Pirates of the Caribbean- A Heartless Treasure

By Jesteria Dapper

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the POTC characters or related indicia. But you already knew that, right?

Summary: "Not all treasure is sugar and gold, mate," quoted Jack Sparrow. He was right, especially when Brianthia came along….

Chapter 3- A Glimpse of Hope

Night's blanket of darkness and mystery soon fell over Port Royal. All was silent and peaceful. Nocturnal creatures began to make their way down the town alleys, picking at scraps of wasted food. The flexible breeze carried discarded newspapers and bits of paper throughout the town. As it was now nearly midnight, many lanterns had been turned off, many candles blown out. The full moon's power illuminated the streets in greatness, one of the only sources of light left.

The Swann residence was especially quiet and gloomy. Ever since Will told his wife the dreadful news, all she could mutter was, "No…." Tears streamed from Elizabeth's eyes as they had Will's, and she flung her arms around his neck for comfort. Jack Sparrow had been their closest friend; he would have been Will's first man at the wedding. The thought of him being gone forever was unbearable. Will and Elizabeth now sat in complete darkness. Neither one had spoken since the news was revealed.

"Well…." started Will. "What's done is−"

"William Turner!" shouted Elizabeth. Will felt as though he was once again under the power of déjà vu, but he was too tired to object. He knew why Elizabeth was shouting and he couldn't blame her.

"I'm sorry," he muttered. "I wasn't−"

"No you weren't!"

"I think I'll−"

"You'd better!"

"I really feel like−"

"Well, get to it then!"

Will stared into the black abyss in front of him. Even the moonlight couldn't penetrate the darkness that separated him from his wife. He felt as if he was talking to a barrier that separated positive and negative feelings. He slowly stood up and departed the room that had recently adopted a feeling of sorrow.

The breeze blew through Will's hair and lifted it ever so slightly. The cloudless sky looked like a widespread ocean, drowning the stars that did their best to shine enthusiastically. Will exhaled sharply, weary and worn with both himself and his current situation. He headed towards the only place that he felt would offer him consolation.

The blacksmith shop was as shady as ever; Will almost tripped over a machete that had not been put back in its proper place. A broken beer bottle revealed that his master had recently departed. Will closed the door with ginger touch, and walked to his superior set of swords that glimmered in the moonlight. Grabbing one at the handle, he flung it about, practicing his daily three-hour routine that kept him in excellent shape. His movements were rhythmic, his technique flawless.

After half-an-hour of his routine, Will had worked up an exhausting sweat that felt like more of a burden then Jack's death. He decided that he'd had enough. He started for the door, when….

A sword flew from nowhere, piercing the soothing atmosphere. Will recognized the sound instantly, diving to the side before it met contact with his flesh. He landed hard on his chest, knocking out a sufficient amount of air. Getting up, he could see that the sword that was thrown was one of his own; it was hurled from inside the shop. But who had done it?

"Impressive," whispered a gentle voice. Will heard something move in a far corner; the one who threw the sword.

"Who are you?" he asked with anticipation. Swallowing, he waited for an answer.

"My name," said the voice, "is Brianthia. I know who you are, William Turner, but I'm sure you have no idea who I am. Some call me a spirit; a shadow that moves from town to town, taking innocent lives and stealing hearts for personal pleasure. Others claim I'm a callous beggar who wants nothing more than to kill and hate….but those two statements coincide greatly, don't they?"

Will nodded, but he didn't know if Brianthia could see him. She was still hidden in darkness…..

"I don't even know what to call myself anymore. I will admit that I am the best Lady Pirate ever to sail the Seven Seas, but several of my more…established acquaintances view me as a whore…..they're all dead of course…I do not care how you view me, Mr. Turner, just as long as you listen to my words…."

Will nodded once more, his eyes trying to find the figure that spoke in such a silky tone….

"My crew and I just paid a visit to the town of Tortuga….and we came across a friend of yours in deep trouble."

"Jack Sparrow!" shouted Will hopefully.

"No," replied Brianthia flatly. "He said his name was…..Bootstrap."

Will's heart jumped instantly into his throat. Nothing could have prepared him for this moment. He was just told something he had wanted to hear ever since he was a little boy……that his father was alive. He wracked his brain, thinking of questions to ask Brianthia about his father.

"What does he look like? Did he ask for me? What was the purpose of his stay in Tortuga?"

Brianthia gave a subtle laugh that was barely audible. "I guess you've never met this man before. No matter, I'll fill you in." Wow, Will thought. For a pirate, she sure is forthcoming…..

A second blade, this one faster than the first, flew towards Will, who barely had time to react. He saw this one coming, and shifted to the side before it pierced his heart. His eyes flashed in Brianthia's direction, but he couldn't have comprehended sooner….the back door was open, swaying in the breeze. Brianthia was gone.