I'm a huge Pirates of the Caribbean fanatic. One day, I decided that I wanted to know what Jack Sparrow's background was like.
And then I decided that I wanted to write it myself. :D
Enjoy and leave reviews please!
Jesse slid his sword out of its scabbard, surveying the boy standing across from him. The boy was young, perhaps eighteen, lanky and confidant in his stance. Jesse was at least three years his senior; shorter with curling blond hair that was tied back at the nape of his neck.
"What are you doing here?" Jesse's tone was cool, his demeanor indifferent. He walked a slow circle around the boy, hoping to make him nervous.
"My captain has sent me to you," the boy said confidently. "He wants t' bargain with you."
"Bargain, eh?" Jesse laughed sardonically. "With me. Why do you not go straight to my father? He is the captain, after all."
"B'cause, mate," the boy's dark brown eyes sparkled mischievously, "your dearly beloved father hasn't half the brains you've got."
Jesse brushed the praise aside. He'd worked with pirates long enough to know not to trust them, no matter how charming. He was a pirate himself, after all.
"What are your captain's conditions for this…bargain?" Jesse asked carefully.
"The trunk in your possession," the pirate boy began to pace across the small space. "It contains gold and gems and…whatnot…am I not correct?"
"Obviously, you are well informed," Jesse's eyes narrowed.
"My captain would like to offer a trade," the pirate settled himself into a chair and propped his feet up on a wooden box that lay near him. An aura of ease emanated from him.
"He would like to exchange that aforementioned trunk for a few able bodies," he pulled an apple out of the pouch that hung from his waist and took a large bite. "We are well aware that your ship is shorthanded."
Jesse looked at the boy with disgust. "Trade gold for men? Are you mad? We can get men at any port we choose to stop."
"Aye," the boy agreed. He took another bite of his apple, made a face, and tossed it to Jesse. "Enjoy." Jesse pulled a face and dropped the apple. "However, but your precious gold is mere metal. It cannot show you the way to that which you are so desperately seeking." He watched Jesse's face, searching for a glimmer of understanding. "Savvy?"
"That which we seek," Jesse repeated slowly. "You can't possibly mean…you can't mean la Isla de Dioses…?"
"Oh, but I do," the boy grinned, pushing one of his dark dreadlocks out of his face. "That is precisely what I mean."
"It's a myth," Jesse said resolutely.
"I wish it were, lad," the boy said airily. "But it just so happens that you are quite wrong. It is, in fact very real."
"Where did you get an idea like that?" Jesse scoffed.
"I've been there," the pirate boy said mysteriously. "Along with half of my crew. We were picked up a year ago on the coast of a desert island, all of us nearly starved…I've been with this captain since."
Jesse had to restrain his jaw from dropping in astonishment.
"Who are you?" he asked.
The pirate grinned crookedly and adjusted the hat on his head.
"The name is Jack. Jack Sparrow."
"Sparrow?" Jesse's eyes narrowed. "Your father is a captain, is he not? Why do you not sail under his flag?"
"I did," Jack said dispassionately. "He was among the less lucky few. He drowned before we reached land…" he faltered for a moment, but then the crooked smile passed across his face once more. "Though I suppose he preferred to drown rather than be stranded on an island with his own son."
"I see," Jesse carefully slid his sword into the scabbard. "I suppose you know, then, what this chest you desire contains."
"But of course," Jack smiled offhandedly. "Aztec gold. Isla de la Muerte. I am well informed."
"Then you surely know that it would be futile to attempt convincing my father that this would be…beneficial…" Jesse raised an eyebrow. "A fair trade would be damn near impossible."
Jack stood up abruptly. "I had a feeling you would say that, which is precisely why I was sent here. I would be pleased to extend to you my expertise of the lovely island of the gods," he took a deep, dramatic bow. "Provided, of course, you would bestow me with some of your gold as collateral, of sorts." Jesse fixed Jack with a hard stare.
"And should you fail?"
Jack was suddenly all serious. "Should I fail, you may kill me without repercussions from the others of my crew." His serious front quickly vanished into a grin. "See? It really is a win/win situation for you, mate."
Jesse gave Jack a hard stare, thinking over the bargain. After a long moment, he nodded curtly.
"I accept your offer. Welcome to the crew," he held out his left hand for Jack to shake. Jack smiled his crooked smile and heartily shook.
Jesse let go and turned around abruptly. He swung the door open and strolled out into the crowded front room of the tavern, The Starboard Maiden. The Maiden was notorious among seafarers and landsmen alike. The rundown, filthy building resided near a port favored by pirates on the island of Tortuga. Respectable men steered clear of the place. Less respectable women, however, gladly accepted the company of the drunken pirates and the money that came with them.
Jack followed after Jesse, eyeing the bottles of rum hungrily. He lagged behind, hoping to snag a bottle before they left.
"Sparrow!"
Jack cringed and looked to his left. Jesse was glaring at him from across the room. "Would you like to be left behind?"
"But the…" Jack argued feebly, "…rum…" Jesse continued to glare. "Fine." Jack crossed the room and followed Jesse out to the port. Jesse expertly wove through the crowds of sailors and pirates, causing Jack to hurriedly push through to keep up. Jesse led Jack to an imposing black ship bobbing noiselessly in the harbor.
"Welcome to the Black Pearl," Jesse couldn't keep a tinge of pride out of his voice.
"The Pearl," Jack whispered greedily. Jesse looked at him out of the corner of his eye. Jack grinned.
"Let's go, mate," Jack moved towards the gangplank. Jesse stopped him and walked forward, motioning for Jack to follow behind him. The deck swarmed with brawny pirates, preparing to cast off. Jack headed towards the center of the throng, but Jesse stopped him again.
"Follow me. You'll need to meet my father."