Drabble: Sins of the Father (Part 6)
"...So anyway, love. I once sailed under the command of a bloody idiot. His name was...well, the name isn't really important. One day he fell overboard and, being the considerate man that I am, I jumped in to save him. Once he was safely on the ship again, he asked how he could repay me for my good deed." Elizabeth sat quietly, listening to the old man continue to talk endlessly. She wasn't entirely certain if he was attempting to flirt with her or tell a joke, either way, she was ready to drag Jack back over and threaten his life again.
"And how did he repay you?" She asked politely.
"I said, 'just keep it quiet. If the crew finds out I saved you, they'll throw me in with you.'" He began chucking at his own joke which made her smile slightly. He seemed friendly enough, even if he was a bit annoying.
Jack slowed when he saw that his father and Elizabeth were fairing well. No one had been dismembered, at least not yet.
"Tell me, lad, what means of conveyance did you and your bonny lass annex in your pursuit of this minor trinket?" Will stared blankly at Jack for a moment, which caused Jack to roll his eyes in annoyance. "How did you get to Tortuga?"
"Governor Swann granted us permission to travel here," he answered. Jack looked at him suspiciously then took a quick gander around the tavern.
"I seem to have missed the commodore's arrival," Jack said.
"The commodore didn't accompany us," Will informed him. "Lieutenant Gillette did."
"Ah..." Jack said. "I imagine you brought one of the navy's finest vessels, no doubt. Heaven knows the Governor would never allow his daughter to travel in anything less than the most ostentatious ship available."
"We did," Will said suspiciously. "We brought the St. Andrews." Jack nodded but Will recognized the look on his face. He was either planning something or hiding something, which it was, he wasn't yet sure.
"Why does the ship matter?"
Jack suddenly smiled as if he didn't have a care in the world. "No reason," he replied. "Why don't you sit here and regale my father with tales of our little adventure while I see if I can't find the bloke that I sold Elizabeth's ring too, eh?" Will watched him closely but tentatively nodded in agreement. He then returned to the table where Nigel and Elizabeth were sitting.