Disclaimer: Disney owns PotC.
Setting: PRESENT, Elizabeth is sailing aboard the Vendaval, towing the Empress to Singapore.
Thank you, Nytd! Happy birthday, Mr. Johnny Depp! \_/
The Fire: Fire in the Distance
The fire element is a unique teacher for it readily accepts all offerings, transforming them to the same dark ash, restoring the balance, the equality; and at the same time, offering guidance and solace in dark places and dark thoughts, a candle of hope, a symbol of luck.
"We really shouldn't become accustomed to these sorts of delicacies, gentlemen," Elizabeth laughed, finishing her share of potjiekos with a final swallow. "We'll have a hard time returning to our hardtack diet tomorrow."
Jin Hai replied with a smirk and a nod, and there was scattered laughter from those who understood English. It was decided that the first night sailing in the Atlantic would be celebrated with a South African meal and wine on the deck of the Vendaval by everyone, except the handful of prisoners that remained in the brig.
"I'll be in my cabin." Rising to her feet gracefully, Elizabeth turned to the aft and felt the wind tickle the skin on the back of her neck. Rubbing her fingertips over her nape, she glanced up to admire the newly fitted sails. Even without its fourth mast, the Vendaval was evidently charting through the waters faster than the Empress. She diverted her eyes to the quarterdeck where Tai Huang stood, steering the ship, and though he stared pointedly into the distance, Elizabeth knew he had been watching her only moments ago, perhaps with resentment. Despite their prior discussion, Tai Huang believed it was wiser to sail aboard the Empress, which was instead being towed.
Casting a final look across the deck, Elizabeth marched through the double doors and into her cabin.
It was only a few minutes before Jin Hai stumbled through the same double doors, beckoning her back outside. She followed immediately, slipping on her baldric as they climbed the stairs of the quarterdeck, glancing over their shoulders at the twinkling lanterns, not far away.
"Spanish ships, possibly?" asked Elizabeth, bringing the spyglass to her right eye.
"Or worse," replied Tai Huang. He allowed a deliberate pause before elaborating: "The Company."
Elizabeth handed the spyglass slowly to Jin Hai, and bit her lip in thought.
"Extinguish the lamps."
Tai Huang gave her a lopsided grin. "If this is some petty trick you've learnt during your journeys with Jack Sparrow, it's best we employ a more practical plan."
"This has nothing to do with Jack," she snapped back, haughtily. "Just do as I say."
"Do as she says," repeated Jin Hai, taking the helm from Tai Huang, who raised his eyebrows and then walked off shouting orders to the crew. "What's your plan, Captain? There are too many of them to elude. We should sail towards land and drop anchor for the night–"
"So that they can spot us clearly in broad daylight?" she questioned, "No, Jin Hai. We must move now. If they are Spanish, they're unlikely to fire on another Spanish ship. If they are Company ships or any other repugnant enemy, we need a distraction."
"And what distraction do you have in mind?"
Elizabeth turned to him, recalling the days of her childhood she had spent reading about sailors, pirates and bloody sea battles. The picture of a hellburner painted vividly in her mind.
She glanced over her shoulder at the beautiful Empress following silently behind. Jin Hai followed her gaze, and moments later, understanding drew upon his features. He closed his eyes and shook his head.
"Tai Huang will be furious."
"Tai Huang will only be furious if he survives. I'd rather him survive and be furious, than die in a gory battle against a wrathful fleet."
Elizabeth had expected discrepancy, and she was not disappointed. As Jin Hai translated the plan into Mandarin, a wave of unrest swept over, and fists were raised in rebellion. Tai Huang watched with pursed lips.
"They ask why we cannot send the Vendaval as the hellburner instead," said Jin Hai to Elizabeth.
"Because firstly, this ship is faster, and secondly, we're in enemy waters. It will be easier to mingle in the crowd with a Spanish ship than a junk ship. This is no time for an argument. We need to act, and fast!"
As Jin Hai returned to answer the question, it was Tai Huang who replied.
"Sao Feng would never have sent his own ship to the Locker."
"Sao Feng would rather have sent his ship to the Locker, than his crew."
He observed her for a minute, eyes narrowing in contemplation. Elizabeth stared back obstinately, but inwardly prayed for a concurrence. There was a sceptical twitch of his eyebrows before he raised his voice over Jin Hai's to speak to the crew in Mandarin. Elizabeth held her breath as the man beside her continued to converse, but exhaled thankfully when she saw a smile spread across Jin Hai's face.
Then twirled around, she doused the final lamp that shone over her head.
The Vendaval continued to float serenely towards the ships. Elizabeth placed a hand on Tai Huang's shoulder as he secured the lines joining the Vendaval's quarterdeck rail to the Empress's fore. He met her gaze levelly.
"Perhaps Sao Feng was thinking straight when he made you captain."
"You needn't do this, Tai Huang," replied Elizabeth, "We only need to shoot fire arrows."
"It won't be enough. Leave it to me, Captain. If things go wrong, I would rather die on my home ship so you can take the rest of the crew to Singapore safely."
"A little too much nobility for a pirate, don't you think?" jested Elizabeth. He matched her grin. The smile faded from her face. "Nothing will go wrong. You're a good man."
Tai Huang bowed low, and proceeded to climb across to the Empress.
"Thank you," said Elizabeth.
Hurrying back to Jin Hai's side, she gave orders to sail south-east, farther away from land. She constantly looked over her shoulder, hoping to pinpoint Tai Huang in the engulfing darkness, but no sign came for several minutes, until suddenly, a flame shone at the bottom of the main sail. Seconds later, another spark came, igniting the base of the jib.
Elizabeth sprinted back to the quarterdeck rail, and grasped it tightly. By the time she had spotted Tai Huang, he was already halfway across the line. She signalled Jin Hai, who in turn informed the crew. As the fire spread from the jib to the fore staysail, Elizabeth noticed that the sails were torn.
"Elizabeth!" a voice bellowed. Elizabeth's eyes instantly diverted to Tai Huang. "Ready the fire arrows!"
Without a second thought, she reached the helm, and communicated the order. Then running back to the rail, she helped Tai Huang onto the deck. He cocked his pistol, and shot free one of the lines linking the ships. Elizabeth staggered momentarily, remembering the final moments of James' life, but regained composure swiftly, and began imitating Tai Huang's actions. He reached for the dagger in her belt and started hacking away at a third line.
"Arrows, Captain. Where are the arrows?" he asked over his shoulder, "There is gunpowder on the Empress' deck."
Men stormed up the stairs and came to stand by her side. Tai Huang made a gesture, and the lit arrows left the hands of their bearers and charted across to the Empress like falling stars. There was an instantaneous flare as some of the arrows met the deck, causing the gunpowder to ignite. The Empress was on fire.
"Jin Hai! More speed!" barked Tai Huang. "We need to get as far as possible before it reaches the powder magazine, or the explosion could cause much damage."
Already, the twinkling ships seemed to be closing the distance between them.
"I'm sorry you have to watch this, Tai Huang."
"It's a small price to pay. They say in Singapore that it may take years to find a thousand followers, but it will take an eternity to find a devoted leader."
A/N: A fire ship was a ship deliberately set on fire and steered or allowed to drift into an enemy fleet to create panic or break formation. A hellburner is a variation of such a ship, intended to cause damage by blowing up in close proximity to enemy ships.