The Sea Labyrinth
Fandom – Pirates of the Caribbean
Rating – Pg13/R
Pairing – None
Warnings – They're pirates, think about it.
A/N – I love the Rob Kidd books of Jack Sparrow, and I do use some of that in this fiction. However, I am setting Jack at a younger age. I am also going with the original idea that Jack was apprenticed to a Map Maker in England – before EITC and the sinking of the Wicked Wench. So, I'm screwing canon up.
Disclaimer – I only own the original characters that show up in this fic. Historical people belong to themselves, and all other characters belong to the Mouse.
Chapter 2 – Meeting Captain Flint
In this strange labyrinth how shall I turn?
Ways are on all sides, while the way I miss.
If to the right hand, there in love I burn.
Let me go forward, therein danger lies.
Lady Mary Wroth ~in this strange Labyrinth
The Gusty Bowl Hole sat on the very edge of the dock. Outside one could see ships in the harbor; dinghy's swelled against the tide as men rowed from one ship to another, or to the docks. Jack sat at a whop-side table with rum at hand. The candles had been lit as soon as daylight started to fade and he could smell the roasted pig that was being cut up in the kitchen behind the bar.
He'd watched the Misty Lady sail away with the tide that morning at dawn and had been stuck in the families shop all day. He wasn't going to subject himself to the family all that soon anyway. He'd all ready had to rescue Terrance and Laurie from trouble that afternoon when they tried to steal away in a ship that was about to leave. It was a good thing that they'd been caught by a crew member and frog hopped to the shop where Jack took control of them and sent a case of rum to the Captain as an apology.
He'd put them to work in the shop; and since they were kids, they weren't happy about it but weren't in any position to go against him. For once, he had the upper hand on the hellions and he'd milked it for all it was worth. Finally, the shop had been properly dusted along with swept floors and sparkling windows. He'd let them go as soon as the shop closed but didn't follow after. No, instead he went to the seediest pub - which was an epic feat - in town and intended to drink till he was falling over drunk.
What he hadn't planned was being joined by the one and only Captain Jonah Flint. Jack hadn't even realized the pirate had walked into the pub; much less sat down at his table when he did. Jack blinked up at the Captain. He was younger than Teague by ten years. He looked far better than most pirates that came into port with velvet and silk clothing. He had several pistols in his belt as well as a short cutlass. His long black beard was curled meticulously; as was his shoulder length hair that fell from under the large, bright red hat.
"Barkeep!" Jack turned a little, "rum for my friend here," he said.
"I'm much obliged to you," Captain Flint said. The glass was delivered post haste.
Jack sat back in his rickety chair; "ah, did you have a nice voyage?"
"I did," Captain Flint nodded.
"And…?" Jack wasn't sure how to ask the Captain why he was sitting with him. He was a failure as far as the other pirates in the cove were concerned. By having Captain Flint sit here and share a drink with him; Jack knew this would raise questions that he didn't want to deal with.
"And, I need a Navigator worth his salt," Captain Flint's steely blue eyes bore into Jacks own brown. He was serious.
"What have you been told about me?" Jack asked.
"That you're the best, even when drunk," and Captain Flint graced Jack with a smile.
"That be true," Jack nodded. The barkeep came with a plate of roast pig to share between them and more rum.
"I'm not sure why you came to me," Jack continued, "Anyone would count themselves lucky to be your navigator,"
"I don't want just any salt who claimed to be one," Captain Flint speared some pork, "I want you."
"What's in it for me?" Jack asked.
"A good portion of treasure," Captain Flint gave a sly look at Jack.
And being the good pirate he was, Jack had to think about that. Treasure was hard to come by these days. Pirates just didn't bury it without a very good reason. In fact, the only pirate Jack had ever heard of doing so was Flint. His reason was mysterious and Jack highly doubted the old sea dog would indulge his secret easily.
"Treasure, you say?" Jack sipped some rum, "I've found my fair share of treasure, yet they be cursed or…trouble…" he emphasized that last.
"I've heard of you from a friend of yours," Captain Flint replied, "a young woman named Arabella Smith,"
"Ah," Jack nodded, "we go way back,"
"She seemed rather miffed," Captain Flint chuckled.
"Er, yes well…she'll get over it," Jack waved a hand. It really didn't bother him what Arabella thought of him. He'd be happy if he never had to see her again.
"She had some high praise," Captain Flint continued, "I am willing to do whatever it takes to get you aboard this venture,"
"am I to assume you'd pressgang me, then?" Jack wasn't stupid and he didn't miss five burley men clumsily stomp their way into the bar. They had to be drunk by the way they fell all over each other. And by the looks of things, Captain Flint wasn't impressed when he looked up and over his shoulder to see his own men not doing the job assigned to them. Jack assumed, to look intimidating.
"Aye, son…that be it," Captain Flint turned back to him.
Jack had to wonder what he was walking into. It wasn't as if Shipwreck Town was big. There weren't many places to hide and…what choice did he have? Teague would understand. Hopefully.
"All right, you can sign me on for some o' that shine," Jack held out his hand. Captain Flint smirked and took Jack's hand. They shook, firmly, on the deal.
"Be on the Walrus first thing at dawn," Captain Flint rose. Jack got to his feet; he gave the Captain a flighty salute and watched him go. He sat down and finished the rum and pork.
Captain Flint obviously felt that he had Jack right where he wanted him. Jack had to question for what purpose Flint felt the need to go to such lengths. He'd never heard of Teague speak of Flint before. He wondered if Teague knew the old sea dog at all. There was only one way to find out; he had to sneak into his Father's Study.
Jack laid some coin onto the table and left the pub, bound for home.
0-0-0-0-0
Teague's study was dank and smelt of rotten fish. It'd been empty since that morning and Jack only had a single; thick, tallow, candle to light his way through the rubbish of rum bottles and books. The desk was made out of rotting wood and two empty barrels. Maps of all sorts, along with papers littered the desk. In one corner, on a pedestal, the Pirate Codex sat. The lock dangled enticingly but Jack didn't need it for this small adventure. Instead he went through his Fathers private journal.
March 1 ~
Jack as gone. The impetuous boy.
Our supply ships are next. I do not know the body who is stealing from us pirates but when I do find the bugger, he's dead.
The rest of the entries followed thusly. Jack didn't find any mention of Flint. This just validated his first thoughts that Teague did not know Flint, at least, personally. This begged the question as to why Flint had sought out old acquaintances and then move him into a corner. Flint wanted something so badly that he'd take the only son of a very powerful Pirate Lord in order to gain said something.
"Curiouser and curiouser," Jack muttered as he put the journal back in it place.
He snuck out of the study and locked the door behind him. He figured he find out soon enough. He had things to do and treasure to find.
0-0-0-0-0
He was surprised to see Grandmamma sitting on his bed.
"You never showed fur dinner, boy," the old lady gave him an upturned eyebrow.
"Sorry, Grandmamma," Jack stepped into the room, "I had company tonight,"
"Was it Flint?" she asked.
"Did you send Terrance and Laurie to spy on me?" Jack questioned.
"Ye gave them a very busy day," Grandmamma smirked, "they went straight to bed after begging Anne to make them hot chocolate,"
"I see," Jack nodded.
"Well boy, ye didn't answer my question," more demanding.
"I did," Jack admitted, "he wants a navigator,"
"And ye be going," Grandmamma said it matter of factly.
"It was either go of me own free will or be press ganged into Flint's crew."
"I know that, boy," Grandmamma snorted, "I also know what he be after,"
"Will you tell me?" Jack asked.
"The Minotaur's Treasure," she smirked.
"Well….damn," Jack cursed, "More blasted cursed treasure,"
He flopped down onto the bed.
TO BE CONTINUED.