Chapter Five: Half-Asleep Dream

Sailing at the speed of freedom We raise the flag for all to see The wind in sails like a half-asleep dream And the crashing waves our lullaby be.

Later, James' only comfort was that she had apologized.

They'd come to her for help to navigate around the cays. He had known something was going to happen when she had pulled free of the two men leading her on deck, grabbing at the bars of his cell, and her mouth had formed silent words I'm sorry.

Only minutes later, there had been a loud splash and shouting, and then silence.

James wondered later whether she had really jumped, as his guard told him, or if she'd been pushed. But he did know that Eldred was furious and he started counting the days again, knowing that there was only a certain number of days someone could live without fresh water and food.



Several long days onto the Pearl's trail, Will heard Jack shouting from above and came to see what was wrong. Perhaps the stores of rum were getting low - between the two of them, it was vanishing at an incredible rate.

Jack had thrown over the anchor already, scrambling with one of the rowboats.

"What is it? What's happening?" But before Jack answered he saw for himself - on the closest cay were the still-slightly-smoking remains of what had once been a huge bonfire.

"Could be one of the crew," Jack said, trying to get the boat overboard. "Help me with this, dammit!" Will joined him, and decided not to remind Jack that they were leaving the ship alone.

The shore was close, but there was no one in sight. "Maybe someone found them," Will suggested without conviction.

And then, "There!" Jack cried, and sprinted forwards, Will in his wake, falling to his knees beside what Will had taken for a rotting log washed on shore in a storm.

It was unmistakably Anamaria.

"Oh my God," Jack moaned, turning his head away, unable to look at her. "Will, can you tell, is she - is she -"

Will's fingers turned her head over gently and quickly found a weak pulse.

"Barely. Let's get her to the ship."

Jack complied, trembling, lifting Anamaria and cradling her as if she was a child.

The next few minutes flew in uncertainty.

"Jack? What are you doing?"

"Standard procedures, Will, standard."

"For a pirate, perhaps."

"Wouldn't I want rum when you were dying?"

"She might not be dying."

"Don't feed me crap, Will, just look at her for one damn moment."

"I mean it, Jack. I think we can - God, you're going to drown her in that stuff, stop it!"

"What would I suggest doing, then, Doctor Turner?"

A short silence. "Get water and some light food. Find her a blanket, as well -"

"She doesn't need a bloody blanket, she's been in the sun for days."

"We found her in the path of the tide, and it looked like she'd been there for some time. She's got a bad fever and chills, from the symptoms. Get cold damp cloths as well."

"How the hell do you know that?"

Another silence, and then Jack spoke again.

"I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking. Anything else I should do?"

"Yes," Will said, looking steadily at his friend despite faint indications of tears in his eyes. "Pray."

Jack didn't answer, but stood and strode out of the cabin.

He returned quickly and quietly, setting the tray of food and water down and covering Anamaria carefully with the blanket and handing Will the cloths. Will sponged at her forehead for a moment.

After a while, Anamaria started murmering under her breath. Jack watched her silently, a haunted look in his eyes.

Then Will caught one word, one name, and started violently. Jack had missed it. He glanced at the other man blankly.

"What is it?"

Will had gone pale. "James," he whispered. "She said his name. She - Jack, she was on the Pearl. She can -"

Jack was nodding. "She'll have helped on deck. She'll know their bearings."

"But James -"

"Yes. Is on the Pearl as well, and she knows who he is, which means he's a prisoner, else he'd've given a false name, I would guess."

Anamaria shifted again, and their eyes snapped back to her.

Her eyes opened.

There was a long silence, and then Anamaria gave a shuddering gasp, her eyes flickering between the two of them.

She could not speak right away, but soon slept again, and the next time she woke, she told them everything.

Will pulled up anchor and sailed.