Chapter 11: 1719 The Spanish Galleon
The winter months passed by within a wink of an eye and Lord Reginald Beckett kept true to his promise made in Autumn.
With the first days of Spring, the "Eagle's Wing" was not only ready for the sea, she got also totally built round. Another steerage had been built in, separating the crew's quarters from the hold and the stowage and granting the men more space for their belongings.
The Captain's quarters got enhanced by including the small cabin, Jack and Caithleen had inhabited as long as they still sailed under the command of Rosalind Stevens, using it for additional space and the chart room got furnished with a new map table.
The sails, always just gotten patched whenever necessary, got replaced by new cloth and even the rigging had been changed and renewed up to the last lines and hawsers. The Winter had been mild, therefore, Beckett's men had been able to work without any delay and so it happened that the "Eagle's Wing" was resplendent with fresh colour and under white canvas.
With the exception of two officers he chose himself, Beckett left the decision which men to hire for his first privateer raid to Jack and the young captain had a superb crew aboard. Every man a volunteer, no man forced into duty as it was standard when the Royal Navy shanghaied men to man their ships, but there was more than one reason supposed to make so many volunteer aboard the "Wing":
One of them was the not even small amount of pay the East India Trading Company was willing to guarantee them. The second was the promised share of the plunder: Ten percent of every prey additionally to the already granted pay was more than most of the men ever had. The two most important reasons, though, to hire aboard this privateer vessel were that, one, the young captain appeared to not be an oppressor and that, two, some of the men reckoned on sharing their berth with the bonny lass who would accompany them on their journey as the ship's helmsman.
Just a few days after their first meeting, Lord Reginald Beckett did keep to his word and sent a messenger over to Sir Edwin's mansion, who handed not only the letters of marque over to Jack but also a casket filled to the brim with gold as well as documents signed by Beckett himself which identified Jack as the rightful owner of said casket and the letters: It was the prize the company had rewarded for the "Eagle's Wing".
Elianor agreed to keep the documents and the casket safe, until Jack and Caithleen would be in need of both and Sir Edwin's house was a far better place for the safekeeping of a good amount of gold and any kind of important papers than any ship.
As always in Spring when the ships of the big trading companies set sail with the first tepid winds, a not even small amount of onlookers and rubbernecks assembled at the piers to witness the spectacle. Whispering and murmur accompanied the arrival of Sir Edwin's coach, because everybody knew it to be an open secret that he and Lord Beckett were not really on good terms if it came to politics. Therefore, it was a rare occurrence when both men met at the pier, today.
Inside the coach, Jack, Caithleen and Elianor exchanged some totally different thoughts.
"Tell me, love, why do I have the unmistakably feeling that there are irreconcilable strains between your father and good ol' Lord Beckett?"
Jack watched curiously how both men exchanged meaningless flowery phrases without even looking at each other.
Elianor replied with a sigh: "Because, I fear, it will be exactly these irreconcilable strains which will lead to my father's downfall, sooner or later."
"Your father is a popular man", Caithleen took into consideration: "Why do you believe someone would be willing to harm him?"
"Because, I do not only believe it, Caith. I know it and it's no secret at all. What do you think how long it will take until we'll cause tongues to wag? Me, my child and my father? Why there is no father to the child. If I'm really married. Where my husband is. If I'm still a lady or just a sailor's whore." A tired smile upon her lips, she carefully swayed the baby within her arms, which was contentedly smacking within its sleep.
"It's all nothing but idle talk, love. Caith and I promised you to search for Bill Turner whenever we'll make berth. It won't become an easy task, because he's a bloody pirate, who might hang around elsewhere round the seven seas, but, trust me, if there is a chance to find him, we will find him and if we will find him we'll take him back to you."
"I know he's still alive, Jack. I've no doubt about it."
Elianor's reliance was true despite the fact that they all knew the truth could possibly tell a different story. That was why Jack gave her a wink and said: "Believe me, love, sooner or later you'll have to take care of both Williams. What say you?" He carefully caressed the baby's cheek and the little boy with his dark tuft chuckled all satisfied.
Caithleen smirked when a tiny little hand clasped Jack's finger: "Have a look, Jack Sparrow. As it seems you've a wonderful intuition for saying and doing the right thing at the right point of time."
"Is that so?" He gazed at Caithleen and his look told her more than a single word would ever have been able to.
Elianor's next remark had them both blush up to their ears: "Well then, sooner or later you will come to know yourself how it feels. And if I have a look at you two, I think the results are not supposed to become ugly..."
"That will do for now, love!" Jack cleared his throat, apparently all bashful: "Right now, it will do that we fulfilled Bill's and Patrick's wish: You and young Will are in a safe place." He had a last glance at the baby, then he added: "It's time for us to leave. There is a new life waiting for us out there. Privateers in the name of the King. Let's find out if it is worth anything. It would not be amiss to wish us some luck. We could be in need of it."
"My father's house will always be ajar for you whenever you'll stay in London. You know that!"
"We will remember it", Caithleen exchanged a last long look with Elianor before she and Jack jumped out of the coach to get aboard their ship – each of them with a bundle of clothes over their shoulders.
Ere they reached the gangplank, Lord Beckett waved them over to him: "Captain Sparrow! Miss Stevens! May I have a moment?"
He bid farewell to Sir Edwin, not really reluctantly, and turned towards the young pirates now in his service: "The ship belongs to you, now. I'm of no expectancies about the prey you will carry back here at the end of your journey, but, nevertheless, I think you're aware about the fact that every captured ship and every proper prey will be a benefit to you and your crew."
"I'm very well aware of it, Lord Beckett, but I suggest to talk about this issue at the time being when the 'Wing' will be back in London, next Autumn."
Jack hinted a bow, had a last look at Sir Edwin's coach and turned round to go aboard.
"Are you still convinced about this decision to be right?" Caithleen whispered while they went up to the deck.
"We will get to know this way earlier than we want to, love", Jack replied and for a split second a shadow darkened his eyes...
The first weeks at sea passed by in a quiet mood and without extraordinary incidents, until, some early morning, the cry came from the crow's nest: "Sail ho! Straight ahead!"
Jacobsen, being on watch and close to falling asleep, roused from his doze and had his look follow the direction the man up in the crow's nest pointed at. And really, far ahead at the horizon, a tiny little spot could be seen, sailing a direct course towards the "Eagle's Wing". He called up: "Can you make out their colours?"
"Aye, Sir", the answer came immediately: "It's a Spaniard!"
"Is it a warship or a merchant vessel?"
"Cannot spot that, yet, Sir!"
"Very well! Keep a watchful eye on them!"Jacobsen ordered: "I'll inform the captain."
"Aye, Sir!"
Jacobsen nodded and went below to wake up the crew: "Get up, boys! Hurry, you lazy deck rats! Seems we'll get our first prey, today! Up to your stations! I want more canvas! Let's see, if we won't be able to gain some more speed in order to meet them."
Laughter followed his words and while the men prepared the "Wing" for a sea-fight, Jacobsen hurried towards the captain's quarters to inform Jack about the welcomed diversion from their daily duties. He knew, the crew would work with ardent zeal to please their captain – they were all hungry for their first prey.
Jack raised his head when his first mate entered the chart room. He cocked an eyebrow and asked: "What's up, Mister Jacobsen? What's the meaning of the flurry up there?"
"You will like to hear that a Spanish galleon is straight on its way to sail into our warm and longing embrace."
"I like the sound of it, indeed, but as long as we're not sure what kind of ship it is, a hint of distrust might be appropriate, don't you think as well, Mister Jacobsen? So, if it's a merchant vessel, which is supposed to be the only consequential explanation, it's on its way back to Spain and it'll be fully loaded, because it sails straight from the colonies." Jack jumped up and spread one of his sea charts on the table. He pointed at a spot on the chart determinedly and said: "We're here. If it's true that this Spaniard's sailing a course leading them straight towards us, we're not in a hurry. Quite the contrary. Let's show them a little patience."
"Patience?" Jacobsen asked in confusion: "Captain, I just ordered more canvas. I don't understand why you want us to stay inactive."
"Not worth mention it, the canvas, I mean." Jack waved Jacobsen's doubts aside with a laxly gesture of his hand: "And I don't want you and the men to stay inactive, mate, just patient. That's a difference! Just hoist a signal. Signalize them that we're in need of help." A profound smile appeared upon Jack's lips and an astucious shimmer was within his eyes when he gazed at his puzzled first mate: "What?"
"Sorry, if I'm not able to follow your plan, lad. Why do you want to signalize them that we're in need of help. Makes no sense."
"Does not? Tell me, Mister Jacobsen, how long is it that you sail the seven seas?"
"As long as I can remember."
"Aye! As long as you can remember. And how long is it that you decided to become a pirate? Long enough I dare to make a guess. So, where are we?" Jacobsen gazed at him like having lost it and he went on: "Well, at the open ocean, mate! No sailor would deny his help to another in a situation like this."
"But why the effort, Jack? Wouldn't it be enough to fire a broadside close to their bow? If they get who we are they will lay down their arms willingly. This would also mean less effort."
"Yes, mate, it would, but we would waste powder and cannon balls, aye? And if it's not a merchant vessel, they won't hesitate to send us down to the depths. So, that's why I'm not willing to share your well meant eager. Don't you get it? I've not in mind to scuttle the Spanish. I want to capture her and everything valuable, worthwhile and precious she's carrying within her lovely interior. Savvy?"
"Jack, it's dangerous to let them sail away..."
"There is no reason to kill the crew or to scuttle the ship. For sure, we are privateers in the name of the King of England, but this does not make me a murderer."
"Aye, Captain!"
"Good! I want you to prepare the men that we won't lunge at the Spanish with might and main but by using deceit. Let me know when the Spanish are at close quarters. They will get a surprise they won't forget for a rather long time."
"I'm on my way!" When Jacobsen wanted to hurry out of the door, he nearly ran into Caithleen: "Sorry, Miss Caith. Captain's orders!" He greeted her, pushed past her and left without answering her inquiring gaze.
When Jack got aware of her he waved her over: "Ah! Love! Come in! I will explain everything to you, you need to know."
"Oh!" Caithleen closed the door and perched herself upon the edge of the table vis a vis to him looking at him expectantly: "I'm all ears, Captain Sparrow!"
"Out there, somewhere on the horizon, this year's first prey is waiting for us and I'm hell bent on obtaining it by fraud instead of fight."
"So that's the reason for Jacobsen's puzzled mien? I see. Deceit, then, instead of gun smoke. Well thought out, but what if the Spanish are not inclined to play your game?"
"In a case like that we still can fight. But", Jack made a laxly gesture hinting that he was not expecting much resistance: "I don't believe that we'll have to. If it's a merchant vessel, and that is what I guess, it must have lost its escort. Due to heavy weather, mist, a storm or something like that. It's of no meaning to us. They will be glad, because we will leave them alive, our men will be glad, because they'll finally get their first prey, Lord Beckett will be glad, because the 'Wing' will not sustain any damage – so what else could we be willing to want? Gladness all around us."
"And you really believe they will hand their whole charge over to you without fighting?" Caithleen frowned: "Don't forget about the fact that not only the English merchant vessels are heavily armed, these days."
"Trust me, love, I'm not intending to pad into a trap blindly. I've a good feeling with this venture. What can I do to dispel your doubt?"
"I..."
Ere she was able to give him a reply he grasped her by her wrist and pulled her off the table and over to him that she came to sit upon his lap. Before he pulled her into a kiss he said: "I wished we'd have more time to finish this, my sweet Caith, although..." He interrupted himself, unwilling to get robbed of this moment of tenderness and breathed a kiss upon her lips. Gently, first, then with growing passion and when Caithleen pressed herself against him a smile enlightened his eyes. His brow leaned against hers he broke the kiss and whispered: "As it seems, I'm not the only one who would prefer to go without hunting for the Spanish, am I right, love..."
"We've no choice..." She replied.
"True enough!" He sighed.
Before he was able to kiss her again, the cry came from the crow's nest: "It's a merchant vessel and there is still no escort to spot..."
Jack freed himself from out of their embrace with a grimace and explained with a sigh: "I promise, we will catch up on everything tonight..."
It was already near sunset when the men carried the last chests, caskets and sacks from the Spanish merchant vessel over aboard the "Eagle's Wing". They were all in good temper and they laughed and sang while they stowed their prey within the freight room. Solely the share of this first prey would be enough, already, for some of them to keep their families from hunger for a whole year – as long as they would not squander it within the taverns and the whorehouses as soon as they would make port the next time.
The merchant vessel fell into their lap like a ripe fruit and the deceit their captain decided to use did work without fail – the "Wing" didn't fire a single ball to make the Spanish hoist the flag of truce. There were no dead aboard both ships, only a few not really seriously wounded, and their captain decided to let the Spanish sail along as soon as his crew was back aboard. Up till then, the first mate, Jacobsen, had a watchful eye on everything that was going on aboard both vessels.
While he had ordered one part of the men to take care of the Spanish officers and their crew, Jack and Caithleen sat below within an elegant parlour of nearly the same size as the crew's quarters. With the exception, that this room, panelled with tropical wood and equipped with every thinkable kind of splendour, got shared by the Spanish Captain and his guests only: The ambassador in the name of the Spanish King for the colonies in South and Middle America, Don Hernán Escobar, and his daughter.
Jack dropped down on one of the velvet covered chairs, his feet placed on the table, his sword and his pistol in reach within his lap. He beheld the two men and the young woman opposite to him in a mix of amusement and scorn: "It is really remarkable that, while you and your guests share this floating palace, your crew obviously has to sleep within their hammocks by turns because there is not enough space for all of them. Don't you think as well that this is a bit strange, Capitán Mendoza?"
"You will pay at the gallows for your impertinence!" The Spanish captain snorted: "You dared to plunder the ship of the ambassador of the King of Spain!"
"Really?" Jack gazed at the second man: "Well, if it is that way, what do you think your life's worth to the King of Spain, Don Hernán? Do you think it's worth the same amount of gold as the prey, my crew's taking aboard my vessel, right now?"
"Barely!" Escobar answered: "But I think His Majesty would be intended to send his whole Armada after you!" The Spanish ambassador made no secret out of the fact that he would love to see the young pirate hang.
"The heyday of the Spanish Armada was over when the English burned and scuttled its ships and sent them down to the deep depths of the sea about two-hundred years ago. So, come up with something better to threaten me and think about it for a moment, gents, what to say about the captains of your highly praised Armada if they don't even get that they lost the ship they were meant escort."
"They will find you! You and the whole vermin hiding within the Caribbean! It will cause me a lot of pleasure to watch your ships and all you bastards burn, one day!" The young woman slammed her hand on the table and got up, her eyes dark from fury.
"Anger fits you well, lass! Maybe, I should take you aboard my vessel instead of your father. I'm sure, the King of Spain would pay a double ransom to save your life." Jack answered with amusement.
"Jack!" Caithleen shook her head: "Don't forget, you've a crew of men aboard who did not come across a woman for weeks. How would you explain, if we would get the gold and hand her back over without being untouched or, much worse, without being unharmed?"
The young Spanish lady gasped for air: "You wouldn't dare!"
Caithleen grinned: "I for my part would not, but even the captain would not be able to keep the men from taking what they long for. If you get what I want to tell you..."
"You're a woman! How can you live amongst such miscreants?"
"Contrary to you, Señorita, I got raised by such miscreants. Whereat, while thinking about what happens aboard this vessel, it is allowed to ask who of us the real miscreants are. The men aboard our vessel or the men aboard your vessel, who made our men what they are. Men like your father, who took everything away from the poor devils."
"That will do, love!" Jack mingled in: "None of us will get hanged or end up at Davy Jones' Locker, today. We for our part got what we came aboard for. In return, you, Captain Mendoza, and your crew will stay alive and keep the ship, you, Don Hernán, will stay free and alive and you, young missy, will stay alive and won't lose your cherry. A fair bargain, isn't it?"
"You are assuming!" The young woman hissed.
"And ruthless!" Mendoza added.
Before Jack could give him a reply, Jacobsen got in: "Captain, the crew got everything aboard. What next?"
Jack grinned, gazed at Mendoza first, then at Don Hernán, and last but not least at the young lady: "Mister Jacobsen. I want the men to fell all the masts except of the main mast. Leave them enough canvas to get back to Spain unharmed. I assume, you took the powder aboard the 'Wing' as well as the munition, aye?"
"Aye, Captain. That's what we did."
"Good man! Hurry then, I don't want to strike roots." While Jacobsen went back up to the deck, Jack grasped his weapons and got up: "For sure, you will understand my decision, will you? I cannot take the risk of you following us. No offence meant, but I've to take care of my own vessel. Savvy?"
"You leave us here at the open ocean without any possibility to defend us?" The Spanish captain fumed.
"You're not helpless! I just made sure that you won't be able to sail another course but the one back home to Spain. Gentlemen, Milady", he gazed at the girl: "you will never forget the day when you got pirated by Captain Jack Sparrow."
He gave Caithleen a wink, wrapped an arm round her waist and wanted to return to the deck together with her, when something else came to his mind. He turned towards the girl, once more, and said: "Señorita, may I ask one last question? Why did you not shoot me even though you hid your small pistol under your hanky the whole time...?"
"What the hell is this supposed to be?" Caithleen beheld the chest standing in the middle of the captain's cabin in a mix of curiosity and distrust. It was over and over adorned with intricated carvings and painted in bright colours. She did almost stumble into the gorgeous piece of furniture within the sparse light of the single candle she carried with her as the men had left it right on the spot where they dropped it.
"What do you mean?" Jack sashayed into the cabin behind her and stopped short: "Oi!"
"Any idea what the meaning of this is?" Caithleen's gaze wandered from the chest over to Jack and back.
"Love, this extraordinary wooden piece of jewellery belongs to you from now on."
Jack grinned and she was able to spot the sparkles within his eyes, before he hurried to enlighten some lanterns and candles all around the cabin that they could have a closer look at the chest and its contents. Caithleen opened the heavy cover and after one moment full of strain her eyes widened in surprise – and she started laughing. She reached into the chest and what she picked up were – dresses!
Every single of them made from the most precious brocade, the softest velvet or the smoothest silk. They all were adorned with skilfully made embroideries, perfect pearls or beautiful laces. The fitting shoes she found inside the chest as well, same as a casket filled with jewels, hairpins and combs. Even flimsy undergarments, stockings and corsages of the fitting colours lay inside. The woven fabric felt pleasing within her hands, but Caithleen still asked with a hint of sarcasm in her voice: "Don't tell me you want me to take the helm dressed in one of these, Jack Sparrow!?"
"No, love, that's not what I want you to do. I would be too jealous! Just to think about the idea another could behold what takes my breath away every night and day seems unbearable to me." He gently grasped her with her shoulders and beheld her with this unique gaze only a lover beheld his beloved with: "Nothing of this stuff will make you more desirable to me than you already are, Caithleen Stevens." He caressed her cheek, let his fingers run down her slender neck until he reached her shoulders again and smiled when he got aware of his reflection within her eyes: "You caught me, my pretty pirate lass. For all the times gone by and all the times to come. I can see it in your eyes."
His hands cupped her cheeks and he sealed her lips with a tender kiss. "You taste of spiced wine, of honey and sweet almond, love", he whispered close to her ear and she felt a warm shiver running all over her heated skin when he started to caress the sensitive spots of her earlobe. Caithleen closed her eyes and surrendered to his skilled hands, able to send a languorous chill through her whole body – even through the fabric of her shirt. A silent laughter slipped over his lips when he loosened the strings holding her pants and when the piece of cloth fell to the ground with a silent rustle. "I promised it to you, sweet", he whispered and pushed her back towards their berth - step by step: "This night will belong to you."
Jack dropped down amongst the cushions dragging her with him and grinned when she came to lie upon him: "A truthfully inspiring sight, it is, I can assure you, love." His unabashed gaze wandered down to her neckline and within a split second he had freed her from her shirt and her bandage.
"So, you think this is fair?" Caithleen bent down on him, her lips close to his without kissing him.
"Yes, love, that's what I think." Jack smiled while his warm hands wandered to and fro her chilled and tender skin until they cupped her breasts to carefully caress their sensitive tips.
When he sat up, later, holding her close she let her gaze melt into his and he felt vanquished. The mild candlelight threw a warm shimmer upon her skin and the dancing flames enwrapped her in an exhilarating play of shadow and light. His breath was hot when it met the bare skin of her neck and longing was within his words when he said: "If I would have to decide what you should wear, I would ask you to wear nothing else but this stirring shadow play, love..."