Chapter 19 : she doesn't have it...
The ship had come to a halt somewhat roughly and, seconds later, the cell door was thrown open. The Captain requires your presence... said a snide voice with a mocked bow and a snicker. He was answered by silence - quite a reproachful one from Fen - before Jack smiled, not wanting to cause trouble just then, Well, we wouldn't want to keep him waiting, now then, would we? and followed him out, the other two not having any choice but to follow.
On the way through, though, he was repayed this diplomatic solution by a sharp jab in the small of his back and a whispered, What on earth do you think you're doing? We could at least offer a bit of resistance. He looked around quickly, trying not to alert the pirate guards and saw Fen shooting lightning bolts at him, and Will staring resignedly into space. Trust me. Just this once. He turned back and carried on sauntering along, like noting had happened. But then, to Fen's surprise, he put both hands casually behind his back and opened them, so that the palms were staring at her.
She scowled. Trust him? Just this once? Open palms? What did that all mean?
The sun hit them harshly as they stepped up onto deck, making even Jack squint slightly. They followed the sounds of the guards footsteps half blindly until they could finally see in front of them without their sight being distorted.
They each saw something different in the captain standing before them, chin in the air and scorn on his face, and it was to play an important part on the choices they were to make. Will saw nothing more than he had seen in him the first time they had met, and that was a cruel man, that always kept to his threats, and never to his bribes. It was the scornful, mocking face of the person that had stood, for over two months, between him and the person he loved most on this earth, or indeed on any earth to come. Just the sight of him made him tremble with fury.
Fen, through the slits of her narrowed eyes didn't see the same captain as she had the night before, she didn't see the proud warfarer chuckling as he gloated over his prisoners. All she saw was a small, almost dwarfed man, with podgy eyes, bloated red lips and some faint remaints of what must have once been hair growing sparsely on his shining head. She saw someone that had aspired to power his entire life and only managed to gain control over a couple of measly pirates, and only this by twisted cruelty. And the man that was standing in front of her only inspired one feeling to her. Pity. Poor, stinking pity. She shook her head ruefully. Why did the enemy have to be so futile?
Left Jack. Jack was all sarcastic smiling, edging his way around all that was said to him, acting caught, acting defeated, only to leap up, lashing with all his might and grinning widly as he beat man upon man, woman upon woman, enemy upon enemy. And he acted the same with this man, this enemy, than he would have with anyone other one.
But inside he writhed. He had been tricked a second time. He had been beaten a second time by the same kin. It would be the last. This captain would not have his ship, his life. Not like last time. So whilst he dilly-dallied and negotiated' and twisted words, he was really making up a plan. A real one. A good one. One that he would be able to grin at in years to come.
Well, my honourable guests, welcome to my humble demeure. Rasped the captain as the ship lurched to a stop, held back by the anchor. Or should I say your humble demeure, my lady. And with that he bowed, grasped Fen's hand in a slimy, clammy grip and threw what he took as an elegant kiss onto her knuckles, slobbering as he did it. She grimaced, looked to the side, gagged, then turned back to face the captain. Jack stared at Fen, feeling his insides do flips and his face flush. I'm not a lady. She replied, quite calmly and forcefully, trying to ignore the dripping saliva on her hand.
The captain's eyes laughed mirthlessly. Oh, but you are. Raised by a pirate, admittedly, but a lady none the less. He shook his head conscendingly. Pintel always was a fool. But he beat his own record in falling in love with that Lord's wife. He smiled sarcastically, enjoying the feeling of knowing more about someone's past then they did themselves, breathing in the feeling of power it gave him. But now is not the time to be explaining such uninteresting facts. There is only one we need, and that is what is written on the slip of paper you have. He held out his podgy hand, nodding to the guards on either side of the prisoners.
They took a step towards Fen, but she snarled at them like a cornered wolf. I don't have any slip of paper, I don't know what you're talking about, don't you dare come near me. Do you hear me? Jack looked at her apprehensively, that wasn't going to work here, they were outnumbered, and even Will was looking warily about for any type of weapon he could defend them with when the guards tried to force the paper out, as they inevitably would.
Tsk, tsk, my dear, there is no use in getting all wound up. Hand it over and everything will be all right. The captain's mouth twitched, humouring her, but under his scorn and confidence, he did not think to take her seriously, nor to see exactly how wound up she was getting.
Fen just hand it over, muttered Will, we'll find a way. He looked at her with despair in his eyes, and she knew very well that there wasn't a way to be found. She yelled, slapping back one of the guards hands as they reached for her. YOU'RE NOT HAVING IT! IT'S MINE! MINE DO YOU HEAR ME?! They could hardly not have heard her - she was yelling so hard and loud that her voice cracked and croaked every other syllable. Unfortunately, though, she sounded so Veronica-like, so childish and spoilt, that they just laughed and grabbed her soundly by the shoulders.
That she was not having. Under the cringing eyes of Jack and Will and the scorning ones of the Captain, she raised her arm, swerving out of the way of the flailing arms that tried to stop her and brought it down in the stomach of the man on her right. He let go of her, clutching his stomach, winded. She turned, shooting out a foot that caught the other one in the groin and then punched him flat on in the face. She took a deep breath, ready to cause as much havoc as possible, despite what Jack had said, when Jack himself dashed out and placed himself between the Captain and Fen.
It's not her that's got the map. He announced desperately. It's me. Will gaped, as did Fen. And the pirate Captain said, raising his eyebrows, Ah yes? Replied Jack defiantly, pronouncing the word with a great lot of flurry. I, erm- he shot a hasty look over his shoulders where Fen was practically smoking out of her ears, I borrowed it for a time. He took a step forward, putting himself at inches of the Captain and lowered his voice.
Maybe we can make a deal... He whispered, only the Captain hearing him.
You see, this treasure you look for - it is not only hidden. It is protected. He smiled, showing his teeth. And I am the only person, apart from Pintel and Fen to know of the dangers and of how to avoid them. Now Pintel is dead, and Fen, well, you've seen how she reacts at prying... He let his voice trail off, enjoying the affect it had on the bulky man in front of him.
Hmmm... I see. The so-called bulky man paused, before answering wryly, Well, if I did not know you, Sparrow, I would have you come to an accord with me. But, unfortunately for you and for your friends, I do know you. And I do not like what I know. He turned away, He roared, making Jack wince. Take these prisoners below, search them thoroughly, and bring them back to me, hands binded, and legs tied. COME ON, GET TO IT! WE GO TO SHORE AT NOON!!
At the sound of his voice, even more pirates appeared, cakling like witches and scurrying over the deck like ants, ready to obey at the slightest notice. Them that were not specifically needed on deck, and there were at least a dozen, swarmed around each of the three prisoners, making them edge back down below deck, shooting edgy glances at each other.
-------------------------
Sorry for the delay, holidays and all that.... hoped you like it....
Thank you lots and lots and lots for the reviews!