'Pirates of the Caribbean' belongs to Disney

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Night found the three Operatives emerging from a coach at the intersection of Parizska and Cervena Streets, all in formal evening wear. Mare wore a divided skirt which allowed her to step fast, cunningly tailored to resemble a regular one. Her loose black shawl, and the men's opera capes, permitted concealment of their small crossbows. In preparation for this Mission, all three had been trained in usage of that weapon- a far safer option than any close-combat device.

As the coach moved off, they all had a look at the venerable Alt-Neu Synagogue, with it's sharply peaked facade. Not for very long, though. At this hour, the streets were a hunting ground.

James carefully studied their surroundings. The roads here were narrow and sloped, between obviously old, rather ponderous buildings. Widely spaced gas lamps reflected off abundant windows. There were no other pedestrians visible. "If our hunch is right, he'll be lying in ambush somewhere nearby. We'll cover more ground if we split up, but should stay within shouting distance of each other. Mare, Jack, you head west. I'll start north."

They started off. Sparrow was pleased to confirm the effectiveness of the night-vision capsules; he could see the scarce-lit avenues in the same detail he could at twilight. For the moment, nothing was moving here except a scuttling rat or two.

As they neared the end of Brehova Street, Mare stiffened and poked him in the side. Jack nodded- he could also hear the slight scrabbling noise, just around the left corner. They lifted their crossbows to ready positions, stepped around it together... they were staring south down Krizovnicka Street, also empty. But the masonry wall on the sidewalk's port side looked fairly climbable... and had Jack gotten a shadowy glimpse of something ducking behind the top?

Mare and Sparrow looked to each other. They both knew, from their map studies, what lay on that wall's farther side.

Jack whispered, "I've a feeling about that place, lass. 'Tis a mandatory site fer every Prague tourist ta see. 'Could be that includes Undead ones."

"Yes, it would probably be to his taste."

Sparrow gave his skirted companion a boost up, before scrambling after her. They extended their legs over the inner edge and jumped down together, pausing to examine their singular surroundings.

Like most city visitors, they'd heard about the Old Jewish Cemetery- one of the oldest known burial grounds Europe. It had been in use from 1439 to 1787 before it was declared full... very full indeed. This one-hectare site was the final resting place of perhaps 10,000 internees; bodies had been buried up to twelve deep. The tree-shaded ground was covered with over 12,000 weathered tombstones- in some areas they were placed close as bread-loaf slices. One could hardly ask for a better spot to find cover.

Mare hefted her crossbow. "I'll go down the east side, you take the west."

Jack patted his own weapon. They separated before starting to make their way down the rows. Sparrow grimaced- he'd crossed alpine ice-tumbles that offered easier footing. With so little room to stand- let alone move- between the markers, he wondered how they'd ever managed to hold those later funerals. Had these folks never considered the advantages of burial at sea?

Though he tried to place his feet carefully, Jack couldn't always avoid stepping on tilted stone. He could only hope, if there were any ghosts about, they'd comprehend he was walking over them for a good cause- possibly of benefit to some of their own descendants.

He finally reached a less-crowded stretch. Some of the Hebrew-inscribed stones here were quite large, perhaps honoring persons of distinction- rabbis and such. One grave-marker was the same size and shape as a bed, with a sizable headboard. Jack eyed it warily, moving sideways to get a look behind...

A lithe figure sprang out at him, hard and fast- Sparrow yelped as inhumanly strong fingers seized his wrist, wrenching the crossbow from his grasp. Jack's free fist struck out savagely, hitting only air- he got a glimpse of Mare beyond, her own weapon raised. The assailant spun, flung Sparrow's crossbow like a discus. Jack heard splintering wood, and Mare's startled cry, even as he took advantage of the lessened grip. He twisted himself loose, landed in a fighter's crouch... and found himself staring into a startlingly familiar visage.

Mare was storming across the yard, hairdo toppled, clutching the shafts of their damaged crossbows. Jack could swear; when that gal was riled her mane lashed like the tail of an angry feline. As she closed she lifted the wooden pieces, forming a cross. The vampire snarled, lip curling with distaste. Leaping from Jack, he performed an incredibly high backspring onto the stone headboard, perching there like barn owl.

As Mare arrived alongside Jack caught her elbow- reminding her those crossed timbers were a repellent, not a shield. If she got too close the creature could knock it from her hands. Sparrow was very aware of the disassembled crossbow concealed in Mare's bustle, and the brace of short wooden bolts tucked in her stays, but it seemed improbable she'd get any chance to assemble it now. Their best option was to try to delay their quarry here, until James caught up with his functional weapon.

Sparrow kept his stare fixed on said quarry, noting the obviously expensive clothing- bottle-green brocade frock coat, tailored black breeches, fitted boots of a quality only highborn gentlemen aspired to. But, aside from the red irises, the face was the thing. Jack remembered those features all too well- high forehead, coldly contemptuous eyes, deceptively soft lips which were always on the verge of curling into a sneer.

The vampire bestowed what might have been a charming smile, if it hadn't uncovered such alarmingly long canine teeth. "Might I know what your business is with me, Lady and Gentleman?" The cultured, mocking voice was also familiar, even speaking Czech.

Jack answered with equal disdain. "'Tis been so long since our last face-to-face, it seemed only polite to exchange greetings. I notice you've gained height an' lost pigment since then... Cutler Beckett." It was a testimony to Mare's focus that she only gave Jack a lightning-quick side-glance.

The pale head tilted, stirring it's frame of ivory hair. "'Cutler Beckett'... that name is somewhat familiar. I may have used it at some point- I've gone by so many! For the moment, though, I prefer to be addressed by my current appellation." He managed an elegant from-the-waist bow, which would've toppled any normal person from that narrow perch. "Count Kazimir Vrana, very much at your service. And you are...?"

"Disinclined to return the courtesy." Mare's voice was subzero. "You're responsible for putting several youngsters in the hospital."

Kazimir's voice acquired a subtle singsong quality, mesmerizing as flames, or water ripples. "Just for a few days. A small price to pay for immortality, wouldn't you say? Contemplate that! To never again fear illness, aging, the waning of your days. That limited existence which ensnares you now is for lesser beings- animals, cattle." He encompassed the crowded cemetery with a dismissive wave. "Imagine viewing the grave as naught but a replenishing interlude. Imagine having endless years before you!"

Sparrow snorted. / Coals to Newcastle! Not that this rotter doesn't spin an appealing sales pitch. He'd be a natural hosting informercials. /

Vrana lowered his gaze, regarding the two Operatives in what might be described as 'a most improper fashion.' Jack experienced an unnerving twinge of deja vu.

"And the freedom, my loves! You've not known what it is to be truly untrammeled until you've run with the night... left behind all restrictions, all inhibitions. You shall be beholden to no one- no authority over you, excepting the minimal regulation of the Coven. My Coven. I offer a place in it, here and now, to the two of you. You are both so young, so very lovely... like night-blooming flowers. You should never have to fade." His tone changed to a seductive purr. "Join me, my beauties! Come into the night... to your destiny... to me."

Mare was still glaring, the sticks in her grasp never wavering. Sparrow glanced at her before snapping, "I'm a bit too fond of the sun, mate."

"You'll not miss that garish light, I promise you. Not amidst the pleasure I shall bestow... wave upon wave of sensual delights. You shall understand what I mean, very soon." Vrana's mouth curved into a subtle predatory smile, fully confident he'd soon have the thing he desired. Jack couldn't recall anybody regarding him in quite that manner, since...

/ Bloody hell! After all these years, that lecherous troll is still intent on possessing me! /

Kazimir raised one marble-white hand, fingers rippling gracefully in time to his chanted words. "Very beautiful, indeed, the two of you. Such exquisite flesh, such magnificent hair- the color of fire and shadows. You should be honored, worshiped, stroked all over... fine skin bared to the night wind, to my own touch. For mine alone is worthy of you... only I can bestow the immortality you so deserve." All ten fingers were beckoning. "Come to me now, my loves. Accept this gift- the caress that frees you. Be my luminous treasures. Be cherished, for as long as the world shall last..."

"Enough hovno!" Meredith put special emphasis on the noun. "I have an incurably low opinion of people who hurt children."

Vrana paused, dark brows arched, as though witnessing an unexpected phenomena. Which he probably was. Not every woman possessed Mare's imperviousness to charm.

Jack shook himself within. / This bastard really is good! Maybe I should memorize that little speech, fer usage on another occasion. /

Not that it would ever work on him. No, of course not.

A distant call interrupted. "Jack? Meredith?"

Vrana straightened on his perch, looked scornfully towards the nearing voice. "Another of your ilk, I take it? Such a shame- I abhor crowds. Well, then..." The amorous smile returned. "We shall meet again, my beauties. Until then, I shall dream of you."

Kazimir made another superhuman leap, back-flipping onto a further headstone. Mare had a moment's absurd thought, that that was no way to behave in a cemetery. As he made a third leap, turning into a midair roll, she spotted a metallic flash- something falling from his coat pocket.

Sparrow was already in motion, racing after the fleeing miscreant. "Jack! No!" shouted Mare. The ex-pirate paid no mind. He was covering ground impressively fast, considering the abundance of obstacles underfoot, but it was obviously going to be a futile chase.

As the two males sprinted towards the further end of the cemetery, Mare stepped to retrieve the fallen item, scooping it from a stony chink. It was a small but heavy pendant necklace, strung on a substantial link chain. She tucked it into her dress bodice as she hastened to the nearest section of wall, tucked up her skirts and climbed over. James rushed across the street to meet her, half-catching her as she dropped down to the sidewalk.

"Mare! I'm sorry I strayed that far. I spotted a tall man in a long opera cape- I'd followed him a ways before I noticed the beard..." Norrington halted, recognizing the splintered remnants of the crossbows in her hands. "What happened?"

"We found our vampire- Jack's giving chase!"

"WHAT? Which way?"

"South, through the cemetery!"

They ran together down Krizovnicka, alongside the wall, turning at the southwest corner. To their great relief, a scruffed but uninjured Jack was standing on that curb, angrily eyeing the empty streets.

As his colleagues joined him, he spat, "Fer future reference: theer's absolutely no point tryin' ta run those bloodsuckers down on foot!"

"It was imbecilic for you to try!" Norrington chided. "What if he'd turned on you, when you were alone and weaponless?"

"The blaggard didn't seem ta be in a fighting mood. More interested in showin' off his speed." Sparrow's voice darkened. "An here's a news flash: that smarmy maggot bears uncanny resemblance ta one Lord Cutler Beckett."

James looked gobsmacked. "Surely it couldn't actually be him- not this long after he died!"

"A rather peculiar assertion comin' from such as yerself, Commodore. Vampirism hain't my field of expertise, or yours, so neither of us can estimate the probability. But if it's true bein' an evil rotter makes you a likely candidate, His Shortness definitely had that credential!"

Mare cut in. "Whatever his history is, we've got a face and name for him now. He introduced himself as Count Kazimir Vrana- we had a nice little chat before you arrived, James. He tried to recruit both of us."

"That's not all he bloody tried ta do. Which I consider further supportin' evidence! That pestilential sod always was an equal opportunity seducer!"

Norrington used a second to rein in his ire. "Let's not waste time speculating- we don't actually need to establish whether or not he's Beckett. Our task is to eliminate him, as quickly as possible." James ruefully examined their deserted surroundings. "I think we can assume he won't return here tonight. And we can hardly search the whole city."

"Do you suppose preventing the completion of his pentagon threw a wrench in his works?" speculated Mare.

"I wouldn't count on that. He might've just been playing a game- planting a clue in plain sight, to see whether anyone would notice."

Jack looked dubious. "Givin' us a sporting chance? That's not Cutler's usual style."

"I repeat: we don't know whether he's Beckett. Even if he is, he may well have undergone sufficient transformation to eclipse his original personality. What we need now is some clue to the location of his daytime lair."

"This might help- here's something he dropped." Meredith extracted the necklace from her dress and dangled it before her colleagues.

Intrigued, Jack hefted the pendant on his palm. And almost whistled. "That's an admirable bit of shine!"

"Let's examine it under better light." The group moved a short distance to stand beneath a street lamp. James gave the object a close inspection. It was oval in shape, the weigh confirming it's metal component as gold. A large central ruby was set off by a spiral of pink, green, and white enamel, with an outer border of rose diamonds interspersed with pearls.

"I think both of you know jewelry better than me. Is this anything a man would wear?" Mare inquired.

"Almost certainly not, lass. The colors are too pastel," Sparrow replied.

"Then he must have stolen it from one of his victims."

"Not from anybody we've seen thus far." James turned the pendant over, revealing a tiny enamel portrait on the back; a black-haired young man in an officer's uniform. "This is a designer piece. Only an upper-class individual could possibly have afforded it."

"Perhaps it's a family heirloom. Or a gift from a lady acquaintance. Either way, it could help us learn more about him," Mare asserted.

James closed his fist over the precious object. "Indeed. We should make every effort to establish who the rightful owner is." Looking to Sparrow, he added pointedly, "And if it turns out this was stolen, we'll have to return it."

For once, Jack didn't waste time pouting. "I believe I can offer a suggestion as ta who'd be likely ta know."

"A jeweler?"

"Much more better, cousin. First thing we ought ta do tomorrow, is navigate to a less-reputable part of town an' locate a pawn shop."

"If we must." Norrington couldn't quite conceal his distaste at the prospect of taking his wife into such a place.

Meredith enfolded his arm. "Darling, if consorting with pawnbrokers is the most objectionable thing we end up doing on this Mission, we can consider ourselves more than fortunate."

Aye," Sparrow growled, brushing off a sleeve. "Particularly if that pernicious half-pint is involved."

xxx

TBC...

xxx

hovno- Czech for 'dung'