Chapter 2

McGivens walked slowly toward his ship, which was anchored at the docks of Port Royal. But just as McGivens was about to board, a voice halted him in his tracks.

"Did everything go according to plan?"

McGivens turned around to see Mercer emerge from the shadows of the chilly night and stop under the light hanging from one of the wooden poles lining the walkway. Mercer wore his usual stony face that seemed completely devoid of any emotion.

McGivens smirked. "I believe we had an agreement."

"That we did." Mercer placed his right hand into his coat pocket, withdrew a sack with jingling contents, and tossed it to McGivens, who caught it. "You will receive the other half once you've completed the job. Was there any trouble?"

"No."

"And the Guv'ner?"

"He chose the fool's way out. He left me no choice but to plunge the blade into his chest."

Mercer nodded. "An acceptable loss." He paused. "I trust, then, that you were able to obtain the map?"

"As we speak, my men are handling the situation. They are to meet me in Tortuga once they've completed the task. There's the matter of a renegade Clan member to deal with."

"And you're certain that man is in Tortuga?"

"Positive." For a few moments, McGivens stared at Mercer curiously. At last, he spoke again. "Would you mind telling me what is so important to Captain Barnet about a protected treasure?"

"What makes you think the Captain's desires are so provincial?" After seeing McGivens' confused expression, Mercer plowed on. "The East India Trading Company needs to gain control of the seas in order to permanently put a stop to piracy, and there are certain things hidden in these seas that can ensure that power. However, the methods in which they are acquired may raise some difficult questions. The security of information as sensitive as this is paramount."

"I assure you, Mr. Mercer, that I don't need to be reminded of the gravity of the situation."

"Then do that by silencing anyone else who interferes in these matters."

"So Captain Barnet is willing to kill to get his hands on what he wants?"

"And he's paying you to make sure it is all kept quiet. You will do well to remember that."

"Then it's all just...good business, is that correct?"

"Yes."

McGivens smiled and pocketed his payment. "Well then, it seems I have business to attend to."

And with that, McGivens turned on his heel and boarded the ship.

Mercer watched the vessel stealthily depart from the port and then spun around on his heel to walk silently into the night as if he was nothing more than a shadow.

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The hour was late and the majority of the town was now asleep, but Will and Elizabeth Turner were still wide awake. The couple was lying in their bed, enveloped in each other's arms. The recent events concerning the Amulet Of Atlantis were still fresh in their mind, and they seemed unable to cast them away. Will and Elizabeth had nearly died in a pirate ship that had been crushed and flooded by violent gushes of seawater as a result of the legendary pirate Jack Sparrow involving them in his latest escapade.

But after all that, Will and Elizabeth returned home safely along with their son Michael. Michael was only six years of age, and yet the young boy possessed a spirit that allowed him to be unlike any other boy his age. Michael Turner also happened to be fascinated with pirates, and his wish to be able to sail onboard a pirate ship had been turned into a reality after he had wandered aboard the Black Pearl and Jack deluded them into participating in the quest to uncover the Amulet Of Atlantis.

Michael's life had been put at risk, and that was something Will and Elizabeth did not want to go through again. At the moment, Michael was safe and sound asleep in his bed.

However, the safety of their son and the fatigue that still coursed through their bodies from their current adventure were not the only things troubling Will and Elizabeth, causing them to lose precious hours of well-deserved rest.

Shortly after returning to Port Royal, Mary Thomas, a friend of Will and Elizabeth's, had approached them and divulged some shocking information. First, Mary had told them that she feared that she may have inadvertently told Captain Jonathan Barnet, an influential member of the East India Trading Company, everything there was to know about the couple's past dealings with Jack Sparrow. This incident triggered an uneasy memory inside Will and Elizabeth's minds, that being the time when they had been threatened by Lord Cutler Beckett for aiding and abetting their pirate friend's escape from the hangman's noose eight years ago. Will and Elizabeth could only imagine the trouble that would most likely ensue over this Barnet character discovering this information.

Secondly, Mary had revealed to Will and Elizabeth that her daughter Jacquelyn, Michael's best friend, was the child of none other than Captain Jack Sparrow. This had particularly surprised Will and Elizabeth, as they certainly did not see Jack as the paternal type of person. Obviously, Jacquelyn herself had been ecstatic about it and had rushed to tell Michael, who pretty much had the same reaction. Mary was uncertain about whether or not Jack needed to know about this; it was apparent that she did not think highly of him.

Will and Elizabeth both ran over this information continuously in their heads until they reached the point where they became exhausted. All they really wanted to do was relax and not worry about anything else.

Elizabeth lifted her head slightly and gazed up into Will's eyes. The topic of Barnet pounded her mind to the point where she had to voice her concerns. "Do you think we'll be arrested again?"

Will shrugged his shoulders. "Barnet seems to have sufficient evidence against us. But I can't help but wonder if he knows we've returned, why is he waiting so long to take a course of action?"

Elizabeth thought hard, genuinely thinking of a good response. Finally, one came to her, but the prospect of it was decidedly discomforting. "Perhaps he wishes to use the information for his own personal gains."

"But what is there to gain? Certainly the East India Company wouldn't be trying to find the Dead Man's Chest again?"

Elizabeth shook her head. "No. Surely there must be something of the same magnitude in these waters that is worth going to extreme measures to acquire."

"They went to extreme measures when they threatened our lives eight years ago. And if they intend to do the same thing again, then I'm fully prepared to take whatever measures I have to in order to ensure yours and Michael's protection."

Elizabeth cuddled closer to Will, reveling in his warm embrace. "You always have your family's best interests at heart; a truly admirable trait in any man."

Will grinned down at her wolfishly. "I'm glad to hear that I'm thought so highly of around here."

Elizabeth smiled back at him and leaned in close until their lips gently touched. The kiss was soft at first, but it soon became more passionate and loving. Will was only just getting comfortable when Elizabeth broke off, a slightly worried look on her face.

"What is it, love?"

Elizabeth shook her head. "Nothing. It's not worth worrying over."

"Elizabeth, what's wrong?" Will asked, his voice filled with concern.

Elizabeth looked up into her husband's eyes, unable to keep anything from him. "It's just...this last adventure with Jack caused me to realize something."

"And what is that?"

Elizabeth hesitated. "I'm not sure of who I am anymore."

"What do you mean?"

"For the past six years, I guess I've become so content with being a mother and wife who leads a quiet life that I've lost sight of who I was before that. Whenever we would be in a dangerous situation in our search for the amulet, I would always feel something inside of me that would cause me to hesitate in my actions, as if I were scared. That's never happened before, Will."

"So you think this change of character is something to be ashamed of? To fear, even?"

"I honestly don't know. I used to so desperately desire to sail the seas, fighting for something I believed in, but now I seem to be too concerned of my family's well-being, that I've become the complete opposite of what I was before."

Will sighed after hearing all this. "And that bothers you?"

Elizabeth nodded.

"You know, sometimes we have no choice but to fight in order to protect that which we love most. I've come to fully understand that over the past few years."

"And I can also grasp that concept, but I cannot come to terms with transforming into an entirely different person. I simply want to live the way I have in the past while still caring for you and Michael as much as I can."

"Your heart is truly in the proper place, Elizabeth, but I think you may be reading too much into this."

"Perhaps, but I just want to be sure of myself, that's all."

Will placed two fingers under Elizabeth's chin and lifted her head up. "All I know is that I love you and I always will, no matter what. You're still the same caring, loving woman I fell in love with in the first place and that's all that matters."

Will kissed Elizabeth once more, still with the same amount of strength as before. They did not break away until a mysterious creaking sound from somewhere inside the house made itself known. It sounded like someone had stepped upon a particularly creaky floorboard by accident. The only problem was, every inhabitant of the Turner household was either asleep or inside their rooms.

Will untangled himself from Elizabeth's arms and lifted himself off their bed. He then quietly walked over to the far wall, where a sword hung in an iron cradle. Will removed the weapon and turned to face Elizabeth.

"It seems we have an unwanted guest. Stay up here with Michael; I'm going to give our guest a proper greeting."

"Are you sure it's a thief?"

"Thieves never use the front door. Come on, I'll accompany you to Michael's room."

Elizabeth got up off the bed and crossed the floor to come up behind Will, who had carefully opened their bedroom door.

As they crept out into the darkened hallway that was dimly illuminated by low-burning candles, Elizabeth made sure to keep close to Will. Within seconds, the couple had reached the door to their son's room. Will silently eased it open and motioned for Elizabeth to enter.

"Whatever happens, don't come out."

"Be careful," said Elizabeth as she lightly kissed Will on the lips before entering Michael's bedroom and closing the door behind her.

Will continued to inch his way down the hallway, keeping an eye out for the slightest hint of movement. He soon came to a halt at the top of the stairs that led to the lower part of the house, and making sure not to make any noises of his own, began to slowly descend the flight.

The moment his feet touched level ground again, Will allowed his eyes to dart in every direction, trying to discover where the intruder was hiding. He gradually started to check each area of the house, but was unsuccessful in finding what he was looking for. The last room left for Will to search was the living area.

He cautiously slid along the wall leading to the double-doors that allowed entry into the space until he had reached one of the doors itself. Will inhaled deeply, gathering his composure for a few moments. Finally, he steeled himself enough and whipped around so that he was standing in the middle of the doorway, sword held out firmly in front of him.

At first glance, Will saw nothing. And as he began to enter into the living area, his alertness began to ebb away ever so slightly. Because of that, Will was completely unprepared for the rough hands that suddenly gripped his shoulders from behind and shoved him against the wall. Will's sword flew from his grasp from the sudden impact and clattered upon the wooden floor.

A strong fist suddenly collided hard with Will's gut, knocking the wind out of him. Will doubled over in pain as a rough, gravelly voice filled his ears.

"Where is it? Where is the map?"

Instead of answering, Will breathed in copious amounts of air, regained himself, and charged forward. He made contact with a human body and flung him to the floor. Without glancing at the intruder's face, Will roughly pulled him up and landed a hard blow to the side of the man's face that was sure to knock him out.

As the man's unconscious form crumpled to the ground, the sound of movement behind Will caused him to turn around to see Elizabeth and Michael. Both were staring at the sight in front of them with shocked faces.

"Will..."

"Dad! What happened?!"

Will picked up his sword and handed it to Elizabeth. "Stand guard over him while I fetch a chair and some rope."

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Much later, a fire roared to life inside the living area's fireplace, illuminating the room with a shimmering and brilliant light. Seated in front of the fire, yet still at a safe distance from the flames, was the intruder who had attempted to harm Will earlier. The man's head hung limply, clearly still unconscious. His arms were tightly bound behind him to the wooden chair in which he sat.

Will paced in front of him, clutching a bottle of brandy and a full glass in each of his hands. Sitting cautiously in a plush armchair nearby was Elizabeth, who had Michael in her lap and her arms wrapped around his chest protectively. Will came to a halt suddenly and turned to face Elizabeth.

"Take Michael out of here."

Elizabeth did not argue, she merely nodded quietly before getting to her feet and leading her son back to his bedroom. Once they were gone, Will spun back around and observed the man clad in black clothing who had tried to kill him only half an hour ago. Will downed the brandy in the glass in one gulp and immediately refilled it. He walked up closer to the stranger and splashed the liquid in his face, causing the man to cough and sputter while shaking away the feeling of unconsciousness that had overpowered him moments before.

"Wake up," said Will in a monotonous tone. "I have a few questions for you to answer." Will placed the brandy on a table and stared down at the man stonily. "What were you doing in my house at this late an hour?"

The intruder took a few seconds to regain his composure and his bearings. "Under what terms am I obligated to answer, exactly?"

Will gripped the hilt of his sword which was tucked into the waistline of his pants and whipped it out, placing the tip at the man's throat. "How about this for a start?"

The man looked down at the gleaming metal, clearly weighing his options. Finally, he gulped and answered Will's question. "I was ordered to come here."

"By who?" Will asked sharply.

"A mercenary by the name of Jacob McGivens. He had private and sensitive matters to attend to in Port Royal tonight."

"And what did these...sensitive matter have to do with my family?"

"It mainly concerned your wife's father. The Governor of Port Royal."

"What do you know of Elizabeth's father?" Will demanded dangerously.

"I'm not sure you're entirely ready to process that piece of information."

Will tightened his grip on the sword, which caused the blade to sink a little deeper into the man's flesh. "You'll tell me right now or I'll slit your throat."

The man took a sharp intake of breath because of the pressure exerted upon his flesh from the sharp tip of the sword. "All I know is that we were paid to converge on the Governor tonight in an attempt to force him to divulge some type of secret."

"And what secret would that be?"

The man hesitated, but continued on after feeling more pressure from the sword at his throat. "He was a member of some clandestine society...The Clan Of Cortez, I think it was."

Will's back stiffened as he rose to his full height, his face one of complete seriousness. "What exactly did you do to Elizabeth's father?"

The man said nothing, just stared solemnly down at his feet. Will made to grab him by the hair, but a voice from the doorway behind him caused him to stop.

"Answer the question. What have you done with my father?" It was Elizabeth's voice, and it sounded shaky and scared.

Will turned around and saw her standing in the doorway, he eyes wide and her complexion slightly pale. Will started to move toward her, but Elizabeth swept past him and over to the tied-up intruder. She took a handful of his hair in her hand and forced his face upward.

"Where is my father?" Elizabeth spat.

The man managed to suppress an evil grin. "My best guess would be that he's now at peace with the world."

Tears immediately began to form in Elizabeth's eyes as she comprehended these words. "You...you killed him?" she said as the tears started to streak down her face.

"Not directly. But I was there to witness it and I saw the life drain from his eyes. He is probably up in the sky watching us at this very instant." The man delivered these words harshly, and they stung Elizabeth greatly.

Without being fully aware of what she was doing, Elizabeth wrenched Will's sword from his grasp and plunged it deep into the intruder's chest out of nothing but pure anger.

"Elizabeth!"

Will dashed forward and removed the blade as Elizabeth just stood there staring blankly at the scene, silent tears falling down her cheeks. Within seconds, Will was at her side.

"My...my father's dead!" Elizabeth sobbed as Will took her into his arms. "I...I can't believe it! I refuse to believe it!" Her sadness soon turned into anger as she started to beat her hands upon Will's chest furiously. Will did not relinquish his hold at all, he just stood there comforting his wife to the best of his abilities.

After a few minutes of crying uncontrollably on Will's shoulder, Elizabeth sniffed and looked up at him through teary eyes. "We have to go down to the docks."

Will gave her a slightly confused expression. "Elizabeth, darling, you're in no condition to –"

"I have to see his body! I just have to! Will, please understand"

Will looked at Elizabeth through somber eyes, not wanting to cause her anymore displeasure. So, he heaved a deep sigh and gave in. "Alright. But what makes you think your father's body is there."

Elizabeth turned her head and gazed blankly out through a window, tears still fresh in her eyes. "I...just know."

Will could understand; there was a special type of connection that a child and parent shared that could not be so easily severed, even in death. With that in mind, he nodded.

"What about Michael? I don't want him to be with us when we go, but I also don't want to leave him here alone."

"We'll have one of Father's servants come. A few of them do live close by."

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Once everything regarding Michael had been taken care of, Will and Elizabeth had gotten into the carriage that they owned and took off at top speed toward the town's docks. They arrived there only a short while later, half the normal time.

Elizabeth was the first to jump down from it, with Will close behind. The instant they had arrived, Will and Elizabeth spotted it: the lifeless form of the late Governor Weatherby Swann. The skin on his body had turned pale and his eyes were empty and staring up at the starry sky, which was reflected eerily in them.

The moment Elizabeth had reached her father's dead body, she collapsed to her knees and once again let the tears come. Will came up beside her and bent down, taking Elizabeth into his arms for the second time that night. Will let Elizabeth cry her eyes out on his shoulder until there were no tears of sadness left.

But as Will sat there, tenderly holding the love of his life, he could not help but notice the ripped portion of Governor Swann's right sleeve. The hole in the fabric was large enough to reveal something inscribed upon the pale skin. It was a tattoo of some kind, and it depicted the world being partly surrounded by a curved sword that clearly represented a "C". Immediately, Will recalled the intruder's talk of Elizabeth's father being a member of some secret society known as The Clan Of Cortez. Despite the situation, Will's interest in the subject was slightly piqued.

However, Will did not allow his attention to be stolen by something less important than what was currently happening. Shaking the tattoo and the conversation from his mind, Will went back to consoling Elizabeth, who had now wrapped her arms around his neck; Will began to rock her soothingly as he would an upset child.

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A/N: Come back tomorrow night for chapters 3 & 4!