I know, there hasn't been much action lately and I sincerely apologize, guys! Please bear with me on this, I beg of you! Drops onto her knees Action is coming, I promise you, though whether it starts in this chapter or the next is yet to be discovered. I don't really know how a chapter will turn out until it's finished, so, eheh, right. On with the next chapter I suppose!
Secrets of the CaribbeanWritten By: Riley Barton
[Chapter Twenty]
The feeling of cold steel against his throat was not the wake-up call Jack Sparrow had been expecting. The morning sunlight seemed to be shining through his eyelids and blinding him. He squinted, causing the cold blade being pressed against his throat to cut him. He hissed, cracking his eyes open to glare at his captor. However, he couldn't see who it was since they were standing behind him. Jack frowned, trying to place where he was. He was in a bedroom, that was for certain, and the large bay windows that led out onto a small balcony to his left were open, letting the ocean breeze and sun stream in. He was sitting in an overstuffed green chair by a cold fireplace, and just to the right of the fireplace was a wardrobe with a pair of tattered brown pants hanging over one of the two doors. Aha, he thought. That's right.
"Think ya could give me some breathin' room, love?" he asked, wincing somewhat as the blade was pressed closer against his throat.
"Why are you in my room?" was the retort of an annoyed female.
"Seemed like as good a place as any to take a jolly nap," he replied comically, quickly regretting it as the blade cut him again.
"I suggest you stop with the smartass remarks before I cut off your head." After a moment longer the blade was removed and Jack could breath freely again.
Scarlett walked around to stand in front of him and wipe the smearing of his blood on her dagger onto his pants. She glared at him before tucking the dagger into her boot. "What are you doing here anyway? I figured you would be warm and cozy with some whore you found in the local pub," she sneered.
"I thought of it," Jack said truthfully, "but that just didn't appeal t' me fer an odd reason."
Scarlett raised an eyebrow cockily. "Could it be because of the knowledge that you have a son?" she suggested, forcing a smile. She turned and headed for the door.
Jack watched her retreating back, absently chewing on his lower lip. What was it about him that got her knickers in such a big wad? He suddenly chuckled aloud. Her knickers in a wad, he scoffed. Ha, haven't literally done that in quite a while. He pushed himself to his feet and looked around the room with a mischievous grin. She isn't here to see, he thought, so where's the wrong in sneaking around a bit?
He first went to the wardrobe. Inside he didn't find much other than boots of varying heights, coats, pants, billowing shirts, shirts torn at the sleeve, and, much to his surprise, he found a dress. It was obvious she didn't where it very often, and Jack doubted she had worn it even once. It had been stowed in a drawer at the bottom of the wardrobe underneath a blanket. Hiding it, Jack guessed. He held it up and the long skirt fell to the floor. His eyes widened. This was no ordinary dress. In fact, he had never seen anything close to it. The dress was a dark blue in colour. The neck was a choker that went halfway up the neck, and the sleeves stopped just above the shoulder. There was a teardrop opening in the center of the chest area, and the long skirt gently flowed out from the narrow waist. Folds lined with silver silk were cut into the skirt.
This would cause a scene with the ladies, Jack thought smugly. Men, too. He paused at that last thought, his goofy smile fading just a little. No, he didn't like that thought. He folded the dress best he could with his fumbling fingers and stuffed it back into the drawer. He barely managed to get it completely shut. He was just turning in the direction of the desk when the booming echo of someone knocking on the front door met his ears. He paused, his curiousity as to whom the caller was overriding his urge to search Scarlett's room. He had just reached the staircase as Marge, one of the maids, answered the door.
A man in a riding outfit with a black riding hat tucked under his left arm stood on the doorstep with a pleasant smile on his face. He had honey-hued brown wavy hair and blue eyes, and he was tall and lean. "Good morning," the man greeted. "I was wondering if Miss Scarlett was in? I had heard in town that she had returned."
Marge smiled and nodded eagerly. "Yes, she is here. She'll be with you in just a moment." The bubbly maid hurried away to find Scarlett, leaving the gentleman to his own means.
Jack frowned, his brow furrowed. This man seemed very familiar, though he couldn't place why. There was something about him- his self-assured stance, perhaps, or maybe it was the friendliness of his smile, but whatever it was it put Jack's nerves on edge. Who was this man, a gentleman, to be calling on a female pirate? He slowly started down the stairs, leaning back a little as his dark eyes scrutinized the caller. If he didn't find out this man's name soon he was going to go mad.
Jack suddenly paused on the stairs when the man looked up at him. The gentleman looked startled, his eyes taking in Jack's appearance with a quick glance-over before coming to rest on his face. He opened his mouth to voice a question when the pounding footfalls of boots on the marble flooring drew near. Scarlett came into Jack's peripheral vision, and he felt something inside him twist as she ran to the gentleman and threw her arms around his neck in a hug.
"Rafe, I was wondering when you would stop by!" Scarlett exclaimed with a delighted smile.
Jack blinked. Rafe? As in, Rafael Kirkwood?
"I came as soon as I could. Father had a big dinner last night that he insisted I attend, otherwise I would have been here yesterday," the man replied with a smile, loosening his grip on Scarlett's waist and letting her step back. "You haven't changed since the last I saw you," he added with a grin.
Scarlett rolled her eyes. "It's only been two or so months." She folded her arms across her chest, a familiar stance that Jack knew well. "So how's the family? Rachael been cured of the virus she had?"
"She pulled through it in record timing. Nothing could ever put that sister of mine down for long." A cheerful glimmer came into the man's eyes. "Much like a certain woman I know."
Scarlett chuckled. "Shall we go into the back courtyard?" she suggested. "Marge can make us some lemonade."
"Sounds good."
Scarlett led Rafe down the hall. The man chanced another puzzled backward-look in Jack's direction as he followed her.
"I don't like that man," a small voice said from behind Jack.
Jack jumped in a girlish manner, spinning around awkwardly on the stair. He frowned at the small boy sitting on the top step, staring at the floor below the staircases banister. Carver's sad face looked up at Jack. "But Mama likes him," he replied with a sigh, "so I don't say nothin'."
"And why is that?" Jack asked, joining the boy at the top of the stairs. "He seems…friendly 'nough."
Carver shrugged. "I dunno. I just don't."
"Gut feelin' eh?"
"Guess so." The boy shrugged again. He smiled at Jack. "I like you, though, even if you are a pirate. Just don't tell Mum, okay? She'd be angry with me."
Jack raised an eyebrow and the corner of his mouth tipped up in a smile. He held out a hand and nodded. "We have an accord, mate," Jack said.
Carver shook the calloused pirate's hand with a confused look on his face. " A what?"
Jack dropped the boy's hand and slung an arm around Carver's small shoulders. "Ye've got a lot t' learn before ye can become a pirate, lad," he said. "A lot t' learn."
Scarlett licked her lips as she desperately tried to focus on what Rafe was talking about. It was something about politics involving the governor of Marcail, but all the rest was a bunch of high speech she didn't understand. Rafael Kirkwood had been raised in a high society family. Though a 'rich boy', that had never stopped him from playing with the rascals of the streets, two of which being his good friends- Scarlett Bane and Jack Anderton, otherwise known as Jack Sparrow.
Scarlett was rather dreading the moment when Rafe and Jack met again. The three had been good friends as children, but since Scarlett had returned to Marcail a few years ago –pregnant- Rafe had developed a strong dislike for his old friend. In some ways it went further than Scarlett's feelings, and why that was Scarlett could only guess at.
Scarlett jumped as the door that led onto the back courtyard slammed open with a loud bang, followed immediately after by small pounding footfalls. She looked over her shoulder just as Carver launched himself at her, holding a small wooden sword in his right hand. Scarlett eyed the sword with a trained eye. "Where did you get that?" she slowly asked, taking it from her son's hand.
"Jack gave it to me," the boy stated proudly. "He found it hidden under a floorboard in my bedroom. Can ya believe it!"
"I can," Scarlett replied absently, her finger tracing a name carved into the side of the wooden hilt. She traced out an S, then a C, and so on until she spelled her own name. This had been one of the two swords she and Jack had fought with as kids.
"I told ye not t' bother yer mum, lad, if she was busy," Jack said, stumbling into the courtyard.
Scarlett looked at him, noticing that Rafe, who had been looking at Carver with a slight air of annoyance, had also turned to see who else was disturbing his and Scarlett's conversation. She quickly took in the fact that Jack was also holding a wooden sword, and she knew that Jack's name would be carved into the hilt of that one as her name was carved in the other.
Jack watched as a look of familiarly crossed Scarlett's face as she looked at the wooden swords. His grin widened.
"Jack Anderton?" Rafe questioned, a frowning crease crossing his forehead. A displeased look was in his blue eyes.
Jack looked at Rafe and gave a comical bow. "Captain Jack Sparrow," he replied, "if you please." He smiled cockily, wiggling an eyebrow at him, as if to taunt him.
"He's a pirate," Carver stated proudly, his face beaming. "He's teaching me how to be one, too. See, watch, I can fight with a sword, Mama!" He gripped the sword tightly in one hand and launched himself at Jack with a burst of speed.
Jack, happy to play along, easily blocked the first three stabs the young boy made, but on the fourth one he let Carver 'stab' him in the side. He dropped his wooden sword and stumbled to the right.
"Ha, beat you again!" Carver shouted in jubilation.
Unwillingly, warmth seemed to flow through Scarlett at her son's obvious joy. She looked at Jack and his eyes, merrily dancing, met hers. She gently shook her head, smiling. You rogue, she thought to herself. She looked back to Carver, who was completely oblivious to the fact that Jack had let him win. She knew she should be angry with Jack for going against what she had said about not wanting Carver to become a pirate, and she was, though very little. The fact that Jack was treating her son with respect and a vague air of care was enough to overshadow her anger.
"Let's see what you can really do, Captain."
Scarlett looked to Rafe warily. The man was on his feet, a dangerous look in his eyes as he glared at Jack Sparrow. She frowned, quickly glancing at Jack.
"Savvy." Jack nodded with a child-like grin. He motioned for Carver to come to him and gave him the wooden sword he was holding. "Take care of these for me?" Carver nodded and Jack patted him on the head. "Good lad."
"Scarlett," Rafe barked at her, "bring us two swords."
Scarlett glared at Rafe. He would not, could not, do this. Rafe looked angry enough to kill, but for what reason? The fact that Jack had returned, or that Carver seemed to adore him?
"Scarlett!" Rafe snapped again.
She shook her head. "No I will not," she stated firmly. "You-"
"Scarlett," Jack's husky voice said from a few feet away; she stopped and looked at him. He raised his eyebrows at her. "No one'll get 'urt."
She hesitated, looking between the two men. Could Jack really be so ignorant? She sighed, slowly rising to her feet. "I'll be right back," she said quietly. "Carver, come with me," she instructed. The boy looked to Jack and only followed his mother after a confirming nod from the rogue pirate.
Jack stared across the courtyard at Rafe and folded his arms across his chest. The other man was mad, he could tell -a major contrast to the self-assured, friendly smile from earlier. "So how've ye been, mate?" he called cheerfully. "Scarlett been treatin' yeh well?" He grinned. He could almost see the smoke coming out of Rafe's ears.
"How dare you even come back here," Rafe growled, "especially after what you did to Scarlett."
Jack's smile dropped. "She told you 'bout that, eh?"
"Of course," he spat, his face shrouded in disgust. "What you did to her was lower than I ever thought you could go, Anderton."
"Sparrow," Jack said in annoyance, rolling his eyes. "Captain Jack Sparrow. How many times will it take for you people t' get it right?"
"What's going on out here?" Elizabeth Swann asked as she and Will walked outside. She was frowning, looking between the two men facing each other. She stared at Rafe. "Who are you?"
Rafe started. "Rafael Kirkwood. And you two are?"
"Elizabeth Swann, and this is William Turner," she replied, waving a hand in Will's direction. "We're friends of Scarlett and Jack."
"I see." Rafe cast a glare at Jack.
Just then Scarlett returned with two swords in their proper scabbards. She passed one to Jack, smiling worriedly at Elizabeth and Will. "Glad to see the two of you are awake," she said. "Though I'm afraid you have terrible timing." Rafe came forward and roughly took the sword and its scabbard from her. She jumped, not expecting him to be that hasty.
"Let's get this started, eh?" Rafe said, removing the sword and tossing the scabbard aside. He got into the proper position, waving the sword from side to side in a taunting manner. "Come on, Sparrow."
Scarlett backed up between Will and Elizabeth, her eyes flickering between Jack and Rafe. She watched as Jack pulled his own sword and, nicely, set the scabbard against the wall so it did not get scratched. Rafe understood the personal jab and attacked before Jack was prepared. The pirate barely managed to avoid the swing, which could have cost him his head.
"Who's the pirate here, me or you?" he asked, swinging his weapon. The two blades met and a loud ring sounded. The two men pressed the blades roughly against the other's blade, and Jack slid his sword up and down much like he had to Will's a short time ago in the smithery. "Come on, Rafe, I know ye've got more than that."
Rafe lunged at Jack. The two men went by in a flying wind with a mixture of parries, thrusts, dodging, and taunting remarks. Will, who was skilled in the art of sword fighting, could see where this fight would end. Rafael was beginning to wear out already after having used most of his strength in the first part of the battle. Jack, on the other hand, was merely blocking any thrust or swipe. He was barely breathing hard.
"Getting tired, old man?" Jack said, parrying another attack.
"Bastard," Rafe growled and swiped at Jack again. "You deserve to die after all you've done."
"Is that so?" Jack sliced at Rafe's arm, drawing blood. He raised his eyebrows in mock concern. "Oh, sorry, mate, seems I've harmed you. Here, let me help you." He took a step forward and swiped at Rafe's legs. "Oops, how careless." He stepped to the left, ducking his head as Rafe made an angry swing for his neck. "I think you're getting slower, lad."
Scarlett dug her fingernails deeper into the palm of her hand to the point of drawing blood; her bottom lip was in the same predicament. Will grabbed a hold of her bleeding hand and squeezed it. She looked up at him and calmed a little at his reassuring smile.
Rafe weakly blocked another attack at his stomach, staggering back a step. Jack grinned. "Loosing your footing?"
Jack blocked another thrust at his arm as the courtyard door was opened again and Carver came running out. He stopped short just behind Jack, his eyes wide. Rafe, unaware of the small boy's presence, made a last, desperate swing at Jack's torso. Scarlett's eyes widened as the sword spun out in what seemed like slow motion. The word 'No!' formed on her lips but nothing came out as Will roughly jerked her back. Jack had seen the boy arrive out of the corner of his eye, and he knew that the boy would be hit. Without a second though, he shoved his son out of harm's way, throwing his life to the depths of Hell.
Author's Note: HAHA!! Another chapter finished, and SuzzieQue you got your action, and a cliffhanger. laughs I'm so evil. Please review you guys, and I'll love you for all eternity!