New chapter! You finally find out what the hell is going on in this one.
And also, next chapter the new people are introduced! So enjoy!
Chapter 4 – They're THE bead fairies?
Cirfia woke up suddenly. She thought she'd heard noises outside. She lay there for a moment, listening hard; there was silence. Suddenly she heard it again; muffled explosions in the distance. Leaping out of bed, she ran towards the door, but before she could get there she heard her door breaking in, and pounding footsteps up the stairs. Instinctively she reached for her sword and her small bag of favourite belongings, where she kept them beside her bed, and raced to the window.
Before she could get to it, her bedroom door was thrown open from the other side. Several pirates ran into the room. "There she is!" shouted one of them. Cirfia needed no more encouragement; she jumped out the window. When she'd been on Jack's ship, Will had taught her how to do this with considerable style, so she did a quick somersault on the way down before landing on her feet and immediately running down the street.
She heard pirates running behind her; thinking quickly, slashed the support from under a platform of barrels, sending them all tumbling onto the pursuing pirates. Satisfied by the shouts of anger and pain from behind her, she continued to run.
She turned a corner; standing in front of her was a large crowd of pirates. Angrily she drew her sword; but before she had a chance to start fighting, a figure came swinging out of the darkness of the windows above and grabbed onto her, and swinging back up again, let go of the rope and swung into the room beyond, pulling her with him. In surprise, she looked up off the floor as the person who'd pulled her in rolled away from her, grumbling something.
"Jack!" she said in surprise, looking up at the person extending a hand to help her up, "What are you – what -"
"Being a hero is painful," said Will, getting off the floor and wincing, "Couldn't we at least have chosen a room with rugs on the floor?"
"Come on, we'd better get somewhere safer," said Elizabeth, "Those pirates may be stupid enough to be cursed, but they're not so stupid that they can't deduce where you went."
"Wouldn't be so sure," said Jack, "They believed your acting..."
***
Quickly the motley crew hurried through the streets of Tortuga, keeping in the areas where there were already fires; as Gemma deduced, being probably the smartest one there, if the pirates had already been there, chances were that they wouldn't be looking there again. "She's wonderful," said Jack, throwing his arm around her, "Marvellous."
"Please don't tell me you're going to start flirting again," said Gemma exasperatedly. Jack glanced at Will, who mouthed, "We'll discuss it later."
Elizabeth was keen on talking to Cirfia about pirate-evading techniques, but she seemed more worried about what had been happening. "What was all that about?" asked Will as they ran along.
"I think I know," said Jack, "But we'll talk about it when we get back to the ship."
"Back to the ship?" said Kathryn excitedly, "We're off on another quest?"
"Looks like it," sighed Will. Elizabeth beamed.
Jack decided that the best way to keep Cirfia hidden was to give her Will's shirt. Will protested against this loudly, but when a man is suddenly pounced upon by several teenage girls, it's damn tricky to keep your shirt on.
"Is that really going help?" said Elizabeth, raising an eyebrow as Will was stripped forcefully of his shirt.
"Don't worry, Will," said Jack, handing the shirt over to Cirfia to put over her head, "You can get it back soon."
"What am I supposed to wear until then?" said Will, standing shirtless and drawing many glances from girls in the streets. Elizabeth glared right back at them.
"I'm sure you'll manage just fine," said Jack, giving him a smile and seemingly trying not to laugh. They hurried on through the streets. When they got near the harbour, Tobias and Will went on ahead to see whether the pirate ship was still there. "It's gone," they said when they came back again, but didn't seem to look too happy about it.
"Great. Where's the Dauntless?" asked Jack.
"That's just it," said Will exasperatedly, "It's chasing after it."
The others ran out into the open and saw the Dauntless chasing after the pirate's galleon, firing on it and receiving return fire. "Boys and their toys," sighed Elizabeth.
"Never mind," said Jack gallantly, "We'll just go on the Black Pearl. Quicker that way."
"Fastest ship in the Caribbean!" cheered Kathryn, Frankie, Gemma, Jackie and Cirfia.
"Can I make a suggestion?" said Mort, "Shouldn't we get more crewmembers? It seems that this quest is going to be a big one."
"Wonderful suggestion," said Jack, before Will could protest, "Especially girls. Don't seem to be all that many on my crew so far."
"More girls?" said Will fearfully.
"Yes, more girls," said Mro eagerly.
"I know some people," said Helen, "If you give me tonight, I'll have us a crew by tomorrow morning. That should be plenty of time to overtake the pirates' ship."
It was agreed; Helen left to get a crew together with Mort and Mr Gibbs, and the others stayed behind to hear what was going on from Cirfia. They went aboard the Black Pearl and Jack broke out the rum - although he seemed very protective of it, so no-one took more than one bottle.
"So why are the pirates looking for you?" said Elizabeth, "Treasure? Are you somebody's daughter?"
"Er, duh?" said Frankie, "She's going to be SOMEBODY'S daughter!"
"You know what I mean," grumbled Elizabeth.
"Actually, it's because of the bead fairies," said Cirfia sadly.
"... Bead fairies?" said Anamaria, looking utterly confused.
"The bead fairies," said Jack, looking unusually thoughtful, "The bead fairies of Mordre Cave."
"What?" said Tanuki, "They're THE bead fairies?"
"My father was in a pirate crew who looked for the treasure of Mordre Cave," explained Cirfia, "They managed to enter it and find the treasure within. They took some with them, planning to come back for the rest. But on the way back, the ship was attacked by navy sailors, and all of the pirates were taken prisoner. But my father managed to escape the jail."
"How?" asked Will, always keen to pick up tips.
"I let him out," said Jack. Everyone turned to stare at him. "He was a friend of mine, and I heard that he was in a pickle, so..."
"What happened after that?" asked Jackie.
"I don't know," shrugged Cirfia, "I thought that they'd all been hanged. That's what my father told me."
"Evidently not," said Mro.
"No," said Jack, "They all managed to escape as well – prison cells in Port Royal are amazingly badly constructed. Terrible craftsmanship, I'd say."
"Lucky the person who built them isn't within earshot," said Will sulkily. Kathryn took it upon herself to give him a commiserating hug, as none of the others seemed too interested in Will any more.
"But what does this have to do with them looking for you?" said Tobias, "Is it revenge, or-"
"Partly that," sighed Cirfia, "And partly the fact that they need something my father had to get back into the treasure cave. The treasure they had taken was confiscated by the navy."
"Used to buy wigs, no doubt," said Elizabeth to Will with a smile. He nodded.
"And since my father was killed, it was passed onto me," continued Cirfia, "And they need it to get back in."
"Bead fairies," said Gemma. Cirfia nodded.
"What about the bead fairies you gave us?" asked Frankie, "Were they some of the actual ones needed?"
"Well, if you look at them, there's one gold bead in each fairy," said Cirfia. Frankie, Gemma, Kathryn, Jackie, Mro, Tobias and Tanuki all pulled theirs out. Indeed, they did all have one gold bead in them. "They're all from the original bead fairy. I took it apart and stitched one bead into each fairy I made."
"Who did you give them to?" asked Jack sharply.
"I gave some to some of the old crew," said Cirfia worriedly, "Everyone here, and Hanna and Diana. You know, the two debutantes from Rum Island?"
"So they're the only ones with beads from the original fairy?"
"Well, my cousin has some too, actually. Eos. She's a maid on Rum Island – in the same house as Hanna and Diana, actually. Isn't that weird?"
"Most peculiar," said Jack, "Right. We need to sail to Rum Island. Chances are that's where the pirates are headed – since they couldn't find you there, they'll go for your cousin, savvy? And if she's in the same house as Diana and Hanna, and they also have bead fairies-"
"What?" said Tanuki, "Diana's in danger?" He and Diana had got together at the end of their last quest, and their parting had been an emotional one, that sadly was beyond this author's ability to write. But he'd promised to come back and kidnap her one day.
"Could be," said Will, getting the look in his eyes which he got when he could see chances to be dashing and swashbuckling on the horizon, "So we need to get there before the pirates do."
"If we leave right after we've got a new crew, we'll arrive there just after the pirates do," said Jack, "We've got the faster ship, and they'll be damaged after the battle with Norrington. And it'll probably be safer that way – if we overtake them, we could be up at the house when they arrive, and if they find Cirfia – well, it wouldn't be good," he finished.
Everyone sat in silence after this talk, and the mood of the quest was slightly less frivolous than the previous one. Jack noticed this. "Well, all that talking has put me in the mood for a little drink," he said, getting unsteadily to his feet, "Who else wants one?"
***
Yes, yes, Mordre Cave, I know, unoriginal, but it was late and that was the best I could come up with...
Tanuki Yasha – Was slightly tricky to fit Elizabeth raising her eyebrows into this chapter, but I managed it! NYA HA!
Feaelin Greenleaf – I'm sorry, but I couldn't take everyone. I'm sure you'd make a brilliant pirate! May I suggest starting piracy in your own time? Me and my friends are planning on hanging a pirate flag from our school roof. Sorry!
Terreis – Yes, I got your form, and you're in! It was most... interesting... and yes, Frankie is actually over Will. I was as shocked as you are. The world of the Caribbean is turning upside down...
Elf with a Lightsaber - You are pretty much the only person I know who's a Star Wars fan... the only reason my friend watches Episode II when she comes round is because of Hayden Christainson. I don't even know if that's how you spell it... You know, one of my friend's mum's friends sang for the soundtrack of Star Wars?
Reasonably Crazy – I know what you mean about not being able to be properly hyper in school. I get looked at confusedly – on Friday, a clown dress-up day, me and my friend came dressed as people from the Matrix to be different, and a girl told us we were an embarrassment to the year! Friendly, huh? You squee! You squee and be PROUD! Only someone secure with themselves can squee!
Chinese_eyes – Tanuki and Diana are my source of romance (Jack and Will flirting with Gemma don't count) and they'll be back together soon enough.
Im a Brandybuck – Well, you're such a cool character anyway... besides, I can e-mail you for information! Huzzah! Glad you're feeling better!
Alteng – I know, she's not evil, I don't know why everyone says she is. Besides, she's basically me, so... am I evil? Possibly... I mean, I am planning on conquering the world with my army of Wob-Wobs and cute things with big ears... OK, I know this is an incredibly, incredibly strange question, but are you a guy or a girl? I couldn't tell from your form, and had a long debate as to what would be stranger, me asking you or putting you as the wrong one in the story...
One of your many fans – Wow... that is actually a lot. Whoa. WHOA. WHOOOAAAAA. (freaks out)
Gilraen Ar-Feiniel – Hmm... maybe later.
Pirate-strumpet – Hmm, I could try. He is very cool. Sorta like a POTC Figwit... except not hot. But then I don't find Figwit hot, so never mind. What can we call him? Jicasih? Jack is cool and so is he? No... hmmm...
Beloved Fool – Cinameg proportions? Different...
Theshiz – Wow, cool! You should have waited to see if it turned skeletal in moonlight!
Cirfia – No, you didn't give her one. And you're not a loner, it's a PLOT DEVICE. Wait, no it's not. It's not anything. Dagnabbit.
Elderberry – Euuurgh. Don't remind me of those horrible words. (shudder)
CrazedElfStalker – I try to make my chapters all the same length, but it doesn't go too well. Good to know that you didn't find it too short.
See you soon!
Chapter 4 – They're THE bead fairies?
Cirfia woke up suddenly. She thought she'd heard noises outside. She lay there for a moment, listening hard; there was silence. Suddenly she heard it again; muffled explosions in the distance. Leaping out of bed, she ran towards the door, but before she could get there she heard her door breaking in, and pounding footsteps up the stairs. Instinctively she reached for her sword and her small bag of favourite belongings, where she kept them beside her bed, and raced to the window.
Before she could get to it, her bedroom door was thrown open from the other side. Several pirates ran into the room. "There she is!" shouted one of them. Cirfia needed no more encouragement; she jumped out the window. When she'd been on Jack's ship, Will had taught her how to do this with considerable style, so she did a quick somersault on the way down before landing on her feet and immediately running down the street.
She heard pirates running behind her; thinking quickly, slashed the support from under a platform of barrels, sending them all tumbling onto the pursuing pirates. Satisfied by the shouts of anger and pain from behind her, she continued to run.
She turned a corner; standing in front of her was a large crowd of pirates. Angrily she drew her sword; but before she had a chance to start fighting, a figure came swinging out of the darkness of the windows above and grabbed onto her, and swinging back up again, let go of the rope and swung into the room beyond, pulling her with him. In surprise, she looked up off the floor as the person who'd pulled her in rolled away from her, grumbling something.
"Jack!" she said in surprise, looking up at the person extending a hand to help her up, "What are you – what -"
"Being a hero is painful," said Will, getting off the floor and wincing, "Couldn't we at least have chosen a room with rugs on the floor?"
"Come on, we'd better get somewhere safer," said Elizabeth, "Those pirates may be stupid enough to be cursed, but they're not so stupid that they can't deduce where you went."
"Wouldn't be so sure," said Jack, "They believed your acting..."
***
Quickly the motley crew hurried through the streets of Tortuga, keeping in the areas where there were already fires; as Gemma deduced, being probably the smartest one there, if the pirates had already been there, chances were that they wouldn't be looking there again. "She's wonderful," said Jack, throwing his arm around her, "Marvellous."
"Please don't tell me you're going to start flirting again," said Gemma exasperatedly. Jack glanced at Will, who mouthed, "We'll discuss it later."
Elizabeth was keen on talking to Cirfia about pirate-evading techniques, but she seemed more worried about what had been happening. "What was all that about?" asked Will as they ran along.
"I think I know," said Jack, "But we'll talk about it when we get back to the ship."
"Back to the ship?" said Kathryn excitedly, "We're off on another quest?"
"Looks like it," sighed Will. Elizabeth beamed.
Jack decided that the best way to keep Cirfia hidden was to give her Will's shirt. Will protested against this loudly, but when a man is suddenly pounced upon by several teenage girls, it's damn tricky to keep your shirt on.
"Is that really going help?" said Elizabeth, raising an eyebrow as Will was stripped forcefully of his shirt.
"Don't worry, Will," said Jack, handing the shirt over to Cirfia to put over her head, "You can get it back soon."
"What am I supposed to wear until then?" said Will, standing shirtless and drawing many glances from girls in the streets. Elizabeth glared right back at them.
"I'm sure you'll manage just fine," said Jack, giving him a smile and seemingly trying not to laugh. They hurried on through the streets. When they got near the harbour, Tobias and Will went on ahead to see whether the pirate ship was still there. "It's gone," they said when they came back again, but didn't seem to look too happy about it.
"Great. Where's the Dauntless?" asked Jack.
"That's just it," said Will exasperatedly, "It's chasing after it."
The others ran out into the open and saw the Dauntless chasing after the pirate's galleon, firing on it and receiving return fire. "Boys and their toys," sighed Elizabeth.
"Never mind," said Jack gallantly, "We'll just go on the Black Pearl. Quicker that way."
"Fastest ship in the Caribbean!" cheered Kathryn, Frankie, Gemma, Jackie and Cirfia.
"Can I make a suggestion?" said Mort, "Shouldn't we get more crewmembers? It seems that this quest is going to be a big one."
"Wonderful suggestion," said Jack, before Will could protest, "Especially girls. Don't seem to be all that many on my crew so far."
"More girls?" said Will fearfully.
"Yes, more girls," said Mro eagerly.
"I know some people," said Helen, "If you give me tonight, I'll have us a crew by tomorrow morning. That should be plenty of time to overtake the pirates' ship."
It was agreed; Helen left to get a crew together with Mort and Mr Gibbs, and the others stayed behind to hear what was going on from Cirfia. They went aboard the Black Pearl and Jack broke out the rum - although he seemed very protective of it, so no-one took more than one bottle.
"So why are the pirates looking for you?" said Elizabeth, "Treasure? Are you somebody's daughter?"
"Er, duh?" said Frankie, "She's going to be SOMEBODY'S daughter!"
"You know what I mean," grumbled Elizabeth.
"Actually, it's because of the bead fairies," said Cirfia sadly.
"... Bead fairies?" said Anamaria, looking utterly confused.
"The bead fairies," said Jack, looking unusually thoughtful, "The bead fairies of Mordre Cave."
"What?" said Tanuki, "They're THE bead fairies?"
"My father was in a pirate crew who looked for the treasure of Mordre Cave," explained Cirfia, "They managed to enter it and find the treasure within. They took some with them, planning to come back for the rest. But on the way back, the ship was attacked by navy sailors, and all of the pirates were taken prisoner. But my father managed to escape the jail."
"How?" asked Will, always keen to pick up tips.
"I let him out," said Jack. Everyone turned to stare at him. "He was a friend of mine, and I heard that he was in a pickle, so..."
"What happened after that?" asked Jackie.
"I don't know," shrugged Cirfia, "I thought that they'd all been hanged. That's what my father told me."
"Evidently not," said Mro.
"No," said Jack, "They all managed to escape as well – prison cells in Port Royal are amazingly badly constructed. Terrible craftsmanship, I'd say."
"Lucky the person who built them isn't within earshot," said Will sulkily. Kathryn took it upon herself to give him a commiserating hug, as none of the others seemed too interested in Will any more.
"But what does this have to do with them looking for you?" said Tobias, "Is it revenge, or-"
"Partly that," sighed Cirfia, "And partly the fact that they need something my father had to get back into the treasure cave. The treasure they had taken was confiscated by the navy."
"Used to buy wigs, no doubt," said Elizabeth to Will with a smile. He nodded.
"And since my father was killed, it was passed onto me," continued Cirfia, "And they need it to get back in."
"Bead fairies," said Gemma. Cirfia nodded.
"What about the bead fairies you gave us?" asked Frankie, "Were they some of the actual ones needed?"
"Well, if you look at them, there's one gold bead in each fairy," said Cirfia. Frankie, Gemma, Kathryn, Jackie, Mro, Tobias and Tanuki all pulled theirs out. Indeed, they did all have one gold bead in them. "They're all from the original bead fairy. I took it apart and stitched one bead into each fairy I made."
"Who did you give them to?" asked Jack sharply.
"I gave some to some of the old crew," said Cirfia worriedly, "Everyone here, and Hanna and Diana. You know, the two debutantes from Rum Island?"
"So they're the only ones with beads from the original fairy?"
"Well, my cousin has some too, actually. Eos. She's a maid on Rum Island – in the same house as Hanna and Diana, actually. Isn't that weird?"
"Most peculiar," said Jack, "Right. We need to sail to Rum Island. Chances are that's where the pirates are headed – since they couldn't find you there, they'll go for your cousin, savvy? And if she's in the same house as Diana and Hanna, and they also have bead fairies-"
"What?" said Tanuki, "Diana's in danger?" He and Diana had got together at the end of their last quest, and their parting had been an emotional one, that sadly was beyond this author's ability to write. But he'd promised to come back and kidnap her one day.
"Could be," said Will, getting the look in his eyes which he got when he could see chances to be dashing and swashbuckling on the horizon, "So we need to get there before the pirates do."
"If we leave right after we've got a new crew, we'll arrive there just after the pirates do," said Jack, "We've got the faster ship, and they'll be damaged after the battle with Norrington. And it'll probably be safer that way – if we overtake them, we could be up at the house when they arrive, and if they find Cirfia – well, it wouldn't be good," he finished.
Everyone sat in silence after this talk, and the mood of the quest was slightly less frivolous than the previous one. Jack noticed this. "Well, all that talking has put me in the mood for a little drink," he said, getting unsteadily to his feet, "Who else wants one?"
***
Yes, yes, Mordre Cave, I know, unoriginal, but it was late and that was the best I could come up with...
Tanuki Yasha – Was slightly tricky to fit Elizabeth raising her eyebrows into this chapter, but I managed it! NYA HA!
Feaelin Greenleaf – I'm sorry, but I couldn't take everyone. I'm sure you'd make a brilliant pirate! May I suggest starting piracy in your own time? Me and my friends are planning on hanging a pirate flag from our school roof. Sorry!
Terreis – Yes, I got your form, and you're in! It was most... interesting... and yes, Frankie is actually over Will. I was as shocked as you are. The world of the Caribbean is turning upside down...
Elf with a Lightsaber - You are pretty much the only person I know who's a Star Wars fan... the only reason my friend watches Episode II when she comes round is because of Hayden Christainson. I don't even know if that's how you spell it... You know, one of my friend's mum's friends sang for the soundtrack of Star Wars?
Reasonably Crazy – I know what you mean about not being able to be properly hyper in school. I get looked at confusedly – on Friday, a clown dress-up day, me and my friend came dressed as people from the Matrix to be different, and a girl told us we were an embarrassment to the year! Friendly, huh? You squee! You squee and be PROUD! Only someone secure with themselves can squee!
Chinese_eyes – Tanuki and Diana are my source of romance (Jack and Will flirting with Gemma don't count) and they'll be back together soon enough.
Im a Brandybuck – Well, you're such a cool character anyway... besides, I can e-mail you for information! Huzzah! Glad you're feeling better!
Alteng – I know, she's not evil, I don't know why everyone says she is. Besides, she's basically me, so... am I evil? Possibly... I mean, I am planning on conquering the world with my army of Wob-Wobs and cute things with big ears... OK, I know this is an incredibly, incredibly strange question, but are you a guy or a girl? I couldn't tell from your form, and had a long debate as to what would be stranger, me asking you or putting you as the wrong one in the story...
One of your many fans – Wow... that is actually a lot. Whoa. WHOA. WHOOOAAAAA. (freaks out)
Gilraen Ar-Feiniel – Hmm... maybe later.
Pirate-strumpet – Hmm, I could try. He is very cool. Sorta like a POTC Figwit... except not hot. But then I don't find Figwit hot, so never mind. What can we call him? Jicasih? Jack is cool and so is he? No... hmmm...
Beloved Fool – Cinameg proportions? Different...
Theshiz – Wow, cool! You should have waited to see if it turned skeletal in moonlight!
Cirfia – No, you didn't give her one. And you're not a loner, it's a PLOT DEVICE. Wait, no it's not. It's not anything. Dagnabbit.
Elderberry – Euuurgh. Don't remind me of those horrible words. (shudder)
CrazedElfStalker – I try to make my chapters all the same length, but it doesn't go too well. Good to know that you didn't find it too short.
See you soon!