CHAPTER EIGHT: In Which a Problem Arises
Jake stood on the bow of the Dauntless II and stared at Tortuga. He made a face. The town was disgusting. From here he could smell it, and it sickened him. Gillette walked up to him.
"Captain, we are ready to leave. And if I may say so-"
Jake cut him off. "I did not ask for you to come on this mission, Gillette. I didn't want you to come at all, in fact. But you weaseled your way on board."
"Captain!"
"Shut up and stay in your cabin, that is an order."
"You do not command me!"
Jake spun. "I am the Captain of this ship, and you will do what I ask you to!" Jake slammed his hand onto the railing. "Is that clear?"
"Crystal," Gillette muttered weakly. Jake spun and headed to the small boat that would take him and ten others to Tortuga.
"Heave to!" Someone yelled. Jake held on to the sides of the boat as it rocked down the side and hit the water. They cut the ropes and the oarsmen took up rowing. Tortuga grew closer with every row. And the stench grew stronger.
Jake made a face as the boat hit the dock. The stench was almost unbearable. He climbed out of the ship and waited for everyone to join him.
"You four stay here and guard the ship. This is a pirate town, and I don't want anyone of them to touch my boat."
"Yes, Captain." Jake turned and headed up the dock with the six others. They walked through the streets, avoiding getting trampled and hit with various bottles of rum. They continued walking until they reached a small pub in the back of the town. Jake smiled.
It was the exact one that Will had told him about.
The Black Mermaid.
Morgan was curled into a tight ball on the Nebuchadnezzar. She was sound asleep. Her hand curled around the Pearl and clenched it tightly. It was hot to the touch. She stirred fitfully and rolled over.
The Black Pearl began to glow.
Jake kicked to door to the Black Mermaid open. He looked around. A woman was behind the bar, staring at the seven men from the Royal Navy.
"How may I help you…men?" She asked softly. Jake strode forward.
"What is your name?"
"Mary," the black haired woman said coldly, "And you never answered my question."
"I'll be asking the questions, Mary," he sneered. Mary nodded.
"Then ask them."
"Jack Sparrow."
"What about him?" Mary asked, her eyes darting towards the six men behind Norrington.
"Have you seen him?"
"He hasn't been seen in near 18 years."
"Oh, is that so? Because he was at Port Royal a few days ago, and I thought maybe he had pulled through here as well." Jake placed his hands on the bar. "You see, Mary, Jack Sparrow has something very dear to me, and I want it back."
"What does he have?"
"You know perfectly well who he has, Mary, now tell me where they are!"
"I can't."
"You can't, or you won't?" Jake drew his sword and held it to one side.
"I won't then. Morgan won't go back with you."
Jake cocked his head to one side. "Why is that? Does she love Jack Sparrow?"
Mary drew her lips over her teeth and snarled. "She doesn't like you."
"She will, oh she will." Jake drew the sword upward and shoved it into her throat.
"Sweet dreams, Maryia."
Morgan screamed. She heard the door to her cabin fly open, and then felt a pair of strong hands shake her.
"Lass! Wake up!"
Her eyes flew open and she looked into the face of Sin. "Ring the bell, Sin; I need to get to Jack, now."
Sin nodded and flew out of the door. She heard the bell ring, and the bell from the Pearl answered it. She grabbed her boots and slipped into them, then placed the Pearl under her shirt.
She ran out of her cabin and looked towards the Pearl. It was brought around and then it dropped anchor next to the Nebuchadnezzar. A boarding plank was dropped between the ships and Morgan ran up onto the larger ship.
"Where's Jack?" she asked AnnaMaria.
"The Cap'n is in his cabin, and he don't wish to be disturbed."
Morgan snarled and shoved past her. She wrenched the door to Jack's cabin open and stormed in, then slammed the door shut behind her.
Jack was sprawled on his bed, his hat resting in the corner and his boots still on. He had a piece of parchment and a quill and had been writing small words. Morgan would have smiled if she wasn't so terrified.
"Jack, Jack! Wake up!" She shook him gently. He grunted softly and rolled over. He was out cold. Morgan frowned. He needed to wake up, now.
She leaned over his face. "Jack! JACK!"
Still no response. Morgan gave a small growl. He rolled over again. Morgan decided to throw all caution to the wind. She leaned down and kissed him.
His eyes flew open and he had a sword at her throat in a matter of seconds.
"Dun do that, love."
"You enjoyed it," she sat on the edge of his bed. "We have a problem."
He looked at her. "Really? And what would that problem be?"
"Maryia is dead."
Jack was suddenly very awake. He sat up slowly and stared at her.
"How do ye know this, love?"
"I was asleep in my cabin, and I think I had a dream. Maryia was killed, and Jack," she paused and looked at him. He gestured for her to continue. "The Pearl was glowing."
Jack nodded slowly. "Hat," he said curtly. Morgan tossed it to him. He stood up and dragged her out onto the deck.
"Gather around, maties." He waited while the crew gathered around them. "Morgan and I have to make a stop in Tortuga. I want the rest of you to go to the far side of the island and wait for us there. One scratch…" he said warningly.
"Aye, Cap'n, we know. You'll kill us." The crew chorused. Jack nodded.
"We'll be takin' the Nebuchadnezzar."
Jack and Morgan dropped onto the smaller ship. Sin loomed above them.
"I'll be comin' with ye."
Jack nodded. "Thought you would."
They cut the ropes connecting the ships and set off. Jack turned to Morgan.
"When we get to Tortuga, we'll get you a crew, a small crew, but a crew none the less."
Morgan nodded and looked into the horizon.
"Oh, please let me be wrong…"
AN: Yeah, I know, short, but this chap is sorta an interlude where the plot gets thicker than molasses!