'Pirates of the Caribbean' belongs to Disney

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March 30, sometime in the early 1800s, the Yangon River Valley in present-day Burma

It was midday. Master Sao Shuang, proprietor of the hillside Temple, was practicing his usual meditation on the terrace. Below, the verdant Yangon River Valley glowed like painted silk. On both banks, the cultivated farmlands were covered with new growth, almost burning the vision with their varied shades of green.

But, mindful of his obligations, the wizened Elder resisted the temptation to linger. He arose slowly, leaning on his twisted-vine staff, and made his way into the Meeting Chamber.

The interior was stark, though not inhospitable. Walls of smooth cinnamon-colored wood glowed in light reflected from the single square opening, in the apex of the peaked ceiling. The only furnishings were two large brown silk cushions, arranged near the center of the fieldstone floor. The aged man knelt carefully onto one of these, tucking his naked feet beneath him. He looked to the open doorway at the opposite side of the room, where he knew his visitor waited. The Master's withered but able hand moved to his sash and shook the small brass bell, signaling permission to enter.

The visitor bowed upon entry. As dictated by etiquette, he was dressed in the same manner as all the Temple inhabitants, in a plain but elegant indigo robe, head and feet bare. He took some seconds to cross the floor, allowing the Elder a chance to study him.

This looked to be a man in his thirties, of little more height and heft than the Master. The sway in his gait indicated years spent at sea. As he came closer, Sao Shuang took in the long dark hair, fastened behind the neck, and the neatly trimmed chestnut beard. The brown eyes were his most interesting feature; troubled as ocean waves, with remarkable stories in their depths. This one hadn't brought an ordinary problem.

The visitor sank onto the other cushion, meeting the Master's gaze squarely as he waited to be addressed. The Elder, who commanded nine languages, spoke courteously in the visitor's own tongue.

"Jonathan Bharadwaj, for what purpose have you come to this place?"

Jonathan's voice was steady and agreeable. "Master Sao Shuang; I've heard there's some in this temple who've lived a very long while, so might be equipped ta understand my rather unconventional difficulty." He paused. "Pardon my askin', Elder, but is it true you're second cousin to the Pirate Lord Sao Feng? I, don't see much family resemblance."

"I am, indeed, the cousin of Sao Feng. However, we were always of differing affinities. Feng was of the wind, I of the earth." The Master tilted his head, regarding the other keenly. "Your own affinity is much rarer- a convergence of water and wind. A Son of Storms. But that is not the most extraordinary thing about you, is it?"

Jonathan bit his lower lip. It was said, the Elders here were able to discern whether or not a speaker was telling the truth. The impending conversation seemed likely to put that claim to the test.

"You've not commented that I look a mite young to've ever laid eyes on Sao Feng."

The Elder's mouth quirked. "I assumed you would explain when you were ready. But if you prefer, I shall ask. How old are you?"

The visitor made a point of looking the Master straight in the eye. "I was born one hundred an' twelve years ago."

That eye didn't blink, or even crease. "Extraordinary, indeed. Though no more so than some others who have sought my counsel."

It was the seemingly-younger man who blinked. "So you've met others like me?"

"None in exactly your situation, Jonathan. But in equally improbable ones. I can not tell you more. I am pledged to keep their confidences, just as I am pledged to keep yours." The Elder placed bony fingertips together and rested his chin there. "Can you explain how you achieved this longevity?"

Jonathan, feeling like he'd just gotten past a tricky shoal, answered willingly. "There is a water spring in the southern United States, as it's presently called. You may have heard rumor of it; the 'Aqua de Vida', widely regarded as only a fanciful yarn. But it's actually actual. Not out of sight, jus' prohibitively hard ta recognize or ingest. I never would've figured it out, if I hadn't had both a chart an' a special compass fer guidance." He smirked a bit. "I can only assume the Seminoles had assistance of a similar kind when they first located the place. 'Probably considered it a fine joke, sending Mr. Ponce de León ta look fer it with naught but his eyesight."

He regarded the aged Chinese man almost apologetically. "I can't be any more specific. Got ta be very guarded about revealing the spring's location, or even confirming it's existence. 'Tis not about keepin' the benefits all to meself. You can imagine what'd happen if the reality of such a thing became common knowledge. There'd be wars fought fer possession of it."

The Master's voice was grave. "I am, indeed, able to imagine. Can you say how you make use of this miraculous water?"

"Fer convoluted reasons, none of it can be carried away. I have ta immerse meself there, to get a swallow. This has the effect o' turning a person's age back to theer prime years, if properly spaced. I've done some experimenting- seems once every twenty-four years is the opportune interval. The water also bestows an additional benefit with each dunking. My first treatment filled out my beard nicely. The latest one did wonders fer my teeth." The storyteller drew his lips back, revealing flawless white incisors. "Kinna miss the gold ones, but they had been lookin' rather worn."

"And have you seen fit to share this marvelous 'Aqua' with anyone else?"

"Got ta be cautious about that, too. I did intend to bring a good friend of mine ta get the benefits. Bloke of uncommonly loyalty, by the name of Joshamee Gibbs. But he met his maker before I got 'round to it."

Jonathan dropped his eyes for some seconds. The Master waited.

"Not that the spring would've made any difference. Those waters don't grant resistance to cannon fire... The circumstances of Josh's passing brought it home to me, that the age of piracy as I'd known it was pretty much over. I preferred to not just fade away, so a month later I died too. At least to all appearances. I'm obliged ta do so now an' then, before it's noticed how well my youthful looks are holdin' up.

"Subsequently, I called on some remaining friends o' mine; Elizabeth an' Will Turner. I figuring they'd prefer ta know I was still amongst the livin'. That pair were the most devoted lad an' lass I've ever personally met. Endured some rough weather through their early years, they did, but that seemed to've made the knots hold all the firmer, once they'd navigated to calmer waters.

"They were as shocked an' delighted ta see me as I could've hoped. Did get a bit accusin', when they inquired why I'd fabricated such an undignified manner of shufflin' off the mortal coil. But I got 'em ta understand, it were ta insure the Madame would keep mum about the ploy. She'd definitely want those additional exhibition coins ta keep comin' in.

"Eventually I got 'round to explaining why it was necessary fer me to go through all that bother. I revealed everything about the spring, an' once I'd got 'em convinced it weren't just another of me tall tales, I offered to take 'em to it. 'Twould be my very definite pleasure to have the two of 'em about through the coming centuries. We discussed it well inta the night, but they finally declined. It seems Will was fully confident the next life was naught ta be afeared of, havin' had a glimpse of it hisself. And Lizzie wasn't going to consider stayin' behind without him. I regretted their refusal, though I weren't entirely heartbroke. So I told 'em, jus' let me know if they ever had a change of thoughts. They didn't.

"I kept in regular touch as the two got old together. When they felt their time had come, I provided some small assistance to theer passing together at sea, at theer own request. That was a loss I mourned, though no more than was due. Liz an' Will certainly looked happy, the last glimpse I had of 'em.

"They'd had three offspring, who were adults by then. The oldest was William James Wetherby Turner, whom I'd always called 'Willy' in me mind. A very fine lad, who grew to equally admirable manhood. I'd acted as sort of a father to 'im through his first nine years, when his own Da couldn't be there, so he was the closest thing I'd ever had to a son." Jonathan glanced sideways, uneasy. "I can't sire any of me own, you see. Had a bad bout of scarlet fever when I were fourteen. Ran a high temperature. I'd guess you know what that can do."

"You do not need to explain further."

"The waters might undo it sometime, though there's no predicting when. 'Tis a 'deficiency' that didn't bother me at all, fer the first several decades afterwards, but now...

"Anyways. Four years after Willy's parents passed on, his own wife, Rose, met an untimely demise. Some loading mishap on the docks... a most sorrowful event. Seeing how that'd left the two of us unattached, I thought it were appropriate fer me ta extend the same invitation to Willy. His youngest children would soon be of age, and there wasn't anyone whose company I'd rather keep fer decades or centuries, I told him. Willy was intrigued, but said he needed ta think about it. I had some business ta tend to fer a week, so I promised I'd come back after, ta hear his answer."

Jonathan paused, swallowing hard, before he continued. "At the appointed hour, I walked up ta his place feelin' on top o' the world- already makin' plans ta disembark fer Florida soon as the tide allowed. I don't like to recall how it took the wind from my sails, when Willy met me on the front stoop an' told me he'd decided against. Said it were a real kindly offer, an' he'd always be grateful fer it. But he didn't care ta outlive everyone an' everything he'd ever known, leaving him with no sense of place or belonging.

"I was a lot more disappointed than I expected ta be. Angry, in fact. So much so, I had ta make excuse ta head right back to my ship. I sailed to the next port down, stormed into the tavern district and had a proper three-day binge. Don't remember much about it, beyond tryin' ta drown the rage an' not succeeding. I was later informed I'd done a lot of ranting about bloody stupid Turners who lost more intelligence with each generation, an' some ingrate whelp scorning a chance such as many would sell their souls for, an' what'd I ever do ta make him spurn me like a soiled cur?" Jonathan shook his head. "I must've sounded fit fer bedlam."

Sao Shuang judged it time to make comment. "I believe I understand. You had envisioned a future of yourself and Willy, a devoted 'father and son' team, having endless grand adventures together. You had thought he was sufficiently attached to you to find this prospect irresistible. So it wounded you greatly to discover he did not, in fact, hold you in sufficiently high regard... that he was perfectly willing to let you continue alone."

"'Suppose so." The former pirate's expression was utterly mournful. "I did make a point to not let him know him how much that refusal stuck in me craw, so Willy and I stayed friends fer the remainder of his days. He were as scrupulous as Will an' Lizzie about keepin' me secret. I was on good terms with his offspring, too, right up to when I had to manufacture another demise. Even afterwards, I occasionally looked in on 'em from a distance. Until jus' three months ago. That's when I got word Willy was dead."

Jonathan's hands clenched. "He were seventy six, an' I hear he went peaceful, with his own whelps an' grandwhelps around him. About the least-objectionable end anybody could hope for. Shouldn't of torn me up like it did, nor be lingering like this... Why won't it let go?"

"Because you have lost more than a good friend. More, even, than a substitute son. Willy was the last surviving part of your original life. Instead of your dying and leaving the world behind, your world has died and left you behind."

The visitor grimaced in remembered anguish. "I've known more o' dying than almost any- I don't care ta know any more- but I never anticipated the alternative would hurt this much! Do you understand, Master Sao, why I've come to such as you?"

"Indeed. This is not an everyday problem." The wrinkled man leaned closer. "But you must specify, Jack Sparrow. Do you have doubts about continuing your visits to the Aqua de Vida? Or are you resolved to do so, and want advice on how to cope with the disadvantages?"

Jack wasted only second on startlement, upon hearing his former name used- he had dropped hints, and this Elder was sharp as a new blade. "Ta tell the truth, I'm not entirely sure."

"Then I shall address both. Just keep in mind, I can not advise you from experience. Certain of us at this Temple have methods to extend our years, but hardly to your own degree.

"However, I can point out the fairly obvious; the bereavement you are presently experiencing is only your first. For as long as you make use of the spring, this singular grief shall continue to befall you, as you repeatedly outlive the times and people you know. Whether the benefits are worth this price is not for me to decide." He regarded Jack thoughtfully. "Tell me, how do you plan to fill your abundance of years?"

"Sail everywhere I haven't been- see everything I haven't." The former pirate brightened, his imagination engaged. "Even the inland sights. I rather fancy gettin' a look at that big wall, north of here. I've heard tell of birds in New Guinea with such marvelous plumage they might've flown straight out of heaven- I'd like to judge that fer meself."

"This world, though wide, is finite. What shall you do once you've explored it all?"

"Start over at the beginning. A lot of it will of changed by then, eh?" Sounding more enthusiastic, Sparrow counted off his fingers. "I want to finally learn proper horsemanship. I'd like ta get the view from at least one really tall mountain. I want ta master that Japanese-style fencing, with those single-edged katana swords. 'Want to make a good long stop in Barcelona, so the Gitanos can do a proper job teaching me flamenco dancin'. An'..." Jack's eye twinkled. "No disrespect, Elder, but unlike you, I haven't taken any vows of celibacy. There'll always be new generations of wenches, an' I can't imagine ever getting my fill o' them. Oh- and I'd like to visit Vienna regularly ta try the pastries. Those Austrian chefs are always comin' up with new ones."

Sao nodded hopefully. / So many years behind him, yet still so much the child. Though unbecoming in some ways, this could serve him well./

"Then the question you must consider, is whether these agreeable prospects are sufficient compensation for the loss you must also experience. You must take into account the very real possibility that you'll never find a companion willing to endure it alongside you. I sense there is uncommon resilience in you, Jack Sparrow. But even the greenest twig breaks, if bent often enough."

Sparrow pondered for a minute. "Aye, but only after a long while of bending. And there is one component of this world that'll never change, an' I'll never tire of."

The Master finished softly. "The sea. The one passion of Feng's I could always understand."

Jack's smile, though subdued, was his first sincere one since Willy's death. "I guess the only way ta find out how long I'll want to keep sailing her, is ta give it a try, eh?"

"We are in accord," Master Sao pronounced. "Your course, between wind and water, may never be an easy one. But you shall experience more of life- in every sense- than perhaps any other. May you find a balanced passage, Son of Storms."

Sparrow sagged, feeling greatly relieved. As though, after weeks of anxious uncertainty, he finally had a reliable heading.

/ This gent didn't actually tell me anythin' I didn't know, or couldn't of figured out. But credit's due, fer deducing what I most needed. 'Twas of genuine help to have everything laid out so plain fer me. /

Jack gave the Elder the most willing bow he'd ever bestowed on anyone, respectfully touching forehead to the stony floor. "Thank you, Master Sao. Ye've done me a fine turn." Coming up, he added with a smirk, "I hope yer late cousin wouldn't be too disapprovin'. He never liked me much."

The Elder just smiled in turn, raising a hand in benediction. "Fair winds to you, Captain."

The walk to the doorway strongly reminded Jack of his downhill trudge from Willy's dwelling- realizing he was facing a long journey he'd have to make alone. But this time, the prospect was not a forlorn one. If anything, he was looking forward to it.

Jack Sparrow stepped out through the cedar archway, onto the windy terrace with it's striking view of peaceful valley farms. Green and fresh as spring leaves.

A world reborn.

Time to do some exploring.

x

Child of the wilderness,
Born into emptiness,
Learn to be lonely...
Learn to find your way in darkness.

Who will be there for you?
Comfort and care for you?
Learn to be lonely...
Learn to be your one companion.

Never dreamed out in the world
There are arms to hold you,
You've always known,
Your heart was on its own!

So laugh in your loneliness,
Child of the wilderness,
Learn to be lonely...
Learn how to love, life that is lived alone.

Learn to be lonely-
Life can be lived,
Life can be loved,
Alone.

... Andrew Lloyd Webber

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FINIS