Chapter 13
Blackbird looked around the square where the gallows had been erected. For so early in the day, a lot of people had shown up. It was all the better, actually. The soldiers would be slowed down in an attempt to protect the civilians. She fanned herself lightly; it was also very hot for the time of day. Leaning over, she muttered, "Captain Jones, I'm feeling a bit lightheaded. I think I'll step inside for a moment."
"Do I need to accompany you?" the captain asked in concern.
Blackbird shook her head. "Thank you, but I'll be fine. I just need a moment to cool off." Hesitantly, Captain Jones nodded and watched her go.
----------
The Black Pearl crew sat despondently in the Port Maria jail. "I told ye she'd abandon us," Gibbs was saying. "She's probably enjoyin' her stay with th' young cap'n right 'bout now." They were all startled by the guard falling down the stairs.
Blackbird slipped her knife back into its sheath. "I hate mansions, I hate maids, I hate formal dining, and I loathe corsets, so don't even get me started about my stay, Gibbs," she said, unlocking the cells with the guard's keys. "Where are Will and Jack?" she asked, examining the crew.
"The soldiers just came for 'em," Gibbs said.
Blackbird swore in frustration; she had less time than she'd thought. "Get the crew back to the Pearl," she ordered. "Tell them to make ready to set sail, but don't leave yet. I'll take care of Will and Jack. Do not leave without them, Gibbs, or I will have your head."
"What about yeself?" Gibbs asked.
"Don't worry about me," Blackbird said grimly. "Just do as I say."
----------
Will stood next to Jack on the wooden platform. As hard as he tried, he couldn't help but feel nervous. Even Jack was becoming apprehensive and was continuously scanning the crowd with his eyes, but Blackbird was nowhere to be seen. Will shuddered involuntarily as the ropes were placed around their necks and found his thoughts turning to Elizabeth. He didn't think about his death as much as he did their life. Raising their children, watching them grow up, growing old together…now he would miss all of that. Well, at the very least, I won't give anyone the satisfaction of saying I died a coward, he told himself. He forced his hand to stop shaking and waited.
Finally, a man stepped up onto the platform with a document in his hand. "William Turner and Captain Jack Sparrow…" he read. Jack smiled slightly at finally being addressed as 'Captain'. "…you have been brought here today on account of your crimes against His Majesty, King of England. Said crimes being innumerable in quantity and sinister in nature…" his speech drew on much like the one Will had heard in Port Royal and Jack's "hanging". As the man read out the list of crimes, something apparently caught Jack's eye. "…For these crimes, you have been sentenced here today to be hung by the neck until dead. Have you any last words?" Jack opened his mouth to speak, but was cut off. "That the ladies present may hear?" the man added. Jack stroked his beard thoughtfully. He was buying time.
"Oh!" he exclaimed suddenly. "I got it: Look out behind ye, mate."
The man turned around just in time to be caught by the hilt of Blackbird's sword. She cut the ropes around their hands and gave them their swords.
"Better late than never," Jack commented.
Blackbird shrugged. "I was delayed," she replied offhandedly.
Will cut in. "Uh…I hate to interrupt, but we have thirty-something angry soldiers to deal with. Might I suggest that we get going?"
"I call twenty-eight of 'em," Blackbird said with a grin. "You two can divide up the rest." She jumped off the platform and into the chaos, closely followed by Jack and Will.
The three fought their way through the tide of red. Blades swinging, they stayed back-to-back to keep the soldiers from splitting them up. Fortunately, they had the element of surprise and few of the men were fully armed. Blackbird pushed forward, her blade perpetually in motion. She didn't bother to kill each and every one; they only needed through. They had nearly reached the exit when Captain Jones came with reinforcements. All three were growing tired, but they kept going. Finally, the broke through the line. Blackbird stepped aside to let Will and Jack through the door while she held back the soldiers. When both had gone, she turned and started through the door. Suddenly, she felt a piercing fire in her chest and remembered no more.