Drabble: Sins of the Father (Part 8)
Jack quickly began moving old crates aside until he found the one he had planted on the ship. It had a few Chinese characters engraved in the wood and he recognized it immediately.
He and his crew had been scouting the Windward Passage when they happened upon a Spanish Galleon full of valuables. They had gotten a few trinkets out of the plunder, but it was the crate full of Chinese porcelain that would make Jack and the crew a tidy profit. However, his reputation had preceeded him. The captain of the ship had recognized him and would, no doubt, have the navy searching for him. He was aware that if he was caught with the porcelain, the East India Company would seize it and he would be left to face the noose once again.
It was then that he had decided to stop over in Port Royal. If the weather cooperated, sailing to Port Royal from the Windward passage could be done in about two days and it was far less risky than heading straight towards Tortuga, which is where everyone would be expecting him to go.
When he had stopped at the blacksmith's shop, hoping to find a way to trick Will into bringing the porcelain to him, both Elizabeth and Will had been there. Apparently, young Miss Swann had removed her engagment ring before she began practicing with her sword, and that was when he decided to steal it, after exchangings pleasantries, of course. Something so valuable would cause them to come looking for him and the St. Andrews was the only ship that could anchor in Tortuga without drawing too much suspicion. It was relatively new and had yet to stir a reputation amongst the buccaneers that inhabited the port.
Now his porcelain had been delivered safely to him, courteousy of the King himself. Who, after all, would expect to find his plundered goods on a naval vessel?