Disclaimer – Disney owns the entire franchise of Pirates of the Caribbean.
Gamble
They say life is a series of gambles, risks taken in hopes of some gain. Every mariner is a gambler at heart, more so a pirate. A pirate is not only at the fickle mercies of the wind and waves, but also hunted both on land and sea by they who call themselves honest men. Ten pirate captains of great infamy have heeded his call and gathered on the desolate graveyard of ships known as Shipwreck Cove.
True he owed his immortal life to her. He had served her faithfully for ten long, lonely years ferrying the souls of those lost at sea. Yet the faithless wretch had seen fit to cast him off. No more would he dance to Calypso's whims. No more will he be bound like a slave to her beck and call. Thus he proposed his plan to the pirate court.
He had learned the ancient spells at his grandmother's knee, a fey old woman everyone whispered was a sea-witch directly descended from bygone Viking seafarers. Of course no one had tried to bind a sea goddess before. No one dared attempt such a feat.
Finishing his piece, Davy Jones watched and waited as the motley crew of pirates muttered and shuffled where they stood or sat. It was Jan the Corsair who spoke first, thumping down his tankard.
"A fine proposal, brothers! No more will we be subject to the capricious moods of a woman, even if she be a pagan goddess," he bellowed to cheers from his crewmates.
"What if it fails and she turns against us? We cannot afford that," the ancient Grace O'Malley warily objected. Old age had dimmed her fire somewhat, a fire that was sparked during the reign of Good Queen Bess. Her eyes were almost unseeing as her gnarled fingers toyed with the silver cross about her wizened neck.
"True, respected grandmother, but it is a gamble we must take," the wiry Chinese captain Cheng ventured. "Nothing ventured, nothing gained… Think upon it." He spread his hands and paused to let his words sink in. The pirates feared and dreaded Calypso's displeasure as much as they sought her blessings. With a toss of her head she could conjure up a typhoon from the clearest skies or becalm a ship for weeks.
"No more ships lost to storms because you looked at her wrong," Don Pedro muttered darkly, recalling the loss of his young wife and twin sons. There was no doubt in his mind the squall which claimed them was Calypso's doing after he had chosen his family over a jealous goddess' affections.
"Aye, my brethren and I stand with Jan and Pedro," Hendrick the Lion roared. "Bind the witch, I say! And let us be free to roam the seas as we will!" The remaining pirate lords cheered aloud, drowning out O'Malley's lone voice of protest.
"We want no part of this," O'Malley staggered to her feet. Calypso had always played fair with her and her kin. With an imperious wave of her bony hand, the old pirate ordered her crew to ship. Davy Jones did not stop her. Nine pirate lords were more than enough for the rite.
The ritual items were readied. Pockets and purses were grudgingly emptied. A nervous laugh came from Nicky the Englishman as he surrendered his lucky playing card. Garcia the Spaniard cursed colourfully as he threw in his favourite snuffbox. Nine pieces of eight placed in the circle. Davy Jones recited the words of the ancient spell of binding...
Off the island, Grace O'Malley pulled her shawl tighter about her shoulders to keep from shivering as her men rowed steadily towards their waiting ship. All was quiet save the dip of the oars. All was dark save the far-off glow of the campfire ashore and the flickering lantern on the longboat's prow.
The darkness and cold bit to the very marrow of her bones. Perhaps this night she would turn her face to the wall and breathe her last. God willing she would last till her keep at County Clare. Somehow the thought of dying at sea no longer appealed to her. It was a risky gamble she undertook making the long journey here with her age and ailing body but…
The wind howled suddenly and the rowers cowered on their benches. A woman's shrill scream raged over the white-capped waves. Then all was still and quiet once more. The waves broke over the sunken wrecks and the moon peeked fearfully from behind a cloud.
"What have we done?" the old woman whispered and crossed herself. Please, merciful God, let us all die with our boots planted firmly on dry land.
Author's Notes:
Much creative liberties have been taken with regards to the members of the First Brethren Court and historical pirates of the 16th and early 17th centuries.
I took my inspiration of the characters of the First Brethren Court from the era of the Sea Dogs and Corsairs (about 1590-1650).