“ No it can’t,†A deep voice comes from behind her. “Drop that pistol missy.†With in seconds Heather knew she was doomed. Looking behind her, she saw a huge, dark figure in Spanish armor. “Surrender!†He bellowed. “Surrender and you will be spared.†Heather recognized that certain death for herself was the only alternative to his command. She dropped the pistol and raised her arms to denote surrender, but she did not relinquish her sword, which still hung from her side. Slowly she stood up and faced her opposition.
Behind her were three more soldiers, and behind them she saw a band of about twenty rag tag sailors from the English fleet. Two men came straight toward her, one of them carrying loops of heavy rope, while the other held chains. Heather’s sword was wrenched from her side, and then she was lead a few paces toward the others. Her arms were pulled behind her back, and her wrists bound. Heather was securely bound and then lead over to were the Spanish Officer was standing. The closer she got the more she knew him. Her eyes widen as his face came into view. Heather drew in a deep breath, not feeling the bonds tighten about her as she did so. It was true! There had been a traitor with their ranks, as they had feared! It was one of their own. She felt sudden nausea in the pit of her stomach. It was the Governor’s own son, the Admiral of Oxbay’s fleet. A hero, the Hero of the people of Oxbay. So this was how the Spanish fleet knew they were coming, and why they had such large ships waiting for them.
“I see by the expression on your lovely face that you are shocked to see me here, Heather,†he said, as he walked up to her. His voice, as always, was deep and melodic. “Well, that’s quite understandable, of course. I have taken great pains these many years to obscure my double identity.†He looked up, studying her carefully. “You have certainly come to full bloom, my dear. But even years ago – the first time I saw you at Oxbay – even then I thought you the most beautiful of creatures. Which brings to mind a point that might be of interest to you…†He reached up to her, taking her gently by the arm. “Why don’t we sit for a few moments,†he said, “I feel very badly that it has been necessary for you to be bound, but you are, of course, an extremely valuable asset so long as we have you captive. If you were to escape – well I’m sure you can see that we can’t allow that to happen.â€
The traitor, Admiral Norinton, began to guide Heather toward the fallen log, but stopped. Turning back, toward the Spanish Commander, he said, “Oh, Elsilo, I trust you won’t mind my having a few moments with this young woman before you depart? I won’t have another opportunity for quite some time.†He half turned Heather toward the silent Spanish Commander. “… How gauche of me to overlook the introduction. Heather, this is Elsilo, Elsilo Javier Ramirez,†he said to her. “ He is the right hand of General Ramon Castillo, the military authority here in Caribbean.†Elsilo humphed, and Norinton turned both himself and Heather away from the Commander. He leaned close to her and whispered: “Actually, it’s debatable whether or not it is he or Rogmun who is the highest rank of Castillo’s commanders… and nobody is the General’s right hand, even figuratively,†he smiled, “but Elsilo is not too fond of me, so it doesn’t hurt to sweeten him occasionally.â€
They stopped before the fallen log, where he eased Heather to a sitting position. Norinton remained standing, one foot on the log, his right forearm resting across his thigh as he leaned confidentially over her. “Ah, the others have all been disarmed, and look comfortable,†he said, looking past her.
She turned. The soldiers who surrounded them had grouped the others tightly together. “What will be done to them?†she asked.
“Don’t worry, my lady,†he answered, “they will be well taken care of.†The reply was so casual, yet implied such thoughtfulness, that Heather felt immediate relief and was instantly guilty and just astonished. As these were members of her crew, and yet great care was made as to their safety. Standing over her was the traitor, one who they had trusted, and a hero to her people. Yet, she and her crew were his captives, helpless. She wondered desperately if he was, in fact, playing the role of spy for the English. But after a studied moment, he began to speak:
“I believe that you will find this amusing…or at least ironic.†He looked down to her. “You see, my dear, it was because of your beauty that I first learned that your father was in fact the Vice Admiral of England. I had some suspicions that something was being kept from me…†He laughed. “I had no idea, however, that this secret was of such importance to the overthrow of power in these waters. Once learned, of course, this knowledge completely altered my course of action, and thus General Castillo’s. Excuse my lack of humility. I have never considered it a desirable trait. I see that I am confusing you. Forgive me. You see, Heather, on my last visit to Redmond, to confer with Governor, I found myself in conversation with – what’s his name? – Thomas, that’s it! Thomas I am sure you know, has a tendency to drink a bit too heavily.†He glanced to toward the Spanish officers, who were conversing among themselves. “I will have to make this brief…my friends are growing impatient. Anyway, in the midst of our friendly chat, I inquired – very subtly, of course – as to your availability. Well, poor Thomas let slip a couple of facts, which completely caught my curiosity. And then it was just a matter of some very intricately designed questions, coupled with a very steady provision of spirits for the young lad. Well, I am sure Thomas felt confident that he had covered himself very well. I doubt that he even remembered much of the conversation. Such highly emotion people like Thomas are prone to commit extremely foolish blunders…â€
Heather felt a charge of anger stirring through her blood. Norinton stood. “It certainly worked well for me, though. I am sure that you can readily observe that. Soon, General Castillo will have you as a hostage within his fort, and before too many days have passed, your father will join you. I am ready to embark now on the journey to England to meet with the King…†He leaned forward, reaching down to gently touch her cheek. “Would that I could accompany you to the fort. I have made certain that General Castillo understood you would be part of my reward for our victory.â€
Heather could see now beneath the near-perfect façade. She could see clearly how cold and unfeeling was his greed. She turned her head sharply, biting viciously at the gloved hand that fondled her. Norinton’s reactions were as sharp as his mind, and her teeth missed him by a fraction.
He stepped back, appraising the hatred in her eyes. “I almost expected as much,†he smiled, “and I am not at all disappointed. In time, your fires will cool – but hopefully never die.†He called to the Spanish Commander that he was ready. Elsilo nodded, and two of his soldiers came forward, pulling Heather to her feet.
Elsilo moved forward, stopping in clear view of his men who were now massed around the English sailors. The soldiers watched expectantly as their leader raised his arm above his head. Heather felt sudden terror rip at her heart. Norinton’s smooth voice came from behind her: “I hope, dear Heather, that you realize the revulsion I feel for this next act. This is completely the work of General Castillo.â€
She lunged forward against the iron grips of the men holding her arms, screaming out just as the commander dropped his hand. Instantly the soldiers attacked. The English were completely helpless. Heather thought that she would faint, wished that she could, but her eyes were held open with horror. Pain-filled cries rose into the air, as the sailors fell. One after another, they fell: upon the ground, and across the bodies of their companions. Pleading voices cried out for mercy. The red blood spurted, drained, and ran across the green grass. Heather was nearly blind with rage and grief. Her sobbing screams were fraught with the vilest of curses, hurled at the murderers of her people. Through the cries of the dying, she heard the voice of her cousin, Glenden, sounding much as he had years before when as a child he would run to her for comfort. Heather’s mind screamed, “Why did I let him come alongâ€. Twice he screamed out, “Heather!†And she saw him, his hands clutching at his chest, at the gashing wound that was just made. Then he fell. It was the last thing Heather saw or heard. Mercifully, the butt of Norinton’s sword struck her from behind. She fell unconscious into his arms. Looking down at her.
“I am sorry this was necessary, dear Heather,†he said, and even though she was unconscious, he kept his voice genuinely sincere, “but I do hope you will have learned to be more amenable. It is necessary for both our sakes. There has never been any doubt about the victor in the coming battle. I intend both you and I to be on the winning side.â€
Handing her back over to the two soldiers nearby. “See that no harm or injury comes to her – from her our hand or any other, “ he commanded. Turning back to the Commander, “Remember, friend Elsilo, it is General Castillo’s wish that the woman arrive before him completely unharmed.â€
Elsilo nodded silently. Norinton raised his hand; “I will see you in two months.†Elsilo made no sound or movement, he just watched the traitor walk away. Elsilo turned toward the sight of the massacre. The tortured cries had ceased. His men going over the bodies looking for anything they could take.
The commander ordered Heather be carried, as he spun around and started to head to the fort. His men followed….
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" border="0" alt="icon_wink.gif" /> who she is. The story is based in the game POTC and set in its world. Enjoy.... <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/bookish.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":mm" border="0" alt="bookish.gif" />
" border="0" alt="w00t.gif" /> Great! <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/me.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="
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" border="0" alt="dunno.gif" /> Also do not remember all the characters. The story was getting interesting but when I came back from being gone for a week it had disappeared. <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/icon_sad.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":sad" border="0" alt="icon_sad.gif" />
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