THE ROAD TO REDEMPTION ..Ch. 3

Elizabeth stood on the deck of the Black Pearl gazing at the full moon. The ship rocked gently, the only sound the lapping of waves against the hull and an occasional flutter of a sail. She felt like she spent most nights in this position. Most of the time was spent worrying over how to help Jack. Elizabeth still burned with guilt over the kiss that sent him to his grave. She could not forgive herself for this single act even though at the time it had seemed the only option. A shiver ran up her spine as she thought about the scents of the sea and rum, the taste of spice and salt. She still wondered which of them had been taken advantage of, Jack lost his life, Elizabeth lost part of her soul.

Shaking her head she tried to drag her attention back to the present. She needed to find Will. Elizabeth closed her eyes and focused on her husband, his warm brown eyes, handsome face and loving smile filled her mind. A sound broke into her thoughts Elizabeth opened her eyes and gasped. The Flying Dutchman had just breached the surface. It still consisted of an iron grey hull, caked with barnacles, shredded sails and the open jaws of the ship's bow. It was a terrifying sight from any perspective Elizabeth could make out the shapes of men moving across the deck. The change of captain allowed these men to go back to a human form. At the helm standing proudly was Will, his face a wide smile.

Elizabeth clutched the rail as she watched the Dutchman's efficient crew using grappling hooks to pull alongside the Pearl. When the two ships came together Will leapt over the rail onto the Pearl's deck. Elizabeth felt her heart soar as she ran into her husband's embrace.

'Elizabeth my love, I'm so happy to see you but why are you on the Pearl?'

Elizabeth pulled back from Will realizing she had tears pouring down her face. Whether these were joy at seeing her husband or relief that she may now have the means to find Jack she did not know. Wiping her hands quickly across her eyes she stepped back from Will's embrace;

'Will I don't have time to tell you all that, I need help,' she paused, 'Jack is in trouble.'

Will stared at her silently for a moment then murmured, 'Really?'

Elizabeth began to pace trying to put her thoughts in order, 'Will he was taken prisoner by a man named Linus Silverwater, do you know him?'

Will raised his eyebrows, 'I know him in fact you could say he keeps me pretty busy.'

Elizabeth finally noticed the cold expression on his face, 'Will you will help me won't you?'

Surprisingly Will laughed, 'Jack Sparrow has cheated death more times than one man should be allowed to, why are you so worried about him?'

Elizabeth felt herself colour slightly, she had not thought about why she was so determined to save Jack only that she needed to.

He sighed and moved away from her, 'Elizabeth I can't say I am that interested in rescuing Jack Sparrow.'

Elizabeth stared in shock she really had not expected this response,

'But Will, why?'

'You really need to ask me that, you really need to ask why I am reluctant to save the man who committed me to a living purgatory'

Elizabeth gasped she had never really thought that Jack stabbing the heart could have been seen this way by Will;

'Will he saved you for me.'

Will smiled thinly; 'Exactly.'

'What does that mean?'

'It means he saw his opportunity to have me out of the way and a free run at you and he grabbed it.'

Before she could stop herself, Elizabeth's hand shot out and impacted against Will's cheek. The implication that Jack had acted purely from selfishness rankled her. She knew Jack had his faults but at heart he was a good man. A red mark appeared quickly on Will's pale face;

'Elizabeth I can't help you and won't help you. I will not save the man who stole my wife's heart.'

Her jaw dropped open; 'What are you talking about?'

He approached her and gently brushed the back of one hand down her cheek, 'Elizabeth you love him.'

Turning away he walked back to the rail, grabbing the rope to swing back to the Dutchman he hesitated;

'I'm sorry Elizabeth'

0(0(0(0

Jack was slumped against the wall in the fetid brig of the Redemption. There was not a single part of his body that did not throb sickeningly. One hand clutched his side, he was sure at least one rib was fractured. The working over the bosun had given him paled the whipping he had received at the hand of Cutler Beckett. His lower lip was caked with blood where he had bitten through it trying not to cry out and his eyes only opened a slit, his vision strangely red tinged. A familiar sickening smell approached, Jack was surprised he could smell anything through his newly misshapen nose. Linus Silverwater approached the cell bars, a malicious grin across his features, a perfumed handkerchief regularly touching his nose.

'Well Captain Sparrow, I do hope you are enjoying our hospitality.'

Jack tried to smile at this ridiculous suggestion but could not. Silverwater lifted the compass and showed it to Jack;

'I came to see if your magical compass is still pointing to your blond temptress.'

Jack could not respond, Silverwater continued;

'Perhaps if I go back and fetch the young lady, the compass might change direction if she was no longer a distraction.'

Jack felt a wave of horror pass through him, he knew exactly what Silverwater was suggesting. The ship's captain snapped the compass closed and placed it back in his coat pocket;

'If I may suggest so Captain Sparrow, perhaps what you should want more than anything is to come out of this alive, that is you and your young lady.'

To be continued….