Secret of Four Points
Ob1MegOb1
Chapter 3
An Unescapable Obsession
A vast and unending ocean, dark, forbidding, and neverending in all directions. The single light upon the dark surface was only that of several lamps, mere pinpricks of light in an everlasting emptiness. The lamps hung loosely at the head of thousands of rowboats all carrying forlorn, lost figures. They all waited for that last journey to the locker and to fully give themselves to the death which had taken them.
In the thousands of rowboats one Admiral sat thoroughly lost and bored out of his mind. He sighed in frustration at the thought of eternity in this dismal, abhorred blackness. His uniform still remained but the flair of pride had long drained from its seems. He had finally thrown the god damned wig to the ocean to claim and now his hair was loose around his face. Even he a man of fine upstanding character couldn't take formalities forever. Jas would have smiled at him with her big I told you so grin. As much as you won't admit it James the pirate still runs in your blood, even if being held captive. Oh Jas, he thought dismally if only you could have seen my final act.
His mind constantly reeled back to that final night aboard the Dutchman. How on one half he had been his usual brave self and on the half just as stupid as ever. He may have saved the woman he loved but he had condemned his sister to lonliness and a sorrow he had vowed she would never feel again. Ironic that his last thoughts had been of Elizabeth, but now they were only of his sister. His poor sister he would now suffer the world alone.
His eyes closed wishing this damn eternity would end and maybe he could be at peace. Maybe...he thought distantly...maybe he could see his brother... his mother and father maybe they could all be together again. But the pain still roamed free for Jasmine and how nothing could be complete without her.
It was then he didn't notice the vast ship approaching or the voice of recognition at the sight of him. the voice said softly. And yet James still did not move from his position.
James Norrington? the voice called now with more urgency. It was then the familiarity hit James.
he said eyes opening slowly and looking up. It was then he looked up to see the familiar young eyes. The same determined eyes that had been so resolute in saving Elizabeth every time. He was surprised now to see that same determined look at the sight of finding him.
My god it is you, Turner said his hand extended, Come with me James we have a lot to talk about.
James stared up at him confused, Why whats wrong. What could you possibly want with me now? I'm dead.I know, William said, But come aboard we'll let your mind heal a bit and I'll tell you whats happening. Someone needs your help.
His eyes suddenly blazed, he asked, What has happened to her?
Will shook his head quickly, Its not Elizabeth. Its your sister. Jasmine is in trouble.So thats the Pearl then, Jasmine said staring at the ominous dark ship. The subject of her brother's obsession for so long, and something Jasmine had waited nearly her whole life to see...again. James had always moaned and groaned so much about the Pearl this..the Pearl that. But all she remembered was that haunting ship when her and James had made the crossing with the Swann's from England all those years ago.
What do you want us to do? Ciaran asked, They have already fired warning shots.A surrender flag, Elizabeth said quickly, If we can get them within close proximity and they see me, they won't fire.
Jasmine nodded in agreement, Do it. I want everybody armed with a weapon though. And at Elizabeth's curious glance, Just in case, Jasmine said calmly.
Aye mame, Ciaran said quickly.
As everybody quickly got to arming themselves Jasmine stood next to Elizabeth strapping a gun to her belt, along with a sword. I hope you're right Ms. Turner.Me too, she said softly, But hopefully we can get some answers from Jack since this is his ship.
Jasmine's eyes suddenly became nervous, This is his ship? Ciaran glanced in her direction and Jasmine knew he was thinking what she was thinking. They were going to need more than just answers from Jack. Her heart felt heavy. She had neither seen or spoken to Jack since Gerry's funeral. Not even when he had been in Port Royal two years ago, thanks to James.
As the ship came closer though Jasmine felt uncomfortable. What if he wasn't on the ship? Didn't James say that the ship had been taken from him once before, what if it had been taken again? And she had heard nothing but unfortunate things about Captain Barbossa. The las
Elizabeth moved to the side of the ship in hopes of getting a better look. She smiled as two members of the Black Pearl came to the side of the Pearl. They both stared in amazement at her before both, Poppet! Captain, Captain its Miss Elizabeth sir.
Jasmine then stared as a dark figure approached, huge hat, filthy and a monkey on his shoulder. Pirates, she thought to herself both fascinating and disgusting at the same moment.
Ms. Turner, Barbossa said, It be a pleasure to see ye again.It surely is, Elizabeth said the smallest smirk escaping her lips, If you wouldn't mind coming aboard.
Elizabeth looked in Jasmine's direction who nodded her head yes in agreement. Quickly a couple of the familiar members crossed over and Jasmine took them to their cabin to talk.
Elizabeth said immediately eyebrow raised arms crossed, Where is Jack?
All the crew members exchanged nervous glances except for Barbossa who continued his gaze at Elizabeth. You stole the ship from him, Jasmine said behind Elizabeth.
Awkward followed and Elizabeth stared at the exasperatedly, After all that and still your only concern was to steal back the ship that was never yours in the first place.
Barbossa shrugged his shoulders, How the bloody hell do you know about my sister Turner? Norrington demanded as his mind began to clear, And as a matter of fact how did you become...Captain of this ship? Norrington's blood was actually boiling as his first thoughts of Elizabeth slowly filtered back into his mind. If he wasn't with her now then who was?
Both are very long stories but right now we need to concentrate on your sister. Apparently higher forces wish you and me to get involved in this. Calypso must have seen that Elizabeth would get involved in this. James said his eyes still filled with worry, In how much danger are they in?Right now, Will said, Not very much but they are being pursued by a pirate named Nicodemus.
James put his head in his hands moaning, Christ that man is still alive? Will asked eyebrows raised.
Norrington raised his eyebrows in return, A long story of my own. This man has been pursuing my family for many years now, and he has a tenacity worthy only of Sparrow. Like I said its a long story.It seems you have a lot of them, Will said, Who would have thought you had a sister hidden all this time? I mean how could you have...
James raised his hand silencing him, Thats another story entirely of its own.
Will looked at him grimly, She's missed you a lot.
James sighed sadly his face suddenly pained in a way Will had never seen. Does she know I'm dead? But all James had to do was see the look on Will's face to know the truth. She knew he was gone, and that his last promise had never been fulfilled. I promised her I would come back,' he muttered, I always did. I would have never asked her to face this terrible thing alone.
Will placed his hand on Jame's shoulder, She won't be alone for much longer.
James looked up at Will confused, What do you mean Turner?
There was a very long awkward silence after the announcement that once again Jack's ship had been taken from him. Ragetti leaned over to Pintel, eyeing the two glaring woman warily. They are almost scarier than the Kraken and Davy Jones put together.
As the two woman's eyes blazed in their direction Pintel could only nod in agreement, while Elizabeth's words suddenly came out very tight and tense, Please say you at least left him on that god forsaken island so at least we have some ide where to find them.
Once again they all looked at each other nervously and Jasmine spat out her next words bitterly, Of course not.
Barbossa suddenly peered at the woman sitting there as if he had just seen her for the first time. I'm sorry miss I don't think I caught your name before.I don't think I gave it Captain, she said bitterly, I do know yours however Hector Barbossa. I think your crew got to know me better than you though.
Elizabeth only watched the two stare off at each other. It was Jasmine's gaze however that scared her. She was almost murdurous in her gaze. Something had happened that night that Barbossa had kidnapped her all those years ago.
I'm sorry miss, Barbossa said venom leaking in ever syllable he spoke, Did they mistreat you in some way?
It was then Jasmine rolled up her shirt sleeve exposing a long gruesome looking scare which extended up her arm. Elizabeth clappedd her hand over her mouth in horror at the scar she now bore. Lucky for you Barbossa, Jasmine said snidely, I have had worse happen to me, and lucky for you not by your men.Oh God! James help me! she cried tears streaming down her cheeks as was shoved onto the bed, the man much stronger than her. In the distance she could hear her brother's cries as the rest of the gang beat the hell out of him.
Jasmine snapped out of the memory it was then she saw her hands shaking. No she told herself, I'm not letting this poison me again. She could see Elizabeth glancing at her concern in her eyes. The rest of the crew stared at her curiously wondering who this woman was. Not being able to stand the silence anymore Jasmine got up irritably, This is wasting time, she exited the quarters heart racing.
James stared at Will increduously not believing what he had just been told. The proposal was that he could escape the locker and help his sister if he became a member of Will's crew on the Dutchman. This is madness, James muttered, why are you even helping me in the first place? If I recall correctly I tried to kill you...once.
Will raised his eyebrow at the comment but ignored it for now. You are an honorable man James, he said softly, Despite all our differences we have always had one thing in comman. James muttered. He straightened up then and looked Will in the eye, This is the only way?It is the only way according to Calypso, Will said, Because you died in peace it would be impossible to bring you back like she did Barbossa.Obviously I'm not in peace if I'm going with you, James said through gritted teeth.
Apparently that has yet to be decided, Will said, She says your path is to be determined by your actions.
James only smiled grimly, Would she bring me back?No idea, was Will's reply.
James sighed, You really have no idea how horrible Nicodemus is. He is ruthless among pirates because of his bloodshed, and the indifference of who's blood. He also apparently has a weapon that is the ultimate torture...but I have never come into contact with it before. The fear of this weapon is the only reason I will agree to join you. My sister has always been strong and able to take care of herself but knowing its Nicodemus who's after her, scares the hell out of me.
It was now William's turn to be confused, Why is he so bad? How did your family come into contact with him in the first place.
James looked at the young man and seriously contemplated whether he should tell Turner the story. But he could still see the terrified look on Jasmine's face and the screams of his sister all those years ago very clearly in is mind. It was the day he had decided all pirates deserved to be hunted down and persecuted for their actions, no matter who they were.
Will asked.
James snapped out of his reverie, I think we should get going. The more time we spend here the better chance Nicodemus has of finding them before we do.
Will could see there was more than what James was letting on, but he let it go for now. He had a feeling these past events would surface again in due time. Alright then Norrington. Welcome aboard the Dutchman...again. James said not looking forward to reliving his command on this ship. But if it reunited him with Jasmine again, he would take anything.
Jasmine pounded her hand into the bow sighing in frustration. Damn you Jack she thought to herself why can't you ever keep what is yours?
Ciaran asked, Are you alright?
Jasmine shook her head, I'm not...if anything I'm terribly confused. It comes from years of having your brothers do everything for you.
Ciaran smiled, Well at least your sense of humor has not escaped you. Would like me to resume our previous course to Tortuga since it seems Sparrow is not aboard this vessel?
Jasmine sighed, Yes, as long as we keep moving in some direction I think it will keep me from going mad. Inform the Pearl so they can keep by us.Yes M'Lady, Ciaran said.
Jasmine only shook her head wondering what she was even doing on the sea still. Her brother was dead, her mission was over. She didn't need to find Jack, although in the back of her mind she knew why. She needed answers. But James was gone she should be back at Port Royal planning a funeral going into mourning doing everything that a family member should do. So why did it feel otherwise? Why did it still feel like at any moment he would return like he always did? Or she would find him...like she always did.
Jasmine stormed up the stairs to her brother's office in the fort. Nevermind that pirates invaded Port Royal yesterday. Nevermind that she had been scared out of her mind not knowing where her brother was and that she had had to fight off several pirates. Through all this he had never once cared whether she was alright, all he cared about was finding his precious Elizabeth. To her annoyance there was a guard placed outside the new Commodore's door. I'm sorry mame but the Commodore is not to be disturbed.Like hell he isn't open this door, she said her eyes steely. But when the guard refused to comply she pushed him aside. Wait--you can't! the guard said but she slammed the door in his face. And there her brother sat staring over a map. He didn't even bother to look up as he said, Thought it was you. I don't doubt the whole fort heard you. She shook her head in disbelief, You are unbelievable, she said, Does she really mean so much to you that you couldn't even send someone over to make sure I was alright. It was then James looked up and saw the scattered bruises and painful cut extending up his sister's arm. My god Jasmine, I didn't think---I didn't think they made it that far inland. He got up and gripped her shoulders, Åre you alright? Jasmine's eyes were stormy, Oh now you're concerned for me are you? God James, I always have to be injured or dying for you to get your damn bloodlust for pirates out of your mind. You would think after what happened 12 years ago you would be haunting my every step, instead you've only grown more distant and I'm always afraid for you. James looked at her guilt flashing in his eyes. I'm sorry Jas, and its true I still...haven't recovered from that night. Jasmine sat down in the sat across from and gripped his hand gently, Then talk to me James, I'm your sister. If you can't talk to me then who will you talk to? Elizabeth Swann? James shook his head smiling for the first time in the entire conversation, Its hard for me to talk about it because its a moment I'm not proud of. I should have been there to protect you and I wasn't. He gently traced his fingers over her cut arm, My god what did they do? Jasmine smiled, Nothing they didn't get in full return. James smiled before turning back to the map sighing, You know Elizabeth was taken last night in the raid. I have to go get her which means...You're going to be gone for a while, Jasmine answered, I know. Will Jack Sparrow be left unharmed until then? James sighed irritably, I was wondering when that was going to come up. Yes he will be and yes he will hang when I get back. He picked up the paperwork on his desk and headed to the door gently putting his hand on Jasmine's shoulder but she only smiled. Unless Jack should escape of course. James sighed, Jasmine he's a mess now. I almost didn't even recognize him, and I don't think he has any wits left to form a logical escape.Ah but you forget,she said getting up to walk out with him, It is not Jack's logical mind that has made him famous, it was always the illogical part of him. She smiled as they walked out to the docks. Well please be careful, he said hugging her close, And I promise I'll be back soon. She shook her head, You forget brother its not the speed in which you return but whether you return at all. He smiled, Good-bye Jas, and I promise I will return. She waved good-bye as he walked down to where the Interceptor was anchored.
To be Continued
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