Port Royal, Jamaica

[Capt. Sterling]

“My word the days go fast around here,” Sterling thought as he watched through the room’s window as Symms escorted the actress to his inn for dinner. The look of her in red silk nearly stopped the breath in his lungs. “Why will ye not say yes to me?” he sighed and then turned back toward the room.

He had spent the day in bed as Symms attended to a feast he could only imagine being able to pay for…perhaps there would be some coin left over after the ‘Angel was finished being cared for. He had very little left to pawn. He closed his eyes and pressed his fingers to them. At least his letter to the Empress was on its way. “Godspeed,” he muttered, wishing for a safe and speedy journey for it and the rest of them that delivered it for him.

He glanced across the room as Symms pushed open the door and allowed Lilly McKinney to enter. Sterling pulled his banyan closed tightly about him…. Certainly she could see his heart pounding in his chest?

[Cheeky Actress]

Lilly entered the small but clean room after Mr. Symms held the door for her. Her silk taffeta gown rustled pleasantly as she made her way to her host. She dipped in a curtsey, knowing all too well his gaze would quickly grace the curve of her breast above the low necked bodice gown. It was one of her best and it always kept the men as she liked them…distracted. She lifted her eyes slightly and watched as he bowed in return. He had dressed for comfort, opting not for his usual splendor but for ease…. Simple woolen breeches, a smart but rather plainly embroidered silk waistcoat and his all too familiar Indian cotton banyan. Her eyes rested on his face. Despite his disfigurement, she still found him to be one of the most handsome men she had ever known even though now, he looked tired and pale. She took the hand he offered and allowed him to raise her to feet and greet her with a kiss. Simple and proper, she thought, especially with the all too puritanical Symms still laying the meal upon the table.

“Are you feeling up to this?” she asked and could not help giggling to herself. Best to break through his walls as soon as possible she thought.

“Ye said ye wished to talk with me,” he said, somewhat confused.

Lilly felt a coldness pass over her as he reminded her. She shook herself ever so slightly to make it pass. There was something else she needed far more at this moment than conversation, no matter how it important a matter she wished to discuss.

‘Yes, of course,” she said. But she did not take the seat he offered her next. Instead she went to Mr.Symms, took the little old man by the arm and with a smile that could stop a cannon blast in its path, she ushered the man to the door.

“But I be needed to serve ye yer meal!” The steward protested.

“I shall take care of the service around here this night,” Lilly said, pressing a coin into the old man’s hand. “Find yourself a lass of your own. We will not be needing you Mr. Symms, at least not until breakfast.”

“Mistress McKinney!!”

“Oh Mr. Symms, surely I am not the only woman the Captain keeps,” Lilly said, actually annoyed at the thought.

“He be in love with ye, ye silly woman!”

“And what of the Empress, tell me he does not love her as well, besides what has that to do with anything?” she asked as she blocked his way back into the room. “Only men in foolish stories are truly like that…”

“But Mistress….”

And then she shut the door of the room in the old man’s face and locked it.

She could only giggle all the more at Sterling’s expression when she made her way over to him.

“Why oh why, do you insist on wearing this?” Lilly taunted as she plucked the long, curly brown wig from his head and tossed it aside.

“Tis proper for a gentleman….” he mumbled really not knowing what to say as she quickly unfastened the ribbon that held his own hair bound . Lilly smiled as she freed the long golden hair and combed it about his shoulders with her fingers.

“You really should wear your own,” she giggled, then knitting her fingers into a fistful of the blond locks, she tightened her grip and pulled it hard bringing him down to her level. “Come to bed John, there are other appetites that need tending to other than the want of food.” She kissed him then, hard. “And promise me you will be neither a gentleman nor proper.”

[Rateye]

With the letter tucked within his jacket, Rats cautiously locks and leaves the comfort of the Doctor Easterly's office. With him he has secured a hand full of medical journals and various items of comfort.

"If I'm to return this letter, I'll have to start at the tavern." Thinks Rats, as he makes his way through the back streets.

"They would hardly recognize me." Chuckles Rats, having changed from rags and a beard to a much more gentlemanly appearance.

"Then that's where you'll start boy-o. Time to put on the swagger!"

[Cheeky Actress]

True to her word Lilly opened the door when the steward rapped on it earlier the next day, only now she was wearing the Captain’s banyan and Sterling, sprawled across the bed, snoring softly, not much other than the bed linen, and barely that . Lilly could only laugh as she helped old Symms to not drop the tray he carried.

“And who calls whom silly?” she asked, taking a slice of dry toast from one of the plates. The old man threw her an evil look as he plunked the tray down amidst the remains of the previous night’s meal. “Shhh,” Lilly whispered. “Don’t you wake him. The captain is tired…” she paused then laughed. “Down right exhausted if you ask me. Besides I want to wake him…. I know just how to get him up.”

"Beggin yer pardon Mistress," Symms began but Lilly interrupted him.

"Do not beg my pardon Mr. Symms for it shall not be forthcoming. I do as I like with John, he is a tender and considerate lover. Far less selfish than the rest of your sex."

"Aye Mistress and ye would be the one to know!" the steward whispered under his breath loud enough for the girl to hear. "Do not be painin me captain any further if ye know what's good fer ye. Have yer words with him and be gone with ye. He has no coin to spare to set ye up her in Port Royal."

Lilly watched as the older man collected the dirty dishes and made for the door.

"Is that why he thinks I am here?" she asked Symms as she walked him to the door again.

"What else would the likes of ye be wantin from him? Sell his soul for ye he would ifin he thought it would help ye. Thank God, he be not that much of a fool. Speak yer piece with him. I do not want to be finding ye here come lunch time. The doctor will be coming round to see him then and ye don't need to be here!"

[Cheeky Actress]

Lilly climbed upon the Captain's bed as if not to wake him. “Not just yet.” She whispered to herself. She nuzzled close to his side taking in his warmth and the smell of Bombay oil. She felt him stir slightly and it is then she leaned over and kissed him a good morning. The Captain’s eyes flutter quickly and he looked upon the very thing he has dreamt about these last eight months.

“Morning Sweet Johnny,” She whispers to him. “Symms has brought us breakfast. You must eat to regain your strength.” With a smile the Captain pulled Lilly towards him. “You are all that I need to regain my strength, Lilly. Here, breakfast can wait!” Lilly quickly feels the weight of the Captain upon her. “Oh, there will be time for this later, Johnny. But now you must eat…and we must talk.” The Captain flipped through the sheets and the duvet to find his nightshirt wadded up in a ball at the bottom of the bed. “Oh my, so that is where it ended up?” She said as he pulled it over his head.

“Quickly, Sweet…breakfast is getting cold.” She then turned towards him and helped pull the rest of the nightshirt over his head. For a moment she paused and looked down at him. His blonde hair all a mess, his chin scuffed with the morning’s growth, and the smile upon his face. She felt a pang in her heart at that moment. How could she tell him of her news now? Was it a mistake that she came here and gave him such comfort? She knew that soon she would have to tell him her secret and she dreaded the thought of such a cruel thing…yet, it was the only way she could unburden herself and her soul.

As they took a seat at the table, the Captain’s playful nature continued. As Lilly poured the coffee she found it difficult to avoid his coaxing.

“Shall I feed thee this morning?” He muttered to her softly. “What is your fancy, Sweet? melon or banana?” He said holding each one to her lips to consume. “Please Johnny…a word. It is quite urgent and I…I do not…” She felt herself crumble and began to cry. The Captain quickly took to her side. “There…there, Lilly. There be no need for tears. You are with me now and I shall soon have the Archangel right again. And due to your help with the letters…I hope that my fortune will come forward so I may claim it and then we can go…” “I’ve betrayed you!” She said...almost shouting it over him.

Those horrid words rang in her ears as well as his. “I’ve done you wrong Johnny.” Looking a bit perplexed, he lent forward. “What ever in the world have you done to say such a thing?” With a tearful glance up into his loving face she could only whisper her response. “No more than eight months back, I gave birth to a baby boy. He’s your son.” The Captain sat in shock for the moment. His very breath left him and he looked back at Lilly in disbelief. It was then a sudden knocking came at the door.

[Capt. Sterling]

Sterling sat there.... to say the least... stunned. The knocking on the door continued.

"Go AWAY!" the captain finally roared.

[Rateye]

As he makes his way through the back streets, Rats can hear the faint sound of foot steps getting closer.

"Novice." Thinks Rats, as he looks for a suitable place to turn the tables on his unwelcome company. However, as he turns to look away, he suddenly realizes he has walked into the deadend alleyway near the tavern.

"Should have known." Thinks Rats, as he realizes he has just been baited into a dead end alley. "This is something I would have done."

"Well, let's have it then..." Sighs Rats, as he turns to face his pursuers.

Standing at the narrow mouth of the alleyway, stands three local street toughs. Two carrying long knives and one with an old doglock pistol.

"Well Governor," Sneers one of the toughs as they start to circle around him. "Looks like you made a wrong turn. Let's start with what's in the bag. Shall we...?!"

"I have a better idea," Grins Rats as he drops the bag to the ground. "Why don't we start with this."

Suddenly Rats draws both of his pistols and fires the first directly into the chest of the tough with the doglock.

However as he fires the second pistol at the tough with the long sideburns, there is only a flash in the pan and no proper ignition of the powder charge.

"You'll pay for that mate!" Spits the tough, as he lunges forward with his long curved knife.

Quickly, Rats parries the knife with the barrel of his left pistol and bringing the other pistol crashing down on the back of the hoodlums skull.

However as he watches the hoodlum drop to the ground, Rats realizes he has forgotten about third street tough.

"And I was doing so good." sighs Rats, as he hears the sound of the doglock being cocked behind him.

[Hazzards, M.]

However as he watches the hoodlum drop to the ground, Rats realizes he has forgotten about third street tough.

"And I was doing so good." sighs Rats, as he hears the sound of the doglock being cocked behind him.

"Belay that mate!" I says, my own sword now but inches from the last ruffian's mid back. I watch as the bastard thinks twice but then slowly moves his free hand outward as he cautiously lowers his piece to the ground.

"And who is it that says all thy lot are feeble minded?" asks I. I look to the man who they have chosen as their intended. "Matters have I to discuss with the ... " I cough and clear my throat "Gentleman thee have assaulted... so ifin thee knows what is good for thee, thee would best be off," says I.

I watch as the last man dips to retrieve something from one of his fallen commrades.

"Be off with thee, says I. "No time have I to wait for thee to pocket from thy companions!" And with a prod from the point of my blade, the last jackanapes makes his way quickly past me and back out into the dimming light.

"You!" Shouts I, looking now upon the man I have been following. He has cleaned himself up, changed his clothing and looks far more my better than he did hours ago. "I be supposing you could do with a drink about now?"

[Capt. Sterling]

Sterling’s first thoughts had settled upon the words betrayed. Surely Lilly could not be serious? He knew only too well of her lifestyle. Had she not refused his proposal because she was used to being kept and kept well by the likes of Lord Darnely and other men of quality? But a child? And his?

He remembered pulling his hands beneath the table to hide their shaking and then changing his mind all together, he stood, shoved them into the wide ends of his banyan sleeves and brought his arms tightly about body. Slowly he made his way to the window and began to pace back and forth before it hugging himself and waiting for his heart to move back up from whence it had fallen into his stomach. He remembered turning to the actress at one point and opening his mouth to speak but nothing would come out. He watched her as she continued to cry and could only think back on their night together and now this?

My God, what just happened, he thought over and over again.

He did not know how long it had taken before his second attempt to continue their conversation, but he remembered stopping in front of the window and gazing down into the street. He could not remember what he saw there only that he finally whispered the words, “My sons with Tess, be all gone now. Does this child still…” By God it was difficult to form the words. Sterling swallowed hard, trying to bring some moisture back to his mouth. “Does this child still... live?”

[Cheeky Actress]

Lilly's eyes now filled with bitter-sweet tears. She had difficulty mustering enough courage to look her sweet Captain in the face. "He's in God's Keep." She whispered.

The Captain looked back at her with a quick and sudden stare. "God's keep? What is the meaning of your words, Lilly?" She could only shake her head and repeat what she had whispered to him before. Now the words were stronger and the tone more stable. "As I said, He is in God's keep." The Captain looked perplexed. "You make no sense woman!" Again, she could only repeat her words to him.

The Captain then fell to his knees in front of his lover. "Pray, tell me...this child that you bore to the world...how do you know that it is mine?! I fear that time and the situation being what it is with you and Lord Darnly makes me judge you. This is something I swore that I would never do, yet...in light of what has happen, I cannot help myself." He quickly grabbed her hands and kissed them in a fury. "Tell me my Sweet Lilly, did you know you were with child before I asked you to be me wife or did you hide this from me out of fear of Lord Darnly's wrath?"

[Capt. Sterling]

"Tell me my Sweet Lilly, did you know you were with child before I asked you to be me wife or did you hide this from me out of fear of Lord Darnly's wrath?"

Already his head was starting to throb.

“Please, Mistress,” he whispered. “Tell me all ye can about this babe? And why did ye not tell me sooner? Mayhaps I could have been a help to ye both. Please Lilly,” Sterling pleaded, his grip tightening painfully about her hand. “Tell me… and be this child in God’s keeping in this world or the next?”

[Cheeky Actress]

Lilly wrenched her hands from his and wept hard. "The boy is safe and that is all I can tell thee. Oh, I feared this so. I am a fool for not telling you about this! I am sorry I kept this from you for the longest time. When I discovered my condition, I was at the end of the theater season. I had to play Desdemona in nothing more than a loose shift to hide my appearence from the world. I knew that your heart would not be able to take such news."

She lent forward bowing her head, touching his to console him. "I could not live another day without telling you this. I had to make right with you and God."

[Rateye]

"That I could friend." Sighs Reiley as he collects his bag and effects, unsure of how much of the fight the stranger had seen.

Play it off, Reiley decides. Acting as an unfortunate gentleman, for he had no clue whom this stranger was or what his motives were for the assistance. "He did know his way around a blade though," Thinks Reiley. "I'll give him that. Best be cautious Boy-O."

"You have excellent timing good sir. I shudder to think what would have happened if those ruffians got the best of me."

"I will gladly accept yer offer, (clearing his throat) your offer that is, for a drink... However you must let me pay."

[Hazzards, M.]

"I will gladly accept yer offer, (clearing his throat) your offer that is, for a drink... However you must let me pay."

I find I laughed heartedly at his offer as we began our way to the pub.

“Afraid mate that I may slip ye the King’s shilling?” laughed I. “Well then I shall graciously accept ye kindness but let ye know that my captain would just as soon keel haul one of his officers than allow them to stoop to such a ruse. Three years a slave to the Turks was the captain which has been a boon to us that serve with him on the Archangel. Too much respect he has for a man’s freedom to force anyone to join his crew. And” said I. “And though, he be not a lax man, he treats us well indeed compared to some of the others I’ve had the misfortune to serve under.”

I fixed a hard stare upon the man that had now sat across from me for the past hour in the very tavern where my captain lays ill upstairs.

“Aye, an honest privateer Sterling be, and although he strives to earn an honest day’s wage, any man, including him, may slip up a bit to take care of them he relies on and who relies on him. By the by, mate,” begins I.

I watch for a sign, anything from a nervous flare of this scoundrel’s nostrils to the very break out of a cold sweat upon his upper lip. “We have need of a new surgeon on board. Captain Sterling struggles at times with the Ague, another thing thrust upon him by the filthy Turks. Where is it ye studied yer doctoring then?”

[Cheeky Actress]

Lilly spent the day tending to her Captain. Their world now became few words and hurtful glances. Lilly waited most of the day in hope that the doctor would soon come. "How much longer?" He whispered to her as if his will to live had left him. Lilly gathered up her skirts and sat down next to him upon his bed. "Shall I see what is taking him? Perhaps it would be best that you rest for now. I will let you rest, Captain." And with that she kissed his brow. "Do not leave me..." He whispered again, half asleep from the opium she gave him to easy his troubled mind. "I will be back as soon as I fetch the doctor. Sleep." She pulled the linen over him and left him to sleep.

The hour grew close to twilight as she walked down to the tavern. "Has the doctor arrive?" She said looked at the Travern owner. "Does it look like it?" He barked. "Here..." He drew a slip of paper from his pocket. "This be your bill for the Captains lodgings and food. Pay up! We don't take kindly to squelchers here." Lilly collected the piece of paper and look at the amount. She didn't have half of what she needed and no money had arrived from Lord Darnly yet. "Perhaps I can come to an agreement then." The Travern owner looked at her with narrowed eyes. "I don't need another whore...we have Sally and Colleen for that!" Lilly's body shook at the barking tone of the Tavern owner. "No, I was thinking more in the line of 'entertainment'. I could resite a passage from a play mayhap?" The Tavern owner just growled. "Look about you Mistress. These men do not care for culture...they are a men of little means. " Lilly's eyes darted about the crowd. The Tavern owner was right. They were nothing more the a rouge's gallery of fools and theives. "Very well then...a song! I shall sing for my supper?" The Tavern owner nodded in agreement. "Best be in good voice this night, Mistress...If not...I shall through you both out!"

"Very well then." Lilly said as she walked to the center part of the tavern. "Good Evening my fellows! I wish you all good blessings this night. Come, let me entertain you with a jolly song, eh?" Then Lilly cleared her voice and started in with a sea shanty....

When I was a fair maid about seventeen

I listed in the Navy for to serve the King

I listed in the Navy a sailor man to stand

For to hear the cannons rattlin’ and the music so grand

And the music so grand…and the music so grand

For to hear the cannons rattlin’ and the music so grand

Well the Officer that listed me was a tall and handsome man

He said, “You make a sailor, so come along my man!”

My waist being tall and slender…my finger long and thin

And very soon the ‘learn’ in me… I soon exceeded them

I soon exceeded them…… I soon exceeded them

And very soon the ‘learn’ in me… I soon exceeded them

Well, they sent me to bed and the sent me to bunk

To lie with a sailor I never was afraid

But taking off my blue coat you doftn’ young maid may smile

For to think I was a sailor and a maiden all the while

And a maiden all the while…and a maiden all the while

For to think I was a sailor and a maiden all the while

Well they sent me off to London for to guard the Tower

And I’m sure I might be there to my very dying hour

But a Lady fell in love with me and I told her I was a made

Oh, she went to the Captain and my secret she betrayed

My secret she betrayed…. My secret she betrayed

Oh, she went to the Captain and my secret she betrayed

(Hornpipe and harpsecord)

Well the Captain he came up to me and asked if this was so

Oh, I dared not…I dared not…I dared not so no

It’s a pity we should loose you, such a sailor man you made

It’s a pity we should loose you, such a handsome young maid

Such a handsome young maid…such a handsome young maid

It’s a pity we should loose you, such a handsome young maid

So it’s ‘fair-thee-well”, Captain you’ve been so kind to me

And like wise my shipmates, I am sorry to part with thee

But every the Navy needs a lad, a sailor I remain

I’d open up my up my hat and feathers and run the riggin’ again

I’d run the riggin’ again…I’d run the riggin’ again.

I’d open up my up my hat and feathers and run the riggin’ again!

She then bowed as the tavern crowd took notice of her performance.

[Rateye]

Reiley had followed the stranger to the nearby tavern. But though he wanted to down the first tankard of ale he laid his eyes on, he knew he had to curb his thirst if he was to present himself as something other than a mere hooligan.

It also became obvious that the man who introduced himself as Hazzards was quite proud of his station aboard the Archangel. Even more surprising was his obvious loyalty to his captain and the sincerity for which he spoke.

"Loyalty and character?" Thought Reiley of this man Hazzards who sat across from him. Nothing like he would have expected from the sort that was rumored to venture the sea.

During his passage from England, Reiley remembered stories of a sea captain named Sterling. And though some of the crew had referred to him as a pirate, most had praised his abilities as a navigator, a tactician and more importantly, a leader of men.

But when Hazzards asked about his medical studies, Reiley knew an opportunity was about to come into play.

But without warning, a delightfully unexpected song broke the constant drone of laughter and profanity.

Turning around, Reiley was surprised to see the young lady who had dropped the letter he had taken such a risk in retrieving.

"I'll be damned..." Reiley smiles as he listens to the wonderful shanty. But what's more was the allure of young woman who suddenly had the full attention of such a scurvy rabble.

Perhaps it was the way she addressed the men, at times singing to them, and other times playfully teasing them, as she continued with with her song.

After her song, when the tavern erupted with applause, Reiley couldn't help but stand and lifted his glass in admiration. "Now that's a Lady boy-o! That's a lady indeed!"

Suddenly realizing his loss in composure, had probably given his position away. Reiley takes a quick study of Hazzards, sits down and leans forward across table.

"Alright my friend, you saved my life... There isn't a soul on this earth that can say as much, and that is something I will never forget. But something tells me you're damn good man Hazzards, which is why I'll answer your questions...

[Rateye]

Taking a long and much needed pull from his tankard, Reiley again leans forward across the table and begins to tell his story.

"As a young man, I was sent to study medicine at the hospital and medical school founded by Thomas Guy in Southwark. Then for a very short time at St. Bartholomew’s Hospital in London under Dr. Gregory Giles."

“Sounds like the start of a promising life... Wouldn't you agree? However, my internship in London was cut short, due to an “unfortunate” turn of events…"

"Since then I’ve taken every opportunity that might present itself. Because the way I see it my friend, when a man has nothing to lose, he has everything to gain. ”

“Wouldn’t you agree?”

Then noticing the lady speaking with the tavern owner, Reiley realized this would be the best opportunity to return the letter she had dropped in the street.

With the pause in conversation, Reiley stands and grabs his and Hazzard's tankards from table.

"But before I say any more my friend, He grins. I think we'll be needing another drink."

[Capt. Sterling]

Sterling did not know for a certainty how long he had closed his eyes. He could only be somewhat sure that he had closed them at all for when he opened them and tried to sit up he found Symms coming to his aide and not the actress.

He felt physically numb and struggled to maintain control over his thoughts as the steward came to his side.

"She ... was here?" he asked.

"Aye sir, she was," Symms replied once again fussing over his charge trying to make him comfortable. "And I'd say she's done ye a disservice by giving you the wrong amount of yer medicines."

"Has she now?" Sterling mumbled, then added. "Yes I suppose she has. Tis not the only thing she has given me.... Somewhat...."

"Other than heartache, sir," the steward interjected.

"Oh yes... aye that too... part and parcel with her .... I ... think..."

"Sir ye be not makin much sense, just close yer eyes again and go back to sleep until the doctor comes," Symms said.

"I have been asleep then?"

"Aye sir ye have," Symms said.

"Then tis all been naught but a bad dream... what?" Sterling asked.

"Ifin ye ask me, sir, Mistress McKinney is more like a nightmare where ye be concerned. But I be sorry to say she were indeed here. Now, quit taxing yer brain and rest yerself. Ye be doing yerself no good nor yer crew or the 'Angel sir."

"Then she were here?"

"Aye sir, she was," Symms repeated. "She was."

For a moment the steward was startled as his captain began to sob but Symms was too much the mother hen and so he recovered himself quickly.

"There, there sir. Tis only the laudanum making ye thus. Ye never were a happy drunk either," Symms said almost chuckling out loud.

Sterling only shook his head.

"She done me wrong," the captain mumbled incoherently.

Bloody hell, the steward thought. Did he ask her to marry him yet again? He was much surprised then when Sterling demanded that the steward 'keep her away from him."

"As ye like sir. I will not allow her back to see ye until ye are ready fer her. "

Sterling took a deep breath then and tried to calm himself. With difficulty he rolled over onto his side and closed his eyes.

"Oh and Master Hazzards...." he whispered.

"Aye sir? What of Master Hazzards?" Symms asked, wondering how long this broken conversation would continue.

"When he reclaims Mistress McKinney's letter, I wish to see it. I wish to know if the Empress is behind all this........as well."

[Rateye]

Placing the tankards on the bar, Reiley straightened himself out and politely begged the pardon of the lady who had so easily enchanted the tavern.

"I beg your pardon miss..." Allowing the lady to take notice.

"If I may introduse myself... Jacob Reiley, that is 'Doctor' Jacob Reiley, at your service. "

"I don't wish to disturb you, but I've had recently had the great misfortune to tend to an extremely uncivil fellow, who in his confusion had somehow managed discribed an enchanting young lady and a letter she had dropped earlier this day and in front of this very tavern."

"Well, before I was able to finish tending to his wounds, the miscreant had run from my office and left the letter he had spoken of."

"Therefore, I felt it only honorable, that I should seek to return the parcel to the rightful owner."

Then presenting the letter to the young lady

"If I am right, then this letter must be yours. For you are definately that enchanting young lady he had spoken of."

[sirhenrymorgan]

It was the Major. I nodded to welcome him, but before I would ask the nature of his business, he interrupted, handing me a sealed letter as he spoke:

"Correspondence, from my father. I am not privy to its exact contents, but it is my understanding that it contains vital information concerning movements of Spanish troops throughout the Caribbean Sea. My father's business ensures his employees hear and see a great deal more than the common man might think."

I had hoped this dispatch would arrive aboard one of the many ships arriving in port this day. It did not come unexpectedly.

At ease, Major.

I broke the seal and read through the pages once, then again.

It was what I had expected. The Spanish were preparing to sail with a fleet of 2,000 troops to fortify their colonies in Cartegena, believing that we were planning to strike the treasure ships heading out of South America. It was the port from which all the mined and struck silver and gold from the mountains of Peru flowed.

The ruse had worked. The prisoners that I had tortured in Cuba had spread the message I had hoped. And the Spanish had taken the bait with alarming ease. Not only did they not plan to attack Jamaica in retaliation, but they were planning to fortify the wrong port, leaving Portobello open to our own attack.

Why thank you Major. Your father has been most helpful to the Crown and the people of Jamaica as always. I trust that we can meet tomorrow, perhaps around noon, for lunch and discuss our mutual interests.

It is late now, and I must retire for the evening.

[Bartholomew Treate]

The lovely maiden seemed to approach me. I smiled, inviting with the nod of my head to join me at the table.

She smiled back and leaned down. "How's the rum, lad. A little lighter than you thought?"

She laughed a rum soaked laugh and sauntered out of the inn. I could here her chortle as she stepped out onto the now dark streets of Port Royal.

Damn these women of Port Royal!!!! They not only take advantage of me in the worst way, but they leave me wanting more. Why do I crave such abuse?

It was nothing new though. I had a life history of choosing the wrong path in life. The wrong lines of work, the wrong people to work for, the wrong friends. So why not the wrong women?

I thought for a moment about persuing her into the night. But the town was small and it wouldn't be hard to cross her path again, when the timing was better and my mind wouldn't be so rum soaked.

A fight had broken out in the bar between to men of fortune over one of the tarts in the bar. She was hardly worth fighting over, even in the dim light. She was a very hefty gal, shabbily dressed with red hair. She had seen better days. But it hardly mattered to many of these blokes, who would enjoy just about anything that availed itself when they reached port.

I liked to think I had a bit better taste, even if it was wrong.

I finished my bottle of rum and headed out the bar, avoiding a chair that had flown across the room from one of Morgan's captains, whose amorous advances had been interrupted when a bottle of wine broke clean above his head, soaking him with red wine.

He turned in a tempest and went at the two men, sword in hand. Someone would feel some hurt tonight.

It was getting late, even for a town that really didn't come alive until mid-day. I decided to make my way down to the docks to find a place for some shut eye. No reason to spend money on a flea bitten bed in some shanty or sailor's quarters. As long as the stars shined, the tropics were a great place to sleep outside. It was always warm, and except during the raining season, almost always dry.

I slumped down behind a few barrels. The rest of the rum was now having its desired effect. I slumbered off to sleep, but with a pirate's eye on any intruders.

[Cheeky Actress]

"If I am right, then this letter must be yours. For you are definately that enchanting young lady he had spoken of."

Lilly smiled and when the letter was presented to her she looks alarmed and surprised. "Oh, Dr. Reiley I am most grateful for the return of this!" She was about to collect the letter from Reiley's hand, but suddenly Hazzard snatched the letter from her. "I'm sorry Mistress, but I am instructed to collect said letter and return it to its' rightful owner...that being one Captain Sterling." She quickly turned towards Hazzard and looked intently into his ruddy tanned face. "That letter is penned by my hand and addressed to the Empress herself." Hazzard flipped the letter over and recognized the silver seal of Captain Sterling. "Aye, your hand, but his seal, Mistress. He requested that it be brought to him the moment it has been found. I am sure I will be awarded greatly!"

The Dr. Reiley looked stunned at the both of them. "Rubbish!" He proclaimed as he slammed down his tankard. "I saw the Mistress drop the letter while she was near the docks that...." All of a sudden Hazzard, and Lilly looked at the rouge doctor with surprise. "YOU!" They both shouted. It was then Hazzard quickly pulled his pistol from his belt and placed it in the face of Reiley. "I think the Captain would like to see this and perhaps an explanation would be in order. Come along now!" With that both the Dr. Reiley and Lilly walked towards the stairs as Hazzard followed behind.

[Capt. Sterling]

"And who the bloody hell be he?" Symms snapped angrily at Hazzards as his old gray head jerked in the direction of Reiley.

The second officer smiled as he pushed his way into the room. "A doctor says he. I beg to differ says I," Mr. Hazzards explained, he waved the letter under the steward's nose. The old man's eyes widened.

"Oh the captain will be pleased to see that, "Symms remarked as his arm flew across the door opening stopping the others from entering the room.

"Ye ain't Dr. Stenbom!" Symms snapped again.

"Never ye mind the old goat, Doctor. His bark be worse then his bite," Hazzards said as he glanced over at Sterling just waking from the noise.

"This be Dr. Reiley," Hazzards explained. "Funny how he's set himself up in Dr. Easterly's place. He has been kind enough, though, to find the Captain's letter for him. "

"A doctor ye say?" Symms asked, eyeing Reiley up and down. "Very well then go about yer duties then. Mind ye, be watching ye I will." For a brief moment, Symms lowered his arm and allowed the other man to enter but before the actress could make her way inside, Symms barred her way again.

"We won't be needin yer company tonight Mistress. So be off with ye. The captain's too ill fer the likes of ye and I be thinkin best ye leave him be... for a good long time."

[Cheeky Actress]

The captain's too ill fer the likes of ye and I be thinkin best ye leave him be... for a good long time."

The sound of the oak door slamming startled Lilly. "The Letter...'tis myne!" She shouted on the other side of the door. Her heart sank for a moment and for the brief moment at the bar, she had seen the Empress' address scripted on the front of the letter. She knew that it was letter of confession that had been lost. "Captain, Please...a word if you will!" She shouted again on the other side of the door.

Suddenly the door flung open and there stood Symms with such an angry scowl upon his face. "ENOUGH!" He shouted and before she could advance herself forward, he doused her with the Captain's chamberpot.

[Capt. Sterling]

It took a while before Sterling was, in some measure, awake. It was not until he recognized Mr. Hazzards that he made himself to sit up in bed.

“Why is it that when I need Symms’ assistance he is no where about?” he thought. It was Hazzards who finally helped him and then, once settled, the second officer placed the letter into Sterling’s hand.

“Thank ye Master Hazzards. Thank ye indeed,” Sterling said, suddenly now, altogether conscious and awkwardly breaking the seal in his haste. He glanced down at the letter than quickly about the room. He finally sited Symms locking the door, an empty commode in his grasp.

“Put that thing down and find me my spectacles and see to the candle Symms,” he said.

It was a moment or two before the steward accomplished his task and Sterling,, holding the letter open, close to the flame, went over the contents of the note.

“Thank God,” he whispered as he sat back and removed the vexing eyeglasses.

“Good news sir?” Hazzards asked.

“Aye… Mayhaps not good but better than I had feared. I am relieved to see that my… the Empress is as unaware of Mistress McKinney’s affairs as I have been myself until this morning.”

He closed his eyes for a moment holding back the tears that wanted to over take him. At least he had not been betrayed by the Empress as well… that he knew, he could not bare. He held up the letter, waiting for someone to take it from him. “This is not one of the letters that I asked Mistress McKinney to write for me. Please see that it is returned to her at once. Master Hazzards would ye be so kind?”

“Aye sir, as ye wish,” Hazzards said taking back the letter he had spent all day trying to retrieve. Sterling nodded his head.

“Thank ye Master Hazzards,” the captain acknowledged. Then he looked up about the room his gaze coming to rest upon the stranger. “And who might ye be?” he asked.