Legend of the Dragon's Claw
By Amos Whirly Chapter Two: ReunionClang! Clang! The hammer beat on the fiery piece of glowing steel.
Clang! Clang! The heat from the fire pit caused his handsome face to glow, a sheen of perspiration coating his high brow.
Sweat dripped from the strands of hair that always refused to stay behind his ears. A particularly scorching wave of heat hit his bare arms, and he winced slightly. After pounding the glistening chunk of molten steel flat, he thrust it into a pail of murky water. Steam poured from the bucket. He pulled it out, examined it quickly, and shoved it back into the coals.
He lay down his hammer and wiped his brow.
The wooden door across the dirt floor banged and opened.
"Papa!" a little voice screeched as Tori raced across the dirt.
"There's my little Tori," he greeted her with open arms and a bear hug, lifting her off the ground and throwing her into the air.
Tori screeched with laughter.
"Will, be careful," Elizabeth reproved with a bright smile.
"Yes, dear," Will winked at her, placing a gentle kiss on her soft cheek. "Hello, Little Willie." He poked the baby boy's stomach, and the child giggled.
"Papa!" Tori tugged on her father's sweaty collar, "look at what the strange man bought me!"
She handed him the glass sculpture.
"A little glass ship," Will smiled, his dark eyes sparkling. "That's wonderful, Vicky. Are you going to sail away on it?"
"No, silly," Tori rubbed her nose against his.
"And who was this strange man?"
"Mr. Parker said his name was Smith," Elizabeth cocked her head, honey-colored curls tumbling from beneath her hat.
"Smith, eh?"
"Yes."
"Well, that was very kind of Mr. Smith."
"I told him thank you, Papa."
"Did you, now?"
"Aye, twice."
"Well, what a wonderful little lady you are."
Tori giggled and chased after Elizabeth as she carried Little Will into the house connected to the wooden work shed.
Will turned back to his work and sighed. He pulled the molten piece of steel out of the blazing embers and pounded it flat, dunking it in the barrel.
"I think that's enough for today," he smiled and set the steaming hunk of metal aside.
He shed his apron and walked quickly to the door at the back of the shed. He opened it, slipped out of his old clogs, and stepped into the house.
He eyed Little Will as he entered the kitchen, in which Elizabeth was cooking. He had made a metal fence of sorts to keep Little Will safe while the he played. Presently, the toddler was banging wooden blocks together.
Will slipped behind his wife and leaned on the counter.
"Did you find everything you needed at the marketplace?"
"Yes," Elizabeth answered, emptying a bowl of chopped potatoes into a pan of boiling water, "although I must say that I don't take took kindly to strangers giving your daughter gifts."
Will smiled slightly and ran his fingers in his wife's honey-colored curls.
"Your hands had best be clean, William Turner."
"Oh, and what are you going to do if they aren't?"
She turned her head and kissed him lightly.
"Absolutely nothing," she whispered in his ear.
He kissed her in return, against her lips mumbling, "I love you, Elizabeth."
"I love you too, Will," she slid her arms around his neck and kissed him again.
He leaned surreptitiously out of the alley, glancing up and down the dirt street. The humid wind caught at his black cape and threatened to blow his concealing hood off. He eyed the sturdy wooden blacksmith shop with a smile and started walking toward it.
A small wooden house was connected to the shed, and the lights inside burned brightly against the fast-approaching night.
"Just in time for dinner," he mumbled and ambled toward the front door.
Once he reached it, he knocked once and waited. There was no answer. He tapped on his chin with a smirk on his face and knocked again. Again, there was no response. He scowled darkly, sliding one arm back under his long cloak to slip his fingers around the hilt of his sword.
He knocked one more time.
The door creaked and opened.
Tori stood behind it, looking very surprised.
"Mr. Smith!" she laughed, clapping her hands and throwing herself at him.
The cloaked man stumbled slightly as the child wrapped her arms around his legs.
"Why, Little Miss Turner," he could not contain a chuckle, "what a surprise."
"You can come and have dinner with us!" she grabbed his hand and pulled.
He acquiesced and allowed her to drag him into the humble little house.
"Mum! Papa! Mr. Smith! He's here!"
In the kitchen, Will and Elizabeth both gave a start. Will immediately reached for one of his wife's carving knives and raced for the entryway.
"Papa!" Tori giggled. "It's Mr. Smith!"
The child gestured to a slender man in a dark cloak now standing in the living area of his home.
"Tori," he started, clutching the knife handle, "come away from there."
"Oh, now what sort of attitude is that, boy?" the cloaked figure asked with an arrogant tone.
"Tori, do as I say," Will did not take his eyes from the man.
Slowly, Tori moved away from her friend and padded to where her mother was standing with wide eyes.
"Who are you?" Will demanded. "What do you want?"
"To chat, of course."
The man approached with an obvious swagger in spite of the billowing cloak he wore. Will clutched the knife harder, sensing the threat that loomed about the stranger.
"Ah, come now, William," the man's smirk was evident, "put it away. Is it worth you getting beat again?"
Will narrowed his eyes.
And the stranger lunged with the sound of a sword being pulled from a sheath. Tori screamed as Will jerked the carving knife up and blocked the stranger's first blow. Oddly enough, the man did not strike again.
"Who are you?" Will whispered, gazing into that darkened hood.
The man grinned, showing numerous golden teeth.
"I'm not going to tell you. You've got to guess for yourself."
He swung the sword away and lunged again.
"Mr. Smith!" Tori shrieked.
Will blocked the blow again.
"You're not a marauder," Will ascertained as he blocked another hit.
"Too classy for that."
Will dodged around the blade.
"You're not a robber."
"Ha! You're too poor for that!"
He swung again, and Will blocked it.
"We've little of value!" Will shouted, maneuvering around the blade.
"Haven't I told you before, mate?" the man swung his sword once again, catching Will's knife. "Not all treasure's silver and gold."
Will's face sobered instantly, but he did not drop the knife.
"Not a marauder or a robber," Will reasoned, a smirk slowly curling up his face. "You must be a pirate."
"Bright as buttons, you are, mate."
"So," Will was grinning now, "you've come back, have you?"
"I was waiting for the—opportune—moment."
The man stepped back, sheathed his sword, and pulled the hood off.
Unkempt black dreadlocks, twined with beads and bones, fell from beneath a dingy red bandana. His black eyes sparkled with good humor, rims lined with black to eliminate the sun's glare. His skin was darkly tanned from a life on the sea, and his clothes were baggy, worn, and dirty.
"Jack Sparrow," Will laughed.
"Will, have you forgotten already?"
"Pardon me," Will mock bowed. "Captain Jack Sparrow."
"There you go, mate," Jack grinned. "Elizabeth."
"Jack!" Elizabeth's hand rested over her heart. "I can hardly believe it's you! After all these years!"
Jack knelt down and offered a smile at Tori, who was cowering behind her mother's skirts.
"Sorry for the scare, luv," he winked at her.
"You're the one who bought her the ship," Will crossed his arms.
"Aye," Jack stood and clapped his hand on Will's shoulder. "While I'm here, you'd best call me Smith."
"Why are you here, Jack?" Elizabeth stepped forward. "Off on another treasure hunt, I suppose?"
"Ah, dear Elizabeth," he turned to her dramatically, "you know me too well. Yes. I am here seeking a man."
"A man instead of a treasure?" Will cocked his eyebrows.
"A great man with a treasure that leads to the bigger treasure of a greater man," Jack shook his dirty finger.
Will and Elizabeth traded a look.
"Where's the Pearl?" Will asked.
"It's hiding off shore in one of the coves, hoping old Norrington doesn't catch sight of it," Jack rolled his eyes. "I swear, that bloody Norrington never gives up does he." He peered over Elizabeth's shoulder. "Aren't you glad you married Will instead of that stick, eh?"
"Yes, Jack, I am," Elizabeth nodded firmly, "but that's none of your business."
Tori was still hiding behind her mother.
"Are you hungry, Jack?" Will set a hand on his old friend's muscled shoulder.
"I could use a bite, aye."
"So," Tori's little voice interrupted them, causing all eyes to turn to her, "you're not a bad guy?"
"No, luv," Jack knelt down and smiled at her.
"Vicky," Will knelt as well and pulled his daughter into a gentle embrace, "this is a very good friend of mine. His name is—uh—" Jack grimaced and waved his hands. "Smith. His name is Mr. Smith."
"Why were you fighting?" Tori looked at her father.
"Oh," Jack shrugged, leaning forward and tugging on his mustache. "It's just a pirate thing."