Title: Inceptum Aliud
Author: Hildwyn
Rating: PG- PG-13
Summary: Supernatural events abound at Port Royal
Disclaimer: I do not own Pirates of the Caribbean, nor do I own any of the characters. Disney Enterprises, Inc and Jerry Bruckheimer, Inc have that honor. The only ones I 'own' are the original ones.
Notes: I swear, I'll get around to the next chapter of 'Tale of the Immortal Captain Sparrow' soon. Really . . .
-------------------------
Inceptum Aliud
-------------------------
Chapter 1
A pair of servants entered the room bearing trays covered with teacups and scones. They carefully set them down on the table, setting for three seats.
Two people were already present and seated at the table, one tall and distinguished-looking with aristocratic clothing and a grey curly wig. He took his teacup and added some sugar before he brought it up to his lips to drink. He was the stereotypical image of the English elite.
The other seated man was also tall and English, however the similarities ended there. The younger man had his dark wavy black hair tied back with a leather cord, and though dressed in his Sunday best, which was adequate for the setting, he looked ill at ease with both the location, and his companion.
An uncomfortable silence stretched- the only sound that of the teacups being placed on their saucers, or a spoon touching the side of a teacup as it was being used to stir the tea.
The first to bread the verbal silence was the aristocrat, a Weatherby Swann by name, and the Governor of Port Royal.
"So, Mr. Turner, I hear that you have gained some important commissions recently for the shop, including from Fort Charles."
Will cleared his throat before he spoke.
"Yes, the Commodore was kind enough to choose Mr. Brown's smithy to forge the required . . . items."
Both the Governor and the blacksmith knew what the requested items were- new cell bars to replace the temporary ones that had been in place from about a month prior- before they had been ripped out by a the blacksmith when breaking out a pirate.
It was a surprise that Commodore Norrington had indeed chosen Mr. Brown's shop to furnish the cell bars, as Will Turner had not only exposed a weakness of their construction, but that he had been the one to exploit it.
"Well, he certainly chose the people with the correct skill to forge them."
In truth it was at the Governor's request that the job went to Mr. Brown's shop, however the swords that had also requested at the shop had nothing to do with the Governor's request, only the Commodore's confidence in the skill of the apprentice blacksmith, who was now his own master, and an equal partner in the business.
"Will, father, sorry to keep you waiting. It took slightly longer to get this on that expected," Elizabeth smiled at the two of them as she entered the room.
"You look wonderful, as usual, Elizabeth," Will nodded, agreeing with the Governor.
Elizabeth smiled again and seated herself at the table, next to Will, and picked up her teacup.
"We should use this opportunity to discuss our plans for the wedding, don't you think so, Will?"
"Maybe another time-"
"This is a most excellent opportunity to do such," The Governor said, cutting off Will's objections.
"After all, I can't very well provide for the wedding of my only daughter if I don't know what she wants."
Will sighed. He should have known by now that it was useless to try for a small ceremony. Governor Swann, and Elizabeth were of an elite class, one that felt that a wedding was supposed to be an extravagant occasion, meriting numerous guests and opulent gifts.
No possible chance of sneaking Jack Sparrow in now. His thoughts turned to Jack. A strange man, no denying it, but a good one. One that he considered his friend.
Will came back with a start, realizing that his thoughts had wandered off topic and that Elizabeth had just asked him a question.
"I- I don't know. What ever you wish."
Elizabeth frowned, and the Governor smiled.
"Excellent, then it is settled. Not exactly the place I would have chosen, but a good one nonetheless."
A servant entered the room carrying a letter.
"A letter for Miss Elizabeth Swann, and Mr. William Turner."
Elizabeth picked the letter off the proffered tray. Turning to Will she held it out.
"Why don't you take it?"
Will nodded and reached out, closing his hand about it.
He winced slightly when looking at it, realizing that it was a bit too dark in the room for reading.
"It's a little dark, isn't it?" The Governor asked, watching Will squint, "Hardly past three as well. Must be a storm."
As if on cue the low distant rumbling of thunder could be heard, and the sound of rain splattering against the windows.
At the Governor's request, the servants came in and began lighting the lamps.
Will opened the letter and was about to read it when he glanced down and saw that the signature was none other than Jack's.
The Governor and Elizabeth stared at Will expectantly.
Without reading the rest of the letter Will folded it up and stuffed it in his coat's pocket.
"Just a congratulations and well wishes," Will said.
The Governor nodded.
"Is that all?" Elizabeth asked. She had her suspicions on who the letter was from, and Will had never been any good lying to her. Still Will remained silent.
Sensing a mounting tension the Governor decided to intervene and ease it.
"I never told you about Abigail's and mine's wedding plans, now did I?" Elizabeth rolled her eyes and Will looked on with interest.
"Well it was out when we were riding . . . "
----------
Norrington had been out, drilling with the soldiers when he had fist noticed the raindrops falling. The sounds of orders being barked out and of people rushing out had cut out all noise from outside the fort.
Norrington frowned as a large raindrop fell onto the sheet he had been reading, blurring the words. He tried to brush the water away, but only succeeded in smudging it even more.
"A bit of trouble, sir?" One of the lieutenants asked.
"I will not dignify that with an answer, Mr. Reed," Norrington said in a flat tone. Reed smiled.
"You are no fun," Reed said.
"I was unaware that it was my duty to amuse you," Norrington said, still looking at the sheets.
"Shall we end the drill?"
"No. Pirates do not wait for the weather to be agreeable to us. Continue with the drill, Lieutenant."
"Aye, sir." Reed said.
Norrington walked to one of the covered portions, seeking shelter from the rain that was now coming down much heavier than before.
Waiting until he was able to at least make out all the writing on the sheet that he could, he summoned Reed over.
"Enough of the drill now, I will be in my office if I am needed," Norrington said, turning and leaving.
"Drill's over. You make come out from cover, but with this rain . . . "
Norrington sighed as he shut the door to his office. His luck to have all the officers in the Navy who thought themselves humorous. He removed his hat and overcoat and draped them over one of the chairs.
He had started to write out a letter when he heard a knock on his door.
"Come in."
He glanced up to see Reed.
"Are Gillette and Groves back yet?"
"No, sir."
Norrington continued to scribble down words on the parchment, and then stopped.
"In that case," he said looking up and standing, "You shall be in command until Lt. Gillette returns. Then he will assume command."
"You are going, sir?"
"So it would seem."
"In the pouring rain?"
"It's pouring?"
Norrington blinked.
"Then I shall be staying here until it passes by."
He moved back to his desk and seated himself.
"Is that all, Lieutenant?"
"Yes, sir."
"Dismissed," Norrington watched as Reed left.
It is awfully dark in here.
He moved towards one of the lamps to light it.
-------------------
"Come on, step lively! Let's not stay out here any longer than necessary."
"Well, if you want it to go quicker you could step in and help carry some stuff," Groves said stepping up from behind Gillette.
"I am supervising."
"That you are."
Gillette turned to look at Groves.
"Well I don't see you doing anything."
"I'm keeping an eye on you. We can't have you going off and trying to exercise your wit too much. Wouldn't want you coming up with any more mermaid sayings."
Gillette groaned. "I really wish you would-"
"Look on the bright side," Groves said, "There is probably some woman somewhere that would love you for it."
"Well that just makes everything worthwhile, now doesn't it?"
"Exactly," Groves said with a smile.
"Looks like we're just about done here. Back to the Fort. Murtogg, Mullroy, stay with the contingent already on the Dauntless.
"The rest of you with me," Gillette commanded.
The rain turned from a light sprinkle to a full out downpour. The Navy men trudged up the now empty streets heading to the forts.
"I am completely soaked."
Gillette shook his head.
"Think of it as fair revenge. You laughed at me coming out soaking wet after having jumped out of the dinghy, and I shall laugh at you when you are soaking wet."
"Oh, so now you and the weather are conspiring together. You may want to reevaluate whatever your agreement is. You are soaking wet as well," Groves said, barely containing his mirth.
"If you have had your laugh at my expense then why don't you finally terminate this agreement?" Groves continued.
"If I could, I would, but unfortunately-"
The rain then slowed down, coming to a halt.
Gillette stopped in his tracks to look up into the sky.
"That's odd."
"Always knew you had it in you," Groves said, slapping Gillette on the shoulder as he walked by.
"Although, I will admit that it is a bit strange," Groves added as an afterthought.
A flash of lightning illuminated the gloomy streets and was almost instantly followed by a clap of thunder.
Had any of the soldiers glanced back, they would have seen the shadows of beings stalking them, disappearing when illuminated by the lightning.
TBC