Chapter 13: Faith and Dissension

As happiness was with the Black Pearl, that same joy could not be felt by William in the brig of the Spanish Lady. León did not show any mercy to him, not even for his age, after he learned of his aid to Juliet. For his transgression, William was dragged down to the brig and chained to the ceiling, hanging by his wrists so that his feet could not touch the floor. After that, he was flogged one dozen lashes and forced to remain hanging without water for the remainder of the day until León saw fit to release him.

The pain was something that William had never felt before. His back stung and ached from the vicious lashing he had received; his wrists felt as if they were leaving his arms. His throat became parched and dry from a lack of hydration and his tongue felt like leather. William struggled to find some comfort in his position, but it was no use.

Despite the immense pain he was in, William was not afraid. To comfort himself, William thought the pain was a comfort knowing he had saved Juliet from his unforgiving captors. Keeping this fresh in his mind, William was prepared for anything his cruel captors had in store for him.

Just then he heard the creaking of his cell door as León entered. "Are you comfortable, pequeno?*"

"Not at all," William said icily.

"Why, that's too bad," León said, feigning sympathy. "This is what happens to little ones who are naughty. They get punished."

"Do you have any children, León?" William asked.

"Do you see any around my ship?" León asked pointedly.

"I didn't think so," William spat. "A man like you shouldn't have children. Usually, if children misbehave, they get a spanking. I already know how your discipline works and I hope you never have children."

"You are quite a brave pequeno," León commented with a dangerous smile. "You had better make sure your bravery doesn't interfere with your behavior. If you wish to see your mama and papa again, you'd better behave."

"Don't bore me," William groaned. "If you're going to threaten me, try doing it in a more creative way."

"I hope you are not too bored to hear that when we find your little friend, you will watch her die slowly," León said menacingly.

"Let me know when that happens," William said with a smirk.

"There is something you don't know, Señor Turner," León laughed.

"About what?" William demanded.

"You mean your little friend never told you?" León asked.

"Told me what?" William barked.

"Señorita Juliet is dying," León replied with a grin.

"You're lying," William spat.

"I am not lying, Señor," León said firmly. "I knew it when I took her from her pretty mama. Señorita Juliet has consumption. From the looks of her, she will not last much longer."

William then remembered when Juliet was with him. He heard her stifling coughs echo in his mind. He could see the crimson blood on the handkerchief and Juliet's pale face drenched in sweat. William's heart smashed into a thousand pieces and his face drained of colour. A selfish part of him wished he had not released Juliet to safety so he could be with her and help her. He could feel the despair consume his heart knowing his best friend was dying and he could do nothing.

Unable to control himself, William screamed. "No!"

Like a caged beast, William lunged at León to no avail. The Spaniard was grinning. He knew he had hurt William.

"I will leave you to your thoughts," León said in satisfaction.

"She won't die, León," William said resolutely.

"I assure you she will," León countered.

"No, she will not," William replied. "Because her mother and father won't let her. I won't let her die. Most importantly, she won't let herself die. She will fight and she will see you go back to the dark abyss you came from."

"We shall see," León declared as he exited the cell.

William was devastated by the tidings, but he could not let León see him suffer. He also had to keep faith in Juliet as he had done for many years. William recalled those stories that his mother and father had told him of their adventures years ago. The one that stuck in his mind was how his friend Guinevere once had consumption. He remembered his mother and father telling him how Guinevere kept fighting and never gave in so she could protect Juliet. Now Juliet had consumption and William knew she was as strong and stubborn as her mother. He knew she had the spirit of both Parris and Sparrow in her. William was certain that Juliet would fight as her mother did and never give in, was certain that Juliet would win against this disease. In his heart, he had faith that Juliet would live and he kept that faith.

Just then, as León stepped up to the main deck of his ship, Ramos approached him. "Capytan, English colours are approaching us."

León looked into his spyglass and saw a grand sloop flying the British flag.

"It's Commodore King paying us a visit," he replied.

"What does he want?" Ramos asked.

"We shall soon find out," León said.

After a few minutes, King's sloop sailed next to León's and Commodore King himself came aboard.

"Commodore King," León greeted. "What brings you aboard my vessel?"

"News that I am not happy to hear, León," King said coldly.

"And what such news is that?" León wanted to know.

Quicker than lightening, King's hand flew across León's face. "Don't play stupid with me, León! You know of what I speak."

"The brats," León sighed, recovering from the blow.

"Only one brat in particular," King corrected.

"The Sparrow chica," León answered.

"Yes, that is why I am unhappy and why I am here," King explained before striking León again. "You let her escape! You and your poor excuse for a crew was too drunk to keep a close eye on two, little, pirate brats. That girl is my leverage against Sparrow as well as yours. You would be wise to keep a close eye on the boy. If you lose him too, I shall send you to your grave where you belong."

"Tell me, Commodore, where is the chica?" León questioned.

"Luckily for both of us, I was able to capture her drifting at sea and she is safe in the brig of my ship where she shall stay," King explained coldly. "She is safe from your incompetence and I certainly hope the boy is."

"You will still help me achieve everlasting life," León said firmly.

"You will receive no life if you do not deliver Sparrow first," King spat. "You call yourself a great sailor for not being able to hold onto a little brat? In the time of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, it was unheard of to associate with scum like you. You had better deliver and keep track of that boy, Spaniard or I will take your chance for eternal life before I take your life myself. Is that clear?"

"As a bell, Commodore," León replied.

Without another word, King exited the Spanish Lady for his own flagship. As he watched King go, León's blood boiled. He had made a deal with King, but he did not trust him. In fact he hated King with a passion. He had no choice but to serve King and at the opportune moment, he would turn on him. León was determined to get eternal life and revenge.

*pequeno-little boy