Chapter Three
Voices, though not bein' o' me sisters, echoed through me ears an' only made worse tha pounding headache I had. Me heart felt like it was in me brain. Damn. I shivered, a chill breathed over me, an' I realized I was wit'out me heavy skirt. Still damp, an' me hair felt like a soaked mop. I noticed somethin' soft under me head. A pillow?
I attempted at openin' me eyes, but they were too heavy. I listened ta tha voices. Arguin', they were. A man wit' anudder.
"Why weren't ya watchin' 'er, ya git?! Bloody hell. Now I'm bloody wetter than I was before I went in."
"Cap'n, I told you twas bad luck ta bring a woman aboard, sir."
"I don't bloody care what you said. Bloody lass had me divin' in after her. That's the second time I've had ta rescue a damsel in a week, Gibbs!"
Wha the hell.
Sparrow.
I went ta open me eyes once more, forcin' them awake. Tha room felt moist, an' clammy. Like when yer sick an' feel disgusting. Tha's 'ow tha room felt. It was lit by candles, little balls o' smoke risin' out from tha tops o' em. It was me cabin. I saw two shadowy figures in tha corner; didn't know how they both fit in tha room, but it didn't matter. I made them out ta be blue man an' Captain dearest. I groaned when I tried ta roll over, noticin' the sheets coverin' me.
"Oi! She's awake. Take care of 'er. I'll be retreatin' ta me quarters. We should arrive by tomorrow," Sparrow said, whisperin' tha last part.
I took me hand ta hold me achin' 'ead, and watched as Sparrow made his exit. Gibbs, I assumed, tha elder man in blue, came ta kneal over me. He huffed an' explained what happened.
"Look 'ere, missy, ya don't wanna be makin' a big episode outta things. Tha cap'n has too much on his mind right now. An' I dunno what possessed ya ta do it, but ya went so far over tha railin' that you dived headfirst into the water. Now every smart sailor knows not ta temp tha sea gods. You've a lot ta learn, lass. Poor cap'n had ta go in after ye, I took tha wheel. Don't be doin' none o' that again, ya hear? Fer dead men tell no tales. An' don't worry, 'e only cut yer skirt free 'cause ya were too heavy with it."
I was taken aback. Tha captain saved me? What fer? That's the second bloody time 'e's come ta me rescue. Must not think I can take care o' meself. Tha bastard. Not only that, a piece o' me clothing was now last at sea.
"Alright," I murmured mindlessly.
Gibbs sighed an' stood up ta leave, I was left alone.
Tha sea was calmin' ta me. It always was. An' storms were me favorite, like mum would tell me. But why did I lean over tha rail? Wha' in God's name were me sisters callin' me fer? They only gave me bits o' information, leavin' tha big picture ta be a blurry mess. When they said stay, by what did it mean? Ta stay in tha water, er ta stay on tha ship? Wha tha hell was I anyway? A maeve. A God awful cross between a myth an' a sick reality? I didn't ask fer it. I didn't wanna be one. I didn't know wha tha hell it meant. Eyes tha' changed color on mood, weather patterns in me body, scales shinin' in tha aqua, communicatin' wit' the mermaids. Why couldn't it have been anudder girl?
I rolled over ta me other side, me body feelin' drained o' all energy. I felt an ache in me arms, an ache in me legs ta match. I was then facin' tha wall, an' saw a small droplet o' water roll down. I lifted me finger ta catch it, an' studied it on tha tip. It felt cool on me already cold skin. It gleamed slightly in tha light, an' then tha last candle blew out unexpectedly. Tha space was bleak, an' I shut me eyes fer a minute.
Gleamin'. Shinier than treasure found from a shipwreck. I touched tha skin on' me legs, it felt slimy an' cool. Patterns o' scales developed all o'er, but me legs never joined together. I felt me stomach, tha same was 'appenin' ta it. I should've been terrified outta me wits, but I wasn't. It'd not been tha first time. I delved deeper inta tha blue, an' tha soothin' liquid played wit me hair tha way tha wind did. It ran through me locks, an' behind me spread tha scarlet curls. Songs o' sweet melodies tugged at me ears, in tha language I understood. I followed, an' passed many reefs an' creatures. There was a cove-like endin', wit a small hole as an entrance. Curiously, I swam through it, tha scales caressin' tha rim o' it.
There, there were tha sisters all gathered an' dancin' in tha sea foam. Much like underwater gypsies, I thought. Long hair fanned out beautifully on all o' 'em. I counted 9. Scales lookin' like mine, though they had fins. Sea flowers decorated tha area, an' seaweed swished against tha water's current. A hole in tha top had granted a heaven-like light ta shine down. Tha walls made o' rock reflected off tha light, sparklin' like tha sand. The mermaids smiled sweetly at me, and came nearer.
"Stay, maeve."
I opened me mouth ta speak. So many questions boggled me mind.
"They will seek you. Stay. Run."
I shook me head. I pleaded them wit' me eyes, hopin' they'd catch me drift.
"You must run when they look. But you must stay."
None of it made any bloody sense. Who was seekin' me out? Stay where er wit' who? Shakin' me head again, I swam closer so I was lookin' inta tha eyes o' the leader. She had enchantin' emerald eyes, an' thick platinum hair sweepin' her slender face. She softly smiled an' raised her hand ta keep me from talkin'.
"Listen. Run when they seek, but stay."
I sprung awake. Tha cabin was pitch black, an' me breathin' was labored. How weird, since I was tha calmest in me dream. Those dreams were visitin' me too much fer me likin' lately. I wished they made more sense. More than ever me sisters were callin' me and givin' me only dividends ta hear. It was a riddle an' they left me ta figure it out? I was sick o' never 'earin' tha whole bloody story damnit.
Me stomach rumbled, remindin' me I hadn't eaten in a long while. I s'posed it wouldn't be too much harm ta pay a visit ta tha galley. I threw tha sheets ta tha side an' slowly stood up. I then remembered I was only in me bodice an' shirt. Damn tha' Sparrow. Musta not been tha' good o' a man if he can't even save a lass from drownin' in her full clothin'. Musta not been tha' strong.
I rummaged 'round me drawer till I could faintly make out tha siholuette o' me extra skirt. In the light, it was a musty brown color, but in tha dark, just black. I managed ta slip it on an' tuck me chemise in. On me way out, I almost tripped over me boots, makin' sure ta put those on also.
Openin' the door, I was greeted by tha obnoxious snores o' tha crew. They laid soundly in their rightful hammocks, swayin' side ta side wit tha ship. I plugged me nose at their stench, an' tiptoed me way. I found a large room, complete wit a grand table in tha middle, a bowl wit various fruits sittin' as a centre piece. Me mouth watered at tha sight. There were cabinets an' chairs on tha walls, a stove wit coal beneath. A stack o' plates an' cups seated on tha counter, and a few boxes o' ingredients. I searched fer an apple in tha heap on tha table, an' found a storage o' salty hardtack. Not much, but I was lucky ta get somethin' mildly sustainable.
I took a spot in tha far end o' the table, windows behind me tha' displayed a vision o' tha night sea like paintin' hung high. I bit inta tha stiff bread roll an' twisted up me face as I tried ta chew. It wasn't the best tastin' meal I've 'ad, but twas better than starvin'. The crunch made me fear that I'd be heard, but it probably wasn't tha' loud.
As if on cue, tha lovely captain graced me wit' 'is less than desirable presence. He swaggered me way an' smirked when he recognized me. I huffed in annoyance. In 'is usual garb, 'cept fer tha coat an' hat this time.
"Good evenin', Gallagher. See you're awake," he said playful.
"As it would seem," I replied, taking tha last bite o' tha hardtack.
He took a seat diagonal from me, propping 'is boots up on tha dark wood. I smelt tha rum radiate off o' him.
"You gotta be sure to never make me go divin' in after you 'gain. You're lucky I'm not bloody maroonin' you fer that," he warned, arms crossin' his chest.
I raised an eyebrow.
"Ah. Well, Sparrow, ye could very well do tha' in tha mornin'. Don't be takin' things easy on me 'cause I'm a woman," I spat.
His smirk only grew. It musta been some sorta game ta him.
"Wha' any other man woulda done is had you in his bed by now. Or left ya to the sharks, love."
Unfortunately, I felt tha heat raise ta me cheeks. I hoped 'e didn't see based on tha poor light comin' in from tha moon.
"'scuze me?" I gasped.
He put his hands up as a defense mechanism. I scoffed, an' stood up ta leave. Bloody animal. Only a few steps from tha doorway an' he spoke again.
"I believe I'm owed a thank you, Cora Gallagher," he stated firmly.
I pivoted me head ta see tha' 'is features were more hardened than 'efore. He was serious? I could take care o' meself jus' fine. Been doin' it me whole bloody life. He had no obligation ta me. I coulda gotten outta tha water if I tried more. But instead, I mustered tha' fakest sweet smile I could.
"Go raibh maith agat," I sang mockingly, an' continued on me way.
"Oi!" he called. I kept walkin'. Suddenly, a hand gripped me arm an' stopped me in me tracks. I reflexively removed meself.
"What now?" I complained.
'e studied me fer a minute. He did tha' a lot. I exhaled sharply, impatient.
"Wha' the hell possessed you to jump in that water?"
I thought. Me sisters did. But he couldn't know tha'. I summoned me imagination an' came up wit' a excuse. Wit' a shrug I told 'im,
"Dunno. Thought I saw sumtin', tha' sea is beautiful when she's angry, eh?"
I watched his dark eyes close an' open. Fer as dark as they were, they had a spark in 'em tha' I hadn't seen in anyone else. Curiosity.
"Don't do it again. Savvy?"
I nodded me 'ead an' retreated ta me cabin, leavin' him standin' alone.
"Dead men tell no tales," Cotton's parrot sang among tha silence.
A shiver scurried down me spine as I surveyed tha scene. Fog enclosed us as we sailed through tha shark infested waters, bits o' otha' sunken ships stickin' above tha ocean, an' a cold chill hangin' in tha air. The rest o' the crew stood side by side as we scanned our newest destination. Made me rethink me decision to join a pirate crew fer a minute. Not even makin' a home in Tortuga spontaneously was equivalent ta sailin' under Captain Sparrow an' runnin' afta' a cursed treasure. Leanin' over tha railin', I heard Gibbs interrupt tha silence again.
"Puts a chill in tha bone how many honest sailors be claimed by this passage."
Tha caves ahead o' us were tha prize ta be won. In it were tha treasure o' Cortes his self. Whoever claims a piece o' tha Aztec gold from Cortes' treasure chest was ta be cursed, immortal and unable ta feel. I knew it ta be true since them two tried ta rape me in Tortuga. Only way ta lift tha curse was ta return all tha pieces an' blood money paid. Seemed pretty grim ta me, an' tha outcome wasn't intriguin'. Livin' ferever was a mite too borin'. Betta ta live an' not know which moment be yer last. That reminded me o' why I ventured out wit' tha pirates in tha first place. I wanted a life tha' kept me on me toes, one tha' gave me plenty opportunity ta take bigger risks.
"How is it Jack came by that compass?" tha young boy, William Turner, asked curiously, movin' ta stand nearer ta Gibbs.
He was an attractive lad, albeit still a little baby faced. Poor thing was chasin' afta' some Elizabeth girl, tha governor's daughter, circa Port Royal. Captain Sparrow was chasin' afta' tha Black Pearl. I remembered when he used ta be cap'n. Then tha stories got 'round tha' he'd been mutinied upon an' tha' previous first mate o' his took position as captain, Barbosa. Tha' was bloody years beforehand, an' Sparrow was yet shipless. Save fer tha stolen EITC ship we were aboard then.
"Not a lot's known about Jack Sparrow before he showed up in Tortuga with a mind ta go after the treasure of the Isla de Muerta. That was before I met him, back when he was captain of the Black Pearl," Gibbs confessed, takin' a swig o' his flask.
William turned his head wit' a face scrunched in confusion.
"What?" he gasped. "He failed to mention that."
"Well, he plays things closer to the vest now, and a hard learned lesson it was. See, three days out on the venture the first mate comes to him and tells him, 'everythin's an equal share', that should be the location of the treasure too, so, Jack gives up the bearings. That night, there was a mutiny. They marooned Jack on an island and left him to die. But not before he got mad with the heat," Gibbs narrated.
"Oh," William nodded. "So that's the reason for all the," an' he tried ta mimic tha' certain unattainable swagger tha' Sparrow carried himself wit'. I chuckled an' took a few steps closer ta join 'em.
"Reasons got nothin' to do with it," Gibbs told him, takin' a seat by tha mast. I followed suit, interested in tha story. William followed. "Now, lad an' lass, when a pirate is marooned he's given a pistol with a single shot -one shot. Now that won't do much good hunting or to be rescued. But after three weeks of starvin' belly and thirst, that pistol start to look real friendly," he explained, bringin' his hand ta look like a gun up ta his temple, cockin' 'is head. "But Jack - he escaped the island, and he still has that one shot. Oh, but he won't use it though, save for one man. His mutinous first mate."
"Barbosa," I whispered.
"Aye," Gibbs replied.
William raised his eyebrows in disbelief. He was a skeptic.
"How did Jack get off the island?"
"Have you not heard the stories?" I inquired honestly. Tha story o' how Sparrow escaped tha island were one o' many versions, but all involved sea turtles. I'd 'eard it many a time.
William shook his head, waitin' fer Gibbs ta answer.
"Well, I'll tell ye," he complied, clearly excited ta tell anudder tale. "He waded out into the shallows and he waited there three days and three nights, till all a manner of sea creatures came a-climbin' inta his presence. And on the fourth morning, he roped himself a couple of sea turtles, lashed 'em together and made a raft."
"He roped a couple of sea turtles?" tha lad repeated.
"Aye, sea turtles."
I rolled me eyes at this. Perhaps tha legend true, perhaps not. What'd it matta'? Tha Sparrow created a few good tales, but reputation was often a lie. No matter how bloody fascinatin' Sparrow's was.
"What did he use for a rope?" William asked after a pause.
Just then we all turned our heads ta see tha star o' tha myth himself standin' right in front o' us.
"Human hair. From my back," he said gravely. "Let go the anchor!"
"Aye, captain, aye!" came tha voices o' me comrades as they made ta follow orders.
I stood up, an' jus' as I was ta walk away, I 'eard Sparrow make another announcement.
"Young Mr. Turner and I are to go ashore."
"What makes ye think only ye an' tha lad can go ashore?" I inquired hotly, steppin' right up ta tha captain.
His eyes grew as he looked me up an' down, hands tightenin' on 'is pistol an' sword, steady on his belt.
"I'm captain. Therefore, my ship, my orders."
He pushed past me an' I watched as him an' tha boy lowered themselves inta tha longboat. Imbecile. Wha' tha hell made him think I couldn't make tha trip meself? I groaned, everyone retreatin' ta their own business as we waited. Seein' Gibbs standin' at tha helm, I made him company.
"What's so special 'bout tha' boy Jack's hangin' onta?" I asked.
Gibbs scanned me fer honesty, er somethin' o' tha like I presumed. He checked 'round ta see if anyone else'd be payin' attention, then took me ova ta tha railin' and whispered.
"Tha' boy, William Turner, 's the son of Bootstrap Bill. Previous crew member of the Pearl. He stood up fer Jack in the mutiny, and sunk to the depths of tha ocean for it. He owned one of the pieces of gold, passed it onto his son before he died. They need Turner blood to lift the curse."
I nodded.
"So tha' explains much. Leverage."
"Best be watchin' yerself, missy. Barbosa ain't one to give quarter," he warned, eyes narrowin'.
I smirked, me hand restin' on me sword. I spun 'round on me heel an' stepped away. When tha opportunity presented itself, I could assure tha captain tha' I'd not be far behind. I'd already humored 'im a few times, but I wasn't gonna stay back an' let him have all tha fun. I promised meself I'd make me decision back in Tortuga wort'while.
Goin' down tha stairs, I searched fer a longboat. On tha port side o' tha ship, I found one tied up by ropes, ores inside. A huge grin spread across me face, twas' easy enough. I counted me blessin's. Most o' tha crew had retired below decks save fer a few stragglers. Tha soft wind whipped through me hair, curls blowin' in me face. I tucked tha hairs behind me ear an' leaned up against tha railin' next ta tha longboat. Sun nowhere in sight, all was bleak. I wondered wha' tha Sparrow an' William were up ta. An' wha' Barbosa was like in reality, perhaps slightly different than tha stories told? I tried imaginin' tha cursed cave in me mind, but figured I wasn't doin' it justice. No worries, howeva'. I'd find meself in there soon enough.
It'd been quite some time, an' neither o' tha men had returned. Glancin' over deck I saw no one standin' in me way. Wit' an inhale o' breath, I began untyin' the knots o' tha boat. Took some 'ard yankin' an' perseverance, but it came crashin' down wit' a thud. Me heart picked up an' I prayed tha' nobody 'eard me. But when I looked up, I met eyes wit' a portly man. Bald head, brown shirt, an' a scowl on 'is face.
"Ye ain't followin' captain's orders," he snarled.
I smiled sweetly. I'd use bein' a maeve ta me full advantage. Murmurin' tha chant I'd been taught so long ago, I starred inta his brown eyes an' enchanted 'im. I narrowed me eyes an' felt a cool air brush past us.
"Back ta yer cabin, sailor," I ordered quietly.
He nodded an' left. Happy wit' me work, I carefully lowered tha boat inta tha water. I stepped down tha latter ta take a seat. Instantly I felt at home. Maybe not Ireland, but twas a comfortable feelin'. I took tha oars in me hands an' took tha journey inta tha cave. 'bout 'alfway in, I heard me name.
"Cora! What are ye doin'?!"
I saw some familiar faces leanin' over tha ship wit' petrified faces. They continued ta shout at me but tha further away I rowed, tha quieter they came.
I went through a wide openin' an' down a narrow way. Gold an' silver an' e'ery manner o' jewels were tossed about, coverin' tha cave in a sorta blanket. Me eyes widened at tha' beautiful sight. The walls dripped delicately wit' droplets o' water, an' everythin' had a yellow-ish tone from tha lantern I brought along. I assumed tha waters were shallow, but I wasn't chancin' it. As I got nearer, me pulse beat faster. I 'eard clammer an' hootin' from inside.
That was them.
Slightly terrified, but persistent, I dispatched from tha boat an' swiftly tip toed ta a hole in tha cave where I could peak out an' see tha crew at hand. They were cheerin', weapons drawn, as a scurvy man in a bloody ridiculous feathered hat stood next ta a young woman wit' golden locks. She had tha medallion 'round her neck. Took her ta be Elizabeth an' tha otha' Barbosa.
"Suffered, I 'ave!" one o' tha pirates complained.
"Punished we were. The lot of us, disproportioned to our crime! Save for this!" Barbosa kicked his leg ova' an' unveiled tha otha' pieces o' tha treasure lyin' in tha chest. I gasped upon seein' it so close.
But where tha' hell was Sparrow an' William? They weren't standin' in tha crowd. I backed up, an' saw a small pathway leadin' ta tha devil knew where. Jus' after a few steps, I saw tha' bastard lyin' on tha ground, hat tipped off. Too cautious ta speak ta him, fer I didn't want tha odda's ta hear me, I bent down an' tried lightly shakin' 'im awake. He didn't budge.
Damnit.
"Sparrow," I growled, shakin' him fiercely.
He stirred, but didn't wake.
"Jack Sparrow," I said again.
"What? Eh?" he hopped right up an' swayed fer a moment ta regain 'is composure. Not tha' he 'ad much ta begin wit'. His eyes adjusted an' then darkened. If he wasn't so angry, I mighta admitted ta meself tha' he was quite a looker.
He fit 'is hat back on his head. I didn't wanna comment on it bein' a bit crooked. Didn't seem as he was in tha mood.
"Gallagher," he seethed.
"At yer service," I said sarcastically wit' a fake bow o' me head.
"Next time, listen ta me, will you, lass?"
Closin' in on us was heavy footsteps an' sinister laughter. Me heart stopped as I looked to Sparrow wit' big eyes. They encircled us an' I spun 'round ta face 'em. Jack stood behind me casually, but rolled his own eyes when I drew me sword. They aimed their pistols an' otha' weapons direct at us.
"You!" one o' 'em said in surprise. "Yer s'posed ta be dead."
Jack looked down an' patted his torso.
"Am I not?" When he looked back up, he noticed tha' pistol pointed at 'is head.
"Palulay…palu-li-la-la-lulu, parlili… parsnip, pasley, par partner, partner…" he rambled on.
"Parlay?" I offered. I'd 'eard o' tha Pirate Code 'efore. Livin' on tha coast o' Ireland had it's advantages when it came ta seafarin' tidbits.
Tha plump an' angry sailor swapped his pistol ta me.
"Damn 'em ta tha depths whatever man that thought up 'parlay!'" he barked.
Jack took a step ahead o' me, puttin' his two fingers in tha pistol holes, an' lowered it.
"That would be the French," he answered calmly.