Fic: The Pirates of Boeshane Chapter 5/16
Title: The Pirates of Boeshane: The Curse of the Myfanwy
Fandoms: Torchwood/Doctor Who
Pairings/Characters: Jack/Ianto, Tommy/Tosh, past John/Jack, one-sided John/Ianto, Owen, Kathy, Gwen, Mickey/Jake, Harold Saxon, Rhys/Andy, Martha, James Harper, Ross, Rory, brief mention of the Doctor/Rose, Donna
Author: backrose_17
Prompt: The Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
Summary: A Pirate Captain seeking to reclaim what was stolen from him joins forces with a young Blacksmith seeking to rescue his kidnapped best friend. Together they find more than just the adventures of their journey.
Rating: PG-15
Disclaimer: I do not own Torchwood or Doctor Who.
Beta: royalladyemma
Written for Reel_Torchwood Round 5
Chapter 5
Jack was trying to sleep but it was hard to ignore the rats scuttling around his jail cell so the moment the first shot was fired, he was on his feet and rushing to the window. “I know those guns. It’s the Myfanwy!”
Fear rippled through the other prisoners when they heard Jack's words. “The Black Myfanwy? I’ve heard stories. She’s been preying on ships and settlements in this part of the Universe for nearly ten years. Never leaves any survivors!” One prisoner spoke up, his fear clear in his voice.
Focusing his gaze out to sea in his search for his ship, Jack briefly turned his attention to the prisoner who had spoken. “No survivors? Then where do the stories come from, I wonder?” There was a twinkle in his eye as he turned back to the window.
*****
The Black Myfanwy’s guns are rapidly destroying the fort’s battlements, leaving the way clear for her crew to come ashore in longboats. The pirates wasted no time in carrying out their plans to destroy Boeshane and within minutes they were pillaging and plundering to their hearts' content. Everywhere Ianto looked he could see people running and screaming, trying to get away from the invaders.
Ianto could not stand by and watch innocent people being killed and he quickly grabbed his sword, tucked a hatchet and a knife into his belt, and headed out into the fray. Ianto had only been on the battlement for a few minutes before he’d saved a young maid from being killed by plunging his hatchet into the chest of a blood-thirsty pirate.
*****
While Ianto was out fighting pirates in hand-to-hand combat, Tommy, resplendent in his spotless new uniform, was shouting orders to his men. “Sight the muzzle flash!”
James began giving clarification orders. “Aim for the flashes! I need a full strike, fore and aft! Let these demons bite at this! Give them everything we’ve got! I want that ship at the bottom of the harbour now!” Even as he spoke, able-bodied seamen were loading, aiming and firing every available cannon in the direction of the notorious and deadly Black Myfanwy.
Satisfied that his men were doing as he’d ordered, Tommy turned his attention from the battle to Saxon. “Governor, barricade yourself in my office. That’s an order!” He motioned for a sailor to accompany Saxon. “Protect this man with your life!”
Not a fool Saxon quickly did as Tommy ordered and as the young sailor rushed him to safety, Saxon prayed that Tosh was safe.
*****
Hearing the screams from the villagers and the thunder from the cannon fire, Tosh grabbed her robe and rushed out of her bedroom, heading for the main part of the house. Just as she reached the top of the stairs she heard a loud knock at the door. “Don’t!” she cried out, trying to stop the butler from automatically opening the door but her warning came too late.
As the door swung open invitingly, Rhys and Andy shared a grin that clearly said, 'even after all these years, we still can't believe how foolish some people are! Who opens their door during an attack?'
A cold grin curled Rhys’ lips as he stared into the stunned eyes of the butler. “Hello, chum,” he greeted the old man before shooting him in the chest, then he calmly stepped over the fallen man and began looking around. Andy and a few others from the Myfanwy rushed into the house after him. Rhys’ cold eyes searched the room, appraising its contents, and it wasn't long before his gaze landed on Tosh. “Up there!” he shouted, pointing her out to his men.
Tosh stood frozen in place halfway down the staircase, wishing desperately that she could remember how to make her body move as the pirates all turned their hungry gazes on her. The predatory look in their eyes turned her blood to ice and made her skin crawl.
“Girl!” One pirate purred as he began moving towards her.
Hearing that one word was all it took to finally stir Tosh into action and she bolted back up the stairs. Gwen, having heard the commotion, was running down the hallway and she grabbed her mistress’ arm. Surprisingly strong, Gwen dragged her into a nearby chamber and bolted the door behind them. Gwen turned to face Tosh with a wide-eyed look, her fear written cleanly on her face. “Miss Sato, they’ve come to kidnap you!”
“What?" Sudden fear gripped Tosh as Gwen’s words hit her. "Why?”
“You’re the Governor’s daughter!” Gwen told her point-blank and then she watched as Tosh’s eyes widened in horror; she knew she made her point.
Biting down on her lower lip Tosh searched her mind for options and when her glance landed on the nervously pacing Gwen, she was struck by an idea. “They haven’t seen you, Gwen! Hide in here and the first chance you get, run to the fort,” Tosh ordered.
Gwen was torn. On one hand, she wanted to stay and fight with Tosh but on the other hand, she knew her mistress was right; she could go for help when the time was right.
While Gwen dithered, Tosh made the decision for her. As Rhys and Andy broke down the door, Tosh grabbed the bed warmer and swung it with all her might. Her aim was true and she managed to hit Rhys right in the face. “Go!” Tosh shouted at Gwen and the maid wasted no time in using the opening Tosh had given her.
With a low growl, Andy bolted forward and caught Tosh’s arm before she could follow Gwen. “Gotcha!” he snarled at the woman who had dared to hurt his Rhys. Not yet beaten, Tosh opened the bed warmer and released the hot ash onto his head. “It’s hot! You burned me!” Andy screamed in pain and released Tosh’s arm so that he could brush the hot coals off himself.
Tosh, not one to waste a golden chance, gathered up her skirts and hightailed it after a fleeing Gwen.
Rhys, back on his feet and sporting a bright red mark on his face, grabbed Andy by the arm and brushed a stray coal from his shoulder. “Come on!” he growled as they chased after Tosh.
Tosh’s heart soared when she saw that Gwen had managed get away, but the pirates that had come with Rhys and Andy cut her own escape short. They had her trapped on the stairs and were approaching her with brandished swords in their hands and lecherous grins on their faces. Tosh looked around frantically, momentarily wishing that Gwen were still with her.
Thankfully, before any of the men could lay a hand on her, a stray cannon ball blasted through the wall and took out one of the pirates. While the rest of the men were distracted by the fate of their fallen comrade, Tosh was thrilled to see that luck stayed on her side. A satisfied smile crossed her face when she noticed that the force of the cannon ball had knocked the cut-crystal chandelier loose and the last thing she saw as she ran down the last few steps was the massive lighting fixture falling on Rhys and Andy.
Tosh ran into dining room and bolted the door shut; looking around for anything she could use as a weapon, she spied two swords mounted on the wall above the fireplace and she rushed to grab one. ‘Oh, you have got to be kidding me!’ To Tosh’s horror, the whole piece came off and as hard as she tried, she could not pull out the sword. The sounds of bodies hitting the door increased her terror and she watched as the heavy wooden doors began to buckle under the force. Her only hope was the butler's pantry, which she knew was big enough for her to hide in.
She gentle shut the door just as the dining room door caved under the combined force of Rhys and Andy’s blows. “We know you’re here, Poppet,” Rhys taunted.
“Poppet,” Andy's lips stretched across his teeth in an unpleasant grin as he echoed Rhys’ taunt and Tosh shivered as she shuffled deeper into the pantry and crouched down in the corner.
“Come out, come out, wherever you are and we promise we won’t hurt you,” Rhys called out in a singsong voice and Andy turned to his lover with an adorably confused look on his face. Rhys smiled at him, placed a finger to his lips and winked. Andy instantly got his plan. “We will find you, Poppet. You’ve got something of ours and it calls to us. The gold calls to… us!” Rhys continued his taunting.
Tosh fought back a gasp as her eyes flew to the medallion that still hung around her neck and she clutched it tightly. 'Why do they want Ianto's medallion?' She glanced back up and this time the gasp escaped her lips as she found herself staring into Rhys’ eyes through the crack.
They had found her.
The door was flung open with a crash and Rhys towered over Tosh as his lips curled into a cold mocking smile that was guaranteed to terrify her. Andy, on the other hand, found the look on Rhys’ face particularly titillating. “‘Ello, Poppet.” The pirate held out his hand to her and Tosh wasn’t sure if he was offering to help her to her feet or indicating that he wanted the medallion.
Knowing she was in real trouble, Tosh blurted out the only thing she could think of. “Parley!”
Andy blinked. “What?” The last thing he was expecting was for a well-bred woman like her to know the pirate's code.
Straightening up Tosh raised her chin defiantly and looked both men straight in the eyes. “Parley. I invoke the right of parley. According to the Code of the Brethren, set down by the pirates Alistair and Morgan, you have to take me to your Captain.” ‘What kind of pirate doesn’t know his own code?' she wondered derisively when she saw the look of confusion on the men's faces.
“I know the code,” Rhys snapped; he did not enjoy having some little girl talk down to him, especially in front of his lover.
Tosh ignored Rhys’ tone and continued. “If an adversary demands parley you can do them no harm until the parley is complete.”
“To blazes with the code!” Andy snarled angrily, ‘how dare this little strumpet talk down to my Rhys!’
Toshiko gulped and tried not to let her fear show on her face; she knew that having the pirates stand by their code of honour, as dubious as it was, was her only hope.
The cunning look that entered Rhys’ eyes sent a spike of fear throughout her entire body. “She wants to be taken to the Captain. And she’ll go without a fuss. We must honour the Code.”
*****
On the streets of Boeshane, Ianto Jones suddenly found himself face-to-face with the fearful pirate Ed Sherman, a huge, muscular man and before Ianto could avoid him, Ed managed to get his long arms around Ianto. He crushed the younger, smaller man to his chest in a vice grip. “Say goodbye!” he snarled happily; he loved squeezing men until their eyes popped out.
As Ed’s strong arms began crushing his ribs, black spots swam before Ianto's eyes and he struggled to catch his breath. Fortunately, it seemed that someone, somewhere, was looking out for him as a large wooden sign suddenly fell on Ed and knocked him out. Ianto fell to the ground beside him, gratefully sucking in huge gulps of air. He gingerly poked himself in the chest; he was sore but he didn’t think anything was broken.
“Goodbye,” he snarked at Ed’s unconscious form and then something in the distance caught his attention. Dread filled Ianto as he realised that Tosh was being dragged towards the docks by some pirates. “Oh God, no! Not my Toshiko!” Grabbing his sword from where it had fallen, Ianto began running in her direction.
“Come on!” Rhys growled as he dragged Tosh to the longboats, his cruel grip on her arm was guaranteed to leave deep bruises.
“Ianto!” Tosh cried out when she saw her dear friend rushing towards her.
“Toshiko!” Ianto was almost upon them when he noticed that the pirate he had taken out earlier with a hatchet to the chest was heading for him. Ianto’s footsteps momentarily faltered as he stared at the man; he could not deny that he was confused by the appearance of what should have been a corpse.
“Outta my way, scum!” The pirate-who-should-have-been-dead growled as he knocked Ianto hard over the head with his gun. The last thing Ianto saw before his world faded to black was his beloved Toshiko being pushed into a longboat and taken away by blood-thirsty pirates.
******
Back at the jail, all Jack could do was stand at his window and listen to sounds of battle; he was sure that Lady Luck was mad at him when a hole was blown in the outer wall of the other prisoners’ cell leaving his wall completely intact. On his way out the door, one of the escaping pirates stopped to address Jack. “My sympathies, friend, you’ve no manner of luck at all,” he gloated as he and his fellow inmates danced their way to freedom.
For a moment all Jack could do was pout; it seemed that the notoriously fickle Lady Luck had truly turned her back on him. ‘I can’t believe I’m reduced to this,’ Jack sighed in resignation as he picked up the discarded bone and began whistling. “Come on, doggy. It’s just you and me now. It’s you and ol’ Jack. Come on. Come on, good boy.”
The dog’s ears twitched and he cocked his head to the side as he regarded the nice tasty bone being waved before him.
“That’s a good boy! Come on!” To Jack’s utter delight and amazement, the dog began crawling slowly towards him. “Bit closer, bit closer. That’s it, that’s it, doggy. Come on you filthy, slimy, mangy cur,” Jack growled under his breath; the dog and the precious keys were only inches from being within his grip. ‘Just a little further…’
Just as Jack’s fingers brushed the dog’s fur there was a loud crash from upstairs and startled, the dog ran away with Jack’s salvation still in its teeth. “No, no, no, no, no! I didn’t mean it. I didn’t…” Jack’s frantic apology was cut off as one of the prison guards was thrown down the stairs. The unconscious man landed just outside Jack’s cell, and Jack couldn’t help but wince in sympathy when his head smacked the ground.
Jack’s eyes widened in delighted amazement as two pirates he never thought he’d see again came waltzing down the prison stairs. He jumped to his feet and smoothed down his clothes and mustache, trying to make himself look presentable to his rescuers.
Stopping at the base of the steps, Eugene took a quick look around. “This ain’t the armoury,” he quickly informed his fellow pirate, Rex.
But Rex didn’t give a damn about where they were; his eyes had just locked on to Jack’s eagerly smiling face. “Well, well, well, look what we have here, Eugene. Captain Jack Harkness.”
Eugene grinned as he and Rex stepped closer to Jack’s cell. “Last time I saw you, you were all alone on a godforsaken island, shrinking into the distance.” Eugene smiled mockingly at Jack before turning his gaze back to Rex. “His fortunes aren’t improved much,” he laughed evilly.
Jack moved closer to the bars and slipped his arms through the openings; as he gazed at the two men he said with a deceptively lazy drawl, “Worry about your own fortunes, gentlemen. The deepest circle of Hell is reserved for betrayers and mutineers,” he coolly reminded them.
But whatever response Jack was expecting in return for his taunt, it was not Rex reaching in and wrapping his hand around his throat. A shaft of bright moonlight suddenly landed through the destroyed roof and shone directly on Rex’s arm. Jack’s eyes widened in horror as he saw the skeletal arm and fingers that were choking him. “So there is a curse. That’s interesting,” Jack muttered under his breath as best he could considering there was an unearthly hand at his throat trying to choke the life out of him.
The hate and pain were clear in Rex’s eyes as he growled out menacingly, “You know nothing of Hell!” Releasing Jack, the two pirates casually strolled out of the prison, leaving the imprisoned man alone and gasping for breath.
Jack’s gaze travelled to the bone still in his hand. “That’s very interesting,” Jack murmured again, a plan already beginning to take shape.
*****
Tosh tried desperately to bury the panic and fear she was feeling deeper inside her as the Black Myfanwy, the most menacing ship she'd ever encountered, grew closer. It seemed like it was only a matter of moments before she was being hauled on board the ship and presented triumphantly to its first mate.
Adam’s dark eyes raked over Tosh’s body, his lecherous intent obvious. “I didn’t know we were takin’ on captives.” He grinned wickedly as he pictured all the fun he could have with her.
“She’s invoked the right of parley with Captain Hart,” Rhys explained.
With more bravado than she actually felt, Tosh stepped forward. “I am here to negotiate…” Before she could finish Adam backhanded her so hard that she stumbled backwards into Rhys’ arms. Tosh shrugged him off and cupped her cheek as she looked fearfully at the man.
“You will speak when spoken to,” Adam hissed dangerously and as he raised his hand to strike Tosh again another hand clasped over his. Tosh felt a small sense of satisfaction as Adam fought hard to keep his wince of pain from showing on his face.
Captain John Hart glared down at Adam. “And ye'll not lay a hand on those under the protection of parley,” John reminded the man, a dangerous glint in his eye.
“Aye, sir.” Adam knew better than to anger his captain; the last man to do so had been keelhauled.
John released Adam’s arm and turned a blinding smile onto Tosh. “My apologies, Miss,” and he executed a small bow.
For a moment Tosh was indeed blinded by how handsome the man standing before her was. His brown hair was thick and wavy, his eyes were large and piercing, and he possessed the sharpest cheekbones Tosh had ever seen. She mentally slapped herself and reminded herself why she was here. Risking another blow but somehow knowing she was safe, Toshiko stepped forward again. “Captain Hart, I am here to negotiate the cessation of hostilities against Boeshane.”
John forced back a grin. “There are a lot of long words in there, Miss; we’re naught but humble pirates. What is it that you want?” More than knowing why she was aboard his ship, John wanted to know what was in it for him.
Tosh forced herself not to roll her eyes at the man. “I want to you to leave and never come back.” ‘I wonder if that’s simple enough for him?’
“I am disinclined to acquiesce to your request,” and then John grinned with outright delight at Tosh’s adorably confused face. “Means, no.”
After the day she’d had Tosh was in no mood for games. Grasping the medallion around her neck Tosh yanked it off and darted over to the railing. “Very well. I’ll drop it,” she warned as she dangled the medallion over the sea.
John tried very hard not to let the panic that gripped his heart show on his face. He was not about to give into the demands of some little girl who liked to use big words. “Me holds are burstin’ with swag. That bit of shine matters to us why?”
“It’s what you’ve been searching for. I recognized the ship. I saw it eight years ago on the crossing from New England.” Tosh was at the end of her rope and she'd didn’t realize what she just let slip.
“Did ya, now?” Suddenly John was interested in this unusually brave woman for more than just a quick roll in the sack.
Tosh heard the interest in John’s tone despite his attempt at nonchalance and she decided to test the pirates. “Fine. Well, I suppose if it is worthless then there’s no point in me keeping it.” She let the chain start slipping slowly through her fingers and was deeply satisfied when, as one, the pirates lunged forward frantically.
“ Ah!” John chuckled as he realised they had just played into her hands, still he needed to be sure. “You have a name, Missy?”
“Toshiko Jones. I’m a maid in the Governor’s household.” She executed a quick yet graceful curtsy as she lied through her teeth; there was no way in hell she was giving a bunch of pirates her real name.
“Miss Jones?” John muttered under his breath. “The Miss Jones?”
“The Doctor.” Rhys breathed out the words with great reverence; could this be the daughter of the Doctor?
John began moving towards Tosh in slow, measured steps, his eyes glued to the medallion. “And how does a maid come to own a trinket such as that? Family heirloom, perhaps?” John asked as he grew ever closer to Tosh.
“I didn’t steal it, if that’s what you mean!” Tosh was outraged by the very idea that she, the daughter of a brilliant scientist and the step-daughter of the Governor of Boeshane, was a common thief. She really wasn’t lying; in her mind, she was just keeping the strange golden disk safe so that Ianto wouldn’t get in trouble. Having something that clearly belonged to a pirate was against the law and carried penalties that ranged from a simple monetary fine to a brutal public flogging.
“Very well,” and the smile that crossed John’s face put Tosh’s stomach in tight knots. “You hand it over and we’ll put your town to our rudder and ne’er return,” John promised.
Grateful that her desperate ploy had worked, Tosh handed John the medallion. “Our bargain?” Tosh demanded as John spun on his heel and sauntered away from her.
“Still the guns and stow ‘em! Signal the men, set the flags and make good to clear port!” Adam began barking orders and Tosh watched in reluctant admiration as the pirates sprang into action around her.
“Wait!” Tosh cried out as she chased after John who was heading for the helm. “You have to take me to shore! According to the code…” Tosh was momentarily cut off by a flurry of activity around her and had to run to catch up with her quarry. “… to the Order of the Brethren…” Whatever else Tosh was going to say was cut off when John whirled around to face her.
“First, your return to shore was not part of our negotiations or our agreement so I must do nothing,” John gloated. “Secondly, you must be a pirate for the pirate's code to apply which clearly,” he paused as he raked his eyes appreciatively up and down Toshiko’s body, “clearly, you are not. And thirdly, the code is more what you’d call guidelines than actual rules we have to follow, so, welcome aboard the Black Myfanwy, Miss Jones.” John snickered, truly enjoying the mix of fear, angry and rage that graced Tosh’s pretty face. Being a fair dab hand with women, he knew just when to step back so that her attempt to slap his face missed.
Fandoms: Torchwood/Doctor Who
Pairings/Characters: Jack/Ianto, Tommy/Tosh, past John/Jack, one-sided John/Ianto, Owen, Kathy, Gwen, Mickey/Jake, Harold Saxon, Rhys/Andy, Martha, James Harper, Ross, Rory, brief mention of the Doctor/Rose, Donna
Author: backrose_17
Prompt: The Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
Summary: A Pirate Captain seeking to reclaim what was stolen from him joins forces with a young Blacksmith seeking to rescue his kidnapped best friend. Together they find more than just the adventures of their journey.
Rating: PG-15
Disclaimer: I do not own Torchwood or Doctor Who.
Beta: royalladyemma
Written for Reel_Torchwood Round 5
Chapter 5
Jack was trying to sleep but it was hard to ignore the rats scuttling around his jail cell so the moment the first shot was fired, he was on his feet and rushing to the window. “I know those guns. It’s the Myfanwy!”
Fear rippled through the other prisoners when they heard Jack's words. “The Black Myfanwy? I’ve heard stories. She’s been preying on ships and settlements in this part of the Universe for nearly ten years. Never leaves any survivors!” One prisoner spoke up, his fear clear in his voice.
Focusing his gaze out to sea in his search for his ship, Jack briefly turned his attention to the prisoner who had spoken. “No survivors? Then where do the stories come from, I wonder?” There was a twinkle in his eye as he turned back to the window.
*****
The Black Myfanwy’s guns are rapidly destroying the fort’s battlements, leaving the way clear for her crew to come ashore in longboats. The pirates wasted no time in carrying out their plans to destroy Boeshane and within minutes they were pillaging and plundering to their hearts' content. Everywhere Ianto looked he could see people running and screaming, trying to get away from the invaders.
Ianto could not stand by and watch innocent people being killed and he quickly grabbed his sword, tucked a hatchet and a knife into his belt, and headed out into the fray. Ianto had only been on the battlement for a few minutes before he’d saved a young maid from being killed by plunging his hatchet into the chest of a blood-thirsty pirate.
*****
While Ianto was out fighting pirates in hand-to-hand combat, Tommy, resplendent in his spotless new uniform, was shouting orders to his men. “Sight the muzzle flash!”
James began giving clarification orders. “Aim for the flashes! I need a full strike, fore and aft! Let these demons bite at this! Give them everything we’ve got! I want that ship at the bottom of the harbour now!” Even as he spoke, able-bodied seamen were loading, aiming and firing every available cannon in the direction of the notorious and deadly Black Myfanwy.
Satisfied that his men were doing as he’d ordered, Tommy turned his attention from the battle to Saxon. “Governor, barricade yourself in my office. That’s an order!” He motioned for a sailor to accompany Saxon. “Protect this man with your life!”
Not a fool Saxon quickly did as Tommy ordered and as the young sailor rushed him to safety, Saxon prayed that Tosh was safe.
*****
Hearing the screams from the villagers and the thunder from the cannon fire, Tosh grabbed her robe and rushed out of her bedroom, heading for the main part of the house. Just as she reached the top of the stairs she heard a loud knock at the door. “Don’t!” she cried out, trying to stop the butler from automatically opening the door but her warning came too late.
As the door swung open invitingly, Rhys and Andy shared a grin that clearly said, 'even after all these years, we still can't believe how foolish some people are! Who opens their door during an attack?'
A cold grin curled Rhys’ lips as he stared into the stunned eyes of the butler. “Hello, chum,” he greeted the old man before shooting him in the chest, then he calmly stepped over the fallen man and began looking around. Andy and a few others from the Myfanwy rushed into the house after him. Rhys’ cold eyes searched the room, appraising its contents, and it wasn't long before his gaze landed on Tosh. “Up there!” he shouted, pointing her out to his men.
Tosh stood frozen in place halfway down the staircase, wishing desperately that she could remember how to make her body move as the pirates all turned their hungry gazes on her. The predatory look in their eyes turned her blood to ice and made her skin crawl.
“Girl!” One pirate purred as he began moving towards her.
Hearing that one word was all it took to finally stir Tosh into action and she bolted back up the stairs. Gwen, having heard the commotion, was running down the hallway and she grabbed her mistress’ arm. Surprisingly strong, Gwen dragged her into a nearby chamber and bolted the door behind them. Gwen turned to face Tosh with a wide-eyed look, her fear written cleanly on her face. “Miss Sato, they’ve come to kidnap you!”
“What?" Sudden fear gripped Tosh as Gwen’s words hit her. "Why?”
“You’re the Governor’s daughter!” Gwen told her point-blank and then she watched as Tosh’s eyes widened in horror; she knew she made her point.
Biting down on her lower lip Tosh searched her mind for options and when her glance landed on the nervously pacing Gwen, she was struck by an idea. “They haven’t seen you, Gwen! Hide in here and the first chance you get, run to the fort,” Tosh ordered.
Gwen was torn. On one hand, she wanted to stay and fight with Tosh but on the other hand, she knew her mistress was right; she could go for help when the time was right.
While Gwen dithered, Tosh made the decision for her. As Rhys and Andy broke down the door, Tosh grabbed the bed warmer and swung it with all her might. Her aim was true and she managed to hit Rhys right in the face. “Go!” Tosh shouted at Gwen and the maid wasted no time in using the opening Tosh had given her.
With a low growl, Andy bolted forward and caught Tosh’s arm before she could follow Gwen. “Gotcha!” he snarled at the woman who had dared to hurt his Rhys. Not yet beaten, Tosh opened the bed warmer and released the hot ash onto his head. “It’s hot! You burned me!” Andy screamed in pain and released Tosh’s arm so that he could brush the hot coals off himself.
Tosh, not one to waste a golden chance, gathered up her skirts and hightailed it after a fleeing Gwen.
Rhys, back on his feet and sporting a bright red mark on his face, grabbed Andy by the arm and brushed a stray coal from his shoulder. “Come on!” he growled as they chased after Tosh.
Tosh’s heart soared when she saw that Gwen had managed get away, but the pirates that had come with Rhys and Andy cut her own escape short. They had her trapped on the stairs and were approaching her with brandished swords in their hands and lecherous grins on their faces. Tosh looked around frantically, momentarily wishing that Gwen were still with her.
Thankfully, before any of the men could lay a hand on her, a stray cannon ball blasted through the wall and took out one of the pirates. While the rest of the men were distracted by the fate of their fallen comrade, Tosh was thrilled to see that luck stayed on her side. A satisfied smile crossed her face when she noticed that the force of the cannon ball had knocked the cut-crystal chandelier loose and the last thing she saw as she ran down the last few steps was the massive lighting fixture falling on Rhys and Andy.
Tosh ran into dining room and bolted the door shut; looking around for anything she could use as a weapon, she spied two swords mounted on the wall above the fireplace and she rushed to grab one. ‘Oh, you have got to be kidding me!’ To Tosh’s horror, the whole piece came off and as hard as she tried, she could not pull out the sword. The sounds of bodies hitting the door increased her terror and she watched as the heavy wooden doors began to buckle under the force. Her only hope was the butler's pantry, which she knew was big enough for her to hide in.
She gentle shut the door just as the dining room door caved under the combined force of Rhys and Andy’s blows. “We know you’re here, Poppet,” Rhys taunted.
“Poppet,” Andy's lips stretched across his teeth in an unpleasant grin as he echoed Rhys’ taunt and Tosh shivered as she shuffled deeper into the pantry and crouched down in the corner.
“Come out, come out, wherever you are and we promise we won’t hurt you,” Rhys called out in a singsong voice and Andy turned to his lover with an adorably confused look on his face. Rhys smiled at him, placed a finger to his lips and winked. Andy instantly got his plan. “We will find you, Poppet. You’ve got something of ours and it calls to us. The gold calls to… us!” Rhys continued his taunting.
Tosh fought back a gasp as her eyes flew to the medallion that still hung around her neck and she clutched it tightly. 'Why do they want Ianto's medallion?' She glanced back up and this time the gasp escaped her lips as she found herself staring into Rhys’ eyes through the crack.
They had found her.
The door was flung open with a crash and Rhys towered over Tosh as his lips curled into a cold mocking smile that was guaranteed to terrify her. Andy, on the other hand, found the look on Rhys’ face particularly titillating. “‘Ello, Poppet.” The pirate held out his hand to her and Tosh wasn’t sure if he was offering to help her to her feet or indicating that he wanted the medallion.
Knowing she was in real trouble, Tosh blurted out the only thing she could think of. “Parley!”
Andy blinked. “What?” The last thing he was expecting was for a well-bred woman like her to know the pirate's code.
Straightening up Tosh raised her chin defiantly and looked both men straight in the eyes. “Parley. I invoke the right of parley. According to the Code of the Brethren, set down by the pirates Alistair and Morgan, you have to take me to your Captain.” ‘What kind of pirate doesn’t know his own code?' she wondered derisively when she saw the look of confusion on the men's faces.
“I know the code,” Rhys snapped; he did not enjoy having some little girl talk down to him, especially in front of his lover.
Tosh ignored Rhys’ tone and continued. “If an adversary demands parley you can do them no harm until the parley is complete.”
“To blazes with the code!” Andy snarled angrily, ‘how dare this little strumpet talk down to my Rhys!’
Toshiko gulped and tried not to let her fear show on her face; she knew that having the pirates stand by their code of honour, as dubious as it was, was her only hope.
The cunning look that entered Rhys’ eyes sent a spike of fear throughout her entire body. “She wants to be taken to the Captain. And she’ll go without a fuss. We must honour the Code.”
*****
On the streets of Boeshane, Ianto Jones suddenly found himself face-to-face with the fearful pirate Ed Sherman, a huge, muscular man and before Ianto could avoid him, Ed managed to get his long arms around Ianto. He crushed the younger, smaller man to his chest in a vice grip. “Say goodbye!” he snarled happily; he loved squeezing men until their eyes popped out.
As Ed’s strong arms began crushing his ribs, black spots swam before Ianto's eyes and he struggled to catch his breath. Fortunately, it seemed that someone, somewhere, was looking out for him as a large wooden sign suddenly fell on Ed and knocked him out. Ianto fell to the ground beside him, gratefully sucking in huge gulps of air. He gingerly poked himself in the chest; he was sore but he didn’t think anything was broken.
“Goodbye,” he snarked at Ed’s unconscious form and then something in the distance caught his attention. Dread filled Ianto as he realised that Tosh was being dragged towards the docks by some pirates. “Oh God, no! Not my Toshiko!” Grabbing his sword from where it had fallen, Ianto began running in her direction.
“Come on!” Rhys growled as he dragged Tosh to the longboats, his cruel grip on her arm was guaranteed to leave deep bruises.
“Ianto!” Tosh cried out when she saw her dear friend rushing towards her.
“Toshiko!” Ianto was almost upon them when he noticed that the pirate he had taken out earlier with a hatchet to the chest was heading for him. Ianto’s footsteps momentarily faltered as he stared at the man; he could not deny that he was confused by the appearance of what should have been a corpse.
“Outta my way, scum!” The pirate-who-should-have-been-dead growled as he knocked Ianto hard over the head with his gun. The last thing Ianto saw before his world faded to black was his beloved Toshiko being pushed into a longboat and taken away by blood-thirsty pirates.
******
Back at the jail, all Jack could do was stand at his window and listen to sounds of battle; he was sure that Lady Luck was mad at him when a hole was blown in the outer wall of the other prisoners’ cell leaving his wall completely intact. On his way out the door, one of the escaping pirates stopped to address Jack. “My sympathies, friend, you’ve no manner of luck at all,” he gloated as he and his fellow inmates danced their way to freedom.
For a moment all Jack could do was pout; it seemed that the notoriously fickle Lady Luck had truly turned her back on him. ‘I can’t believe I’m reduced to this,’ Jack sighed in resignation as he picked up the discarded bone and began whistling. “Come on, doggy. It’s just you and me now. It’s you and ol’ Jack. Come on. Come on, good boy.”
The dog’s ears twitched and he cocked his head to the side as he regarded the nice tasty bone being waved before him.
“That’s a good boy! Come on!” To Jack’s utter delight and amazement, the dog began crawling slowly towards him. “Bit closer, bit closer. That’s it, that’s it, doggy. Come on you filthy, slimy, mangy cur,” Jack growled under his breath; the dog and the precious keys were only inches from being within his grip. ‘Just a little further…’
Just as Jack’s fingers brushed the dog’s fur there was a loud crash from upstairs and startled, the dog ran away with Jack’s salvation still in its teeth. “No, no, no, no, no! I didn’t mean it. I didn’t…” Jack’s frantic apology was cut off as one of the prison guards was thrown down the stairs. The unconscious man landed just outside Jack’s cell, and Jack couldn’t help but wince in sympathy when his head smacked the ground.
Jack’s eyes widened in delighted amazement as two pirates he never thought he’d see again came waltzing down the prison stairs. He jumped to his feet and smoothed down his clothes and mustache, trying to make himself look presentable to his rescuers.
Stopping at the base of the steps, Eugene took a quick look around. “This ain’t the armoury,” he quickly informed his fellow pirate, Rex.
But Rex didn’t give a damn about where they were; his eyes had just locked on to Jack’s eagerly smiling face. “Well, well, well, look what we have here, Eugene. Captain Jack Harkness.”
Eugene grinned as he and Rex stepped closer to Jack’s cell. “Last time I saw you, you were all alone on a godforsaken island, shrinking into the distance.” Eugene smiled mockingly at Jack before turning his gaze back to Rex. “His fortunes aren’t improved much,” he laughed evilly.
Jack moved closer to the bars and slipped his arms through the openings; as he gazed at the two men he said with a deceptively lazy drawl, “Worry about your own fortunes, gentlemen. The deepest circle of Hell is reserved for betrayers and mutineers,” he coolly reminded them.
But whatever response Jack was expecting in return for his taunt, it was not Rex reaching in and wrapping his hand around his throat. A shaft of bright moonlight suddenly landed through the destroyed roof and shone directly on Rex’s arm. Jack’s eyes widened in horror as he saw the skeletal arm and fingers that were choking him. “So there is a curse. That’s interesting,” Jack muttered under his breath as best he could considering there was an unearthly hand at his throat trying to choke the life out of him.
The hate and pain were clear in Rex’s eyes as he growled out menacingly, “You know nothing of Hell!” Releasing Jack, the two pirates casually strolled out of the prison, leaving the imprisoned man alone and gasping for breath.
Jack’s gaze travelled to the bone still in his hand. “That’s very interesting,” Jack murmured again, a plan already beginning to take shape.
*****
Tosh tried desperately to bury the panic and fear she was feeling deeper inside her as the Black Myfanwy, the most menacing ship she'd ever encountered, grew closer. It seemed like it was only a matter of moments before she was being hauled on board the ship and presented triumphantly to its first mate.
Adam’s dark eyes raked over Tosh’s body, his lecherous intent obvious. “I didn’t know we were takin’ on captives.” He grinned wickedly as he pictured all the fun he could have with her.
“She’s invoked the right of parley with Captain Hart,” Rhys explained.
With more bravado than she actually felt, Tosh stepped forward. “I am here to negotiate…” Before she could finish Adam backhanded her so hard that she stumbled backwards into Rhys’ arms. Tosh shrugged him off and cupped her cheek as she looked fearfully at the man.
“You will speak when spoken to,” Adam hissed dangerously and as he raised his hand to strike Tosh again another hand clasped over his. Tosh felt a small sense of satisfaction as Adam fought hard to keep his wince of pain from showing on his face.
Captain John Hart glared down at Adam. “And ye'll not lay a hand on those under the protection of parley,” John reminded the man, a dangerous glint in his eye.
“Aye, sir.” Adam knew better than to anger his captain; the last man to do so had been keelhauled.
John released Adam’s arm and turned a blinding smile onto Tosh. “My apologies, Miss,” and he executed a small bow.
For a moment Tosh was indeed blinded by how handsome the man standing before her was. His brown hair was thick and wavy, his eyes were large and piercing, and he possessed the sharpest cheekbones Tosh had ever seen. She mentally slapped herself and reminded herself why she was here. Risking another blow but somehow knowing she was safe, Toshiko stepped forward again. “Captain Hart, I am here to negotiate the cessation of hostilities against Boeshane.”
John forced back a grin. “There are a lot of long words in there, Miss; we’re naught but humble pirates. What is it that you want?” More than knowing why she was aboard his ship, John wanted to know what was in it for him.
Tosh forced herself not to roll her eyes at the man. “I want to you to leave and never come back.” ‘I wonder if that’s simple enough for him?’
“I am disinclined to acquiesce to your request,” and then John grinned with outright delight at Tosh’s adorably confused face. “Means, no.”
After the day she’d had Tosh was in no mood for games. Grasping the medallion around her neck Tosh yanked it off and darted over to the railing. “Very well. I’ll drop it,” she warned as she dangled the medallion over the sea.
John tried very hard not to let the panic that gripped his heart show on his face. He was not about to give into the demands of some little girl who liked to use big words. “Me holds are burstin’ with swag. That bit of shine matters to us why?”
“It’s what you’ve been searching for. I recognized the ship. I saw it eight years ago on the crossing from New England.” Tosh was at the end of her rope and she'd didn’t realize what she just let slip.
“Did ya, now?” Suddenly John was interested in this unusually brave woman for more than just a quick roll in the sack.
Tosh heard the interest in John’s tone despite his attempt at nonchalance and she decided to test the pirates. “Fine. Well, I suppose if it is worthless then there’s no point in me keeping it.” She let the chain start slipping slowly through her fingers and was deeply satisfied when, as one, the pirates lunged forward frantically.
“ Ah!” John chuckled as he realised they had just played into her hands, still he needed to be sure. “You have a name, Missy?”
“Toshiko Jones. I’m a maid in the Governor’s household.” She executed a quick yet graceful curtsy as she lied through her teeth; there was no way in hell she was giving a bunch of pirates her real name.
“Miss Jones?” John muttered under his breath. “The Miss Jones?”
“The Doctor.” Rhys breathed out the words with great reverence; could this be the daughter of the Doctor?
John began moving towards Tosh in slow, measured steps, his eyes glued to the medallion. “And how does a maid come to own a trinket such as that? Family heirloom, perhaps?” John asked as he grew ever closer to Tosh.
“I didn’t steal it, if that’s what you mean!” Tosh was outraged by the very idea that she, the daughter of a brilliant scientist and the step-daughter of the Governor of Boeshane, was a common thief. She really wasn’t lying; in her mind, she was just keeping the strange golden disk safe so that Ianto wouldn’t get in trouble. Having something that clearly belonged to a pirate was against the law and carried penalties that ranged from a simple monetary fine to a brutal public flogging.
“Very well,” and the smile that crossed John’s face put Tosh’s stomach in tight knots. “You hand it over and we’ll put your town to our rudder and ne’er return,” John promised.
Grateful that her desperate ploy had worked, Tosh handed John the medallion. “Our bargain?” Tosh demanded as John spun on his heel and sauntered away from her.
“Still the guns and stow ‘em! Signal the men, set the flags and make good to clear port!” Adam began barking orders and Tosh watched in reluctant admiration as the pirates sprang into action around her.
“Wait!” Tosh cried out as she chased after John who was heading for the helm. “You have to take me to shore! According to the code…” Tosh was momentarily cut off by a flurry of activity around her and had to run to catch up with her quarry. “… to the Order of the Brethren…” Whatever else Tosh was going to say was cut off when John whirled around to face her.
“First, your return to shore was not part of our negotiations or our agreement so I must do nothing,” John gloated. “Secondly, you must be a pirate for the pirate's code to apply which clearly,” he paused as he raked his eyes appreciatively up and down Toshiko’s body, “clearly, you are not. And thirdly, the code is more what you’d call guidelines than actual rules we have to follow, so, welcome aboard the Black Myfanwy, Miss Jones.” John snickered, truly enjoying the mix of fear, angry and rage that graced Tosh’s pretty face. Being a fair dab hand with women, he knew just when to step back so that her attempt to slap his face missed.