A Line In The Sand
Chapter Eleven

It was early when they docked in Tortuga, so early that the streets were empty and it was oddly silent. For someone like James who had lived in bustling Tortuga for three months, it was disconcerting.

"Could they have heard about the Armada?" he asked, staring round at the deserted streets.

"It's always this quiet this early," Victoria said. "That's why I used to go swimming at this time every morning. The traders will be out in an hour or so."

"I didn't know you went swimming."

"You were always asleep," she glanced at him, as though suddenly aware they were talking for the first time since the previous day and moved away from him. "Excuse me, I've got to speak to Jack."

She found him in the cabin, arguing with Barbossa over the supplies they needed and when they ought to leave.

"I've got my answer, Jack," she said loudly.

"Answer? And what answer would young Miss Turner be referring to, I wonder?" Barbossa was looking at Jack, who pulled a face and shrugged – feigning innocence.

"I'm not staying with the Pearl," she went on, ignoring Barbossa's incredulous glance at Jack. "So I'll not be needing this anymore," she placed his compass on the table between them. "But I would like to speak to you, Jack."

"And I suppose that this be a private matter between yourselves?" Barbossa snapped.

"It has nothing whatsoever to do with the ship," Victoria said. "You have my word on that." She caught his eye and gave him a small smile. "Captain."

Barbossa studied her for a moment and nodded.

"Then I'll leave you to it, Miss Turner. Though, if you'll not be staying with us, perhaps you'd do me the courtesy of saying goodbye, for ye've been a grand member of me crew."

"Thank you, sir," she said graciously, watching him out the door. "Now then, Jack, to business."

"I never knew Barbossa was so fond of you, Vicky," he said warily.

"Neither did I," she shrugged adding, with a bitter note in her voice, "But you needn't worry, Jack, as you've already pointed out, I'm far too trustworthy to make a decent pirate."

She was the first down the gangplank, with her hat tucked down firmly on her head and her hair flowing freely down her back. She had a bag slung over one shoulder, one hand curled around it, the other resting lightly on her pistol.

"As you can see former Admiral Norrington, our Miss Turner has chosen to take her chances in Tortuga rather than remain on the Black Pearl."

"Take her chances?" James repeated in disbelief. "This is a pirate port, Sparrow! You're not really going to let her wander off?"

"It's in my best interests," Jack said with a shrug. "Makes good business sense. Now, I take it you'll be leaving too?"

"There's only one thing that would keep me on this ship, Sparrow," James snapped. "As you well know."

"Aye, and there she goes. Wave to her, Norrington. 'Tis only polite."

James made a furious and irritated sound somewhere between a tut and a sigh and pushed past Jack, running down the gangplank, accidentally bumping into Ragetti and inevitably knocking his eye out.

"Oi! Norrington!"

Norrington ignored Jack's calls and headed along the quayside. The traders were starting to drag their wares into the main street and he had lost sight of Victoria in the sudden bustle. He paused, trying to find her when something collided with the side of his head.

"Ow!" he hissed and looked around for the missile. Jack's useless broken compass was at his feet.

"Broken here having the meaning of unique! I want it back, mind!" Jack called, then, seeing that James wasn't moving, waved his hands at him to encourage him.

James snatched up the compass and opened it. Immediately the needle swung to point at the main street and, with a shrug, James followed it.