The Pirate Hunter's Smarter Brother!

[Red Cat Jenny]

Only the hint o sunrise colors th distant horizon..the air is cool an damp an th swells small. Th watches change an Red CAt and Roberts have been up all night talkin. Havin righted things 'tween em.. CAt bids th big man goodnight, passes by the cabin where Nate be sleepin under watch. Everything seems quiet so she heads t'her cabin, hangs up her weapons, coat, wesket an such an climbs inta her hammock. As the ship rocks gently an th morning watch gets underway she dreams o gold..an legartos.

[Black Nate]

Sunlight made its way into the cabin where Nate slept. Shuffling of feet and other noises above the cabin dug into his mind and pulled him to consciousness. His eyelids were glued shut with sleep and he rubbed the back of his hand across them before opening them in a squint. He talked through a yawn. "Aye Dutch, what watch is it? I fell like I slept through me shift." When no answer came he sat up and fully opened his eyes. It took him a second for the truth of things to come to his mind. A man was there next to him, weathered and worn. "Who be you, mate? Where am I?" The old salt cracked a grin and shook his head. "Don't remember, do ya? You aboard the Rakehell. We took ya off that island there. As the man spoke, it rushed back into his head like a tide coming in. Nate shut his eyes and thrust the heels of his hands into them and clenched his teeth. His mind screamed in agony. After a short time he took his hands away from his face and pulled in a deep breath and held it for a long moment before blowing it out slowly. He had to stop thinking of what was lost to him forever. He looked to the man with him and held out his hand. "Names Nate, Nate Durant. Bos'un's Mate, formerly o the Eliza o London." Tunny took his hand and shook it. "Tunny, call me Tunny."

[Juan Francisco Navarro]

(The Relentless sails into the Havana harbor but does not go un-noticed. Word is sent to Capitán Juan Francisco Navarro, at the Castillo de los Tres Reyes del Morro.)

The young soldado delivers the message to the Capitán. Capitán Navarro seems to enjoy the news and replies, "So señor Tar has returned, send a recepción party to visita him, ahora!"

[Silkie McDonough]

Silkie grumbled and rolled over as the sun shining through the hatch onto the berth deck touched her face but as it's rays continued to bake her back she could sleep no longer. She sat up and dumped herself from the hammock to the deck. Just then Rakehell pitched the opposite direction sending her sprawling backwards into the hammock which caught her just enough to break her fall

...then flip her out on the other side where her back met the deck with a solid thud.

Once she was able to get enough air into her lungs to breath Miss McDonough let loose a series of choice Irish Gaelic words that would make even a sailor blush if translated. Straightening her clothes and adjusting her pack she looked around to see if anyone had witnessed her spectacle. If any on deck had they were either too polite to laugh, knew better than to laugh or, more likely, were afraid to laugh at the woman who always seemed to have a far away look in her eye and sang some mighty strange tunes most of the time.

Once she gathered herself she set off to find the galley and the captain. Grub was ...very much like eating moldy socks. She choked down a bit of that, followed by a large gulp from her gran'da's flask o'pocheen to kill the taste ...and germs. Afterwards she went top side to find Ransom.

As suspected she found Africa who would always grasp one of his talisman whenever the Irish lass would come within 5 feet of him. Africa told her "Captain and Tar in ward room." Silkie got to the ward room and knocked ...well, it was more like a bang because once again she lost her balance, another Irish Gaelic curse was cut short by Ransom voice coming from within.

"Yes?"

"ESilkie." Miss McDonough held onto the door jam as she waited for a response.

[Red Cat Jenny]

Red CAt slept well into the morning watch...

[Ransom]

About the same time that Silkie nearly fell in the door, Jimmy Cox stuck his head in and said, "Ma'am, Tunny sent me ta tell you that fellow Nate is awake and himself again."

"Have Tunny get some food down the man, then escort him here. I want to ask him a few questions, now that he's not in danger of passing out."

Jimmy nuckled his forehead and withdrew.

I turned back to the charts Jacky and I had been looking over. "So, you've been to Havana before. Where is the best place to anchor, and who do we have to pay? And, more to the point, what is your plan if the Relentless is there?"

[Jacky Tar]

"Aye, the Relentless is in Havana, I know it. They've no where else t' go."

Pointin' t' the harbor at Havana, "No one will be lookin' fer the Rakehell, fer no one there knows I'm aboard her." I laughed, "T' the crew o' the Relentless I died, an fer now, that suits me purpose."

"I know wot yer thinkin', Spoons will be lookin' over his shoulder wonderin' if yer followin' him." I paused, "Trust me, his hands are tied in Havana; so are yers. We will deal wit' him later, away from Havana."

[Silkie McDonough]

"Sides, all o'Jackys maps and charts er on det ship." Silkie added with a wry smile. "Soe we'll bae headin t'Havana den." It was a statement to somehow reaffirm in her mind that she was heading to Havana. Now, if she could just remember what's his name's name.

[Ransom]

I gave Jacky a smile. "Well, once we anchor, this little adventure is in your hands. I don't know Havana, or its customs. I tend to avoid Spanish towns, for obvious reasons."

My look changed to something more serious. "I'll trust you not to get us all locked in a Spanish gaol, with the Rakehell ending up flying Spanish colors. I'll sink her before I let that happen. Just thought you ought to know, before we get to the point of no return."

[Black Nate]

Nate had asked to borrow a comb and mirror and a bowl of water ti clean up with. As he was combing back his hair and hoping to also borrow a ribbon to but it back, another man came into the cabin with more food. Jimmy was his name and he told Nate to eat up and when he was done the captain wanted to see him. Nate smiled at Jimmy, "Thank ya muchly Jimmy, I'll not keep the capin waitin." He was given a piece of cord to tie his hair back and once done he ate what was given to him so quickly that Tunny snorted in laughter. "Don't eat th plate too." Nate wiped his hands on a rag and smiled. "Thank ya. I'll be off ta see th capin now." Tunny led him out of the cabin and through the ship to the ward room. He knocked and opened the door for Nate. ""Beg Pardon Capin, ye wished ta see me, Sir? ah, Ma'am?"

[Red Cat Jenny]

Red Cat, having woken an dressed, trotted inta th galley lookin fer Africa. There wouldn't be much goings on until they reached Habana. 'Less they encountered th Relentless along th way which warn't likely as they had sailed a full three days behind. Thanks t' Roberts in no small part. She furrowed her brow. Cat figured she may as well amuse herself wit the first mate an looked t' ruffle th big man's feathers. Goose turned at her enterin and shook a spoon at 'er from whar he hunched over a kettle o summin wot smelled suspicious. "He'll be back ye know..best not run inta him t'day. 'Ees in a right foul mood. Just went down into th stores.." he shook th spoon again. Well.. Goose always shook a little..it was hard t' tell. Usually Africa ignored him, but on this day had decided t' poke his big head about th galley. As he lectured her, Red Cat strolled along th table an rifled through a box o apples. She paused lookin up at th cook wit a half grin as she foud one t' her likin and tucked it in a pocket. "Aye don't worry yerself o'er me lad..but tha pot..ye should worry abou." He sputtered and grimaced and shook all the more an she grabbed up a piece o cheese left from breakfast an a strong mug o coffee. Cat tossed him a mischievious wink as she headed out the door coat an que swingin behind her. Down th passageway Goose assumed she must've passed th First mate as swearin in another language altogether could be heard followed by a chuckle most CAt like. She headed towards deck, then saw the new man Nate pass by escorted by Tunny. Turnin on her heel Cat headed down th passageway towards th ward room.

[Ransom]

I looked up as Nate entered the room, and smiled. "Feeling better, I hope."

He nodded, obviously a bit nervous, but then I could hardly blame him, since he didn't know any of us, nor what we were about. I'm sure he had also noticed that the Rakehell wasn't exactly Royal Navy or merchant, either. For the moment, I intended to leave him in the dark as to what our real venture was.

"Now you've got a bit of strength back, I'd like to hear a few more details of the loss of the Eliza. "Who was her Captain? Where was she bound? What was her cargo? And was it just the storm that sank her?"

I looked Nate in the eyes, waiting to see what his reaction would be to my next statement. "When you've told me all you can about the Eliza, you can then tell me all you can about yourself."

[Black Nate]

Nate stood a moment before answering the captain. He looked around the room and then back at the woman in front of him. "Eliza was captained by Capin Joseph Clarkson, fine man, good man, good capin. We was bound fer Jamaica wi trade goods, bales o cotton, linen, wool, among other things. Just a humble merchant she were. Eliza were a two hundred ton pink. Fine lines. weatherly. But not so weatherly for th storm. Storm sank her far as I can tell. Only thing I can think otherwise is that Mr. Wilks, the first mate, he likes his drink an was on duty that night. If he were passed out drunk an didn't set the storm sails. I can't say. I were asleep when all hell, ah beg pardon, broke loose. I came on deck after being tossed about below. Came out into th storm blowin full. Capin was on deck, but not in his slicks. He was hollerin orders fer th sails ta be reefed in. Then, oh Lord. Then th main mast went over th side. We cut it away an dropped all canvas hopin ta ride it out with bare poles. It were no good. we got tossed sideways in th swells. A wave, a big wave hit us broadsides an rolled us. Rolled us clear over. Lost some a th men then. Capin Clarkson order us ta bandon ship then. Not sure what happens after. Not sure." He stood with a look of pain on his face like he had just relived the sinking of his ship all over again. Which in some ways he had. His eyes were glazed over, staring into nothingness. His hands clenched the edges of his jacket. Someone cleared their throat and he snapped back to the present. "Oh, beg pardon Sir, ah Ma'am. Ahhhh, about me ya wants ta know? Nate Durant, Bos'ns mate, well, former bos'ns mate o th Eliza o London. Been a hand bfore th mate many a year. Just a sailor I be, but I knows my way around weapons too. Ships guns not so much, but learnin more is no problem." He grinned now, and a look came into his eyes. "We was attacked by pirates once, it were a dreadful-" he stopped short and looked around at those in the room with him. Wiping some sweat off his cheek he spoke again. "Anything more, Sir, ah Ma'am, Capin?"

[Red Cat Jenny]

Red CAt had shuffled up to th Ward Room a bit behind th others. She leaned a shoulder on th doorway, crossin one foot over th other and listened, as the sailor rambled a bit but produced a satisfactory explanation. She considered his words as she waited fer th two Captains t' speak first. It wern't like her t' stand on such formality, bein a guest an mate o the lot on this trip, but she chose t' be silent. Instead Cat drew th apple from her pocket. Grinnin t' herself at th aggravation her pilferin would cause ol Africa once Goose told him. She polished th small prize on her lapel an inspected it while she waited. Watchin th newcomers face fer signs he may be lyin.

[Silkie McDonough]

After his tale of the Eliza and the glazed look in his eye the ever present silver flask materialized from some place on her person. She cleared her throat and held it out to Nate who didn't seem to notice it before he continued on about himself.

Miss McDonough wondered about the man before them. They all knew each other from the pub back home and had shared many a tale but this new comer ...there has to be more to the man than sailing ...no one from the pub was just a sailor ...he mentioned leather working and her mind started reminiscing over the pub members who worked in leather.

[Ransom]

... He grinned now, and a look came into his eyes. "We was attacked by pirates once, it were a dreadful-" he stopped short and looked around at those in the room with him. Wiping some sweat off his cheek he spoke again. "Anything more, Sir, ah Ma'am, Capin?"

I gave him a feral smile in return. "Yes, I'm sure getting attacked by pirates was quite dreadful. Do you happen to remember the name of the vessel that attacked you? Just so we can keep a weather eye out for it, you understand. Can't be too careful in these waters."

Jacky smothered a chuckle, and I gave him a wink, then turned back to the newcomer. "Well, Nate, the Rakehell be a bit crowded at the moment, but if you think you've got all your strength back, report to Africa, my first mate, and he'll be more than happy to put you to work."

"Speaking of work." I glanced around the crowded room. "Don't you lot have jobs to do? This isn't some pleasure barge, floating down the Thames toward Winsor Great Park! There are still storm repairs to be finished, if nothing else. I want this ship healed of all her wounds before we reach our next destination."

[Silkie McDonough]

Silkie winked at Ransom as she pocketed the flask again and headed for the door adding, in a very proper English accent "Werk my goode captain? Werk? Surely you do not expect me to labor for my lodging?" Chuckling she lightly nudged Nate with her elbow as she passed and with a jerk of her head indicted that he follow her. "I'll take ya t'Afrika even doe e's a bit ard t'miss."

[Jacky Tar]

After Silkie an Nate had departed t' find Africa, I looked Ransom in the eye an said, "No doubt somethin' happened t' Nate, mayhaps it went down the way he said. But if he was a cox'ns mate, why wasn't he in a long boat when we found him. Would hav been his job t' get one in the water." I shook me head, "An English ship never allows sailors t' carry arms, an yet Nate seemed pretty well armed when we found 'em."

Ransom, seemed less concerned wit' Nate than I. He was aboard an we still had t' get t' Havana.

Aye, we needed t' make sure the Rakehell was ready fer wot ever lay ahead o' us. I decided t' see if I could help wit' repairs, an said t' Ransom, "I best see if I can earn me keep".

[Black Nate]

Chuckling she lightly nudged Nate with her elbow as she passed and with a jerk of her head indicted that he follow her.  "I'll take ya t'Afrika even doe e's a bit ard t'miss."

Nate was about to tell the captain about the scrape the Eliza had with pirates when one of the women, the redhead, bumped him. She told him to follow her to report to Africa. He knuckled his brow to the captain and followed the woman out of the wardroom and passed the other woman he met on the beach. He smiled at her and bobbed his head. She slightly nodded back while holding an apple as if she were about to have a bite. He watched her for a moment too long and bumped into the bulkhead. He turned away and continued to follow the redhead out. She took him up to a large moor. and introduced him to Africa. The big man looked down at Nate who stood straight and knuckled his brow. "Nate Durant, Bos'n's m- ahhh... I guess able seaman reportin fer duty, Sir!" He stood there waiting for what orders might be given him.

[Ransom]

Ransom, seemed less concerned wit' Nate than I. He was aboard an we still had t' get t' Havana.

Aye, we needed t' make sure the Rakehell was ready fer wot ever lay ahead o' us. I decided t' see if I could help wit' repairs, an said t' Ransom, "I best see if I can earn me keep".

I nodded. "I'll be along presently. I just want to lock these charts up."

Before Jacky left the cabin, I added. "And, while you're earning your keep, you might keep an eye on our guest. I noticed he avoided having to answer the question about who attacked the Eliza. He's hiding someting, and eventually we'll find out what it is. In the mean time, I'm going to tell Africa to work his hide off. Hopefully, he'll be too tired to try anything. If I get an itchy feeling about him between now and our next harbor, I'll put him ashore in Havana and he can fend for himself."

[Silkie McDonough]

Silkie waited with Nate for Africa's orders Unfortunately, Africa's apprehension about her didn't keep the big man from giving her work so she stood ready ...well, not as ready as Nate.

[Ransom]

Once I had locked the charts away, I went up on deck, to find Africa. Before he could give orders to Nate, I pulled the big black man aside. "Keep an eye on our newcomer. He may be just what he says, a former cox'ns mate, but I have a few doubts. Work him. Hard. Let's see what he's made of."

Africa glanced over my head to Nate. "He don look like much. I more worried 'bout dat Silkie."

"Then here." I removed the little bag of corpse powder he'd given me. "Maybe this will help."

He took it and seemed much relieved. "I okay now. I work dat man like you say. But he still pretty puny from bein' so long in da water."

"I didn't say kill him, I said work him. Men who are pushed tend to revert to their true selves. I want to know who this Nate is, and what he's capable of."

Africa grinned. "I be very good at workin' him, den."

"I know you will." Then I left to help out with some of the new rigging.

[Black Nate]

Nate stood at attention as he waited for work orders. The captain had come on deck and pulled the big moor away and talked with him for a time. The moor, Africa was his name, came back and gave Nate his orders. Much of it was heavy labor doing repairs. Nate felt his legs go wobbly as the list he was given came to an end but he stood fast and took it all in. "Aye-Aye sir!" He saluted and turned away to find where the carpenters stores were in order to get some tools. He was to help repair a section of railing and after that a gun carriage and seam part of the deck. Nate found the tools he was looking for in a carry box and brought them to his place of work. He striped off his jacket and even he was surprised how much he stunk. "Lord in heaven, forgive me for I do smell powerfully bad." He stood in the wind for a short time hoping to air out some. He lay his jacket inside out on the end of the fore mast pinrail. Nate pulled the tools out of the box and picked up a chisel and mallet and began to chisel away the torn and twisted wood. He did this for a time and stopped to wipe his brow with his neckerchief. Looking aft his eyes fell upon the one ships boat turned upside down on deck. Walking over to the water barrel Nate grabbed up the ladle and drank while he surveyed the boat bottom. "Well, this boat be needin some attention. fresh paint and got some dry rot startin here. Can't be too careful. Nay, can't be too careful." He had not been assigned the duty of fixing the boat, but if he got his list done he thought to turn his attention there if allowed. Back to his chore, he went off and found a hunk of wood to replace the damaged rail.

[Roberts]

Roberts came about on deck wit his sleeves rolled an scarf blowin in th stiff breeze. "Aye! I'll be lendin a hand as well! " He nodded to Africa and put in wit the rest. Roberts leaned in ta Nate "Too much settin about makes a man get soft. Can't be lollin about like a lady now aye?" The last part was spoken low as Roberts chanced the comment to his own delight, out of the earshot of either Silkie, CAt or Ransom. Nate looked a little confused but Roberts gave a hearty laugh and grabbed up a line.

[Red Cat Jenny]

Red CAt had lingered in th doorway apple in hand, as th others filed out. She shared a shared a brief word wit JAcky and then after all had left, leaned off the doorframe and walked to th ward rooms large table. Holding th apple in her mouth she retrieved a rolled chart from her coat an spread it out upon th polished surface. CAt took a bite, placed th fruit down an headed to th brandy pourin a dram an settled in to look things over. "Now....lesse wot ave we..." Glass in one hand, Red Cat traced a route with the other across the wrinkled chart o th waters around Habana and Southward.