DISCLAIMER: I do NOT own Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl or any of the characters included in the package. I do like to play with them and often end up giving them back worse for the wear. (Especially Captain Jack Sparrow!) ;
CLAIMER: I do, however, own the plot of this story and all my OC therein. Some stay around, some don't. That's life, ne?
Part 11: An Unwelcome Welcome
The small band plodded slowly over the sandy dunes of the desert in a single-file line with Jack and Ana in the lead. They had been riding for a full three days and nights and had stopped only to water the horses and eat. Kona and Hunter dozed lazily in the back of the cart, shielded from the sun's rays for the most part by the kegs of water and crates of food. Dozell and Chelsea also rode double with Dozell at the reins. Although the young man was the only one who knew the way to their destination, Jack insisted that he and Ana be in the lead.
"Dozell, I don't mean to pry, but how much longer will this journey take?" Chelsea whispered after tapping him lightly on the shoulder.
"We're less than a day's journey from the pyramids," Dozell replied, a slight smile tingeing his voice.
"Thank goodness,"
Will smiled at the pair on the horse in front of him. Although he couldn't make out the words, he knew they were both still in fairly high spirits.
If only the same could be said for him.
Will sighed inwardly. How he missed Elizabeth. He missed everything about her: her smile, her beauty, her laugh, her love. It was then that he was struck with a severe pang of homesickness. Guilt churned in his gut; he should be home with Elizabeth, not pacing around in the desert with a band of pirates.
He was brought out of his reverie as the train of horses came to a stop and Jack and Ana slipped off the black's back. Chelsea and Dozell followed suit.
"Hey Will are yah gonna git down?" Jack called playfully as he strode back towards the supply wagon. Shoving the dogs away as they tried to lick his face, he grabbed a keg of water and headed back to water his horse. Ana was awaiting his return and cupped her hands for the horse to drink from as Jack poured water into them. The two moved down the line of horses, giving them each their fair share of the water.
A high-pitched shriek from the sky above drew the attention of all. Squinting up at the clear sky, they could just make out the shape of an eagle silhouetted against the sun.
"Dozell, just how close are we that there's an eagle flyin' around?"
"We should reach the pyramids by nightfall Captain Sparrow."
Jack nodded, acknowledging that he had heard, but the majority of his attention remained fixed on the eagle. "Well, we best git goin'."
The group mounted up and set off once more for the great pyramids. The journey took as long as Dozell had claimed and as they approached the pyramids, the monuments were nothing more than solid black shadows against the setting sun. The eagle had flown high above them throughout the trip. It had called out on occasion and startled the horses, but that was about all the distraction the group had faced.
They drew their horses to a full stop several yards away from the enormous stone structures and turned awed gazes upon the pyramids.
Dozell swung his right leg over the horse's neck and jumped down onto the soft sand, then looked up at Chelsea, extending a hand. "May I help you down, miss," he questioned his tone of voice playful, not serious.
Chelsea's gaze was drawn away from the pyramids at the invitation and she smiled before placing her hand delicately in his. As she slipped off the horse's side, she did her best impersonation of a wealthy lady exiting a carriage. Once she was on the ground, Dozell lightly kissed the back of her hand, enjoying the small game of make-believe. "Thank you, good sir," Chelsea whispered, still impersonating the ladies she had seen on the streets of Port Royal.
The two stared into the other's eyes for a long time, trying their best to suppress smiles.
It didn't last long.
The two suddenly broke out in laughter, amused by the other's performance. Will looked back at the youngest travelers on this strange voyage and smiled. Wasn't it nice to be so young and carefree? The laughter soon died out, but the two were still smiling broadly at each other.
"So, Dozell, if you don't mind my asking, how old are you?" Chelsea inquired, her curious nature taking over.
"Almost nineteen," Dozell replied casually.
At the front of the miniature caravan, Jack sat on the black horse's back, staring blankly at the triangular monuments that seemed to be made from night and shadows. With his attention fixed solely on the spectacle before him he completely missed the look Ana cast over her shoulder at him. He was slowly drawn from his daze when Ana's boot skimmed across his knee as she dismounted. He watched her walk to the group at the back of the train before his attention slid once more to rest on the pyramid looming before him. 'There's somethin' way too familiar 'bout this place…'
"Do you believe me, then?"
Jack started at the voice, but composed himself quickly and glared at the woman as she appeared from the fog. "No."
A small smile lifted the corners of her mouth, but it never reached her dark eyes. "And why not? This is your land, hence the familiarity of it."
"I tol' ye, I've ne'er been here!"
"Think what you will, Pharaoh, but the Treasure is in danger. It is up to you and the guardians to fix things."
"'Treasure'? 'Guardians'? Wha?!"
"Restore the balance."
"Jack!" The call was accompanied by a sharp tug on his shirtsleeve and Jack started from his trance. As he looked down, his gaze landed on Ana's concerned face.
He grinned, trying to reassure her. "Yes luv?"
Ana wordlessly handed him a biscuit, which he accepted with a nod of thanks. As he took the first bite of bread, Ana turned back to the group, casting a worried glance over her shoulder at Jack. The pirate captain turned back to the pyramid and quirked his head as he chewed. His eyes narrowed in concentration suddenly and he paused in eating.
There it was again.
Jack rubbed his eyes with a fist quickly and then looked again.
Sure enough, there seemed to be a flickering of orange light from within the pyramid's entrance.
"What the…" Jack trailed off as the light began bouncing and coming closer.
A sharp shriek sounded overhead from the eagle, but Jack did not look up.
The light was drawing closer, faster.
Finally, as the light exited the pyramid, Jack was able to determine that the light was indeed flames, but in the shape of a huge canine. Dropping his half-eaten roll and jumping forward into the saddle, he grabbed the reins and jerked the horse around. Kicking its sides, he raced to the back of the procession.
"Jack, what's the-"
"No time, git on th' horses an' follow me," Jack ordered in one breath, grabbing Ana's arm and dragging her up behind him on the horse as the others scrambled for their mounts. Without waiting to make sure the others had mounted and were ready to follow, Jack planted his heels into the horse's sides and the animal lurched forward into a wild gallop. Snorts echoing that of the black horse and the thunder of hooves hitting sand announced that the others were following. The group dashed away from the flaming beast, but even at their speedy pace the creature gained ground.
Another scream from the sky went unnoticed by the riders, but asserted that the eagle was still hovering above. The eagle dove from its safety in the high winds and swooped over the sand and running horses until it reached the leading animal. After regarding the pirate captain through deep golden eyes, the bird of prey glided in and perched itself on the dark horse's rump, being careful not to jab the horse with its talons.
A dark howl echoed across the shadowed sand, sending the horses into a renewed state of panic.
Glancing over his shoulder, Jack was perturbed to see that the hound of fire was still gaining fast. He frantically racked his brain for a plan—any plan. At the same time he realized running aimlessly into the desert could spell their death, he came upon a fresh idea. "Ana,"
"Aye?"
"I'm gonna fall back an' I want you t' get on behind Will, understand?"
"Why? What good'll tha' do?!"
"I've got a plan," Jack said simply as a means of explanation.
Unknown to both the riders, the eagle silently glided off its perch on the horse and took to the high winds again.
Ana's face darkened as she figured out what he meant. "Yer not gonna do tha' alone-"
"Ana, don't argue. I need t' ride alone so th' horse doesn't tire as quickly," Jack explained. "No git on Will's horse; tha's an order." Taking her silence as consent, Jack continued. "Now, once I ride off, you an' Will need t' lead the others back t' the pyramid. Wait 'til ye know tha' hound'll chase me."
Ana listened silently to the plan, glaring daggers at Jack's back the whole time. Jack slowed the horse, allowing Dozell and Chelsea to pass them on their mount. As Will and his horse drew closer, Jack set the black's pace to match that of the other horse. The pirate captain couldn't help the slight grin that appeared on his face when he saw the blacksmith had brought the horse and cart as well and the two dogs were riding in the back of the cart. The grin vanished when he felt Ana slide both feet to the horse's left side and wrap her arms tightly around his waist for stability.
"Will, ye're about t' get a new passenger," Jack called to the blacksmith, just loud enough to be heard.
Will gave a nod of acknowledgement and shifted himself so he was better prepared for the exchange. Pulling their horses closer, both men tried to make the transition easier for Ana. Once both animals were running almost side by side, Ana made her move. Pushing herself off the black with both hands, she leapt for Will's horse. Will caught her arm and helped her get situated on the back of the horse.
"Come back in one piece, Jack," Ana growled, not expecting him to have heard.
But he did.
The pirate captain flashed his first mate a golden grin and kicked the black horse, sending it running away from the other horses and riders. Ana wrapped her arms around the blacksmith awkwardly for balance and watched worriedly as Jack ran his horse first off to the group's side, then turned it…back around…towards the animal pursuing them…
"Jack!!"
[a/n: Thank you SO much to all reviewers!! I really appreciate it, and it's thanks to you that this chappy got done. I won't beg (this time) but reviews do help.
Also, the muse is wandering into about 5 other stories at the moment, so no guarantee that I'll be posting again next Wednesday. OO Gomen nasai in advance if I don't get the next chappy done by then... -shudders at the thought-]