Chapter 7: 1718 Shattered Dreams
"Turn her around, Jack Sparrow! Immediately!" Rosalind's voice sounded over the whole deck: "That's an order!"
She rushed out of the captain's quarters and jumped up the stairs leading to the helm with her eyes sparkling dangerously from anger while everyone who stayed on deck kept his breath unsure about what would happen next. Jack Sparrow, Rosalind's young helmsman and navigator aboard the "Eagle's Wing" had dared to revoke her order to follow Patrick Swallow and his "Stream" and had set a new course towards a different heading – away from the island, away from the Spanish and away from the "Silver Stream". It was an open affront against Rosalind Stevens and her authority as captain of the "Wing" and every man aboard knew how this kind of disregarding her orders would also be called as soon as this day was over: Mutiny!
Jack had a frank look at Rosalind's face and replied with a calm of which he wasn't sure if he really felt it: "That's not an order! That's madness and you know it is! Who if not you?"
"You dare to answer back?" Rosalind stared at him out of wide open eyes, the same unbelievingly and totally confused about what was going on aboard her ship.
"Yes, I dare to! As you dare to question Patrick's decisions!"
"No one questions Patrick's decisions!"
"You just did!"
"This is my vessel, Sparrow! Forgot that? My ship makes me captain and being captain of my ship means me giving orders to my crew and as long as it is that way, Jack, you and the crew will follow my orders!"
"Do you really want to discuss this, now? It's neither the right place nor the right point of time to do so! Patrick wants us to take the 'Wing' out of this trap..."
"Patrick wants us to take Elianor to London! That's what he promised to Bill Turner, months ago, if a case like this should ever happen!" Rosalind hissed: "He just forgot about one thing: The 'Wing' is not under his command! And as I said before, she's still my ship! So, don't dare following Patrick's orders aboard my vessel ever again! And now, turn her about! Unless you want me to take you to the brig!"
"What is all of this really about?" Jack let go of the helm and leaned back against the rail.
"You're in the know, Jack! If we'll attack the Spanish together, with both ships, we'll be able to capture them!"
Rosalind seemed to really believe in her words and underneath her skin deep rage there was something totally different to spot and sense: Despair and trepidation. She knew Patrick to be right, she knew Jack to be right and she knew that they would not be able to vanquish or even resist the Spanish commander and his heavily armed warships – neither alone nor together. Worst of all, though, was, indeed, that she exactly knew what would wait for Patrick and his men if Don Esteban de Vargas would catch them. The Spanish commander had always been eager if it came to inventing new ways and methods to turn a prisoner's life into hell on earth and even though many years did pass by since their last encounter, she wasn't able to forget the horrible sight when Jeremy Stevens' ship, when her husband's ship, burst into flames – together with him enchained to the helm and his crew locked up inside the brig. The roar of the flames, the screams of the men who, had no chance to free themselves, and the penetrative smell of burning wood and human flesh still followed her into her dreams. She wasn't sure, if she owned the strength to bear something alike a second time, but even if she was still horrified while thinking of the past, she could not leave Patrick to a fate like that. So, the more unwelcome it was when Jack Sparrow, still nothing more but a boy, dared to answer: "You know this to be an illusion, Rosalind! The Spanish will send both of you down to Davy Jones' Locker!"
"I'm not afraid of Davy Jones, the Locker or the 'Flying Dutchman', Jack! You're still a child! What do you know about life and decisions to be made?"
"Nothing and everything! You're my captain, Rose, and I don't have in mind to change this, but did you ask yourself why Patrick wanted you, Caith and Elianor to stay together aboard one vessel? Your vessel? Did you ask yourself what would happen to you and the other women, if the Spanish would capture you? You err if you believe that a quick death would await the three of you. That's what I understood when you and Pat told us about Vargas and his way to deal with pirates." He went over to her and stopped right in front of her, then he added: "You are the captain, Rosalind, without any doubt, and aboard your ship, you have any right to do whatever might please you, but there is one thing you should never forget: Being the captain of a ship also means that you have duties against your crew..."
"What do you mean?"
"You're blindfolded by vengefulness, Rose, and to be honest, I'm not really interested in it, if you want to make this ship an easy prey for the Spanish or if you want to make yourself an easy prey for them. This would be a pity, but let's face it as it is, this would be your decision, aye? But one thing, I'm not willing to accept: If you dare to make Caithleen and your crew an easy prey for the Spanish as well. Savvy?"
"You have no idea, Sparrow! You've not been there, back then! Somebody has to bring this to an end!"
"No one doubts your right for revenge! But today's not the day!" Jack stepped in her way when she wanted to take the helm: "Before I'll leave the helm to you, answer me one last question: What will you do if they really catch us? Will you endure it when the crew of that Spanish commander will abuse you, when they'll rape you until they're sated? Will you suffer it when the same crew will abuse and rape Caith? Will you suffer it when they will sell her to a brothel, afterwards? And what's with Elianor? Can you imagine what they will do to her? A woman carrying a pirate's bastard? You know what they will do to her! And now, once again: Is this what you want to happen? If the answer is yes, we're through, Rosalind Stevens!"
She slapped him hard and it was what he'd have expected. What he did not expect was that she looked daggers at him: "Get out of my way, Sparrow, and get out of my sight! Name yourself lucky that I won't let you rot within the brig!"
Jack left the deck without saying another word. He left the helm to her and rushed below. The door leading to the quarters got slammed shut, once, twice, as Caithleen followed him.
Rosalind took the helm and brought the "Wing" around. She snarled at the men still standing rooted to the ground: "Is there anything to look on? To your stations! All of you! Move!"
The men dashed asunder, stumbled about each other and tried to get back to work appearing as uninvolved as possible.
Aboard the "Silver Stream" Patrick watched with relief when the "Eagle's Wing" set full canvas and veered off. His trust in Jack Sparrow did not get disappointed and, therefore, he hoped Rosalind would understand, why he made this decision the way he did.
Less could he have guessed what was going on aboard the "Wing" at the same time.
Patrick grasped a bottle of rum, pulled out the cork and had a deep draft out of it. Then he surrendered to his thoughts again. The Spanish were with six ships and Vargas was hell-bent on catching him. He called himself a fool, because he had been convinced he could handle it without help and he called himself a fool, because Vargas had been able to catch him in a trap. He had been frivolous and as it seemed there was no way out. However, he was not willing to give his ship or his life away without fighting. If it wasn't possible to take flight he would scuttle his "Stream" the way it would please him. Then, it would be an easy task to go down with her.
His crew was made up of only those men, who knew about the danger of possibly getting scuttled and who were willing to stay aboard or to follow their captain to hell if necessary. It was an agreement he and Bill Turner made up long ago and no one but the two of them came ever to know about it. Not even Rosalind, because he knew her well enough to know that she would never have accepted it. She was obsessed with the thought of vanquishing Vargas, one day, that much that she was willing to sacrifice everything: Her life, her ship, her love, maybe even her daughter. Until the day when he pulled a boy out of the bay of Shipwreck Cove and decided to take him to their secret hideout. For a while it seemed as if Jack's skills at the helm and with dealing with compass and charts would be able to heal those old wounds, but the more he and Caithleen found together the more seemed Rosalind to feel empty.
Patrick knew it would get worse as soon as this day was finally over, but he had no choice. They never had one and everything he wanted to do, now, was to end his life in a way that pleased him: Aboard his ship...
"Everything's prepared and in good order. Your crew and your ship are waiting for your orders!" Bill Turner climbed up the stairs to the quarterdeck to meet Patrick up there. His face looked strained and he made no secret out of his feelings. He felt uneasy about everything his long lasting companion and captain had planned.
"Very well, then!" Patrick turned round to face him: "Let's find out what Vargas has in mind concerning us. I suppose it will be something special..."
"You sound as if you're not the slightest afraid of what might wait for us."
"Do you want an honest reply, my friend?" Patrick grimaced: "I can imagine something way more desirable, but I know I won't leave without providing this Spanish bastard with what he deserves."
"That would be?"
"As many broadsides as we will be able to fire off before they'll send us to hell. I've no idea if we will meet again after this is over, but in case we won't, you should give up piracy and just care about your pretty lass and the young Turner she carries..."
"...says the man who never wanted to live another life but a pirate's life!"
Patrick grinned: "Oh, don't get me wrong, old fellow, there is a different life worth living, but it was never meant for me. But enough of this idle talk! Let's prepare the front court to hell for our dear friend Vargas!"
"Aye, captain!"
While Bill Turner went below to prepare the men for the upcoming fight, Patrick took the helm himself. Everything was ready and they had favourable winds to manoeuvre as long amongst the Spanish warships as possible. He turned towards the man he just relieved from the helm: "Hoist the colours! The red one! They won't grant us mercy, so, why should we!"
The man hurried to follow Patrick's order and shortly after the skull and crossbones on red ground waved with the wind, the unmistakable sign that Patrick Swallow wasn't willing to surrender. With a contented smile upon his lips and a nearly fatalistic glance within his eyes he finally yelled: "Fire at will, Mister Turner!"
Only a split second later the first salvo from the "Stream" hit Don Esteban's flagship, the "Santa Isabella", right under the waterline. It did not take long until Vargas sent them his answer. While Patrick brought the "Stream" around the balls smashed into the cannon deck, the bow and the galley. A second salvo tossed Greek fire into the sails and the rigging and the flaring flames enwrapped the ship, its crew and the whole scenario in eerie light. Patrick closed his eyes when another Spanish salvo hit the "Stream" and smashed the masts, the captain's cabin and the quarters. The mousetrap closed around his proud galleon and her captain knew that whatever he would be able to try would not be enough to vanquish the Spanish, but it would be more than enough to grant the "Eagle's Wing" time enough to escape.
"I love you, Rosalind Stevens. I wished I'd have told you more often..."
Aboard the "Eagle's Wing" the crew not only witnessed all helpless and in silence the drama which happened right in front of them, but also the moment when the Spanish warships attacked the "Silver Stream" like beasts of prey would attack a deadly wounded victim. The "Stream's" sails and rigging burst into flames and when one after the other the masts fell and when the blood red flag sank down to the depths, the jubilation of the Spanish could even be heard aboard the "Eagle's Wing".
Rosalind stood at the bow – motionless, silent, giving no hint that she'd be still able to do what might be necessary. Every man aboard knew that there would be no escape for Patrick Swallow and his crew even if some of them would possibly be able to reach the shore swimming. The isle would no longer grant them shelter and survival.
Aboard the "Wing", the crew had to make a choice between getting scuttled as well if they'd head to help the already lost "Stream" or following Patrick Swallow's wish to make the try to make the crossing over to England. However the decision, Rosalind would have to make it.
Jacobsen made a try to tear her out of her lethargy: "Ma'am, we cannot stay here. We have to try to do anything..."
"We'll stay until it's over, Mister Jacobsen. As for me you can douse the lights that they won't be able to spot our position, but we won't move until it's over..."
She did not finish her sentence when the "Silver Stream" burst asunder. The powder magazine caught fire and since it was filled to the brim with powder and ammunition, she dragged two of the Spanish warships down to the depths together with her. Every man aboard the "Wing" was aware of what this meant: Whoever still stayed aboard the "Stream" would end up at Davy Jones' Locker and those who survived would soon wish they'd not.
"Still wanting to wait until it's over, Captain?" Jacobsen gazed at Rosalind while kneading the cap within his hands. She just nodded and he turned round to face the men who were still staring at the terrifying spectacle: "Douse the lights, gents. We won't set sail before dawn."
When Jacobsen started to follow Rosalind's order, Jack came across him. He answered the silent question within the young man's eyes by just shaking his head.
While all aboard the "Wing" the lights expired, Jack joined Rosalind at the bow. Her hands clasped the rail that firm that her knuckles turned white due to the strain. Her face resembled a mask not willing or not wanting to show even the slightest emotion, but as much as she tried to keep her strength she wasn't able to do so, any more.
"It's for the second time that I've to watch on helplessly how my life burst into flames." Her voice was soundless and Jack wasn't quite sure if her words were really meant for him.
"There was nothing you would have been able to do to prevent it, equal which strength you would have been able to find."
Rosalind Stevens did not give him a reply. The awareness that Jack had been right from the beginning cleaved through her innermost and to her conscious with might and within a wink of an eye the truth hit her with tremendous and unforeseen impact. Jack succeeded in catching her just before she collapsed to the ground.
"Mister Jacobsen!" He yelled: "Come here and make haste, mate!" Jack's voice sounded over the whole deck and it didn't need long until the first mate came running carrying a single lantern with him: "Take her below and take care that no one except you, Caith or me will stray round her cabin."
"Aye, captain!" Jacobsen gazed at him waiting for some more orders.
"It's not as far as, mate. Not yet! Rosalind is the captain of this vessel and it's not my turn to change this."
"No, son, you're right. It's not your turn, yet, but it's possible that it will become the crew's turn soon."
"The captain gets chosen by open vote, Mister Jacobsen. If the men want a new captain they shall at least wait until we'll reach the next port. Savvy?"
"Aye, but nevertheless, you're in charge for now. So, how do we go on?"
Jack had a look at Rosalind's tired and exhausted face. With a sigh he finally explained: "They made up to meet at Tortuga if they would get separated. We'll set course towards the isle and wait. No one knows what really happened aboard the 'Stream'. In addition, we'll have to store fresh supplies if we want to dare the crossing to England. Therefore, it will cause none of us any harm if we'll stay at Tortuga for one or two weeks."
Jacobsen just nodded then he went to take Rosalind below to her cabin.
"They knew it! Both of them!" A voice behind him made Jack wince. It was Elianor and she stared at the dark sea with a petrified mien. He did not hear her when she approached him and he wasn't sure if she possibly heard anything of what Jacobsen dared to explain to him, but she gave him no sign that she did. Instead, she dropped down on some rolled up hawsers and said: "Patrick and Bill must have guessed that this day might come and they must have planned what they would do if it would be as far as. The only thing I don't get is why they made it that easy for this Spanish."
"They didn't, love, but they forgot about one thing which sometimes grants you a much better vantage than any weapon ever could: They should have acted the fool when they faced Vargas and his companions. They should have let him take them for to be weak and inferior. I for my part would never hesitate to act the fool if it would provide me a chance to save my ship and my crew."
"You're young, Jack, and there will be a lot of time for you to find out if it will really be helpful to act the fool."
"Yes, you're right, but first of all we'll set sail and head for England. I promised Bill to take you to London and that's what I will do..."
The "Eagle's Wing" sailed under full canvas and headed straight for the isle of Tortuga.
The men went finally back to man the stations and the numbness which kept them all within its claws started to vanish. After having lost the "Stream" there was no guarantee that they would be able to return to their secret hideout all too soon. At least not as long until the Spanish decided to leave these waters. That was why they set sail for Tortuga.
Tortuga!
Pirate's island and robber's den! It was almost dead certain that several men would take their chance to hire aboard another vessel. The contract they once made up with Rosalind did not bind them to her or her ship for a lifetime and the point of time was opportune to make a try with another captain.
Jack did not feel good while thinking of the infamous pirate port, but he had no choice. And since he actually had no choice, Tortuga was the best, because it wasn't only an infamous pirate port but a free port as well. Avoided by both, the Spanish and the English. However, until they would reach the island, they had to spend two days at sea and Jack hoped that Rosalind would regain her strength before it was as far as that she could return to the deck as captain of the "Wing". His hope got shattered within just a split second when Caithleen rushed up to the helm. She ignored the questioning looks of the men and went up to the helm taking two steps for one: "Hurry, Jack! Come with me! I fear, I won't be able to deal with this all on my own."
It needed no further explanation. Jack fixed the helm and hurried to follow Caithleen below. No one needed to tell him what was waiting there for them. Rosalind had woken up from out of her mazy dreams and her desperation impended to tear her apart.
"Patrick!" Her voice sounded hoarse and choked from tears. And it broke again and again while she got tossed by sobbing crying out for him without cease.
"She's like this for hours, Jack!" Caithleen brushed her hair out of her face; she looked tired and helpless: "She cries! She screams! When she finally falls asleep, she gets plagued by her dreams and nightmares and when she wakes up she tosses things at all those who try to hush her."
"Are you in the know if the ship's doctor has laudanum aboard?" Jack asked: "Back then at Shipwreck Island I once witnessed how such a quacksalver infused it to a man and it worked, although, I'm not quite sure if due to the rum or due to the laudanum..."
"Stay here and let me have a look..."
Caithleen returned shortly after carrying a small bottle with her: "It should do until we reach Tortuga. Provided that we'll succeed in infusing it to her."
Jack shrugged: "Taking the worst case into consideration, it would mean that she'll either shoot us or throw us overboard. So, it's all trifles, isn't it, love?"
They nodded at each other and Jack dared to open the door leading to the captain's quarters – carefully...
Inside, it looked as if a typhoon did rage all around the cabin and amongst shattered glass and smashed china lay Rosalind's clothes, her charts and her logbooks. She herself sat on her berth and stared at a spot on the floor, impassively. Her long black hair fell into her face in woozily strands and her face and eyes were reddened and swelled. She raised her gaze when the door closed behind Jack and Caithleen and the same moment an empty bottle got smashed on the wall close to them.
"Missed!" Jack had a look at the spot on the wall where the bottle shattered into pieces: "My dear Rosalind, you should wait with doing this until you'll come across some half-wits who are not well-disposed towards you. The two of us do not have in mind to bother you, aye?"
"Then the two of you should make your exit!"
"Not until you calmed down", Caithleen answered back while she searched for a mug and a bottle of rum. She mixed a not even small amount of the laudanum with the rum and handed it over to Rosalind.
"What's this?" Rosalind eyed the mug with scepticism and she gazed at Jack and Caith by turns.
"It will grant you sleep..." Caithleen explained.
"And it will grant you oblivion..." Jack added: "At least for a while..."
Rosalind still hesitated, but after a while she took the mug and emptied it within a single draft. Then she curled herself up within her berth and Jack and Caithleen decided that there was nothing else they could do for her at the moment. They just closed the door behind them after they sneaked out of the cabin when they heard Rosalind sob bitterly again. Jack dragged Caithleen into his arms and breathed a kiss upon her brow: "I'm sorry, love. I fear this is what Patrick failed to take into consideration..."