Pirates of the Caribbean
Legend of the Dragon's Claw
By Amos Whirly
Chapter Six: An Unexpected Friend
Will sat in silence, tenderly stroking his wife's hand. Elizabeth lay on the bed in the guest room of the governor's mansion. Little Will, who had been uninjured in the attack, was asleep in the adjoining room, being doted on by numerous maidservants.
Elizabeth was sleeping peacefully, finally out of danger from the wounds she had sustained. Governor Billings had insisted that Will and his family come to stay at the mansion. Billings had been a good friend of the late Governor Swann, Elizabeth's father, who had passed away two years prior. As soon as Billings learned that Elizabeth had been hurt, he called for his best doctors.
Will had hardly left her side, only to check on his son and listen for word on his missing daughter.
After getting Elizabeth settled, Jack had completely disappeared. Will had no idea where the pirate had gone, but at the moment, he really did not care.
Will's ears twitched as he heard the bedroom door open. Billings stepped in and stopped at his side.
"How is she?" the diminutive governor asked.
"She'll survive," Will whispered, still stroking her hand. "Thank you."
"It's the least I could do, Mr. Turner. The very least." Billings cleared his throat. "Your—um—friend—Mr. Smith—?"
"Yes?"
"He is waiting for you downstairs."
"Thank you."
Billings thumped Will on the shoulder and stepped from the room. Will stood slowly and kissed his wife's brow. She stirred only slightly under his touch but did not wake. Will caressed the side of her face and quietly exited the room.
He hurried down the stairs and stepped into the parlor. Jack sat nonchalantly on a large upholstered chair, his old hat perched on his head, and his hair back to its normal style—dreadlocks and beads. He still wore Will's old blouse, though, but he had traded the breeches and clogs for a pair of dark pants and his old boots. A wide black belt spanned his chest, and his old sword hung from it.
"How is she?" he asked with a somber face the moment Will stepped into the parlor.
"She'll make it," Will answered, sitting down across from him on the footstool. "What about you?"
"I made it back to the—" he stopped, glancing at the doorway.
Will nodded and stood, stepping to the double doors and shutting them softly.
"I made it back to the Pearl," Jack finished his thought as soon as the doors were shut, "and Anamaria stitched me up." He gestured to his shoulder.
"Were they attacked?"
"No," Jack shook his head. "I had them stop the Pearl in a cove on the side of the harbor. It would've taken a lot more searching than those hooligans had tie for to find her. Gibbs did send some men out to watch the fight, though."
"And what did they see?"
"Said they sunk the three navy
ships in port."
"Sunk them?"
"Aye. The Hermes, the Wellington, and the Dauntless."
"The Dauntless?"
"Aye. Rotting at the bottom of the harbor she is."
Will's shoulders slumped.
"If all the ships are sunk," he whispered, "how is the navy going to go after them?"
"They aren't," Jack deadpanned. "Red coats didn't see which way the ship went."
"And the Pearl? Did your crew see?"
"Aye. They saw. But if we go
after them, we have to go fast. The wind
won't keep for long."
Will looked down, his brown eyes clouding.
"I can't leave Elizabeth."
"And Tori? What about her?"
The parlor doors suddenly burst open! Will and Jack were on their feet in an instant, standing before a grim-faced Admiral James Norrington.
"Well, well, well," Norrington's scowl chilled Will to the tips of his toes. "Jack Sparrow, isn't it?"
"Captain Jack Sparrow," Jack smirked.
"Mr. Turner, explain this."
"I've no need to explain anything to you, Admiral."
"Jack Sparrow is a known felon, pirate, and brigand."
"Captain if you please," Jack interjected.
"He has been for years," Norrington ignored him. "You're very much aware of this if I'm not mistaken."
"Like I said, James," Will stepped between Norrington and Jack, "I've no need to explain anything to you."
Norrington's gaze shifted to Jack.
"Maybe it was you who let those pirates in, eh, Sparrow? Are you sailing with a new crowd, now? Are you aware of how many people they killed tonight?"
"I'm not with them," Jack curled his lip. "I never sail with bad dressers."
"How you could accept this man into your house—well knowing what he is capable of—is beyond me, Turner," Norrington stepped closer to Will. "Elizabeth has paid the price for your stupidity, and so now will your daughter."
The muscles in Will's jaw clenched, and he and Norrington glared at each other. Jack stood behind Will, his gaze shifting between the men almost nervously. Slowly, Norrington reached for his sword. He pulled it out, gripped the blade in two fingers, and offered the hilt to Will.
Will stared at him, confused.
"Go," Norrington jerked his head toward the parlor doors.
"What?"
Jack cocked an eyebrow.
"Go after them, Turner."
"I don't understand."
"Our ships are lost," Norrington held Will's gaze. "It will be days before any other ship of the fleet will be near enough to catch them. I know the Black Pearl is floating off the Harbor."
"And how do you know that, mate?" Jack piped up indignantly.
"I saw it yesterday," Norrington glowered at him. "You're still the worst pirate I've ever heard of."
Jack grinned from ear to ear and bowed slightly.
"As much as I hate to admit it," Norrington was still scowling, "you two are the only ones who can catch these blighters."
"I thought they were working for me?" Jack set his hands on his hips.
"I just said you were a horrible pirate, Sparrow," Norrington spat. "There's no way on this green earth you could command the pack of murderers that passed through here tonight."
"So," Jack stepped closer to Norrington, "Will and I go after the ship that attacked your harbor, and you're just going to stand there."
"No, Sparrow. I am going to ensure that Elizabeth receives the finest care available in Port Royal, and I will also ensure that no other royal ship deters you from your goal."
"And what is our goal, Admiral?" Will asked.
"To save your daughter, Turner. Go save your daughter."
Slowly, Will accepted the sword from Norrington.
"You could lose your rank for this," Will remarked.
"If it hadn't been for you and—and him," Norrington frowned, "we all would have lost Elizabeth six years ago. I'm not about to stand in the way of saving your daughter's life, Turner, loss of rank or not."
* * *
The infant boy squealed with delight as his father lifted him out of his crib.
"Bye, Little Will," Will kissed his son's small forehead. "Be good while I'm away."
The infant clutched a lock of his father's brown hair and gurgled.
"Don't you worry about a thing, young sir," one of the maids came up behind him. "We'll take good care of him for you."
"I know you will," Will handed the child to the maid.
He stroked the boy's head gently and left the room. He sneaked into the guest chambers and stared at his wife for a moment.
She was so beautiful, lying there in the bed, her honey-gold hair spread out like silk upon the pillow. He took a deep breath and knelt beside the bed, capturing her hand in his and stroking it softly.
"I must go away, Elizabeth," he whispered. "I have to find Tori. I won't let anything happen to her, I swear to you. James is going to watch over everything while I'm gone." He kissed her fingers. "I love you."
"I love you too, Will," Elizabeth turned her head and opened her eyes.
They were brimming with tears.
"I'll bring her back."
"I know you will," she attempted a smile.
Will kissed her forehead.
"Sleep."
Elizabeth nodded and closed her eyes.
With a parting kiss to her lips, Will hurried from the room.
Will, Jack, and Admiral Norrington walked together down the dark Port Royal street. The sun was barely beginning to peek over the horizon, showering red light over the sky, still clinging to the last vestiges of midnight.
"This is as far as I go," Norrington stopped at the end of town, his face still grim.
"I can't thank you enough," Will extended his hand.
Norrington accepted his hand and shook it firmly.
"Go, Turner," he urged. "And you—" he glared at Jack, "bring the girl home."
"For the first time, Admiral," Jack stood straight, "we're on the same page, you and me."
"The first and only time."
"Aye."
"This won't change our relationship in anyway, pirate. You understand this."
"Of course. Life'll get back to bloody normal as soon as we nab the little ankle-biter. I run. You chase. Savvy?"
Norrington nodded.
Jack and Will turned and walked quickly out of sight.