It didn't take my father long to alert all of Port Royale that pirates were
abroad. The garden party dispersed almost immediately and Colonel Ridges
sent me home, declaring, "You should not be near the ocean when pirates are
walking loose! It's dangerous business, Isabelle!"
"Dangerous business!" I muttered to myself as the carriage moved along, "And now I shall surely miss out on all the action!" My father had stayed behind, as he needed to secure his ships and goods at the docks. I was very frustrated with the situation. I did not belong cooped up in some room for the next two nights, all because some man claiming he was, well, I mean, he had to be, a pirate, had said that Port Royale was going to be raided. The thought was preposterous anyway!
When I arrived at our town mansion, there were three guards waiting. They took me firmly by the arms and locked me in my room. They failed to secure the open window, but I decided to leave it open anyway. It was stifling in my room when there was no proper ventilation. I looked around the darkness of my room, only dimly illuminated by the setting sun, which was on the other side of the house. A warm sea breeze twisted the curtains into flowing rivets resembling mist. It was humid.
After a long while, I went to try the door. It was indeed locked. I slammed my hands against the door, trying to get out. But there was no response from the other side. Frustrated, I sat on the bed and was painfully reminded of the corset I was wearing.
"Ow," I grimaced to myself, putting a hand to my stomach, which felt more like a board.
"Ye really think ye should leave yer window open, luv?" Said a voice. I whipped around and saw Jack Sparrow standing by my window in the dying sunlight. I backed away towards my door.
"What do you want?" I gasped, staring at him.
"Well, I wanted to... congratulate you for sendin' Port Royale into a gen'ral uproar," he said sarcastically, leaning on the window frame. He was twirling a compass about his fingers as he watched me.
"I did what you told me to do, Mr. Sparrow," I countered, "You should be gracious for that."
"Gracious? I do believe ye've gone about it the wrong way, luv. Say, ye could've sent a telegram to the guard walls. Alertin' the gen'ral public innit quite the right way t'do it," he responded, smiling a little.
"How was I supposed to know?" I cried, glaring at him, "It wasn't right to land me with such responsibility offhand!"
"Ye're right, luv," he admitted, stretching and sighing, "Shoulda never placed a woman in a man's position..."
"I beg your pardon?!" I said, outraged.
"Well, it's true," Jack said, shrugging.
"Get out!" I fumed.
"Think I'll hang around...don't 'ave anywhere I'm goin' to," said Jack, looking around the room. He picked up a porcelain box from the table, which held my emerald earrings. He held it open with a grin. "An open window is an open invitation." I was too aggravated to respond right away. And when I did respond, it was with contemptuous knowledge.
"I've heard things about you," I said finally. He raised a brow, placing the porcelain box back.
"Oh, and I suppose they're all...terrible, terrible things," said he, "Captain Jack the murderer, Captain Jack the thief, Captain Jack the pillager, Captain Jack the—"
"—worst pirate that was ever seen," I concluded, a final and complacent expression crossing my face. That was one way to rile a pirate; insult his honor as a pirate...if such a thing existed. He was looking surprised by now and he paused.
"I 'aven't 'eard that'un yet," he admitted, looking a bit disappointed, "Are you sure?" I nodded.
"Without a doubt," I added, just for laughs. But I held back my laughter for now. He pursed his lips and leaned forward on the bedpost.
"Guess I 'aven't left much 'o' me mark..."
"You've barely left a dent, I would say," I commented, smirking.
"Well," he said, clapping his hands together with certain finality, "Won't be makin' that mistake again. This time I'll be makin' certain me mark is left." He grinned.
"This time?" I repeated.
"Well, 'o' course luv. Didn't ye know that the raid begins at sundown?" He said, looking out the window and then back at me. His composure was casually relaxed.
"We are well prepared for the raid," I declared, "I have complete confidence that the port is secured." Jack snorted and laughed.
"There-in lies your err, luv. It helps me that ye made the mistake of lettin' the public know as well as the battlements. Because, ye see, this'll cause a great commotion when the Sacrilege attacks Port Royale. And durin' that commotion, I'll be takin' ye over to me ship for a lil'... joy ride," he explained.
"For what purpose?" I demanded, my hand firmly on the doorknob. There was a smug expression on his face. His black eyes glimmered in the dying sunset.
"Ye'll be the new prisoner of the Black Pearl, so long as ye kin get used to the title," he said.
"Despicable!" I spat, "I am of no worth as a hostage to you, Jack Sparrow!" I clung to the door. He rolled his eyes.
"First of all, luv, it's Captain Jack Sparrow," he said, emphasizing the "Captain." "Second of all, you are worth quite a bit. Not only is yer father a well-known merchant in both London and the Caribbean, but ye have gained a certain, powerful admirer in the form of Colonel Ridges."
"Stay away from me, you filthy pirate!" I exclaimed, jerking at the door. Then we both heard the guns go off at the guard walls. My eyes grew wide in the dusk-struck light. Jack smiled smugly.
"What be yer name, luv?" He said, approaching me. I did not respond. I turned and fiddled with the door desperately. "Isabelle, is it? If I remember correctly." He flipped me, pinning me firmly to the door.
"It's Miss Brant," I spat, shoving him off forcefully and running to the window. He seemed surprised by my strength but came after me. I shoved several chairs and a table in his way, probably breaking a few things as well. I climbed onto the windowsill. I was three floors up, not to mention the property was on an incline. There were people running in the street below and gunshots going off constantly. Jack Sparrow was shoving away the chairs with a bit of difficulty. I quickly lowered myself onto the overhang and scooted along the gutter.
"Look!" Someone yelled. I turned my head slightly and saw three pirates running up the front yard. I moved quicker and felt a bullet skim my shoulder. I cried out in pain, but I did not loosen my grip. "Let go, missy!" The same voice yelled, "We'll catch ye!" They all laughed, gathering on the front lawn. Desperately, I looked around for an escape.
Jack was hesitating at the window. Though he was not idle, I could not tell what he was up to. I figured he was probably sacking some of my belongings for himself. More than likely, however, he was reluctant to be seen here. The pirates on the front lawn were not likely to be his friends. They were laughing and whispering things to one another. My shoulder stung. This made my eyes water with the pain. My breathing was becoming more difficult.
"Come now! The roof is no place for a lady to be!" Stated one of the pirates, laughing. I could feel myself about to falter. It was a gradual thing, but eventually, I felt myself blacking out from the lack of air and the pain. I slipped. Suddenly, I was freefalling and reaching for the third floor, now the second floor, the first floor... there was a rush and I was flying upward again, grasped around the waist by a steady arm. The pirates on the lawn were yelling incoherently and I began to come to once again. Jack Sparrow held me firmly as he landed expertly upon his feet. He looked me in the eyes briefly.
"Would've been a nasty fall, luv," he said. Then, he let go of the rope, swept me up in his arms, and ran through the town center, which was in chaos. The pirates from my front lawn were picking up the chase.
"Jack, put me down!" I cried, squirming in his arms and beating his frame without a response. He grasped tighter and I gasped, feeling pain shooting up my arm. I went limp to relieve my nerves.
"Careful, luv," he said, rather calmly, "Tryin' to escape will have more consequences than that'un." He ran down the beach and whistled. The pirates were hot on our tails. Someone else whistled in response. "Gibbs, start yer rowin'!" Demanded Jack.
"Aye, sir!" Replied a voice. Jack ran swiftly up a log and leapt through the air daringly, landing deftly in the rowboat.
"Faster, we've got company," said Jack. The men rowing picked up the row pace and we shot forth across the water, leaving the other pirates behind on the beach. "Relax, luv. Let me have a look," said Jack softly. I was still clinging to his shoulders in pain and fear, so he had to peel me off. Being far too exerted to resist anymore, I did as he asked and relaxed. He touched my arm with an evident sincerity and affection, maybe, as if he possibly did care. "That's a nasty'un," he said, shaking his head. But his voice was losing its stability in my head. My breathing ability had vanished by now. Looking up through tear-stricken eyes, I saw great, billowing black sails against a starry sky. "Almost there, luv..."
And then, I passed out.
"Dangerous business!" I muttered to myself as the carriage moved along, "And now I shall surely miss out on all the action!" My father had stayed behind, as he needed to secure his ships and goods at the docks. I was very frustrated with the situation. I did not belong cooped up in some room for the next two nights, all because some man claiming he was, well, I mean, he had to be, a pirate, had said that Port Royale was going to be raided. The thought was preposterous anyway!
When I arrived at our town mansion, there were three guards waiting. They took me firmly by the arms and locked me in my room. They failed to secure the open window, but I decided to leave it open anyway. It was stifling in my room when there was no proper ventilation. I looked around the darkness of my room, only dimly illuminated by the setting sun, which was on the other side of the house. A warm sea breeze twisted the curtains into flowing rivets resembling mist. It was humid.
After a long while, I went to try the door. It was indeed locked. I slammed my hands against the door, trying to get out. But there was no response from the other side. Frustrated, I sat on the bed and was painfully reminded of the corset I was wearing.
"Ow," I grimaced to myself, putting a hand to my stomach, which felt more like a board.
"Ye really think ye should leave yer window open, luv?" Said a voice. I whipped around and saw Jack Sparrow standing by my window in the dying sunlight. I backed away towards my door.
"What do you want?" I gasped, staring at him.
"Well, I wanted to... congratulate you for sendin' Port Royale into a gen'ral uproar," he said sarcastically, leaning on the window frame. He was twirling a compass about his fingers as he watched me.
"I did what you told me to do, Mr. Sparrow," I countered, "You should be gracious for that."
"Gracious? I do believe ye've gone about it the wrong way, luv. Say, ye could've sent a telegram to the guard walls. Alertin' the gen'ral public innit quite the right way t'do it," he responded, smiling a little.
"How was I supposed to know?" I cried, glaring at him, "It wasn't right to land me with such responsibility offhand!"
"Ye're right, luv," he admitted, stretching and sighing, "Shoulda never placed a woman in a man's position..."
"I beg your pardon?!" I said, outraged.
"Well, it's true," Jack said, shrugging.
"Get out!" I fumed.
"Think I'll hang around...don't 'ave anywhere I'm goin' to," said Jack, looking around the room. He picked up a porcelain box from the table, which held my emerald earrings. He held it open with a grin. "An open window is an open invitation." I was too aggravated to respond right away. And when I did respond, it was with contemptuous knowledge.
"I've heard things about you," I said finally. He raised a brow, placing the porcelain box back.
"Oh, and I suppose they're all...terrible, terrible things," said he, "Captain Jack the murderer, Captain Jack the thief, Captain Jack the pillager, Captain Jack the—"
"—worst pirate that was ever seen," I concluded, a final and complacent expression crossing my face. That was one way to rile a pirate; insult his honor as a pirate...if such a thing existed. He was looking surprised by now and he paused.
"I 'aven't 'eard that'un yet," he admitted, looking a bit disappointed, "Are you sure?" I nodded.
"Without a doubt," I added, just for laughs. But I held back my laughter for now. He pursed his lips and leaned forward on the bedpost.
"Guess I 'aven't left much 'o' me mark..."
"You've barely left a dent, I would say," I commented, smirking.
"Well," he said, clapping his hands together with certain finality, "Won't be makin' that mistake again. This time I'll be makin' certain me mark is left." He grinned.
"This time?" I repeated.
"Well, 'o' course luv. Didn't ye know that the raid begins at sundown?" He said, looking out the window and then back at me. His composure was casually relaxed.
"We are well prepared for the raid," I declared, "I have complete confidence that the port is secured." Jack snorted and laughed.
"There-in lies your err, luv. It helps me that ye made the mistake of lettin' the public know as well as the battlements. Because, ye see, this'll cause a great commotion when the Sacrilege attacks Port Royale. And durin' that commotion, I'll be takin' ye over to me ship for a lil'... joy ride," he explained.
"For what purpose?" I demanded, my hand firmly on the doorknob. There was a smug expression on his face. His black eyes glimmered in the dying sunset.
"Ye'll be the new prisoner of the Black Pearl, so long as ye kin get used to the title," he said.
"Despicable!" I spat, "I am of no worth as a hostage to you, Jack Sparrow!" I clung to the door. He rolled his eyes.
"First of all, luv, it's Captain Jack Sparrow," he said, emphasizing the "Captain." "Second of all, you are worth quite a bit. Not only is yer father a well-known merchant in both London and the Caribbean, but ye have gained a certain, powerful admirer in the form of Colonel Ridges."
"Stay away from me, you filthy pirate!" I exclaimed, jerking at the door. Then we both heard the guns go off at the guard walls. My eyes grew wide in the dusk-struck light. Jack smiled smugly.
"What be yer name, luv?" He said, approaching me. I did not respond. I turned and fiddled with the door desperately. "Isabelle, is it? If I remember correctly." He flipped me, pinning me firmly to the door.
"It's Miss Brant," I spat, shoving him off forcefully and running to the window. He seemed surprised by my strength but came after me. I shoved several chairs and a table in his way, probably breaking a few things as well. I climbed onto the windowsill. I was three floors up, not to mention the property was on an incline. There were people running in the street below and gunshots going off constantly. Jack Sparrow was shoving away the chairs with a bit of difficulty. I quickly lowered myself onto the overhang and scooted along the gutter.
"Look!" Someone yelled. I turned my head slightly and saw three pirates running up the front yard. I moved quicker and felt a bullet skim my shoulder. I cried out in pain, but I did not loosen my grip. "Let go, missy!" The same voice yelled, "We'll catch ye!" They all laughed, gathering on the front lawn. Desperately, I looked around for an escape.
Jack was hesitating at the window. Though he was not idle, I could not tell what he was up to. I figured he was probably sacking some of my belongings for himself. More than likely, however, he was reluctant to be seen here. The pirates on the front lawn were not likely to be his friends. They were laughing and whispering things to one another. My shoulder stung. This made my eyes water with the pain. My breathing was becoming more difficult.
"Come now! The roof is no place for a lady to be!" Stated one of the pirates, laughing. I could feel myself about to falter. It was a gradual thing, but eventually, I felt myself blacking out from the lack of air and the pain. I slipped. Suddenly, I was freefalling and reaching for the third floor, now the second floor, the first floor... there was a rush and I was flying upward again, grasped around the waist by a steady arm. The pirates on the lawn were yelling incoherently and I began to come to once again. Jack Sparrow held me firmly as he landed expertly upon his feet. He looked me in the eyes briefly.
"Would've been a nasty fall, luv," he said. Then, he let go of the rope, swept me up in his arms, and ran through the town center, which was in chaos. The pirates from my front lawn were picking up the chase.
"Jack, put me down!" I cried, squirming in his arms and beating his frame without a response. He grasped tighter and I gasped, feeling pain shooting up my arm. I went limp to relieve my nerves.
"Careful, luv," he said, rather calmly, "Tryin' to escape will have more consequences than that'un." He ran down the beach and whistled. The pirates were hot on our tails. Someone else whistled in response. "Gibbs, start yer rowin'!" Demanded Jack.
"Aye, sir!" Replied a voice. Jack ran swiftly up a log and leapt through the air daringly, landing deftly in the rowboat.
"Faster, we've got company," said Jack. The men rowing picked up the row pace and we shot forth across the water, leaving the other pirates behind on the beach. "Relax, luv. Let me have a look," said Jack softly. I was still clinging to his shoulders in pain and fear, so he had to peel me off. Being far too exerted to resist anymore, I did as he asked and relaxed. He touched my arm with an evident sincerity and affection, maybe, as if he possibly did care. "That's a nasty'un," he said, shaking his head. But his voice was losing its stability in my head. My breathing ability had vanished by now. Looking up through tear-stricken eyes, I saw great, billowing black sails against a starry sky. "Almost there, luv..."
And then, I passed out.