Dead Men Tell No Tales
Disclaimer: Nothing new. Same old same old. Savvy?
Sacrifice
The quiet night was broken by the creaking of the stairs and the low sounds of whispering voices. I could tell one was Kat but I could not hear who she was talking to. I pulled myself out of my bed and gathered the blanket about me before I went to the door. I cracked it slightly so I would not be noticed and I saw Kat's figure disappear down the stairs. I heard the front door open and close quickly. I could only assume she was not alone, unless she had taken up the habit of talking to herself. I couldn't rule out that possibility, she is my daughter after all.
As I got myself dressed I noticed it was early morning. The moon was high in the sky and the sun would not be making an appearance for awhile. I figured there were not many early risers in this house so who was it Kat was talking to? If I were William and Elizabeth I would stay in bed all day.
I was now smiling to myself. They had a lot of catching up to do. With that thought I figured I should go see what Kat was up to and to whom she was talking.
I grabbed my gun, sword and hat. As I placed me hat on me head I thought of Will. I knew Will was not himself and Elizabeth would be taking care of him around the clock. With this weighing heavy on my mind I also knew I had to get a crew together and go find Barbossa, Jem and my boat, I mean ship.
I was hoping beyond hope I was not too late. I had no idea where I would even begin to look for Barbossa and I could only assume Jem was with him. For all I knew she possibly did blow up with the wreckage of Jason's craft.
Making my way down the stairs I saw Elizabeth sitting alone in the parlor. She was sitting by the fireplace and as I entered I could see tears running down on her checks.
She looked up at me and tried to give me a smile. "Oh Jack, I am so glad you are awake. I have sent Kat for the doctor. Will has taken a turn for the worse. He cannot move, he is completely paralyzed and he can hardly speak. His words are so soft and his breathing is so light."
She looked into the flickering fire and then placed her head down into her hands and began to sob. I could see her body shaking in the fire light. I wanted to place my arms around her to console her, but then again I thought it best to keep my distance.
"Please Jack," Elizabeth slowly looked up at me. "I know you know what ails Will." As she looked at me with her glistening eyes I knew I was going to have to tell her the truth.
"Jack, is there anything you can do for him or is he going to die? I asked him and he claims he is not cursed and you have nothing to do with this, this time." As she said that I had to roll my eyes.
"William claims he has been ill and he had hoped it would pass," she continued. "Obviously it hasn't and I fear it won't." Once again the flood gates opened and she started to sob uncontrollably. I had to put my arms around her now.
Choking back the taste of bitter gall I knelt down in front of her. One thing I can't stand is watching a beautiful young lady cry. "Lass I am sorry."
I took her chin in my hand and I made her look into my face. "Elizabeth, please, listen to me. I will not let Will die without a fight." I pulled the sash from my waist and wiped her eyes and nose.
"Luv, sitting here blubbering like a scalded cat ain't gonna help him or you. You see Lass; I have always maintained that tears serve little purpose. They are a waste of energy, they are purposeless and they seldom serve to make you feel better. You might think they would, but they don't. They just leave you with red eyes and blotchy skin."
She looked at me and gave me a weak smile. "Jack Sparrow, sometimes I really wonder about you. Your manner of comforting someone needs a lot of work."
"Dearie, you'll never understand me. I don't understand meself half the time. I do know however it is better to channel the energy expended upon emotional outbursts into more proactive, positive actions. Savvy?"
I pulled myself up off the floor and sat next to her. I could still see the tears coming from her eyes. She took my sash blew her nose and started to hiccup.
I gave her an odd look. "Are ya feeling alright? Can I get you something?"
"I'm sorry Jack, your right. Me carrying on like a baby will not help Will. Thank you, I think I'm past the worst of it. It's just that I am so worried about my Will. Jack, what is wrong with him? Please, tell me."
I shook my head and made another swipe at her nose with my sash. "If I tell ya, you promise not to go throwing yourself off the dock?"
Elizabeth now gave me an odd look. "Jack I am not suicidal. I want to help Will. Without Will I know I will go insane."
I looked into her soulful eyes and thought to myself, I could handle insanity better then telling her what I had to tell her.
"Jack," Elizabeth shook me out of my thoughts. "Jack tell me."
"Ah yes, what is wrong with Will? Well you see Elizabeth, Will has been…well he has been… poisoned."
Elizabeth now looked at me with disbelief.
"Your not going to start crying again are you?" I winced back looking into her bewildered face.
"POISONED!" She yelled. "How? Why? Who would want to poison Will?"
"Elizabeth please let me explain. I know it will come as a shock to you, but not everybody loves Will. There is at least one person in this world that has it out for him, and I hate to say Luv, it is because of me."
"Jack, no! Are you telling me Barbossa poisoned my Will? Please Jack, tell me this isn't true? Jack, tell me." She looked into my eyes and she could see I could not tell her what she wanted to hear.
"Elizabeth, I do not know what type of venom he has running through his veins, and I do not have the cure. Ana Maria administered him the potion many months ago. I was told it was a slow working poison and eventually it would take over his body. At first I did not believe this tale, since I heard it from Will's father, Bootstrap."
I looked into Elizabeth's face and I could tell Will had told her of his father and how he had killed him.
I took her hands into mine. "Elizabeth, I believed Bootstrap thought Will was poisoned. I however, did not believe it. I figured Barbossa invented the whole story in order to have Bootstrap work as his right hand man. He was doing everything for Barbossa in order to save his son. You see poor Bootstrap felt he failed as a father and this was the only way he could prove he was worthy of his son, William. If Bootstrap had succeeded in killing me, Barbossa was going to give him an antidote to save Will's life. Nice sentiment and all but, I'd be willing to wager Barbossa would never have given anything to Bootstrap."
Elizabeth stood up and went over to the liquor cabinet; she flung it open and grabbed a bottle. I followed her and took the bottle from her hand. "Elizabeth Luv, the sun has not come up yet and drinking will not cure your young Mister Turner."
She pulled the bottle away, popped the cork and took a swig. "Your right Jack it won't, but it will deaden my pain. You can be glad that I am not jumping off the dock."
She took another drink and gave into a few more tears. "Jack, you should see Will. He is trying to be strong. When he told me he realized he killed his father I almost cried. I want you to know Jack; he confided in me and said if he had to do it again, he would. It was you or Bootstrap and there was no doubt in his mind even if he knew who Bootstrap was, he still would have drawn his sword and the result would have been the same."
"Lass I know," I tried to grab the bottle from her but she moved away too quickly. "William is a good man and a good friend and that is why I am going to do everything I can to save him. I feel the time is short and maybe there is no time at all, but I have to try. I am going after Barbossa."
"Jack, please let me come with you." Elizabeth looked at me longingly.
I once again grabbed for the bottle and this time I had success. I took it from her and out of habit, took a swig and placed it back in the cabinet.
She gave me a very annoyed look. "Captain, I see you don't practice what you preach."
"Pirate," I said as I looked at the bottle and then at her. "Luv, you know your place is beside Will. You would never forgive yourself if he died before we returned. I know Barbossa has the cure and I also know he has my Jem and my unborn child. Jem could have the child any day now. I will go get all three and you will stay here, please."
I lowered my eyes on her. "You will please stay with Will. I know I cannot tell you what to do, but I do believe it would be in your best interest to stay."
Elizabeth nodded her head in agreement and as we headed back to the fire we both jumped and threw ourselves to the floor. There was an explosion outside and debris came flying through the window. I pulled Elizabeth toward me and then pulled my gun out of my sash.
"It appears we are under attack. Obviously the attacker does not know it is not proper to engage in combat before breakfast."
We both crawled over to the window. Elizabeth tried to peer out but I held her down. "Please Lizzy, if anything was to happen to you, Will and Kat would never forgive me. Stay down for just a moment."
I glanced out; I could not believe my eyes. Sitting underneath the large grove of trees was Barbossa's monkey and in its paws was the vile that I needed. How in bloody tar nations did the monkey get there and how did it know we were here? These questions ran through my head but then I knew the answers did not really matter. All I needed was the damn vile.
The monkey sat there like a stature. His small beady eyes were focused on me and my eyes on him.
"Where did you come from my fuzzy friend?" I asked out loud as I carefully started knocking the rest of the glass out of the window so I could make an exit.
Elizabeth looked up at me. "Jack, where did who come from and what are you doing? Get down, somebody out there is trying to kill us."
"Elizabeth, I don't think Barbossa's monkey is here to kill us." I looked down at her and gave her a golden grin.
"Monkey?" Elizabeth now shot up and looked out the window.
"Aye monkey, I believe his name is Jack. I also trust he is not here for a social visit. That monkey is up to no good and I plan to capture that rabid flea bitten creature, for he has the antidote, he has the cure for Will."
Before Elizabeth could say a thing, I jumped out the window and ran for the monkey. Of course like any animal when someone or something runs toward it, it runs the other way. I was not about to let this fiend get away from me.
The animal ran into the woods and I could tell by its direction it was heading for the beach. I ran as fast as I could and then I noticed the monkey kept stopping and waiting for me. It wanted me to follow it. Now I was beginning to think I was being led into a trap.
As we got closer to the beach I saw a small fire and five figures sitting next to it. Three of the five I recognized. They were Pintel, Ragetti and Kat. The other two were unknown to me. I could tell one had a peg leg and the other had a patch over his eye. I could only assume Barbossa sent his lame miscreants to come pour salt into my wounds.
As I got closer I noticed Kat was tied up and her horse Jack was tethered to a piece of drift wood.
The monkey ran over to Ragetti and climbed up on his shoulder. It then turned to face the direction it had come from and pointed his scrawny little paw at me. I figured the men knew I was there. I have to admit I wasn't very quiet and I was yelling at the top of my lungs at the damn monkey. I was a man on a mission, I had to get the vile from the monkey, and now it appeared I had to get Kat. I came to a stumbling halt when both Pintel and Ragetti pointed their guns at me.
I raised my hands in surrender. "Ello mates, I was just trying to retrieve something that belongs to me." I sneered at the monkey and then I backed up slightly.
"Well, well look what the monkey drug in." Ragetti laughed as he took the vile from the monkey's paw. "Could this be what you are looking for Sparrow?"
"Aye, I'd be much obliged if you would hand it over along with me daughter." I clasped my hands together and gave a slight bow. "I don't think you really want to be crossing blades with me."
"He'd be much obliged," Pintel repeated. "You may as well join us Sparrow, its not like we are just going to hand things over to you. We've been waiting for you. Did you enjoy the fireworks? I know your daughter did."
I nodded my head slightly at his comment and then I looked at Kat. I could tell she had been crying, her clothes were torn and she had been roughed up. I could feel the rage building up in me and I started to slide my hand for my gun.
The man with the eye patch, whom I did not know turned and shot at my boot. "Don't touch the gun Sparrow or I'll shoot you dead and dead men can't help the living, so I am told."
Needless to say, I jumped back and stopped reaching for my weapon. I noticed the man with the peg leg was cleaning his gun and he was not about to stand up anytime soon. I inched a little closer to him.
"Sparrow," Ragetti spoke as he gave me an evil smile. "If ya good, I will give ya this little bottle." He now held it up and it glistened in the fire light. "And if you are really good, we will give you that little girl."
I sneered at the both of them and then narrowed my eyes on Kat. "Darling did they hurt you?"
She glanced up at me and then lowered her head without saying a word. She appeared to be in a state of shock.
"Kat, I asked you a question. A simple yes or no will suffice. I have to know."
"Jack, come now." Ragetti sauntered over and ran his hand through Kat's hair. She pulled her head back abruptly.
"Jack, we are all pirates." Ragetti glanced up at me and then back down at her. "And your daughter; well she is a perfect crew's wench. A perfect one."
My eyebrows rose as I envisioned what they had done to my daughter. I pulled my sword out, yelled some slurred curse words and attacked Ragetti. I knocked the gun from his hand and I knocked him to the ground. I stood over him ready to drive the sword into his neck when Pintel spoke up.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you."
I spit on my downed opponent. "Don't move, for I will kill you." I looked over at Pintel who was now cowering behind his eye-patched mate, who had his sword half way out of its sheath.
"Well mate, you aren't me and your right, you wouldn't do it. You are too much of a coward, you don't have the skill and you don't---"
I stopped talking as I noticed Pintel was pointing at something behind me. I turned around slowly and to my surprise the pegged legged man had his gun pointed at Kat's head.
I lunged at him and before he could pull the trigger I drove my sword into him. He screamed, dropped the gun and grasped his chest as he staggered backwards. The one-eyed man now drew his sword on me. I pulled mine from the peg-legged man who was now rolling on the ground in agony to turn and meet my new attacker.
We fought for a good long time and then I gave him a deadly blow to the chest. As he fell to the ground Kat started to scream at the top of her lungs. I pulled my sword out of the man's body, wiped the bloody blade on his shirt and turned towards her to see what the bloody hell she was shouting about. It appeared my wooden legged friend wasn't finished with her but she was finished with him.
Somehow she had managed to get herself untied and she was standing over him holding his disconnected wooden limb. It hung stiffly from her hands. This man once again had a gun pointed at her but she used the ghoulish severed limb as a club and hit the gun away. I could hear the whoosh of air as she slammed the limb down on him. The wood hit his head and blood went flying everywhere. Before I could do anything she was up and flailing the false leg at Ragetti.
"I am not a wench, and I am not a puppy to be kept, and how dare you invade my personal space in such a manner." She was now going after Ragetti who jumped to his feet and ran behind me for protection.
"Captain, please call her off." Ragetti whined. We both now stood just beyond reach of the leg.
She waved the leg at Ragetti. "En garde, I am armed or should I say legged and I know how to use it."
She assumed the correct fencing stance. Elbows in, knees bent, wrist straight, toes slightly turned out, back straight. "Father please move. This is between me and him."
I had a hard time keeping a straight face. I could not help to think that Kat most likely would and could kill Ragetti with this spare leg. I tilted my head back towards Ragetti.
"Tell me mate, why should I spare you life? What harm did you bring to my daughter?"
"I didn't, I swear. I just pulled her from that damn horse and bought her here. She gave me a terrible fight. She kicked like an ass, she bit like a dog and she scratched like a cat. Grant it, I had to slap her, but that is all."
"That's all!" Kat shrieked at him. "You scared the bloody crap out of me and my horse. I have to save Will and you attacked me. Now father, if you don't mind please move your protective being, so as to let me kill him."
I laughed and then gritted my teeth. I tossed my head backwards and spoke to Ragetti. "I will spare your life if you tell me where the Black Pearl makes berth. Tell me where I can find Jem and my unborn child. There is no reason why there has to be any more blood shed."
To my surprise both Ragetti and Pintel dropped their weapons to the ground. We have an accord Captain Sparrow. We will tell you everything you want to know."
"Father," Kat spoke up. "I don't want to hurt you, now please step aside."
I narrowed my eyes on her but continued to talk to Ragetti. "Why on earth should I believe you and trust you? You are members of Barbossa's crew. He has me ship, he has his daughter. Why are you here and how did you know we were here? Can Barbossa not leave well enough alone?"
Ragetti was literally trembling. "Aye you are right he does have your ship and he plans to keep it." Ragetti said softly. "He however, does not ave his daughter or your child."
"What?" I stepped aside to look at him and Kat took the opportunity and started to beat the unarmed Ragetti with the leg.
"I am tired of playing games with you," Kat yelled. "You are arrogant, you are ugly, and you have a tomcat personality." With each insult she whacked the poor man.
"I'm sorry Lass," Ragetti yelled as he attempted to crawl behind me. "I was only toying with ya. Obviously you don't have the humor of your Dad. I'm sorry we can't all be like your father. We can't all be dashing pirates with golden teeth long flowing hair and be handsome enough to sweep women off their feet." He smirked, "Or off their horses. Ouch! Stop beating me you wench. Sparrow call her off."
I looked at the both of them and winced every time Kat bought the wooden leg down on Ragetti. Kat definitely had the upper hand. Pintel had leaped a goodly distance away and he was watching his mate get beat. He stood there with his mouth wide open but he didn't once go for a weapon.
"So, I'm a dashing pirate? You must really want me to spare your miserable self." I looked down upon Ragetti and shook me head from side to side.
"Sparrow please help me. I have never been one for men who are prettier than women but yes I will throw all the complements you want. Look at ya billowing shirt, tight pants, long hair and not to mention the hip action in you swagger…you just reek of being a dashing pirate."
"Kat," I grabbed the leg as she was pulling it back to hit Ragetti again. "Kat let the man talk. He has information I need and if you kill him I will be at a lose, Savvy?"
She let go of the leg and stood next to me. She was still fuming and I could tell she only stopped the beating for my sake. I placed my arm around her shoulder and pulled her close to me. "What do you think? Would you consider on sparing his life if he could save Will's?"
Kat's dark eyes searched my face and the she blurted out. "Yes, I would."
I stretched my hand out toward Ragetti. "Mate hand over the vile."
Ragetti handed me the vile and I immediately gave it to Kat. "I want you to jump on your horse and I want you to take this directly to Will. Tell him to drink it all. Hurry Kat, time is of the essence. If it does not work or if it kills him I want you to come back here with at least eight armed men so we can give these men a proper burial. If the potion works there is no need for you to return. If I am not back by nightfall, send out a search party."
Kat took the vile and ran for her horse. She leaped on him in a single bound and she was gone. As I turned around Ragetti was still sitting on the ground rubbing his bruises and Pintel was standing behind me handing me a small squirming bundle.
"Your child is no longer unborn," Pintel kindly informed me. "This is your baby and its mother is no longer with us. Barbossa is a man of his word. He told you, you could ave the child if it was a girl and it is. She's a pretty little thing, looks like her mum."
I stood there holding the baby and as I looked down upon the child I could not believe what I was hearing. "What do you mean her mother is no longer with us? The child was not due for at least another month."
Pintel shrugged is shoulders. "I don't know anything about when babies are born. I do know that this is yours and Jem's. Jem named her Raven Wren Sparrow. Has kind of a theme going there, if ya know what I mean."
I looked at Pintel and then down at the baby. "I don't believe a word you're saying. Jem is dead?" I choked.
"Yes, as dead as that child will be if you don't take care or it."
I squatted down next to the fire. My legs felt rubbery and my arms were trembling. "If you're lying to me, I'll carve you up in to little pieces and feed you to the sharks." My teeth were clenched as I looked up at both pirates.
Ragetti and Pintel now both sat next to me. Ragetti pulled out a flask and handed it to me. "You don't look too well there Captain. We really are telling ya the truth. Go ahead and take some time to adjust yourself to the idea that she is dead and well, you have another daughter."
I looked into his face and I could tell he spoke the truth. I took the flask and I took a long drink. "Tell me what happened. Did she die giving birth to Raven?" I looked down on the child and then back up at Ragetti.
"No, Jem had a rough and long time of it, but she did not die delivering the babies," Ragetti answered.
"Babies?" I questioned Ragetti.
"Aye she delivered twins but we were told the boy died. Jem was saddened to know she had your son and then lost it but she was also happy in the fact she had your daughter. I have to say, I envy you that. Jem really did love you."
"Does, does love me." I glanced at him.
"How ever you want to see it Captain." Ragetti lowered his eyes and shook his head. "But as I was saying, she was grateful for the female child and so was Barbossa. He was so thrilled he told us to seek you out. He wanted to make sure you got your plunder and your daughter. I guess you had a nice little run in with those sisters."
I gave Ragetti an evil look. "So you knew where we were and you knew we were not dead?"
"Aye, we knew where you were. Barbossa always says it is wise to keep an eye on the enemy. We knew you were on that small spit of land with those ugly wenches. Barbossa found that quite amusing. Then as luck would have it you were picked up by a merchant ship. Barbossa knew you would head back to Santa Maria due to your sick friend so he decided to wait and let you bide your time." He took the flask from me and took a sip. "You are a hard man to kill, Captain Sparrow."
"So I've been told." I took the flask back with out asking. "So tell me mates, how did Jem die and where is The Black Pearl?"
"In due time Sparrow. Please, let me tell you our tale of woe. As we told you earlier we have been waiting for you. Barbossa wanted to give you the gift of your daughter. Of course after Jem died he also decided to hand over the antidote for your friend Mister Turner."
I looked at both of them skeptically. "Giving me the child I can understand but handing over the vile is--- how do I say it politely? Out of character for Captain Barbossa."
"It is a gift from Barbossa. He took your ship. He took Jem and…well lets just say he felt he had it all and you had nothing. Don't go looking for any hidden meanings." Ragetti smiled and then immediately turned it to a frown.
"Yes, you had nothing," Pintel added. "But now you have a new daughter and a friend to help you raise her."
Ragetti hit Pintel. "Shut up, I'm telling the story."
Ragetti leaned forward and looked into the dying embers of the fire. The sun had come up and the world was now coming alive around us. Ragetti stood up and walked over to the lapping water, he then walked back and handed me an envelope. "Barbossa knows your true calling is the sea and you won't stay to raise the child. So be it, she is yours to do with what you want. As you can see, he did not want to raise her either. Here you go mate, he wrote you a letter. Everything is in there. You will not need us any longer. It is time for us to go."
Pintel now stood up. "We'll be seeing you mate, and good luck. Your gonna need it." Pintel laid his finger aside of his nose and then he bent down to pick up his and Ragetti's previously discarded weapons.
"In all honesty mate, we have no idea where The Black Pearl is. Commodore Norrington and his naval crew attacked us. The Pearl was surrounded by naval ships but of course Barbossa would not surrender. The Pearl was taking a fairly good beating and she was taking on water. Jem said she could not watch The Pearl be destroyed so she took matters into her own hands. She raised the white flag and surrendered the crew and the ship over to Norrington."
Ragetti stared at Pintel. "Come on we don't have to share all the details. It's time we should be going before they send a search party out for him. I meself don't wish to be beaten by another leg."
"Please continue," I looked at Ragetti. "I promise you, I will keep Kat away from you. I have to know what happened."
"Well," Pintel continued. "Norrington took us all to his ship and threw us into the brig. He let Barbossa remain on The Pearl to sail her back to Port Royal where he was to hang the lot of us and then sink The Black Pearl. He even mentioned on making it a holiday."
I looked up into the blue sky and then out onto the sea. "What an idiot, it makes you wonder about the King's Navy." I looked at Pintel. "Please continue."
Pintel now took the flask and he took a swig. "Of course this plan didn't go over very well with Captain Barbossa, or Jem. Jem told Norrington she would share all her plunder with him and take him to an island full of treasure, if he would spare the ship. Needless to say she was lying. Pirate."
"Yea, get that, spare the ship." Ragetti slapped me on the arm. "She didn't say anything about the crew."
I slapped Ragetti back. "Aye a woman after me own heart."
"Well, it didn't work." Pintel laughed and handed me the flask. "She even offered to marry him and he declined on that. He told her he had to have a wife of good breeding and he was not going to take any of Jack Sparrow's rejects. He claimed she was a beauty but she had the morals of an alley cat. Well, that didn't go over to well with her so she attacked him.
"He had her shackled and kept her locked in his room when he couldn't keep a close eye on her. We could only assume he was having his way with her. We would see her occasionally and she would bring us our food. She was looking a little worse for wear but she told us she had a plan. She was going to set us free and take over The Black Pearl.
"On the night she died there was a storm brewing from the west and from the looks of things it was going to be a bad one. She knew Norrington would never be able to keep an eye on her and secure the crew to sail such a storm. She said she knew what she had to do.
"Without a backwards glance she walked over to the brig door and let us all out. The night was velvet black; the only light was the streaks of lightning frolicking across the ebony sky. She ordered half the men to swing over to the Pearl and to help her father over throw the officers. Then she ordered me to climb into a long boat and to take with me Ragetti, One Eyed Joe, Chester and the baby, Raven. I tried to object but she would have none of it. We were to sail to Santa Maria and deliver the baby to you or to Mrs. Turner.
"We humbly apologize for the nabbing of your daughter. I seem to have problems with catching the wrong woman. We saw someone leave the house in the early morning and we thought it was the missus. We had no intentions of kidnapping your daughter but once the deed was done we could not have her running back to you telling you there were mean vicious pirates camped on the beach. We figured we would just wait for you."
I raised my eye brow at the both of them. "Aye, so you had to set off the gunpowder rather then send my daughter back to get me. You know mates; there would have been less blood shed and no killing if you had done that."
Pintel and Ragetti looked at their fallen crew members and they simultaneously shrugged it off. Ragetti looked around the clearing and down the path to make sure nobody was coming and then he started to tell the rest of the story. "We did not see much of Jem on our voyage and then as the storm hit she took action. It was a large blow; I'd say it was a typhoon. All the ships were damaged but the Pearl and The Intrepid. That was the name of the lead ship, in which Jem and Norrington were on.
While Jem and several of the other crew members were lowering the boat we came to a sudden stop and I heard her talking with Norrington. He was questioning her and asking why she was out in the storm. She said she wanted to go out for a breath of air. She was told to go back to her room but you know Jem, nobody can tell her what to do."
"Yes, I know how strong willed Jem always was." I bounced the little bundle in my arms up and down, because she started to whimper.
Regetti smiled at me. "Don't you mean is?" Before I could answer, he put his hand on my shoulder and continued. "Something was bothering her; she had been acting peculiar, or I should say more peculiar than normal. I had no idea what her plan was. I had the feeling she had one but it was a sketchy one. She and Norrington had more words and then I couldn't believe it, The Black Pearl fired on The Intrepid.
"Norrington called all hands to the deck and he gave orders to sink The Pearl. At that moment Jem ran and jumped off the ship. I had to rub my eyes several times; the woman dived into the inky blackness. Pintel, One-Eyed Joe, Chester and I held our breath as we watched her do a swan dive. What in the goddamn hell was she going to do? All around was blackness and torrents of rain. The swells were higher than the ship. She didn't have a chance. No one, no matter how excellent a swimmer, could have survived those waters.
"We heard Norrington yell, 'Man over board' and we could see Captain Barbossa at the helm of the Pearl. He had been closing in on the Intrepid and ordering another round of fire but he ceased when he witnessed Jem's sacrifice.
"Both the crew of The Pearl and The Intrepid quickly stopped the battle and searched the waters. Of course Barbossa saw his opportune moment to escape and he pulled The Black Pearl back and sailed her into the darkness of the storm.
"We watched from our tiny boat, as we hung suspended in air and the Black Pearl disappeared. We were waiting to have our small boat either hit the ocean of to be found dangling off the ship. The driving rain was thundering down on the decks and we were getting sufficiently soaked.
"I kept hearing Norrington's voice yelling out orders to find her but it was useless. I gave up waiting for the drop so I pulled out my cutlass and severed the ropes. We fell into the ocean and we were engulfed by the cold waters. We drifted for quite a while when The Pearl came upon us. Barbossa pulled us aboard and this is when he gave us the vile and that letter. He told us he could hear the horse voice of Norrington and he himself could not believe his eyes. Jem had jumped overboard and nobody could save her but he deemed it right that we follow her last wishes and bring the child to you."
I looked down at the now sleeping baby and at the letter I had not opened. "I find it hard to believe your mother would kill herself. She can't be dead. Not Jem."
"Face it Jem is gone. Dead. She had said she was grown up and knew what she was doing. She is dead, given over to the sea. She gave her life for your ship, for her father, for the crew and for her child." Ragetti spoke as he stood up and Pintel followed. "It's getting late and I for one don't want to be hanging around. Captain Sparrow, may life be kind to you and tell Kat that we really meant her no harm."
They both gathered up their belongings and disappeared down the beach. I had no idea where they were going and I really didn't care.
I sat on the beach and starred out at the ocean. I closed my eyes for a minute to block out the gleam of the water. The sun beat down hot on me, so hot it made a line of sweat prick to life on my forehead. The air was rich with the heavy scent of tropical flowers. The salty breeze swept up the slight sand dunes and caressed me. I shook my head opened my eyes and tried to face reality. I could not believe my Jem was gone. I placed the wiggling baby on the warm sand and I opened the letter.
Captain Jack Sparrow:
I call you "captain" only because Jem said it was what you liked to be called. Don't think it means your ship will be returned to you. As promised to you, if your child was to be a girl you would get her. Enjoy fatherhood, Captain Sparrow. Along with your child I have left 15 of me plunder from The Treasure Of Revere. You will find it will be delivered to the Turner's manor. You will see it was a fine haul and the treasures were immense. You will need this in order to raise you two illegitimate daughters. All I can say to you is, Good Luck.
To my regret I must inform you that The Black Pearl is still mine and you mate are without a ship. Also with my deepest regret I have to let you know my precious daughter is dead. She almost died giving birth to your children but alas she did not. Her death was caused by your friend and comrade, James Norrington. Apparently she threw herself into the sea to save The Pearl, your first love. Her actions did save the ship, the crew and me.
I was lead to believe that you and Norrington had an accord and he was not to attack The Black Pearl. Well, that's what you get for having an alliance with The Royal Navy. I know this turn of events will leave you a marked man for I know you dearly loved her and she you. I'm sure the last words on her lips were your name. I should have kept your daughter to replace mine but after minutes of it's crying I thought better of it. Now if she had been a boy I'd deal with the noise. That's just the type of person I am.
I'll be keeping your first love and that I know is your ship. Your second love is the sea and third is your freedom. As far as your true love, the one your heart beats for, she is gone and hopefully she is in peace with her beautiful mother.
Cordially yours, Captain Hector Barbossa
My heart stopped and I couldn't breath. I felt as if I were dead. I sat staring at the parchment and then at the sea. I watched the waves and listened, with unseeing eyes and unhearing ears. My thoughts were only on Jem. That's when the monkey came and climbed into my lap and dropped into my hand Jem's opal necklace. It was the necklace I had given to her on her birthday. It was one of three. It was the Opal of Truth. I had given Kat the Opal of Happiness and I had given Pearl the Opal of Hope, which was around my neck thanks to Kat. I closed my hand tightly around it as the monkey got up and scurried off.
I felt nothing; I was numb to my surroundings. By now only God knew where Jem's lifeless body would be. I wondered how long she had fought the turbulent waters before she had finally succumbed to the inevitable.
So this is the way it was going to be. I got Will's cure and I got a new baby girl. Norrington attacked the Pearl and caused Jem to commit suicide. Obviously the man could not be trusted when he said he would not attack.
Whoa, my head was reeling; Jem sacrificed herself for my ship and for the freedom of her fellow pirates. That says a lot about her, she definitely had what it takes to be excellent captain. It all seemed to fit but it just didn't seem right, something was very wrong with this picture but I could not put my finger on it.
The afternoon hours crawled on tortoise legs toward evening and near darkness. I was tired and irritable when I eventually arrived at Will's house. I had to make sure I returned before Kat sent out a rescue party. Raven was more then ready to have some food and a warm bath. As I walked up the path toward the house the child was crying so loud she sounded like an animal stuck in a trap. I tried to sing to her but the only song I knew was the one Elizabeth taught me many years ago, and the baby did not seem to like the sound of my gruff voice.
"Captain," Elizabeth came running to me and took the crying child out of my hands. She looked at me with a concerned yet confused look.
"Jack, where did the baby come from? Kat told me what happened but she did not mention anything about a baby."
"Aye, that was a surprise on me too. You see Luv, this child is supposedly mine; her name is Raven Wren Sparrow. She had a twin brother who died during birth and Jem evidently tossed her self off the ship."
"She what?" Elizabeth looked at me and shook her head showing she did not believe the words that were coming out of my mouth.
"Yes Luv, that was my reaction too. Evidently she was saving The Black Pearl and her crew from the destruction of your friend, Commodore James Norrington."
"Jack, that is unfair. You know how I feel about him and he did promise you he would not attack."
"I'm sorry Elizabeth; it's been a long day." I placed my arm around her shoulder. "A good captain will always look after his, or in her case her, crew. Jem did right by them, but not by her daughter. Now as far as Jimmy, so be it for his honor and promises. Evidently having an accord with a pirate is not in the Royal Navy's hand book. I need a drink, drinks all around."
As we walked to the house I told Elizabeth a shortened version Pintel's and Ragetti's story. The minute I stepped foot into the house I without delay went into the parlor and grabbed a bottle of rum. Not wanting to appear barbaric, I poured the golden liquid into a glass and then offered Elizabeth some.
Elizabeth declined my offer as she handed the crying child over to the maid and gave her orders to bath and feed her. She then came into the room, poured herself a glass of wine and joined me on the davenport by the fire place.
"Jack, Kat told me what happened on the beach today. The antidote did work and she is upstairs with. Will and the doctor. Will is resting and the doctor says he should be back to normal in no time."
I glanced at her and raised my glass. "To William and Elizabeth may they live happily ever after and be back to normal, or what ever passes for normal!"
I poured myself some more of the alcohol and topped her glass off with more wine. "I'm sorry Luv if that sounded callus; it's just that I am really at a loss and there has never been anything normal, average, or common about you and William." I held up my glass and took a large gulp.
"Elizabeth, I hate to admit that I really don't know what to do. I have lost my Jem and I now have a crying screaming child to boot. I really am not a patient man, when it comes to children. They may be a treasure but I cannot handle them. A baby needs its mother."
I pulled the opal necklace out of my pocket and fondled in my hand.
"Jack, what is that?" Elizabeth questioned me.
"What does it look like?" I retorted sarcastically. "It's a necklace."
Elizabeth drew back and took a sip of wine. "Sorry Jack, do you want to be alone?"
She stood up and I could tell I had been short and quite rude. She had no idea what I was holding and I myself was curious as to how and why I had it. I was wondering how the monkey got the necklace. Did Jem give it to him, or was it on the child? No, there was some meaning to this.
I looked at Elizabeth and shook my head, "Elizabeth, I'm sorry. No, I don't want you to leave, please stay." I touched her arm and motioned for her to sit back down. As she did I handed her the piece of jewelry. "You my dear are holding Jem's opal necklace. The one I gave her for her birthday. It is called The Opal of Truth."
I stood up and walked over to the window and gazed out into the yard. I stood silent for a long time and then turned to face Elizabeth. "Why do you think the monkey handed that to me? Why was in not around Raven's neck? Elizabeth, do you realize what that is? It is a message from Jem. She is not dead; I can feel she is still with us. Our hearts speak to each other, just as yours and Williams do. Words between us are unnecessary."
As I spoke a flash of lightening streaked across the yard and it started to rain.
A/N It has been a long time since I have updated. So much has happened in my life and the lives of those around me. In the past two weeks my mother died of a long illness. She was my best critic and I know she loved my writing. She loved to write also. Why is it bad things happen to good people? Perhaps I'll never find out…perhaps I will. Marion Applegate Smith (MOM) This chapter is for you. I wish I could have found you an antidote.