Chapter Two

Will Turner returned to the blacksmith shop where he worked, having just heard about the escape of a dangerous pirate. He'd also heard how the man had threatened Elizabeth, and that enraged him further. Pirates were despicable creatures, and to have one endanger the life of the woman he loved was unacceptable. Will had hoped to grab a sword and join the soldiers in their hunt for the man, if you could give him such high rank. But when Will returned to the shop, his employer still in a drunken slumber, he found that one of his mallets was out of place. It was then he noticed an odd leather hat sitting upon one of his anvils.

Cautiously, Will extended a work worn hand to pick up the hat and was greeted with a slap on the back of the hand from the flat of a blade. For a moment William felt like a child reaching for dessert and being scolded by his mother for trying to eat before dinner.

Surprised, Will found himself staring into the eyes of the pirate. Quickly Will grabbed a nearby sword, and the fight began.

"You look familiar, have I threatened you before?" The pirate asked after a few moments of dueling.

"I make it my business to avoid familiarity with pirates."

"Well then I wouldn't want to put a black mark upon your record." The pirate nodded his head, turned, and ran to the door. Will scowled and threw his sword in the direction of the pirate with a sharp flick of his wrist. Impossibly, the blade stuck in the wood, preventing the pirate from leaving. The man jerked the sword, trying to dislodge it, but found his ministrations to be in vain. The blade would not budge.

Jack turned to Will, a slight grin upon his tanned features. "Clever trick, my boy. But once again you're between me and my escape. And you've no weapon."

Will's eyes darted round the room, searching for the nearest weapon. He would not give up so easily. His own chocolate eyes rested on a hot poker. It being his only option Will grabbed the metal rod and pointed the scalding end at the pirate. The donkey made a noise and began his walk around the track, having just been reminded of the rude prodding he'd received on the arrival of Jack Sparrow.

The two went at it again. As they dodged and lunged, Jack discovered all the swords in the shop. Through the fighting he spoke again. "Who makes all these?"

"I do. And I practice with them three hours a day." Will spoke venomously, aiming for Jack's throat.

Jack smirked and dodged the attack. "You need to get yourself a girl, mate."

Will lunged again, Jack blocked. The two danced round the room. "Or maybe," Jack was determined to annoy the boy. "You've got a girl, and are incapable of wooing said strumpet. You're not a eunuch are you?" Jack's dark eyes darted down to Will's crotch and then back to his face.

Will moved his face closer to Jack's. "I practice three hours a day, so when I meet a pirate I can kill it."

Jack nodded, smirking more. The two continued their battle, even going so far as to fight up in the rafters of the building. Finally it seemed Jack would escape. He'd caught the boy unawares and managed to let loose a bag of sand into William's face. When Will cleared his eyes he found the pirate's gun aimed at his face. "You cheated."

The pirated looked annoyed. "Pirate. Now move out of my way."

"No!"

"Please move?"

"No!"

Jack sighed. The boy was being very difficult. Will scowled, he was furious at himself for ending up at such a disadvantage. He'd so desperately wanted to run the pirate through for almost killing his beloved Elizabeth. Now Will was stuck, standing between the door and the pirate, with no weapon, and a gun aimed at his head. The pirate was ready to pull the trigger, but told Will that the bullet wasn't meant for him. Will felt fear for only a moment, when he saw his employer coming up behind the pirate with an empty rum bottle in his hand. Before Jack could do anything else, the bottle was brought down upon the back of his head with a smash and Jack was out cold.

The soldiers were at the door then, and they arrested Jack, the Commodore mumbling something about it being the day Jack Sparrow almost got away. Will shrugged. He watched as the soldiers dragged the unconscious man from his workplace and waited until the Commodore was the only one left.

Will edged close to the man. "How's Elizabeth?"

The Commodore raised an eyebrow. "She's fine now. She suffered no injuries and is at home, resting."

"I'd like to see her."

Again the Commodore's eyebrow went up. "Uh...I really don't think that's the best thing right now. I'll send her your word though. She'll be pleased to know you care."

James left. That Turner boy made him feel uncomfortable. He'd been a nice lad when he was younger, but as he aged, he changed. He wanted to spend more time with Elizabeth, not realizing how improper it was. James figured the boy was just lonely; Liz was really his only friend.

"I care more that you know." Will mumbled to himself, going off to clean up.