Thank you to Telcontar Rulz for the review! I really appreciate any feedback!
And in case I haven't mentioned this already, I don't own any of the clips of song lyrics anywhere in this story. I'm merely borrowing them.
Chapter 5: Threats
Elizabeth had encountered a problem, a rather large one at that. Her simple dress was filthy and her hygiene wouldn't put up with one more stain.
So it was with great trepidation that she opened the chest in the captain's cabin on board the Pearl and began digging through the few spare articles of clothing.
Inside were four tan shirts, a pair of breeches, and a long overcoat. She presumed the shirts had originally been white…a shudder skittered up her spine.
She didn't even want to think about it.
Besides the tattered condition of the fabric the whole wooden chest reeked of rum and, oddly enough, tobacco.
Grimacing, she brushed the dusty overcoat off and held it up, strong, forest green leather. It was cut for a man but it was also serviceable. At least until she could clean her dress.
Yet she was still confronted with the task of what to wear underneath the overcoat…
"Havin' troubles, love?"
Elizabeth whirled to see Jack leaning lazily on the door frame, trademark grin pasted on firmly. Her expression of surprise faded to haughtiness at being caught so unaware. "I don't believe it is any of your business."
"Tha's where most people misunderstand things," Jack meandered across the room, "Ever'thin' is Cap'n Sparrow's bis'ness, savvy?"
Elizabeth positioned her attention back on the clothes. If I made a seam there the hole would mend nicely…she thought absently.
"Ya know, love, I got meself a nice dress in me cabin."
Elizabeth could have glowered daggers at him. The man was clever but sometimes bordered on insufferable. "This is your cabin, Jack."
He tactfully ignored the remark and instead opened another chest behind a pile of odds and ends. With a flourish, he pulled out a simple ivory dress. The waistline was cut generously in a series of panels, leaving enough room for Elizabeth to adjust it to her growing belly.
"Jack!"
"What?"
"Where in heaven's name did you get that?"
"I'm Captain Jack Sparrow."
Elizabeth took the proffered gown gently and skimmed the tips of her fingers over the soft cloth. "Really, where did you get this?"
"Let's jus' say it's on long term loan, love."
Silently, Elizabeth held the dress up and admired the beautiful tailoring. The panels were expertly done and it would take no work at all for her to alter it.
"Liz'beth," Jack paused, "you..." he gestured to his stomach then hers and for once looked flustered.
"I'm what, Jack? Pregnant?"
He snapped his fingers triumphantly. "Tha's the one!"
"I have been for nearly six months."
"Ah, so you and the whelp finally tied the knot, aye?"
"Yes, two years ago."
Jack seated himself and tipped the rickety chair back, twining his fingers together. "You have the bloody story-book endin' y'always wanted?"
Elizabeth forced her gaze back on the gown. "Only until now…"
"Love, 'e's not dead. 'Sides, there are plenty more…desirable subjects of the male race…"
"Jack…" the fire in her eyes lit with a vengeance.
He grinned at her, reveling in her annoyance. "Now, what do you say we go find your dear William? Where were the bloody English takin' 'im to?"
"I don't know."
"Tha's a wonde'ful start, really." Jack fingered his jacket calmly. "Di'n't they talk 'bout where in the world they wan'ed 'im to go?"
"They did say something about taking him to suppress the revolution in the colonies."
"Excellent."
"But Jack, Great Britain has hundreds of colonies. Which one could they have meant?"
"Ever heard of a little place called the Americas?"
"Of course I have."
"It seems the lot of them doesn't appreciate being ruled by ole' King George." The beads in Jack's hair tinkled as he gestured animatedly. "And apparently Georgie doesn't like 'aving 'is colonies revolt."
"To the Americas then?"
"Aye."
--
As the Waking Power grew nearer to the Americas the water and weather turned colder. The air became lighter and acquired a nasty bite. The ocean was no longer the lovely turquoise blue Will had become used to but instead a plain dark gray.
In the weeks on the high seas, Will became increasingly worried about the future. Not for his own but for his wife and child. What if something had befallen them?
Surely Elizabeth wouldn't try to chase after him. Or would she? The answer lay in his heart and he knew he wouldn't do any differently if he was in her situation but…
"Land ho!"
Will started, uneasy to have been caught drifting in his thoughts, and glanced around them.
Sure enough, a pale line of land showed on a canvas of red and orange as the sun rose.
So, this was the Americas. This was the place where men had dared stand up to the greatest military power in the world. If Will knew nothing else he would still be impressed by their gumption.
"Turner!" A harsh voice shot up towards him.
It was a voice Will easily recognized. Hawthorne. The insufferable man had taken it upon himself to annoy Will at every possible moment. So, in an effort to avoid him, Will had taken to extra shifts in the crow's nest. Unfortunately, Hawthorne had caught onto that strategy all too quickly.
"Turner!" The call was repeated and Will was forced to begin his descent or be accused of avoidance of duty and get punished for it.
"Yes, sir?" The former blacksmith ground out once his feet touched the wooden deck.
"You are to report to Colonel Edwards on board the HMS Justice once we reach shore, understood?"
"Yes, sir."
"And since we are still hours away from Boston you will make yourself useful by scrubbing the floor in my cabin."
"I still have two hours on watch, sir."
"Garrett! You will take over Turner's watch." Hawthorne grinned smugly at Will before walking to the ship's helm.
Will bit down on his tongue and clenched his fists together as he clomped down the stairs, retrieved a bucket of lye water, and entered the cabin belonging to Captain Hawthorne. How he wished for a nice hot piece of metal to bang into a sword right now. Or better yet a finished sword to plant under Hawthorne's nose. Yes, that would do nicely.
He slapped the rough brush down on the planks and started to scrub, ignoring the burn on his skin. If Hawthorne wanted war then so be it. His only reserve was the repercussions to his family if he did not cooperate.
--
Someday our fight will be won, and
We'll stand in the sun, in
That bright afternoon
'Til then, on days when the sun
Is gone, we'll hang on
If we wish upon the moon
Someday
By Celtic Woman
Night had fallen over the waters as Elizabeth leaned over a pile of maps Jack had "kindly" dumped on her lap.
"Jack, what do you mean find Will?"
"If I recall correc'ly," Jack straightened, "I never said find Will per se. I said..." he shut his mouth noticing her expression. "Nev'r mind."
"Then what am I supposed to do?" Elizabeth was feeling considerably angry as Jack continued to allude what she thought was any sign of Will. "I agreed to come with you on one condition. And that condition is Will."
"I know that." Jack lifted yet another bottle of rum to his lips. "But what would you say ta a little side trip, aye?"
"Where?"
"Up river."
"Jack…"
"Wouldn't take long at all, love."
"No Jack! I have to find Will!"
"How is it that you and him and he and you can nev'r seem to keep the other out of trouble? Haven't you tried hiding somewhere?"
"You are always involved in that trouble, ever thought of that?" Elizabeth stuffed the maps on the table.
"It's because I'm jus' so irresistible." He displayed a roguish grin towards her.
"Jack Sparrow, are you flirting with me?"
"Take what you can, love, give noffin back."
"Need I remind you that I am a married woman?"
He leaned in close. "Pirate."
Elizabeth could find no smart reply so she whirled and traced her fingers down a merchant path in the western portion of the map. "Where do you think they've taken Will?"
"Haven't we been through all this hubba-loo?"
"The Americas, yes, I know. But where in the Americas?"
"Boston."
"How can you be so sure?"
"All the bloody redcoats seem to be having some sort of high, fancy to-do up there."
"My husband's life could be at stake at that is all the facts you give me?"
"Take it or leave it, love."
"Then to Boston it is and you had better hope for your health that you are right because if you are not and Will is harmed...may the Lord help you."
--
The city of Boston was busy as usual the morning the Waking Power slid into the harbor. Will was immediately shown off the ship. Hawthorne didn't even allow him to wash the lye off his hands.
The HMS Justice was in considerably better shape than the Waking Power. White sails without patches graced the masts and the wood had been given a fresh coat of paint.
The private who had brought Will on board led him into a spacious cabin. "Colonel Edwards? William Turner to see you."
A silhouette of a tall, husky man pivoted and as the light fell on an angular face with brown hair and piercing gray eyes, Will was given a shove from behind, propelling him into the center of the room. "Mr. Turner, excellent." The man smiled though he did not seem pleased at all.
"Colonel Edwards, why am I here?"
The man laughed harshly and crossed to a high shelf on which a bottle of dark fluid sat. "Let's not be hasty, far too unpleasant. Let us talk about something more…" Colonel Edwards searched for the right word while pouring himself a generous portion of some foul smelling drink, "agreeable, shall we?"
"Then what will be talk about? I in trade and believe me when I say, wasted time is no help to anyone."
"You are very intelligent, Mr. Turner." The Colonel grinned and took a sip from his glass. "You are from Port Royal, correct?"
Nod.
"And you have a wife?"
Nod.
"She is expecting your first?"
Nod.
"Mr. Turner," Edwards seated himself. "You seem like a decent man who cares for his family. I wish to provide you with an opportunity which will not only clear you and your wife of charges involving setting free a man charged with piracy but will afford you with a substantial means to care for your family very comfortably for the rest of their days." He stared at Will hard. "Does this interest you?"
"That depends on your definition of interest. Interest as in curious then yes, interest as in avid pursuit of such an offer then no."
"My offer consists of your aid in tracking down a well-known brigand. He has become quite a thorn in my side these last few years. Perhaps you may have heard of him." The Colonel lifted his glass to the light streaming in from the windows lining the stern of the space. "He is largely famous for…peculiar exploits involving His Majesty's Royal Navy."
"Why would you need me for this?"
"I believe you will recall him quite well."
At Will's silence the Colonel continued, "He goes by the name of Jack Sparrow."
"Captain."
"Pardon?"
"Captain Jack Sparrow."
"Apologies. Captain Jack Sparrow. Your adventures, I suppose you could call them, with him have made you a prime candidate to know his tricks."
Will had to laugh a little. "Colonel Edwards, not even Jack's closest friends can understand the way his mind works."
"And you would be one of these close friends?"
"More acquaintance than friend."
Edwards took a draught from his glass and glanced up at Will as if just remembering something. "Pardon me, would you care for some scotch?"
"I don't drink."
"Pity." Edwards set his glass on the table in front of him and threaded his fingers together. "My offer, Mr. Turner? I need an answer, in case you'd forgotten."
"You have not explained the specifics of this job."
"I have not, nor do I mean to until I have your word that you will do as we tell you."
Will was feeling increasingly uncomfortable with the casual air about the whole matter. It deepened his feeling of danger if he were to accept. But how was he to refuse? "Colonel, I cannot give my acquiescence to a task where the specifics lay in shadow."
Edwards averted his gaze and stared out the window for a prolonged moment until finally he spoke, "Captain Hawthorne complained to me of your increasing dissension and disregard of instructions given to you. You understand, of course, that you must obey your superiors or face severe consequences."
"He is not my superior as I am not in your military."
"Correct. But that can be arranged." Edwards leaned forward a touch. "Mr. Turner, I believe you will find it much more pleasant merely to comply with our wishes. After all, we do not want to force anyone."
"You have already accomplished that by removing me from my home and bringing me here."
Edwards sat silently again while his eyes took on a thoughtful glaze. "You leave me no choice, Mr. Turner." He began once more. "Captain Hawthorne has asked for retribution and I shall not stand in his way. But you would do well to remember that I did warn you."
TBC...