Prologue

The sun shines from a deep blue sky, painting the Caribbean in its unique colours.

Nowhere else does the Sea sparkle like liquid gemstones in all different shades of blue and green, so colourful colours you get dizzy looking at it.

There are Islands like pearls, surrounded with snow white beaches and crowned with the sensational green of tropic rainforest. Though resembling one another, each one was a world of its own and had a different story to tell

At sunset the sky's on fire, an overwhelming explosion of orangepinkgold and the sun sinks like a burning red drop of blood into the gold-glittering sea. The night falls rapidly, covering all in velvet darkness. No need to talk about the stars here, they are like diamonds on satin and so close that it seems you only have to stretch out your hands to catch them.

In the short moment between day and night a ship appeared on western horizon, approaching with remarkable speed, silvery spray of sea splashing up a slender bow. It was a yard-rigged vessel under full sail and of so dark a colour that it nearly melted with the darkness as night fell.

A man came up the Companions way walking to the bow. He had a bird of prey's face with dark eyes that could scare naïve people to death if he was in a bad mood and some people even claimed that there was an aura about him, secretly making the sign against the evil eye when he passed by.

He was a well-groomed man with aristocratic manners, dressed in clean clothes of high-quality fabric but plain style. His grey hair was tied to a plait in his neck and his beard was neatly cut, as if he cared to maintain at least some sort of etiquette even though he was on board of a ship.

Reaching the bow he thoughtfully stared into the distance.

"Tortuga, de todos sitios en este mundo, eres la puta más grande. Se te desprecian por esto que eres, y sin embargo vuelven a regresar."

"What the hell are you about? Have we reached Tortuga?" a muffed voice came from the jib's net.

The man looked down to see a pair of sleepy green eyes facing him.

"Oh Captain, please, is there ever the slightest chance that you will be sleep in your bed like normal people do?" he asked, sounding like a father teasing his child. "Besides, your Spanish didn't seem to have improved. I said, Tortuga, of all places in this world you're the greatest whore. One may despise you for what you are and yet keep on returning."

"Ah. Doesn't make much more sense to me than sleepin' in a bed though. This place is as good for me as my crew's hammocks are to them, and besides, I do sleep in bed from time to time, Santiago. When I've found meself a pleasin' company for instance... " There was a tremulous shake in the jib's net and a tousled head appeared, searching the horizon. "Hardly to see anything of Tortuga."

"Just wait a little an the crow's nest's watch will report. Plenty of time to have a breakfast." Santiago replied, shaking his head about the things the Captain had said. In faked despair he raised his eyes to the sky. "Why have I even bothered to construct a vessel with nice cabins when there seems to be no need for them?"

"To prove that yer the greatest shipwright ever, blessed with the most gifted abilities, a genius in yer craft and- did ye say something 'bout breakfast? Do we still have this lovely first flush Darjeeling we got from capturing that little Indian vessel, the Banghalpur?"

"We do have. I presume you are telling me that you'd like some tea for breakfast, Captain. Is there anything else I can do for you?"

"Not at the moment, thanks mate. You'll find me at the helm. Can't resist navigating my own ship into Tortuga port." It was the same moment the words 'Land ahoy' were shouted from the crow's nest when the Captain shot a broad grin to Santiago. "So, here we go now."

The dark ship approached Tortuga with full-braced sails, then changed course a little to around the stony shores of an island that seemed to be full of rocks and a few lofty trees that grew upon them. But coming closer you could also see that there were some plantations growing tobacco and at least two towns. No one has ever bothered with the names, since you only have to say 'Tortuga' and everybody knew, but the town with the most infamous, terrifying for some and glorious to others, disreputable, lawless harbour of the Caribbean was actually called Cayona.

Ships of all seize lay at anchor, but most of them were fishing boats or one-masted vessels. Only one ship had three masts, it was a dark galleon with black sails, properly coiled to the yards.

The Captain let the helm to a blonde tousle-head and headed to the starboard side to have a better look at the galleon. It had a winged figurehead with a small run-away bird in her hands.

"Bloody hell, that's the Pearl, isn't it?"

"Aye. The Black Pearl. Finally!" Santiago said with mixed emotions and eyes as dark as charcoal, hiding his feelings completely.

"Hum..." The Captain seemed to be... well, a little bit disillusioned. "That one's supposed to be the fastest pirate-ship in the Caribbean-sea? Don't know... I've expected her to be a little more... streamlined- is that the right word? She looks like a bulky old lady."

"Don't be disrespectful. And don't let Captain Jack Sparrow hear that, will you?"

"Well, well, better not annoy the guy who sent Barbossa into well-deserved hell, you're damn right, Santiago. Guess thanks would rather be in order, aye?"

Santiago didn't answer, so the Captain continued.

"Maybe I should go 'n have a look for him."

"Ha, you just have to look for the filthiest hole to find him in the arms of the cheapest whore in town." the Spaniard snorted, but then shrugged his shoulders while looking at the Black Pearl again, talking to himself now. "Well, at least he manages to keep his ship tidy, so maybe there's a bit of brain in his stubborn head by now, though I doubt it. Some people never learn."

"Heard that! You sound like you know this Sparrow pretty well, never mentioned that."

"Some things better stay unmentioned, believe me. Try to mess with him and you'll loose."