Irony

Governor Swann had decided not to tell anyone else that the Commodore was claiming to be Jack Sparrow. The official story was that the Commodore had been injured, and he tried to keep Jack out of sight.

But Jack didn't want to stay out of sight. He wanted to be outside, watching the horizon for the Black Pearl.

"What makes you so sure the Pearl will come?" Will asked.

"She'll come," Jack said. "She's on her way now. I can feel it."

"I see. And what makes you think Commodore Norrington will be on it?"

"Irony."

"Irony?" Will repeated, confused.

"Of course. The Commodore and I are, if you will, what many would consider rivals. Nemeses, even. We couldn't be more different, he and I, what with all his Commodorely pomposity and unyielding desire to hang the likes of me. Therefore, by some ironic twist of fate, each of us has become that which is most opposite of ourselves."

"That's very philosophical of you," Will commented.

"I am a devout believer in irony."

Two soldiers walked up to Jack.

"Mornin', Commodore," one of them said.

Jack frowned at the pair. "Who are you?

The two officers looked at each other.

"This is Mr. Murtogg," one said, pointing to the other. "And I'm Mr. Mullroy."

Jack frowned at the two officers and looked them over. "You seem vaguely familiar. Have I ever threatened you?"

Murtogg and Mullroy looked at each other.

"We just wanted to ask you about the prisoner, sir," Mullroy said.

"What prisoner?"

"The one we captured," Murtogg answered.

"You know, the pirate," Mullroy added.

"Pirate?"

"We was just wondering if we should..."

"Let the man go!" Jack declared.

Murtogg and Mullroy looked at each other, then back at Jack.

"Let him go, Commodore?" Mullroy asked.

"You heard me."

Murtogg and Mullroy looked at each other and just shrugged.

"Whatever you say, Commodore, sir," Murtogg relented.

The two men turned and left.

Will just looked at Jack.

"What?" Jack said. "Opportunity presented itself, I recognized it, I took it. Would you really fault me for that?"

Will shook his head and left.

By early afternoon, there was still no sign of the Black Pearl. Jack occupied himself by inspecting various trinkets and jewlery that were inside the fort. Governor Swann caught him examining a set of gold candlesticks.

"Be careful with that," the Governor said. "Those are very expensive."

Jack looked over at the Governor. "Expensive, you say?" he asked.

"Yes, very. Made of solid gold, and been around for hundreds of years. They're very valuable. Please, leave them alone."

Jack didn't respond; he was staring greedily at the gold candlesticks.

"You shouldn't have told him that," Will muttered to the Governor.

The Governor threw a glance back at Jack. Jack just grinned innocently, and the Governor turned to leave.

Will frowned at Jack. "Don't try anything."

Jack put on an expression of mock pain. "Don't you trust me?" he asked. "After all we've been through I'd hoped we were past all that."

"I haven't forgotten that you are still a pirate."

Jack gave his most charming grin of innocence, and Will turned to leave, giving Jack one more suspicious glance. As soon as Will's back was turned, Jack carefully slipped two of the candlesticks into his pocket.

Maybe not the most exciting chapter, even after revision. Let me know what you think!