A Kettle of Hawks
Disclaimer: Recognizable characters belong to the Mouse. Strictly for pleasure, no profit is being made or dreamt of. Mistakes are mine.
Note: Time frame is essentially early 18th Century. Aside from the obvious, place names are fictitious. The naval details are mostly based from historic records or descriptions and are interpreted to suit the story. All going well, the story should remain true to its time and place, at least as much as the author's imagination is able to oblige.
Chapter Four. Eddies.
"What will you do, Jack?" Elizabeth had asked after Norrington's departure into the dark.
A fair question, Jack thought to himself, scratching idly at an itch somewhere on the sweaty scalp buried under his plaits and trinkets. His evening ashore had taken quite a turn, astonishing even his own little self. He had come in to Port Royal to take delivery of a fine new Turner blade and to visit for a while with the children. He had not anticipated Norrington's presence at Will's forge; a Commodore in a playful mood was not something he encountered every day of the week. Even more surprising to his pirating sensibilities was the accord he had chosen to enter into with Norrington, first to call the man by his given name in the manner of friends and then to hint at sharing information with him. That was a decidedly odd bent, even for his chequered career.
"James" had shown a talent for mischief that intrigued Jack. It had been painfully obvious when Elizabeth had used, then discarded, him in such a public humiliation that there was much more to the man than the uniform. Jack had witnessed the distress and loss in those fine green eyes and had not been lying when he'd told Norrington that he had been rooting for him. He believed even more strongly now that the girl had had no notion of what she had lost although it was right for her to follow her heart. At least she and Will had been able to make a true friend of such a man.
He had had glimpses of the other man's sense of humour and quirkiness a year past but this new face was something that drew his curious nature. He laughed ruefully, quietly acknowledging to himself his magpie tendencies. Captain Jack Sparrow of the Black Pearl becoming mates with Commodore James L. Norrington of His Britannic Majesty's Royal Navy, the notorious hunter justly feared by so many of the Brethren. It had to be all that brocade, bullion and fancy sword which drew his acquisitive eye. Definitely magpie…or pirate.
Jack had been gazing absently at the barred door whilst his thoughts tumbled over the evening's events, the expression in his eyes far away. He was called back to the present when Elizabeth repeated her question, Will waiting with equal interest by her side, an arm slung possessively around her shoulders, his other hand twining cosily with hers at waist level.
"What will I do, Missy? For starters, I want to have my visit with the two of you. After all, that is one of the things I came into town to do tonight. After that, I expect to take my pretty new sword and depart this lovely little port and make my way back to the Pearl. There're far too many Navy types around for comfort, what with so much of the squadron come into port now. Besides, with this latest news, your Commodore will be setting in motion his plans to track these raiders down and end their days. I'd liefer not be in his sights when he's out in full hunting mode."
"We guessed that much, Jack, but what of this accord now with James?"
Will frowned at his friend, wanting for once to get a clear answer from the man. He was close to both the older men but was experiencing some difficulty in seeing the two actually agree to work together for mutual benefit. The situation last year with Barbossa and his crew had made for strange bedfellows but there had been some rationale to Commodore and pirate forming a temporary truce. This new arrangement was unexpected, to say the least.
Jack looked at Will and Elizabeth; they were observing him closely, almost forgetting to breathe in their intensity. He stared back thoughtfully, mulling over the question. The consequences of such a deal could endanger his life if certain members of the pirating community got wind of it; traitors were not well liked by the Brethren. However, the truth of the matter was that the days of the buccaneers were becoming numbered. The Navy was increasing its command over the seas, not just in the Caribbean but further abroad, putting pirates down summarily when they were captured. Even the most capable of pirates could not reasonably expect to live to dandle grandchildren on their knees, telling the littl'uns stories of way back when.
Over the past year, whenever he had met up with Will and Elizabeth, they inevitably asked if he would be willing to accept a letter of marque and become a somewhat more respectable privateer. It was not as if he did not have the ear of the Governor through them. From what the whelp had told him, Jack was aware Elizabeth's father had shown some kindness toward his own self when the elder Swann had encouraged the Commodore in allowing Jack's escape and the now infamous one day's head start.
He had been considering the notion more of late; he could see an end coming to pirating as he knew it. He loved well the excitement of the chase and capture and the lure of treasure but his freedom, the Pearl and the wide expanses of the seas were where his heart lay. It wasn't as if he truly needed more plunder, after returning to the Isle of Death and thriftily clearing it of Barbossa's and others' hoards. The Aztec gold, of course, was conspicuously left behind, buried along with Barbossa's remains under the part of the cavern he had been able to collapse with black powder. Even while he watched the rock come down, he had had a nasty crawling sensation of being watched by malevolent eyes. He had found himself checking his hands and arms to reassure that solid flesh still decently covered them. He had been relieved when they left that island for good, having no desire ever to see it again, even though he might be the only one left who had the means to find it intentionally.
"This accord will depend on who's doing the raidin', Will. We'll be making for Tortuga as soon as I get back to the Pearl. We've been away for several months, only came here now to visit and pick up my new sword. Nice work, by the way, just what I've come to expect from the finest sword maker around these parts."
"Thank you, Jack," Will started to reply, pleased that his friend appreciated his efforts, only to be interrupted by his fiancée.
"Now that we have established that you like your sword and approve the skill involved, may we return to the topic at hand, please?" Accustomed to what she privately thought of as Sparrovian subterfuge, Elizabeth was not going to allow Jack to divert attention from the question they really wanted him to answer.
Jack stared at her then glanced at Will for support, failing to find any iota of sympathy there as the young man simply shrugged a shoulder and raised a brow as if to say, "Well, what did you expect?"
"Ah. Yes. We were speaking of this accord, were we not?"
"You know perfectly well that is the subject," came the pointed response.
"You do know you will be wedding a shrew, do you not, young Bootstrap?"
"You don't expect me to fall for that one, do you, Jack? If I answer yes, as you are hoping, then you will take Elizabeth's attention away from you. She's most definitely not a shrew; she hasn't slapped you even once tonight." Will had been learning from experience.
"That can be remedied, if you do not get on with it, Jack."
"It's not too late to call off the wedding, you know."
Now a well-shod feminine foot tapped impatiently on the smithy floor.
"We're only three or four good days' sail from Tortuga, you know. There are some lovelies there that would be delighted to service, eh… make that serve, such a handsome young fellow as your own fine self. They would certainly remember you at the Faithful Bride. You positive you don't want to come along with us?"
"Jack! I only went there with you to find a crew for the Interceptor and go rescue Elizabeth. Besides, it was you who was slapped by every woman who came near you. It still surprises me that you have any teeth left in your head, gold or otherwise." Will took rapid action to prevent Jack from transferring Elizabeth's annoyance away from Jack and onto himself.
"It may be you two deserve each other, after all."
"At once!" Elizabeth's patience had ended.
"All right, all right. The pair of you already sound like an old married couple. Spoils all the fun, I might add," Jack answered her petulantly, studiously avoiding eye contact with Elizabeth.
"I din't come empty-handed, you know. I brought presents for both of you, seeing as how it's been a while since we visited. Let me just go fetch them from the landing. Won't take me but a moment."
As he spoke, Jack smiled ingratiatingly and swayed back from the twosome, beginning to sidle his way discreetly over to the steps to the upper storey while he continued to chatter. Without so much as a glance, from one to the other, Elizabeth and Will each grasped one of Jack's arms and accompanied him most kindly to the stairs, thus preventing any chance of escape into the humid night. They knew their slithery friend well and could not rule out a sudden bolt for freedom from him under the circumstances.
"Will, would you please go up and fetch whatever it is that Jack has brought?" Elizabeth requested, courtesy personified whilst maintaining a firm grip on the bare wrist and elbow she held.
"With pleasure, darling," Will answered, equally politely, releasing the arm he held, seeing that his love was securely anchored to their pirate's other arm. He ran lightly up the steps and retrieved the parcel he found there. Curious about its contents, he squeezed the package gently and then shook it by his ear.
"What is it, Will?" Elizabeth, despite her hold on Jack, could not resist asking, even though the package had not been opened.
"Well, if he would get a move on and come back down, then you can open it and find out." Jack pointed out the obvious answer to her question, thinking the pair of them looked like children at Christmas, eager to find out what they had been given.
Will looked a bit sheepish as he did as he had been told. Elizabeth released Jack's arm to use both hands to untie the straps holding the bundle together into a sort of pack, Will supporting it for her. The wrapping was a spotted goat skin, most of the hair worn off, but inside was a wooden box of rich ebony and mother of pearl inlay, carved and polished beautifully. It was taller than it was deep, the lock set with an elaborate escutcheon of silver, matching silver handles on its sides.
"It's beautiful, Jack! Wherever did it come from? Where did you get it?" Elizabeth asked as her hands stroked the fine wood in appreciation, a smile of delight on her expressive face.
"'Tis from India. I got it a long time ago on a voyage out that way. It was hidden on the Pearl; luckily, Barbossa either didn't find its hidey hole or bother with it if he did. Why don't you open it and see if there's anything inside it, after all, what is a box for but for putting things in, Missy?"
Will held the box more firmly as his fiancée opened the catch and raised the lid. It was small enough that he could peer over and see the contents. The fragrance of rich spices wafted up, things he was not familiar with but they teased his nostrils and imagination. He had some idea of their value as Elizabeth's eyes opened wide and she began to lift the metal boxes from the chest's interior, reading the neatly penned labels as she did so.
"Jack, you're a wonder. There are all kinds of spices here, cloves, ginger root, nutmegs, peppercorns, cinnamon bark, all sorts of things. The box has a wonderful smell too, what is the wood that makes the interior?" Elizabeth asked, opening each cleverly designed square box and holding them to her nose in turn to inhale the exotic scents, delighting in them.
"It's mostly sandalwood inside. There should be enough spices there for a young lady, such as yourself, to start her household after she's wed." Jack answered the girl's question, satisfied that she liked his little gift.
"You've not gone far enough, Lizzy. There's something in there for Will, too, as well as something for the both of you. Keep looking."
Will watched in some wonder as Elizabeth did exactly as she had been ordered. She removed the spice containers and found several letters tied up with a faded ribbon.
"Are these what you mean, Jack?"
"Aye."
Jack had a pensive, somewhat poignant, expression on his tanned face as he watched the girl hold the papers out. He knew what was in them as he had helped a friend by listening as each letter was laboured over and lovingly written. William had made him promise to see that they were delivered in case something happened that he would not be able to see to it himself. Jack had waited a long time for this, to fulfill the promise made in better times.
"Those are letters William wrote for his wife and infant son years ago that were never sent. For all he was a good pirate, he was a good man and missed his family ever so much. He had always hoped that he would be able to get enough to go home, set them up in a comfortable house and provide a good living as they deserved. It didn't happen the way he had dreamed but at least Will here can read some of his papa's thoughts straight from the source."
Will very carefully put the box down on the step and abruptly sat down beside it, knees suddenly weak. He lifted the little bundle out, a fine tremor visible in his hands. He had reckoned that Jack had known his father when he had helped the pirate escape the jail to go in search of Elizabeth. The shock when Jack had referred to his father as a good pirate had been wholly unexpected and equally unwelcome.
In the months since, Will had reflected often about his parents, Jack, and pirates. His experiences had tempered his outlook somewhat but he had never even dreamed of such a gift, to be able to read something his father had written. Yet here he was, holding the letters in his hands. He looked over to where Jack stood patiently waiting for him to come to terms with his gift. For several moments he was speechless, unable to form any other answer; his throat constricted by his emotions. Elizabeth had moved to sit close beside him, a look of some wonderment on her face.
"Jack Sparrow. You are truly a marvel. There's no doubt of it, at all." Elizabeth repeated her earlier sentiment, her eyes glowing happily at what their pirate friend had given Will. Her own gift was lovely and appreciated but the letters Will held with such reverence were priceless, a simple gift that was worth more than all the gold in the Spanish Main to her husband-to-be.
"That would be Captain Jack Sparrow." Jack could not resist one last correction; after all, he had earned it tonight.
"You might want to have a look in the bottom of that chest, Missy, there's something there still that you haven't brought out yet."
"There's more?" she asked in surprise, dark brows raised in question.
"Oh, just a little bit more. Go on. Fetch it out."
Elizabeth did as she had been bidden and reached in to the box again, feeling around for something that Jack said she had not discovered so far. Her fingers felt a rough cord and a wash leather bag that felt hard and lump-filled to her. She lifted it out and looked to Jack. He flamboyantly produced a white handkerchief and ostentatiously spread it open across her lap, motioning to her to open the bag onto the fine linen lest she dropped part of the contents.
A large double handful of gems fell out. Even in the light in the smithy, they gleamed and shot lovely colours over the skin of her hand. The glistening rich warmth of rubies, emeralds and sapphires was accentuated by the white fire of diamonds. Amidst the stones lay a number of perfect pearls wrapped in fine lawn, including half a dozen flawless black pearls, the largest of which was the size of a quail's egg. She held a fortune in her hands. Will looked over to the gems, his eyes still a bit watery from contemplating Jack's gift of the letters.
"I don't know what to say, Jack. This is nothing I could have anticipated. I really don't know where to begin."
"Don't begin. Just say thank you and have done with it. There should be enough there to give you some creature comforts, or to have in reserve in case of need. Who knows what the future will bring, after all, so it's a good thing to have. Very portable, easy to hide and pretty, too. Quite practical, if I do say so meself."
"Then we say 'Thank you, Jack,' for such a wonderful gift." Both Elizabeth and Will were sensible enough to do as they had been bidden. Jack, for once, was not interested in long speeches and fulsome thanks. Elizabeth did make a point of hugging her pirate friend and kissed him soundly on his cheek. She was rewarded with a remarkably endearing and shy smile that was quite unlike Jack Sparrow's customary cheeky grin. Will was still a bit overwhelmed so he simply hugged Jack in his turn. Jack permitted the closeness for a moment, then gave Will a pat on the back and slipped out of his hold.
Jack was pleased with the effect his gifts had on the young couple. Will's business was beginning to thrive and Elizabeth and her father had the connections to take the young man further than he could have dreamed. It was not sufficient to make the finest swords hereabouts; one had to know how to spread the word and make use of associations with the rich and influential to advance oneself. The value of the gems would help ease their way. It was a good arrangement for all three parties; Will would prosper in the world, Governor Swann would gain a more suitable son-in-law, and Elizabeth would be happy.
Jack wandered over to the wide ledge around the forge and seated himself comfortably, having first retrieved his rum bottle. He had a congratulatory swallow, enjoying its flavour, as he contemplated his young friends and thought back to an older friend. He had never been able to discover Bootstrap Bill's eventual fate; he knew the man had been tossed overboard tied to a cannon but the Aztec gods' curse changed everything.
The other pirates had survived death for a decade above the sea, maybe Bill had been able to detach himself from that cannon and escape the depths. Jack could only imagine what his friend had experienced; if Bill survived, it would be impossible to predict what his state of mind could be. Jack decided not to share his musings with the young folk; he had enough nightmares of his own about the lad's father, no need to encourage such miserable things in the others.
His thoughts moved to more immediate events. Jack considered the news that had drawn Norrington back to his fort. He wanted to find out what was in those reports the Commodore would be getting but Jack could not see any practical way to achieve that tonight. For now, he would slip out of Port Royal and take the Pearl back to Tortuga and begin his own investigations there.
If the opportunity arose, he might be able to contact Norrington and arrange for some exchange of information. He was becoming more and more curious about Norrington's own network of informants; the man was intelligent and more than capable of creating and utilising such a useful arrangement. Jack had his own connections throughout the Caribbean, he just had not bargained on becoming a part of the Commodore's personal network.
There would be some time left that Jack could visit with Will after the Governor's carriage had come to fetch Elizabeth back to the mansion. When things were nice and quiet in the middle of the night, then he would leave to make his way back to where he had stowed his little skiff and sail to make his rendezvous with the Pearl. All going well, the watch and the Navy would be unaware of his little excursion into the town.
A/N My thanks to those who have read and reviewed. The feedback is welcome, especially when it has been so encouraging. The characters are such fun to play with; hopefully I can do them justice.