A Blood Red Banner
Welcome to the Rouge Maiden
According to Jack Sparrow, and his ramblings in Port Royal, there was a second half to his map. According to Jack Sparrow, he knew where it was. But getting a straight answer from the man was harder than catching a star in a wooden box. James had tried to give the pirate time to answer his questions and demands as to where the map was, but Jack had decided to horde the information like a glittering coin, and refuse to share.
The approaching storm now gave James the excuses to remove Jack from the only thing he cared about -- his ship; and keep him on the Dauntless until he decided to enlighten them all with his knowledge.
Capturing Jack from his ship had been a siege all in itself, as Jack had had to be trapped in chains and carried off. Lieutenant Groves had received a bruised shin and a nasty looking scratch along his arm, and Gillette had found himself with pulled muscles in both his arms. The pirate certainly hadn't surrendered willingly, but from the look of them all, it hadn't resulted to weapons of any kind, which James was very thankful for. If Jack had threatened one of his lieutenants, he would have had no choice but to stop the treaty, and deal with Sparrow by the law.
Jack stared miserably out of the cabin window at his ship sailing next to the Dauntless. The storm was beginning to send large heavy raindrops against the windowpanes, and was rocking the ship roughly without pity. The swaying moved the lamp above them side-to-side, and sent shadows over Jack and into the corners. When James looked up, Jack was merely an image appearing, and then fading with the light.
The pirate hadn't been happy about being parted from his ship, especially as he knew she was about to sail through yet another storm. The Caribbean weather was not welcoming him back, and it had again prevented him from sailing. Unlike Lady Luck, Mother Nature seemed not to be one of Jack Sparrow's mistresses. She had turned her back to him and many others during the last few weeks, but his luck wasn't so fickle. She'd kept him alive so far, and maybe she'd watch over them all when they needed her later. James knew they would need her later.
A bang of something hard against glass interrupted the silence of the room, and an exasperated sigh followed. James looked up from his log to find that Jack had thumped his head against the window, his breath causing small patterns of hot steam against the cooling glass. The haze of warmth was spreading rapidly over the surface, and disappearing again back into the air. The sight had hypnotised the pirate, and he looked at the patterns he was making with eyes slightly crossed.
The condensation clung to Jack's face, causing him to take on a slight shine of the skin, before it was rubbed away by his sleeve. James loosened his collar, the room was too warm for so many coats and hats, and he lazily shrugged his from his shoulders.
Jack moved one finger to the window and scored a flying bird onto the mist, and blew on it further to add a sun and five childish sunbeams. The image remained ingrained on the glass even when the mist had disappeared. A little picture preserved by the dirt on Jack's hand. Jack Sparrow had drawn his symbol in flight on the Navy window, and when the lamp swayed in its hypnotic motion, it appeared to glow.
James saw Jack's unconscious scowl from his reflection in the window, as the pirate looked at the doodled image. He wondered what he was thinking about.
"I didn't enjoy removing you from your ship Jack, but quite frankly you cannot be trusted. A storm might separate us, and allow for your escape," James explained as he wrote chart figures and dates into his log.
Jack turned his head slowly, but kept the side of his face pressed against the glass. The shackles on his hands and ankles clanked slightly as he moved, and reminded them all that Jack was a captive, and not a guest.
"Oh no, we wouldn't want that now, would we James? You wouldn't want to loose your Jack out at sea."
The usual grin was on his face, but it quickly gave way to a look of seriousness. From Jack's expression and his words, James could see that he had deeply offended the pirate by removing him from his ship and by mistrusting his word. But James wouldn't have let Jack sail through that storm even if he'd been paid. Respecting Jack Sparrow's word wasn't worth risking the tempers of his men, especially since they were still not comfortable with the bargains that had been made. This had been clearly shown by the way they had roughly thrown the pirate into his cabin, and chained him maybe too tightly.
"I 'ad no intentions of escaping mate, I gave me word," Jack continued before turning back to look at his ship. "She's too full," he murmured, making James look quickly in the direction of the window before returning to his books. "Damn woman, it'll be Anamaria's doin' that."
James rubbed his temples as Jack continued to talk to himself and scowl out of the window.
"Just shut up Sparrow, you're giving me a headache," James complained.
Jack looked pleased.
"Then put me in the brig!" he said, confidant that James wouldn't actually sent him there. "Or perhaps ye can't abide to be parted from me? I meself would prefer to be let back on me ship, if ye wouldn't mind. There be more room in my cabin I think mate, but maybe be ye'd like to prove me wrong aye? Is your quarters behind that door?"
"Unfortunately Jack you still owe me some information, and therefore you will stay here until I am satisfied," James replied without even looking up.
Jack raised his eyebrows and jerked his head away from the window. His face was a picture of eagerness.
"Satisfied?" he questioned looking pointedly towards James' breeches. "Tis rather early for that wouldn't you say love?"
"I have no idea what you are talking about Mr Sparrow," James said shutting his book aware his statement was untruthful.
Two days ago maybe, he would not have understood, but now? Now Jack's sly comments and invitations were coming across a little too clearly. Yet, he surprised himself by doing nothing about it. He didn't even rebuke the pirate for saying such things.
What bothered James mostly was that Jack was very skilled at getting his meaning across in a way that would glide over most innocent listeners. If James now understood, it had to mean that he had begun to think in sinful ways himself, and that meant that it wasn't just the pirate's doing. Jack spoke in riddles, when picked apart nothing alone could be evidence of leading a man astray. James was the one who was guilty of taking all the bait and turning it to felony, for when had Jack ever expressed anything of the sort? No, it was his own mistaken thoughts that were misleading him, and he was utterly confused by them.
But Jack knew what he was doing. He had discovered very early on that Jack Sparrow was always working for an interior motive. Elizabeth's words were still haunting his thoughts. Could just settling a score really satisfy the pirate? Surely Jack wouldn't risk so much just to avenge himself upon a man who had only angered him because the port he'd plundered happened to the be the one that Jack had been counting on. It seemed much too petty, and this nagging question had been the final decider as to whether Jack should be taken from his ship. The man couldn't be trusted until his motives were clearly laid out.
"…And I have no desire to know either," James finished making Jack look back at his window. "Which port is this map in Jack, or do I have to say parley before I'm allowed to ask that?" The pirate's word still sounded sarcastic on his tongue.
Jack arranged himself on the window seat with exaggerated weariness.
"Where all life's pleasures are kept love, Tortuga."
Tortuga for James was a place where he was not welcome. It was also a place he avoided when he could help it. He would happily turn a blind eye to the antics of its residence as long as they didn't interfere with the people and places that had been placed strictly under his watch and protection. But this time he would be seeing the town through the eyes of his guide, a pirate who certainty knew the streets and establishments very well.
When the storm had blown them off course enough for James to express some concern, it seemed to die away, and the Pearl and Dauntless were left with still a few hours worth of journey to accomplish. When the sea had calmed enough for the two ships to sail next to one another, the task of returning Jack to his ship had arrived.
Before falling asleep by the window, Jack had insisted that James and two of his men accompany him to his ship and then in to the town. James was thankful for the extra company, since he didn't wish to be left alone with Sparrow too soon, especially after realising how relaxed he was becoming in his company.
Lieutenant Gillette arrived early the next day to find James back at his desk, finishing the papers that Jack had kept interrupting last night before he'd fallen silent. Not having been able to sleep well knowing there was a pirate only one door away from him, James had woken early and went straight to his desk, passing the sleeping man on the way. Jack had stirred as James had walked past, but his mumbles were random snatches of his dreams in which the word orange featured a lot.
"Sir?" he asked, his voice instantly hushed out of respect of the man asleep. James looked up from his desk.
"Yes Gillette? The storm wasn't too severe was it?" he asked as he dipped his pen back in the ink.
"No, no Sir, it's just that we are nearing Tortuga, and well... the men were wondering what we are doing here. We won't be welcomed, and the pirates we're trying to catch may see us and disappear again," he said standing in a defensive pose as if he knew he was about to be shouted at.
James put his pen down.
"We're here to collect some information. I highly doubt that those pirates will still be close by, but that does not mean that we should sail into the gazes of those who could inform them. Mr Sparrow may indeed be cleverer than we give him credit for. He has asked that we sail his ship into the port and leave the Dauntless out of sight."
"And you have agreed to this? It sounds as if you wish to accompany him into the town, if that is so please allow me to express my concern..."
"Your concern is noted Gillette, but it is indeed my plan to shepherd Sparrow. We all know he cannot be trusted alone. But I would appreciate your assistance and Lieutenant Groves," James said hoping to flatter the man out of his reluctance. The last thing he needed right now was for mistrust and worry to be spreading throughout his men.
"Of course Sir, but what business do we have in the town?" he persisted. James sighed, nobody could dodge out of Gillette's questioning, no even him.
"Why don't you ask Captain Sparrow over there?" he said smirking as he picked up his pen once more and moved a wad of papers toward him.
Gillette looked over at the window.
"But he's asleep!" he exclaimed.
"So he is!" James replied in mock surprise. "No wonder it's quiet in here..."
Gillette walked over to Jack and stood stupidly in front of him. James pinched the bridge of his nose and looked up at the ceiling before speaking.
"Well? Wake him up then. He can't understand you when he's dreaming of oranges."
Gillette roughly shoved Jack's shoulder and waited. The pirate jumped and lunged forward, only to find himself still chained and his action restrained. Slumping back against the window, Jack scowled up at the man in front of him.
"We've arrived at Tortuga Mr Sparrow," Gillette informed him.
Jack looked out of the window and examined the water for the sight of land, when he saw none he became sombre once more.
"'as it turned invisible Lieutenant?" Jack asked sarcastically as he turned back around.
Gillette stood up straighter and looked to his superior. James took something from a draw in his desk. He walked over and unlocked Jack's chains, trying his best not to touch him.
"I was under the impression mate, that you ye liked me wearin' these," Jack teased as James released him.
"It would indeed be an improvement," James said haughtily as Jack rubbed his wrists where the metal had scratched him.
James saw that they were scraped red and looked irritated. But Jack pulled his sleeves over them, covering his tattoo and painful looking brand.
"It's time to find that map of yours Jack," Norrington said leading the way to the door. Holding it open he waited from Jack to follow his lead and head towards the exit. "After you Captain."
Jack grinned and strutted out of the door as if he hadn't been chained up all night and slept on a windowsill, but as a man with un-crushable and shameless pride. Every man he passed on the way was rewarded with grin and a wink. James followed behind and saw his men following Sparrow with their eyes and nudging each other in jest.
James knew what they were saying. It had been a mistake to leave Jack in his cabin all night; he should have insisted he be taken out as soon as he had divulged their next destination. Now he was attracting suspicion because of his laziness. Jack knew of course what they were wondering, and played up to the scandalous ideas by smiling much too freely and looking too calm for someone surrounded by potential enemies.
"Groves, Gillette, Mr Sparrow and I, are going aboard the Black Pearl. The Dauntless must be kept out of sight of all passing ships, and away from the port. If it is necessary to sail away to avoid detection, you have permission to do so, but must remain in close proximity to this port. Is that understood?" James asked, with his commanding and unfaltering tone back in place and his hard eyes scanning them all.
All the whispering disappeared immediately, and when Gillette had time to tell them all that Jack had slept on the window-seat they wouldn't be returning.
"Sparrow, get into the boat and sit on the far side," James ordered.
Jack did as instructed and climbed into the small rowboat.
The crew of the Black Pearl were grateful to have their Captain back onboard, even if he had brought with him the Commodore and more Navy men. Jack had wasted no time in taking back the wheel of his ship, and soon they had sailed into the port and were ready to down the anchor. James watched as the pirate-woman laughed at something Jack had said on the quarterdeck and placed her hand easily over his on the wheel. Jack grinned at her, and then looked past her at James who was watching with a small feeling of envy.
Something inside James told him that this woman might mean more to Jack than just a member of his crew. But then Jack swayed into everyone like that, and touched everyone lightly with his hands as he spoke to them. James told himself that it was just because she was a woman that he was thinking Jack cared more for her. But then unlike everyone else, she didn't move away from his roving and invading hands. In fact she seemed to lean into him, and laugh too merrily.
Jack took the pirate woman, Anamaria, into the town with him along with Mr Gibbs, whose duties aboard ship James hadn't quite worked out yet. It seemed he was in charge of administering the rum and lying in the sun when there were no easy jobs to be done. In fact most of Jack's crew seemed to enjoy the sun, but since there wasn't much else for them to do yet, James couldn't really fault them.
Their party moved down the streets quickly, with Jack leading the way in an easy zigzag of steps, and heading directly towards a small building. Without explaining anything, he went inside and left his chaperones outside. James followed the pirate into the small shop and made sure his company came with him.
"What are we doing here Sparrow?" James asked, as he looked around at the piles of old material around the room.
"Getting' you and yours some new garb love. Ye can't be walking around in yer fancies here," Jack said rummaging in the piles of cloth and throwing an old jacket at James' feet. "You two fine men can dress in here, If you'd be so kind Commodore…"
"Do as he says men. I have a feeling that where we about to go the Navy will be greeted with more than just the usual hard stares," James said picturing men drawing their blades in the darkness of a tavern, and with him helpless against them.
James followed Jack further into the shop and into a back room.
"Now what are we doing?" he asked as Jack removed his own coat.
"Getting changed, savvy? Need ter look me best for this, you too if your comin' wiv me," Jack answered now removing his sash.
"These clothes should belong to belong to the people of the night," James said disapprovingly as he watched Jack kick off his boots.
"And what would a straight-laced Navy man like yerself know of whores?" Jack asked amused. "Don't be frightened love, nothin' ye can say will shock Jack."
"No, I can believe that," James mumbled taking the clothes Jack handed him. "I'm not wearing another man's stockings."
"Nay, those are nice," Jack said looking at James' legs clad in their white silk.
James followed Jack's eyes and felt them burning up and down his legs in an owning way. He had the sudden urge to cover them, as if Jack's gaze was predatory.
"I'm glad you approve," James said finally.
If Jack was going to still play his strange game, James was no resolved to playing it right back. Jack would soon see he was tangling himself with someone he couldn't win against.
"You were wearing some the other day," he said watching Jack's face take on a look of surprise.
"Aye, that's true…" Jack replied cautiously picking up a belt with a heavy metal buckle.
James turned his head to try and hide his smile.
"Yours looked nice too."
The belt clattered to the floor and James had to bite his lip to stop from laughing. Jack's face was frightened in a way that was cross between his usual grinning confidence and shock. Clearly he hadn't expected to James play him back at his own game, at least not so soon. It took him a full half a minute of silence to return to his normal state of buoyancy.
"Well it's your lucky day James 'cause Monet likes stockin's too ... and what's under them," he added quietly as an after thought.
James frowned.
"Pardon?"
Jack jumped back into life and rushed about gathering up a red coat and the belt he had dropped previously. Slumping onto the floor, he began to pull black stockings up over his knees and tug on his breeches until they covered them. Without his coat and usual coverings, Jack took on a slight and delicate shape. It was difficult now to image this man scaling rigging and pulling on unforgiving ropes.
Once again, Jack was wearing his brown shoes; the ones that made him look even more elusive and petite. James was aware that he himself was wearing things he would have only supposed fit for someone with very few morals, but yet he also knew it was necessary. When they both left the smaller side room, the two Navy men were looking more like a part of Jack's crew than one of the Navy's men. Jack grinned at them approvingly and went to find the shop owner. He didn't need to go far, as he was baring the door in an attempt to stop them leaving without paying.
"Here ye are mate, and if ye could get our clothes back to me ship, there'll be another payin' for yer," Jack said handing the shopkeeper a bag of coins.
The man looked surprised to be paid so much.
"Very much appreciated, very much," he mumbled as Jack led the way back outside.
Anamaira scowled as they reappeared.
"What do ye think yer doin' Jack?" she asked as she stomped up to him. "Yer just asking for trouble! Ye know what 'appened last time."
Jack waved his hands ildly.
"Love, I'm Captain Jack Sparrow what could go wrong?" Jack said now leading the way down the road.
"It's because you're Captain Jack Sparrow that I'm worried!" she said taking hold of his arm.
Jack wrapped his arm around her before pulling away. They had arrived finally at the place Jack was going to find his map at, and it wasn't what James had been expecting.
"Now it's a bit early, but there's no 'arm in waitin' inside," Jack said looking up at the tavern sign swinging above his head. "Welcome to the Rouge Maiden lads."
