Chapter Two – "The Broken Compass"

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The Pearl sailed on for several days, most of which were uneventful.  Though the crew worked steadily, none of them knew exactly where they were going.  Anamaria had compiled the best of buccaneer crews, and sailed out of Tortuga with a secret mission in mind.  Though they were skeptical, most trusted Captain Risotto to lead them to the treasure.

Jack Sparrow was no exception.  He was a born pirate, and had already plundered the Caribbean several times over.  However, the highest rank he'd been able to earn for himself was that of First Mate, and he desperately wanted a ship of his own.  But if First Mate was as good as it got, the Black Pearl was definitely the ship to serve on.  Fastest in the Caribbean, and what would probably one of the most famed ships at sea.  But Anamaria owned it, sailed it, and sure as hell wouldn't give it away.

This particular afternoon, the captain stood at her post, checking her compass.  Jack soon approached, glancing over her shoulder curiously.

"How exactly does that thing work…?"

Anamaria turned, arching a skeptical eyebrow at her mate. "Why do you want to know?"

He shrugged. "It doesn't point North…" He gently took it from her, turning it carefully in his hands as he studied it. "That's interesting…" Anamaria smiled.

"It doesn't point North because maybe I don't want to go north."  Jack blinked.  Anamaria took the compass back, turning it over and showing him an engraved picture on the back.  It showed a skull embedded in elaborate carvings.  "There is an isle of gold that cannot be found…except by those who already know where it is." She glanced over at him, a wry grin playing her lips. "And I intend to find it."

Jack studied the compass in her hand with intrigue. "How do you know you know where it is?"

Her answer was accompanied by a grin, and a quick spin of the wheel. "I don't." Jack returned her grin with a wry one of his own.

"Ah…" He took a seat on the rail. "Where did you come by this…treasure?" He took the compass back once more, holding it around his eye level as he examined every inch of it, as if trying to discover it's secret

"Stole it from a man in a Tortugan pub." She spun the wheel once more, tossing her slightly-dreaded hair out of her face. "And he apparently picked it up on an oriental trade route."

"Do you even know how to work it?"

          She turned to him,  his eyes narrowing. It was never a good idea to insult a woman, even indirectly. "Are you implying something, Jack Sparrow?"

He waved his hands dismissively in his typical manner, rising and approaching her.  "No no, luv, just a bit curious!" He shut the compass and bowed over-exaturatedly. 

She eyed him warily, snatching it out of his hand and kicking the toe of his boot slightly. "Get back to work…"

"Aye, Cap'n!" He smirked slightly to himself as he staggered off towards the rigging, leaving a somewhat agitated Anamaria at the wheel.