17. And the earth will tremble
Looking back Santiago saw his own body lying on the floor, his chest torn open. There was only pain, cold, and incredible weariness. He wanted a rest, an eternal rest. He was so sick and tired of fighting, of life itself.
Suddenly there was a light in front of him, a bright, sparkling light. It seemed to be white, yet it was iridescent, reflecting all colours of the rainbow. The light lured him and he felt drawn by its shining magnificence as golden rays pulled him closer, wrapping him up in luminosity. He was bathing in that glorious light now, it flowed through him from head to toe, filling every pore of his self. The dreadful weariness dissolved as well as the coldness; this place knew no pain, no sound, no time. It was a serene place, holding the promise of tranquillity and peace for a worn out soul.
He knew where he was, he had been here before. And like then, his way was blocked before he could reach the source of the magnificent light. He let out a frustrated moan. Oh no, not again, please not again. I don't want to go back. I'm so tired. Two hundred years are such a long time without a rest, without a chance…
'Well, Senor Santiago, it's not your time yet.'
She looked exactly like he remembered her, actually her vision had haunted him every single day of his life ever since then. And not for the first time he saw her standing at the borders of the Realm of Infinity, arms folded across her chest, a look of disgust on her face. Akshaya, the indestructible. She tsked and repeated the curse like hammering those lines in his brain, never to be forgotten- as if he could ever forget.
'Now go away, go back to where you belong.'
No. He felt a defiant repulsion rising from deep within him. He couldn't be rejected again, but he also couldn't pass the translucent form of the gypsy woman. Then he sensed that they weren't alone here and he became aware of the presence of another soul. Gentle spirit fingers touched him in order to lead his attention to a window that had opened on the cave.
'Hush', a calm mental voice soothed his mind, caressing him with kindness. 'I know you're tired but your time has really not come yet. Look- you can't leave them alone now, they rely on you. They need you.'
Santiago took a look at the scene that had opened up before him, and winced. The pirates were not only outnumbered, they were absolutely inferior to the evil forces of Anirvan and without the slightest chance to win. Anirvan could kill them as easily as batting his eyelid. He saw Jack stumble and fall down an abyss, and he heard Rowan scream his name; he had to blink away a tear because of the terror in her voice, his heart cringed.
The gentle soul touched him again. Santiago turned to meet the kind gaze of an extraordinary handsome man with dark eyes; eyes that were wise, comforting and reassuring at the same time. He was sure that he'd never seen that man before but nevertheless he seemed to be familiar in an odd way. On a level where no words, no language was needed he instinctively recognized him, the magician from another time.
Khadim nodded and gave the Spaniard a warm-hearted smile. 'Don't despair, take courage my friend. Only you can change the course of events now.'
But I've failed before- that's why I'm here.
'No, you are here because I have failed. It had been within my powers to stop Anirvan at a time long gone by. But call me soft, too sentimental, too full of mercy regarding the one that once had been my friend for I was not able to kill him. Then, I thought I could eventually cure his black hear. So let me tell you a secret, give you a mighty weapon...'
'You're not going to help him,' the old gypsy woman spat, scowling.
'Be kind, lovely Akshaya,' Khadim replied in his calm, gentle tone. 'I'm not helping him to lift the curse, I just try and see to it that the Powers of Universe won't get off balance.'
Then Khadim bent over and whispered a single word in the Spaniard's ear…
Santiago awoke with a sigh, a low moan. He was back in Port Royal. At once he noticed that his maltreated body had healed and his chest looked untouched by any demon's claw. Actually, he felt like a new person, revitalized and full of magic. Khadim had given him a weapon that was mightier than any sword.
-
"Ah, you've always been a fool, Jack." Anirvan chuckled with the arrogance of a man that thought he'd won, shrugging unceremoniously when he saw the pirate captain fall to his certain death. To him, Jack Sparrow had never been a serious challenge anyway, more like a nuisance- a harmless but nevertheless annoying nuisance he didn't lament being rid off. He could feel his powers increase by the shock and pain of the pirate's companions, wallowing in their sorrow. It was a good moment to catch them unawares, he thought and reached out for the Chalice of Doom. Clouds of impenetrable blackness began to whirl out of it, forming a paralysing void; it cried with hunger for souls. Anirvan caressed its golden form. No one could stop him now. The Spaniard was dead by now and the only opponent he had ever taken serious had died a long time ago. Like a magical Pied Piper he tried to lull the pirates with the sweet maddening tune of the Chalice…
The hair at the nape of his neck stood on end and Marris sensed the danger. The Chalice of Doom could have taken no effect on the pirates as long as it stood on that altar but when Anirvan held it in his hands, probably mumbling some sort of evil spell, things would change and not for the better. Therefore he reacted at once by doing what he was good at. He raised his pistol, aimed, and shot. The shot echoed through the cave but that didn't impress Anirvan since he couldn't be killed by a bullet anyway. Yet that had never been Marris' intention.
The Chalice dropped to the ground, spinning around with a cold, metallic clatter. Anirvan looked at his empty hands and let out a very aggravated growl. Marris felt a strong energy hitting against his chest, lifting him off his feet. He was flung through the cave before his back crashed against the irons bars of the prison cell where he sank to the floor. First, he was barely able to breathe; the force of the impact seemed to have pressed every bit of air out off his lunges and he feared he would faint. Well, that he hadn't intended either.
Meanwhile, Will tried desperately to get Elisabeth's attention but his wife didn't even blink an eye at his attempts. She just stayed seated on her stool. If she looked at anyone at all then it was Norrington, and the Commodore really enjoyed that. He loved to hear the blacksmith's frantic cries but far more he would love to do what his Master had promised him. He reached out his hand to touch Elisabeth's delicate cheekbone and she looked up at him with eyes that almost begged him to become bolder. His fingers danced down the curve of her neck, admiring the softness of her skin, then they trailed to her barely hidden breasts. They felt exactly like he dreamed they would…
"Continue with the ceremony." He hissed impatiently at Anirvan who'd picked up the Chalice by now and was looking for something.
The magician shot the horny Commodore a look of disgust. "Contain yourself, worm."
Of course Will hadn't followed that scene without any attempts to interfere, infuriated and desperate like one demented. But Silvers, who was in charge of him at the moment, didn't let him go and when things got worse, he unceremoniously knocked Will out with a well-aimed blow.
"Sorry lad, but it's better for ye."
At the same time Gibbs and Anamaria kept the grey-clad marionette soldiers at distance- soon to be joined by Silvers- while Marty scurried hither and thither to confuse them. They did well until they suddenly heard a loud and very fuming howl. Everyone froze in their tracks. Turning their heads they could see a huge, blue-skinned demon with four arms and cut-throat razor claws, gnashing its fangs. Reptile eyes like glowing charcoals scanned the cave, looking daggers at them and searching for the one who had been bold enough to nick his precious statue, the Statue of her Evil Highness Nirrti.
"Bring back that Sparrow! Bring me back my statue!"
Three grey glad devotees obeyed at once.
Rowan had screamed Jack's name when she saw him fall. In a state of shock her eyes had filled with tears, but only a single one had rolled down her cheek and then been wiped away defiantly as she came to her senses again, refusing to believe that Jack could be dead. Yet her defiance was more than just a refusal; it was like an inner voice told her not to believe in everything that seemed to be obviously… think about it. See what could be hidden behind mere assumptions, assumptions that might have been provoked consciously… and don't think straight, try to think as twisted as Jack would. So, would Captain Jack Sparrow have shown up at the edge of an abyss with the Statue of Nirrti in his hands only to get himself shot? No. Definitely not. Did he have a plan? Aye, though he never told me…but he sure had a plan, therefore he must have been faking it, that stumble and fall…Why?
'The lower caves have an access to the sea', she remembered Jack saying and was almost sure she'd figured him out when she heard a fuming howl. Ah, Anirvan misses his little statue- Anirvan? Like her fellows she froze to the spot, startled to see a demon instead. A Rakshasa, to be exact, a Vedan night-demon. She was as scared as she was also fascinated by that sight.
Santiago, ye better come quick Marris begged silently, shaking off the dizziness his forceful contact with solid iron bars had caused him. Even if they could stand a little bit longer he knew that they were on lost cause; they could never match a demon without at least some magical assistance.
"Ye're alright?" Anamaria asked with a concerned face, helping him to get back on his feet.
He just nodded though nothing was alright. Only a miracle could save them now and it was very unlikely that that miracle would happen. Sighing heavily he met her eyes. "Just in case I can't tell ye tomorrow- I think I'm in love with ye. Ye should know that."
Before Anamaria could respond, a commanding voice bellowed through the cave.
"You're going too far, Anirvan. These pirates are no challenge for you so leave them alone. Try and compete with me."
The Rakshasa turned its head and gave a rather stupid impression; his eyes widened and his tongue popped out upon seeing the magician he believed to be dead. He gasped and growled. "That can't be. It's impossible. You should be dead- I've killed you!"
"Well, unfortunately I'm cursed so I can't die." Santiago replied succinctly while scanning the cave, gaining an overlook of the current situation. At the moment, everybody was staring at the two magicians as if time had come to a standstill.
"I'm sure I can change that annoying fact." The Rakshasa exhaled white flames of anger and eerie sparks flashed up at his claws, he shot them straight at the Spaniard. The sparks increased and became dangerous glowing fireballs…
'Shelter!'
…that bounced off Santiago's invisible protection shield, hitting rocks instead and blasting them. The walls of the cave trembled for an instant and the demon howled frustrated, his animalistic senses thirsted for blood. He was wild, almost uncontrollable now. Infuriated he rushed at Santiago, not only wanting to tear open his chest once again but this time he also wanted to eat his heart while it was still warm and pulsing.
Santiago was faster. He stepped aside, vanished and rematerialized at another spot of the cave, closer to Norrington, Elisabeth and the Chalice of Doom.
'Chalice!' He demanded and the Chalice of Doom actually found its way to his hands.
Feeling duped, the Rakshasa transformed to his human form and became Anirvan again. He knew that he might not give such a fearsome impression now, but his magical abilities would increase without the animalistic senses of the demon running through his veins, without the bloodlust and hunger for human hearts.
"Let go off the Chalice, Spaniard!" Anirvan shouted, at once being aware of what he had in mind.
Santiago cocked his head and arched his eyebrows at him in a mocking way as if he wanted to say, or what?
Norrington, who wasn't very pleased with that disturbance of the ceremony, tried his best to attack the Spaniard only he didn't get far. His feet felt glued to the ground before he could even reach him. He cried for his master's help, frantically wanting the ceremony to continue. He wanted to have Elisabeth and wanted to become Admiral of the Caribbean.
Again these sparks flashed up- this time at well-manicured fingers instead of claws but the result would be the same. Santiago grabbed the Chalice tighter and set off to battle Anirvan somewhere outside the caves since they would probably reduce them to rubble in the progress.
Meanwhile everybody had recovered from shock and was able to react again. The pirates continued to fight the grey clad devotees, Will regained consciousness, Marris and Anamaria kissed before they plunged into the tumult. Rowan unsheathed her sword, smirking hazardously. Finally the scenario was exactly like she'd hoped for- if only Jack was here with her. But Jack wasn't there.
Elisabeth felt like her brain had been stuck in some sticky substance that had lulled her senses and her mind in a constant lullaby, but now she awoke. Had she been dreaming? There was a dizzy feeling in her head she had only experienced once before- then, that morning on a godforsaken island after drinking rum with Jack Sparrow. But she didn't remember drinking that vicious stuff ever again. There was a vague memory of a sweet liquor though and… shots ringing through the darkness of the night, a painful scream…
"WILL!" She cried, tears filling her eyes. Elisabeth tried to get up on her feet when suddenly a hand slapped her hard across the face and sent her back to the stool.
"NO! Forget about that bloody blacksmith- you're MINE now. Hear me?"
Her head was being jerked back by her hair and she had to stare at Commodore Norrington's face that was glowing with anger and lust. Then his lips crushed on hers, forcing a brutal kiss. She heard her beloved husband's voice scream in agony as he had to witness that scene- never ever she had felt so helpless, so vulnerable. Not even Barbossa and his crew of undead miscreants had dared to treat her that way.
The dreadful moment seemed to last forever but in fact only a few seconds had passed before Norrington was tugged away and a fist hit his face. Startled the Commodore looked at the red haired bitch who actually had the nerve to aim her sword at his throat.
"Lass, put that weapon away. You don't know how to handle it anyway." He said arrogantly. "Women shouldn't mess around with things that weren't made for them, they should be quiet and obedient and keep the beds of their men warm."
"Ah! D'ye really think so or are ye just scared of getting beaten by a woman? By the way, you just proved that ye don't know anything about women." Rowan said with a mocking yet calm voice.
"I know enough about women to know you can't beat me." Norrington drew his blade and made an attempt to disarm her with his first stroke but she seemed to have foreseen his reaction and dodged, scampering away from him. He rushed after her. "Ha! You're already scared!"
"Actually- no." Rowan stopped which surprised the Commodore so he almost bumped into her. Their blades locked. She leaned over, a smile curling up her lips. "I just wanted to make sure that Elisabeth is out of your reach."
His eyes widened when he glanced to where Elisabeth had been, noticing that one of the pirates had escorted her to the arms of her beloved husband. Their embrace was disgusting, full of emotions and tears. He snorted, eager to vent his rage on Rowan; she was to blame for that.
A determined series of beats and counter beats followed, they attacked, parried and riposted, each stroke driving them closer to the mouth of the cave. Then, Rowan realized with astonishment that the sun had already risen.
Captain Jack Sparrow fell in the water with a big splash and sank, but soon his head appeared above the surface again. Immediately he looked around. A broad golden smile formed on his face when he realized that he had landed exactly where he wanted to. Good bats. He had watched them swarming through that chimney so he had known that there was another way out and since he'd been here before, he had also known where that chimney would lead to. He was in the cave the rum runners had used as storage- actually there where still a few barrels on that spit of rocks over there, next to a tunnel that interconnected this cave with the big one above. A glimpse of light came from the opposite opening, giving view at the sea. There was a pale golden shimmer on top of the light waves indicating that a new day was dawning. Well, wasn't that a tad too early?
He was distracted by the noises in the cave above; he heard a fuming howl and then someone shouted, 'Bring back that Sparrow! Bring me back my statue!'
Ah, so Anirvan has got it finally, Jack thought amused while wondering why Anirvan didn't sound like Anirvan anymore. He came to the conclusion that the magician must have transformed to that Rakshasa demon and was a little bit disappointed he couldn't have a look at him now. Might be interesting… but then again he could do very well without seeing demons, having seen undead skeletal pirates had actually been enough thrill for a lifetime.
Once again his thoughts got distracted by the course of events. Three faces appeared at the mouth of the chimney, looking down on him. One raised his musket and aimed at him, so it was better to submerge.
Jack counted three shots hitting the water surface, then he came up again. Of course he knew they wouldn't be content with just shooting at him since they wanted that statue back. More precisely, Anirvan Ratbone wanted that statue back and they were his obedient servants but that didn't change a thing; they would soon be there anyway .
Given that Jack didn't want to hand over the statue remorsefully apologizing for the trouble he had caused - he definitely didn't intend that- it would be better to hide the statue now and as quickly as possible. He could already see the flickering lights of torches approaching in the tunnel. Nevertheless he didn't like to rush things when there was a barrel of the finest rum in front of him so he took a good sip of that splendid golden liquor.
"You! Sparrow! Hands up! And hand over the Statue of Her Highness Nirrti immediately!" One of the blokes shouted but all three of them had aimed their muskets at Jack Sparrow who just shook his head in confusion.
"Gents, just think about it. How could I hand over a statue with my hands hold up and since my hands are held up high you can easily see that I hold no statue in my hands. So, how about a good sip of rum while we talk that over?"
Jack couldn't help but crack a smile when these three stupid fools reacted just the way he had expected them to do. Idiot one gave him a sharp look and slammed shut the lid of the rum barrel, idiot two still aimed his musket at him warily though he should have known that a weapon not reloaded could hardly be any threat, and the third one just barked. "Where's the statue? Where have you hidden it?"
The pirate looked around, then shrugged and turned to the one who had addressed him. "Well, I'm awfully sorry but I can't see any statue here. But, talking about missing things- have ye seen me hat? Must have lost it when I fell down here, ye know."
"You won't need a hat when Master questions you about his statue!"
"We're talking about torture." Another one interjected helpfully.
"Thanks so much for mentioning." Jack grimaced. His feet circled to the left but the third guy stopped him with his musket. He swayed and pretended to lose balance. Before the grey clad servants could react Captain Jack Sparrow had vanished in the sea. Hastily they loaded their muskets, ready to shoot him as soon as his head reappears on the surface. But time went by and he didn't show up again.
"He's drowned." One man assumed and his companions nodded. They gave up waiting for the pirate and started to search the cave for the statue of Nirrti instead.
Rowan had to blink, blinded by the bright sunlight. Had someone put forward the clock hands? She heard Norrington gasp with surprise and took in that it wasn't only her who considered this night to be shortest ever. But she couldn't linger on that thought since Norrington wasn't impressed enough to forget about their duel. Actually he seemed to be quite mad it was lasting so long at all; he probably had expected to beat her with a few strokes.
Norrington engaged but she parried and once again their blades locked.
"Give up, woman." He hissed, knowing that she couldn't match him in strength. "You've been lucky to get this far at all. If I weren't so good-natured you'd be long dead."
Rowan couldn't help but laugh. She kicked his shin and when he stumbled backwards she feinted a direct thrust at his head so he made a hasty retreat. He had clearly underestimated her- though he would never admit it.
Then she heard someone chuckle and a familiar slurring voice said. "I really do admire yer footwork, luv."
She whirled around to see Captain Jack Sparrow sitting casually on a rock, apparently sunbathing while watching her. Her heart leapt at the sight of him though she wasn't sure whether she'd rather kiss or slap him.
"And you look like a soggy rat, sweetheart." She replied given that he was in fact soaking wet. Nevertheless she was still very well aware what Norrington was doing. From the corner of her eye she saw him approaching and lifted her sword to keep him at distance.
"I've been taking a bath, my darling. I thought ye would appreciate…"
"Sparrow!" Norrington barked "Where. is. the. statue?"
"Don't have it." Jack held up his hands to prove that they were empty. Then he shrugged, smirking at the Commodore. "Well, I guess evil Nirrti is quite drunk by now."
Norrington wasn't amused but most of all he was confused and so was Rowan. Both gazed at Jack with bewilderment, then they looked at each other and came to the unspoken agreement that they could solve that mystery later- or at least one of them would. They began to circle again keeping a sharp eye on the opponent's slightest movement. But while his eyes flickered from her hands to her insidious legs and back she just watched his eyes. She was prepared for his direct cut to her flank and parried easily, surprising him with a counter thrust he simply hadn't expected.
Jack arched a brow. Though he knew Rowan could be an unpredictable hellcat in fencing she still managed to flabbergast him. That stroke was definitely not one Alf had taught them- that was some sort of 'new school' fencing she probably had learned in Asia. His eyes widened when she somersaulted backwards, landing safely on her feet to launch another attack at Norrington.
The commodore was a good fencer; he had the experience of years of practicing and his movements were elegant. Nevertheless his swordplay was unimaginative since the Royal Navy didn't encourage individuality. While he was strictly stuck to the rules of engagement Rowan had a bag of tricks. He was strong, she was speedy. But what distinguished them most were the reasons why they'd picked up a sword in the first place. Being the second son of a noble English family it had been expected of James Norrington to make a rapid rise in the King's Army, therefore he did. It was a matter of honour. To him a sword was just a weapon in order to maintain law and order in the name of the King whereas to Rowan it meant freedom, the freedom to be what she'd chosen to be. Knowing how to handle a sword was her way to stop people from trying to press her in a scheme of common rules that were only made to oppress women, the blade had cut off the bonds of society and set her free. Ever since Santiago had picked her up in the streets of Tortuga she had clearly recognized the chance he offered her so she'd become a very ambitious little girl who almost absorbed all the knowledge she could get. Knowledge is power and knowledge was usually not provided to girls.
While Jack still watched the sword fight, thinking about Rowan and gradually figuring her out, the other pirates emerged from the cave after having beaten their grey clad adversaries; they had killed a few but most of Anirvan's devotees were securely locked in the prison cell. Like Rowan and Norrington before they were equally surprised about the position of the sun but only Marris frowned with concern, wondering if that was really a good sign. The others were just reluctant that the night was over and to see their Captain safe and sound.
"Don't ye wanna help yer woman, Capt'n?" Silvers asked him
Jack glanced at him, a smile curling his lips. "Nah… only if she needs me help, mate. Besides I think she'd rather kill me if I'd dare to interfere now and I'm not in the mood for any suicidal activities this morning. Now, please stop rocking the rock I'm sitting" Abruptly he fell silent, startled by a noise like thunder as he noticed that the ground was actually trembling.
"Mary mother of God- what was that?" Mr Gibbs hissed and since he didn't know better he looked warily over to Rowan. "Everyone's thinking it but I'm just saying it. Witchcraft! There's something odd about the way that woman's handling her sword."
"Ye superstitious ol' fart mistake real skills for witchcraft since ye can hardly tell the blade from the hilt of a sword. That's been just an earthquake Josh'mee." Marty snickered amused until the elder pirate grabbed his collar.
"But I do know a lot 'bout cannons, dwarf. Remember me to"
Gibbs couldn't finish his threat because a second shock shook the earth, heavier than the first one, and things got out of control.
This night was to be The Night, the night of never-ending darkness and the beginning of a new realm, Nirrti's realm. He had been waiting for that for centuries while he was incarcerated somewhere high in the mountains of the Himalayas, deprived of his magical powers by Khadim's spell. But Khadim was long gone and in the course of the years the effects of his spell had gradually began to diminish; he had gotten aware of the world outside his prison of ice and snow again. Then the sweetest sound of all, the call of the Chalice of Doom had finally awoken him. It had found Itself a willing victim. One year it had taken him to set the stage for Nirrti's comeback, one year of enslaving souls to raise an army of ruthless soldiers with no will of their own. He growled frustrated- no, he was not going to take it that a third class magician tried to hinder him much less he would alter his plans. It had to be tonight! He would- could- not wait for next month's new moon.
But no matter how much Anirvan tried to manipulate time, stretching the hours in order to make this night last forever, Santiago managed to snatch time out of his hands again and again. Why did he appear so much stronger now? The evil magician put all on one stake and dared to challenge the eternal powers of the universe. Like an overstretched elastic band time snapped back on him, running backwards now. Instead of extending the night it got shorter; then the sun rose and the higher it climbed the weaker his magical powers got. Irritated he looked at Santiago who stood there with arms wide open as if hoping for divine support and yet the Spaniard had the nerve to grin at him; it was a sly, knowing grin.
Santiago spoke just one word and everything around him went up in a blaze. The Chalice of Doom splintered into thousands of fragments sending bright glowing spots of light high in the air- the liberated souls of the enslaved. Anirvan howled as eerie green flames lit up his body and he had to take in that he didn't even have the strength left to extinguish them. His magic was gone, taken away by a single word, a name, his true name… it should have been long forgotten. The realisation that he'd clearly underestimated the Spaniard came a bit too late since the flames were already burning his skin, fed on his flesh, his bones, until he was reduced to ashes. Then, the earth began to tremble.
The first shake caught Commodore Norrington totally unawares. The ground beneath his feet trembled heavily- or did his legs quiver that much? He was as dizzy as if he'd jumped faster out of bed than his circulation could have prepared for yet he definitely wasn't in his bedroom; he was… Pain! He felt a sharp pain on his left cheek and when he lifted one hand to touch his face, he noticed astounded that his fingers were wet with blood, his own blood. What had transpired? Where was he? Confused he gazed around and saw a red-haired pirate woman threatening him with her sword. But he wouldn't fight a woman- or would he? He wasn't so sure about it because, after all, his fingers were clenched tightly around the hilt of his own sword…
"Ye have enough, Commodore?" The pirate woman teased him.
Suddenly the scales fell off his eyes as all memories came floating back to his mind. He knew why he was here, he knew what he'd done and he knew what he had intended to do. The shame was enough to make him wish the ground would open up and swallow him- yet he hadn't expected that his wish would soon become true.
The next shake was heavier, it cut the ground from under his feet and he fell. Only a second later the red-haired pointed her sword at his throat like a deadly beautiful avenging angel. She was about to stab him and probably he had deserved that but a familiar voice stopped her.
"No! Wait! That's Norrington."
"Glad you've mentioned I wouldn't have noticed." She looked at Jack Sparrow as if he'd gone completely mad. "Just what d'ye think I've been doing here all the time?"
"I know what ye've been doing luv and I guess the Commodore will always remember this as the day he got beaten by a woman but there's no reason to kill him…"
"Come on Jack ye can't possibly let him get away with the things he'd done."
Norrington snickered almost hysterically at the thought that the infamous Captain Jack Sparrow of all people would actually care to spare his life. He was surprised. Instead of killing him the two pirates started a fierce debate.
"He was possessed by that Chalice."
"Ah and what makes ye think he isn't anymore?"
"Look at his eyes!"
The pirates bent over and looked at the Commodore but that didn't convince the infuriated woman.
"Probably he's just faking it. Besides, even if he isn't possessed anymore he still is a bloody Royal Navy's officer. Spare his life, turn yer back on him and soon ye'll be swinging at the gallows."
"Nah, I'm sure he'll grant us a day's head start won't ye Comm"
The word was cut off when the earth rumbled again. This third shock was the worst one; it was felt all over the island. The ground began to move heavily and deep fissures occurred in the limestone. With a crash like thunder parts of the cave collapsed. Jack heard Elisabeth scream but he couldn't have cared less since he had to take care of Rowan and himself first. The rocks they were standing on made some nasty crashing noises and he could already see a crack running straight towards them. He shoved Rowan forcefully aside, away from the cliffs and closer to what he thought would be more solid ground. They made it just in time. Looking back they saw with eyes wide open that a new shoreline had formed, the old one had simply crumbled down to the sea.
There was a weird silence in the aftermaths of the earthquake and Jack's voice sounded strange to himself when he addressed Rowan. "Are you alright."
She just nodded but that was all he needed to know before he threw a quick glance to see whether the members of his crew were still alive- they were- then he looked around for Norrington. He couldn't make him out so he carefully crawled to the edge of the abyss. There he was, clinging on a rock almost two feet below him. It was obvious that he wouldn't be able to keep hold much longer.
"Take me hand mate I'll pull ye up." Jack called to him but Norrington shook defiantly his head as if he wanted to fall to death. Apparently that was also what Will had in mind for the Commodore since he came rushing to Jack, shouting infuriated.
"Why don't you just let him drop? Have you forgotten what that bastard has done to us? He's threatened Elisabeth!"
Jack sighed enervated. He wasn't to argue his reasons with the whelp so he simply bellowed orders to Gibbs and Silvers to keep Will away from him. Once again he stretched out his hand towards Norrington.
"Come on, don't be such a fool. Ye won't be undoing anything if ye choose to die now, savvy? By the way, ye won't even get a proper sea burial 'cause the sea's gone." Jack frowned at that, wondering why the sea was gone, while Norrington gazed down seeing only rough, bare rocks. Suddenly he panicked and grabbed desperately Jack's hand. In his wild struggle to stay alive he would have dragged the pirate down with him if Rowan hadn't taken a hold of Jack's legs.
"Damned- who's the fool right now? I swear I'll kill ye should ye dare to fall to your death just because of Norrington."
Marris and Anamaria hurried over to help her keep a hold of Jack as well helping Jack to get Norrington back onto solid ground. After they had finally succeeded they lay breathlessly crouched together in a heap of tired limp bodies. Then, all of a sudden, Anamaria raised her head and stared in awe at a huge wave that rolled towards Port Royal almost swallowing the whole city. For a moment they couldn't see anything but water and it's whirling spray clouded the air. When that wore off they stared in utter horror at what was left of Port Royal. Even from that distance the effects of the earthquake and the tidal wave seemed to be disastrous, the complete western part of the town had disappeared.
"Father!" Elisabeth cried in utter shock. Will immediately forgot that he'd loved to kill Norrington with bare hands and hastened to comfort his beloved wife.
Jack got to his feet and squeezed Norrington's shoulder. The otherwise so stiff, self-controlled man was a nervous wreck now, silent tears were running down his cheeks, mingling with blood from the gash Rowan had given him. Jack felt almost sorry for him.
"There's no time for self-pity mate so get a grip on yerself. We've got a lot to do." He turned and barked orders at the other pirates. "Mister Gibbs, Anamaria! Take Will and Elisabeth back to the Pearl and set sails for Port Royal- or what's left of it- but don't enter harbour with my precious lady. Marty! You've got the perfect size to sneak in the cave. If there are any survivors in the prison, set them free. Mister Silvers and Marris- for you I've got a very special task. I need ye to get the rum barrels outta that lower cave. And…"
"Oh you're such a despicable pirate." Elisabeth interrupted with a shrill, hysteric voice. "How can you care about a few barrels of that vicious spirit after witnessing a tragic disaster that possibly have killed thousands of people in Port Royal?"
Jack looked to the sky and rolled his eyes. He chose to ignore the furious young lady and offered Rowan his arm.
"My love, do you fancy to take a little stroll with a despicable pirate and a whiny Commodore, walk to Port Royal, see what's happened there and give them a helping hand if required?"
"Aye, sweetheart." Rowan chirped as she graciously linked arms with him. That should have warned Jack but he just smiled self-satisfied and sketched a bow at his audience. Then he pranced away, stopped after a few steps as if he'd forgotten something very important and turned around.
"Ah, and if somebody sees me hat- I've lost it. Norrington! Move yer ass we don't have all day."
As soon as they were out of sight of Jack's crew Rowan let go of his arm, whirled around and slapped him hard. Then she confused him completely by grabbing his collar and kissing him even harder.
"Hey, what was that for?"
Rowan wondered briefly whether she should list everything but then she decided to cut it short. "Because ye're Captain Jack Sparrow."
Proud as a peacock he glanced at her. "Aye, but why did ye slap me?"
"That was the reason I slapped ye." She rolled her eyes and walked on until she reached the place where she had left Murtogg, the two horses and a pirate to guard them. The pirate, O'Reilly, didn't look like he had been extremely busy since the horses had calmed down after the earthquake was over and Murtogg lay flat on his back.
"Oh, did ye knock him off?"
"Nah- he spared me that and rather fainted like an old fat woman." O'Reilly responded and spat out with disgust.
Rowan looked to Jack. "Now isn't it good that we don't have to walk all the way to Port Royal?"
One horse bared its yellow teeth at Jack who immediately stepped back, grimacing. He knew that he would never get familiar with these nasty animals nevertheless he mounted one after a fiery debate about how to share out two horses between three people. Rowan's suggestion that Norrington should be tied to the stirrup and run wasn't as much a solution as letting him ride a horse on his own since she didn't trust him at all. In the end she got one horse while Norrington and Jack had to share the second, and all the time Commodore Norrington didn't utter a single world. He just stood there looking every inch a picture of misery, eaten away by guilt, shame and self-pity.
A few hours later they crossed the Liguanea Plain and approached Port Royal the extent of the catastrophe became more evident the closer they got. The graves at the cemetery had been opened up by the quake and while most of it had unceremoniously slid into the sea, some dead bodies and bones had been washed to the streets of the shattered town. The smell of decay was already in the air.
The parts of Port Royal that hadn't sunken to the sea looked horribly devastated. Buildings had collapsed like houses of carts, dead bodies covered the harbour and most ships were wrecked or tossed into the town. The Dauntless now 'anchored' at the remains of a church.
Rowan had expected a reverent silence only broken by the sound of mourning people but fact was that many opportunists had already taken the chance and started to loot whatever was left. They broke into homes and warehouses, robbed the dead, and a very clever owner of a bar offered cheap rum for twice the prize by calling it 'hell-wave brew'. A couple of whores roamed the streets claiming to be the only surviving prostitutes in Port Royal- only that there were too many of them to been taken serious. On the contrast to that a preacher man gave a flaming speech to those who cared, calling the disaster a sign of divine retribution. Some redcoats scurried hither and thither in a desperate attempt to maintain law and order but failed miserably due to the lack of any authoritarian commands.
"Seems ye've got a lot to do here." Jack said as he shoved Norrington out of the saddle. At once his horse started to prance and try to kick him off. While he still struggled to keep balance, a troop of soldiers led by Governor Swann walked by.
Immediately Rowan unsheathed her sword in the belief that Norrington would surely betray them now.
"Commodore! Heaven sent you! Where have you been?" The Governor shouted when he spotted Norrington, then he froze and frowned at the sight of two wanted pirates on horseback.
"I… I…" Norrington stuttered, not knowing what to say.
That was the opportune moment for Jack to slip off the saddle- his horse ran right away- and bow to Swann. "Pleased to meet ye again, dear Governor. I'm awfully sorry that I kept such a loyal officer of yers distracted but I really needed his help to track down an antagonist of the Crown who had far worse in mind than this horrible disaster could ever do."
The Governor nodded though he hadn't understood a word of what the pirate was saying. Imploringly he stared at Norrington who just stood there biting his lips, still not knowing what to say. He would have liked best to throw himself in the dust and eagerly admit all the crimes he had committed while he had been possessed by the Chalice of Doom, but he also realized that Captain Jack Sparrow of all people had offered him a chance to- well, not to undo the things he'd done but to learn from them. Rowan Scarlett already glared daggers at him so he better get a grip on himself now.
"I am at your disposal, Governor Swann. But if I may please grant these two pirates clemency because Captain Jack Sparrow has spoken the truth. He had indeed spared all of us a fate far worse than any earthquake could ever achieve."
author's note: I'd like to point out that I certainly did not get inspired by the horrible earthquake/ tsunami that happened in Asia lately. What I wrote in this chapter is a historical fact. On June 7th 1692 at about 20 to 12 an earthquake occurred, followed by a tidal wave that sunk 2/3 of the once 'wickedest city on earth'. For further information just check the net, research is fun.
Amelia Bones: Welcome to my obsession. I hope you stay around a bit longer since I have a sequel in mind.
By the way- I've never begged for reviews but I do really like them. So please feel free to drop a line or two.
Only one more chapter to come…