Disclaimer: If I don't get any money, does it truly matter if I believe that I own them?
AN: My muse seems to have had a minor stroke and is attempting to skip the middle of the story and go straight to the end, which would not work at all, so if updates seem to be coming slower or if the writing is slightly stilted that is the reason. I am still extremely grateful for each and every review. (There will only be one more pirate-torture scene if things go the way I think they are going, for those who think I'm being heavy-handed with Jack.)
A Taste of Misery
Part 11
"You would believe the word of this . . .woman . . .over that of a well-respected member of the British aristocracy?" The governor paced back and forth in front of his desk, while Norrington, the Turners and Ana-Marie stood politely—more or less—in front of him.
"This woman, father, helped to save my life, as did Jack Sparrow."
"I am well aware of that, Elizabeth. I hope that you will remember that the events you describe took place three years ago, Elizabeth, and that any debt we owed to the crew of the Pearl—or to Jack Sparrow—was repaid in full." He stopped pacing to face her. "Why are you even here, my girl? You should be home, resting, in a condition such as yours. I would have thought that you would put your wife and unborn child before any lingering sentiments for a pirate, Mr. Turner."
Will opened his mouth to protest but was never able to utter a sound.
"Father! I am pregnant, not ill, and if Mr. Turner had his way I would not have been allowed to set foot outside the house for the past five months, and would continue to be under house arrest until such time as I give birth to the babe or die of boredom!" She paused and continued in a more respectful tone. "Father, you were the one who convinced the Commodore to let Jack go last time. Have things really changed that much?"
"Elizabeth, much as I would like to believe . . .in fact, do believe . . .that Mr. Sparrow is not guilty of the massacre at Jade, it does not change the fact that he is a pirate. If I stay the execution for an investigation, what good will that do? He'll still swing for the crimes that he has committed." He turned to Norrington. "Perhaps you can explain what it is that you hope to accomplish."
"M'lord, I do not wish to hang a man with the guilt for a crime he did not commit burdened upon him. I wish for justice to be done. In these circumstances, that would mean postponing the execution until we can determine if what the lady states is true. Who knows what may happen during that time?"
"Are you suggesting what I think you are? You, the great pirate hunter himself? You believe in the man's innocence enough that you would let him go?"
"M'lord, I said nothing of the kind. I merely stated that plans often do not work quite the way that they are supposed to, especially when pirates are in the picture." Norrington stood easily at attention, meeting the governor's sharp gaze.
"If you truly believe that the man is innocent, then I will order a stay of execution until enquiries are made. Remember though, Commodore, that while we may be the law in Port Royal, we must still answer to the Crown."
"I am ever aware of my responsibilities to the crown, sir. In fact, releasing Sparrow might very well be in the best interests of the crown, at least so far as Port Royal is concerned." All eyes turned to towards Norrington. "My men have been rather bored for the last three years, Governor. You may have noted a distinct lack of pirate activity in the waters surrounding Port Royal since the incident three years ago, and while I would like to think that it is because they fear me, I very much doubt it is the true reason."
All eyes turned towards Ana-Marie, who merely shrugged, leaning back against the wall with her legs crossed in front of her. "A friendly warning here and there, Commodore, about disturbing the lives of those at Port Royal, that's all."
"Indeed." Norrington turned his gaze back to the governor. "Sir, much as I dislike saying this, if there are to be pirates in the Caribbean, I would much rather it be Jack Sparrow, who shows mercy to those who surrender, than someone such as Barbosa."
"Indeed, Commodore, I second that opinion. I will authorize the stay of execution and an expedition to return to Jade to find this mystery woman. I will also send an envoy back to the Old World to see if the tale of this Almorte is true. Until such time as both ships return with news, Jack Sparrow is to be kept under strict guard. Am I understood?" All four nodded. "If the results are in Sparrow's favor, and he has behaved himself, then perhaps the guard may be lessened, and something . . .unexpected could occur."
"There is another way, Governor." Will spoke slowly. "Jack could ask for amnesty. The Pearl is a good ship. She and her captain would make a handsome addition to the fleet as privateers."
Ana-Marie broke in before the governor could speak. "No, lad. Jack would ne'er ask amnesty nor would he accept it. His ship is his freedom, and ye'll never see him sail under someone else's flag."
"Even if it were his life on the line?"
"He's traded his life for you and your lady. I could easily have traded mine for his or for naught by coming ashore today. Friendship and freedom, lad, that's all Jack asks for in this world . . .that, and as much treasure and rum as he can get his hands on."
"You and I, Commodore, are going to pretend that we never heard this conversation." The governor settled behind his desk, shaking his head slightly, drawing parchment and paper towards him. Ana-Marie and the Turners left quickly, murmuring goodbyes. Norrington bowed and turned to follow them, but was stopped by a low cough from the governor.
"Commodore Norrington, in return for these favors, you are going to do two things. One, you will inform the garrison of what has transpired." Norrington nodded briskly. While not a task he greatly anticipated, it was his by right of rank, and he had already been planning how best to go about telling the men so as to not start a minor uprising. Many of them had known people who were transferred to the garrison at Jade to replace the men injured in the raid before the massacre.
"And two, Commodore," the governor paused, staring Norrington in the eye, "you will inform Silverfirth that Jack Sparrow will not be hanged tomorrow, and you will not allow him to leave and hunt me out until he has calmed down sufficiently that I will not be made prematurely deaf when he has had his stay. Is that clear?"
"Perfectly, m'lord." Norrington turned
briskly to go, but his stride was noticeably slower than usual.
If telling the garrison that Sparrow would not hang tomorrow was going to be hard, telling Silverfirth was going to be like taking a brisk walk through hell.
Jack Sparrow had best be worth the efforts, or Norrington would break tradition and personally tie the loop round the man's neck and drop the gate himself.
