Chapter 26: A Father's Wisdom

Will moved quickly back to his ship and the rest of the pirates did the same. Jack and Teague returned to the Black Pearl and all the crew of the Eastern Sun made ready for battle. Jack had become anxious and uneasy all over again as the idea of battling his brand new ship became the reality of the small fleet of pirate ships. The wind billowed in the sails as the ships began to take up their places for the battle that had been brewing and that no one wished to see come to a head.

Will hurried down into his ship yelling orders to his crew as they passed and for the first time, under his captainship, the Flying Dutchman would go into battle unprovoked and for personal means. Young William could see the change in his father and the fear that had come over him. He knew at once that his father was afraid for him and that everything that was coming into play was because love was driving his parents into battle. They feared for their son and as he was only a boy they did not believe that he was capable of defending himself, or at least that is what it felt like.

Tears rolled down William's cheeks as his father dragged him farther and farther into the depths of the ship and then he stopped suddenly out side the room where the treasure had been found.

"I want you to listen to me and listen very carefully," Will said as she stopped and dried his son's tears with the sleeve of his shirt, "I know you are very capable of great things but you are just a boy and I am afraid and so is your mother. You have to know that if anything was to happen to you out here on the open water I can do nothing to stop it and I much take you away if anything was to claim you. It would surely break my heart and that of your mother. So I am terribly afraid right now and I want you to know that even we who are grown can be afraid."

"I am afraid too, but we have to do what is right," William said.

"And what is right?" Will asked.

"We cannot fight what is to come because it is our destiny," William said.

"Then I will let you in on a secret and I will do what I can to stop the battler but you must remain unseen," Will said, "people are going to get hurt and I have a job that I must do so I cannot be with you and you will see something's that may frighten you but don't worry. In battles like this the soul is confused and it doesn't know right from wrong or up from down. If and when they come aboard this ship you may see the ugliness of death because there are things that happen to a soul after the body dies," he said, "but know that when the battle is over and it comes time for me to go the souls will find a better place and peace."

"I know what you do is noble," William said looking into his father eyes, "I am not afraid."

Will smiled a loved and knowing smile, "the magic of this ship, that is with you and me is very complex. If you want to be off this ship you only have to think and know where you would rather be. Like this, I want to be behind that door," Will said and disappeared before his sons eyes.

William was stunned and shocked, "I want to be with you father," he whispered and closed his eyes and when he opened them again he was standing in front of his father and on the other side of the door.

"I knew you could do it," Will smiled, "now stay hidden," he said and left his son along in the darkness of the Flying Dutchman.