As usual, don't own any of the characters, etc. Reeeeead and review!
On The Interceptor –
The Commodore sat nervously at his desk, his finger tracing an invisible path around the map in front of him. They had sailed through many a night in attempt to locate the Pearl but still had naught to catch but a glimpse of the abominable ship. He recognized that the transfer of ships between South Bay and Port Royal had been costly, but he also realized the Intrepid was no match to the Interceptor. He needed his former vessel's speed and stamina to even draw close to approaching the Black Pearl.
And so he sat again, temporarily commandeering The Interceptor in attempt to re-track a lady that has strayed from his vision.
To think he had assumed the woman to be under his control…
Commodore Norrington shook his head in disgust, rising from his seat.
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The Black Pearl was expertly guided into the harbor desired, a rather desolate area with only two gangly docks. Jack Sparrow scanned the shore line until his eyes finally rested upon the man he searched for. "Ahh, indeed. Wait here, Turner," he said, reaching an arm out to stop the man's path. He turned around, capturing Rhiannah's elbow and pulling her to his side. "I need you."
Elizabeth and Will watched in silent confusion as the pair made their way down the pier. "I should have known he was conjuring some wretched plan," she muttered angrily as her lover turned, summoned to help unload.
"It will be fine, Elizabeth."
Rhiannah quietly made her way down the ramp alongside the sauntering pirate to her right, clutching his arm with both nervousness and perhaps in a hopeless attempt to steady his awkward gait. The bronze silk of her dress gleamed brilliantly in the late afternoon sun overhead.
"Sparrow." A cool voice addressed him at the end. "On time, today." A short and leanly built man stood ahead of them, his stance clearly demanding respect.
"As always, mate," Jack muttered back.
"And with proper companionship." The man nodded at Rhiannah, his burning gaze causing her to fluster uncomfortably. "Follow me."
The man lead them to a nearby building, swinging the door open and walking in without invitation.
Jack pulled Rhiannah to a halt before she entered. "Listen now, luv…Ghrasnell is a cold sort of fellow, and you're going to answer everything he asks of you, aye?"
"And if I don't?" She raised her chin defiantly.
He tightened his grip around her wrist. "You're going to answer everything he asks."
"Aye…" she answered nervously.
"Good then. And I won't let anything happen to you…" he trailed off, dragging her back through the door before she had time to protest. "Apologies, the lady encountered some, eh…breathing difficulties, if you will…the sun, the dress…"
"I assumed."
Sparrow raised his eyebrows. "Aye, then."
"We'll get right to the point, Ms. Johnson—"
"How do—"
"SILENCE." Rhiannah's jaw snapped shut in surprise, her expression wounded from the man's sharp correction. "I understand you took to close companionship with the Commodore of South Bay, aye?" He paused for a brief moment, continuing before she had time to respond. "I could use your assistance," he said suggestively, taking her hand in an unyielding fashion.
Sparrow interrupted. "And for me?" he demanded abruptly.
Ghrasnell let go of the woman, rolling his eyes as he flung open a drawer. "For you," he sneered, tossing what Rhiannah recognized to be some sort of medallion at Jack. "The crew is loading the rest."
The captain grinned crookedly. "Ye may continue, then."
The man sneered back. "What do you approximate to be the Commodore's last journey to Porto Bello?"
Rhiannah paused in memory. "Well, I believe it to be near eleven months now…"
"What did he sail?"
"The Intrepid – no…no, it was a joined mission with Port Royal. I believe it was the Dauntless."
Ghrasnell's steel grey eyes flashed violently. "With Port Royal, aye? Well then…" He paused, looking down at the map on his desk. "I suppose they're on the Dauntless now."
"No, I would imagine he would choose the Interceptor to come after the Pearl."
The man paused momentarily, pondering the thought. "Aye. When and to where was Norrington scheduled to depart from South Bay prior to your engagement?"
Rhiannah narrowed her eyes, preparing to protest the obtrusive questioning before she caught Jack's warning stare. She lowered her chin obediently, but crossly. "He was to leave a month after the eve of our wedding, to somewhere in the East Indies."
"But where?"
"I'm merely but a woman, sir," she spat at him angrily, aware of his degrading tone. "I am not informed of the internal activities of the surrounding military establishments, and I certainly do not—"
"SPARROW!" Ghrasnell slammed his hand on the desk, jarring everything around it. Rhiannah flinched again.
"Ms. Johnson, tell him about capture before you left," Jack offered quietly.
"How do you—"
"Tell him…" Jack's voice began to express his impatience.
Rhiannah frowned. "Three men were captured on shore, convicted of piracy, and hanged in South Bay. The following eve, four men were done the same in Port Royal. It is suspected they came from the same crew but I did not hear verification." She looked up, attempting to determine whether her explanation was adequate. "Neither the captain or commodore were hanged nor found."
"Where is the ship?"
"I suspect it to be docked in South Bay, if not destroyed…" she trailed off, remembering her dramatic departure from the area.
"Why would it be destroyed?" Ghrasnell demanded. Jack sent her a sharp look.
Rhiannah quieted, realizing a potential mistake. She shrugged carelessly. "I just suspected that's what they do with illegitimately sailed crafts that have been confiscated. I really have no idea..."
She looked back at him nervously, but the man did not seem to notice. "Aye then." He sat silently for a moment, allowing himself to break the icy glare to wander her body. He stood up. "I'm finished."
"Aye then, mate. Pleasure doin' business," Jack tipped his hat dramatically, turning to leave with her.
A cool grip clutched Rhiannah's sides as she began to leave the room, breaking her stride and turning her around. "When I said I'm finished, I meant with words."
Rhiannah squirmed uneasily in his violent embrace, but failed to move much. She was surprised by the smaller man's strength and continued to struggle as his hands wandered. "Let me go!"
"We agreed upon words, Ghrasnell," Jack interrupted.
The other man did little but look up and grin icily. "Since when have you known me to be a man of my words, Sparrow?"
The captain set a stony glare back at him. "Since you've known me for mine."
Ghrasnell narrowed his eyes, but shoved Rhiannah away. Jack graciously caught her fall, steadying her to her feet.
"Leave."
"Gladly," Rhiannah spat.
The pair pushed out the door and Rhiannah began immediately on a rampage of questions.
"What an obscenely disgusting creature…how could you possibly be associated with him? I felt utterly cold in his presence, it was as if I could humanly feel his viciousness…" she rambled about. Jack began to tune her out, concentrating instead on the medallion he held close in his pocket.
"…I am so tainted by this trip already, it's disgraceful. I've been violated by countless ravaged pirates that…"
The medallion was but merely a trinket compared to his true desire. He looked up. The ship was being loaded as they finally approached it, and he couldn't stand to wait any longer.
"Are you listening to me, Jack? How did you know about the captures?"
"Listen now, pet," he paused, impressed with his sudden ability to refrain from calling her a more appropriate alternative. "The discussions that were had back there are to remain strictly between the involved parties, aye?" He stated, more than asked.
"I'm not certain that I entirely agree with the terms set," Rhiannah instigated.
"Questions or comments can be expressed this eve, luv," he smirked mischievously to himself as he walked up the ramp of his ship, leaving her to stare in amusement after him.
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