Tortuga was...something.
Narcissa had heard stories about the island that pirates tended to view as a haven. Norrington had once called it "a hive of sum and villainy." It was about as far removed from the proper world of Port Royal as one could get.
Whorehouses and bars lined the streets. Scantily clad women called for customers and drunken pirates stumbled around the streets. It was filthy but it also exuded a sense of freedom.
"How will we find Jack in all this?" asked Elizabeth.
"We search the whole town if we have to. The one good thing is that the Pearl is in port which means Jack IS here somewhere." Narcissa told her sister pointing to the familiar black sailed ship moored at the docks.
"Unless someone stole his ship again," mutter Elizabeth.
"Let's hope he's become more competent since my father stole it. Only a fool would let their ship get stolen twice," replied Narcissa bending down to steal two swords and a pair of pistols off some unconscious pirates. She handed one of each to Elizabeth.
"Good thing I had you and Will teach me how to sword fight," said Elizabeth looking at the sword.
"It will certainly come in handy," agreed Narcissa. After their "adventure" aboard the Pearl Elizabeth had been keen to learn how to defend herself. Will and Narcissa were more than happy to oblige. Narcissa was thankful for the practice she had gotten with her father before his death as good as Will was learning from an actual pirate was a completely different experience.
As they continued to walk down the street a very drunk pirate approached them.
"Hello, lass want to have some fun?" he asked wrapping an arm about her shoulders. Narcissa shoved him away.
"Absolutely not!" she said sharply reaching for her gun. He made to grab her again but before she had even pointed her gun a shot rang out and the pirate dropped dead in front of her.
"The lady said no!" said an oddly familiar voice. Narcissa and Elizabeth turned to see Ragetti and Pintel standing behind them. Pintel was holding a smoking gun.
"Ello poppets," he said.
"Ragetti! Pintel! What a surprise!" said Narcissa.
"Not as big a surprise as seeing you here Miss Narcissa," replied Ragetti.
"Elizabeth, you remember Pintel and Ragetti?"
"Vividly," replied Elizabeth warily. Narcissa couldn't blame her sister for feeling uncomfortable however she was pleased to see the two pirates.
"So, what are you doing here?" asked Pintel.
"Looking for Jack Sparrow and Will," said Elizabeth.
"Do you know where they are?" asked Narcissa.
"Aye, we can show you where Jack is but ye best ask him about Will," said Ragetti. Narcissa's heart sunk at the one-eyed pirate's words.
"Then take us to him. Please," said Elizabeth.
"Alright," said Pintel and the girls followed the two pirates. Curiosity seeming to overcome her fear Elizabeth asked,
"How did you to escape the ship? Norrington was furious."
"Miss Narcissa freed us," explained Ragetti. Narcissa shrugged at Elizabeth's incredulous look and adjusted Jack the monkey's position on her shoulder.
"They're the last members of my father's crew. Not counting Jack," she added when the monkey gave a slight screech.
"Anyway, we saw ye here and figured we oughta intervene. As a thank you and out of respect for Captain Barbossa." Pintel shrugged in agreement with his companion's words.
"How did you end up here poppets?"
"Well, we are now fugitives after escaping arrest for helping Jack escape and in my case being the daughter of a pirate." said Narcissa.
"I don't think threatening the head of the EITC helped our case," added Elizabeth.
"The Captain'ed be proud," Ragetti told Narcissa who smiled at him.
"That means a lot." By now they had reached a tavern called The Faithful Bride.
"Ere we are," said Pintel. The Tavern was crowded with pirates drinking, playing cards, or just simply passed out. Over at a corner table Narcissa saw Mister Gibbs with what looked like a sign-up sheet. She wasn't totally surprised to see him. Plenty of pirates were ex-navy.
"Jack's looking for new crew members," explained Ragetti.
"Elizabeth, stay close," said Narcissa grabbing her sister's hand. As they drew nearer, they saw a drunken man in a messy white wig ranting. It was only when he turned and pointed his gun at Jack who was unsuccessfully hiding behind a potted plant that she realized it was none other than James Norrington.
He was so far from the clean-shaven proper soldier Narcissa knew that it was no wonder they didn't recognize him at first. His stiff posture had been replaced by a stumbling gait and his voice, once crisp, was slurred.
There was a bang! And Norrington's shot at Jack went array instead breaking the rum bottle of a random pirate. In normal company this would have been seen as an accident. Here, it started a bloody bar fight.
"Come on! If you think you can take me!" roared Norrington.
"We can't let them kill him!" exclaimed Elizabeth. Narcissa had to agree. James was out-numbered and drunk which didn't make for a good combination when fighting.
"Right then." Narcissa grabbed a rum bottle and cracked it over Norrington's head. Silence fell as he dropped unconscious to the ground. Everyone turned to face them.
"We just wanted the pleasure of doing that ourselves!" called Elizabeth in a deep voice. Everyone seemed content with that answer and went back to what they were doing before.
Elizabeth knelt next to Norrington's passed out form.
"Did you have to do that?" asked Elizabeth wincing slightly.
"What you think asking a hoard of drunk pirates to politely stop would have worked?" scoffed Narcissa and Elizabeth shook her head.
"James Norrington what have they done to you?" she asked.
"Looks like he did it to himself," muttered Narcissa although she agreed to help Elizabeth get him outside, where she promptly threw a bucket of water on him. He spluttered awake.
"What the devil!"
"Nice to see you again James. Care to explain yourself?" asked Narcissa. Norrington blinked. His wig had come off revealing matted brown hair.
"I lost all my men because I ordered that they sail through a maelstrom I couldn't go back after that." He looked ashamed especially when he registered Elizabeth was there.
Narcissa pursed her lips. Pride was a dangerous think and while she felt some sympathy, she didn't have the time or patience to deal with his wallowing. Deciding not to kick him when he was down, she simply let the matter drop. Elizabeth was still staring at James in shock.
"Well, you signed up to sail with Sparrow so you'd best get to the docks." she told him leading the way to where Jack stood.
"Come to join me crew lads?" asked Jack.
"I've come to find the man I love," replied Elizabeth. Jack's eyes widened and he turned away.
"I'm sorry but I have no love but the sea!"
"And yourself," muttered Narcissa. She knew they need Jack but being this near her father's murderer irked her.
"Meaning William Turner," Elizabeth clarified. Narcissa heard Jack mutter,
"Hide the rum!" before turning to face them.
"Ah Elizabeth and Narcissa! What a surprise! I must say those clothes do NOT suit you. It should be a dress or nothing. As it happens I have no dress so..." Narcissa drew her sword and pointed it at Jacks throat cutting him off.
"Quit the blabbering and tell us where Will is. I haven't tried to take revenge on you yet but that could easily change."
"Like father like daughter," commented Jack.
"Where's Will?" demanded Elizabeth. "We know he came to find you."
"Darling, I am truly unhappy to have to tell you this, but through unfortunate entirely unforeseeable circumstances that had nothing whatsoever to do with me, poor Will has been press-ganged into Davy Jones's crew."
"Davy Jones?" Narcissa and Elizabeth both said in horror.
"Oh please the Captain of the Flying Dutchman? That's a myth," scoffed Norrington after vomiting over the side of the docks.
"So were undead skeleton pirates and yet they killed over half the crew of the Dautless. I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss the Dutchman," said Narcissa pointedly. She had heard legends of Davy Jones a man who sailed the seas collecting the souls of the dead. After seeing the curse on her father she was willing to believe almost anything.
"You look awful. What are you doing here?" Jack asked Norrington.
"You hired me. I can't help if your standards are lax." replied Norrington.
"Jack!" said Narcissa sharply drawing the pirate's attention.
"I take it by nothing to do with you, you actually mean it was entirely to do with you. Will would have no reason to go on the Dutchman without someone telling him."
"You really do see the worst in people don't you darling?" said Jack before Narcissa could reply Elizabeth cut in.
"All we want to do is find Will."
"Are you certain? Is that what you really want most?" asked Jack. Narcissa narrowed her eyes Jack always had an agenda of his own just as her had father always had one.
"Of course," said Elizabeth in confusion.
"Because I would think you'd want to find a way to save Will most."
"You have a way to do that?" Narcissa asked skeptically.
"Well, there is a chest. A chest of unknown size and origin. What contains the still-beating heart of Davy Jones." Ragetti who was passing by thumped his chest to add emphasis. Jack continued.
"And whoever possesses that chest possesses the leverage to command Jones to do whatever it is he or she wants, including saving brave William from his grim fate."
"You don't seriously believe him do you?" asked Norrington. They ignored him.
"How would we find it?" asked Elizabeth.
"With this." said Jack pulling out a compass.
"My compass is unique."
"Unique" here having the meaning of "broken". Norrington interjected.
"Shouldn't you be doing something useful on the ship?" snapped Narcissa. Norrington scowled but left.
"True enough, this compass does not point north." admitted Jack.
"Where does it point?" queried Elizabeth.
"It points to the thing you want most in this world." Elizabeth gave him a skeptical look.
"Jack, are you telling the truth?"
"Every word, love. And what you want most in this world is to find the chest of Davy Jones, is it not?"
"To save Will," said Elizabeth.
"By finding the chest of Davy Jones," reiterated Jack. Narcissa was now wondering why Jack was so keen to get the chest. The needle on the compass spun for a minute before pointing Northeast.
"Mister Gibbs!" called Jack.
"Yes Captain?" asked Gibbs.
"We have our heading at last!"
"Well then, it's time for a treasure hunt." said Narcissa before turning to Sparrow.
"Jack, try and stay out of my way. It'll curb my desire to see you dead." She then strode up the gang plank to the Pearl, Jack the monkey scampering behind her.
Author's note: Another chapter down! Hope you are all enjoying this. If you do like it please take a moment to leave a note in the comments it really helps! Until next week!
