Chapter 10
Blackbird stepped out of the boat and back onto land. The last of the supplies had been loaded onto the Pearl, and all that was left was goodbyes. Many of the men clung to their new-found sweethearts, vowing fiercely to return soon. Several even attempted to sneak girls onto the ship, but were quickly caught by Blackbird and Jack.
Lalaith hugged Blackbird tightly. "Namárië," she said quietly. "Don't wait so long next time."
Blackbird smiled dryly. "I suppose that would depend on how thirsty people get, now wouldn't it?"
"You don't always have to come on business," Lalaith said seriously. "You- and your family-" she added, glancing over at Will, "are always welcome here."
"I will keep that in mind," Blackbird said, stepping into the boat. "Namárië, Lalaith."
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"So that's it?" Will asked once they were back on the Pearl. "All that's left is the trip home?"
Blackbird nodded. "I'm afraid you didn't choose a particularly eventful journey to accompany us on."
"Well, so far, I've fought one of the most dangerous criminals in Tortuga, got in a bar fight the same day, joined the crew of a pirate ship, discovered my twin sister, saved your life, visited an uncharted island, and, most importantly, made a new friend. While that's certainly not chasing after cursed pirates, I wouldn't call it uneventful."
"No, I guess not if you're a blacksmith from a small town," she said.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Will asked.
"Oh, nothing," Blackbird replied. "It's just that after being a pirate for ten years, it takes a gun being put to your head to make the day even begin to qualify as exciting."
Will spotted Jack behind them silently slipping out his pistol and attempting to sneak up behind her. Before he could even, position the gun next to her head, Blackbird said, "Don't even try it, Jack."
Sighing, Jack put the gun away. "Can't you let me have my victory just once and pretend not to hear me coming?"
"Nah, I prefer catching you every time and making you look like an idiot in front of your crew," she replied casually.
"I was just trying to make your day exciting…" he argued.
"While I appreciate the kind gesture, I'm perfectly capable of generating my own excitement."
"I'll say…" Jack muttered. "Don't you have a job to do?"
"It's not my watch," she retorted. "Don't you have a ship to run?"
"Would you two please stop arguing!" Will interrupted. "I know it's entertaining to you, but it's getting on my nerves."
"Whatever," Blackbird said, turning to leave. "I'm going down to the galley, anyway."
Will followed after her. "I think I'll join you."
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"Mornin'," Joe said as the two walked through the doorway. "What can I do for ye?" He took Will's request and turned to Blackbird. "Nothin' for ye, lass?"
"Just coffee, Joe," she replied. "I couldn't for the life of me sleep last night." Joe busied himself with Will's order and handed Blackbird a steaming mug, which she gulped immediately in the unladylike manner Will had grown accustomed to.
"Joe," he said suddenly. "You said that you've known Blackbird all her life. If that's so, I'm guessing you knew a little bit more than you told me. Am I right?"
Joe hesitated and looked up from the stove. "I'm a pirate, lad, lyin's part o' the job," he replied. "Blackbird asked that I stay quiet 'bout it, so I did."
"He's right," Blackbird added. "He was following my request. I've already explained my motives, so I see no need for doing so again."
"I wasn't asking you to," Will replied. "I was just wondering. You knew my father well, then?"
"I already told you that, too," Joe said. "Bootstrap was a good man; I can see him in both of you. The same strength, the same fire…" his voice trailed off. After a moment, he shook his head. "Sorry," he said, "I'm getting' old."
Blackbird laughed. "I hate to tell you this, mate, but you are old…but no less capable," she added hastily. She stood up from the stool and drained the last few drops from her mug. "Thanks for the coffee, Joe, but I think what I really need is rest."
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Blackbird had no sooner settled down to sleep than Jack shook her awake. "Blackbird," Jack said urgently. "We need you on deck." Groaning, Blackbird forced herself out of the hammock and followed him up the steps.
Once on deck, Jack handed her his spyglass. "Can you make out anything out there?" he asked, indicating where she should look.
"A ship," she replied plainly.
"Yes, anyone can see that," Jack said in exasperation. "I meant can you make out any details?"
Blackbird studied the area a bit longer. "She's large, but by no means slow, flying the flag of the British Royal Navy, compliment of maybe forty men. I can't make out how heavy their artillery is, but they're certainly well-protected. Shall I give the order to attack?"
Jack hesitated. "No," he finally said. "They're bigger, and they have the wind gauge. Besides, our holds are too full to hold much more swag. I'll just swing wide around them and try to seem casual. With luck, they'll just treat us like any other passing ship." Saluting, Blackbird hurried off.
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After several hours, it became evident that they had been spotted. The other ship had turned and was now following a course seemingly parallel to the Black Pearl's. They were just close enough that Blackbird could see men running around on the deck. "Jack," she called up to the helm. "They're becoming increasingly active. I suspect they're preparing to attack."
"That's out of character for the British. They normally wait for the other ship to show signs of aggression."
"Unless they know we're pirates," Blackbird pointed out.
"We haven't raised our colors," Jack argued. "Surely they couldn't identify the Pearl from that far away!" As he spoke, a cannonball bounced off their stern. Swearing under his breath, a look of determination came over Jack's face. "Fine. It's a fight they want, and it's a fight they'll get. We'll teach them not to cross Captain Jack Sparrow."
Men scurried around the deck preparing cannons and strapping on their own personal weapons. "What's going on?" Will asked Blackbird over the noise.
"That ship over there just fired a warning shot. The message was fairly clear: surrender or die," she replied.
"So we're going to surrender and hope they don't search too thoroughly?" Will asked hopefully.
"Of course not!" Blackbird said. "We're going to teach them a lesson!"
"Great," he muttered. "Now I can add 'attacking a ship of the British Royal Navy' to the list of crimes I've committed. I'm practically begging to be hung upon my return to Port Royal."
"Look, mate, technically they attacked us. We gave them every chance to ignore us, but they want a fight. Understand that if we're boarded, we might as well resign ourselves to the gallows. All they need is this little mark to kill us without trial," she said, exposing the 'P' that had been branded into her wrist. "The best chance we have of anonymity is fighting back. At least then we have a chance." Without replying, Will hurried off to the forecastle.
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I was an idiot, Will thought as he strapped on his sword and loaded the pistol. A bloody idiot. I knew the voyage couldn't go this smoothly. What had he been thinking, agreeing to this? His responsibility was at home with Elizabeth and their child, not preparing to fight onboard a pirate ship. What would happen to them if he was killed? He found himself all the more determined to win with that thought.
Will thought as he strapped on his sword and loaded the pistol. . What had he been thinking, agreeing to this? His responsibility was at home with Elizabeth and their child, not preparing to fight onboard a pirate ship. What would happen to them if he was killed? He found himself all the more determined to win with that thought.As he started up the stairs, Will paused at a tall mirror that was leaning against some of the other spoils. He looked like a pirate. His dark hair was tangled and unkempt, his clothes dirty and loose. Any shine his boots had had was gone, worn by use and weather. The weapons at his side and the look of determination only added to the effect. Oddly enough, it looked more natural to him, like that was how he was supposed to be. Enjoy it while you can, he told himself. I won't be doing this again.
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The other ship was now drawing steadily nearer. As the two ships jockeyed for position, Blackbird studied their opponent. The name HMS Goliath was painted on the side, and the ship fit its name. It had looked large from a distance, but up close it looked positively enormous. The bigger they are, the harder they fall, Blackbird thought dryly to herself.
As soon as everything was ready, Jack gave the order to raise the Jolly Roger and fire. The Black Pearl's cannons boomed, some hitting their marks, others not. Goliath immediately returned fire, splintering the Pearl's hull in several places. The two ships continued to volley for several minutes, but neither one could succeed in badly damaging the other. The distance between ships was still too great to swing across, but men stood ready with hooks and ropes. The Goliath might have had better trained men and more firepower, but they would stand no chance in hand-to-hand combat against the ruthless pirates.
Suddenly, the Goliath revealed her secret weapon: a hidden row of cannons below the first. The now-doubled cannons fired again, this time managing to strike the Pearl's foremast. A deafening crack was heard as the mast fell to the sea. British soldiers swarmed onboard the ship and began engaging in one-on-one fighting. Sensing defeat, Blackbird slipped below deck.