Thanks to the readers and reviewers! I'm amazed that you are all back…
Can I also just say: Doing research rocks. But is very hard to stop.
Weatherby Swann stopped and looked around cautiously when they reached the footbridge path to the guest house at the top of the hill, causing Jack Sparrow, who was directly behind, to narrowly avoid running into him. The pirate wobbled to a stop and turned to glare at Will and Elizabeth, as if they had caused it. Will shrugged at him and raised his eyebrows, silently asking what was going on. Jack just shook his head, turned back toward Swann and followed quietly into the foyer.
They were nearly at the library in the back of the house when the governor spoke up. "Well, Elizabeth, Will… if you'll allow Mr. Sparrow and I –"
"Captain. Captain Sparrow."
"Yes, of course. If you'll allow Captain Sparrow and I to use the library for our conversation-"
"Father. I don't see why we can't hear what you two are talking about." For a moment the look in the governor's eye was very much the military man, and Will was a little surprised by it, although he knew the governor had certainly served his time.
"Yes, I'm sure you don't." Looking to his son-in-law, he gestured at his daughter. "If you would…?"
"Of course, sir." Taking his reluctant wife by the shoulders, he steered her out of the room. "Come on, Elizabeth."
In the hall she turned to him. "But what could father possibly –"
"Darling. Do you really think we won't find out from Jack later? I've got three bottles of rum in the kitchen."
She looked dubious. "I suppose." He kissed the top of her head.
"Come on, then. Let's have that sherry, and wait for them in the garden."
Inside the library, Governor Swann sat down in one of the heavy leather chairs and motioned for Jack to do the same. The pirate hesitated only for a moment, wavering between the couch and the chair, then sat and put his boots up on the writing desk. The governor gave an ironic sigh.
"Comfortable?"
"Aye." Jack looked around the room, nodded approvingly. "Nice place you've set them up with."
The governor nodded as he stood to open the French doors to outside before returning to his chair. "Technically, it was built as the guest house for visiting ambassadors, but since we don't have many of those these days, it's gone into disrepair. It was Will who suggested that they stay here a while and get the place in order. They've done a fine job."
"Keeps 'em out from underfoot at the big house as well, I'd imagine."
"Yes, well." The two men shared a grin without looking at each other.
Jack nodded again. "He's a good man, our Will. Your Elizabeth has a fine head on her shoulders."
"Thank you."
Silence seemed to drift back into the room through the back doors, along with a gentle breeze that turned the page of a book sitting on the display stand.
"So, guv. Just what are we doing here?"
"It's a bit of a long story, captain. First I need to know if the Esperance is in sailing order?"
"From what I've heard." He put his feet down and leaned toward the governor, glancing around conspiratorially. "You may not know it, but William Turner is the best ship's carpenter I've ever had the pleasure of sailing with. And not just the hammering kind. The kind that knows how it works. You got a bargain on that deal, guv." He reached over and took a small ivory carving of a whale from the desk, turning it in his hands as he sat back. "The sails had to be reset, all the shrouds were off for her keel… William had a whole list before he took her off to be refitted. I've not seen him in a month, at least." The whale popped into two pieces in his hands, and a small figure of a man fell out onto the floor. Jack picked it up and stared at it curiously before fitting it all back together.
"I had a good feeling about the man. I'm glad it's worked out so well." Swann looked toward the French doors again, and Jack caught a slight uneasiness.
"We waiting for someone, then?"
"Ah. Not anymore."
Captain William Turner walked in through the open doors, took off his hat and nodded to the governor.
"Sorry it took so long. I didn't want to run into anyone. Hello, Jack."
Sparrow stood and shook hands with his old friend. "Well, well. William. How's she sailing?"
"Good as gold, Cap'n."
"Must be, if we didn't see you on the approach." Jack looked a little suspicious - perhaps jealous - of another fast ship in the area, much to Turner's delight.
"Oh, she'll give the Pearl a run for her money, now that she's set right."
Governor Swann stepped forward, heading off an extended conversation of ship comparisons. "Gentlemen, now that you're both here – " He looked out the door again, just as a man stepped into the room.
"Busy place, guv."
"Gentlemen, this is who we've been waiting for. Captain Sparrow, Captain Turner, this is Sir Robert W-" The man abruptly lifted his hand to stop him.
"That's enough. It wouldn't be wise."
"But surely, if they're –"
"No."
The governor stared at the man for a moment, then shook his head. "Fine. As you will." With a slightly frustrated look on his face, Swann looked back at the captains. "This is Sir Robert, from London. The man who asked me to find a fast ship with a trustworthy captain. I thought that one of you might be interested in his proposal."
The two captains looked at each other, then back to the governor and his mysterious friend. The pirates sized up the politicians, and vice-versa. 'Sir Robert' was staring at them with unmistakable dismay.
"Pirates, Weatherby? Honestly… is this wise?"
Swann turned on the man with surprising vehemence. "First of all, Robert, Captain Turner sails one of my ships, so I'd thank you not to assume he's a pirate." Sir Robert snorted in disgust.
"Think a leopard can change his spots, eh?" He shook his head in disapproval, gestured toward Sparrow. "Very well. But I believe it's time to call the guard on this one. This creature should be locked away this very moment."
Jack stood and tossed the whale back onto the desk. Touching his fingers lightly to his forehead, he saluted briskly if somewhat sarcastically. "I guess that's my cue, guv. Tell the children I said goodbye." The dark eyes were flashing with anger.
"Please, captain, wait until –"
The pirate took a step toward the governor. "Unless, of course, this whole meeting was just a ploy to get me onto your soil again." There was barely subdued menace in his voice as his hand slipped slowly to the hilt of his sword.
"Captain Sparrow." The governor's voice snapped in the room, every bit as angry as Jack's. "If you truly believe that, then we have nothing further to discuss."
They stared at each other, the tension crackling between them. For a long moment it was silent, the birds singing cheerfully outside sounding painfully out of place. It was William who finally broke the silence.
"Gentlemen. Let's not forget our history, shall we?" They both turned to look at him, and his eyebrows peaked. "After all, I don't really think this problem is between the two of you." They glanced at each other, and Turner gestured with a nod toward Sir Robert. Something seemed to soften in the air. "Besides," he said, stepping closer to them and speaking more quietly. "I don't want to have to explain anything to Will and Elizabeth. I can just imagine what she would do if she thought you were at odds."
Jack and the governor both winced involuntarily. Sparrow shook his head.
"He's right, guv. You done alright by me and mine. I don't suppose you've given me any reason to suspect." He stuck out his hand, and Swann shook it with a tight nod.
"Touching, Weatherby, quite touching, but honestly. Do you really feel you can trust him?"
Governor Swann's eyes didn't leave Jack's. "Yes, Robert. I do. More than most men."
"Are you suggesting something, Governor?"
Swann's gaze slowly traveled toward his old acquaintance. "Only that when he extends his loyalty, Robert, it actually means something."
The other man bristled quietly, then turned abruptly, moving to sit at the writing desk. He carefully laid a square, leather-bound wooden case on the polished cherrywood surface. It looked like a large book-case, perhaps for a bible. "Fine. It's on your head, then, if this goes wrong."
"I accept that."
"Still, I can't help wondering if you even care if this enterprise succeeds."
The other three men startled as Governor Swann leapt to his feet, so quickly that his chair creaked backwards. He stepped to the desk and leaned on it heavily, bringing his face closer to the other man. In a dangerously quiet voice, he said, "I swear, Robert. If you ever have the audacity to question my loyalty to the crown, I will make you answer for it." The two pirates stared in amazement as Sir Robert clearly backed down, and Jack quirked a little sparkling grin.
"I was suggesting nothing of the sort, Weatherby. There's no need for histrionics." Sir Robert blustered slightly, busying himself with the locks on the case. "I just hope you realize it's your career at stake if this goes wrong."
Swann straightened up. "Yes, I do." He glanced at the captains, who were staring with unabashed curiosity. "And a bit more than that."
Will and Elizabeth were walking around the garden, discussing perennials, when they noticed the French doors at the back of the house were wide open. Elizabeth looked at Will, her eyes wide. He frowned, glanced to the doors and back to her. Then he looked up at the sky as if for guidance, back to her eager expression, and shrugged. She smiled, eyes sparkling, and walked casually toward the patio outside the library, fussing with the new plantings.
"More than your career, guv? Doesn't sound promising."
Swann took a deep breath. "I'm sure you're aware of the tension between Britain and the alliance between France and Spain." He walked over to a small table near the doors, where a tray held a heavy, cut glass decanter and several snifters. "Brandy?" Sir Robert declined, William nodded graciously, and Jack looked at him as if he were mad to think there would be any answer but 'yes' to a drink. He poured an inch into three glasses and handed them out as he spoke. "His Majesty is trying to avoid another episode like the one of Jenkin's ear. The crown would like a respite from the fighting. A time of peace."
Jack gave a snort of derision as he swirled the brandy in his glass, warming it with his hand. "Jenkins was a bit of a twit. A smuggler getting caught."
"I heard it wasn't his fault, Jack."
"Aye, William, but I've met the man." He shook his head dismissively. "An absolute twit." He sniffed the brandy, lifted his eyebrows, and sipped delicately. His expression changed to one of quiet rapture. "My compliments, guv. A hundred years if it's a day."
"Yes." Swann shook his head, trying to stay focused in the face of Captain Jack Sparrow. "In any case, the crown is sending a… gift… to the meeting with the French and Spanish ambassadors, in the hopes of easing hostilities." Sipping his brandy, he looked outside thoughtfully.
"So you're buying the peace, then?"
The governor laughed shortly. "I appreciate the thought, Captain Turner, but even in government we know what a bribe is, although we often call it diplomacy. I strongly doubt that this will bring peace, but perhaps we can ease the tensions long enough to find a diplomatic solution." He gestured toward the case. "Show them, Robert."
"There's really no need for them to know any more than you've told them about –"
"Robert. I'm not going to ask them to risk their lives without knowing what they're risking them for. Besides, I told you… I trust them."
Sir Robert shook his head and reluctantly opened the case. Jack and William stood to join the governor at the desk.
Inside the case were two indentations, each holding a small bag made of fine silk. Sir Robert took them out one at a time. "First, the sun." He slid the contents out onto the black velvet lining of the case. A brilliant round-cut yellow diamond the size of a hazelnut sparkled up at them. The pirate's eyes widened.
"Ol' George is giving that away?"
The governor chuckled quietly. "Actually, yes. Riches do very little for a sovereign when his people are unhappy." He glanced over at the pirate, gauging his reaction. "Ironically, I think you'll like the other even more. It's what made me decide to ask you to deliver these."
Robert opened the other bag and tipped it onto the velvet. "The moon."
A black sphere of matching size rolled onto the velvet, glimmering with blue-green iridescence, like a starling's wing. Jack couldn't suppress a gasp, and his hand darted toward it, stopping only inches short. He glanced almost apologetically at the governor.
"May I?" The pleading in his eyes made him look like a young boy trying to get a second dessert. "Just - for a moment?"
Governor Swann reached over and picked it up, setting it gently on the leather guard covering Jack's outstretched palm. The pirate stared at it, took it up between thumb and forefinger and held it up to the light.
"Excellent. Tahitian black, unless I'm very much mistaken." Jack turned it this way and that, shaking his head. "This wouldn't have come from Portugal, would it, guv?"
The governor smiled, shot Robert a look. "I told you, Robert. We needed someone who would appreciate the cargo."
Jack smiled, gold glinting in the last slanting light of the day. "You're right about that, guv. Unless I'm very much mistaken, this was the gift from the king of Portugal to ol' George – what, five years ago? It was the talk of the Caribbean." Swann nodded and William looked at it curiously.
"What is it, Jack?"
"This, William, is 'A Pérola Preta'." The Portuguese rolled off his tongue with surprising ease as he stared at it, his dark eyes reflecting its mysterious, iridescent glimmer. His voice dropped to a dark purr as he translated.
"The Black Pearl."