Book Two - Chapter Eleven: The Lords of the Caspian Sea

The ferry boats returned to the Roving Maid. Although there was no actual weighing of the gold, the new captain of the Sirin seemed happy with what was brought to them. He did not even think it necessary to bother taking the ship to the court. He and his crew figured that it was best to put the new obtained treasure to good use by spending it in Europe. At least Captain Jack Sparrow found that this made the whole ordeal much easier without the Sirin tagging along.

Amelia found herself quite captivated by the journey to Shipwreck Cove. The waters seemed harsher and the land formations more daunting. The very look of it caused Amelia more anxiety about having to answer to the keeper of the code. Everyone who knew the plan reassured her that there was nothing to worry about. It was not going to be an actual court - like one would find a court of law in Stone Chapel or London - and she was not to be charged with a crime. The whole affair was simply ritual. So long as the keeper of the code could maintain order amongst the Brethren, there would be no arising issues.

Passing through the Devil's Throat Amelia could feel the same tension that must have been in the ship itself. There was only one way into the cove and it had to be done precisely else even the largest and sturdiest of vessels would find themselves smashed up along the rocks. Normally Amelia would be assisting in the ship's passage - making certain that the sails were properly adjusted - but her participation was quite minimal for once. She held her breath as the ship narrowly made way into the passage and did not breathe again until the way seemed clear. Her anxiety still did not diminish any.

When the ship pulled into port Captain Jack Sparrow gave his men leave, saying that they were free to enjoy themselves as they wished up at the town of Shipwreck. Everyone disembarked the ship happily - all except for the captain, Barbossa and Amelia who took an extra moment to collect themselves before going to the court.

"What should I say?" Amelia asked.

"Unless you're asked, say nothing," was the answer that both men had for her.

Her nerves were obvious. Jack was about to extend his arm to her but before he had a chance Barbossa already had done so. Together the three of them made their way to the meeting hall of the court. Along the way, Barbossa was explaining to his daughter the great escapade that he and the captain had gone through in defeating the Monchris. Amelia was only half listening, having much more on her mind.

Jack walked ahead. Knowing that they were coming quite unexpectedly, Jack had Barbossa and his daughter wait just outside of the door while he went in. He opened the door and closed it behind him before looking around the room. The hall was empty except for Captain Teague lounging on his great chair and strumming his guitar, the one he prized so much more since its rescue from the Monchris. The captain did not seem to notice his own son's entrance. Jack cleared his throat conspicuously. That too went unheard. He took a few steps closer and repeated himself a little more loudly. Captain Teague turned his head but did not cease playing. Jack removed his hat and gave a courteous bow.

"What brings you here, now, Jackie?" Captain Teague asked.

Quickly standing erect, Jack said, "There has been a change in the lordship of the Caspian Sea."

Captain Teague laughed and replied, "Aye, aren't you swift now, Jackie boy! Viktor passed his son on as heir - nearly two years ago now. I am quite aware of the change. Have you any other news?"

"Aye. The lordship's been changed again," Jack said. "Darius is dead. Killed not three days ago. His piece of eight has been claimed."

Captain Teague ceased playing.

"You know this?"

"Aye, saw it myself," Jack replied.

"By your hand?"

"No. One of my crew. Darius tried to take on our ship. I ordered a parley. He assaulted one of my own. A shot was fired. Now he is no more."

"And your man," Captain Teague continued, "he knows the consequences of his actions? The responsibilities he has?"

Jack was unsure on how to address the question. While the answer was in the affirmative, a correction still had to be made.

"The details of the piece of eight have been explained. I made sure of it the moment Darius fell. His first mate tried to take claim of it."

"Is he here?"

"The first mate? No, sailed off somewhere."

"Not the first mate! Your man, you fool."

"Ah, of course. Just one moment," Jack said running to the door. He opened it just enough to peak his head through and called his crew mates to come. He then opened the door full way and allowed Barbossa and his daughter to enter.

Captain Teague rose to greet the newcomers. He vaguely recognized Barbossa. The captain smiled and reached for his hand.

"Aye, so you're the dog who took down Captain Darius?" Captain Teague said approvingly. Then his attention caught hold of the young women at Barbossa's side and instantly moved to her. "And a fine prize you brought with you," he said reaching out his hand to lie upon Amelia's cheek.

Jack immediately stepped in between his father's hand and the girl's body - a tight fit to which he contorted his body to slip into without touching either.

"Not this one!" Jack said. When Captain Teague had backed off Jack moved himself between Barbossa and Amelia. "This is the dog," he said pointing to Amelia, "or, the dogette…" Amelia and Barbossa immediately shot dirty looks at their captain. Realizing that that was not the best choice of words either, he corrected himself, "…I mean, she, being the one who…with Darius…" he eventually just got so flustered with his words that he stopped using them altogether and just made a gun in with his hand and pretended to fire it, making the sound effect along with it.

Everyone stood a moment in silence.

Jack turned to Amelia and mouthed the word "sorry" with great facial exaggeration and then quickly moved from where he was standing.

Captain Teague looked Amelia up and down, his brow knotted.

"You killed him?"

"Yes, sir," Amelia said calmly.

"And you think that you can take on all the responsibilities of a pirate lord?"

Amelia took a moment before answering.

"I am confident in my abilities, sir. However, I believe that I do not have the experience to declare myself independent, either from my captain or his lordship in the Caribbean. That being said, if I must accept the lordship, I shall, with as much pride and dignity as I have," Amelia said.

Captain Teague gave a little laugh and then said, "You have the piece of eight?"

Amelia showed him that was in fact in her possession.

"Then it's yours along with the lordship," he added.

"And mine to pass on as I so see fit?" Amelia asked.

Captain Teague nodded his head.

"Then I wish to do so."

Clutching the figurehead, Amelia turned to her father and held it out for him in the palm of her hand. Barbossa was hesitant to take it.

"You've been doing this far longer than I have. I can think of no other who would deserve it more," Amelia said.

With that, she placed it in her father's hand. Captain Teague laughed at having known it was to be Barbossa all along.

As Barbossa and his daughter were leaving the hall, Captain Teague took his son aside.

"So, it was over the girl?" he asked Jack.

"Among other things," Jack confessed.

"What other things?"

"Darius had us chasing Ewould's gold," Jack said but was suddenly cut off by his father.

"The chest?"

"Aye."

"Leave it be, Jackie," his father warned him.

"What's in it?" Jack had to ask.

"No living man knows. The devil put him in that box and even wretches such as us should keep clear of it."

Captain Teague's words were grave but Jack was used to the severity in his father's voice. It did not haunt him as he took his place with his shipmates in town. Jack walked into the tavern. The only difference between this tavern and all others is that Shipwreck had a strong lack of beautiful young women. That being said, women were a strong commodity at Shipwreck. It made quite the statement when Jack walked in and the prettiest blossom abandoned her current post to tend to the captain. Normally this would lead to an eruption of fist fights for the prize, however even Captain Jack Sparrow was being less than attentive with the woman on his lap.

Amelia was sitting at a table with some of the crew members. Ragetti sat closest to her, playing a mild game of red hands, never slapping her very hard. Jack watched the game while enjoying his drink. Every now and then the woman on his lap would block his vision or be too determined to have her chatter listened to for Jack to be a spectator of the activities across the room. Amelia, apparently having lost a series of games, rose with empty mugs in hand - it being her task to refill them as consequence for losing.

Up at the bar, near where her captain was seated, Amelia put down the mugs and waited for the bartender to deal with them. Being there unattended, a bold man decided to approach the young woman. Believing that Amelia was as fair game as the other women around, he did not introduce himself, he merely assumed that he could initiate his business. He put his hands on her hips and was beginning to whisper something in her ear. Jack instantly shot up from his seat - the unsuspecting woman on his lap plummeted to floor. Before the captain could get his hand on the man's shoulder, Amelia had already spun around, sending a tight fist flying towards his nose. The man backed away, cursing and bleeding. Everyone in the tavern began to laugh at him. It was only as her victim was stumbling away that Amelia noticed Jack standing there. He did not say anything.

One of the older women, heavy with a dated dress and too much paint on her face, swaggered over to Ragetti's table. She, like the other women, did not appreciate Amelia's presence at the tavern and found her reluctance to obtain customers a criticisable display of being uppity. As a sign of the true hierarchy, the woman pushed herself into Ragetti's lap - believing him to be Amelia's man. Ragetti was not prepared to take on the weight of the woman. She flung her arms around his neck and began to caress his face. Her positioning was causing pinching pains for Ragetti who was trying not to vocalise his discomfort more than slight groans and a heavy breath or two.

"What's your fancy then, love?" she said leaning heavily against his chest. "I's good company, I am. I ain't too proud to just let a man be a man, if you get me, love. Come, then. Sure you'd like a break from that twig of a girl-child, an' I'd treat you good, better than any girl-child. Come, let's wet your wick a little, eh?"

"I think you've broken it," Ragetti said trying to catch his breath, his eye beginning to water.

"What's that?" the woman hollered.

"Off! Please!" Ragetti begged.

The woman rose up off of his lap, took hold of her skirt and abruptly gave a "harrumph" before departing.

Ragetti gave a large sigh as he felt the blood return to his lower regions.

Having seen the action taking place over at the table, Amelia had not yet tried to return to it. When the mugs were refilled, she picked them up, but Jack took them both out of her hands.

"Meet me outside," he said to her, and then he took them over to the table. He made some comment to Ragetti's unfortunate attraction and patted him on the shoulder.

Amelia did as she was told - unsure of whether she was in trouble or not. Jack was not using a very captain-like tone but she was becoming very sensitive to what was asked of her. It was not long before Jack emerged from the tavern. He could see the troubled look on her face, anticipating him to say something.

"Why are you so worried?" he asked her.

"Well, you're not even half drunk and you threw a whore to the floor to come speak to me. It's just a little unusual and I'm not sure what I've done," she admitted.

Jack thought about the unusualness of his actions as well. He had no answer for it.

"Amelia," he said, "it's no place for you."

She rolled her eyes, as if hearing the voice of her father come from her captain.

"Did you look around? There isn't a man in there that wouldn't take you in an instant. You don't realize what you… I mean, you…you can't fight them all off," he said, "not forever."

"I'm not a complete idiot, Jack. I know what the men in there want. I also know how not to give in to them," Amelia said.

"But you don't know the lengths they'd go to get it - to get to you. You're young, you're beautiful, everything about you says you're untouched and men are like animals, they can smell it when you walk into the room."

"So I'm just to lock myself away forever?" Amelia said bitterly. "Preserve myself perpetually for a husband who will probably be no better than the unrestrained creepers in there, because, let's face it, I've pretty much eliminated all chances of marrying well. Besides, if I were so inclined, I would have stayed in London, but I didn't, Jack! I'm not the lady that you and others seem to think I am. Just because I know the etiquette doesn't mean that I follow it. For God sakes, they threw me out of the bloody finishing school! I don't need you to protect me."

"Good," Jack said quite unexpectedly, "because I can't."

Amelia was stunned into silence by his answer. He was being entirely sincere.

Ragetti appeared at the tavern door, monitoring what had become of Ms. Barbossa.

"Master Ragetti," Jack said, "see to it that Ms. Amelia gets to her room safely and promptly."

Ragetti agreed to do as he was ordered. He took Amelia's arm and led her away. Amelia was still speechless and lost in the complexity of her captain's last words to her. Just four words but they had so many meanings that she was determined to decipher. She knew that Jack was drawn to her and took hold of her at every opportunity. She also knew that she loved him. She always loved him, even before he ever seemed to notice her. But was he really afraid to love her? Was that what he meant? Of course he should be concerned about her being Barbossa's daughter, but that could not be the only reason. How could he be so unsure of her?