Thanks again to everyone who reads this!
Bookworm97: I'd be interested to say what you think of when you say that I nudged my characters out of character. Am curious just so's I know not to let it happen again. Would much appreciate your thoughts on this.
Hunter Witch00Alexei Fae: Shame, I think I was half looking forward to a decent meal. Anyway, such a heart-warming review makes my writing all worthwhile, and gives me the motivation to write more. Many thanks.
Chapter 10
Naida slowly pulled the long boat through the water. She knew the way she was going, had been well versed in it. She was not afraid, even though she was well aware of the other passenger sitting behind her, shifting restlessly as she dragged her hand through the water. Naida turned her head away, back to the labyrinth of walkways and buildings that made up the floating city which she was now traversing. After a while Naida began to hum, and soon her words formed a tune.
Some have died and some are alive
Others sail on the sea
With the keys to the cage
And the devil to pay
We lay to Fiddler's Green
The bell has been raised from its watery grave
Naida carried on singing her melody as she paddled forward. She noticed soldiers, bright in the livery of the East India Company as they marched across one of the bridges. She was tempted to look at her passenger Beth, to warn her not to give them both away. But she dared not; instead she still paddled forward, carrying on with her haunting and ominous melody…
Hear its sepulchral tone
A call to all
Pay heed the squall
Turn your sails to home
Yo ho
Haul together
Hoist the colours high
Here Naida let the boat come drifting to a halt next to a stone dock. Skilfully she threw a tether around a wooden peg, securing the boat. Slowly she levered herself up onto the stone jetty, and stood. Quickly she turned and helped Beth out of the boat, all the time carrying on with her song…
Heave ho
Thieves
"Thief and beggar, never say we die," a man interrupted and finished the song for Naida, who simply stared at him.
"A dangerous song to be singing for any who are ignorant of its meaning," the man stated, "Particularly a woman. Particularly a woman with only another woman for company."
"What makes you think they're alone?" Barbossa answered as he moved down the steps to join the small company.
"You protect her?"
In answer Naida moved forward, slipping a knife from her belt. With precise movements she raised it to the man's throat. She did not like the way he had insulted her, especially saying that she could not defend herself. She allowed the coned hat she was wearing to slip slightly from her head as she pressed the knife in deeper. She heard the clicks of guns behind her, but she did not care.
"And what makes you think I need protecting?" Naida demanded her voice dangerously smooth.
"Your master's expecting us," Barbossa cared to explain, "And an unexpected death'd cast a slight pall on our meeting."
Naida reluctantly removed her knife from the man's neck. The next thing the group heard was shouted commands as the troop of the East India Company marched across the bridge over the stone jetty. Everyone in the small group pressed themselves back against the stone wall, afraid that they would be spotted and shot by the troops.
Once sure they were not being watched the other pirates turned down underneath the bridge. Naida followed, and she turned to check Beth was behind her. She knew Barbossa would be following, and another native man would be bringing up the rear. However she turned her eyes firmly front and carried on walking.
She paid close attention to the route she was being led down by the man. He must have been a lieutenant of Sao Feng's, otherwise why would he have been sent to meet the party? Naida had noticed that his face seemed to be horribly scarred, and she could not help but wondering how those scars came to be there. However she controlled herself, and went back to watching her way, memorising every step she took.
"Have you heard anything from Will?" Naida demanded as she dropped back to talk with Barbossa.
"I trust young Turner to acquire the charts," Barbossa answered, "And you to remember your place in the presence of captain Sao Feng."
"I am Lady Stormcroft; I need not to be reminded of my place."
"Yet you are a woman, and as such should hold your tongue."
Naida bit back a sharp retort. She glared at the captain's back as she followed the men to meet Sao Feng. Now was not the time to be reminding people of her rank and throwing it around, it could get everyone killed, especially Will. The group were here in a den of piracy, and corruption and greed were rife in these places, as was treachery. There was very little honour amongst pirates, especially those who were fearful for their lives.
The leader led the small group to a lacquered red door that had lost much of the brightness it once must have had. The lead man knocked on this door, and a hatch was slid open, to allow those inside to see who was outside. A password in a foreign language was said quickly, and the door was soon opened, and the trio made their way inside to meet Sao Feng.
Barbossa was forced to hand over all his weapons, and Naida passed them all over to one of the lieutenant's men. Barbossa did this eagerly enough. All Naida had done was push back the hat from her, no longer did it obscure her fine features from view. After Barbossa handed over his weapons she went to step forward, but was stopped by the man.
"Do you think because she is a woman we do not expect her of treachery?" the man asked.
"Well when you put it that way…" Barbossa answered.
"Remove. Please."
Naida sighed, but soon removed her hat. She took off the dark overcoat she had been wearing, revealing a weapons belt underneath. This she removed, along with all of her other weapons. This she did with something like annoyance, tossing her weapons aside as if they were no more than toys to her. Once she had removed them all she went to step forward.
"Remove. Please," the man repeated, causing a shocked look from Naida.
Eventually the trio were lead into the main bathhouse. Beth had suffered much the same treatment as her sister, and had been forced into a loose short gown. Naida however was left only in her shirt and shoes. The Lady was very aware of her position, one of the few females, and being scantily dressed. She was also aware of the men's eyes on both herself and Beth, and she felt decidedly uneasy.
The trio were led up to a dais. Standing there with their backs to the group were two girls. They bowed away, and stood, one to each side, attending their lord. The man behind them stood, with his arms outstretched. As he turned to face them Naida saw that once side of his face was horribly scarred, and he was bald, with a long straggly beard. That was before she was prompted to bow by Barbossa, which she did grudgingly.
"Captain Barbossa, welcome to Singapore," Sao Feng welcomed the party. After he did this he sniffed a red rag he had tied around his hand, before saying, "More steam."
One of the pair nodded. She pulled on a string that was located next to her head. Naida watched amazed, as a small sound could be heard beneath. This was soon followed by a hissing sound, and soon steam emerged through the floorboards to engulf the room in yet more steamy heat. Naida wondered if the crew had gotten into place yet, but soon turned her mind from other things.
"I understand that you have a request to make of me," Sao Feng spoke to Barbossa as he stepped down towards the captain.
"More of a proposal to put to ye," Barbossa explained, "I've a venture underway, and I find myself in need of a ship and a crew.
"It's an odd coincidence."
"Because you happen to have a ship and a crew you don't need?" Beth naively asked.
"No. Because earlier this day, not far from here, a thief broke into my most revered uncle's temple and tried to make off with these," Sao Feng flourished some charts which had been provided to him, "The navigational charts. The route to the farthest Gate. Wouldn't it be amazing if this venture of yours took you to the world beyond this one?" Sao Feng asked Barbossa, tossing the charts to one of his men.
"It would strain credulity at that," Barbossa easily replied.
Instead of answering Sao Feng nodded slightly. Two of his men stepped forward and pulled a person out of a tub that none of the group had observed before. As the figure gasped for air, tossing back their head Naida could clearly make out Will. She took a step forwards, closer to Barbossa, willing herself not to give anything away, not to run to Will to make sure he was unhurt.
"This is the thief. Is his face familiar to you?" Sao Feng demanded. As everyone shook their head the pirate lord removed a spike from his belt before adding, "Then I guess he has no further need for it."
As the pirate lord moved the wooden spike tipped with metal nearer to Will's face Naida could not help but gasp involuntarily. She covered her mouth with her hands as soon as she realised her mistake. Sao Feng had paused now, and turned back to face the group. Naida let her hands fall as the pirate lord smiled and tucked the spike away again.
"You come into my city and you betray my hospitality," Sao Feng began to sound angry.
"Sao Feng, I assure you I had no idea…" Barbossa began before he was interrupted by shouting.
"That he would get caught!" Sao Feng shouted and all his men began to advance, "You intend to attempt the voyage to Davy Jones' Locker. But I cannot help but wonder… Why?"
In answer Barbossa tossed a coin at the other pirate lord. Naida looked at it in wonder; she heard its singing melody. She wondered what the significance of it was. Whatever it was, and however important it held some kind of fascination, as to how such a piece of metal could sing a note so pure. Sao Feng spat on it, before holding it up to his ear, evidently listening to the same melody that Naida could hear from half a room away.
"The song has been sung," Barbossa began, "The time is upon us. We must convene the Brethren Court. As one of the nine pirate lords you must answer the call."
"More steam," Sao Feng commanded. After a while, when nothing happened he shouted, "More steam!" which elicited another hot rush of air.
"There is a price on all our heads," Sao Feng began.
"Aye," Barbossa agreed.
"It is true. It seems the only way a pirate can turn a profit anymore is by betraying other pirates," Sao Feng looked to Will as he spoke.
"It be time for us to put our differences aside," Barbossa answered, "The First Brethren Court gave us rule of the seas. But now that rule is being challenged by Lord Cutler Beckett."
"Against the East India Trading Company, what value is the Brethren Court? What can any of us do?"
"You can fight!" Naida retorted, finally tired of being quiet, "You are Sao Feng, the Pirate Lord of Singapore. You command in an age of piracy where bold captains sail free waters. Where waves aren't measured as feet, but as increments of fear and those who pass the test become legend. Would you have that era come to an end on your watch?" she demanded, "The most notorious pirates from around the world are uniting against our enemy, and yet you sit here, cowering in your bathwater!"
"Lady Stormcroft, there is more to you than meets the eye, isn't there?" Sao Feng asked as he walked around Naida, "And the eye does not go wanting. But I cannot help but notice you have failed to answer my question. What is it you seek in Davy Jones' Locker?"
"Jack Sparrow," Will answered suddenly, leaning forward.
Naida observed the reactions of the two serving girls. They both simultaneously held their hands to their mouths and giggled. Naida frowned slightly at that, she wondered if it were simply that Jack was held as a fool, which many thought him. Either that or the news that he was trapped in the locker had spread, and everyone knew that it was a fool's hope.
"He's one of the nine pirate lords," Will carried on, undaunted by the look of fury that crossed Sao Feng's face.
"The only reason I would want Jack Sparrow returned from the land of the dead is so I can send him back myself!" Sao Feng exclaimed in utter fury.
"Jack Sparrow holds one of the nine pieces of eight," Barbossa retorted, advancing on the other pirate lord, "He failed to pass it along to a successor before he died. So we must go back and get him. "
"So you admit you have deceived me. Weapons!" the cry rang out around the bathhouse.
As he shouted this command Sao Feng drew one of his own from his belt. At this men emerged, dripping wet from the bathwater, armed to the teeth. Beth squealed with fright, but found she could not get away as she was soon surrounded by men. Her, Naida and Barbossa were soon forced to form a small group in the centre of this deadly group.
"Sao Feng, I assure you our intentions are strictly honourable," Barbossa tried to placate the lord.
This sentence was belied however, by the appearance of four swords through the floorboards. Naida and Barbossa each grabbed a pair. Naida almost felt relief flow through her, as she realised that the crew must be in place so that they were able to provide the group upstairs with weapons. Sao Feng looked angered by this new treachery, while Barbossa simply smiled. In answer Sao Feng lunged, and grabbed another man, placing his sword firmly to his throat.
"Drop your weapons or I kill the man!" Sao Feng delivered his ultimatum.
"Kill him. He's not our man," Barbossa ordered.
"If he's not with you, and he's not with us, who's he with?" Will asked.
Suddenly a shouted command was heard, and a squad of uniformed men burst into the bathhouse. Almost as one the pirates turned to face the new interlopers. Soon smoke was erupting from muskets being fired, and more men were pouring in from every side. The pirates were fighting, charging towards the enemy, but many fell before the musket balls of the East India Company.
Naida joined in the fighting, knowing no other way of escape. Beth had already scurried away, using the heat and confusion of battle to shield her from the unwelcome eyes of the East India Trading Company. Naida found her sister's cowardice only slightly discouraging, she would have been more worried had her sister stayed to fight; she was not trained as Naida was. Seeing Will had managed to free himself Naida called out to him.
"Will!" She shouted across the din as she tossed him one of her swords.
Naida saw yet more men pour into the bathhouse. She also saw a man, soberly dressed come in with them. He was armed with only a pistol, which he levelled at Naida's head. Will however, had anticipated the other man's move and was swift to push Naida aside, leaving the bullet to smack into one of the unfortunate twins who not moments ago had been serving Sao Feng in his bathhouse.
Naida found herself alongside Will, Sao Feng and Barbossa. The four were about to make their exit, when they heard commands being shouted from behind them. Turning they saw a troop of soldiers, every one levelling their muskets at the small group. Naida wondered if it was her time to die now, and what would happen if she did. However she did not have to wonder for long, as soon the floor underneath the bathhouse exploded and the crew of the Black Pearl came pouring out.
The fight poured out onto the street as, at a shouted command from him to his men, he and the other pirates spilled out onto the rickety walkways. The group raced their way through the streets, hacking at any soldier unfortunate enough to get in their way. Will seemed to be keeping Naida ahead of him, protecting her. Soon enough however Naida took the fore, and as they passed through the marketplace she had to dispatch some soldiers herself.
As she raced through the city she had no time to think that it was neither polite nor ladylike to kill, or fight. She would not have been spared by the East India Company by dint of her being a woman. So why should she let being a woman affect the way she defended herself? She fought with the ferocity of a tigress, knowing that to loose was to die, and that she did not want, not after she had so soon tasted freedom, true freedom.
Suddenly the battle was over as soon as it had begun. The jetties were rocked with the sounds of explosions, as Jack let off the firework that blew into the factory and set off all the other fireworks. Naida made her way towards the exit, to find the others there. She was relatively pleased to see Beth there, unharmed, although her sister's sulky looks made her suspect that something was amiss. Either that or her conduct had upset her sister's delicate sensibilities in some ways.
"Ye have the charts?" Barbossa demanded as Will appeared.
"Better yet," Will replied tossing across the charts, "A ship and a crew."
"Where's Sao Feng?" Naida asked Will.
"He'll cover our escape and meet us as Shipwreck Cove," Will answered swiftly.
The group followed the leader of the men, whom Naida had met earlier. She had misgivings about how Will had acquired the ship and the crew, but she would not voice them. It was not her place, she would not ask, although perhaps she should have demanded. She was well used now to the world of pirates, and she would not ask questions of them, ones which she were sure would not be answered anyway.
Soon the party had boarded a small boat, and were making their way out of the harbour. They had escaped by some lucky chance the musket balls and sword thrusts of the fight, and were now on their mission to rescue Jack. Naida pondered what it would mean to her, even as she walked up to question Tia Dalma, who was standing at the prow of the ship. That woman Naida knew was more than she said she was, and the Lady would have given anything to find out what it was.
"There's no place left for Sao Feng to cower," Naida stated, "Do you think he will honour the call?"
"I cannot say," Tia Dalma answered, "There's an evil on these seas that even the most staunch and bloodthirsty pirates have come to fear."
Naida nodded. She knew Davy Jones, and she knew Beckett had power over him. She had never met Beckett, and half hoped she never would, whilst half knowing that the course her life was on, it would be impossible for her not to meet him. The kind of man that owned the East India Company must have been crafty indeed to manage to ensnare the heart of Davy Jones, and thereby secure the rule of the oceans.
Naida knew that perhaps one of the only people able to end this rule was Calypso. But she was lost, bound to a human form that no one knew. But she would still have some of her powers. As Naida looked afresh at Tia Dalma understanding dawned on her. She recognised the woman as belonging to the sea, just as she herself did. It was not something you could hide, even if you were never at sea there was still something recognisable about it.
"So you guessed," Tia Dalma answered.
"Was I likely not to?" Naida asked in return.
"I am not what I once was."
"Can any of us say that?" Naida asked with a wry smile as she turned and left Tia Dalma.
Author's note: Sorry its taken a while. Was toying around with the idea of what to do for this chapter, and then thought I should get on with the third movie. So here we are, hope you enjoy and could take the time to place a review. All reviews are greatly appreciated, and replied to.
