Elizabeth
Weeks had past since she had last seen her beloved Will. She missed him on a daily basis and secretly wondered how she would survive the next nine years without him. It was morning again and she was heading to the deck to see the progress on the route to Singapore.
"Captain," Tai Huang said seeing her on the deck.
"Good morning," was her simple reply.
"Cook made good breakfast, didn't he?"
"I skipped breakfast. I'm not feeling quite right today."
Tai looked at her with a puzzled look. "Maybe you should see one of our healers when we get to Singapore? We should be there today or tomorrow."
"Thank you for your concern Tai Huang but I'm sure it will pass."
Tai was correct about when they would arrive and the ship was anchored where Tai thought it was best to stay out of harms way. Elizabeth ordered all but five of her men stay on board. Tai was to accompany her in Singapore and they would return to let the crew know if it was safe for them to go ashore.
Elizabeth and Tai walked to where the Bath House used to be. There was nothing left. It would have seemed that Mercer ordered his men to burn the place down after they had left on their voyage to find Jack. Tai led Elizabeth around the streets taking back alleys because there still seemed to be some presence from the EITC. He opened a door to a small room on a back alleyway. "Go inside quickly," he said as he motioned to her.
Elizabeth stepped inside there were dried plants hanging on the walls and jars of powders sitting on the shelves. A woman appears from behind a curtain that was covering the entrance to another room.
"Where is the healer," Tai asked.
"He was killed not yet a week ago," the small slender woman answered.
Tai hung his head and Elizabeth looked at him, "Tai really I'll be fine. Don't worry."
"Maybe I help," the woman asked.
Just then they could here what sounded like soldiers coming through the alley. "Quickly follow me," the woman said pointing to behind the curtain. Elizabeth looked at Tai and he motioned with his head to them to follow. It was a small room and the five of them barely fit.
"Stay here and stay quiet," she said as she closed the door.
They could hear the front door opening and someone asking the woman, "Have you seen any strangers in town? We've heard from our friends that some pirates may have returned."
"No. I know the consequences for helping pirates."
"I bet you do after your master paid with his life." A soldier started to the backroom.
"Be careful there is a highly contagious person back there with what I believe is the pox."
The soldier stopped and looked at his commanding officer. After hearing the conversation, Elizabeth let out a small moan. She thought if they heard it was a woman that they would be less likely to investigate.
"It's a woman?"
"Yes, do you need to see her?"
"No. I don't want me or my men to get sick. Just make sure you find us if you happen to see any pirates."
"Yes of course," she answered bowing her head as the men left.
She waited a few minutes to determine that they had completely left the street. "It's okay to come out now."
"Thank you - I don't even know your name," Elizabeth said looking at her.
"I'm called Li Mei."
"Yes thank you Li Mei," Tai answered. "Captain we must get going. It not safe for us here. We need to sail the Empress far away from here."
"Yes and quickly," Elizabeth answered.
"Wait - you came here to see the healer. He was my master. I know some healing."
"Yes but we must leave before those men come back. The healer was for me but I'm fine really."
"Look I've heard stories about you. Take me with you. I can be useful on your ship if someone gets hurt. Here I may be killed at any time."
Tai Huang looked at Elizabeth and Elizabeth nodded her head in agreement. She thought to herself how nice it would be to have another woman on board. "Men help her gather the herbs and medicines."
She quickly grabbed everything she thought she might need and they were off. Tai led them through a few more alleyways and they almost ran straight into the men of the EITC. "Where do you need to go at the shore?" Tai told her and she quickly led the group in another direction. It was a longer route but a safer one. Before long the group found themselves climbing about their small boat to get to the Empress.
"Thank you Li Mei," Elizabeth said to her as she helped the woman on board.
Elizabeth immediately ordered them to get underway. "It's not safe here for us," she explained to the crew. Li Mei shared her stories about how pirates and pirate supporters were still being hunted by the EITC. Elizabeth might have won a huge batter but just like Teague had feared there was still a war going on.
After a few days out in the open ocean, the Empress found itself in a storm one morning. Tai had awakened Elizabeth early warning her of the storm. She went out on deck. The Empress was rolling to and fro with the waves. Some of the waves were washing over her bow. Elizabeth looked at the storm and the wind direction and ordered Tai to change course. Tai did and soon they found themselves out of danger. The main part of the storm was over although they still were in some rough seas.
"Captain are you alright," he asked seeing how pale Elizabeth had become.
"I'm just a little sea si-" Elizabeth couldn't finish her sentence – she found herself running to the side of the ship losing what little contents she had in her stomach.
"I've never seen you sick before Captain."
Li Mei came up from below just as Elizabeth was running to the side once again. "I know I've never really had sea sickness before but it was a rough storm." Elizabeth was trying to convince herself as much as she was anyone else.
Li looked at Elizabeth and raised an eyebrow then she disappeared below deck. In a short time she reappeared, "Here chew on this."
"What is it?"
"It's ginger root. It will help settle your stomach."
Elizabeth took the root and chewed on it slightly. It wasn't so bad she thought to herself and actually it seemed to be helping her stomach. "Thank you Li."
Elizabeth repeated the same ordeal for the next few days. Finally Li insisted that she examine her. "I've studied under my master for many years. I might be able to help you." Elizabeth finally gave in just to keep Tai from lecturing her any more.
Li followed Elizabeth into her cabin. "I'm sure it's nothing and it will pass." Li nodded her head and pointed for Elizabeth to sit down.
After her quick exam, Li smiled. "I think I know what's wrong."
"It's nothing right? It will pass on its own? Nothing serious – I mean after all you are smiling."
"The sickness should pass after another month or so. But as to it passing on its own – you might say that but it is very serious."
Elizabeth's heart dropped. Tears started to come to her eyes. "Elizabeth – don't worry. You are sick because you are with child."
Elizabeth looked up at Li. "I'm going to have a baby? I'm carrying Will's child. He made sure I'm not going to be alone. I'll have part of him with me every day." Elizabeth jumped up and started dancing around the room. Li couldn't help but laugh at her.
"Oh no," Elizabeth said turning to Li and feeling ill once again, "how much more ginger root do you have?"
"I should have enough."
Elizabeth's smile returned and she continued her dance. She was going to be a mother and Will was going to be a father. She asked Li to leave her alone for a few minutes, which she did. Elizabeth went to where she had hidden the chest away. She whispered to it, "Will Turner you are going to be a father and in less than ten years we will be a family, a complete family."
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