Capt. Sterling

"Thank ye fer yer concern, Sir," March said. "But only ghouls would wish to run off with our goods, though none finer there be than what we carry. I do not wish to be the one to break such news to ye Sir, but, tis only sad tidings that I have to share with ye.” March twisted in seat and repeated climb down to wagon bed. “Sorry I am to tell ye in such a fashion, but Captain Sterling has passed on this afternoon,” he whispered as covering was drawn back. “His wife has deserted him and left him to our keeping. She and yers have left the house, to go where, I know not. Now I will not delay ye any further, Sir. We shall make our ship well enough though none too well.” March replaced sheet, nodded again and returned to place beside Doctor, awaiting his dismissal.

"Bite yer tongue lad," March snapped, then dipped his head, acknowledging gesture was cast toward brother in law. “Forgive me Mr. Devareaux, I do not mean to be short with yers, but I’ve no mind nor spirit for a foolish tongue at this present time."

"Good evening to you!" Reiley called in none too cheerful voice. "You will be so kind as to let us pass and be on our way. We are about a grim task that needs completing as quickly as possible."

Welcome to the pub! Pull up a chair and have yerself a drink...

^ English Snaphance Revolver < one more week till Spring break!!!!!!!!! V When's your next holiday?

Kass's stuff... Reconstructing History... www.reconstructinghistory.com

second billing

Wagon plodded onward steadily returning burden to Archangel. Officer and Doctor sat quietly discussing amongst themselves Reiley’s frantic attempt to save his new captain’s life by trickery. Trickery which, so far, had proven successful but with disastrous results. “I shall tell him, when he awakes,” March said, knowing all to well the news of wife’s leaving would not be taken well. “My God, why did ye not both just stick to the road instead of cutting across the plantations!” The two men looked at each other as Chestnut’s step hesitated and nervous sounding was suddenly given. “Someone’s coming,” Reiley whispered. “Quick cover him over. Until he’s safe on the ship, we need to keep up this ruse.” March did as instructed. Slipping carefully into wagon bed, he drew sheet up and over Sterling’s head, then regained his seat next to the doctor. A glace was cast backward toward still form, image chilling First Officer to his very core.

^ Toll House without the chips and raw! < I think even the Far Better Half would want to make PiP... swimming eh? that reminds me need to get chemicals so we can open the pool in a week or two...hmmm maybe practice for the plank walking event.. V favorite chain restautrant?

^ does scaling the walls of Pevensey castle count??? < ...PIP...PIP...PIP....PIP...... V Favorite type of exercise?

Good to know... the wheels have commenced turning, will keep you posted.

Well we don't "sutle" anything at the moment... although with the past sock monkey thing... . So, say if we were to fill in the gap and come as the heavies... either privateer/pirate hunters (God only knows how many redcoats we will accomplish by then... they are in the works) could we still occupy a place in one of the camps to be filler when not "attacking" opposing pirates?

^ Yes down in Nassau < PiP bug has bitten... seriously thinking about changing venues to attend this year... V How do you weigh one event against another?

Okay, so there is to be a Port Royal "camp" and a careening camp at PiP this year?

Like a small earthquake, slight tremor, beginning at tip of nose, grew in intensity as it moved along head, passing from neck to torso to tail, as Chestnut tried to shake off the uncomfortable harness. He had been broken for carriage but, with looks such as his, he had never been subjected to anything but a skilled and proud rider upon his back. He felt undignified as remaing cart was brought up behind him and hooked and buckled into place. But snort of impatience quieted and fine head raised, delicate ears turning toward where eyes were now fixed. Soft nicker was sounded as two carried third from the house, who was carefully laid to rest in back of cart. House was locked up before March joined doctor upon wagon seat. First glance of many concerned looks was given to condition of unconscious form. With sigh that all was as well as could be, Doctor encouraged Chestnut forward and wagon began journey from one home back to other.

At the sounding of whistle, March moved within window frame and watched as small band rode out, forsaking beloved to care of closest friend. For a moment the first officer felt himself bristle at such callousness, but Le Cour’s ways were not theirs. He watched, moving closer to the glass, and wondered if Sterling would have ever understood her betrayal at such a time. “What did ye tell her?” March asked finally turning away as last of the riders cleared far gate. “That Sarah’s welfare depended on it,” Reiley said, the earlier confusion and panic slowly clearing from his being. “Tis true enough then,” March said. “Perhaps tis better than that he does not know for such actions would surely break his heart.” He looked down at the pale form, left behind on the bed. “Oh God, John why did ye ever have to kill that man?” But no answer was forthcoming, the house remained silent as March searched his captain’s still features then, slowly, eyes traveled to watch for the most minute rise and fall of Sterling’s chest. “We’d best get him back to the ship. How long did ye say that drug would keep him under?” “Twenty four hours,” Reiley replied. “I did not know what else to do. I thought… thought that if we could get him back to the ship, with everyone, especially the authorities, thinking him dead, and with her in tow and sail out of here, no one would ever need to know what he did. The entire thing would be long forgotten before we ever came back here again. I never dreamed she would abandon him. My God but the whole thing has backfired badly.” March looked across at the doctor. “Better that Jacob, then the captain dying of prison fever or swinging at the end of a rope fer something he was not well enough to stop himself from doing.”

March glanced over at the doctor. "What on earth did he say?" Reiley rolled his eyes, feeling himself relax. "She has no intentions of burning the captain's body." "Then she be wishing to remain the night here with him?" March asked. Reiley shrugged. "Perhaps it be best that we just bring him back to the ship now," the doctor suggested. "With her fear of the water, I just reckoned she would be more comfortable spending the night here." "How the hell will we manage to get her onboard?" March asked, watching as the doctor fussed over the corpse. "She needs to see the body safely sealed in the brandy cask. You did see to that did you not?" Reiley asked. "Aye, we did," March replied. "But the Mistress...." "Oh I don't know!!" Reiley hissed. "Keep her busy signing papers ... I am certain we can think of something by the time we arrive back at the docks."

Reiley glared over at the intruder. "And sure'n 'yer dear aul Mum' would not be teachin ye to be burning a Godly man before plantin him proper in hallowed ground at the Church! Your Mistress," Reiley continued dropping the long lost accent. "Is a might upset at the moment and not thinking clearly. I doubt very much that she would be wanting to turn the captain's only daughter out onto the streets turning her into a whore!! The lass be only 12 years of age. Tis any one messin with the dead and living, tis your Mistress. Good God, one night was all we asked of her!"

faithful friend

reminds me of a holder for Mass cards, or what are those cards called that Catholics bring to funerals (sorry mean no disrespect here) even if there are a ton of penguins on it? Hmm birthday card holder?

Reiley watched her go and hated himself for his bluntness but he had to do what had to be done. Matthew Hazzards had already ridden off with instructions of his own if need be. The doctor sighed. He could understand that Aurore was not herself at the moment, surely she would not allow a mere child to be left abandoned to the streets of London? After all what was one night?

whisper

"I am afraid Mistress, by English law, the Captain was master of this house and still is until his final instructions are fulfilled and he is properly buried," Reiley gently corrected her. "Mistress would I play you foul? The captain loved you very much, but he also loved his daughter. And I fear I am under orders to do what I must to see those carried out. All I be asking is that he remains locked in this room for the night with me to watch over him. You can come and go as you please but none others. Or must Mr. March and myself be moving him directly to the Archangel for the protection of the body and the sake of his daughter? You have them around you to look after you, she now truly has no one unless Sir William's wishes are seen to."

dead

"Now why would I be doing such a thing?" Reiley countered. "You see Mistress, though you be his wife, there was not time to change his will. There is a letter enclosed with his papers, from Sir William. If the captain's body is not returned in good condition, or as best as possible given the length of sea travel necessary to bring it to England, then his daughter will not be taken in by Sir William and looked after, nor given her share of the estate. Seems the captain's father doesn't trust his son and has all manner of clauses making sure his son is identified and proven truly dead, before the granddaughter inherits a penny... he was that adamant about the captain not getting his share."