Chapter 9

Later that evening, everyone was called to the central meeting place by the sounding of strange horns. Hundreds of people poured into a large, open courtyard decorated richly with endless streamers of colorful flowers and flickering torches that illuminated every inch of the square. Tables had been set up around the entire perimeter of the enormous space for people of importance, and even more spaces had been provided for standing or sitting on the ground. In the center of it all was a slightly raised wooden platform, which dancers flowed gracefully around while exotic music was played.

The people were just as decorated as the courtyard itself. Everyone was dressed in bright tropical colors and draped with jewelry made from polished seashells and freshly-picked flowers. Will suddenly felt very conspicuous in his drab white shirt and black pants. Scanning the crowd, he spotted the crew and began to join them. He was stopped by Blackbird, who caught his attention and motioned for him to join her and Jack. They weren't seated directly next to Chief Alagos (those spots being reserved for his family), but theirs were clearly places of honor. Hesitantly taking a seat, Will studied Blackbird. She, at least, had "dressed up" for the occasion, though in reality it made her look all the more like a pirate. Her usual plain clothes had been exchanged for a more fitted black shirt over a blood-red corset top and long black pants. The braids in her hair had been redone and the beads gleamed in the torchlight. Her already intense eyes had been magnified even more by a fresh outlining of kohl. Despite her relaxed manner, Will noted that she still had her pistol and sword strapped at her side, as did Jack.

Once almost everyone was seated, Chief Alagos gave the signal for the feast to begin, and servers brought out trays of food. The tables were soon laden with an unimaginable variety of foods. Fish, caught only hours before by Kelumarian fishermen, was the main meat, but there was also pork, chicken, and a strange meat that Will wasn't sure he wanted to identify. Bowls overflowing with fruits of all shapes and sizes were placed along the low tables. Some of the servers brought around baskets filled with a sweet bread, while the others filled everyone's large goblets with a rich red liquid that Will quickly identified as a kind of rum. As soon as everyone was served, people began eating.

The roar of conversations was almost deafening as people socialized with friends and family from all over the island. Will attempted to hold a few conversations with those around him, but it was difficult with their limited knowledge of English and his nonexistent knowledge of Kelumarian. Most of the time Blackbird would have to intervene. After a while, Will noticed her talking to a girl in her late teens. When he shot her a questioning look, she smiled mischievously and leaned across the table toward him. "She thinks you're cute," Blackbird said, indicating the girl.

Will hesitantly looked down the table at her and, sure enough, she giggled and waved at him. Sighing, he said, "Would you please inform her that I'm married?" Blackbird shrugged and repeated his message to her. The girl's face fell slightly at the news, but she immediately cheered back up.

Blackbird laughed. "She still thinks you're cute," she said. Groaning in exasperation, Will turned all his attention to the food on his plate.

---

As it grew late and people had had more than enough food and drink, the noise began dulling to a drowsy hum of conversation. Slowly, the crowd began to leave to their own homes. Will waited for Jack and Blackbird to appear ready to leave to stand up himself. Blackbird said her farewells to the chief and Lalaith before rejoining Jack and Will. "I'll see you in the morning, Will," she said. Turning to Jack, she muttered, "I need to talk to you alone."

Jack nodded and waved goodbye to Will, who was already leaving. "C'mon, then."

They walked along the beach in silence for quite a while, until they were far away from the lights and noise. Jack stopped at a steep cliff overlooking the black waters. "Now," he said, "what's this about?"

"I'm concerned about the men," Blackbird replied quietly. "They grow restless, and there are whisperings of disloyalty. I fear that if they don't see some action soon, they'll create their own."

Jack frowned. "Seeking adventure is nothing uncommon in pirates. That's what makes them such good fighters, but it's certainly a risk you take. Why should it be concerning?"

"It wasn't…until today," she said. "When I went back to our quarters to rest, I overheard several of them speaking. They lowered their voices when I came in, but what I could hear hinted of mutiny."

"Mutiny?" Jack asked in a worried tone. "That is troubling…who was there?"

Blackbird shrugged. "The room was dark and they kept their backs turned to me. The only face I could make out was Ewing."

"Then it would depend on who's backing him," Jack mused. "I doubt Ewing alone could lead a mutiny, he's not together enough mentally. You didn't happen to catch how many they had, did ye?"

"Nine or ten is what I heard them say."

"Nine or ten men…" Jack muttered. "That's nearly 'alf the crew…"

"I'm afraid they're extremely cautious around me, so it's hard to find out anything. They know that I report to you," she said.

"And I appreciate it," he replied. "Many a scheme has been thwarted thanks to you."

Blackbird was silent for several minutes, staring out at the glassy sea. "Jack?" she said suddenly. "Do you think I'm insane?"

Jack hesitated before answering. "You're a beautiful young woman who would make her father proud," he finally said.

Blackbird laughed dryly. "Thanks, but I don't think that's what I asked you. I want an honest answer, Jack."

"I'm not really in any position to say yea or nay, Blackbird," Jack replied, avoiding her stare. "I'm just as insane, if not more so."

"Then your answer is yes," she concluded.

Jack hesitated again. "Yes…but with reason," he said uncomfortably. "Thinkin' about all you've gone through, I'd say your mental health is remarkably good. All pirates have to be somewhat touched in the head." Blackbird just nodded absently and stared off into the distance.

Jack studied her more closely. He knew the pain that Kelumar held for her, the memories. She kept the pain concealed until she could hold it no longer. Nobody saw that side of her… Nobody saw the grief in her eyes when other people weren't looking… Nobody remembered that ten-year-old girl that just found out her father wasn't coming back… Nobody, that is, except him. He knew he was a far cry from the fatherly figure she needed, but he had done his best. He often wondered what he'd been thinking, taking her under his care like that. Had it really done any good?

"Raven…" he started.

"Don't call me that," she said roughly, cutting him off. "I'm not Raven; she died with every other part of me that night." She stood up suddenly, squaring her shoulders. "My name is Blackbird; that is my identity. Good night, Jack." Turning around, she strode quickly away.

----------

Blackbird walked along the sandy beach in silence. She didn't know and didn't care where she was going; Kelumar was a big island. Finally alone, she allowed her emotions to run their course. Visits to Kelumar were always a painful reminder of her past, but she could normally just focus her mind on other things. Will's presence changed that. The combined stress of revisiting her past and seeing the spitting image of her father was just too much. Anger, grief, pain, loneliness…all the emotions she kept masked inside were now freely coursing through her like a raging river that threatened to consume her. Tears that she refused to surrender to blurred her vision as she stared out at the moonlit ocean.

"It's getting late," a voice said, shaking her out of her thoughts. "You shouldn't wander alone."

"I can take care of myself," she muttered. "I just couldn't sleep."

"Neither could I," Will said. "…Is something the matter?"

Blackbird shrugged off the question. "Just memories," she replied quietly, wishing that he would go away.

Will gave her an odd look. "What is your past with Kelumar?" he asked. "Some of the natives told me that you lived here for a time, and you seem familiar with almost everyone."

"That would probably be because I am," she said. "After Father's death, Jack couldn't exactly take care of me, being too busy running his own ship and plotting to recover the Pearl. Since I was obviously too young to take care of myself, Jack took me here. Apparently Jack and Father were both good friends with the chief of these people, so I was to stay with his family until I was old enough. Jack's plan was to wait until I was sixteen and then turn me loose, but I had my own ideas. I asked to join Jack's crew when I was thirteen, but he simply told me that a pirate ship was no place for young ladies and advised that I 'find myself a nice husband here on Kelumar.' I was just as stubborn back then and much more foolish, so I simply stowed away. Three days out into the journey, Gibbs found me in the cargo hold and took me to Jack. Naturally Jack was furious at me, but he reluctantly agreed to give me a chance. He threatened that if he ever caught me complaining or failing to do my duties, he'd drop me at the nearest port and never give me another chance. As is fairly evident from my current status, that never happened."

"I see." Will hesitated before speaking again. "You know, Blackbird," he said, struggling for the right words, "you…you weren't the only one to lose a parent at an early age…I was only twelve when Mother passed away. She arranged for some friends to take me for the day, and when I got home she was dead. That's when I headed to the Caribbean in search of Father, as Mother had told me to do should something happen to her. Our ship was attacked by Barbossa, who sought the piece of gold Father had sent me. The rest, as you know, is history."

"At least you got some closure," Blackbird said bitterly.

Will shrugged. "It doesn't hurt any less," he replied. "I just want you to know that …you're not the only one familiar with grief…You aren't alone."

Blackbird smiled faintly. "I think, Will Turner, we're finally beginning to understand each other."