A/N: Happy New Year! Please review, all considered good even if they're not!

Disclaimer: Err…. I forgot this before so it goes for earlier and later chapters. I don't own anything recognisable it probably belongs to Disney which unfortunately I don't own.

Chapter 3 : Revelations

Norrington stood at the bow of the Draconis contemplating the likelihood of death on this expedition. A grim subject he knew but still he did it just to see the chances of survival. He also pondered the Draconis and her slightly eccentric Captain, who appeared to prefer staying within his cabin most of the day. Occasionally Lyleston would venture out of his lair, as Norrington thought of it, and would help in the physical running of the ship. Norrington noticed that although young the Captain was an excellent sailor, which was probably why he had reached such a high position so young.

Norrington had been nothing but welcomed on board the Draconis, the crew were pleasant to be around and obviously welcomed Norrington's presence onboard and the protection he brought with him. But although he felt welcomed Norrington felt as if the crew were being deliberately silent about something, especially the subject of the Spanish pirates. Norrington had a strong feeling that they had been told to shut up or ship out.

So even though Norrington had used all his skills to try and gather information on the situation from different perspectives, he had come up with almost nothing. Except a little bit out of the first mate, the first mate, his name Johnson, told Norrington was that Lyleston didn't usually sail with them. Sure he owned the ship and guided the ship in her trading, he usually did it from shore although every few years or so he would seem to have the desire to take off out to sea. The first mate had then muttered under his breath to Norrington, 'wife troubles' and had tapped his nose knowingly.

Norrington's thoughts turned towards home. Although he knew that being aboard the Draconis and offering his protection was his civic duty, Norrington felt regret deep in the pit of his stomach as he felt the chance to finally catch Jack Sparrow slip out of his grasp.

Norrington sighed heavy with regret, he sat down behind a few crates and continue to ponder the situation and what he had learned. Maybe then would it make sense.

Norrington woke with a start; he had dozed off in the heat of the Caribbean noon. He tried to move but found himself stiff and uncomfortable. As he tried to move again he stopped suddenly, he realised that he wasn't alone on deck as he had originally thought. At the helm of the ship stood Captain Lyleston, he was franticly rubbing his right forearm. Looking at him Norrington considered whether the pressure of Spanish pirates and being out at sea had finally caused the man to crack. Norrington, extracting himself from behind the crates, swiftly and silently crept up to the helm until he was just a few metres behind Lyleston. Norrington had decided that it wasn't fair to not let the man have a chance to realise Norrington was behind him so Norrington started.

"Captain?"

The other man whipped about, for a second Norrington thought he was drunk he had flung around so wildly, but no his eyes were clear from the fog of alcohol.

"Yes Commodore?" the younger man asked

"Is your arm ok Captain? It's just I noticed you rubbing it from down there," Norrington nodded at the palace he had been sitting "and I wondered if you were ok."

"I'm fine Commodore, perfectly fine," replied Lyleston nervously taking a step back from Norrington.

Norrington took a step forward just as the younger man moved backwards again. Too late Norrington realised the danger Lyleston was in.

"Watch out for the….."

Lyleston took his last step back and tumbled backwards down the stairs leading to the helm.

"Stairs," Norrington finished hopelessly.

He ran down to check the man over. He had a nasty lump on his head and was unconscious but seemed the extent of his injuries. Norrington looked desperately around deck; he spotted crewman come up from the hold.

"Go get some help quickly!!!"

The man nodded his assent and disappeared down the steps again. As Norrington waited for help, he reached over the unconscious man and grabbed his arm.

Norrington felt shock seep into him as he stared at the P brand and the tattoo of a sparrow on the background of the rising sun on water.

He had found Jack Sparrow.