A New Lead - Part IV

[Laeli Rose]

The dreamless sleep slowly faded from Gabrielle's eyes as she unintentionally rolled onto her shoulder and hissed as it throbbed painfully. Doc Helson had bandaged both the bullet wound and her right foot, but the pieces of white cloth would not protect the open sore from anything other than infection. According to him, the saltwater had helped clean out her arm, but she was to remain in her room until she healed. Gabrielle's reaction had been less than joyful.

This is all that little brat's fault. Unable to return to sleep and forbidden to leave the room, Gabrielle's only option for entertainment was to hobble over to the porthole and stare into the ocean.

As Helson was working with the bandages, he'd informed her that they were heading to the Southern Seas in search of the murderers who had killed the original Captain Hawkins. We'll finally avenge him. Hawkeye's father had saved Gabrielle from her cousin Philip by allowing her to remain on the Sekot, and she'd never been able to repay him. Now she'd sworn to help his son destroy the men who'd ended his life. They don't have a chance.

Gabrielle wondered what it would be like to lose a father and followed her train of thought as it drifted to Anette. How had she reacted to the news of her father's murder?

[nerezza]

[Anette]

She had been 'escorted' off the ship last night and had been directed on where to go - that Hawky man had led her there but as soon as he left she sprinted along after him and taken refuge in a small hiding spot she found in the ship. She had purposely waited until they were out at sea before coming out.

She had spied around the ship all morning and had spied the blond girl in one of the room windows she peeked into. She saw a bandage on her arm, and heard the pathetic excuse for a doctor that muttering something about saltwater being the only thing to help it. She rolled her eyes before clearing an open place on the dock and she began to take out her kit of herbs and poultices. She flipped open her book and read through her recipes carefully until she stopped at the one she wanted. She read it through five times until she had it memorized then stored the book back in her bag.

She began taking out certain herbs, grinding them with a porcelain tool, adding water, bits of flower and other things the recipe had suggested. When she was done she looked at her finished work with slight pride, it was a slight tan paste and she quietly crept into the womans room, she looked a bit dazed and apparently didn't notice she was there. The girl shrugged before she walked over and untied the meager bandage surrounding the girls arm before smearing the paste over the bullet wound, she didn't even flinch at the sight - she had seen the other healer do it many a times before. She then deftly wrapped the bandage tightly around the womans arm once again with an experienced aura before instructing her, while placing the dish which held the ointment back in her bag, wrapping in in some sort of cloth,

"It should dull the pain and clean the wound, if you keep applying it daily it should be better withing a week or two."

She tossed a felt wrapped package on the womans lap containing the rest of the ointment before she turned away, she said over her shoulder,

"Don't drop it now, I don't want to waste my herbs making you another."

Then she departed, almost as quickly as she came. The other woman barely had a chance to protest or even ask how she was aboard the ship before the child disappeared from view.

This post has been edited by nerezza on Jan 18 2007, 04:23 PM

[Laeli Rose]

As the kid closed the door behind her, Gabrielle's mouth opened in shock. "Wha..." How do you go from crushing someone's foot to giving them medical advice? "Guess she doesn't think I'm a killer anymore."

Then her mind went in a different direction. Had the captain even told her about Abe? She hadn't given any sign of distress, or any emotion at all for that matter. Of all people... He should know! How could he have kept her in the dark? But then, Gabrielle was lost in these matters. She'd never had a father, certainly not one she would have any affection for, so maybe Hawkins was handling it right. But still...

Gabrielle turned her head back to the ocean, admiring the sight of the Southern Seas, and hoped the kid's ointment would heal her quickly.

[Captain Hawkins]

Captain Nicholas R. Hawkins adjusted the brim of his hat before stepping out of his cabin.
Another day....for revenge. Hawkins thought bitterly as he reflected on the events of the night before.

As Hawkins strode forward into the open he squinted against the pale blue sky that shone just like the blazing sun above. Taking a deep breath of bitter sweet air he walked towards the bow to think.
Unfortunately, someone was already there.

"Sorry Captain," Whitten said starting to leave.

Hawkins put a hand out. "No, Caldridge, stay....I need someone to tell me I'm crazy."
The old chemist chuckled and leaned back to where he was.

For a few moments the two were silent until Nicholas ran a finger down his cheek where the faded scar still remained. "I never told you how I got this, did I Whit?"

The cannoneer shook his head.

With a half chuckle Hawkins gazed out into the open sea as the Sekot glided through the smooth waters.

"It was nine years ago....before you or even Vale had joined my father.” He began. “I was still nineteen and eager for action.” Hawkeye paused with a mischievous glint in his eye. “Too eager.”

Whitten lit his pipe and offered it to Hawkins who shook his head politely and continued.

“We had just made port in the French Water front and was greeted by Abe, who believe it or not, was a commander in the French military. My father and Abe had been comrades and fought together on numerous missions and were practically brothers.”

Sighing, Hawkins ran his hand through his silken hair. “The Governor’s daughter had been kidnapped by some Spanish smugglers.”

Whitten’s jaw dropped and Nicholas laughed. “No, not the governor we met last night, but a much older gentleman who was about to retire.”

Satisfied, Whitten sat back again.

“Abe mapped out where they thought she was being held and the plans that his men had already laid out for the next day. My father suggested we strike that night, but Abe disagreed. Without argument, my father conceded.”

I was enraged, not knowing the two’s bond to each other, that my father would back down from his opinion. With stubbornness I decided I would be the hero and rescue her that right after we made port.”

Nicholas nodded. “That was the worst mistake I had ever made.”

“You’re telling me.” A voice said from behind. It was the man who had helped him back on shore.

“You were there?” Hawkeye said skeptically.

“Sure was…and enjoyed every moment of it.” He put out a hand. “John Lonair.” He said.

Hawkins shook it and nodded as the man propped himself on a barrel to listen.

Whitten held up his hand and stopped Nicholas from continuing. “What do you mean you enjoyed every moment of it?” He said with a part annoyed part confused look on his face.

The other two laughed a little before Hawkins explained. “Well, to make a long story short, the whole thing was a ruse. The Governor’s daughter had been kidnapped two months earlier, but Abe had stopped the Spanish from even leaving port.”

This only made Whitten even more baffled and probably more upset. “Then why…wh-what….Hawkins?” He sputtered.

Hawkeye only smiled. “It was a trick Caldrige. A damn good one too.” Pressing against the rail he stared back into the endless waters. “My father knew that if I kept this invincible attitude I was stupidly showing, it would wind me up dead or worse….so he arranged a set up to teach me a lesson.”

By now Whitten had caught on and started to smile himself. “So the whole operation was a ruse!” He said laughing.

The young captain only nodded solemnly. “I reached the “governor’s daughter” who actually turned out to be Abe’s wife in disguise and was greeted by a cold hard slap that even drew blood.”

Whitten and Lonair both exploded into laughter while the other crewman stopped to see what the commotion was. After it had subsided Nicholas even grinned before finishing. “Yup, I was slapped by a woman…which was even worse when my father and Abe with the rest of the crewmen came out from the bushes laughing their heads off.”

“That was the first time I met Abe….and I knew that he probably had just as good as intentions for me than my father. We’ve both had our share of fighting together and he has saved my life more than once before last night.”

Again he rubbed the faint lines of the scar he wore with pride. “That night with the ‘kidnapping’ taught me a lot of lessons….but what it taught me the most was never rush into things just on emotions.”

The other two men fell silent as they knew where he was going. “I vowed that I would kill my father’s murderers….but in the process I’ve been getting more innocent people killed. Would my father approve that?”

The old cannoneer walked towards Hawkins and clasped a hand on his captain’s shoulder. “Abe’s death was not your fault Hawkeye.” He said firmly. “Nor was Gabby’s injury.”

Hawkins shook his head. “I doubt Abe’s nine year old daughter would agree….hell she doesn’t even know her father is dead. I just hope the people we left her with will bring her the new gently.”

With that, Lonair and Caldrige left him in silence and went back to their normal duties.

French Secretary paid Captain Juan Kaufer thirty pounds of gold on November 19th…… Hawkins had read earlier. It said that the transaction took place in the Southern Sea’s where only fishermen went…

Shaking his head to clear the thoughts clustering, he headed to see how Gabby was healing…..or fuming Hawkins allowed himself a small grin.

[Laeli Rose]

Ships were rarely as exciting as one would believe, but sitting alone in her room and staring at the waves tested the girl's limited patience. "I can't handle this!" shouted Gabrielle, throwing a glass plate across the room. When the door opened and Hawkins appeared in the threshold, Gabrielle's boiling frustration bubbled over.

Then she saw the bandages over his three bullet wounds and quieted. You have nothing to be angry about. Looking back into the ocean, she simply stated, "You never gave my hat back."

[Captain Hawkins]

Relieved to see Gabby back in spirits again he gave her a grin.

"Right now Ghost is doing "the Great Gargantuan Gabby that ate all the seamen" impersonation on deck. The crew loves it. In fact, I found out the crew's spirits doubled just this morning."

Suddenly his face crinkled. "What the hell have you been cooking in here Gab?" He said sniffing. Looking at the paste on her arm he grimaced. "Better yet, what have you been drinking?" He coughed while chuckling. "Are you going to mutniy and join the natives now?"

[Laeli Rose]

"No, but I just might slaughter that little blonde brat. I thought you were dumping her off somewhere?" Though this stuff does seem to be working... "And more importantly," she said, looking back at the captain, "Why haven't you told her about her father?"

[Captain Hawkins]

Hawkins jaw dropped. "You thought we were dumping her off somewhere?" His eyes darted through the cabin as if she was in that very room. "We did 'dump' her off somewhere very safe....are you saying she got BACK on?"

He closed his eyes. This can't be happening...not when Abe entrusted her life to me...

"Ghost, get in here!" He roared.

[Laeli Rose]

Gabrielle began laughing uncontrollably as Ghost darted into the room. "First she tries her damnedest to escape us and get me killed in the process, now she's sneaking back on board. Sounds like you're losing control of your ship, Captain."

Ghost gave them both a bewildered stare then said, "What? What's happened?"

This post has been edited by Laeli Rose on Jan 18 2007, 10:18 PM

[Captain Hawkins]

He growled under his breath so Gabrielle or anyone else in the room wouldn't hear. "Abe's daughter is still on board, I want her found and not harmed."

Hawkins paused. "You may want to protect your shins." he added before stalking outside.

[nerezza]

She had been getting hungry sitting in the little nook of her hiding spot. She silently crept out, rucksack strapped to her back and set out in search of food. She had wandered over to the dining hall and saw some people fussing about to set a large banquet at the head of the table, little did she know this was the captains meal. She silently crawled under the large table before popping up and randomly searching for food, they had already set the table and wouldn't be back until the captain finished his meal. She grabbed random bits of food that appealed to her and generally messed up the lot of the food - it appeared as if someone had decided to fling food about the room.

After she had her fill she brought herself back outside when she saw Hawky exiting a cabin. She growled slightly and hid herself behind a storage crate. She remembered with bad taste that he had dragged her off somewhere, and she only landed a few small blows to the shins, she barely even nicked him. She fumbled through her bag before drawing out a small slingshot and a bag of rather sharp stones, she loaded one it and pulled back the leather strap before firing, it hit him square between the eyes and she swore she could see a small nick and a few droplets of blood drip down. She quickly reloaded, sticking her tongue out from between her teeth slightly and this time hit him just above the ear, she again reloaded and saw his eyes lock onto hers she began to run as she continued the pelt of stones at the man and managed to hit him squarely in the head each time, even from running and dodging the crew.

[Captain Hawkins]

Wiping the blood from his eyes Nicholas could only shake his head and mutter a few islander curses before accepting a cloth from Ghost who was shaking with laughter.

Sighing for what seemed to be the tenth time that day Hawkins started walking after her, trying to remember what it was like being nine. All he could remember was running to his father's arms whenever he came back from his trips.
Life back then was only a blur...forgotten and erased by the memories he had now.

How can I tame something that is fiercer than a hundred storms? He pondered.
Then...his stomache growled.

Nicholas started to grin as he finally figured it out. "Helson, go get my breakfast platter and follow me." he ordered to the Doctor. Nodding the man left and returned in five minutes with a plate overflowing with grapes, eggs, nuts, and other delicacies including a large slice of juicy ham that was still sizzling.

"And now, we make a friend." He said quietly, walking in the direction of where she scampered off to.

Finding her behind two crates, holding a large rock in her slingshot, Hawkins put on a gentler voice that he remembered his father having when he rescued him from the islands.

"I know what you are feeling right now Hawkeye...." He said with a soft smile. "And I can't tell you it will go away." Dropping down on one knee he put a hand on his son's shoulder. "But I know you will be strong enough to move forward and that someday, you will be the Captain of the Sekot...."

It had seemed like a century ago....

"Anette...I know you don't trust me right now....and you don't have to." Nicholas started, placing the food in front of her a few feet away. "But I'm not trying to hurt you or even be cruel....I just want to help you like your father helped me."

[nerezza]

She looked at the food disdainfully, she had already eating, in his supposed dining room. She stifled at laugh and wondered what his reaction would be if he saw the mess. She then raised her slingshot again and took out the last stone. She saw him watch her with an almost mournful expression on his face, she then pulled back and shot him with the pebble squarely between the eyes again. Then she spoke.

"I am not a dog nor will I be lured out for food, and besides I have already eaten from whatever banquet those cooks where setting up for, they mentioned something about a private meeting, I don't know."

She then gave them a cheeky smile before hopping onto one of the crate and scrambling up the netting until she jumped onto the cabins room, dangling her legs off the end.

[Captain Hawkins]

Ghost was at Hawkin's side. "Cap' you give the word and I'll have her thrown over board."
Caldrige was already helping him to his feet and was making offers of his own. "This will be my chance to test my new chemicals! Flammable or non!"

Nicholas drew his pistol and fired it into the air. As silence echoed through the deck, the soft sound of the lapping water crashing against the Sekot's hull and the flapping of the sails were the noise that dared to answer his call.

"Gentlemen....when you were commisioned by my father....when you were commissioned by me." He seethed. "You swore to put honor above everything!"
The only response was the continued silence.

"Now, when it comes to the daughter of Abe Fischer who died giving his life up for me....you have the gall to make comments of injuring his only treasure?" Hawkins roared swinging his smoking gun for all to see.

Staring at the girl who glared contemptously at him, Nicholas shook his head. "I would rather die at the hands of this girl....'my little pearl' as Abe once described her...."

His men stared at their feet, shifting uncomfortably.

"Ghost." Hawkins said, bringing his full command voice back.

"Yes, Sir." He immediatly saluted.

"Find Miss Fischer a guest room. When she is ready, you will escort her there on her...free....will." He bit out the last part.

Saluting again Ghost nodded and departed as the rest of the crew began to go about their normal duties.

Looking at the girl Hawkins sighed. He would probably never earn anything, not even trust from that girl....but a promise was a promise....especially to someone as honorable as Abe Fischer.

[Laeli Rose]

(Since sailing takes forever anyway, I'm skipping ahead to the next day.)

The next day, Gabrielle remained a prisoner of her own injuries, restless energy building up inside her and all too ready to explode. That's it! Doctor's orders or not, Gabrielle was escaping to the deck. The kid's medicine was working wonders on the bullet wound, and her foot was only a minor injury. Certainly not worth all this. She hobbled her way across the room and up the stairs and noticed Captain Hawkins speaking with Ghost at the stern.

Thanking the heavens for the lack of obstacles, Gabrielled turned toward the bow and noticed three of the lower sailors laughing hysterically. One of them sported an extremely familiar hat. She limped over quietly and listened in on the jokes. After hearing enough mentions of "Gargantuan Gabby," she whipped out one of her daggers and threw it forcefully at the group. The dagger flew through the air, pierced her hat, and pulled it off the sailor's head before pinning it to the wall of the captain's cabin.

The group of sailors turned around in horror and turned white at the sight of the smirking boatswain. "What were saying again?"

"N-nothing Lawrence."
"Sorry, Miss Lawrence, real sorry!"
"Won't happen again!"

Rolling her eyes in apparent apathy, but secretly enjoying their expressions, Gabrielle barked, "Just get back to work." After the three men dispersed, Gabrielle retrieved her dagger and her hat.

She gathered her long blonde hair on top of her head, hiding it underneath the hat, and limped to the edge of the ship where she took a seat. The air smelled of salt and the water sprayed over the edge as the wind blew the ship across the sea. This was all I needed, all I ever needed.