Jack Farmer of Nashorn

Chapter #1

Jack stood beneath a large oak tree that had already lost many of its leaves. It was on the edge of a group of trees that formed a cluster at the center of a small park. The park had a great view that over looked the harbor in the town of Hetzler, but Jack was more interested in watching the street on the opposite side of the park.

He pulled the worn hood of his thread bare cape a little tighter around his face, as leaned a little closer to the tree. Soaked and shivering, he tried to hide from worst of the wind driven rain that chilled him to the bone. The fall storm had raged since late the afternoon before and Jack was afraid that the tempest might have slowed him down so much that he might have missed his target.

But as he trudged into one of the side city gates, he asked around if anyone had seen the regal purple carriage that he was chasing. And much to his relief he soon learned that the heavy rains last night had caused a small land slide that had delayed the traffic on the main highway and that no one had entered the main city gate since late last night. Even in his soaking wet and dismal condition, his spirits rose that there was still a chance to avenge himself on the whelp in the purple carriage.

Jack then set about finding where the rich scion of a Baron may get an appropriate room to weather out what remained of this storm. He found out that there were only two such Inn’s in the entire city that would meet a Royal’s standards. Luckily for Jack, both were on the same street, one on each side of the small park where he now stood, waiting and watching, and hoping.

In Jack’s world, there were only four kinds of people most were like Jack and they were poor. They are the down-trodden workers, who are treated no better than beasts of burden. A small step above his station stood the servants, those who served the rich for a stipend, pretending to be better than the poor but equally manipulated. High above, standing on the backs of the poor and on the shoulders of the servants overlooked the rich. The worst were those arrogant Royals, who ruled through some archaic ancient status. But equally disgusting are the thieving merchants who abused the poor, taking their last coins and dooming them to a never ending cycle of sweat, hunger and pain.

A harsh gust of wind cause Jack to turn and look out over the harbor, he watched the waves frothing white as they rolled toward the rocky shore line. The harbor was full of ships that bobbed at anchor. Jack wondered if any of them held the last kind of person in Jacks life, the pirates.

The rare breed of common man who threw off the yoke of oppression and took back from the rich what they had stolen from the poor. For years Jack had dreamed of turning the tables on the

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Baron and his ilk. Now, Jack was going to take back a small measure of the pride that his family had lost. The straw that finally broke his back was when the Baron had his family evicted from the hovel that they called home, all for handful of copper coins that his father could not afford to pay.

His anger brought back the vision of yesterday morning when the Sherriff and his band of deputies had forced his family from their home. As they shoved and pushed his family out of their dismal hut, a hideously ugly purple carriage appeared in a cloud of dust stopping directly in front of his father. And out of it stepped the youngest son of Baron Lamphieer, the Master Charles. Completely ignoring his family and the thugs pushing them around, he walked over to the Sherriff and demanded, “Do they have the payment?”

“Not nearly half of what is due, they claim this is all they have” the Sherriff replied holding out a small bag of copper coins and bowing his head while averting his eyes from arrogant noble.

Reaching down the Master Charles snatched the bag of coins and opened the bag of hard earned coins, balancing the bag in one hand and guessing the weight, “Then kick them out, search through their scraps and take anything of value,” he said with a frown. “I have wasted enough time on this damn riff-raff; a new tenant will be here shortly.” He turned tucking the bag of coins into his belt, as he climbed back into the carriage, he leaned forward speaking at the driver, “Let’s go Neville, there is a storm brewing and I want to make it to Hetzler before I get wet.”

And with that the carriage started back down the lane at a brisk pace and nearly ran down an old man who was pulling a cart up the lane. He survived only by running himself into the ditch aside the lane. After the carriage passed the man righted the cart and pulled it up the hut where the Sherriff and his crew where still sorting through his family’s meager belongings. He produced a scrap of paper and handed it to the Sherriff who took a moment to read it asking, “So you are Smith?”

“Yes Sir, I am called Smith” the old man replied

“Then this dump will be yours.” he replied pointing at the hut that just moments before was Jack’s home.

Turning toward Jack and his family, the old man removed his hat and held it ringing it in his hands, “I am sorry that this has happened to you, do you have a place to go?”

Snickering broke out among the thugs as the Sherriff laughed, “Don’t worry about this garbage, they were just leaving.”

The old man silently mouthed, ‘come back if you need to,’ with a wink to Jack’s mother.

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Charice smiled in return and gave him a slight nod of thanks, then turned her head up to the afternoon sky, then back to her husband, “Come John, we need to get a move on if we want to make it to Aunt Sophia’s before this rain starts.

The Family collected the scraps of their former lives now scattered across on the side of the lane. It only took a few minutes to collect the scraps and the family started the trek to Aunt Sophia’s that would take several hours. Jacks family trudged off in the same direction that Master Charles carriage had left minutes before, as Jack walked his temper grew, and when the family turned down a side lane to head towards his Aunts home, Jack anger finally reaching its breaking point.

He made the decision that his family had suffered enough at the hands of the Family Lamphieer and it was time that someone else suffered along with them. He ran down the main road in hot pursuit of Master Charles carriage. Jack knew many a short cut through the woods and across the fields were Master Charles carriage would never travel. If he ran hard and fast he just might beat the Master Charles to Hetzler.

The rain started much earlier than Jack had imagined, and he trudged through the mist and rain all night long. And the worse he felt, the madder he got, the madder he got the faster he moved. It was this series of tragic events that brought him to his present situation; standing is a howling rain and shivering hoping and waiting.

Another shiver ran down the length of his back that shook him from his daydreaming. He stomped his feet trying to get a little feeling back into his legs and feet. Cupping his hands he breathed into his hands to warm his fingers. It was then that he first heard the beat of hoofs on the distant cobble stone road. Peering around the tree he squinted into the stinging rain, at first he saw nothing but the hoof beats grew louder and louder when he finally saw it, turning the corner was that damned purple carriage.

Cupping his hands he placed them over his eyes, and he watched the purple carriage drive past the first Inn and pull to a halt in front of the second Inn, the one with a trio of golden lions as its moniker

Jack saw the Master Charles step from the carriage, and he looked like he was just as wet as Jack was, as he quickly ran into the Inn at the far side of the park. Jacks heart leap, he wasn’t too late, and soon it would be that spoiled rotten brat who would be paying for his arrogance.

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Chapter #2

As Jack trudged across the park, he knew that even if he had his pockets full of gold Farthings, he would never be able to just walk into the front door of the Lion’s Pride Inn, not the way he was dressed. So when he reached the street, he turned to his left and started to walk away from the Inn, the Master Charles was going nowhere in this storm. A flash of lightning streaked across the sky, brightening the dismal late morning sky and was followed by a clap of thunder that rattled the shutters one the buildings next to him.

Turning right and going down the first alley Jack came across he headed toward a spot much more appropriate to his station in life. A couple hundred feet down the first alley Jack came across an alley that branched out both to his right and left. He took another right he walk down the muddy alley until he found a gate on which was carver a trio of standing lions. This would be the stables for the Lions Pride Inn, and for its guests.

On a day like today there should be no shortage of work, now that the main highway was now open many a traveler would be in need of having their horses dried, brushed, and their tack cleaned. Taking a deep breath Jack raised the level and pushed open the gate just enough to slip inside. He was about to close the gate when from behind him a loud booming voice announced, “Hold on, open that Gate!”

Jack turned and saw a slightly overweight and very drenched merchant riding a horse and pulling two more behind him. Jack followed his direction and opened the gate wide enough to allow the man and horses into the Inn’s back yard. Jack quickly closed the gate as the last horse entered and when he turned around the merchant had already climbed from his horse and handed all three reigns to Jack, “Take good care of them, they have been standing in the rain for hours.”

Jack stood there dumb founded as he took the reins, “Um, sir…sir?”

The merchant had already turned and was starting toward the inn, and then quickly turned around saying, “Oh, yes…McCleary’s Mercantile.” And without a further thought the tired merchant turned and quickly shuffled toward the back of the Inn, no doubt desperate to get out of the rain himself.

Jack chuckled, shaking his head and smiled, thinking to himself, ‘This will be a much better way of introducing myself, rather than begging for shelter.’ Jack lead the animals to the door at the front of the stable and call out, “Hello in the Stable,” as he slide open the gate.

As the gate opened, Jack looked inside and saw an older man dressed not much better than he was. He was standing huddled over a brazier full with glowing embers. Looking up the old man questioned, “Can I help you?”

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Stepping forward out of the rain and toward the warmth of the brazier Jack answered politely, “I believe that these belong to you?” Jack then held out the reins and offered them to the older man.

Walking over to Jack the old man took the reins and asked, “And what makes a twig like you think these animals belong to me?”

“A merchant who is staying at the Inn handed these to me as I opened the gate,” Jack replied thinking that honesty was called for at the moment.

“Hmm, so what were you doing opening the gate?” the old man inquired.

“To be honest,” lowering his head, “I was looking to trade some manual labor for a place to get out of this storm.”

The old man shook his head, “Follow me then,” as he led the horses to a large coral at the rear of the stall in the stable. Opening the coral gate he led in the horses and then turned to face the young drenched waif and asked, “So young man, what is your name?”

“Sir, my name is Jack.” He replied looking down at the puddle that was starting to grow around his feet.

“And tell my Jack, what do you know about horses?” the old man inquired as he walked back toward the brazier.

“Umm, my family was never able to afford a horse,” Jack replied, the pain in his voice was easy to hear. “But I do know how to care for cows and goats.”

“Come over here Jack” the old man waved him toward the brazier. “This may just be your lucky day,” the old man said extending his hand. ”As it happens young Jack, I do need help, and you are hired.”

Jack stepped forward a shook the man extended hand, “Thank you sir.” Standing next to the brazier Jack could feel the warmth through his wet clothes. It was the first time in the last day that he could remember actually being warm.

“Well to start with young Jack, my name is Layden and not sir,” the old man replied. “And if you can care for a cow, then you can muck a stall for a horse as well. As long as you work hard, and listen then there will have a warm place to lay your head, and a meal after all the guests are finished, sound good to you?.”

“Yes Sir!” Jack exclaimed, then quickly corrected once he saw the old man’s face frown. “Sorry Mr. Layden.”

“You keep those manners in mind when the guests are around and you will go far.” Mr. Layden reminded him a lot of his father, especially in the slow and measured way he talked.

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Jack was just about to ask what he could do when an unseen bell range several times.

Mr. Layden looked up saying, “That bell means someone is at the back gate, go open it up and if it is someone dropping off a mount, bring it in just like you did and put them at the coral at the end of the stable.”

“No Problem Mr. Layden” Jack replied as he headed back out into the storm, this time knowing that he would have a warm place to sleep and maybe even something in his stomach later that night. Smiling for the first time in days he turned and headed back out into the storm

“Hey Jack” Layden called out from behind him.

Jack turned to face the old man and in the nick of time he reached out and catches an object that was hurtling toward his head. Looking into his hand, he saw what he had caught was a little green apple.

“You looked hungry,” Layden replied with a smile that crossed his face. “Eat that on your way.”

Jack replied with a simple and heartfelt, “Thank you.” That simple act of kindness started Jack to thinking that the act of revenge that he was planning may just be the wrong course to take. He did start down this path in the heat of the moment.

As he pushed the gate open, he was reminded of a bit of advice his father once taught him, “Be honest, and do your best and the fates will reward your hard efforts.” As he walked out in the storm toward the back gate, he took several large bites out of the apple savoring the sour juice as it run down his throat.

As he approached the gate he heard someone pounding on the wooden gate. Thinking the gate lock was jammed or frozen, Jack took a close look at the lever, but everything appeared to be in working order. Placing the apple in his mouth and using both hands he easily pulled open gates latch. Jack grabbed a hold of the gate latch and then swung it open.

Standing in the rain was a soaked merchant, his portly frame shivering in the cold, his face flushed red with anger, “About Damn time you answered the bell.” He growled. Shoving the reigns of the horse he was riding into Jack hands, muttering, “Old man Schiebel doesn’t whip his surfs nearly often enough.” He stomped the ground and shouldering past Jack hitting him hard enough to jar the apple out of his mouth and as he angrily stomped through the rain toward the back of Inn.

Jack did not say a thing he just looked down at the apple lying in the mud. And any thought of giving up his chase for vengeance vanished as his anger rose back up to the surface.

The horse that he was holding shook her head and her main and tossed water onto Jack’s face. He turned and patted the mare on the neck, “Let’s get you out of the rain sweetheart.” Walking

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the horse back into the stable Jack led her to the coral in back as the words of his mother rang in his ears, ‘Never trust a royal or the rich, they are only in it for themselves.’

Over the course of the afternoon, Jack was kept very busy by Mr. Layden. Together they mucked the stalls and laid in fresh straw and hay. Jack learned how to properly brush a horse and learned how to clean tack and how to rub in oils to make the leather last longer. Jack also got his fill of green apples; Layden had a stock pile of them that he readily shared, both with Jack and with the horses.

It well after dark as Jack and Layden were standing over the brazier keeping warm when a small child entered the stables though a small side door. The little child walked up next to, almost behind Mr. Layden and tugged at his at his pants leg, “Supper is ready in the kitchen.”

Mr. Layden looked down at the little child, “Suzie, say hello to Mr. Jack.” He reached down and patted the little girl on the head.

She peered around Leyden’s’ leg and gave a little wave and said, “Hi Mr. Jack.”

Jack gave a wave back and said, “Good evening Suzie.”

Bending down Mr. Layden cupped the little girl’s face in his hands, “Thank you Suzie, now go tell your mommy we will be there in just a minute.” The little girl hugged Layden and then ran back out the door.

Layden looked up and pointed toward a heavy cast iron cover for the brazier that was lying in a corner, “Give me a hand with that Jack, and we can go get dinner.”

The two of them lifted the heavy cover by sliding a sturdy oaken pole trough a pair of loops on the top of the cover and then set the cover over the brazier. Sliding out the pole Layden set it next to the door. Turning to Jack, “Come on lad, wait to you taste my princesses cooking.”

With that he turned and headed toward the door, once through the door he jogged through the rain to the small door on the side of the Inn, as Jack followed. He knocked twice on the door and then let himself in and he held the door open so that Jack could follow.

Stepping inside Jack found himself standing in a small alcove that led to the kitchen. Layden had already taken off his cap and was hanging it up beside the door. Jack followed his lead and did the same thing. The little girl was sitting at a small table and called out, “Sit here grampa.”

Layden immediately walked over and sat in the chair next to Suzie, and waved for Jack to sit opposite him. Jack followed and sat and looked at the table, there where settings for four people and on each plate was a steaming bowl of stew.

Layden hushed the little girl and said, “Allow me to make some introductions;” pointing to the little girl, “You have already met my little angel Suzie”.

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“Hi Mr. Jack” she replied.

Layden pointed toward the young woman who was busy removing something from ovens, “And that is my daughter Jenny.”

Jenny walked over to the table and she was carrying a small loaf of very fresh bread, placing the loaf on the table she quickly took her seat.

Jack said, “Nice to meet you Jenny.” And he extended his hand.

Jenny replied, “Nice to meet you Mr. Jack.” and she took his hand. Much to Jacks surprise she did not let go. What she did do was to reach across the table and joined hands with her daughter who reached over at took Layden by the hand. Jack instinctively reached across the table and joined hands with Layden as Jenny said grace.

The meal passed like a dream, the flavor was outstanding as was the company, Layden and his family did their very best to make Jack feel at home. After the meal Jenny sent Suzy off to bed and Laden and Jack retired to the Stables.

Layden stretched out a pair of hammocks that would hang on either side of the still warm brazier. Layden feed a shovel full of coal into the ambers and climbed in the hammock. Layden fell asleep almost immediately but no matter how hard Jack tried to sleep, his dreams where haunted by the events of the last two days

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Chapter #3

The crowing of a rooster in the back yard of the Inn signaled the beginning of a new day. Rubbing his eyes Jack could see that Layden was either already up or was amazingly fast at getting dressed. “Alright Young man, let’s get up and at them,” he said as the stoked a small shovel of coal into the embers that still glowed in the brazier.

Jack swiftly rolled out of the hammock and balancing on one leg at a time he managed to get both of his boots on. Reaching up he removed the hammock rings from the hooks in the ceiling, “Where do I put this at?”

Pointing to the corner where Layden had his barrel of little green apples, “There is a hook in there right next to mine. While you are there get a small bag full of apples.”

Jack went to the corner and hung the hammock where he was told and took a look outside through a small window. The storm that had raged for the last day and a half still held on, but in a lesser form of a lingering rain. It was a steely gray sky that hung very low. The clouds seemed to tumble across the sky as the winds whipped and lashed the shore from the sea.

Layden called to Jack, “Time to get to work,” and without waiting for a response he headed toward the back of the stables.

Jack grabbed a small bag with a shoulder strap and filled it full of the little green apples and followed Layden to the back of the stables.

Layden turned to Jack, pitch fork in hand and explained, “Here is how this works, you stand outside the stall, over there away from the gate. Hold up an apple, the horse will naturally come to you. Feed him one apple and pet him one the head and neck, that will give me time to muck the nights manure.

Why are we bribing the horses with treats to clean their stalls?” Jack asked.

“Many of these horses are treated very poorly,” Layden said with a sad look on his face. “The ones that have been beaten have a natural distrust of men and I am too old to get kicked by a skittish horse.

Jack replied, “I think I understand,” As he walked to the far side of the first stall and removed an apple from his bag. Putting it in his cupped hand he held it out the animal in the stall, slowly the horse came to Jack. The horse took a tentative sniff of the apple and gently took it from his hand; Jack reached up petting the big animal on the neck, “Good Boy, good boy”

Layden was in and out of the stall in just a few seconds, he put the pitchfork on top of a wheel barrow and patted Jack on the back saying, “Why yes, she is a good girl.”

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The process was repeated a dozen times before the two of them had cleaned up the mess from the night before. Layden then turned to Jack pointing at a pair of pails. “Take those to the well in the back yard, and refill all the water pails in the stalls.”

Jack made several trips back and forth and on the last trip he heard a very familiar voice, it was Master Charles. The wining voice was coming from the top floor of the inn. Jack could not make out the content of the conversation, but the Master Charles was screaming and throwing a tantrum at someone.

Jack returned to his chores, with a smile on his face, there was certain comfort that warmed his soul in knowing that he knew were the Master Charles was and that the spoiled brat had not escaped his revenge

After finishing the watering Layden and Jack had down time and were huddling over the brazier staying warm then the side door opened again and Suzie came in, “Mommy says it is breakfast time.”

“Great, go tell her we will be right in,” Layden told her, turning to Jack, “Let’s go wash up and get some breakfast while it’s hot.”

The two went to a side room and washed with lye soap and burned like when Jacks mom took a strap to his back side.

Sitting down at the table in the same seats as last night, the food was some of the best Jack had ever tasted. The biscuits were so light and fluffy, and the butter was so sweet and freshly churned, the honey hit the spot. The chunks of ham were salty and sweet and juicy. For just a moment all the cares of his world had disappeared.

And then he heard the Master Charles in the room next door yelling at someone, “What do you mean breakfast is over! First you won’t serve it in my room, and then you make me get dressed to come down here and now you tell me it is over, do you know who I am?”

Jenny immediately stood and collected the best of the uneaten food, picking it off of the serving plate as well as Suzie’s plate and arraigned it on her plate. She then turned to Suzie, “Honey, quickly, go take this to you daddy, and remember to not look at the mad man and courtesy when you hand it over.”

The little girl brushed the front of her dress with her hands and disappeared through a door behind her grandfather’s back with the majority of their breakfast in hand.

As the little girl disappeared, Layden pushed his plate over to Suzy’s place; Jack understood that whatever was one their plates was all the food that there would be for breakfast. Following his lead, Jack pushed his plate over in front of Jenny, since she had nothing yet, she started to object, “I can’t take that, you are our guest.”

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Jack replied, “I insist, I already had a biscuit and some ham, and you have been too kind to me already.”

Jenny looked down at the food, and said a very simple, “Thank you, and bless you.” And she was about to take her first bite, they all heard Master Charles yelling in the other room, “And you offer me table scrapes, how dare you!” was followed by a crash. “I refuse to be insulted and treated like some…some commoner!”

Moments later Suzie burst through the door running back into the kitchen with tears streaming down her face. Her hair and dress was covered in the remains of their breakfast along with smudges on honey and butter. Running straight for her mom’s arms she said sobbing, “I looked at the mean lord and he slapped the plate out of my hands, I’m sorry.”

Jenny hugged her and smoother her hair, “its okay sweetie, its okay, and the mean royal will be gone later today.” Releasing the sobbing child Jenny picked up the corner of her apron and wiped the smudge of honey off her babies cheek, “Now let’s go get you changed into some clean clothes,” and she lead Suzie off through a side door.

Jack sat there watching the injustice of the moment, and his rage toward Master Charles built to a boiling point. Standing up, he moved toward the door fists clenched only to be stopped by Layden who said, “Stop Jack, it is not worth it, he’s not worth it.”

“Did you just see your granddaughter?” Jack growled between clenched teeth, his eyes red with anger.

“Yes I did young man,” the old man replied his voice calm and gentle yet the grip on Jacks arms was still firm and tight. “That young dandy will be gone from our lives in but a few hours, never to be seen again. He will never return and even if he did, Mr. Schiebel would never have him back at this Inn.”

“But he can’t just get away with acting like this,” Jack struggled to get past the old man.

“Jack think, just think for a minute, what would happen if I let storm out there and hit him?” Layden asked.

“He would be picking his pretty teeth up off the floor for starters.” Jack replied. Starting to calm down, he stopped struggling against Layden's grip.

“And what would happen to you?” he asked.

“I don’t know, why? Jack questioned.

‘Because the best you could hope for is a long stay in the dungeon,” Layden explained. “I do not know who this Royal is but my guess is that if you loosened his teeth, he would have your back filleted. Since Hetzler is a sea side city, there is a fondness for the lash around here.

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“Okay, I understand.” Jack replied

“No Jack, I don’t think you do.” Layden replied. “Once they take you away in chains, what will happen to us?

“I don’t know?” Jack replied quietly,

“I’ll tell you,” Layden answered with a very fearful look on his face. “Old man Schiebel will have no choice but to clean house, we will be kicked out and be put on the streets in this storm.”

The sudden realization that Jack was not in this alone finally struck him. His actions could cause harm to this wonderful family that had been so kind to him had finally taken him out of this rage, but he knew that he would have to do something and soon.

“Okay then, let’s get back to work,” Jack suggested turning toward the door that lead to the Inn’s back yard.

Layden followed Jack out into the rain and back to the stable. Once inside he said, “We need to take the manure down to Smithy’s; he collects it and sells it to the local farmers.”

Layden led Jack to the tool shed where they got a pair of pitch forks. They then transferred all the muck into a four-wheeled cart that they could wheel down the back alleys of Hetzler. Once the cart was loaded they left directly to go to Smithy’s.

Layden expertly navigated the back alleys as if he had a map on the back of his hand. Jack was quite lost after just a few minutes. After about fifteen minutes they arrived at a nondescript gate that was marked with a single red rose. Jack could not help but laugh at the thought of one of his mother’s favorite descriptions of Master Charles, ‘He is so full of himself that he thinks his shit smells like roses.’

As Jack stood snickering at his own inside joke, Layden opened the gate so Jack could push the cart into the yard. The yard itself was divided up into storage pens that where about ten feet on each side and then about three feet deep. Some were empty while the other were filled to various levels. Layden pointed Jack toward one about half way into the yard and they emptied the cart into the pen full of refuse and excrement

Layden and Jack walked back from Smitty’s in near silence, when they turned into the wind the smell of the cart blew in their faces caused Jack to cough and gag. By the time they returned they were both men were soaked through and through. As they returned to the Lion’s Pride Inn Layden told Jack to put away the tools away while he put away the muck cart.

Jack walked back outside to the tool shed, opened the doors and placed in the pitch forks. It was then that he heard Master Charles having another tantrum up stairs.

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“What do you mean they say they are full, I don’t care,” came the whining voice from up high above the back yard.

Jack shook his head and started to close the shed doors when he saw in back, a pick handle. The three foot long oak handle was straight and strong, and so very common no one could every tie this weapon to Layden and his family.

Jack realized that this may be his one and only chance, to avenge his family on the scion who caused so much pain. Picking up the handle he tucked it under his cape and headed across the yard toward the kitchen door.

Slowly opening the door he peeked inside the alcove, he silently stepped inside and quietly closed the door, Peering into the kitchen he saw that Jenny’s back was facing him as she was busy doing something over by the stoves. Jack slid out of the alcove into the kitchen and headed straight for the door behind the table. He made his way stealthily across the kitchen and stepped through the door way, leaving the door cracked slightly open and stepped into the Inn’s deserted dining room.

A small fire was still glowing in a central hearth, the embers cast an eerie glow across the deserted room, and Jack clung to the shadows on the far wall. As he crept toward the Inn’s lobby, his eyes scanned the layout of any details that would help him get upstairs. From his hiding spot in the dining room he could see part of the Inn’s elaborate front door and several chairs in the lobby. Based on the actions of the people that he could see in the lobby, he guessed that the registration desk was to the left of the door way he was looking out of.

He paused for a few seconds trying to listen to what was going on in the Lobby. He heard muted several conversations, but none that helped him determine where the stairs where. Then he heard the sound of someone rushing down a set of stairs. Appearing from the right side of the door way rushed a short frumpy man. He was dashing for the Inn’s front door when he turned to say something that Jack could not hear.

Jack thought that he recognized him as one of the Master Charles retainers. He was a weasel of a lackey who always seemed to be at the brat’s beck and call. Any time that the Master Charles needed something nasty or dirty done, he was always a willing to do anything that was asked of him.

Jack realized that the stairs up where on the right of the lobby just out of sight, and he would only have one chance and he would have to move fast. Suddenly Jack was startled by the opening of the door behind him. He quickly shrank even deeper into the shadows and he held his breath. Walking through the door was little Suzie, she was walking, almost skipping down the middle of the room.

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It was pretty clear to Jack that the episode this morning did not affect her cheerful disposition on life. She skipped right past him singing a little song about goodies and she carrying a basket of what Jack thought could only be the sweetest baked goods that he had ever smelled.

As she entered the lobby, she went out of his view to the left and almost at once all the occupants in the lobby also started to move into the direction that she disappeared. ‘This is my chance,’ Jack thought to himself and he made his move toward the unseen stairs in the lobby.

Entering the lobby he turned to his right quickly scanning for the stairs, and they were right where he thought they should be. Climbing the stairs as quietly and quickly as possible about half way up he cast a quick glance around the lobby, everyone was crowded around little Suzie who was handing out what looked like fresh baked cookies and scones.

Jack made the second floor and was still unnoticed, so he let the pick handle fall loose from his cape and got a good grip on the handle. Turning and climbing to the third floor Jack slowed his climb half way up the stairs and started to listen again, hoping to catch the sound of Master Charles sniveling again.

As Jack reached the top of the stairs but he heard nothing. Cursing his luck, his best guess was that the Master Charles room was somewhere off to the left of the stairs and on the right side of the hallway. Turning the corner and much to his relief, the second door down the left hallway had a pair of traveling trunks one on side of the door.

Sliding up to the door, he carefully stepped between the trunks and pressed his ear to the door and heard the Master Charles muttering something inside. Taking a deep breath he steeled himself toward the act of revenge he was about to commit, standing straight and tall he knocked firmly on the door, and then grabbed the pick handle firmly with both hands and readied himself.

The door swung opened wide and another one of the Master Charles’s retainers stood in the doorway and demanded, “What is it?” The man said before he even looked out the door just in time to see the pick handle being swung at his stomach. “Oooofffh” was all he got out as Jack swung the oaken handle with all his strength. The man folded over in half blocking the door. Jack pulled the handle out of his stomach and with a short choppy swing Jack hit the man squarely across the back and he crumpled to the floor in a heap.

Jack stepped over the body and into the ante room and raised the pick handle over his shoulder in a very threatening manner, ready to swing at any one who would try to stop him. Scanning the room he saw the Master Charles walk out of a bedroom, his eyes open wide with shock. “Who are you?” he stammered as he tried to pull a jewel encrusted dagger from his belt. Backing away from Jack he tried to pull the dagger out of his belt, but it refused to budge. He called out again, “who are you? Get out!”

14

Jack laughed a wicked laugh as he stepped into the bedroom, relishing the fear in the Master Charles eyes. The trembling royal kept backing away as he pulled at the dagger in his belt. Finally the terrified man pulled the dagger from its sheath.

Jack chuckled out loud at seeing the rusty blade that probably had not seen the light of day in several years. “You don’t recognize me Master Charles?” Jack inquired as he raised the oaken handle and threatened him again. The Master Charles shut his eyes and backed away going even further into the bedroom. Jack followed the retreating scared man child until he backed him into the wall aside the bed.

The Master Charles held the dagger out in front of him, the point waving wildly as he trembled in fear, “No I have no idea who you are, why are you doing this to me. Don’t you know who I am?”

Laughing again Jack pulled back his club and swung it slightly forward; the Master Charles closed his eyes and jumped back flush against the wall, nearly falling as he stumbled against the bed. He quickly regained his feet and was again holding his dagger in front of him.

Jack again faked a swing, and again Master Charles closed his eyes and held the dagger straight in front of him. Jack saw this as an opportunity and swung as hard as he could, not for Master Charles, but aiming for the dagger itself.

As the club struck the metal blade there was a dull thud, followed quickly by a very high pitched scream from Master Charles as he grabbed his hand and started to whimper. Just after he let out his first whimper a twang sang out in the room as the dagger buried itself in the wall far out of his reach.

Holding his wrist, with tears running down his cheeks, “What did I ever do to you?”

Jack was doing his best to keep his anger in check when he replied, “I have been chasing you thought this storm for two days.” Remembering the warning that Layden had given him that morning, Jack decided to start to spin a tale to protect the family. “I was watching from the park when I say your lackey run down the block, so I knew where to find you.”

“But I have not done anything to you,” the Master Charles stammered unable to back up any further he started to kneel down.

“Oh, yes you did, just two day ago when…” There was a sudden flash of light, brighter than the noon day sun in August and then everything went pitch black.

15

Chapter #4

From the outside, the fighting sloop ‘Revenge’ was rigged to look just like any number of ordinary rundown trading vessels that could have come from any of a dozen countries or principalities. But on the inside of the Revenge, hidden from view, hide the majority of Jack’s crew of armed pirates. The cannons although loaded and primed to fire, they were camouflaged with fake barrels, boxes and containers. The ‘Revenge’ was ready to deal with any police force or even one of the Duke naval ships a long as it was smaller than a frigate.

Jack turned to his first mate, whose face he could barely see in the growing dusk, “Okay Pierre it looks like the locals bought our disguise, lower the shore boat and have Fezzik and Inigo row me into town”

“Okay Captain,” Pierre replied as he turned and walked away in order to comply with Jack’s wishes.

Jack then returned to his cabin, changing into a set of grungy clothes, very similar to the same clothes he wore a decade earlier when he was first drug down to this port and tossed into a prison ship. Now he was back, and unlike the last time he entered this city as a freeman, this time he would have to sneak into the city as a wanted man.

Tucking his pistol into his belt and securing a throwing knife into the small of his back and a second one between his shoulder blades. The shabby cloak that he put on next completed his disguise, except that the cape was actually very well-tailored, being especially designed to hide Jack’s face as well as to allowed access to all his weapons, should he need them.

Climbing back up onto the deck, he walked over to Pierre who stood next to a pair buccaneers who were dressed in similar nondescript shabby clothing just like Jack. Walking up he slapped the smaller of the two on the arm, “Ready for a short row in the growing gloom?”

Inigo pointed toward the railing that led to the boat bobbing in the water next to the ship, “your chariot awaits my captain.”

Jack turned to the taller larger pirate saying, “After you Fezzik,” Jack bowed at the waist and elegantly waived an arm toward the ladder.

“How generous,” Fezzik replied as the giant of a man headed toward the ladder, He easily stepped over the railing and he started climb down the ladder, stopping just short of the boat, looking up he commented, “How sporting of you to let me go first.”

Jack and indigo were both leaning over the railing watching Fezzik climbing into the shore boat. The huge man almost tipped over the boat two or three times before settling into the center of the boat. Looking up he said, “Thank you both for all the help.”

16

Jack and Inigo looked at each other and both shrugged their shoulders in unison and smiled, then turn back to look down at Fezzik when Jack said, “No need for all of us to get wet in case you flipped the boat.”

Inigo smiled shaking his head in agreement, “Very smart, no wonder why he is the Captain.” Bowing he turned to Jack, “After you my Captain?”

“Oh No, after you Inigo,” Jack replied, “I insist.”

“Well, as long as you insist,” Inigo replied. With a bow and a flourish and he gracefully leapt over the railing and quickly descended the ladder and took a spot at the tiller of the boat.

Jack started over the railing and climbed into the bow of the boat. Taking a boarding pike from the bottom of the boat he pushed the front of the boat away from the side of the ‘Revenge’. Once the boat cleared the hull, Fezzik placed both oars in the rowlocks, he bent forward and dipped the oars into the bay and pulled with all his might saying, “Hang on, we are off.”

The boat fairly leapt across the calm surface of the water and in seconds they had cleared the side of the Revenge. Fezzik started to hum a little tune to help keep pace with the rowing. After a few moments Jack turned to Inigo saying, “Head over for that old pier to the south.”

“As you order my Captain,” Inigo replied steering the shore boat to a dilapidated looking dock. With a concerned look on his face, he spoke to Jack. “You know, Fezzik and I can run this errand for you. After all, the crown has placed a 500 Florien bounty on your head.”

Laughing Jack replied, “So you think you could hide Fezzik, while you walked through a city you have never been to?”

“I was thinking more of myself,” Inigo corrected.

“No, I know that you are more than capable of running this errand for me,” Jack replied, with a faraway look in his eyes. “There are two very good reasons why I must do this on my own, and you must wait for my return.”

Inigo shook his head in understanding and waited for Jack to elaborate.

“Firstly, this is a matter of honor. In all my days’ only one family taken me in and cared for me like family member and never asked anything in return.”

“Being a Spaniard, I understand the value of honor.” Inigo answered softly.

“You don’t have to be a Spaniard,” Fezzik added pausing to pull on the oars, “to understand honor.”

Fezzik took a breath during his back stroke and he paused at his oars to ask a question, “But what is the second reason?”

17

“My friend, the second reason is the one that is the one most dear to my heart,” Jack replied as he scanned the wharfs ahead. Turning to face the two pirates he said, “Should I get caught, I expect you two to rescue me.”

Fezzik smiled and turned behind him to look Inigo who was at the tiller behind him, “You are right, he is really smart.”

Inigo smiled replying, “And that is why he is our Captain.”

“Quiet now you too, we are almost there,” Jack interjected. He was always calmed by the running banter between his two friends.

Rather than simply pulling the boat up to the dock that stood aside the pier that Jack had chosen, Inigo piloted the boat under the pier and pulled up on the opposite side of the dock hiding the boat in the shadows under the pier.

Turning to face his companions Jack whispered, “I should be back in just over an hour.” Standing Jack grabbed an old cane fishing pole and a string of three previously caught fish and climbed on the dock. He paused for a moment to regain his land legs then turned and he flashed a thumbs up sign to his friends.

“I don’t mean to interrupt your well thought out plan Captain,” Inigo said as he held up a finger in question, “But how will we know if you are captured?”

“Two ways my friends, firstly I will raise such a ruckus, that if you are awake, you will hear me.”

Inigo questioned, “And the second?”

Pointing down the wharf he pointed toward a dark ominous looking dark stone building, “That is the city jail and home of the city guard. On a normal night it will be quiet and dark like it is now. If I get caught, you will see them bringing me in. If I am being chased, you will see the jail spring to life.” And without waiting for another question, Jack turned and walked away into the darkness.

Reaching the ladder at the end of the dock, Jack climbed up to until he was standing on the pier. Adjusting his costume, he tossed the fish over one shoulder and the pole over the other, trying to look like a poor man who was just coming from a fishing trip. Slowly, staying in the shadows he headed down the pier toward the city.

Jack had not been back to the city of Hetzler for a decade, not since he left after chasing and catching the Master Charles. Yet the news of the death of Mr. Schiebel had reached him across the waves, and he knew what he had to do.

18

His only hope of finding the Lions Pride Inn and the family he sought was to find the park where he once hid, and overlooked the harbor. Scanning the darkened city-scape, he sought a dark spot with no lights. It was rather easy to spot for its lack of window lights and street lights. Now all he had to do was to dodge ever citizen, freeman and serf who knew that there was a bounty on his head.

Walking the length of the pier was the easiest part of tonight’s expedition. After dark, the only people who would be out at this time of night would be the very poor, the criminal on the prowls or the city guards on patrol. As he reached the end of the pier, there was a single lit brazier and below it was a wanted poser, pausing to look, he was shocked to see it was his.

Stopping now to take a better look at the poster, the first thing that stood out was that the Crown had raised his bounty to a thousand gold florins, smiling to himself he thought, ’I have worked mighty hard to earn that bounty.’

Examining the picture it really was a pretty close rendition; the hair was close to the way he usually kept it except it was parted on the wrong side. His eyes were a little too close together and set back to look meaner than he was, but it was close enough to be dangerous. The picture showed him as being clean shaven and now he sported about a 10 day growth to hide he face.

A deep voice came from directly behind him, “What are you doing down here?” it demanded in a very official way.

Jack let his head drop; he had broken his first rule, ‘Always keep moving.’ Now some buffoon of a city guard had caught him admiring his own wanted poster, this could turn ugly. Jack slowly turned and held up his string of fish and replied in a soft squeaky voice, “I fell asleep while I was down on the dock fishing.”

“Ha, that was not what it looked like to me just now,” the guard replied.

Keeping his head hung down as low as possible, “I was reading the poster, and dreaming what I could do with a reward like that.” Hoping that a little honesty wrapped around a lie would save him some trouble.

The guard had a truncheon in his hand and pointed it at Jack’s chest, “The chance of a poor serf like you catching the Dread Pirate Jack are less than slim and none.” Putting the truncheon under Jack’s chin he raised it up so that he could look Jack in the eyes, “This is not a safe place for someone like you, now move along before something terrible happens to you.”

Jack could see by the look in the guard’s eyes that he could be as much trouble as the wharf side thugs, “Yes Sergeant, I will be moving right along.” Jack then turned and scurried off toward what he remembered as the seedier part of town.

19

After going a block down the harbor he was about to turn a corner when he stopped to check to see where the guard had gone. ‘Damn’ he muttered under his breath, the guard was still staring at the wanted poster. Just as Jack had turned to check up on the guard, the guard had suddenly realized what he had just done and looked up to see the dread pirate looking back at him from a block away.

“You, stop!” the guard hollered, drawing his saber he started to run full tilt toward Jack.

Jack quickly turned the corner and started to run up the block at full speed. Reaching the end of the block and standing under another lit brazier stood another of the city guard. Jack ran up to him fishing pole in one hand and string of fish in the other, “Sir, Sir, there is a brawl going on just a block over, a city guard was taking on 3 thugs!” Jack lied in a very exciting voice

The guard bought the lie hook line and sinker and immediately asked, “Where?” as he drew his short sword.

Pointing down the block the way he had just come, “One block down and just over by the pier!” Jack exclaimed.

The guard dashed off directly in the direction that Jack had pointed him in. Jack walked over to the edge of the braziers light and placed down the fishing pole just within the lights pool. Jack then tossed the string of fish as far up the side street as he could. His disguise discarded, he skirted around the pool of light and briskly walked up the street toward his destination.

The second city guard reached to corner and slowed listening to the sound of running feet heading toward him. Instinctively he stepped toward the middle of the light pool, and readied his sword and when the running man turned the corner called out, “Halt” and brought up his blade to the ready.

The first guard lurched around the corner sword at the ready, expecting an ambush so when he saw a body with a sword in hand he instinctively swung at the figure. With a sharp clang as steel met steel the swords met and the second guard easily parried the hasty blow. “Sergeant Jobi, it’s me Yellin,” the second guard exclaimed as the sergeant draw back his sword to strike again.

Lowering his sword the sergeant bellowed, “Where is he!”

“Where is who, Sir?” Yellin asked, not sure who or what the sergeant was talking about.

“The pirate I was chasing, damn you!”

”I saw no pirate sir, just an old serf with a fishing pole.” Yellin tried to explain.

“That’s him you idiot,” the sergeant growled slapping Yellin on the side of his head. “Where did you see him…Take me there, now!”

20

“This way sir,” Yellin replied as ran back to the corner, keeping his sword in hand. Stopping under the brazier Yellin told his tale, “I was coming down from this way,” pointing up the side street with his sword.

“Look,” he exclaimed, still pointing into the darkness. Running over to the edge of the braziers light, he picked up the old cane fishing pole.

The sergeant lit a torch off the brazier and walked over to where Yellin stood. He held the torch high above his head standing next to Yellin who was still holding the fishing pole.

Yellin moved forward a few more steps then waved the sergeant forward as he bent over to pick up something in the darkness. “Look, his string of fish,” he said pointing his sword up the side street again “I bet he went this way!”

The sergeant shook his head in agreement, “I think your right Yellin, I will follow him, but you need to go back to the barracks and sound the alarm. And I will follow his trail up toward the Government Hill.”

“Yes Sir, “Yellin said, “but who are you chasing?”

“Tell the Captain that it’s the dread Pirate Jack damn you,” he snarled as he headed off up the side street torch held high overhead.

Yellin stood there stunned for a moment before he shook his head and turned top head back toward the harbor and the barracks.

Sergeant Jobi smiled as he walked, thinking about how he would spend his part of the reward, as he headed off into the darkness and gloom, tracking his phantom pirate in the wrong direction.

Fezzik and Inigo where quietly sitting in the shore boat when the city jail started to come to life. First there was several minutes of clanking and banging, then braziers where lit over the main entrance. Several minutes later the doors of the bastion opened and one squad after another started to file out of the jail and head into the city.

“Looks like our Captain has stirred up his hornets’ nest,” Inigo commented

“I do have that sinking feeling deep in my chest,” replied the giant of a man. “Our Captain may need our help sooner rather than later,” still smiling, the giant of a man relishing the idea of saving his Captain.

Shaking his head at his friends both fiendish and infectious grin Inigo replied, “We will have to keep our eyes peeled to see it they will catch him, “trying to remain serious.

21

“If they catch him,” the giant commented “the odds of rescue will be slim.”

“No more rhymes now, I mean it,” the smaller man pleaded, “This is serious.”

“Okay, but are you sure you don’t want a peanut?” Fezzik smiled in return

“Arrrggghhh,” Inigo replied shaking his head.

At that same time, Jack was at the back gate of the Lion’s Pride Inn. Even after a decade the ornate symbols on the gate looked brand new. Reaching down Jack pressed the handle and the gate opened smoothly and quietly just as he remembered.

Stepping into the back yard of the Inn, Jack quietly strode through the shadows to the stables door. Reaching down he opened the door and entered peering into the dimly lit interior, it looked identical to the way Jack remembered. A single hammock hung aside of a glowing brazier and in it lay a gently snoring man.

Walking over he laid a hand on the shoulder of the sleeping man, “Layden?”

The snoring immediately stopped, he blinked and asked, “Who are you?”

“It’s me, Jack Farmer, you took me in out of a storm years ago.” Jack replied in not much more than a whisper.

“Oh, I remember you Jack,” Layden whispered. “But what brings you here at this time of night?” he asked sitting up on the side of his hammock, “And it’s not even raining outside/”

“I heard what happened to Old Man Schiebel and to your son in law.” Jack answered.

“Yes, a terrible tragedy,” Layden said his head hung low. “Poor Suzy cried for three days straight,” there was a pain in the old man’s voice that cut the night air.

“I only heard ten days ago and I came as fast as my ship would carry me,” Jack replied. “I have something for you and your family,” Jack reached into his belt and removed a pair of heavy pouches handing then to Layden.

“And what is this,” Layden asked taking the pouches and shifting them from hand to hand. Noting that both were very heavy for their size and both pouches jingled.

“There are a hundred gold doubloons in each pouch,” Jack answered. “That should easily buy your freedom and it should set up your family for life.”

“Two hundred gold doubloons,” Layden shook his head, “Inconceivable.”

22

“You and your family took me in when I was at my lowest point,” Jack answered. “It was something that I have never forgotten. And when I heard what happened to your family, I had to do something.”

“Bless you Jack, Bless you,” Layden said, “Is there anything I can do for you?”

“Yes there is,” Jack replied a sudden idea springing into his head. Can I borrow your muck cart, a shepherd’s hook and a small lantern?

“The cart in in the back, but it is full,” Layden answered apologetically. “I only take it to Smitty’s every couple days.”

“That is even better,” Jack said with an ear to ear smile.

Ten minutes later, Jack was standing in the alley bidding Layden a farewell, the tears streaming down his cheeks. “You be careful Jack,” the old man said.

“Not a problem Layden,” Jack replied as he pushed the cart full of manure down the alley. The shepherds hook stuck in the middle of the stinking mass of refuse and hay. The lantern boldly shining a globe of light around the cart and swaying back and worth as Jack pushed it down the alley.

Smiling to himself, Jack thought, ‘How better to hide than in plain sight.’ Twice during his travel back to the harbor he was passed by the city guards who let him pass without question.

About three blocks from the harbor a patrol approached with drawn swords. They ordered Jack to halt, which he complied, counting heads Jack figured the squad outnumbered him eight or nine to one. Fighting was not an option so he played along.

The squad surrounded the cart, checking underneath and then stabbing at the refuse in the cart. Incorrectly assuming that the man they looked for would be trying to hide underneath the refuse, or hiding under the cart, rather than pushing it in plain sight. Finding no one, they allowed Jack continued past.

Jack decided that this was close enough, ‘one should never press one’s luck too far’ he thought to himself. Scanning the harbor he guessed that he was half way between the city jail and the pier where he had left Inigo and Fezzik.

Jack eased the cart into the middle of the street, opposite an alley that he hoped would lead him the block over to the pier. Taking the lantern off the hook he smashed it into the pile of refuse in the cart. The straw that was mixed with the refuse immediately burst into a conflagration, the flames leaping into the night sky.

23

Jack then pushed the flaming cart down the road toward the harbor below. He only watched long enough to see the cart careening wildly downhill zig zaging wildly down the road. He turned and quickly disappeared into the alley at a full run.

Fezzik was the first to see the strange light appear pointing toward the jail, “Look.”

Inigo turned in time to see the flaming cart crash against brazier on the edge of the wharf sending flaming debris into both the harbor and scattering it onto the boardwalk.

“Get this boat out from underneath this pier and keep it station at the end of the dock,” Inigo said to Fezzik as he leapt onto the dock. “I believe that that was the Captains signal.”

The giant replied as he slide the oars back into the rowlocks, “A pretty big signal flare, and not very subtle.”

“When was the last time our Captain ever did anything small?” Inigo answered but turned before Fezzik could come up with a sarcastic reply.

The city guards came running from all directions to see the burning wreck. Most simply rushed past the pier, Inigo noted as he crept closer and closer to the end of the pier. He had crept up the piers edge and climbed on top of a large crate near the end of the pier just outside of the light pool of the brazier on the piers end and waited.

Soon two guards and a sergeant stopped underneath the brazier. “Yellin, you are in charge! Remember, no one passes, do you understand me, no one? The sergeant growled as he headed toward the growing conflagration a block away.

Yellin stammered out a tentative, “yes sir,” toward the back of the sergeant who was bellowing orders to the guards watching the fire. Soon the Sergeant had teams on men scraping, kicking and throwing the burning refuse into the harbor

A few moments later, a hooded figure approached the pier hands tucked into an old cap, and both guards drew their swords, and Yellin ordered, “HALT!” in a meek voice that trembled just a little.

Jack slowly stepped into the light, withdrew both his hands from his pockets, with a dagger in each hand, He looked at the guard Yellin and smiled a wicked smile.

“You have me, two on one,” Jack started as he let out a little chuckle. “But you now have a problem, which of you has the courage to capture the Dread Pirate Jack.”

The two guards looked at one another and then looked at Jack, but neither said a word/

A smile crossed his lips and he let out a small chuckle. “Come on who is, or both at once?” Jack taunted. “I have plans for this evening, so let’s hurry up.”

24

Both city guards stood silent and trembling in shock, their swords now shaking and wavering worse than before as they looked at each other.

Jack dropped his guard and placed his hands on his hips, “Come on now, I really don’t have all night.” Jack stopped to scratch his chin making a humming sound, “I have it, let me guess…you two are waiting for more help to arrive?”

Both of the guards stood silently and looked at each other and then back at Jack.

Jack caught movement on top of the box behind the guards and saw Inigo stand. “Think of it this way, if you wait, you share drops from 500 gold florins a piece to something a lot less.”

The guards held their position, the thought of riches running through their minds.

It was the chance the Inigo was waiting for, looking down he guessed the distance to the guards to be about seven feet and then another five feet to Jack. Stepping to the back of the crate he took a deep breath and ran launching himself over the guards.

Preforming a back flip he softly landed on his feet in-between the guard and the fire, separating them from and reinforcements. He landed rapier drawn making small circles in the guards face.

“Excellent use of the Capo Ferro my friend,” Jack commented,

Inigo smiled saying, “I had debated using Bonetti’s Defense, but thought it would be a waste on these two.”

Both guard stood mouths agape completely out of their elements, and their swords started to drop.

Jack turned to Inigo and asked, “Is Fezzik ready?”

“He should be by now sir,”

“Then let’s be done with these fools,” Jack answered casting a sideways glance at Inigo. He then looked Yellin straight in the eyes, and softly said “Now!”

Both Jack and Inigo lunged at the guards. Both guards dropped their swords and ran screaming running down the wharf away from the pirates and the flames.

“To the end of the dock Captain,” Inigo said, “before someone with a bit more courage shows up.”

Together the two men ran down the pier to the ladder. Jack stopped short, bowed at the waist saying, “After you Inigo.”

25

The Spaniard cast him a quizzical look responding, “No Captain, after you, and this time I insist”

Smiling Jack descended the ladder followed quickly by Inigo. Once on the dock they ran to its end. Backed up to the dock, as promised was Fezzik waiting in the middle of the shore boat both oars ready and in the water.

Both men climbed aboard and before either had taken a seat Fezzik was straining at the oars. In a matter of minutes the boat was secured beside the ‘Revenge’. Pierre was at the railing directing the recovery of the shore boat, and the crew was preparing in the dark to set sail.

Jack turned to Inigo, “Thank you my friend, for a moment there I thought I would have to fight my way out.”

“Think nothing of it my Captain” he replied, “It would not have been honorable to let them fight you, especially since they outnumbered you.”

Turning to the giant Jack said, “And you Fezzik, I ask so much of you and you never turn me down or complain.” Jack slapped him on the arm.

“Aw shucks, sir,” and he punched Jack back in the arm. The punch was enough to launch Jack off his feet. As he landed Jack was blinded by a flash of light that was followed by a searing pain in the back of his head.

He tried to reach for his head, but neither of his arms would move they felt like they were made of lead. Jack next tried to move his legs, but all he could manage was wiggling his feet, ‘at least that was a start’ he thought to himself.

Squinting through one eye Jack started to see something other than flashes of blinding white, but he still could not make out any shapes so he closed his eyes.

His ears were ringing but Jack strained to listen to voices that he could not yet see. The only words he could make out clearly were Captain, guard, and attack. The strain of trying to listen was causing the pain in his head to throb even worse.

Taking a deep breath, Jack forced open his one eye and slowly the world started to come into focus. He could make out a wall and a bed and someone standing by a door way. The man standing guard heard Jack struggling behind him, and he called out, “He is walking up Captain.”

Jack strained to open his eye further and tried to focus as two more men walked into the room. The first was a tall man, who worn an ornate uniform, and by the way he walked he looked like a man who radiated an aura of authority. He turned to the guard saying “Thank you Smithe, please leave us for a moment.” The guard snapped off a crisp salute and left the room.

26

The second man who waddled in was the direct opposite of the man in the uniform. He was a weasel of a man who lived under the protection of someone, or everyone else, damn but it was the Master Charles.

The man in uniform asked, “Is this the man who attacked you?”

“Yes he is, I believe he is one of my father’s serfs,” came the Masters whinny voice.

In a rush it all came back to Jack, it had been a dream, and now his real nightmare was about to begin…

27

Chapter #5

Jack’s senses returned to him in a flash as the man in uniform asked, “Is this the man who attacked you?”

“Yes he is,” came the Masters whinny voice. ”I think he is one of my father’s serfs,”

Looking around the room Jack tried to see if anything had changed. The dagger was once again back in the Master Charles belt. Straining to remember, he thought the Master Charles was in different clothes than earlier. He smiled to himself he thought, ‘bet he made a heck of a mess in his other trousers.’

The Master turned to the man in uniform, “Captain, I want the man hung for assaulting me.”

“Master Charles, from the knot on that man’s head and the condition I found him in all trussed up like a wayward cow, it looks like your men assaulted him,” casually pointing a finger in Jack’s general direction.

“Do you doubt my word Captain?” the Master Charles whimpered, with his eyes wide open in disbelief. From the look of astonishment and the lack of color in his face it easy for Jack to tell that he was not used to being doubted.

“Master Charles, I only believe the evidence that I how I earned my rank and position.” The Captain of the Guard stated. “What I see is a man who was unconscious, beaten, and bloody and you don’t even have a bruise.”

He walked behind Jack, and deftly pulled a dagger from his belt, he made a casual swing and the blade neatly sliced through the ropes that bound Jack’s arms.

Jack shoulders immediately fell forward and he started to rub some life back into his arms, “Thank you sir,” he managed in a soft voice.

The Captain moved back around to face Jack sheathing his blade saying, “You can thank me by telling me the truth. If you lie to me or even if I think you’re lying to me, I will be forced to turn you over to the Master Charles wishes.”

“I think I understand sir,” Jack replied, still groggy from what ever happened to him.

“Son, I surely hope that you do,” and the Captain pointed at the sweating pasty faced trembling fat man. “If you lie to me, you will be dancing from the end of a rope.” The Captain paused for a second to let the comment sink in, “Just for the entertainment of the Master Charles.

Jack swallowed hard at the realization that he was in real deep trouble. Looking past the man in the uniform he saw the Master Charles with a wicked grin on his face, he was wringing his hands

28

in anticipation the same way is brother would before digging into Christmas dinner. Shaking his head up and down he waited for the Captain to continue.

The captain pulled up a chair and sat down on it backwards, so that the he could place his arms on the chair back. He removed his elegant chapeau, complete with ostrich feathers and tossed it on the bed at his side. Taking his hands, he whipped his face and eyes and let out a deep breath and fixed his steely blue eyes on Jack. Jack could almost feel those eyes, boring into his soul, “Let’s start with something simple like, who are you?”

Jack swallowed hard again, looking at the man who was questioning him. His blonde hair was cut short in a fashion that was not common among the poor or the rich. The short hair was cut to reveal and extenuate several very nasty scars. He bore these scars like badges of honor to attest to the number of fights that he had survived. Jack could see that his nose had been broken at least once and guessed that it had been lots more than that.

Even under the dress uniform that he wore Jack could tell that he was not a man to be trifled with. He was wide at the shoulder and narrow at the hip. But it was his hands that really set him apart. The knuckles were calloused and scared. His fingers reminded Jack of beefy sausages; no doubt they could crush walnuts with ease. He asked again in a soft voice, “Come on young man, what is your name?”

“I am called Jack,” he replied in a trembling voice, “Jack Farmer of Nashorn.”

“AH HA!” the Master Charles exclaimed, “He does belong to me.” He said as he stepped forward toward Jack with an accusing finger leading his advance.

Jack could see the Captain’s eyes roll to the back of his head just before he stood up. In a flash he stood up and spun to interpose himself between Jack and the advancing royal. He slapped down the Master Charles arm and in a voice that was more of a primal growl than a request, “Sire, you will leave this room, and you will leave now.”

The Master Charles stood there eyes wide open in shock, his arms hanging limply by his sides, “I…I…um...I”

“Sire, what you were just about to say was that you were leaving,” the Captains words were much more than a request. “Smithe,” the Captain loudly called out, and a second later the door to the room opened and a lager city guard stepped in and saluted. “Please escort the Master Charles into the other room,” the Captain started, “and make sure we don’t have any more interruptions, understand?”

“Yes Sir, I understand,” Officer Smithe replied placing his hand on the hilt to his sword, and shook his head in understanding. “Master Charles, please step this way, sire.”

29

The grin on the guards face scared the Master Charles more than the Captain’s growl; he was certain that the lowborn brute would relish the chance to follow the Captains orders to the letter and with a ‘harrumph’ he stomped out of the room.

As the door closed behind his guard the Captain sat back down and looked Jack in eyes again. “Tell me your tale, Jack of Nashorn, what has brought you here to my city?” he asked.

Over the next twenty minutes, Jack explained to the Captain in detail the events of the past several days. He started out with detailing the shame of being evicted from their hovel, and the indignation of having his family’s belongings rummaged through on the side of the road and kicked around by the band of thugs who worked for Master Charles.

Jack explained that he had overheard that the Master Charles was boarding a ship here in Hetzler and how he followed him here through the night as the storm raged. Jack described the incident this morning with poor little Susy that set off his anger, but left off the involvement of Layden and Jessica. By the end of Jacks tale even a hardened warrior like the Captain was shaking his head in agreement.

Standing up the Captain retrieved his hat from the bed, “Jack, I believe you have been treated wrongly by Master Charles, but you have also committed a crime and I can’t let that go unpunished.”

Jack shook his head but said nothing, he was still tied at the ankles and legs to the chair and knew that neither escape nor resistance would get him anything but another beating, so he was resigned himself to await whatever fate was in store for him.

The captain called out, “Smithe, bring the Master Charles back in.”

A moment later the guard opened the door and allowed in by a pair of the Captain’s guards, the Master Charles, and two of retainers. The room quickly became crowded and the Captain stepped behind Jack. He reached down and cut loose the rest of the bonds that held him to the chair.

“Are you taking him to the city gallows?” the Master Charles demanded, feeling more confident with a crowd surrounding him.

“No sire, I am not,” the Captain said with a smile crossing his face. “The only crime that he committed here in the City of Hetzler does not warrant that degree of punishment.”

A look of shock crossed the Master Charles face, not only had this ruffian of a guard not only threaten him earlier but was now defying his orders. “Fine, then put him in Irons and I will take care of his punishment myself.” The sweating royal ordered, his face flushing with frustration.

“Sire, I am sorry but I can’t allow that either,” the Captain replied very as a matter of fact. “I already know what you plan on doing, and I will not be party to a murder.” The Captain replied

30

in a calm voice, to Jack it was as if he was very accustomed to dealing with petty royals with bad attitudes.

“He belongs to me, he is my surf.” the Master Charles spat out, pointing a finger at the Captain of the guard, “what right do you have to deny him to me?” he demanded.

Casually shaking his finger the Captain replied, “First of all sire, he is not your property, he technically belongs to your father the Baron of Nashorn, not to you.”

“I demand that you turn him over to me?” the Master Charles pressed, stamping his foot like an angry four year old child.

Laughing out loud the Captain replied, “I believe that we have come to an impasse Master Charles.”

The Master Charles stood there, fist clenched and shaking in both anger and fear.

Casually scratching his clean shaven chin the Captain replied, "As I see it, you have only two options.”

“And those are?” the Master Charles demanded, placing his hands on his hands on his hips.

“You could demand that I have young Jack placed in irons and turn him over to you.” Pausing for just a moment, allowing the Master Charles to raise his hopes and think he was getting his way.

“But then I would also have to file an official report with the Duke, as well as send a copy of my findings and concerns to your Father, this serf’s rightful owner,” he said pointing at Jack, “and I would also then launch a formal inquiry as to young Jack’s welfare.

“You wouldn’t...” the Master Charles blurted out, before he caught his tongue.

“Now Sire, it is my job, my duty, to serve and protect,” the Captain replied with the wicked smile spreading across his face, “and not only would I, but I have.” Pushing his hat back on his head so he could show off a particularly nasty scar, “This one I earned serving on the Duke’s body guard during the Rock River Campaign, we go way back.”

“Th, Th that’s blackmail!” the Master Charles stammered.

Walking over to the trembling royal the Captain bent over and whispered softly in his ear, “Call it what you like you cowardly little shit. If I was you I would listen very carefully to my next offer, it will be the only one you get.”

Standing back to his full height, he stepped back and said, “The way I see it, you have two options. I can jail young Jack here on the charge of assault he admitted to and wait for a letter from your father giving you custody of Jack.”

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The mere mention of an official documentation made the Master Charles cringe with fear and he started to break out in a sweat.

“Or, since Jack has admitted to being from Nashorn and he is technically your family’s property. I did some research and you are due to sail, weather permitting on the morrow on board the Dolphine.” Judging by the way the Master Charles squirmed, the Captains information was correct.

“I have known Captain Dolby for many years.” The Captain seemed to enjoy watching the royal squirm. ”I will have Jack safely delivered to the ships brig and give written orders to Captain Dolby to release Jack into your custody once you have reached the capital.”

“Why...why...why,” the Master Charles stammered, his face turning red and his entire body shaking.

“Why, yes,” the Captain answered. “Excellent choice, Mister Charles,” he deliberately chose not to address him by his royal and proper title. “I will have all the arrangements taken care of so you can leave as you intended, Smithe here will escort you downstairs.”

The guard grinned from ear-to ear as he turned toward Master Charles and his group of cronies, “This way gentleman.” And he hurriedly pushed the lackeys in front of him, closing the door as they left.

The Captain turned back to addressed Jack, “This was the best I could do, given your situation. I may have only postponed the Master Charles anger at you, but I think I can arrange with Captain Dolby to give you a fighting chance at whatever destination you are headed for.”

Jack shook his head in understanding, “Thank you Captain, I don’t know how to repay you?”

“You don’t need to thank me,” the Captain replied. “Just next time you are in Hetzler, try not to cause any trouble.”

“Yes sir,” Jack replied

“Can you walk yet?’ the Captain asked.

“I think so,” Jack replied shifting his weight from leg to leg checking his balance.

“Good,” the Captain replied. He turned, snapped his fingers and motioned the remaining guard to come over.

The guard walked up to Jack and quickly produced a length of chain and a pair of iron gauntlets for his wrists.

“Jack, these are for show, so we can get you safely on board the Dolphine,” the Captain instructed as he placed the gauntlets on Jacks wrists, while the guard wrapped the chain twice

32

around his waist and then threaded the chain through loops on each of the gauntlet. The rig was finished off by the metallic click of a padlock behind Jacks back.

Patting Jack on the shoulder, the Captain reassured him. “Stan here will take you to the Dolphine, and will stay on board until I get done with the snit down stairs.”

“Thank you for everything Captain,” Jack said in a soft voice.

“Don’t thank me yet,” the Captain replied, “But you are welcome, believe it or not, I once stood in your place a long time ago.”

“You once wore chains?” Jack asked.

“Yes Jack, I once stood in chains before a royal who saw more in me than I did,” the Captain replied. “How else does a serf get to be on the Dukes body guard?”

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

An hour later under a low overcast sky that still dripped and drizzled, Jack crossed on to the deck of the biggest ship he had ever seen and the first he had ever stepped foot on. The city guard Stan was in deep conversation with a man that Jack assumed was Captain Dolby.

Once the discussion was over the city guard removed the chains and gauntlets, then the man that Jack assumed was the ship’s captain had two of the sailors take him down a small ladder.

The sailors led him into the bowels of the ship, and eventually through a very solid looking door and into a small room that had a pair of cells.

Without any ceremony and with no words, the sailors pushed Jack into one of the cells and loudly clanged shut the cell door.

The sound of the turning keys fill the small room with loud clanking sounds. Then still in silence they turned and left the way they came and hung the keys at the end of the long room before slamming shut an oaken door.

“Shhhhh,” came a gruff voice from the cell next to where Jack stood. “Do you think that you could have bad much more noise?”

“Sorry,” Jack replied, “I did not have that much to say about it.” Jack slowly turned round in a complete circle and inspected his new home.

The cell was maybe three feet wide by six feet long and was bare of furnishing except for a chamber pot kicked over into the corner and hanging from a hook was a hammock and a thread bare piece of cloth that at one time passed for a blanket.

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Sitting up on his hammock, Jack’s new neighbor let out a loud belch that echoed though the small room. He ran his fingers through his greasy un-kept hair and stood. He let out a yawn and a low growl all while passing gas. He then walked over to the far corner of his cell, bending over he removed the lid to his chamber pot and relieved himself as he let out an, “Ahhhhhh”.

Bend over he replaced the lid, wiped his hands on the front of his pants and walked over to the cell wall stopping just short of the bars, He placed his hand on his hips and took a cold long look at Jack. Scanning him from head to toe before deciding to comment, “Name is Leon, and you are?”

“Jack, Jack Farmer,” he replied extending his hand, up to the bars. The man opposite him was of about average height, not very muscular but had eyes seemed to catch every motion and movement. He did not reach out to shake Jack’s hand, but instead finished his examination of Jack before he finally asked, “What are you here for?”

“I’d like to say it was a simple misunderstanding,” Jack started not sure what he should tell a stranger like Leon. “But my temper got the better of me.”

Laughing out loud Leon commented, “It would appear that we both suffered from a bad temper…otherwise we both wouldn’t be here,” waived his arms in a sweeping motion around the cell, “to enjoy such esteemed accommodations.”

Jack smiled at Leon’s comment; the man opposite his was obviously not a serf. To be honest the cell was in better condition that the room he shared with his brother just a week ago, The hammock was far from comfortable than his old straw mat, it was also much cleaner and dry. This cell was one of the better places that he had stayed during his short seventeen years.

The man in the cell next to him seemed to have taken an interest in him so Jack decided to find out a bit more about him, “So, what has brought you here to the Dolphine Inn?” Jack asked.

“The Dolphine?” Leon inquired tilting his head to one side, scratching his chin in deep thought.

“The Captain of the Guard told me,” Jack answered innocently, “that I would be transferred to the Dolphine.”

“So you have met the esteemed Captain of the Guard?” Leon inquired.

“Yes, he seemed like a pretty decent man,” Jack added, knowing that if he had made his failed attempt on the Master Charles back in Nashorn, his lifeless body would have long been rotting in a road side ditch.

“How did you meet him?” Leon pressed.

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“You could say that I am here by his personal invitation,” Jack replied, trying to be as coy as Leon. But before Leon could press he asked again, “And how did you end up here sharing my company?”

Leon squirmed a little bit before replying being beaten at his own game and by a teenager, “Just a wee little bout of shore leave.”

“Shore leave you say?”

“Yes, shore leave, my wayward pup,” Leon repeated. “You could say that I got a little under the weather, when I filled my boots a little too full. I couldn't walk back to my ship and here I am.”

“Hmmmm,” a smile spreading across his face as Jack replied, “Have you seen a doctor about your ailment?” Faking a gasp, “please tell me you are not contagious?” Covering his face with his hand and taking a step back away from the bars separating them.

“Not quite that bad, you cheeky youngin” Leon replied, “as long as you don’t get bite by the same ole dog that got me.”

The oaken door opened and in stepped the Captain of the Guard and a well-dressed sailor. Stopping at the door taking a position on either side of the door stood an immense sailor and an equally huge city guard.

The Captain of the Guard walked over to Jack and Leon as he addressed the well-dressed sailor, “This is the serf that belongs to one of your passengers.” Reaching into his uniform jacket, the Captain removed a folded piece of paper and handed it over to the Sailor. “Captain Dolby, here are my orders to keep young Jack safe and out of the hands of the Master Charles.”

Reading the orders he was handed, “Captain McCoy, these orders are only valid in the Dukes lands, once we leave, I have no legal right to withhold him, from his legal lord.”

“How many years have we known each other Dolby?” Captain McCoy gave him a look that only two old friends could share, “I trust you to do the right thing,”

Captain Dolby simply replied to his friend, “Understood Mac”. He then gave Jack a complete head to toe examination as he tucked the papers into his vest pocket. He motioned with his finger for Jack to come closer, “One word of advice to you my young lion, next time you try to kill a man, don’t hesitate, the world rarely offers you a second chance.”

Leon who had been standing in his cell is silence, “The Captain is right Jack, if you are going to take a man’s life, just be done with it.”

Captain McCoy then reached into the other side of his uniform jacket and removed a second document and handed it over to Captain Dolby. “And here are the orders for Leon,”

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The sailor spent a minute reading the orders before commenting, “Transporting him to the capital, for a simple drunk and disorderly charge?” Captain Dolby commented.

Leon commented, “I am just a simple sailor, it was a minor misunderstanding, honest it was.”

“Ha, ha, an honest mistake?” laughed the Captain of the City Guard, “A simple sailor does not beat six of my guards, much less cripple two of them in a minor misunderstanding, all while under the influence.”

“I can’t be held accountable for the fact you can’t hire better guards,” Leon replied smiling.

“So he is a tough guy?” Captain Dolby said to his friend, before turning to look Leon in the eye. “Try that crap on this ship and you will be scrubbing the barnacles from her keel with your back.”

Leon smile and replied, “Now who is being the tough guy?”

Captain Dolby ignored the comment and he then turned back to face the Captain of the City guard, “So what’s his real story?”

“Let’s just say that I have a feeling about him,” Captain McCoy started. ”I have papers from the capital that describe a wanted pirate that fits his general description. So, since he would be my guest for the brawl he started, I figure he can spend most of that time on a trip to the Capitol to see if he is who the papers claim he is.”

“So that is why you are sending two of your guards on vacation?

“They will be happy to help keep an eye on both of your guests,” Captain McCoy replied. “Call it a gut feeling or intuition, but I don’t trust either the Master Charles or Leon.”

The two men turned and walked past the two men standing guard at the doorway and as soon they room left the room there was a heavy thud as the brig door slammed shut. This time there was a metallic click that signaled that the door was locked.

“Attempted murder and on a royal none the less,” Leon commented as he went to lay back into his hammock, “you do have a temper my young friend,”

Jack removed his hammock and strung it in his cell before replying, “We all have our moments my piratical friend.” And he climbed in to his hammock, to wait whatever the fates had in store for him next.

“Rest well young pup,” Leon commented, “As my grandma told me, it is a wicked wind that blows a storm off the sea and on to dry land.”

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Chapter #6

Jack lay in his hammock staring at the deck above him, he had completely lost track of time. All he knew was that it was after breakfast and the sun was still up. There were just a couple shafts of light that leaked through the deck only told him that it was daylight outside.

He and Leon had talked on and off for the first day, and on occasion the second day, but by the third day the differences between their age and backgrounds provided little in common for them to share. Mostly they complained about the food and the guards, but after three days even that conversation had lapsed. As Jack laid there, swaying gently with the rocking of the Dolphine he heard a jingling at the door. A few seconds later the door opened and the two city guards entered.

The shorter of the guards walked with a distinct limp while the bigger of the guards stayed at the door. As the guard limped toward Jack’s cell he announced, “Get up young man, Time for a stroll on deck, your liege lord wants to speak with you.”

Jack climbed out of his hammock and stood unsteadily on his legs, gaining his sea legs trying to steady himself. Leon looked up from his hammock asking, “When young Jack is done with his stroll, can I get a turn up in the sun?”

“Ha, fat chance of that you pirate” the guard replied, “What you deserve is to have someone break a chair over your back, and then we will see how you feel.”

Smiling Leon lay back down, “I thought you looked familiar stumpy, and it was a lot more a stool than a chair.”

The guard ignored Leon and opened Jack’s cell door, “This way young man.” He pointed toward the open door and as Jack passed him he said reassuringly, “Don’t worry young man; we won’t let anything happen to you.” The second guard waited until Jack was in between him and the first guard before he closed the brig door behind him.

Jack followed the first guard out the door as he led him to a ladder and then up to the very bright light of the blazing afternoon sun. The guard led him down the length of the ship and up another short set of steps and past the ships wheel to the very back of the ship.

Leaning casually against the railing at the back of the ship lounged Captain Dolby. The Master Charles paced back and forth in front of him. The guards brought Jack up to a point just short of the Captain and stood on either side of him, one guard facing forward and the other face backward.

Jack looked the Captain over, except for the plume in his cap he was dressed much the same as the rest of his crew. The Captain was in no rush to speak, and seemed to be more interested in the Master Charles than in him so Jack took the moment to take a look around.

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Since the Master Charles was pacing away from him to his left, he looked that way first. Squinting his eyes, all he could see was the blue of open ocean. Turning slowly to his right he saw nothing but more open ocean. As his gaze paned past the Captain he caught sight on something a long way off. Far away on the horizon he saw a very distant sail that appeared to be following in their general direction. Jack continuing to scan to the right where he saw a thin line of green and brown many miles away, that stretched off into the distance in both directions that could only be the coast.

Jack was lost in the scenic view when he was brought back to his reality when Captain Dolby finally spoke, “Well Master Charles, I have had him brought here just like you demanded, do you now agree to my terms?”

“I have never been treated so badly.” the Master Charles stammered. “If I was back in Nashorn,”

The Captain stood bolt upright and walked over and got into the Master Charles face, “Sire, you are not home in Nashorn and on this ship I am the liege lord. If you do not like it,” Captain Dolby paused for just a moment pointing off to the shore, “You are formally invited to swim to shore, if you think you can get better treatment.”

“When I get back, I’m going to,” the royal started before being cut short.

“You are going to pout and whimper like the spoiled little snit that you are!” The Captain then turned and pointed at Jack, “There is the proof that your property is safely and sound on board my ship, do you have any other demands, or can we end this ego trip of yours?”

The Master Charles spat out his reply, “None that you have already told me you won’t agree too, you low brow brute.” And the Master Charles removed his hat, and dramatically wiped his brow.

“Good then Sire,” Captain Dolby spat back, facing the guards, “Gentleman please return the young man to his cell.” And the larger of the guards started off toward the ladder leading back to the front of the ship.

The smaller one who limped said, “Follow him,” as he pointed to the bigger of the guards who was walking off placing his right hand into his pocket.

As Jack walked away he heard the Captain speaking to the Master Charles, “And now that you have wasted everyone’s time this afternoon you can get off my quarterdeck as well.”

“Why I have never…”the Master Charles started,

But the Captain cut him short, “Keep this up Sire and you will soon l learn the extent of my version of never.”

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Jack followed the guard silently and as they slowly walked the length of the deck to return Jack to the Dolphine’s brig. As the neared the hatchway at the front of the ship where the ladder would take them below decks, Jack noticed one of the Master Charles lackey standing next to the hatchway talking with a sailor.

As they approached Jack could see he was watching him and trying to act innocent. He was about to say something when the guard behind him softly whispered, “steady Jack, steady…just keep walking, and we will take care of everything.”

As they got to the hatchway, the first guard entered the hatchway, when the Masters lackey backed between the first guard and Jack. Jack stopped as the lackey turned and in slow motion he drew a wicked looking curved blade from his belt.

Jack froze seeing the knife in the man’s hand and a sneer on his face, and in a low voice, almost under his breath he growled. “This is for the Master.” He then slowly pulled his arm back with a look of pure hatred in his eyes and on his face.

Jack could only stand there awaiting his fate. Then he noticed his attacker’s eyes change from blinding hatred to a far off distant stare and then finally his eyes rolled to the back of his head, His hand twitched and the blade tumbled to the deck, followed soon after by the attacker himself.

Standing in his place was the sailor whom he was talking to, holding in his hand a wooden billy, the sailor replaced the short wooden handle that was used to tie off ropes at various points around the deck of the ship and Jack now knew it had another more sinister use. The sailor looked at Jack and asked, "Are you okay?”

Jack simple nodded his hand and softly replied, “Yes.”

A second later the hatchway door flew open, Jack sudden realized that he had no clue that the door had closed until a body came flying out of it. As the body landed near his feet, Jack could not help but see that the man was another of the Master Charles retainers. In fact it was the man that he had struck with the pick handle just a few days ago

Blood flowed freely from the man’s mouth and nose as well as from a cut on his cheek. Standing in the hatchway was the bigger of the two guards. A smile on his face reviled that he was unharmed and Jack noticed that he was removing a bright shinny object from his right hand and slid it into his trouser pocket.

“Come on, young man your cell awaits,” he motioned for Jack to come with him, “It is now safe to continue Jack.”

Jack proceeded as directed and in just a few moments he was standing at the oaken door to the brig. The smaller of the guards ambled past him with the keys and opened the door and then

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proceeded toward Jack’s cell. Unlocking the cell door he swung the door open and motioned his hand at the open cell.

Jack walked past smiling saying, “Thank you” as he took a seat on his hammock.

The guard closed the cell door, turned the lock but before he turned he said, “Jack, we knew they were up to something, thank you for letting us find out.” Without another word he turned and left the room, the oaken door thudding shut behind him.

Leon immediately sat up and asked, “What the hell happened up there?”

Jack turned and looked at Leon, “The Master Charles made a power play.”

“I take it that since you are still alive, he failed? Leon commented.

“Let’s just say,” Jack started, “that the Master Charles and his lackeys matched up very poorly against the Captain, his sailors and our guards.”

“Bully for them,” Leon commented, “I have never had much use for men who live off the sweat of other men.”

“You will get no argument from me,” Jack answered.

Leon leaned forward and in a caring voice asked, “What was it like outside?”

Jack simply replied, “Sunny and very pleasant, hardly a cloud in the sky”

“Hmmm,” Leon then asked, “Which side of the ship was the sun on?”

Jack thought it an odd question, but he responded, “The sun was on the right side of the ship.”

“That confirms that we are headed south.” Leon said, almost talking to himself, “Could you see the shore on the opposite side of the ship?”

“Yes, it was a thin band of green,” Jack answered, before adding “you could see it stretch off into the distance both in front of and behind the ship.”

“Interesting,” Leon commented, “Did you see anything else?”

“Aside from a lot of sea gulls,” Jack asked.

“Yes, aside from the sea gulls,” Leon said shaking his head while smiling

Jack thought hard, “Now that you mention it, there was a ship following us, I thought that I could see two sails one on top of the next way back on horizon.”

“Fear not my young friend,” Leon commented, “I am sure it is just another ship like ours that is on its way to the capital.”

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“Well, I wasn’t afraid, until you just mentioned it,” Jack replied. Wondering what was really going through his cell mates mind, he was about to ask a question when...”

“Best get a good night’s sleep tonight Jack,” Leon interrupted, “There is an old adage that says that a storm usually starts with a strange wind and today the winds are very strange.

Chapter #7

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When dinner arrived, Jack had eaten it in silence. His food was plain but plentiful, but now he tried to sleep but it eluded him, all that he could think about was Leon’s comment about a strange wind blowing.

Every time he tried to close his eyes visions of his fight with the Master Charles retainers would cross his mind. And even if he drove those images out of his mind, worse nightmares would surface, the ship sinking while he was trapped in his cell,

The only thing that kept him from completely going mad was Leon snoring in the cell next to him. Nothing seemed to rattle the man, so if he could take it, then so could Jack. But if he was not worried and could sleep, then Jack could at least try to sleep as well.

As the night dragged on, Jack floated in between being awake and sleep. Every sound pulled him from his fits of sleep and sent his imagination into over drive. Jack had a reoccurring nightmare that Leon was a murderous pirate and he and his crew killed everyone on board the Dolphine.

At one point in the middle of the night, Jack heard a bell ringing that was quickly followed by the sounds of running feet. The ringing of the bell seemed to rouse Leon from his slumber. He reached over and placed his hand on the wall of the ship.

Jack sat up and watched Leon from his hammock without saying a word. Leon held his hand on the wall for at least five minutes before putting it on his lap. Then seemed intent on going back to sleep.

The ship started to sway and Leon let his hand fall from his lap and placed it on the floor below his hammock. Again, he held it there for a few minutes before he put his hand back on his chest Jack asked, “Any idea what is going on?”

“My best guess is that the Captain has ordered as much speed as the Dolphine can make,” Leon said.

“And how do you know that?” Jack asked, truly curious.

You heard the bell ringing?

“Yes, but they ring bells all the time on ships don’t they? Jack asked.

Yes they do but each bell sequence means something different, the ringing of the bells you heard was to bring up the sailing crew,” Leon answered.

“And you felt the ship speed up by feeling the wall?”

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“It’s called the hull and yes you can feel the water passing on the other side, that and feeling the deck and the swaying of the ship I could tell that we were turning out to sea, my guess is to sail with the evening breeze coming from off the shore.

“And you can tell all that from feeling the floor and walls?” Jack asked again.

“Jack the floor of the ship is its deck, and with practice you can notice the change in direction just by the way the ship sways.” Leon commented.

“So do you think a wicked wind this way comes?” Jack asked.

“I am surer of it than ever,” Leon said as he laid back down into his hammock, “Best get what sleep you can.”

Jack was sure that he would not sleep another wink, at that night. Leon certainly had no troubles with sleeping, because in a few moments Jack could hear him lightly snoring. And much to his surprise the sound of Leon snoring was relaxing enough that he fell asleep at long last.

Jack was not sure how long he slept but was awoken by a strange whoop-whoop-whoop sound that seemed to get closer and louder then go past and ended with a slash.

The strange sound seemed to roust Leon immediately from his sleep, and he immediately sat up and swung his feet over the end of his hammock and started to get fully dressed. He turned to Jack and said. “Get dressed, but tie your shoes loosely, if we end up in the water you will want to be able to kick them off.”

Jack simply nodded and did as he was instructed. He put on all his clothing and loosely tied his shoes, while he was getting dressed he noticed that Leon was up out of his hammock standing and stretching.

He turned to Jack, “Time to get your sea legs back, too much time in that hammock and you’ll find it hard to stand and walk.”

Jack finished tying his shoes and stood, and almost fell back into the hammock. He immediately knew that Leon was telling the truth.

The strange whoop-whoop-whoop sound returned and was followed by a second whoop-whoop-whoop that seemed much closer.

Leon said, “Face me Jack,” and he waited a second for Jack to turn sand stand up facing him. “Put your feet shoulder width apart, can feel the way the ship rocks?”

“Yes, I can” Jack said as he stumbled for balance.

“Good Jack,” Leon continued. “As the ship rocks up on this side,” Pointing toward his right, “You shift your weight and lean into the roll.”

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Jack followed Leon’s example and found that standing was much easier and soon found that he could even stand on one leg and match the roll of the ship.

“Now turn and face the hull,” Leon told him, “now bend knees just a little and lean your upper body at the waist into the roll of the ship. If you ever get into a sword fight on deck keep that in mind, you can time your strike with the pitch of the deck for extra force.”

Jack started to practice the new pose, when a swish-swish-swish sound came, only this time it ended not with a splash, but with a crash and a snap that sent an odd shutter through the ship.

Jack turned to face Leon, balancing against the roll of the deck, “What was that?”

“If I had to guess,” Leon commented “The whooping sound was solid shot trying to convince Captain Dolby to stop. And since he was not convinced by a shot or two across the bows, my guess who ever fired the first shot decided to remove some of his sails with some chain shot.”

Again the swishing-swishing-swishing sound came and again it ended with the sound of shattering wood. Then the ships bell started to ring, there was a lot of shouting going on but Jack could not make out what was being said. A handful of seconds later and the deck tilted at a heavy angle and stayed that was for almost half a minute.

Leon reached over and placed a hand on the hull of the ship, and Jack copied his actions,

Jack asked, “Have we stopped?”

Leon Looked up and shook his head, “Yes, I believe we have, or soon will, now we wait,” sitting back onto his hammock.

Jack could see no reason not to follow Leon’s lead and took a seat himself.

It was about five minutes later that Jack heard a commotion on deck and about tem minutes after that the lock on the door to the brig started to unlock.

Jack turned and looked over at Leon who was calmly sitting on his hammock waiting for the door to open. Jack could see no reason not to continue to copy Leon’s actions, so he sat on his hammock with his hands to either side and held his breath.

As the door opened he could see the smaller of the guards roughly pushed through the door by a trio of what could only have been pirates.

Two of the men who wore tatters of clothing and bandana’s that covered their heads, one was pushing around the short guard and the other wield a wicked looking cutlass. A third man who entered strode in very casually he was much better dressed than the first two me and completed his outfit with a tri-cornered hat complete with an ostrich plume.

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As he walked closer Jack could see that he carried a short dirk that was stuck into a wide scarlet sash across his waist. Also tucked into the sash was a brace of pistols, and what Jack assumed was a leaded sap. The smile on his face and the casual demeanor, in which he walked, exuded conference.

He looked down at the guard, “Open the cells.”

The guard stood up and straightened his uniform before replying, “These me are prisoners of the Duke.”

The head pirate walked over and picked up the guard, his feet inched off the deck, “I will not ask again.” And without hardly any effort at all he threw the man toward Jack’s cell door. “Open those doors now!”

The guard reached into his pocket and removed a key and with trembling fingers turned the lock of Jacks cell door. He then swung Jack’s door open, then turned back to look at the pirate, the two men stared at each other for several seconds when the pirate placed his hands on both of the pistol hands and said, “Now the other one, please.”

Slowly and with a great deal of reluctance the guard slide the key into the lock on Leon’s cell and slowly started to turn the key then stopped, looking down at the key in the lock.

Leon who was patiently watching the entire proceeding spoke in a soft low voice, “I wouldn’t if I was you,”

The guard looked up at Leon and they shared a momentary look before Leon continued. “As of right now we have no reason to harm you, but make a stupid move and all the rules change.”

The guard let out a sigh and slowly turned the key and opened the door and stepped to one side.

Leon stood and walked out of the cell and was greeted with a bear hug from the lead pirate who said, “Good to see you sir, are you okay.”

Leon released his grip on his fellow pirate, “I am now, right as rain number two, and it’s good to see you.” Pushing himself back he looked at the lead pirate, a huge smile crossing his face, “I see that you have been helping yourself to my wardrobe.”

“What can I say sir,” he replied smiling, “I’m the only one with a head fat enough to wear your hat, and someone needed to be seen in this hideous hat of yours.” And with a flourish he removed the hat, half bowed and knelt at the same time while bowing his head he was able to hide the grin on his face as he presented the tri-cornered hat saying, “Your chapeau my lord.”

Taking the hat, he spun it around I his hands, carefully examining it he adjusting the plume before he placed it on his head, “About time I get the respect I deserve.” He turned to face Jack, “I am sure by that now that you know I am not just Leon.”

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Jack could say nothing in response but simply shook his head in agreement.

“Come on out of your gage my young lion,” Leon said waiting for Jack to walk over to where he stood. Placing his right hand on Jack’s left shoulder. “So allow me to introduce myself, I am really the pirate Captain Leonidas Levileir,” and he took a small bow.

Jack let out a short breath; he was standing in front of one of the most wanted men in all the realms and he had no idea what to say.

Leon patted his shoulder, “Come Jack, let’s go up on deck and see what the rest of my men have found.”

Turning to the two pirates Leon ordered, “Lock the guard in the cell so he is safe and sound and then join us on deck.”

A pair of “Aye-ayes Sir” came from behind Jack as he and Leon left the brig followed by the other pirate and headed up on the deck.

Climbing the ladder Jack arrived on deck and walked through the door that was the scene of yesterday’s fight. Looking up he saw that the top portion of each mast was missing. The main sail was tattered and torn and huge chunks of sail cloth hung limply from the masts and arms blocking Jacks view of the back of the ship.

As the walked the length of the deck jack saw very little in the way damage, just small splinters and scraps of sail and cloth strewn here and there. But what surprised Jack the most was the complete lack of sailors.

The group passed under the remains of the rear mast which was cleanly snapped in half as if it was a giant tooth pick, the top portion of the mast laid down against the deck forming a curtain. As they passed underneath the sail it all became clear to Jack. He saw the entire crew and even the Master Charles kneeling on the deck guarded by a handful of pirates.

Leon strode in front of the line of kneeling men, past the other city guard, then past the Master Charles, and stopped in front of Captain Dolby, “Stand up Captain.”

Defiantly Captain Dolby stood, “How dare your men attack a peaceful vessel?”

“My men dared to do only what was necessary to save me,” Leon replied. “How many where injured?’

“A hand full, two are in serious condition,” Captain Dolby spat, anger flashed in his eyes.

“And where are they now?” Leon asked, the tone of his voice seemed to actually express concern

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“They are in my cabin being treated by my third mate and your witch doctor,” Captain Dolby answered.

“Good,” Leon shook his head in understanding, “It could have been much worse,”

“Oh and how is that Captain?” Captain Dolby replied, as he body started to relax. “As an unarmed merchant, running was my only real choice. What would you have suggested?”

“You could have stopped when the warning shots crossed your bows.” Leon replied looking very relaxed and confident.

“I probably would have if it wasn’t for that damned royal,” casting a thumb over his shoulder pointing at the Master Charles. “He demanded that we continue to run.”

“Walk with me Captain Dolby,” Leon asked as the two captains started to walk toward the far side of the Dolphine, “So what changed his opinion?”

“The sight of blood, once the first round of chain shot hit the main yard it sent splinters flying cross the deck, and one of the crew caught splinters in the head, neck and shoulders.”

“Oh, head wounds always bleed like a sieve,” Leon commented.

“Yes they do,” Captain Dolby replied, “They carried Lucas up here and the Master Charles turned pale and spent the next five minutes hanging over the rail feeding the fishes.”

Before the conversation from the two captains could go any further, the witch doctor appeared on deck and walked up to the two men. “I bring news from the wounded.”

“Tell me Bagdasarian,” Leon asked, “What do the wounded have to say?”

“All will survive,” the witch doctor answered while constantly making strange gestures with his fingers. “Three will be back to limited duty for the evening watch; one will need to stay off his feet for say three days.”

“Good,” Leon commented

“And what of the last man, the one named Lucas,” Captain Dolby asked, the concern in his voice has easily heard even from the distance that Jack was standing.

“He will live,” the witch doctor answered, “He will need to rest for at least a full moon so his injuries can heal properly. And then he may not be able to see out of his left eye, and his left arm may never regain its full previous strength.”

“Thank you Bagdasarian” Leon said. He then turned to Captain Dolby. “Do you want to care for Lucas or do you want me to take him off your hands.

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“Lucas has been with me for almost two years,” Captain Dolby replied, “I will see he gets his rest and even if he does regain his full strength I will keep him employed, he is a good sailor.”

“Good,” Leon said then turned to the pirate who had led the crew that freed them. “Do you have a pouch on your belt?”

“Aye sir, I don’t go anywhere without one.” The larger man said with a smile that stretched from ear to ear.

“Let me borrow it, I seem to be a little short at the moment.” Leon asked. The pirate reached into his sash and tossed to Leon what Jack has assumed was a sap.

It turned out to be a money pouch and Leon opened it looking inside and shook it to see the number and type of coins inside and then handed it over to Captain Dolby. “I think you are an honorable man, take this to cover his time while he recovers, it was never our intention to hurt anyone.”

He then turned back to the witch doctor, “go back and collect your bags and talismans, make sure the wounded are settled, we will be leaving soon.”

The witch doctor made a slight bow, and silently turned and was soon disappearing back into the bowels of the ship.

Leon turned to the pirate who appeared to be leading the guard detail, “Number three, have you determined if there is anything of value on board?”

“Aye sir,’ he quickly replied, “the ship and her cargo are pretty much useless to us.”

The comment made Captain Dolby blanch. Leon turned to Captain Dolby, “Please don’t take that as an insult Captain, the Dolphine is a fine ship, but we have no need of an honest trading vessel.”

“But the guests where a very different story,” the pirate replied with a wicked look in his eyes. “We have two chests of coins and several luxury items all donated to our cause by the Master Charles.”

“Ah, the esteemed Master Charles again.” Leon commented, “Which one is he?”

“The pirate who went by the title number three turned as snapped a finger to get the attention of one of the guards at pointed at the trembling man kneeling in the middle of the group. Then said, “Bring him here.”

The guard walked behind the cowering mass of humanity and drew his saber, laying the blade on his shoulder he let the blade touch his cheek and grunted, “UP.”

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Jack watched the Master Charles shakily stand and the guard growled “Forward” as he unceremoniously gave him a gentle kick in his butt to motivate him into moving a little more quickly. The remaining pirates on deck let out a laugh as he stumbled forward.

Staggering to a spot in front of Leon the pirate guard kicked him in the back of his knee as he grunted “Kneel, sire”

Falling to his knees the Master Charles stammered, “wha-what d-do you want from me?’

Letting out a laugh, “I already have your belongings and traveling cash.” He scratched his chin, “Perhaps we could ransom you. Do you think your father would pay say 500 gold farthings for your useless hide?

Jack watched the Master’s face turn even more pale and the sweet on his face start to pour down his brow, “I um...I um...”

“Ah, so you think your worth more then?” Leon asked, “750 farthings? No? Then an even thousand farthings.”

The Master Charles just knelt there mouth agape and stuttered “um, um...um.”

Leon turned to Jack, “What do you think, it his worthless hide worth a thousand gold Farthings?”

“I do not think that he’s worth even a single copper penny.” Jack replied. “He is not worth anything”

“Is this not the royal you tried to kill just a few days ago?” Leon asked.

“Oh, yes he was,” Jack answered “And if you give me a cutlass, I would run him through right now.”

The Master Charles started to sob and cry, pulling on Leon pant leg, “Please Sir, Please, I am only good to you alive.”

Ignoring the man pulling at his pants leg, he turned and asked Jack, “then, why not save him for ransom?”

“Any ransom would not come from his family,” Jack answered, taking a good look at the cowering man in front of Leon. “It would be taxed and beaten from poor serfs and people like my family, he is not worth the pain that a ransom would cause.”

“You know Jack, I have never thought of it that way,” Leon said rubbing his chin again. “What would you suggest that we do with him?”

Jack thought for a second and then asked, “What are your plans for the Dolphine?”

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“I intend on traveling out to sea and away from the shore until dusk,” Leon replied. “After dark we will part company, Captain Dolby is free to go where he pleases, and we will go our way.”

“Then I suggest that we set the Master Charles adrift,” Jack coldly replied. “If the fates are in his favor he might even find his way to shore, and if not then let lady karma have her revenge.”

Leon let out a laugh that came from deep in his belly, “Young Jack, I do like the way you think, you may have a future as a pirate.”

“I am not sure about that,” Jack said, not sure how Leon would react. “But my mother always told me that you must reap the seeds that you sow.”

Leon turned to the kneeling mass of quivering man who trembled at his feet, “Master Charles, you have been weighed and measured and found wanting,”

“Please…please…please,’” he begged, “I...I...” and he reached for the pirate’s shoe.

“Shut up you worthless snit,” Leon ordered as he kicked his hands away. “Pretend to be a man, and act like one.”

The Master Charles laid face first on the deck his arms covering his head and he started to sob uncontrollably.

Leon turned to Captain Dolby, “Captain, I need to take one of your two shore boats.”

“Do I have any choice?” Captain Dolby inquired.

“No not really, Captain,” Leon replied, “those are my orders; the Master Charles is leaving this ship, with or without a boat.”

“I will need some of my men in order to follow your orders.” Captain Dolby answered, obviously not happy with Leon’s orders.

“Choose your team and get started,” Leon replied. “Just know that I will not stand for any funny business, the lives of the rest of your crew, your passengers and your ship hang in the balance.”

“I understand Captain Levileir, after all your reputation does precede you.” Captain Dolby answered with hatred in his eyes.

“I suppose it does,” Leon replied with a very smug look on his face. “Now pick you men and set them to the task at hand, and let us discuss what we can do to putting the Dolphine back into ship shape.

Jack watched Captain Dolby pick a detail of four sailors who disappeared behind the fallen sail escorted by two guards. He then watched the two captains start a detailed discussion about the

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condition of the Dolphine. The entire time the Master Charles lay on the deck sobbing and muttering.

Some twenty minutes later, two of the sailors and both of the guards returned from the far side of the sail. The small group of men climbed the small ladder to the raised deck, one pirate moved toward Leon while the other pirate returned the two sailors to the collected group of sailors on deck.

The pirate approached stopping in front of Leon saying, “Sir, the boat is in the water and will be at the larboard boarding ladder in just a minute.”

“Good Job,” he pointed over to the still sobbing mass of flesh that was the Master Charles. “Take the trash to the boarding ladder.”

Leon turned to Captain Dolby, “Are any of his retainers going to cause you problems?

“There are the two who tried to kill young Jack yesterday,” Captain Dolby replied, “I had them under house arrest, but it would be fitting to give them to Master Charles to keep him company.”

“Point then out,” Leon said, with a wicked smile

“His retainers are the two over there, the ones on the far end of the back row.”

Leon laughed, “Ahhh, cowards like their master.”

The acorn does not fall too far from the tree.” Captain Dolby answered

With a quick snap of his fingers, Leon got the attention of the guards, “Number three, bring me the two landlubbers in the back.”

It took two pirates a piece to drag the two men to a spot in front of Leon. “Í am told that you work for this royal lump horse dung and you both conspired to attempt to kill Jack?

The two men stood very silent and neither would look at Leon but looked at each other and then the deck and then each other, “Speak up, you work do you work for him?”

The man who had tried to stab Jack had his head wrapped in a bandage, “Yes, Yes I work for the Master Charles.”

“And did you two men attack young Jack?”

“We, we….where just doing as we were ordered,” He stammered.

“So you admit to trying to kill Jack?” Leon pressed.

“It wasn’t our idea sir,” pointing at the Master Charles who stood still sobbing at the railing “It was his idea.” He pleaded.

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“Yes, he may have ordered it, but you still chose to carry out his orders.” Leon pointed out

“What choice did we have?” the bandaged man pleaded.

“A free man is always responsible for his actions,” Leon replied in a low voice that held nothing but hatred for the man he was speaking too. He signaled to his pirate to move the men down to join their master.

Half way down the stairs the bandaged man grabbed the rail and pleaded, “It wasn’t my fault, I don’t deserve his fate.”

Walking over to the ladder Leon pulled a pistol and pointed it straight in the man’s face, “What you deserve is to be shot like the dog that you are,” The man covered his head and assumed a fetal position on the stairs. Leon let him shake for a few seconds before he continued, “But I will not sully my hands with you blood. I leave that for the fates and the fishes.”

The other two sailors came up the boarding ladder holding ropes so the small shore boat would not float away.

Leon ordered, “Put all three of them over the railing,” as he slowly walked down the ladder to the main deck.

Looking over the railing he saw the three men already fighting. He reached into his boot and removed a slim throwing knife; taking careful aim he deftly threw the knife. It buried itself in the floor of the boat, “

I know none of you has any idea how to sail, so here is a bit of advice.” Leon commented bending over the rail, “Safety is a couple days travel to the east, and in case you have forgotten, the sun rises in the east.”

“Welcome to your new world gentleman and May God save you if it is right that he should.” Leon commented before turning to the sailors, “Cast off the lines and be done with their ilk.”

Climbing back up the ladder he turned to Jack, “About ready to leave young man?”

“Leave?” Jack replied, “I thought I would be staying.”

“Not after you decided on the Master Charles punishment,” Leon replied. “You became just as guilty as I did when I ordered him adrift. Like it or not, it looks like it’s a pirates life for you…at least for the time being.”

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