The Sighted
Chapter 7
The Infamous Captain Jack Sparrow
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It wasn't the birds that woke Mabel the next morning, simply because there was a distinct lack of any noise outside her window. The air in her bedroom was still and cool, and she lay still for several minutes, imagining the darkness around her, before the silence was interrupted abruptly by the sound of a clock striking the hour in the far corner of her room.
She'd snuck a medium sized pendulum clock—which had originally sat in the corner of her mother's sitting room downstairs—into her chambers the night before. She was depending on it to wake her up long before the household, but had been dismayed when it ended up jolting her awake every hour as it pealed out with pride and delight.
Mabel counted the chimes as she lay in bed. Four.
It was time, then.
Pulling aside the covers, Mabel stepped out of bed carefully, emerging more or less fully dressed. She had retired early last night, and unbeknownst to her maids, she hadn't changed into her nightdress that night—one thing she could manage do on her own—but had remained more or less fully dressed. No one, she had decided, was to know she was gone. She just hoped her skirts weren't too wrinkled from sleeping in them, and her hair not too out of place.
Carefully, Mabel pulled on her shoes, which she had set at the side of her bed, and crept across the room with her arms outstretched to retrieve her cane. Feeling more confident with the wood in her hands (it was odd how she'd become so attached in so little time), she made her way to the door. Placing her ear against the door she listened intently, and only when she heard nothing did she edge it open slowly, mindful of any squeaks in the hinges. Then, she slipped from her room and closed the door quietly before counting her steps down the hallway.
Royce was again tied up in the back garden, so Mabel headed out back once she had descended the stairs. She navigated the large house easily, but took her time to reach the back door, and opened and closed it with nary a sound. Immediately, there was a high whimpering from over to her right where Royce was leashed. Before he could start barking, Mabel rushed towards him, kneeling down on the garden path and stroking his thick, matted fur fondly.
"Shhh, you big beast. You don't want to wake up the whole house, do you?" she scolded him quietly, her hands finding his leash and following it to the post. She untied him and wrapped the leash several times around her hand, just to keep the large dog in line. Him bounding off, barking loudly at a bird was the last thing she needed.
"Now, Royce," she began as they made their way around the side of the house to the front, "I've got two very special guests coming to see me, so no barking. And don't you dare jump up at them. They're respectable, you hear?"
Like myself, she thought humorously, realizing that she wasn't acting the least bit respectable at the moment. She allowed Royce to guide her around the front of the house and down the gravel road leading to Port Royal. The time, she reckoned, was about right, so she shouldn't have to wait much longer.
They walked at least a minute down the road before Mabel was sure the house was out of sight. It was about that time that Royce let out a low growl and stopped dead in his tracks. Mabel froze along with him, her ears straining into the stillness of the early morning.
And then, finally, a voice, low and hoarse in an attempt to keep quiet, "Mabel? Is that you?"
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"Are you positive you're going the right way?" a disgruntled voice asked from behind Mabel.
She sighed in exasperation. "Yes, Mr. Turner, I am positive I am going the right way," she answered his question, which had been repeated several times in many different forms since she had met both Turners on the road fifteen minutes before. They (meaning Mabel, Will and Elizabeth) were trekking through the thick tropical forest with Royce leading them along to Jack Sparrow's camp. Their plan had been formulated the day before at the smithy, hastily concocted and slightly ludicrous. Will and Elizabeth would arrive just out of sight of the Browning house just after four in the morning, at which point Mabel would meet up with them and lead them around the house and down to the beach—with some help from Royce, of course. Then, they would head towards Jack Sparrow's camp and Will and Elizabeth would hear the full story from Jack.
So far, they hadn't encountered a problem, except perhaps the Turner's initial surprise and misgivings when she had met up with them with her overly large dog. However, things were going quite smoothly now. Mabel's conscience would be eased; she wouldn't be the only soul who knew where the pirate was hiding, and whatever happened to Jack Sparrow after that wouldn't be her responsibility and she would go on without a worry in the world.
If they ever reached the man's camp. Now, it seemed that they were getting nowhere in the large jungle maze of trees and plants that caught and snagged at their clothes. And even worse, Mabel didn't recall it taking this much time to reach the pirate camp before. She had been running then, of course…
So lost in her thoughts, Mabel nearly tripped over her dog when he stopped abruptly and she kept going. Righting herself quickly, she listened intently as Will and Elizabeth stopped also.
"What is it?" Elizabeth asked quietly.
Mabel could hear Royce sniffing loudly at the ground. He gave an agitated bark as his claws scraped at the forest floor.
"I'm not sure…" she told them slowly.
"He's probably smelled something," Will informed her. Mabel saw no reason to tell him she already suspected such.
Elizabeth gasped, but it was one of excitement. "Could it be one of Jack's crew?"
"Most likely," Will answered before Mabel could get a word in edgewise.
Royce emitted a strange grunting sort of sound just then, and all attention turned to him.
Mabel tightened her grip on the leash. "What is it, you silly dog?" she asked the animal. He growled deep in his throat, the sound leading up to a tremendous bark. And again, he barked, loudly and menacingly, his message (whatever it was) reverberating through the trees.
"He's definitely caught a scent," Will said again.
Turning to him in exasperation, Mabel was about to open her mouth and tell him what she was thinking, 'Honestly! I'm well aware he's caught a scent, you silly man!' when the leash in her hand gave a tremendous jerk as Royce darted forward with all his strength. She yelped indignantly as she was nearly dragged to the ground, but managed to regain her balance and keep pace with the eager dog.
Pulling on the leash in a futile effort to slow the dog down, Mabel was forced through the thick foliage, branches snapping at her face and plants tugging at her skirts.
"Royce! Slow down!" she shouted hoarsely to the dog, but when had he listened to her when he was excited?
The dog jerked forward again, bringing Mabel to her knees and ripping the leash from her grasp. Several feet away, there was a loud "oomph!" and a thump and a panicked voice.
"Arg! Gerroff me ye stinkin' mutt! Get!"
Realizing they must have found someone from the pirate camp, Mabel quickly pulled herself from the ground, ignoring the stinging bite in her hands and knees. Terrified, she abandoned her cane and lunged for the dog, wrapping her arms around his neck even as he pinned the man with his large paws. She was quite sure her heart was lodged in her throat as she wrestled to pull her dog away from the man.
"Get him off! The beast! Get 'im off of me!" the man shouted, and Mabel took him harshly by the collar. To her surprise, he gave no warning growl at this treatment, but instead eased off the man with a woof and gave the side of her face one great lick, nearly bowling her over onto her back in the process.
Mabel nearly laughed with relief. Royce hadn't been attacking the man—he rarely did. Instead, he was simply being friendly, or whatever being friendly stood for in his mind.
Behind her, there was a crashing in the bushes as two people emerged onto the scene.
"Are you all right?" came a breathless voice. It was Elizabeth.
"Quite fine," Mabel answered at the same moment the unknown man yelled, "No!"
Will darted forward to help Mabel to her feet as she scrabbled about trying to find her dog's leash. Elizabeth retrieved the blind woman's cane from the ground, pressed it into her hands and helped dust off her dirtied dress. Pulling the stranger up next, Will peered at his curiously, taking in his suntanned appearance, windswept hair and ratty clothes.
"You're one of Jack Sparrow's crew?" he asked, but it sounded more like a statement.
The man, who was quite young, tried to look oblivious. "Jack Sparrow…?" he hesitated, eyeing the three carefully. But something seemed to light in his eyes as he inspected the Turners more carefully, and he nodded. "Aye, I be. Peter's me name. And you be Will Turner!"
Will nodded, giving the man a confused look, wondering how this pirate knew his name and face. And Mabel felt relief flow through her. She had to admit, this whole time there had always been the inkling of doubt in her mind that she was mistaken. John Smith was not Jack Sparrow and she was a fool for thinking so. But she'd been right!
"I was one o' Jack's crew aboard the Interceptor. I doubt ye remember me." Peter looked to Elizabeth then, smiling. "And Miss Swann."
"Mrs. Turner, now, if you please," she corrected politely.
Peter nodded in understanding, still grinning. It disappeared, however, when he recognized the third person of the party. "And you again…with yer dog…"
Mabel guessed he was speaking to her. "I'm terribly sorry about Royce's behaviour. I'm usually able to control him better…"
Peter snorted. "I reckon the cap'n won't be too happy to see you, Miss, or your dog, again," he told her. "He sent me out 'ere to find where that accursed barking be comin' from, and look what I found! I suspected your dog, Miss, but not you and the Turners!"
"We've come to see Jack," Elizabeth piped up.
Sighing, the pirate turned to Mabel. "An' I suppose you led 'em 'ere?"
Will didn't allow the time for an answer. "Will you take us to Jack? We have to speak to him."
Peter nodded reluctantly. "Aye, I'll take ye. But you—" he pointed at Mabel, perhaps not realizing she couldn't see him "—keep your dog under control. Me mates remember that beast an' might not be so forgivin' next time!" He gave them all a hard glare before turning on his heel and walking away. "Come on, then, hurry up!"
They walked a short distance in silence before Mabel caught the scent of smoke in the air and the sound of many voices. They were there.
Abruptly, the forest thinned and Mabel felt her shoes sink into the sand. Will and Elizabeth were close behind.
Peter announced himself to the camp with a loud holler. "Cap'n Sparrow! I've got a few visitors for ye!" he shouted, and Mabel could have sworn the whole camp quietened for just a moment.
Will clutched Elizabeth's hand tightly, in shock at the sight before him. It was a modest camp set up on a small beach, several small fires roasting what looked to be fish while small groups of pirates crowded around in waiting. The smell of pitch and smoke hanging heavy in the air, and several men were already focused repairs to the ghostly form of the battered and wrecked Black PearlThe infamous ship now lay beached on her side in the shallows as her crew worked to repair her.
Then, Will's eyes caught sight of a familiar form walking towards them. No, he corrected himself, it was more like stalking that walking. Indeed, Captain Jack Sparrow did not look like a happy man. His shoulders were set, his stride swift and his face a picture of unwelcome.
"Goodness!" Elizabeth exclaimed softly beside him, which seemed to sum up both their impressions.
Peter cast a quick glance at Will, as if to reaffirm who he was. "As ye can see, Cap'n ain't in the best of moods," he muttered, but straightened considerably as Jack reached them. "I followed the sound o' barkin', Cap'n, and stumbled upon them three. Said they was lookin' for ye, so I brought 'em to the camp 'ere."
Jack cast the man a brief glance that seemed to dismiss him and turned to his crew,whoall seemed intrigued by this turn of events. "Stop gawking, ye lazy swabs!" he hollered, and all eyes were abruptly averted, but not ears. Jack focused his attention on his three visitors, looking much more welcoming than before.
Before he could utter a greeting, Elizabeth stepped forward and embraced him in a tight hug.
"Oh, Jack, I never thought I'd be happy to see you!" she told him, pulling away and smiling at his startled expression. The unwelcome glare was quite suddenly gone from his face, replaced by confusion.
"We've heard what's happened," Will explained. "We came to see how you are."
Jack lofted a brow, his gaze settling on the blind woman who stood just out of the conversation. With the dog by her side.
"And I can guess how you got here," he said darkly, before changing faces to greet Will with a handshake. "It's good to see you again, Will, even in the most unfavourable of company."
Elizabeth frowned at the remark. "Surely you can't mean Mabel?" she asked with surprise.
But Jack was focused on Mabel. "First time was an accident, second time was by chance, and the third time is on purpose, eh lass?" he asked darkly.
Despite feeling somewhat unnerved by his hostility, Mabel smiled charmingly. "So it would seem."
Expecting an answer as such, Jack heaved a sigh. "Well, I suppose you'll be wanting the full story," he spoke to all three guests. "How me crew and myself came to be stranded on this cursed beach with the Pearl lyin' there like a beached whale."
Will glanced again at the once formidable ship that now lay in ruins. "We were hoping for that."
Jack followed his line of sight to the Pearl, "Then have it you will." He turned swiftly, making his way into the camp. "Follow me, then," he called back.
Will followed immediately, but Elizabeth lingered with Mabel. She hooked her arm through the blind woman's without a word and urged her forward. She was tentative in entering the camp, as many of the men seemed to be eyeing the two women intently. Mabel tugged on Royce's leash as she went. The dog seemed enamoured with the curious smells throughout the camp and strained eagerly on his leash, wanting to break free and explore.
"I admit I'm somewhat hesitant to hear Jack's story," Elizabeth told Mabel as they followed the two men leisurely.
"Why's that?" Mabel asked curiously, giving a hard tug on Royce's leash.
Elizabeth let out a humourless chuckle. "I remember all too well the last time Will and I got wrapped up in one of Jack's adventures."
"I thought you wanted to see him, though," Mabel said.
Elizabeth stopped suddenly. "Oh, I do!" she said truthfully. "I'm very concerned about Jack. I just don't want to get caught up in anything dangerous! I'm quite fine living as I am, you understand."
"I do." Mabel didn't, really.
Suddenly, the leash around Mabel's hand gave a powerful jerk that nearly sent both women toppling over and managed to drag Mabel several feet to the right.
Elizabeth watched in surprise as the large dog jumped atop one of a three men gathered around a small fire, and proceeded to lick his face with what she could only describe as joy.
"Oho! Looks like the mutt's taken a likin' to you now, Jerome!" one crewmember guffawed loudly as Elizabeth steadied Mabel.
The blind woman was aghast. "Oh dear, I'm truly sorry!" She attempted to pull the dog off the man by tugging on the leash. "Royce! Oh, he's not usually like this, you see. It's all the excitement that's gotten to him!"
The man finally managed to push the dog off, and wiping his face with a rueful grin. "Oh, he seems to like us plenty, ma'am. He was after every man in the camp a couple days ago before you an' the Cap'n arrived back 'ere to get him!"
Mabel was relieved the man wasn't angry. "I'm sorry. He does get out of hand sometimes…"
Her admission only seemed to send the pirates into loud laughter once more.
Elizabeth couldn't help but smile the slightest at the sight before her.
Across the camp, Jack and Will were making their way towards a solitary fire that had several familiar faces sitting around it cooking breakfast. Will cast a wary glance behind him where the three men seemed to have accosted his wife and Mabel and were now laughing heartily as Royce strained to jump on them. He noticed many of Jack's crew seemed to be captivated by the two women, and wasn't sure if he liked that at all.
"Jack…" Will began slowly.
Jack turned swiftly, his dark eyes focusing on the two women a moment before he shook his head, a frown on his lips. "Leave 'em be, son. I reckon they're quite amused by this whole set up."
Will frowned. "What do you mean?"
"Well, they're quite happy to have the company," Jack stated darkly before starting to walk again.
Will followed helplessly. "Jack, you don't sound happy to see us."
Jack rolled his eyes and stopped again, whirling abruptly to face Will, a glint in his eye. "You're mistaken, Will. I'm very happy to see you…it's that damned blind woman and her overgrown beast of a dog that I'm less than happy to see," he explained, nodding over to where Mabel stood with Elizabeth. "I told the lass not to come back, didn't I? But did she listen?"
Will watched them again for a moment, and when he turned back to Jack, he saw the man had seated himself at the fire several feet away. He tried to hold back the smile on his face at Jack's apparent displeasure.
"Elizabeth!" he shouted, calling his wife away from Jack's crew and motioning her over as he seated himself on the fallen log that seemed to serve as a seat. He noticed the man, Gibbs, was seated also—nursing a flask of an alcohol of some sort—as well as Anamaria, the mute Cotton and a man of African descent who had streaks of grey running through his short cropped hair.
"Will, you know Gibbs, Anamaria, Cotton…and that there is Luke, a good mate o' mine," Jack introduced them briefly, each member of his crew nodding to Will in greeting.
"Figures you'd show up 'round here lookin' for Captain Sparrow," Anamaria drawled humourlessly, and Cotton's parrot squawked loudly in agreement.
"We weren't expecting you to come waltzin' into our little hideaway this morn'," Gibbs chuckled. "Least of all with two women in tow," he said just as Elizabeth and Mabel arrived. Jack did re-introductions, but his eyes turned to Mabel as soon as she was seated.
"Where'd that dog of yours run off to?" he demanded gruffly, startling her.
"With that man…what was his name?"
"Bobby, I believe," Elizabeth supplied an answer.
Mabel nodded. "He offered to watch him for me."
Jack didn't respond, but turned his head to look over the camp. Royce was not with Bobby, but was splashing about in the shallows near the men working on the ship. Breathing deeply, he turned back to the fire. He noticed that Gibbs was shaking his head and Anamaria was smirking at him, obviously enjoying the way the blind woman got under his skin.
Clearing his throat, Jack began, "Now, on to the reason I find myself in such fine company today," he said, eyeing Mabel, uncertain if he wanted a gossiping maid hearing his tale. But Will and Elizabeth were waiting eagerly, and his crewmembers with looks of expectation upon their face. Grudgingly, he began, "Several months ago, a Dutch pirate showed up in these waters, by the name o' Captain Hugh Vanderveer. Now, I found this curious enough, since I'd never 'eard of this bloke, an' all of a sudden he's turned up in the Caribbean, captain of his own ship! An' I make a point of knowing everything there is to know about the goings on in this part of the world." He stopped abruptly when Anamaria gave a snort of laughter and glared at her.
"Now, the first thing he does, would you believe it, is waltz into Tortuga with this grand ship o' his, and proceed to get drunk off his arse while announcing to the whole of the island that he's got some priceless map in his possession! He's got a map that leads to treasure—and let me tell you that there ain't many of those lying around anymore." Jack gave a rueful grin. "As to be expected, this news spreads like a wildfire across Tortuga until it reaches your truly. Now, I hadn't met the man, but from what I'd been hearing he was a pompous fellow who loved his drink…among other things," Jack cast a hasty glance at Elizabeth. "He also hadn't made much of an effort to put this map of his to good use. I was curious, I admit, so I decided to hunt this Vanderveer down as we were anchored in Tortuga, or at least learn a bit more about him seeing as he was so infamous all of a sudden. I managed to get a fellow to point out his ship in the harbour to me. A right beauty she was…not a ship just anyone could get their hands on. Vanderveer, I decided, must be very good at what he does. I made a point to ask around a bit, and eventually found the man in a tavern, so watered down I was surprised he could still talk. And talking he was, on about that map of his. About the treasure it revealed somewhere in the ink on its surface. He seemed confident that treasure was his, and his alone—"
Anamaria interrupted his long monologue with another snort. "And this is about when the Captain gets an idiotic idea in 'is head and decides to drag us into it with him."
Luke chuckled and Cotton smiled, but Gibbs muttered something darkly under his breath and Jack sent Anamaria a look that clearly said she would pay for that comment later.
"Thank you very much for the input, Anamaria, however unnecessary it was," Jack spoke lightly, noticing that Will and Elizabeth looked enraptured with the tale, and the blind woman somewhat wary. "Now, as I was saying, this Hugh Vanderveer was going on and on about this map o' his, and I wondered why this pirate captain, as good as he said he was, hadn't yet gone after this treasure—if it even existed! So, I took a seat near his and listened in for a bit. Well, I'm not quite sure how I managed to understand a word that man was saying, but from his conversation with what I guessed were a few of his crew, I gathered that he was taking on supplies. A good deal of supplies, as if he was stocking up to sail across the bloody Atla—"
"C'mon, Sparrow, none of us have all day," Anamaria hurried him along.
Jack turned a deceptively pleasant smile on her. "You've heard the story, Anamaria, so you're welcome to start heading repairs on the Pearl instead of interrupting me every other minute."
Anamaria arched an eyebrow and regarded him coolly. "If you don't mind, Captain, I think I'd rather stay 'ere for a while yet. Just to make sure you get the facts straight, of course."
"Very well," Jack acceded, a muscle in his jaw twitching. "Continuing on…an idea struck me, quite a brilliant on, I might add. I hatched up a clever plan to steal Vanderveer's map for myself, greedy bastard that I am, and subsequently slipped aboard his vessel that very same night, looted his cabin until I'd gathered all the maps I could possible find, and returned to the Pearl, which sailed out of Tortuga's harbour that same night," he finished and turned an expectant look at Anamaria as if asking if she was satisfied.
Will opened his mouth in shock. "You stole all his maps?"
"Of course! I didn't know which one led to this supposed 'treasure,' so I decided to take all of them for good measure."
Beside Will, Elizabeth stifled a laugh.
Jack turned a wild eye on her. "This is no laughing matter, missy! Look where's it's gotten us!" He gestured to their surroundings.
"And how did you get here?" Will asked suddenly.
Jack snorted. "Well, you don't think Vanderveer never found out I'd stolen all his maps, do you? No, he asked around, and since nothing goes unnoticed in Tortuga, he found me out quite easily. By that time, however, we were halfway to Jamaica and I had finally found the map I was looking for." He paused a moment, suddenly looking grim. "Vanderveer managed to catch up to us in a day. I haven't a clue how. There were a thousand places I could have sailed to from Tortuga yet somehow Vanderveer managed to catch our trail. There had been a squall the night before, and the waters were foggy. He came upon us in the night, guns blazing. The Pearl must have been closer to Jamaica than I thought, though, because no sooner does the Hellstorm Saint start firing their cannons when a navy ship bursts through the fog. The Intrepid, sister ship to the late Interceptor, I believe." Jack grinned at the memory of the navy ship he had commandeered. "As you know, the Pearl gave them the slip while Vanderveer and the navy had a go at each other. I managed to avoid Port Royal, but the Pearl was near bloody sinking by the time I found this place. I'm stuck under the navy's nose until repairs are complete, and at the rate we're going…" he let the sentence trail off. "Next time, perhaps I'll take more time to find the map I need, and only take that one…"
Mabel kept her silence throughout the story, listening intently, thankful at that moment that Jack Sparrow knew naught that her mother was a navy man's wife and her brother a lieutenant serving under the commodore.
Jack, however, seemed to notice the sudden pallor to her skin and watched her carefully for several moments before Will spoke up.
"You know, Jack, tat I'll help you repair your ship any way I can," Will told him earnestly, and Jack regarded him curiously a moment before a slow smile curled on his lips.
"Now, now, I wouldn't want to keep you from your dear wife," he said, glancing at Elizabeth, who laughed.
"Don't be silly, Jack! You know I'd help if I could, but I suppose Will shall have to do it for me," she replied cheekily, earning an adoring look from her husband.
Several loud barks down from the water startled them all, especially Mabel. She stood carefully from the log, brushing her skirts clean of any sand.
"Mabel?" Elizabeth questioned, peering up at the woman.
She held an uneasy look upon her face. "Tell me, what time do you suppose it is?" she asked, not directing her question at anyone in particular.
It was Luke who answered. "Just after dawn…I reckon half past five."
Mabel paled. Most the household staff would be awake by now, and soon Lettice would knock upon her door…and if she wasn't there…
"I must go, then," she said, the grip on her cane tightening.
Elizabeth gave her an odd look before standing up also, touching her hand to the blind woman's arm to stay her. "Then we should be going, too," she announced, looking down at Will. He was clearly unwilling to leave Jack just yet.
He assented, however, "I'll join you two in a minute."
Nodding, Elizabeth led Mabel off towards the water's edge where Royce was happily playing fetch with several young men. He was swimming just offshore, a large piece of driftwood clamped between his jaws.
Jack and Will stood, the latter watching the two women until they reached the shoreline.
"Now that I'm finished my tale, I don't suppose you three would like to start working?" Jack barked at the pirates still sitting around the small fire. Will turned to watch as they grumbled amongst themselves—not counting Cotton for obvious reasons—and made a show of getting up and shuffling away down the beach. The young blacksmith was smiling when Jack turned to him with a grim look on his face. Will noticed he looked haggard, and more dishevelled than he'd ever seen the pirate.
"Can she be trusted?"
Will regarded him perplexedly. "Who? Miss Browning?"
Jack didn't answer, but his dark eyes strayed to where the two women stood, Mabel hunched over to stroke the large dog's head.
Will snorted, "Of course she can! She was the one who came to us just yesterday, quite sure it was you and your crew camped out over here. It took some convincing, mind you, but then she acceded to leading us here! "
Jack merely arched an eyebrow at Will, face impassive.
Will frowned at the man obvious unwillingness to trust. But then it struck him that he didn't really know if he could trust Mabel, either. She was, after all, the daughter of a prominent man in the navy and a woman known for being a snoop and insincere. And the sister of a newly appointed lieutenant in the navy, one who adored the commodore and seemed to worship him like a god.
Could she be trusted with a secret as big as this one?
She had kept it so far, hadn't she?
And if she couldn't, well…
"A bit late to be asking such questions, don't you think, Jack?" Will hissed lowly, voicing his thoughts. "Considering you've just spoke of everything in her presence."
The pirate's eyes widened slightly. "I have ways of ensuring people to stay silent," he told the blacksmith airily.
Will shook his head in exasperation, firmly tossing out his earlier thoughts. "You are entirely too mistrustful, Jack. Miss Browning is a fine woman. She risked much just to speak with Elizabeth and I and to keep your location secret!"
Jack seemed to consider that. "Perhaps…"
Will glowered. "If I find you've threatened that woman in any way, you'll not have my help in this matter!" he said, gesturing to the camp and the ship.
Jack watched him silently for a moment before a grin spread slowly upon his face. "It's not very often that Captain Jack Sparrow admits to needing assistance, but I suppose this time I'm rather stuck without it, aye? I have a rather large shopping list of things I need, but I can't send illiterate pirates into Port Royal to do the job, now can I?"
Relaxing, Will smiled back at his friend. "Aye, Jack. I'll be back early tomorrow."
"Splendid," Jack grinned airily. "Now, you're wife seems rather impatient, so I suggest we not dally any longer." He slapped Will heartily on the back before wrapping an arm around his shoulders and propelling him forward.
Elizabeth and Mabel had made their way over to the edge of the beach where the forest began, the blind woman antsy on her feet. Royce was now firmly under her control again—or so she hoped—and Jack's crew had dispersed to begin working once again. She could feel Royce's tail thumping across her legs beneath her skirts as Jack and Will approached.
"Well, ladies, blacksmith, I've quite enjoyed your company," Jack announced loudly, and she could hear the grin in his voice.
"We were worried, Jack. We're very glad you're all right," Elizabeth said. "I'll help in any way I can."
"Allowing dear William to assist in repairs is quite enough, Elizabeth. He can do just as much, if not more, than any man here," he replied amiably, and then addressed Will. "I want you here bright and early, savvy?"
Elizabeth laughed. "I'll be sure to wake him early, Jack. Don't worry," she said. "Now, I'm afraid we must take our leave from you, Jack." She attempted to hurry their goodbyes along, but to no avail.
"In just a moment," Jack stated, and seconds later Mabel was accosted by the pirate captain and tugged insistently away from the Turners, her arm hooked in his, although not of choice.
Jack halted several yards away, unhooking his arm from Mabel's to grasp her upper arm in a tight grip. He leaned forward to speak in low tones. "I don't believe I've yet thanked you for your assistance," he said, but Mabel didn't think he sounded very sincere.
She smiled wanly. "There's no need. I've done nothing, really," she replied carefully, impatient to leave yet unwilling to upset this pirate captain.
"Oh, but you have. Not reporting myself and my men to the commodore, and seeking out Will and Elizabeth Turner to ask for their help—for me, Captain Jack Sparrow. A pirate. I'd say that's quite a lot," he told her, suspicion dripping off his words. He didn't give her the chance to speak up. "And, as I remember it, I told you my name was John Smith."
"It's very common name," she noted duly.
"Very common," Jack agreed. "So how did you go from John Smith to Captain Jack Sparrow, hmm?"
Carefully, Mabel placed her hand atop his and he allowed her to pry it from her arm. "Well, I made an awfully big assumption that turned out to be correct."
"Did you now?" His reply was slow, as if he was mulling over her words even as he spoke.
"I did," she nodded curtly, closing the subject. "Now, I believe I've lingered entirely too long and overstayed my welcome. So, I bid you good day, Captain Sparrow. And good luck." She dipped him a small curtsey.
"My most gracious thanks!" he called as she walked away.
Mabel didn't imagine the hint of mockery in his voice, nor did she imagine the feel of his eyes on the back of her head as she made her way back to the Turners.
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Jack had once again sent out the same man who had found them, Peter, this time to escort them back to the beach. The walk was silent. They seemed all too busy fighting their way through the thick underbrush to speak, and by the time they reached the small beach Mabel wondered whether her dress was recognizable with all the stains and twigs she imagine must be on it. Peter disappeared into the forest quickly after bidding them a cheerful farewell (and patting Royce on the head), and the three began their walk up the steps into the fields surrounding Mabel's house.
"What have you told your driver?" Mabel questioned Will on the way up, curious as to how they managed to find a carriage driver who was willing to wait around so long and not ask questions.
Elizabeth was more than happy to answer for him. "Oh, Will is quite adept at driving carriages. We came here on our own to avoid questions," she informed the blind woman cheerily.
Mabel smiled humorously. "Very clever."
"Will thought so," Elizabeth answered again.
They reached the house without incident, and Mabel warned them to stay out of the sight of any windows as they left the front walkway. Will stopped her before he left and asked her if there was another route to the beach where Jack had his crew camped. She understood he was to return the next morning, but could only advise him to cut through the forest down to the ocean from the road, stay out of sight from any prying eyes and follow the shoreline. He thanked her and Elizabeth thanked her briefly before they left.
Now Mabel felt she was in a sort of race against time. The birds were chirping noisily in the trees surrounding her home, and she hurried out to the back garden where she managed to secure Royce to the post set in the ground, hushing him as she went. Then, she spent several moments listening through the back door for anyone before edging it open and slipping carefully into the house. She hoped her shoes weren't coated in mud, but didn't stop to check as she navigated the house as quickly and silently as she could, cane tapping lightly on the floor before her.
Two maids nearly stumbled upon her, but she pressed herself into open doorways and nooks to avoid being seen (or so she hoped). She could just imagine the questions that would be asked!
Mabel nearly flew up the stairs, cane clutched tightly in fear, and dashed to her chambers where she threw open the door and shut it carefully behind her. Once inside, she leaned the cane carefully against the wall before kicking her shoes off and bending her arms awkwardly to unlace and pull off her dress in a sloppy manner. She rushed to the wardrobe where she fumbled for the knob before pulling it open and hurriedly shoving the garments inside. Then, she fetched her nightdress and pulled it on as quickly as she could, her heart thumping painfully in her chest as she heard the clock in the corner of her room hit the hour. Six.
Feeling as though she was fighting impending doom, the blind woman staggered to her bed where she threw off the covers, jumped between the sheets and yanked the blankets back over her head. Breathing heavily, she listened as a knock came upon her door and Lettice's voice filtered through.
"Miss? Are you awake in there?"
Mabel took a deep breath and tried her best not to sound breathless. "Yes, Lettice! As always. Come in!" Feigning a yawn, she moved the blankets aside and stretched.
It was at that moment that she realized with a cold sort of horror that her hair was still done up and was likely to have a twig or two lodged somewhere in it.
"How are you this morning, Miss?" Lettice asked pleasantly, but Mabel couldn't help but wonder if that was quiet knowingness in her voice.
Nevertheless, she managed a brilliant smile for the maid. "I'm very well, Lettice. I had a positively wonderful sleep."
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Author's Notes: I'm so sorry for the delay! I should have had this chapter out three weeks ago, but things don't always happen the way I'd like them to. :P Anyway, I hope it was worth the wait. This is my longest chapter so far for this story, and I really liked writing it, so tell me what you think!
Thank you to:
Ailidh (I'm glad you like it so far!) CaptainTish (I try to update as quick as I can, I really do. But sometimes real life gets in the way. :P I tend to worry about my characters being too Mary-Sueish, so I'm glad Mabel's reasoning seemed to make sense.) Ani Sparrow (Curious, eh? Well, that's better than bad. :P I'm not very practiced with writing Will and Elizabeth, so if they start doing something OOC, please tell me!) Runaway Pirate (I'm glad you think it's interesting. I'd hate it if it was boring :P) zareen (Thanks for your comments. They mean a lot!) Tiffany Sparrow (Was Jack looking at a map? Maybe…;) And romance between Jack and Mabel? Maybe…) doctress (Eek! Thanks for the wonderful comments! I'm blushing, lol!) VagrantCandy (Hey, I don't mind you analyzing. I love the feedback.) Takma-rierah (I don't really believe in the filler chapters, because every chapter serves its purpose to forward the story. ;) And thank you for pointing out the lack of spacing between some words. I went back to fix it and then realized that all the chapters in both my POTC fics were like that! Damn that quick edit…) phicaddictdpiratephantomprsnya (Thank you!)
--Cayenne Pepper Powder