Chapter 2: 1718 Tortuga
„Don't let your enemies guess what's on your mind. Don't let even your friends know, what's going on behind your brow. Tell them only as much as necessary so that they're willing to follow you to your next adventure. As long as they only know a part of the plan, they won't get in danger to be dispensable for your enemies. The same applies to you. Maybe your plan develops when you are in the middle of its achievement – that's even better."
"Your enemies will always be as strong as you're willing to let them be. Allow them to underestimate you. Allow them to think you're a fool. A fool they need of all circumstances. That's the moment you will become the puppet master."
"Boy, you are fierce, clever and temerarious. You're of fine sense and great heart for everything and everybody having a meaning to you. Your appreciation for fairness is sometimes a little bit strange as well as you're unwilling to fight – that's wondrous, if I think that you're a pirate."
"You know nearly everything that is to know about the seven seas and their perils. You're a good navigator and an even better mate. You own everything a pirate should own and even more. You could become a legend, boy. You're an elegant swordsman, an excellent marksman, and you will break a lot of fair ladies hearts I suppose. But don't forget one thing thereby: Don't forget yourself."
"The path lying at your feet will once take you to a point, where decisions have to be made. Some of your enemies will catch you by surprise and they will force you to the edge of what you can suffer. You will find friendship where you never will expect it. You will lose friends, who are meaning the world to you. And your heart will break more than once. Take care that your heart will not be torn by suffering from a great loss."
"You're asking yourself, why I'm telling you all these things, I suppose. Surely not to confuse you. I only think you should see our world through open eyes. It will have great gifts for you but our time runs off. It's not to foresee, how long pirates will sail the seas. Maybe a hundred year? Then we and our ships will have vanished. We will become something like an adventure story, I fear."
"It's not time to think of it now, but I want you to understand, what the meaning of my words is. You are young. Stay yourself. Power, treasures, magic are mightful seducers. Use them cleverly if you're holding them in your hand. Never betray yourself, your friends and all you're believing in. Your love, your freedom, your devotion. Do not accept, to be commanded by others. Stay free as long as you can."
"I can't teach you much more, but I will be confident if you will heed my advice. I love you like a son – promise me to stay alive..."
(Patrick Swallow)
Jack was sitting alone in the chart room of the "Eagle's Wing". Only the pale moonlight lightened the room, throwing bizarre shadows on the wall. Pensively he grasped a goblet of wine, but he didn't drink. His thoughts were with Patrick Swallow.
Throughout the last three years Patrick told him a lot of those things which could become necessary to survive some day. One by one they appeared in front of his inner eye now. He wasn't sure if he was able to heed them all, but he would try. Particularly because there would not be a chance for lively discussions in front of the fireplace of the little cottage anymore.
The "Silver Stream" was lost to the sea now. She sunk to the ground of the ocean and with her the dream of a life without adventures and sea fights. The Spanish had taken her under cross fire. Swallow and his crew fought up to the last moment then the Spanish pulled him and a handful survivers out of the sea only to hang them to the mainmast of their flagship the same day.
"To you, my friend!" Jack sighed. He drank a draft but the vine didn't taste.
They got the shattering news of the lost "Stream" in Tortuga where they lay for anchor about four weeks now, always hoping Swallow would follow them as soon as he could.
Since then Rosalind had totally changed. When she found the way out of the tavern at all the rum got in the way of any clear thought. Elianor suffered thinking of the possibility Bill Turner could be dead as well. No one had heard something about him so it wasn't impossible that he was still alive yet. But they had to find out that later.
First they had to find an answer to another problem: How to get Elianor back to London. Caithleen and Jack dropped their ideas one by one and the days were passing by without doing anything. If Rosalind shouldn't become aware of her duties it was sure that Elianor's child would make its first cry on a ship within the bay of Tortuga. With another sigh Jack placed the goblet back to the table and went to the deck.
Caithleen kept watch tonight but he had to talk to her now.
Jack had made a decision for himself but he wished she would follow him. There was only one question: if she would help him or if she would call him mad.
Caithleen turned for a moment when she heard his steps. He embraced her and lay his head onto her shoulder. Her closeness was welcome. She grasped his hands and whispered: "It's a strange night, so quiet. Not a gentle breeze. It's totally opposite to what's going on within my mind."
"I know. I just feel the same."
"Jack how long will we lie here for anchor – another week, another month?"
"Do you have an easier question for me? I've no answer for this one."
"Rosalind?"
"At the tavern again."
"If she goes on like that there will be no rum left in Tortuga for ages." Caithleen's answer was filled with bitter sarcasm.
They kept silence for a while.
Finally Jack said: "We have to leave Caithleen. Elianor should have been in England for weeks. If Rosalind wants to leech on to her memories it is her concern, but we have to fulfill a duty. Whatever happens I will take Elianor to London. I promised it to Patrick and Bill. On the "Wing" or on any other ship I will find."
"How will you make it?"
"I will find a way." He interrupted himself and added hesitantly: "There may be another possibility, but I'm not sure if you would agree."
"Why don't you tell me?"
"We could take the "Wing" to bring Elianor back home to England. After it we will come back to pick up Rosalind." He sat down on the stairs. While he was waiting for her vocal refutation he was searching for a pacifying answer.
Then Caithleen replied: "You're right. With a handful of men we should be able to make it. "
"What!"
"You heard me! Tomorrow morning we will set sail!"
"One moment! I don't want you to start a mutiny against your mother! I will return the "Wing" back to her."
"I understood this and I agree. Stay here, take my watch. I will take the boat and I will return with our men within two hours. Prepare what you are able to prepare and – Jack – don't wake up Elianor."
"Aye, Missy! Hurry!"
His eyes were shining when he smiled. She blinked at him: "I love you, Captain Sparrow!"
With it she vanished. Only a silent ripple revealed that she had taken the boat.
With sunrise the "Eagle's Wing" weighed the anchor and left Tortuga under full canvas.
