Chapter 11: 1719 The Spanish Galleon
The winter months passed by within a twinkling of an eye and Lord Reginald Beckett kept his promise made in Autumn.
With the first days of Spring the 'Eagle's Wing' was not only ready for the sea but in addition she was also totally built round. Another steerage had been built in separating the crew's quarters from the hold and the stowage granting the men a bit more room for their belongings.
The Captain's cabin got enhanced by including the small cabin Jack and Caithleen inhabited as long as they sailed aboard the 'Wing' when she was still under the command of Rosalind Stevens using it for additional space and the chart room got furnished with a new table on which more than one chart could be spread.
The sails – having always just been patched whenever necessary – got replaced by new cloth and even the rigging had been changed up to the last lines and hawsers. Because the Winter had been mild Beckett's men had been able to work without hesitation and so it happened that the 'Eagle's Wing' was resplendent with fresh color and under white canvas.
With the exception of two officers he chose himself Beckett left the decision which men to choose for his first privateer raid to Jack and meanwhile the young Captain had an obviously superb crew aboard. Every man a volunteer, no man forced into duty aboard like it more often than not happened when the Royal Navy shanghaied men to man their ships and to fill their crews up.
There was more than one reason supposed to lead so many volunteers aboard the 'Wing'. One of them was for sure the not even small amount of pay the East India Trading Company was willing to guarantee the men. The second was the promised share of the plunder. Ten percent of every prey additionally to the already granted pay was more than most of the men ever had. But the two most important reasons to hire aboard this privateer vessel were that the young Captain appeared as not to be an oppressor and that some of the men had in mind to share their berth with the bonny lass who would accompany them on their journey as the ship's helmsman.
Already a few days after their first meeting with Lord Reginald Beckett, the chairman of the East India Trading Company kept his promise and sent a messenger over to the mansion of Sir Edwin Cole who handed not only the letters of marque over to Jack but also a casket filled to the brim with gold and a document signed by Beckett himself which identified Jack as the rightful owner of said casket and the letters.
It was the prize the Company once had rewarded for the 'Eagle's Wing'.
Elianor agreed to keep both the document as well as the casket that long until Jack and Caithleen would need it some day. It was much more save within Sir Edwin's house but aboard a ship.
As always in Spring when the ships of the trading companies set sail with the first tepid winds a not even small amount of onlookers and rubbernecks assembled at the piers to witness the spectacle.
Whispering and murmur accompanied the arrival of Sir Edwin's coach because everybody all around the place knew it to be an open secret that he and Lord Beckett used not only to be of different opinion if it came to politics. Therefore it was a seldom occasion when both men met at the pier today.
Within the coach Jack, Caithleen and Elianor changed some totally different thoughts.
"Tell me, love, why do I have the unmistakable feeling that there are irreconcilable strains between your father and good ol' Lord Beckett? Eh?" Jack watched curiously how both men changed meaningless flowery phrases.
Elianor let out a sigh: "Because I fear it will be exactly those irreconcilable strains which will lead my father to his downfall sooner or later."
"Your father is a popular man", Caithleen took into consideration: "Why do you believe someone could be willing to harm him?"
"Because I do not only believe it, Caith. I know it and it's no secret. What do you think how long it will need until we will cause tongues to wag? Me, my child and my father? If there is no father to the child. If I'm really married. Where my husband is supposed to stay. If I'm still a lady or just a sailor's whore." With a tired smile she slowly swayed the baby within her arms which was contentedly smacking within its sleep.
"It's all just idle talk, love. We both promised to you to search for Bill Turner where ever we will make berth. Although it won't become an easy task because he's a bloody pirate who might be supposed to hang around elsewhere round the seven seas. But, trust me, if there is a chance to find him we'll find him and if we'll find him we'll take him back to you."
"I know him to be still alive, Jack. He must be, I've no doubt about it." Elianor's reliance was true despite the fact that the three of them were all in the know about the fact that the truth could possibly tell a different story.
That was why Jack gave her a wink and said with a shrug: "Believe me, love, sooner or later you'll be not in the know any more about which of both Williams you should take care of first." He carefully stroked the baby's cheek and the little boy with his dark tuft chuckled satisfied: "You certainly will wish soon that one of them will take his heels as soon as possible again aboard a ship... And it will not be young Will here I suppose..."
Caithleen smirked when a tiny little hand clasped Jack's finger: "Oh, have a look, Jack Sparrow. As it seems you've a wonderful intuition for saying and doing the right thing within the right moment."
"Is that so?" He gazed at Caithleen and his look told her more than a single word would ever have been able to.
Within the same moment Elianor's next remark let them both blush up to their ears: "Well then, sooner or later both of you will come to know how it feels on your own. And if I have a look at you I think the results are not supposed to become ugly..."
"This will do for now, love!" Jack cleared his throat, apparently bashful: "Got me? Let's finish this right here and now. At the moment it will do that we fulfilled Patrick's and Bill's wish. You're in a safe place and young Will as well." He had a last glance at the baby then he added: "It's time for us to leave. There is a new life waiting for us out there. Privateers in the name of the King. Let's find out what it is worth. But it would not be amiss to wish us some luck. We could be in use for it. Aye?"
"You know both that my father's house will always be ajar for you whenever you'll stay in London."
"We will remember it when we're back." Caithleen changed a long last gaze with Elianor then she and Jack jumped out of the coach – each of them with a bundle of clothes over their shoulder – and hurried to get aboard their ship.
Ere they reached the gangplank Lord Beckett waved them towards him: "Captain Sparrow! Miss Stevens! May I have a moment?"
He bid farewell to Sir Edwin – not really reluctant – and turned towards the young pirate serving the King now: "The ship now belongs to you. I'm of no expectancies about the prey you will carry back here at the end of your journey but nevertheless I think you're very well in the know about the fact that every captured ship will be a benefit for you and your crew."
I'm very well aware of it, Lord Beckett. I suggest we will talk about this issue at the time when the 'Wing' will be back in London in Winter. Aye?"
Jack indicated a bow, had a last look at Sir Edwin's coach and turned round to go aboard his arm wrapped round Caithleen's shoulder.
"Are you still convinced this decision to be the right one?" Caithleen whispered while they went up to the deck.
"I fear we will come to know this much earlier than we want to, love", Jack replied and a shadow darkened his eyes for a split second...
The first weeks at sea passed by in a quiet mood and without extraordinary incidents until some early morning the cry came from the crow's nest: "Sail ho! Straight ahead!"
Jacobsen – being on watch and shortly before falling asleep – was wide awake the same moment and his look followed the direction the man up in the crow's nest pointed at.
And really far away on the horizon a tiny little thing was to spot which obviously sailed a direct course towards the 'Wing'.
He called up: "Can you make out under what colors they sail?"
"Aye, Sir", the answer came immediately: "It's a Spaniard!"
"Is it a warship or a merchant vessel?"
"Cannot spot it at the moment, Sir. At least not yet!"
"Very well then. Keep a watchful eye upon them!"Jacobsen ordered: "Will inform the Captain."
"Aye, Sir!"
Jacobsen nodded and went below to wake up the crew: "Get up boys! Hurry, you lazy deck rats! As it seems we'll come across our first prey today! And now up to your stations! Want movement! More canvas! Let's see if we won't be able to gain some more speed in order to meet them."
Laughter followed his words and while the men started to prepare the 'Wing' for a possible seafight Jacobsen hurried towards the Captain's quarters to inform Jack about the welcomed diversion from their daily duties. He knew the crew would work with ardent zeal to please their Captain – they were all hungry for their first prey.
Jack raised his head when his first mate entered the chart room. He cocked an eyebrow and asked: "What's up, Mister Jacobsen? What's the meaning of this flurry up there?"
"You will be glad to hear that a Spanish galleon is on its way to sail straight into our longing arms."
"Indeed, I am glad to hear this, mate, but as long as we're not sure what kind of ship it is a hint of distrust might be appropriate, don't you think as well. Mister Jacobsen? So if it's a merchant vessel – which is supposed to be the only consequential explanation – it's on its way back to Spain and it's fully loaded because it sails straight from their colonies."
Jack jumped up and spread one of his sea charts on the table. He pointed at a spot on the chart determinedly and said: "We're here. If it's true that the Spanish are sailing a course leading them straight towards us we're not in a hurry. Quite the contrary. We should show a little patience."
"Show patience?" Jacobsen asked in confusion: "Captain, I just ordered more canvas. I don't understand why you want us to stay inactive."
"Not worth to mention it – the canvas, I mean." Jack waved Jacobsen's doubts aside with a laxly gesture of his hand: "And I don't want you and the men to stay inactive, just patient. That's a difference, mate. Just want you to hoist a signal. Signalize them that we're in need for help."
A profound smile appeared upon Jack's lips and an astucious shimmer was within his eyes when he gazed at the puzzled Jacobsen: "What?"
"Sorry, if I'm not really able to follow your plan, lad. Why want you to signalize them that we're in need for help. Makes no sense."
"Does not? Tell me, Mister Jacobsen, how long is it that you sail the seven seas?"
"As long as I can remember."
"Aye! As long as you can remember. And how long is it that you decided to become a pirate, mate? Long enough I dare to make a guess. So, where are we?" Jacobsen gazed at him like having lost it and he went on: "Well, on the open ocean, mate! No sailor would deny his help to another in a situation like this."
"But why all this effort, Jack? Wouldn't it be enough to fire a broadside close to their bow? If they get who we are they will surely lay down arms willingly. This would also mean less effort."
"Yes, mate, it would, but we would waste powder and cannon balls. Aye? And if it's not a merchant vessel they won't hesitate to send us down to the depths. So, that's why I'm not willing to share your well meant eager, mate. Don't you get it? I've not in mind to scuttle the Spanish. I want to capture her and everything valuable, worthwhile and precious she's carrying within her interior. Savvy?"
"Jack, you know it's dangerous to let them sail away afterwards."
"There is no reason to kill the crew and to scuttle the ship. For sure we are privateers in the name of the King of England now but this does not make me a murderer. Did you get this, mate?"
"Aye, Captain!"
"Finally! So, I want you then to prepare the men that we won't lunge at the Spanish with might and main but with using deceit. Let me know when the Spanish are at close quarters. They will get a surprise they won't forget for a rather long time."
"I'm already on my way!" When Jacobsen wanted to hurry out of the door he nearly ran into Caithleen: "Sorry, Miss Caith. Captain's Orders!"
He greeted her, pushed past her and left her without answering her inquiring gaze.
When Jack got aware of her he waved her to come closer: "Ah! Love! Come in! I will explain everything to you you have to know."
"Oh!" Caithleen closed the door behind her and perched herself upon the edge of the table vis a vis to him expectantly looking at him: "I'm all ears, Captain Sparrow!"
"Out there somewhere on the horizon this year's first prey is waiting for us and I'm hell bent to obtain it by fraud instead of fight."
"So that's the reason for Jacobsen's puzzled mien when he rushed out of the door? I see. Deceit then instead of gun smoke. Well thought out, but what if the Spanish are not inclined to play your game?"
"In a case like that we still can fight. But", Jack made a laxly gesture hinting that he was not expecting much resistance: "I don't believe that we have to. If it's a merchant vessel – and that is what I guess – it must have lost its escort. Due to heavy weather, mist, a storm or something else like this. It's of no meaning to us. They will be glad because we will leave them alive, our men will be glad because they finally will get their first prey, Lord Beckett will be glad because the 'Wing' will not sustain any damage – so what else could we be willing to want? Gladness all around us. Funny isn't it? Eh?"
"And you really believe that they will hand their whole charge over to you without fighting?" Caithleen frowned being in doubt: "Don't forget about the fact that not only the English merchant vessels are heavily armed nowadays."
"Trust me, love, I'm not intending to pad into a trap blindly. I've a good feeling with this venture. What can I do to dispel your doubt?"
"I..."
Ere she was able to give him a reply he grasped her by her wrist and dragged her from the table's edge over to him that she came to sit upon his lap. His gaze out of his dark eyes wandered down her whole figure until it rested cavalierly upon the soft roundings of her breasts shown underneath her shirt. His hand searched for its way up her back until he buried it within her hairline.
She did not resist when he dragged her down to him and he grinned when he got aware of her slightly opened lips.
Before he pulled her into a kiss he said: "I wished we would have much more time to finish this here and now, my sweet Caith, but I fear we won't have it. Although..."
He interrupted himself not willing to get robbed of this moment of tenderness and breathed a kiss upon her lips. Gently first then with growing passion and when Caithleen pressed herself against him a smile enlightened his eyes.
His brow leaned against hers he broke the kiss and whispered: "As it seems I'm not the only one who would prefer to do without hunting for the Spanish, am I right, love..."
"But we've no choice..." She replied.
"True enough!" He sighed.
Before he was able to kiss her again the cry came from the crow's nest: "It's a merchant vessel And there is still no escort to spot..."
Jack freed himself from out of their embrace with a grimace and explained with another sigh: "I promise, we will catch up on everything tonight, love..."
It was already near sunset when the men carried the last chests, caskets and sacks from the Spanish merchant vessel over aboard the 'Eagle's Wing'. They were all in good mood and they laughed and sang while they stowed their proper prey below within the freight room.
Solely the share of this first prey would already be enough for some of them to keep their families from hunger for a whole year – as long as they would not squander it within the taverns and the whorehouses as soon as they would make port the next time.
The merchant vessel fell into their lap like some ripe fruit and the deceit their Captain decided to use did work without fail – the 'Wing' hadn't fired one single ball to make the Spanish hoist the flag of truce. And really there were no dead aboard both ships and only a few not seriously wounded.
Their Captain decided to let the Spanish sail along as soon as his crew was completely back aboard.
Up till then the first mate – Jacobsen – had a watchful eye on everything which was going on aboard both vessels.
While he had ordered one part of the men to take care of the Spanish officers and their crew Jack and Caithleen sat below within an elegant parlor of nearly the same size than the crew's quarters. With the exception that the room being paneeled with tropical wood and equipped with every thinkable kind of splendor just got shared by the Spanish Captain and his guests:
The ambassador in the name of the Spanish King for the colonies in South and Middle America – Don Hernán Escobar – and his daughter.
Jack had let himself drop into one of the velvet covered chairs, his feet placed upon the table. His sword and his pistol in reach within his lap. He beheld the two men and the young woman within a mix of amusement and scorn.
"It is really remarkable that while you and your guests share this floating palace aboard your ship your crew obviously has to sleep within their hammocks by turns because there is not enough space for all of them at the same time. Don't you think as well this to be a bit strange, Capitán Mendoza?"
"You will pay at the gallows for your impertinence", the Spanish Captain snorted: "You dared to plunder the ship of the ambassador of the King of Spain!"
"Really?" Jack gazed at the second man curiously: "Well if it is that way, what do you think your life will be worth to the King of Spain then, Don Hernán? Do you think it's worth the same amount of gold as the prey is my crew takes aboard my vessel right now?"
"Barely!" Escobar answered: "But I think his Majesty would be intended to send his whole Armada after you." The Spanish ambassador made no secret of the fact that he would love to see the young pirate gettting hanged right on the spot.
"The heyday of the Spanish Armada is over since the English burnt and scuttled its ships and sent them to the deep depths of the sea about two-hundred years ago. So, you should come up with something much better to threaten me and think about it for a moment, gents, what to say about the Captains of your highly praised Armada if they do not get that they lost the ship during a storm they were supposed to escort..."
"They will find you! You and the whole vermin hiding within the Caribbean and being up to no good all around the seven seas! It will cause me pleasure to watch how all of your ships and all you bastards will be burnt on the open ocean some day!" The young woman slammed her hand upon the table and got up her eyes dark from fury.
"This anger fits you well, lass! Maybe I should take you aboard my vessel instead of your father. I'm sure the King of Spain would pay a double ransom to safe your life." Jack answered with amusement.
"Jack!" Caithleen shook her head: "Don't forget that you've a crew of men aboard who did not come across a woman for weeks. How would you explain if we would get the gold and hand her back over without her being untouched or – much worse – without being unharmed?"
The young Spanish lady gasped for air: "You wouldn't dare it!"
Caithleen grinned: "I for my part would not but even the Captain would not be able to keep the men from taking what they long for. If you get what I want to tell you..."
"You're a woman! How can you live amongst such miscreants?"
"Contrary to you, Senorita, I got raised by such miscreants. Whereat while thinking about what happens aboard this vessel it is allowed to ask who of us are the real miscreants. The men aboard our vessel or the men aboard your vessel who made our crew what it is. Men like your father who took everything away from the poor devils."
"That will do, love!" Jack mingled in: "None of us will get hanged or end within Davy Jones' Locker. At least not today. We for our part got what we came aboard for. In return you, Captain Mendoza, and your crew will stay alive and keep the ship, you, Don Hernán, will stay free and alive and you, young Missy, will stay alive and won't lose your cherry. A fair bargain, isn't it? What say you, mates? Lady?"
"You are presuming!" The young woman hissed.
"And ruthless!" Mendoza added.
Jack wasn't able anymore to give him a reply because within the same moment Jacobsen got in: "Captain, the crew got everything aboard. What next?"
Jack grinned then he gazed at Mendoza first, then at Don Hernán. At last he gazed at the young lady with a meaningful look: "Mister Jacobsen. Want the men to fell all masts except the main mast. Leave them just enough canvas to get back to Spain unharmed. I assume you took the powder aboard the 'Wing' as well as the munition. Aye?"
"Aye, Captain. That's what we did."
"Good man! Hurry then, I don't want to strike roots." While Jacobsen went back up to the deck, Jack grasped for his weapons and got up: "For sure you will understand my decision, will you? I cannot take the risk that you supposedly might scuttle us or follow us. No offense meant, mate, but I've to take care of my own vessel as well."
"You leave us here within the open ocean without a possibility to defeat us?" The Spanish Captain fumed.
"You're not helpless! I just convince myself that you won't be able to sail another course but the one back home to Spain. Gentlemen, Milady", he gazed at the girl again: "you will never forget the day when you got pirated by Captain Jack Sparrow."
He gave Caithleen a wink, wrapped an arm round her waist and wanted to return to the deck together with her when something came to his mind. He turned towards the girl once more and said: "Senorita, may I ask one last question? Why did you not shoot me although you hid your small pistol underneath your hanky the whole time..."
"What the hell is this supposed to be?" Caithleen beheld the chest in a mix of curiosity and distrust standing in the middle of the Captain's cabin, being over and over adorned with intricated carvings and painted within bright colors.
She nearly stumbled into the gorgeous piece of furniture within the sparse light of that one single candle she carried with her. The men had left it standing right on the spot where they had dropped it.
"What do you mean?" Jack sashayed into the cabin behind her and stopped short: "Oh!"
"You know what the meaning of this is?" Caithleen's gaze wandered from the chest over to Jack and back to the chest.
"Love, this extraordinary wooden piece of jewelry belongs to you from now on."
Jack grinned and she was able to spot the shimmer within his eyes. Then he hurried to enlighten some lanterns and candles all around their cabin that they were both able to have a closer look at the chest and its contents.
Caithleen opened the heavy cask cover and after one moment full of strain her eyes widened in surprise – then she started laughing.
She reached into the chest and what she got out were – dresses!
Every single piece of it made from the most precious brocade, the softest velvet and smoothest silk. They all were adorned with skillful made embroideries, perfect pearls or laces. The fitting shoes she found inside the chest as well as a casket filled with jewels, hairpins and combs. Even flimsy undergarments, stockings and corsages in the fitting colors lay inside.
The woven fabric felt pleasing within her hands but nevertheless Caithleen asked with some hint of sarcasm: "Don't tell me you want me to take the helm of your vessel dressed in one of these, Jack Sparrow!?"
"No, love, that's not what I want you to do. I would be much too jealous to let something stupid like this happen. Just to think about the idea another one could be allowed to behold what takes my breath away again and again seems to me to be unbearable."
He gently grasped her with her shoulders and beheld her with that unique gaze only a lover beheld his beloved with: "Nothing of this stuff being hidden within this chest can be able to make you much more desirable to me than you already are, Caithleen Stevens."
Using the back of his fingers he gently stroked her cheek, down her her slender neck until he reached her shoulder again. He smiled when he got aware of his reflection within her grey eyes: "You caught me, my fearless, pretty pirate lass. Of all times gone by and all times to come. I can see it in your eyes."
His hands cupped her cheeks and while their gazes melted into each other he sealed her lips with a first tender kiss. He needed not long to get much more demanding, much deeper and more and more passionate and she let it happen that he started to explore the sweet depth of her mouth.
"You taste from spiced wine, from honey and sweet almond, love", he whispered close to her ear and she felt the fine hair rise covering her arms when he started to caress the sensitive skin of her earlobe.
Caithleen closed her eyes and surrendered to his skilled hands being able to send languorous shivers through her whole body – even through the fabric of her shirt. A silent laughter slipped over his lips when he loosened the strings holding her pants and when the piece of cloth fell to the ground with a silent rustling.
"I promised it to you, sweet Caith", he whispered and pushed her back towards their berth step by step: "This night will belong to you."
Jack let himself drop amongst the cushions dragging her with him. He grinned when she came to lie upon him: "A truthfully inspiring sight it is, I can assure you."
His unabashed gaze wandered down to her neckline and within just a split second he had freed her from her shirt and the bandage.
"So, to you this is supposed to be fair?" Caithleen bent over him her lips close to his without kissing him.
"Yes, love, that's what it is." Jack smiled while his warm hands slid over her chilled and tender skin until they cupped her breasts carefully caressing their sensitive tips. Caithleen's silent sighs next to his ears convinced him that she enjoyed it and he went on causing her pleasure.
When he sat up holding her close she let her gaze sink into his eyes and he was totally captured. The mild candlelight threw a warm shimmer upon her skin and the dancing flames enwrapped her within an exhilarating play of shadow and light.
His breath was hot when it met the bare skin of her neck and longing was within his words: "If I would have to decide what it is you should waer I would want you to wear nothing else but this stirring shadow play, love."
She didn't give him a reply but dragged upon his shirt until she finally freed him from it. To feel her skin next to his let his wish to feel her and to take her nearly grow overwhelming.
He held her close when he let himself down on his back again, he held her close when he looked deep into her eyes and he held her close when he rolled her on her back with one single fluent move.
Caithleen wrapped her arms round him and pulled him into another kiss. She surrendered to the feeling his lips left upon hers, left upon her neck, upon her shoulders and when he started to caress the tender tips of her breasts again.
She gasped for air, wrapped one of her legs round his hips and raised hers against his.
Jack grinned: "Just one more moment of patience, love. Have to get rid of the last piece of cloth still preventing me from getting that close to you we both long for."
His fight with his belt and the strings holding his pants lasted longer than he had expected and with a silent curse upon his lips he finally got rid of them. It was the last hindrance keeping him away from feeling his Caith and from watching her surrendering to him.
He loved the expression shown within her eyes when he entered her inch by inch. He loved her slightly opened lips her silent sighs escaped from when he started to move inside her, when he started to thrust into her.
And he loved to kiss the sweet tears of lust away from her cheeks when she came and lay within his arms – panting for air, covered with sweat, her eyes dark from passion and her lips reddened from his kisses.
And he loved her, he desired her and he felt his feelings for her grow after every kiss they changed, after every night they shared, after every sigh she let out when he thrusted into her...