Here is the next chapter. Wish I had more time to keep adding and editing. :) This just gets more and more fun, the further in it goes.
If you are reading this story thus far, please leave a comment, I'd like to know if it's too confusing, too boring, too many grammer errors, ect. Nothing harsh please, but just stuff to work on! Thanks!
"Wills be in trouble out deep."
"Obviously he's diving under the jellies."
"JACK! He aint comin' up!"
"Got strong lungs and's a good swimmer."
"JACK!"
"I jumped in the last thousand times! Gibb's, why not take your turn!?"
The Captain's irritated shout was the conclusion to the brief discussion; having no more time to argue, Gibbs took off in a run toward the water. Another shout was on Jack's lips, this time an insult about the Turner family's drowning habits, when he realized his success. He jerked up in shock, dumbfounded that for once he avoided the hard work and agony of rescuing the damsel, or rather the damn lad. That was certainly an unusual change for him, and though he told himself it was a good win, he couldn't help but fidget while sitting idle on shore.
As much as he was not a hero, he was neither patient, so when Gibb's beached himself with the lad, he made sure the first mate heard his complaints. Gibbs' rolled in the sand, cursing the red welts on his arms. Jack promptly told him shut his blubbering, that he would have gone in if Gibbs had asked sincerely. Without waiting for a retort, he quickly moved onto the blob of crabmeat Gibbs had fished back with him.
The lad looked raw, skinned, bloated, and still covered in a full body cast of gelatin.
Upon seeing the covering, Jack's survival instincts kicked in.
He plummeted to his knees, his hands rushing to pry the jellies from what he only hoped was not a corpse. Grunts flung from his mouth as he ripped the creatures apart, fingers turning numb. He did not pause to shake off the pain.
He struggled mostly for Wills, trying to keep any more of the scorching venom from seeping through the boys' skin. If not already gone, Wills would definitely be dead soon. What gave the extra spark to his pace was the thought of Elizabeth's grief and fury. She would've hung him if Wills took even a few jellyfish stings; he did not want to imagine her punishment for this. Plus there was the matter that the kid was the reason for the whole mission.
The stampede of vibrations in the sand, and a fit of several choking coughs sounded just up shore. He did not even have to call out for help as the rest of the party hurried down shore. Though he hoped someone at least had remembered to guard the two selkie prisoners.
Pete sprinted to him, stumbling to the opposite side of Wills and joining picking process. Together they peeled off the pinheads and stringy arms. The boy moved less aggressively, flinching against each sting, but did not relent.
"They swarmed him Captain! I didn't know the maidens could control the fish!" Pete trembled, and scrunched his face as he unwound a tentacle coiled in Wills' hair.
In this state, Wills certainly looked like he had been a target. Jack turned his head back to Gibbs, who had finally quieted and sat up to work on Wills' legs. His mate too had been caught by the comment, his eyes waiting for Jack's. A look of doubt, and firm shake of head were silently exchanged. The confusion was clear.
Gibbs obviously had never heard of such power in the maidens; he had no advice.
Unfortunately, the other men, whom had kept watch of the selkies, also saw this message, and took it as an ominous warning. Suddenly losing their nerve, they stepped a few paces back from the maidens. Although without their furs, Jack still feared the selkies would attempt an escape. Each reverse step his men took, widened an opening to the sea. He had to act quick, before the women took the chance. Uncertain if it was a lie or truth, he carefully worded his response to Pete so that the men would regain confidence in their control.
"Jellies have no brains to attack! Ugh-" He paused, halted by a particularly sharp sting. "He was caught in a Bloom, that erg-was swept in by the tide."
Jack snuck a glance at the selkies while he said this. There was no reaction. The two women just sat cowering underneath the guard of Squid and Shaken Hand. Cotton stood a short distance, two furs hugged tightly to his chest.
He had hoped they would reveal if the jellies were their cause, but they were showing no telling signs. Squid and Shaken Hand took a step closer to the women, and Jack had some satisfaction that at least his words were effective as confidence bolsters.
At the same time, Pete slid the last tentacle from underneath Will's tunic.
Jack turned his full attention back to the body, no longer able to put off the inevitable. He had to check the vital signs, to see if both Wills and he were dead men. Gazing at the overall damage, Jack no longer felt agony for his red, throbbing hands. Those injuries were nothing in comparison of Wills. He looked to the boy's chest, begging inwardly for even a slight movement.
"Don't think we'll hear a heartbeat, Swellin's too great." Gibbs commented.
With the odd shape induced by the welts and lumps, Jack was unsure if he could see the boy breath either. With his hands so numb, he could not stick a finger near Wills' noes and feel for wind. Jack was just about to lean his head over Wills' mouth when Pete again yelled out.
"He's alive, I saw him spitting out water while we were yanking on the jellies."
Jack swayed and nearly fell with relief, and then he saw it. A small, barely visible, rise and fall in the chest. Wills was hanging onto this world, but it was impossible to tell for how long. He needed better care. Jack still worried the lad would continue swelling like a grape until it burst. Thankfully, the ship had a healer's treasure load of supplies; there were several powders and potions that would benefit his survival chances.
"You know what this lad needs right?" He directed to an ashen Gibbs.
With a solid nod, Gibbs scooped the crabmeat lump onto his shoulder. Jack saw Gibbs' understanding; his mate would have to suck up his pain and take Wills back. He was the only one of the crew who knew the full array of their medical supplies and their uses.
"Aye, Jack. Crushed frog skulls should do the trick."
Then in rare moment of generosity, Jack added:
"And a bottle of rum when he wakes, he should definitely be in want of some. Take it from my stash."
As Gibbs took off in a sprint along the beach, Jack gave a last silent prayer for Wills and one for himself that he would survive his next meeting with Elizabeth.
"Captain, what about the selkies?" Pete reminded him.
The two women kneeled, and hugged each other, their hair wrapping around their bodies in one large protective cocoon. Their eyes fleeted across their captors feet, raising to look longingly at their furs, but never lifting to any man's face. The glances passed quickly and jerkily, as the women kept alert of the men. However, they appeared without a plan of attack, hunched into feeble balls.
Jack strode forward, taking a fur from Cotton's grasp, and since his hands were numb, rubbed it against his cheek curiously. For all the elegance of the creatures, he was greatly shocked that the fur did not comfort him with a satin or silken texture. He could feel its weight, the thick skin and coarse chopped hairs, like that of regular seal.
It was an odd, to think these beautiful delicate women dressed so ruggedly. However, it made some sense considering these furs were their sole shields from the harsh ocean elements.
Purposely for examination, Jack fingered the stiff hairs, and was excited to see the women stop fidgeting and lock their eyes onto him. One creature specifically was fighting hard not to cringe. Assuredly, the fur coat belonged to her. But yet, neither had made any move of offense, kneeling collapsed on the sands. Until they did, Jack remained weary and slightly uncomfortable.
Waiting no longer, he threw on an expression of wonder, and held the coat proudly. Like most of his plans, getting the women to talk would involve some flattery and professional quality acting.
"Beautiful! Not a seal in the Caribbean is as soft and hardy as these lovely coats." And here he turned to compliment the selkies. "My ladies, surely only you are gorgeous enough to fit em'."
Through tear stained cheeks, the women quieted. Their faces displayed their bewilderment. It took another moment for them to build courage to talk. Then one timidly looked up to his eyes, and Jack distinguished her for having smaller facial features, and more curls than waves to her hair. She opened her mouth, pausing in indecision to speak. Jack raised an eyebrow, prodding her to continue.
"Can…can I…I have it …please?" The voice came like a whisper whistle, so quiet and high toned it should not have been heard.
However, it swirled through the air, ringing clearly, tickling the ear canal. The voice faded, leaving behind a slight itch, one which Jack found unpleasant. Seeing Squid and Shaken Hand picking the wax from their own ears, Jack figured they had heard and were experiencing the same discomfort as he. Cotton and Pete didn't make a sound or scratch, but their wide eyes were telling.
The selkie was waiting, shaking a little harder than before. Jack decided to return to task, he could take care of his scratch after this conversation.
"Ah! But that has no sense about it! Our time catching you would be wasted." Neither protested, but four streams of tears were rejuvenated, one for each of their cheeks. Jack's confidence uplifted, it seemed the women indeed were desperate. Hopefully, desperate enough to answer his demands.
"We'll trade the coats for a wish, information, whatever you make for a bargain."
"…what do you want?" The selkie asked, choking on air.
"Suppose you can't free Davy Jones and the Dutchman from Calypso, eh?" Two horrified looks appeared on both their faces. "Hadn't put any bets on that, so no trouble."
"We don't fight, please…please seek help elsewhere." He ignored them.
"Fine ladies, we'll exchange the coats for knowledge on how to make the goddess Calypso surrender to us."
"NO!" The maiden cried just as terrified as before. It wasn't a remark of defiance, but of shock.
Believing he just required a little more persuasion, Jack tried again. This time, he thrust the coat into Pete's hand, and withdrew his pistol, aiming the barrel for the speaking selkie. He hated using such brutal tactic of persuasion on women, but late morning was approaching fast. Jack was not going to spend more time than necessary conducting his interrogation out on this unfamiliar island.
He'd had far too many experiences warning him against mulling around on strange lands.
"Pete, withdraw you knife." He instructed, to which Pete pulled out a small blade, probably meant for cutting cheese, but good enough for Jack's intent. Now the selkie watched both Pete's hands, coming to the realization of what was to occur. Jack continued.
"Now, don't make the lad do it, it's a real shame that he'd ruin such a gorgeous thing. A simple spell, set of instructions, or such would do."
"We can't!"
Trying to rouse them, Jack made a prompt decision. He wouldn't resort to carving up the coat just yet, but he wanted to determine just how precious the things were to the creatures.
Keeping his pistol aimed, he grasped a small pinch of hair and gave a tremendous tug. The thin grey wisps fought his grasp, but overcome by his vice like fingers popped out the pores.
There was a horrendous cry, cracking like an unoiled gear crossed with a dog's bark.
The men jumped, Jack included, and swiftly brought hands to cover their ears. They were just in time to deafen the second wail.
For women who voices sounded like whistles, their screeches were deafeningly hoarse. The ladies shrieked more, fiercer, but to Jack's utter amazement, remained pathetically on their knees. They hadn't made a move to free the fur or themselves, just continuously breaking into additional open sobs.
Perhaps these women weren't as proactive as he thought?
The theory seemed confirmed, when suddenly the two women began calling loudly for their mother. Mother: they repeated the word in turn, crying and holding hands tightly. Jack looked to the sea, as did the men, heart pounding in expectation of a large seal head to surface.
The ocean was as calm as it had looked all morning. But that did not mean they were safe.
"OYE! STOP IT!" He shouted, trying to break through the ear piercing noise. It didn't work. He was about to shout again, when Cotton stepped up, raised the second coat and with inspired effort, withdrew twice the many hairs, leaving behind a coin sized grey hole. All mouths closed, the remnant screams slowly fading from their heads. Not even the pirates had a word to say, in awe of the quick thinking.
"Thank you Mr. Cotton." Jack mumbled eventually, watching wearily as the old mute shrugged. His eyes briefly flashed, probably remembering his voice, the parrot, had been banned from this trip, and then bowed his head in reply. Jack nodded back, clearing his throat to bring himself together.
"Squid, Shaken…get behind these things. If they begin screaming, cover their mouths."
"What if they bite? They got shark teeth Captain." Shaken whined, his hand twitching violently as he brought it up near the selkies head. The two men appeared just as unsettled as the maidens.
"Cowards, use a cloth or something. And you ladies, careful now." He waved the pistol as a reminder. "Whose your mother? Is she coming here?"
"Please, no." The two cried, and after threatening once again, finally choked a name through their tears. Amphitrite, they said, without further explanation. Jack didn't need any.
He knew the famous goddess by legend. She was the queen of Poseidon. Compared to her, Calypso was like a citizen to royalty.
And for Jack to contend the queen meant coming to the end of the line. It was a greater risk than he had ever imagined for this adventure. If he upset the monarchy of the gods, there would be no higher power to seek for favor. Having one goddess in qualms with him made life tough enough; he would be completely banished from the seas if Amphitrite also turned on him. Nor could Jack expect to last on land if such occurred. People who thought him crazy now would see the full extent to which his madness could fester and make serious on the demand for his head.
The temptation to drop the coats and run tickled his mind, but Jack knew that solution would be worse. The maidens could implore their mother to seek revenge, and he would have no defense for the attack. No, it would not do to flee.
He had to keep them close to hand; trusting his hostages to protect him from the very same danger they brought. Treading further with the selkies, he would have to use tremendous caution.
And while keeping keen for a safe way to maneuver out of this pitfall, there was no reason to forsake the original mission. He had his objective, and surely expected more than one life threatening situations in the journey. Potentially upsetting the Queen Goddess definitely made things a bit more difficult than planned, but he could accustom himself to the matter.
Killing the last of his desires to turn tail, Jack regained his composure and commanded the women again.
"Just tell us how to trap Calypso, and we'll leave you and your coats unharmed."
The maidens sniveled and hung their heads.
"We don't know." They whistled in unison.
"But you're supposed to be wise!" Squid gasped and snarled, breaking into the conversation. There was panic in his face, and in the others. The news about Amphitrite finally breaking their self-control.
"Mother tells us all. Please, she can answer you!" The maiden cried, flinging herself further down into the sands, and covering her head as if she expected a hand or bullet to strike.
She should not have worried about the bullet though, for Jack's hand had gone limp, his face furrowing in concentration. The response startled him; uprooting his belief that the women were merely withholding their information.
He and Gibbs had interpreted the sea legends to think the selkies were wise, but they seemed nothing more than spineless creatures. Jack had a sinking suspicion the wisdom in the tales came from others, specifically their mother. If true, it was not the selkies he needed the aid of, but the queen of the oceans herself. His gut plummeted.
"Please! Mother can solve any problem, we'll go ask her for you."
At that conclusion, Jack once more almost considered giving up the mission. He had just gotten over his nerve of having Amphitrite as an indirect threat, and now shrunk at the idea of allowing either selkie to go off alone and plead for the goddess' help. Jack more expected Amphitrite to send a tidal wave in response.
Taking on gods in the past had never worked in his favor; he highly doubted to go unscathed this time either. His only hope to staying alive was to keep the selkies prisoners, confront the goddess and devise some way to guarantee his safety.
"What do we do Captain?" It was Pete again, falling to him for answers. Jack watched the selkies, searching for any deceit, hopeful for some reason to change his mind. Of course, there was none. Jack looked back to Pete and the men; they were ready to bolt the second he faltered.
Contrary to his inner turmoil, Jack had to act confident. But each movement he made felt stiff. His smile was weighted, and pulling him down like anchor.
"Ladies, take us to your queen." He called, without its usual zest.
Only one hope allowed him to even exhale the words. Others had made it. Men in the legends had survived the act of stealing a selkie coat and bargaining its return. Whether or not they faced Amphitrite was unsaid, and he doubted any of them had his sort of reputation, but certainly one thing remained true. The coats and selkies at least had some sort of leverage.
"Yes, sir." The two words hung in the air and made his heart race. Feigning self-assurance, Jack led the men and the prisoner selkies back to the ship.
Yet, all through the morning, past the afternoon, and into the night his heart raced.
Elizabeth rode into King Henry's Cove a week late. The Black Pearl had already been in and out of the port. Had Jack stuck to the coastline, she would have followed, racing on land to catch him in the next town, but that wasn't the case. The story could be validated by every tavern, for the information the Pearl pirates let slip was of the most unusual and gossiping sort. They were traveling Northwest, toward the Spaniards territory, but with no revealed destination.
The first time she heard this, Elizabeth prayed that the weary fisherman had been mistaken. The second time, as a sailor confirmed the news, her frustration rose to such a peak that she chucked a knife into the wall, rather inappropriately. Two days had passed since that incident, her anger simmering and barely kept restrained.
How desperately she wanted give chase, riding straight through Calypso's furry just for the pleasure of strangling Jack's neck. A couple years had passed, and she still disbelieved the scoundrel had not the nerve, or sense of self preservation, to return her son. Neither, could she accept that Wills had so foolishly runaway. Her boy truly came from a Turner's seed and showed his namesake family trait: having the ability to keep hope even against the most dismal chances. While Elizabeth admitted her love for her husband stemmed from that piece of his heart, she also felt it made his line dim witting courageous.
She knew that Wills understood the forces he challenged; on Jack and her own attempt to free Davy Jones, he had been witness. And when the results had come out with a gruesome defeat, she thought her boy's heart had been crushed thoroughly. At that time, she feared permanent damage had been done to Wills' spirit. The blow came back to her, when Wills disappeared to pursue the Dutchman.
She couldn't handle the remembrance anymore. It hurt too much to think about her past failures, and that now her own son had left her behind. She had never been a female to breakdown; she always kept strong and struggled forward. Whatever she had to do, she would do it; no beast or being could stand between her and her family.
Resolved, Elizabeth returned to the taverns that night, in search of a captain brave enough to give her passage. If no one accepted, she would find other means, perhaps disguising herself or stowing away as she had done once or twice before.
Inside Madame Charlotte's, the busiest place in port, she wasted no time. The stack of planks wasn't as rough as the taverns of Tortuga, but just as boisterous, and with plenty of pirates. She only had to mingle with two men, before she found her way to a Captain. It could not be said just how helpful the title 'Pirate King' became in gathering information or gaining attention.
Still, the Captain denied her with the excuse that their courses took opposite directions, but pointed out another to try. This man told her that he dared not risk her curse upon his vessel and gave her a third name. The third Commander respectfully pushed her to a fourth, who pushed her to a fifth, and then a sixth, and then she forfeited altogether.
With burning curses on her tongue, Elizabeth distanced herself from the crowds, seating herself on a small barrel in the back of the building. In the raunchy joyous setting, she was the one sober and serious body. At least, she thought.
Caught in devising a plan to sneak aboard a vessel, a sudden presence at her side raised her alarm. She did not jump or jerk though, instead turning her head to consider the ominous company.
He appeared a rogue, covered in a tattered black cape with a large hood casting shadows down to his nose. Before she could even speak, he lifted the hood up just enough to reveal a face. It was a young man, perhaps ten or so years younger than her, in his prime age. Partially uncovered, his aura was even more sinister, barbate, with sinuous copper locks, and a thin piercing gaze. The only contrast to his musky colors, were his fair safire eyes, shining bright against his olive skin.
He came from a crew, Elizabeth was certain immediately. She could smell salt and rotting wood.
"My King." He addressed her and gave a slight nod. A pirate; even without his greeting, she couldn't see him in any other career. Knowing the type, and considering the fact he kept shrouded, Elizabeth made sure to be alert of everything. If he even reached into his pocket, or an accomplice came their way, she would pull the pistol lying in her sleeve.
"Alt'ough, yer not much of un rey." He continued. Elizabeth heard the sneer in the tone. Her hand shifted slightly, readying to use to the concealed weapon.
"I know the Spanish term for King. And you should know I am in retirement." She bit back.
"Aye, pardon, but I find odd t'at ye keep t'e title." He continued, with intensified menace.
"What I do with my reign is my own business, now," She paused, to make the next point clear. "Explain who you are, and why you have approached someone who obviously wants to sit alone."
The man moved, and she tracked his hands to make sure they stayed out of his cloak. There was a hardening of his features indicating her demand had annoyed him, but he spoke calmly to answer.
"T'e better first question a King should ask, is what use I'd have to 'em, or if ye feel generous, what is I in want of. I'm no drunkard or patron want'in a friendly chat, yer not a wench or Lady; we are pirates, out dealings should be about profit."
"Then tell me what and whose gain."
"Aye." But there was lingering malice as he spoke. "Four orders, of t'e t'ree kings and a Commander, have been issued to hang, wit'out trial, te Pirate Swart, thus on land and sea I am called so.
I heard a employee of this tavern bargained for Passage on t'e Black Pearl wit' t'e grand treasure of t'e Lady Cornelia, the finest of England ever sunken. Last night I made an agreement wit' an old friend of ours, and we are sailin' after that passenger…."
"And the two of you'd be brave enough to take me with you. I'm no fool and you can hardly expect me to account this as your kindness."
"It is t'ough, and ye'll see it so once ye hear my partner's name."
Elizabeth regarded him wearily. She trusted no pirate, and highly doubted that he knew a name, save for one, that could convince her to step aboard his ship. A few other names that may have had some convincingly appeal belonged to men already sailing on the Pearl. While she desperately wanted what he offered, her wits refused him. Everything he said so far sounded blatantly like a cutthroat's trap. She wouldn't blindly follow the dangling bait.
"No name. I want to meet him in person." She expected he would lose his advantage at the demand, that on chance he could produce the correct name, but surly not an actual person.
Then, he grinned, and jerked his head toward the tavern's back rooms. The complying gesture incited Elizabeth to lift a brow, and confirmed her suspicion. If he intended her to walk into an isolated section, or alley, she was going with two pistols cocked.
"He's keepin' a low profile, like I, so t'at no rumors can travel back to Calypso 'bout us takin' ye on board. T'ere in t'e long coat and wit' t'e large hat."
Leaning against the wall, with head and shoulders covered by the gigantic brim of his leather sombrero, Elizabeth saw a prominent body most definitely not present during her scouring of the tavern. The broad shoulders and slight hunch in the back fit perfectly to frame of the man in her mind. Still, she was unconvinced, and about to demand to Swart to have this concealed partner revealed, when suddenly the man gracefully swept off the hat.
Recognition and the urge to laugh came like a hard punch; she had to hold her breath from reacting, and even then could not prevent a smirk.
It was the one name she had considered to Swart's suggestion.
She probably should have guessed. Hector Barbossa always liked sticking himself into anything with an inkling of adventure or the name Sparrow.
"We'd be waitin down on t'e docks, come past midnight, let none see."
She had yet to decide if she would take their offer; but she knew she would. Her only hesitancy came from the same trust she put in him. Though Barbossa was a familiar face, he was nonetheless of a dangerous breed. Anytime spent with him were moments in which she had to carefully guard her life, and strive to stay on top of strategy. With regret, she realized that her next move would be all but cunning. Part of her berated herself for the leap she about to take, telling herself no great Pirate lord would ever lock themselves in such a compromising position.
Then she remembered Jack purposely submitted himself to several iron cages, and had to correct herself. It stung worse to realize whose footsteps she nearly followed.
There was no option though, she needed to cross the ocean and find the very person who was now making her scowl. Barbossa, she wholly believed could do her the favor. He also was devious enough to outsmart and take advantage of her circumstances.
"Fine. I'll wait a few hours, then take leave." She replied, ignoring all her inner warnings that she would fall prey to Barbossa's tricks, his ultimate plan.
Swart took her word without reaction. He made no fuss of his departure, but simply rose, gliding like a shadow into the throng. Elizabeth kept her eyes down, understanding him; the young man had taken great care to draw as little attention to them as possible. In fact, he had been so stealthy and quick in the interaction that none of the nearby tables seemed to realize they had even talked. Few may have noticed he'd even come to the back. Through the corner of her eye, she saw him duck out the door. She suspected he was not even willing to chance being seen in the same tavern as her.
Her suspicion was confirmed when she caught the tip of Barbossa's hat also fly by the doorframe. Barbossa could never have avoided recognition when pirates were around, so it did no good for him to hide in a cape. However, it was unusual that he had chatted with several others and not come to greet her; surely someone in the bar had mentioned her presence. He must have avoided her on purpose. He only displayed himself, using Swart as his messenger, knowing she would require some sort of proof for convincing.
He was taking all precautions to make sure no one would know if she left with him. Some people in the bar would recognize they had been in the same tavern, but no one saw them talking, and that was the best they could do. It was a smart move, and an indication of his concern. Elizabeth took his fear as her last checker left to play, vowing to make it a King. As long Barbossa was worried; then maybe she did have some power, not enough to contend an opponent's full checker board, but just to do some damage. She would have to see the extent of her position as she went.
"'Scuse me miss." A haughty female voice disrupted her thought.
She had known of the approach, but hardly paid the speaker any attention until now. Two girls, probably nearing the end of their teen years stood off to the side. They looked like harlots, dressed in mock Ladies' gowns, makeup smeared, not applied, across their faces, and their hair piled high into rat nests of what was supposedly curls. One was slightly smaller, with twine colored hair, blue eyes, and a round childlike face: she stood further back, biting her lip in apparent hesitation. The other, a bold redhead, with thin pointing features and imposing presence took lead.
She gave them the same silence as she had when Swart first appeared.
"We 'eard you were tryin' to find out 'bout the Black Pearl. Why she was in port, what happened and such." The redhead continued.
"Yes, but I am most interested in where she is going." Elizabeth answered, perplexed about what these two women had to offer.
How did they know anything about the Pearl? Jack, her mind just as immediately shot back. It was both laughable and disgraceful. She looked over the two women again, this time imagining them in a far different scene. She pictured Jack thrust in between them, arms laced over each of their shoulders, rum bottle in hand, his lips whispering incoherent mumblings to their ears. He gave up all his secrets this way.
She almost kicked herself, recalling how she had spent hours talking to the men to find out about the Pearl. How foolish of her. Of course, the women were always the best sources for such.
"Not sure 'bout that, but we do have some strange stuff about the visit." Resisting a frown, because she most wanted to hear the destination, Elizabeth gestured them down to sit and tell her anyway.
"My name is Ashleigh, and this is Corrine." The redhead introduced, taking the offer of the crate and thrusting out her hand.
"Mrs. Turner, as you must already know." Elizabeth replied, then drew her face in a questioning expression "It's surprising you waited this long to seek me out. I've been here for days."
Both remained passive.
"Corrine didn't think this was importan' till just a few hours ago."
"I saw you speaking with that cloaked pirate, would have completely overlooked him had he not been chattin' to me earlier this afternoon." Corrine spoke, her voice surprisingly dainty and revealing of her young age.
Elizabeth's interest hardly nudged, but her alert rose. Swart had probably been searching for Pearl information like her, though making a better effort to keep his objective secretive. However, all the furtive maneuvers could go to waste on the accounts of these two women. If they connected her to Barbossa's ship when she departed and then spread the rumor, it could easily leak to Calypso. She frowned. If the worst case were true, was there was any better option than to merely plead or threaten them to keep silent? Elizabeth had never been brash enough to kill anyone not a direct threat to her life. In fact, she had never slain a single person unarmed and not in the midst of attacking.
"What did he ask?"
"'Bout the Pearl, Jack Sparrow, and what happened in port. We told him the men tried to keep hush, but some leaked that the Pearl was chasing the Davy Jones. " She replied, little to Elizabeth's surprise. Then she said something unusual. "And that Jack Sparrow brought our friend Nora Morse into his crew."
A female had joined the Black Pearl crew? It was strange that a female wanted to be a pirate, and certainly if Gibbs was still first mate, he would have objected based on his superstitions. Even she still got weary looks from him, after sailing countless times and proving her courage.
"Was a man named Gibbs with the crew?" Before she furthered her thoughts, she would have to make sure.
The girl nodded, a bit puzzled. Elizabeth did not elaborate, as her mind came onto the conclusion. Jack had over ruled Gibbs to take her on. Either the girl had something he wanted or she had forced him to submit. She suspected the former, but made no bets.
On the outward glance, it hardly seemed like much, just an odd addition to the crew. Even so, she was not going to drop the subject until thoroughly hearing the girls out. She expected nothing, but kept her mind open, thinking how the least likely people carried the deepest secrets. And if these girls had mustered the courage to come face her, then perhaps there was not even a secret.
"Corrine stop worry'in 'bout bad gossip, we should'a seen all this before the Spaniard had ta' pry it inta the open." Ashleigh cut in, then whipped back to Elizabeth, her nose held high like she wanted to sniff. "Ya' hear, Nora was kinda' odd when we put it all together. She couldn't swim, never went near the ocean, and a week ago just decided to go sailin', and with one of the most famous buccaneer ships! And how does she buy her ticket? She promised the Captain the treasure of the Lady Cornelia, a noble's ship sunken in shoals where no one man can reach!"
"Did she say how she would retrieve it?"
"No." Corrine added, "I thought the Captain was absurd for taking her word."
"But now we'ren't sure, we don' think Nora was an ordinary girl." Interrupted her fair partner, who withdrew immediately after.
Ashleigh paused for dramatic effect. Elizabeth waited patiently, intrigued now. Ashleigh brought her hands to the table, took a breath, tilted her head and squinted her eyes. It reminded Elizabeth of Gibbs, setting the mood for either a long story or the meat of the information. Humorously, Ashleigh had the same build up mannerisms. When the girl's mouth drew open, Elizabeth quieted her musings, prepared to listen fully.
"She had no surname, rolled into town about a year ago and picked up a ten year contract at this bar- which Captain Sparrow fully paid off for her, I add. Nora was really friendly, drank gallons from the stout, but never talked about her past. Nothin'. And she sang like a siren; like she controlled the bar every time her voice had a tune. She could silent any crowd, and since she's left, this tavern just not been the same, but for the good. The crowds are small, but always in much higher spirits, rowdier than ever. Us girls here don't mind the slight drop in coins, since it means easier work keeping the place cheery."
"But we never thought there was a depression over the bar before. It seemed normal, at the time." Corrine added, an attempt meant to lessen the insult to her missing friend.
Ashleigh's speech had stiffened Elizabeth. The girl was right if all that was true, their friend Nora was a suspicious character. As Elizabeth mulled over the information she could only reach one conclusion: Nora had some hidden agenda. Jack must have had some insight of it to take her on, and if so, then she could expect the girl had something to offer to help with the mission.
"We think she was a witch, or some voodoo worshipper." Ashleigh, said.
"But like I told that pirate, we aren't sure."
"Oh! After all those coincidences? That pirate showed us just how blind we had been!"
They had begun to bicker. Not wanting to lose the focus of the conversation, Elizabeth acted, rolling her eyes as she smacked the table.
"And Jack Sparrow, were either of you with him, did he say anything about Nora?" She almost rolled her eyes again: Ashleigh responded with first a sly grin at Corrine, then a frown.
"Corrine was, I spoke once with him the night before the Black Pearl left, tellin' him not to take Nora, but he told us both nothin."
Corrine mumbled that her friend was true.
Elizabeth's curiosity swelled like waves inside her chest to the rhythm of her lungs. The new crew mate was another uncertainty in the mix. She did not quite mean anything yet, but Elizabeth held onto that knowledge just in case other pieces started connecting. A witch? She considered, but quickly dropped the title. Until she learned more, Elizabeth would make no assumptions. Rushing into the battle with no information was better than rushing in with the wrong guess. She would assume Swart relayed the development to Barbossa, and decided to ask Barbossa his intuitions later.
Filing the thought away, Elizabeth returned to the naïve young women, expectantly. They had told her their knowledge and theories about their friend, so that part of this confrontation was over. Both remained quiet in the pause. Knowing the setting, knowing Jack had been there a week earlier, knowing they knew she pursued him, Elizabeth believed she understood their hesitations.
"I shall send Jack your messages." She stated, giving a curt nod. "A smack to both cheeks, and I promise no restraint."
For once, Elizabeth was surprised in this situation. An astonished expression erupted on a girl who had met Jack. Ashleigh's face shriveled and stared at her like she had gone mad. Elizabeth was too shocked to feel embarrassment.
She had delivered nearly a dozen slaps to Jack for girls in the past, and following him around for the past two years, she had accumulated two dozen more to send. The service had begun with demands, and she had not intended to carry any out. Disgust had grown on her though, for the sheer number of women Jack had upset; and she eventually relented for their sakes.
Just as Elizabeth was about to apologize, happy Jack had not upset these ladies, Corrine spoke up. Two words of gratitude were all Elizabeth needed, and Jack was back to walkin' the plank again. Ashleigh whipped her head to the small girl with an incredulous look. Elizabeth pitied the blond. She was young, and at that age it hurt most to be slighted. Just for her, she would stick to two for the number of slaps.
"And ladies, in return." Elizabeth asked holding her voice firm, interrupting one last time. "Could we keep our conversations secret."
There was no question or leeway, Elizabeth delivered the command. They agreed, with sincerity she believed, but nonetheless, Elizabeth would not expect a best case scenario. The two girls left, returning to work in the laps of potbellied men. She waited, watched, and after the hours had passed, snuck down to the docks.
Hope you enjoyed this chapter!Sorry for the..eh..not so great grammer in the prior chapter.
Anyways, it's most fun writing Elizabeth's perspective, oh, and we have the introduction of a new character. Keep your eyes out on Swart!