The Painter Of Port Royal

Chapter 4

Being a town of pirates, Lydia assumed that Tortuga would be rundown and dirty but it was a sight to see. Hundreds of golden lamps sparkled against the wooden buildings, making the navy blue sky pop. Sure there were masses of people crowding around however each person looked like they belonged there, like they had a purpose. Reaching the doc, Jack secured the boat while Will helped Lydia out. Staring off into the unknown that is Tortuga, Lydia couldn't help but be in awe at the sight, although feeling slightly ashamed that she was so amazed.

She didn't know anywhere but Port Royal and it was almost going to one extreme to the next. Port Royal was so pristine and proper while Tortuga was definitely the opposite yet they each held something beautiful about them. Jack stood up and gazed at Lydia watching the town like a nervous puppy, smiling. He placed a hand on the small of her back to lead her through into the town, not letting her stray to far. After all she was still in her under-dress, most men here would see that as a definite invitation.

Will caught up with the pair but did not have the same reaction to Lydia. He turned his nose up at the group of drunk men who fell on the street like litter. He almost gaged at the smell of intense alcohol. This was no place for him, especially with all these pirates around. He accepted that that was who he was now, but that didn't mean he was going to warm up to any other pirates. Apart from maybe Lydia.

Jack lead them up a wide alleyway, keeping an arm on Lydia. She hadn't seemed to notice his hand. If she did she wouldn't push him away, it being a smart idea to keep an eye on her. She was desperate to change clothes but they needed to find Jack's first mate first if she wanted any chance of changing.

"More importantly, it is a sad life indeed that never breathed deep the sweet folivorous bouquet that is Tortuga. Savvy?" Jack introduced.

If she was being honest, Lydia could not hear a thing over the amount of gunshots that sounded out around her. It reminded her a bit of the gunshots on Port Royal except these gunshots didn't have a clear target. Jack had been explaining the town to the the others, glossing over the violence that ensues here. The edges of the town were a lot more peaceful than the center and Lydia almost regretted being so amazed when she first arrived.

"What do you think?" Jack gleamed.

"It'll linger," Will pulled a face.

"I think I agree with Will," Lydia said.

Rolling his eyes, Jack brought them to the entrance of the square looking around almost proud of the town.

"I'll tell you mate, if every town in the world was like this one, no man would ever feel unwanted," Jack waved his arms around.

Out of the corner of her eye, Lydia saw a woman dressed in red stomping towards them. She was presented with a large red wig to match her, quite pretty, ruby dress.

"Scarlett!" Jack stumbled to her.

A painful slap suddenly came and Jack spun round to face the two who stood very confused behind him. Lydia let out a small giggle while Will appeared almost unimpressed by the ordeal.

"Not sure I deserved that," Jack breathed making Lydia laugh a bit louder.

Will's eyes widened as another woman approached the trio, blonde with heavy makeup, like Scarlett's. She had a sunrise yellow dress. The woman glared at Lydia before standing to Jack.

"Giselle," Jack spoke.

"Who was she? And who is she?" Giselle pointed to Lydia.

Jack began to turn to Lydia before being slapped again in the face, this slap showing a lot harder than the one he had just received. He spun to look at the pair again and Lydia couldn't but laugh, much to Jack's death stare he gave her.