A Sinful Smell

Captain Jack Sparrow was waltzing towards the Mala Muchacha tavern for one last drink before setting sail when the most delicious scent wafted past his nose in the rich Spanish breeze.

"Mmmm, what's this now?" he murmured to himself as he sniffed the air, nose twitching with interest. His eyes closed in ecstasy as his head turned slowly towards the source. Determined eyes popped open and widened as he read the sign in front of his eyes. 'Panaderia Marron' (Baker Brown's), it read. "Such a plain name for a bakery and for what heaven it surely contains," he said quietly.

Jack opened the door and quickly, approached the counter where a middle-aged man stood arranging things in the display.

"Ahem," Jack cleared his throat. "Baker, tell me, what is that sinful smell?" he said in the native Spanish language with a hint of his Caribbean ascent.

The man, who Jack assumed was the owner, straightened, startled at the presence of another. He blinked at Jack as though he had never seen a pirate before.

"Answer me, man!" Jack demanded impatiently, forgetting to translate his words into something the man could understand.

"I apologize, uh, sir. I must have been daydreaming. My nephew is baking something in the back," the baker replied with a hesitant smile, surprising Jack with his ability to speak English as well as he could speak Spanish.

"I'll take all of it," Jack stated. "As soon as possible," he added with a note of desperation in his voice.

"All of what?" confusion was evident both in his voice and in his face.

"Whatever he's baking," Jack said, rolling his eyes now at the baker's inability to stay with the conversation.

"Aye." The baker's face stretched with a full-fledged grin. "His bread is irresistible. Emesto!" he called to the back.

A moment later, a narrow, chocolate-haired, jade-eyed boy's head popped into the store. "Si, Tio Yago? (Yes, Uncle James?)"

"What is it that you're making back there?" The baker asked, still grinning at Jack.

Emesto did not answer at first, confused at the change in language from the usual Spanish and the figure standing next to his uncle. "You're Captain Jack Sparrow..." Emesto whispered in awe.

"At yer service, mate," Jack smiled, pleased with Emesto's mention of his rank. He swept his hat off his head and bowed elegantly.

"Is it true what the posters say? You're not to be harmed or detained because you're heading the search for Princesa Eva?" Emesto asked, pure curiosity shown in his fascinated eyes.

"It is," Jack replied.

"How is it sir, a pirate such as you, was called upon by a Principe to assist in the search for the missing Princesa?" The baker wondered leaning over the counter.

"Prince Jacque has heard of my skill on the water. He has offered to drop all charges against me if I help find his ladylove. Sounds like a good deal to me mate. Wouldn't you agree?" Jack answered, leaning so closely to the baker that Yago had to back away. "Now, lad, what is it that you're making back there?"

Emesto straightened himself to attention. "Only some sweetbread, Captain," Emesto answered.

"Please bring me all that you have. I must get moving. We've a long journey ahead," Jack explained, fidgeting. He could not seem to stand still.

Emesto disappeared into the back, heart thudding hard in his chest. Captain Jack Sparrow was here. "It must be fate," he told himself. Gaining his composure, Emesto began packing the bread up. After he had finished his work, he slowly walked back into the store, hoping to look composed.

"Aye, wonderful. It smells like heaven," Jack slapped a handful of money down on the table.

"Sir, that is more than double the price of that bread," Yago protested.

Jack just laughed and said, "Compliments of His Majesty. Thank you, my good men."

The strange captain waltzed out of the store swinging the bread side to side and humming an old pirate's song. All the while Emesto and Yago stared after him with half smiles at the knowledge that Jack Sparrow had forever changed their lives dawned on them.

"Yago, I must go with him," Emesto said as soon as Jack was out of earshot.

"I know," Yago answered, "but your not. It is far too dangerous Emesto. We have been over this. You are to stay here where it is safe. Just as I promised your dear Mother." The old baker's words held a hard edge Emesto had never heard before.

"I'll be fine. This is the only way for me to find Eva uncle. I am not giving up on her so easily. I owe it to her sister Emilia. You know that.," Emesto assured the man.

Yago glared down at the boy, "You are not going, and that is final. Emilia is dead and Eva has Sparrow after her. Eva will be found. Mark my words Emesto, this is not a journey for you. Only sorrow and death will be found from this. Now get back to work before I find reason to skin your hide where you stand."

"Si, Tio Yago," Emesto whispered as he turned slowly around and walked back into the kitchen. A plan was already forming in his mind to get on Captain Sparrow's ship.

As the ashen moon rose above the clouds, a tall lanky figure ran through the streets in the direction of the sea. A small sack could be seen swinging from his back as he flew to his destination. Every few feet he would stop and look back, as if looking for someone perusing his lone form. Sighing with relief at the empty streets behind him, he would start up on his mad sprint to the ocean and his greatest adventure.