Author's note: wow, what is this, the third or fourth chapter in two days? I'm just on a writing streak. as per usual, Jack, Gibbs, and the Pearl aren't mine, and any other 90's kid that's reading this may realize that I sort of plundered Gibb's story from the old gameshow "Legends of the Hidden Temple". Lets hear it for diverse sources, lol.
It had been about a week since Tara Riley's passing. No one had seen Jack since the night she'd told him he had a son. Jonas seemed to be handling himself well, busying himself with settling all his affairs in Tortuga. Grace had been his constant shadow, mindful of her promise to his mother. Now he was sitting at a corner table in the Golden Parakeet telling Grace his plans. "I guess I'll be heading back out before the end of the week."
Grace sat down the bottle she'd been pouring into his glass. "But why, Jonas? You've just gotten back."
He sighed and downed most of the glass of rum. "There's nothing here for me anymore."
Grace looked hurt. "Am I nothing, then?"
"Oh come on, Gracie, you know that I didn't mean that. Its just I've got my crew to think of. We haven't brought anything in for months, and the men are getting restless."
"Then take me with you. That was always the plan when we were younger, why not now?"
"Be realistic, Grace. You know I'd love to take you along, but it'd be too dangerous."
"What if I had a proposition for both of you that would take care of it all?" said a familiar voice from across the room.
They looked up and saw Jack standing in the doorway, followed by his first mate, Mr. Gibbs. Jonas replied acidly, "Well, I'm so glad you made it in time for mother's funeral. You're doing such a wonderful job of being a father."
Jack made his way to their table and sat down. "Ah, my boy, but if I'd been here for dear Tara's wake, I wouldn't have gotten my hands on this." He pulled out a large key with a flourished handle.
Grace and Jonas stared at it sideways for a moment, and then replied in unison, "A key?"
Jack smiled his crooked smile. "Ah, but not just any key. The key to the Alhambra palace." The two youngsters continued to stare at him blankly. He sighed heavily and said, "Mr. Gibbs, explain it to them."
Gibbs nodded. "Yes, sir. Ya see, nearly three hundred years ago, there lived a young and grasping Spanish queen named Isabella. She and 'er husband, they controlled all o' Spain except for a small part in the South which was controlled by th' Moors. Boabdil, the King o' the Moors, 'e was very wealthy, and 'e lived in a beautiful palace called th' Alhambra. Isabella wanted th' jewels and money tha' she thought were hidden there. She fought wi' Boabdil for ten years, and finally, 'e surrendered and gave Isabella th' key to th' palace. Legend has it, th' Alhambra palace was built by a magician, and if someone pure of heart unlocked the right door, th' spell hiding Boabdil's treasure would be broken and th' palace would reveal th' treasure o' the Moors. Well, greedy Isabella ran through th' palace unlocking every door, but she cunna find Boabdil's legendary hidden treasure. She threw down th' key in disgust, and it was lost…'til now."
Grace listened, then looked at Jack. "So you're saying you want to find Boabdil's treasure?"
Jack smiled. "Exactly. And I need your help to find it."
Jonas scowled. "I can understand your needing me, I have a young crew and a new ship, but why should we drag Grace into it?"
Jack raised an eyebrow. "Jonas, my boy, were ye not listening? 'Someone pure of heart.' Not exactly the words I'd use to describe a bunch of pirates. So we need the girl."
Jonas began to protest, but Grace cut him off. "Sounds like a plan. When can we leave?" Jonas gave her a dirty look.
Jack smiled. "That's the spirit! We can leave as soon as my son here can gather up his crew. My men are all on furlough, or we could take the Pearl."
"It's still Captain Riley to you." Jonas said with a frown.
Jack laughed. "See? He must be my boy."
