Pirates of the Caribbean: The Pirate's Pearl

By Romania Black

Everyone, let me first apologize for the looong wait! I've been busy with plays, speech tournaments, and schoolwork (finals this week! ...woot?) Anyway, I'm so sorry it's taken this long, but after writer's block and my schedule finally getting a little less hectic, I'll have more time to sit down and work on this! I hope you enjoy this chapter and trust me, it's going to start rolling after this one:)

Thank you all for the reviews! They really help me with this story! Please keep sending me suggestions and reviews, as they are ALL appreciated! You are all amazing!! Most importantly, ENJOY THE STORY!!!

Thank you all,

Romania Black

Chapter Fourteen.

Annabelle had followed the rest of the day without much talk, her head swimming with ideas of what the elder captain had been talking about. The wind had picked up since his leaving as well, the rustling of garbage in the streets, and the sound of carriage wheels weaving in and out of the streets. Annabelle took the mugs from the regulars at the bar with a solemn pensive expression, and barely spoke to the angry bar keep as she went about her business. Felicity would give her an odd glance every now and then, and try to sneak in conversation when Buela's back was turned.

"What's with you, Anna?" She said sternly, her eyes curious, "You've been in the clouds all night!" She pointed to Anna's hand and the girl realized the beer was overflowing in the mug onto the floor. She cursed under her breath and the two quickly grabs clothes to clean the mess. Under the bar, Felicity lighty jabbed her shoulder, "Grundles is going to be intolerable if you don't focus tonight."

Like I honestly care, is what Annabelle wanted to say. "She's too busy running around flirting with the regulars to care tonight," She said in a snappy whisper, rubbing the cloth against the dirty wood floor in circular motions, "Besides, what do I care." She said, her voice edgy and anxious.

"What has gotten into you, Anna?" Felicity was taken aback, her eyes wider. "You're more ancy than I've ever seen you!" Her voice was a sharp crisp whisper.

"I'm not ancy," Annabelle retorted, but her eyes were darting through the holes in the bartop so she could see the customers in front of her sitting and drinking, "I'm just restless tonight," She glanced to her friend, "It's nothing."

"Nothing," Felicity breathed, smiling in disbelief, "You are a mystery, Miss Dalton," She stood and stretched her back, "A mystery indeed." She moved past the counter to get another mug of ale for an aging grey haired man with a black bandana clinging to his neck. Anna went to wash out the rag in the basin behind her, letting out a long drawn breath of air. There was something in the air tonight; something anxious and unnerving...and she didn't like it. Not one bit.

The cool black waters of the night ocean were stirring offshore of the coast, foam creeping to its surface in small bubbles. Gliding along the rippling waters in a manner so quiet it was almost like a whisper against the waters, was a pale crimson vessel, its sails charred and a dark eerie gray; the edges frayed and slightly swaying with the ripples of the current. Yellowing white letters were faded and chipped on the edge of the ship, but up close you could almost make out the words "Black Victoria" on the ships wood panels. From the mast facing the shore, a thin bony hand slowly ran across the molding of the rail, and slid up to the shoulder of a grisly, and disturbed looking man at the helm.

Whispering in a voice that could send chills up any man's spine, came the soft, honeyed voice cooing, "Slowly, now, Mr. Yelders. We don't want to be heard."

The last glass mug was placed in the top shelf of the cabinet behind the bar, as Felicity wiped her brow, her gray eyes looking worn and tired. "Thank the Lord that's the last of it, Miss." She smiled, her eyes looking upward.

"Another night," Annabelle said softly, slowly shutting the cabinet door and leaning her head against it. The anxiousness she'd felt earlier was slowly subsiding.

"Glad to see you've calmed down too," Felicity started, but she was cut off by the bar keep.

"Alright," Buela grumbled, "The both of you, off to bed and out of here." She gazed around the bar, "We'll have to sweep up in the mornin'. Dalton, shut up the doors, Felicity, go and put the remaining ale in the back room." She waddled off through the doorway, heading to where Annabelle knew was her sleeping quarters. The two girls sternly watched the woman walk away, before giving each other an exasperated look and starting with their final chores.

Felicity disappeared with one of the barrels of ale, as Annabelle went to lock up the bar doors. She ran her hand and found one of the latches to lock the door, when she felt a breeze tickle her bare neck. Looking up to make her hair cover her neck, she happened to see out towards the docks. The black waters seemed quiet, except for the vessel that was moving towards it. Annabelle had looked out to the docks to know enough about which ship came in when and how often, but this ship she'd never noticed before. In fact, she wasn't sure why a ship was heading in this late to begin with; it was a very odd occurance.

Suddenly, as if on instinct she reached towards he belt, where her sword would have set, but she then remembered it was in the loft, as well as Teague's words about staying with it tonight. A chill ran up the base of her back to her neck and she shivered, wanting to know why he'd told her this and at the same time having an eerie feeling it had something to do with the fact that this ship was coming onto shore at such an odd hour. An intense burst of adrenaline shot through her as she turned quickly, after locking the door, and ran towards the ladder to the loft, her feet clunking loudly up the wooden pegs.

No one was in the loft, as Felicity was still moving kegs of ale to the locker for the night. Annabelle crawled across the dusty floor to a small spot where some rags were piled up. Buela never came up to the loft, disgusted at how small, cramped, and dirty it was, so the pile of rags was unnoticed usually. Annabelle reached underneath the pile and slowly withdrew the silver sword that was kept in disguise there.

"What are ye doing?"

The voice made Anna jump, as she spun to see Felicity staring at her, her head and shoulders only visible through the door to the loft. Annabelle sighed in relief as Felicity hoisted herself into the small space. "Felicity," Annabelle breathed.

"I asked ye what you were doing," The tan girl repeated, her eyes on the sword. "If the Missus sees that--"

"She won't," Annabelle snapped with a frown. "She hasn't for six years."

"Still," Felicity said slowly, her eyes lit by the reflection of the blade, "Why do you have it out?" She said with a soft, meek tone.

"Something in the air's not right tonight," Annabelle whispered, situating herself where she sat. "I don't like it."

"That's why you been jumpy?" Her friend shot her a stare, her eyebrow raised, "Now Miss Anna, you know there's nothing different tonight than any other nigh--"

"I just have a feeling," Annabelle cut her off, "Besides, Captain Teague said to be on the lookout for him, and to have my sword ready." She gripped the handle of it tighter as she talked.

"You know how uncomfortable I am around those," She said nervously, eying her friend suspiciously. She gave her friend a stern glance for a minute. "Anna, how do you even know when he's coming?"

As if her words were that of a spell, there was a large rapping against the window of the loft to their left. Felicity screamed and backed towards the wall behind her, but Annabelle spun her head to the loft window and crawled quickly towards it, her eyes wide in surprise. Sticking her head out the window, she looked down and saw a hooded figure in a ratty brown robe staring up at her. For a moment, she was frightened; she didn't recognize the figure.

"Who be it?" She said in an angry voice, her sword gleaming in the moonlight down at the figure as she stuck it out the window. "Answer!"

"You should know who it is," The gravely deep voice resonated up to her. Annabelle quickly lowered her defenses.

"Teague!" She cried out, but the pirate shot a finger to his lips.

"Shut yer mouth, Miss Annie," He said in a fatherly stern voice. "I see you abided my words."

"YE--" She paused, "I mean, yes, Captain," She whispered.

"Is there anyone with you?" He asked, his voice as quiet as hers.

"Yes," Annabelle replied, "The other worker."

"Who's he talking about?" Felicity demanded from the other side of the loft, her voice nervous. "He ain't talkin' bout me is he?"

"What do you want me to do, Teague?" Annabelle said slowly, waiting eagerly for his reply.

"There's trouble coming this way, Annie," Teague said simply. "Go to Miss Turner, she'll know what to do."

"No!" Annabelle said instantly. "Are they going to fight us? I can fight!" She held out the sword. Felicity was shaking with nervousness,

"Anna! You can't be serious!"

"No fighting yet," Teague said grimly. "I know you don't want to--"

"She left me here to rot, Captain," Annabelle said with a voice laced in anger,

"Anna, this is foolish! You can't be seriously wanting to fight--"

"You have to do this, like the woman or not." Teague warned her.

Annabelle's face contorted. "That is the most ridiculous order--"

"What's coming here, Anna?"

"--As if she'd help me to begin with!"

Felicity whimpered, "Anna--"

"Why Teague? Why can't I fight now? What do I need her for?"

The Captain stared at her, as the silence filled the area. Annabelle waited for his reply, as Felicity leaned back against the cool wall, having given up on trying to intervene with the two. "Just go and see Mrs. Turner," The Captain said ominously. "You'll find out in good time."

"So that's it?" Annabelle said with a severe look, "You just expect me to go to a woman I hate and ask her--"

"Anna!" Felicity grabbed ahold of Annabelle's shoulders and covered her mouth. The girl wiggled in her friend's grasp and drew her friend's hand away,

"What is the matter with you? Can't you see--"

"There's noise downstairs," Felicity said in a terrified whisper. Annabelle went silent, drawing her head back inside the loft. "I heard the doors rustling downstairs."

Anna quickly looked down the window, not surprised too much to see that Teague had vanished. She quickly drew her head back inside and ran to the pile of rags and started tying them together in knots. "Here," She handed Felicity a handful, "Start tying them together. It'll take them a while to realize the loft is where we are...we have to go out the window." She saw the terror in her friend's eyes. "I don't know what's going on either, but we have to do this now. There'll be time for explanations later."

The two quickly tied enough together to make a thing but somewhat durable rope. Annabelle drew the rope down and looked at her friend, "I'll go first, to make sure it's safe." She leaned back and situated her feet against the side of the building. At first, she slowly started scaling the side of the tavern, her leathery shoes getting barely enough traction to stick to the sides of the house. She cringed as she slid to the ground, and thanked the Lord above there were no windows on the back of the building. Motioning for Felicity, her friend slid down the rope behind her and landed in a not-so-graceful fashion.

"Buela," Felicity whispered, "What about Buela?"

Suddenly a loud gunshot made them jump, and Felicity grabbed Annabelle's arm. The girls gave each other a terrified glance.

"Go to the nearest fort and hide," Annabelle shoved Felicity away and looked towards the street, her hand rubbing the sword that was at her side.

"What about you, Anna?" Felicity said in a soft, scared voice.

"I have to go see Mrs. Turner," She said, grasped her friend's shoulder, hugged her briefly and turned to run up the street. "Hide and be safe Felicity!" She cried, trying to run and look back at the same time.

"You're going to see me again, right?" Her friend yelled as she turned the corner. Not hearing a reply, Felicity ran on, but her voice uttered the words, "You'd better, Miss Dalton."

Hey everyone, thanks for reading this chapter! I blame this chapter for the long wait, because I had no clue how to write it or to set things in motion, but now that I have and that we are on Christmas break, things will be a lot faster and I'll have more time to write too! Thanks so much for being patient!

More to come Very Soon! Ciao,

Romania Black