Chapter 13: Jack's Hanging
Back at Port Royal Will had agreed to watch out for me. I was given a bed and an apprenticeship with Will to become a blacksmith. Whoop dee doo. Jack was immediately thrown in prison and his hanging was the next morning.
At the blacksmith's shop I did nothing. Being a blacksmith wasn't exactly what I wanted to do. Honestly, I wanted to be a pirate. Plundering for gold, getting in epic sword fights and sailing on the sea to my heart's content. I even knew now that pirate was in my blood. If I had to stay on land for the rest of my life I would go crazy.
Will let me off the hook for that day. He said I could walk around town as long as I came home. He didn't give me specific time, just to come home. I took that as a sign that I could come back whenever I wanted.
I decided to meet up with some old friends. The hangout was in the usual place, just outside of town in the trees. It was a place where orphans could gather without a worry or care. My colleagues were either in the branches of the trees or lounging on the ground. Two of them were wrestling nearby. The oldest, Mathew, saw me and ran up to me with a big smile.
"Jason! Where have you been? I've been worried sick." Mathew exclaimed. "We were going to break you out of prison but when we got there you were gone. What happened?" all the other orphans came up to me. There were a total of five not including me. The youngest was six and the oldest was fourteen, just one year older than me.
I grinned. "You guys want to hear an epic tale?" all the kids nodded, even Mathew. "Get comfortable, it's a long story." everyone went to find a comfortable spot. When they were all settled, I told the story of the curse of the Black Pearl.
They listened intently. I walked around as I told the tale, making hand motions and acting out fight scenes. I told them about Koehler with his skeleton hand, I told them about Tortuga, and I described in great detail the contents of the Isla de Muerta. Their eyes seemed to shine as I explained the vast amounts of gold.
I explained how the curse worked and why the pirates were in Port Royal. I told them about how I met my father Captain Barbossa. "You're related to a pirate!" one little girl exclaimed. She was the second youngest. "Aye." I answered. Some of them giggled and laughed at that.
"If you found your father how come you came back?" Mathew asked.
"Hold on, we're not at that part of the story yet." I answered. He sat back in a huff and gestured for me to finish. I did as he told. Some of the kids gasped as I told them Barbossa died. I didn't go into great detail, but I think they got the gist of it. What I think sold it was that I started to choke up a little. When I finished the story they sat in a stunned silence.
"So you have to become a blacksmith?" Isaac asked. He's two years younger than me and acts like I'm sort of prince. I nodded. His face fell.
"Don't worry guys. I'll still see you sometime." I said confidently, but I knew it wasn't true. The last time one of us got a job, well we haven't seen her in years. Mathew walked up to me.
"I'll take care of them. Don't you worry." he said and stuck out his hand. I shook it.
"It's not them I'm worried about. Isaac, make sure your leader doesn't get in trouble." the boy nodded enthusiastically. "Aye, aye, captain." he exclaimed. Everyone laughed at that.
"You should probably get back soon. Wouldn't want Turner to find our hide out." Mathew said.
"Right. Just let me gather my effects." I said. My effects consisted of a small bag, a cutlass that Will gave me a few years ago and an extra shirt. I stuffed the shirt in the bag and said my final goodbyes. It really felt like the last time I would see them all. I shook the thought from my head and waved goodbye as I walked away.
All was quiet at the blacksmith's shop. It was sunset when I came back. Will looked up from a sword he was making. "Where have you been? And where did you get that?" he nodded at my sword.
"I've just been walking around and I got this from my old hideaway." Will only nodded. I put my things in my room and came back to the main room. Mr. Brown was sleeping in a chair, completely drunk. He accepted me with anything but open arms. Who can blame him? I was the thief of the town before my adventure.
I poked the fat drunk in the chest. He just grunted and kept sleeping. I chuckled and poked him again. "You're easily entertained, aren't you?" Will asked. I nodded and went back to poking Mr. Brown.
Later I ate a small supper and, with nothing else to do, went to bed. My dreams were anything but peaceful. Full of skeletons and death. I woke up multiple times during the night, always shaking from the nightmare.
When morning came I was tired and no more restful than the day before. I put on my green vest and boots and walked out the door to the main room. My sword hung around my waist. Never go anywhere without a sword. Will decided to get fancy. He had a big feathered hat and a red cape. I almost laughed at the sight. "We're not meeting the king, you know that right?" I mocked. He gave me a playful glare and ushered me out the door. "Come on, then."
Jack Sparrow was standing on the hanging platform. A large crowd had gathered. Everyone wants to see a pirate hanged. Will and I stood in the middle of the crowd. It was an ironically nice day with blue skies and a pleasant breeze. The charge reader had unfurled his long list and began listing off the crimes.
"Jack Sparrow." he began. Jack looked annoyed and started muttering to himself. Probably about not being called 'Captain'. "Let it be known to you for your willful commission of crimes against the crown." the reader continued. "Said crimes being numerous in quantity and sinister nature. The most egregious of these be sighted herewith: piracy, smuggling, impersonating an officer of the Spanish Royal Navy, impersonating a cleric of the Church of England…" the list went on and on. Jack just stood there with a smug smile on his face.
"Wow, Sparrow sure has done a lot." I whispered. Will nodded in agreement. Out of the corner of my eye I saw a speck of blue and yellow. It was Cotton's parrot! I nudged Will and nodded at the bird. He grinned and walked off. I followed him through the crowd.
We came up in front of where Elizabeth, the governor and the commodore were standing. Since they were "high class" they got to stand in the shade. "Governor Swann, Commodore Norrington, Elizabeth." Will acknowledged them all before he turned to Elizabeth. "I should have told from the first day I met you," there was a drum roll in the background. Perfect timing. "I love you." Will finished and walked away.
Elizabeth looked stunned. "Well, if it helps lighten the situation, I don't love you. Especially you, Norrington." I said with a smug smile. The Commodore glared at me. I gave a mocking bow and followed Will.
He was charging through the crowd with his sword drawn. "Move!" he yelled. I followed close behind with my sword in my hand. Jack had the noose around his neck and the executioner pulled the lever. Sparrow dropped through the opening just as Will threw his sword. The sword stuck into the wood and Jack was trying desperately to balance on it. "Nice throw, Will." I commented.
Will walked up the platform to fight the executioner while I stayed on the ground to 'defend' Sparrow as he struggled. I saw red coats run through the crowd to try and stop us. Norrington was at the front, leading the charge. "Cut him down, Will!" I shouted up to him.
"I'm a little busy!" Will responded. Seconds later, Jack fell to the ground. He stood up and cut his hands on the sword. "You okay?" I asked. Jack nodded. "Then come on!" I rushed out from under the hanging platform.
I briefly saw executioner fall off the platform and on top of Norrington. I threw back my head and laughed. "Enough of that!" Jack scolded. Will jumped down beside us.
Using the rope, Jack and Will fought off the soldiers like they had trained together their whole lives. I helped too, but compared to them it was a weak effort, and I even had a sword. At one point I was fending out two bloody-backs at the same time. I swiped at one's legs, making him fall, and stabbed the other in the chest. It felt weird driving my sword into someone's chest. I shook the thought from my head and ran after Jack and Will.
We had gotten out of the courtyard, but that's when the bloody-backs surrounded us. So close. Norrington came out from the crowd with Elizabeth and the governor at his heels. "I had expected some type of ill conceived escape attempt, but not from you." Norrington said, pointing his sword at Will.
"On our return to Port Royal I granted you both clemency." the governor said, looking at me. "And this is how you repay me? By throwing in your lot with him? He's a pirate!"
"And a good man." Will said.
"Well I wouldn't go that far." I said. Will ignored me and continued. "If all I have achieved here is that the hangman will receive two pair of boots…"
"Three." I interrupted.
Will smiled. "Three pairs of boots instead of one, so be it. At least my conscience will be clear."
"You forget your place, Turner." Norrington sneered.
"It's right here between you and Jack."
Elizabeth came up from behind her father. She stood next to Will. "As is mine."
"Not mine. I'll gladly throw Sparrow in front of me, but I wanted to stand next to Will." I said smugly.
"Elizabeth!" the governor sounded horrified. "Lower your weapons!" nothing happened. "For goodness sake put them down!" the soldiers complied. I smiled smugly and made a 'put down' motion with my hands.
"So this is where your heart truly lies?" Norrington asked Elizabeth.
She nodded. "Yes." it was all silent for a moment. I saw Cotton's parrot fly away and then Jack spoke up. "Well I have to say I'm feeling rather good about this. I think we've arrived at a very special place." he got in the governor's face. "Spiritually, ecumenically, grammatically." poor Governor Swann had to breath in Jack's foul breath. I chuckled a little.
Jack walked up to Norrington. "I want you to know I was rooting for you, mate. Know that."
"I never rooted for you." I commented. Ol' Norrington glared at me. Jack walked behind us. "Elizabeth. It would have never worked out between us, darling. I'm sorry." he said and continued walking. Then he turned back around. "Will." Will turned to face the pirate. "Nice hat." with that, Jack ran up to the edge of the fort.
"Friends, this is the day you will always remember as the day…" I was still angry at Jack and I was impatient for his speech to end. I walked up to him and punched his jaw. He stumbled back and fell off the edge. "You don't even know how good that felt!" I exclaimed. I turned back around to face the crowd. Most of them had stunned faces. I rolled my eyes and did a mocking bow. "Au revior." and with that I followed Jack and jumped over the edge. "Whooooooo!" I screamed as I fell.
The water came up fast and hit me hard. Luckily, I had my legs straight so the impact didn't hurt, that much. I sank to the bottom of the ocean, kicked off the sandy bottom and swam back up to the surface. Jack was treading water near me. "Let's do that again!" I exclaimed.
"Preferably not. Why did you punch me?" Jack asked, rubbing his jaw.
"Think about it. It'll come to you." I said. A shout came from up at the fort. "Sail, ho!" I looked and saw the Black Pearl come out from behind a cliff. I grinned and started swimming, Jack a few feet in front of me.
As we came up to the side of the ship and rope was thrown into the water. Jack grabbed onto it and was pulled aboard. I was left to climb the ladder. "Gee, thanks, mates." I grumbled.
As I came up onto the ship I saw Jack sitting on the deck. "Thought you were supposed to keep to the Code." he said to Gibbs.
"We considered them more as guidelines." Gibbs said, helping Jack up. Marty and the rest of the crew noticed me. "Jason! You're alive!"
"Of course I'm alive. It takes a lot to get rid of me." I retorted. Most of the crew glared at me. "No hard feelings right, guys?" they said nothing. Jack stepped in.
"Jason is to sail with us. No complaints. Savvy?" the crew nodded glumly. Someone handed Jack his hat. "Thank you." he said.
"Jack Sparrow." Anamaria said standing at the helm. She came up and put Jack's coat around his shoulders. "The Black Pearl is yours." Jack stared at the wheel. He glanced at me, as if to ask permission. I crossed my arms, glared at him and gestured to the helm. He grinned and approached the wheel.
He started stroking the wood. "Do you two need some time alone?" I remarked mockingly. Jack glared at me and barked orders to the crew.
"On deck, you scabrous dogs! Hands to braces! Let down the hull to run free!" the men left, scrambling around to do as their captain commanded. I stood where I was. After a few moments, Jack started murmuring to himself. "Now bring me that horizon." he opened his compass and started humming a tune. "And really bad eggs. Drink up, me hearties, yo ho." he closed his compass.
"That song sounds familiar." I said. "Pirate's Life for Me, yes?" Jack nodded.
"You know it?"
I shrugged. "Only the chorus." Jack looked uncomfortable with me standing next to him.
"If you hate me so much, why did you come?" he asked
"You really think I could lead a boring life in Port Royal after that adventure? Plus, the Black Pearl is my father's ship. Can't let you take it without a Barbossa on board." I smirked.
"Ah, so you go by Barbossa know, eh?" Jack asked.
"Of course. Let me reintroduce myself. The name's Jason Barbossa. Savvy?" I said with pride in my voice. It felt good to say it. It was almost like it was a missing part of my identity that I had finally found.
"Hop to it then, Master Barbossa." Jack said with a grin. I rolled my eyes and joined the crew.
Alright fans, one more chapter. I'm so excited! Thank you to everyone who has been reading and reviewing. Is there anything you would like to see in the last chapter? If so, write in the reviews.