Chapter 9—Answers to a vast array of questions

Governor Jackson's Estate

Night was beginning to fall as Governors Jackson and Swan finished their dinner. A knock was heard at the door to which Jackson said, "Admit whoever it is and show them into the library if you please."

"Yes, milord." The servant said.

"Well, Governor Jackson, shall we go into the library?" Swan asked.

"Yes of course. Would you like a drink Governor? I have some wonderful Barbados rum."

"I'm sorry Governor Jackson, I don't drink. I gave that up a while ago to improve my health. But of course you're welcome to have a drink yourself, I don't mind." Swan told him reluctantly.

Governor Jackson's servant entered and said, "Milord, Commodore Norrington has a few guests that wish to speak with you."

"Yes thank you Evan. Go about your business and oh yes, if anyone else arrives don't admit and don't interrupt please."

"Yes, Milord as you wish."

"Ah, Commodore Norrington, Elizabeth, how are you darling? Will, I trust you and the Commodore took good care of Elizabeth for me." Governor Swan said to the group as they entered. He had no words however for the two other people who entered behind them.

"Yes Father, everything is fine. However Jack needs to discuss some things with Governor Jackson." Elizabeth reassured her father.

"Captain Sparrow. I do have a little idea of what this is about. Did you receive my letters?" Governor Jackson asked Jack.

"Yes, Governor I did. I was puzzled though as to what you wanted me to do and why you would ask me. I was on my way to ask you yesterday but I got a little sidetracked, what with Clogsworth and Edwards and all." Jack explained.

"Yes no need to explain. I too got sidetracked as you put it. I do believe however that you have already carried out what I wanted done. I will pay you immediately."

"But what did ye want Jack to do? It better be worth its share. He promised his crew that it would be." Ana spat out.

"I'll explain everything, once everyone is seated. This might take a while. You see, Mr. Edwards and I have never been on the best of terms so when I suspected him of going behind my back and plotting to become governor, I had to take action. I didn't really want you to kill him, just scare him a little.

Of course you will be paid. You see he was the type who boasted that he wasn't afraid of anyone, especially pirates for that matter. But I knew different and I knew that if a pirate would threaten him he would maybe sail back to England. He also knew that I would never contact a pirate, so I knew I was out of his suspicion there as well.

Therefore I contacted you, several times to be exact. When I didn't get a reply I wrote to Governor Swan. And when I heard rumors of Jack Sparrow pillaging nearby villages, I was worried you would plunder my colony as well. I couldn't put the lives of my people in danger.

However these stories have proven to be lies fed to me by Mr. Edwards, my assistant. I never knew it would come to this. Well, there is the explanation I trust you wanted Captain."

No one interrupted Governor Jackson as he spoke, all sat in awe at the story they had heard.

"But Governor, if you wanted to contact a pirate, why not that Clogsworth fellow? From what I heard, he used to be a pirate." Will told him.

"Yes, but I didn't trust him to be able to carry out what I wanted. I wanted a man I knew I could trust to do that. Captain Sparrow happened to be that man. Commodore, Governor Swan, I do hope that you don't think of me as corrupt. I only did this because the matter was getting out of hand. I swear I don't have any other contacts with any other pirates."

"Yes Governor, but…" Norrington was interrupted by Swan.

"Governor Jackson, hearing your story and seeing what a man Mr. Edwards truly was, I don't believe you were in the wrong. A little misguided, perhaps, but not in the wrong. Captain Sparrow is a good man despite the fact that he is a pirate." Governor Swan reassured his friend and hope that Sparrow would stay on the other side of the room…good man or not he was still a pirate and he still smelled like one.

"Well, now that's it's all over, let's celebrate, shall we? Captain Sparrow, I've heard of your love for rum, would like some?" Jackson asked.

"Governor, ye never have to ask, of course and pour some for me best first mate and girl, Anamaria."

"Governor Jackson, if you don't mind, I do believe I'll retire. Good night to all of you, Elizabeth."

"Good night father, see you in the morning."

"Governor Jackson, I do believe I'll retire as well, it's been a most tiring day. Good night." Norrington said and walked to the hall. As soon as Swan walked in the hallway, Norrington said, "Governor, with all due respect, I don't like this. Your friend or not he has a dealing with a pirate."

"Commodore, if you may recall, we all do, we sat in there and didn't arrest them. However, I heard that you caught two other pirates I think that's a good thing to come back to Port Royal with. Now, if you'll excuse me I'm going to bed, good night."

Norrington had once again lost when it came to Sparrow, well, there is always next time.