Chapter VII: What A Pretty Boat!

Surreal had watched the scene with Jack and his unknown companion unfold. Just once she had glanced up at Titan, making eye contact. He had understood what this meant. She'd given the bar one last look before she focused her attention on Jack, having noticed that bloody accordion player Mr Blake - this made the hair on the back of her neck stand on end. What is he doing here and why is he watching me? Surreal had been an assassin for enough years to know when someone was keeping an eye on her. She'd noticed movement from the corner of her eye in Jack Sparrow's vicinity. The gentleman who talked to Jack had left and Jack had started to make his way out of the tavern.

Surreal silently cursed. That bloody Blake nearly made me miss him! Leaving her table and slowly making her way to the tavern door, she smiled at all the men on her way out, hoping that none of them would be stupid enough to try and stop her. After leaving the tavern she noticed that Jack was making his way to the harbour. Surreal suddenly felt tired after her day. This was becoming a very frequent occurrence. Deciding to call it a night she made her way to her ship, but she kept an eye on Jack even as she passed him.

Titan had surveyed the tavern though kept his eyes on Surreal to make sure she was safe. He'd noticed Blake long before Surreal had. When she'd looked about the room their eyes met and Titan understood the message behind the blankness of her eyes. She had wanted him to leave. He understood that she was ready to go but wanted him to go ahead and check on her ship. He had left his table, tempted to knock out some of the men that gaped at Surreal but thought better of it as she didn't need the attention. He'd left the Tavern without another thought, heading back to the Kaelas to wait for her.

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Albannon swiftly left the town, clutching his cane. I hope he keeps to it, he thought pondering his new captain.

Puffing the remains of his desperately deserved cigar, he trundled deep into the forest (tripping over the branches and falling in streams as he went)...

He hacked at the vines with his cane... focusing, remembering and in fear of what he had to do. As he left sight of the town he took one last look at civilization, he smiled...then was overcome with sadness. He turned to face the jungle ahead and stepped into the maze.

I just know I'll get lost again…

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As the evening started to draw in, the harbour of Tortuga became somewhat more peaceful - the nightlife beginning further inland. Of course there were crewmembers keeping a watchful eye on their vessels, but generally the place was almost attractive. Captain Jack Sparrow slinked along the gangplanks and pouted at the bobbing form of his beautiful Pearl. Her injured hull creaked sadly at him.

"I'm sorry, love," he whispered. "I'll 'ave you fixed up soon. Just need to make a little side-trip. You're the only one for me, know that."

He patted the Pearl's mooring line. The coarse feel of the rope set a plan in his mind. Not too far off was a spare coil of rope, which he picked up and examined. Next, he rummaged through a pile of equipment beside some dozing sailors until he found what he wanted. Jack prowled the shadows, scouring the harbour for a vessel he intended to borrow. Some moments later he looked up at the sturdy structure of the Kaelas. Smaller than the Pearl and foreign, probably teeming with crew...but it struck his fancy nonetheless.

Only his grin shining in the shadows, Sparrow sneaked around the back of the ship, tossed up his newly-fashioned grapple hook and clambered quietly towards the upper deck.

Titan paced as he watched and waited for Surreal. He'd spotted Jack emerge from the tavern and knowing Surreal he'd bet 1000 Galleons that she was right behind him. Then he'd seen her. He could tell by the way she walked she had probably had enough and wanted her bed. He could also tell that Surreal was pretty upset about something, though he was unsure what.

Glad that she was back aboard her home, Surreal entered her cabin and called Titan to see her. Once safe inside she started to change. A knock came at the door.

"Enter," she shouted as she replaced her dress once again with trousers and a shirt. "All right, let's skip the details. What did you notice?" She'd spoken more sharply than she'd intended. "Sorry, I didn't mean to snap, I'm feeling very tired and before you start, that's why I called it a night!"

He told her everything that he'd noticed while he was sat in the tavern, he'd paid close attention to her eyes as he spoke to see if any names produced a response, one did.

Titan glanced out the window and saw Jack eying up their ship and grin. It was the silliest grin he'd ever seen, but it made him nervous just the same, as he was hoping the pirate wasn't thinking what he thought he might be. He decided not to mention this to Surreal, as she was pretty annoyed as it was without telling her that he suspected that her prey was eying up her ship.

After he'd made his report Titan went below deck and ordered the men to report anything suspicious to him, not Surreal. He also made it clear that if anyone tried to get aboard the ship, they were to be brought before him bound and gagged. No exceptions.

Jack Sparrow had only just scrambled past the captain's cabin window when the room had become occupied. He touched down on the quarterdeck and crept up behind the man nearest the helm. The main deck was swarming with crewmen, which was a bit strange considering he'd not seen so many when he'd first approached the ship. If they'd been forewarned, he'd have to act quickly. Which happened sooner than he thought. The man he was sneaking up to turned on his heel and Jack had no choice but to pull out his pistol and press it against the man's chest. Fortunately, being a small pirate, Jack knew that he was hidden behind the bulky frame of this man from the eyes of the rest of the ship.

"No sudden moves, mate," Sparrow whispered. "I want you to listen very closely. I'm gonna let you turn around, and you're gonna call the nearest man over here nice and easy, savvy? Play nice and we can all get by 'appy as lambs."

Titan was stood at the helm when he heard quiet steps behind him. As he spun on his heel he came face to face with Jack Sparrow. He was struggling not to laugh as the pirate held his pistol at Titan's chest. Titan listened to what he had to say and when he had finished, Titan made his face totally blank. He analysed the situation and decided that he'd make the pirate sweat. As he said that Titan could call someone, there was only one person he'd call - Surreal. The problem was he was hoping she wasn't too tired to deal with this.

"All right, mate, if that's how you want to play it, I'll get you the person you need to speak to," Titan replied to Jack. "Morgan! Get Kaetien and Surreal, there's someone here who would like to speak to them," Titan said to the man near her cabin. Titan looked at Jack and smiled. "They should be able to give you what you want!"

Jack gritted his teeth as the man he had chosen to threaten calmly called in the wrong way about the wrong sorts of things. Damn those brave types to the depths! His eyes narrowed as the one called Morgan vanished below, and raised the pistol to Titan's forehead.

"That was a stupid and unwise thing to do, lad. I did not say you were to tell anyone else of my being aboard this ship. But seeing as I did not say you were not to tell anyone of my being aboard this ship, it's not like you could deny I was rather unclear on the matter of whether you should or should not in fact tell anyone of my actual presence. "So, you'd better 'ave just called up refreshments or summink, or so 'elp me you're in for a rough time." He was still able to look menacing despite his, very little more than cute, height.

Surreal had a feeling that something was going on, and then Stubleg Morgan came crashing into her cabin. "Sorry for the intrusion but Titan asked for you and Kaetien. It looks like trouble!" Stubleg hurriedly explained.

"Thank you, Stubleg. Tell the crew to be ready. If there's trouble, Titan would only call me for one reason," Surreal spoke calmly.

Stubleg excused himself to give the crew her message. Surreal went to the room and picked up Kaetien.

Titan the only time I actually remember that you called me was when my target had stupidly bumped into you, this must mean Jack Sparrow is on my ship. He's going to regret this, Surreal was thinking with great satisfaction.

She removed her sword and her meanest knife and headed out of her cabin to the helm. She saw Jack holding a gun to Titan's head. Before either of them noticed her, she threw one of her knives. It caught Jack's pistol, knocking it out of his hand, and then lodged itself into the mast behind them.

"Now that I've got your attention, sugar, what are you doing on my ship?" She had already covered the distance so that she was only feet from them both. She focused totally on Jack, gave him a sexy smile and raised her eyebrow while waiting for him to answer her question.

His intuitive sense of the man in front of him told Jack that side-stepping to retrieve his pistol from where it lay behind Titan was probably not the best idea he'd had that day. One hand lingered near the hilt of his cutlass, but he was fairly concerned the tricksy woman with the knife might have another one stowed away ready to make him lose another item or even a hand. Giving up on the offensive strategy, Jack gave a twinkling grin and turned to address the one he did not yet know as Surreal.

"Oh, my apologies. This is your ship? My mistake. Can't hold it against me, aye? Lovely boat like this. Can't be too careful. I dare say it's lucky I stopped by to prevent some misfortune happening to her." As he sugarcoated his words, he slowly backed off towards the stern of the ship.

Surreal watched Jack edge away. She found this highly amusing as she remembered what the young whelp at the blacksmiths told her about Jack. "Umm, sugar, do you mind not edging away? Seeing as you've come all this way onto my ship you might as well stay for a drink. Rum, of course. Let's get to know each other a little better. Also, let me clear this up. Yes the Kaelas is my ship and Titan who is stood next to you is my brother. Just so you understand me you have no choice about the talk. My cabin or the cells, your choice!" Surreal answered with venomous sweetness in her voice.

This is more like it, thought Blake, as he watched the scene unfold from the rigging. On this occasion, his instrument was firmly closed inside its case - it had been a hard enough job sneaking aboard without drawing their attention to his sweet, sweet music. Would a kill be made? Would this woman be as active as she was talkative? Would there be a story to repeat for many years to come? Scratching his beard, Blake hoped, watched and listened.

Jack's expressions shifted amusingly between a cornered mouse and a proud cat. He stopped retreating and beamed at Surreal. He matched her venom with a honeyed tone. "Couldn't 'ave said it better meself, love. Sounds a fine plan." Part of him wondered if the lass recognised him for the loveable, famous scallywag he was. He wasn't about to let opportunities for negotiation to pass. He strode towards her, smirking at Titan as he went.

"Wise choice. Follow me, sugar." Surreal replied as she made her way to her cabin.

Surreal closed the door to her cabin after Jack entered. She indicated to the chair in front of her desk. "Take a seat, Mr Sparrow," she spoke to him as she raided her drinks cabinet and pulled out two bottles of rum. She handed one to Jack then leant on her desk just feet from him.
Surreal took a swig of her bottle then decided that she'd be nice as she thought Jack looked a little cute, particularly as she could see that he felt a little cornered.

"So, let's start at the beginning. I've seen your ship. A bit of a wreck, ain't it? What happened to it? I'm guessing that is why you're on my ship. Where were you going to sail after you'd commandeered it?" Surreal took another swig of her rum. She decided that if she got Jack drunk she'd find out more than if he were scared. Surreal knew that her rum was actually watered down but Jack's wasn't, so she could keep this going all night if she had to.

Keeping a close eye all around him still, Jack not-so-discreetly sniffed the lid of his rum bottle before allowing himself a sip. She'd known his name. Not always a good thing but his pride swelled.

"Borrowed your ship, lass. Only meant to borrow it. To tell the truth it was my plan just to nip over to that there Port Royal, pick up a few items and return with her safe as 'ouses. My ship suffered a small mishap when someone put fire a little too close to some rather dangerous barrels. Nothing a few days of tweaking with new wood won't fix." His gaze dropped back to the neck of his bottle. Maybe just one more sip...

Surreal could tell that he suspected that she would try to poison him. That made watching him all the more entertaining.

"Port Royal, hmm? Well how about if I give you a proposition? You tell me what I want to know, then I'll take you to Port Royal and bring you back here free of charge. You see I have some business in Port Royal. We were planning on sailing out there once we've got some supplies. What do you say?" Surreal slurred. She gave Jack a nice yet saucy smile. She decided that maybe being a woman might give her a bit of an advantage with this man.

Surreal shifted so that she was sat on the desk instead of leaning on it. After she took another swig of her rum, she started to act a little drunk, as she decided that he would think that he could take advantage of this situation.

The room suddenly felt a lot warmer, which was not so comforting when your back had chills running a marathon on it. Jack gripped his bottle tighter and let himself slide a little more easily in his chair. He leant forward and moved his hands as though he were conducting an orchestra of fleas while he talked.

"I'll have you know, love, I'm very open to propositions, and I say the one you're offering is surely one of the most intriguing." He drew incredibly close, aware that at the height he was sitting, his nose was almost brushing her dangling knee. Jack smiled slyly at her and then slumped once more against the back of his chair, regaining his more pompous demeanour. "Of course, that's all going to depend on what it is you're wanting to learn from me."

"Well that is some useful information." Surreal slid off the desk, moved so that she was inches from his face and she whispered, "What kind of propositions are you open for?" In one swift movement she straddled him. She kept him pinned so that he couldn't move, but she could feel his chest rise with every breath. Surreal knew that he could feel every movement she made. That was why she was doing this. She bit her lip in a very sexy yet shy way. "Well, sugar?"

Jack's eyes widened. The moment she had leapt on him and knocked the wind out of him he had dropped his bottle in shock. Fortunately it didn't break but rolled under the desk instead.

"Not good," he wheezed under his breath. Then, remembering himself, he looked up at her and smiled nervously.

"Ah yes, propositions," he continued, rather more high-pitched. He let his eyes wander the ceiling and the walls, not quite drunk enough yet to look such a forward woman in the face. "Well...most kinds really..." He gulped as she moved over him. "Particularly the more uplifting ones."

"Am I making you nervous?" Surreal teased.

She shifted closer to him knowing that it made him anxious, but she did this so that she could pick up his bottle of rum. She leaned all the way back so that she could reach the floor. After she'd got the bottle, she moved with ease and grace as she righted herself.

"Here's your rum, sugar. So you like uplifting propositions do you? Well I know one that you would rise for!" Surreal whispered in his ear. She pulled back and forced him to look into her eyes. She couldn't resist the urge to fiddle with his beard, while her other hand ran down his chest.

For the love of the Pearl, woman, just shoot me, Jack thought. Bloody foul temptresses with their ways and their rum-stealing!

His head swam. Normally these kind of situations came along when he felt safe, but no sooner had he looked in her eyes he saw a side to this lass that made him seriously uneasy. He didn't know whether it was the drink or the intoxicating fear that was making him feel faint. Jack tilted his head up, which was the only way he could move away from her face. He gripped her shoulders firmly as one would when you were about to tell a child something noteworthy.

"Enough of these fancies, dearie. I know considerably less about you than I would like..."

Or considerably too much already... he mused silently.

"Do tell of your proposition and may'aps we can come to an arrangement afore I fetch me supplies."

Just as swiftly as Surreal had straddled Jack, she had moved away toward her cabin door. Even though she knew that if he had tried anything he would have regretted it, that still didn't stop her from feeling hurt that he hadn't tried. As soon as she'd put enough distance between them, she knew that her question would not go down too well, just as she also knew that she was unarmed and Jack still had his cutlass. She sighed, "I just want you to answer one question. I'm not looking for a right or wrong answer, I'm just curious."

Surreal couldn't help feeling scared, this was something she rarely did but she felt that Jack needed to know. She took a deep breath let it out and then asked.

"Who and why would someone hire me to assassinate you?" Even as she asked the question she felt the atmosphere in the cabin change. She readied herself for a fight. Unarmed or not she would not let herself lose.

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Titan watched the cabin with interest. Even though he knew Surreal could give him a run for his money in a fight, armed or not, he still had to force himself to watch instead of crashing into her cabin. He had done what he'd promised; the crew were all on high alert and the Kaelas was ready to sail given her command. Stubleg Morgan had also informed Titan that Blake was on the ship and that he watched Surreal's cabin as closely. Titan had decided that he'd leave the man alone as his full attention was on Surreal. He had to keep her safe.

As Titan watched, his mind flicked back to when he left with Surreal from the Dae La Mon. The one thing he promised was the one thing he was never sure he could keep, especially with Surreal's current employment. He knew that he would keep the promise to keep her safe as long as possible. The only problem with this was that physically she was safe, but he was getting more and more worried about her mental state. She was close to a breakdown from exhaustion but she wouldn't listen to him. Titan saw her move away from Jack and sensed a change in her. He readied himself in case he had to barge into her cabin. He knew that she had locked the door; just as sure as he knew that he could tear the bloody thing off its hinges if needed.

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It would have been impossible to say that Jack wasn't a little put out by the woman's confession. However, his fear and his wisdom often clashed together to calm him down.

So she was an assassin. That actually explained a lot. The very fact she was bothering to tell him was curious. Either she was testing him, or she was having second thoughts. Maybe she wanted to toy with him before she did her work...or find something out about him...maybe the person who'd hired her knew about certain valuables he possessed...maybe...enough with the maybes!

He sat up slowly in his seat, watching her.

"Those are two very interesting queries, lass. I'm not exactly one who follows the law of the good and honest folk so I'd wager countless things I've done might warrant a reason. As for who would hold such a grudge against me...well I only know of one...no, two...wait..."

He counted on his grubby, ringed fingers. Three...he stuck up another finger...four. Some time later, he'd run out of digits on his hands.

"On second thought, love, no idea. If your meaning is to why would someone hire you in particular for this very job...I'd 'ave to bank on your talent for ballistic skills, that is, your ability with that knife o' yours, and your self-confidence."

Surreal was a little shell-shocked. This wasn't what she expected to happen, but it had been funny to watch his eyes as he was trying to comprehend the fact that she told him this. She had to seriously fight the urge to laugh when he started to count out who wanted him dead, she did however allow herself a smile.

"Sugar, flattery will get you nowhere. I'm more shocked that you have so many people that want you dead," she replied smugly.

Well, she thought, this doesn't help me in the slightest. I need to know who hired me.

"I'll answer the question I see in your eyes. The reason I want to know is that I never carry out a kill without knowing why. So we have a little problem don't we? Looks like you're coming with us to Port Royal. While we're heading there we'll go through everyone you know that would hold such a grudge that they would hire an assassin who charges ten thousand galleons per kill!" As she said this Surreal watched Jack to see if he might try something.

"Titan! Set sail for Port Royal!" Surreal shouted, even though she knew that Titan would be close by. She had felt the need to shout as it removed some of her anger. "Now, sugar, let's get started!" Surreal headed round to the back of her desk. Once seated she gave Jack a queried look, and waited for him to begin.