Dead Men Tell No Tales
Disclaimer: All characters belong to Disney unless they belong to Lovely Raven Sparrow. You know which ones.
SamanthaOur choice was a simple one. Mount the horses and ride. We left the remnants of the burned out house, turned right and started to walk. Will and I rode our horses along the empty road heading toward the beach. Amber ran ahead of us trying to avoid the large horse hoofs. We rode off the road and along the waters edge hoping it would prove to be a quicker and a more ambiguous way to go. We knew the town was up the coast and hopefully Samantha was also. While traveling Will attempted to show me how to ride the horse with more ease and confidence and he even made his horse gallop through the waves. He appeared to be having a good time, I was just getting wet and splattered with sand. Will, seeing that I was not going to frolic in the ocean with him soon made his strides shorter. The weather was warm and we had to pause several times to let the horses cool down. Far away to the north I knew there would be people and taverns. I could only hope Samantha would be easy to find. All I possessed was depending on finding that map.
On we walked into the gray and white of the evening, a gray sky above us, and a gray sea on our left, and a long white beach before us, stretching away to infinity. The horses walked with a certain swagger through the deep sand.
"William, I must thank you for coming to find me and bringing these horses. We would be lost without them."
He waved his hand at me and smiled. "No, you would be lost without me." He spoke but did not turn around. "Technically I didn't find you. You will have to thank Jem's dog, Amber. She was the one who saw you first."
I nodded my head at him and looked down at the tired dog then I glanced up into the sky. "With such fine weather how could a man be anything but in good spirits? Let us hope the clouds linger and the moon does not make an emergence." I once again looked at Will. "There will be taverns up ahead and cold bottles. We may not enjoy all their pleasures but it will be good to get off this animal." I moved around in the saddle and patted my horse on her neck.
When we arrived in town it was a beautiful site for me but I could tell Will was going into a spell of depression.The streets were crowded with sweaty, struggling, drunken people and painted women. I pulled my horse up along side of Will's and we walked slowly along the far side of the road.
"Ah Tortuga Will, this use to be my favorite port but now that I can not enjoy me two favorite past times of drinking and bidding the pleasurable company of the opposite sex, it holds only one thing for me."
Will now looked at me with his dark sullen eyes. "You hope it holds one thing for you. Have you put any thought to what we are going to do if Samantha is not here?"
"Will, there you go again, I don't know what I am going to do about your overzealous attitude?" I smiled at him trying to get him to at least give me half a grin. "You should be glad I am only looking for Sam and not drinking Lad, you see this will force me to tend to my business and be on our way. I will find the fair lass, Samantha and we can only hope she has the map. If not, I will have to find some other bargaining token to get those medallions back and into the chest where they belong. Have no fear William, where there is a will, there is a way, and there is, so we will."
I looked at Will and I could see the haunting look in his face. He now knew of the missing medallions and we were fated to remain the undead or the un-alive if we failed in our quest. Whatever I could say to him was not going to bring him out of his bad mood.
"William, don't fret. I know we will find the girl. Not many young girls make it off this rock. People are born here, live here and die here. It is only the real fortunate ones who sail away and have great adventures." I glanced at him and I could tell he was annoyed. "Most young, pretty girls would not stay out of the city. They would come to town and try to earn a living."
"Jack for her sake, I hope she did make it out. There is no way that pretty young girl could make a modest or honest living here. For all you know she could be dead, and that might be best for her." Will looked about the streets and curled his lips. "I have never been fond of Tortuga. It has never grown on me the way it has you."
"Lad, don't be thinking such thoughts. Without that girl and the map we are destined to be skeletons for a long time. Longer than I want to think about. Grant it, it is not such a bad look but it will keep us away from the high toned and fancy to do invitations."
Will gave me a slight smile. "Jack, on the rare occasion we do find said lass, there is no guarantee she will have the map."
"Aye, but there is no guarantee that says she won't either." I held my hand up to him and extended my forefinger. "You see Will my glass is half full and yours appears empty."
Will looked at me and shook his head. "I believe you mean half empty?"
I smiled at him. "No, I meant empty."
"Jack as I was saying, if, and that is a mighty big--- IF our fortunes change and we find the girl and the map, then we will have to find Barbossa and the medallions."
"William, I don't think that will be a problem. It appears he has had no problems keeping a close eye on us."
Will closed his eyes, shook his head and then looked at me. "Let me take a stab in the dark. You, know where Barbossa is and that is how you know he took Jem?"
I winced slightly. "No, I can't say I know where he is, but I do know he is near and I imagine I know where to find him."
Will smacked his head hard. "I can't believe this, I have been so stupid. How? How could I have fallen into this trap? You tricked me Sparrow. You knew Barbossa was near and you knew he was watching us. That is why you wanted to leave the beach so fast. You didn't even bother to look for Jem. You knew he had her, you knew what happened."
Will eyed me suspiciously. "Are you telling me everything you know, Captain Sparrow? The medallions, did Jem have them with her when she was taken or did they go down with the ship?" Will's angered eyes pierced my tanned skin and he deliberately made his horse go faster. "Jack, if I am wrong and you are innocent, which is so unbelievable, how can you be so sure Barbossa has taken Jem?" Will tilted his head and gave me an evil smirk.
Will's question was a fair one, but one I did not want to answer. "Aye Will, Barbossa may have known where we were but thanks to your steeds we have lost him. Do I know where he is now? No I do not. Will, it is destiny that will lead us to him. I will not look for him, but I think he looks for me. If he finds me I will not wish to disappoint him. I will have the map my blade and your blade. Savvy?"
The horses were now going at a fair clip and several of the town's people gave us annoying looks. "Will do you not think we should slow down? The streets are busy and you are attracting attention to us. You surly don't wish to run over the young ones do ya?"
Will just gripped his legs around his horse and the horse went faster, much to my chagrin. Realizing he was endangering innocent people Will slowed down. I looked at him and gave a sigh of relief.
"Well Whelp, I sure hope you have cleared out whatever it was going through your mind." The trotting horse had jarred my bones. I shook my head my arms and hands. "You know mate I think you have to get back to your woman."
Will frowned at me and dismounted. I did the same with no troubles or protest.
"As far as Jem is concerned, I know Barbossa has her. He wanted his daughter and he has claimed her, hence he does have the medallions, they did not go down with The Falcon. Perhaps he will not wish to negotiate with me and then we will have to change our tactics. If he does strike an accord with me, I am not sure I can trust him. He does have a way with his words and I will have to watch him."
I looked around at the town's people. "It is amazing to see what people will do to survive. Does it not make you wonder why more people don't take to the sea like we do? We have a life of adventure and danger." I waved my hands around and my horse snorted and backed up slightly.
Will rolled his eyes. "Yes Jack but it is also a life with pain and sorrow. Has it occurred to you, you may never see Jem again?"
"William I will see my fair lass. We are fated for each other. Just like you and Elizabeth. There is one thing you must remember Lad, I am Captain Jack Sparrow and I will get my treasure back, along with the medallions. Don't ever make that mistake again."
Will looked at me and mumbled while petting Amber on her large head. "Yes, you will get your treasure back but will it be dead or alive? I wouldn't put it past Barbossa to kill his daughter just to get to you. That is, if he knows how much she means to you."
I flashed my eyes at him. "There you go with your empty glass again."
Will just kept walking. "Jack these people are making an honest living and they can trust people." Will looked up into the sky. "If we are not careful the moon will come out and we will scare these hard working people to death. Also I must correct you. Your glass may be half full but remember mine is not empty it is half empty. Jack you don't know me as well as you think and I will let you know something. I always save the best for last. You may mark my words."
"Considered them marked Will." I also looked up into the night sky. "I must say you do not paint a flattering picture when you talk of the moon. We should find cover."
As we made our way through the streets I asked several people about the burnt out house and the young lass named Samantha. We could not remember the family name and the people were quite unhelpful. They merely shrugged and walked on. We walked our horses up the street and I stopped at a familiar sight.
"Aye, we have arrived." I threw my hands up and dispensed my reigns to Will. "The Faithful Bride. I will go seek out information. After you have successfully hidden our animals, come and join me. Make sure you hide them well. We would not want to lose them and we would not want you to hang for commandeering them. Take the dog with you they will not serve her in here. Savvy?"
Will took the animals and retreated quickly. He also wanted to be safely inside before the moon made its appearance.
I myself went into The Faithful Bride. There were many young sailors in the tavern. I could tell some were new to the sea and the bar. More than not were drunk and others were getting sick. It was very noisy and not particularly clean as I made my way to the back. I sat myself down in a dark corner and listened to the babble of voices around me.
The clatter of plates and tankards made my eavesdropping difficult. The air was heavy with mixed aromas. Food, ale, tobacco and tar and each time the door opened there was a chorus of cursing and I could smell the tang of salt from the sea air.
I stretched my legs out and placed my head on the wall closing my eyes and giving out a long moan.
"HUMM...and what can I get you Captain Sparrow? Would you like your favorite dish Luv?" Giselle was standing over me and looking around with caution. "You don't have your watch dog with ya do ya?"
I glanced up at her. "No Luv, I am alone. Jem will not be joining me tonight." As she gave out a sigh of relief I heard a familiar voice. I pulled her down onto my lap and looked around her. I wasn't sure if my ears were playing tricks on me.
There were several young yet roughish looking men sitting around a long table and intently listening to a man whom I could only see slightly. He was talking rather loud and he had a pompous air about him. As I hid my face in Gisele's bodice I listened to his speech.
"Yes the navy changed me. It made me a man, it matured and molded me. I learned sail drills and gun drills up aloft on dizzily swaying yards in rain and sleet. I believed I would never be able to learn all the demands that were asked of me. The bewildering complex of rigging and shrouds. The miles of cordage of every shape and length, which makes a ship, move and obey. I spent days when it was so hot I almost fainted and dropped to the deck far below. I learned to understand the unwritten laws of the world between decks, the loyalties and rules which made everyday life possible in the overcrowded turbulent existence of a King's ship. Yes men, I have not only survived it, I have come through it a better man. Not without bruises and scars though. Yes, the navy was my life but someone changed that for me and I plan to change his."
The man picked up a mug and then wolfed down a huge portion of boiled pork as I heard him laugh. "I have many regrets in my life, but being a naval man is not one of them. Yes I had to endure harsh discipline, and give it. I would do it again in a heartbeat. That was a rule men, not an exception. Danger and death can come from working on a ship. In all weather and in all conditions it is a commonplace to all sailors. Can you all do this and take orders from me? I promise you if you help me take this man down I will see if I can get you all clemency."
Before I could hear the answers Will walked up to me and pulled Gisele off my lap. Giving me his look of disapproval, he pulled up a chair and sat down. "Anyone sitting here?" Will said sarcastically.
"Will Lad, it is not what you think. She was my cover." Gisele looked at me and smiled.
"Jack I've been called many things but I have never been anybody's cover. I'll bring you and your mate a couple of bottles. Now don't you go running away, I will make you smile later and keep you warm since I am your cover?" She tugged on my hair and ran her hand down my check.
Will pushed her aside. "Later, much later lass."
I grabbed Will's shirt and pulled him near to my face. "Take a close look, can you tell me who that man is sitting at that table?"
As Will attempted to look, a serving girl carried four steaming pots of food to a table a few feet away from us and blocked his view. At that particular table sat four rough, savage-looking men who had been watching us. When the young girl approached one of the men pulled on her dress and smacked her butt and attempted to unlace her top. She was quick with her hand as she placed the food down with out a spill and slapped him.
Gisele returned quickly and placed a bottle of rum in front of each of us. She attempted to sit back on my lap when I stood up and leaned against the wall. "Luv, who be that unruly gentleman and the young lass he is belittling?"
"That be Ted, his been ill tempered since his wife up and left. They all sail with him." She nodded her head toward the table and the man that we could not see. "James Norrington, I believe they call him. As for the girl, I don't know, they come, and they go."
I looked down at Will and he gazed at me when we heard Gisele mention Norrington's name. "So it is true he is alive. Will, Jem says he killed my daughter. If this is true I must get revenge and kill him. She was innocent and her only flaw in life was her father. I am required to kill him."
I pushed myself from the wall and Will stood up and pushed me back. "Jack, in our lives we must fight many battles. We are lucky if we can pick the times to fight them. Let this one go and wait for the opportune moment."
While Will was consoling me the events at the opposite table were getting out of hand.
One of the men had his right arm amputated almost to the shoulder and he pushed the young girl to the floor. "Well, well, what have we here?"
She pulled a face at the stench of ale on his foul breath. "Leave me alone." She demanded in an imperious tone.
"Ach, now, be nice. I'll pay you well, I will. Just because I am one armed I am no bloody beggar, I am a Captain! I am Captain---I am Captain Jack Sparrow and you will treat me as such."
Terrified, she looked over towards Norrington's table. A young man next to Norrington rose to his feet and I could see his desire to help her. Just as he took a step forward, James grabbed his arm and shook his head no.
The sailor sank slowly back down. I knew James knew that the man was not I. He evidently wanted to see what would happen. What a fool.
Ted then stood up and pulled her off the floor. "I am glad you will be joining Jack, he will pay if he is satisfied. After Captain Sparrow has you, then I will." He held her tight and gave an evil laugh.
Her hopelessness over rode her fear and she stomped on the man's instep. He cursed sharply and released her.
The girl looked at him in horror and the room grew silent. Several of the young men were staring at the two but nobody moved. She attempted to turn and run but before she could Ted seized her once more and slung her around to face him.
The man had black beady eyes and greasy dark blond hair. His ugly face was contorted by rage and lust; he shoved her back against the wall and started pawing her body with his huge hands.
"I said let me go! If you touch me the devil will get you. I'll take your damn money now for the glasses of brandy and food and then you may all leave." She insisted, struggling hard against his grip. She tried to use her tray as a shield to force him back, but he wrenched it from her hands and tossed it to the ground.
The two other men from the table started hooting and hollering. Ted then placed his knife to her throat. "Now you will be joining all of us and you won't get a cent."
"The woman made a request. You should obey her." My low toned yet deep timbered voiced seemed to roll across the room like thunder. I walked directly to him and placed my bottle of rum on their table and pulled the knife out of Ted's hand. There was a repulsive look in his eyes as I walked up. He seemed in an aggressive, quarrelsome mood.
The young girl looked up at me and I could tell her heart stopped. The first thing she saw when she gazed at me was my dark kohl-rimmed eyes that held a smoldering fury inside their cold, deadly gaze. Yes, she was looking into the dark brown eyes that belonged to none other than myself, Captain Jack Sparrow.
I stood in front of them. The candlelight flashed against my long, wicked sword that was still at my side. I reached out and placed a hand on Ted's shoulder. "Did you not hear me?"
"This is between me and the girl." He snarled.
"The girl wants no part of you and you should honor her good taste." I gave him a faint grin. "Now unless you release her, it's going to be between you and me."
"You sir should mind your own business." He barked at me while looking me over from head to toe. "You plan to take me alone?" He tossed the girl to the floor and stood up to me. He was quite a bit larger and outweighed me by a good seventy-five pounds.
I tossed his knife into the wooden table and I placed my hand on my sword. "A man is never alone when he holds a sword? A man with a sword can bring down a kingdom. Many a man has a fortune who began with no less."
"Aye, but first you must live to have a kingdom…and stay alive. You are either very brave or very stupid."
"I am neither, I am Captain Jack Sparrow. I am sure you have heard of me. Evidently your friend has. Unless there could possible be two of us on this small island."
Norrington stood up now. I turned and our eyes met. I then looked again at my accoster. Ted's ugly smile turned to a frown.
I tilted my head and cocked only one brow. "So am I brave? Maybe it is easy to be brave when others are around. How many a brave man is brave because he is watched, because he is seen?" I looked about the room and still nobody moved.
The brute swallowed as sweat beaded on his forehead. He slowly backed up from me straightening his jacket. "Captain Sparrow, I have heard of you and brave was not the word they acquainted with you. Crazy I think was the expression I heard."
"Ah, so you say I am crazy. Well, I may be crazy I may just be a little unwell or perhaps mate," I got up close into his face and spoke real slow. " I am dead and you are speaking to a ghost. Death hangs over me like a cloud, did you know that? Are you afraid to die? My blade would be glad to take you." I pushed him down into his chair and lowered my eyes on him.
He looked down towards the floor where the young girl was still sitting. "I beg pardon, miss." He said at last. "I meant no harm."
All the expressions on the men's faces changed. The one armed man put his only hand to the bottle that I had placed on the table. I pulled it away. I then extended my hand down and helped the young lass up.
Relief fell over her face as she stared at me. "I must thank you. Have I seen your handsome face before? You appear familiar to me but I can't remember where." She gave me a slight kiss on my check. "How can I every thank you?"
I gave her a wry half-smile. "I beg your pardon, what are you talking about? You owe me nothing Lass and I fear you must have me confused with someone else."
"No, I do remember you. You were…you really are…" As she took a deep breathe for courage, I looked at her and realized that we had met. My eyes opened wide and I smiled at her. My wild look must have scared her for she started backing away.
"Oh," she said, trying to look contrite. "You're right I…I must be mistaken. Thank you for helping me." Now, she was going to play games with me and pretend she didn't know me.
I stood aside as she rushed away from me and the other men. Then it occurred to me why she reacted that way. She knew I recognized her and she knew she had something of mine, which she obviously did not want to give me. Damn the intelligent girl, I knew now that she had it. Watching her cross the room I saw her heading towards Norrington.
I growled low in my throat. "I came here tonight to seek information and I have just found what I was looking for." I took my bottle and headed for Will who was standing close with his hand on his sword. I put my hand on his shoulder and set him down on a nearby chair.
"William, that young Lass talking to Norrington is our Samantha. I'm sure you have noticed he has spread his men around the room. Isn't it funny how fast they can move to capture pirates but they don't move to help a young whore?"
As I talked to Will I looked over at Samantha, she was gesturing furiously at Norrington then she looked at me. Our gazes met and locked. I felt as if I'd been struck by lightning. Time seemed suspended as I stared at her. All I wanted to do was cross the room, pick her up in my arms and carry her off. That is when I made my decision.
"Jack what are we going to do?" Will asked trying to look nonchalant and failing miserably.
"I want you to walk out of here like nothing's wrong. I'm not sure if the girl remembers you. If she doesn't then you have no worries, other than our friend Norrington. If nobody knows who you are, you're safe. Go out the back and bring our horses around."
"What about you?"
"Don't worry about me."
"Jack….."
"Will, I will wait for the opportune moment. I'm not going to die. Now go get yourself out of here and get the animals."
Reluctantly, Will rose from his chair and did as I asked. It was only after Will had closed the door behind him that I dared to look to where Samantha stood arguing with Norrington.
Now I found this amusing. I could tell she knew what I wanted but she did not want Norrington to harm me. After all I did save her from Ted.
Norrington pushed Samantha aside. His face was flushed with rage as he walked stiffly to where I stood.
"Jack Sparrow, so you're still alive and you are still wooing the women. That young lass over there finds you quite charming and she wished me to spare your neck. Tell me Sparrow, why should I listen to her?"
"Captain---Captain Sparrow, if you please James. I can see you have lost your command. Is that what happens when you fall from grace and you kill innocent children? You had to have known I would find out?"
Norrington backed up and stared at me with confusion. "Captain, you haven't changed a bit but perhaps you have been out in the sun to long? I am a military man or was and I do not hurt women or children. It is pirates I am after. A specific one, to be exact, the one who ruined my life. The one who stands in front of me now."
"Norrington I don't believe a word you say. You killed my daughter and I shall kill you." I looked deep into his face. "Yes, you may have your man. He may be standing in front of you. The question is, can you keep him?"
I was angry and I wanted to kill Norrington. Evidently he wanted to kill me also.
"James pull your sword this is one fight I shall enjoy."
"Briefly, perhaps." He replied.
Giselle strolled up behind Norrington and placed her arm gently on his shoulder. "That man really is Captain Jack Sparrow. He's killed a dozen men." She winked at me and gave me a playful smile.
Norrington removed her arm and snapped back. "Then perhaps thirteen will be unlucky for him."
The light was dim in the tavern and the footing would be bad but I was up for a good duel. Some of the men pulled the tables back toward the walls to make room. Many of the spectators stood with drinks in their hands, and I could see money being passed around. There was quite a crowd behind me and an equal one behind James.
Norrington slashed the air, whipping his blade this way and that, perhaps to overawe the crowd or me. He was an inch or two taller than I, hence longer in the arm. There was no measuring of blades, we fought with what we had. At least eight of the men watching the fight were with Norrington. This was a thought I knew I had to keep in mind so as not to present my back to them.
Surprisingly James appeared nervous. He and I had fought before but he did not know my strategies. The only two people who knew I fought unfair were Will and Jem.
I lead him to believe me less than I was, hence to make him grow careless. We crossed blades and he looked at me, sneering slightly. "What a pity! To die without Jem to see you taking your last breathe. You are alone in this world, you came in that way and you will leave that way."
"Alone mate, I am never alone and my Jem will see me soon." I moved in, feinting a thrust deliberately being clumsy, then retreated a step as if puzzled by him. He moved in with confidence, and in an instant I knew I was facing a strong fencer with exceptional skill. His point circled and he stepped in with a quick thrust, low down and for the groin. That I deflected and almost too late. He came on swiftly and I was hard put to keep his point away.
He drew back after one swift exchange, his sword held high. "Now I shall kill you." He said coolly. "It is almost too easy!"
There was a little sound from those who watched. They stood about in a loose circle, stepping back occasionally to remove themselves from our way.
Norrington lunged suddenly but his boot slipped on a bit of spilled ale or some such muck and for a moment he was exposed. My sword could easily have had his throat but I stepped back swiftly, permitting him to recover.
"Why Captain Sparrow you are gallant." He said, surprised.
"I am a Pirate, James. I will kill you, but I do not indulge in murder."
"Hah! You make me almost regret what I must do."
"If you wish to withdraw, James, the choice is yours."
He laughed. "And leave you to sail away into the sunset. I'll not do it. I do respect you Captain Sparrow but I also respect the dead!"
He came at me swiftly again, thinking to end it so soon but I parried his best attack. He moved in skillfully attempting a classic cut at my chest. His flowing slicing movement was spectacular to see but as he did it he exposed his forearm. My reply was instantaneous, needing no thought. My point pierced his arm, slicing through the tendons and driving into his chest.
He staggered back and I quickly withdrew to an on-guard position. Blood streamed from his arm and there was a darkening stain on his chest. My point had not penetrated deeply, but enough for a serious wound.
He caught himself and with his left hand leaned on a table. As he stood there, his sword was down although still gripped tightly. Blood ran down his arm and over the blade.
I lowered my weapon, and directed my attention to his men. I then looked back at Norrington. "That was a lovely move Jamie, but a foolish one. Shall we call it quits?"
"Damn you Sparrow, I mean to kill you and I will."
"Of course." I wiped my blade and put it away. "Another time, perhaps? TA." Turning I started toward the door.
James's eyes widened and he fumbled for his sword. "Seize him!" he yelled.
I saw Samantha also making her way to the door. Two of Norrington's men blocked my path. I looked at them with shock then laughed. "Do you really think you can stop me? I have thwarted entire fleets sent out to destroy me." I unsheathed my sword and with only a handful of moves, I disarmed them and was back on the trail of my target.
I only had one thing in mind. THE MAP.
As I rushed out the door I saw Will down the street helping Samantha on to a horse. My horse. As I took off after her I heard a shot ring out. I felt my body move but there was no pain. Glancing behind me, I saw Norrington holding a smoking gun.
His jaw locked in anger; I pulled my gun and aimed it at him. "Answer me James. Did you kill my daughter?"
He looked me directly in the eyes. "Captain Sparrow, if I were a man to kill children yours may be the one I'd kill but no, I did not. I am a man of honor and I have already told you once, I did not kill your daughter. I would never kill a child of Elizabeth's even if you are the father."
I looked at the sincerity in his eyes. I could tell he spoke the truth and it appeared he knew nothing of Jem's and my daughter. I looked down at my shoulder to survey the damage. Blood was seeping from the wound but I knew it would soon stop. I looked back at James then towards Will who had just mounted his horse.
"James until we meet again. Remember this as the day Captain Jack Sparrow believed a military man." I bent down quickly and threw dirt into his face, temporally blinding him so I could make my escape. I turned and ran for Will and the horses. I pulled myself up behind Samantha.
Her eyes opened wide and she yelled at Will. "I asked you for help! Your with him?"
She attempted to jump off the horse and I yanked her back. I grabbed the reins and slapped them across the horses back. Will smiled at me as he did the same. "Aye Jack you are getting better. I can see you had a good teacher."
The horses lurched sharply. Samantha gave out a cry of panic and we sped forward.
Samantha's cheeks were paling as she tried to turn to face me. "What are you doing?"
"It would seem, fair lady, that Captain Jack Sparrow is abducting you."
I could see her heart hammering as she attempted to stare at me.
"Don't be afraid my Pet. You have something of mine and I would like it back. If you give it to me I will pay you generously. If you don't, well then I will have to take it. Savvy?" I did give her an evil grin and lowered my eyes on her chest.
"What are you going to do to me?" She asked.
I looked at her with a mock look of hurt. "Believe it or not, and I'm sure you won't I mean you no harm."
She scoffed "Am I supposed to believe that, the most wanted pirate on earth has abducted me and means me no harm? Surely, sir, you take me for a fool?"
She attempted to jump from the horse again. I grabbed her arm and pulled her back. "I told you you wouldn't believe it."
Struggling against my hold, Samantha drew back to slap me.
My face turned dark and angry. "Don't!"
Not willing to test my brutality she pulled her hand back. "You don't really expect me to just sit here quietly while you abduct me do you?"
"That's exactly what I expect you to do."
"You haven't been around many women, have you?"
Will began to laugh. "Aye Miss Samantha, you don't know Captain Jack Sparrow. If you knew him you would not ask that question."
I rolled my eyes at Will and then spoke to Samantha in a calmer tone. "I've been around women enough. Now if you would be so kind give it too me."
Her green eyes opened wide. "Well," she said, "They certainly didn't teach you any manners."
"I'm a pirate," I scoffed. "I've just abducted a tavern whore and I am to act like a gentleman."
"Don't say that!" She snapped. "I am not a whore and I never will be." Then I saw the fear in her eyes. "Is that why you took me? Do you intend to rape me?"
I pinned her with a furious glare. "I have not intention of raping you. I just want----"
"My god what are you?" As she spoke the moon had come out and she screamed so loud I couldn't hear the pounding of the horses hoofs, I couldn't hear Will yelling at me and my last words, THE MAP were lost into oblivion. She turned a ghastly green and fainted in my skeletal arms.
Will shook his head. "Jack I have to say you have made better impressions. That poor girl will never be right again. Lets pick up our pace, follow me," he veered his horse to the left fork in the road. "This road will take us to the beach and The Pearl."
As we trotted along the dusty road. Will looked over at me and the unconscious child lying in my bones. I was having a hard time keeping my seat and hers in the saddle.
"You know Jack, I'd say she has no idea why she is with us and you don't even know if she has the map." Will's dark eyes looked menacing as they looked out of his fleshless skull. "She came running out of that tavern like a scared mouse with a wild cat chasing it. She saw me standing there with the two horses and I couldn't believe my eyes when she came running to me and asked for help."
"Will, she has always had a soft spot for you." I looked at him and attempted a grin but there were no lips to provide one. "You better not let Miss Elizabeth know about her."
"Jack please, she looked at my sword and my horses and asked me to take her to safety. I could not believe my good fortune that I actually had her on the horse before you made your escape. I doubt she will ever trust me again. Great!" Will threw his hands up in the air and his horse took off.
We were now off the road and riding down the sandy beaches once again. "Whoa boy." He calmed his horse down and then smiled at me as my horse cantered up to his and came to an abrupt stop. As the horse stopped I fell off taking Samantha with me. We both hit the sand hard. Samantha tumbled away from me. I looked at her and then I looked at my arm that was lying on the sand beside me. Before I could reach to pick it up Amber grabbed it and ran down the beach.
"Mr. Turner, I hope you are satisfied with your horsemanship? Now me arm has broken off and run off." I glared up at him. "Can I ask what set you off?"
Will looked down at me and laughed. "I am not only a horse thief I am now a liar. You have actually gotten me to be a deceitful individual. I am no better than you. As far as being a satisfied horseman? I'll show you a horseman."
Will turned his horse and raced it around the open beach. He then had it leap over a piece of fine driftwood and went down across the sandy shoreline and into the water. The horse was running hard. Wild was the riding and beautiful the movements of the horse beneath Will's skeleton. It looked as if they were both free from the earth's gravity as they flew across the white sand in the moonlight. He ran up beside Amber and pulled my arm from her mouth, he then came running back towards me and had his horse rear up onto its hind legs. He walked the animal around me and stared down. "Now Captain Sparrow how is that for horsemanship?"
"William Lad, I am glad to see you are coming to terms with yourself but now if you wouldn't mind, you can dismount and give me my limb. We will camp here for the night. Perhaps you would like to see---"a smile spread across my face. "Well perhaps you would take the pleasure in examining Miss Samantha, to see if she does indeed hide me map in her bodice."
"Jack I may be a horse thief and a cad but no I won't do that. We will wait for her to wake up and simply ask her."
"Have it your way Will, I know in the end she will give us a fight and doing it the nice William Turner way will not work. It will have to be the way of the scally wag, the bilge rat, the unspeakable, Captain Sparrow."
Will got down from the horse handed me my arm and picked Samantha up off the sand. He looked over at me and began to laugh. "Do you think you can manage the animals with one arm?"
I stood up and wiped my bones off and shook my wasted arm. I placed it over my shoulder and grabbed the reins of both horses with my one good hand. "Boy, you would be surprised what I can do with one hand."
We walked in a ways from the ocean and stopped at a small grove of palm trees. Sitting under the trees we were out of the moonlight and our bodies were once again clothed and with skin. I was more then happy to have my arm reattached.
Will pulled down some palm branches and made a bed for Samantha while I built a small fire. Amber went and lay down next to Samantha. She appeared very uneasy around Will and I. They always say animals can sense the super natural and their first instincts are to go the other way.
Will laid his long lanky body out on the sand next to the fire and stared up into the starlit sky. "So Jack why didn't you kill Norrington and how do you know she has the map?"
"Will, I know." I stretched out on the opposite side of fire. "I saw the look of recognition in her eyes and she knows exactly why we are here. Why else would she run? I'd be willing to wager my right arm the map is on her."
Will looked over at me. "How much are you willing to wager?"
I looked at him sharply. "As you said, she seemed to be in a rush to leave and she would not leave without it." I tossed some small sticks into the fire and watched them glow bright orange and disintegrate to ash. "As for the Commodore, or should I say, James Norrington." I narrowed my eyes as I stared into the flames. "I don't know why I didn't kill him. Perhaps it would not have been fair, since I knew he could not harm me. Also," I sat up straighter and pulled the beads on my beard, as I looked deeper into the flames.
"I believe James; I believe he did not kill my daughter. I may be a pirate but I do not take pleasure in senseless killing. I lust the adventure and the treasure not the killing. I cannot slaughter a man for no good purpose and if he did not do the crime but paid the punishment I would be just as bad as some of the men that have worked under him."
Will looked at me and smiled. "Jack Sparrow I knew you were a good man and you have just proven it to me again. I have to agree with you. I don't think Norrington would kill a child either. So who did?"
I laid back onto the sand and closed my eyes. "Yes Will, who did indeed?"
We both lay silent for half an hour when Will sat up and looked at me. "Jack I have to tell you something."
I did not move I just grumbled. "What is it Will?"
"I know for a fact Samantha does not have the map, so you best be handing me your right arm."
I sat up and looked at him alarmed. "Will there is no way you could know…unless…"
I looked over at Samantha and she was now sitting up petting Amber on the head. She still looked frightened but she gave me a slight smile. She was a beautiful young girl, very young. She reminded me of my Jem except for her piercing green eyes.
"Jack!"
I looked over at William and he sat smiling at me and in his hand he held it. He had the map.
"I have it Jack, Samantha gave it to me when I laid her down on the palm branches. As you can see the friendly William Turner way worked. In return, I promised her we wouldtake her off this island and set her up for life."
"William you are good. I knew the girl liked ya. You Lad are full of surprises, your father would be proud of you. I am proud of you. Your glass is definitely full Lad; you do save the best for last." I looked over toward Samantha and our eyes met.
"Lass consider yourself off this rock. We have an accord."
A/N Wow! I want to thank everybody for the wonderful reviews. As you can see the plot thickens. Who did kill Pearl? Where will Barbossa turn up next? Will Jack get Jem back? I guess you will have to wait for the next chapter mates. TA. R/R
Lovely Raven Sparrow