Random Author Ramble #2: These first two chapters are a lot shorter than originally intended. They just set up the rest of it anyway. Read and Review please. I want to know if I should continue.

20 Years Later

Jack Sparrow sauntered along the docks of the port of Kingston, once again looking for a ship. The hot sun beat down on his darkened skin with no sea breeze to relieve the heat. Sailors moved up and down the boardwalk lunging cargo from ship to ship. Merchants busied themselves with inventories list, vigorously noting the slightest errors in the merchandise.

He stopped near a small schooner at the end of the dock. Across the darkened, weathered wood of the starboard side was the words Soleil se Levant. It was the only ship along the dock that wasn't a buzz with activity. In fact, it appeared to be deserted.

Jack strode forward, eager to sail once again. He had lost his previous ship to his first mate during a mutiny nearly five years ago. His hand brushed against the pistol within his belt at the memory of his treason.

Aboard the ship, Sparrow made his way to captain's quarters in search of all that glittered aboard the ship. If he was not going to succeed in commandeering the ship, he would at least find some treasure for the taking.

He pushed forward a heavy wood door to reveal a slightly lavish abode. Rich fabrics of the orient covered the furniture, painting the room with bright hues of red and blue. A large table covered in parchment stood before the panes of glass over looking the ocean.

Jack strode over to the mahogany desk and began looking through the papers. The documents were filled with calculations of treasure shares, inventories, and maps marking the locations of more treasure. A broad smile curled across his salt dried lips.

The clicks of a loading pistol rang in his ears as the cold metal of the shaft was placed against the back of his skull. Jack froze, parchment falling from his fingertips.

"Well, well," a feminine voice mocked. "What have we here?"

Jack turned slowly, trying hard not too move too much. His dark eyes met with two icy blue orbs, reflecting nothing but malice for the intruder. The woman that stood before him was fairly tall, though still shorter than he. Matted, golden curls spilled over her shoulders from under the ebony cloth about her head. Her white, cotton shirt was stained from years of laboring on the ship. Her dark canvas breeches hung long on her thin waist. Sea salt and other substances of the deck covered her sun kissed skin. Her callused right hand held the pistol level with his nose, her thin fingers curled around the trigger. The other rested on the hilt of her sword.

"Just a humble sailor who got on the wrong ship, love," Jack replied smoothly, staring down the gun barrel. "Why don't you just put that down. We could go have a drink and both leave this port alive, savvy?"

"You are not in a position to be giving me directions, good sir," the woman stated, a tone of mockery filling her words of caution. "Give me one reason why I shouldn't shoot you right now."

He was silent for a moment. "Parley!"

The woman seemed dumbfounded for a moment. "What did you say?"

"Parley!" Jack smiled, realizing that he would live for now.

She lowered her pistol, her threatening eyes looking him over. "A pirate, eh? What's your name?"

"I am the famous Captain Jack Sparrow." He gave a slight bow.

The woman looked perplexed for a moment, appearing to be unsure about a reaction. She quickly recovered, a glint of softness in her eyes now. "Mr. Sparrow, is it?"

"So you have heard of me." Jack smile, his gold teeth glinting in the sunlight filling the room.

The woman's eyes hardened again as she took a stride toward him. She was now inches from him. He hadn't met too many female pirates in his experience, but whenever he came face to face with them again, he knew what we coming.

Her palm fell across his cheek with a sharp crack. Jack spun about from the impact, and found himself once again at the receiving end of a pistol.

"You wanted to speak with the Captain, didn't you?" she spat. "Come on, then!"

Jack was lead out of the quarters at gun point. His chance at living to see another day shrinking before his eyes like a ship sailing away into the sunset.