Commandeering Commodore

Chapter 46

"What is taking them so long?" Will said impatiently as he stood looking across the short distance at Elizabeth, wanting nothing more than to swing across and take her in his arms.

"Now William I know you'll be having a bit of trouble understanding this as you are who you are," Jack said rocking back and forth on his heels as he waved his fingers at Will, "and mainly cause I've seen your own paltry negotiating skills and the comprehending which you so thoroughly lack of just what one is to do or accomplish when negotiatin, and the fact that for a successful negotiation to be done in a proper manner sometimes it takes not only a bit of skill which you most definitely have proven from past experience you're not in possession of, but also a bit of time which you have never taken the time to take such time as was required in your previously failed negotiatin as it were to be bringin about a satisfactory and agreeable negotiated conclusion to all matters concerned. Savvy?"

Will looked at Jack a moment before again looking towards Elizabeth as he replied, "I want her back here now Jack."

"Then you've not been listening to me at all lad." Jack said, "I just explained all that to you."

Will answered without taking his eyes from Elizabeth, "And you have not been listening to me Jack because I just explained to you I want her back here now."

Jack rolled his eyes at James and made a face as if to say, "What are you going to do with a stubborn blacksmith?"

James cleared his throat and stepping up to the rail next to Will said, "Mr. Turner, as much as I thrive on disagreeing with Captain Sparrow, in this case he is right. Captain Teague, from what I've heard at least, is a very good negotiator. He may be able to procure the return of Mrs. Turner and we shall give him that chance. If that fails then there are other options. What is not an option," he said as he placed his hand on Will's shoulder, "is acting in a rash manner. Do you understand Mr. Turner that acting in that way at this juncture may do naught but endanger Mrs. Turner?"

"I can't stand here seeing her no more than a stones throw away and do nothing Commodore." Will said slamming his hand on the rail as he looked at James.

"Mr. Turner……William, Elizabeth is dear to us all. I assure you we will do all that is possible to bring her back." James said sincerely, "But steps must be taken in the proper way. If Teague is unsuccessful then we will not hesitate to act appropriately."

"I will not wait much longer Commodore… I can't wait much longer." William replied.

"Don't think yer gonna have to William." Jack said as he stepped up to the rail and pointed to where Teague and Barbossa were coming out of the cabin.

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"Now Hector, I'm thinking before we start this negotiatin in earnest ya need ta tell me just what the lass is worth to ya." Teague said with a slight smile on his face. "Just so I know where ta start defining ya see."

"She'd be worth more 'n a pretty penny I'm sure to those that might want ta do a bit of negotiatin of their own with a certain Governor." Barbossa replied with a smirk.

"Aye you're right about that Hector, but have ya worked out just how you'll be about getting to those that might be interested in such. Without havin your fine ship blown out from underneath ya that is."

"Fire on me and take the chance of harmin the lass?" Barbossa said with a laugh, "Don't see even Jack Sparrow being that daft."

"Ah but if it comes between loosin the lass ta the likes of who you have in mind and endin it all right here and now ya might be surprised as to which of those options wins out. I'm not thinking any of them over there are gonna just let ya sail away with her if only on principle alone. I have a feelin if that's what yer thinking ya better reconsider and take what I'm offerin. Would no doubt work out much less……..bloody." Teague said still holding that wisp of a smile on his face.

"Yer bluffin." Barbossa said although his tone did not sound as sure as he would have liked.

"Am I now?" Teague said with a raise of his eyebrows. "Well if that's what you've got in your mind I'll just be off and ya can find out fer yerself." Teague started to get out of his chair but before he had raised himself more than a few inches Barbossa said, "Yer not really thinking they would fire on me ship with her aboard?"

"Have ya forgotten that yer dealin with Jack Sparrow? Seen him do crazier things and so have you Hector. No telling bout Jackie when he gets something stuck in his mind."

Hector seemed to ponder this for a minute, and that was long enough to realize that he would be far better off to bargain that withstand a barrage from the Pearl's guns at this close range, he hadn't lived this long by being a fool. And there was a good chance he could get what he had originally been after at a later date when there were a lot less obstacles in the way.

With a wide smile he said, "I believe you were about to define a bit for me Captain."

"So I was." Teague answered. "Seems there's this map I've recently…acquired Hector, perhaps you've heard tell of it. The Map of Montezuma?" Teague watched as Hector's eyes grew big and then to slits as he answered, "A fine fairy tale Captain."

"Is it? And what would ya say if I was ta tell ya I've been there and taken what swag, uncursed swag by the way that I could load me ship down with and still stay afloat? And had ta sail off with thrice that much still lyin where it was buried. What would ya say ta that Hector?"

Hesitating to call him a liar again in so short a time Hector replied, "I'd say that was truly amazin indeed." And after a short pause, "Not meanin ta infer that what yer sayin's not the truth of it but how would ya go bout provin such a thing should the subject happen ta come up between…….certain parties? And why would ya tend ta be so generous with it if it does exist?"

"Not generous at all Hector, after all I've been there, don't need the map ta get back. You on the other hand have ta follow said map, not an easy feat ta be doin, and beat me back there ta boot. I have as I stated before grown a bit fond of the blacksmith, see him as the son I would have had if I'd been a better Father to the one I did have perhaps." Then after a pause continued, "Ah it's proof you'd be wantin then?" Teague said with a smile. "Since ya seem ta have heard of the map then no doubt ye've also heard a bit about the description of some of the treasure as well?"

"I might have at one time or another." Barbossa replied.

"Then no doubt one of the pieces you might have heard about is a medallion of silver with Montezuma's own likeness carved upon it?"

"Aye that may be."

"One that might match a particular medallion I happen to have on me person." Teague said as he pulled the medallion out and showed it to Barbossa.

Teague smiled a cunning smile as Barbossa's face flashed through a series of emotions ranging from disbelief to semi-belief to belief and then to out and out greed.

"What say you now Captain Barbossa?" Teague whispered to the man. "Let the girl and her companions return to the Pearl and we all go away happy men… except for Mrs. Turner who would be a happy woman of course."

To Be Continued

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