Thank you to everyone who has reviewed this story, and just because I feel
like it, any other story too.
Once again, thank you Julie for betaing.
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Blood Rising
Chapter 2
James Norrington had always considered himself to be near unshockable but the sheer, needless, barbarity of the scene before him left him chilled to his very core. He couldn't think of anything to say, not to Elizabeth still sobbing hysterically, or to Will, holding her as though he were trying to protect her from the world. Bereft of thought for a moment, he watched Jack Sparrow walk past him and briefly examine the dead body – Estrella that was her name, he dimly remembered.
"Been dead a few hours," the pirate announced, straightening up. "Them as did it will be long gone by now. Not much point you calling for yer marines." Belatedly he realised that he should have thought of summoning aid.
"We have to do something," he answered, only aware after he had spoken that he was almost begging Jack to tell him what to do.
Sparrow gave no answer, didn't even look at him. Norrington followed his gaze and realised he was looking directly at Will and Elizabeth, not that either of them was aware of the attention. Shaking his head slightly, although Norrington had no hint of exactly what thoughts were passing through the man's head, he looked back to the body on the bed.
Undoubtedly if he hadn't grown to know Jack Sparrow fairly well in recent times he would have missed the slight start of surprise, almost immediately covered, and he certainly would have missed the ever-so-casual hand movement and the flash of paper disappearing up a sleeve.
"What was that?" he demanded, the situation making his tone a little harsher than he had intended. It was plainly enough that Anamaria and Gibbs, hanging back in the doorway tensed slightly, as though preparing to come to their captain's aid if necessary.
"What was what?" Will asked, looking up slightly, though not moving away from Elizabeth, who didn't react at all.
"He," here he jerked his head towards Jack, still standing by the bed, "just picked up something. A note."
"A note? We need to see it, Jack." The young man's voice was soft but surprisingly steady. "It must give some clue to who did this. She," he swallowed convulsively but continued, "she was in our bed, it was meant for us."
There was absolutely no emotion on Jack's face. "No. It was meant to get my attention. Note's addressed to me." The tone was an odd mixture of weary compassion and sorrow. "Take 'Lizbeth home...back to her father's place. We'll talk later." For some reason it seemed strange to Norrington that the normal swagger was still in place as Sparrow made his way to the door. Just before he got there he turned back and looked directly at Will and Elizabeth. "I'm sorry." Then he brushed past Gibbs and Anamaria and was gone.
The other two pirates exchanged a long look, then, without a word being spoken, seemed to reach an agreement; Gibbs took off after Jack, and Ana came fully into the room and took Elizabeth's arm. "Come on then, let's get you out of here." With Will holding tight to the other arm, they walked slowly out of the room. In the doorway, Ana looked back over her shoulder at Norrington. "You c'n look after the official stuff?"
He nodded dumbly.
~*~
Gibbs stumbled out of the house and looked around. There was no immediate sign of Jack, but undeterred he headed down to the beach. He had known his captain far too long not to suspect that the younger man would head towards the sea.
Walking in on a dead body tends to have a sobering effect on a man and he was certainly a lot steadier on his feet now than he had been half an hour ago. Nevertheless, he was definitely swaying as he wandered out from the cliff, peering in all directions. And, under the circumstances, it was perhaps understandable that he yelped in surprise when, not more than six feet behind him, a quiet voice said "'Ello, Josh."
When he had regained his composure he turned round, deliberately avoiding mentioning the fact that it was bad luck to sneak up on people. He could just make out Jack standing against the dark cliff, his face hidden in the shadows.
"What are ye doin', Jack?" he kept his voice level.
"Thinkin'." That was said far too flat for Gibbs' liking. He didn't like it when Jack got into dark moods. It always seemed to herald trouble.
"Ye do too much 'o that." he ventured, cautiously.
"Someone 'as to."
For a long moment there was silence, as Gibbs tried hard to think up some reply.
"'e killed 'er." Jack said, suddenly.
"Who did?"
"Doesn' matter. Whoever it was, 'e killed 'er cause o' somethin' I did."
"You can't blame yerself, cap'n."
"Who else is there?" Gibbs almost let out another yelp when Jack snapped up straight and stepped away from the cliff, into the moonlight. "Get the crew back aboard an' tell them we'll be sailin' before dawn. Have them make 'er ready, then meet me up at the governor's mansion, savvy?"
"They're goin' t' want t' know what we're goin' after." And so do I, he added silently.
"I'll tell them when I know." Gibbs wasn't totally sure of that. He had told Will Turner once that Jack played things close to the vest, and some habits were clearly hard to break.
"They won' mind goin' on your word, Jack, but if it comes to riskin' life or limb..."
He was interrupted. "I won' risk me ship or me crew, be sure on that."
"And yer self?" he asked quietly. He caught sight of a flash of gold in the moonlight as Jack grinned. Not exactly reassuring.
"Do as I ask?" it was a question, not an order which made it a lot harder to even think of arguing.
"Aye." he said finally. He turned to leave, hesitated and looked back round. "Your not thinkin' of doin' anything...stupid, are you Jack?"
Once again he was answered with a grin. "Would I?"
Not reassuring at all.
~*~
A few hours later Will crept out of Elizabeth's room. She had cried for a long time; alternately clinging to him and pushing him away with incoherent words of anger, seemingly not directed at him. As he tried to comfort her he wished that there was something he could do; he hated feeling helpless especially when it came to the woman he loved being in pain. But Elizabeth had known Estrella for longer even than she had known him. They had always seemed more like friends than like lady and maid and he didn't think that there was anything he could do to ease her grief.
Still lost in thought, he didn't notice until it was to late and he bumped into Norrington on the landing; the Commodore having just stepped out of the Governor's office.
"How is she?" Norrington asked in a low voice, then added hastily "If you don't mind my asking."
Will shook his head dully, "I don't know."
"She's strong Will. She'll be alright"
He nodded, never doubting it. Elizabeth would be fine, eventually. She was strong, as Norrington had said, the strongest person he had ever known. But would they be all right?
A footman glided up to them. The man looked as if he was trying to hide the fact that he was upset behind an act of stuffiness. On the other hand, that was how the Governor's servants always acted around Will.
"Two...gentlemen have joined the lady whom you arrived with. One of them said that you would wish to speak to them."
Will felt a spark of excitement; Jack would know what was going on. They would be able to do something; maybe if he sought revenge he would stop feeling so useless.
Norrington moved first and Will followed him closely down the stairs. With a start of surprise he drew to a quick halt Just outside the door to the study, as the military man gestured him to do so. Will noted that there were marines stationed in the hallway. Apparently, in view of the recent events, protecting the governor and his family had become a military issue. The study door was slightly ajar and he heard voices coming from it.
"...jus' meant to get Will and Elizabeth to go and find me. Didn' even care 'bout the girl, or about them, jus' wanted to pass a message along."
"But who was it, Jack?"
"I think we'd all like to know the answer to that, Sparrow." Norrington said, sweeping into the room, Will trailing behind.
The three had been huddled together, apparently looking at the note. As they were interrupted they sprang apart, hands moving to swords. Predictably, Jack was the first to recover.
"Di'n't anyone ever tell you as how it's not nice t' eavesdrop?"
"Didn't anyone ever tell you that it's polite to answer the question?" Norrington responded coolly. "Let me see the note."
Will looked from Jack to Norrington; the tension between the two worried him. He watched for a long moment, as they seemed to engage in some sort of staring contest, then Jack shrugged and passed the piece of paper over. The Commodore looked at the markings on the outside and and breathed in sharply. Will moved to his elbow and peered over. He too, couldn't suppress a gasp.
On the outside of the paper was a very familiar drawing. A sparrow was flying over the sea, just like on Jack's tattoo. Except that this sparrow had a sword piercing its chest.
Looking up at the pirate, Will noticed the lack of emotion on the pirate's face. However, Ana and Gibbs had both seemed extremely agitated and tense from the moment they had walked in. Jack turned to them and, after a brief, hushed conversation; they left quietly, glancing backwards with worried expressions.
Will watched as Norrington unfolded the letter. The message was direct.
"Tell Sparrow to go to the isle of coconuts if you want to avoid the rest of your town meeting the same end as this wench."
"The isle of coconuts?" Will questioned, that seemed a ridiculous name for any island, let alone one that was filled with such significance.
"Small place. Uninhabited. Six days north of Port Royal."
"I've never heard of it." Norrington frowned.
"No, well, there were only four that ever called it that. And three of 'em are dead."
"Then it must be the other one." Will said excitedly.
"Yes, but I di'n't do it." The smile that accompanied that statement was only a fraction of his usual grin.
"So what does that mean?"
"Means that some things that are supposed t' be impossible might jus' be improbable." Jack seemed distracted; it was obvious that what he was saying was more for his own benefit than anything else.
There was a long pause before Will thought to ask "What do we do now?"
"We don' do anything. You and 'Lizbeth lie low and keep out of trouble, I go and find out who it is that wants t' talk with me."
"I'm afraid I can't allow that." Norrington's words rang around the room.
"Allow?" Jack spoke softly. Will had never heard him sound so dangerous.
"The girl was under the protection of the crown. This letter contains a threat to Port Royal. This means that this is a matter for the Royal Navy."
"Come along if you like, but me and the Pearl are going tonight. Ana and Josh 'ave gone t' make sure she's ready."
"Don't be stupid, Sparrow. You'd be sailing into what is plainly a trap. This is not a matter for civilians." Will was fairly certain that Norrington didn't mean to sound so superior.
"I'm not a civilian; I'm a pirate, savvy? And I'd like to know how it is that you're plannin' on stopping me."
"Yes, you are a pirate, therefore, need I remind you that pirates aren't supposed to feel responsible for the uncontrollable deaths of others? Estrella's death, however regrettable, was not your fault. As to stopping you, that is simple. I could have you arrested." Will looked between the two men and tried desperately to think of some way to diffuse the situation; but there wasn't a single thing he could think of to say.
"Could you now?" Jack's hand was hovering above his sword. This wasn't good. "And 'ow much good do you reckon that that would do? You 'aven't had much luck keeping me arrested after all."
"Jack." Will said warningly, but it was Norrington who drew his sword first.
"Come on then, mate," Jack said mockingly. He moved round as though trying to get more room for the fight but instead ended up at the door with a wide grin. "Be seeing you."
Not taking his eyes off Norrington, Jack pulled the door open. A startled yelp accompanied the gesture and all eyes turned in time to see Elizabeth stagger and stumble into the room. Being the closest, the pirate reared back slightly in stunned surprise. Struggling to regain her composure, she kept the other side of the door handle in one hand and a candlestick raised high in the other.
"Elizabeth! I thought you were asleep." Will cursed himself for saying something so obvious.
She ignored him, addressing Jack instead. "It's you," her eyes narrowed maliciously, "It's all your fault she's dead. I hate you." Will had never heard her sound so venomous. While unable to see Jack's reaction, the effect of her angry words were clear in the sudden slump of his shoulders and the downward tilt of his head.
"Elizabeth..." he began. She swung the candlestick. Jack went down instantly.
"Elizabeth!" Will said, horror-stricken.
She stood looking down at the crumpled form of their friend. For once, he couldn't read her expression. Uncertain as to what to do next, he remained frozen in place, not sure whether he should be checking on his friend or looking after Elizabeth.
Norrington pushed past him and knelt down beside Jack. After a second he breathed a sigh of relief. "He's still breathing. I think he'll be alright." He put his head out of the door and signalled the marines. "He's also under arrest." Before the guards came in, he checked carefully to make sure that the brand and the tattoo were well covered.
"James," Will said, completely stunned.
"It's for his own protection. And it's just for the time being, until the situation has been settled." The soldiers came in, and without a word, lifted Jack and dragged him out, closely followed by the Commodore.
Will was left facing Elizabeth, trying to think of something, anything to say.
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Ah well, there we go. Please review since you've reached the bottom anyway.
Once again, thank you Julie for betaing.
******************************************************************
Blood Rising
Chapter 2
James Norrington had always considered himself to be near unshockable but the sheer, needless, barbarity of the scene before him left him chilled to his very core. He couldn't think of anything to say, not to Elizabeth still sobbing hysterically, or to Will, holding her as though he were trying to protect her from the world. Bereft of thought for a moment, he watched Jack Sparrow walk past him and briefly examine the dead body – Estrella that was her name, he dimly remembered.
"Been dead a few hours," the pirate announced, straightening up. "Them as did it will be long gone by now. Not much point you calling for yer marines." Belatedly he realised that he should have thought of summoning aid.
"We have to do something," he answered, only aware after he had spoken that he was almost begging Jack to tell him what to do.
Sparrow gave no answer, didn't even look at him. Norrington followed his gaze and realised he was looking directly at Will and Elizabeth, not that either of them was aware of the attention. Shaking his head slightly, although Norrington had no hint of exactly what thoughts were passing through the man's head, he looked back to the body on the bed.
Undoubtedly if he hadn't grown to know Jack Sparrow fairly well in recent times he would have missed the slight start of surprise, almost immediately covered, and he certainly would have missed the ever-so-casual hand movement and the flash of paper disappearing up a sleeve.
"What was that?" he demanded, the situation making his tone a little harsher than he had intended. It was plainly enough that Anamaria and Gibbs, hanging back in the doorway tensed slightly, as though preparing to come to their captain's aid if necessary.
"What was what?" Will asked, looking up slightly, though not moving away from Elizabeth, who didn't react at all.
"He," here he jerked his head towards Jack, still standing by the bed, "just picked up something. A note."
"A note? We need to see it, Jack." The young man's voice was soft but surprisingly steady. "It must give some clue to who did this. She," he swallowed convulsively but continued, "she was in our bed, it was meant for us."
There was absolutely no emotion on Jack's face. "No. It was meant to get my attention. Note's addressed to me." The tone was an odd mixture of weary compassion and sorrow. "Take 'Lizbeth home...back to her father's place. We'll talk later." For some reason it seemed strange to Norrington that the normal swagger was still in place as Sparrow made his way to the door. Just before he got there he turned back and looked directly at Will and Elizabeth. "I'm sorry." Then he brushed past Gibbs and Anamaria and was gone.
The other two pirates exchanged a long look, then, without a word being spoken, seemed to reach an agreement; Gibbs took off after Jack, and Ana came fully into the room and took Elizabeth's arm. "Come on then, let's get you out of here." With Will holding tight to the other arm, they walked slowly out of the room. In the doorway, Ana looked back over her shoulder at Norrington. "You c'n look after the official stuff?"
He nodded dumbly.
~*~
Gibbs stumbled out of the house and looked around. There was no immediate sign of Jack, but undeterred he headed down to the beach. He had known his captain far too long not to suspect that the younger man would head towards the sea.
Walking in on a dead body tends to have a sobering effect on a man and he was certainly a lot steadier on his feet now than he had been half an hour ago. Nevertheless, he was definitely swaying as he wandered out from the cliff, peering in all directions. And, under the circumstances, it was perhaps understandable that he yelped in surprise when, not more than six feet behind him, a quiet voice said "'Ello, Josh."
When he had regained his composure he turned round, deliberately avoiding mentioning the fact that it was bad luck to sneak up on people. He could just make out Jack standing against the dark cliff, his face hidden in the shadows.
"What are ye doin', Jack?" he kept his voice level.
"Thinkin'." That was said far too flat for Gibbs' liking. He didn't like it when Jack got into dark moods. It always seemed to herald trouble.
"Ye do too much 'o that." he ventured, cautiously.
"Someone 'as to."
For a long moment there was silence, as Gibbs tried hard to think up some reply.
"'e killed 'er." Jack said, suddenly.
"Who did?"
"Doesn' matter. Whoever it was, 'e killed 'er cause o' somethin' I did."
"You can't blame yerself, cap'n."
"Who else is there?" Gibbs almost let out another yelp when Jack snapped up straight and stepped away from the cliff, into the moonlight. "Get the crew back aboard an' tell them we'll be sailin' before dawn. Have them make 'er ready, then meet me up at the governor's mansion, savvy?"
"They're goin' t' want t' know what we're goin' after." And so do I, he added silently.
"I'll tell them when I know." Gibbs wasn't totally sure of that. He had told Will Turner once that Jack played things close to the vest, and some habits were clearly hard to break.
"They won' mind goin' on your word, Jack, but if it comes to riskin' life or limb..."
He was interrupted. "I won' risk me ship or me crew, be sure on that."
"And yer self?" he asked quietly. He caught sight of a flash of gold in the moonlight as Jack grinned. Not exactly reassuring.
"Do as I ask?" it was a question, not an order which made it a lot harder to even think of arguing.
"Aye." he said finally. He turned to leave, hesitated and looked back round. "Your not thinkin' of doin' anything...stupid, are you Jack?"
Once again he was answered with a grin. "Would I?"
Not reassuring at all.
~*~
A few hours later Will crept out of Elizabeth's room. She had cried for a long time; alternately clinging to him and pushing him away with incoherent words of anger, seemingly not directed at him. As he tried to comfort her he wished that there was something he could do; he hated feeling helpless especially when it came to the woman he loved being in pain. But Elizabeth had known Estrella for longer even than she had known him. They had always seemed more like friends than like lady and maid and he didn't think that there was anything he could do to ease her grief.
Still lost in thought, he didn't notice until it was to late and he bumped into Norrington on the landing; the Commodore having just stepped out of the Governor's office.
"How is she?" Norrington asked in a low voice, then added hastily "If you don't mind my asking."
Will shook his head dully, "I don't know."
"She's strong Will. She'll be alright"
He nodded, never doubting it. Elizabeth would be fine, eventually. She was strong, as Norrington had said, the strongest person he had ever known. But would they be all right?
A footman glided up to them. The man looked as if he was trying to hide the fact that he was upset behind an act of stuffiness. On the other hand, that was how the Governor's servants always acted around Will.
"Two...gentlemen have joined the lady whom you arrived with. One of them said that you would wish to speak to them."
Will felt a spark of excitement; Jack would know what was going on. They would be able to do something; maybe if he sought revenge he would stop feeling so useless.
Norrington moved first and Will followed him closely down the stairs. With a start of surprise he drew to a quick halt Just outside the door to the study, as the military man gestured him to do so. Will noted that there were marines stationed in the hallway. Apparently, in view of the recent events, protecting the governor and his family had become a military issue. The study door was slightly ajar and he heard voices coming from it.
"...jus' meant to get Will and Elizabeth to go and find me. Didn' even care 'bout the girl, or about them, jus' wanted to pass a message along."
"But who was it, Jack?"
"I think we'd all like to know the answer to that, Sparrow." Norrington said, sweeping into the room, Will trailing behind.
The three had been huddled together, apparently looking at the note. As they were interrupted they sprang apart, hands moving to swords. Predictably, Jack was the first to recover.
"Di'n't anyone ever tell you as how it's not nice t' eavesdrop?"
"Didn't anyone ever tell you that it's polite to answer the question?" Norrington responded coolly. "Let me see the note."
Will looked from Jack to Norrington; the tension between the two worried him. He watched for a long moment, as they seemed to engage in some sort of staring contest, then Jack shrugged and passed the piece of paper over. The Commodore looked at the markings on the outside and and breathed in sharply. Will moved to his elbow and peered over. He too, couldn't suppress a gasp.
On the outside of the paper was a very familiar drawing. A sparrow was flying over the sea, just like on Jack's tattoo. Except that this sparrow had a sword piercing its chest.
Looking up at the pirate, Will noticed the lack of emotion on the pirate's face. However, Ana and Gibbs had both seemed extremely agitated and tense from the moment they had walked in. Jack turned to them and, after a brief, hushed conversation; they left quietly, glancing backwards with worried expressions.
Will watched as Norrington unfolded the letter. The message was direct.
"Tell Sparrow to go to the isle of coconuts if you want to avoid the rest of your town meeting the same end as this wench."
"The isle of coconuts?" Will questioned, that seemed a ridiculous name for any island, let alone one that was filled with such significance.
"Small place. Uninhabited. Six days north of Port Royal."
"I've never heard of it." Norrington frowned.
"No, well, there were only four that ever called it that. And three of 'em are dead."
"Then it must be the other one." Will said excitedly.
"Yes, but I di'n't do it." The smile that accompanied that statement was only a fraction of his usual grin.
"So what does that mean?"
"Means that some things that are supposed t' be impossible might jus' be improbable." Jack seemed distracted; it was obvious that what he was saying was more for his own benefit than anything else.
There was a long pause before Will thought to ask "What do we do now?"
"We don' do anything. You and 'Lizbeth lie low and keep out of trouble, I go and find out who it is that wants t' talk with me."
"I'm afraid I can't allow that." Norrington's words rang around the room.
"Allow?" Jack spoke softly. Will had never heard him sound so dangerous.
"The girl was under the protection of the crown. This letter contains a threat to Port Royal. This means that this is a matter for the Royal Navy."
"Come along if you like, but me and the Pearl are going tonight. Ana and Josh 'ave gone t' make sure she's ready."
"Don't be stupid, Sparrow. You'd be sailing into what is plainly a trap. This is not a matter for civilians." Will was fairly certain that Norrington didn't mean to sound so superior.
"I'm not a civilian; I'm a pirate, savvy? And I'd like to know how it is that you're plannin' on stopping me."
"Yes, you are a pirate, therefore, need I remind you that pirates aren't supposed to feel responsible for the uncontrollable deaths of others? Estrella's death, however regrettable, was not your fault. As to stopping you, that is simple. I could have you arrested." Will looked between the two men and tried desperately to think of some way to diffuse the situation; but there wasn't a single thing he could think of to say.
"Could you now?" Jack's hand was hovering above his sword. This wasn't good. "And 'ow much good do you reckon that that would do? You 'aven't had much luck keeping me arrested after all."
"Jack." Will said warningly, but it was Norrington who drew his sword first.
"Come on then, mate," Jack said mockingly. He moved round as though trying to get more room for the fight but instead ended up at the door with a wide grin. "Be seeing you."
Not taking his eyes off Norrington, Jack pulled the door open. A startled yelp accompanied the gesture and all eyes turned in time to see Elizabeth stagger and stumble into the room. Being the closest, the pirate reared back slightly in stunned surprise. Struggling to regain her composure, she kept the other side of the door handle in one hand and a candlestick raised high in the other.
"Elizabeth! I thought you were asleep." Will cursed himself for saying something so obvious.
She ignored him, addressing Jack instead. "It's you," her eyes narrowed maliciously, "It's all your fault she's dead. I hate you." Will had never heard her sound so venomous. While unable to see Jack's reaction, the effect of her angry words were clear in the sudden slump of his shoulders and the downward tilt of his head.
"Elizabeth..." he began. She swung the candlestick. Jack went down instantly.
"Elizabeth!" Will said, horror-stricken.
She stood looking down at the crumpled form of their friend. For once, he couldn't read her expression. Uncertain as to what to do next, he remained frozen in place, not sure whether he should be checking on his friend or looking after Elizabeth.
Norrington pushed past him and knelt down beside Jack. After a second he breathed a sigh of relief. "He's still breathing. I think he'll be alright." He put his head out of the door and signalled the marines. "He's also under arrest." Before the guards came in, he checked carefully to make sure that the brand and the tattoo were well covered.
"James," Will said, completely stunned.
"It's for his own protection. And it's just for the time being, until the situation has been settled." The soldiers came in, and without a word, lifted Jack and dragged him out, closely followed by the Commodore.
Will was left facing Elizabeth, trying to think of something, anything to say.
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Ah well, there we go. Please review since you've reached the bottom anyway.