Chapter 3
The sky had been invaded by gloomy clouds that blocked out any hint of sunlight. Powerful gusts of wind blew, signaling an imminent storm. However, these gusts of wind did not do anything to hinder the arrival of a massive ship, one that had the sign of the East India trading Company printed on a jet-black flag. As the vessel was moored to the docks of Port Royal, Navymen in bright red coats dutifully lined up on shore to greet the town's visitor.
The man who stepped authoritatively from the ship sported a stony expression along with a white wig underneath his two-cornered hat. His black robe, adorned with golden lining around the edges, flapped in a strong gust of wind as a deep rumble of thunder became audible.
Captain Johnathan Barnet of the East India Trading Company scanned the row of Navymen with his cruel eyes. Barnet had expected this sort of welcome, and was pleased to see his expectations met. He next gazed up at the town of Port Royal, smiling slightly as he concentrated on the sole structure that he was interested in: the Governor's Mansion. Next, Barnet pulled out his golden pocket watch and examined the time. Precisely on schedule, he thought.
At that moment, a man dressed in dark blue attire stepped forward, extending a gloved hand as he did so. "Captain Johnathan Barnet," he greeted, "welcome to Port Royal."
Barnet eyed the hand before grasping it in a firm grip, shaking it professionally. "I'm expected?" Barnet's voice was cold as ice, clearly suggesting that its owner was one who did not tolerate nonsense.
"Of course. The Governor received the letter from the East India Trading Company announcing your voyage here. Although I must say, the Governor was a bit reluctant to allow an agent of the East India Trading Company into the town after the whole incident concerning the late Lord Cutler Beckett."
Barnet smirked again. "Well, I'm afraid the Governor had no say in the matter. He'll come to fully recognize the East India Trading Company's wishes once I've properly explained them. Now, shall we travel to the mansion?"
"Indeed." The man motioned for Barnet to step inside an awaiting carriage.
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Minutes later, Barnet had stepped inside the lavish mansion in which the Governor of Port Royal lived and had been ushered into the study by servants. As Barnet awaited the Governor's arrival, he slowly took in his surroundings. A light sprinkling of rain had begun to drop down from the skies outside, giving everything inside the study a gloomy appearance. The far wall was covered by a huge wooden bookshelf, each shelf lined with alphabetically organized titles. A fireplace was carved into the nearest wall, a blazing fire already alive inside. Barnet instinctively made his way over to the fireplace, picked up the poker that was resting against the metal lining, and stoked the fire.
Next, Barnet walked over to a waist-high wooden table on which was situated a group of glass cups and a large container of brandy. Without hesitation, Barnet uncorked the brandy, filling a glass to the desired amount. He swallowed the contents in one gulp and replaced the glass upon the wooden table before refilling it. A moment later, the study doors swung open.
Governor Weatherby Swann stood in the open doorway, his face contorted in a dissatisfied frown. He glanced at Barnet, sighed, and pulled the doors shut behind him. After that, Governor Swann removed his massive hat, placed it on the edge of an armchair situated in front of the fireplace, and put his hands behind his back regally.
"Captain Johnathan Barnet, I presume?"
"Yes," Barnet made his way over to Swann and stiffly held out his hand. When Swann did not take it, Barnet merely pulled it back down to his side with an indifferent expression plastered across his face. "As you no doubt already know, I'm here upon request of the East India Trading Company."
"You were rather vague in your letter. What is it exactly that you want?"
"Let me start off by saying that the East India Trading Company is as intent as ever on vanquishing the seas of piracy. We've established...blockades, if you will, cutting of safe passage into vastly populated towns. This, of course, is a precaution to stop pirates from raiding these towns. A new age is dawning, an age of justice."
"So you're here to protect Port Royal?"
Barnet paused for a moment. "In a manner. I thought I should let you know that I specifically asked to be stationed here."
"And why is that?"
"I believe you'll recall someone named Cutler Beckett...my brother."
"B-b-brother?" Swann stammered.
"Oh, yes. If I remember correctly, it was reported that the murderers of my brother were none other than your daughter and her husband."
"You're mistaken. It was Jack Sparrow who held the blade that was plunged into Beckett's heart."
"Nonetheless," Barnet persisted sharply, "William and Elizabeth Turner took part in the crime. And thus, their loyalty to the empire comes into question."
Governor Swann stared at Barnet in disbelief. "So, you're not here just to watch over my town. You're here to investigate my daughter and son-in-law!"
"The moment they assisted Jack Sparrow in escaping the gallows all those years ago, they put themselves in a position of careful scrutiny under the eyes of the East India Trading Company." Barnet's tone was surprisingly unemotional.
"Do you intend to arrest them?" Swann asked hesitantly.
"That is entirely up to them," Barnet answered. "William and Elizabeth Turner were once charged with conspiring to set free a known pirate, allowing him to escape from justice. Now, they've found themselves in the same position."
"Are they officially charged?"
"No. We need concrete evidence before we can arrest them. In the near future, if they do willingly engage in an act of piracy alongside Sparrow, then I will arrest them and transport them to London, where they will be properly tried, convicted, and ultimately executed."
"They have a six-year-old son; Michael."
"There are plenty of orphanages who would be prepared to take him in, Governor."
Swann balled his hands into fists and took a menacing step towards Barnet. "And what if I were opposed to this?"
"Then I would advise you to make sure that your loyalties are on the right side."
"Is that a threat, Captain?"
"It's merely advice. We all have skeletons in our closets, you wouldn't want some of yours coming out, would you?"
"What is that supposed to mean? What do you know of me?"
"I've delved deep into your past, Governor. And let me say that there a few aspects of your life that if brought into the light, would be rather incriminating against you. For example, isn't it true that you were and still are a member of..."
"Enough!" Swann cut in sharply. "I will not have you bemocking my name inside my own house!" Those words were accompanied by a deep rumble of thunder outside.
"I wasn't bemocking you in any way, simply stating facts. If you don't allow me to carry on with my duties, then I may just be forced to engage in a rather distasteful act."
Swann glared at Barnet through fierce eyes. "It is apparent that you're blackmailing the Governor of Port Royal. What could be more distasteful than that?"
"I find your secrets rather distasteful, Swann. But shall I divulge those secrets, tell everyone what you really are?"
Swann said nothing, only stared at his feet for a few moments. "How can I be of assistance?" he finally asked.
"You can stay out of our way."
"'Our' way?"
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door and it was pushed open. The man who entered the study had what could easily compared to slits for eyes, pursed lips, greasy black hair, and an expression of deep hate on his face.
"I believe you and Mr. Mercer have met before? He came along with my brother, did he not?"
"'Ello, Guvner," Mercer greeted in his trademark fake polite tone.
"What in God's name is this man doing back here?" Swann asked Barnet sharply.
"I requested to come as well," Mercer answered. "I couldn't miss the opportunity to re-visit this magnificent town." Mercer and Swann stared each other down for a few minutes before Barnet piped up again.
"Now, Governor, you could help us greatly by telling us if the Turners live here in this mansion or if they have adifferent establishment somewhere else in the town."
Swann, seeing no other alternative, sighed and answered Barnet's question. "They have a house down on the beach about two miles from here. They live there with their son."
Both Barnet and Mercer smirked. "Thank you. We'll be around." The two men began to make their way towards the door, but they were halted in their tracks by Swann's voice.
"Let me ask you something, Barnet. Are you absolutely certain that you're just carrying out the orders given to you by the East India Trading Company and not simply taking part in a personal vendetta against William and Elizabeth?"
Barnet turned on his heel to face Swann once more. "The East India Trading Company does not wish to get involved in another struggle for power with you, Governor. If you allow us to do what we came here to do, then there will be no problems between us, understood?"
With that said, Barnet and Mercer exited the study, leaving Governor Swann alone with the only sounds coming from the crackling fire and the drops of rain hitting the glass windows.
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Outside the study, Barnet and Mercer were conversing in hushed tones.
"It turns out that may be a little more resistant than we thought," said Mercer. "Shall we proceed with our other plan?"
"Not quite yet. Only if the situation calls for it."
"I could have our man here within a day."
"I said not yet! The East India Trading Company is under the assumption that I'm just here to investigate the Turners. But little do they know that events have been prepared that will ensure me the honor of vanquishing piracy permanently, along with its most notorious pirate Jack Sparrow and his two favorite accomplices."