Dead Men Tell No Tales
Disclaimer: All major characters belong to Disney the rest belong to Lovely Raven Sparrow.
The MedallionsI eventually pulled myself away from Jem. It was hard for her to let me go but it was easy for me. She was confused, bewildered, angry and completely annoyed with me. She did not understand what I spoke of and she felt all I wanted was revenge on her father. Well, she was right, I couldn't fault her that. She could not fathom the idea that I was not glad he was still alive. I told her everything would become clear when evening came. She would see right through me, I was certain of that. I had made up my mind, showing Jem the truth about Will and I would have a greater impact.
I left the Silent Falcon and swung over to the Black Pearl via some lose rigging. I should tell Jem about that, I thought as I let go of the rope. Of course, I had other things on my mind. It was now late afternoon and the clouds were low and gray, heavy with rain. It had been raining since mid-morning. There were pools of water lying on the deck and the dripping from the drenched sails and riggings was nearly as incessant as the rain itself.
I pulled out my spyglass looking for land. I knew we were close to Tortuga but there was no sign of land. I scanned the horizon and I could see nothing but the wide expanse of the sea.
It felt like evening was falling too soon and I knew Gibbs would be livid that once again he was the one who had to oversee the crew and their duties.
Will came up from behind. "You. Sparrow."
I turned around slowly not quite sure I was ready to face him. "Eh," I pushed my hat back and gazed at him. "Yes, Mr. Turner."
"Well it's nice of you to make a full appearance today." Will spoke and gave me a slight smile while looking around to make sure nobody else was in earshot.
I looked at him and I could tell he hadn't had much sleep. He looked worse then he did the night before but he at least was with skin and clothes. "Ah William so I see ya haven't lost ya sense of humor. Have you heard any good ghost stories?" I gave him my golden grin.
Will came up close and looked into my face. "Jack I'm not amused, did you find out what happened? Why are we—cursed? Please Jack I can't hide this from Elizabeth forever and I can't lie to her. I may be a pirate but I am not a liar and I won't start now! Elizabeth is up in arms. She wants to go home. She wants Kat, Bill and myself to go with her. It appears Bill has been injured. Someone or something attacked my son with a knife. The odd thing is, they cleaned him and bandaged him after they cut him." Will grasped me by the shoulders. "Jack what do you know about this? What did you do?"
I pushed Will backwards and stared at him. "William I have done nothing and neither have you. This is the doing of Barbossa, his crew and the Heathen Gods, who put the curse on the Aztec Gold."
Will tilted his head and stared at me in disbelief. "Jack, you told me Barbossa was dead, Jem is over looking the crew and I have not touched the gold. I couldn't sleep at all last night." He eyed me from head to toe. "Obviously you did not have any problems, but of course you didn't have a crying baby yelling in your ear. Bill couldn't sleep either and Elizabeth did not understand why I wouldn't take him out on the deck and walk with him. Jack, you of all people know I can't lie. She can read me like a book. She has known me for most of my life and she knows when there is something wrong with me."
"William if it makes ya feel better Lad, tell her the truth, tell her you are cursed. I'd say you might feel better but," I prodded him in the chest with my long stiff fingers. "I'm not sure how well Lizzy will take it. I wouldn't want to face her without any skin. Ya know she will accuse ya of being up to no good. Ya pirate blood got ya into trouble again. She has quite a heavy hand but you won't feel it when it lands on ya." I turned to go to the helm then I looked back at Will. "I'll be informing Jem tonight of the curse. You can have the fine Mrs. Turner join us. I have discovered the truth of our blight and I do plan to get us back to normal, or whatever passes as such. We will go to the Isle De Muerta and place the two misplaced coins back into the chest of Cortez. We will then chain the bloody chest to a cannon and send it down into oblivion so as no one will ever find it again. Savvy?" I headed off for the helm and mister Gibbs.
"Jack how did this happen? What misplaced coins?" Will chased after me and slid into me due to the wet deck. "I need to know more. Don't just brush me off. I am not like the rest of your crew. I am not a simpleton Jack and I refuse to be treated as one." Will grasped my arm and turned me around abruptly, "Jack, this is horribly wrong and it has to be fixed and fixed now!"
"William don't you think if I could do something now, I would? Curses Will, let me take care of what I can now and that would be me ship and me crew."
Gibbs sauntered up with his flask and gazed at William and I as we were arguing. "I'd say something's wrong." Gibbs was now glaring at me. "Did ya sleep well Captain? As ya can see the sun is near to setting." He then looked at Will. "You mate look terrible, you obviously didn't sleep at all. Between the two of ya, your sorry lots. You are letting your woman use their feminine wiles on ya and letting your duties slack. I told ya it was bad luck to have women on board but nobody wants to listen. Captain I know Jem is considerate, kind, loving and----"
"Gibbs that's enough! I patted him on the shoulder and tried to make my way around him. "I don't need ya to point out Jem's good aspects. I know them, all of them." I surveyed the deck seeing that the rigging was taught and most of the men were occupied and not drunk. I smiled at Gibbs. "As you can see, I'm on deck now and if you wish to retire or go to the galley so be it."
"Captain, I'm sorry." Gibbs grumbled. "I just meant to say I know Jem is clever and I admit she has many good qualities, but she is a Barbossa."
I rolled my eyes and flung my arms up in the air. "Why, why does everybody feel they have to remind me of that?" I pulled my hat down over my face and stormed off to the helm.
Gibbs was not finished with me and he was hot on my heels, followed by William whom also was not finished with me.
"Jack." Gibbs kept on talking. "She is ruthless, she is trouble. I've seen her in meetings with Pintel and Ragetti. You know there is no good in that two-some. Why not leave her The Silent Falcon and Barbossa's men? Let her bring trouble to them, they will rue it soon enough. Let her go Captain. It will be best for you and for her." Gibbs stood his ground as he grabbed the helm and looked into my blank eyes. "Are you listening Captain?"
I stood at the helm and surveyed the horizon. "Mr. Gibbs, I need that woman more than you know and I can't discard her crew at the moment. They will get their just dues. Now please Joshaemee, I need to be alone."
"Woman they are just bad luck." Gibbs took a swig from his flask and looked at Will. "I heard you saying you're cursed. Well, that's what woman do. Especially that Miss Elizabeth, she has a temper that I wouldn't want to face. Ya should have never said I do when the minister asked you lad. It is ever the way, seven times out of ten, when a man curses there is a woman involved. Mark my words gentleman, I'd bet ya you can't deny it?"
I looked at Gibbs and almost laughed because I couldn't deny it. I raised my eyes on Will and he just placed his face into his hands and moaned. "Mr. Gibbs you have no idea. No idea at all."
I smiled at Will. "Are you sorry you married the Lass?" Not waiting for an answer I looked up and noted the clouds were growing darker. "If the weather stays bad there won't be any moon tonight, and there will be no reason for you to hide William." The sky was filled with gray and it was turning to an angry black. I turned from Will to talk to Gibbs. "Mate your right about Jem, she is a fine girl. She shows no mercy and I should consider her dangerous. I have faith in her that she could destroy her crew and perhaps some would die. She could certainly divide them, split them, and create havoc among them. Aye, they would argue over her because of her and about her. Some would betray others because of her; some would die because of her. Hell, Will and I almost did." I placed my arm around Gibbs's shoulders. "By all means, I should let her go so she can destroy them and I can save my sorry soul."
"Aye Captain you have come to your senses. I guess it would be better if she were ugly, then it would be easier to give her up but you don't have to worry about that lass, she is a fighter. Captain you'll save yourself much and cost them more."
I heard steps behind me. I released my grip on Gibbs and turned to find Katheryn standing there. She had come over from the Falcon and by the looks of her she had been crying.
"Kat, darling are you not well, has somebody hurt you? Has one of Jem's men harmed you?" I had many thoughts running through my head. Lord, Commodore Norrington told me this would happen. He claimed pirates are a vile lot and they would eventually hurt my daughter. "Ah those bilge rats, I'll kill them. Every last one of them." My hand went to my sword. "Tell me who it was and I will punish him. They may be on Jem's ship but they sail under my command. I will tend to them."
"Captain." Kat spoke, up over my ranting. "Why is it you always have to resort to violence?"
"Pirate." I spread my arms open and bowed.
She shook her head and closed her eyes. I was taken back and felt as if Elizabeth was standing in front of me. She called me captain instead of father or Jack. I eyed her. "Lass, answer my question and don't question me. Who hurt you?"
"Nobody hurt me and you don't have to go eliminate anyone!" She raised her voice at me and then shied back. She frowned at Gibbs and then worked her eyes back over to me. "You wouldn't do that to Jem would you? I thought you—you--loved her, but then again I thought---you loved me too."
I pushed my hat back and glared at her. "Kat to some men woman are something to be taken and then cast aside. I would hope you know me better than that Luv. No Kat, Jem is my life and so are you. Believe it or not Luv. You will have to square with that someday. Jem, she is like my Pearl and I will always want her at my side. That is as long as she wants to be at my side. If she is to cause havoc she will do it with me. No my pet, I will not be leaving Jem, nor you. Not now, not ever."
Gibbs removed his hand from the helm. "Captain, Jem Barbossa will be your downfall."
"Gibbs I do not need you contradicting me or Jem." I narrowed my dark eyes on him and dared him to say another bad word about her.
"I'm just trying to look after you." He looked at Kat. "Young woman are bad luck too. You'll be your father's ruin also." He headed for the galley grumbling under his breath.
I secured the helm by use of a rope. I folded my arms around my elbows and looked at Kat curiously. "Well Kat, is it me you wish to speak to or maybe you'd rather exchange a few words with Will? He is after all the one you wish to be your guardian."
Will, who had been to my surprise, standing silently and patiently to my left, hit me hard in the shoulder and looked fiercely at me. "Jack, your daughter has come to you. Can you not see she is troubled? Stop being so childish and listen to her. Jack, not everything that goes on around here is directed at you. Are you really that daft or should I say paranoid?"
I frowned at Will. He was beginning to sound like Jem. Before I retaliated on him, I looked at Kat closer. "Kat have you had an accident?" I nodded at the handkerchief wrapped around her hand.
"Yes, she said, ah …no I mean…it is nothing." She looked into Will's soft, caring brown eyes. "Will, please don't tell mother. She is already furious at me for letting Jem pierce my ears and then I played with it-- even though she told me not to. I don't know where it came from but it was so cute and it wanted to play." She flushed red as she stood staring at her hand.
"Kat I can't lie to your mother." Will pulled his head back and looked at me. "Me? I'm honest. And an honest man can be trusted to be honest. I am tired of ever body asking me to lie. Why is it nobody around here can be honest? Kat, you are definitely Jack's daughter."
I rolled my eyes but had to smile at Will's remark. "Luv what is it you amused yourself with that Will has to be quiet about?"
Will moaned and glared at me.
"Honestly Will, are you saying that my daughter is dishonest? If so then she can be very predictable and won't do anything incredibly stupid."
Will threw his arms up in frustration. "Where is it written that a pirate has to be dishonest? I'd be willing to wager my father was an honest man."
I grinned. "You mean pirate. He was an honest pirate."
Will huffed as he looked at Kat and then at me. "Jack, you have to tell me what is going on. I'm not going to budge until you tell me. I will not tell tales to Elizabeth."
I looked at him. "Will you have no worries then mate?" I just couldn't resist, I tilted my head and I gave him the widest grin I could. "Dead men tell no tales."
"Captain Sparrow that is not even half way funny. You know Jack, if you were not in the same situation as I and my sword could actually harm you, I would draw it now and run you threw."
"You can't beat me Will. Dead or alive." I taunted him.
Will dropped his hand to the hilt of his sword. "I can beat you with one hand tied behind my back, especially if you don't cheat and even if you do! But we all know you are incapable of a fair fight."
"You impugn my honor Lad? I would say the Whelp is threatening me, wouldn't you Kat?" I smiled at her and then pulled my sword. "May the best man win."
Will pulled his sword and impaled me. I staggered backwards. Kat jumped back and she began to yell at the top of her lungs.
"Will NO! You—you killed my father!"
"That's interesting." I looked down at the sword that was now deep into my chest. I in turn impaled Will. "Sorry I couldn't resist it mate."
Kat dropped to the deck. She had fainted and hit the wood hard. We both pulled our swords out of one another simultaneously and continued to fence.
"Jack just surrender." Will laughed. He was having a good time and I was also. Before long we had a large audience and we had to stop when Jem threw herself in-between us.
"Both of you are idiots. You. Sparrow. You call yourself captain? And Turner, I truly thought you were above all this. I can't believe you would pull a sword on Jack let alone in front of Katheryn. Can you not see that Kat is hurt, she is upset and petrified?"
We both smiled at each other and then looked over at Katheryn who was now sitting with her head between her knees. She looked at the both of us, her eyes were wide and her mouth was open. William and I had managed to scare the crape out of her. I am sure everything that had befallen in front of her was completely unbelievable.
Jem slapped the both of us. "She does not need the clueless duo to fight each other to the death or what ever you were doing. Now both of you, step aside or I will kill ya both myself and don't either one of you put it past me."
I placed my sword back into its sheath. Will did the same as he growled teasingly at me. I whispered into Jem's ear. "Luv I don't have to worry about ya killing me you already have."
She turned to me and pointed her sword at my neck. Will's eyes widened as he watched her. Will grabbed the sword from Jem's hand and looked at me. "Jack why did you have to say that?" He then handed Jem her sword. "Jem, how nice to see you." He slowly backed away giving Jem her space. "So Jem can I thank you for the tight spot Jack and I are in at the moment?"
Jem put her weapon away and looked towards Will. "I have no bloody idea Mr. Turner. It seems our captain has his own ideas and tactics. Perhaps when he is ready, he will share his thoughts with us." She turned and grabbed my chin in her hand. "Jack, I will deal with you later."
"Is that a threat or a promise Luv?" I pulled away from her tight fingers.
She turned her attention to Kat. "You better let me have a look at that."
I could see the blood stain on the cloth spreading. I approached Kat. She pulled back in horror and leaned into Jem. Jem took Kat to my cabin and I followed. I truly wanted Kat to know that I was concerned about her.
Jem sat Kat down on one of my more comfortable chairs and she knelt down beside her. Kat eventually let Jem expose the injury, with some reluctance. Jem looked into Kat's pale face. "It's not serious little bird, but it is unusual."
I looked down at her hand, "That looks like an animal bite." I said incredulously while I tossed Elizabeth's belongings off my bed. I had said she could take over the cabin and she had. It was a mess. I grabbed a wet garment off a line Elizabeth had strung across the room to hang her laundry. "Here Jem, you can clean the abrasion with this."
I tossed he some wet stockings and Jem took them without hesitation. The injury was a small semicircle of puncture wounds in the webbing between her thumb and forefinger. Kat winced as Jem squeezed the flesh around it, meaning to cleanse the sore by bleeding before binding it.
"Kat, your father is right. It does look like an animal bite. Is it?"
"Yes," Kat said softly. "A monkey bite."
"Monkey?" Jem looked at Kat and smiled. Her eyes gleamed with delight. "Really, there is a monkey on board? You have to take me to him. Is he cute, is he playful."
Kat smiled. "Why yes Jem he is-----"
"Monkey!" I turned from Elizabeth's mess and grabbed Kat's hand. "You mean there is a disgusting flea-ridden beast on my ship!" I burst out. "Kat tell me where he is, we must dispose of it. Undoubtedly the animal is diseased!"
Kat looked at me in horror and pulled her hand away. "Why aren't you dead? I saw William kill you."
I looked down at my body. "Who says I'm not dead my pet?"
Jem rolled her eyes as she smacked me in the thigh and stood up. "Wonderful bedside manner Captain. Ah, I forgot you detest animals." She grabbed two bottles of rum. She tossed one at me and she uncorked hers. "Jack I don't think you need worry. As long as it isn't rabid, that is." Jem tossed her long locks back and laughed.
"Rabid?" Kat went quite pale. "Do you think it could be?"
Jem gathered her composure and looked at the frightened child. "No Kat. I was just fooling. Really you will be fine." She knelt down next to her again and dumped some of the alcohol on her wound. She placed the bottle down and proceeded to wrap her hand with some clean cloth. "Kat, where is the little darling now?"
I threw my hat and jacket down on the now cleaned off bed. "I would say the monkey is sick, nothing would surprise me especially if it is, Jack." I glared down at Jem. "Tell me my pet, how did the monkey get on my ship? Did your motley crew bring him abound and they saw fit not to inform the captain?"
Jem looked at me with shock and hurt in her eyes. She stood up and literally pushed me onto the bed as the unopened bottle of rum flew out of my hand. "Captain Sparrow you are a fine one for throwing around accusations. You have claimed my crew is crooked, they have betrayed me, they are under the command of my father for whom you say is dead."
She threw her hands up in the air and she pushed me down against the mattress. She placed both her hands on either side of my head and looked into my eyes. She reminded me of a preying mantis getting ready to bite her male's head off. "Jack listen close. I have no idea where the monkey came from. I have not seen it. It appears your daughter found it and she was told to leave it alone by her mother. Well, guess what? She didn't. I'm not surprised. Are you? Don't bother answering me cause I really don't care. I'll take care of Kat since you seem to have the charm of a snake tonight. Why don't you go tend to Pintel, Ragetti and the rest of my scum, as you would call them? The mood you have acquired will clearly get your point across that you are a real----"
A loud banging sound on the door made all three of us jump. Jem climbed off of me and went back to Kat.
"Oh please if it is mother. Don't let her know Jack bit me. Please Jem."
"Kat just calm down Luv, your mother wouldn't be knocking, she would just come in and I know your father is an animal." She looked at me and stuck her tongue out. "But she would never believe he bit you."
Kat looked at Jem and she looked at my expression and she started to laugh. If Kat were not in the room I would have taken Jem right then and there. She does have a way with the child and she sure knows how to get to me. It was hard being mad at her. Gibbs was probably right; Jem Barbossa almost certainly would be the ruin of me.
Kat's laughing made the whole scene less tense. She realized Jem spoke the truth and Elizabeth would not knock, she would just enter. After all, this was her's and William's quarters for the present time.
I stood up from the bed. I walked past Kat and ruffled her hair. "Don't put it past me Luv. I'd bite ya in a second." I walked over to the door and yanked it open to find four filthy pirates, Pintel, Ragetti, Bosun and Twiggs standing there.
"Ello Captain." Pintel's eyes were glaring at me. Mister Turner told us that you wanted to see us. He smiled and pushed his way in, followed by the others. "Ello Jem, we were told we would find you here also."
Pintel then walked over to Kat and ran his hands down her curly raven locks. "Ello poppet, I was not informed you would be here. She is a pretty little strumpet Sparrow, even if she is yours."
I grabbed Pintel by the scruff of his shirt and pulled him back a good two feet. "Mate she has a name and don't you ever touch her again or you won't have a hand to touch with."
"My apologies sir. I didn't know." He stepped away and hid behind Jem for protection.
"Kat darling, will you please excuse us." I placed my arm around her shoulder and pulled her in close to my body. "There is some business I must tend too and it would be best if you were not present, it most likely will get ugly."
I looked at Pintel and it took all the strength in me not to put my fist into his face. I looked back down at me sweet daughter. "If you could Luv, find William and send him to me."
Kat looked up at me with her beautiful eyes and smiled. It felt good to see her smiling at me again. "Aye Captain, what ever you want."
Kat instantly jumped up gave me a hesitant hug and headed for the door. She looked at Pintel and the rest of the filth. She then ran back over to Jem and threw her arms around her neck and embraced her hard. "Please Jem, don't let my father leave you with those disgusting creatures. I know Captain Sparrow is an egotistically, self-centered individual but he, in his own odd way, really does love you."
She kissed Jem on the check. "Thank you Jem, for being you and for being my friend. I know I can trust you and you can always make me laugh when things are looking bleak. Please what ever happens between the two of you." She looked over at me. "Remember he does love you. Please, always remember that." She pulled herself away from Jem and left the room. "Well, Captain." Bosun leaned against the door as Kat left. "You wished to speak to us? Have we earned your trust now that we have told OUR Captain the truth of her father? Will you now tell us where the map is that will lead us to the Treasure of Reverie?"I breathed a deep sigh and looked at Jem. "Really Luv, I wish you had not shared everything with them."
I snarled at Bosun, "I won't tell anything to betrayers. I know you and your miscreant mates have been in contact with Captain Barbossa, and you have indeed, finally told Jem the truth. You all should have hung by your necks and Jem should never have saved you." I walked over to the window and saw that the cloud covering was lifting and the moon was coming out. "How Barbossa survived I don't know and I'd be willing to wager you bilge rats don't either. I would say he has made an accord with the devil and you are his instruments. Yes, he is playing you well." I glanced over my shoulder at the mangy lot of them and gave them my golden grin. Bosun pushed himself from the door and took several threatening steps towards me and then stopped. "You know nothing, Captain Sparrow, you are just fishing for information." I put my finger up to my lips and then walked over to Jem placing my arm around her lean shoulders. "If ya do know where Barbossa is," I raised my hand in his direction and pointed at him with my forefinger, "and I have the uneasy feeling ya do, it would be wise of you to tell his daughter where she can find him. I know she would like to catch up on old times and he like the wonderful pirate he is can share with her the whereabouts of his half of the map. You see gentleman, without his half mine is justifiable useless." Pintel, Ragetti and Twiggs stepped away from Jem and backed up next to Bosun. I smiled. "Jem do you see how they cower from me. Do you know why?" I looked towards the window and I could see the moon now shinning on the rough waves. "Yes, my pet, they shy away because they know I speak the truth and they also know I am cursed." Jem looked at them and then at me. "Fine Jack, your cursed. You keep on telling me that and someday I will believe it. Why shouldn't this be the day?" She raised her eyebrows at me in disbelief. "Luv, if you believe you are cursed then I will go along with you." "Jem, thanks to your men, your father and inadvertently you Luv, I am not among the living but I cannot die." I looked at the doubting Jem. "You see my dear it is imperative you give me those medallions or young William Turner and I will be living under the curse your father lived under for ten long years."Jem looked into my face and she saw the seriousness in my eyes. She looked at Ragetti who was the dumbest and the easiest of the men to get information out of.
"I'd advise you men to take care or your fortunes and watch your backs," Jem spoke and walked towards them. "If Captain Sparrow speaks the truth and you did indeed deceive me I will kill each and everyone of you? Gentlemen if you have gone behind my back I swear you will rue the day you were born. Once Barbossa knows that his beloved daughter and Captain Jack Sparrow are together and we have an equal share in everything, I am sure he will wish to meet with me. That is, if he is everything I have heard he is." I laughed. "Jem darling that depends on who you are listening too and whom you believe." She flashed her dark eyes at me and I held my hands up. "Sorry Luv." Jem weaved her way between Twiggs and Bosun and then stopped in front of Pintel. "We will be pulling into Tortuga soon and the four of you will not be leaving with us unless you tell me the location of my father and the map."Bosun pulled his gun and pointed it at Jem. "Begging your pardon missy but I don't think Captain Barbossa will be taking orders from you."
Jem looked at him and shook her head. "Put it away Bosun, killing me won't get you the treasure and I am sure it will anger my father."
Pintel snorted. "Ya missy, he won't be taken any orders from you. He told us ta kill Sparrow after we got the map and then to bring you to him."
Ragetti laughed. "Yes bring you to him. You see, you being with Captain Sparrow has not settled well with your father. Having a baby with Sparrow, practically undid him."
Jem looked at me and then back at him in shock. "You mean to tell me my father knew?"
"Yes, it is amazing how fast bad news can spread. " Ragetti continued as he put his arm around Jem's shoulder and she cringed at his touch. Gently picking his hand up as if it were a piece of meat contaminated with maggots, she dropped it to his side and glared at him.
"Ragetti, don't you ever do that again or you will be pulling back a bloody stump." Jem continued to brush off her shoulder.
Pintel shoved Ragetti. "I'm telling the story! Like Ragetti said, you and the Captain's relationship really has not sat well with Barbossa. He said if you enjoy Sparrow's hospitality then it holds fair that you will enjoy ours."
Jem's eyes shot open wide. "You cannot be serious? I cannot accept that my father would say such a thing."
I rolled my eyes. "Believe it Luv, you don't know your father."
Before she could smack Pintel, Bosun pushed Pintel and Ragetti aside, knocking them into the wall and Ragetti's eye popped out once again.
"You stupid blighters. Can you never keep you mouths shut?" Bosun blurted out.
"Me eye, me eye don't' let it get away." Ragetti was now down on the floor searching for his eye. I pulled my gun and shot it. Needless to say it stopped rolling. "It won't go anywhere now mate and as for you." I pointed my pistol at Bosun's head. "That is not very nice or wise. You do not pull a weapon on your captain, and she will remain your captain until Barbossa is present. Savvy?" I took the gun from his hand and then grasped him around the neck, pulling him towards the window and into the moonlight. Bosun tried to struggle free when he realized nothing but bare bones of a skeleton were holding him.
"Ah you are cursed then? Barbossa did know what he was doing."
"Yes there is a curse." I pulled him away from the window and my bone turned back to human flesh.
I looked at Jem who was now very pale and looked as if she was going to fall to the floor. "Jack—Jack--I am sorry. I am so---so---sorry." She looked like she was about to get ill.
I gave her a lopsided grin. "Jem don't worry Luv, just give me the medallions and we will be square."
"Yes, you can have the medallions, whatever you need." She stepped towards me and then stopped. I could tell I had frightened her with my previous appearance. "Jack we must head for Isla de la Muerta, I will go chart the coarse now while you throw these men into the brig, or over board, or tie them to the mast. It is truly your choice."
I nodded my head in agreement. "Aye we will put these despicable creatures in the brig, but William and I must tend to our business in Tortuga before we head for Isla de la Muerta."
I took the men's weapons and Ragetti stood there whimpering. "Why, why'd ya have to shoot me eye? It was already splintered so and now, it's even worse." With his last word the ship rang with a horrendous earth-shattering shriek.
"That would be the fair Elizabeth, I think she has seen through William." I lowered my head and then glanced up at Jem. "You see Luv, William is cursed just like I. Have Gibbs and Charlie throw these men in the brig. I must go find William."
XXXXXXXXSmoke hung heavy on the lantern-lit deck as I walked along looking for Will and Elizabeth. I heard rushing footsteps behind me and I turned to see the very frightened Lizzy running towards me.
The moon had now gone behind the clouds, which was quite fortunate for the both of us.
"Elizabeth! I lunged at her and grasped her wrist. She tried to pull away from me, but I held on tight. She struggled, but kept her face turned away; I guess if she didn't look at me she could pretend I wasn't there. She could stay safe. I could only imagine what she was feeling or what she had seen.
"Jack Sparrow let go of me. You don't understand. You just don't know, you can't imagine." She was trembling and fighting hard to get away. I let go of her wrist, but grabbed her by both shoulders instead, so that I could lift her head to look into my dark eyes.
She ripped away from me and ran down the wet deck. She was panting like a terrified dog. She ran and hid under the steps that lead up to the quarterdeck. She was cornered or should I say trapped. As I stood behind her looking at her slight form the moon made its appearance. As the light behind me flickered down on her crumbled body my eyes widened. I could not believe what I saw. The beautiful Elizabeth Turner was now a heap of bones; she rest before me in a skeletal form.
"Elizabeth I said softly." It now became clear to me why she was so distraught. I reached for her and touched the frail blades of her shoulder bones. They were like a bird's wings.
"Don't touch me. I'm ---I'm cursed. Go away! Please for God's sake, leave me in peace."
She backed away shrinking into the darkness of the stairwell, once again becoming flesh. I stepped a few feet back from her and I stopped unexpectedly when I stumbled into Will who was standing behind me. He staggered blindly into me and we fell onto the tangled ropes that were strewn on the deck. I closed my eyes and so did William, as our bones intermingled with one another. My fingers got stuck in Will's rib cage and Will's were between my shoulder blades. We attempted to unravel ourselves without breaking any bones and catching our breath, which is hard to do when you have no lungs. I was trying to figure out what I was going to say to Lizzy when she screamed out.
"My god you—the both of you—are cursed too! Jack how did this happen? How?" She was now standing in the shadows pointing her finger at the both of us.
"Elizabeth." I could hear the raggedness in my voice and it was rather disturbing. "Elizabeth does ye not see…we must talk. Please Luv come with me to me cabin."
"No, no, I will never stand in the moonlight again. How could this happen? My children? What will they say when they see me?" She shook her head. "No they will never see me like this. No, nobody will ever see me like this." Her moist eyes glistened at Will and I. "Will, how could you let Jack curse us? I know the both of you have a strange relationship and yes, you are a pirate Will, but--but-- Will I'm your wife. Please don't tell me you did this for some delectable, mind-boggling, inconceivable, unimaginable treasure? Why? Why would you do this? How did you do this? What is the point and purpose of this?"
"Elizabeth please this is not the fault of William or I. Barbossa put this curse on us. He has decided to seek revenge. Please you must come out and talk to Will and I.
After a moment, there was a heavy, crunching noise on the ground in front of me. Will had sat down on the ropes crossing his bony legs and leaning back on his skeletal arms.
"Elizabeth please don't make me beg you?" It is not my fault and surprisingly it is not Jack's either. Please let me give you comfort."
"Comfort." Elizabeth squealed. "And how will you do that? You yourself look like me. We have no skin. I can see all the bones in your face; your beautiful, beautiful face is gone. Will we are—we are dead!"
She sank to her knees. As she went to the ground the moon once again went behind the clouds and a soft rain began to fall. Elizabeth looked up and instead of seeing Will's fleshless face she saw his warm brown eyes and kind smile. He stared at her and bowed his head as the rain glistened on his damp darkened hair. She placed her head in his lap and began to weep. Will laid his hands on her back tentative as though his touch might burn.
"It will be all right," he said and pressed his hand harder against her. "It will be all right It…it wasn't my fault or Jack's it was-----"
"Whoa---whoa up mate." I tried to butt in.
"It was Jem's." Will finished his sentence, totally ignoring my waving arms and frantic voice.
I looked down upon Will and Elizabeth and decide I should just go bash my head against the wall, nobody would notice. "Elizabeth Luv, it really wasn't Jem's fault. Grant it she trusted her crew just like I did. She was tricked, just like I was. Look on the bright side, at least she was not marooned and we do know how to break the curse."
I looked at them both. "I am sorry." The words just hung in the air as they left my mouth. All I could hear was Elizabeth's sobs.
Jem walked up behind me. "No Jack I am. I am the one who mixed the blood; I am the one who did not listen to you about Barbossa's crew. Elizabeth, it did not occur to me that the blood of Kat and Bill would also have an effect on you and if memory serves me right you did hold on to William's medallion longer than he did and your blood was also on it. Elizabeth I promise you I will break the curse. Jack Sparrow, William Turner can you please forgive me?"
Elizabeth raised her head and opened her eyes looking up at Jem. "My god we are not among the living and this is all your doing. Jem if you don't break this curse I guarantee you, you will wish you were dead."
She looked down at Elizabeth and then over at me. "I already do Lizzy, I already do."
I sauntered over and pulled Jem close to me. "If I may be so bold as to inject my professional opinion. We should all stay cursed until William and I have retrieved the map in which I buried over yonder in Tortuga. I'm actually feeling rather good about this. You see we cannot be killed and we know how to break the curse. Come my pet, let us got place the medallions in a safe haven so when the time comes we can break the curse."
"Captain Sparrow." Elizabeth piped up. "Think again, you cannot be serious? I invoke the right for my voice to be heard. You must break this curse now! Forget the damn map and your silly treasure. I cannot live like this. We, cannot live like this. Think of Katheryn and young William." She grasped Will's shoulders and shook him. "Will please, inform Jack he is being a fool. We must be rid of this curse."
"No Luv," I smiled at Elizabeth. "I will go after the map first. It will be my leverage. Jem, William and I will go reclaim it and then Jem will then break the curse, since she is the one who placed it on us."
Jem looked at me with dismay. "I'm going with you?"
"Aye Luv, I have a bone chilling feeling that I will need you near me, and I don't intend on loosing ya Lass." I pulled her close to me and kissed her on her soft lips. A brisk breeze blew on us and it unsettled me as I looked down at my beautiful Jem. I had the disconcerting feeling that I would be loosing my girl and I did not like it. "I will need your influence Luv. I hope you know how to ride a horse."
"Captain Sparrow you are despicable you are a wretch." Elizabeth was still ranting at me. "My children need a mother. You cannot be serious?"
"Sticks and stones, Luv, I did not choose to be cured but since I am, I will use it to my advantage. Come Luv," I placed my arm around Jem's waist and headed for The Silent Falcon. "I want the medallions and I want the monkey."
As we made our way to Jem's cabin we could hear Amber, Jem's faithful dog howling at the top of her range. "Jem I would say your dog could wake the dead." I smiled. "Even the almost dead."
We entered her cabin and we both froze. The ornate bowl that was once filled with blood was now lying on the floor and the blood had oozed into deep red puddles, which were soaking into the wood. As we gazed into the room there was an array of dog and monkey footprints. Amber sat at the window looking up at the small bloody monkey prints that covered the wall and the windowsill.
I knew the medallions were gone. There was no point in even looking for them.
Jem walked over to Amber and placed her hand on her dog's head. She then bent down and picked up a crumbled piece of parchment and read it out loud
"Me dearest Jem, I look forward to our meeting. I will grant you protection under parley but I will not acquiesced to Captain Sparrow. If Jack Sparrow would like to behold the medallions then have him see fit to give you half of his map and you in turn will bring it to me. I will tell you when and where at the most opportune moment. Oh yes, I also ask for the return of my daughter.
Hector Barbossa."
Jem fell to her knees and buried her face into Amber's fur. I was not certain but I sensed she was crying and that was rare.
I walked over to her and stroked her silky hair. "Don't worry my Pet. I've never been one to resist a challenge."
I looked out the window and wondered how close Barbossa was. The medallions were gone and now it was imperative that I get the map. I would have to barter my half of the map for the medallions so William, Elizabeth and myself could once again join the world of the completely living. I did not know what I would offer to keep Jem. Then it occurred to me, I would give him The Silent Falcon or perhaps it would have to be The Black Pearl.
A/N I loved all your reviews. Please read and enjoy, there is a lot more coming.
Ta for now. Lovely Raven Sparrow.