Chapter 1 – The Northern Star
William Turner III pulled at the tight collar around his neck and grimaced at the sweat on his forehead and the damp feeling in the small of his back. The stuffy ballroom was made worse by the humid night and the Caribbean heat. The lace cuffs of his suit jacket scratched his wrists and he longed to be in looser clothes which didn't constrict his movement. What was the point of going to a ball when it was impossible to actually dance? Tugging at his jacket once more he moved further away from the dancers and tried to find a window that might provide some air.
Despite his mother's past she was still a daughter of nobility and as such was required to attend balls and other fancy parties, even if her company was not desirable. Money was money, and Elizabeth Turner had inherited a lot when her father died, including the house. Unfortunately the position of governor of the island had been passed onto someone more 'suitable' in her absence. Either way, her presence at such events was expected if she wished to maintain her perilous reputation, a pointless venture in Will's eyes, and he was always dragged along, despite the fact that there were much better ways for an 18 year old boy to spend his evenings.
It wasn't even as if he was able to enjoy the ball by dancing because no-one wanted to be seen dancing with the son of pirate. The word was whispered behind hands and never uttered in polite conversation but gossip was gossip and everyone who was anyone knew about Elizabeth's adventures on the high seas. While she may be rich and a good guest to spark intrigue that was not the kind of family one should be looking to marry into. Will had had his fill of rejection; even dancing lost its joy when not a single person was willing to be your partner.
He shuffled closer to the refreshment table aiming to find something to make the night pass quicker. A few glasses of good wine should at least serve to alleviate his misery. As he neared the alcoholic salvation he overheard a few snippets of conversation which stopped him in his tracks when his name was mentioned.
"I don't know what those Turners think they're doing, coming to events like this," an old woman muttered to a small group of people. "I heard the boy's parents weren't married and that his father ran off before he was born. Hardly the type of people I want my daughter's children to be associating with."
The young woman standing next to her blushed and held tightly to the hands of a small girl and boy who were fidgeting at her feet. "It's not poor Elizabeth's fault," she said sympathetically. "That dastardly blacksmith ran off and left her after promising that he would support her. It's his honour that should be questioned, I'm sure she's trying her hardest to repent for her previous actions."
"Not the way I heard it," interrupted a young man who had joined the group. His short beard practically bristled with importance as he gained the group's attention. "Seems to me that she was as much as a pirate as old Will Turner himself."
Their interest having been peaked by the mention of pirates the two children eagerly joined the conversation. "I thought they got married on a pirate ship by a real pirate captain!" the girl cooed. "I bet he was really handsome."
"Yeah by Captain Jack Sparrow on his black ship, in the middle of a battle," the boy squeaked, lunging at his sister with an imaginary sword. She laughed and easily dodged his wobbly lunge as they ran around their mother's legs. "There were sea monsters and everything!" He wiggled his fingers under his chin and growled, "I'm Davy Jones and I'll be killin' ya all!"
The old woman fumed and scowled at the children. "Have you been listening to that foul lady's stories again? Not only is she a disreputable liar, it seems she is a madwoman as well. Sea monsters indeed!"
"Don't be ridiculous," their mother hissed, pulling them back to her side. "That doesn't count as a wedding and sea monsters are not real. Whatever they think they did it wasn't marriage and that poor boy is a bastard."
The old woman sniffed, "I don't know what he thinks he's doing here, no one will dance with him. Imagine a father allowing his daughter to marry such a boy. I certainly wouldn't."
The group chuckled and one of the children asked, "But wasn't his granddad the governor?"
The old woman shook her head furiously. "His mother abandoned all claim to high society when she ran off with that blacksmith."
Will had had enough. He didn't wait around to hear the end of the conversation and he stormed out of the ball room, tears stinging his eyes as he almost ran through the house. He knew of the gossip which went around about him (his mother had warned him not to get upset) but it was another thing to hear it first-hand. He marched into the gardens and collided abruptly with someone standing in front of him. There was a yelp and he grabbed the person before they could fall into the ornamental fountain in the middle of the lawn.
The lady, for it was in fact a lady, span round, clearly intending to give him a piece of her mind but her eyes softened and a small smile appeared on her face when Elizabeth recognised her son. Will smiled sheepishly in apology and shrugged but it wasn't hard to notice the tear tracks that were drying on his mother's cheeks.
"Crap, did I hurt you?" Will asked anxiously.
"Language Will," his mother admonished but she shook her head. "It's just…" She made a vague hand gesture and smiled at her son. The smile was as strong and determined as it had ever been but for the first time Will noticed a hint of despair lurking in the brown of her eyes. He quickly shrugged off his embroidered jacket and spread it on the rim of the fountain for his mother to sit on. She laughed softly, gratefully taking the seat. "Such a gentleman, your father would be proud."
Will frowned slightly at the mention of his father. "'If he would be so proud then why isn't he here with us? I know the gossip, I hear it every time we come to one of these stupid balls. Surely he could at least try and support us? Show up occasionally?"
Elizabeth's expression turned pained. "You know he can't William. He has to work for Calypso or suffer her curse; I told you what happened to Davy Jones when he used his power for his own ends." She breathed out heavily and added softly, "I miss him and want him here just as much as you do but we both know that can't be."
Will sighed angrily and looked doubtful. His mother had told him the story of his father's almost death and consequent servitude to the Flying Dutchman several times and he vaguely remembered the flash of green light from his father's first visit. However he had only been nine years old and how could he be sure that it wasn't simply a dream inspired by his mother's wild stories? The only thing that gave him hope was the memory of a warm smile which he had begun to recognise in the mirror. However, some days he couldn't help but doubt his father's loyalty.
Suddenly his train of thought was interrupted by his mother's voice. "You know, I used to be the jealousy of these balls, always had the latest fashion from London. People loved me." Will didn't doubt her. Even in motherhood Elizabeth was beautiful, it wasn't hard to imagine her twenty years ago, dancing and laughing with the gentlemen of Port Royal, not a care in the world. "Now look at me," she smiled sadly.
"I know." Will scowled. "I'm a bastard and everyone thinks my father "besmirched your honour". Not to mention the wild gallivanting with pirates Your Majesty."
Elizabeth's laugh rang out and Will smiled with its infectious joy. His mother was never happier than when she was thinking about her days as a Pirate King, sailing with his father and the mysterious Captain Jack Sparrow. "I haven't been a pirate king for a long time Will. But you're right, we don't belong here."
"Let's go then," he urged. "We can sail the seas together! You'd be a fierce captain and we could terrorise those pompous navy idiots. Lord Norrington never liked me anyway."
Elizabeth smiled, "you remind me of an old friend. He hated Norrington with a passion too."
"Sparrow? I know, you keep telling me. We could go find him. And bring him back. I'm 19 soon and you know what that means. Sparrow could meet dad again."
"Will, I don't even know if Jack is still alive. And if he were, how would you find him?" Elizabeth's voice of reason dampened the excitement in Will's eyes and he sighed.
"We should go back inside," he mother said. "Or people will think we've run off to join the pirates."
Will grumbled wishing he could do exactly that but instead followed his mother back into the ballroom, taking no small delight in the slightly muddy footprints he was leaving on the host's carpet.
Elizabeth saw his smug grin but made no attempt to admonish him and Will thought he had even caught a glimpse of a small smirk on her face but it was gone as quick as it had arrived and he told himself he was probably imagining it.
As they re-joined the party the tune finished and the dancers bowed and curtsied to each other. Knowing he would only be rejected, Will made no attempt to ask any of the girls to dance and so he was surprised to feel a tap on his shoulder. Spinning round he came face to face with a woman he had never seen in Port Royal before. The lady, and she was definitely a lady not a girl, had dark skin and long black hair caught back in a green bandana. But the most shocking thing about her by far was her attire. When attending balls it was customary for young women to wear formal gowns but this lady was wearing nothing of the sort. In fact, her clothes could best be described as those of a pirate. A loose silk shirt was bound at the waste with a scarf matching her bandana and soft cotton breaches clung to her legs ending at the thigh. Tall leather boots clad her calves and Will had no idea how she had managed to get into the party at all, that was until he saw the cutlass and wide array of pistols hanging from her belt. Will glanced for his mother and realised she was pointedly not catching his eye.
"William Turner?" Her accent was strong and her hard eyes searched his features ruthlessly. She seemed to have found what she was looking for as she held out a hand and said roughly, "may I have this dance?"
Too shocked to refuse Will took her hand and let her lead him onto the dance floor. All movement stopped and every eye followed their progression to the centre of the room. The musicians looked at each other panicked but a glare from the lady, whose hand was hovering over one of her many pistols, was enough to convince them to continue playing.
"My name is Anamaria," she said to a flabbergasted Will. "An' I have a message for your mother from Captain Jack Sparrow." The music started and Will found himself following the steps of the dance in a haze, letting his muscle memory lead him as his brain desperately tried to make sense of the situation. His mouth finally caught up and before he could stop himself he said, "I didn't think pirates knew how to dance." Anamaria gave a low laugh and graced Will with a smile that, if he squinted slightly, could be taken as approval. She was in fact following the steps as perfectly as if she had been raised in the court rooms of England.
"You sound like your father," she replied as she passed him and side stepped. They balanced and circled each other on the empty dance floor. The other guests had retreated to the edges of the room as they watched the uninvited guest in trepidation, most gazes trained on the weapons at her waist. "He unfortunately could not dance to save his life."
Will snorted as they once again span past each other before taking her arm and spinning her gently. "You knew my father?"
"Indeed. He was a good man, and a good pirate. Still is if there's any truth in the rumours going 'round."
Will watched her carefully as they danced. "What is this message then?"
Anamaria paused slightly before giving her answer and Will decided he was probably not going to like the answer. He was partly right.
"There is trouble brewing among the pirate lords. Edwards Teague, the Keeper of the Code and Pirate Lord of Madagascar, has died and there is a power vacuum that needs filling. Jack Sparrow is gathering allies and requires your mother's presence in order to garner favour with the Singapore fleet."
"Why are you not telling my mother this?" Will asked suspiciously.
"Why? You think you cannot relay a simple message?" Anamaria teased as Will frowned. "I was curious," she continued. "I wanted to meet the son of brave William Turner. You are just as hot headed, and maybe just as good?" Will didn't know what to make of that but the question seemed to be rhetorical. Just then the dance ended and the shaky musicians retreated to the relative safety of the next room. "It was a pleasure to meet you young William," Anamaria said as she curtsied.
"And you," Will replied, bowing.
"Tell your mother I will be waiting by the docks with a small boat. We leave at dawn."
And with that the mysterious Anamaria was gone.
ooOOoo
Will paced across the living room of their house as his mother contemplated the news. After Anamaria had left, the party dissipated quickly. It didn't help that the musicians had all but disappeared and more than one girl had fainted. As pandemonium broke out Will and his mother had slipped away quietly.
"I can't go," she said quietly.
"What?" Will almost shouted. His mother glared at him and he lowered his voice. "But this is the adventure you've been waiting for! We can finally leave Port Royal and get away from the gossip and these useless balls and endless occasions that no-one wants us at."
"William I can't," his mother looked tearful, as if the decision to stay was taking all of her self-control. It probably was. Will knew how the sea called to her. Every day he saw her sitting by the window, gazing at the beach and the open horizon. He therefore didn't understand why she was refusing this opportunity.
"I- I have to guard your father's heart," he mother continued. "I can't just leave it here and there's no way I'm taking it on board a pirate ship where anything might happen."
"What on earth are you talking about?!" Will snapped. "You can't guard love!"
"William, that's not what I mean. This isn't a metaphor! When your father became the captain of the Flying Dutchman he was staked through the heart with a piece of wood. He would have died if Jack hadn't instead used your father's hand to stab the heart of Davy Jones. The crew saved him by cutting out his heart and binding him to the ship for eternity. He gave me his heart and I have guarded it every day since he left. I can't just leave it!" She said all this very quickly and Will gazed at her slack-jawed as he tried to process what he had just been told. Of course he knew that his father was bound to the Flying Dutchman but that his actual heart had been cut out…
"I didn't want to tell you, because I didn't want you to think that your father was a monster," his mother said, her voice filled with sorrow. Will said nothing. "Now you know why I must stay," she continued, "but Jack needs support from Singapore. Will, you need to go in my place and try to gain their favour."
"Me?" Will blurted out in shock. "How am I supposed to convince pirates to support a man I've never met?"
"Please Will, I know it sounds mad but I owe Jack. I did some terrible things and repaying him now is a small request. Will you do this for me?"
Will held his head in his hands and pushed his palms into his eyes, stopping when colours exploded across his vision and instead gazing blearily at his mother, who was tense with worry and anticipation.
"Fine. I'll do it," he said. Elizabeth sagged with relief but he continued, "How am I meant to convince them to join Jack though?"
"I used to be their captain and I sailed with them before returning to Port Royal. If they had any loyalty to me then they will help Jack." She walked over to a small cabinet and opened one of the draws. Inside was an ornate dagger and she lifted it out reverently. "This dagger was gifted to me by the crew. Take it as a token of my will and they will listen to you."
Will highly doubted it but he took the jewel encrusted scabbard from his mother and drew the short blade. It shone in the dull light and the hilt rested easily in his hand, jewels creating a sturdy grip. He sheathed it and buckled it to his belt. "I will do as you ask but I cannot promise that I will be able to convince them to join Sparrow."
Elizabeth laughed, half with relief half with regret. "If you are anything like as persuasive as your father I'm sure you will have no trouble." She drew Will close and embraced him hard. He hugged back and tried to convey a wordless reassurance. He would do what he could to repay her debt to Jack.
"I love you William," she said softly.
"I love you too ma," he replied, using the name he had not spoken since he was a child.
Elizabeth beamed and took his hand, leading him out of the living room. "Come on, we should get you packed, Anamaria will not wait. And we need to find you something more comfortable to wear. You can't sail in a suit." Will smiled, that was the first happy thing he had heard all evening.
ooOOoo
Will was met with Anamaria's surprised gaze as he walked across the docks to where a small row boat was moored.
"My mother sends her apologies but she has unavoidable business in Port Royal and sends me in her place. I bring this dagger as a token of her intent and as an offering to the Singapore fleet of her goodwill," he said in reply to Anamaria's unspoken question. The lady nodded and gestured towards the boat.
"It's going to be a long trip if we're only using a row boat," Will quipped and Anamaria gave her low laugh again.
"Funny, Mr Turner," and Will grinned, "But we shall be taking my ship. It's anchored just off shore."
Will looked out across the waves and caught sight of a light blowing in the wind. It was a lantern attached to the stern of a ship. "We best get started then."
"You know how to sail?" Anamaria asked.
"My mother taught me the basics and I used to sail with some of the navy men when I was younger, before Norrington banned me from the navy ships."
Anamaria barked a laugh. "That old goat's still kicking about? Shame. I'm sure you'll do fine then Mr Turner. In fact, if you're so confident, you can take the first shift rowing." Will grumbled good naturedly as he dropped his pack into the small boat and they both clambered in.
"So is Jack on board?" Will asked as they pulled away from the harbour.
"Oh no, he's in Tortuga with the Black Pearl recruiting crew. This battle will be big and we need all the support we can get. We'll meet him there in a few days." Will nodded and they fell into silence and he rowed. Anamaria took over after a while and eventually the light of the lantern grew and grew until a large proud ship stood in front of them, rocking gently in the small waves. Anamaria called up and ropes were thrown down to them out of the darkness. The moon suddenly appeared from behind its cloudy cover, basking Anamaria's face in an ethereal glow.
"Welcome," she said to Will as she grabbed a rope and began to climb, "to the Northern Star."
