Disclaimer:  Still dreaming . . .

AN:  Family still questioning sanity—this is probably the third time my dad has asked me if I need professional help.  When will I learn not to let him read my things?  (This is the first story anyone outside my family has read—I've written a 138 word-processed-page story on my own characters that might, eventually, God willing, get published . . .I dream on.  I also write poetry—that was the first time I was asked if I needed professional help—and no one outside my family has read that either.)  Oh well.  Have fun.  More coming soon.

A Taste of Misery

Chapter 10

Ana-Marie started as Will placed a glass in front of her, running both hands over her hair before settling back in the seat and taking a tentative sip.

"I didn't know ye kept rum in your house, Will."  Ana-Marie seemed pleasantly surprised.

"Nor did I, dear William."  Elizabeth's voice was smooth and sharp as ice.  Will blushed a deep red and Norrington felt a twinge of pity for the man.

"It was for Jack, if he ever showed up unexpected again."

The small smile vanished off Norrington's face.  "Sparrow has been here?  After . . .the incident at the gallows?"

"Only once, Commodore.  He and his crew helped me finish the house.  They also stayed for the wedding."  Will smiled tiredly.

"They were here for the wedding?"  Norrington looked even less pleased.  "How, pray tell, did you manage that?  I had guards posted with orders to arrest any pirates on sight and send them straight to the gallows."

Will opened his mouth in indignation . . .and swallowed the comments as a smile played around Norrington's mouth again.

"You knew we were here?"  Ana-Marie stared in shock.

"I'm no fool, either . . .m'lady.  I knew that Sparrow would be there if he could, and it seemed to me that much more progress was being done on the house than was logical for one blacksmith . . .and unlikely that he would be singing that horrid pirate song . . .in a five-part harmony."  Elizabeth glared silently at Will, who blushed an even deeper shade of red.

"I'll deal with you later, William Turner."  She turned to Ana-Marie, who was attempting to hide a grin behind her glass.  "Where do you know Alsworn from?"

All hint of joviality abruptly emptied from the room.  "Is that what he calls himself?  I only saw him once before, and he was . . .on assignment.  He called himself Gregory Frindle then.  When Jack met him for the first time in Tortuga, he was calling himself Almorte.  Jack said that's some clever way of combining words and languages to say 'All Death'."  The female pirate grimaced, staring at the rum in her glass.

"So he's an assassin."  Norrington was listening avidly.

"Aye, and a bloody good one.  He's worked all over Europe, and when things get too hot there he comes here.  The first time Jack met him was just after Jack has been branded . . .and when Almorte had no scars.  Both were drunk.  The assassin saw the brand and commented on the ineptitude of certain pirates.  Jack thought the man had no business being in Tortuga at all.  They took it outside to decide with blades who was the better man.

"Before they fought, Almorte told Jack that he was an assassin . . .told him some of the marks he had taken.  He was drunk, and thought that Jack would be an easy kill, and in a place like Tortuga, it wouldn't really have mattered if he had killed him.  He was wrong.  I don't know if it was because Jack was honestly the better swordsman or was just less drunk or just got lucky, but he drew first, second and fourth blood, as well as the victory."

"So he scarred him.  That's no reason to come after Jack now."  Will stated, confusion in his voice.

"No, it wouldn't have been.  An assassin relies on remaining inconspicuous until the time is right to strike, and Almorte could still manage that.  In fact, the scars gave him an added weapon to use . . .pity.  The rich snobs would pity the poor man who had nothing, not even his honor.  As long as he . . .how did Jack put it? . . .'made all his marks', he was still in business.

"Then Jack ran into him again, two years ago, on a raid on a merchant vessel.  He had a target on board the ship, and Jack relieved him of the man and his wife . . .a French businessman and his English wife, checking the line and visiting the ladies relatives who had taken up residence in the Caribbean.  He got a fine ransom for the pair.

"They also got something for their trouble, though.  The man had been making a nuisance of himself for over three weeks, and his wife was always either complaining or fainting.  Jack doesn't take insults to his ship and crew lightly, but he couldn't well kill the pair."  The pirate paused again.

"He didn't . . .even Jack wouldn't do something that stupid . . ."  Elizabeth trailed off.

"The Frenchman had finished swearing at him in French and the lady was lying on the deck in another faint.  Jack had had enough.  He gave him a choice.  One, shut up or walk the plank.  Two, shut up or he'd return them to Almorte.  I'm not sure whose face was more priceless . . .the Frenchman's when he realized that Jack had saved his life, or Jack's when he realized what he had said.  It didn't take a genius to determine that the assassin had to be the new crew man—the one with three scars on his left cheek.  By the time they were through blabbering, most of France knew who he was, and the news was traveling."

"Yet we haven't heard a thing about the man here."  Norrington tapped one hand on the tabletop in a steady tempo.

"Nay, ye wouldn't have . . .he dropped out of sight again some nineteen months ago, and so people stopped talking.  It takes time for news to reach here from the Old World, Commodore, and they honestly don't consider many of the people here worth assassinating."

"So Jack scarred him and ruined his career."  Will stated bluntly.

"Aye."


"In return he's going to hang Jack for a crime that he didn't commit—a crime that Alsworn . . .or Almorte . . .or whoever he is probably paid for."

"Aye.  He chose a new name, too, and an English one.  Alsworn.  I'm willing to bet it's 'All Is Sworn' mutilated like 'All Death' so that it's not as distinguishable."

Everyone fell silent.

"This is madness."  Will rose from the table and began pacing back and forth.  "Why go to all this trouble?"

"To hurt Jack the way that he was hurt, Will.  A scar is difficult to conceal on the face . . .three is impossible.  Jack took everything he had away from him, and the man is returning the favor.  He's taken Jack's life, his reputation, and, in bringing him back to Port Royal, he's convinced the man he's taken his friends.  And if it is madness, since when has sanity followed Jack?"  Elizabeth moved to comfort her husband, but he had already moved towards the bedroom.

He reappeared seconds later, his sword strapped to his side and a determined set to his face that Elizabeth had seen before.

"Will . . .not this time.  Not like this, Will!"

"Mr. Turner, consider the fact that you have a child on the way before you act rashly."  Norrington had risen as well.  "Also consider the fact that this time, the law is, for once, on the side of the pirate.  This woman's story strings together as smoothly as Silverfirth's, and is in fitting with the man's reputation."  Norrington paused.  "Also, consider who your wife is."

"Will, my father can grant a stay of execution.  We just have to convince him.  Please."  Gazing his wife in the eye, Will nodded, the motion barely perceptible, and pulled her into a tight embrace.

When the two broke apart moments later, it was to find that Ana-Marie had already left the room and was waiting somewhat impatiently outside, while Norrington stood in the doorway.

"Well, then, what are we waiting for?  Let's go save the day."  The smile that Will gave to accompany his words was small, but it reassured Elizabeth in a way that nothing else could have.