Ride, Captain…Ride

By Jo and B

Jack Aubrey nodded to East as he took the reins of his bay stallion.

"Thankee, young man. He looks fine and fit. I see that you have been taking great care with him."

"Will Miss Bridgid be joining you today, Captain Aubrey?"

Jack made a grumbling sound before responding with a shake of his head. "I would like to test the old boy's legs, East. I do not want her galloping at such a pace as she would to keep up with me."

East smiled winsomely. He knew Bridgid could outride the Captain even on a bad day but he also understood the sailor's ego. "What time would we expect you back, sir? You know, just in case..."

As Jack heaved himself up on the tall horse's back, he bent to look down at East. With a twinkle in his eye he winked and spoke, "Never you mind, lad. I will be fine and not late for supper as my wife has ordered."

The statement gave East a chuckle as he watched the sailor wheel the horse onto two legs and land him on all fours to gallop ungainly off down the road. Jack's solid arse leaned left in the saddle then right before finally finding the center balance for a bit. He didn't sit easily as he had to concentrate to keep his heels down and his hands quiet. Nelson played with the bit and tugged with his strong neck to get a little freedom from the rider's demanding hands.

Once he was out of sight of the stable, Jack slowed the horse down and gave him a pat on the neck. "Never rode a horse I could not." he said with a laugh that scared a quail out of the brush. The fluttering bird caused the equine's eyes to widen and his teeth to bare as he sat right down on his haunches. Aubrey fisted his hands into the thick black mane and hung on for dear life. He managed to stay aboard and within a few moments both he and Nelson's hearts slowed down to a more normal cadence.

"Blasted bugger. Perhaps it will be quail with roasted potatoes on the table tonight."

A short time later he coaxed Nelson into a gallop again and they were off down the road and onto a path into the woods at a blinding speed. Unsafe without a doubt but the danger was doubled due to the fact that Aubrey had never honed his equestrian skills and Nelson was well aware of his unbalanced rider. Whenever the horse leaned left to compensate for the big man's weight, the rider leaned opposite causing them to careen down the path like a novice driver with a high performance race car. There was fun to be had but it would give an insurance underwriter bad dreams.

Several times the pair avoided striking trees, slipping into muddy puddles and the likes until Jack finally allowed the now tiring stallion to slow to a walk to cool and catch his breath. He patted the horse's neck once again in appreciation for his power and honesty.

"I am sure you find me as trying as the others in my life, horse. Thankee much for that and the pleasure of the thrill you present."

Nelson nickered and bobbed his head as if he understood what the man said to him. He drew and let out a big breath, as if to let out a sigh of relief and as he did the elastic in the cinch tore just a bit against the strain. It was hardly noticeable to a rider like Aubrey.

They continued on at a nice easy walk until a sound brought them both to a stop. It was one of those odd sounding Australian birds with the brilliant feathers, perhaps calling to a mate. Jack looked up into the trees hoping to catch a glimpse of it when the pressure of his weight as he leaned back tore the cinch right in half. Both he and the saddle tumbled off the horse backwards and all would have been fine had it not been for that nasty rock on the trail. Aubrey's head caught it just enough to steal his consciousness away. With the saddle beside him, he lay there feeling as if he were at sea. It was not a bad feeling at all, for now.

Nelson turned and dropped his nose to the man's face. Letting out a snort he stood and waited for his master to climb back up but the scent of vegetation at the side of the trail became too much for him to wait any longer as he buried his muzzle into the cool sweet plants.

Robin had his favorite axe over his shoulder as he walked through the woods, pleased with the particularly fine tree he'd felled. There was much good wood in it for his carvings and he had in mind making a special piece for Julie. Julie...yes. He'd left from Rose Cottage after lunch and spending a delightful hour with her, and would be returning there shortly for supper. He had hunted with his bow yesterday and she was cooking this evening what he'd brought to her.

Tipping his head up into the late afternoon sun, he smiled. Ever since he'd spent those days at her house upon his release from the hospital, he'd never really slept at his own again. The few times he had, she had been with him. His smile broadened as he remembered her form under his hands, hands that were fine-tuned to the beauty of wood grain but now found an even greater beauty in curve of hip and thigh.

He'd been making his way through a pathless section of woods when he came out on the last quarter mile of the narrow way that led to Julie's house. He stopped, surprised to see a large bay stallion contentedly grazing the bordering vegetation. The horse was bridled but unsaddled and he wondered if it had escaped somehow from either the Meridius or Wade farms.

As he approached, leaning his axe against a tree, the horse raised his head, eyeing him suspiciously, so Robin began speaking to it in a low, soothing voice, and then let it explore his outstretched fist. Gradually he turned his hand, opening his fingers and the horse, satisfied, let Robin stroke him slowly. "You're a fine boy," he said, "truly fine. What brings you way out here all by yourself?"

He began to walk around the stallion and his eyes widened when he saw the sprawled form of a man on the far side of the horse, lying on his back in the path. Quickly he knelt beside him, touching his neck. The man looked familiar, though Robin knew he'd never officially met him. Someone from the Glen, yes. The sea captain. The blond man had to be the sea captain who was running for mayor. Maximus had pointed him out in the distance at the Glenridge Station barbeque.

"Captain?" he said. "Captain, can you hear me?"

Jack stirred, groaned and mumbled "Killick! Killick there!"

Though something felt a bit off he did have a sort of lucid thought of far too much Port and a pitching deck.

Seconds only passed before the pain in his head became apparent. "A glass of wine sir, a bit of the hair of the dog that bit me." he ordered from his deep blue haze. As he attempted to sit up he was more confused as to why there was a forest on the deck.

Squinting against the shards of sunlight that beamed down from behind the man above him he stated the obvious. "Have we run aground?"

"Run aground?" Robin repeated, completely puzzled for a moment as to the Captain's reference. "You, Sir, are definitely on the ground if that's what you mean. It would appear you and your horse recently parted company in a rather abrupt fashion."

A sweet cool breeze on top of the sudden realization that he actually did remember riding brought Jack back to most of his senses. With a swagger and the help of the gentleman (who seemed slightly older than himself) he got up and managed to stand.

"Blasted beast, spooked I tell you." Jack lied and he knew it but dare he seem incapable in front of a stranger? Wait, this man was no stranger. "I am sorry, sir. I have misplaced my manners. Have we met before?"

"Loxley, Robin Loxley. I live a bit further down the trail."  He indicated the saddle just off to the side. "I believe there may have been, um, some malfunction in your...equipment, Captain."

"Mister Loxley." Jack stated as he extended a hand. "Thankee for helping me with this... misfortune. I should be on my way as my wife will have supper on the table at precisely ..." he glanced up at the sun to determine how many bells would sound and the mere movement caused him to sway with dizziness.

"Bloody hell, this is the second time this has happened to me this year and mark my words, there will not be a third."

Moving over to a piece of dead fall, Jack eased himself down upon it but his weight was too much for it to bear. First there was a crack, then a puff of sawdust and then, there was a third time.

The Captain was lying on his back in what Robin devoutly hoped was not poison ivy. Quickly he extended an arm. "Here, allow me to aid you to rise. Rose Cottage is but a very short walk around the curve.  It may be wise for you to rest in an actual chair while you or I contact your wife."  It was clear the Captain was unsteady on his feet.  

He knew Robin Loxley was correct. Even though his pride hurt more than his head, Jack reckoned he would be best off to heed the man's advice.

"With one exception sir, I would prefer to refrain from calling my wife. Perhaps we could contact my good friend, The General from whose stable I have departed earlier."

On his feet now, the captain brushed himself off and straightened his waistcoat. He managed to kick some mud from his boot and retie his hair before nodding to Robin. "If you would be so kind as to lead my horse, I believe I could follow without ending up on my backside again. Set a course for Rose Cottage."

The name of the dwelling brought a twitch to his mouth. The Rose, a fine ship with a bluff bow and if he had to remain landlocked then a homey cottage would naturally be his abode of choice, especially if it be occupied by his Siren.

"Robin Loxley, I have been at the Glen for some time now yet I do not believe our paths have crossed. Are you a woodsman hermit or have you recently arrived to the bailiwick?"

Jack struggled a bit to make conversation and hoped he did not sound rude but the sheer effort of it kept him lucid.

"I've not been here long. I think perhaps I saw you at the Glenridge Station gathering. You are running for mayor, are you not?" He slowed his pace to accommodate the Captain's lagging steps, concerned that despite what the man said, he could well fall again.

"Yes, yes, mayor of the Glen." Jack answered. He was wondering why this fall made him feel so badly when he had endured so much more in battle. Perhaps age was catching up with him. Posh! A few moments rest at Loxley's cottage and he'd be right as rain.

Jack didn't know something though. Deep down inside there'd been something brewing for a few days. The bug that would cause his fever had just started to show itself by sapping his strength and balance. Results of the fall were actually negligible.

"Mister Loxley, would you happen to have a bit of water, a canteen perhaps? My mouth is quite dry for some reason."

"I'm afraid you'll have to wait until Rose Cottage, Captain. But it will be...there! Look, Sir, the house is just there across the lawn." He stopped, turning to fully look at Aubrey and as he did, a crease formed in his brow. The man must have been hurt by his fall more than he'd first thought. Still holding the bay's reins in his left hand, he now slipped the other under Jack's left elbow.

Without a second thought, Jack allowed the man to bear his weight. He had no choice actually. The cottage was not only a site for sore eyes but one for blurry ones and as they breached the door, Jack caught sight of an angel just before he lost consciousness. Was she there to take him to meet his maker?

"Please, not yet. I have to take care of her." he said but didn't really know if anyone heard.

TBC