Summery-ice, I have been 10-15 chapters ahead. That doesn't mean to say I am now!
Sakhara, good to see you back. Nothing will happen to Eb, I promise.
Jacquelyn Sparrow, that seems to be a very popular surname, doesn't it? Glad you're enjoying the story.
Hilary, Linnie – thanks for your help
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Chapter 59The crew of The Black Pearl fell silent as the scene of devastation unfolded before their eyes. The remains of The Dauntless floated listlessly in the bay, the smaller Naval ships reduced to mere tinder where they had been dashed against the rocks, the bay awash with all manner of debris and bodies of marines from the ships. Their eyes travelled towards the town, or rather, where the main town had used to be. All there was left was an ugly scar rising from the water, up the cliff face and into the heart of what was left of Port Royal.
Jack looked in awe at where he reckoned the fort had been, not believing that something so solid and impenetrable could be reduced to mere rubble in the water. He took over the helm from Moyles and guided The Pearl through the hazardous water, taking her as close to the newly formed shoreline as he could.
'Run up a flag o'truce,' he ordered, not caring that his voice broke with emotion. When he'd taken his ship as close as he dared, Jack gave the order to lower the anchor and stood there, with Maddy in his arms, just looking.
'You stay on board luv… I'll go into town wi'some others.' Jack knew his words were futile, but he didn't want Maddy exposed to whatever horrors were on land.
'No Jack, I'm coming with you.' Maddy's tone discouraged any argument, and Jack was too shocked to argue anyway.
Jack, Maddy, Tom and Moyles rowed ashore, none of them looking forward to what lay ahead. He helped Maddy from the boat, grimacing at the smell emanating from the town, then led the way across the rubble until they reached where the earthquake had not.
Jack stopped a passing marine, who had a gash running across his face. 'Who's in charge mate?'
'Commodore Norrington, but he's too busy to see you. If it's news of relatives you're after, you'll have to go to the makeshift mortuary up ahead.'
Jack blanched at the thought of going to the mortuary in that heat, and shook his head. 'Nah mate, I'm here t'see Norrington.'
'Sparrow, Maddy? What on earth are you doing here?'
The group spun on their heels to see James Norrington striding towards them, a dubious look on his face. Maddy embraced her former employer as he reached them, noting how drawn he looked.
'We came ter see if there's anything we can do mate.' Jack extended his hand, shaking the Commodore's firmly.
'You…? Oh… I see.' James Norrington ran his hand through his un-wigged hair, feeling rather perplexed by this turn of events. 'Please come with me.' He led the way to the edge of town, where temporary naval offices has been set up in one of the houses.
'Murtogg, Mullroy!' Jack bounded to his two friends and threw an arm around each of them, smiling broadly. 'Yer safe!'
'Aye Captain Sparrow, we were on board The Interceptor II round the other side of the island when the earthquake struck.' Mullroy shook his head sadly, thinking of his many friends that had been lost, while on duty at the fort.
'This way, if you please.' Norrington opened the door to a drawing room, indicating for his guests to follow. 'There aren't any refreshments I'm afraid. The drinking water has been contaminated and we have to fetch fresh water from along the coast. Thank God I have at least one ship that's sailable.'
'What of Governor Swann?' Maddy spoke for the first time since setting foot amongst the devastation.
'Lost. So many people have just simply disappeared.' James Norrington sat on the edge of a desk and pinched the bridge of his nose.
'Oh no, Elizabeth…' Maddy closed her eyes, blinking back the stinging tears that had been threatening since they rounded the headland into the bay. 'Celia?'
'Celia is fine, Maddy. I had a house built away from town. If it hadn't been a Sunday when the earthquake struck, I would have died as well…..' James shuddered involuntarily.
'So Commodore, what can we do?' Jack found himself feeling desperately sorry for his old adversary, not envying him the task ahead whatsoever.
'Well, obviously I'd be grateful if you would inform Elizabeth of her father's death, and there is something else…. No, it's too much to ask.' James Norrington shook his head, but looked hopefully at Jack.
'Course we'll tell 'Lizbeth mate, goes wi'out sayin', but what else d'ya want?'
'There's nowhere to bury the dead, and there aren't enough able bodied men to dig graves, even if there was room. Could you ferry bodies out to sea, for burial there?' James' eyes bored into Jack, as the pirate considered the proposal, willing him to agree.
'I need ter discuss it wi' the others first.'
'Of course, I'll give you some time alone.' James Norrington nodded curtly, then left the quartet to discuss his proposal.
'I dunno about this, there's always t'risk of disease wi'bodies that have been left a few days. Ya've smelled it out there, tis already rife.' Jack pulled a face, looking around the small group.
'But it will have to be done Jack.' Maddy chewed her lip, 'If we don't, then who will?'
'T'Interceptor could do it,' Jack shrugged.
'The Interceptor has enough to do, patrolling these waters and fetching supplies in. Jack, you came here to help, this is the help James needs the most.'
'Nah luv, I ain't riskin' disease on me ship.' Jack played idly with a braid hanging from his head as he pondered what to do, then his eyes lit up. 'I know. Norrie! Y'can come back in now,' he called, grinning at the Commodore's apoplectic expression as he strode back into the room.
'Well?' Norrington's voice was as icy as his face.
'If ya load t'dead onto a barge, we'll tow it out ter sea then set fire to it, savvy?' Jack basked in the glow of four pairs of eyes looking at him in a mixture of astonishment and admiration.
'Well….. yes that could work, how would you fire it though?' James Norrington stroked his chin, while working out the possibilities.
'Maybe soak t'tarp coverin' t'bodies with oil then toss a torch onto it, sailing away before t'flames take hold.'
'Yes… yes, that could work. Very well Sp…Captain Sparrow, I shall get my men to organise a barge and enough tarpaulin sheets to cover the bodies. It may be a day before we can arrange everything though.' James Norrington regarded the man standing before him, smiling inwardly at the irony of the situation, then held out his hand. 'Thank you Jack, I appreciate this gesture very much.'
'No worries mate. Tell ya what, instead o'us sittin' round waiting fer ya to be ready, we'll go an' pick up some supplies, savvy?'
Norrington nodded, smiling his thanks, then went with the group until they came across Murtogg and Mullroy, still standing guard outside the house.
'I'd like you men to join Captain Sparrow on his ship, and inform Acting Captain Groves that The Black Pearl has come to our aid. I rather fear Groves wouldn't quite believe Captain Sparrow if the words came from his lips.'
'Yes Commodore Norrington,' the two men chorused, each beaming at Jack.
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Maddy stood on the deck of The Pearl relieved to be away from the horror and stench of the decimated town, and she immediately set about ordering the sails to be unfurled and the anchor to be raised, as Jack took Murtogg and Mullroy on a personal tour of his ship, his chest swelling with pride as they 'Ooo-ed' and 'Ahh-ed' at everything.
'What's going on Mads?' Freddie called, from where he was hoisting the mainsail.
'We're going around the island to fetch fresh water and supplies, then tomorrow we'll be towing a barge with the dead on, out to sea and setting it alight.' Maddy saw the crew look at each other with dread in their eyes. 'There will be no risk of disease, that's why the dead will be on a barge, not on board the ship.'
'I dunno, don't like th' sound o'that,' came a voice from the rigging.
'Nor do I,' added another, then the whole deck was filled with the sound of dissenting voices.
Maddy was torn between wanting to fetch Jack and wanting to quell the disquiet herself, but she settled on the latter. She strode across to the poop deck and cocked her pistol, firing it into the air, bringing a sudden silence across the decks. 'Listen to me, you scurvy dogs, any of you have a problem with what we're doing, you can piss off ashore at Port Royal. Then you really would have something to complain about, savvy?' Maddy looked angrily about her, daring any crewman to speak, but none did, save Jack, who appeared from the bowels of the ship, with two bemused marines behind him.
'Good, I'm glad that's settled then,' Jack growled, a furious look on his face. 'Now back ter work, yer spineless wretches.' Jack gave his wife a wink of support, then led the way to his cabin, eager to find out any juicy gossip from his two friends that might be to his advantage should the opportune moment arise.
Maddy stayed where she was, closely watching the crew work trying to see if any of them would rebel, but they all seemed to go about their chores as if nothing had happened, so Maddy left her station, feeling pleased with herself, but thankful Jack had showed when he did.
'Ship ho!'
Maddy turned to see the majestic lines of The Interceptor II rounding a headland and bearing down on their bow, gun ports opened and ready. 'Run up the flag of truce, and fetch the Captain and our guests. Make ready the guns as well, just in case…'
Jack led Murtogg and Mullroy to the bow and waved at the naval ship, causing Groves to almost drop his spy glass in surprise.
'Good afternoon Captain Groves, surprised ter see us?' Jack called as the two ships drew closer.
'Er… yes. What are you doing with two of my men on board your ship Sparrow?' Theodore Groves drew his pistol, hesitated, then sighed as he replaced it back in its holster.
'Good lad, good lad, there's no need fer any o'that. T'Commodore wants them ter verify that we're friends, savvy?'
'Friends?' Groves looked from Jack to the marines beside him and back to the pirate again. 'Friends?'
'Aye mate, friends. We've come ter collect some more supplies for ya. So, where d'we go?'
'Supplies?'
Jack gave an exasperated sigh, 'Does he always repeat himself?' he quietly murmured to the two marines on either side of him.
'Not that I've noticed, Captain Sparrow,' replied Murtogg, smiling ruefully. 'Must be in shock.'
Jack frowned and gave the marine a sideways glance, trying to decide whether to be insulted or not.
'Port Maria. There's a small settlement there, with two rivers in which to get water from.'
Jack turned his attention back to The Interceptor II, which had drawn alongside The Pearl, and Captain Groves, who was now feeling very pleased that help had arrived at last, albeit from a highly unlikely source. 'Port Maria? I've been there. Right mate, I'll let yer have yer men back, after seein' ya in passin' as it were.' Jack doffed his tri-cornered hat elaborately at the naval officer, then shook the hands of his guests and watched as they swung over to their ship then waved at him as the ships parted once more.
Jack was glad he'd made the decision to fetch supplies while Norrington made the arrangements for the transportation of the dead, he didn't like his crew to be idle for too long, as it tended to lead to arguments and fights.
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Jack watched as the chain of men, along with one woman, passed the pails of water to each other until it reached the barrel set up on the jetty and was emptied into it. Then Daniel ran with the empty pails back to the river to start the chain again. A cooper was sitting on the beach, making barrels as fast as he could and anchoring them in the sea to make them water tight, and people from the outlying areas were bringing in carts full of carrots, potatoes, beans and bananas from their fields and loading them into boats which were then rowed over to The Black Pearl and stowed in the hold. When the last barrel was filled and taken aboard, the crew of The Pearl converged on the small town's only inn, eager for refreshments.
Maddy decided to stay on board, not feeling in the mood for joviality, since the scenes from Port Royal were still fresh in her mind. She jumped at a sound coming from the starboard side and peered over the rail, smiling as the figure of her husband came into view.
'What are you doing back here? Is the rum no good?'
'Aye, t'rum is decent enough, I was just worried for ya.' Jack climbed onto the deck and wound his arms around Maddy's waist, pulling her to him and burying his face in her loose hair.
'You don't need to worry for me Jack, I'm fine.' Maddy hugged Jack tighter, glad of his company all the same.
'What sort o'husband would I be if I didn't worry fer ya, eh luv? C'mon, let's go an' look at t'stars.' Jack led the way to the forecastle, and leaned against the rail with Maddy in his arms.
'I can't shake the image of the utter ruin from my mind Jack… those poor people.'
'Aye luv, I know. I wake up every mornin' knowing that that day could be me last. I'm a pirate, so it comes wi'the territory, but those poor bastards didn't have a chance. At least when I die, I'll die wi'no regrets. How many o'them who died last thoughts were, 'I wish I'd done something more wi'me life?'' Jack looked at his wife, who'd turned to face him, and smiled. 'I've done everythin' I wanted ter do wi'me life, got everythin' I wanted, an' more then I coulda dreamed.'
'Me too Jack,' murmured Maddy, playing with the amber bead she'd given him.
'D'ya miss yer old life?'
Maddy looked in surprise at Jack, he never mentioned her life before he found her in the water. 'No, no I don't miss it at all.'
'If ya could've gone back, would ya've done it?'
'If I'd had the chance within the first couple of months of my arrival, then yes, I probably would have. But as time went on, I grew more and more fond of you, until I reached a point when I'd never have gone back.'
'Good, glad ter hear it luv.' Jack took Maddy's hand from his braid and kissed her fingers tenderly. 'Will ya promise me something? When I die, will ya wear t'bead, in remembrance?'
'Jack!'
'Promise me luv.'
Maddy fought down a lump in her throat and nodded, her trembling lips seeking out his. 'I promise Jack.'
'Thank you Madalene, I luv ya.'