Capt. Sterling

Then prey bolted once again, straigth through thicket of horses and beyond. His only disadvantage on foot were the pistols. Horses all too close to turn about easily quickly became entangled with others. Mad dash was made to overgrowth too dense for large four legged forms. Lungs, as if on fire, were overly stressed to continue. Brief respit had earned him little and stitch in side grew worse.

"Mayhaps you should just return my property that was taken from me without warning. And while you are at it, perhaps you should post your land so those out riding would know not to trespass." Sterling remarked. He doubled over again, pain cutting into side as emotions went through another somersault. He bit his lip trying to ease his breathing. He did not wish to be ill now.

So eldest had finally come home to roost. Sterling straightened. "Perhaps then you would be so kind as to help me find my own horse that was taken from me and I will only be to happy to take my leave."

Sterling, gasping for breath that did not seem to come, doubled over, hands resting on knees. Head turned sideways enough to view new comer. "I could ask the same," he struggled to say. "Who the bloody hell are you and yours and what are you doing on this land?"

hmmm been at least three others...

Lungs fit to bursting, Sterling groaned inwardly as Roberts rode horse hard toward him. Frantic and quickly wearing down, he could think of nothing else. Ducking low as Sean's horse neared he lunged for horse's front foot. Long leg was seized close to pasturn and lifted as Sterling threw full weight just behind horse's shoulder. In the next instant, horse and rider were toppled over and sent to the ground. Bridle was next to be taken and horse pulled to feet, leaving dazed Roberts unsaddled. Cleared of fallen man, Sterling tried to mount new acquisition but found himself all but spent.

New obstacle caused instant alteration in course. Sharp turn was taken and rider and mount parted company for good, as Sterling's only choice was to make his way in different direction, remaining on foot.

"Damnation," curse was sworn under breath as Chestnut reared upon second explosion and reins slipped through Sterling's fingers. Normally loyal, companion had proven self to be worthless and now even worse by dodging beyond grasp and turning to flee. Area was still thick with overgrowth and as Chestnut set course back to town, Sterling followed after, head down, body lowered, as fast as he could.

But stopping was the furthest thing from Sterling's mind. Upward lunge toward partner in trespass continued until knife came down upon leather ribbons and Chestnut was freed.

Knife was pulled slowly forth with intent to harm none but to cut reins free instead of wasting time untying knot. Under ordinary circumstances run and vault onto Chestnut's back would have been a simple task, but wounded shoulder and ill health caused him to question such an action. Final listen was given. All footsteps had stilled. Like cornered prey, Sterling bolted from covering and raced to Chestnut.

Sterling closed his eyes, tilting head to listen. She had paused a moment, but ... there was at least one other. What little he knew of Le Cour caused him to reckon that there could be more out and about. He had seen enough of the compound to know that it did not go unguarded and neither did She. Eyes opened, temper causing colour to flush his face as past experience convinced him her companion must surely be Frenchman Lambert for Seth Childermass would have successfully pounced by now. Hand strayed to back of waistband beneath long tails of waistcoat. Handle of knife taken hold.

He stopped himself, air slipping from lungs in an all too noticable sigh as he found himself worrying about her trying to discover identity of a complete stranger on her own. Breathing once again controlled, forced to inhale and ex with slowness, Sterling listened, still hoping Aurore would turn and retreat back to safety of cottage. He had no intentions of stepping out into the open of his own accord for he knew his temper would get the better of him. He had only wanted to see her, not speak with nor, certainly, argue about her earlier behaviour. He had disolved the marriage, it needed to stay that way... or at least so he tried to tell himself. Careful glance was given to tree, if only there were some way to climb it without being seen.

And then he remembered coin that he had thought to give to Nelly Greene. Cautiously he reached inside pocket and withdrew the heavy piece. Gaining standing posture with equal care, he tried to imagine which way she would come across the water and inch her way upward to his hiding place. At last decision was made and coin was thrown upward, arching high over head, so as not to be seen in direct line of vision, and landed far off to his left. Loud rustling of dead leaves, disturbed by coin, sounded good distance away from where he now held his breath.

Sterling grimaced as Chestnut insisted on giving his opinion of the current situation. Yet he sat still, not daring to look backward again. Instead, eyes darted over nearby terrain, looking for a rock, that if necessary could be launched to stifle any further commotion. Nothing of any suitable worth was sighted. He knew he could not whistle or call out, in fact there was little he could do but continue to sit still, hope she would run back to the safety of the cottage and then chance making mad dash back to noisy tattle tale mount.

He should never have come and he cursed himself for doing so. Mind’s gears quickly switched, willing feet to move in retreat, but they would not obey. Instead body inclined back against broad tree trunk and as knees gave way, he felt himself slide downward to sit upon the ground, unable to move any further. Chestnut neighed once again, louder than first, then stomped front foot to emphasize his annoyance at being left behind.

Rapid pace continued until Chestnut, himself, slowed to a walk. Sides heaving, heart pounding between rider’s legs, Chestnut paused and blew hard. Sterling came out of mental anguish and, only now realizing the possible damage he may have caused, he quickly dismounted. Drawing reins over lathered neck and loosening girth, he continued the last few miles to Cottage on foot. Soon, skirting beyond front gate and guards, he lead Chestnut through less open fields, dotted about with trees that soon grew thicker in coverage, until he was quite certain he had reached the area directly behind the house. Sterling tied Chestnut to nearby tree. By now his anger at wife’s betrayal so strong as to overwhelm his senses. Body trembling, he made his way silently from tree to tree toward creek. As he closed upon the small stretch of water, he halted, she was there. Crouching beside one of larger trees he watched. Dressed as brightly as a new spring day, in reds and whites, not one stitch of widow’s weeds to adorn her, Aurore, skirts lifted in tiny hands, stood staring down into the creek that flowed gently about slender ankles. Thoughts of hatred toward disloyal wife that had flooded his mind all too suddenly vanished. Still shaking, his tumult of emotions somersaulted until they melted completely away till only his love for her remained. He stood, taking her in, every inch, every perfect memory of their all too brief relationship came tumbling back to foreground as tear coursed down scarred check. His mind’s eye would capture her as she was now, forever, only to be out shadowed as she had been the night he married her. As heart splintered slowly, piece by piece, he turned to leave, then froze as Chestnut companion’s scream for his return shattered the silence. His first reaction was to shift, casting glance backward over shoulder to where she stood. For an instant their eyes locked as Aurore looked up to where strange horse beckoned. He knew he could no longer cross the distance back to where his horse was tethered, and so he ducked behind the only tree that could block him from her gaze.

Spanish is fine... doesn't bother me... hmmm like my pms?

I say William, yer list be starting to look rather impressive

Maybe tis a good thing we don't yet have a real ship... it would be sunk in the harbour between all us gaining weight from Mistress Skittles' cooking and your "STUFF!!"

Thank you!

Lilly and D'Dogge http://pyracy.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=10348 check out the above... it may help you with travel ideas... Thanks

Happy Easter as well!!

I take it the gaol would be a long haul as well, since I doubt its near the trees and beach? Okay need to pack all the shackles then... any chance of a decent cart or wagon?

ROTDLMBAO... I did NOT know this!

Donna emailed some pictures. You can also look in the Fort Zach. thread as well...