion and they ran towards another alley.

Once there, they saw four men dragging a young girl into a carriage. It was Aimee, she looked weak and her hands were bound.

"Unhand her you fiends!" Ana shouted, the men looked up and immediately charged towards them,swords drawn, but one of them stayed back and held Aimee tightly.

“What do you want with the girl? Let her go!” said Ana.

The man gave her an evil smile, “That is none of your business, and what, pray tell, would you do if we don’t? Two against four?” he mockingly replied, looking back at his mates who laughed crackily with him.

“This” said Emil calmly, using both hands, he pulled out four small leaf-shaped daggers from each side-pocket and threw them towards the men, and each stabbed them through the heart, all fell dead.

"Good shot Emil!" said Ana, they hurried over to Aimee and undid the ropes binding her, “Are you alright?” asked Ana.

"I.. I think so" she weakly replied.

"Come on, lets get out of here!" said Emil and they rushed back towards the Black Sheep, by this time, a battalion of officers were heading towards Dark Alley, probably intending to break up the gang fight.

"What luck! That would mean less guards in the bastilles and the armory!" Ana thought to herself with a smile.