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(_)-AN

"_"-Speaking

'_'-Thoughts

~_~-scene change

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A pirate's Life for me

Part 3- Princess Pearl

Jack awaited his teacher to come into the study where he took his lesson. His lessons had been going better then ever for the past two months. He learned something new everyday, and more about pirates, ships and the sea itself. He even learned of a few mythes among the pirates.

He ran over the few things he knew about a pirate's life. He knew about the bad luck. How, bring a woman onboard is bad luck. Also, that is a bird lands on your ship, it shows a bad sign that there is something bad going to happen to your ship. Also, that if a butterfly lands on your ship, good fortunes are coming your way.

He learned how to tie a pirate's knot, which is why his hands were sporting blisters and red from rope burn.

He even learned a pirate's song that he loved to sing silently to himself.

'Yo ho Yo Ho, a Pirate's life for me! We plidge, we plunder, we riffle and lude, drink up me hearty yo ho!'

He smiled as he sung the song quietly in his head. Of course, the first line he learned, strangely enough was 'and really bad eggs'. he silently questioned why he learned that first, but never bothered to ask.

"Nananana... and really bad eggs.." he sung to himself, quietly of course. He didn't want anyone to hear that.

"You forgot a few lines Lad." Said a voice behind him. Jack turned in his chair and spotted Miss. Sparrow hanging half way in the window and halfway out. She was sitting right on the window sil.

"I know." He answered, smiling at her. "So, what grand adventure are we going to do today?"

"Well, I was thinking about teaching you about the forces of nature." She said, thinking to herself it seemed.

"Forces of nature? It sounds boring." He said.

Miss. Sparrow smiled. "Is it ever boring when I teach something?"

"No." He answered right away. He got up from his chair. "SO? What do I do?"

"Come with me." She said, holding out a hand. He grabbed his bag that was stuffed with books and parchment. He was requirred to take notes now, since he was learning so much everyday. He took her hand, after he jumped out the window.

He felt excitment build up in his stomach at the thrill of escaping from his house out the window. He felt so bad, but so good at the same time. He knew he was doing something wrong, but it felt like it was fun.

Miss. Sparrow took a look at her student. "You look like you're about to jump for joy lad."

Jack nodded. "I feel.. excited. I don't know why."

Miss. Sparrow chuckled at her student. "It's called having fun. You're excited because you're doing something you're not permitted to do. I might make a pirate out of you yet lad." She poked him in the nose lightly, making him laugh.

"I think I'm already one." he said.

"How so lad?" She questioned, stopping and looking down at him.

"Well, for one I know how to make a ship. I can use a compass now. I know how to do the knots and I love the sea." He said. Then he smiled again. "And I did a crime."

"I'd say you're on the course to becoming one. But, be careful who you share that information with. Not many people around here like pirates." She said, crossing her arms, looking down at him. "I think you should first grow a little before you start thinking of becoming a pirate."

"Aye Aye Cap'n Sparrow." he said with a smile, giving her a false salute.

Miss. Sparrow chuckled and grabbed his hand, leading the way again. They quickly closed in on the docks and more importantly on a ship.

Jack openly stared at the ship. His jaw dropped somewhat. It was huge! Atleast as big as his house. On the mast was the flag of the British Navy. This was a ship that the king himself used to cross the ocean. It had to be! It's sails were made from silk and the ship was made of the highest quaility of bark!

"You like the ship lad?" She questioned to him.

"Aye..." He answered back, after taking a moment to find his voice again.

"It's the Freeland Ship. Named by the King himself." She said, looking up at the ship with her student. "But, we are going on another ship."

"We're going on a ship?" He questioned, shocked by her statement.

"Aye. It's called the 'Princess Pearl'." She answered, looking up and down the port docks tring to find the ship. Then her eyes settled on the ship that had 'Princess Pearl' written in bright red letters on the side. She lead Jack to the ship.

The ship pailed in comparison to the Freeland, but it held it's own beauty. It was older then the other ship, giving it experance on the sea. It's bark was still clean and didn't look dented in any way. It's mast was about a story high in length. It was a big ship. About 20 feet in length. Not big enough to be considered a pirate ship, but not small enough to be called a boat. It could be used by one person, but that person would have one hell of a time tring to do that and steer.

"This is the ship we are going on." She said, pointing to it. Jack walked over to the side and admired the ship's top deck. It was recently cleaned and polished. That's when a man walked up to him.

"Boy. What are you doing near me ship?" he asked. Jack looked up at the tall man. He was bold, with a gruffy beard on his chin. It was pulled into a vast amount of braids that were held by ties. His huge chest was so big, Jack was sure if the man looked straight down, he couldn't see the top of his feet.

His skin was darkened by the sun, probably from years on sea. He even smelled like the sea. His tattered clothes could almost be called rags. His shirt was ripped from the neck line all the way down, only leaving an inch or so left at the bottom. His sleeves were ripped off, showing his large arm muscles. He had apparently been living on the sea and a boat for awhile.

"Mr. Hobson." Said Miss. Sparrow. The man turned to look at her. His menacing features fell as soon as he laid eyes on her.

"Cap'n Sparrow! It's an honor ma'am!" he said, looking at her dumbfounded by her sudden appearance near his ship.

"It's been along time. I was wondering something Mr. Hobson. Will you do me a favor?" She inquired.

Jack stood still and watched this all happen with fasination. Miss. Sparrow was a captain? Then, where was her ship and where was her crew? Was she really a Pirate?! Jack became slightly excitied by that fact. It was a possibility. She did know a lot about pirates and the sea.

"Anything for you." He answered right after she asked.

"Well then, would you mind so terribly much if I took your ship for a little while? Not even a day or past the ocean line. I just need it for a few." She said.

"May I ask for what?" he inquirred.

"Well, see the lad there?" She questioned, nodding towards Jack. The man glanced at Jack before looking back up.

"Aye."

"Well, I'm his teacher now. I need to teach something and I need a ship. Since the Navy clearly isn't into education like we are.." She paused as Mr. Hobson cracked a smile at that. "I doubt they would lend me a boat to us for this."

"Sure. I'd be planning to stay in Port Royal for today. As long as ye promise a story in the talon tonight for the guys, I'll lend ye me boat." He lent out his hand to her to finish the deal. "Savvy?"

She took his hand in hers. Shaking it. "Savvy."

Jack looked from his teacher to Mr. Hobson. He titled his head slightly as he watched the two crack smiles at one another. It looked kind of funny. Them, standing there shaking hands. Mr. Hobson was so much taller, yet it seemed Miss. Sparrow could push him around rather easily with her wit and he didn't mind.

'She must be amazing!' Jack thought to himself. That's when the contact was broken. Mr. Hobson turned to jack.

"Now lad. Listen to her. She has a lot she can teach ye if ye listen well enough." He said to Jack.

"Aye sir." Jack said back, nodding in the man's direction. The man patted Jack's head.

"You're a good lad." Then, he turned and walked away.

Jack stared at Miss. Sparrow with confusion. She looked down at him with a smile. "Let's get aboard, shall we?"

"Aye."

Jack got aboard the ship, as Miss. Sparrow untied the rope to the boat. She tossed them onto the ship. Amazingly the ship didn't move though. It shifted under the tides, but didn't move away from the dock like most would. She climbed onto the deck. Jack watched her for awhile, as she ran around tieing and untieing certain things.

"Jack." She called.

Jack quickly ran to her side. "Aye?"

"Tie this rope onto that latch over there." She said, pointing to the latch. He nodded, grabbing the rope. He ran over to the latch and tied the rope onto it.

"Now, grab that one other there. "She said, pointing to it. "And release it from the latch. We're lowering the main sail. We need it if we're to go anywhere."

"Aye." He said, going to the other side. The boat rocked below his feet, almost knocking him off balance. He quickly caught his balance again. He walked across the deck again, to the rope. He then untied it and looked over at Miss. Sparrow to see what to do now.

"Now, shake it a little. You want it to release the sail all the way." She said. She was busy untieing another rope.

"Aye." He muttered. He shook it a little at first, then more and more. Finally the sail flew open and caught the wind.

"Now, tie the loose end, without tighting it to the point you have to use strength, to the same latch." She said, finishing up hers. "You don't want that to slack to come down and trip you while you walk across the ship."

Jack nodded, doing as she said. he tied it like he was taught to. Then, he looked back at her for more instructions. Miss. Sparrow grabbed the wheel of the ship, stirring it out of the bay and into the near by ocean.

Jack went to the front of the ship and looked out at the ocean. The sun was high in the sky and the wind was blowing his hair this way and that. The warm salty air filled his nose with new sensations. He felt... alive.. for the first time in a long time. The rocking of the boat didn't seem as bad as it did at first. He become used to it now.

"Jack!" Miss. Sparrow called to him.

He turned to her. "AYE?"

"Come here." She said, waving him over. He quickly crossed over the deck and to where she was. He stood beside her and awaited more orders. "Grab the wheel for me."

Jack stayed there, blinking in shock. "You want me to what?"

"Grab the wheel. I want you to steer for a minute while I grab something out of the galley." She explained.

"Aye. Where should I be going?" He questioned.

"Anywhere. Just stay close to the bay enterance, but away from the rocks." She advised. Then, she let go of the wheel. It started to spin because the wind was dragging it. Jack quickly lept to the wheel and stopped it. His muscles pulled and tightened at the sudden strain.

He clentched his teeth as he held onto the wheel, turning it so the wind wouldn't kick it so much. The boat turned with the wheel. He shouldn't be so surprised at that, but it did surprise him alittle. He was really steering a ship! A real ship! He could go almost anywhere he wanted right now! If only he could see over the wheel.

Jack questioned what he should do about this. He was too short to steer it correctly. He became slightly nervous at this. What if he hit the rocks or something? He would sink the ship and get in trouble. He might even drown! He couldn't swim!

Jack held onto the wheel with shaking hands and looked between the spoke on the wheel. He could see, slightly. And what he saw made him yelp! He was directing the ship right towards the correl rocks! He pulled the wheel right, violently. He pulled with all his might, turning the wheel as fast as he could. The ship barely made it's way around the rocks.

He sighed in releif. That would have been a huge mistake to make if he rammed the ship into a rock. He had to see better, but how?

Then, a thought came to him. He side stepped, holding only one hand to the wheel. He could clearly see now and the wind wasn't kicking the sails nearly as strong as before, so the wheel was easy to control. He smiled to himself. This was rather inventive. Why didn't he think of this before? This could have saved him a bit of trouble.

Then, Miss. Sparrow came up from below the deck, rubbing her head. "That's hurt..." She mumbled. "Why'd you turn to ship so violently?"

Jack blushed at his embrassment. "Umm.. I saw the rocks.. and the ship was heading right for them.."

"I see. Don't worry 'bout it. It happens to the best of us." She said, waving it off. She was holding one hand behind her back, smiling at him.

"Why are you smiling?" he questioned.

"Because, you look so much like a pirate captain right now. Steering the ship. I only know one thing that is missing." She said to him.

"What's that?" he asked, courious.

"This." She said, pulling out a red bandanna. It was as dark as blood, maybe darked. Jack took it in his unused hand, looking at it carefully. It had small patterns in it made with black lines. It was long, showing it was ment to hang from the back of his head. He looked up at her.

"Thank you." he said in a small voice. It looked wonderful! It would make him a true pirate. Well, he could think that atleast. Miss. Sparrow took it from his hand and tied it onto his head.

"There you go. You're a real pirate as far as I'm concerned." She said, patting his shoulder. "And maybe, one day you'll be a captain."

Jack blinked. "That reminds me. Why did Mr. Hobson call you cap'n?"

Miss. Sparrow's smile faded alittle. Then, she looked down at him. "Well, it's because I used to be a captain. Well, my father was the real captain. He was a pirate. One of the greatest."

"Really? Is that what Mr. Hobson meant when he asked for a story?" Jack asked in an innocent manner.

"Aye. That's what he meant." She answered with a smile. Jack turned his head back to the sea, watching out for rocks and other ships.

"Jack old boy! I forgot to teach you." She said, looking at him. "I want you to go on the other side of the ship, and untie the anchor. I will drop this one." She pointed to the one closest to them. "Savvy?"

"Savvy." He said, letting go of the wheel, with much reluctence. He really liked steering that ship. He ran down the ship's deck, already used to the rocking of the ship. He dropped the anchor into the sea, making the water splash up at him. The front of his shirt was soaked with salt water. He backed away, looking down at his shirt.

'I'm going to be punished for this.' He thought. Then something clicked. 'When am I ever not punished for something?'

He thought it over for a few seconds, before returning to the wheel. Miss. Sparrow had already dropped anchor and was awaiting her student's arrival.

"Now, the forces of nature.." She began. "They are very frickle and untimed. No one can know exactly what nature is going to do. You do know what nature is, don't you?"

Jack nodded.

"Good, well. Take the sea. The water itself is not a force of nature. But, the current in the water is. Just like clouds aren't a force, but rain is. Do you get it?" She questioned.

Jack nodded. "So, a river is a force of nature, but a lake isn't?"

"Correct." She answered. "Only when a lake over flows, does it become a force. And a lake that overfloods is called, a flood."

Jack rolled his eyes. "Who came up with that 'brillant' name?"

Miss. Sparrow shrugged. She smiled ot herself though. Ever since Jack learned he could open up to her, she found out he had quite the quick wit. He had a snapper tongue then most people she knew. Also, he never let anything get him down when he was around her. It was such a huge change from the shy, nervous boy she first met.

"Now, let's talk about rainfall and how if effects the world." She said, trailing off into a lecture about it, while giving him a visual look at everything she said.

~~~

It was nearing lunch time, when Jack and Miss. Sparrow started back in. Everyone at the port looked at the ship, that was being steered by an eight year old boy with a dark red bandanna and a twenty something year old woman. What an odd pair to command a ship.

"Easy does it Jack. I'll set down a sail to slow the ship down. You just have to steer it into place. Remember. Use the tide to help you." She advised. She quickly untied a rope, and climbed up the mast. She rolled the sail up and untied it. The sail fell into itself, folding itself at the bottom. Miss. Sparrow continued, until only a small sail was still up.

The ship was coming close to docking at the port and had slowed down to the point where it was barley going anywhere. The perfect speed for docking a boat.

She tied the sails down, then looked over at the dock. They were mere inches away from the dock. As soon as it was close enough for her to jump onto, she did, carring a rope with her. She pulled the ship with all her might to the stake. She tied it down, then went back on the ship.

Jack had gone from the wheel, to the ropes. He grabbed a rope and went onto the deck. He tied it down. There were about four ropes that needed to be tied from the ship to the dock, to hold the ship still in the water.

As soon as it was done, the dockmaster came up to them.

"It is one shilling to dock a boat." He said. "And I need your name."

"'cuse me, but this has already been paid for. It's Mr. Hobson ship. If you want docking pay, ask him." She said, grabbing Jack's hand. "Come on lad. You're going to be late for lunch."

"But.. but.." Said the dockmaster. he chased after them, then Miss. Sparrow turned around.

"As I said before. This is Mr. Hobson's ship. He should be registered in the list. He will pay for it when he comes to get his ship." She said, turning on her heal and walk away from him.

The man didn't question her anymore, not wanting her to glare at him anymore. He looked in his list and sure enough Mr. Hobson was in the list.

Jack looked up at her. "Why didn't you just pay it? You should have that much easily, right?"

Miss. Sparrow stopped and looked down at him. "It's not the money that concerns me. It's the taxes the king has been putting on the people. I don't like it."

Jack nodded. He knew of the taxes well enough from his Father's grumbles and grunts about them at the table during breakfast.

"Well, let's get you home before you know who gets angry." She said, leading him back to the house.

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Whoa! That was a long chapter. Well, longer then the rest. I was going to continue on it, but then I noticed how long I made it already. The next chapter should be up sooner because of this. Hope you like this chapter!!

PLEASE REVIEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!