Game of Cat and Mouse

[JD Black]

[shadow=red,left,300] [glow=blue,2,300]The Bounty Hunter and the Pirate[/glow] [/shadow]

[shadow=black,left,300] SSDD[/shadow]

Early in the morning, even before the sun rose, while most of the port side tenants were still sleeping off the previous night of drinking, a rider on a mammoth war horse rode through the narrow streets. The steed moved with a showy, rhythmical walk, a high-stepping trot and a smooth, rocking canter. Standing an astonishing 16.9 hands high. Under the obsidian black glowing coat was muscle sliding leisurely into muscle as the steed stepped with pride along the streets. Hooves would stomp and pound into the ground, large nostrils flaring a steamed breath each time the beast stopped and the rider tossed a bundle to the ground before a doorway.

The rider was a tall male with broad shoulders, a slender waist and athletic build, he wore dark trousers with a white linen shirt, covered by a long, tailored brown-leather coat. On his left hip was a blade with Norse ruins on the hilt, the long coat though worn open, concealed the weapon out of sight. The man brought his right hand up and raked it through that dirty blonde hair he wore in an untidy mess, then touched a finger to the shadow of a goatee on his chin and rubbed at the thin mustache above his lip. His work this morning brought a slight grin to his mouth. "This should flush out some rumors, Leopold." Patting the large Andalusian along its thick neck. With only a slight press of his knees into the horse's flanks he nudged the horse forward into a slow trot. "C'mon, let's head over to the tavern we stopped at last night and make a little delivery there too."

Turning down an alley they made their way up towards the front of the Dockside Tavern and Inn. The last of the newspapers was tossed against the doorstep, then the large bounty hunter quietly rode off before the sun rose and the residents of the port would awaken to read the latest news.
|| The London Gazette || www.freewebs.com/london_gazette/LondonGazette.html


It would be before the empty slips that she now stood. After finding the paper outside the Dockside, she felt it was time to put her ships into hiding. But she couldn't go herself, that would be way too obvious. Instead a small crew of her most trusted men were assembled to take her ships and hide them out for a while. The black sails were tucked neatly away in their holds, those of dark blue to now take their place. They would be on their way to the small Caribbean Islands they often hid upon. How she ached to be with them, but knew this was the best course. Time to lay low for a while. Besides, she had crewmen on their way to England to kill Randall's family. Leaving the mark of 'Blood Bath' upon the scene. That would draw attention there for a while. Have them scourging the countryside's looking for someone that was never there. Pulling that heavy woolen cloak more tightly about her, still wearing those loose fitting gowns of velvet, less confining on the soreness of wounded areas.

It was time now for the bounty hunter to play the guise of a simple tourist or sword for hire, just your ordinary traveler looking for a bit of work. The rouse would be a good cover for now. It was late in the afternoon and the sun was just dipping beyond the western horizon as the man strolled along the docks, keeping an eye out on any sudden developments. He'd noticed earlier in the day a small fleet of ships setting sail. It was worth a mental note, but that could also be easily explained away since merchant ships were routinely setting sail for their next destination of goods to be transported. He walked along the dock with one hand shoved into a coat pocket, the other held a red apple he was currently taking a bite from and chewing up the sweet bit of fruit; a little afternoon snack. Hardened steel blues twinkled with the eagerness of the chase he'd just started and the man was now ready to bend his ear and catch the bit of news that was flittering around the port sides of the Black Jade Skull Islands among the residents over the newspapers he'd left scattered about a few doorsteps.


The evening air was a bit mild this time of year, and thus would be the reasoning behind the hood being drawn back, to rest over shoulders. The buzz of activity behind her, intermixed with the scream of gulls that began to fight over the tid bits tossed by the local fishermen coming in from their days hard work. All that usually gained a steady eye of assessment, went unseen this night. So many things toiled in her mind over recent events. She still had a noble to contend with, the one who shot her not too long ago. He may not know who she is, but he'd be able to identify her easily enough. Her men already scattered, this would be a task she'd undertake herself, per usual. Though it would have to await the healing process. She was in no condition to fight at the moment, which angered her within even more. Though she couldn't help but to smirk slightly at the thought, of the look on the King's face when Randall's body was delivered to him. How she wished she could have been there in person to see that reaction. It would have been priceless.

He came to a stop along the dock to watch the sun fall behind the horizon. It was a magnificent sunset, the sky lit up in hues of deep purples and reds. The apple was finished and tossed out towards the gulls. He caught a bit of movement from the corner of his gaze, which brought his head to turn towards the figure off to his right. Something about the curves that filled the dress, even under the cape she wore, brought recognition to his eyes. Raine stepped towards the female to speak with her, a dip of his head as he approached. "Evening there, if I'm not mistaken I do believe you're the dove I met last night at the tavern up the road." He thumbed over his shoulder towards that cozy, little ruffian spot.

The voice would draw her from her moment of glorified reverie. With a slow blink back into reality, those ocean blues would turn to light upon the face of the man met the night before. Slow nod of her head. "Yes, I am. I see you survived the evening here in port. That speaks highly in your favor, Mister Raines." Touch of a smirk to form upon her lips.

Standing in a relaxed stance with his hands in his pockets, he laughed a bit over her assessment of his skills of survival. "Glad to see I haven't disappointed you, JD." He gave her a wink, a nod of his head. "Beautiful sunset tonight, is it not? The sea so peaceful and calm." His gaze moved away from her profile to stare out over the horizon of the ocean.

Dark blues would turn back towards the view of the horizon. So lost in her thoughts, she hadn't really took much note of it. With it being brought foremost into her thoughts, she'd slowly nod. "Yes, it is. Beautiful and peaceful..." As her gaze spanned the horizon, a momentary glance in the direction she had last seen her ships.."...the calm before the storm." The last mumbled under her breath. Focus was then back upon him fully. "Enjoying your sight seeing?"

He rocked back on his heels and pivoted about to face her with a smile. "Actually I am. Took a nice ride about the country side today. Beautiful land here on the Islands. Think I might take an extended stay here, even find a bit of work for a while." Steel blues focused directly to her face. "What about you? Are you enjoying the sights here?" The bounty hunter grinned down at the mysterious, fetching lass.

"Work? What type of work are you looking for? I might know of someone who's seeking help." It was then her head turned more, slight rise of chin as she gazed up at him. A bit of a smirk upon those lips. "Yes, I am enjoying the sights that's offered here. How can one not?" Was she referring to the landscape, or the individual? Amused glint in those dark blues could very well mean it was meant to a degree in both ways. One truthful, the other nothing more than an out right tease.

It seemed it was a double play on words and meanings. Just which sights was the man asking that she was enjoying? Raine just grinned right back at her. "I'd have to agree with you there." Lifting his gaze up over her head he thought about her questions of employ. "Oh, I don't know. Something that can pay my way while I hang about here for a while. Maybe a little blacksmith work or something?" His steel blues would dropped back down, meeting those dark blues of hers.

"They may be able to use a blacksmith at the stables, or even the ship yard. You might find employment as such closer to the town of Devilsden . There's a tavern there, called the Dockside. Those who frequent that establishment might be able to help you out more." Touch of a smile before her focus would return to gaze out over the open harbor. The setting sun reflected with all it's colorful glory, upon the near mirrored like surface of the calm seas.

"I appreciate your help. I'll look into it first thing in the morning." His smile eased away as he turned, looking out over the harbor with her. "You seem a bit distant tonight, like a part of you is lost out there...." A hand lifted, pointing out over the sea. "...somewhere." Raine leaned down close to her ear. "Are you really here, JD. Or did we loose you to daydreaming of other shores and adventures?" His voice hinted with a low murmur of teasing before he stood back to glance at her profile.

Soft chuckle and a side long glance over at him when he dared to near. A bit of a grin to form upon hearing his words. "Don't everyone daydream of adventures, Raine? To be someplace other than where they are?" Which was true, without saying too much. As he drew back, her gaze would remain fixed upon his. "Don't you still dream of adventure, like you did when you left the farm? Surely there was something you followed after. To be a grand knight one day, or a hero that the lasses threw themselves at his feet?" Slight rise of a brow as well as a bit more of a smirk. Hands moved to draw that cloak more tightly about her. As the sun sank further, the chill became more on the sea breeze. Turning now so that she was facing him, and blocking some of that nippy air.

"All the time." He winked. "Maybe it's what brought me to these shores." As JD held his gaze, he found his own wandering around as he thought back to his childhood and what lead him off that day to become a bounty hunter, never looking back or returning to his past. "Sure I do. I still hope to become a knight one day when I grow up." She'd catch that quick smirk, before he cleared his voice and looked about. "For now, I'm just your ordinary drifter seeking his own way." He took a step back from her and gave a bow of his head. "Well, my dove. I shouldn't be taking up all your valuable time. Think I'll find me my supper, some good drink, a bit of company and a bed to rest my tired head." One last gaze to look over her dark features before he tipped his head and turned about to stroll off. Hands in pockets the bounty hunter began to softly whistle a catchy tune.

She'd watch as he walked away, a bit of a smirk at thinking him someone's squire. It just didn't fit him, nor did the word ordinary. She remembered Geddoe's words, there was something about this man. She couldn't put her finger on it, but he was someone worth watching. Later she'd put the buzz in a few ears to listen and learn all they could about this drifter named Raine. Never could be too precautious, especially now

[JD Black]

[shadow=red,left,300] [glow=blue,2,300]The Bounty Hunter[/glow] [/shadow]

[shadow=black,left,300] SSDD[/shadow]

It was after two a.m. when a ship docked into Sharks Bay. Thirty minutes of silence followed, then the gang plank was lowered onto the dock, a rider in a long coat and hat, led a horse down the plank and walked it through town before mounting to ride off to the North of Shark Island. Twenty minutes later another rider came down the gang plank leading another horse. This one rode off to the East. Like clock work a third rider disembarked from the ship twenty minutes following, only to ride off to the West. And so it followed suit, every twenty minutes another rider would lead a horse down that gang plank and silently walk the animal through town before mounting and riding out of Devilsden , until a dozen had made their way out of the harbor town to ride off in different directions.

The clandestine group eventually met up far north of the lands of Heathfield and continued on for a two ride outside the borders of this land. Finding a place deep within a forest, they set up camp and waited, though they were not to be completely idle. A few scouts set out to complete their smaller missions while those remaining in camp prepared their plans and set up a few traps.

That same night, while the phantom riders were leaving the ship, a lone man stood at the far end of the dock in the shadows, watching in silence. When the twelfth rider finally left, the man turned around and walked back to his own horse, quickly mounting. He didn't follow after the group, not at first. He had a few things to tend to in town before he'd meet up a couple of days later at the campsite.

- -Two days later, mid afternoon- -
- -Somewhere north of Devilsden- -

"As the army rose up over the hill the captain called out to his men to halt. Hand held in the air to give that signal to attack. A thousand strong they stood above their enemies awaiting them in the valley below. Then the captain sliced that hand through the air and like a drove of locusts the army poured down the slope to meet the enemy in battle. In the lead was the captain's mighty horse, Zeus. A black beast, 18 hands high. Nostrils flaring and breathing out steam. His hooves torn up the ground, pounding like the drums of war, thunder booming with each of his powerful steps as he charged the army towards the enemies embrace....!"

Leopold's ear's flicked, his tails swishing back and forth, steps prancing high as Raine sat on his back, reading out of a book. Yes, the arrogant Andalusian loved being read to. That is anything that had to do with a heroic horse in the a tale. As they made their way across a grassy terrain, the bounty hunter flipped the pages and filled the horse's head with the story of the mighty war horse, Zeus and the army of Valakar. Added drama affect was his hand motioning in the air to emphasize each word of the story. "Like the voices of screaming banishes came their war cry..."

A noise in the distance broke the attention of the bounty hunter as he paused to look up, only to see a flock of birds fly up and take off to the north. The afternoon reminded him of some events that took place some time ago. Six months, perhaps it had been a year now? He couldn't honestly recall. He had been on pursuit of a certain horse thief when he'd come across Lewis. The man was always good for a quick cash bounty and so Raine had taken him in, returning him to the wife who held an open ended bounty on her wayward husband who constantly was sneaking off from their home. The events had unfolded perfectly, with Lewis' horse falling and breaking it's neck during the pursuit, which had given Raine the cover story to claim he'd captured the horse, but sadly it was killed in the pursuit and the horse thief was washed down stream. The thoughts brought him to the whole reason he'd been out. It was because of his 'dove'. A crazy little dollie he'd gotten himself caught up with. She was the best of him and the worst. An escapee from an insane asylum. The red flags should have gone off, but caught in a drunken stooper the bounty hunter found himself saddled to the crazy doll.

It was that one night that had been the turning point for him.

His eyes narrowed as he looked to the northeast. Leaning low over the saddle he glanced along the path and followed his gaze over some broken rushes. "This way, Leopold." With a nudge of his knee the Andalusian warhorse turned and began to trot down the path that the other bounty hunters had taken.

An hour later Raine rode into the camp, only a single man was sitting in the open on a log.

He was in his forties with a broad girth. He had a scraggly beard, peppered with gray and a weathered face. Brushy brows stuck out over an inch on his forehead and his wiry hair looked like it hadn't been brushed in a month of Sundays. The old geezer turned gray eyes on the younger bounty hunter and scratched at the beard. "Bout time you showed up Sommes. You look like you've seen a ghost? Everything okay?"

Jasper always had a way of seeing right through Raine. The younger man dismounted his steed and patted Leopold on the hindquarters before joining Jasper on the log. "Never could hide anything from you old man." Chuckling as he leaned forward to pour himself a mug of coffee. "Everything set up?"

Jasper gave the younger man a scrutinizing look before nodding. "Yep. Got our scouts out in place and they're gathering as much information as they can dig up. Did find out one thing."

Raine took a sip of his coffee only to turn those steel blues eyes on his mentor. "And what is that?"

Jasper eyed Raine for a long minute then grinned. "You're Captain Black never did sail off with his ships. Figure he stayed somewhere around these lands, or didn't go more than a few days voyage from here."

Raine slowly nodded, his eyes narrowly slightly. "Interesting. Somehow I've had the feeling he's been close at hand and watching, through scouts or even observing himself at a distance."

Taking up a stick beside him, Jasper poked at the fire, stirring the logs to keep it burning. "Way I see it. With the thirteen riders in place now, this Captain Black's gonna have a hard time keeping himself hidden."

Raine turned a look over to Jasper. "Dante's here then?" Referring to the weapons master.

"Yep." Jasper grinned. "Even managed to drag him along for this trip."

"Good. That is real good to hear." Slowly sitting back he drained off the coffee in the mug before setting it down on the ground. "Did you bring along the newspapers and the paybills?"

"Got 'em." The old man replied. "Along with a hefty new bounty put the pirate's head. 50,000 gold."

Raine gave a long whistle, raking a hand through that untidy mess of blonde hair. "50,000 in gold? Now that's a bounty." Grinning like a rake in a sleeper house. "Alright, I'll take those with me and spread through all the towns and villages. Meet me in town in four days time down by the docks, at about quarter to one in the morning."

"You got it, Sommes." Jasper nodded, leaning over to add a few more logs to the fire. "Oh..." Glancing up at the young bounty hunter. "And Sommes, don't be dwelling on that little lass. Need to keep your thoughts clear." Pressing a forefinger against his temple, the old man winked at Raine.

"Yeah." Straining over a grin, the old geezer could see right through him. She was gone now, and Raine had moved on. The mystery of that whole evolution was still unclear, but best now not to question it. He had a mission he'd been hired for and Captain Black would be tracked down and brought before his employer.