I have to say, ditching the soldier was way easier then expected. I walked into the town, turned a few corners and made sure my path crossed with a few more soldiers. He turned to follow them after losing sight of me. Yes he looked, he didn't just disobey orders, but I had already moved down an alley and watched to make sure he left before I moved.
I felt excited, which was strange as I'd just been threatened. The only thing I wanted to do was find Will and tell him. So I headed for the back door of the blacksmith.
I wonder if, in a different circumstance, I could have faced Jack Sparrow in a sword fight? Maybe I'd have won, wouldn't that have been something.
I reached the back door of the blacksmith and, after glancing around, I opened it quietly and slipped in. I closed it before turning around and stopping right in my tracks. My mouth dropped open in surprise.
Before me, was Will, and Jack Sparrow. The two were having a sword fight! How was it I'd walked into two situations that ended in this pirate threatening someone else's life?
Maybe I'm cursed… I mean I'd been on the boat when Will had almost drowned.
I watched as Jack leaned around a pole and Will blocked his sword. Jack then noticed all the swords around the room.
"Who makes all these?" he asked as they switched positions
"I do." Will answered as he swing around the other side of the pole to dodge the object Jack threw at him. "And I practice with them, three hours a day." Will confessed as another object flew at him. He jumped from the pole and Jack moved behind it.
"You need to find yourself a girl mate." Jack informed with a smirk. He grabbed a hammer and they moved from the pole. Will leaned down and grabbed a second sword to block Jack's and the hammer.
Before I could be seen I quickly ducked into the side room. I knew Will could hold his own, the question was for how long.
I expertly and quickly removed my dress and the corset, a little game I'd made for myself; how long it took me to remove the heavy, 'proper' clothing. I replaced it with my breeches, shirt and vest that I kept in the blacksmith for Will and my practice sessions and slipped the sword Will had made for me a few years back into my belt. I pulled my shoes on, left my hair and made my way to the door.
I peaked out, sword already drawn so the noise wouldn't draw attention. I was still not willing to be seen, but to my surprise the two men had vanished. I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion before the sound of clashing metal began again. I looked up into the rooftop to see the two standing on a plank and still fighting.
I moved from the doorway and quietly moved over to where the donkey was, keeping my eye on the two men. I walked around the pole as Will hopped onto the other beam, parallel to the previous one, as Jack launched forwards. Will jumped behind him and the pirate spun around, the metal clashing again.
Will managed to knock Jack's sword from his hand and Jack grinned. He turned and swung on the beam and to his feet. Will followed behind him and got to the ground first. Jack looked worried before finding a bag. As Will ran forwards he grabbed it and covered Will in the dust. Will reached for a hammer as Jack kicked the sword from his hand but when he turned around Jack had a pistol pointed at his face.
"You cheated." Will stated
"Pirate." Jack reminded him. I moved from my spot and Will looked at me surprised. I raised my sword and placed it against Jack's neck. The pirate seemed to freeze.
"Been a while Captain." I said sarcastically. He didn't dare turn around and I pushed the sword a little more against his neck to ensure he didn't, but not enough to break the skin.
"You threaten me, I threaten you." I said. I guess he understood then.
"Miss Langford?" he decided to spin around then and I grabbed his pistol from his hand and placed the sword against his waist, the pistol to his chin.
"Good day." I smiled "Funny bumping into you here. I come to tell Will my cousin almost drowns and find him fighting the pirate who threatened me." I said "Odd coincidence don't you think?"
Jack was silent, looking slightly surprised.
"Good isn't he?" I said looking at Will who looked impressed
"Remarkably." Jack nodded
"I had a good teacher." Will added as he looked between Jack and I.
"You're welcome." I smiled
"You taught him?" Jack asked surprised. His brown eyes widened slightly as I looked into them. I didn't answer as the door began to jingle behind us as someone tried to get in.
"I think that's for you Jack." I said not taking my eyes from him. "Shall we answer it for you?"
"You weren't willing to let me hang." he reminded me
"True." I nodded "But then you used me to escape." I reminded him "I don't think I would have taken it as personally if you hadn't pointed the gun at me." I clicked the safety off said pistol "Guess we're even."
"You're fairly good for a girl." Jack admitted amused
"I take pride in that." I smiled, leaning slightly forward. The door bursted open and a flood of soldiers came in. They surrounded Jack, Will and I. I didn't move even when they pointed their guns at Jack and I, not until they had re-shackled him.
I stood back, removing the sword and gun, clicking the safety back on and holding it up to Norrington who appeared next to me.
"Miss Langford,"
"Don't scold me." I said simply as I held the barrel of the gun, allowing him to take it. "Just thank us." I said smiling. Norrington took the gun.
"Does your father know about this?" he looked at me and the sword in my hand
"Yes would you like to ask him?" I wondered, no hint of hesitation. Norrington looked surprised but eventually shook his head. He then turned his attention to Jack who was still studying me surprised.
"Well I trust you will all remember this is the day that Captain Jack Sparrow almost escaped." Norrington said looking at the pirate who took his gaze from me and looked at the commodore, giving him a slight smile that didn't last.
"Take him away." and the soldiers all turned from the blacksmith, Jack with them. I waved as they left. When the blacksmith was empty I turned to Will.
"Well that was fun." I smiled
"Are you alright?" Will wondered. I nodded
"Just coming down from an adrenaline rush." I assured him. He let out a sigh and nodded before panic flooded his eyes again
"Elizabeth…"
"She's fine. Probably at home in the bath or something. Jack did save her life, something good came of his visit." I said turning to the door
"He threatened you."
"Yeah that was a shame, I was all against his hanging till then." I confessed with a nod. "Speaking of which, I should probably go home before my mother calls the soldiers to arrest me and lock me in my room for disappearing." I said and I turned back to where I'd left my dress in order to put it on again.
My mother was angry at me for ditching my escort, and it hadn't taken her long to discover what had happened in the blacksmiths.
"I'm fine." I assured her "Those sword lessons I requested as a child became very handy. Unfortunately may had turned out a lot worse if otherwise." I admitted.
For the first time ever I saw my mother happy by the decision my father made of letting me have those lessons.
I was forced into a bath after that. My mother believed I needed to relax, which I wasn't against. Alice placed a hot pan under my bed so it was nice and warm when I reached it.
I sat with a book in my hands as I sighed in contentment. Today and been very interesting. And to think if all happened because of a dress.
I smirked.
My candle suddenly blew out from beside me, putting my room into darkness. I turned to the window, but it wasn't open. I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion as I removed myself from the blankets.
I moved to the window and moved the curtains. I could hardly see the town below, it was covered in fog. The sky had a cloud cover, the ground a fog, it seemed as it the world had turned grey.
It was eery. The silence that fell was disturbing, not even a wind blew.
I don't know how high I jumped but the entire silence was suddenly broken when a loud bang rang through it. I saw a flash in the bay and then Fort Charles was attacked. My hands went to my mouth as the entire of Fort Charles was suddenly under cannon fire.
I moved to my closet and immediately changed out of my nightdress and into a pair of black breeches, boots and corset with the white shirt.
This couldn't be good.
I walked from my room and down to the front door, exiting it and began to ran down the road towards the blacksmith.
In the eight years I'd been here, Fort Charles had never come under attack, and from here I could tell it was under heavy fire.
I skidded to the floor as one of the houses I ran past suddenly exploded. I looked up shocked, the ship was firing on the town?!
People began to get up and run from their houses, chaos erupted as I got back to my feet and reached the blacksmith. I ran straight in to see Will grabbing all manner of weapons.
"Will!" I said. He looked at me
"Chris?" I ignored the nickname as I ran to the wall and grabbed a random sword, I strapped another to my belt and then turned to Will.
"There's a ship in the harbour attacking Fort Charles." I informed
"Pirates." Will believed.
How strange that one pirate would arrive in Port Royal and suddenly we were under attack by a whole ship full.
The screams outside began to increase, the explosions getting closer. Will moved to the door and opened it, stepping out. I followed his lead as a women and a pirate run past us. Will grabbed the axe and threw it into the man's back, causing him to collapse before he reclaimed the weapon and moved off down the street.
I followed quickly with my sword and stopped to block another, the metal clashing.
"Well, well, a wilful lass." the pirate sneered, his yellow teeth making me grimace. I moved my sword but he blocked, however I managed to push him backwards before unexpectedly drawing the second and thrusting it through his chest.
I sheathed the second sword and moved off, not bothering to look back. I did look at my hands however. I'd never killed someone before… wasn't that terrible? That I took someone's life? Pirate or not, was there someone who'd care for, or miss them?
I raised my sword, taken out of my thoughts by another pirate and ducked when an axe came to my head. I moved my sword and slashed across the pirates back. He bent over backwards with a shout and collapsed also.
I looked around at the chaos. Civilians were shot and stabbed as they ran everywhere, the pirates destroyed, killed and raided. I noticed Will as he engaged one in a fight but sliced his stomach open. Another snuck up behind him and I grabbed a piece of wood from the ground next to me and threw it, hitting the man in the head. Will heard him grunt and turned to stab him.
"Thanks." he said when I approached
"No problem." I nodded. I ducked as a chain was suddenly swung in our direction, I made sure to pull Will with me before we turned to see a rather large pirate on the other end. Will raised his sword and went to block the incoming attack but he was unable to hold off all the chains and hooks the man held.
"Say goodbye!" the pirates smiled as he raised an axe, having placed a hook around Will's neck. A cannon hit the roof above them and I ducked as wood was thrown in all different directions. The chain holding up the sign broke from the collision and Will ducked as the sign swung to hit the pirate through the window.
"Good bye." Will nodded. I smirked as I stood up but he didn't return it. He turned and his expression changed to fear and worry. I turned to see Elizabeth being pulled through the street by pirates.
"No!" I ran after her and down the street. I swung my sword and eventually drew the other as well to remove those from my path. However by the time I reached the harbour, the boats were long gone and Elizabeth along with them. I could see the longboats disappearing into the fog to where the mysterious ship sat.
The first thing I thought of was that I needed to get to the ship and save my cousin. I got as far as to run to the docks and find a boat until I realised, it was a suicide mission. An entire ship full of pirates and just me. I couldn't save Elizabeth if I was dead.
I ducked as another blast sounded and then, it all stopped. There was no more cannon fire, the screams of the townspeople had come to a halt.
And then, very slowly, the fog lifted and disappeared, the ship along with it. Not only that, but Elizabeth was gone too.
I stood on the dock shocked as to how quickly it had ended, almost as quickly as it started.
I took off at a run and headed for Fort Charles. The first thing I did was find Norrington.
"James!" I called, ignoring formalities. He looked at me surprised by my attire. "The pirates…" I began "They took Elizabeth!" Norrington looked at me in horror.
"Miss Langford, I need you to return to your house." he said after a few minutes, his voice much to calm
"But…"
"Your parents must be worried." He was right… what if something happened to them?
Without a second word I took off at a sprint towards my house. It took a bit as it was all uphill but I eventually reached it. The house was in ruins, holes from cannons had been formed and the front door was knocked down.
"Mother!" I shouted. I ran up the stairs "Mum!" I cried. I moved to her room to find the door locked "Mother!" I banged on the door but it wouldn't budge. I ground my teeth in frustration before I took a step back. I lifted my leg and with all my force I kicked the doors open.
They banged on the wall from the burst before I ran in. It was empty. I moved to the accompanying wardrobe and saw my mother on the floor.
"Mother!" she turned and looked at me as I dropped to the floor
"Oh Christine!" she flung her arms around me and I let her "Thank heavens you're alright."
"You too. I was so worried." I admitted "What about father?" I questioned immediately realising he wasn't here.
"He was at the Fort with the governor, doing some paperwork." she said but her face held nothing but worry.
"I'll find him." I said determined. I didn't care how many times I ran from the fort to the house. I'd do it a thousand times to make sure the people I loved where safe.
"Christine, what are you wearing?" my mother noticed. "Are those swords?!" I looked at her annoyed
"That's what your comments are about?" I wondered.
"It is highly inappropriate for a lady."
"Can you scold me later?" I asked "I need to find father! And the Governor! They need to know about Elizabeth!" I got up and left the room and ran down the stairs. I made my way all the way to the Fort and by the time I began to reach it, the sky had began to lighten up. Strange how quickly a night can pass when you're fighting pirates and running all over the island.
"Commodore! Where's my father?!" how is it he's the first one I keep seeing? Not even a lieutenant came into view first.
"Mis Langford…" I cut him off immediately.
"I've just come come back from my house, do not tell me to go back. Not until I know my father and the Governor are safe." I said strongly.
"I ordered them to barricade themselves in my office." he answered with a sigh. I gave him a slight curtsey, despite not wearing a dress, and made my way to his office.
I knocked hard and after a few seconds, the Commodore's door opened. It was my father.
I didn't even let him speak, just opened the door and pulled him into a hug.
"Thank god." I muttered
"Christine! Thank Lord you're alright." my father said holding me
"Mother is too, I checked on her. She seems well, just frightened." If she wasn't alright, she wouldn't have questioned my attire amongst everything.
"What about Elizabeth?" I turned to the Governor and frowned immediately
"They took her." I said "I couldn't get to her in time." I released my father and bowed lowly "Governor Swann I'm so, so sorry."
"It isn't your fault Christine." he assured me placing a hand on my shoulder
"I've already informed the Commodore. He has people cleaning up the mess and hopefully will have some idea on what to do." I explained
"In the mean time you should go home," my father said. I nodded without arguing "I'll be there soon, I must help with the damage." I bowed my head slightly to him before bowing to the governor and leaving the room.
I took my time this time. Walking through the streets and stopping to help a few people with the damage to their houses.
It wasn't until I spotted him, lying on the ground, that I remembered Will.
"Oh gosh!" I ran to his side and fell to my knees. "Will!" I put me ear to his mouth and let out a sigh of relief that he was alive.
I checked him over but he seemed fine. The sun began to rise and I shook him slightly.
"Will!" he didn't wake "Will get up!" I shook him some more. I looked around me before I rushed into a ruined hose and found a bucket. I filled it with water and then went back to Will.
I threw the water onto his face.
Will gasp and sat up shaking the water from his face.
"Finally." I muttered. Will turned to me
"Elizabeth!" he said immediately. I frowned and shook my head
"She's gone. Along with the pirates. A few hours now." I muttered. Will looked over the harbour. With the fog gone it was easy to see the brilliant blue ocean that spread forever. The sun was shining on it as though nothing had ever happened.
Will launched to his feet and he began to make his way to the Fort. I followed behind until we found Norrington bent over a map, the Governor was standing with him. My father must of been off taking to some business. I was glad, I didn't need a lecture.
"They've taken her. They've taken Elizabeth." Will informed the second we entered
"Mr Murtogg, remove this man." Norrington ordered without looking up. Murtogg grabbed Will's arm but he shook his off.
"We have to hunt them down, we must save her!" Will exclaimed
"And where do you suppose we start? Hmm?" the governor wondered "If you have any information concerning my daughter please, share it." Will sighed and dropped his gaze and the governor turned away from him, naturally not before giving me a once over with a disapproved expression.
"That… Jack Sparrow. He talked about the Black Pearl." Murtogg remembered from his talk with the pirate yesterday.
The Black Pearl? That must have been the ship. What a name for a ship.
"Mentioned it is more what he did." Mullroy added.
"Ask him where it is." Will thought "Make a deal with him, he could lead us to it."
"No." Norrington shot down the idea, still not looking at the black smith. "The pirates who invaded this fort left Sparrow locked in his cell, ergo, they are not his allies." Norrington explained
"However you do not have any other means of locating the vessel." I reminded the Commodore. He glanced at me as I held my hands together but didn't say anything. He instead turned to the Governor
"Governor, we will establish there most likely course…" Will slammed his axe down into the table. I actually jumped at the action.
"That's not good enough!" he snapped. The governor and Norrington turned to him.
"Mr Turner," Norrington removed the axe from his table "You are not a military man, you are not a sailor — you're a blacksmith. This is not the moment for rash actions." Norrington snapped taking Will's arm and leading him to the exit. "Do not make the mistake of think you are the only man here who cares for Elizabeth." And Norrington left Will.
My eyes narrowed at the commodore before I walked to Will and grabbed his arm, leading him away.
"Where are we going?" he asked
"Norrington is nowhere near close to finding Elizabeth. The ocean's a large place and he will spend the rest of eternity trying to find her. I'm not going to let that happen as she slipped through my fingers." I paused and looked at him "Sparrow's our only option. Shall we go talk to him?" I offered. Determination sat into Will's eyes and he lead the way.
"You can't be here." the soldier who was standing guard to the entrance of the jail cells informed.
"Commodore Norrington asked for us to seek your assistance. As of last night there are many injured and he is preoccupied with trying to regain stability to Fort Charles. You can understand that he cannot afford any lack of assistance." I said simply. The soldier looked at me a little surprised.
"You'll find him at the tower of the Fort. He's examining the extent of the damage." I lied. The soldier left without another word.
"Wow." Will said
"Etiquettes can be handy." I shrugged and we walked down the stairs to the cells. "By the way, he's a pirate and wont just help willingly. What are you going got bargain with?" I asked him. Will paused as he thought about that and I walked to find Jack's cell.
For some reason, the pirate was lying on the floor.
"The bench to comfy for you?" I asked with a smirk. He raised his head to look at me
"Couldn't stay away ay?" he smirked
"Not in the slightest." I answered. He rested himself on his elbows to look at me
"You look filthy,"
"A town full of pirates tends to do that." I nodded. I knew I probably had dirt of my face and clothes, but I didn't really care.
"Not much of a girl at you?" Jack smirked, I looked down at my body and ran my hands dow my sides to my hips.
"I don't know, I think my figure is much more obvious in this." I turned around a little before facing him again. "Don't you agree?" He just smirked at me.
Will then walked into the jail and over to Jack's cell.
"You. Sparrow." he said forcefully.
"Aye?" Jack answered, still glancing at me.
"You were familiar with that ship, the Black Pearl." It was more a statement then a question. Jack sighed.
"I've heard of it."
"Where does it make berth?" Will demanded
"Where does it make berth?" Jack repeated "Haven't you heard the stories?" Jack wondered. Will didn't answer and I glanced between them both with a shrug. Jack sighed "Captain Barbossa and his crew of miscreants sail from the dreaded Isla de Muerta. It's an island that cannot be found, except, by those who already know where it is." Jack explained
"That's just maddeningly unhelpful." I huffed "Why can't it just be a set of coordinates and be done with?"
"The ship's real enough," Will admitted turning his gaze from me to Jack "Therefore it's anchorage must be a really place. Where is it?" Will asked
"Why ask me?" Jack wondered, admiring his nails.
"Cause you're the only chance we have to even thinking of catching it." I said
"Cause you're a pirate." Will added
"And you wish to turn pirate yourself, is that it?" Jack wondered. Will pressed up against the bars.
"Never!" Jack just lay back down. Will sighed and leaned on the cell
"They took Miss Swan." he informed
"Oh so it is that you've found a girl." Jack grinned sitting up. "I see. Well if you're intending to brave all hasten to her rescue and so win fair lady's heart, you'll have to do it alone mate. I see no profit in it for me." Jack admitted
"Leverage?" I asked Will, he'd obviously come up with something.
"Leverage?" Jack wondered
"I knew you'd need something in return, no pirate's just going to help out of his good soul."
"True." Jack nodded before turning to Will, we both looked at him expectantly.
"I can get you out of here." Will admitted, I looked back at Jack.
"How's that, the keys ran off." Jack nodded his head in the direction they went.
"I helped build these cells. These are half-pin barrel hinges." Will grabbed a bench behind him and hooked the legs into the cell bars. "With the right leverage and the proper application of strength, the door will lift free." Will explained.
"Smart." I nodded. Jack looked at him, slightly curious.
"What's you name?" he wondered
"Will Turner." Will said, confused by the sudden question.
"That will be short for William I imagine." Jack said sitting up, more interested. I raised an eyebrow at his reaction. "Good strong name. No doubt a name for your father." Jack said knowingly
"Yes," Will said surprised
"Huh…" Jack pocked his tongue into his cheek. "Well, Mr Turner, I've changed my mind. If you spring me from this cell, I swear, on pain of death, that I shall take you to the Black Pearl and your bonny lass. Do we have an accord?" Jack stuck his hand through the bars. Will hesitated but took his hand.
"Agreed."
"Agreed." Jack nodded "Get me out." Will gave me a look and I stepped back before he leaned on the bench and the cell sprang off the hinges before clattered to the floor with a bang.
"Hurry, someone may have heard that." Will worried
"Not without me effects." Jack jumped the cell and grabbed her pistol, hat, jacket, compass and sword
"Oh yes you'd hate to get new ones." I rolled my eyes
"Why bother with that?" Will asked as Jack puled the pistol to place in his belt "You could have escaped if you'd killed me before but you weren't willing to use it." Will reminded him. Jack held up the pistol and pointed it to Will
"Are you advising me that was a mistake?" he asked
"Only if me not cutting your head off was also." I added, my arms crossed. Jack turned to give me a look and I raised my eyebrows.
"When you've only got one shot it's best to wait for the opportune moment." Jack advised "That wasn't it. Nor is this." he raised the pistol and clicked the safety back on. I rolled my eyes
"Can we go now before that soldier realises I lied to him and puts us all in a cell?" I asked before I turned and made my way up the steps, the two close behind me.
"Will she be coming?" Jack asked
"Yes." I said before anyone could answer "And I'd like to see you stop me," I held my arms out, walking backwards as an offer. They didn't bother arguing. "Good. Glad we're on the same page."