Disclaimer: I don't own the P.O.T.C or any of it's characters.
Thanks again Peg. So glad you stuck around through that last chapter. You are my only precious reader. I think you will like this one much better!
Chapter 3
Castle Harbor
Days later in Castle Harbor
Once again Jack found himself in a cold stone cell of yet another English Fort but this time in Castle Harbor. He lay on the floor with this feet propped on the bars running his fingers along the beads wove into his hair. Whenever he moved the fingers on his right hand he could feel the tendons in that forearm stretch and irritate the new addition to his collection of scars and mutilations he had received in the past. In Blackhorn's attempt to make Jack easier to identify upon escape he had one of his crew members brand Jack with a sizable 'P' just above the wrist. The burn had healed for the most part but was still tender to the touch.
"Could be worse." Jack muttered aloud. "Could have had the bleeding thing stamped on my forehead."
Jack smiled to himself as he played with the thought of getting together with one of the strumpets at Tortuga and telling her that she would have to figure out what the big 'P' meant if she asked him.
Just then he heard footsteps coming down the stairs. Blackhorn entered the room followed by a couple other men, presumably East India Agents as well. Blackhorn, being a senior agent, ordered his men to shackle Jack and take the prisoner to his office. Jack entered the small musty room and took a seat in front of the small wooden desk Blackhorn was now sitting at.
"Mr. Sparrow, let me make this easy for you. You have something of the kings and he wants it back."
"I think you have me mistaken with someone who has any possessions." Jack responded putting his feet on the corner of the desk. "I am just a lowly pirate with just the shirt on my back and a song in me heart."
"Surat, two years ago, the Merchant Queen." Blackhorn said as he reached forward and removed Jack's feet from his desk. "Ring any bells?"
"Can't say if I do hear any." Jack said sarcastically.
Blackhorn ignored Jack and continued. "The King is prepared to free you Jack, even though you plundered one of his more lucrative shipments. He is willing to except that. You also sank one of his best ships, the Merchant Queen. He is willing to except that as well."
"Well that be mighty generous of him." Jack said instinctively turning to shoot a flirtatious glance at the young woman who had just entered the Agent's office. Her flawless olive colored skin was surrounded by a thick mane of dark hair. She remained stoic as she took her place beside Blackhorn. Her slight frame was dressed in dark blue trousers and a white tunic.
"All he asks is that you return an item that was on the ship at the time you pillaged it." Blackhorn said as he turned his attention to the young woman. "Get me a glass of rum and one for Mr. Sparrow too." He said in a feeble attempt to loosen Jack up for negotiations.
The girl nodded and went about pouring the rum for the men. When she turned back to serve them she caught Jack's glance and immediately looked down. Somehow she could see in his eyes exactly what he was thinking and it made her feel awkward. She laid the glasses down in front of the men and went to the side of the room and stood waiting for further orders.
Jack returned his attention to Blackhorn who was getting visibly irritated by Jack's lack of interest in their conversation. "Well, If I was to have been there on that day, not saying I was mind you, and had been the one to have taken said item, what item would I have to give ye?" He said leaning forward and raising an eyebrow in curiosity.
The old man leaned back in his chair. "A compass that would have appeared to be broken but was housed in a fine mahogany case with a picture of a golden medallion and a dagger etched onto the lid."
A smile came across Jack's face because he knew exactly what Blackhorn was talking about. He leaned back in his chair as he took another gulp of his rum. "The aforementioned compass sounds like the legendary compass the 'Guia a la Recompensa' (a/n means 'guide to retribution' in spanish--I hope :). Legend had it that it is supposed to lead to the lost treasure of Cortez containing a king's ransom in gold."
"Sounds like you've done your homework Mr. Sparrow."
"I am starting to get a recollection of such a compass. And If I could also recollect where this rather valuable seemingly worthless broken compass was ... what would I get in return? "
"What do you desire?" Blackhorn said relaxing back into his chair then interlacing his short fingers over his well rounded middle.
Jack placed his feet back on Blackhorn's desk and relaxed in his chair as well. "I guess you and I both have done our homework and know of this artifact's value. I would say I am in a good position to bargain and make a little profit for myself in this matter."
Blackhorn's face began to turn shades of red but he tried to remain composed. He figured it's easier to catch flies with honey than with vinegar . Yes, he would entertain Jack for now, until he got what he wanted. "So Jack, what do you ask for in return?"
"Oh my needs are meager in comparison to the worth of ye fine artifact." Jack knew he had Blackhorn over a barrel. "I would ask for nothing more than a ship fully supplied with rum, food, and sailing cargo. I would also ask for me remaining crew back and enough of a staple of doubloons to entice a few more able bodied crew members. I'd need enough money of course to also get me and me new crew by for a few full moons until we get on our feet. Really a small request in sight of the prize ye be seeking." Jack finished looking smug as ever.
"And what ship are you inclined to request?" Blackhorn seethed through a forced grin. Sweat was now rolling down his forehead.
"I would just be taken the Ocean Venture."
"The Ocean Venture?" Blackhorn boomed standing up quickly in surprise. His round middle upset the desk and sent his glass of rum crashing to the floor. Jack of course had never set his glass down as he had been sampling it from the moment it was given to him. "You truly are mad!" The old man turned his frustration then to the young woman and screamed. "Are you waiting for an invitation? Clean up this mess and get me another glass of rum!" The woman gracefully shot forward and righted the desk. She then went about pouring a new drink for her master and cleaning up the broken glass. "Worthless slave wench." he muttered under his breath as he moved around to try and get comfortable.
Jack continued from where he left off before Blackhorn's outburst. "Aye, the Ocean Venture. She is the most beautiful swift bodied vessel in the Spanish Main, no wait, the whole ocean."
Instead of becoming enraged like Jack expected, Blackhorn calmed slightly. It seemed he was relieved that Jack was willing to negotiate. "So, for a ship, supplies, money, you would relinquish the compass? Anything else?" Blackhorn added sarcastically.
"Aye, and you could give me your hat."
"My hat!"
"Yer hat." Jack repeated "And her too." Jack said motioning to the young slave woman."
"I am losing more on the hat then the girl. She is a mute you know?" Blackhorn said thinking that fact may sway Jack from wanting her. "I haven't yet been able to see any of the potential in her. I think I got scammed by the man that sold her to me while I was in India." He continued reflecting back.
This whole ordeal of having to repress his frustrations with this known vagabond was paying a toll on Blackhorn. "Then have we struck an accord? You will give me the Guia a la Recompensa and in return I will furnish you the Ocean Venture, supplies, a staple of money, the girl, and a pardon."
"And your hat." Jack added.
"And my hat." Blackhorn confirmed still irritated.
"Well there be the issue of the terms of my release and the giving of me ship before ye be getting the location of your Guia a la Recompensa."
"Fine, your terms are?"
"We sail to Tortuga. I get the rest of me crew there, load the supplies, repair and rename my ship, and make ready to sail before I give up my bargaining leverage, Savvy?"
"What time frame are we looking at here?"
"Same time three days from our arrival at Tortuga."
"And to make sure you don't leave before you have came through with your side of the bargain, I and six of my finest agents will be accompanying you on your ship until the transaction is complete."
"That would be mighty helpful as I am currently lacking part of me crew. Well then, I believe we have struck and accord." Jack said.
"You drive a hard bargain but I believe we have Mr. Sparrow" Blackhorn agreed and ordered his men to unshackle Jack.
Standing up after being unshackled and stretching his lean muscular frame, Jack sauntered over to the other side of the desk. "And I will be havin me hat now." He said quickly picking the leather trifold hat from off the top of Blackhorn's head and situating it on his own. "Until ye get me ship restocked, I will be taken a bit of leave to the local tavern."
"When am I to expect our departure for Tortuga?"
"What say we meet in eight hours and set sail for Tortuga? Jack said.
"Until then Mr. Sparrow."
"Jack cleared his throat in disapproval."
"Captain Sparrow." Blackhorn replied correcting himself but hating to do so.
Jack left Blackhorn's office and started to walk down the corridor toward the exit when he heard footsteps approaching quickly from behind. When he turned he saw the young woman standing there. He had almost forgot he had acquired her as part of his bargain with Blackhorn.
PLEASE, R&R. Like I said before this is my first fanfic. I am welcoming any creative criticism at all. A little kudos if you got those too. Without your input my fragile newbie ego will wilt and die. cough cough Please review. I see I am getting hits on my entire story but alas...I've only been getting luv from one reader.