Chapter 2

The horses picked up speed as they cantered along the sandy track out of Port royal, their hooves kicking up dust in the late spring chill. Dark clouds scudded the sky which was just starting to lighten as Will and Elizabeth made their way in the direction of the port.

Elizabeth who was becoming exasperated at their lateness, stared into the distance hoping the port would appear on the horizon like a mirage to save them, with no luck.

"Where did Jack say this port was?" She asked, she was starting to get annoyed.

Will answered her, trying to keep her calm, there was no arguing with her when she got angry.

"I've already told you, his directions weren't exactly clear."

"Well that's good!" she answered sarcastically, her voice rising as if to start an argument.

Will answered her calmly, trying not to show the rising panic in his voice as they failed to find the ship, Jack wouldn't wait.

The horses breathing became heavy as they climbed the gradually increasing slope of a hill. A band of blue could be seen as they mounted it and looked down, very relieved to see the pearl with its black masts sitting in the harbour below them. Tiny figures could be seen moving about the ship, waiting for the command to cast off. Even from a distance Jack could be seen, swaggering round in control of the situation and clearly lapping it all up.As they drew closer and made their way down the other side of the hill, he came to greet them, completely taken by surprise at Elizabeth's presence.

"Will, long time no see! and er...Elizabeth..." Jack started, but was interrupted rudely by Elizabeth, clearly not wanting to leave.

"Jack, I'm coming too, and there's nothing you can do to stop me...!" Elizabeth protested, Jack interrupting mid sentence.

"O.k., O.k., no need to shout, you can come if want!" Now it was Elizabeth turn to be stunned into silence.

Jack turned his back on her to face Will,

"Can I have a private word before we leave? Alone?" He said the last word loud enough to be overheard. Elizabeth gave Jack a haughty look and marched off to join the crew, who would probably think the same thing as their Captain.

"Will, what's she doing here?" He demanded.

"She...she wanted to come!" Will hesitated as he said it, as if to say something else, but fell silent.

"Ah, well, at least we can use her as live bait..." Jack muttered under his breath. Will turned round to glare at Jack,

"Ha, ha, very funny," Will started sarcastically.

But Jack had fallen silent, as if recalling something, in deep thought.

"Jack? what is it?"

Jack hesitated in answering, clearly something was up.

"Nothing, really.. there's just... a little detail I may have overlooked last night."

Will groaned nervously, 'Here we go again' he thought to himself, would Jack's secrets ever end? Jack continued, hesitating now and then,

"It's just that, there's a law in piracy that states arguments have to be settled with drawn swords." Jack paused, Will knew where this was going.

" So I have to fight the new, so-called leader of the skeleton crew, he thinks I 'm dead, well hanged to be exact." Will listened closely, he knew the bad news was coming, for he knew Jack far too well.

"You have to second me."

Jack blurted it out, clearly glad to get it out in the open.

Jack continued on, ignoring Will's loud protestations.

"Anyway it doesn't matter what you think, you have no choice, you're as much involved as I am."

"But.." Will stammered.

"Well, you have got a choice, but not exactly a brilliant one. Either.. you second me and we fight to the death, or... you say no..., and we all get taken as slaves for not following the rules, coz I don't have a seconder. The choice is up to you. I won't take anyone else Will, I want you with me on this!" Jack shouted, his voice fading away at the end.

When they had lifted the curse, Will knew it hadn't been the end, only the beginning, the beginning of the greatest adventure of all, the life of a pirate.

He looked Jack steadily in the eye and nodded, not knowing what he was letting himself in for.

"Wonderful, oh nephew of mine," Jack exclaimed as they made their way down to the pearl.

"And oh, by the way, did I mention that you'll probably die a horrible death on this mission?" Jack continued teasingly.

"Yeah, just once or twice." Will replied, sighing, it was going to be a long journey.