Chapter 15
(VANE'S POV)
Charles Vane considered himself a great pirate, one of the few who didn't fear consequences, rules or death. He liked to think that, since he had been in that business longer than others, he had the right to brag about the treasures he obtained for himself and his crew, without fear of what it might bring.
He knew, or at least part of him recognized, that being prideful could come back at him and could win some enemies, but he was sure that he could win against any type of adversary that appeared in his way, since it wasn't easy to deceive him, and even if the persons could run away, he would always be able to find them sooner or later and make them pay.
That second part was what he decided that his two new enemies had won when they had chosen to anger him.
Although he hated it, he had to admit that he had underestimated both young Sparrow and the girl named Swann. About the first, he should have known to be more careful around him, because he knew that he was more intelligent than what he appeared or showed. About the second, she had looked so young and so seemingly inexperienced that he hadn't even doubted that he would win at that card game.
As it was, he had been tricked by both of them and they would pay for what they had done. Unfortunately, he couldn't follow both and, if he was logical, he should worry more about the stealing of his ship than a game of cards, even if he wanted revenge.
"What do we do, captain?" his first mate asked.
Vane was more than angry, but he turned to look at this one "Let's go to the Katherine and try to follow them. Even if we don't manage to find them, we can win some information in Nassau or Port Royal perhaps."
Any place was a good start. Nassau would be a good choice as a refuge and to sell, but he didn't think Sparrow had gained any treasure if he hadn't had a ship with him before… Port Royal, on the other hand, was a good way to get information, even more so because he had business with a person there, so maybe he would be able to see if his ship had been spotted.
He snorted and threw himself on the chair when he noticed that the sheets on his bed seemed to have been moved. He frowned, for he knew he had locked his cabin and this was the first time he had entered the room since he had locked it.
He lifted the sheets to confirm that, indeed, the chest had been forcibly opened and some coins were missing… He knew it well, for he had counted them himself.
"That damn Sparrow…" he muttered and closed the chest again, vexed.
He would get his revenge against him, not matter what, and wished that he could obtain that information in Port Royal.
It took him some time to get to the island, but at least he had gotten there late in the afternoon. As they navigated to the particular hiding place his benefactor had found for them, he wore his best clothes so as not to draw attention to himself.
When he finished and they had already made berth completely, he chose only five of his crew and gave clear orders to the rest to stay on the ship.
"Let's go." he ordered to his first mate.
Without any problems, they reached the docks, paid the harbormaster with a smirk and started heading towards their benefactor's house when they suddenly saw a ship that he had hardly recognized at first. Yet, despite the painting and the name changed, Vane would have been stupid if he hadn't recognized his own ship right under his nose.
"That son of a…"
He didn't finish the sentence completely since he was in a hurry, but he clenched his fists against his body and began to walk faster towards his destination. However, luck didn't seem to be on their side, since only the main staff were at home, and they told them that they would be able to find their associate in the governor's house, since apparently a captain was retiring from the service.
Fuming the whole way, he ordered his crew to stay close but not to enter the house as he didn't know anyone there, and he tried to find his damn associate with who he was working with and found him, luckily, pretty soon.
He seemed to be talking to some nice ladies, but Vane could have cared less, so he quickly made him a signal and started to cross several corridors when his associate seemed to catch up with him. Together, they entered a tea room.
"I hope you've obtained what I sent you to get, Vane." the man spoke, without giving him a chance to talk.
Vane scoffed at that, annoyed, but he knew he had to deal with him for the moment "Not really, Liu wants some help in Singapore in return."
This was only a half truth, since Liu did need help in Singapore with the men who appeared to be loyal to the late Sao Feng and, apparently, the girl who had won his piece. However, Liu hadn't asked for any of that.
"You said he owed you." the other replied, obviously mad.
He shrugged at that, unaffected by his tone "And so he does, but according to him, giving the Philosopher's Stone is something bigger than what he owes me and since I have no idea where he has hidden the damn thing…"
There were things in there that were mostly lies.
Although Yang Liu did owe him and had agreed to give him said stone, Vane hadn't obtained it yet because he needed to acquire another magic item before obtaining the philosopher's stone. He needed that item first and another advantage too before he could get what he wanted.
His associate huffed "I hate wasting my time like this, Vane. Besides, I wonder why Liu would need help in Singapore. I thought no one controlled it already."
Vane had to really control his rage at that, remembering a face "Not officially, but it's said that Sao Feng gave his position to someone before he died... To a certain Elizabeth Swann."
The venom in his voice and his words was absolutely obvious and he couldn't quite decide why he had mentioned that 'it's said', for it was obvious that he knew it to be true.
His associate, however, seemed to find it amusing "Ah, yes… That woman." he clicked his tongue there "Well, you can go and help him. But bring me that stone. We need someone here that is… more competent for Port Royal, someone who isn't Trelawny… He's a fool just like Swann was."
"Politics were never my thing, buddy." Vane replied and it was true "I bring you that and I hope to get my booty with that… Most of all, I want revenge on the new appointed privateer."
Despite not wanting to believe the whispers he had heard as he entered the governor's house, he supposed it had to be true if the ship was moored along with the rest of the ships at the docks; in truth, he had gotten tired pretty quickly of hearing Sparrow's name in their conversations, as if he were the only interesting topic on the island… Although he supposed that most of them would find him a fascinating subject.
The other almost laughed, though it was a dry one "If you're talking about Sparrow, you'll have to do your revenge outside of these waters or after this, Vane. I have no idea what the governor is thinking by forgiving him, but it is what it is." he sighed at that, apparently tired "You do that business, bring me that stone and you will get what you want."
"It'll be my pleasure, partner." Vane bowed "We'll see each other there soon."
Since that conversation had brought him almost nothing, Vane decided to get out of the house as quickly as possible. Along with his crew, he took several turns, directing them towards a tavern they tended to use when they were in Port Royal.
When they had their own mugs of rum and sat down at a table, his first mate spoke to him "Well, what happened?"
Vane clicked his tongue "It seems that if we want to keep our friendship with our associate and his favors, we can't touch Jack Sparrow… At least, in these waters. Apparently he has earned a pardon from the governor."
His first mate raised an eyebrow "Jack Sparrow, working for his majesty's Navy?" he huffed "I doubt that will last too long. Most likely he wants something from them."
Vane reflected on that "It's possible." he stretched "Our associate, on the other hand, still demands the precious philosopher's stone for his own plans."
At that, his first mate smirked "It seems he also still has no idea that you don't intend to give it to him."
"Aye, quite stupid of him, but he thinks he has all the cards and there's nothing that I've told him that it's a complete lie." he shrugged "Liu, after all, does need help in Singapore, but he can handle it on his own, for all I care."
His first mate nodded "In the end, we're the ones who are going to win HIS favors… It's quite possessive that he wants the sea for himself, but as long as we can win immortality from him…"
"A good deal, right?" Vane smirked, cunningly "The only problem will be finding the so precious dear heart of the new captain of the Flying Dutchman."
"What about the magic dagger?" asked this one, frowning "We really need it if we don't want to tie ourselves to the supposed goddess and the damn ship."
"He sent me a clue a few nights ago about that part…" he answered and downed some of his drink before continuing "Apparently, we'll find a witch in Saint Martin that will help us… For a price, as always."
"Obviously." the first mate complained "And what's the price?"
"... Blood, though the witch needs an object from said person that is paying the price." he said, shrugging a bit.
"That seems to send us to our death, don't you think?" he frowned.
Vane smirked evilly "Ah, but the witch won't obtain any object that belongs to us." He pulled out a pocket watch. His first mate looked uncertain, but Vane's evil smile turned wider "We're going to use our little associate for the price."
"Ah." the first mate smiled "In that case, I give you my approval."
"And that makes me glad." he patted him in the back "Let's go back to the ship. We really need to reach Saint Martin if we want to win our immortality."
The other smiled vaguely.
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&&& N. A.: Chan Chan Chan! Who wanted Vane's point of view? Because I will admit that I really wanted to publish this part ^^
Some theories? Who is that going to give Vane immortality for that price? And what about the witch?
Sorry for the incredible delay, but a lot of things happened... All good things for me, of course: I already have a small job (hallelujah!) for at least a few months... Not much, but hey, thanks to this close stability and to money saved from other years, I can finally rent an apartment with my girlfriend near my grandparents' house. It hasn't been easy and between the move and work, it's been difficult to have time to write. Luckily, now I am very advanced in the story in Drive, so every two weeks or so (I'll try to remember), I will publish two chapters (so you will have reading until next time hahaha). For now, you have three chapters until then, which is quite a lot hehehe
In any case, I'm sorry it took so long for me to update. As always, thank you everyone for reading, commenting, kudos, etc. Lots of love! &&&