Drabble Series: 'An Execrable Business' (44/?)

[dwgm]

500 words, with thanks to my dear hereswith for beta reading, editing, and excellent suggestions.

Previous bits...

1. Tortuga 2. Happiness 3. Festive 4. Last Minute 5. Calm 6. Truth 7. Bargain 8. Spook 9. Down 10. Wounds 11. Moon 12. Monsters

13. Beauty 14. Name 15. History 16. Service 17. Advice 18. Captain 19. Awe 20. Cross 21. "You've made a big mistake" 22. Heroism 23. Gold 24. Echo

25. Greed 26. Advance 27. Challenge 28. Adventure 29. Sentence 30. Treasure 31. North 32. Coat 33. Good and Evil 34. Sickness and Health 35. Lost 36. Court

37. What if? 38. Island 39. That can't be 40. Prophesy 41. Ten Years Later 42. French 43. Deed

And here's today's...

44. Tea


~ An Execrable Business, continued...

They took their time stalking the French ship, maneuvering for the "weather gauge" (which Nell couldn't quite understand even after it was explained to her), honing weapons, shifting stores to make room for the treasures they anticipated bringing aboard, and they were well out into the Atlantic by the time the Pearl began to close in for the kill, more than twenty-four hours after Nell had first made the sighting.

"Puts their nerves on edge," Jack told her, flashing a sly grin before going back to sharpening his favorite sword.

Nell was quite sure it did, for she felt extremely nervous herself.

He had not come to bed the night before, but had stayed on deck to observe the chase, which could be clearly seen in the waning but still bright moon. Her own dreams had been troubled by visions of terrible bloodshed, and Jack's laughing face turning to Barbossa's leer.

Lucky Nell!

The French ship was appreciably closer in the morning. Breakfast in the main cabin had the air of a war council, and then Jack said he would try for a few hours of shuteye, since all was in train to close with their prey come mid-afternoon.

Nell left him to his nap. She was reluctant to confide her fears to Jack, but down in the galley, helping once again with preparations for dinner, she finally spoke to Cook when he asked, "Now what's got you so blue-devilled, missy?"

"Will there be much killing?" Nell asked bluntly.

"Ah!" Cook nodded. "I thought that might be it. No, not much, if any, not if Captain Sparrow has his way."

"But Mr. Barbossa—"

"He'll behave. There was a bit of a struggle between 'em when Tobias was killed and Jack was voted captain – by a wide margin, though it weren't unanimous. Jack threw 'im in the brig for a couple of days once, early on, and when he was let out he was told he'd follow orders from that day or leave the Pearl. Well, Hector couldn't leave, he loves the Pearl near as much as Jack. So he curbs his violent tendencies, and bides his time. Jack's a fool to have him for first, but there you go. Hector's near as skilled as Jack in most ways, and better in some. Better at handling a sword, for one thing, though Bootstrap's the best on the ship. But no one's more ruthless than Hector, when he's given free rein. He ain't as likeable as Jack, though, and so far that's tipped the scales."

Cook lumbered over and put a kettle on the stove. "Hot cup of tea'll set you up, Lucky Nell."

"Oh, don't call me that!" Nell exclaimed, remembering how Barbossa had spoiled the phrase.

"Now, now, belay such talk. Don't you go a-lookin' at gift horses, the captain gave you the moniker and no one knows more about the value of words than he! Bear up, missy, bear up and put your faith in Captain Jack Sparrow!"



TBC...

Comments

[djarum99.livejournal.com]

The dark side of pirate freedom, and a lesson in shipboard politics. And Jack Sparrow, before he learned that lesson too well and too hard. I love this story, love it that steady Bootstrap is best with a sword, that Cook respects Jack's way with words, and that Nell is struggling with what the hunt might mean.

Brava once more ♥

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

It could all go south so easily. I'm so glad you're still enjoying this! Thank you for the encouraging comments, I really appreciate that!

[pearlseed.livejournal.com]

Lots and lots going on--the balance between Jack and Hector, never occurred to me that Hector had served longer aboard than Jack and would have loved the Pearl too, though not at all in the way Jack does. Lucky Nell, he could call me if he wanted...cool chapter, it would make the other captain nervous as hell wouldn't it? Yeah, good stuff here.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Hector was second mate when Jack came aboard, and he's ambitious, and the Pearl's certainly worthy of such ambition. Unfortunately for him, Jack and the Pearl have an understanding. ;)

I'm so glad you liked this! Thank you for letting me know!

[florencia7.livejournal.com]

I love the story of how Jack became the Pearl's captain and what happened later, and I also love the way the Cook told the story! All his observations concerning Jack, Bootstrap, Barbossa... It's all so wonderfully written.

Beautiful installment! *waiting impatiently for the next one!* :)

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

waiting impatiently for the next one!

At least I'm posting every day, and hopefully can keep that up until it's finished. I'm so glad you liked this part! Thank you, as always, for the comments, which are so encouraging!

[mary684.livejournal.com]

Still reading, still love it. I'd be repeating what everyone else said -- but, yep -- Cook, Bootstrap, Jack, Hector and sweet Lucky Nell. Love them all and how you've imagined them for us.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

So happy you're still enjoying it! More OC's in the wings, I can't seem to stop. But it's getting there! Thank you for commenting. :)

[kseenaa.livejournal.com]

They are a bit two-edged our pirates, aren't they? :-)

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

They are! Makes them interesting, though.