I'm so, so sorry for not updating in over a month. I started slipping into old habits of forgetting to write and starting new projects before finishing old ones. Next Chapter should be up soon if it isn't you may bagger me.
Chapter Four
Katarina stood by the back as every sat in their respective places. Such a gathering hadn't been seen in many years. The commentary between the lords and lady was enlightening. Jack looked nervous as he should. He was a lot like her always doing something to get on their nerves.
"Look at them all."
"And I owe them all money." Jack replied looking nervously into the crowd of pirates.
"Ragetti you owe me." Katarina stated her palm open as a sickle was tossed into it just as Barbossa banged a cannonball on the table.
"As he who issued summons, I convene this the fourth Brethren Court. To confirm your lordship and right to be heard, present now your pieces of eight, my fellow captains." Katarina took this as her cue to wonder in the back finding something to occupy her attention but even then she knew that she wouldn't be able to not hear the voices of the others in the room.
"Those aren't pieces of eight, they're just pieces of junk." Pintel questioned.
When Jack said 'Cucumber' brought a snort of a laugh from Katarina Pintel and Ragetti gave her a weird look and so she went back to strumming another of her eerie songs trying to tune the old style guitar that was left in the back. Not even blinking an eye as they brought Calypso into the conversation. Not many noticed the change of tune it was subtle but for a child who grew up to the sounds of his father's guitar and the man's seemingly emotionless exterior. Her tune went to content to solemn her tune betrayed her thoughts and he heard them. They we like waves on the side of a ship but he paid no mind only keeping focus on the storm ahead, keeping an eye on the horizon.
The shot of a pistol left everyone at a standstill. Even the sound of her guitar stopped and she realized she stopped playing. You could have a mouse in the room and you would hear it.
"The Code is the law." A Jack of a man he was strolling in like he owned the place. But in a sense he did. He was everything that Jack wasn't but you knew that he was the original. The relationship between the two was evident; in their walk, posture, and gestures they both make no matter how Jack would refuse it. "You're in my way boy." Causing Jack to scuttle to the side; allowing two old pirates to carry a large book to the table. It wasn't much of a question to ask what the book was every pirate knew it was the Pirate Code.
With a whistle a shaggy dog came in with keys, a couple of the pirates from the Pearl seemed to recognize and stare in disbelief. The only reply was sea turtles.
"Ah, Barbossa is right." This didn't sit well with Jack."
"Hang on a minute. It shall be the duties of the king to declare war, parley with shared adversaries…Fancythat."
With that Katarina took it as her incentive to look around in the book while Jack called for a vote. That is till she heard some music she hadn't heard before. Following the sound of the guitar she came face to face with Captain Edward Teague. They stared at each other for a bit before he relented.
"Can you teach me?" Sharpe asked before looking at the guitar longingly.
"I don't teach."
"Can I watch then?" He did say no just kept playing. Picking up the guitar she had been using before the Code was whipped out she copied his fingering as strummed the instrument. It was like she had been playing for centuries as her fingers smoothly mimicked the elder pirates. Then the old man's guitar string snapped with force making her groan in protest.
"Every single time. If that man didn't have such good timing I would think he had horrible timing because all his timing revolves around his cod swallow ass." Mumbled taking a seat in a chair that had been thrown in her direction.
The arguments made in this room didn't matter to her. She already knew what was going to happen. Even though she knew it would be better in the long run she also knew that she wouldn't be able to stand there in the thick of it. She felt too much of an, yearn to change it. So a single thought passed and she acted.
It was in these moments that she was grateful that she was so close to captain Teague. Jack in the foray decided that he want to speak with his father.
"What? You've seen it all, done it all, you survived. That's the trick isn't it? To survive?"
"It's not just about living forever Jackie. The trick is living with yourself forever."
"How's mum?" With that a shrunken head was lifted into the air towards Jack. "She looks-"
"That's sweet I would prefer someone just keeping my hair however it is sweet. Jack you should take lessons." Katarina interrupted putting an arm on Jacks shoulder. "I see that you look a lot like your mum."
What happened next confused Jack to no end. Right before him was his father the man that intimidates all was laughing at the red haired minx that has plagued his ship and thoughts since the day they met.
"Hello Captain Teague the names Katarina Sharpe quote rude of me not to introduce myself earlier but you play beautifully."
"And so do you lass." She only smiled before grabbing Jacks hat and plopping it on her head.
"Oy, that's my hat." Without answering him she wraps her arms around his neck in what to other would seem to be a brief hug.
"Jack no matter what, do not take it off, when Jones is dead I'll give back your hat just stay safe." She didn't know if he knew what she meant when he left with the others. He must have because this hat was his pride and joy next to the Pearl.
"So Captain Teague would it be alright if I was stationed with you? I have a feeling that I shouldn't be on the Pearl." This was twice in one day that Teague laughed but this time it was for a complete other reason.
