pirates rpg 2

[Mrs Dan Hawkins]

Calen walked across the deck looking out to sea , something didn't feel right, today was not a good day to start hunting for anything, even tresure.With a sight Calen turned around and went to look for Will , she saw him accross the deck stood with Jack and Gibbs.

"Oi Little brother !" she called " come here"

Will shot her a withering look before complying.

"little brother indead " he snorted"im bloody taller than you!"

"aye taller but younger, in age and maturity" she shot back with a laugh.

Will aimed a punch at her arm but missed when she ducked laughing still.

"well what did you want?" he asked trying to hide his embaressment

"oh nothing really "she replied shrugging her shoulders "just watch your back , i have a bad feeling about this tresure hunt"

"what do you mean a bad feeling?"

"just a bad feeling" she reapeated with another shrug

Both brother and sister turned and walked towards a longboat and made their way to shore

*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^**^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*

[Bosun]

While Jack went to round up the rest of the landing party, Gibbs stood at the side of the ship, gazing pensively across the landscape. Somewhere out there...

"What's happening now?"

"What?" Gibbs yelped, twisting around only to behold a boy he didn't recognize. "Who the hell are you?"

Latimer sighed. He had been getting used to that question. "I'm still new to the crew. Name's Latimer Baker." He saw Gibbs give him an odd look. "Or, Tim, if you like."

"Well, why not, s'not as if we can' use all teh help we can get..." Gibbs shook his head, still not sure of the lad.

"We've... stopped," Latimer remarked after a pause, reminding Gibbs of the boy's original query.

"The hunt starts here, lad. Jack and Ana are just rounding up those of us who're to go now."

"Who are they?" Tim's eyes lit up hopefully.

"Those who've been around the Pearl longer than you, lad," Gibbs told him reprovingly. "Most o' the crew is staying here though, yerself included."

"Oh... aye, of course," he replied. He thought it best not to complain; after all he was still settling in and trying not to make himself disliked. He would have liked to tag along, if not for the adventure then at least to see if the young Miss Sparrow was keeping well. Since fishing her out of the water, Latimer had been feeling a certain sense of duty towards her wellfare.

"But Mr. Gibbs," he rejoined, "w-what would happen if..." He swallowed, trying to think how best to voice his concern, without giving away what he knew and how he knew it. "I've been hearing things about the ship... that the Pearl is being tailed. What if... we were found here?"

Gibbs pursed his lips and looked out over the land again. "Best not to think about that, lad. We're well hidden... We should be safe. And if the worst comes to the worst... Well, we all know how to fight."

Tim nodded solemnly, trying to find resolution in Gibbs' words. But there was a feeling in the pit of his stomach that he could not dislodge that told him Carlita Thellen's rage would not easily be overcome.

[tancred]

Jose slumped glumly into one of the two longboats those going on the treasure hunt were taking. They could have taken more, yet did not want to leave their comrades aboard the Pearl with an insufficient number of them should they be needed. It was not the same longboat Gabby and Derek had gone in. Jose sat beside Ana, a frown on his face, Jack the Monkey upon his shoulder, and a stronger than usual effort in the rowing.

The two boats made their way along the coast, and to the primitive dock of the small Spanish village marked on the map. They would buy supplies (and most importantly, horses) here, and then take to the path displayed on the map.

The morning wore on, and most of the supplies had been bought. Jose's spirits were lightened slightly by the fact he had been able to purchase an Andalussian, a mighty horse, and fresh from Spain. He quickly named it Rocinante, and luckily for the name and the horse, it was indeed a stud and not a mare.

Jose came to an elderly woman along the side of the road, selling flowers. She had some lovely roses there. Without even thinking, Jose bought one from her. He smelled its sweet fragrance. Suddenly startled, Jose wondered why on earth he had been possessed to buy a rose. His thought and conscience came to him, "You know very well why you bought the rose. You bought it for...for Gabby." His thoughts drifted back to happier times. The day he had met Gabby in her father's store. He had given her the rose then. More out of sudden pity than anything else, what with the sad look upon her face and the nasty bruise there as well. And yet, look what happened as a result--it sparked something. He and Gabby would meet later, and she had not forgotten his small act of kindness. What was that his mother had always told him? "It is often the smallest of acts...the most inconspicuous and natural ones that bear the largest fruit. And of these, the kind acts produce the sweetest."

"Ah yes," thought Jose to himself with a sad smile. "That was a good day! What happened to change things? Why has that fruit gone bad?"

The Spaniard thought he saw Gabby in the distance. He began walking down the street towards her, flower in hand. Her back was to him, and she did not notice him. Just as Jose was about call her name, he saw Derek approaching out of the corner of his eye. Jose immediately turned on his heel, and walked back in the direction he had come from.

Ana found Jose sitting alone upon a low bench. She sat down next to him. "Is everything alright," she asked. "You haven't spoken a peep all day."

"I am fine, thanks," he said unconvincingly. "I am just thinking."

"Of what," asked Ana further.

" Dreams," answered Jose vaguely. "I dreamt about Nonna last night. There isn't a day that goes by in which I forget about her."

"Understandable," conceeded Ana. "Very much so. Yet, I'm thinkin' that isn't all you dreamed about."

"Verily," confessed Jose. "I dreamt about Gabby last night...and I fell out of bed twice."

Ana choked back a giggle. She placed her hand on his shoulder in consolation. She then noticed the rose he was holding. "What's that you got there," she wondered. "A pretty rose!"

"Yea," said Jose. "A rose. A red rose for...."

"For me," exclaimed Ana. "I'm right honored ya thought of me, Jose. Yet, is it fittin' that a knight give his squire roses? Wouldn't the other knights give us weird looks an' all?" She laughed, and nudged Jose in the ribs.

He smiled lightly, too. "It doesn't matter," he said. "You are a woman squire, and a very worthy one too. What knight wouldn't want to give you a rose?"

Ana blushed and laughed again. "An' you're sure this is for me," she probed. "Surely it isn't for a certain sweet, young shopkeeper?"

Ana laughed again, and Jose knew she was joking with him. "You are correct, dear squire," conceeded Jose. "The rose was meant for fair Gabby. Its just that...I do not think I have the courage to give it to her. I almost did...." He sat in thought for awhile. "Yet, I do not wish for the rose to go to waste. Here...you have it!" Ana tried to refuse, but the Spaniard insisted. "Take it, faithful squire and good friend, Ana. You may do with it as you please."

"Alright then," continued Ana. "Thank you. The sun is getting high. Ya think we should be leaving town right about now?"

Jose shook his head in agreement. "I shall see you at the edge of town," he said. "I must get my horse now." He walked off.

Ana continued to sit. She knew Jose had grown attached to her in his own way, and the same for her. She was glad he had confided in her, and felt sorry for his despair and sadness. The pirate lass sat there deep in thought, twiddling the rose between her fingers, and wondering what to do with it. A plan began to take shape....

[Niphredil]

Derek and Gavin helped with the packing of the horses, but Derek's attention, as usual kept drifting back to Gabby. She was standing alone under the shade of a tree, not too far away from him. When Derek noticed Jose walking in her direction, without hesitation he dropped what he had been holding, much to the grumbling of Gavin, and walked over to Gabby. He watched out of the corner of his eye with satisfaction as Jose turned around and went in the opposite direction.

"All ready to go, Gabby?" Derek asked brightly. She shrugged her shoulders a little.

"I suppose," she said. "Though I fear I have not done much horseback riding in my lifetime."

"Well, don't worry," Derek reassured her, "Gavin picked out a nice gentle mare for you. And if you have any trouble," he added, lowering his voice, "then you could always ride with me." He winked at her, and took her hand in his. "Come," he said, "I think we're going to be leaving soon." They walked hand-in-hand back to where Gavin and most of the others were, checking and packing supplies.

Soon thereafter, they mounted up and, with Jack, Jose, and Ana in the lead, the group departed, saying farewell to the quaint little Spanish village. As they were leaving, Gabby caught sight of an elderly looking woman, holding a basket of red roses. The memory of the first day she had met Jose -- the day he had given her that beautiful red rose -- came flooding back into her mind. As the day wore on, she began to wonder again why she had done what she had done.

The sun was only just beginning to sink below the horizon when they decided to stop for the night and set up camp. While the others were busy caring for the horses and erecting tents, Gabby offered to go find some firewood. Derek, of course offered to go along with her. It took some serious looking to find firewood, for the area they were in was like a prairie that seemed to go on forever, and all they could find were twigs that would not do for a fire. Finally, though, they came to a thicket of trees where they knew there had to be some decent wood for a fire. They had not spoken much the entire time, but finally Derek did speak.

"You never answered my question," he said.

"What question?" asked Gabby, as she bent over to pick up a piece of wood.

"The question from this morning," Derek said. He moved close to her, stroking her cheek with his hand, and took the wood she was holding from her and let it drop to the ground.

"Oh," she said, after a moment. "That question."

"Yes, that question. Well?" he asked, moving yet more close to her.

"I uh-- I--" she stuttered, chuckled nervously and grinned at him. He took the grin to mean "yes," so he moved in and tried to press his lips to her's, but she backed away.

"We really should get back, it's getting dark," she said.

"We have time."

"The others will wonder where we--"

"Let them wonder." He again moved to press his lips to her's and she again backed away.

"I'm sorry, Derek," she said, "But this is moving a little too fast for me. I need more time."

Derek frowned slightly for a second but quickly put on a happy face. "All right," he said, "You're worth the wait." She thanked him for understanding, they gathered up some more wood, and began heading back toward camp. Derek was slightly annoyed by her hesitance, but he told himself that he'd rather have her when she's completely willing... he just hoped it wouldn't take her too too long.

[tancred]

The companions took a small path that ran east of the village. The map De Soto had made was specific and exact. With definate markings in lattitude and longtitude, it would be easy to follow. As long as Jose could see the stars, and measure them with his astrolabe, that was. Thus, any overcast nights would not be welcome at all. The first part of their journey would thus seemingly be an easy one. It was once De Soto's map ended and the Native one took its place that travelling would be most difficult.

The landscape was new to most everyone there. Dusty, full of tumbleweeds and sand devils, somewhat flat and open with sudden river gulches, and distant hills and low mountains. The animals were also a bit different. Little furry dogs that burrowed in the ground, large ugly birds with bald heads, little rats with armor on them who either ran away or rolled up into defensive armored balls, and other such things.

The morning of their second day of travel, the company came upon a small patrol of mounted Spanish soldiers. Or rather, the patrol came upon them. The Spanish officer looked upon the rag-tag group with suspicion. They looked for all the world too mixed a group to be anything but pirates. Yet, what were pirates doing so far ashore?

The companions looked at each other nervously. Jack gulped audibly. He had had many a run-in with the Spanish Navy, and he doubted the Spanish Army would be any friendlier to pirates.

Before the officer could bark commandingly at the strangers, Jose stepped forward, and greeted his fellow countrymen warmly in their own tongue. Surprised at this, the officer's normally mistrusting attitude changed. As if he were meeting a long-lost brother, he spoke warmly with Jose and with a smile upon his face. The cartographer produced his document granting leave and safe passage for he and those who went with him. The officer looked it over, saw that it was not a forgery and that it had a genuine Spanish ambassador's seal upon it, handed it back to Jose, and let them pass. Jose exchanged laughter and jokes with his countrymen as they went their separate ways.

"That was close," sighed Jack once the troops were out of earshot.

"Ya think we'll meet many soldiers along our way," asked Emil.

"Nay," answered Jose. "I think not. This is Spanish territory, yet actual Spaniards are few and far between here. They have villages and garrisson towns spread here and there, but not much."

"That is good then," said Jack with a smile.

"Not neccessarily," continued Jose. "The Spanish may be rare in territory they claim as their own, yet most of the denizens here are the Indians. And we have no safe passage with them!"

"We have Ana though," said Gibbs, clapping Ana on the back, and almost knocking her over.

"If we encounter members of my old tribe," ammended Ana, trying to catch her breath. "And if I can even remember any Native words to say."
*********************************

Another two days had passed, and the company was following De Soto's map easily. It showed that they should be passing a Native village soon. And indeed, they all could eventually see smoke rising in the distance.

As they drew near, the village came into view. A pleasant looking place, small, and with round hide houses pitched at fairly regular intervals.

Native children spotted them, stopped their play, and ran yelling and screaming back into the village. "Why do they run," asked Lydia naively.

"Gibbs hasn't bathed since we left New Providence," joked Jack, waving his hand in front of his nose. Gibbs glared at Jack, and elbowed him in vengeful jest.

"Can you blame 'em," said Ana seriously, a subtle frown upon her face. "Europeans have only brought sadness, hardship, disease, slavery, an' domination to them. I would run, too. I wish Momma and I had run faster that day...."

Ana cast her face down, and seemed almost as if she would weep. Yet, she could not shed tears in front of the others. Not her, strong pirate lass that she was. Emil understood somewhat of what Ana was feeling. Jack, Gibbs, and Jose, knowing her better than any others in the group empathized. All of them gallopped slowly past Ana, patting her upon the shoulder in comfort as they did so.

The adults of the village came out, armed with bows, spears, and the very rare gun here and there. They came to the edge of their village, yet would not step beyond it. They said nothing, and did not attack the strangers. They merely looked at them, not daring to approach, and yet willing to defend their homes should the strangers prove to have ill intentions.

Uncertainty enveloped the company. They did not know what would happen, and no Native words were coming to Ana's mind or from her lips. Would the Natives attack? If so, they were hopelessly outnumbered. Kira herself became suddenly afraid. More afraid than she would have liked to admit. Almost unconciously, she reached out next to her to the rider that had just gallopped up to her left. She reached out for comfort and courage without looking, and found herself gripping with trembling hands upon the shoulder of...her father Gael....

"Be on your guard," cautioned Jack, as Jack the Monkey perched nervously atop his bejeweled bandana.

[Aladrien]

The Natives lines along the shore, several were ankle-deep in the waters, unafraid of the new Europeans. They held their spears and bows ready, tense with the adrenaline of what was to come. Metres away, Ehawee could hear the hustle and bustle from inside a tent. She, too, was afraid of the approaching men and even for the Natives. She recalled the day she was as terrified as she was now.

Ehawee sat inside her tent, playing with the walls, drawing invisible figures with her fingers on the hide. Her mother was outside fixing a meal with the rest of the women in the tribe. Her father was out, teaching the young boys to hunt. Ehawee was supposed to be helping the wives cook with the other young girls of the clan.

Her finger moved fluently, tracing a man, then a horse and a sun above them. Unexpectedly, shadows that were cast upon the hut by the evening’s sun revealed many men running past. They hollered loudly in a strange language. Screams followed and cried erupted from the children. Ehawee’s finger jolted with surprise. She pulled it back and grabbed her favourite drum. She crawled to the edge of the tent and peered out. She saw many Natives, different from her own tribe, perhaps from the south. They tossed water on the fire and kicked over their food. The eleven-year-old child heard her mother’s dreadful scream. She started to crawl out of the tent, but was blocked by the fallen body of a Native. He belonged to her clan. She wept at the sight and started to crawl away. She didn’t know if her mother or father had made it alive, but all she wanted to do was get away from the screams and cries.

As she sat there, trying to find a place to hide, a Native holding a spear appeared before her. He stabbed downward, into the belly of Ehawee. Her drum had been punctured, the spear had gone through both skins of the drum and into Ehawee. She cried as the spear was removed.

Ehawee made her way into the forests of the North and hid under a tree. She had a feeling that she would never see her family or her tribe again.

Hours later, when the screams died and the evil Natives left, she came into the middle of the camp, stabbed and staggering.

She heard faint noises in the distance, noises of other Natives speaking in much kinder voices. Feeling safe when they arrived, she allowed herself to sleep in their arms.

That was less than a week ago. Ehawee’s stomach was still wounded and the pain was spreading through her torso. The only thing she could recall from her transfer from her camp to the Southern Natives’ camp was being very warm. She needed medical help, or she would surely die.

[Summer Sparrow]

A few Sioux Natives came forward most of them held bows and spears, faces stern and taut, but an elderly man stepped out and signalled them to lower their weapons and they did, clearly he is the Chief. Ana noticed this, and climbed down from her horse, the rest of the party followed suit.

"We have lowered our weapons, we trust you shall do the same." the Chief started.

Ana breathed a sigh of relief he knows English!

The party laid down their pistols and cutlasses on the ground and a few Natives scrambled forth and took them dutifully.

Another younger man stepped out beside the Chief, "This is my father Ahakee Huna, and I am Tahaka but you can call me Running Deer, it is only proper that you all shall introduce yourselves" the younger man announced.

Ana cleared her throat, "I was once a member of this tribe" said Ana pointing towards the waterfall that could clearly be seen to the North. "I have forgotten my Lahkota tounge, but I still remember the stories my father used to tell, he was a great story-teller" her voice trailed off.

Running Deer peered at her with curious eyes, and suddenly he whispered something to his father, the elderly man nodded slowly.

"My father says, he misses him too, but his spirit is always looking out for you" he said at length and finally Running Deer broke into a warm smile.

"Any friend of the Great Wise Eagle's daughter is welcomed here."

Ana could hear the party breathe a sigh of relief, but she
was thinking of something else, the mere mention of her father's name brought back so many memories, memories she had been trying to forget all these years, and tears started to form in her eyes.

A young girl approched her and tugged on her hand, she couldn't be more than ten years old, "You are Nahimana are you not? I am Yuna, come I will show you your tent!"

The young girl tugged at her so hard that Ana had no choice but to follow, the little girl was babbling happily the whole way, "You MUST remember YUNA don't you? Yuna is Little YellowFlower, but I am going to be ten years old this winter, then you can call me Wikcemana! And I shall go hunting with my brother! My brother is going to be the next chief you know, he was not Running Deer before, don't tell anyone but he was Little Crying Deer before he passed the test, but don't tell him I told you that! Here we are, this is for all the winyans, the men shall get a separate tent over there, don't worry about them, my brother should show them that!"

There were two huge tents which should accomodate all the women of the party quite comfortably. Ana signalled for the rest of the girls over.

"Thank you Wise Yellow Flower." she smiled, and the little girl smiled back, at that moment a lot of questions started to form in her mind, but that can wait until later.

[Aladrien]

Ehawee moaned as she sat up. Her stomach had healed slightly, but sitting up caused it to bleed. The Native's bandaging job wasn't as well at it could be. She could tell they didn't know much about large wounds. She crawled from the tent, weak and pale. She made her way to a tree by the sea; it was there she hid until the time was right.

She heard some voices, many were in a Native tounge, and several more were English. She understood them both. "Help!" she cried, the pain was spreading and she couldn't hold back her tears. She topelled over infront of the Natives, who tried to cover the girl.

"Hurt..help!" she cried as several Natives lifted her up to bring her back to the tent where she could rest. She heard one voice call out in English, "Wait!"

[Athena]

"Wait" called Kira. She noticed the young native girl totter uneasily around. Kira wrinkled her nose in disgust when she noticed the blood. Her father Gael standing beside her looked down at her in puzzlement but she ignored him.

Fancy that, her taking his hand. As if she had been scared at that moment. Pah, screw that, Kira, being scared? Why had she had not been born and brought up on the streets with no parents.

Her back tense with anger, she stalked away from the company, knowing that others were exchanging looks. When she reached the girl, she impatiently brushed the other natives aside. One look at the damage done to the girl made her stomach roil in protest at the little food that she had just eaten. Swallowing weakly, her face blanched, she turned bruskly back to the company.

"Well?" she asked impatiently, "What are yew waitin' for? 'Tis obvious these redskin don't know what the 'ell they be doin' with injuries and them type things. An' I'm not gonna watch someone else die on me account!"

Even Kira was taken by the vehemnce of her desire to save the young indian. It was not that she had any great love for them. However seeing the injured young girl (who although far younger then Kira, was still larger then Kira) brought about an unseen, and unheard of emotion for Kira. Blinking back tears, Kira waited defiantly for help.

[tancred]

George the Blade looked round about himself in disgust. The territory they were in was a mere dusty plain that stretched on for miles. He choked on the dust in the air, and his sea legs went wobbly from time to time on this dry land. If it was possible to have land sickness, George indeed had it.

He looked to some of the pirates with him, and his disgust did not entirely leave him. As much as he trusted and had faith in the abilities of his own men, the same could not be said for Captain Carlita Thellen and her crew. He needed them for now; their added numbers and supplies would do much in helping him catch up with and subdue Jack and his party. But once the gold had been found, the Captain of the Queen of the Sea could do well without Carlita. George did not trust the notoriously ruthless Captain as far as he could throw a horse.

"Speakin' of horses," mused George aloud, "we sure could use some!"

Indeed, it had only been to the forced march by Carlita and the leisurely pace of Jack's company that the pirates had been able to keep up. Even now, Jack and his group had taken another delay in a Native village, and the pirates were watching from a safely distant hill. They camped there without fire and without much sound. Without fire, as they would be noticed, and without sound because most of the pirates were too worn and tired to make much of any noise.

" Don't worry your tiny little head," said Carlita. "I think I have a solution."

George looked past the insult, but just barely. He watched as Carlita drew forth a small telescope, and spied out the Native village. "Look there," she instructed. "The Indians have more than enough horses to spare. There in a wooden stockade."

"We're going to steal them," asked George.

"Aye," answered Carlita. "Yet not til Jack and his sorry excuse for a pirate crew leave. We don't want to be stupid, and do so while they're there. They'd know we're trailing them if we did that."

George huffed inwardly. He'd let Carlita think he wasn't the brightest bird in the nest, and he'd play the part...for now.

"Let me see," he said impatiently, reaching out for the telescope.

Thellen handed it to him. George brushed his long, scraggily blonde hair out of his eyes, and gazed through the scope at the valley below. There indeed was a large wooden corral with over thirty horses in it. Many hide tents were pitched, and the Natives seemed to all be outside, gathering around and speaking to the outsiders.

And of all those present in that crowd, George's eyes lighted upon one in particular. "Ah," he sighed. "There ya are, my sweet Gabby. I grow lonely without ya!"

Carlita rolled her eyes, and snatched the scope back quickly. "Priorities," she scolded. "We make no move until those idiots have led us to El Dorado. Only then can you have your little wench."

George grumbled subtly, and walked off.

Reprimand George as she might, Carlita could not help but find her gaze drawn ever and anon back to Captain Jack Sparrow.

[Aladrien]

Please read my two above posts for major changes. Sorry for the inconvenience.

*****

Ehawee searched for comfort in this European's eyes. She was so weak from the pain in her stomach, that she didn't care if the English were going to harm her. She wanted some place warm where she could sleep without pain. Her hands trembled, her finger tips were cold and blue to match her lips. Her eyes were bloodshot, but they had a sparkle of hope.

Kira's teary eyes were sunken with sorrow. "Somebody help! I don't think she'cn hold on much longer!"

[Niphredil]

Gabby followed quietly as she and the other women were led to their tent. Suddenly they heard someone crying out for help. Turning to the left, Gabby could see a young Indian child lying under a tree. Even though they were some distance apart, Gabby could see that the child's stomach was crimson red. Without hesitation Kira left the group and ran towards the child. Gabby made a move to follow her, but Yuna, the little Yellow Flower, took her hand and gave a tug.

"Come with me!" she said. Gabby crouched down beside the little girl.

"What is wrong with that child?" she asked. Just then two natives picked up the little girl, and started carrying her back to the camp; Kira went with them.

"Oh, her village was attacked by a bad tribe. They left none alive, except the Laughing Maiden Ewahee," Yuna said sadly. "But come! You must be weary, and Laughing Maiden will be well cared for. Come!" Yuna pulled Gabby by the hand all the way into their tent.

~**~**~**~

Later that evening, Gabby found herself seated in front of a large bonfire with her companions--though she did not see Kira--and the Indians. Most were eating and talking and laughing, and some even danced. Gabby sat alone, a half-eaten piece of venison and a few vegetables grown locally on the plate sitting on her lap. Several times her friends, and the Indians, beckoned her to join in the merriment, but she declined. She told herself that she was quite content to sit and watch. At one point, the chief's son, Running Deer, approached her.

"You seem unhappy," he said. "Why will you not dance? Or eat?"

"Oh, I'm probably just tired," Gabby said, giving him the best smile she could muster.

"I see. My father and I hope that you and your companions will stay here with us for a few days," he said.

"Well, that is not my decision to make, but I am confident that we would all enjoy it," she said. "but if you will excuse me, I think I shall retire for the night. Thank you for all your hospitality." He smiled at her and wished her a good sleep, and Gabby departed.

~**~**~**~

Gabby was not the only person not joining in on the festivities; Derek was also sitting alone, trying to enjoy himself, but his gaze always shifted back to Gabby. Gavin, who had been sitting by Lydia, walked over to him and took a seat next to him.

"Why are you sitting over here when Gabby is sitting over there?" he asked, motioning to Gabby with a grand wave of his hand.

"Why don't you ask her that?" Derek asked. He sighed. "She's been avoiding me for days. I don't understand it. A week ago she-- she was so..." his voice trailed off. "She's so cold now. So distant."

"Just give her time," Gavin said.

"That's what she said, to give her more time."

"Maybe she needs it. That Spaniard probably messed up her head. Don't worry, mate, I'm sure she'll come around." Gavin clapped Derek on the shoulder, and returned to Lydia. Just after Gavin left, Derek saw Gabby stand and leave. He decided to follow her, and try to talk to her.

~**~**~**~

Gabby was within ten feet of her tent when she heard someone call her name. She turned around to see Derek standing there. " Derek," she said. " Did-- did you want something?"

"Yes, I wanted to talk to you."

"What about?" she asked.

"I need to know if we have a problem-- why you've been avoiding me. You've been acting like our relationship is a bad thing," he said. Gabby felt a lump growing in her throat.

"Isn't it?" was all she managed to say.

"Of course not--"

"Maybe," she saiding cutting him off. "Maybe our relationship is a good thing, but... but what I did to Jose...." her voice trailed off, her eyes glistened with tears. At that moment she wanted to find a cliff so she could jump off it.

"It doesn't matter," Derek said, taking a step closer to her. "He'll get over it."

"But I'm not sure I will," she said. "I-- I have to get to bed now. Goodnight, Derek." She turned away from him but he called her name again and she turned back and looked him in the eye.

"Are you... are you playing some kind of game with me?"

" Don't be ridiculous!" she said. She sighed. "I'm going to bed." She away again but her grabbed her arm and yanked her back.

"You'd better not be," he said.

"Let go of my arm," she said. He let go, not realizing how roughly he had grabbed her, and she quickly moved away from him.

"I'm sor--" he called after her, but she ducked into her tent. "Sorry," he mumbled. He stalked off back in the direction of the party.

Ana, who had followed Gabby to make sure she was all right, overheard the whole conversation. She entered the tent only moments after Gabby, and touched her lightly on the shoulder making Gabby jump.

"Ana! You scared me," she said.

"I'm sorry," Ana said. "You left so soon, I wanted to check on you."

"I'm fine, just tired," Gabby said. She took a seat on a pelt that lay on the floor.

"Are you sure?" Ana asked, taking a seat opposite Gabby.

"No," Gabby said meekly.

"Why don't you go to Jose?" Ana asked.

"What? How can I? How can I face him?"

"You can face him because you love him, and he loves you."

"But after what I did... I succembed to the first temptation to come along! He must hate me," Gabby said.

"No, no, you stupid girl, he loves you, and he'll forgive you if you ask him to. I know he will."

"I cannot ask him to forgive me," Gabby said. "I don't deserve his forgiveness."

"But Gabby--"

"Ana, please. I just want to go to sleep." Ana hesitantly rose and left, returning to the party. She took a seat next to Jose.

"You're facing a war and you won't even arm yourself," she said, shaking her head sadly.

"What?" Jose asked.

"Your territoroy is being invaded and you won't do so much as to set up a fort to defend her!"

"Have you been drinking?" he asked.

"Of course I have, but--"

"Oh, wait... her?"

"Yes, Jose. Her."

"This war you speak of," Jose scoffed. "I have already lost it."

"If that were true, my dear knight," Ana said, "Then Derek wouldn't be casting those dirty looks in your direction, now would he?" Ana stood before Jose could respond and walked away. High time he started figurin' these things out on his own, she thought.

[tancred]

Jose continued to sit by the fire for a few minutes. Once he figured it was polite enough to leave, he excused himself, and walked off.

Just as he rounded another hide tent, he felt someone grab him by the shoulder and yank him backwards. It was Ana. "What are you up to," she asked. "I hope you are going after Gabby. As that's what ya should be doing, ya know!"

" Didn't we just have this conversation," asked Jose sarcastically.

Ana looked confused for a second, as much rum as she had been drinking. "Well...err...yes," she said. "But I forgot something. Here, give this to your darling lass." Ana held out her hand, and in it was the rose Jose had bought a few days earlier.

Jose objected, "I don't know if I should. I think the moment for it has passed, or perhaps isn't here yet. Besides, I gave it to you."

"And I'm givin' it to you," wailed Ana.

Jose raised his arms in protest again. Ana commanded, "Just shut up, and listen to your squire! Be a good knight, and give it to your damsel. Be off with you! I have to hurry back to the fire, and pretend to be sober in front of the chief." Ana giggled and hiccupped all at once. She turned, and stumbled away.

"Thank you, Ana," Jose whispered after her.

Jose finally made his way to the large tent that had been given to the female members of their company. He was about to knock, when he realized one can't knock on a tent. Instead, he cleared his throat rather loudly.

A small and somewhat tired voice came from within, "Yes? Who is it?"

"Gabby," called Jose. "It is me. May I enter?"

There was a short silence, and then finally a reserved, "Very well."

Jose rolled back the flap door, ducked down, and entered. It was dark inside. Gabby was lying on her side under one of the hide bedrolls, her long and beautiful locks falling upon a stuffed hide pillow. "Hello Gabby," ventured Jose. "I saw that you had left the party early, and was wondering if you were alright."

"I'll be fine," answered Gabby.

"So, there was something that had made things not so fine recently? Something that requires rest and recuperation?"

"Please, Jose," pleaded Gabby. "I feel so pulled on right now. So pressured." She placed her one hand over the arm she was not lying on, the arm that Derek had so gruffly grabbed earlier, and rubbed it.

"I am sorry to hear that," said Jose, obvious sympathy in his tone. "If I have had any part to play in that, then I appologize to you many times over."

Gabby started, and half near rose. Yet, she remained as she was, and did not face Jose. "You don't have to apologize," she said. "It was I who have been in the wrong, and should be the sorry one. I'm surprised you aren't furious with me."

Jose smiled weakly. "I do not think I could ever be angry with you, fair Gabby," he said. "I do not wish to add to your anxiety, as stressed as you feel. So, I shall leave you now. Know that I am here for you, if you need anything. Goodnight senorita."

Jose placed a comforting hand upon Gabby's shoulder, and left the rose on the other side of her pillow. Her back still turned to him, the Spaniard turned, left, and closed the flap behind him.

[Bosun]

Jack was making the most of the merriment as if he couldn't even remember the destination his group was bound for. He was dancing, or rather, trying to dance with a petite but elegant young Sioux woman whose charcoal hair swirled like a raincloud about her joyous face.

"Hang on, love, let me keep up-"

But she had already glided off to be with her friends, leaving Jack to continue his awkward jig alone.

"I'll just... take a breather, then," he mumbled gruffly, and stalked off to the edge of the group. There was Aimee over there, talking with Susanna and a few of the Indian youths. Ana was just coming back to the fireside. Gabby and Jose weren't in sight, and Jack was content to leave it that way. They were a lot of trouble, what with their feelings and all, and if they weren't both useful he would have felt inclined to leave them behind. Gavin was talking with Lydia, who was looking much better, and the spy Bennet, Jack noted with grim satisfaction, was sitting on his own. Gaell was by himself too, though Emil and Gibbs where nearby. So where was Kira? Oh yes, she had gone to see the Indian girl. It crossed Jack's mind that perhaps he should go and see the ailing Laughing Maiden. But something else drew his attention.

"Oh, but it's completely true, every word!" Susanna was exclaiming. "Isn't it, Aimee?"

"Yes," Aimee groaned, as if she'd rather it wasn't.

They were met by a chorus of laughing disbelief by their native companions.

"It is! Captain Sparrow!" Susanna called. Jack, pleased at the use of his title, was tempted to stride over immediately to assert his authority. But he opted to pretend that he was busy.

"Oi, Jack!" Aimee yelled. Finding that hard to ignore, Jack swaggered over.

"Yes pet?"

"Will you tell them that you went for three days on nothing but rum so we can just drop the subject?"

Jack grinned smugly. "Oh, I can go for much longer than that."

One of the younger boys burst out in a delighted giggle. Susanna beamed, her point proved, and Aimee rolled her eyes and smiled, albeit exsasperately.

"If you'll excuse me," Jack told them, and made his way over to the tent where Kira and a number of the Indians were tending Ehawee. Curiousity and, though he wouldn't admit it, a slight sense of sympathy compelled him to see how she was. Pity Damien hadn't come along.

***

"Bloody oaf," Carlita muttered, snapping the telescope shut. "How long are they going to dawdle around this pitiful hamlet?"

"Probably until we've gotten sick of waiting and left," George replied.

"I wasn't asking you," she told him calmly. She wasn't used to being talked back to, but she wasn't going to let this pitiful excuse for a pirateer unnerve her.

"The boys are being a bit noisy, don't you think?" He knew they were getting restless, and that might get them all found, but he'd let her put two and two together.

"My crew are well trained and disiplined, Mister Blade. Any disturances are coming from your end of the camp."

"Hey, don't you start preaching about my crew."

"Your excuse for a crew is a rabble of mutineers."

"Well it's not as if your boys are all loyal and devoted. That Barker character looks dodgy."

Carlita shook her head wearily. "There is no Barker on my crew."

"Well, Baker or Bates or-"

"Baker?" She looked at George through narrowed eyes.

Further down the hill, Latimer sat still, his knees drawn close to his chest and his eyes on the ground. Every movement made him flinch. He'd been jumpy ever since he had spotted red sails on the horizon.

Tim sat on the railing of the ship, his legs swinging over the side. It was rather quiet; only the voice of Cotton's parrot echoed around the deck.

" Dead men tell no tales..."

"They're not the only ones," Tim murmured. Then something caught his eye. It was the dramatic color of blood, and all too boldly imprinted against the sky. "No..."

He wasn't quite sure why he had stolen off the Pearl and sneaked after Thellen and Blade's hunting party. He knew somehow that he would end up being punished, for what reason he hadn't guessed yet, but he could only wait for it to come.

"Baker."

He looked up, trembling. "Captain Thellen?"

"I don't recall selecting you to join us."

He bit his lip. Perhaps she hadn't missed his presence. "I thought you did, Captain. I'm sorry."

"And how could you have come to that conclusion, Baker, when you were not even on the ship?" Her eyes glinted. Latimer blanced. He opened his mouth to lie... But what was the point? She'd know. Carlita continued, "I didn't really care that you were gone, Baker; I don't need the likes of you on my crew. Fancy me thinking you had just stayed in one of the taverns at the port when you had really gained passage aboard the Black Pearl." Now he felt physically sick.

"I- wasn-"

"Treason, Baker," Thellen warned him, her face tightening dangerously.

"I wanted to find out what we were going after." Tim felt clod sweat prickling his brow, but he plunged on. "You never told us, Captain. I went on the Pearl so I could spy on Sparrow on his crew."

Carlita's face was passive, giving no hint of whether or not she believed him. "What did you find out?"

"They're searching for the lost treasures of El Dorado," he replied promptly, knowing this wasn't news to Thellen.

"And?"

"And..." he struggled. "Nothing else of relevance, Captain. I'm sorry."

The captain was silent for a moment. Then she summoned Goldie and Swanson over sharply. "I have not yet decided how much of the truth you are telling," she told Latimer. To the other two she said, "Bind his arms, but not his feet. He will still walk with us."

Latimer hung his head as Goldie went to fetch some rope.

[Niphredil]

Gabby sat up quickly and turned to face the door, hoping to speak with Jose some more, but he was already gone. She looked down and saw the rose sitting on the pillow next to her. She picked it up, running her fingers along its soft petals and breathing in its fragrant scent. Throwing the fur blanket aside, Gabby jumped up, rose in hand, and ran to the door. She pushed the flap aside and saw Jose's retreating figure.

"Jose!" she called. He stopped and turned back to face her.

"Yes Gabby?" he said, he voice full of emotion. Gabby stepped out of the tent fully, and walked up to him. Jose waited silently, and Gabby searched desperately for what she wanted to say. She looked down at the rose she was holding in her hand, and finally she spoke.

"Thank you," she said quietly, looking up at him. "I-- I can't even begin to tell you how sorry I am. I don't why I even-- kissed Derek, it was stupid... I don't even know what I was thinking, but that's no excuse. I am truly sorry, Jose." She took a deep breath. "I just, needed to say that. Goodnight, Jose." He said nothing in response, merely gave her a warm smile, tipped his hat, and walked away. Gabby walked back into her tent and lay back down, putting the rose on the pillow next to her head, and, with the weight of the guilt she had been feeling now lifted at least partially, she fell into the most restfull sleep she had had in days.