Chapter 21
Chapter 21
Choosing Sides
Once ashore, Elizabeth crept from the long boat once the men had cleared. She had overheard them in the long boat chatting about a diversion on the docks. She could only assume this was Will's brilliant plan to get Jones out on the water, or at least close enough for Calypso to get her claws onto him. The problem was the plan weighed too heavily on Jack's participation, which she knew doomed it from the beginning. Before making her way further into shore she quickly glanced back over the dark waters. She couldn't see the Dutchman from where she stood, but knew if Will was back from visiting Jack he would soon figure out her absence. She kept telling herself, that she didn't keep secrets from him anymore, and that her rash plan was of necessity and lack of time, not of betrayal or distrust. As she felt the baby kick, as if to remind her of what she was doing, she knew this was right. She wouldn't let Will or her child be parted for ten years. This is what was best for them, for all of them….then why did she have this sinking feeling inside. She didn't even need to answer her own question. Will and her had a bond, they knew what each other was thinking, and right now she knew he was disappointed in her. A gunshot in the distance brought her back to reality...what had she done…
Will appeared back on the Dutchman; and quickly gathered the remaining crew to the deck. Once everyone had congregated around him; the eerie silence of the crew unnerved him. It wasn't the lack of quiet chatter or dispute that upset him; it was more the look of fear on all their faces. "What is it?" he asked aloud scanning everyone's face. It all seemed to dawn on him at once as Bootstrap stepped forward towards him. It wasn't the lack of noise that was missing it was the lack of noise from her. Elizabeth was never one to keep her opinions to herself, and patience was not one of her virtues. The moment he was back on board she should have been at his side, questioning him about the plan and the next day's events…
"Son," Bootstrap's voice broke him from his reverie, Will looked up at him, the dread in his eyes divulging what he was thinking,
"Where is she," he said in a voice not much more audible than a whisper.
"She's gone," replied Bootstrap, "she went after Jones."
"No," is all the Will could say, as he quickly disappeared before them.
Jack Sparrow cringed as the Commodore led him from the fort's jail out across the courtyard. He viewed the gallows standing tall, and could still feel the noose around his neck from the previous time he had visited Port Royal. The Commodore, with at least a half dozen guards trailing them, continued up a narrow staircase to the second level of the fort. The moon was high in the sky, as Jack quickly scanned the sea, before he was led into his Lordship's office. This was his moment to shine, to do what he did best…
"Jack Sparrow," came an all too familiar voice as they entered the office.
"Captain Jack Sparrow," he reminded Jones as the Commodore stepped aside to showcase his catch.
"Captain Sparrow," Jones continued a hint of mockery in his voice. "Last I saw of you, you were clinging to Turner like a grief stricken woman."
"Actually, I was on his right, the grief stricken woman was on his left…" Jack replied impertinently. Jones as a human was not near as intimidating as his previous form, he actually was fairly thin and looked like his health was failing.
"Sorry bout the confusion, everything looks different as your being executed!" Jones replied with resentment. Pulling a dagger from his desk, Jones walked up to Jack and placed the dagger at the apple of Jack's throat. Jack squirmed slightly, but the guards behind him held him fast.
"Perhaps you would like to experience the pain you have bestowed upon me," Jones continued as he dragged the dagger from Jack's neck down the open neckline of his shirt, to the pulse point on his chest atop his rapidly beating heart. "I could cut out your heart, and then throw your body to the sympathy of the sea…I hear she is being quite merciful these days." Jones mocked as he started to point the dagger tip further in Jack's skin, causing a spot of blood to emerge.
"Not too nice actually, can't seem to leave Port these days without a storm or some disaster…" Jack mumbled.
"So the infamous Sparrow has had his wings clipped, and by a woman no less," Jones ridiculed.
"No woman, the goddess of the sea herself….Calypso." Jack laid the first seed of his plan quite nicely, as Jones slipped into a trance at the mere mention of her name.
"Calypso," Jones replied quietly, letting up on the dagger briefly.
"The only reason I stand here today is thanks to you mate, I owe you my life!" Jack continued. This comment broke Jones from his reverie,
"What do you mean?"
"I mean your quest to seize the Turner girl, seems your goddess is more friendly when she's on board."
"What do you mean on board," Jones exclaimed.
"You mean dear Commodore didn't tell you, Elizabeth Turner herself was in the brig of your own flagship… got out of course with the aid of the current Captain of the Dutchman…"
"You had her and she escaped!" Jones roared at the Commodore,
"Sir, he is immortal…" the Commodore started to sputter,
"He may be immortal but he still has a heart you imbecile, and you let it get away!" Jones interrupted reaching for the Commodore's neck.
"Not quite, you see." Jack interrupted again. Gaining both the attention of the Commodore and Jones, who released the collar of the Commodore's coat.
"Seems Turner's time in da living is runnin out, since his dearly beloved can not return with em, he wants to cut a deal with ya. Told me himself he did."
"And why wasn't I informed of this meeting?" Sneered the Commodore.
"Tis hard to inform someone of said information when you're locked in a cell…" scoffed Jack.
"I would rather cut my heart out again than compromise with Mr. Turner, he knows I am to prevail, the coward is running out of tactics." Replied Jones, walking once again towards Jack.
"Exactly, but why let this moment pass us by…" replied Jack. Jones now standing near inches from his face,
"What do you have in mind, Captain Sparrow."
"What I mean, is that we are still yet to attain our leverage over the dear Captain. He could very well drop her off at some God forsaken island and we would never see her again. Why waste all that time when he would deliver her right to us, savvy?"
"Why would he deliver her to US?" Jack wrinkled his nose, as Jones's saliva sprayed over his face, as he punctuated his point.
"Captain Turner knows Port Royal tis his beloved's home, he wants to make us an offer… Calypso's mercy for her safety."
"Calypso's mercy?" questioned Jones, starting to faze back into his trance,
"Yes!" exclaimed Jack, trying to keep Jones focused on his plan, "Safe passage in this world and da next!"
"But.." before Jones could finish Jack continued,
"So we tell him all's well, have him give us the goods, and then…force him to do our bidding," Jack finished cheekily.
Jones turned and pondered the thought for a moment,
"What's in it for you?" he queried, turning and facing Jack again.
"I want to do my bidding with no interfering," Jack replied with sudden seriousness. "Starting off with riddin me of these…" he motioned toward the shackles at his wrists and ankles.
"One moment Captain Sparrow…" Jones continued, "how is Captain Turner going to be made aware of our supposed alliance… and when is going to hand over the girl?"
"I assured our dear Captain that you personally would meet da Mrs. on the docks at dawn tomorrow. Welcoming her into open arms as is." Jones smiled, for the first time throughout the meeting Jack recognized the monster coming through the man, that familiar sinister smile.
"We will give Mrs. Turner a welcome home she won't forget!" Jones exclaimed with a menacing laugh as he motioned to have Jack's shackles removed…