Title: Of Compulsion and Infamy – Chapter 2
Author: Nevoreiel (lamort_noir@hotmail.com)
Pairing: Jack/Will Sr. (hints)
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). 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.
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I stood on deck of the "Swift", as the pirates had named their vessel, looking back at the stranded merchant ship. I wondered if they'd be rescued; they would not survive with the provisions left them and no means to go ashore. But they were no longer a concern to me. Although, for an unknown reason, I felt that they would be all right.
I signed the Articles of Conduct and, compared to the things I've heard contained in such agreements, they were completely reasonable. The men on board were rowdy, true, but they worked with a happier air about them. As they should, with seventy men to do the jobs assigned to the crew of less than twenty on the merchant ship.
Standing idle, I watched Captain Sparrow at the wheel. He was staring intently ahead. Wondering as to what our destination was, I walked up to him and thought it would be wise to ask. "Where are we off to, Captain?" The sun beat into my eyes, glinting of the waves. I envied the Captain his hat then, it seemed to do an admirable job of keeping the glare of the sun at bay or maybe it was the dark smudges around his eyes. Whatever it was, it was certainly working as the Captain was not squinting.
"If all goes right then we'll be docking at Nassau Port in a day or two." His gaze never left the water as his hands rested on the dark wood.
"Why there?"
His lip curled into a smile as his amused eyes took stock of me. "This ship don't restock itself, you know? Can't get all ye need from a merchant vessel, savvy?"
Feeling a bit foolish, I marveled why I had even asked the question. I've heard talk that pirates held control of that particular Port and a few others besides.
With the setting of the sun, the heat lessened and the crew descended into the Great Cabin for the evening meal. The salted meat was passable and I never expected better but it felt strange when a cask of rum, I'd been helping to transport, was rolled into the cabin and the drink freely poured.
When the first cask was exhausted, a second one was brought in. Here, Captain Sparrow intervened. And that was just as well, as some men had had too much and were looking for a good reason to start a fight, waving around their pistols and recounting tales of old exploits.
"The rum is to be consumed wisely, men, we're gonna need it in Port. I've thought that it would fetch a hefty price and make us a profit, aye?" His voice carried over the din and all answered as one with a loud "Aye!" With some reluctance the cask was rolled out.
When it was time to settle down for the night, I was restless and instead stood on deck, smelling the breeze and listening to the break of waves on the hull of the "Swift". To my surprise, the Captain joined me.
"Are ye finding piracy to your liking?"
The question surprised me and I looked at him to see if he was sincere. His face was calm and there was no ill humor in it. "So far it hasn't been what I'd thought it'd be."
"Oh, things are never as you hear." Captain Sparrow smiled and some of his cheerfulness returned.
I found myself returning the smile. "But where's the adventure? Surely there'll be adventure."
He leaned in closer and swung his arm about my shoulders. The gesture was strangely personal. "Ah, a man after me own heart. There'll be adventure, just you wait." His hand spanned the dark waters. "We've the whole ocean on which to wreak hell."
***
The weather was bright and a cool breeze picked up as the sun was setting. We maneuvered into port without any mishaps. The sight itself was breathtaking; the masts of the moored ships stood out in sharp contrast to the dark blue sky, their sails flapping with the wind.
I breathed in deeply and the air was permeated with the smell of seaweed. My duty for the day was finished and I took full advantage of my free time. Curious, I made my way over to the helm and stood a respectable distance away from the Captain. My eyes slid over the town curving with the shore line and over the man's back, strong and straight.
Suddenly his head whipped to the side and I followed his line of sight. The ship was magnificent. It was anchored just offshore, gently moving with the tide. The three masts stood tall among the smaller vessels; this was surely a galley.
I was called to the Captain's side and he pointed the vessel out to me. "What do you think of that ship?"
"It's a worthy one. Are you thinking of obtaining it? If so, it would surely be a costly bargain."
A smile spread on Captain Sparrow's face and he looked at me with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Yes, I've set my heart on obtaining that ship but I'm sure I and her owner can come to an agreement."
Even though I've not yet been around long enough to know the exact meaning of that particular gleam, I knew that the Captain had a plan. I wondered if it would be wise to ask the exact details of the plan but whatever he came up with I would be expected to execute. "Pardon for asking but what exactly are we going to have to do, Captain?"
The smile never left his face and he hollered for the crew to gather around him. After he was done explaining, everyone was a bit skeptical but the promise of more riches was greater and everyone was in agreement.
***
The crew all went their separate ways. I was given another sword and a pistol but did not know what to do with them. The Captain took one look at me and I thought he would either laugh uproariously and kick me off the crew or become angry and kick me off the crew. Either way I'd be hard pressed to decide for a future path. What I didn't expect was being taken along, the sword disappearing to wherever it came from in the first place, along with the pistol.
He grabbed my upper arm and shaking his head with amusement dragged me along, another deck hand, carrying a cask of rum, followed. He leaned in and said with a hint of amusement, "Wouldn't want you to be cut up on your first adventure now, would we?" His brows furrowed. "Though I'd have thought you'd be taught some fine sword fighting skills. Well, we'll remedy that once the time allows. Come along now, we'll take this port by storm." The grin was infectious and I smiled along with him.
As we made our way to the beautiful ship, I was not sure if it was I holding onto him or I was helping Captain Sparrow stay upright. It was surprising, really, that the Captain was so unstable on land, he did not look old enough to have been at sea much longer than I. But one can never judge such a thing by age alone.
We took a small boat, pouring on the rum generously to its owner with the promise that we would return it. I think it was the rum that convinced him. I was the one rowing but somehow I didn't mind, the work was not as taxing as I though it would be, at least I was spared from hauling the rum cask.
The guard on duty craned his neck to get a good look at us, when rum was mentioned the rope was promptly thrown down. Everyone on board was plied with as much rum as they could take before finally they fell into a stupor. Tasting the liquor myself, I could not understand how one could stand it but the Captain was happy enough to get a cup or two himself. I had to remind him that there was work to be done and it'd do no good to get drunk now.
"Good thinking, William." The Captain tapped his own head and winked.
The men on board were heavy and it took some time to get them all into a boat and send them on their way. To my surprise we actually did return the little boat to its owner, though I was betting it was for more practical reasons than anything else. Stepping ashore we proceeded to help ourselves to whatever we wanted from the town.
The Port was strangely quiet except, of course, for the sound of breaking glass and triumphant laughter of the pirate crew. They were given free reign of Nassau and now the town was being looted for all it was worth.
We passed a pile of sleeping men, all clutching empty bottles. Resolutely the Captain took me by the arm and proceeded down a side street. We came upon a smithy. He pushed the door and it opened silently. Walking in, I felt slightly uncomfortable.
Captain Sparrow studied the swords and daggers on display. Picking one out he weighted it, seemed to think about it and threw it to the floor taking another one in hand. He handed the sword to me and I held it stupidly.
"What'd'you say to that? Feels all right?"
Awkwardly I gripped the handle and extended it in front of me, scrutinizing the dull gleam of the blade. "What exactly am I supposed to be feeling for here?"
He laughed and shook his head, making me even more uncomfortable. "It'll do for now. Now to find you a suitable sheath for it." The Captain went back to rummaging through the shop, finally finding what he was looking for.
He helped me strap it on and I let him. His touch was sure and I stood stock still, gasping when he tugged a little harder then needed to put the final knot in it.
We walked outside and he motioned for me to follow, I was only too glad. Sighting a house that looked wealthy we found the door locked. I was ready to try another house but the Captain just rammed the door with his shoulder and it gave way. The lock must've been flimsy.
The Captain sauntered in and I quickly followed him. The house was quiet and I wondered where its occupants had gone off to; probably to a tavern or other such place.
While Captain Sparrow rifled through the silver and jewelry I decided to take something worthwhile. The clothing I found in the house was a little too big for me but it was much better than the clothing I was wearing – once white now dirty and uncomfortable. I took an extra pair of boots and a coat as well. The cut of the coat was exquisite and the boots had silver buckles; I wondered just whose house we were plundering.
Suddenly I heard an indistinct noise to my right and, on some strange instinct, I drew the unfamiliar sword. The steel zinged agreeably as it drew along the leather.
The shadows shifted and out of the darkness I could make out a silhouette of a man. He held a pewter plate over his head and was moving closer to the unsuspecting Captain. I was shocked into action when the plate was brought back and then down, being aimed at the Captain's head. It felt like a reflex to thrust the blade through the man. The flesh gave way remarkably easily and the man stumbled, the plate dropping from his fingers, hitting the floor with a clatter.
Captain Sparrow was quick to turn about and his face showed astonishment, a golden goblet clutched in one hand, his pistol in the other. When he saw the man impaled on my sword, slowly sliding off while I stood and did nothing, his eyes widened in surprise.
"Ah, well, hadn't meant for that to happen today." He put his pistol away and he shifted uneasily, maybe waiting for me to speak.
With a wet sound I drew the sword all the way out and the man fell to the floor at our feet, his hands still spasming. I hadn't meant to do anything of the sort at all, hadn't meant to take out the sword much less to kill someone with it. The blood glistened grotesquely on the blade and I dropped the sword, repulsed. The dark blotch on the man's white shirt was spreading and I stared at it fixedly, the dark eating away at the light.
Captain Sparrow threw the goblet over his shoulder and kneeled next to the now still body, his fingers feeling for a pulse. Shrugging good-naturedly he took up the sword and, grabbing a sizeable length of the man's shirt, he cleaned off the blood. The blade shining once more, he proffered it to me, handle first.
Shaking my head, I stepped back, my eyes drawn to the sightless ones of the corpse. His gaze still seemed to hold surprise.
"Now, William. That was bound to happen sooner or later. You're a pirate, what did you expect? Don't be foolish and take the sword."
My gaze flitted from the handle to the dark eyes, like two black holes in the Captain's face. His voice had been soft and non-judgmental if the words were harsh.
Reluctantly, I took the sword and he was quick to let go of the sharp blade. I sheathed it as quickly as my fumbling hands would allow and turned to leave the house. The Captain said nothing and followed behind.
His stride lengthened to match mine and he sidled up along me, flashing his gold teeth when I chanced to glance his way. This time I ignored the smiles, though it did nothing to dampen them.
Before I realized where I was going, we were standing next to our old sloop. Kicking out at the empty air I pivoted and made my way to our new vessel.
Some of the crew members were already loaded with treasure of all sorts. They roared with laughter ad congratulated each other on their good fortunes.
I stopped short of the gathering, the Captain stepping forward and addressing the men. "The fortunes have smiled upon us and I we'll take heart and see that they do not abandon us. Men! Stock up for a long voyage. We're to sail to Madagascar and try out skill at the loot that lies in the East! This here, the Black Pearl, will serve us right." The name was not that strange, I thought but the way the Captain looked at it lovingly was a little unnerving.
There were cheers and the men spilled over the dock, taking food and drink and rope. All was piled into boats. I stood very still with the wind passing over me, seeing all and nothing and was very startled when a hand closed upon my shoulder. Whipping my head to the side, I stared at the offending hand, adorned with a multitude of rings. Rolling my eyes up, I saw that the hand belonged to Captain Sparrow.
Breathing deeply, I ignored the warm weight and when he spoke, the words broke over me, the meaning obscured. I just listened to the deep timbre of his voice, which alone calmed me. He spoke of how beautiful Madagascar and the Indies would be. I nodded at the appropriate moments.
The absence of his voice, replaced with the rather loud voices of the crew, startled me out of my empty gazing. I glanced sideways at him to see the cause of his silence. The Captain looked at me solemnly and I awaited some reproach or some remark at my squeamishness. I was astonished to hear his next words.
His face calm, dark eyes glinting with the light of lanterns at the dock, he spoke softly to me. "You saved me from a knock on the head, maybe more. Do not abuse yourself over it. I offered you my protection and, instead, you were the one who did what needed to be done to protect me. For that I owe you thanks."
He extended his hand to me and, somewhat relived after his little speech, I gripped it, my face relaxing into a more pleasant expression. Taking that as a sign of acceptance, the Captain pulled me to him and thumped me on the back, still gripping my hand. His head rested on my shoulder the barest of moments and his chest pressed to mine. I forgot to breathe as his heart beat with a reassuring rhythm against my chest. When he pulled away, it felt colder somehow.
I stood to the side as he shouted orders. When all was ready for departure, he beckoned me after him and I followed him to a waiting boat. Looking overboard, I studied the water intently, ignoring everyone in the boat but still feeling the line of heat where the Captain was pressed against me on one side. I passed the trip without uttering a word.
When we were hauled on board, I found myself an unobtrusive spot and watched our provisions and looted treasures piled on board. The sails unfurled with a dry rustling. I looked at the dark sky, then down into the dark water. I rubbed my arms though it was not particularly cold and held the Port in sight as we sailed away. Some lights were still burning and I wondered when the people of Nassau would realize that they've been robbed.
Sighing heavily, I looked away to find the Captain standing next to me. I shook my head at his persistence. What was I to him in a crew of almost a hundred? I would feel more reassured if there was something that he needed from me. I could not really believe that I interested him when there were those who were more pirate than I was.
"You look like you need some cheer." His eyes were fixed on me as he said it. When I did not answer, he continued, "Care to join me in my quarters? I've dinner all laid out but it does scar the heart to eat it all by me onesises."
I was tempted to smile at his earnest tone and the way his eyes wondered but managed to restrain myself. Instead I nodded and followed him to the stern.
To be Continued…
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A/N: Feedback appreciated.
