"Does Sparrow actually expect us to trust him?" Gillette scoffed.
"He has surmised that we have no other choice," Norrington said stiffly. Once again, the officers had gathered around the table in the mud hut for a conference. Briggs had been assigned the duty of keeping Jack outside until the meeting had concluded.
Jack's "third option" had really been more of a business proposition than anything else. He alluded to a job that needed doing, a job that would require the assistance of knowledgeable and skilled men, and had implied that the Commodore and Gillette fell directly into this category. The proposition was that, if Norrington agreed to accompany Jack on this little mission of his, then Jack would transport the Commodore and his crew to the nearest Naval base.
"It's madness, of course," Gillette concluded, clearly amused at the thought that Jack would actually think the Navy should accept such an offer.
"And yet," Groves countered, eyeing Norrington carefully, "you wouldn't have brought it up if you weren't considering it."
Gillette frowned sharply. "Sir, you're not...?"
Norrington sighed and rested his face in his hands. That was answer enough.
"Sir, it's madness," Gillette insisted. "It's absurd. Why, it's... it's practically piracy!"
Groves rolled his eyes.
"You don't think so?"
"Not any more than has been committed by the Company for trading with pirates."
"We don't even know what sort of mission Sparrow plans for us to complete! Knowing him, it's likely illegal."
"The lack of specifics is troubling," Groves admitted. "But if Sparrow really does need our assistance, it's not likely he'd want to drag us along only to have his request refused at the last moment. He may be a pirate, and he may be a bit mad, but he's not stupid." A slight smile twitched at the corners of Groves' mouth. "Certainly one would have to possess at least some amount of wit to elude the Navy's finest for so long."
Norrington shot him a glance.
Groves shrugged in halfhearted apology.
Norrington sat up and faced his lieutenants. "I appreciate your thoughts. At present, we have three options before us, none of which are particularly appealing, for various reasons. I will think it over and have a decision for you by morning."
"Give it to us today, or you'll be up all night debating it," Groves said.
"I fear I'll be up all night anyway," Norrington muttered.
"Despite my reservations, Commodore, you have only ever given me reason to trust your judgment," Gillette offered. "I understand the difficulty of your position, and I stand behind you in whatever you decide."
Groves nodded in agreement.
Norrington forced a smile of thanks, but felt no more at ease over the decision. Having heard Sparrow's warning, he couldn't justify sending a party off alone in search of a civilization that might not exist. Directly seeking help from the East India Trading Company was the obvious alternative, but even though the Company and the Navy were allies in writing, he feared that asking such a favor would open the door for potential exploitation of "favors owed."
He had many reservations about teaming up with Sparrow, but for some inexplicable reason his mind kept returning to the third option. It was, in theory, a fair deal. A favor for a favor, and then he and Sparrow could part ways with no debts owed on either side. But Jack Sparrow was a pirate. And not only that, he was Jack Sparrow.
Norrington stood up and left the hut, neglecting to give even a parting word to his lieutenants.
The Commodore was conspicuously elusive throughout the rest of the day. Jack's appearances were also few and far between, but his erratic behavior was nothing out of the ordinary. The afternoon passed peacefully enough, with the only minor incident being an attempt by the pirate crew to start up a raucous drinking game. Gillette had quickly put an end to it. Anamaria had just as quickly put an end to any argument from the pirates, and they had obediently dispersed.
It was clear that the two crews were wary of each other. The men kept to their own sides of the camp, but often threw each other suspicious glances across the invisible dividing line. Gillette and Groves had taken it upon themselves to find alternate accommodations for the officers, in light of the revelation that they had been occupying Captain Sparrow's own personal hut. Though, what one man would do with three beds to himself, they didn't know, and didn't particularly care to know.
Afternoon was just fading into evening when Anamaria found Norrington standing on the beach, hands clasped behind his back, staring off at the dimming horizon. He turned when he heard footsteps in the sand behind him.
"There you are," Anamaria barked, just a touch of irritation in her voice. "Don't you know we've been looking for you?"
"I fail to see how I could have known any such thing," he replied.
She crossed her arms. "In any case, I suppose I can tell your lieutenants you haven't deserted."
Now the Commodore frowned slightly. "Is something wrong?"
"They're just a bit worried, Commodore. Hadn't seen you all afternoon."
Norrington sighed. "Well, you may tell them that I had simply come down to the water to think, and there is no need for concern."
"Aye, Sir," she said, sarcastically, and turned to walk away. When she had nearly reached the path to the village, she turned back and called, "We'll all be havin' supper soon if you want any."
He merely nodded to acknowledge that he had heard and understood. Anamaria turned again and disappeared up the path, not bothering to see if he would follow. Norrington threw another lingering glance out at the sea, its waters flickering orange with the light of the waning sun. He didn't feel much like eating, but knew he ought to at least make an appearance at the evening meal. It was true that he had been absent for the better part of the afternoon, and it wouldn't do for him to appear as if he were avoiding company.
When Norrington returned to the village, he found an atmosphere of mechanical fellowship between his crew and the pirates, as a common meal was being served by the Navy cook and two of Jack's crew members. He thanked the cook for his efforts and generosity, and acknowledged the two pirates for their work as well.
Norrington found his two lieutenants sitting together next to one of the huts, having just finished their own food. Gillette all but jumped to his feet when Norrington approached. "Commodore!" he exclaimed. "I..." Then he seemed to catch himself. "That is, we, were just wondering where you had gone. We thought it a bit odd that you'd been gone so long."
"I'm sorry if you were concerned," Norrington said. "I had simply gone off to think things over on my own."
"That's what I told him," Groves said, still sitting. He had his injured ankle resting on a folded blanket, his boot lying on the ground next to him.
Norrington ignored the comment and frowned at the ankle, which was discolored and swollen. "Are you all right, Lieutenant?"
"I twisted it again," the lieutenant replied, a bit sheepishly. "I hate to complain, but I can hardly walk anymore. Shouldn't have been walking on it at all, I suppose."
"Which is exactly what I told him," Gillette interjected.
Norrington managed to frown at them both. "Did you two do anything this afternoon besides bicker with each other and bemoan my absence?"
Gillette quickly presented a detailed report of the afternoon's activities, including the revised housing situation and the meal's preparation.
Satisfied, Norrington nodded to the two men, instructed Groves to rest his ankle, then bid the two officers good night and disappeared into the hut.
Long chapter this time. It was either that or two awkward short chapters. Leave a review and let me know what you think so far. I hope it's still interesting and not moving too slowly. :)