Six

Grand as the ballroom was, it was hard to believe that there was such one inside the Swann household. All sorts of people were there, from some of the least important to the most important. Commodore Norrington was attending of course, and from the looks of his face, he was very happy for Elizabeth. According to rumors, he had found himself a lover. She was pretty, though not as lovely as Elizabeth. She was one of the young noblewomen in Port Royal, and they had met a little while after Jack's grand escape, tripping and falling into the ocean. They did look like a perfect match.

As for Dolores and her six men, they were presented and introduced properly by the announcer, a short little man that read from a long scroll of names. He seemed hesitant at first, astonished at the names, but he read them.

"The Duchess of Corsica, the Earl of London, the Count of the Devil Islands, the Baron of Madrid, the Baron of Paris, the Baron of Rome, and the High Priest of Dublin."

It was a long list of names, but it had to be done. Dolores had designed their masks, each to their fitting and to the meaning of their name. She was proud of it, and she also had designed each of their garments, made overnight by a well known tailor shop. She paid them well.

Aaron wore a white and gold mask, signifying the sun and the heavens. His clothes were of mostly gold and a bit of white and its fashion was beyond amazement. It had a high collar and a cape that covered half his chest, reaching over his right shoulder. It draped on his left, ever so long and flowing. Underneath, he had on a sleeveless top, tight enough that it showed his muscles underneath. His trousers were white that shined gold. They fell loosely and comfortable. Around his waist was a thick belt made from animal hide, with a gold clasp to finish it off. His leather white boots were stunning and one of a kind. Aaron, dressed as he was to the meaning of his name, was the Enlightened.

Phineas' cloak had a collar so high that it only showed his striking blue eyes. It flowed around him, covering everything so that it was hidden, as a secret. Underneath, he wore a tunic, metallic blue in color and silk in texture. His black breeches ended with a pair of black galoshes. His mask was the color of the night sky, perfected with the silver of diamonds to indicate the stars in the sky. The feathers of peacocks were placed on it, nearly hiding every feature of his face. His blue black hair was set free, and it moved around him like water. Phineas was as mysterious as his meaning, the Oracle.

Larz was dressed in the deepest color of evergreen that could be found. His style was that of an older fashioned poet, proud and perfect as he could be. His emerald mask had an actual white quill attached to the side, a great and superb addition. Larz was solemn, and a deep thinker. Thus, he depicted the Laurel.

Dressed in all white, Lucian was like Aaron's double. His garment flowed from his shoulders down. Based on the customary designs of the eastern country, China, the clothing split right under the thick yellow belt on the outside of his legs, revealing white velvet. His mask was even of that Asian design as were his shoes. Bright as he was, he symbolized the Light.

Benedict, the High Priest of Dublin, wore his traditional robes of emerald and white. The green iron looking mask had no special designs, only showing his unique eyes. He held his staff, his support and his weapon. Though young for an Elder Priest, he was known and respected. His robes moved in the fashion of the wind and had the crest of his family embroidered over his chest. Truly, Benedict was the Blessed.

Lysander was in the darkest of grays, from the feathers on his mask to the very shoes that he wore. But he was unique, for he was the smallest of the six, and the quickest. His attire was designed so that he could move freely and without bother. His mask covered all of his face, limiting the words that he could speak. It was her intention, of course. Shaped like the Grecian masks of the olden Gladiators, the mask showed only one eye, the other was hidden beneath a metal mesh. Lys was shown as the Liberator.

Dolores was surrounded by the six, concealed behind curtains of robes and cloth. Dolores was in the deepest of blacks, a gown that reached high to her throat and around her neck, ending in a knot and leaving two exceptionally long ribbons drape down to her waist. From her hips it fell in flawless folds, just barely brushing the marble floor. It dipped dangerously low at her back, revealing an image that was branded into her skin by needles and ink. It was a black widow, a spider of deadly poison. Its body was situated at the middle of her back, and its legs sprawled from the nape of her neck, across her back, and reached down to the end of her spine. It was an old marking, but one of great significance. Black gloves went past her elbows and a silver ring was set on her finger. The mask she wore covered her eyes, showing her porcelain like skin and blush colored lips. Blackest of blacks and the brightest of diamonds, it gave Dolores a great mysterious look. To finish it off, there was a black veil that covered her face, shadowing her features.

Such was Dolores, our lady of Sorrows.

"Duchess, you are very lovely tonight!" Governor Swann took her black gloved hand and kissed it. When he straightened, he looked upon the six with awe. "I had not known that your guardians were nobles of such high class."

"It is nothing, Governor. They are my most trusted companions, and they could never be replaced. Noble of status as they are, one should not misjudge any of them. They are skilled beyond imagination, Governor Swann; that is why I chose them."

A childish smile grew on the old man's face. "And to think I had actually thought that you had found them off some pirate ship."

Dolores truly laughed then, "Oh, Governor, you have such a clever mind."

But he took it as a joke and laughed with her, "Please enjoy the masquerade, and do not hesitate to meet some people."

She watched him chatter away towards a couple. Several stared at them, awed at their variety and individual uniqueness. The seven of them went off to their own corner so she could sit and enjoy a cup of wine.

"It wasn't necessary to announce our titles, Dolores, we aren't of that great importance," Benedict, High Priest of Dublin, was a modest man; he didn't like boasting his title.

"He's right, Dolores, it doesn't change much."

"But there you are wrong, Larz. Since they know who we are now, they will be wary of us and no one will attempt to bother us," she said, sipping the wine. "But, it might draw thieves and crooks, so you will enjoy a bit of beneficial pleasure."

"Only you would enjoy reasonless slaughter," Aaron said flatly.

She grinned at him, chuckling under her breath at how well he knew her. It was a moment later when Elizabeth approached them, arm in arm with the man that had rescued her from the clutches of Barbosa.

Behind a mask, Elizabeth was as mysterious as the depths of the ocean.

Clothed from head to toe in gold, she wore a gown of unbelievable beauty. She was like a single diamond on black velvet, precious and more valuable than anything else around. The gold pieces lined the gown like the stars lined the night sky. She held a fan in her laced hands and her curled hair was pinned delicately on her head.

But young William Turner was nothing that Dolores had expected. For his age, he was in his prime, worked till his muscles could expand no more, and tanned to golden amber. His sun streaked auburn hair was left loose and his perfect brows and high cheeks were only a sample of what made him so gorgeous. The older he became, the more he looked like his father.

"Duchess!" Elizabeth approached them, happy and without any idea who Dolores was. She gave her the kiss of greeting and took her hand and her fiancé's. "I want you to meet my fiancé, William Turner. Darling, this is Dolores, Duchess of Corsica. She is a very kind woman, and a dear friend."

William bowed at the waist and took Dolores' hand and kissed it lightly. "My lady," he said in a voice that was as deep and smooth as his father's. His grace surprised Dolores, for from what she had heard, he was rough and a tough man. He probably had practice.

"You are very lucky, Elizabeth, to have found such a man. There are many who would envy you, a girl who has found true love out in the ocean." Dolores did not remove her mask or veil, for she did not find it necessary in front of Elizabeth or William. She would deem it fit when she chose to.

"You are very flattering, Duchess," William blushed; something that was unlike his father.

Dolores gently dipped her head at him. She looked around him, but was unable to see the man that had lost the Black Pearl several times, and in the end, stole it back from the man that had taken it away from him. "But where is the legendary pirate that I have heard of; the man that had escaped the entire Royal Navy times uncounted and has been given royal clemency by the King and Queen themselves?"

William lifted his hand to speak, but stopped and laughed as he heard a cry. They all looked to the center of the ballroom to see what seemed to be a drunken man. His matted hair and his dark skin and eyes were full of bliss and happiness. His black hat sat on his head, about to fall off. His clothes were clean and colorful, matching his mood. He laughed, genuinely laughed and nearly toppled over his own feet while holding a bottle of liquor. Others joined him in his amusing act; some kept their distance but enjoyed what they saw.

"Good evening, Elizabeth my sweet! And you, Will, you poor excuse of a man! I love this party! Drinks surrounding me! Endless and free!" he cried, slipping on a few words here and there.

"Stop it!" Will chuckled as he caught him in his arms. "Someone wants to meet you."

Jack looked at the woman in black, ignoring the six that surrounded her. His expression changed then. A shadow seemed to pass over his face and his clumsiness disappeared. His body straightened and he pushed William away.

"This is the Duchess of Corsica," Elizabeth presented.

He took one deep breath then, and finished her introduction, "Dolores."