Will stared out onto the open horizon. Still nothing. The same scene which he had seen for the past few days. Open water, stretching on for ever. This was Will's home, but he was starting to have second thoughts about this trip. Where in the world was Barbossa? Will had travelled on endless seas for days, but had seen not a sight of Barbossa or the Black Pearl. Will knew the ocean like the back of his hand but either he had passed him or, on the more likely possibility, he was already at the island. And that brought bile up Will's throat. But what would Jack say if Will returned to him reporting that Barbossa was already on Isle Fountaineis, probably already drinking the magical water. Will would never live with himself if Barbossa drunk that water.
Will thumped his hand down on the rail. He gritted his teeth. Where is that god-damned ship?!?!?!?!
Staring out at the water again, he thought of Elizabeth. He must succeed, for her sake. He must have her drink the water, and then she can be with him forever. That is how it is meant to be. Will had a thought. If Jack was after the water, he would only want it for himself. But maybe, if he ventured after it as well, he could take some for Elizabeth, as he knew Jack never would. But should he turn against his friend?
He knew the answer.
Probably.
But Jack had offered him to travel with them. There was no need to fight against Jack if he could fight with him against Barbossa. Then he could still get the water for Elizabeth, and not be in danger of death by Jack.
Will nodded to himself. Yes, that was the plan. No, all I need to do is find this damned ship, blow it to smithereens and then return to my wife. IF ONLY I COULD FIND IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Will was starting to get really frustrated. But there was nothing else he could do. He would sail one more day, and if there was no luck, then he was returning to the Mantress to inform Jack that Barbossa was probably at the island. Will was relieved.
He had a plan. At last.
*
Jack waited for Will. He felt good inside. He had struck a bargain, and very soon he would be immortal. What a wonderful life. The only annoying part was that he didn't get to kill Barbossa himself.
Bugger.
He would have loved to see that traitor die at his own hands, a bullet once again through his chest. Or maybe he would be more creative. Maybe he would torture him slowly, cutting of an arm or a leg. But Jack knew he could never do that, no matter how bad a person was, torturing them slowly. It would have to be less creative, maybe cutting off, what, a head? And that beard. It had to go.
Jack sighed. He couldn't do anything creative about killing Barbossa. Will had gone to do the job for him, so then to free the path to the Fountain. Great.
Jack looked over the deck. Elizabeth, of course, was shouting orders to the crew, who quickly obeyed. Jack chuckled. His crew was scared of a girl! But Jack didn't blame them. Elizabeth could be fierce when she wanted to be. Jack could tell that Elizabeth was back to her normal self. Taking charge of everyone was just one of the symptoms of that personality.
Just then Jack spotted something. A man was floating in the water, lying on a plank of wood. He must be one of Barbossa's crew, Jack thought. "Man overboard!" Jack shouted. Most of the crew ran to the starboard side, leaning over the rail to identify the man. No-one recognized him, but threw a rope and hauled him onto the deck anyway. The man wasn't breathing.
'He's dead?' Gibbs asked.
Jack studied the man's features. He wasn't what you'd call thin, he had a thick build. He had a slight beard and shoulder-length dark thick hair, which was now streaming with water. He was wearing what was clearly typical pirate clothing – knee-length boots, thick belt, vest, glove, open shirt. He had a pistol and sword attached to his waste. These were removed and studied by the crew. He also had on him what appeared to be a small black case of some sort. Jack pulled it off the man and opened it. The box was black leather on the outside, but the inside was a bright red.
That was because inside was a finger.
Jack gasped. The crew stopped looking at the weapons and stared at Jack. Elizabeth circled around Jack and looked over his shoulder. She, too, made a sound of utter astonishment. Jack made a quick decision. He decided to keep quiet about his find.
He looked back at the crew. 'Just, ah, a beautiful, um, piece of lace.' Jack could tell the crew didn't believe him. Jack looked at Elizabeth, who looked back at him. She decided to play along with him. "Oh my, such a piece of lace. It must be for his wife. Oh, Captain, may I please keep it?' Elizabeth put on a pleading face.
Jack shrugged, secretly laughing inside. 'Of course, luv. This man appears to be dead, and so you may have it.' Elizabeth clapped her hands together, took the box and ran into the Captain's cabin. The rest of the crew gave a wary eye to Jack, who shrugged, then followed Elizabeth into his cabin. Before entering, he took one last look at the man. The man's eyes appeared to flicker. Jack shook his head then entered the cabin. The crew returned to what they were doing. The man stayed lying on the deck.
In the Captain's cabin, Elizabeth and Jack once again opened the box. Elizabeth was still stunned. "Jack, who's do you think it is? Who would seriously put a finger in a box and tie it to a dead man? It's..........torturous.'
Jack eyed the finger. He couldn't make sense of it. Elizabeth was still talking. '.......a dead man floating in oceans water? We haven't seen another ship for days. The horizon is empty. Its not possible.'
Jack had heard that phrase many times. 'Not probable.' Jack said slowly. He then remembered the man's flickering eyes. He knew that they weren't that far from land. Jack had a sudden thought.
'Elizabeth I don't think the man is dead.' Before Elizabeth could ask how Jack had rushed out the door, Elizabeth following close behind. Jack knelt down by the man. He shook him by the shoulders. The man did not stir. 'Jack, I think your mistaken,' Elizabeth said quietly. Jack didn't say anything. Instead, he drew his sword, and said loudly to Elizabeth "I might just kill him now then, get it over and done with.' He started to lower his sword, and just before it slashed the man's head off his eyes flickered open.
'Ha ha' Jack said triumphantly. "I knew you were faking. Master Gibbs!' Jack called. The first mate came over. He was stunned when he saw the apparently 'dead' man awake. "Lock this man in the brig. I will question him soon.'
'Aye aye cap'n,' Gibbs replied. He grabbed the man's arms and dragged him down the stairs to the brig. Jack waited on the deck for a few minutes.
Elizabeth looked at him. 'How did you know, Jack? How could you tell?'
Jack looked at her. 'Simple, Liz. I knew the man was a pirate, but I also knew he was one of Barbossa's. Don't ask me how I could tell, I just could. And I knew that finger was meant for my eyes, as a warning. As I was going into the cabin, I saw the man's eyes flicker, so I knew he wasn't dead. I believe Barbossa sent him as a warning or to somehow kill me. Either one. I'm going to go talk to him.' Throughout Jack's whole explanation Elizabeth had just stared at Jack, dumbfounded. Elizabeth had no idea how Jack could work out these things. Shrugging, Elizabeth followed Jack down the stairs.
In the brig, a bench had been set down for the prisoner to sit on. Jack stood outside the bars and looked at the man. He was a sad sight. No matter. Jack cleared his throat. The man looked up at him. Jack could see in his eyes that he was just a peasant, pleading for him not to kill him, which, true enough, is exactly what he did. The man even got down on his knees right next to the bars. Jack looked down on him.
'Please, sir, don't kill me. I am just a poor pirate, sent by another to warn you to stay away. That was my message.' What a pathetic sight, Jack thought. This man was no real pirate. This man is just worthless.
'Was this pirate, by any chance, Captain Barbossa?'
'Yes sir. He ventured to the Fountain of Youth, and knew that you were after it too. He sent me to you to warn you to "Stay well away or you'll be sent to Davy Jones Locker. Again." That's what he said.'
'Is there anything else you would like to add?'
'No, sir. That's all.'
Jack could tell the man was lying. He knew how to get information out of him. He looked at Elizabeth. 'Well, then, I guess you are no further use to us.' Jack drew his sword, and unlocked the cell door. Elizabeth too drew her sword. 'Where do you reckon, Elizabeth, through the heart or the head?' he asked casually.
Elizabeth snickered. 'I reckon painfully, Captain, through the head.'
The man started to shake. 'No, please no. Okay, I overheard the Captain saying something.'
Elizabeth and Jack paused.
'He said something about the water only giving life.'
Jack sighed. 'You idiot, that's the whole point of the Water. To give immortality, or LONG LIFE!!!'
The man shook his head. 'No, he said that the water would not redeem injury.'
Jack saw the light. 'Which means-'
'The water will not stop you dying from attack. Only long life.' Elizabeth concluded. Jack nodded.
'Thankyou, man. Now tell me something else. Where was Captain Barbossa when you were thrown overboard?'
'He was in his cabin. The crew threw me over.'
'No no you idiot. Where abouts was the ship?'
'Not too far from land. He was heading in a North-West direction, and he was happy. Very happy.'
'How long ago was this?' Elizabeth.
'About 2 days ago.'
Jack looked at Elizabeth. 'Barbossa must be near Isle Fountaineis. He will go in there, take the water, and come back out. Alive. I only hope that he doesn't know about the gong.'
'He knows,' the man volunteered.
'Bugger. He's probably in there already. And were still a couple of days away. We can only hope Will found him and blasted him before he entered.'
Jack and Elizabeth turned to exit. 'What about me?' the prisoner cried. Jack turned and thumped him on the head, knocking him out. He shut the cell door again.
'I'll get Gibbs to throw him overboard later. Thanks again!' He said to the unconscious man.
Elizabeth laughed and turned, stepping up into the sunlight. Jack gave one last look at the man, kicked him, and then followed Elizabeth onto the deck.
*
One day later, the Flying Dutchman was spotted sailing towards the Mantress. Looking through the spyglass, Jack could tell that Will had not been able to find Jack. Will had a grim expression on his face, his mouth pulled into a frown. He was carefully steering the Dutchman across the ocean.
A few minutes later, the ships were alongside each other. Jacks fears were confirmed.
'I'm sorry Jack. I couldn't find the damned ship anywhere. I looked across, I swear, the whole ocean. Nothing.' Jack nodded.
'Don't worry mate. We had a little visitor. Barbossa decided to send his regards through a half-dead man. With an amputated finger attached. The prisoner told us that Barbossa was not far from Isle Fountaineis and we figure he is probably near or in there already. Our only hope was your diversion, but we must act quickly. Oh, some more shocking yet helpful news. You can still die even if you drink the water. It only gives long life. So, I say we sail to the island, and if we meet Barbossa coming out we slash him. Savvy?'
Will agreed. He still wanted to see Barbossa dead.
'Now, where's my Compass?' Jack walked to his cabin, opened his compass and studied its point.
It was pointing in the opposite direction to the island.
But Jack knew exactly what it was pointing at. And no, it wasn't Elizabeth.
Jack picked up his rum bottle. The Compass swivelled. Jack grinned. He chugged down the rum. Elizabeth and Will watched him. Jack offered them the bottle. They shook their heads. Jack shrugged and took another mouthful. He set the bottle down. He looked at Will and Elizabeth watching him.
'What?' he asked.
Elizabeth and Will shook their heads, smirking.
Jack, too, grinned.
Finally, everything was set.
