Bess Hagarty

Bess walked with young Mr. Davis to the Mill. The night air was quiet and she could hear the ocean in the distance. But there was something that was pressing on her heart. It was then she decided to speak it. Bess quickly grabbed on to young Mr. Davis’ arm. “You’ve proved yourself to me and to Abbi. Do not be a fool and risk your life for something you know nothing about.” With a smile young Mr. Davis smoothed Bess’ cheek once more. “No need to fear Bess. I am sure that Abbi will tell us more of her husband’s tale and as for being foolish…never!” Bess could only give him a concern look. “Do not fret Bess my sweet.” Said Young Mr. Davis and he opened the door to the mill. “I would never do anything that would jeopardize any of us.” And with that he kissed her passionately

Bess pulled back from the unexpected kiss. She could feel her face flush with crimson as she bashfully looked down at her apron. “Um…I think we best get back to the Mill.” Her response was one that didn’t surprise young Mr. Davis, but he was hoping for a little more passion. Bess walked aside her new found companion giving way to bashful looks and quick, nervous smiles. Sensing a personal moment between the two young people, "God bless em." Thought Abbi, as she quickened her pace in returning to the mill. "... but heaven help us, with the trouble that lies ahead.." “Hurry up the two of you!” Shouted Abbi as she continued to push her way through the over growth. “Keep up, you never know that they will be back.” “I find that hard to believe Abbi, for I am sure I can take the lot of them!” Abbi stopped and turned around to look at young Mr. Davis. “Proud as a peacock, you are! Do not be too sure of yourself, young man. We are not dealing with any ordinary ruffians. These are men who would kill you so much as look at you.”

It had been over a half an hour since Bess, young Mr. Davis and Abbi gave chase after the rouges who invaded the old mill. Young Mr. Davis quickened his pace as Bess tried to keep up with him and Abbi, trying as may, to keep up with the two of them. Soon the two of them stopped after they heard Abbi shout up to them. “Enough! I cannot go any further!” It was then young Mr. Davis and Bess quickly turned their attentions to Abbi. They found her perched on a log next to the path. She was breathing heavy as she tried to catch her breath. “I am not full of piss and vinegar as I use to be.” She said as Bess and young Mr. Davis stood in front of her. “I am glad that neither of you were injured in the row. Let us go home and pitch that damn fool’s body into the sea.” Bess looked horrified. “Do you not fear that those two will not come back for him?” She said holding Abbi’s hand. “Nay child, they saw the deed which was done by young Mr. Davis’ hand. They not be back, not for him.” Young Mr. Davis looked at the two women. “Abbi, what exactly did they want?” “A key,” Bess replied. “They took possession of a key that was hidden in Abbi’s bible.” Young Mr. Davis crossed his arms and looked down at Abbi. “This wouldn’t have anything to do with those stories Doctor Reiley’s been telling me about your husband’s adventures, would it?” Abbi looked up at young Mr. Davis and smiled. “Every one of those tales are as true as the Gospel itself! I lived with my husband for near two and twenty years and we never kept a thing from one another…except this one thing. He said if he were to tell me the whole story, my life would be in peril.” “Well, Abbi, he didn’t and yet you and Bess were surely in trouble this tonight! Come now, back to the mill and we will see what tales that dead man will tell us.” The three of them started walked back to the old mill. Bess reached for young Mr. Davis’ hand. “Thank you.” She muttered. “Thank you for saving us.”

“Mister Davis!” Said Bess in amazement as watched the wretched man flee. There stood Mister Davis, bewildered and stunned, and showing only signs of his deed upon his hands and coat. It was then Mister Davis finally heard the sweet voice of Bess crying out in surprise. Bess wrapped her arms about him tightly, as if she would never let go of him. “How? When did you …” It was Abbi’s voice to quickly alarm the young couple as they witnessed the two other men fleeing from the house. “Just don’t stand there, Boy!” She cried picking up a large petal. “We best be after them!” Bess suddenly felt a pang of horror thinking that she would loose him to such unfair numbers. “I will not let you leave without me!” She muttered. It was then the three of them quickly took to the task of chase!

Thawck! ...there you go!

Both the women glanced over at the young man as he held up Abbi’s bible. “Here, you tell me that old man read the Holy Book?” Bess watched Abbi’s face drain of it’s’ color when he tossed it over to the other young man. “Here, show some respect!” yelled Abbi as she forward to the hearth. It was then the Bible slipped from the young man’s hands and the book fell open upon the floor. “There it is!" Shouted the old troll as he quickly bent over and picked up a key which was hidden inside the book. “Your husband wasn’t cleaver enough, Abbi. He done us out of a good deal of wealth and died before we could antee it up. Now we’ll be the riches men upon this island!” Laughter from the three of them filled the room. “Now, you are gon’a tell us what this key opens and where the treasure is, aren’t you?” Abbi could only nod her reply. Bess could only watch. It was then she saw Abbi slowly move towards the large caldron that was on the fire. “Quickly Bess, serve the men as I said.” With a nod of her head, Abbi pointed towards the table. “Come and sit.” Shouted Bess as she tried to take command of the room. “The meal shall be done shortly. I have ale for you all.” The men stopped their destructive behavior and took a seat at the table. As Bess served the men, Abbi quickly brought over the bread and cheese. “Now, would anyone like anything else?” Bess asked as she quickly looked about the table. Abbi’s hand drove into the pocket of her apron, a knife hidden within. As the men quickly indulged themselves in their drinks, Bess smiled cheerfully. “Good.” She said with a nod, she quickly brought down the pitcher upon the head of the old troll. “That’s for not saying thank you!”

^ Gosh that's easy! Clumsy and Blunt. I'll do or say almost anything for a laugh < Pitched the cat outside and needs to get something to eat...it's late! V Fancy Feathers in hats or hair?

Bess reared back in disgust as the troll continued his lectures pursuits of her. “Here, let her be!” Cried out Abbi as she quickly stood from her chair. “If it is food you wish, I shall gladly bring it to thee. Please, I beg you. Do not harm her. She is nothing more than a child.” The troll held tight to Bess and he watched Abbi plead her demands. “Very well,” the troll said. He paused for a moment then leaned in close and licked her cheek. “I can wait for me dessert.” Then he released Bess tossing her over towards Abbi. Bess looked horrified as the three men took over the room tossing items back and forth as if they were looking for something of importance. Bess inched her way over to Abbi slowly as if to make sure she did nothing to draw her attention. Abbi quickly thrusted a pitcher into Bess’ hands. “Pour them a drink and make sure they have bread and cheese. I will bring the meat out soon enough.” As she watched Abbi walk towards the fire she then saw the old woman slip something into her apron. It was then one of the younger boys shouted. “Here! What’s this?”

Abbi Crane watched Bess closely as she stoked the fire once again. Night was falling and the nights were getting colder. “You seem wistful, Dear, what be upon yer mind this evening?” With a smile, Bess managed to wipe her face with her apron and shook off the comment. “Oh, is it the young Mr. Davis that still captures your thoughts?” Bess giggled. Was it that obvious? Abbi placed down her sewing. “Mind you Bess; he is in a good place, safe with those he knows around him. There be no need to fear. He is a kind lad, he is. Count your blessing, Bess. If it weren’t for the kind heart of Master Reiley and young Mr. Davis, you would be at the mercy of the streets!” Bess looked stunned. “Oh, Mistress Crane! I am very grateful, indeed!” It was then Abbi motioned the girl over to her. “I know you are, Bess. I’m also grateful that you have come to live with me. I’ll have good company when the rainy season starts. Not many people come this way then. It’s the roads. They wash out so quickly. I am old, Bess and a friendly face such as yours is good company. How I miss Master Crane.” Bess gathered her arms about the plump old woman and hugged her.

"The greatest crime in the world is not developing your potential. When you do what you do best, you are helping not only yourself, but the world.” Roger Williams Founder of the First Baptist Church of American

Okay...going out here on a limp..."Nancy Boy"

^ Toilet Paper! < Sorting through really old photos of my family and trying to make a lovely album for my mom and dad for christmas....I love scrap-booking! v Old Willie Wonka or New Willie Wonka...which is your favorite?

This wasn't her place. Being on a ship was no place for a girl. She thought to herself. She felt trapped and fearing the storm, her nerves did not settle well. She looked down at Mistress McKinney as she took her hand in comfort. "It's all right. We are safe aboard the Archangel, Mistress. The good doctor has brought you here to keep you safe from the storm." She could tell by the look on the Mistress' face that she was confused and out of sorts still. "Shall I get the Doctor then?" Again she questioned the actress only to recieve a nod in return. Bess was about to turn and fetch him when she heard footsteps come from the other side of the cabin. "She's feeling better?" The voice said breaking through the darkness. The lanterns only gave off enough light to cast the outline of a shawdow. Bess jumped back at the sound of the man's voice. "Who's there?" She said in barely a whisper. "Who wishes to intrude upon my Mistress and me?"

Bess had fallen asleep in the arms of Mr. Davis. The hearthstone now cold and the winds howling so loudly that it woke her from her well needed rest. She looked down at her beloved. Perhaps it would be best to let him lay. She thought to herself. After spending hours fighting the fire she thought it would be best. If the good doctor requested his assistance, she would make sure that she would wake him soon enough. Slowly, she slipped from his side. Soon she started a fire in the hearth. As the fire burned she wrapped her shawl around her as she looked out the window of the Three Crowns. She had never seen the weather turn so before. She quickly dashed to the upstairs to see if the good doctor and Mistress Lilly were safe. Upon reaching the top of the stairs she saw the good doctor existing Mistress McKinney’s room. “Good, I need assistance!” And with that Doctor Rieley grabbed Bess’ hand and pulled her into the room. “Would you not want Mr. Davis?” She whispered as the doctor pulled the sweat drenched sheet from Lilly’s bedside. “There is no time. She has taken with fever. I’ve seen this before. She could drown if I don’t work quickly.” “Drown? I don’t understand? How can one drown on land?” Bess asked as the Doctor push a basin into her hand. “Fetch water and I’ll need my bag…quickly girl. Then we must flee to the Archangel! We cannot stay here. There is a horrid storm approaching and no one will be safe.”

Bess looked up from her bucket. At first she did not recognize the kind fellow who befriended her. Her mind was elsewhere as of the moment. She feared for her Uncle and she feared for her own safety too. With her breath haggard and her face sopping wet with tears she could only nod a yes. Mr. Davis raised an eyebrow at her answer. "Come now, Bess…you can confine in me. There is no harm in it.” She bit her lower lip in as she gazed up at him again. “No.” Her voice was almost a whisper. “No, I am not all right. I fear my Uncle dead, and look at the Inn. ‘Twas the only home I’ve known since I can remember and now it is gone. Where shall I go? What will become of me? I am destitute and will end up in prison for sure!” The panic look up her face pricked at Mr. Davis’ heart. In that moment, he let go of all fear and quickly took her in his arms and held her close. “Fear not, I will look after you. We will manage through this horrible event. You are safe now, Bess.” He held her tightly; breathing in the moment that he hoped would last forever. Suddenly, he felt the warm return of her embrace. His heart surged with a feeling of contentment. The two of them stood there in the middle of the crowds as the fire continued to take hold of the Inn.

Tottering down the cobblestone road back to The Shipp Inn, Bess carried her willow basket of bread and cheese she collected from the market. It was still early that morning, but she was already late with the wash and the mid-day meal. She drew a yawn and suddenly glanced up to see several men run past her, one almost knocking the basket from her arms. “Here now! Watch where you are going you fool! What’s this all about?!” She said shouting at the man who ran past her. “The Shipp is a flame!” Suddenly, Bess stopped in her tracks. She looked up at the heavens to see the thick billows of smoke pour into the morning sky. With a cry of fear and shock, she raced towards the direction of the burning inn.

Bess Hagarty sat next to the hearth as she mended a pair of her Uncles stockings. She soon felt very comfortable by the warmth of the fire. Her eyes began to droop and the sensation of nodding off came over her, only for her to quickly snap awake and tend to her darning again. It was then she heard foot steps coming down the back stairway. She quickly placed down her darning, wiped her face with her apron, and tucked a loose piece of her pitch black hair under her cap. As the figure appeared at the bottom of the stairs she was surprised to see it was Mr. Davis. “I’ve come to fetch hot water for the Doctor and Mistress McKinney.” He explained to her. Looking a bit lost for he did not expect to find her about the kitchen at this hour of the day. “I shall fetch it for you. That is, if you don’t mind waiting for it to boil?” She said with a smile. She quickly gathered up the jug and looked back at Mr. Davis as she filled the kettle. “No, that is quite all right. I shall wait for it.” He said again, but this time glancing at her form. “Is the Mistress ill?” Asked Bess as she pulled out one of the rod iron arms from the hearth. “I fear she is not feeling her best.” Bess looked concern as she uncorked the jug and placed it upon the table. “What’s your name, Sir?” She said with a soft smile.

Bess Hagarty Physical Description: I’ve been known to turn a head or two. Though, no more than 19 years, and I might not be very tall and thin, but there is something to be said about women who are small and full breasted. My hair is black as pitch and my eyes green. Occupation: Serving Maid/Bar Maid. I am the niece of a Tavern Owner, Master Hagarty. I work several taverns in the Town of Port Royal Disposition: Mostly happy-go-lucky as long as me Uncle doesn’t start yelling for me. Though I work from sun up to sun down in the inn serving those who have come from far away places and share their stories of wonderful lands, I wish that I were one of those lucky people who could venture out and explore the world. Instead, my lot in life is servitude to my ungrateful Uncle. Background: I was born in Port Royal, but my father said that I must earn my keep. I was 12 years old when I came to work for my Uncle. It’s a hard life and there are very little pleasures with it. But there are times I sneak into the tavern at night after I am done with the kitchen work and listen to the wonderful tales the sailors have to tell. The inn has been busy these last few weeks with strangers and tragedy. I have taken to befriend a young man who is staying with a ship’s doctor. He’s been kind to me and I find myself daydreaming about him…quite a lot!

Drinks coming up, Captain!