Chapter 4: The adventure begins
“Ah, there you are,” Uncle Howard said, noticing Ivan’s footsteps coming down the stairs. “I was beginning to think you’d slipped into a coma…”
Ivan said nothing, but continued his way down the steps. He could smell the aromas of a fresh breakfast infiltrating it’s way into his nostrils. Oh how he longed for a full breakfast after the dried up oat mealy dandruff he’d become so accustomed to back on the journey to the Caribbean. A few temporary residents we’re residing in other tables close by, they were probably in a similar situation as Ivan.
“So,” Howard said as Ivan took a seat on the opposite side of the table. “I heard you were taken aside by the navy.” He said as Cassandra handed him and Ivan a plate.
“Thank you,” Ivan said, ready to devour his breakfast. “Oh and Howard, it’s just a low-priority duty, that’s all.” He said, trying to make his uncle think he was just given a simple job. “I’ll be going to Tortuga to get some information, that’s all.”
“From pirates?” Howard asked, paralyzing everyone close.
“Y… Yes.” Ivan said, attracting a lot of attention from the others inside the room. “That’s the only way to get the information.” He said, not knowing what the reaction would be.
’Great, now he’ll think I’m gonna go kill myself…’ Ivan thought to himself.
“That’s…” Howard said but paused midway. “That’s great!” He said, throwing his arms up. “Look at you, you just stepped onto the island and already they’re giving you assignments.” He said, detracting attention away from themselves. “Now, how much are you getting paid?”
Ivan was about to facepalm himself when he heard Howard’s question, since Bishop hadn’t promised any reward, and since Ivan hadn’t requested any, he was afraid all he’d get would be the reputation that comes with killing a pirate. “I… didn’t catch that.” He said, worried that Howard would get equally frustrated.
“Really? For someone with your standing, I’m sure they’ll pay you more than any other soldier out there.” He said, finishing up his meal. “Anyways, when will you be leaving?” He asked, widening Ivan’s eyes.
’%&@! I better get going if I don’t want to leave Jack waiting,’ He thought, getting up from the table. “Cassandra, the food’s excellent. Howard, I don’t have time, and Peter…” He said turning his attention over towards an old man sitting at the opposite side of the room. “Lay off the rum will ya?
Ivan grabbed his coat as he headed towards the door. “The service has been great, but I’m afraid I have to go.” He said, opening the door in front of him.
“But wait, what about the…” Howard said as the door slammed behind him. “Nevermind.”
Ivan slithered his arms through the holes on his coat. It felt great while walking down a street back in England, back there almost anything could be pleasant as long as it was done right. But here, in the Caribbean, almost any middle-class citizen in Port Royal would be given a low standing back in Britan.
While walking down the street towards the dock, Ivan saw what appeared to be a gypsy outside of her cart.
‘This is the exactly what I mean.’ Ivan thought as he kept walking.
‘Gypsies walking through the streets as if it’s Paris…’
Eventually, Ivan came to the spot where he’d parted ways with Jack, now if only he’d appear.
“Ah! There you are,” He heard Jack’s unmistakably scratchy voice. “It’s about time!” He said, walking over to Ivan. “So, how do we get out of here?” He said, causing Ivan to look all around him.
“I guess we’ll have to catch a ride somehow.” Ivan said. “So… we should go look, correct?”
Jack sighed, and began looking out into the distance. “Well here’s our choices: The little fishing boat out there, the navy’s new pride and joy, or that medium sized frigate preparing to leave.” He said, pointing to each respectively.
“Hmm, I guess we’ll try our luck with that frigate over there,” Ivan said as Jack began speedwalk towards the docks.
“Well come on!” Jack said motioning Ivan to follow him.
Soon they reached the part of the dock where the frigate was preparing to sail off. It obviously wasn’t navy, the signs on the ship pointed more along the lines of a merchant vessel if anything.
“Let’s find the captain.” Jack said walking onboard as if he was the captain himself.
Making their way through the crowded deck, Jack walked over towards where he presumed the captain of the ship was. He opened a door leading to a room under the top deck*, and went over to the most important looking man sitting at his desk.
“May I help you?” The man said, looking up from a large map situated in the middle of his desk.
Before Ivan had the chance, Jack spoke up like he’d done it a million times before. “Yes, I’m Captain Jack Henson of the Royal Navy, and I was wondering where a fine ship such as this would be headed off to on such a fine day.” He said in the most polite way possible.
The captain turned over towards a man standing to the left of him. “We’ll finish this later.” he said, turning his attention back towards Jack and Ivan. “I surely hope you haven’t come to commandeer my little beauty, have you?” He said, looking intently upon Jack.
“No, we’d just would like to know where you’re headed,” Jack said. “You see, it’s so hard to find a ride these days.” He said, hoping the captain would buy into it.
“Oh, if it’s a ride you need, it’s a ride you’ll get.” The captain warmly replied. “Now then, first we’re headed off to Tortuga to drop off a few supplies, and then we’ll be venturing off to…”
“Tortuga, that’s where we’re headed.” Ivan interrupted. “Thank you, we hope we haven’t been asking too much…” Ivan said both graciously and rude at the same time.
“Good then.” The captain said, gesturing for another high ranking sailor to come closer. “By the way, you can call me Captain Richard, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” He said, rolling up the map in front of him and putting it away in one of his drawers. “Now then, Jonathan, make sure these people are treated as our esteemed guests.” He told the man whom he’d recently called for.
“Thank you Captain Richard,” Jack said, backing up towards the door to the room. “You don’t know how much this means to us.”
Jack and Ivan walked outside the captain’s quarters, and into the chaotic mess that was about to leave port.
“So, with good weather, we’ll be in Tortuga tonight I assume.” Jack said, walking towards the lower deck while accepting their escort Jonathan’s company.
“You two will be staying in this cabin.” He said, showing them a small room that looked like an officers quarters. “Our… officer’s been away recently, so you’ll be staying here from now.” He said, silently dismissing himself from the two.
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“So, what do you think of our new guests?” Richard asked the man standing next to him.
“I’ve been watching them,” The man replied. “I suggest we wait until a better chance.”
“But does the other man know?” Richard asked, confused.
“Of course he does,” The unknown man answered. “He’s the one I’m after.”
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OoOoOoOoOoOoOoH! What’s going on? Usually I don’t get into the plot so fast but… mystery.
*- Think of an accurate substitute…
Comments? Questions? Too short?