Chapter three: Medallions
Katerina was begrudging herself. Not only did she have to work, but she hadn't seen the weekly pay promised to her.
She was slowly swirling around the mop in her hands, and trying not to curse out loud.
"There has to be something said for a man who puts a ship before his own life." She muttered, picking up the small bucket and walking to another section of the deck.
"Can I have a word?" Katerina looked up to see the captain standing before her.
"I cant see why not." She grunted, setting the bucket down hard, so some of the water sploshed.
"I have been quite busy, and forgotten to give you this." He handed over a small velvet satchel that slightly chinked. "And that we are going to be landing soon, and I need you to accompany me." Katerina took the satchel, feeling slightly guilty, and pocketed it.
"Why?" She asked after a moment. She rarely saw this man. She made friends with the rest of the crew, and on their nights off, they would all tell her stories about Captain Sparrows adventures(or misadventures) with Will Turner and his wife. Both of which currently residing on the ship, after they picked them up in London.
"Because. All in good time my little urchin. But you must follow all of my orders. Because if you don't, well...you wont end up too happy." Katerina nodded, an eyebrow raised. She hadn't herd much past the "urchin" part.
Ha! If he knew, he would shit himself.
"We should be there within the next few days. Oh, and you missed a spot over there." With that he walked away, hips ever so slightly swaying. She rolled her eyes and started to work at the spot he pointed to.
"Oh my giddy aunts." Katerina breathed as she, the captain, Will, Elizabeth, and some other crew member glided into the entrance of the cave. As they rounded the corner on foot, a bright gleam of gold met her eyes. Her jaw dropped, and she felt light headed.
"You can pick out a few things, Ginger." Jack called from the other side. He was sitting on a large stone chest swinging his legs. He seemed as if he was going to go nowhere.
"But just try not to die." Will added, where he and Elizabeth were sitting.
"Why are we here?" Katerina asked, picking her way to the captain.
"To return something that took quite a while to find." He produced a large coin with a scull and more of the carvings on it, and was sure she saw crusted blood. He jumped off the chest, and opened it just enough to drop the coin in. After it was done, he jumped back onto the chest, and made himself as comfortable as possible.
"And...? We aren't leaving right away?" Jack nodded to Will, who in turn went and sat on the chest. Jack got off and walked over to Katerina.
"We are all waiting on you, Ginny. I feel bad for having to practically shanghai you to be on my crew. Once we are in another port, you can go." Katerina walked around, but stayed within ten feet of Jack.
"But I want to stay on the crew!" She picked up a string of black pearls, and roped them around her neck. "I mean, I already took the oath, and I have been doing my share. I like most everyone on there, even Anamaria although she does make it hard to like her." She grabbed up a small silver and opal tiara, and examined it.
"Can I please stay?" She finished, putting on a large amethyst ring.
"...Yes. If that's your wish." Jack was stunned. He admitted that there was something about this urchin that he liked. He would never have a relationship with her(too ugly), but there was still something there. Most of it was her voice. He was unsure just how someone ugly could possess a sultry and beautiful voice. He wondered what would have happened if he chose a different shop.
Then he shook his head. He hardly knew this woman, and yet he was feeling protective of her. True, they had been on the same ship for about five months now, but still.
A pirate and one of his crew never fell in love. In fact, he was breaking the code just by having two females on board. Stupid bloody code, he thought.
"You are a bit short on crew members, Jack." Will said, a smile on his lips. Katerina heard the note in his voice, and frowned. She didn't like the captain, yet everyone thought she was his whore. Whore indeed. She had never had a relationship in her life! But there Will was, glancing knowingly at his wife, who was looking the same right back.
"If its any trouble, I don't have to stay." She said defiantly.
"Don't go jerking your chin at me, Ginger." Jack said in a ringing voice that was void of any emotion. She searched his eyes, and they were blank.
"Yeah, Ginge." Elizabeth said, looking more concerned then anything. "Will and I are only helping temporarily...soon enough we wont be able to sail. We have another baby on the way." Jack rolled his eyes at her words, but both of the spouses looked totally in love, and blissfully happy.
"Oh." She muttered, and walked around a bit. The cave was rather large, with four feet deep water surrounding the islands piled high with swag.
"Oooh!" Katerina gasped, spotting some bolts of cloth. "Can I have these to make some clothes?" Jack nodded, and she smiled at him, showing nice teeth, that weren't yellow.
Jack thought how in some light, and with different looks, she didn't look half bad. And then, when she was smiling at him...she almost looked...pretty. Then she was wearing a navy blue tunic with matching breeches. She had a pair of black calf-high boots that she shined periodically, and her hair was up in the usual bun. She had a nice body, nice teeth, and hair...but it was just her face.
"I think we should be going back now."
"Any clue as to the others with the medallions?" Elizabeth asked, as they all got back into the row boat, Jack and Will both rowing.
"There are a few over in the orient and India, I believe. But there is one in Portsmouth. We can drop you off and grab that one. I just don't like carrying more than one around at a time. Bloody things." Katerina was completely in the dark about all things said. She didn't know why they went to this large cave, and surpassed all treasures just to drop off a blooded coin.
Well, I never said they were normal, Katerina thought, shaking her head slightly.
"Alright, I would like you to come with me again." It was two months later, and Jack had come down below to see Katerina laying in her hammock, reading an old book she found. They were just pulling into England, with Will and Elizabeth determined to stay until they had all the coins back. Katerina still had no clue why they were so important.
"Erm...Ok." She set the book down, and sat up.
"Why did you want to stay on the crew?" Jack asked, sitting in the hammock besides her. Katerina started to squirm, and scooted the other way. Jack noticed it, and checked himself.
"Well, Im earning money, aren't I? And I like it. I feel free." She closed her eyes and smiled. She had forgotten about her small measly shop. If she ever wanted to, she could build a great big one. Actually, her secret dream was to have a tavern in either Tourtuga or Port Royal. She hadn't told anyone about this.
"Ah. Well, we need to be off. I really don't want to delay." She jumped off the hammock, leaving Jack to sway dangerously, then jump off as well.
They walked through the streets of the semi-large town, to come to what appeared to be a small tavern or shanty. Jack knocked on the door, and it opened almost immediately.
"Well well well! Jack Sparra, so it tis. And a mate? Welcome back and welcome." A very large sweaty and pink man boomed. He had a large beard and his light brown eyes were merry and kindhearted looking. His button nose was bright red, and his clothes were nothing substantial, yet clean and crisp. He beckoned the two pirates in, and closed the door behind them.
It was definitely a small tavern, with only four people at the bar. Two appeared to be drunk, one was passed out, and the other swaying slightly, humming to the song a wench was singing as she washed large mugs. Katerina recognized it as Green Sleeves.
"So, Jack, what brings ye back to me small and humble tavern?" He asked, calling the wench to bring three rums, and setting them down at a small table.
"I told that you currently have boarders?" Jack asked, sipping the rum, and winking to the large bosomed woman who brought them over.
"Aye, that be right." He said. Then he offered a large and plump hand to Katerina.
"The names Lancaster. And yers be?"
"Ginger," She said shortly, and grimaced at the rum that slid its way down her throat.
"So what it be to ya that I have boarders?" He went back to Jack, pretty much losing interest in her.
"It be a lot to deal with me." Jack downed his mug, and tucked in the sides of his mouth. "Are you residing a Mr. Phillips by any chance?"
"Aye. There be a Mr. Phillips in room five. Do ye wish ter see 'im?"
"Yes." They all got up and followed Lancaster down the hallway to room five.
Lancaster knocked on the door as Katerina looked around. The striped wallpaper was peeling, and the dirt floor needed to be swept. It was dark, being half underground, and only two candles guttered on a table.
"Yeah?"
"Its Lancaster. You have two visitors." With that, the large man left, clapping Jack on the back, and shaking Katerina's hand. The door opened, and a tall skinny and plain out ugly man stood in the doorway, frowning. He was clean shaven, but his face was covered in burn scars. His eyes seemed slightly hollowed, and he was all around pale.
"I am told you are Mr. Phillips." Jack said without blinking. Katerina looked down, embarrassed to be staring.
"Aye," He said slowly. Jack nodded, then reached up and punched the man. They both started throwing punches, then wrestling around on the floor. The rolled into the small room, and Katerina followed their entwined bodies. She was unsure of what to do. She was afraid of trying to get involved for hurting Jack, but he seemed to be getting himself beaten.
Her reflexes were slow and they slammed into her and she went flying backwards into the large bath that was steaming behind her. Her back hit the other side of it, and bone connected to wood...hard. Her whole body submerged in the hot water, and she was confused for a moment, almost swallowing the warm liquid. She finally broke surface to hear a loud gunshot. Looking up, and wiping her wet face she saw Jack standing over the man, who was bleeding out his head.
"Why in the hell did you do that?" She demanded, still sputtering. Jack searched the mans pockets, and produced a large medallion, exactly like the other one. He dipped it in the mans blood, and after it dried, pocketed it.
Only after that did he look over to the drenched Katerina.
His jaw dropped. She was bewildered for a moment, and wiped her face again. When she saw some of her make-up on the back of her hand, she realized her face was washed clean of her concoction, and her true self exposed.
"Why the hell do you hide such a face?" Jack demanded after a moment of silence.
"From people like you!" She yelled, anger slowly washing over her.