one: heart of lead
James chooses Tortuga because it's the worst place he's ever heard of. This far from civilized society no one knows of ex-Commodore James Norrington, of his faults and failures, his demise. There's a story or two about a hurricane off the coast of Libya, but no mention of his name, of the Dauntless lying splintered at the bottom of the sea.
Everyone, however, knows of Captain Jack Sparrow—of his thrilling exploits, of daring escapes, of mutinies and sea turtles. Though it grates on his spirit to hear the pirate hailed as a hero when his name has been condemned to the depths he is grateful for the anonymity.
He tests his newfound freedom by appearing one day in the uniform he wore to the court-martial; though in full dress no one mistakes him for a man of any power, any worth. So he joins the men at the tavern, sharing in their stories and their grog, swearing and partying until the wavering candlelight is replaced by the dawn.
When the first survivor shows up in his tattered Navy rags, James spares him only a glance from the corner of his eye. The man represents a life he has left behind, an oath he has forsworn, a home to which he can never return, and James says nary a word as he pushes a tankard toward the man's grimy hands.
Still he sleeps with his sword by his side, waiting—for the Pearl to return, as sure as the stories are true.