-
.Dire Clandestine: The Tale of a Quixotic Love Affair
by: The Inflated Taco
o1: The Commencement
-
-1710-
-
Soon this will all be over, and never again shall I have to set foot in this damned town again.
Catalonìa Valadez stood alone, watching as the men piled dirt into the grave. The jagged pieces of her so-called-life had been nailed shut in that pine box never to reach her again. She watched without emotion until the last clot of dirt had been shoveled. She had felt nothing-not the least bit saddened by the loss.
She wouldn't give her the satisfaction of mourning, so she held it all away. Catalonìa lifted her chin, denying the fresh grave before her and did the only thing she saw appropriate.
Smiled.
Smiled at the fact she knew now she was free of the self-seeking woman who had kept her bound to this wretched life. As she thought this, she gripped a chain made of fools gold which hung around her neck. And with a yank she was broke through the last thing that tied her to her homeland. She looked down at the chain that lay across he palm and remembered the spiteful woman who had given it to her. "This chain will shine brighter off of me and on your grave", Catalonìa thought. A vicious grin snaked its way across her lips as she tossed the chain onto the grave and then fingered the new piece that lay at her collar.
A large white heart-shaped diamond that emitted something other than modishness… a new beginning. It had been a gift from the strangest man she had ever thought could exist. That strange man could open the door to many new things. And that man was none other than the infamous Captain Jack Sparrow.
-
-1718-
-
Never in his life had he ever seen the night sky appear so sad. The only trace of the moon was a blurred silver crescent hiding behind the clouds weeping. It wouldn't have mattered if the night's light had disappeared completely because the notorious Black Pearl would still have its black sails proudly hoisted in the bleak nothingness sailing towards whatever challenge came its way.
Captain Jack Sparrow stood on a platform looking down proudly at his crew as they bustled about the deck; keeping the boat in working order, keeping the ship in a somewhat sanitary condition or whatever other things a pirate might do to keep a boat running.
As the ship sailed he couldn't help but being somewhat anxious about the next stop the ship would be making. It was a port off in the British Isles known to most as Port Royale; the home to one of the worlds worst pirates ever. He wondered what Will was doing now. Probably still a blacksmith and now a happily married man of 3 years to the lovely Elizabeth Swann, no doubt.
"Ahh- Jack, the heavens have refused to shine us any moon light. Selfish she is tonight, ey?" a low voice grunted from behind him.
Only Mr. Gibbs.
Jack pursed his lips as he looked up at the sky, "It would appear so…but what do we care? The Pearl will slice through the darkness as though it where a mere loaf o' bread!" he declared somewhat smugly.
"I dunno' Jack", the older man said shaking his head.
Jack knew that to Mr. Gibbs nearly any little quandary would end up turning out to be a sign of bad luck. Constant fallacies are ensured when one stays in Singapore with all the gypsies and witches for long periods of time.
"Bad omen?" Jack questioned with a shrug of his shoulders.
"Aye!" then he looked up dumbly, "How did ye' know, Jack?"
"Call it intuition if ye' will" he teased, wiggling his eyebrows suspiciously.
Time lapsed, and the clouds had begun to shift letting in more of the night's luminosity. They had stood in silence till Gibbs spoke, "The Pearl's to port at Royale I hear?"
It had been more of a statement to break the silence, than an actual question. A lazy smile formed on Jack's lips as he was reminded of this, "Yes, I was off to see an old retired pirate. Great comrade of mine"
"Going off to see Bootstrap's boy?"
"Yup, worst pirate ever…spitting image of his pa' I must say. Tis' like Bootstrap's reflection peering right back at us." Jack laughed.
Another pause.
"I wasn't around last time The Pearl forayed about Port Royale." Mr. Gibbs said, "There will be a next time for that run of the mill port won't there? Indian goods are moving around those seaports this time o' year"
Jack knew that looting Will's fatherland probably wouldn't be the most kind, but a pirate's passion fore more coursed through his veins.
"Foraying shall be happening tomorrow night, ye' have me word on it- but pirate with a wee bit o' mercy- Gots' to let those scallywags stretch their legs a bit and spook those damned toadies." he muttered dismissing Gibbs with a toss of his hand as he headed towards the cabins.
When he neared the cabins he immediately saw her standing on a stool, attempting to turn off the lamp that hung by her bedroom door. She wasn't too hard to miss on a ship filled with unruly pirates; dressed in a soft, white, frilly sleeping gown which swathed around her feet making her look like the little 7 year old girl he fell in love with.
"Catalonìa!" he called out opening his arms, "Whatever is ye' doing? Tis' nearly daybreak."
"I was awoken by this ninny of a light shining on my eyes," she complained, pouting out her poochy lips.
The change of both her appearance and personality in the past 8 years was hardly unnoticeable. No longer was the hair like a nest of wiry twigs on her head, but a dark blanket of sleek, straight locks that hung freely on her shoulders. It had become that way from the constant combing. And her complexion was slightly darker due to her heritage but it wasn't an utter russet color because she hardly ventured outdoors without her parasol.
"Would you like to accompany me to Port Royale…to visit an old acquaintance?" Jack questioned. Had he said that? Why ever would he have wanted her to go in the first place? So she wouldn't be alone. So she'd have somewhere to go, he knew that.
"Of coarse I do father-" her eyes where a light earthy color. Never would they change from that dazzling auburn tone. After all those other physical changes her eyes still stared our proudly without penitence. She strode past him back into the room, peeking out through the slightly open door, "See you tomorrow morning"
-
-
-
She wasn't there when he got home.
He had gone upstairs into their room where he was greeted by the luggage that was stacked up on the bed they had once shared. One glance into the open closet revealed all of his garments gone.
Every trace of his existence had been packed away.
On top of the baggage sat a coiled up slip of paper which he opened with almost immediate regret:
William Turner,
Forgiveness is the only thing I hope to receive from you for I know what I did was morally wrong but you must understand, that during that time I wasn't in a right state of mind. What I also do know is that what we do need is a break from each other to rethink our situation. Once both of us are lucid about this we shall be able to continue out life together. Till then it would be most best if you where to stay at an inn for my shame is too great and I fear I could not face you.
Elizabeth Swann
As he finished the note the image of Elizabeth's sweet face came burning into the back of his eyes. Why? Why did she have to go off with that blasted Commodore? He could forgive her…he knew he would have. If only she had stayed he would've never ever even have brought it up so that only they could continue living together with their love. She had broken a lovers vow, but he didn't care because without her he knew he was nothing.
His vision had begun to blur and he knew no matter how hard he tried to push the tears down they'd still come pouring down. Right now he wanted nothing more than to run off looking down the dusty streets of Port Royale and bury himself into his precious Elizabeth.
But this was only a wish.
Instead he walked over to the bed picked up the suitcases remembering his pride and walked out the front door. He was off to the docks to port the soonest ship out of Port Royale.
-
-
-