Chapter 3
For being a girl, she was quick. Will relied on his quick feet to follow her through the narrow streets. The pounding feet of soldiers could be heard rumbling after them mingled with indignant shouts. A loud blast left Will near unawares. A bullet grazed his head. He fell to his knees, cupping the wound. Katherine sprinted back to him, yanking him to his feet.
" Come on. We have to escape before we can worry about petty wounds."
All Will could see was the blood pouring into his hand with each heartbeat.
" I'd hate to see what you think of as a fatal wound, Miss Sparrow."
She rolled her eyes.
" A fatal wound would mean you are dead and no longer my problem, Mr. Turner."
~*~
The crew of the Black Pearl could hear the hullabaloo in the port and leaned over the railings. A troop of soldiers could be seen coming, led by Mrs. Norrington. Jack let loose a stream of curses that would have made a sailor proud.
" We leave now."
Mr. Gibbs paused.
" What about young Turner?"
Jack pressed his lips together, his brown eyes sad.
" Katie will have to put up with him till this dies over."
Mr. Gibbs only shook his head.
" The lad is sentenced to death then. That woman has the tongue of a witch, if you pardon me saying so, Captain."
Jack glanced at him sharply.
" She bears my name. I expect a bit more respect towards her or I'll leave you with her one time."
Mr. Gibbs visibly shuddered as he left the Captain's side mumbling.
" Poor Turner. Poor, poor lad."
Jack sighed, yelling out orders half-heartedly. They easily left the port unharmed. Jack glanced back at the fading isle.
" You would have done the same with me, Will. He who falls behind," Jack turned forward, forcing the young blacksmith from his thoughts, " Is left behind."
~*~
Will was blindly led into a huge mansion. Katherine sat him at a table, pressing an apron to his head.
" Nasty wound."
Women bustled in with loud gasps and whispers.
" Miss Sparrow, what is this?"
Katherine glanced up.
" He is hurt, can't you see that? Tell Frank to fetch me a doctor at once."
The servants scurried from the room.
Will squinted up at her, using the table to keep himself steady. The blood loss made him light headed. Katherine handed him a glass of water.
" Drink this and stay put."
A loud thumping came at the door. Katherine watched the butler answer it. She brushed off her skirts.
" Stay here and say not one word, even on pain of death." She whispered.
Will shook his head.
" Why should I trust you?"
She shrugged slightly.
" I can make sure your neck is not stretched."
Will nodded.
" I will follow your orders."
~*~
Katherine Sparrow brushed her skirts nervously again as she entered the main hall.
" To what do I owe this disturbance?" She asked sharply, causing every soldier to wince.
" A wanted man was seen coming this way. Surely you would allow us to search the premises?"
Katherine shook her red head. She lifted her chin.
" I know this man." She leaned in conspiringly. " Surely you know that Mrs. Norrington was taken mad in Port Royal? After being captured by Barbossa and then Captain Jack Sparrow, she has just never been the same. I would call her a bit looney if you ask me." She straightened just as quickly as she had leaned in. " Plus, this "wanted" man, as you say, was trying to help poor Mrs. Norrington. She mistook him for a pirate fiend. He was scared and ran; and he is under my protection at the moment."
The captain strode forward purposefully. She stood her ground.
" Are you saying Mrs. Norrington, the wife of an upstanding officer is first, crazy and that you are holding a felon in this house?"
Katherine leaned back a bit with a tempting smile.
" I am saying that if you do not believe my story, your career will definitely end."
The man's chin rose.
" Fine, have it your way, Miss Sparrow, but I'll have my eye on this place."
Katherine waved a hand.
" If you do apprehend my friend, I will have it known to the whole city that you have taken the son of William Turner captive. That would be quite a sight to see."
The captain blanched. He tipped his hat.
" Good day, Miss Sparrow."
Katherine curtsied, following them to the door.
" God be with thee, Captain Lexington."
~*~
Will slumped in the chair, trying to keep his eyes open. He heard Katherine return to the room.
" Mr. Turner, can you walk?"
Suddenly then, a clamor of action turned her head. Katherine rose.
" I'm glad you came with such haste, Doctor. He could have been dead by the time you finally came." Katherine snapped. " This is the only child of William Turner."
The doctor suddenly became frantic, giving orders. Will finally closed his eyes. He had had enough of the pain.
~*~
Will forced his eyes open, squinting against the bright sunlight filtering in. He stretched, wincing at the faint throbbing in his head.
" William Gregory Turner, wake up!"
He finally opened his eyes.
" Let me be, woman."
Katherine yanked the blanket from his reach.
" First of all, never call me woman again. Second, if you don't get up, then I will save Commodore Norrington the trouble and kill you myself."
Will lazily sat up.
" I'm up, up." He mumbled.
Katherine skidded his boots across the floor.
" Come on. Hurry."
Will fell into a brisk walk beside her. He glanced through the throbbing pain at the beautiful relics.
" Where am I?" He asked.
Katherine smiled a bit.
" This is the Captain's place. Why else do you think someone with the last name Sparrow takes care of it. Now shut your trap and stop moseying along. Your head should be fine. You slept three days straight."
Will could not restrain an eye roll. In an instance, he was holding a smarting cheek.
" Don't do it again."
He pressed his lips into a straight line, meeting her fiery gaze with one of his own.
" Yes, Miss Sparrow."
~*~
Jack rowed the boat as quickly as he could, docking it at a small place. He crept up the hill, before sliding inside.
" Katie?" He called.
In a flash, the red head swept down the stairs.
" Captain!"
He hugged her, giving her a fatherly once over.
" You have grown three feet since I last saw you."
Katie smiled with a laugh.
" You have not seen me since I was seven."
Jack stroked his beard before glancing down at her quizzically.
" That long?"
Katie nodded. She made a motion up the stairs.
" Sleeping Beauty woke up in time to see you."
Will had descended quite a bit slower than she. His head was still spinning. He rolled his eyes at her description.
" What happened here?" Jack asked. " I thought Elizabeth would be easily constrained."
Katherine shook her head.
" This port is becoming far too occupied by soldiers. She ran into one by unhappy chance." She shook her head. " I managed to convince them she was a crazy." Katherine licked her lips. " I had to tell the soldiers Mr. Turner's identity."
Jack pursed his lips slightly, an expression flittering so quickly over his face that Will could not identify it. Jack began to smile.
" Just a small setback that is, but no troubles, Katherine. Now, let us have a late dinner and discuss some plans."
