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Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl is copyright of Walt Disney Pictures. Characters are owned by Jay Wolpert, Stuart Beattie, Ted Elliot, & Terry Rosso.

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Chapter Two: The Lady Washington's Business

Will made his way up to Fort Charles with little delay. A soldier in a red uniform met him at the gates and told him that Commodore Norrington would see him in a few minutes. Will set down the swords and climbed the steps up to the parapet. The view was unlike any other he'd ever seen. The fort on the cliffs gave the vantage of the entire Caribbean Sea. The early morning clouds were disappearing quickly as the sun climbed higher and higher into the sky. Will leaned against the partial wall and took in the wind and the smell of salt. He closed his eyes and let his mind wander for a moment. He and Elizabeth had shared their first kiss here. This had been the last place he'd seen Jack Sparrow. Where was Jack now? Wherever he was, Will was sure Jack was staying out of trouble. Will laughed under his breath at his own ludicrous thought.

"What's so amusing, Mister Turner?"

Will spun around, surprised. Commodore Norrington was standing looking at him with and air of superiority only a man of the navy could muster.

"Your order," Will said, dismissing the Commodore's question. "I've come to deliver it to the armory." Will never found himself addressing the Commodore as 'Sir'. There were only two people to whom he addressed that formality. Brown attained that title simply because he could break their agreement of apprenticeship whenever he liked. Governor Swann deserved it because he was, in fact, the Governor and Elizabeth's father.

"Yes, yes I see." Norrington stated. Will found a nerve twitch when Norrington joined Will up on the parapet. "It's a beautiful view, isn't it?"

"Yes, it is. The wind is picking up, fine sailing conditions."

Norrington looked cynically at Will and turned to look at the town. When his head was turned Will chided himself. What the devil was he thinking?

"A good thing our sailing conditions will be so fine," the Commodore said, with a hint of sarcasm. "The Lady Washington is scheduled to depart in two day's time." He turned back to face Will. "The reason why you are here – the swords – is that our men will be requiring them." The Commodore smiled and headed back to the armory. It was clear Will was expected to follow, so he did, dutifully. As he walked across the Fort, he couldn't help but imagine why The Lady Washington would be leaving, and full of His Majesty's soldiers. It was only until Will was back at the forge that he realized the reason for the Commodore's smug attitude: they had found Jack.

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