Chapter 24
New and Old Acquaintances
Izzy followed Jack blindly. She was deep in thought when Jack pulled her into a group of large bushes.
"What the…"
"Shh!" Jack whispered. He pulled her down and peered through the bushes.
"What's going on!" Izzy demanded in a hushed tone.
"Look," Jack said nodding towards the path that they were just on. Izzy's face blanched.
Captain Morris and a few of his men were walking towards the port where Jack and Izzy had just come from.
"I can't believe this!" Izzy whispered. "What the bloody hell would he be doing here?"
"Probably lookin' for you, love. You are the governor's daughter," he said. Disgust slightly colored his tone.
"But why would they look here? The odds of me being here are slim to none."
Jack chuckled darkly. "But here you are, 'xactly where you're not supposed to be. Now you tell me why they shouldn't look for you here?"
Izzy had no answer.
"I've got to get back to the ship, love," Jack told her. "I can't be seen and I definitely can't go into the blacksmith's shop with old Captain Morris in this surrounding area. I already have my name imprinted in the gallows. Love, make your little shopping trip quickly."
He examined the path again and stood.
"But how do I know what to get?" Izzy asked.
"Look for somethin' perfectly balanced. Gibbs will stay behind with a dingy to get you back to the ship, love."
With that he took off into the trees at a sprint.
Izzy grimaced. The last thing she needed was to be found, especially by Captain Morris. He'd bring her straight home to her father who'd force her to marry some man with a title nicer than his personality.
Izzy shook herself. Now wasn't the time to panic. She needed to find a sword quickly.
She jumped out of the bushes and ran the opposite way that Jack and Captain Morris had gone. She soon found the blacksmith's shop and snapped the door quickly behind her. Up above the door a little bell rang but it didn't register in Izzy's mind.
She gazed around the room, her mind only half thinking about why she was here. Izzy began to move around the shop. She ended up staring up at hundreds of beautiful swords hanging on a wall. Each sword had its own specific handle with its own markings.
Izzy leaned forward and grabbed a sword off the wall. It slid through her fingers and landed on the stone floor with a crash. She dropped to her knees and snatched it up. She was looking for damage when she heard a small familiar chuckle from behind her.
Izzy was on her feet in a matter of seconds with the sword clasped tightly against her.
"Who…Who are you?" she stammered in shock.
"I'm the shop owner, lass," he said. "And what a pretty thing like yerself be doin' in this here shop?"
"I'm looking for a sword," she said.
"Obviously, lass" he said. "What type might that be?"
"I really have no idea," she said finally getting her composure back. "I was told by… a friend to get one that was 'perfectly balanced.'"
"And why might this "friend" not be with ye since he seems to be knowin' much 'bout swords?"
"He, he had to go back to the ship," Izzy said curious now. The man was asking so many questions. She scrutinized his face very carefully. He looked very familiar, so much like Jack. "Something came up."
The shop owner thought carefully for a moment. "I see. Now, let's be seein' what I can do fer ye. All of me swords be "perfectly balanced" it's just a matter of preference…" he trailed off looking at her strangely.
"What's the matter?" Izzy asked suddenly uncomfortable of the man's careful study.
"What ship be you on?" he asked quietly.
Izzy hesitated. "I don't think that's any of your business."
"You be on the Black Pearl," he stated.
"Ummm… yes I am."
"And yer friend be Captain Jack Sparrow?" he inquired.
"Yes."
The man started to laugh. Izzy thought he was mad.
"Don't worry lass," he comforted. "Jack be an old friend of mine."
He laughed even harder.
"I wondered when the time be comin'," he thought out loud.
"I'm sorry, I'm not following you," Izzy said.
"You be the one Captain Morris be lookin' fer, isn't ya?"
"Yes."
The man stopped laughing.
"Well then, let's find ya that sword."
He took the one she had in her hand and hung it back on the wall.
"Wait here, lass," he said and disappeared back into the shadows from where he came.
Izzy watched the man vanish. She pondered what he had said. How did he know so much about her?
The smithy emerged once again with a sword in his hands.
"This be what "perfectly balanced" mean, lass," he said. He let part of the blade near the handle rest on his finger. "Both parts weigh the same."
"Oh."
He handed the blade to her. She looked at the handle and gasped, eyes large. The same crest on her ring was engraved on it.
"Ah, I wondered if that symbol be familiar to ye," he laughed. "Ye seem to know Jack slightly more than I thought."
"Who are you?" Izzy demanded.
"Let's just say I be a close relation to old Jack," he said.
Izzy's eyes widened finally putting the pieces together.
"I can't believe it! You're…"
"Yes lass, now ye better get movin'."
"How much…"
"Think of it as a present from a brother," he said cutting her off again. "Now go."
She dashed to the door.
"Lass."
"Yes?" Izzy turned.
"Tell Jack I be sayin' hello."
"I will."
Izzy darted out the door.
Will Jack get caught?
Will Izzy get caught?
Who is the blacksmith?