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Warning: May contain DMC spoilers.
Chapter 3: Foul Breath
"He's a marked man, that Jack Sparrow." He sneered as the tentacles surrounding his face, writhed distractingly. He loved knowing another soul would soon board the Flying Dutchman, but he never asked for anything, without being willing, or obligated, to give something in return. "Of course, I'd never ask ya to do this without giving ya proper compensation." He grinned; he knew Bootstrap would be tempted by his offer. Will was confused, and shocked, and his brow furrowed.
"What might that be?" Part of him hoped perhaps his sentenced would be lessened. It seemed as though that was the only currency on this ship.
"Well that be your choice. What would interest you?"
b
Naiya felt restless that night. She was troubled, and she wasn't quite sure as to why. She refused to except that it was the fact her father had betrothed her to yet another man. It had never bothered her before; every time it happened she knew she would be able to undo her father's work. This time felt different though, something didn't feel right, and she almost felt as though this time she would have to go through with the engagement, even the wedding.
She lay there, in the dark, thinking about what she had said to Lena earlier. Maybe it wasn't just a fantasy, or dream she had talked about. Maybe that was what she really wanted, to be a pirate. The idea didn't frighten her, or even shock her. The idea of that kind of freedom, on the sea, seeing new exciting places, appealed to her, just as it had her mother.
b
"I want ten years of service."
b
Naiya had always felt comfortable in breeches. The pair she wore now were soft and brown, and she adored wearing them, not only because they allowed her an escape from the demands of a British society, but they were so much more comfortable then what she was forced to wear. The loose white linen shirt, the leather boots and bag, it wasn't how a lady dressed. Naiya slipped out of her room and quietly down the hall. She'd had to be quiet, so quiet. If any of the help saw her, she'd be finished. Not only would she still be trapped, her father would be furious. She peered around each corner and glided down the hallways. Never producing a sound, never stopping, she had no doubts about what she was doing.
The only other time she had run away was when she was twelve. She hadn't gotten far before she grew tired, hungry and scared and had returned. This time was different, her freedom and her happiness depended on her getting away. Naiya made her way down to the docks, she knew she'd have to reach a ship belonging to a fisherman or some sort of local merchant. None of the ships of her majesties navy would sail anywhere near a pirate port. Naiya only knew she needed to reach Tortuga; there she'd be safe from discovery. She found a small fishing dory and hid in the lower compartments behind barrels of raw fish and old fishing nets. She was thrilled, excited. She had finally left. Yet still sleep found her and she drifted into a deep sleep, and she dreamt about pirates, buried treasure, a great love and the sea.
Many hours later she awoke to yelling, screaming. The ship was under attack, and she knew she'd have to reach the deck. Up above men ran about frantically, in terror. A situation so serious no one even noticed the woman aboard the ship.
b
Bootstrap sat in bottom of the Black Pearl. Davy Jones had refused his suggestion. His heart sank, he had hoped that he might be able to lessen his sentence, but it still stood. Then there he was…Captain Jack Sparrow.
"Time's run out Jack."
b
Naiya clung desperately to a panel of wood that had floated nearby. There she was, in the middle of the sea, alone, in the dark and traumatized. She couldn't even recall exactly what had happened. Men would disappear, the ship was destroyed, and then…a stench so foul, it almost numbed the senses.
She was terrified, she was all alone and she had nothing to do but float there. Then from the depths, they found her…