Title: Of Compulsion and Infamy – Chapter 1
Author: Nevoreiel (lamort_noir@hotmail.com)
Pairing: Jack/Will Sr.
Rating: PG-13 (overall, so far)
Summary: William Turner is pulled to a life at sea and then to a life of piracy. What adventures are on the horizon, traveling with a captain who longs for infamy?
Disclaimer: All familiar characters and situations are Copyright by Walt Disney Pictures and Buena Vista Pictures, 2003. No infringement meant and no money made.
Warning: This story is slash (male/male relationship) in later chapters and contains a hint of het in this one. Characters may be a bit OOC. Minor spoilers for the movie.
Notes: This is pre-Pirates of the Caribbean and is Will Sr.'s point of view. Thanks to Silver for the beta and Quinn for the general comments. The story is dedicated to everyone who reviewed my other PotC stories.
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In my folly I thought that becoming a sailor, above all else, would be a grand adventure, a breath of sea air and a sight of exotic lands. I used to admire the way the cargo was quickly loaded or unloaded by the hardy deckhands. The sailors were dark skinned and bright eyed, a fierce nature about them. Compared to the cluttered grime of London, the sparkling sea seemed bliss.
Despite the protests of my family I enlisted myself to be trained as a seaman. The work was hard, true, but to me it would prove, beyond doubt, to be a rewarding experience once I was able to sail for bluer waters. After working at the docks and picking up talk from the sailors, I decided to put my courage to finding a Captain willing to enlist in my help.
Inquiring at the docks, I learned of a merchant ship, the "Content", that was in need of a sailor. After a talk with her Captain, an average man who did not look his part, I was to set sail in a few days' time. My family was in an uproar that I should abandon the city and the family line. They'd been hounding me to marry, suggesting a young well to-do woman, the daughter of a good family friend.
To my surprise she came for a visit with her father the day before my departure. We were left to our own devices as our parents discussed our future. I knew her father was getting restless, wanted to marry his daughter off while she was still a maiden.
She stood with eyes downcast, waiting for me to speak.
"How have you been, Miss Murray? Well, I hope?" I inquired.
She smiled, tight lipped. "As well as one could hope."
Her response seemed well rehearsed. I was sure she must've said that to any who cared to ask. This infuriated me. She as well as I knew what our families wanted – a marriage between us two.
Leaning in, I whispered heatedly, "Tell me, Miss Murray. Do you wish for this marriage? Do you care what decision will be brought out to us?"
She exhaled sharply and stared at me with dark eyes. She must've meant to look imposing but the effect of her stare was lost by the wisps of pale hair forming a halo around her head.
"To speak with complete candor, Mr. Turner, I wish to decide my own future. I've heard that you have done so and I suppose that was the reason for the great hurry."
Ah, she was no pawn, after all. I took a liking for her and she, sensing a change in me, relaxed her rigid stance.
There was a clatter of footsteps and my parents with Mr. Murray at their heels clambered through the door.
My father was the one who spoke for the company. "We've reached a conclusion. The dowry has been set and Joanna and you are to be wed as soon as possible."
"But I'm to sail tomorrow!" I felt dread welling inside. Surely they'd not resort to keeping me here by force.
"Ah, yes, the matter of your adamant wish to be a seaman. We've taken that into account. Once you've returned from your voyage, everything will be ready for a marriage. Is that satisfactory?" Whether I found it satisfactory or not, he seemed to be thoroughly pleased with his plan.
"Yes, it's satisfactory but what does Miss Murray have to say, I wonder?" The elders shifted uncomfortably at that.
"I shall await your return from the sea." Her glance told me plainly that she liked my aspect and was not as averse to my choice to become a sailor as everyone else plainly did.
"Splendid!" Mr. Murray had the look of a man who had a heavy burden lifted off his shoulders. After a few more niceties, they both departed.
Glad for some peace, I bade everyone goodnight and went up to my room to rest. Tomorrow's journey was sure to prove trying.
***
The sun beat down mercilessly. Though there was a breeze it did nothing to alleviate the burning heat. The work I was put to was unpleasant and there was almost no respite. I was told to unfurl the sails in order for us to finally get underway. The command sounded easier said than done. The one who was to help me warned me not to lose my balance up there on the yard line. Never one to lose my head, I was careful in my work and came down unscathed.
When the shore became a distant shimmer I turned to the endless stretch of ocean and delighted in the gleaming water. Most of the day I had to help with the sails, only earning a brief respite when it was time to eat. The Captain, I noticed, stayed in his cabin most of the time, having another sailor guide our sloop. I thought him a terrible Captain, after only that one day, and by the looks of his men, so did they. Naught but commands and reproaches issued from his mouth. We were to reach the Jamaican coast as soon as possible and he was intent on doing just that at our expense.
A storm caught us before we reached our destination and while the deck heaved underneath me I was afraid of being thrown off. I've never been tried so and it proved difficult to keep control of the rigging and sails, flapping wetly above. I've heard of the ferocity of the tropical storms but have never realized their true strength. The rain beat down in torrents and, the deck being slicked with it, I gave myself a fright, slipping on the wet boards. But I was rightful glad when I was not the one asked to mend the sail that had been ripped in the furious wind. I had no skill in that.
When the lookout cried out that land was near, I was slightly relieved. While the Captain was otherwise occupied I made my way to the bows and there squinted to get a look at the shore. It was but a hazy line on the horizon to me.
That day I learned the exhaustion of swabbing the deck. Although it made me feel safer as there was less chance I'd end up in the sea, though the water was sparkling blue, it was not a pleasant job. Before going below decks I stood at the bow and let the fine spray cool my face, looking wistfully at the darkening horizon. I slept fitfully, swaying with the movements of the waves. My skin, at first an angry red, had darkened to a deep tan. And my clothes were permeated with the smell of the sea. I really was a sailor.
The other sailors did not display any dislike to me and invited me to drink ale with them. The one who had advised me on the right way to unfurl the sails had afterwards given me more useful advice. Speaking softly, they had discredited the Captain and when I agreed with their deductions we were united in that respect.
Upon reaching the port my companions and I had to unload the cargo. The crates and barrels were not light and I marveled how quickly some sailors carried their cargo onto the dock. My arms strained with the heavy crates and I swayed, already lacking the lull of the ship's deck underneath my feet.
We were to stay in the port until the hull of the sloop was patched up. It was the carpenter's job so I did not have work as tirelessly as I had before. I explored the city of Port Royal with an avid interest. I've never before set foot on an English colony and everything seemed strange to me. The port was calmer than London and there was no drunken revelry in the streets though I was sure, if I were to enter a tavern, I would be greeted by the same drunken singing and smell of strong drink as in London.
I was idle for most of the time but when I was informed that we were to leave for England the next morning, I craved to stay longer. We picked up the provisions needed for the voyage and soon I had a rocking deck beneath my feet again.
The sky was overcast, making it much easier for me to carry on with my tasks but I feared another storm. Luckily it never reached us and I sighted land sooner than I expected. With a start I remembered the wedding and, ignoring the gulls flying overhead, spent the time in contemplation.
A sailor expertly guided the "Content" into the harbor and I made my way onto shore. The more I walked into the city, the fouler the air became. I missed the salty air of the sea already.
There was a flurry of activity when my family realized that I'd come home. There was a surprised silence when they actually stopped to take a look at me. I must've been darkened more than they realized I would be.
They dressed me up in a fancy suit and when everything was to their satisfaction, I was brought before a priest. The whole ceremony was brief and the night was fleeting. I had only a day left to spend with my new wife. And it seemed to me she was pleased to have so much freedom. She was to live in my parent's home until I was able to provide for a lodging of our own.
When I went back aboard the "Content", the men congratulated me while the Captain scowled and bade us to carry on with the work.
After our second trip I grew hardier and now the cargo did not prove such a burden. Every chance I got I would inquire of the ships sailing from England if there was any letter for me. The first few months were spent in comfortable correspondence. When I saw London again I was confronted with the most unexpected news. My wife was with child.
When we left port once more I was in a happy daze and my work seemed lighter though I was sure it never truly was. Next time I was in London my son was put into my arms. I gazed happily at William Turner and hoped that he would forgive me for being absent for such long stretches of time.
My pay was steadily building up and I was waiting for the moment I had enough for our own flat in the city. My clothes started wearing down and I had to purchase new ones with some of the money I received as pay. I took to wearing something about my head to stave off the heat. I was immersing myself in the sea.
We were bringing across a shipment of 20 gallons of rum to Hispaniola when a ship approached. It was not much larger than our own and I was ready to ask for any news from London when a black flag was hoisted up onto her masthead. The Captain was quickly informed and we set at it with a will. The deck was alight with a flurry of activity as we ran to and fro trying to put as much distance between the "Content" and the pirate ship.
I glanced at the distant ship and was jolted when I noticed that it was getting closer. The pirate ship fired a broadside in warning and some of the sailors advised the Captain to surrender. He would hear none of it and we kept up our merry chase, men crouching by the guns.
I strained to see how much a threat we were facing. I swallowed thickly when I realized that we were outnumbered three of them to one of us. They were armed to the teeth, and some, true to the saying, even had their knives in their teeth. Compared to the deck full of rowdy pirates, our small company did not look to stand a chance in saving our cargo.
A sword was thrust into my arms but I've never really used one and held it awkwardly. I didn't even realize that my hands were shaking. I glanced about and saw fear in my companions. Some were not faring much better with their swords than I was.
The ship approached from the stern and the guns proved useless. When the realization set in that we could not even fire a shot at them, someone tried hauling a swivel gun to the stern but was not fast enough. The Captain had conveniently disappeared from sight and I felt contempt for the coward. His men were to give their lives protecting his cargo while he protected his own skin?
There was another shot aimed at us and this severed the rigging, the sails sagging to one side – no escape now. I was startled as grapple hooks flew over and we were hauled closer. I stood immobile as pirates swarmed over the "Content"; there was a ringing in the air as some sailors engaged the pirates but found themselves outmatched. The pirates moved quickly and deftly over the ship. I was pushed to the side and out of the way. It was surprising to see that they were not aiming to harm anyone and it baffled me. When a cutlass was pointed my way I was quick to drop my own weapon; can't push our luck too far.
It was no mean feat for the pirates to gather the men together. There was hate now as well as fear in the merchant sailors for the intruders. I watched the proceedings raptly and imagined what it would be like to live a pirate's life. The buccaneers jeered at their captives and there was laughter. They walked with a self-important and commanding stride, they had no fear. I wondered if they realized that this incident was sure to be reported to the Admiralty Court. And if they did, were they going to make sure there would be no witnesses?
I felt helpless about the situation; there was nothing at all to be done to remedy this position. The pirates were in control and I was sure they'd use it to their advantage.
Their Captain, as I supposed him to be, walked in front of us, eyeing each in his turn. His hand gripped his sword but he walked with ease. He carried himself like a Captain should, smugly and the feel of power over his crew; not only in words but in actions, too. When he reached me he stopped and I was afraid he'd make me reveal the location of my non-existent gold. But instead he leaned closer and said, "What's yer name?"
"Will Turner." I raised my chin proudly and he grinned lopsidedly.
Addressing the whole crew he asked, "May I ask which one of ye is the Captain of this here vessel?" There was a silence when no one spoke up or stepped forward. The pirate crew looked menacing, some scowling fiercely.
"Well, speak up. You!" He rounded on me again. "Point him out, Will, won't you?"
Slightly jarred I stepped forward to get a better look at the men. The Captain stood hiding behind the larger frame of a sailor. He seemed to be pleading with me not to reveal him but I feared for my life more than I feared for a place on his ship. I pointed to him with my forefinger.
"Ah, good lad." He came close to the Captain and studied him for a moment. "Well, mate, we'll be taking your cargo and if you've a right mind you'll not interfere." When the Captain nodded happily along, the pirate smiled and turned to his crew. "Gentlemen, take what ye can!"
There was a shout as the men went for the hold of the "Content". We stood by helplessly with a few guards watching over us as the ship was looted and the casks carried over the plank to their ship. Someone carried off our spare sails and rope, as well as some of the powder. I was slightly amazed by this; I never would've thought that pirates would bother with such ordinary items.
They went on with their effort, some smiling, some scowling, but all content with their work. I felt jealous and was unsure why.
When the thieves had the last barrel out of the hold, their Captain stood before us once again. "All of you, men, I've a proposition. I'm never the one to force a man into piracy so who here wants to join us?" His eyes scanned over us, glinting merrily. "Just think of it and you'll realize the monetary gain. What say you?"
There was a murmur as some conferred and a few stepped forward. I felt a nagging in my heart and I realized that I wanted to join this brigand of unruly pirates. No matter what lawlessness they meddled in, it was surely more exciting than the monotony of a merchant sailor's life. And it seemed that it paid better, too.
Just as rashly as I decided to become a sailor, I decided to become a pirate.
When the pirate Captain saw me step forward, he grinned at me, flashing gold teeth, and I already felt welcome. He extended his arm to me and I gripped it firmly.
The man was full of good humor. "Welcome to me crew, Mr. Turner. I'm Captain Jack Sparrow and you, mate, made the right choice."
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A/N: Feedback appreciated.
