Chapter 02: 1739 - Brasiliano


After a few weeks at sea and an adventurous circumnavigation of the dreaded Cape of Good Hope, which had demanded everything not only from the entire crew but also from such a clever captain as Jack Sparrow, the "Black Pearl" finally reached the shorelines of Madagascar.

From that moment on it was necessary to be doubly vigilant, for the island's coast captains regarded these waters as their very own hunting grounds, and anyone who sailed up the coast without good reason or without an invitation from the Brotherhood, had to reckon with being attacked, if not sunk, at least.

Jack had doubled the guards aboard and instructed his crew not to take anything for granted or normal, which meant being prepared for unpleasant encounters, especially at night.

Gibbs and van Dijk, for their part, had spent the time at sea briefing Jack on the characteristics of the bay, as far as they had been able to examine them, without having one of Brasiliano's spies hot on their heels.

What the two of them let him in on was certainly enough to impress him, all the more so as he knew that Caithleen's uncle, Jeffrey, had conceived, planned and constructed the bay's defences. And if what was said was true, the pirates of Madagascar were able to mercilessly crossfire any ship that strayed into the bay - even the Royal Navy's dreaded ships of the line...

'I'm just wondering,' he thought as he studied the maps of the island and the waters surrounding it again, 'why my father never told me about it. If it's true, and he was in fact one of the coast captains himself for some time, then he must have known Jeffrey Stevens...'

And, it dawned on him that if his father had known Jeffrey, then also Jeremy and Rosalind. Hadn't Rose herself told him on several occasions that she and Caith's father had anchored briefly in Shipwreck Cove several times?

The more he thought about all this, the more confusing things became, and he wondered what truths would come out would he ever be able to tie all the loose ends he had found so far back together into a whole.

But, alas, the solution to this riddle would have to wait!

For the moment he needed all his cleverness and presence of mind, to prepare for the encounter with Brasiliano, because he knew full well the problem would not be getting into the fortress, but getting out in one piece.

Therefore, he turned back to his nautical charts.

Based on what Gibbs and van Dijk had told him about the passage leading into the bay, he had been able to find it with ease.

Brasiliano was so badly convinced that fear and respect for the hidden cannons would keep his opponents at bay from his fortress, that he obviously considered it unnecessary to have the inlet to the passage additionally guarded. Something Jack now took advantage of when he allowed the "Pearl" to cruise not far from it.

Of course he knew they had gotten secretly watched for some time, but since his goal was to be found, that fact worried him little. Even more so as he was more than curious about meeting the self-proclaimed pirate lord of Madagascar and about finding out if the rumours were true which spun around him.

What he knew about Brasiliano wasn't much, but it was enough to sketch an image of the man before his inner eye, at whose mercy they would be for good or for evil for the next days, maybe weeks. It got said the man had a propensity for cruelty, but at the same time owned a sharp mind coupled with a deep distrust of everyone - something Jack found to be somewhat of a challenge.

He knew men like Brasiliano tended to be arrogant and smug, and he was hell-bent on exploiting that weakness and on turning it to his advantage.

Another vantage he intended to take was that he had the "Pearl" sail under the skull and crossbones and that, despite all the repairs his crew had carried out on her during their stay on "Patrick's Island", she still showed enough visible damage from the sea-fight with the "HMS Interceptor" to give him a credible reason to ask for shelter with the pirates of Madagascar.

After that, everything would depend on how convincingly he would be able to play the naïve misfit in front of Brasiliano and the other coast captains - a role, which had already served him well countless times.

If he was to be believed, he would soon get the opportunity to talk to Prudence Stevens, should Brasiliano see him through, though, he and his "Pearl" would soon be introduced to the hidden cannons or worse...


Jack came on deck and relieved Cotton at the helm. He wanted to make sure his vessel would do what he expected her to do as soon as he would sail her into the bay.

Gibbs followed him shortly after, and he made no secret of it that the return to Madagascar caused him the deepest uneasiness. He let his gaze wander over the steep rock walls and could not suppress the feeling that watchful eyes were hidden in the undergrowth of the densely overgrown flanks, who missed nothing of what was happening within the bay below: "This is the third time I sail through this passage but that mousetrap still sends chills down my spine. A deceptive idyll if you ask me. You can't even imagine how many ships are already lying at the bottom of this bay."

"Enough to establish the dubious fame of this fortress, I suppose," Jack replied thoughtfully, gazing at what lay ahead: "The question is how long Brasiliano and the other coast captains can continue like this, until they'll have cut off their own escape route. As wide as this bay is eventually the wrecks of the sunken ships will give an advantage to those who want to smoke out this mousetrap."

"Might be, but we can hardly count on that, right?"

"Mister Gibbs, there is no need for this kind of pessimism!"

"It's easy for you to talk, Jack. You haven't seen yet what this Brasiliano is capable of. If you ask me, I'm not so concerned that we're most likely being watched at the moment, but much more because we do not know where among these rocks and embankments are the cannons which are supposedly aimed at us right now."

Jack grinned: "Trust me! For now we are safe. I'm convinced Brasiliano wants to know who we are before he sends us to hell. And until he found out he will certainly not lay a finger on one of us!"

"Fortunately, I've known you long enough to interpret your unwavering confidence properly, right...?"

"That should do it, shouldn't it, eh?"

"Aye, Cap'n!" Gibbs let out a sigh, then asked: "Do you have a plan?"

"Not really! But I want you and van Dijk to stay below decks until nightfall. I don't want to take any risks, means I want to avoid that Brasiliano or one of his men recognizes you. What we can't need at any cost is that we are taken for spies. So lay low and stay aboard in case I may get an opportunity to go ashore."

Gibbs shook his head, not agreeing at all with what he had just heard from Jack: "No, no, no, Jack! I don't think that's a good idea! They won't give us a chance to get you out of there if necessary."

"Mister Gibbs, if necessary, keep to the Code. Van Dijk knows what to do so how about a little more optimism, eh?"

Just at that moment the "Pearl" passed the flat shorelines and the dreaded flood-stakes came into view. Gibbs crossed himself several times at the eerie sight they presented, and Jack picked up his spyglass to take a look for himself at this cruel but effective method of execution. He grimaced in disgust at the sight of the stakes and the human remains still hanging from some of them: "So that's what they do here with spies?"

"Aye! They say some of the poor devils have been heard screaming for days while the crabs got on them."

Jack's eyes reflected the most diverse feelings, and, no, he had no intention of becoming acquainted with this type of torture and execution.

By no means!

While he was still contemplating how he could best spare himself and his crew an unwelcome encounter with those tide poles over on the banks, they heard Marty up in the crow's nest: "Ship at starboard captain! Approaching quickly!"

And indeed: A magnificent galleon was heading straight for them, ready to come alongside the "Pearl" - guns ready to fire should the slightest need arise.

Jack watched the approaching vessel and turned back to Gibbs as the "Pearl's" crew gradually gathered on deck for a glimpse of what would happen next: "We have achieved our first goal: We have Brasiliano's full attention! From now on it's time to remain patient and wait. Mister Gibbs!"

"Cap'n?"

"I want you to ready the guns, but keep the hatches shut until I give you a sign. I want to be prepared for anything without provoking our potential host in advance."

"That's understood!"

"And, Gibbs, remember..."

"Stay below! Aye, cap'n!" Gibbs was already halfway down when he remembered something else: "Oh, by the way, what do we do if we have to escape from this mousetrap, and on the occasion unexpectedly sail into the open arms of the English?"

Jack shrugged: "Assume the worst and hope for the best..."

The tension that lay over everything and everyone was palpable, and he knew a spark would be enough to cause things to escalate. So, it was up to him from now on what would happen next, and he carefully watched every movement around him, when a gangplank was laid between the two ships, and when shortly after a man came aboard the "Pearl", the word 'charismatic' could only inadequately describe.

Roc Brasiliano was tall and of natural strength, and his sunburnt face reflected a mixture of innate pride and learned arrogance. In his dark, almost black eyes, an equally dark fire smouldered, nourished by distrust, curiosity and the obvious feeling of superiority. A black bandana covered his short black hair, a well-kept beard adorned his upper lip, and both the golden earring and the whiteness of his teeth whenever he smiled made up a striking contrast to his tanned skin. On his belt he wore two pistols, a sword, and a cutlass, and he made no secret of it that he did not appreciate being taken by surprise in these, his waters the way it just did happen.

No, there was no doubt: Roc Brasiliano offered an impressive sight - confident to the core and proud beyond measure.

With all eyes on him, Brasiliano looked around and finally snapped at the men aboard the "Pearl" in a manner which made clear he was used to giving orders and would not suffer any kind of contradiction: "Who's the captain of this nutshell, you lousy landlubbers? Get him here! 'Cause I'm not in the mood to deal with any of you half-wits forever."

"How about you stop scolding my crew and make your way up to me, Captain Brasiliano! Then we could negotiate as equals and you could put your time to better use than wasting it trying to intimidate my men, eh!? And you," Jack turned to his crew, "don't you have anything better to do than stare holes into space? See for you to get back to work...!"

Brasiliano grinned broadly as he leaned back against the rail opposite Jack: "Tell me, is that the norm with you? That your men stand gawking at every stranger who comes aboard your ship?"

"Depends entirely on the stranger. You were probably reason enough for my crew to drop everything and gawk at someone like you. Could be possible, right? Although, it could also be possible that they stood gaping at you like idiots because it's not every day they meet a living legend like Captain Brasiliano. At least that would make sense, wouldn't it?"

"Then thanks for nothing! I can't buy anything for this kind of flattery, and to be honest I would be much more interested why you show up here without being asked and think you could so easily sail into this bay without asking yourself how you'll answer our questions!"

"Well, let's say it like this: As you can surely see for yourself, my ship needs some, shall we name it makeovers, after having had a rather unpleasant encounter with the 'HMS Interceptor' and after having suffered some minor but still worrisome damage in the process. So I figured I'd set sail for Madagascar to overhaul my ship in the company of the likes like me, and under the cover of your well-guarded and well-protected bay, and not with half of the royal fleet hot at my heels. Savvy?"

Brasiliano burst out laughing: "And I was really about to ask your name at first! Well, I think that will hardly be necessary anymore. After all, your ship is at least as legendary as you are, and I see it's not a rumour that you are able to talk a man dizzy!"

"Oh good! Now that this issue seems to be clear, what about skipping this part of our conversation to get to the really important matters, eh? Would that be an acceptable proposition for you to agree to?"

"What do you want, Sparrow?"

"Didn't I just explain that to you?" Jack frowned: "I would like to take shelter in your bay for a few days, or weeks, mend my ship and head back to the Caribbean, after you have granted me your hospitality for a while. From pirate to pirate, of course."

"If one hears you speak, one gets tempted to believe all the stories getting told about you."

"Would be interesting to know what stories those are supposed to be," Jack smirked: "But enough of these negligibilities. Just tell me, will you allow me and my crew to stay for a while or will you not?"

Brasiliano stroked his chin thoughtfully: "Pshaw! As long as you abide by the laws of our brotherhood, there is nothing wrong with that, but be warned: Your code has no meaning here with us. We go by our own laws."

"I heard about that. But rest assured, mate, I have no intention of breaking any rules of any brotherhood, aye? After all, I only sail on my own account and neither for the Brethren of Shipwreck Cove nor for the king. Savvy?"

Brasiliano glared at him and the question he now put to him did not please Jack at all: "So it's not true then that Jack Sparrow is one of the nine pirate lords of the Brethren Court of Shipwreck Island?"

From whatever source the cunning and calculating pirate knew, the fact that he knew displeased Jack. All the more so since it was the truth. A truth about which he had hitherto left everyone, even his crew and those closest to him, in the dark - and he was very interested in this secret to remain a secret for a little longer. Therefore he decided to continue playing his role in front of Brasiliano and to pretend to be far less than he actually was: "If I were you, I'd definitely check the sources I'd get my knowledge from, mate. Seems they have a leak."

"Well! Since nothing seems to be able to put you out of countenance, what would you think about this proposal: You sail your ship into the bay, take as much time as you need for your repairs, and grace us with your presence as we dine tonight at my humble residence? This will give you a chance to meet the rest of our brotherhood. With the exception of those who are currently at sea, of course!"

Jack didn't hesitate to give him his answer as he had reached one of his most important aims: "Agreed...!"


Author's Note:

Roc Brasiliano, Prudence Stevens and the parts of the story taking place in Madagascar, are inspired by the swashbuckling movie "Against all Flags" from 1952, starring Anthony Quinn, Maureen O'Hara and Errol Flynn.