Hi, it's Kat again! (For once () Anyway, thank you to everyone who's been
reviewing, Alaina and I love you all! We're putting quotes at the beginning
of each chapter (duh), so if you have a favorite Jack quote, let us know! (
Enjoy!
Reviewers:
LotRseer3350- Congratulations, you won the cameo! That's right, the phrase "Nimble as a monkey" was the mention of the third Jack. (You can thank Alaina for that one.()
luvlyGRLofLIFE- You never know what might happen between Jade and Jack (Turner)- you'll just have to wait and see. ( Thanks for reviewing!
szhismine- We love that quote too! We'll try to fit it into a chapter for you!
Talon- We guessed that it was all a joke, but we just wanted to make sure everything was clear. Thanks for reviewing and we like your story too! (
More thanks to- mixtapewonder and x-mangle. Enjoy the story everybody!
And now, after an overdose of smiley faces- a word from our favorite Captain-
Jack Sparrow: Of the two of us, I'm the only one who hasn't committed mutiny, therefore my word is the one we'll be trusting.
Captain Jack Sparrow had never pushed the Black Pearl as fast as he did that day. If he had thought it would make it go faster, he would have stood in the sails and blew. His visit in Tortuga, for news of fellow pirates, had sent him out of the bar soberer then the day he had been born. Nathan Mara had returned to the Caribbean, looking for revenge. He had learned of Jade's existence, closely guarded for this very reason, and had headed for Port Royal the day before. As Jack forced his crew back aboard the ship, he could not miss the bitter irony of Jade not being among them. The one time he had tried to do something completely selfless for his little girl, and he managed to screw it up. If she had been with him, instead of on land, she would be safe.
Pulling away from the dock, Jack left Anamaria at the helm, himself standing silently at the bow. Looking upwards at the pitch dark sky, littered with stars like sparkling jewels, he was reminded violently of her eyes, glittering with laughter. At his expense, more often then not, but still laughing, loudly and deeply. If they managed to make her into a lady, he prayed they never got rid of her laugh.
Whether Lady Luck was on his side, or the ocean wanted Jade back as much as Jack did, the trip from Tortuga to Port Royal took one day instead of two. Leaving the crew onboard as he rowed quickly to shore, Jack found himself praying, something he had never done before.
'I'll give Anamaria the bloody ship I owe her, I'll teach Jade to be a lady not a pirate, I'll stop drinking rum- all the time; just let her be safe.'
Hiding his rowboat in some bushes at the bottom of Will and Elizabeth's hill, Jack raced towards the house. With an unease building in his stomach he noticed the lights burning brightly in most of the windows. Something instinct whispered to him that he was too late, but still he ran, rationalizing it away.
'Mara is an idiot and only sent one or two men. Even asleep Jade can take one or two men. She's fine, she has to be fine.' Clamoring up the trellis below Jade's window, Jack edged his way into the dark room. 'There's no light on. She's still asleep, I made it in time.'
*
Jack Turner had no idea why, but the very idea that someone had overpowered Jade, had taken her away; infuriated him. Almost as much as she did herself. The sheets on the bed were crumpled, the covers falling on the floor haphazardly. The hated corset sat thrown to the side, the beautiful red dress crumpled in a chair. And folded carefully to side were the clothes she had arrived in, clean and waiting for her to return to them. The harsh scrubbing they had received had not managed to take away the heady scent of the salt water that still lingered in the folds.
Outside, a soft thump sounded through the window. Alert, Jack slipped back into the shadows, waiting for another sign. It appeared quickly, an image of black on black as shadows crossed over and a man entered the room. Gliding forward, sword at the ready, Jack was completely unprepared for the sight before him.
*
Captain Jack entered the room as quickly and quietly as he could, cursing himself mentally for the soft sound that he made as his boot scraped the wall. Even in the near perfect darkness, Jack could tell his daughter wasn't there. The silence, the absolute quiet of the room betrayed his hope. For all the excellent traits Jade had picked up from him, she had also managed to get his inability to sleep without making noise. The crew would badger them for hours, saying how the two managed to compete even in their sleep- who could sound more like a wood saw? Whereas most females would blush and stammer an excuse, Jade had quite cockily assured the crew that she was the best; as always.
A slight movement in the corner of the room caught his attention, causing him enough concern to draw his gun. 'Surely Mara wouldn't be stupid enough to leave someone behind, would he?'
*
Sensing the stranger's movement rather then seeing it, Jack sprang forward.
*
As the oncoming assaulter barreled toward Jack, sword pointed towards his neck, Jack calmly aimed his gun.
"Who are you?" Both demanded at the same time, drawing to a halt.
"Jack." Again they answered in unison, drawing a long suffering sigh from the Captain.
Trying again, both Jacks questioned. "Where's Jade?"
Holding up his left hand, Captain Sparrow signaled for the younger man to stay quiet. "Do you recognize me now boy?"
"Yes sir."
Rolling his eyes at the boy's properness, Jack continued. "Jade has been taken?"
"Yes. I was here looking for clues, a note or something."
Skeptically, Captain Jack questioned the boy nonetheless. "Did you find anything?"
Before he could answer, the door flew open, revealing Will Turner, the Commodore two steps behind. "Jack? Are you alright?"
"Yes father."
"No I'm bloody well not! Where's Jade?"
"Jack." Will dropped his sword and stepped forward. "Jack I am so sorry. We'll get her back, I swear."
Clearing his throat, Commodore Norrington sauntered into the room. "So the infamous pirate returns, and just moments too late. What a pity. Mister Turner, I believe I have found one of your kidnappers. Take him away."
"NO!"
A group of red coated soldiers filed into the room, apprehending Captain Jack and tying his hands behind his back.
"Commodore Norrington, you must let him go." Will insisted, stepping directly in front of him. "He is more capable of finding Jade and bringing her home safely, then any man in your armada."
Disdainfully, the commodore stared at the man before him. "Mister Turner, I must do nothing. This man is wanted by the crown, and I will perform my duty. I will still send men out to search for the girl, but this man will hang."
"You don't understand-"
"You, Mister Turner, are nothing but a blacksmith. Do not assume yourself capable of advising a commodore."
The procession out of the Turner household was a somber one, silent and dreary. All the while, Captain Jack Sparrow never spoke once. As they passed through the front door, Will called after them. "We'll find her Jack! I swear to you, we will make this right again!"
Silence was his answer.
*
As the last soldier left, Will sprang into action. "Elizabeth, go to your father. Explain the situation, see what he can do. Jack, go with your mother, beg him, do whatever it takes. I'm going to see Jack and see what he knows." Throwing on his coat, he paused to kiss Elizabeth, and pat his son's face affectionately. "Take care."
With that, William Turner swept through his front door with such flourish Captain Jack Sparrow would have been impressed, had he been there to see it.
Calmly, Elizabeth turned towards the stairs. "I am going to change, and you will go do the same. Be back here in five minutes."
*
"You bloody BASTARD! I have to find my daughter! Let me go! LET ME GO!"
The cries echoed through the entire fort as Will entered. Breezing past the guards without so much as a "Hello.", Will headed straight for the basement, ignoring the shouts of indignation behind him.
At the sight of his old friend, caged once more, Will almost began to cry. Instead, he steeled himself, awaiting the blame he felt sure he deserved.
"Hello Will."
The voice was all wrong. There was no mocking, no laughter behind it. It shouldn't belong to Jack Sparrow.
"It's my fault Jack, I'm so sorry."
"No it's not. I should never have left her. I knew something like this would happen some day."
Shaking his head morosely, Will sat down on the other side of the bars. "Elizabeth and Jack have gone to see the governor; he might be able to help."
"Get him to help Jade. I don't matter anymore."
"That's not true Jack. Jade needs you. You can't let her down."
Jack didn't answer, crouched in the far corner. He fiddled with on of his rings, his head looking strangely bare without his tri-pointed hat. "I can't get this image out of my mind. It's was when she was small, and I still didn't know how to be a father. Not that I do now, mind you, but just the same. She was so tiny as a child, and I was afraid a good strong wave would sweep her off the deck. I would tell her to stay in my quarters whenever a storm came up. She listened to me back then, mostly anyway, but that day she slipped out. I was at the helm and all of the sudden this pair of twiggy little arms wrapped around my legs. I look down, and there she is. I was terrified suddenly, and I just stood there staring at her. She held up her arms, to be picked up, and I did it without thinking. She wanted to see the storm, to feel the wind and the water." He stopped, staring at Will suddenly. "How could I have taken her away from the ocean? She wedded herself to it that day, and who would know better then me what that means? She'll never be happy anywhere else."
"You did what you thought was best. Anyone could see that."
"Really?" Jack questioned. "I can't." Staring back into space, Jack could still feel her weight in his arms, her hands clasping the back of his shirt. She never stayed inside again; even climbing up to the crow's nest to see how far the storm stretched. She'd nearly killed him that day, nearly stopped his heart.
Leaning against the bars, Will felt his own thoughts drifting over the past two months. Jade had the same ability as her father to worm her way into your heart before you could decide whether or not you were ready. The idea of her somewhere, possibly afraid, with no one around that she trusted, twisted his heart.
"Jack?" Will questioned suddenly. "Do you know who has her?"
It took a moment for Jack to answer. "Mara. Nathan Mara."
*
"Father, you must help him! Jade will die otherwise!"
Governor Swann shook his head definitely. "Elizabeth, I can command the commodore to send more men after her, but Jack Sparrow-"
"Captain Jack Sparrow." Jack piped up from his chair.
"Captain Jack Sparrow is wanted by the crown. The commodore wasn't lying when he said he was just doing his duty."
Half an hour had passed just like this, and still they got no further. Frustrated and upset, Elizabeth stood up from her chair. "Are you telling me that in a matter of hours, a kidnapped child will be an orphan?"
"Elizabeth, please, calm down. Jack- Captain Jack Sparrow knew what it would mean when he came here, you knew that as well."
"He came back to save her! You are sentencing them both to death!"
Sternly, the governor stood up as well, facing off with his daughter. "Elizabeth, you should take your son, go home, and get some rest. There is nothing you can do."
Turning without a goodbye, Elizabeth and Jack were at the door, before she spoke again. "There is always something."
*
"Yo- ho, yo-ho, a pirate's life for me." Singing softly from her narrow cell, Jade slowly worked away at the rope that bound her hands, her father's voice echoing through her head.
'The thing with binding someone's hands or feet is it makes them think they can't get away. But all it is is a matter of loosening the knot and sliding the ropes off. Once you know you can get out, no one can bind you. No matter how long it takes, you can get rid of them.'
*
Neither knew what time it was when Will finally left Jack to find out what was going on at home. As soon as Will disappeared into the night, the cries started again, and didn't cease, even when Jack had no voice left to call out with.
*
The day dawned bright and clear, a red haze showing on the horizon. As Will, Elizabeth and Jack left the house for the square, Will found his gaze drawn to it.
"A red sky is a bad sign."
"For who?"
"I don't know."
*
A large crowd had gathered; news that Captain Jack Sparrow had once again been caught had caught the fancy of many a person. The Turners had been the first to arrive, but they were soon followed by over half of Port Royal. As the sun crested the stone walls, Norrington's men brought out the prisoner. Standing before the crowd, he was a pitiful sight.
The pirate's head hung down, as if he no longer had the strength to hold it up. Any respect Commodore Norrington had ever held for this man disintegrated at the sight. The once proud Captain Jack stood before the crowd in ruins, unable to even look his accusers in the eye.
"Any last words?" The executioner demanded, grinning sardonically.
"Please.Commodore Norrington." The voice broke, hours spent begging and crying from his cell had stolen him of his voice, just as the loss of his daughter had stolen him of his spirit.
With his grin still in place, the executioner called out, "'e wants to speak to the Commodore! Can't call out 'imself, 'e cried for so long after they told him 'e was to swing, 'e lost 'is voice!"
Among the laughter of the morbid-minded crowd, Commodore Norrington stepped forward, heading towards the gallows. "I will come closer then. Every man deserves to have his last words heard. Even a pirate."
As Norrington stepped onto the rough wooded planks that had been the final image in the many a dying man, Captain Jack Sparrow raised his head at last. Gone was the cocky grin, the laughing eyes that always taunted you with knowledge you would never receive. Tears had run down his face, leaving it lined with the remnants of black kohl. In later years, when Norrington reflected on that day, it would always be that sight that he remembered. Not the jeering crowd, eager for another spectacular getaway that only Jack Sparrow could produce, or the smug smile of the executioner. No, Norrington would not remember that; he would remember how broken Captain Jack looked. The man had been here before, and yet nothing had ever erased his laughter. Death had been a game, just one more thing for the impervious captain to defeat.
Drawing back, in shock or in shame, Commodore Norrington remained riveted on the spot, his eyes staring unblinkingly at the streaks of kohl that ran down to the collar of Jack's coat. "What happened to you? To the proud man who defied me and my men even as he began to swing? What could possibly have broken you?"
"Please. my daughter, she's been taken. Let me go, and I'll come back. Let me save her and I swear, I'll come back to die."
Norrington snorted violently. "The word of a pirate is a dishonest word. This story about your daughter is no doubt one of your fabrications. Your ship is undoubtedly moored nearby, and you will be off that wall and on it without as much as a glance back to shore."
The faintest glint of anger registered in the eyes of Captain Jack Sparrow, unnoticed behind the impenetrable haze of sorrow. "On my word as a father. Please, let my daughter live. Please-" He stopped abruptly, forcing down the sob that threatened to rip apart his already torn throat. "She is only fifteen years old. I left her here, so that she might choose land, where she might be safe. Now she's gone and I must find her!"
"You have no daughter!" Norrington shouted at him.
Suddenly standing stock still, Jack straightened, his voice gaining momentum as he spoke. "She is fifteen years old. Her hair and eyes are so dark you cannot discern their true colour, yet they are never black. Her hair barely brushes her shoulders, and she wears it plain, without any beads or braids."
"Stop it!"
"She wears sixteen rings, and never takes them off. One has been gifted to her on the day of her birth since the day she was born. The stones are all for protection. Her name is Treasure Jade Sparrow and she is mine. If I don't go to find her, she'll die." Pleadingly, Jack stared at the commodore. "She is innocent. Of all the bad things I've done in my life, she is the one thing I ever got right. Don't let her die just because she's mine. please."
"The Turner's have already reported Jade missing, and my men are out looking for her. Do not worry Mister Sparrow, if she can be saved, we will do it. I'll be sure to tell her you tried."
"You bastard! I promised her I'd always come for her! I promised!"
"And you are a pirate and a dishonest man. She must be used to you disappointing her by now, surely." With a sharp nod, Norrington turned and walked away, the executioner reaching eagerly for the lever even as Norrington stepped off the gallows.
Looking up into the sky, a small bird flew overhead. A single sparrow perched on the wooden beam above his head. Another one of the Englishmen's caged wild birds, brought across the ocean, to remind them of home.
'Well', Jack thought ruefully, one final tear tracking down his face. 'At least one sparrow escaped today.'
As the floor fell away beneath his feet, Captain Jack Sparrow turned his face to the sky, to the clear blue dome that would be the last thing he ever saw. "I'm sorry Jade." He whispered, just before his airflow was cut off viciously.
Reviewers:
LotRseer3350- Congratulations, you won the cameo! That's right, the phrase "Nimble as a monkey" was the mention of the third Jack. (You can thank Alaina for that one.()
luvlyGRLofLIFE- You never know what might happen between Jade and Jack (Turner)- you'll just have to wait and see. ( Thanks for reviewing!
szhismine- We love that quote too! We'll try to fit it into a chapter for you!
Talon- We guessed that it was all a joke, but we just wanted to make sure everything was clear. Thanks for reviewing and we like your story too! (
More thanks to- mixtapewonder and x-mangle. Enjoy the story everybody!
And now, after an overdose of smiley faces- a word from our favorite Captain-
Jack Sparrow: Of the two of us, I'm the only one who hasn't committed mutiny, therefore my word is the one we'll be trusting.
Captain Jack Sparrow had never pushed the Black Pearl as fast as he did that day. If he had thought it would make it go faster, he would have stood in the sails and blew. His visit in Tortuga, for news of fellow pirates, had sent him out of the bar soberer then the day he had been born. Nathan Mara had returned to the Caribbean, looking for revenge. He had learned of Jade's existence, closely guarded for this very reason, and had headed for Port Royal the day before. As Jack forced his crew back aboard the ship, he could not miss the bitter irony of Jade not being among them. The one time he had tried to do something completely selfless for his little girl, and he managed to screw it up. If she had been with him, instead of on land, she would be safe.
Pulling away from the dock, Jack left Anamaria at the helm, himself standing silently at the bow. Looking upwards at the pitch dark sky, littered with stars like sparkling jewels, he was reminded violently of her eyes, glittering with laughter. At his expense, more often then not, but still laughing, loudly and deeply. If they managed to make her into a lady, he prayed they never got rid of her laugh.
Whether Lady Luck was on his side, or the ocean wanted Jade back as much as Jack did, the trip from Tortuga to Port Royal took one day instead of two. Leaving the crew onboard as he rowed quickly to shore, Jack found himself praying, something he had never done before.
'I'll give Anamaria the bloody ship I owe her, I'll teach Jade to be a lady not a pirate, I'll stop drinking rum- all the time; just let her be safe.'
Hiding his rowboat in some bushes at the bottom of Will and Elizabeth's hill, Jack raced towards the house. With an unease building in his stomach he noticed the lights burning brightly in most of the windows. Something instinct whispered to him that he was too late, but still he ran, rationalizing it away.
'Mara is an idiot and only sent one or two men. Even asleep Jade can take one or two men. She's fine, she has to be fine.' Clamoring up the trellis below Jade's window, Jack edged his way into the dark room. 'There's no light on. She's still asleep, I made it in time.'
*
Jack Turner had no idea why, but the very idea that someone had overpowered Jade, had taken her away; infuriated him. Almost as much as she did herself. The sheets on the bed were crumpled, the covers falling on the floor haphazardly. The hated corset sat thrown to the side, the beautiful red dress crumpled in a chair. And folded carefully to side were the clothes she had arrived in, clean and waiting for her to return to them. The harsh scrubbing they had received had not managed to take away the heady scent of the salt water that still lingered in the folds.
Outside, a soft thump sounded through the window. Alert, Jack slipped back into the shadows, waiting for another sign. It appeared quickly, an image of black on black as shadows crossed over and a man entered the room. Gliding forward, sword at the ready, Jack was completely unprepared for the sight before him.
*
Captain Jack entered the room as quickly and quietly as he could, cursing himself mentally for the soft sound that he made as his boot scraped the wall. Even in the near perfect darkness, Jack could tell his daughter wasn't there. The silence, the absolute quiet of the room betrayed his hope. For all the excellent traits Jade had picked up from him, she had also managed to get his inability to sleep without making noise. The crew would badger them for hours, saying how the two managed to compete even in their sleep- who could sound more like a wood saw? Whereas most females would blush and stammer an excuse, Jade had quite cockily assured the crew that she was the best; as always.
A slight movement in the corner of the room caught his attention, causing him enough concern to draw his gun. 'Surely Mara wouldn't be stupid enough to leave someone behind, would he?'
*
Sensing the stranger's movement rather then seeing it, Jack sprang forward.
*
As the oncoming assaulter barreled toward Jack, sword pointed towards his neck, Jack calmly aimed his gun.
"Who are you?" Both demanded at the same time, drawing to a halt.
"Jack." Again they answered in unison, drawing a long suffering sigh from the Captain.
Trying again, both Jacks questioned. "Where's Jade?"
Holding up his left hand, Captain Sparrow signaled for the younger man to stay quiet. "Do you recognize me now boy?"
"Yes sir."
Rolling his eyes at the boy's properness, Jack continued. "Jade has been taken?"
"Yes. I was here looking for clues, a note or something."
Skeptically, Captain Jack questioned the boy nonetheless. "Did you find anything?"
Before he could answer, the door flew open, revealing Will Turner, the Commodore two steps behind. "Jack? Are you alright?"
"Yes father."
"No I'm bloody well not! Where's Jade?"
"Jack." Will dropped his sword and stepped forward. "Jack I am so sorry. We'll get her back, I swear."
Clearing his throat, Commodore Norrington sauntered into the room. "So the infamous pirate returns, and just moments too late. What a pity. Mister Turner, I believe I have found one of your kidnappers. Take him away."
"NO!"
A group of red coated soldiers filed into the room, apprehending Captain Jack and tying his hands behind his back.
"Commodore Norrington, you must let him go." Will insisted, stepping directly in front of him. "He is more capable of finding Jade and bringing her home safely, then any man in your armada."
Disdainfully, the commodore stared at the man before him. "Mister Turner, I must do nothing. This man is wanted by the crown, and I will perform my duty. I will still send men out to search for the girl, but this man will hang."
"You don't understand-"
"You, Mister Turner, are nothing but a blacksmith. Do not assume yourself capable of advising a commodore."
The procession out of the Turner household was a somber one, silent and dreary. All the while, Captain Jack Sparrow never spoke once. As they passed through the front door, Will called after them. "We'll find her Jack! I swear to you, we will make this right again!"
Silence was his answer.
*
As the last soldier left, Will sprang into action. "Elizabeth, go to your father. Explain the situation, see what he can do. Jack, go with your mother, beg him, do whatever it takes. I'm going to see Jack and see what he knows." Throwing on his coat, he paused to kiss Elizabeth, and pat his son's face affectionately. "Take care."
With that, William Turner swept through his front door with such flourish Captain Jack Sparrow would have been impressed, had he been there to see it.
Calmly, Elizabeth turned towards the stairs. "I am going to change, and you will go do the same. Be back here in five minutes."
*
"You bloody BASTARD! I have to find my daughter! Let me go! LET ME GO!"
The cries echoed through the entire fort as Will entered. Breezing past the guards without so much as a "Hello.", Will headed straight for the basement, ignoring the shouts of indignation behind him.
At the sight of his old friend, caged once more, Will almost began to cry. Instead, he steeled himself, awaiting the blame he felt sure he deserved.
"Hello Will."
The voice was all wrong. There was no mocking, no laughter behind it. It shouldn't belong to Jack Sparrow.
"It's my fault Jack, I'm so sorry."
"No it's not. I should never have left her. I knew something like this would happen some day."
Shaking his head morosely, Will sat down on the other side of the bars. "Elizabeth and Jack have gone to see the governor; he might be able to help."
"Get him to help Jade. I don't matter anymore."
"That's not true Jack. Jade needs you. You can't let her down."
Jack didn't answer, crouched in the far corner. He fiddled with on of his rings, his head looking strangely bare without his tri-pointed hat. "I can't get this image out of my mind. It's was when she was small, and I still didn't know how to be a father. Not that I do now, mind you, but just the same. She was so tiny as a child, and I was afraid a good strong wave would sweep her off the deck. I would tell her to stay in my quarters whenever a storm came up. She listened to me back then, mostly anyway, but that day she slipped out. I was at the helm and all of the sudden this pair of twiggy little arms wrapped around my legs. I look down, and there she is. I was terrified suddenly, and I just stood there staring at her. She held up her arms, to be picked up, and I did it without thinking. She wanted to see the storm, to feel the wind and the water." He stopped, staring at Will suddenly. "How could I have taken her away from the ocean? She wedded herself to it that day, and who would know better then me what that means? She'll never be happy anywhere else."
"You did what you thought was best. Anyone could see that."
"Really?" Jack questioned. "I can't." Staring back into space, Jack could still feel her weight in his arms, her hands clasping the back of his shirt. She never stayed inside again; even climbing up to the crow's nest to see how far the storm stretched. She'd nearly killed him that day, nearly stopped his heart.
Leaning against the bars, Will felt his own thoughts drifting over the past two months. Jade had the same ability as her father to worm her way into your heart before you could decide whether or not you were ready. The idea of her somewhere, possibly afraid, with no one around that she trusted, twisted his heart.
"Jack?" Will questioned suddenly. "Do you know who has her?"
It took a moment for Jack to answer. "Mara. Nathan Mara."
*
"Father, you must help him! Jade will die otherwise!"
Governor Swann shook his head definitely. "Elizabeth, I can command the commodore to send more men after her, but Jack Sparrow-"
"Captain Jack Sparrow." Jack piped up from his chair.
"Captain Jack Sparrow is wanted by the crown. The commodore wasn't lying when he said he was just doing his duty."
Half an hour had passed just like this, and still they got no further. Frustrated and upset, Elizabeth stood up from her chair. "Are you telling me that in a matter of hours, a kidnapped child will be an orphan?"
"Elizabeth, please, calm down. Jack- Captain Jack Sparrow knew what it would mean when he came here, you knew that as well."
"He came back to save her! You are sentencing them both to death!"
Sternly, the governor stood up as well, facing off with his daughter. "Elizabeth, you should take your son, go home, and get some rest. There is nothing you can do."
Turning without a goodbye, Elizabeth and Jack were at the door, before she spoke again. "There is always something."
*
"Yo- ho, yo-ho, a pirate's life for me." Singing softly from her narrow cell, Jade slowly worked away at the rope that bound her hands, her father's voice echoing through her head.
'The thing with binding someone's hands or feet is it makes them think they can't get away. But all it is is a matter of loosening the knot and sliding the ropes off. Once you know you can get out, no one can bind you. No matter how long it takes, you can get rid of them.'
*
Neither knew what time it was when Will finally left Jack to find out what was going on at home. As soon as Will disappeared into the night, the cries started again, and didn't cease, even when Jack had no voice left to call out with.
*
The day dawned bright and clear, a red haze showing on the horizon. As Will, Elizabeth and Jack left the house for the square, Will found his gaze drawn to it.
"A red sky is a bad sign."
"For who?"
"I don't know."
*
A large crowd had gathered; news that Captain Jack Sparrow had once again been caught had caught the fancy of many a person. The Turners had been the first to arrive, but they were soon followed by over half of Port Royal. As the sun crested the stone walls, Norrington's men brought out the prisoner. Standing before the crowd, he was a pitiful sight.
The pirate's head hung down, as if he no longer had the strength to hold it up. Any respect Commodore Norrington had ever held for this man disintegrated at the sight. The once proud Captain Jack stood before the crowd in ruins, unable to even look his accusers in the eye.
"Any last words?" The executioner demanded, grinning sardonically.
"Please.Commodore Norrington." The voice broke, hours spent begging and crying from his cell had stolen him of his voice, just as the loss of his daughter had stolen him of his spirit.
With his grin still in place, the executioner called out, "'e wants to speak to the Commodore! Can't call out 'imself, 'e cried for so long after they told him 'e was to swing, 'e lost 'is voice!"
Among the laughter of the morbid-minded crowd, Commodore Norrington stepped forward, heading towards the gallows. "I will come closer then. Every man deserves to have his last words heard. Even a pirate."
As Norrington stepped onto the rough wooded planks that had been the final image in the many a dying man, Captain Jack Sparrow raised his head at last. Gone was the cocky grin, the laughing eyes that always taunted you with knowledge you would never receive. Tears had run down his face, leaving it lined with the remnants of black kohl. In later years, when Norrington reflected on that day, it would always be that sight that he remembered. Not the jeering crowd, eager for another spectacular getaway that only Jack Sparrow could produce, or the smug smile of the executioner. No, Norrington would not remember that; he would remember how broken Captain Jack looked. The man had been here before, and yet nothing had ever erased his laughter. Death had been a game, just one more thing for the impervious captain to defeat.
Drawing back, in shock or in shame, Commodore Norrington remained riveted on the spot, his eyes staring unblinkingly at the streaks of kohl that ran down to the collar of Jack's coat. "What happened to you? To the proud man who defied me and my men even as he began to swing? What could possibly have broken you?"
"Please. my daughter, she's been taken. Let me go, and I'll come back. Let me save her and I swear, I'll come back to die."
Norrington snorted violently. "The word of a pirate is a dishonest word. This story about your daughter is no doubt one of your fabrications. Your ship is undoubtedly moored nearby, and you will be off that wall and on it without as much as a glance back to shore."
The faintest glint of anger registered in the eyes of Captain Jack Sparrow, unnoticed behind the impenetrable haze of sorrow. "On my word as a father. Please, let my daughter live. Please-" He stopped abruptly, forcing down the sob that threatened to rip apart his already torn throat. "She is only fifteen years old. I left her here, so that she might choose land, where she might be safe. Now she's gone and I must find her!"
"You have no daughter!" Norrington shouted at him.
Suddenly standing stock still, Jack straightened, his voice gaining momentum as he spoke. "She is fifteen years old. Her hair and eyes are so dark you cannot discern their true colour, yet they are never black. Her hair barely brushes her shoulders, and she wears it plain, without any beads or braids."
"Stop it!"
"She wears sixteen rings, and never takes them off. One has been gifted to her on the day of her birth since the day she was born. The stones are all for protection. Her name is Treasure Jade Sparrow and she is mine. If I don't go to find her, she'll die." Pleadingly, Jack stared at the commodore. "She is innocent. Of all the bad things I've done in my life, she is the one thing I ever got right. Don't let her die just because she's mine. please."
"The Turner's have already reported Jade missing, and my men are out looking for her. Do not worry Mister Sparrow, if she can be saved, we will do it. I'll be sure to tell her you tried."
"You bastard! I promised her I'd always come for her! I promised!"
"And you are a pirate and a dishonest man. She must be used to you disappointing her by now, surely." With a sharp nod, Norrington turned and walked away, the executioner reaching eagerly for the lever even as Norrington stepped off the gallows.
Looking up into the sky, a small bird flew overhead. A single sparrow perched on the wooden beam above his head. Another one of the Englishmen's caged wild birds, brought across the ocean, to remind them of home.
'Well', Jack thought ruefully, one final tear tracking down his face. 'At least one sparrow escaped today.'
As the floor fell away beneath his feet, Captain Jack Sparrow turned his face to the sky, to the clear blue dome that would be the last thing he ever saw. "I'm sorry Jade." He whispered, just before his airflow was cut off viciously.