Sight for sore Eyes.
When darkness had finally fallen, the carriage, carrying Elizabeth, Will, Bill and Jack flew through the streets of Port Royal and on its way out of the city. They traveled as quietly and as quickly as a horse drawn carriage could go, but it was impossible not to bring attention to the small entourage that followed them. A covered wagon, drawn by one horse, followed them closely and it was this scene that drew the attention. It had been packed with all of the things Elizabeth had wanted to bring with her but it was not a good wagon and made much noise at it clattered along behind them. The windows of the carriage had been drawn and for good reason, because as the carriage and the wagon drew near people had begun to stare and it was the last thing a band of Pirates wanted on their return voyage to their ship. It was clear to anyone who was watching, however, that the travelers were taking on a great journey. The wagon was piled high with crates and other things that could be recognized under the cover that was tied down over the top. Barrels and crates were clearly visible under the thin fabric but nothing of what was inside could be discovered.
"How are you going to get all of that to the Black Pearl?" Will had asked Elizabeth before Jack had even woken up again, "you know very well it will not come into port."
"Then Jack will have to summon his long boats to come to shore to fetch it, because I will not travel without it," Elizabeth had said and Will knew it was the end of the conversation.
Upon further inspection of the goods being loaded into the wagon, Will was pleased to see, that much of it could have been of great use to them. Many swords, knives and axes he had been working on were stored safely in wooden boxes and smaller crates. Gun powder, lamp oil, and muskets were also hidden within the darkness of the wagon, much of which Will had no idea how Elizabeth had obtained them. And finally, fresh fruits, vegetable and meats were packed incases with ice and straw, or in the meats case, packed in salt. It would be a nice change to some of the meals the men of the Pearl would have been eating.
Jack had been pleased to also learn that rum, of a very good vintage, and wine the colour of rich grapes would also be boarding his ship when the sun had set. Candles for his lamps were called for and extra wicks for the lamps had just arrived as he had stepped out of the Turner house and watched as the Pirate Swann made preparations for anything else Jack would need to be fetched. Ropes, paint, and other essentials to the ship were ordered and before they set off to meet his ship, everything was safely packed down in the wagon.
A letter was sent to the governors house by noon to tell him of his daughters plans, without giving to many specifics, and from him came papers of travel and passage signed by him in case of capture. They would be of little help, considering they were all traveling with pirates and had reputations of being so themselves, but it was comforting to have them.
Weatherby did not come to see his daughter off. He did not agree with the lifestyle she had chosen and yet he could not convince her otherwise of the choices she had made. He knew very well of her adventures and of the places she had seen, places he could only dream about of dread. It would not be his place to cage her in Port Royal, not any more at least, that was left to her husband to regulate, and Weatherby knew that Will longed to be at sea just as much as his wife did.
Darkness was falling steadily as the roads became less warn and the trees became thicker, but the smell of the salt of the sea was still strong and reassuring. Jack sat anxiously in the confides of the small carriage, next to Bill, who stared out a crack in the covered windows and listened to the water. Nothing was spoken until the carriage came to a stop and the carriage door was opened again.
"Begging your pardon miss, but the path has become to restricted for my team of horses. I cannot go any further with them," the driver said as the party climbed out of the carriage.
"And you, is it not safe for you to take the wagon any further?" Elizabeth asked addressing the other man who had been following behind them.
"On no ma'am, we may be slow going but the wagon will make it," the man said as he tipped his hat to her.
"And Captain, is it much farther?" she whispered into Jack's ear.
"Bought another mile," Jack said looking into the darkness of the overgrown path.
"Very well, we'll continue on foot. You may return to the house," she said to the driver of the carriage and they moved aside to let the horse pass.
Once the carriage had gone, and Elizabeth was placed next to the driver of the wagon, the party continued on through the over grown path. Swords were drawn and pistols were loaded, but they moved onward without any problems. It wasn't long before they came to the edge of a cliff, that over looked the ocean. Out at sea, nothing could be seen but stars. The water was calm and the breeze was cool, but there were no signs of the Black Pearl.
"Where are they Jack," Will asked looking over the cliff and down to the rocks below.
"How are we to get the cargo down there?" Elizabeth also asked.
Jack reached for his pistol and aimed it high into the sky, and fired. The sound of the pistol was like thunder and it echoed off the rock face. It spooked the horse, that drew the wagon, but it was soon brought back under control.
"What was that for," Elizabeth hissed, "you are trying to give away our position."
Jack said nothing in response.
The moon was bright on the water and soon a form appeared in its rays. Giant and ominous like a storm, it sailed into their view. It was the Black Pearl waiting just as it had been ordered.
"Now there is a sight for sore eyes," Bill smiled as he recognized the ship.
"Aye, isn't she a beauty," Jack smiled, "there is a path that leads down and around the rock face, I have a long boat waiting for me. Take what you can from the wagon and follow me," he said, then turned to the driver, "unload the cargo, Will, will stay with you and aid until my men return," Jack said, the man nodded and started to work.
"I'll stay with you," Bill said to his son.
"Alright, then, and Elizabeth and I will fetch the crew," Jack smiled as he picked up a crate and hoisted it up onto his shoulder.
"You best send as many men as you can," Bill said as he climbed up onto the wagon, "there's a storm in the air."
"Aye, I feel it too," Jack said, "I'll send all that I can spare."
Elizabeth kissed her husband as she too grabbed a basked filled with apples and followed Jack down the hidden path.
Bill and Will kept and eye on the water. The distance between the cliff and the pearl was growing smaller and smaller. The sounds of the ships crew and ships sails were blown toward them on the breeze and soon the boat, carrying Jack and Elizabeth was seen on the water. The anchors of the great ship were lowered even Jack's voice could be heard before he had even reached the ship. Boats were lowered into the water and they waited for their captain. More men piled off the ship and into the boats as Jack remained and Elizabeth went aboard the Black Pearl.
Jack's voice rang out over the water as the boats left the ship. Elizabeth could still be seen on the deck and she remained there until they returned. It didn't take long for the boats to reach the shore and the men to follow Jack on the bath to where Bill and Will waited.
By the time the crew of the pirate ship arrived, the wagon had been unpacked and the driver had left, as Will had ordered him back to the governors house. Bill sat quietly a top the crates and listened and watched as the Black Pearl bobbed on the summer sea.
"Oy, can it be, Bootstrap Bill Turner?" Gibbs laughed as he and Jack came back around the bend and laid eyes on the mountain of cargo for the ship.
"All this, compliments of the governor of Port Royal, gentlemen," Jack laughed as he crew gathered round.
"You know there is a storm a comin, don't ya Jack," Gibbs whispered.
"Aye, it seemed to be on the wind," Jack answered and turned back to the crew, "what are you waiting for," he yelled and at once men started gabbing and pulling at the crates and the barrels that waited.
Will remained with the cargo as the pirates moved off down the hill toward the waiting boats. He and his father had once again stayed behind. Jack soon returned and the boats could bee seen in the distance between the ship and the shore.
"One more trip, I dare say, and well be setting sail again," Jack said happily as he looked out at his ship, "its been fun but I have missed my ship."
"It has been too long," Bill said as he couldn't take his eyes off the Pearl, "it will be nice to be aboard again."
"Aye, but this voyage could see the beginning of the end for one ship," A voice from the darkness spoke.
Swords were drawn and pistols readied as they looked into the darkness of the rugged land.
"Could someone really have followed us?" Will asked as he and Jack stood back to back looking all around him.
"He's always been with us, I dare say," Bill whispered.
"Aye, old man," Jack said as the old crippled man stepped out from the shadows.
"How in gods name did you get out here," Will asked filling completely confused.
"You have much to still learn, young Turner, the sea has yet to give up her secrets to you," the old man said as he tapped his stick against Will's sword, "you can put that thing away, as I have nothing to defend myself with."
"What do you want?" Will asked never taking his eyes off the strange old man.
"That is for me and the captain to discuss," the old man said and walked up to Jack, "do you yet remember who I am, Jack Sparrow," he asked.
A twisted smile crossed Jack's face, "I should have recognized you sooner," he said and lowered his weapon.
"Aye you should," the old man laughed and wacked Jack behind the knees with his stick.
Jack fell to the ground, face first into the sand, "I don't think I deserved that," he said as he got up.
"Oh no, perhaps not, but I dare say you've not kept the Wicked Wench as I left her," the old man chuckled.
"Captain Bruckham?" Jack asked looking at the old man strangely, "it can't be you."
"You remember what I said to you on that last night?" the old man asked as he took a seat on one of the crates and watched Jack in the moonlight.
"Aye," Jack nodded fearfully.
"But you didn't believe me did ya, Jack," the man laughed, "and here I am, living proof, of all the things I told you."
"And now I am to fight you for her am I?" Jack asked as he looked out to sea and stared at his ship.
"Lord no, she's not my ship no more. She belongs to you, but I must warn you, there are dangers about her now," The old captain said.
"Aye, we knew that already," Will said impatiently, "can we get on with it."
"Was I talking to you lad?" the old man asked.
Will could not answer, a strange fear came over his entire body, he couldn't speak or move in the presence of the old sea man.
"The legend of Captain Bruckham, is greater even then Jack's," Bootstrap Bill whispered to his son, "I can't believe I didn't recognize it when I first saw you."
"Aye Bill, there are many things that I have seen that not even Jack Sparrow could dream of seeing,"
"Aye," Bill said looking back at his son, "you see Captain Bruckham was a tradesman with the east India trading company, and yet he was a pirate. The Royal Navy knew it, as did the king, but they could never prove it. Legends started that Captain Bruckham was cursed by some strange power but no one ever knew how," Bill said turning back to the old man.
"Cursed or not, I'm not what you may believe," the old man laughed.
"Could you be any worse then Davy Jones himself?" Will asked cautiously when he had finally regained his composure.
"Worse, I know not, of worse then Davy Jones," Jack laughed, "but you could say that the Captain had a hand in the making of a legend."
"That makes little sense," Will said as he turned back to watch for the long boats.
"Yes, little sense when you know not the particulars of the story," Captain Bruckham said as he tapped Will with his stick to regain his attention, "but how do you think Jones came to be?" he asked.
"Well he cut out his own heart," Will said not knowing what else to say.
"Aye, and I dare say if you cut out your heart right here and now that you would be like Jones as well," the old man laughed.
"Well, no its impossible," Will said realizing his own foolishness.
"So then, how did Jones come to be?" the old man asked.
"How did he come to be, Jack?" Will asked.
"You know the story," Jack said not really paying attention.
"But you don't really believe it do you?" Will asked.
"You should have learned by now, boy, that there is nothing that cannot happen at sea," the old man smiled as he watched the long boats returning for the remainder of the cargo, "witch craft isn't reserved for the gentle sex," he laughed as Will's eyes grew wider, "don't look so shocked boy, I've seen things that would make your blood curdle."
"Like the great plagues," Jack said.
"Or the monsters that live at the bottom of the world," Bill added.
"No, no, like watching your own mother being burned at the stake because they believed her to be the witch and not me," the old man said as he laughed.
"Then it was you who created Davy Jones," Will asked.
"Davy Jones created himself, let me be clear on that. I merely gave him the means in which to do it," the old man said.
"How?" was Will's question.
"I gave him a cursed dagger and told him to cut out his heart, for I know you know the legend of Davy Jones. There is no greater pain in the world then to love and never be loved. It told him to stop the pain and there would be no greater pain in the world. So he cut out his heart, put it in a chest, and I believe you recently destroyed it. But there is no killing Davy Jones, he's found his way and the souls that are trapped on his ship keep him alive, though some were released by your heroism, other chose to stay," the old man said as he pulled a dagger out of the folds of his clothing, "this is the very weapon. Care to give it a try," he laughed.
"No!" Will said and the old man laughed more.
"Then, you could, theoretically, take everything that you have given Jones away," Bill said looking at the old man.
"Were would be the fun in that," Jack asked, "and leave the sea at the mercy of the Royal Navy or worse the East India Trading company? No I say leave Jones the way he is."
"He did try to take your soul," Will said looking at Jack.
"No, I bargained my soul for the Black Pearl, there is a difference, and look I am still here. Do I look worried to you?" Jack laughed.
"You should be, Jack, for it's not your soul he is after anymore, but I dare say you already know that," the old captain said.
"Who's soul is he after now?" Will asked looking worried, "you dare say Elizabeth and I swear to god," he yelled, drawing his sword and placing the tip of it against Jack's throat.
"You do this to often Will," Jack laughed and stepped away.
"Not your bonny lass," the old man laughed, "nor is it you or your father, or anyone aboard the Wicked Wench."
"The Black Pearl," Jack corrected him, "its not been called the Wicked Wench in a good long time."
"She was the Wench when I captained her and I knew her history, and so she'll never be anything but the Wench to me," the old man said as more pirates began to coming the clearing at the top of the cliff.
"So what is it that you want?" Will asked as Jack had been avoiding the question.
"What? Isn't that a question for the captain?" the old man said looking to Jack who had just sent off his crew to the boats once more.
"He want's passage, it will be granted," Jack said for the first time looking at Will angrily, "it would be terribly unlucky not to have him."
"Aye, we'll be facing the unexpected," Bootstrap stated and picked up one of the last crates.
"Alright," Will said giving up all hope of hearing any sense spoken the entire journey.
"At last," Jack laughed as he saw the discouraging look in Will's eyes, "to the boats," he said and the old man followed him down the winding path to the boats.
Will could do nothing but follow and be silent, there was nothing left to argue. He had lost his first great battle against Jack, and the most discouraging part was that it had been a battle of wit.