Chapter 20

The carriage came to a halt in front of the Blacksmith's Shop. The driver hopped down from his seat and made his way to the carriage door and pulled it open. Governor Weatherby Swann stepped out from the small space and onto the dusty road. He glanced around momentarily, briefly taking in Port Royal's current state before slowly entering the shop, almost reluctantly.

Once inside, Governor Swann halted in the open doorway, staring gravely at the back of "Bootstrap" Bill Turner. Swann and Bill had spent some time getting to know each other in the past two years, mainly because their children were married to each other. Over that time, both men had discovered certain similar interests and had discussed them lively. Because of that bond, the men had become quite close friends, so Swann dreaded being the bearer of bad news at the moment.

Noticing a new presence in the room, Bill turned toward Swann. Upon seeing who it was, Bill smiled warmly. "Weatherby! What can I do for you? Need a sword re-sharpened?"

"Er...not quite." Swann hesitantly stepped closer to Bill. "Bill...I...I'm afraid there is something you should know. Something rather important."

"What is it?" questioned Bill.

"Why don't we sit?" Swann gestured towards a pair of chairs sitting in the far corner. He and Bill made their way over to them and sat in silence for a few seconds. Finally, Bill spoke up.

"Weatherby, I can tell something's bothering you. Just come out with it. You can rely on a friend like me."

Swann nodded and sighed before getting on with it. "Bill...uh...how long has it been since you've last seen either William or Elizabeth?"

Bill gave Swann a slightly confused expression and shrugged. "Last time I saw them was on their anniversary. Both of them seemed quite happy."

Swann bit his lip and stared down at his feet.

"Why are you asking me about this anyway?"

Swann forced himself to look back up and continue. "Well, you see...the reason that I ask is because...a little over a week ago...both William and Elizabeth were kidnapped by Jack Sparrow."

The news caught Bill totally off-guard. "Kidnapped? By Jack Sparrow?"

"Yes," Swann replied in a grave tone.

"But...but I don't understand. Why would Jack kidnap two of his closest friends?"

"I have no idea."

Bill hesitated before persisting. "Well...do you have any leads on where they're headed?"

"I'm afraid not. All of it happened rather abruptly."

Bill jumped up from his seat and began pacing back and forth across the room. "I trust you sent some men out to find them?"

"Of course! Why wouldn't I?"

"I don't know, it's just...this is a lot to take in right now. Have you at least gotten word back from your men on their progress?"

"No, actually. For some reason they've suddenly gone quiet. I've no idea of their current condition."

Bill slammed his foot into the ground with force. "Then how the bloody hell do they expect us to stay calm in a time like this?!"

Swann got up from his seat and put a friendly hand upon Bill's shoulder. "Listen, I'm sure I'll get word back from them soon. And I assure you, once I do, Sparrow will be sentenced to execution."

Bill looked at Swann in surprise. "Execution?"

"Of course," said Swann. "Why would you think differently about that? Sparrow's a criminal and he must be brought to justice, one way or the other."

"Weatherby, you know that I once served on the Black Pearl under Jack's command. So pardon my resistance at your proposition of sentencing Jack to death for a crime you're not even sure he committed."

"I beg your pardon?"

"I mean, for all you know Jack could have been taking them to the Pearl so that they could assist him in one of his adventures."

"Oh, please! That's the last thing I wish to hear!"

"Well you're going to hear it! I know Jack too well to even entertain the notion that he kidnapped both our children for no apparent reason!"

"Oh, yes. I forgot. You're a pirate, so you would side with one of your own."

Bill's eyes flared with anger. "How dare you! How dare you treat me with such disrespect on my own grounds!"

"I'm the governor of this town, might I remind you! I can bloody well call you what I wish to call you!"

Bill glared daggers at Swann a few more moments before finally shouting once again. 'Get out! Now!" He stabbed his finger towards the open door.

Swann waited a few seconds, and finally departed swiftly from the shop without another word. After the door closed, Bill went back to his duties, but applied more force to the things he was doing.