Dead Men Tell No Tales
Disclaimer: All characters belong to Disney unless they belong to Lovely Raven Sparrow. You know which ones.
BarbossaAs the water got shallow around our boat I jumped out and Will did the same. Wading to shore and pulling the boat behind us I looked out onto the water at The Santiago and then back to the beach. We were about twenty feet from shore when I thought I saw something. There was a thick grove of trees surrounding the sandy beach. I stopped short when I saw movement in the deep bushes again.
Will, still pulling the boat, fell forward into the water. He stood up shook his head like a newly bathed dog and looked at me. "Jack a little help if you please. I can't take her to shore on my onese. Savvy?" He smiled at me and then gave me a look of concern. "Jack, what is it?"
"Will, we have been spotted. We may have to make a run for it."
As I spoke savages came at us with a soundless rush, charging the boat, which was not yet along the shore, and they struck us with their spears and arrows. Arrows and spears struck the boat causing some damage. Will and I abandoned the craft as we swam as fast as we could to solid ground. When we hit the beach, we ran for the jungle.
I dived into the think underbrush and pulled Will down with me. There was a faint breeze ruffling the leaves but cold sweat beaded up on my brow and trickled into my eyes I could also feel the sweat running down my back. The savages ran to the boat and started to strip it.
"Will, we dare not move for they will see us. The Caniba inhabit this island of Dominica and I have been informed they are cannibals, and between you and me they look mighty hungry." I pulled my lip back as I watched them destroy our boat. "Is this to be the end of us? I can see death might not come to us easily but if they eat us we will be trapped in their stomachs forever. But death is better than their tortures, if the stories I have heard are true."
Will and my eyes met and then we looked back out at the savages. We crouched at the base of a gnarled and wind–racked tree. Glancing around Will gasped and fell backwards into me. I looked over his shoulder and I saw two dead bodies. Judging by their clothing they were most likely pirates, possible from Barbossa's crew. They lay there, horribly cut about the face and body…mutilated they were and there were body parts missing. I took my hat off in a silent tribute. "To ye scoundrels, I hope you lived and died as men." I pushed myself back and away from them.
Will and I sat there for quite a long time. We waited and watched as the savages ripped our craft apart. Then they went searching for us. They stood only thirty yards away in plain sight. Both Will and I held our breath. One looked at the bushes we were crouched behind but as quickly as they had come down on us, they left. One turned towards the North and started to run and the others followed.
"Is it possible that we have escaped?" Will whispered. "Did they not know we were here? If they knew we were here they would stalk us, find us and surely kill us."
I straightened up, stretched my legs and placed my hand on my sword and gun. "Very well then! Shall we go meet the rest of the island? If there be lives beyond them, lets make ready to meet them."
Will pulled me back down. "Jack you can't be sure they have all gone."
"They are gone. They despise us, they think we are too meek for their killing." I smiled at Will and then frowned at the dead pirates. "Or they simply did not know we were here." Once again I stood up. "Will, this island reeks of death, you best keep your blade and gun handy. Hopefully we can flee if we are outnumbered."
As I started to make my way through the jungle I could smell a vagrant odor, some sweet aroma…broiling meat! I grabbed Will's arm. The sun was high in the sky, the waves were rushing toward the beach and we could smell broiling meat. "Pirates I hope, I'd rather deal with them instead of the natives. I have not seen any sign of another ship, not even The Black Pearl. We can only hope that is animal meat we are smelling and not human."
I kept my eyes opened as I worked my way through the thick foliage and then caught sight of a faint drift of something that appeared to be smoke above the trees. I started, cautiously, in that direction. I was no hunter, but chose what cover I could find. Will was right behind me jumping every time I smacked at a bug or whacked at a shrub. Suddenly I heard voices. Pausing, I listened. They spoke in English.
Walking through the trees, we found ourselves at the edge of a small clearing. The heat was oppressive and the stench of fish offensive to our noses. We saw many small huts. There were groups of women and men hurrying about doing their daily chores. They were pirates and their families. They were all a rough looking lot, they had crude language and they were unkempt. Their finery had probably been taken from plundered ships, but the once rich silks and satins were ripped beyond repair and worn on dirty bodies.
My lips were dry and my tongue kept sticking to them. I could tell Will was suffering the same dilemma. "Will I see no sign of Barbossa or Jem. I don't think he would subject himself to live like this."
"Jack, look over there." Will directed my attention to a small path that lead through the forest, leaving the village.
"Come, follow me." We sauntered out of the trees and mingled in with the local pirates. I started pushing our way though the milling crowd of men and women as they shouted out greetings. Will and I both shrank away from groping hands as vulgar suggestions were yelled at us from several wenches. I could tell Will was relieved when we took the path he had spotted. The path cut a swath through thick underbrush and skirted numerous shallow basins lined with crushed shells. I looked around in awe. "I have to compliment Barbossa, he has learned from the natives and collects fresh water. I wonder if he was the one who sent the welcome party for us?"
Both Will and I were slick with perspiration by the time we reached a great dwelling constructed of sawed boards instead of rough wood and palm leaves. The place looked like a palace compared to the small huts near the beach. It sat on a slight rise beneath an umbrella of palm trees that provided abundant shade. There was a wrap-around porch allowing the breeze to waft through the open windows. Another building, probably a kitchen was connected to the house by a covered run and there were monkeys running everywhere.
"Will, I want you to wait here. Find someplace to hide. I will go in alone and when the opportune moment arises, if it should, you will come and join me. Savvy?"
Will looked at me. "No Jack, I don't like this. We should stick together."
"No Lad, if we are both captured than there will be no chance of escape. Keep your eyes and ears open. I will be the bait and you can play the hero."
I went on without him. I climbed the stairs of the porch and stepped into the house. I came to an abrupt halt as I stared around the room. It was luxuriously furnished; I had seen houses of this grandeur in Port Royal. Works of art hung on the plastered walls, there was richly polished furniture and thick woven carpets. Dainty curtains billowed gently in the tropical breeze, and delicious cooking smells drifted on the humid air.
"Do you like it?" Barbossa asked.
I turned fast. His men, Bosun and Ragetti, grabbed me, and unarmed me. "Well, do you?" Barbossa asked again.
I pulled myself away from his goons and reached for my weapons. They smacked my hand and I pulled back looking over at Barbossa. Somehow it seemed to matter to Barbossa that I should like his home. I gave him a golden smile. "It's…I can't believe such a home exists on this remote island inhabited by pirates and cannibals."
Barbossa handed me a glass of wine and held one up in his hand. "I like to be comfortable. Welcome to my home, Jack Sparrow."
"Aye, at the expense of other people?" I said as I picked up a gold-encrusted vase and examined it. I gently set it down and drank the wine. "How many ships did you plunder to furnish your house? How many lives were lost?"
Barbossa looked away, ignoring my probing questions. I could tell my words did not unsettle him. He didn't care how many he killed or whom he stole from.
"Ah Jack, you see that is where we are so different. I have attacked many ships and taken so many lives I have lost count. I'd be a liar if I told you it mattered to me. You see, after so many ships and so many lives, one tends to forget the numbers. I know you usually try to save the innocent lives and you have been known to set the crews adrift in boats after you have attacked. I like committing cold-blooded murder. I simply slay for the joy of killing."
I narrowed my eyes at Barbossa. "I like to think that my small kindnesses sets myself apart from men like you." I drained my wine glass and placed it next to the vase.
"You are fooling nobody but yourself Jack. You are no better than your fellow pirates. In some ways, I'd consider you worse. You are not stupid like most men and you do know right from wrong, you just choose to ignore your conscience."
"Don't judge me, Barbossa." I said harshly. "If you look deep into your heart, I'm sure you'd find something to regret."
"Jack my boy, no one is perfect, of course I have regrets. I regret I did not kill you when I had the chance."
I opened my mouth to speak when Barbossa's men grabbed me from behind and one put me into a half nelson.
"Now Captain Sparrow, I am sure you did not come here to unburden yourself with your secrets about, lets see, my daughter? Come let me show you to your room. You will have to forgive the accommodations, I was not expecting you."
I gave him a meek smile. "Barbossa I have what you want and it is yours, but first you must give me my ship, my crew and your daughter." I winced as Ragetti yanked my arm up my back.
Barbossa threw his head back and laughed. "You, son, are not in the position to negotiate. I am sure we can come to terms in due time, but what is the rush? You just got here. Let me show you some genuine Barbossa hospitality."
He nodded at his men. "Take him to his room." I struggled to get away from them but they overpowered me and it felt as if Ragetti was going to break my arm off.
My gaze fell on Barbossa. "Barbossa, I don't wish to appear ungrateful, but I am long overdue to get to me ship."
"Jack, Jack…you know I would never hurt The Pearl. I have pulled her out of the water. She was in need of careening and my men need time with their women and children and you---you need a rest and your length of stay depends on….me."
"On you! Barbossa I am ready to leave now, if it's all the same to you, just give me Jem and I'll be on my way."
"Ah, so now you just want Jem?" Barbossa loomed over me shaking his head. "You wish to leave now?" He looked into my eyes and I did not like the way he was staring at me. "No, too soon. Far too soon for my purposes."
Barbossa filled up his wine glass and sat down in a large, overstuffed, comfortable chair. "It appears my daughter did love you, and for the life of me I cannot figure out why. I have to know why before I can even think about letting you go."
I glared at him. "Yes, Jem does love me, not did, DOES!" I taunted.
"You poor, deluded fool. Jem was but toying with you. What you perceived as love was simple infatuation. She has always been rash with her actions. Jem regrets ever being near you and having your illegitimate child." He rolled his eyes and took another sip of wine. "Well, the child is gone and you…you are scum and you will never touch my daughter again."
"You're a liar." I spat in his direction. "Jem loves me. She'd never play me false. We have a future together."
"Ha, I hope you enjoyed Jem, for you'll not get another chance at her."
He turned to Bosun. "Find Jem, tell her we have visitors." He looked at me and gave me a cynical laugh. "Yes, you heard correct. Visitors, you really didn't think young Mister Turner would go unnoticed did you?"
As he said this Bosun came running in followed by four other miscreants. I heard a gun go off and all of the men turned around. As Bosun turned a bullet whizzed past and nicked his ear. I heard another shot and the pirate next to Bosun screamed, clutched his chest and fell to the ground.
Pintel came running in. "Captain, Captain Barbossa, Will Turner has escaped he has run off into the jungle. We would have had him but your damn daughter helped him. We had to unarm her and she is as mad as a dog in heat. We have sent several men after Mister Turner and the others are fighting with Jem."
Suddenly, Jem came into the room. "Jack!" She cried as she ran over to me and threw her arms around my neck. I smiled at Barbossa over her shoulder. "Easy on the goods Luv." Ragetti pulled my arm up again and I yelled louder than I had expected.
"Jack, my sweat Jack, you are not dead…have they hurt you?"
She was holding my neck so tight I had to gasp for air. "No Luv, I am alive and well, but perhaps not for long."
She stepped back and struck Ragetti. "Let him go you idiot." She demanded.
Barbossa stood up put his glass of wine down and pulled Jem back. "Nothing can be gained by your presence. Leave now; I just wanted you to know we had visitors. I will not make that mistake again. You will have your chance to speak with him later."
Jem pulled away from her father and once again hugged my neck. She refused to let me go. I could see the love in her eyes. "Jack you are the only man I'll ever love and I will hold on to you no matter what, even if I have to die."
"Step away Jem." Barbossa ordered brusquely. "Your lover and I have unfinished business to settle. If you don't step aside I will do something you will regret."
I did no like the glint in his eye, but she selected to ignore it. She dropped her hands from my neck and turned to face her father. "What kind of a game are you playing? Just get the map and let Jack and I go."
Barbossa ran his fingers down Jem's check and grasped her chin. "I have no intentions on letting you go---with him." He smiled at her and released her chin. "Like I said, I have plans for the Captain and for you my dear. It is a shame, but the plans I have for each of you don't coincide."
Fueled by anger and driven to her limit of patience she gave a cry of outrage and started pounding her fists against his chest.
"What kind of a man are you? Have you no compassion, no heart? Does this amuse you?"
Apparently taken by surprise, Barbossa suffered her pounding then captured both her wrists in one of his powerful hands and jerked her against him. His face was hard and cold.
"Oh, my dear, you can have Captain Sparrow, but not until I decide it's time."
Jem closed her eyes against hot tears as she shook with rage. Ignoring her dangerous position, she pulled out of his grip, slapped her hand across Barbossa's face and pulled his sword.
I stared at Barbossa and then at Jem's beautiful face. I could tell she was frightened, but I always heard fear was good.
He looked at her and rolled his eyes. "So, you let Mister Turner go and now you pull a sword on me…. again. Whatever did I do to deserve such an ungrateful daughter?" He gently touched the tip of the sword and looked over at me. "He won't get far, you know. Either the natives or the wild animals will get him. There are panthers on the island along with wild pigs, poisonous snakes and quick sand. Any number of things could happen to the boy. He won't get far."
Barbossa unexpectedly turned around and grabbed the sword from Jem. He pulled her into him, not caring that he sliced his hand. He then pushed her away and knocked her to the floor.
"Why---why are you doing this?" Jem questioned as she looked at him with death in her eyes. "Don't do this father, I beg you. If you don't stop you will be killed or maimed. You can't win."
"I have my reasons." He scoffed at her.
Whatever his reasons were I knew I wasn't going to like them. He walked over to her, placed his sword back into its sheath pulled her off the floor putting his arm around her. "I am glad to see you have such confidence in your old man. Now leave, Luv."
She refused to move, he nodded his head and two large men grabbed her. She screamed as they clutched her and pulled her away from him. "You had your chance, Luv, and now it has past. I have just about had enough of you! Twiggs, come and take care of business, will ya?" He poured another glass of wine and leaned against the wall.
Twigg's, another one of Barbossa's men, entered the room and walked over to me. He pulled a wicked-looking blade from beneath his jacket and held it up in front of me and then swung it in front of Jem.
"I have a duty to do. It is a sad duty, I must admit." He looked into my dark, kohl-rimmed eyes and then over into her dark, tear glistening ones. "To kill a love in front of their lover is so tragic, but if one insists on being spoiled then I must obey." He looked back at me. "I have been informed you always act like a spoiled child, what you want you get and you always make sure you profit from it. Well, lets see how you profit now?"
He looked at Barbossa, Jem and then me. He walked over to Jem and raised the knife.
I couldn't believe Barbossa was going to let this man slash his daughter, my beautiful Jem. Jem tried to back up but the men held her tight. As Twiggs bought his hand and knife down, I wrenched my arm out of Ragetti's grip and I heard it snap. I knew I broke it but I had so much anger in me it held back the pain. I swiftly pulled a dagger out of Ragetti's sash and leaped at Twiggs. I surprised him and I used my momentary advantage to launch a vicious assault on him. He recovered fast and fended of my blows, driving me back by slashing his knife in a wide arc.
We circled one another in silent combat. I was advancing and retreating, each time he swiped the blade at me. With each swipe we each drew blood. Twigg's was getting breathless and I suddenly saw an opening. I pulled to the right when the attacker parried, I buried my knife deep in his chest, but of course his blade was already in motion when I struck. He slashed downward across my left eye.
Pain, excruciation, debilitating, seething pain over came me. I let go of my blade and fell to my knees, clasping my hand over my eye to stanch the blood. My breath was coming short and I bit my lip clear through in order to keep from screaming. With my one good eye, I saw Twiggs lying motionless, blood streaming from his chest.
Barbossa pulled me off the floor. "Bravo Jack, I was wondering when you would jump in and save the young Lass you claim to love so. You really didn't think I would have him kill my daughter, did you?"
I raised my head with great effort. Blood was streaming through my fingers. I really could not tell how badly I was hurt. I could only hope the curse would save my eye and me. "What would you have me do? Take the chance that you wouldn't kill her?" I growled at him as the pain was over taking my thoughts.
Jem stared at her father in abject horror. "Jack! Lord Jack, your eye. Your beautiful face! Jack, I love you." She screamed out as she struggled against the two gigantic men whose skin was the same shiny black as Bosun's. "Let Jack go, he needs medical attention, he needs rest."
Barbossa looked to Boson. "Now take Captain Sparrow to his room and search him." He narrowed his eyes on me. "For your sake Captain, I hope you have the map."
I looked at him with my good eye. "So what are your plans Barbossa, to take the map and then kill me? I told you before you can have the damn map. Just hand over Jem as you promised."
"Ha! I promised you nothing Sparrow. Don't impugn my honor. But if you must know, my plans for you don't include your death. You are the one who jumped in front of the blade, I did not place you there. I will return you to your ship, and your crew. You just won't have my daughter or your child."
"I'll kill you Barbossa. I will have your daughter and I will kill you, just like you killed my Pearl…you--you." I nearly collapsed in Barbossa's arms when he tossed me to Pintel and Ragetti.
"Right Jack, you can hardly stand up and I should fear you will kill me. I stand trembling in my boots. As far as your Pearl, I did not kill your child. What possible reason could I have to want to kill my granddaughter even if she was half Sparrow? Yes Jack, I've seen and done many things and my conscience has ceased to exist, but I have never knowingly caused the death of a woman or child." Barbossa gave Jem a mocking salute. "As you wish my dear. I will let the Captain rest…. for now," he added cryptically. The tension between father and daughter was thick.
"Now take Jack to his room. He is our guest and should be treated respectfully. I will send a young girl to tend to you, a personal maid and she will give you whatever you need."
"I don't need a maid." I returned shortly. "I can manage on my own just fine, thank you. If I need help you will be the last to know."
"Take him away." Barbossa ordered as he grabbed Jem by the arm and left the room.
"Don't worry Captain Barbossa, me and Ragetti will take good care of Sparrow." Pintel's smarmy voice called out. They both grabbed me by the arms and drug me down a long hall. Pintel opened a door and pushed me into a sunny room, causing me to stumble and land on the floor. The room was handsomely decorated from what I could tell through my blurred vision. A soft breeze blew in through two large windows and caressed my face. As I looked around the room from my position on the floor, Pintel kicked me in the ribs, not once but three times. "OK, Sparrow give me the map."
After what seemed like an eternity, they left. I turned painfully on my left side careful not to aggravate the broken ribs I'd suffered during my beating. They did search me for the map and to their chagrin did not find it. Will had everything, the map, the medallions and my blood. I could only hope he still had it and the natives or wild animals did not get him.
I lay in the room holding my injured eye. Pain made the time seem endless. The worst of the heat from the day dissipated with the setting sun. I could feel the soft sea-scented breezes. The night sounds wafted though the balmy air, music and loud voices raised in lusty celebration outside my window. I barely roused myself when the door opened. I just laid there and groaned, changing positions again unable to find comfort. I turned my head to the door and I saw Ana Maria.
"Jack." She ran over to me and attempted to pick me up off the floor and take me to the bed. "Are you able to manage? What has he done?"
I allowed myself to breathe again. I wasn't sure I'd survive another beating. I was glad to see a friend, but I wasn't sure she was one. "I will manage." I said grimly. "I get the impression Barbossa wants to do me in. I'd wager he's drinking his wine and gloating over the fact I am injured for saving his daughter, who, supposedly, wasn't in any danger." I groaned as she laid me on the bed and I continued to clasp my hand to me eye.
"Jack, is there nothing I can do? How badly are you hurt?"
I winced and clutched my middle. "I'd say I have a few cracked ribs an I think I've lost an eye, but I'll survive."
XXXXXXXXXWhen I woke up the next morning the bright sunshine was playing against my eyelid. I untangled myself from Ana Maria and sat at the edge of the bed, surprised that I had fallen asleep. Looking down at the bed I saw my eye lying there, looking at me. I carefully picked it up and placed it in my pocket, waiting for the opportune time to hopefully place it back into my skull. I then took my soiled bandana and wrapped it around my head, carefully covering the empty eye socket.
I could not believe Ana Maria was lying beside me. She slept deeply and innocently, her face smooth and guileless. I recalled last night. I remembered my pain, I remembered her aid and then I remembered the passionate words she had spoken to me. She had tried to seduce me and I would not have her, I would not be a victim of her seduction. Last I saw her, she was on The Dauntless with Norrington. She had betrayed Jem and I, and Jem had run her threw.
I felt as if I had just gotten to sleep, but the sun was shining in the window and I could hear voices. I stood up and walked over to the window, overlooking a garden. Beyond the garden I could see the glimmer of water and sails. They were indeed the sails of The Black Pearl. I looked longingly toward the sea. I remembered what Barbossa said about the wild animals and quick sand. I turned back toward the bed, looking back at the sleeping woman who was resting so peacefully. I was hesitant to wake her, but I had to know why she was with Barbossa.
As I stood staring at her she slowly woke up herself. She stretched lazily and then sat up quickly. "Jack." She leaped out of the bed, ran over to me. She clasped my face in between her hands. "Oh Jack, I have missed you so."
I pulled away from her. "You---you, what the bloody hell are you doing here?"
"Barbossa saved me from the grips of the Royal Navy. I have helped him and he has helped me. We have an accord." She traced a finger along my cheekbone in a tender caress. "Come," she said, urging me to the bed with a light touch upon my elbow. "You really do not look good, let me take care of you."
"And you trust him?" I mulled over what she had told me and decided not to accept it as the truth.
She grabbed me and attempted to escort me back to the bed. I pulled away from her. "Ana Maria, I can walk, and I plan to walk out of here. Can you help to get Jem and me out of here? In return, you may join me once again on The Black Pearl."
"Yes, Jack, I can, but I won't, for it will not profit me."
"Don't try my patience Ana Maria. Will Turner is out there somewhere, dealing with wild animals. The Turner's son is god knows where, I am cursed, along with Elizabeth and Will, thanks to Barbossa. My heart is aching for the one woman I want and evidently can't have, my ship is lying on the beach and my bloody eye is gone." I threw my hands up in the air. "What can I possible do or give you, that will win you over to help me?"
"Jack, Barbossa told you that he would let you go, you can have your ship and your crew back. You just have to do two things for him and one for me."
"What is it woman? Stop playing games. Tell me what it is, anything. Just get me out of this hell."
"You have to promise me something. You have to promise me that I will be your woman. I have known you for too long and Jem is just a child. You know you will tire of her and I know what you want. You see, I want you and Barbossa wants his daughter. I get you and he gets her and the map. Yes, Barbossa also wants the map. Without the map, he will kill both you and I. As you can see, he does not trust you so he informed me that if my life were on the line with yours you would see his way more clearly. You do, don't you? You wouldn't let him kill me, would you?"
Neither one of us heard the door open. Three pirates entered and stared at the both of us. I whirled to face the intruders, fearing the worst. "Doesn't anyone ever knock!"
"You must not have heard us." An ugly pirate with spiky red hair spoke. "Ana Maria, where is she? I get her first."
"No you don't Red. Salty gets her first and then I do. Ain't much left after you get through." The third pirate argued.
"Who says, Butch?" Red challenged, scowling at Salty and Butch. Red drew a knife. "Cause this says I'm first."
Ana Maria looked at all of them. "You are all mad. Get out of here! If Barbossa learns of this, he'll kill all of us. Now come, Barbossa has gone down to the beach to overlook the careening of The Pearl. I think now is the proper time."
"The proper time for what?" I looked at the three buccaneers and wondered what Ana Maria was up to. "Ana Maria, are you planning on double crossing Barbossa? If you are, I would whole-heartedly advise against it. He has ways of finding these things out and I'd say you are going to get the both of us killed, if not all five of us." I ran my one good eye over Red, Salty and Butch.
"Jack, this has nothing to do with you. I have things I must attend to. You think about what I said. If you agree, we can be on The Pearl by tomorrow. I am sure, if you consent to the terms, you will have the Turner's son in your arms and William at your side."
I grabbed Ana Maria hard and shook her violently. "Do you know where the baby is? If so, tell me so I can just get it now and we can get out of here. I am not playing games with you or them."
"Come on Ana Maria." Salty started fidgeting. "A deal's a deal."
Ana Maria pulled away from me. "Jack, just think about what I said. All you really have to give up is Jem, that's it."
She turned and started to walk out of the room. I attempted to grab her and Red pulled his knife out. "Don't try it. She is with us now, you can have her later."
"That's it!" I yelled, as they closed the door and I could hear the turn of the lock. "Bloody hell, that's it! Nobody is going to tell Captain Jack Sparrow what he can and can't do. Nobody!"
I went over to the window; I contemplated on climbing out and dealing with the poisonous snakes, panthers and quicksand. Either way I was a dead man, so what did it matter? As I stood there, I saw the three pirates enter the garden and they were talking to Jem. All of a sudden, they grabbed her and were passing her around from man to man, pawing her with their filthy hands. She fought back and as she pulled out her cutlass, Butch hit her across the face and she fell to the ground. The ugly redhead picked her up over his shoulder and plunged into the dark forest with her. The others followed.
I decided this was a good time to leave. I leaped out the window and took the same path the three pirates selected with my Jem. When I came to a small clearing I saw that they had tossed Jem down upon the marsh grass and had begun to argue over who would have her first.
Taking full advantage of the distraction, Jem gathered her wits and leapt to her feet. She ran through the thick underbrush, tripping over roots and dodging trees whose limbs pulled at her hair. Behind her she heard the raging voices and the harsh rasping breathing and knew they were almost upon her. Little did she know, I was right behind them.
I knew she knew there was no way she could take on all three of them with no weapon. She moved quickly through the woods, but as she glanced over her shoulder to confirm her worst fears she ran headlong into an unmovable object. It was too soft to be a tree and too solid to be a bush. It was… Captain Barbossa.
"Father." She collapsed against him, leaning into his chest as his arms surrounded her. She had no idea if she was racing from the fire into the frying pan, but she preferred the devil she knew to those she did not.
Barbossa stood glaring at the three pirates, who had stopped dead in their tracks when they saw him. I also stopped dead as Barbossa and Jem saw me.
"What's going on?" Barbossa asked as he intently gazed at the pirates. "Who gave you the right to chase my daughter?" He then looked at me questioningly. "And what the hell are you doing here, Sparrow?"
Before I could speak Red's voice rang out. "We were just following your orders, Captain." Red glanced nervously from Barbossa to Jem.
"What orders?" He asked as he lifted Jem's chin and stared into her frightened eyes. "Did they hurt you?" She shook her head and then he looked at them again. "WHAT ORDERS?"
"We were told you wanted your daughter to become public property of the crew. You did not want her to belong to Sparrow, and if we were to have our way with her she would never go back to him again. She would be ours to ravage and Sparrow would never want her back."
"Who told you I wanted this done?" He roared. "I should kill you all for touching my property."
I drew back when I heard this. I remembered once calling Jem my property and it did not go over well.
Carefully, Barbossa set Jem aside and drew his sword. "Who first?"
All three pirates eyed him warily, aware that Barbossa could send them all to hell and back without working up a sweat.
"Please, Captain, there must have been a mistake. It was that young pirate wench, the one you pulled out of the water a couple of years ago. The one that you saved from the Royal Navy and that officer, Norrington. Remember the one who was tossed over board by her naval lover? It was Ana Maria. She told us to come and get her."
"Ana Maria said that?" I now came up from behind them, stumbling slightly for being off balance. My depth perception was totally off.
"Yes, Ana Maria." Butch turned around and faced me. "We wouldn't have taken your woman if we thought ye still wanted her." He smiled at me then cringed backwards.
I pulled his sword and placed it to his neck. "Tell me why I shouldn't kill you now?"
Before he could answer I pulled the sword back and ran him through. His eyes bulged as he looked towards Barbossa and he fell to the ground. Barbossa's hand tightened around the hilt of his sword. "Sparrow step back, I will take care of my men. If there will be any killing I will do it." He now glared at Red and Salty. "Ya know mates, the thought of the three of you attacking my daughter makes my blood run…how should I say …COLD. You do not take orders from a simple wench, you idiots. You are all barbaric ogres and I will deal with each one of you later. Get the hell out of here and pass the word around that if I see any of you or your mates sniffing around Jem again I won't be as lenient."
"Aye aye sir." They both said in unison. They picked up Butch and abruptly followed the path back the way they had come.
Barbossa sheathed his sword and drew Jem back into his arms. "Are you all right?"
"I'm fine." She said as she laid her head on his chest. I felt my heart sink and a feeling of nausea overcame me. Had he won her heart? Did she trust him?
"Well, I'm glad we all lived though that. Now if you would be so kind, hand Jem over to me and I will be on my way to The Black Pearl." I held my hand out and beckoned for Jem to come to me. She looked at me and then up at her father who still had his arms around her. "It appears Ana Maria cannot be trusted and you should be dealing with her. You see mate, she now has the map, she told me she would give it to you in exchange for my freedom and your daughter." I grinned at Barbossa, knowing he was going to see through my blatant lie.
"Jack." Jem pulled away from Barbossa but did not come towards me she stood by his side. "Lets go back to the house where we can discuss this." She started motioning for me to walk backwards but I did not move.
"Jem, you know your father will not let the two of us have a future, let alone let us sit in the same room with one another. Did he put a curse on you too? Whose side are you on?"
She looked up at her father and then at me. "Well, at the moment I'm-------"
I cocked my head at her and looked at her in doubt. "No, I will not go back to the house and neither will you." I grabbed her, pulled her behind me and held Butch's sword up towards Barbossa.
"Jack, you promised me, damn you, you promised me!" She now stood directly behind me. "You promised me you wouldn't kill my father."
"Jem, I did not promise you that." I tilted my head over my shoulder but kept my good eye on Barbossa. "I may have promised you the moon, the sun the stars but I never said I would not kill your father. He killed our daughter he threatened you. He---he—took my bloody ship---Again!"
Barbossa raised his sword and saluted. "Jack, I will defend myself. What say we fight for Jem? The winner gets the girl."
Jem stepped in front of me. "You are smug, Captain. You are my father but I wish to go with Jack. It is my choice and I will make it."
"I am smug but I am not complacent child. I am confident. I trust in my skill." He looked into her dark eyes and then at me. "Do you not trust in his skill? Would you go off with a coward who would not fight for your honor?"
I pulled Jem back behind me and saluted him with my sword. "I am no coward and if it is honor you want then I will fight you. I'll duel you for Jem. Why not? My life is on The Black Pearl, with Jem. I will not be living life looking over my shoulder wondering when you will attempt to take her from me. Yes, the winner will take all. You took my daughter and I will take yours."
"Yes, Jack but I am not stupid… I know I can't kill you, yet. So I won't even try. I have told you once and I'll tell you again, I did not kill your daughter. As far as you and my daughter, that, mate, just won't happen."
Jem whispered under her breath as she stood near me. "Jack you are either terribly drunk or terribly foolish. What are you doing?"
I bit back at her. "Jem I am not a fool and don't you ever accuse me of being one. Savvy?"
She looked at me and just kissed me on the cheek. "Do you plan to run for protection after he disarms you?" Jem looked around the jungle and placed her face into hands. She then placed her hands on my shoulders. "The ship is beached and the island is a maze of traps just waiting for us. I know this Luv; I have been looking for a way off my self. Also, if we run now, you will not get Elizabeth's and Will's son back."
I heard every word she said but the anger was over taking me and her lack of confidence in me left me shocked. I turned on her and snapped. " I'm NOT drunk!"
Barbossa looked at me and laughed. "So, if you're not drunk, and you're not stupid then what are you?"
Before I could answer, Will came up behind Barbossa. "He is my captain and my friend and you will have to fight the both of us."
"Ah, interesting! Most interesting." Barbossa hesitated for just a second. "Mister Turner, did you know that I once fought your father?"
Will's expression went blank then he smiled. "You do know how to pick your enemies."
"Yes, I do indeed know how and I also won. If you fight like your father, then you are no match for me." Barbossa looked smug and Will looked irritated.
"So Mister Turner is this what you have chosen to do? Do you profess to be the hero that will take me down? I think not."
I looked at Will and shook my head. "Don't look to be a hero. Will, please don't do anything stupid."
Slowly, Barbossa turned around. "So, what will it be Jack Sparrow. Do I fight you or do you have your Whelp step in?"
Before I could speak, Will was standing next to me. The clouds were getting low and gray and I could hear the rush of the sea below us. Unbeknownst to me we were standing on a cliff overlooking a cove.
Barbossa's eyes were upon us and ours were on him. Will and I both attacked at the same time, taking Barbossa by surprise. He was shocked at first but recovered fast. I leaped at him and cut his chest. The cut only scratched him as he lunged at me but I thrust low and hard, deflecting his sword. "Do you wish to die now?" I yelled.
"Die? Me? I have just begun to live." For his great size he moved with speed and ease. I felt he was toying with me as he thrust at me and then at Will.
"Ah," he said as he parried our blades. "I see you both have been practicing." He then thrust his sword into my thigh. The needle sharp point drew blood yet with a quick riposte I drew my blade across his face, drawing blood from his cheek. For an instant his eyes flamed with anger, then it was gone.
"You are good but not good enough, Sparrow." He swung again and this time my sword did go flying. He raised his sword but before he could bring it down his blade was now crossed with Will's.
They fought well together. Barbossa was a man with greed and power but Will was a man with skill. I could only hope the skill would dominate the fight. If Will had one love, it was Elizabeth but his second love was the crossing of blades. The art of the sword ran through his veins and I knew he would die doing this if he had to.
Barbossa thrust his sword and tore Will's sleeve near the shoulder where blood began to ooze. Will attacked fast and with style I had never seen such skill before. He performed such a series of thrusts and cuts that I was amazed. It was baffling to watch and his speed was unexpected. Will struck Barbossa many times. He slashed him across the arm twice, stabbed him in the leg four times and speared him three times in the shoulder. Barbossa's blood ran red, dripping to the ground but he kept coming at Will.
"I can see that I have been misled." Barbossa glared at Will "You fight nothing like your father. You fight like me. I have never been bested by a blade, young Bootstraps, and you will not be the first to take me down."
Barbossa was very sure of himself, fencing with absolute confidence and flattering Will at the same time. Most likely he did this to lead him into a false security hoping he would take unnecessary chances. Barbossa continued to lunge at Will. He was constantly upon him and time and again Will made narrow escapes. Barbossa nicked Will's shoulder again and then grazed his cheek, drawing blood. Barbossa smiled as William flinched and then I saw something in Will's eyes, I did not like. I actually saw fear.
The next instant Barbossa lunged in at Will and thrust his sword into his side. Will fell backwards and before his sword hit the ground I grabbed it and Jem grabbed him. I stepped in.
"Avast you fool, you can't kill us so you might as well surrender." I slightly flexed my writs and pressed him back. I managed to deflect his blade and we steadily circled one another. Barbossa's coolness was now gone. He had hurt Will and I had once again attacked. In my fury I did strike Barbossa. My point went into his arm and I slashed it open. I had drawn blood and he was mad.
"I will never give up, you one eyed bastard." Barbossa yelled and in his rage came at me. For several wild minutes I was hard put to defend myself. I kept my one good eye on the erratic path of his blade, waiting for the moment he would lower his guard and I could deliver the lethal blow. As he came on fast I stepped back bumping into Will and Jem.
Will grabbed my shoulder. "Jack, surrender, stand back."
I could feel myself tiring, but I refused to give up. "Nay, I won't stand back. I've waited too long for this moment. Jem will be mine." I was weak, hurting and surprisingly hungry, but I knew somewhere inside me I would defeat Barbossa and he couldn't harm me. "Barbossa, you are a hard man to kill but it will give me great pleasure to finally put you in that grave where you belong."
Barbossa was also getting tired; he pulled his pistol and aimed it at my good eye. "Say your prayers, Jack Sparrow."
"NO!" Will yelled. Everything happened so fast. The gun discharged into the air as William kicked it from Barbossa's hand. "Jack please stop!" Will groaned as he fell back to the ground.
Barbossa took his blade and stabbed downward at Will. I threw myself at his legs, and he staggered back. Coming up fast, I grasped my sword but I saw that his blade was up, poised for a thrust. I threw myself back and down, falling backwards, hoping to strike the turf and roll, to get away, to escape by any means.
I fell and fell and fell. I fell an impossible distance. My shoulders hit the ground with a thump, and I lost my grip on the sword and it fell from me. I rolled over and tumbled, head over heals into a black, misty void. I tried to catch myself but there was nothing on which to lay hold and the slope was impossibly steep. I was falling, into what awful depth I knew not, but over and over I tumbled until suddenly I was brought up with a sickening thud upon some rocks. How far had I fallen? Perhaps not more than ten or a dozen feet in that first sheer fall, but I must have tumbled down the rest of the slope, sliding, falling, tumbling again for several hundred feet.
For a moment I lay still, surrounded by darkness and fog. Then, slowly, I rolled over and tried to push myself up, only to gasp with shock at my torn hands. I rolled to my knees. No bones were broken that I could feel, yet I hurt in every part of my body and my hands were bloody, my face as well. I noticed Will and Jem were also lying at the bottom of the cliff, both in a daze. They appeared to be in the same condition as I.
Will slowly moved and raised his head. I looked at him and I could feel the blood running down my face and blurring my one good eye. I looked up the cliff and could not see Barbossa. I stumbled over to Will, he also, was covered with blood and cut up as bad as I.
"Will, are you alright? Damn why does this hurt so much?" I held my ribs and then looked at my hands. I felt dumb, hurt and shamed that I had been so thoroughly beaten.
"Jack I tried to tell you. I broke the curse." He moaned and threw himself back onto the sand.
A/N: As you can see this chapter is full of action, adventure and blood. I hope you all like long chapters because once my thoughts start flowing it is hard to stop. Read and Enjoy. I know all those people out there who love Ana Maria will probably let me have it, but hey like I said in my bio, I am not a Jack/Ana Maria shipper. I do have to admit I loved writing Barbossa.
Katrina: You can have Will but you will have to deal with Elizabeth and Samantha on your own. Savvy? You asked for action in the next chapter hopefully I delivered it to you. Hope I wasn't too hard on Will for you.
Black Jack 22: Yes, living on a ship is not easy. I actually did some research on that along with studying about cannibalism and the island of Dominica. Glad you enjoyed.
Williz: I know you love Will and Elizabeth, well I do too. I am a shipper for those two. As you can see Katrina wants to split them up, what ever will we do?
Seabiscuit: Glad you liked my filler. I agree with you, it did bring out the characters and it is always so much fun playing Jack and Will off of each other. Jack really can annoy the poor Whelp.
Princess Morning: Always enjoy your reviews. Yes, Will can come back with some spiffy remarks. As you can see Jack and Jem are once again together. The question is, for how long? I'm sure daddy dearest will have a say in the matter.
Rum Runner: I agree, keep all matches away from Samantha and we all now know Jack sleeps in the nude.
Strumpet: I knew you would like the chapter. Yes HOT very HOT. Keep your eyes on the prize and don't let them drift.
Mary: Thank you, I'll keep writing.
Kitty: Keep on purring there is more to come.
Sparrow Lover: Glad to hear from you. I'll keep up the entertainment.
As always read and enjoy. Review if you want. I always love hearing from you. Let me know how I am doing.
TA FOR NOW
LOVELY RAVEN SPARROW