Disclaimer: Pirates of the Caribbean and all related characters belong to Walt Disney, Gore, Jerry, and Ted and Terry.
Setting: Takes place right after Curse of the Black Pearl.
Characters: Norrington, Gillette, Groves, Anamaria, Murtogg, Mullroy, Marty, Will, Elizabeth, Jack Sparrow, Tia Dalma.
Parings: Will/Elizabeth, Norrington/Anamaria
Chapter 8: Doctor of Misfortune
-
As the Dauntless Spirit continued towards her destination, James Norrington made certain to check on his guests, both the injured and the healthy. The man with concussion, who gave his name as Eric, woke up a few hours after the rescue and begged for beer. He was given tea to drink instead and was watched over so he wouldn’t fall asleep.
“I relieved Daniel from the watch a few hours ago,” Mr. Evans sat on the stool next to Eric’s hammock. “His grandfather asked me to. The lad needed to get something to eat.”
“Why didn’t Mr. Havers ask me or one of my crew?” James asked. He had recently bathed and dressed himself in his complete pirate outfit. He was growing more accustomed to the blade he used to shave with. There was no razor burn and he had tied his hair back before he put on his hat.
Mr. Evans stared at his injured arm. “No offense, captain, but we are not quite trusting of pirates.”
“They are better than the last lot,” Eric swayed in his hammock. “Even if the won’t give me any beer.”
“We know you are different,” Evans ran his fingers over the fresh dressings Anamaria had placed on his arm that morning. “You are good hosts and the medicine the woman used doesn’t make it hurt anymore.”
“But it is the fact we are pirates,” James shrugged. “I do not like most of my kind. I am certain many of them do not like me, although I do not care what they think.” He placed his hands behind his back. “I made the command to see that you and the rest of your crew will have safe passage to the Bahamas.”
“Will I be able to sleep soon?” Eric asked. “Or at least have some beer?”
“We will find a doctor for you, Mr. Evans and the rest of the injured after we dock. The doctor will be the one who will determine when you can go to sleep again.”
Eric stared glumly at the ground. “When will that be?”
“Marty has assured me that it will be soon.”
-
James felt the weight of one of the stabbed victims as the man leaned against his shoulder as they had stepped off the gangplank and on to the pier. He had hoped they would find some carriages soon. Mr. Evans and Eric did not need to lean on someone for support. Daniel stood near Eric to keep him steady. It was the others who were going to make a walk difficult.
“Anamaria,” James turned to the lady pirate. “I want you and Gillette to accompany me and these men. Mr. Gillette see if you can find any carriages.”
“Aye captain,” the second in command said before he ran out.
“This be a poor looking port,” Anamaria studied their surroundings. “There is not much around.”
“It does seem like we are the only ones who have arrived.” There were no other fine ship to be found amongst the docks; then again there was no ship as quite as fine as The Dauntless or her double. There were no real ships. There were a few boats and even a sloop, but no grand ship.
“I heard about this island and this port,” Arthur Havers said. “Many ships do not come here. Nobody knows why.”
“Maybe this is a haunted port,” Daniel smirked and earned a small smack from his grandfather. “It was just a suggestion.”
“You know it is best to not start stories.”
“What if said stories are true?” Eric asked.
“I have never heard of a haunted port in the Bahamas,” James said before he turned to Marty. “I want you and Theodore to organize a group to purchase the needed supplies.”
“Aye Captain,” Marty gave a small salute before he left.
“Hopefully this place won’t be too poor,” James frowned. His ship needed more supplies, mostly food and a few more livestock. He turned his head towards the sound of creaking wheels and horses snorting. Gillette came through, but only found and paid for two carriages.
“We can fit six men to a carriage,” Anamaria said. “Six and no more. It will be enough for our guests.”
“We can ride on top of them.” It wouldn’t be difficult to climb to the top of each carriage. The drivers might object, but would comply with the promise of more coin and if they still refuse, well who is going to refuse such a demand from a pirate?
-
The doctor’s home was one of the larger houses in the town. One half of the structure was two stories with a fine paved path for carriages and a smaller one that lead to the front door step. The one story part of the house was longer and wider
James climbed down once the horses had stopped and knocked on the door. He removed his hat and kept it under his arm while he waited.
“Good afternoon?” A tired looking plump maid answered the door. She took one glance at James. “Are you here to see the doctor?”
“Yes I am,” James pointed to the carriages. “My ship came across a few survivors from a pirate attack and we have brought the injured here.”
“I’ll find him. He has been a very busy man lately with the children.” She slipped back inside.
“Will they help them?” Anamaria had climbed down from the top of the carriage she rode on.
The door opened before James could respond. “Where are the patients?” A short man answered the store wearing a wig with slightly frayed ends. He had his sleeves of his shirt rolled up to his elbows.
“They are in the carriages,” James turned towards the larger pathway. The doors of the carriages were open and Eric, Evans and the healthier men were helping the injured out.
“How many are sick or injured?” The doctor asked.
“Six,” James blinked at the sharpness of the doctor’s words. “We have tried to heal them to the best of our abilities on my ship.”
“Which is probably not enough,” the shorter man closed his eyes. “I am sorry. I am usually not this curt with my guests and patients. My name is Dr. Cutler Beckett”
“It is quite understandable,” James stared into the doctor’s bloodshot eyes and took note of the stubble on his chin. “Two have received stab wounds, one received a gunshot, and one has a broken leg. The other two can stand. Mr. Evans has severe burns on his right arm and Eric received a concussion. He wants to know when he can sleep again.”
“How long have you kept him awake?” Dr. Beckett asked.
“Two days straight.”
Dr. Beckett smiled. “He can sleep. That is one less patient. Bring the others inside.”
-
James helped Arthur lower the man with the broken leg on one of the few empty beds while Dr. Beckett examined Evans arm. The beds were pushed to one side of the room away from the other filled beds. James had took notice the other patients were close to Daniel’s age and even younger.
“The are all asleep,” the doctor’s assistant said. He was a thin man, dressed in dark clothing and kept his neat dark hair tied back. His features were rodent like and he stared down at James and the others with a look of distain in his eyes. “Your wife wants to know when you will eat your dinner.”
“After I see to my newest patients,” Dr. Beckett did not even look up at him.
“Very well,” the man pulled back a curtain separating the other half of the room from where they stood.
“I must admit I am impressed,” Dr Beckett removed the dressing over one of the stabbed men. I will be the one to sew up the wounds proper, but you have removed the bullet?”
“That we have,” Gillette said proudly. “You can thank Anamaria here.”
“A woman doctor,” Beckett blinked. “Women have been known to be more nurturing, have delicate hands.”
“Doctor Beckett,” a young voice came from the other side of the room. “I am thirsty.” The child coughed.
“Mr. Mercer could you bring him a glass of water,” Beckett asked as he continued to examine the rest of his patients.
James shoved the curtain aside and stared at the sick child. He took a few steps closer to his and noticed how pale and thin the boy was. Nearly all the others remained in their beds without stirring. A few sat up as James neared them and stared at him with pink-rimmed eyes.
“I can understand why you are tired, Dr. Beckett,” James could not remove his gaze from the thirsty child. “How have they been treated?” He kept watching as Mercer returned with a glass of water.
“With all that I have,” Beckett sighed. “They have suffered from sore limbs, fevers, bought of coughing and fatigue. I do not have the right medicine. The men you have brought were lucky they came across you.”
“Have you made a request to have the medicine shipped?”
Mercer chuckled weakly. “They won’t come near her. Most ships have signed under the contracts put out by the East India Trading Company.”
“What does this mean?” Gillette asked.
“Our governor refuses to sign,” Mercer continued. “Since they haven’t signed, the ships are ordered not to dock, unless it’s an emergency.”
“Foolish proud man,” Becket grunted under breath. “Blasted organization. I explained in my last letter there are sick children involved.”
“Is there any way to cure them?”
Beckett shook his head. “I can relieve them of their symptoms, but I need the right ingredients for the right medicine.”
“What of the boats?” James asked. “There were a few boats docked here. Can any of them bring you the medicinal ingredients?”
Mercer shook his head. “Many of them are dodging the EITC themselves, trying to keep on sailing. None will go out of their way, even if we paid them enough.”
James stared at the children. He thought of Daniel and what if the boy was like the others, would he and the other children eventually shake the illness? Would he ever live out to see his new dream? The children had their own dreams and their parents were most likely making themselves sick from worry.
“My ship is not under contract,” he turned on his boots. “Anamaria, Mr. Gillette, come with me.”
-
Anamaria was the last to enter the carriage. She had taken one glance at the tired looking drivers before she stepped inside. Their ride should be more comfortable on the way back to the ship. They would be seated on padded benches. She couldn’t remember the last time she was inside a carriage, and wasn’t sure if she had ever been in one to begin with.
“We are just leaving?” Gillette had said the second the door was shut. “I know we brought them to the doctor like we said.”
“We are not just leaving,” James said. He stared at his hands. “We will return.”
“We are going to bring them the medicine,” Anamaria knew what her captain was thinking. He is not your captain, not your James. She knew the man inside was not the one she fell in love with, but he was close. “You plan on sailing to the next port and purchasing the ingredients there.”
“We don’t have much money,” Gillette brought up and nearly cringed from the glare James gave him. “Even if Marty and the others have managed to purchase some supplies, we are still going to need more. There is also a crew who would like to be paid.”
“I know,” James pulled back his sleeve and stared at the brand. “I am going to hate myself later.”
“Using all the money for people we don’t know?” Gillette asked.
“We are going to get more money,” Anamaria could sense what was on James’s mind. The dejected sighs and the way he stared at his brand were the clues she picked up. “He is about to do something he hates to get it.”
“What are we going to do?” Gillette asked.
“I’m about to live up to my name,” James buried his face in his hands. “Live up to this guise I have been playing.”
“You are doing the noble thing,” Anamaria wished she was seated next to him. She wanted him to lean against her so she could comfort him. “Not doing what you hate would be the wrong thing. James, you and my captain are the same person and you know he is a decent man of honor.”
“Of his brand of honor,” Gillette said.
She narrowed her eyes at him. “Thank you, Andrew. He is more honorable than any other pirate in the seven seas.”
The commodore sighed again before he sat up. “We will get through this ugly part as fast as possible.”
“Yes we will,” she did not care if she tripped. She moved forward and slid next to James. “I know this is eating you on the inside.” She said softly. “It will be worth it when you see their expressions when you give them the medicine.”
-
“Hoist the sails and pull up the anchor,” James commanded as soon as he had stepped onto the quarterdeck. “We have a bit of a side trip to make.”
“Where are we going captain?” Marty stared at him wide eyed.
“Hopefully someplace better than here,” Murtogg stepped up from below. “We didn’t find nearly enough. Most of the people here just grow and raise food for themselves, only selling to their neighbors, barely any exports.”
I know,” James pulled back the lid on the compass. The arrow was no longer pointing in the same direction as before. “We are sailing east.”
“Straight East?” Anamaria asked.
“Almost straight, between actual east and east by southeast.” He closed the compass with a snap and strode straight to the wheel. “Make certain everyone’s pistols are full of shot and enough powder.” He felt the hilt of his own sword. It was ready to be unsheathed and strike against the blade of another.
-
A/N: So I brought in Beckett and Mercer. They are still respected me of society, but just have different vocations. I was toying with the idea of making Beckett the Prince of the Sea, but I threw that idea quickly out.
Replies:
Sudoku, thanks. I also love James a lot. Wondering about the Anamaria in his own world will add a bit more inner conflict.
KayleeG: Thank You.
Ogreatrandom: Thank you.
Barbaro’s Angel: Thanks. Poor conflicted Groves. He will come around soon.
Voratre: Thank You.