Chapter Two

Plotting a Course

The crew of the Black Pearl bustled about doing their part in keeping the ship working in proper order. Lilly stood at the railing, slightly leaning over as she looked down into the sea. Her eyes fixed on the waves that splashed against the ships sides.

Fingers tapped her slender shoulder and she turned quickly to see who it was. There standing in front of her was a stout man with white hair, scruffy beard, and a flask in his hand. It was Gibbs, Jack's first mate; Lilly gave the pirate a warm smile.

"Odd weather we seem to be haven aye" she asked turning her attention back to the waters.

"Seems to be that way lass" Gibbs replied, "that there fog been followin' us for some time now." Gibbs leaned on the railing and let his eyes cast out over the sea, while taking a swig from his flask.

As the two looked out at the churning sea, they noted that the fog was doing something unnatural. It twisted and turned, creeping about the ship and then extending out in front of them. Both Gibbs and Lilly looked at one another with questioning expressions as they stepped away from the railing. Lilly walked to the Bow of the ship to get a better look, Gibbs followed. There in front of them amongst the sea, their eyes gazed upon a path made by the now glowing fog.

"Is it just me or is that fog makin' a path" Lilly asked Gibbs as she squinted to see better in the darkness of night.

Gibbs stood still for a moment or too then nodded "aye, I believe ye be right lass." He stood up straight and turned away from the bow, "that be t'e oddest fog I 'ave ever seen, best tell t'e Cap'n."

Lilly watched Gibbs stumble down the stairs and walk slowly across the main deck. A gust of wind flew over the deck rising into the sails catching her attention. This brought her mind back to the conditions around her and she worried about going into such odd weather. However, she trusted Jack knew what he was doing. In reality she was just glad to get off that spit of land called Tortuga. If all she had to deal with was odd weather and fowl smelling pirates it was well worth it. Where she was headed now she had no idea, only that there destination was an island. That was all she was told and as far as she was concerned it had to be better then her past situation.

Lilly's mind wondered again as she looked about the ship. The Black Pearl, it was magnificent in its own haunting dark way. Its ghostly presence would take some time to get use to. The ship was very old and had probably covered more distance then any other ship on the seas. Lilly could barely imagine what scenes must have unrolled on the very deck she stood upon. Scenes of violence and battle, perhaps even acts of an unsavory nature. She wondered if this time she had swam out of her depth, it felt dangerous but she found herself liking it.

Matthew paced the deck running his hand through his brown hair as he contemplated his next move. Finally he found himself standing in front of Jack's Cabin door. Without knocking the young boy walked in and slammed the door behind him. Matthew's eyes lifted to find Jack sitting at the large table pouring over maps laid out before him. As he studied the parchment his face was almost comical.

"So Cap'n 'ave ye found a heading" he asked, placing himself down in a chair next to the pirate.

"Aye" Jack said as he kept his eyes on the maps.

He pulled his compass from his belt and placed it by the maps. The needle twirled to the right and then spun back to the left. The needle would not fix its self upon a direction and poor old Jack was becoming fed up with it. He plucked it from the table and shook violently with one hand. Stopping he flipped the lid open with his other hand and to his dismay found no change. Jack slammed it down on the table and leaned on his head on his propped up hand.

"We best be findin' a way to that island mate" he said as he pushed his chair back bringing himself to stand to his feet.

Matthew gave him an odd look and opened his mouth, "I though ye said ye had a heading?"

Jack mumbled something and walked out the door onto the deck. Gibbs stood leaning against the stairs to the helm. Seeing Jack he rushed over and leaned close, his rum soaked breath flowing over the Captain's face.

"Cap'n that unnatural fog did somethin' daft. Turned into a path right before me eyes it did." Gibbs slurred.

Jack gave Gibbs a queer look, "interesting" Jack said in a hush voice. "Best take a look aye?"

Jack turned and swaggered up to the helm, Gibbs and Matthew followed. He watched the fog intently as it shifted and changed on the sea's surface. An eyebrow lifted and a grin formed on the sly pirates face. Placing his hand on the wheel, he let it spin about half way so the ship would flow into the fogs direction.

"We 'ave a heading" Jack announced looking over at Matthew with a grin. "Gibbs keep 'er goin' in that general direction" he ordered waving his hand in the fogs direction.

"Aye" Gibbs responded, once again taking the wheel in his hands. The path could clearly been seen in front of them now, "lord 'ave mercy, now I 'ave seen everything!"

While Jack watched his men scamper about the deck keeping the wind and water from washing things off deck, Lilly decided to have a look around the ship. The stairs into the hull caught her eye and she quickly snuck down below deck. She found herself surrounded by damp dark walls and floors filled with barrels and crates. The lanterns rattled from the ships movement casting an eerie glow through out the hull. Empty hammocks hung at the sides of the ship, swinging from the waves crashing outside.

Lilly looked over her shoulder, making sure no one had followed. Once she knew she was utterly alone she slipped her hand into her pocket. Pulling her hand back she now held something shiny. Opening her fingers revealed a necklace sitting perfectly in her palm. Slowly lifting it to the dim light she examined the beautiful gem. The Eye of the Sea's Soul, it was apparently called because of the stone it held. Her best friend Malic had been very keen on getting his hands on it. Now she could see why as she marveled at the beauty of the stone, a deep blue green, finely cut and a size that fitted nicely into the palm of her hand.

"Were did the girl go" Jack asked one of the crew. The man pointed down the stairs and then went back to work.

Jack turned and descended the stairs, he wanted to see what this girl was up too. Spying her he made sure to keep himself quiet as he finished the last three steps. Leaning over to the nearest barrel he plucked an apple from its containment. Placing the apple to his lips he sat himself down on the few bottom steps and watched Lilly.

"Fine gem ye got there love" he spoke, grinning, the gold in his teeth showing slightly in the dim light.

Lilly gasped and spun around holding the gem behind her back in a futile attempt to hide it. She cursed herself for not being more careful. Jack just grinned and took a bite of the apple he held. Some of the juice from the fruit escaped his lips and dripped down his chin. Jack lifted his free hand and brushed the back of his wrist across his face to wipe it away.

"So tell me what ye be doin' down 'ere on me ship all alone?"

"I was just takin' a look 'round Cap'n, a find ship she is" Lilly answered calmly.

She knew it seemed suspicious but she had actually not been up to anything for once. She might have taken an apple or two had she not been sprung but that would have been all. She had wanted to keep the gem a secret for obvious reasons; she was on a ship full of pirates who were not renowned for letting treasure slip through their fingers.

"Why ye hidin' that gem of yers? I 'ave already seen it so I know ye 'ave it."

Jack took one last bite of his apple threw the core and stood to his feet, "ye best be findin' yerself back on deck love."

The sound of cannon fire broke Lilly's response, "cannon fire" Jack said in a questioning voice and ran up the stairs.

Lilly stood for a moment trying to take in what had just happened. Hearing the cannon going off again she clutched the necklace and rushed up the stairs. Looking down as she ascended she reached the top and almost found herself running into the back of Jack.

Looking up she saw what Jack and the rest of the crew were gaping at. Off in the distance on the starboard side a red ship with blue sails and a white star moved in the water.

"The Night Star" Jack mumbled to himself "he better not hit me ship!"

Jack glance down at Lilly's hand "ye best put that away" he whispered.

Lilly's eyes went from the ship to her hand; quickly she placed the necklace back into her pocket. It was now no longer her prime concern as she heard the cannons firing from the approaching ship. She had just barely caught the name of the ship from Jack's mumbling. She thought for a moment then realized she had heard of it before. Over the last few years she had heard stories about it. They said that its captain was of a very young age for a pirate. The girls always noted that he was said to be quit the gentlemen but Lilly never really thought any pirate could be a gentlemen.

From the wheel, Gibbs watched the ship become more visible as it floated closer to the Black Pearl. Seeing the sails he knew right away that it was 'The Night Star'.

"Dash" he murmured under his breath as he lifted the flask to his mouth and took another swig.

Replies

Spacebabie: Thanks

Lightsabermaster: Thanks, i'll try my hardest not to make Lilly a Mary Sue.