Date: 15-th of July 1719
Place: Aboard HMS “Rose”, in the open sea

On the way between Hispaniola and Tortuga, Miles was a bit nervous about Jamie. If his real identity would be discovered, they're screwed. But it seemed the officers and crew accepted him for a "merchant" who suffered in the pirates' hands and let him be. Thankfully, Jamie was good at playing his role; did he not deceive both Miles and Raoul at first?

He wanted to make sure his friend didn't fall into melancholy again, so he kept him company in spite of his own brooding nature, he tried to give him hope.

One day he met him on deck.

"So, how do you like our ship, Mr. Russell?"

It was a bit funny to Mr. him and he only did it before the crew, just to be safe.

Jamie was gazing thoughtfully over the open sea, light, white foam spilling from the ships rump as it plowed through the emerald waves. A large ship, the largest on which he had been... but he was trying to forget this. His sailing days were over and it wouldn't do to ask the topmen what on earth they were doing to the poor sails there anyway... he was no sailing master anymore. No pirate... no Brethren.
Not his job.
And now, he felt useless. To have at least some entertainment, he was calculating a course to Tortuga, but of course, they wouldn't go there. Neither would Sol... after all, Port de Paix was pretty close and with the daring escape of not one but three pirate captains, Port de Paix was a nest of majorly pissed of hornets. And of course, Tortuga bay was a pirates harbour, too dangerous for even such a large and powerful ship to enter.
The poor "Hope" would get shot to pieces!

Regarding that it wasn't time for the Manila fleet yet and that the Brethren had been severely cowed by the loss of two good ships and three captains - for a while - the safest bet was, to guard the smuggler routes along the islands, where a small pinnacle could easily disappear into the safety of a river or shallow water, where the famous large ships, the "Hope" and the "Le Phenix"were unable to follow.
It would be a long and probably boring search, but the had one advantage that not many had.... Jamies cards and Jamies head, the former on the "Phenix", the latter on the "Hope".

"So, how do you like our ship, Mr. Russell?"
a deep, well-known voice ended his daydreaming and he turned around, giving a bright smile to the man, who - in more than one way - had saved his life.
"Oh, she is a beauty... and pretty nimble for her size!"
Jamie replied with cheerful wink.
"Just a shame that she sits so deep in the water, but that can't be helped with all the cannons and ammunition... and it's pretty clean all around. One can see she's a navy vessel..."

- Oh, she can be fast. You'll see in battle. Frigates are my favourite type, just the right mix of agility and force. I've served on a flagship in my youth, and it was a huge monster... deadly if you're caught in the line of her fire but unable to keep up with smaller, faster ships.

Rose was one of the few things Miles loved with all his heart. he always believed ships had a soul and he did everything to keep Rose happy. It hurt him when he saw ships that were neglected.

- Damn, it's so good to feel the sea under me again. With all respect to Captain Duval and his governor, they kept us ashore for too long.

Jamie turned his head, a mirthful, honest smile on his face as he saw Captain Crawfords eyes gaze lovingly over the deck, his voice as soft as if he was describing the virtues of a fair lady... or rather, in Captain Crawfords case as well as his own, the virtues of a beautiful man.
"It is easy to see that you love her..."
he teased him friendly.
"But it is true, she is a beauty and deserves love..."
Hiw own gaze swayed to the horizon, searching for a trace of sails... it was hard to squint into the blinding sun without his khol.
Somewhere there was Raoul... his Raoul,chasing the same prey as they were - the Caribbean Siren. .But this time the assorted Navys had an advantage on their side... Jamie.
He had been on the "Siren" for years, know her weaknesses and strengths and first and foremost... he knew the captains strategies. And for once, he was entirely willing to share his knowledge with the former enemy.

"She's the only love left to me" he said in a more quiet tone, meant only for Jamie's ears. "And I will not lose her."

They were going into battle, but he knew the Rose could take much. She had survived quite a few violent battles. Miles trusted the old girl.

"I think we'll soon meet Le Phénix again."

And then Raoul can visit Jamie. He knew how much his friend missed the French captain...

Jamie nodded to that.
He knew that behaviour, it was probably a captainy thing. Sol... he shuddered, thinking of him... had the same attitude towards the "Caribbean Siren".
Jamie on the other hand loved his maps and nautical instruments.
"These seas seem to be pretty empty - we haven't seen a sail for days."
he agreed quietly.
"I suppose we should change tactics - oh, not that I am going to tell any of you what to do - but in my experience, Brethren stick to the same seas quite a bit. You know, rumours, talk in taverns... hey, there-and-there seems to be the new route for traders from the Bahamas, in Arruba they have a large amount of this-and-that, that has been sold to Kingston... and those rumours attract attention."
Jamie shrugged nervously, still not completely at ease being on a Navy ship and talking to the *captain* of said ship...

"Perhaps you're right, Mr. Russell. I don't think it would be worth it to disguise ourselves again. It worked once but now they're more cautious. We shall seek them out. I, for one, am eager to meet Sol Picador in battle. I have talked to him when he was in jail, and I have to give it to the man, he is clever and a worthy foe."

He turned to watch over the sea. Too quiet.

"Could you please come to my cabin? I wish to discuss further plans."

Of course, there would be more to discuss, and they could stop pretending to be polite strangers. Miles wasn't too good an actor and in the effort to appear innocent, he behaved too formally.

"Follow me."


THE END