Pirates of the Caribbean: Extinction of A Legacy
Author's Note: Fair warning to all of you, this is the start of a very complicated story… even I don't understand it- and I'm writing it! Keep in mind, I'm still fairly new at writing and describing objects and places are where I'm somewhat lacking… so constructive criticisms are welcome… as are flames…but you seriously need to back it up with a reason, mate… I mean… that's the whole point of flaming!
Another note: kohl is a real word… I looked it up in the dictionary, it was used as protection for the eyes AND makeup as well… ^^ just needed to say that… because my cousins are very iffy people.
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Chapter VI: Curses and Treasures
Sunlight poured into the dank cabin, making Jack twitch in discomfort. After weeks of planning and organizing routes to his father's caches, his cabin was unrecognizable. Bottles of rum lay empty on the wooden floors, some standing upright, half-full next to the unmade bed. Maps, papers and books of all sorts were strewn about, not leaving a single surface without rubbish.
He rolled over, grunting in pain as he fell off his bed awkwardly, and landing on said books. He blinked off sleep, and tried to clear his vision as he stood. Looking around, he mentally noted to clean up after himself, and went out to meet his future crew.
Jack took his tri-corner hat and placed it on top of his head, shielding his eyes from the harsh sun. After years of getting drunk on rum, one would assume that he would be used to hangovers- or at the very least have a higher tolerance to alcohol.
He met the friendly face of Bootstrap Bill as he mopped the deck. Bill tilted his head towards the port, indicating the arrival of Jack's crew.
He swaggered towards the dock and eyed every man present. They all looked the part they played- stinking, dishonest pirates. Jack smirked, revealing a silver capped incisor, which he had received during his childhood.
Barbossa stepped up and opened his arms widely before he dropped them back to his sides.
" Well, Captain," he started, " These be the men. The best gold can buy."
"So you say," Jack replied nonchalantly, then stepped up towards a rather tall, black burly man. His eyes were rimmed with what looked to be rhinestones attached - or nailed - to his skin. Then, he went up to the man next to him. He was shorter, and gaunt with a horrible disease to his right eye. His blond hair looked as if he hadn't washed it in years. "What's wrong with yer eye, mate?"
The man blinked and was about to answer when another man beside him stepped forward. " It's infected captain."
Jack turned towards the balding man and noted the yellow glint in his eyes. It wasn't just the sun playing tricks, the man's eyes were indeed- yellow.
" What's your name, son?" Jack asked, noting the slight bewildered look the man gave towards Barbossa. Jack decided to ignore the look and glanced at him impatiently, waiting for an answer.
" Pintel sir," he replied, not even flinching at being treated like a juvenile.
" Well, Pintel," Jack said firmly, " Don't talk unless I address ye, or ye won't be joining this fine crew to the Pearl, savvy?"
Pintel swallowed audibly and nodded. " Aye, captain."
Jack swayed towards the rest of the crew and looked at each of them in the eye. " That goes for the lot of ye," he started, " There are only three conditions on board the Black Pearl; Follow me orders, follow the code, and don't touch me rum, savvy?"
A chorus of 'ayes' was heard about the dock, and Jack nodded before he went towards his beloved ship. He turned abruptly towards his crew and lifted his right hand, as if to make a point. His pinky was raised in a ladylike manner.
" Oh, I forgot one thing, mates, when we get to the treasure… everyone gets equal share…" he started, " But, no one… I mean no one is to touch 'the serpent of fire', savvy?"
Barbossa lifted his eyebrow with interest. " The serpent of fire?"
Jack smirked, knowing what his crew were planning, " 'Tis a spear of pure Aztec gold, thought to have been the same weapon used by the Aztec sun god- *Huitzilopochtli," Jack started. He saw the wide eyes of his crew and cleared his throat. " Anyway mates, it's cursed, said to wake the god himself, and the only way to get him down is to feed him Aztec blood. And as ye all well know… that bloody Spaniard killed them all, so there be no taking chances if the legends be true."
With that, the crew boarded the Pearl and stood on its deck, awed by its beauty. Jack breathed in the ocean breeze and gave his crew a genuine smile.
"Welcome aboard the Pearl me hearties."
~*~*~
[Back in Port Royal - **Present time]
The waters met with land with a soothing splash. The Caribbean sun beat down on the beach warming up the white sands. Children ran up and down the coast, laughing as another wave rushed past their ankles. The palm leaves seemed to join in the festivities as the breeze caused them to sway as it blew past.
"Raven, look what I've got!"
A young man, no older than twelve held up a beautiful conch shell. It was pale pink with a few swirls of darker red colors painted around it.
" Michael, it's beautiful!"
" Aye, that it 'tis, Marion."
An elder man with dark brown eyes and long disheveled hair walked up towards the two children. His wore a murky white shirt that had seen more than its fair share of wear and tear. His pants were little more than rags, but his boots looked well kept and polished. He had a few silver capped teeth, which shone as the sun reflected on them, causing the little girl to laugh as it nearly blinded her.
"Mr. Briggs!"
The man picked her up and let her sit in his arms. " How are ye faring today, lass?"
" Michael found a shell!"
The blond haired boy beamed proudly as he held up the large shell. Mr. Briggs placed the girl down gently and examined the shell.
" Hmm, worth a shilling… if it works properly," he said. Both the boy and the girl looked at each other and back at the man. He took the shell to his mouth and blew forcefully, causing a loud trumpet-like sound to vibrate within the shell.
The girl's eyes widened with amazement and she clapped with glee.
" That's wonderful! How'd you know it was going to do that?" she asked.
The man knelt by the girl and shrugged. " Few years in the sea'll do that to you, little lady." He stood and was about to walk away when the girl took a hold on his hand and smiled up at him.
" Are you staying for good, Mr. Briggs?" she asked innocently.
" Aye, lass… although I wish you could have met my boy before he sailed away," he replied sadly, " He would have liked you."
She gave him a toothy grin, "Oh, Mr. Briggs… Everyone likes me!"
Laughter rang in the island as the children and the man played in the sand. "Marion"
"Marion"
"MARION!"
Marion bolted upright, her eyes still closed, knowing her curtains were opened. She slowly opened her eyes, adjusting to the bright sunlight protruding from every window in her room.
'Blasted room,' she thought, 'too many windows…'
'Then again, it was perfect for escape'
She yawned and stretched before she got out of bed. She noticed her ward was standing red-faced in front of her door. She realized that he must not be used to seeing many women, either that or she was being 'too bold' again.
Sighing, Marion placed on a robe and motioned for Will to come in. He complied and gave a slight bow, making Marion giggle slightly. She noticed how tense the boy seemed, so she decided to cut through the silence.
" Now, now, Will," she replied, " None of that."
He looked up and nodded meekly. " Aye, mum."
Marion nearly tripped as she heard him. Turning towards him, she frowned and shook her head. " None of that either, Will."
He looked confused to a moment and blinked. "Are you not my guardian?"
" I'm your guardian, yes… but I don't wish for you to call me mum, especially if you had one you love," she said softly as she placed her arm around Will. She gently sat him on her bed as she brushed her hair. " Besides, I'm not old enough to be your mother… I am only eight years older than you are."
"What should I call you then?" Will questioned her as he loosened up. He no longer fiddled with his hands, and he maintained eye contact albeit through the mirror.
"Marion will do," Marion replied, finishing up her hair. Lily began to dress her and Will had to look away. Marion saw this, and laughed. After all, it wasn't as if she was naked- she did have her nightgown on.
" Miss, what are your plans for today?" Lily asked as she finished tying the last strap of Marion's gown.
Marion stepped out of the changing screen and frowned at her reflection. She positively detested gowns, especially one, which required several layers of clothing. However, since she was to go to town today, occasion called for proper attire.
" Well," Marion started as she straightened her skirt. " Since it is Monday, young Will and I shall tour Port Royal to find a good station at which he can become a lucky man's apprentice."
Marion walked slowly, still not used to walking in both a gown and heeled shoes. Will noticed a small shop and wondered what was happening inside. They could hear the sounds of grinding wood, and clashing metals. Marion grinned at Will's curiosity and opened the door.
" Come on, sweet," Marion said, reverting to 'motherly' mode as Will uneasily walked through the large wooden doors.
The sound of clashing metal ceased as a stout man stopped his work to bow to Marion. She smiled brightly and curtsied.
" Mr. J. Brown?" she asked.
The man nodded, " Aye, Miss Norrington," he replied, "What brings a fine lady like you to my establishment?"
Marion motioned to Will, and smiled once more. " As you may have heard, I've taken in a ward. We're searching for a place where he may find some experience in. I was wondering if you may need an apprentice."
Mr. Brown looked Will over and shook his head. " Nay, miss… the lad's too scrawny, won't make do for a good blacksmith."
Marion noticed the look on Will's face as he saw a finely crafted sword by one of the pillars supporting a large revolving gear.
" Like it, lad?"
Will was startled out of his reverie as Mr. Brown walked towards the pillar, unsheathing the magnificent sword.
" Miss Norrington fashioned it herself," Mr. Brown praised. " She's a fine craftswoman… though not a person in Port Royal knows it."
Will looked at Marion incredulously, " You made this?"
Marion nodded proudly, " That I did… and as I recall, Mr. Brown, I was even 'scrawnier' than Will."
Mr. Brown chuckled deeply and nodded. " Aye," he looked at Will again and sighed in defeat. " Well, alright. I shall take you on as my apprentice."
Will laughed merrily and thanked the man. Will handed the blade back to Mr. Brown, only for him to shake his head. " 'Tis Miss Norrington's," he said as he went back to hammering steel.
Marion waved goodbye as they continued their tour of Port Royal. Will took another glance at his guardian and then to the sword in his hand. It was finely crafted with folded steel, completely balanced… yet the hilt was plain. Had he not seen the blade itself, he would have thought it was an inferior sword.
" How-"
" I was taught everything I knew by a man back when I was living in an island on the coast of the ***Bahamas," Marion said as she picked up the front of her skirt and tried to walk faster, noting the position of the sun. " Come now, William. We're off to see Ms. Swann. I believe it is high time for your lesson."
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Author's Note: Just so you all know, that bit of information about Huitzilopochtli is somewhat true. He did use a weapon called the 'serpent of fire' but it ain't a bloody golden spear… it's the rays of the sun. For more info…Go to: .
** present time would be where Marion is 18, savvy? I don't really want to make a date, just because it would complicate the story further… not to mention the fact that I don't want to make any more research on this subject… Port Royal sank in 1762, I believe… and, the most notorious pirates were pillaging and plundering in the late 1600s… so I'm not sure I can incorporate accurate history in with this story. Sorry loves, I'm just not a history major… I'm not a history minor either…
*** Not sure if the Bahamas were named the Bahamas during this time… as I said, I'm not a history major.
