Chapter 12

After wandering the seemingly endless halls and checking every room, The two believe they found their effects in an armory of sorts. Their sword and pistol were thrown on the floor, making it easy to pick out from the swords and pistols that hung from the walls. Jewel paused, moving to the racks of weaponry to look closer. They were all different, or had something different separating them from another pistol or rifle that was the same make and model. Just one aspect, be it a tone of paint, a single dent or scratch. Jewel stepped back from the rack.

"This isn't an armory." she said, shaking her head.

"Aye. It's a trophy room." Barbossa said. Jewel then surprised Barbossa, lunging for a different rack. Her fingers danced over the various weaponry, trying to find something specific.

"What is it now Sparrow?" he asked. When she didn't respond, he pulled her back. She had grabbed a silver plated knife with an intricate handle, a small ruby in the center of it.

"I accidentaly left a knife here. I want it back." she said. She dropped the knife she held, moving forward, only to have Barbossa pull her back.

"Mind tellin' me of how you and Darny met first?" he asked

"Is that really important at the moment?" she asked

"I feel it is necessary I know of your relation with him. It would help with the mutiny." Barbossa said. Jewel sighed and looked at the floor. She turned to look up at Barbossa.

"I've told people my mom's last words to me were 'wait for your father'. By just saying that, they were convinced that I waited on Tortuga for my dad for two years." she said, before shaking her head, "But... The truth is... I didn't. I went out, and I looked for him."

"I've heard the tales and whispers of your ventures, but nothing of this man." Barbossa said

"You knew?" she asked

"Aye. When we crossed paths at one point, I was briefly determined to get our powder monkey back. The trail turned cold, and we had aztec gold to find." Barbossa said

"We crossed paths? Oh yes, I thought it was the Pearl I saw by Africa." Jewel said

"How did you meet Darny?" he asked

"I believe it was in..." Jewel paused to think for a moment, "Spain, it was. Heard a rumor my dad was with a rich widow in Spain. First time, I snuck aboard through the anchor chain hole in... France was it? Doesn't matter." She shook her head and continued her story. "I sailed in secret until we reached Spain. I left a few of my left over food though. That's how he knew I stowed away the first time."

"And the second time?" Barbossa asked

"I spent a week in the Spanish territory, and Darny had spent a week gathering and selling supplies for the company. When I saw his ship and heard it was going to England, I decided to go aboard once more, thinking 'maybe England. May as well try'." Jewel said. "Halfway there, he found me. Tried to lock me up and chain me, but I was too fast for him and his men. Hid in the powder hold and decided to make a getaway as soon as possible, but I wasn't sure when the soon would be exactly.

"Once word reached we were a couple of knots from England, I did my best to block the entrance to the hold so nobody could reach me. I gathered all powder together against one wall and hid behind a crate and a barrel when I lit a line of gunpowder leading to it. Darny managed to make it through my blockade, shortly before the great explosion that rocked the whole ship and left a hole big enough for a whale to swim through. Seeing my opportunity to escape, I jumped out of the hole and tried to swim to England.

"Two knots was too much for me though. However, a ship planning to make port picked me up anyway, so I wouldn't have to swim all the way. It wasn't until I was safe on solid land that I realized..." Jewel paused and picked up a thin, black rectangular case, "I left this behind." She pulled on one end, pulling out a knife with a squared off end.

"Where did you get that?" Barbossa asked. Jewel smiled and slid it back in place.

"I'll tell you another time." she said. Barbossa chuckled and shook his head.

"You Sparrows are truly strange with what happens to the lot of ye." He said, "And I believe the same could be said about your mother's side." He lifted the chain and motioned to her arm.

"And I'm the combined effect of Sparrow and Finch. Even stranger, and slightly impossible, happenings." Jewel agreed. Barbossa's smile slowly vanished. He started to concentrate on the racks of weaponry. The question was nagging at her. She was just so curious about the subject.

"Would there be a chance for me to ask about your parents?" she asked

"Father beat me. Me and me mum." he said. Jewel put a hand on his shoulder

"I'm so sorry." Jewel said

"I returned from working at the docks and saw him. He killed my mother. He almost killed me. I ran into his room and ran him through with one of his swords." Barbossa explained. "Went into town and organized friends to help me. The next day we took one of the ships from the dock. I was captain."

"You were alone." Jewel said, "This may be strange, but... Are you jealous of mine and my father's relationship with each other?" Barbossa looked at her coldly.

"I believe we went over this." he said. Jewel looked down.

"I understand." she said

"We should gather more weapons." Barbossa said, holding out a musket and a knife in one hand, "This mutiny will fail without them." Jewel took them and nodded. There was a creak at the door. Swords were drawn and pointed to the door. It was only Carlos. He walked in with his hands up.

"I mean peace!" he said. He closed the door behind him. "How did you two escape from your cell?"

"That is an old pirate secret." Jewel said

"And you'd have to be a pirate to learn it." Barbossa added in.

"My friends and those on our side are willing to help." Carlos said

"Do we have a plan of sorts?" Jewel asked

"Why would we need one when we are doing a full assault on the captain and his followers?" Barbossa asked with a smirk.

"Well, It might be a bit safer for starters. How would it all begin, anyway? We all jump up and shout attack and kill all in our way?" Jewel asked

"I will give the signal for the attack, but we need more supplies." Carlos said

"You've a sword and musket I see. What more do you need?" Barbossa asked. Carlos stammered for an answer. Barbossa put a hand on his shoulder. "Lad, use what you've got first, and you won't be hated for wasting shots and powder." Carlos nodded.

"I will lead you to where you will stay until I give the signal." Carlos said, opening the door.

"This is getting exciting." Jewel said with a smile.