Chapter 10: 1742 About Pirates and Privateers

"Where's Jack?" Elizabeth received Caithleen and her companion in a mix of sorrow and anger: "Since we left the court all we got to know was, what Mister Gibbs told us."

Caithleen didn't give her a reply. She jumped down the steps instead straight into the narrow cabin she and Jack shared aboard the "Stella". Elizabeth followed her without losing heart.

When she entered the cabin without knocking Caithleen just freed herself from the tight corsage and changed it against a shirt and a coat. She put her hair together into a braid and placed her hat upon her head.

While she put her sword, her pistol and a cutlass to her belt she raised her head: "Come with me. Have to talk to Gibbs and van Dyck."

"What happened?"

"They abducted Jack aboard some coffin ship because they think he is able to take them to the Fountain of Youth. Tomorrow morning they'll set sail!"

Frowning like a tropical storm Caithleen rushed into the chart room where van Dyck just explained to Gibbs what happened while he was sitting in prison in London. Both men looked up when she and Elizabeth burst in.

Caithleen anticipated all of their questions: "What ever you planned, van Dyck, it's of no meaning any more! Ready your ship for the sea and set sail immediately. These are the bearings of our heading!" She spread the chart on the table and pointed at the chalices and the writing of "Ponce de Leon": "This is our aim! Jack marked its position within your sea charts. He has no doubt that you will find what we're searching for. Your "Stella" is a merchant vessel. She will neither arouse suspicion nor attract attention..."

"It sounds as if you don't want to accompany us?" Elizabeth openly looked into her eyes and the same moment she guessed she was right.

"That's true! Scrum – the sailor I brought along – belongs to the crew of the "Revenge", the vessel they restrain Jack on. He will take me aboard."

"That's madness, lass! Have you never heard the stories being told about the "Queen Anne's Revenge" and her Captain?" Joshamee Gibbs mingled in now: "The legend says she's cursed and whoever hires aboard not only sells his soul. The Captain is said to collect trophies - of which kind ever they may be. Don't dare to think about it."

"Once again one of your scary tales, my friend?" Van Dyck shook his head about the story the former first mate of the "Black Pearl" told them.

"It's not a fairy tale!"

"But you know best that not everything is true what sailors tell each other if they stay at sea for months." Elizabeth dared to disagree: "Remember what was said about the "Pearl" back then. She was supposed not to leave back any survivors. That was nonsense."

"Believe me, Miss Elizabeth, compared to the Captain of the "Revenge" Barbossa can be named a saint!"

"Equal who or what it is commanding that ship I will go aboard and join the crew", Caithleen's eyes were sparkling: "One reason why Jack Sparrow is trapped aboard that vessel is me and whatever might happen I won't wait until fate will come across me to help me."

"You can't do that on your own!" Elizabeth gazed at her totally shocked.

"Elizabeth! Calm down! I can do it and don't forget – you're not alone anymore!" Caithleen pointed to her body.

"Very well then, lass. Is there anything else Jack told you?" The Dutch knew that he would not be able by no means to hold her off from going aboard that eerie vessel before sunrise Gibbs wanted to warn her about.

"Only that you shall sail without hesitating and that we will meet at our aim."

"What if this adventure goes wrong?"

"Then we will meet each other in hell!"

Caithleen just wanted to leave the chart-room, when Anamaria rushed in: "Captain! You should come to the deck immediately! We got company! Oh, and Gibbs, think it's better for you to stay below."

They all changed a look then they followed Anamaria to the deck. Before they were able to say a single word they stood rooted to the ground.

At the pier, all around the "Stella Maris" a troop of soldiers built up and they didn't let come up any doubt that they were willing to shoot as soon as anyone aboard would dare to move.

"What's going on here?" Van Dyck got over his first surprise rapidly and showed himself not really impressed by the soldiers.

"Aboard your vessel hides a fugitive prisoner. It's useless to deny it, van Dyck, I know that he's here and to your own behalf I'll give you an advice – deliver Joshamee Gibbs to us."

Out of the lines of the soldiers a figure showed up, whose voice sounded familiar to most of those who stayed aboard but whose appearance seemed not to fit with the man they were able to remember.

The man wore the uniform of a Captain of the Royal Navy. Underneath the fitting hat he wore a shoulderlength powdered wig. His face looked pale as if it was powdered as well and he rested on an elegant cane. Not only for adornment but because he was in need for it to equalize the loss of his leg. No one aboard the "Stella" wanted to believe it but the man who stood in front of them here and now was – Hector Barbossa!

"Captain Barbossa!" It was Elizabeth who turned to him first.

Surprise and recognition were in his gaze when he responded: "Miss Turner!" He cleared his throat and asked: "What is it that leads you back to London?"

"Rumor! Gossip! Hearsay! We're here because we're not willing to believe that there is someone who wants to see Joshamee Gibbs at the gallows. And as it came out on the court there is no reason neither to hang the man nor to imprison him again."

"Miss Turner, you know very well that this is not exactly the whole truth And for sure you also know that it was not Judge Smith who spared Gibbs from the gallows."

"Not?" Elizabeth showed him the most innocent expression upon her face she was able to find.

"What do you think? That I'm not aware about the fact that Jack Sparrow is in London?"

"Jack Sparrow? He's here?"

"How else would you explain the fact that they found the Judge imprisoned within his chamber? Who else could be able to let a whole coach vanish with the prisoner inside."

"But Jack is not with us!"

"It's not necessary to deny it, Miss Turner. We're not searching for him. No longer!"

Elizabeth quickly thought it over then she tried to focus their conversation to another subject: "We heard about the "Pearl" and what happened to you. Don't you think your crew will be relieved to know that you're still alive?"

"My crew? Well as you easily can see, my priorities did slightly change."

"You let yourself be bought, didn't you?" Van Dyck joined them and beheld the former unbending pirate with a hint of pity.

"What a nasty word you chose", Barbossa remarked while shaking his head: "I would prefer to call it a suitable adjustment for all the losses I suffered."

"And therefore you're standing here, accompanied by a troop of soldiers, willing to imprison Gibbs again?"

"It's not that easy van Dyck! I solely made the decision to put my skills into the service of the Crown."

"And what's the difference? Piracy in the name of the King?"

"I don't call myself pirate any more. I'm a privateer now, vested with a letter of marque, sailing for the King. The letters will guarantee me several rights and secure gaining."

"Including the right to sell out your friends?" The Dutch was barely able to rein himself in while he felt his anger rising within his innermost.

"Barbossa, you're one of the nine pirate lords. Shouldn't there be only one king you should feel bound to?" Elizabeth put all eggs in one basket.

"Miss Turner as it seems one thing escaped your attention: The Council of the Brethren Court does not exist any more and because of that a certain title also has no meaning any more. So let's finish that idle talk here and now. Deliver Joshamee Gibbs to us or I'm forced to send my men aboard your vessel."

With an angry expression upon her face Caithleen pushed past van Dyck and Elizabeth.

Her eyes glared dangerously when she gazed at Barbossa: "What is all of this really about, Captain Barbossa? I know that you've been on your search for the Fountain of Youth when you lost the "Pearl". There is only one reason you're in need for Joshamee Gibbs for, am I right? It's all about the bearings, Aye?"

"Aye, lass, it's all about the bearings. Nothing else! But why are you in the know about the Fountain?"

"Will Turner! And why are you searching for it?"

"Let's say I know that I will find someone round there who owes a lot to me. And because this someone is also in the know about the fact that I'm searching for him, I have to find the Fountain."

"You owe him this?" Caithleen pointed at the peg leg. Barbossa nodded with a forced grin and she added: "And the "Pearl"? Your crew told us about the attack out of the dark."

"You've no idea, lass!"

"More than you're able to imagine, Barbossa!" Caithleen shivered while she remembered her vision about the dying "Black Pearl".

Barbossa beheld her for a while, then he remarked with barely restrained curiosity: "You remind me of someone, lass. That was a long time ago and I may be wrong, but there are things one is barely willing to forget."

"You mean Rosalind Stevens? Let's say I knew her very well once. It was really long ago and I don't want to talk about that right here and now if you understand..." She cleared her throat and then she gazed directly into his eyes: "If I will convince Gibbs to follow you and to lead you to the Fountain will I get your promise that Captain van Dyck is allowed to set sail tonight without being bothered any more?"

"How will you make that? You're not Sparrow, lass, and I'm convinced Joshamee Gibbs would prefer to stay in prison before he would accompany me."

"Maybe I should bet about it with you, Captain Barbossa, but I can assure you, you would lose. So, are you willing to leave this case to me?"

Barbossa wasn't sure what to think about the woman who wasn't less tartly than Elizabeth Turner, who was able to negotiate like Jack Sparrow in person and who looked like a match of one of the most infamous female pirates who ever showed up in Tortuga. In addition she was totally convinced of everything she told him, he had no doubt about that.

But he didn't know her and for him it was a mystery why she on her part obviously seemed to know a lot about him.

With a shrug he finally said: "Agreed! We have an accord! And now I'm curious how you will succeed with all you promised!"

Caithleen didn't say another word. Under the astonished looks of van Dyck, Elizabeth, Anamaria and the crew she went below.

Barely half an hour later Barbossa and his soldiers left the pier – together with Joshamee Gibbs.

It would forever remain Caithleen's secret why the mostly well-tempered, sometimes stubborn Gibbs agreed to accompany the newly privateer in the name of the King of England to his ship – reluctantly indeed, but finally by choice.

She smiled while thinking of the impression shown upon his face when she explained to him that he would not only be able to help Barbossa to settle an open score, but to help her and Jack as well.

While aboard the "Stella Maris" van Dyck and his crew hurried to ready her for the sea Caithleen watched with mixed emotions how they cast off at least. A fresh breeze made sure that the "Stella" gained speed when she vanished at the horizon under full canvas.

It was Scrum who dragged her out of her thoughts.

The musician with his merry face stepped inwardly from one foot to the other: "Miss if we want to get aboard before sunrise we have to hurry now."

"I'm coming! I just asked myself if I will see them all again!"