So I'm starting this chapter, having not even posted the last one. It is to be hoped that this means I can post sooner.

UPDATE. Well, that didn't happen. It still took me forever to write this. *sigh*

While you're reading this chapter, please realize that I did the different POV sections purposely small this time. I'm not quite sure why, but I did do it on purpose.

Much love to my forever-wonderful beta, ThePenMage!

Ugh. I think there's a spider in my pajamas. I've got small and itchy bites all over my bum. I'm going to go change my pants. *runs off*

And continuing with a small thing called a plot

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Chapter Three

Founder's Day, Part One

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At the blacksmith's shop

"So what is that you're doin' now?" Captain Jack Sparrow leaned towards the anvil, where Will Turner was working on his latest project.

"It's called 'making a sword' and it's very long and very complicated and I'd appreciate it if you'd stop asking questions!" Will snapped irritably. Jack had been asking irrelevant questions all morning, all of them along the lines of "So what does this do?" or "So how does this work?" Undoubtedly, he was trying to persuade Will to release him on the town at an earlier hour.

Jack raised his hands in mock surrender. "Jus' tryin' to further my store of knowledge," he said pleasantly, and strolled to the window. "It looks as if the entire town is drunk," he observed.

Will gave up trying to work with Jack still in the shop. Shoving the blade back into the forge, he strode through the half-light of the smithy and peered through the window next to Jack.

The town was indeed drunk. It seemed that the entire male population of Port Royal was stumbling through the streets, calling out at any bit of skirt they happened to see. And those wearing the skirts were entirely sober, either.

"Fine," Will sighed. "Go. Have your fun. Buy your rum. Then leave. And take care not to get caught!"

Jack grinned and yanked the door open, strolling out into the street with his customary sway. Will shook his head and turned back to the forge. Glancing at his pocket-watch, he realized that the Founder's Day Ceremony was to begin in less than two hours — as Elizabeth's suitor, he was asked to attend.

Although he wasn't overly fond of the formality that usually accompanied such gatherings, Will had resolved to show up at this one. He thought that perhaps his attendance might soften Governor Swann's feelings towards his courting Elizabeth — the man had been decidedly cold of late.

Will moved through the shop to his room, resigned and ready to wash the grime from his face and hands and dress himself for such an occasion. The one cheerful thought in his mind was that at least he'd be able to see Elizabeth again.

***

On board the Deception

Massive splashes marked the lowering of both port and starboard anchors. Captain Demon looked appraisingly at the town of Port Royal, barely visible over a hill of the island.

"Lower one longboat off the starboard side!" she yelled. Winches and pulleys creaked as her orders were obeyed. Another splash signaled that the boat was ready to go.

Her crew thronged around her, awaiting more orders. She surveyed them, her gaze calculating, her sharp mind considering.

"Thatcher," she said finally. "Winchley, Chase, hmm Two-Bit, Pryce, and Thomas. You're with me." She grinned, the ruby in her canine tooth flashing red. "We've a bit of a pinch to make."

Striding to the side of her ship, she climbed down the ladder, breeches billowing in the brisk breeze. Demon moved to the prow of the longboat, waiting as the rest of her impromptu raiding party gathered behind her. At her command, they pushed off from the Deception, and strong arms rowed the oars, bringing her closer to her prey with every pull.

Demon smiled again, ruby glinting as she expressed the predatory crazed happiness that she was becoming known for. It was the smile before the kill.

Or in this case, before the kidnapping.

***

At the governor's mansion

Elizabeth, too, was readying herself for the Founder's Day Ceremony. Three maidservants fluttered around her, literally stitching the gown to her form. Elizabeth looked over her shoulder at the full-length mirror and glowered at her reflection.

The gown turned out to be one of the most elaborate she had ever worn, a lavender taffeta creation she was mortally afraid of ruining. Seven flounces graced the skirts, which trailed out into a long tail. Lace was sewn on every flounce, as it was along the sleeves, which reached to her forearms, and the neckline, which was noticeably lower than many of her other gowns. The skirts parted in the front to reveal paler purple petticoats, and even more flounces with lace. Tiny pearl buttons marched from the part in the skirt to the neckline. A whalebone corset was included in the bodice, but due to past experience it wasn't laced as tightly as it could have been.

Elizabeth had been standing for over half an hour as her maids tailored her into the perfect presentable daughter that the governor so wanted. The process had not been entirely enjoyable, mostly due to her company.

Anne, a maid Elizabeth found to be particularly trying, had been narrating the entire process. "–and next comes the matching overskirt, oh, doesn't that just look lovely?" Anne beamed.

"Mm-hm," Elizabeth answered, tight-lipped.

Meanwhile, another maid, Joanna, was nearly finished with the buttons. She had been unconsciously counting under her breath as she did each one. Emily seemed to be having trouble with the buttons, so each number was drawn out. " forty-thhhrrrrrreee forty-foooouuur"

The third maid, Charity, apparently had a habit of humming nonsensical tunes under her breath. She had been doing so for the past twenty minutes.

Elizabeth was ready to scream.

Finally, a matching purple hat was pinned to her hair, and she was allowed to leave for the ceremony. She rode alone in the carriage, as her father would be entering in a royal carriage, as a formal part of the ceremony. He assured her that he would be along shortly.

***

Elsewhere in town

A brisk knock sounded on the smithy's door, and Will strode to open it. Before him stood two soldiers in uniforms of the Royal Navy, and behind them, a carriage festooned with the colors of England.

"Here for the order, sir," announced one soldier smartly.

"Back here," Will answered, leading the way. The soldiers followed him to the table on which all the swords were piled. Each soldier took a case, careful not to put it in the least bit of danger from falling. The cases were stacked carefully and efficiently in the back of the carriage.

After all of the swords were successfully moved, the soldiers climbed in.

"Thank you," one of them said, tipping his hat.

"A moment, before you leave," Will said, frowning slightly. "Just where are you planning to take these?"

"Right up to the governor's mansion," a soldier answered, gesturing to the ceremony grounds. "We're to escort Governor Swann to the Founder's Day Pavilion, and he's to award them during the ceremony."

Will nodded, satisfied. He watched the carriage roll away through the crowded streets, hearing the soldier's shout to clear the way.

Pulling the door to his shop tightly closed behind him, Will walked out into the street. A long cloak billowed as he moved, protecting his best trousers and shirt from the dust of the street. With his hair pulled back into a smart ponytail, Will allowed himself to relax a small bit; in these clothes he could pass for any well-to-do merchant, and wouldn't stand out too much at the ceremony.

He was walking against the flow of the crowd; most townspeople that were still capable of going anywhere were going towards the taverns, and the half-price drinks. Will sidled past crowds of people and sometimes wove through the tables that stood in front of taverns as he tried to find the easiest way to the ceremony grounds.

Turning sideways yet again to edge past the latest group of drunken men, something caught Will's eye. Captain Jack Sparrow sat at one of the many streetside tables, this one in front of the Royal Guardsman, a popular tavern.

Jack was scanning the crowd as he downed a tankard of what was undoubtedly rum. His eyes passed over Will unseeingly, but his gaze immediately returned once he realized who it was. Will inclined his head, and Jack raised his drink in acknowledgement.

However, the companionable moment soon passed. Jack, seeing the barmaid pass by, eyed her appreciatively before presumably ordering more drink, though his words couldn't be heard through the noise of the crowds. Will shook his head and turned back into the crowd, pushing past a group of intent-looking men and a woman with remarkably red hair.

***

At a table in front of the Royal Guardsman

After calling out for more rum, Captain Jack Sparrow turned back to the street, watching the feather of Will's hat melt into the crowd. He shook his head ruefully; the boy was altogether too fond of that hat.

Looking around again, Jack laughed as he watched a royal carriage try and force its way through the crowd. A soldier was shouting orders, but the townspeople were completely disinclined to make way. Consequently, the carriage was making little headway.

Still chuckling softly, Jack lifted his tankard to his lips, only to slam it down irritably on the table when it was rediscovered as empty. He leaned back in his chair, looking for the barmaid.

A finely attuned sixth sense focused Jack's attention on an odd group of people. Pretending to nurse his empty tankard, he peered subtly into the mass of people, his trained eye picking out details.

A band of men — and one woman, he realized — moved with a singular look of purpose. They looked rough around the edges, and the woman was wearing entirely common clothes — common men's clothes.

Shoving people carelessly, the group found the quickest route to be along the side of the street — closer to Jack.

The woman pulled ahead of the men, striding purposefully forward. "Hurry up, mates," she muttered. Since he was concentrating on them, Jack was able to pick out their voices above the general hum of the crowd.

"Righto, Cap'n," answered one of the men. They shoved forward and were soon lost in the crush of people, without noticing that Jack's eye still followed them.

Jack frowned slightly. "Now that's interesting," he murmured to himself. He spent a few seconds in thought before noticing the barmaid close by again. He shrugged, pushed the odd gang of people from his mind, and called out once more, "Woman! More rum! A man's throat could run dry!"

***

Outside the governor's mansion

Demon crept through the tangle of trees in front of the governor's mansion, outside the fence. Her spot crew prowled along behind her.

She shook her head. "The people in this town," she sneered. "Get a couple drinks in them and they don't even notice when pirates walk down the main street!" Quiet snickers met her comment.

Demon returned her thoughts to the task at hand. "All right, gents," she said without turning around. "The man we need is in that grand hou—"

She cut herself off, hearing a noise. The rattling of carriage wheels drifted from the down the path. "Hide!" she commanded. Trained as they were, the pirates quickly melted into the surroundings.

What could only be a royal carriage came rolling up the path, wreathed in red and white. As it passed by the place where they crouched in concealment, Demon could faintly make out the only visible soldier muttering to himself.

"—bloody drunkards, no respect for the crown, none at all, I was about to get down and—" The carriage passed out of earshot, through the gate and into the circular drive.

"As I was saying," Demon continued. "The man we need is in tha—" She paused again.

The door to the governor's mansion swung open, revealing a footman and a man in expensively tailored clothes and a formidable wig.

"Governor Swann," greeted the soldier. Your order is inside the carriage, and we are ready to escort you to the ceremony." The governor inclined his head and moved to the carriage, ready to ascend.

Demon made a split second decision. "Pryce, Chase, Two-Bit," she hissed. "Scurry across that path, and we've got the perfect pinch." Three burly men wrestled free of the trees and dashed across the road.

The carriage began to move again, completing the circle in order to exit out the same path — and pass right between Demon's crew. The unsuspecting soldier whistled quietly as he drove the horses.

As the carriage neared, weapons were readied and muscles were tensed. When it drew even with them, the pirates sprang from the forest, Demon vaulting into the driver's seat while her crew pulled open the carriage door.

" 'Ello, mate!" she greeted the soldier cheerfully before sliding her dagger between his ribs. He died with a look of complete confusion.

As the carriage ground to a halt, a gurgle behind her indicated the death of the second soldier. Demon swung down from her perch and peered into the compartment. "You're just the person I wanted to see!" she declared happily.

The governor huddled in a corner, too terrified to tremble. He gazed across to the other seat, where the soldier lay crumpled against the wall, blood pouring from his neck. Governor Swann looked at the fall of blood, watching it splash onto his shoes, and slumped into a dead faint.

Demon grinned. "Well, this makes things considerably easier!" she announced. "See if you can't all fit into there, now, gents." Obediently, the five men squeezed into the compartment, neglecting even to remove the dead man.

"And we'll be back to the Deception in no time!" Demon ended, climbing back up into the driver's seat. She whipped the horses to a canter and headed back to town.

***

Well, there you are! I hope you enjoyed. And you know the governor would faint when faced with bloodshed. Look what a weenie he was during the fight on the Dauntless!

Now, I know exactly where I'm going with this fic. (Oh, you better believe it.) So keep checking back! And don't forget to leave your note for posterity (i.e. review)!

-Lydia

PS. Saw IT for the seventh time on Sunday. *sighs contentedly* Life is good.

PPS. For future reference to other writers: Listing the pairing mentioned in the summary gets a LOT less confusing and just overall better looking if you use a slash. (no, not write slash. Let me explain.) For example, instead of saying WillElizabeth or WE or whatever, you write W/E. It really works well. Use this! Spread it! It makes it a lot easier if everyone is on the same page!

Bye again!

-Lydia