Chapter 26: 1742 Aqua da Vida

From a small hill high above the path and very well hidden from unkind eyes behind some huge leaves Jack, Caithleen and Gibbs watched another group searching for its way through the jungle. So Blackbeard and his crew really made it with the help of his compass nearly to reach the entrance to the cave not only he was searching for that covetously but the English and the Spanish as well.

It was already after midday and in case that there had been no unforeseeable incidents Barbossa should have reached the fountain meanwhile.

Jack was indeed inclined to believe in his luck once again but it seemed to him to be much better to help along with it a little. It was too much being at stakes for him to risk it with levity just now when they nearly reached their aim. The stakes were already high enough anyway...

He turned round to Gibbs and a whimsical smile appeared upon his lips when he got aware of the unhappy face of his first mate.

Joshamee Gibbs struggled to keep one of those feral pigs within the leash they caught while being on their way. Jack had not been willing to tell him what for they would need it – up to now.

"Don't you want to relieve him?" Caithleen asked with a barely hidden smile.

"There is no need to worry about him – or the pig – love. Quite the contrary! Don't you think as well they make a great couple, eh...?"

"It's easy scoffing for you, Jack!" Gibbs grumbled wrapping the leash round his wrist hoping he would be able to hold the unwilling animal much better this way.

"Mister Gibbs, all I'm expecting from you is that you trust me in this case the same as you did many times before. I'm in need of your help and keeping this pig is definitive the best way you can help me at the moment, mate! Savvy?"

"If I think it over, Jack, the best you could have done to me would have been to let me stay in prison! There must have been a better way!"

"No, mate, I'm sorry! This was the only way! And don't forget about your affinity towards those bristly fellows! Just think about where and in which condition Will and I found you back in Tortuga..."

"Oh!" Caithleen looked from one to the other: "Something I should be in the know about?"

"Miss Caith, may I ask you not to remind me of this story?"

"So it's that worse?"

"Aye, Missy!"

"Don't listen to him, love!" Jack wrapped an arm round her waist: "As soon as we got the "Pearl" back I will tell all those stories to you, you missed throughout the years. There are enough of them to spend a lot of nights on the deck – although thinking it over again I've much more pleasurable things in mind I would love to amuse you with..."

"Excuse me, Captain, but don't you think it's time now to take charge of your very special friend down there?" Gibbs pointed at the group on its slow way through the jungle.

"Aye! You're right, mate! Let's go! And, Mister Gibbs, please take care that this pig will keep quiet until its services are needed! Did I make myself clear?"

"Aye, captain!"

"Jack!" Caithleen pushed an elbow into his side.

"What?" His eyes were shimmering within the midday's sun.

Angelica had a strained look at the compass. The needle rotated again and again and more than once it forced the whole baggage to stand still until it stopped and showed the right direction. She felt Blackbeard's impatience and his tautness and she knew it was exactly what Sparrow wanted to happen. She almost wished he would make his exit – together with this English lass who dared to claim to know him so much longer.

Torn between the hate she felt for him and that unwanted emotion really to feel something different, something deeper for him she had to stop once again when the needle started to rotate heavily. It showed no intention to stop. Instead of a blade appeared out of the thick green like out of the nothing and the same moment she spotted Jack's face behind one of the leaves – looking at her with a knowing smile.

"Tell me, Jack, why do you always have to point at me with something if we meet again?"

His smile gave the lie to his innocent gaze but he didn't give her a reply.

"Maybe it's because he does not trust you! Maybe it's because you tried to kill him? Seems to be worth thinking it over, isn't it...?" Caithleen left the brushwood dusting smut and pollen from her clothes.

Jack still made no sign of being willing to answer Angelica's question. Instead of he gave her a shrug and followed Caithleen to that little glade where Blackbeard and his men had assembled meanwhile.

"Sparrow!"

Before Angelica was able to reach him, Blackbeard cleaved through his men and headed for Jack: "Finally! Got the chalices, Sparrow?"

Jack beheld the man from his head down to his boots and it didn't miss his attention that Edward Teach was in no case that confident of victory like he wanted to make his crew believe.

He changed a look with Caithleen then he gazed again at that frowning captain in front of him: "Why are you that distrustful, mate? Can tell you that's a really bad manner! For sure I succeeded to find the chalices! I'm Captain Jack Sparrow! Forgot that?" He made a wide swinging gesture directed towards the brushwood: "Oi! Come here, mate!"

The same moment Gibbs appeared the pig still leashed and the valuable chalices tied to its back.

"So you brought a friend along?" Angelica asked, shooting him a glare, half annoyed and half disappointed.

"As it were, love! Can't be amiss, Aye?"

"What do you have in mind?"

"For sure not to sell out his friends to you or your supposed father if it is what you want to hear!" Caithleen hissed and within her voice there was a dangerous undertone.

Blackbeard ignored them both and turned to Jack again: "A friend then! I see! So am I right if I suppose the one legged man to be at close quarters as well?"

"Aye, mate, he is!" Jack made no secret of the fact that he enjoyed this situation. He looked at Gibbs and went on not really impressed by Blackbeard's frowning mien: "Well then, you're here, I'm here and those bloody chalices are here which lead us into this strange situation, forced to strike bargains and all those displeasing things not worth to be mentioned here and now. So, for all of this not to be in vain at least you shall get those chalices – due to two, sorry, three conditions..."

"Since when are you in a position to impose conditions?"

"Since I had the luck or shall I say the keen sense to find those chalices! Savvy!"

"And you're not afraid I could do any harm to your little mistress?"

"You know it that much than I do that you would never get the chalices, if you would dare to touch me again..." Caithleen's voice was calm but she felt her heart beating up to her throat.

"She's right, mate!" Jack added: "Touch her and the chalices will disappear – together with this pig...!"

"So which conditions then?" Blackbeard glared at Jack and within this glare there was something lurking and threatening as if he waited for the right moment to come to scrunch Jack like an insect.

"First of all I want my compass back!" Jack started and Caithleen knew by the way he gazed at her that he wanted her to stay calm and to do nothing but letting him go on with this negotiation: "Oh, no! Stop! First there is something different! Ah, yes!" He kept an eye on Blackbeard when he continued: "First of all I want your promise that you will not do any harm to Angelica!"

He knew that Caithleen would have slapped him the second time if they would have been alone within this moment when Angelica stared at him in a mix of consternation and triumph.

"I can assure you of one thing, Sparrow. From the beginning of this adventure up to now Angelica's life had never been in danger. But if it will please you – here you are! I promise that I will do no harm to Angelica!"

Jack hesitated for a while. Could it be possible that he erred? Could it really be possible that this innocent nun he met within that Spanish convent turned into a calculating adventuress who did not care at what price she reached her aim? Was he really that blind?

He avoided to lock eyes with Caithleen when he went on: "Well then, secondly – former firstly – I want my compass back!" He reached out his hand but Angelica seemed not to be willing to give the little wooden box back to him. "Please, love, I really cling to it and to be honest, I need it." He looked at Blackbeard: "And in addition you can barely imagine how difficult it was to catch this pig, can you? I mean not this tattered fellow over there, I mean the four legged one, Aye! The one on which back the chalices are shimmering, mate!"

He resisted Blackbeard's sinister glare – effortlessly this time – and the captain nodded at Angelica. Only reluctantly she threw the compass over to Jack and a contented smile appeared upon his lips: "Thank's love! As I see we apparently start to understand each other – which leads me straight to thirdly – as it were." He looked at Gibbs: "You know, I'm acquainted with this guy rather long and thinking of all those years I know him I can't suggest that I treated him always in a befitting or even suitable way. Although he has always been an allegiant and a trusted friend and first mate to me..."

"Why do you reflect on this right now...?" Gibbs asked barely able to keep hold of the pig any more.

"Better now than never, Mister Gibbs, and now shut up!" Jack turned to Blackberad again: "Imagine, mate, I nearly let him rot in prison and I did not care! To be honest I still don't care about it – well, never mind! It doesn't matter anyway! What I want to say is, here and now I want you not to bother him. He runs free – unhindered and unoffended!"

"That's all?" Blackbeard snarled.

"Aye! As far as it concerns me! But you should hurry, mate, otherwise the pig and the chalices are gone! Will wish you luck with trying to get them back then!"

"Agreed!" Blackbeard snorted with gritted teeth.

Jack nodded and Gibbs loosened the leash from his wrist. Rapidly he grasped for the chalices and let the pig run. He was still not really certain about what Jack had in mind but he had no doubt that he would come to know it soon.

Without looking at him and without paying attention to Jack anymore Blackbeard grabbed the chalices. A single move of his hand was enough and his crew followed him without any objection.

"What next?" Gibbs watched how the men one after the other vanished within the dark green of the jungle again.

"That's easy, mate! Take this and start searching for the "Pearl" then!" Jack threw his compass over to Gibbs: "It will lead you! Oh, and, Mister Gibbs, don't worry about the guards who supposedly will wait for you aboard the "Revenge". If everything went according to plan van Dyck and Will – if he still anchors within the bay – should be able to convince them that it might be better to sail under different colors from now on!"

"Aye, Captain!"

When Jack wanted to follow Blackbeard and his men he got aware that Caithleen made no effort to leave the glade: "Something wrong, love?"

"You wanted Edward Teach to assure you that he won't harm his helpless little girl? That was the first thing you demanded from him?" A hint of disappointment was within Caithleen's words and her voice sounded somehow taunting: "Thought about what might happen if she decides to harm you?"

"I...am sorry...but..." Jack had no answer to her question.

He knew what she wanted to tell him and also that she was right, but he did not want Blackbeard and Angelica to succeed with something that not even fourteen years of separation achieved: "I never made a secret of the fact that I spent a lot of nights within good company after I lost you. I never denied it that I was willing to let you go but, love, least of all I never stopped believing in finding you some day. And finally I got you back! You're here now, you're with me and now you're the one doubting us? Oh, my dear Caithleen do you really want Edward Teach and his supposed daughter to reach what they want to reach most since they know who you are?"

"What could that be?"

"For instance causing distrust between us? Caithleen, Blackbeard doesn't know anything about my strengths. All he knows about me is that one single weakness of mine – you!" Suddenly a smile enlightened his face: "Another thing he will never come to know is that the ritual he believes he's in need of is not the same like the one we need!"

"Wait! You mean we do not need a sacrifice?"

"No, love! The only sacrifice we need is of a kind everyone would willingly give who loves his girl the same way I love you. Unless you don't want me to do it! Then, Caithleen Stevens, I would call you a stubborn loggerhead! Savvy?"

He had barely finished his last sentence when unexpected but not unwelcome a well known face appeared with them: "If you will not hurry I would think you will become the loggerhead...!"

"Scrum!"

"Aye, captain! Good old Scrum is still alive! But we already thought you and your girl would have taken leave."

"As you can see now, mate, we're still here. But I hardly believe to hear me say that, it's good to see a familiar face. What happened to the rest of our little group of mutineers?"

"You mean, if they are still alive? Well, let's say, I can put your mind at rest. No more losses so far, although I think our foolhardy young cleric would tell a different story..."

"What do you mean?" Caithleen and Jack changed a troubled look.

"Well to shorten a rather long story – our beloved captain succeeded in getting closer to his aim and dear Philip helped him with it. By accident and not really willingly."

"Don't talk in riddles!" Caithleen requested him.

"Miss, all I wanted to say is that Blackbeard got what he needed most – the tear. And the poor boy served him as a kind of lure. Philip succeeded to make this mermaid cry."

Jack and Caithleen gazed at each other in surprise: "How is this going, mate?"

"If you ask me this way I would say the boy fell for her and I can tell you I know how it feels!" Scrum rolled his eyes in delight when he thought of the pretty mermaid who sang with him within the bay.

"Master Scrum! May I remind you that this adventure is not over at the moment! It's not time for dreaming! So tell me, where's this tear now?"

"Believe me or not, I have it!"

"What? Why's is this so?"

"Well, our hot blooded Spaniard ordered me to take care of it and I..."

"You have that tear?" Jack was hardly able to believe what he just heard. If this was true he would own an unexpected vantage when they reached the fountain: "Tell me, Scrum, what am I supposed to do to convince you that handing this tear over to me is the only choice you have?"

"Nothing!" Scrum raised his hands in defense: "Don't get me wrong, Jack Sparrow, but although I'm in the know why you're in the need of it I won't give it to you!" He lowered his gaze: "To be honest, I'm much more afraid of Angelica than of you..."

"But..." Jack looked after him being deeply puzzled when the musician hurried to follow Blackbeard and the rest of the crew.

Caithleen laughed: "Poor Jack! As it seems it's all said about the most infamous pirate of the seven seas!"

"Just scoff at me, love! Some day you will be alone with the most infamous pirate of the seven seas again – means me – and then I will show you why I'm the most infamous pirate of the seven seas..." He let his gaze melt into hers and he regretted that there was not enough time to prove his words to her right here and now...

The path led deep into the cave and the torches they enlightened at the entrance gave off only a little light. All around the vault they found the mortal leftovers of several adventurers having searched for that mystic place long ago, tempted by the vague promise of an eternal life, everlasting youth and liberty of age and death. They all failed before being able to take only one single glance at this miracle.

Stalactites hung from the ceiling and stalagmites grew from the ground while the silent voices of the men echoed from the walls of this arch. It was a breathtaking scenery and Jack asked himself if it was really right what they did – dare to step on this mysterious place. His thoughts got roughly interrupted when they out of the sudden and totally unexpected had to stop in front of a massive wall. There was no other way in or out but the path they just came along.

"Ah! Dead end as I would call it!" He remarked with a shrug while he had a rapid look round the whole room searching for a hint leading towards the fountain.

"Dead end?" Edward Teach seemed to be less thrilled while listening to Jack's statement.

"Yep, mate! Dead end!"

"You're not serious about this, aren't you, Sparrow!" Angelica stared at him and he knew she would not hesitate to shoot him.

"I'm dead serious about this, love! But why are you always so impatient! I never said this dead end would mean the end of our path, Aye? The chalices if you please!" He looked Blackbeard openly in his face and reached out both hands. Blackbeard handed them over to him with a snort and Jack went on: "And now, gentlemen, ladies, prepare yourself to enjoy the miracle of this enchanted place."

With a nearly theatrical gesture he let the chalices clink together and a melodic sound echoed through the whole cave. It impended above their heads for a while, vanished and lost itself within the depths of the vault and – nothing happened. Jack tried it again. The sound recurred and again – nothing happened...

Caithleen knew why he did it. If Barbossa and his men were already here they would be able to hear the sound. So they got warned and had enough time left to hide if Blackbeard and his crew would find the entrance.

It was something different she felt uneasy about – It was the way Angelica stared at Jack.

She would not hesitate to shoot him and the question she asked him was more than cynical: "Tell me Jack, have you really seen the fountain of youth with your own eyes?"

"I never claimed that! All I said was that I might have an idea where to search for it, Aye!"

"You..."

"Enough already with this theater! Quartermaster! Make an end of it!" Blackbeard was totally upset and the giant drew his pistol, aimed at Jack and shot without saying one word.

"Oi!" Jack held the chalices in front of him, the bullet rebounded and hit the wall. Thereby he recognized the fine writing engraved to the chalices and a smile found its way upon his lips: "I can assure you, trying this you will never set a single step to that mystical place!"

"I'm not willing to negotiate any longer, Sparrow!" Blackbeard hissed.

Just when he wanted to hand another pistol over to his quartermaster Jack said: "You should better not kill me, because I'm the one who knows how to get to the fountain of youth and no one else of your crew, captain Teach!" His gaze met Caithleen's and his smile got soft: "Aqua da Vida!"

His voice was only a silent whisper but it seemed to fill the whole vault, deep and melodic like the sound the chalices made before.

A silent noise came up to them. It was clear water with some silvery shimmer. It washed round their feet for a moment and ran up the walls to build a little lake above their heads.

Confused, puzzled and surprised – everyone stared with his or her own expression on their face up to that miracle taking place in front of their eyes. Then a silent flutter was to hear and a small colored bird flew into the vault, stopped shortly above their heads and vanished within that silvery lake.

"Master Scrum! Would you be so kind...?" Jack asked.

He grinned and the musician understood immediately. Scrum folded his hands and he gave Jack a leg-up to help him reach the pool. Jack grasped for his sword and dunked it into the shimmering water – the same moment he vanished, like being dragged into another world.

"C'mon, Miss!" Scrum gazed at Caithleen: "You're next..."