Chapter Eight - Discovery in Montego Bay.

Elizabeth Swann accepted Commodore Norrington's hand as he helped her out of the carriage in front of the inn. My goodness she breathed. This is quite unlike Port Royal! Governor Swann laughed. "Yes Elizabeth. Montego Bay is like another world compared to Port Royal."

The Commodore added. " It's a charming quiet little town. Barely a whisper of trouble ever. Your father thought since he need be here for a few days that you might enjoy the change of scenery. I can't say I disagree Elizabeth."

Elizabeth wondered if the change of scenery included Will Turner.

They registered at the inn. Elizabeth smiled at the name plate on the desk. "David Sparrow" it read. She smiled at the owner. "Any relation to Jack Sparrow?" She asked thinking she was quite funny. Neither Governor Swann nor Commodore Norrington found her amusing. Her father's eyes cried "propriety!" although he said not a word.

"No Ma'am." The man David Sparrow responded and gave her the key. The Commodore and her father walked her to her room and helped her with the luggage. then left Elizabeth to rest in her room until dinner.

She was exhausted. She removed all but her undergarments and slid under the soft fresh covers. When she opened her eyes she had only been asleep an hour. Elizabeth tried everything continue her nap but she simply was not tired anymore. She picked up the book she sat beside the bed but it held no interest for her. She thought of Will. Will loved her and she loved him. But in the days that followed the adventure on the Isle De Muerta she learned that there was more to life than love.

Day to day life was boring. She hated to entertain the question, but did she really want to be just a blacksmith's wife? She had tried discretely to discuss possible career opportunities for him but Will was quite happy with the quiet life of a blacksmith. Now, over a year later when she spoke of their adventure Will almost always said "It will be an experience we will always remember."

He wasn't interested in the thrilling unpredictable life of a pirate or any other exciting career. Will wanted a nice quiet normal life with his wife and children. He had told her so when he had proposed to her.

"I want that too." Elizabeth said aloud. "But not so soon!"

She thought of James Norrington. The Commodore! That would be a life of social responsibility. Parties, travel and meeting interesting people, James is a wonderful man too! She groaned . He's not the man I want but more of the life I want. What do I want?

She pouted. "I want my pirate back!"

Elizabeth was restless. She watched the maid unpacked her suitcases and hang her dresses in the closet. Elizabeth dismissed her to her room. She sat at the dressing table but threw the brush down in bored frustration. She got up and strolled to the window. Montego Bay was indeed a charming quiet town. Elizabeth wondered why they had built the Governor's mansion in a nasty place like Port Royal instead of a beautiful town like this. She sat at the window .

The shoppes were charming. People strolled the walks leisurely looking in windows or sitting on benches. She sighed at a young couple kissing under a tree and smiled at the woman playing in the grass with three children. She let out a giggle when she spied a rough looking sort carrying a big doll with a pink dress and giant pink ribbons. "That's not something you see everyday" she laughed.. Her giggles stopped and were replaced by shock.. She leaned forward and thrust open the window and yelled.

"Jack! Jack Sparrow!"

Jack looked up at the girl calling his name. He almost dropped the big doll with a pink dress and giant pink ribbons. What the bloody hell?! It was Elizabeth Swann!

The look of shock and horror on Jack's face confused Elizabeth. But when he turned and ran it made her mad. She ran for the door but realized in time that she was not dressed. She hurried her clothes on and flew down the stairs and out and into the street. She knew it would be a miracle if Jack had stopped and suddenly decided to wait for her. It was very unlikely considered how he acted like a trapped rat when he saw her. She looked into the shop windows one by one to see if he were hiding inside one of them. Jack Sparrow with a big doll with a pink dress and giant pink ribbons. He must be drunk off his arse she thought.

Jack peeked out of Adam's office door. What in the bloody hell was Elizabeth Swann doing in Montego Bay? This town belonged to him! It was his sanctuary, his refuge! He sat the big doll with the pink dress and giant pink ribbons on Adam's desk. Then peeked out the door again. She was going down the walk peeking in the store windows one by one. Jack laughed. What were the odds? How long was she going to hunt him down out there? Was Will with her? Jack inhaled sharply when he saw The Commodore fetch her. She argued with him but soon conceded and allowed him to escort her into the inn. Commodore Norrington, that was a surprise. Chucked 'ole Will did she? Would she tell him? Would she mention that she saw Jack Sparrow in Montego Bay? No. Elizabeth was not that stupid.

"Not dead!" Adam was triumphant! He rejoiced. "I knew it! I knew it!"

"Adam" Sidi exclaimed. "What is going on?"

"Sidi," Adam didn't wait for to answer her question. He grabbed her arms and pulled her down to him. "Do you know of any creatures that live in the water and drag men down while tossing them about to kill them?"

Sidi didn't have to think. "Nivashi."

"Nivashi?"

"Yes," she continued. "Nivashi are water spirits. If you meet them on land they are kind and helpful. Meet them in a pond or river and they will be your death."

"What about an ocean?"

"In any water Adam, they are deadly."

"Why?"

"I was taught that they can capture a man's soul in the water but not on land. The souls will be taken and stored in the Grip until Del returns and demands the most excellent offering." She looked into his confused face. "Del is the god."

"Whats the Grip?" Adam asked.

"That is the altar. It's actually supposed to be a giant temple somewhere under the sea that will serve as an altar at the proper time. If the combination of souls and splendor is not acceptable to Del they will be punished for the next hundred years. No one knows where the Grip is Adam. "

"Bill is in the Grip."

Sidi started to laugh. "I don't' think so. Perhaps in your dream luv."

"Your crystal! Look in your crystal!" Adam half begged half demanded.

She would do anything to make him happy so she re-lit the candles and chose a different incense. She sat back and quieted her mind, allowing it to release everything.

Again an hour or so passed when Sidi opened her eyes. She removed the silk cloth from the ball and studied it closely. Adam didn't see anything. She was holding a pretty hunk of glass in his opinion. But he had seen Sidi use the crystal before and he knew the impressive power she possessed. He sat silently when she again turned to him and spoke.

"Bill Turner is in the Grip."