Chapter 2 – the darkest circle of hell

A year before

Captain Jack Sparrow sat at his deck aimlessly; booted feet resting on the table, an almost full bottle of rum in one hand his compass in the other. It was pointing to what would have been south if his compass gave any details on the true direction of travel. This meant that he was heading in completely the opposite direction to what he most wanted at the moment, whatever that may be. To Jack at that moment this wasn't a promising thought, especially as he'd told Annamaria to make port at Tortuga. Ah, Tortuga. What better place on this earth could there be? Jack knew of only one and for him that place was only a passing dream now buried deep and almost forgotten. Tortuga however was mere hours away and would do just fine. Free rum, free women and no one cared what he did or didn't do - he could drink, gamble, play cards and have a good night or two without anyone giving him a second thought. At this thought the needle on his compass span around and wavered around north. A smile crept over Jack's face – that was better. That was until there was a knock at his cabin door.

'Cap'n', were coming up on a ship, appears to have been damaged in the storm' his helmswoman Annamaria shouted through the door, not daring to come in uninvited. Obviously learning from the last time he thought only half regretting the shock he had given his beautiful helms woman when she had tried to wake him the previous week. Strapping his belt and cutlass round his waist and stuffing two pistols in his sash he strode out the cabin. On deck he was greeted by the sight of his crew, most of them lying on deck in the sunshine simply relaxing. There was no rush to get to Tortuga and though the crew had proved their loyal to him often enough Jack felt it was best to let them be free when they weren't needed for work.

'Get up ye scurvy scallywags' he shouted a few men jumping in surprise

'Run up the white flag let them know we mean no harm'

He was greeted by a bustle of activity each man knowing his job well as The Pearl rapidly approached the other ship. There were no cannons that could be seen but though this was slightly odd the ship also appeared to be damaged and while he was a pirate, Jack was not one to just leave a ship stranded. If they didn't intend to harm him he wouldn't harm them, despite his disregard for rules and his path in live Jack Sparrow did have morals and that was one of them.

Jack watched the ship draw nearer. He did admit it must have been a beautiful ship, nothing like The Pearl who, in Jack's mind at least, was the most striking ship in her own unique way. This ship 'The Phoenix' he read, was made of much paler wood than that of The Pearl and decorated in red and faded gold. Beautiful yes, yet it didn't have the eye catching elegance of the pearl nor her mysterious demeanour. And he noticed she wasn't designed for speed but neither was she designed as a navy ship would be or a merchant vessel.

Jack was once again pulled out of his thoughts. For a man who acted drunk and relied on wit and his tongue to get him out of most situations he sure did a lot of thinking at times. This time it wasn't by a knock at his cabin door but by the cannon that had just blasted through the bow of his treasured Pearl.

'They're blowing holes in my ship' he muttered to himself before addressing the crew. 'Roll out the gun, return fire' and as numerous other cannons appeared from various hiding places he added 'and prepare to board'

Though he preferred not to engage in close fighting he wasn't willing to risk The Pearl who would soon be blown to pieces with those cannons.

When he had brought The Pearl alongside The Phoenix and Jack watched as his crew fearlessly swung aboard and crossed blades with another pirate.

They had been fighting for hours and Jack was tiring, Captain Jack Sparrow he may be but he still got tired and that meant his crew would be to. It had seemed for a while that this was one battle they would not win but glancing round after knocking his opponent unconscious Jack noticed they were now outnumbering the other crew 4 to 1.

'Alright ye fearsome sea dogs go find ye'selves some loot' he told the crew who weren't fighting the last few men. Moments later chests of trinkets and armfuls of swag were being taken aboard The Pearl as Jack wandered down the row of defeated men. He took a few of their pistols but otherwise didn't pay them much attention until he reached one man. His arms were tied behind he back so he couldn't fight and there was a large gash on his arm. He looked up at Jack and spat at his feet.

'well, if is isn't Jack Sparrow, good t' see ye old boy' he said sarcastically only to receive a backhand across the face from Jack

'that's captain Jack sparrow to you, and the only person who wants to see you is the devil himself, Hudson – remember the darkest circle of hell is reserved for betrayers and mutineers.' He replied malice dripping from his words.