Chapter one: A kidnapping and an accord
"Aargh, missy. Do ye have any idea of where ye are?"
"Not quite." I said as my voice was firm with confidence.
"Ye be sailing cursed waters. Or at least it'll feel like it after what we do to ye, young missy." The older pirate snarled at me.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, if you're lucky, ye'll get out here alive. But it's unlikely. Ye have something that belongs to us."
"I don't quite know what you are implying, Sir."
"Ye know damn well what I be talkin' about!" Grabbing my arm, the pirate yanked me over and put his hand down my bodice. I shrieked because of this and also because his hand was quite cold. Bringing his hand up again, he showed me the necklace with the ruby ring hanging from it.
"Now, I believe we should have an accord, am I right, young missy?"
Looking at the ring, I was mesmerized. It was beautiful. But also, it was my father's.
"Never!" I yelled out loud. Looking around, I noticed it was a dream and felt my bodice for the beautiful necklace my father once gave me. Feeling a burning pain in my shoulder, I was totally awake and started breathing heavily. I looked towards my right shoulder and tore off a piece of the clothing hiding it.
The scar was obviously getting worse; it was green, blue and yellow around the corners and was overlapping with a crust from the blood. I knew I had to clean it, but knew the job wouldn't be pleasant. It would be painful, having to do it with one of the dirty and stiff rags with alcohol- most likely the brown, burning liquid known as rum.
I got the scar from a deadly battle that I experienced last night on the ship and from sword fighting a large man who was highly advanced in fencing. But I advanced quickly, seeing as I was thinner, I was the quicker of us two. The man obviously didn't see me as much of a threat, and continued going for me. Stabbing my shoulder, I let out a yelp in pain, and when the man was laughing and distracted, I let my cold metal sword meet his hard chest. It was all over then.
Sighing, I got off my large cot, the only thing good about being on this ship. The ship was called the HMS Darlene, named after the old Commodore's wife. The new Commodore never did get married; at first he was after the beautiful yet already in love Elizabeth Swann, but now he was after me, although I didn't have a good reason at refusing him.
Don't get me wrong, I wanted to fall in love sometime, but that was it. I wanted to fall in love, not get married because I had to become some broodmare, only married for the sake of reproducing.
Anyway, the ship was known as the HMS Darlene, and it was a wreck. It was old and rarely taken care of. It stunk of alcohol and men that never showered. The food wasn't great-just a piece of stale bread and a small piece of meat, not heated up but salted to keep it preserved. Yet, one couldn't complain if this was the life they had chosen.
I had heard stories of the mythical Black Pearl, the haunted ship that used to have a curse, but that curse was now broken. The ship now cruised among the waters in search of nothing more than pure freedom. She had definitely heard stories of the roughish yet handsome Jack Sparrow and she had dreams of one day sailing along side him, but knew that day would never yet arrive. Or at least thought it never would.
Walking over to fresh (or at least was considered fresh) water basin, I used the piece of cloth that I ripped off my shoulder and dipped it in the cool water. The cloth I had was definitely softer than what the HMS Darlene had to offer, so I used it instead.
Hissing at the pain if produced once I pressed it against my flesh was more than I'd like to experience. Just imagine when I used the rum.
Getting up after cleaning the ugly scar, I walked down the hallway to another shipmate, Elijah.
I knocked quietly on the door, but no noise was heard. I knocked louder, and nothing happened.
I slowly opened the door and there he was, asleep.
"Come on, Elijah, its past dawn already!" I muttered to him.
Going for his liquor cabinet, I heard him move behind me. Quickly, I turned to see him, but he was still there in bed.
I sighed, and went for the rum again. Searching quickly, I found the less powerful brand that he never drank.
Turning around, I stared into a fierce pair of green eyes.
"Find what you were looking for?" Elijah asked coldly. Looking down, he noticed the bottle. "And all for rum?!"
"Elijah, listen! I need it!"
"For what? Women aren't supposed to get drunk! Especially on a ship!"
"Look at this!" I yelled back at him, pulling down the neck of my shirt to show my wound.
His eyes bulged and he was speechless for a few seconds.
"Sorry." He muttered. "It's just you know how important that rum is to me."
"I know, I know! But I wouldn't be here unless I absolutely needed it."
"Sure, go ahead."
Leaving the room with the bottle of the fierce liquor in my hand, I strolled back to my cabinet. Hearing a brawl on the floor above me didn't stop me in my tracks. There was usually a brawl over bread or rum or something. But just in case, I felt my calf and searched until finding the lump that assured me my prized dagger was there.
We had a brawl once with the Black Pearl, one of the memories I would love to forget. I knew exactly who was on that ship-Jack Sparrow. Captain Jack Sparrow, to be exact. But we fought anyway, and we fought pretty well. The Black Pearl gave up, and I was assigned to clean up the mess (Sure, put up a good battle and clean the blood off the floor, that's real nice). I noticed a shiny dagger on the floor and picked it up. Engraved in its blade was a sparrow in flight and the initials JS.
I never fought without that dagger and made plans of somehow getting the weapon back to him, but didn't know how.
Sitting down on a trunk in my cabin, I began to clean the cut. I had to clench my teeth on a rag to keep from screaming, but it wasn't as bad as I thought it was.
I cleaned it thoroughly, but it still looked nasty. Taking my bandana off, I tied it around the now visible scar and covered it up. Many people would be happy to show off a wound they received in battle. To me, it was a sign of weakness.
I got up and went to the rail of the ship. Hanging over the side, I looked to the sea. Seeing as my father was a pirate (He was the one they called Keelhaul Jim), it was only natural that the sea called to me. I didn't know what it was, but it made me think a lot. And I loved every minute I got to stare out into its wonderful bounty and think of the freedom I was so easily offered.
"Juniper, get to work, ye scabrous mutt! Wash the deck!" The Captain yelled. "Women." he muttered afterward. I almost attacked him, but knew if I did, I would be easily thrown overboard.
Getting the bucket of water I used to wash my cut, I set a new rag in it *one of the dirtier ones* and began to clean. After an hour of this, my arm got tired. But the Captain wouldn't let me stop, oh no.
As I rested, a shot of spit sailed next to my head and landed on the deck.
"Ye missed a spot." He walked away cackling.
I shook my head and muttered to myself, "Missed a spot, my arse."
I hated the man, and as soon as I would get the chance, I was to sign on to a new pirate ship. Chances were, it would be a lot better than being on any other ship.
But it didn't really matter what ship I was on. The only thing that mattered was that I loved the sea, and my passion was insatiable. I could only ask for more each time.
Not noticing I was trailing in my work, I got back and scrubbed with all my might. Maybe if the wretched man sees me, I'll be able to get off work early. But I doubt it. Seeing as the man went to eat breakfast, I went back to my cabin.
It wasn't that long until I heard crashing upstairs. I ignored it, pirates brawled all the time. Wasn't that much different.
Hearing something stirring outside my door, I opened it and almost screamed in fear. Two men, one of them being Elijah, were fighting to the death outside my door.
"Get.out, Juniper!" Elijah yelled. "The Black Pearl is attacking again! Get out while you can!"
Taking his word, but not before slitting the pirate's throat, I ran to the top deck and was prepared to fight.
I got ready to stab one of the rival pirates when I felt someone pick me up and carry me across the ship. I was about the stab when I looked down into the face of Captain Jack Sparrow.
"'ello, love!" He said with a grin. "Fancy meetin' ye here, 'ow about we make way back to me ship?"
"I don't think so!" I yelled, trying to kick my way out of his arms, but it was no use. His grip was too tight around my waist.
"I have something that belongs to you." I muttered, hoping he'd let me go.
"Is that so? Well, what is it, love? Come, come, we don't 'ave all day!"
Reaching down behind my calf (Which wasn't easy while being hoisted into the air), I grabbed his dagger and gave it to him. (And I know what you are thinking, but I had my spare dagger tied around my other calf)
"Oh.nice work, love. But ye are still comin' with me."
"What? Why?!" I yelled at him.
"I don't know why I must be explaining this to ye, ye are a pirate. But this is what I like to call a hostage."
"But why me?!"
"Because, love." He grinned at me, which made me want to slap him. "Ye are a lady. The men are more likely to come after a lady."
"But the pirate code!"
"Yes, but don't you know what the pirate code is?" He set me down and stared at me. "Any man who gets left behind stays behind. I believe the key word there is man."
"It applies to women as well!"
"Not in my book!" He hoisted me into his ship and I sat down.
I struggled to get out of the ship, but he wouldn't let me. While his back was turned, I thought of a plan. I would jump in the water! Most pirates can't swim, but I can.
Wrong move. The man was like an expert diver and dove in after me, grabbing my waist and bringing me back to the surface.
"You wretched man, let me go!"
"Sorry, love. Listen, we aren't going to hurt you, just come on to me ship and be a good lass!"
"Why?"
He moaned. "Hostage, love. HOSTAGE. I got something you're crew wants, they got something I want, ye savvy?"
"Like what?"
"How about, I don't know.money? Treasure? Or I might just be content with the fine lass I picked up. Either way, I'm happy."
"And either way, I'm not!"
Then the thought came to me. Here was my day. I could be on the Black Pearl. I wanted to switch ships, now here's my chance!
"I'm havin' a thought here, Sparrow."
"Ow'd ye know me name?" He asked suddenly.
"Who doesn't? Anyway, I'm havin' a thought. One you might like to take consideration with."
"Like what, young missy?"
"Why does everyone call me that?" I said with a groan. "Anyway, I become part of your crew, my old ship thinks that you're holding me hostage, they come after me, you trick them into giving you some part of their plunder, we're all happy!"
"And may I ask why would that satisfy a wench like yourself?"
"I am not a wench, and it would very greatly satisfy me, seeing as my old captain was a bastard."
"Oh.well.then," He scratched his beard. "I see no problem with it. We have an accord, love."
"Don't call me that."
"No?"
"No."
"Aargh, missy. Do ye have any idea of where ye are?"
"Not quite." I said as my voice was firm with confidence.
"Ye be sailing cursed waters. Or at least it'll feel like it after what we do to ye, young missy." The older pirate snarled at me.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, if you're lucky, ye'll get out here alive. But it's unlikely. Ye have something that belongs to us."
"I don't quite know what you are implying, Sir."
"Ye know damn well what I be talkin' about!" Grabbing my arm, the pirate yanked me over and put his hand down my bodice. I shrieked because of this and also because his hand was quite cold. Bringing his hand up again, he showed me the necklace with the ruby ring hanging from it.
"Now, I believe we should have an accord, am I right, young missy?"
Looking at the ring, I was mesmerized. It was beautiful. But also, it was my father's.
"Never!" I yelled out loud. Looking around, I noticed it was a dream and felt my bodice for the beautiful necklace my father once gave me. Feeling a burning pain in my shoulder, I was totally awake and started breathing heavily. I looked towards my right shoulder and tore off a piece of the clothing hiding it.
The scar was obviously getting worse; it was green, blue and yellow around the corners and was overlapping with a crust from the blood. I knew I had to clean it, but knew the job wouldn't be pleasant. It would be painful, having to do it with one of the dirty and stiff rags with alcohol- most likely the brown, burning liquid known as rum.
I got the scar from a deadly battle that I experienced last night on the ship and from sword fighting a large man who was highly advanced in fencing. But I advanced quickly, seeing as I was thinner, I was the quicker of us two. The man obviously didn't see me as much of a threat, and continued going for me. Stabbing my shoulder, I let out a yelp in pain, and when the man was laughing and distracted, I let my cold metal sword meet his hard chest. It was all over then.
Sighing, I got off my large cot, the only thing good about being on this ship. The ship was called the HMS Darlene, named after the old Commodore's wife. The new Commodore never did get married; at first he was after the beautiful yet already in love Elizabeth Swann, but now he was after me, although I didn't have a good reason at refusing him.
Don't get me wrong, I wanted to fall in love sometime, but that was it. I wanted to fall in love, not get married because I had to become some broodmare, only married for the sake of reproducing.
Anyway, the ship was known as the HMS Darlene, and it was a wreck. It was old and rarely taken care of. It stunk of alcohol and men that never showered. The food wasn't great-just a piece of stale bread and a small piece of meat, not heated up but salted to keep it preserved. Yet, one couldn't complain if this was the life they had chosen.
I had heard stories of the mythical Black Pearl, the haunted ship that used to have a curse, but that curse was now broken. The ship now cruised among the waters in search of nothing more than pure freedom. She had definitely heard stories of the roughish yet handsome Jack Sparrow and she had dreams of one day sailing along side him, but knew that day would never yet arrive. Or at least thought it never would.
Walking over to fresh (or at least was considered fresh) water basin, I used the piece of cloth that I ripped off my shoulder and dipped it in the cool water. The cloth I had was definitely softer than what the HMS Darlene had to offer, so I used it instead.
Hissing at the pain if produced once I pressed it against my flesh was more than I'd like to experience. Just imagine when I used the rum.
Getting up after cleaning the ugly scar, I walked down the hallway to another shipmate, Elijah.
I knocked quietly on the door, but no noise was heard. I knocked louder, and nothing happened.
I slowly opened the door and there he was, asleep.
"Come on, Elijah, its past dawn already!" I muttered to him.
Going for his liquor cabinet, I heard him move behind me. Quickly, I turned to see him, but he was still there in bed.
I sighed, and went for the rum again. Searching quickly, I found the less powerful brand that he never drank.
Turning around, I stared into a fierce pair of green eyes.
"Find what you were looking for?" Elijah asked coldly. Looking down, he noticed the bottle. "And all for rum?!"
"Elijah, listen! I need it!"
"For what? Women aren't supposed to get drunk! Especially on a ship!"
"Look at this!" I yelled back at him, pulling down the neck of my shirt to show my wound.
His eyes bulged and he was speechless for a few seconds.
"Sorry." He muttered. "It's just you know how important that rum is to me."
"I know, I know! But I wouldn't be here unless I absolutely needed it."
"Sure, go ahead."
Leaving the room with the bottle of the fierce liquor in my hand, I strolled back to my cabinet. Hearing a brawl on the floor above me didn't stop me in my tracks. There was usually a brawl over bread or rum or something. But just in case, I felt my calf and searched until finding the lump that assured me my prized dagger was there.
We had a brawl once with the Black Pearl, one of the memories I would love to forget. I knew exactly who was on that ship-Jack Sparrow. Captain Jack Sparrow, to be exact. But we fought anyway, and we fought pretty well. The Black Pearl gave up, and I was assigned to clean up the mess (Sure, put up a good battle and clean the blood off the floor, that's real nice). I noticed a shiny dagger on the floor and picked it up. Engraved in its blade was a sparrow in flight and the initials JS.
I never fought without that dagger and made plans of somehow getting the weapon back to him, but didn't know how.
Sitting down on a trunk in my cabin, I began to clean the cut. I had to clench my teeth on a rag to keep from screaming, but it wasn't as bad as I thought it was.
I cleaned it thoroughly, but it still looked nasty. Taking my bandana off, I tied it around the now visible scar and covered it up. Many people would be happy to show off a wound they received in battle. To me, it was a sign of weakness.
I got up and went to the rail of the ship. Hanging over the side, I looked to the sea. Seeing as my father was a pirate (He was the one they called Keelhaul Jim), it was only natural that the sea called to me. I didn't know what it was, but it made me think a lot. And I loved every minute I got to stare out into its wonderful bounty and think of the freedom I was so easily offered.
"Juniper, get to work, ye scabrous mutt! Wash the deck!" The Captain yelled. "Women." he muttered afterward. I almost attacked him, but knew if I did, I would be easily thrown overboard.
Getting the bucket of water I used to wash my cut, I set a new rag in it *one of the dirtier ones* and began to clean. After an hour of this, my arm got tired. But the Captain wouldn't let me stop, oh no.
As I rested, a shot of spit sailed next to my head and landed on the deck.
"Ye missed a spot." He walked away cackling.
I shook my head and muttered to myself, "Missed a spot, my arse."
I hated the man, and as soon as I would get the chance, I was to sign on to a new pirate ship. Chances were, it would be a lot better than being on any other ship.
But it didn't really matter what ship I was on. The only thing that mattered was that I loved the sea, and my passion was insatiable. I could only ask for more each time.
Not noticing I was trailing in my work, I got back and scrubbed with all my might. Maybe if the wretched man sees me, I'll be able to get off work early. But I doubt it. Seeing as the man went to eat breakfast, I went back to my cabin.
It wasn't that long until I heard crashing upstairs. I ignored it, pirates brawled all the time. Wasn't that much different.
Hearing something stirring outside my door, I opened it and almost screamed in fear. Two men, one of them being Elijah, were fighting to the death outside my door.
"Get.out, Juniper!" Elijah yelled. "The Black Pearl is attacking again! Get out while you can!"
Taking his word, but not before slitting the pirate's throat, I ran to the top deck and was prepared to fight.
I got ready to stab one of the rival pirates when I felt someone pick me up and carry me across the ship. I was about the stab when I looked down into the face of Captain Jack Sparrow.
"'ello, love!" He said with a grin. "Fancy meetin' ye here, 'ow about we make way back to me ship?"
"I don't think so!" I yelled, trying to kick my way out of his arms, but it was no use. His grip was too tight around my waist.
"I have something that belongs to you." I muttered, hoping he'd let me go.
"Is that so? Well, what is it, love? Come, come, we don't 'ave all day!"
Reaching down behind my calf (Which wasn't easy while being hoisted into the air), I grabbed his dagger and gave it to him. (And I know what you are thinking, but I had my spare dagger tied around my other calf)
"Oh.nice work, love. But ye are still comin' with me."
"What? Why?!" I yelled at him.
"I don't know why I must be explaining this to ye, ye are a pirate. But this is what I like to call a hostage."
"But why me?!"
"Because, love." He grinned at me, which made me want to slap him. "Ye are a lady. The men are more likely to come after a lady."
"But the pirate code!"
"Yes, but don't you know what the pirate code is?" He set me down and stared at me. "Any man who gets left behind stays behind. I believe the key word there is man."
"It applies to women as well!"
"Not in my book!" He hoisted me into his ship and I sat down.
I struggled to get out of the ship, but he wouldn't let me. While his back was turned, I thought of a plan. I would jump in the water! Most pirates can't swim, but I can.
Wrong move. The man was like an expert diver and dove in after me, grabbing my waist and bringing me back to the surface.
"You wretched man, let me go!"
"Sorry, love. Listen, we aren't going to hurt you, just come on to me ship and be a good lass!"
"Why?"
He moaned. "Hostage, love. HOSTAGE. I got something you're crew wants, they got something I want, ye savvy?"
"Like what?"
"How about, I don't know.money? Treasure? Or I might just be content with the fine lass I picked up. Either way, I'm happy."
"And either way, I'm not!"
Then the thought came to me. Here was my day. I could be on the Black Pearl. I wanted to switch ships, now here's my chance!
"I'm havin' a thought here, Sparrow."
"Ow'd ye know me name?" He asked suddenly.
"Who doesn't? Anyway, I'm havin' a thought. One you might like to take consideration with."
"Like what, young missy?"
"Why does everyone call me that?" I said with a groan. "Anyway, I become part of your crew, my old ship thinks that you're holding me hostage, they come after me, you trick them into giving you some part of their plunder, we're all happy!"
"And may I ask why would that satisfy a wench like yourself?"
"I am not a wench, and it would very greatly satisfy me, seeing as my old captain was a bastard."
"Oh.well.then," He scratched his beard. "I see no problem with it. We have an accord, love."
"Don't call me that."
"No?"
"No."