Capt. Sterling

"Although there may not have been anything physical between you and Christophe, he still loves ye all the same," Sterling said quietly. "He is becoming... more... " he stopped and shook his head.

beginning

Her lack of fervor, although understandable, disturbed him. Her fear gnawed at his insides until he felt as if he would be ill. Against his better judgment, he moved to her and lifted her in his arms. Teeth ground hard together against the agony that shot through his left side, he moved her out of the alleyway and back to the chaise. Assisting her back inside, he hastily informed Stephen to act in accordance with their original plans. Then he went to take his seat, no longer perched beside Abernathy, but beside his wife. Good arm moved protectively about her shoulders and he pulled her to him.

Hmmm hadn't thought of Jamestown. The last time I was there, one wasn't allowed on the ship... but I will give them a call first to check... good thought..

"Sweet Jesus," Sterling mumbled, his head coming up at the sound. He listened intently to confirm the shot and scream he thought he had heard. As a low rumble gathered strength and soon exploded with another loud burst of thunder, he looked back down the alley to where he had left Aurore. He listened once again, heard nothing remarkable, then gathered himself, raising to his feet. Completely soaked through, there was not much else he could do now but force his wife to come along with him. "Chere," he called to her as he made his way back through the alley. He found her sitting upon the ground, her skirts as soaked through as his own clothing. He went down on one knee next to her, cautiously placing one hand upon her wrist. "Come with me Chere. Ye cannot stay here. Neither of us can. We must continue on to the ship. Please..."

create

"Non..." she pleaded. His gut reaction was to take her in his arms and hold her tightly until she stopped her struggling... but his heart said other wise. His grip lightened until good hand fell away freeing her. "As ye wish," he whispered, his words lost in the howling of the storm. He turned away from her, making his way to the mouth of the alley. He brought himself to a halt, watching as the loose carriage horse bolted with flash of lightening and raced off toward home. He knew she could not turn any where else but back the same way he had just come. He leaned back against the far building, knees giving way, he sank down to rest upon his heels as he waited.

phase

Well then, even better! Thank you as well!

Hoves flailed with difficulty trying to gain hold of slick cobblestones until finally skidding to awkward halt. Sterling dismounted and dropping reins made his way to his wife's side. He took her by the upper arm, grip hard enough to keep her from further flight. "What are ye doing Chere?" he whispered, his face now pale with the fright she had caused him.

new birth

"Damnation!" Sterling shouted. Immediately as bride took flight, he softly shortened rein, adjusted seat and gripped with thigh and calf. Mount still not pleased with change of task, gathered self back on haunches hanging in time and space before rider's leg pressure became too great to ignore. Mount launched forward to give chase, ears flat against sides of head in protest to actions not normal to its routine. "Aurore!" Sterling shouted after her as horse quickly spanned the gap between them.

Mount's attention was quickly refocused toward billowing gown and outer garment. Already senses were at its highest and sudden sight of Aurore sent carriage horse upward upon hind legs, fore lashing angrily at imaginary enemy. Gentle, but rapid strike between horse's ears brought panicked animal back to earth, as Sterling turned it about, anger and hurt fighting for control of his being. "What the bloody hell do ye think ye are doing?" he shouted but only to be heard above the storm. "Get back inside. I am sending ye to yer brother and that bloody Frenchman. Tis where ye wish to be! I grow weary Mistress of constantly being told how to direct my life and affections toward ye where yer old lover is concerned."

cherry

"Oui?" Sterling repeated, face reacting ever so briefly. "Then that is truly where ye wish to go? That be where yer heart lies? Then so be it. I shall make it so. Dieu être avec vous. Adieu." He slammed the door shut, yet checked to make sure it held fast. Rounding front of chaise he began to unharness one of the horses. "Do ye know where Le Cour hides in such a spell as this?" he shouted to the groom. Abernathy nodded as Sterling coaxed horse free of vehicle and swung himself up upon bare back. For a agonizing moment, pain coarsed through him with his efforts, nearly numbing him to his core. "Good. Make haste then. There is no time to lose."

He took the door handle making ready to close it after her, but halted himself midway. He gazed into interior, with warmth and a wink, he smiled at Meagan, hoping to confer that there was nothing to fear. Then he turned to Auore. Appearance changed rapidly, expressionless vizard falling into place. "He insisted that you go to the hills with the others of your tribe," Sterling said, tone as expressionless as features.

Sterling leaped down from his place beside Stephen, other's eyes cast downward during heated exchange. The wind now stirred enough as to cause him difficulty in making his way to the vehicle's door. He felt himself grit his teeth, trying to eradicate the fury that swallowed him up. He took hold of door edge. “Please Chere resume yer seat,” he shouted, blond hair, in long, soaked strands whipping wildly about his face and shoulders.

Thanks Cheeky, so how many guessed correctly?

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Sterling's head cocked slightly to one side as he studied irrate Frenchman. When he spoke again, his tone was only loud enough to be heard above the wind. Anger in check yet the tone as cold as drawn steel. "Do not question my judgement regarding my wife! I know the sea and my ship far better than you know the island you currently inhabit. Sabastian's fear of the waters prohibits him from discerning correctly. Aye, there is a danger with this storm and putting out to sea, but it is a far safer choice then remaining here, unless you've gone to earth, in those insignificant foothills of yours." He leaned forward, lowering his voice as best he could and yet still be heard. "You've lost here Christophe. Ye were a fool to wait so long and now she has chosen me. Aurore holds my heart in her hands, I would sooner let her crush it than cause any harm to her myself. Now I will do what I know is good and proper regarding her. Find another Christophe and stand aside. If you cause me any further delay in getting to my ship, I will shoot you where you stand!"

Sterling leaned back slowly, an even more threatening storm clouding over features as Christophe spoke. "What is Le Cour's will be returned to Le Cour when I make the habour. All will be free to return to you and yours. But what is a part of me, shall go with me, where I know she will be safe and protected in a far better fashion than what can be provided here."

naked!!!!

Now there's an idea! Thanks will check this out especially with the scale available... Brilliant!

Carriage was rigged and few personal possessions were hurriedly pack away within. Meagan and Aurore, bundled in cloaks were assisted inside and, with one last nail to be placed, house was boarded up as best as possible in the sudden haste. Sterling, with grateful clap upon Stephen's shoulder, announced it was time to go and the men made their way to the carriage. Seated alongside driver, second wedding coat was pulled tightly about himself as the rain began to fall. Although not happy to sit in the weather without Brandenburg or greatcoat, the Captain wished to view the skies and the winds as they travelled rapidly back to the docks.