Chapter 15: Betrayed
Darkness surrounded him. William did not know how long he had been held in León's brig; he had lost track of the days. Fear was making him quake as he recalled Juliet's fate. William was certain that Juliet would survive.
Juliet is a strong girl like her mother, William thought optimistically.
William recalled the stories he had been told by his mother. "What happened to Guin, Mama? Did she survive her disease?" Young William asked in excitement.
"Guin died after she, Will, and Rose escaped from the Dutchman," Elizabeth explained to her young son.
"Then how is Guin with us today? Is she an angel?" William asked, confused.
Elizabeth laughed merrily. "No, William. Your father was given a potion from Calypso in the form of Tia Dalma. The potion must've taken effect after Guin died and she was brought back."
Although he had great faith in her strength, William knew that death was inevitable for Juliet. Unlike her mother, Juliet did not have the luck of having a potion to save her. William could only pray that Juliet would live to see the light of day again.
"God, if you can hear me, there is a wonderful girl named Juliet Sparrow out there now," William whispered to the heavens. "She is terribly sick and she could die soon. I know death is not meant to be feared, but I don't want Juliet to die like this. She is only ten years old. Please, spare her. Even if that means I have to die down here in this brig to spare her, please do it. I don't care if I die down here if it will help save Juliet. She's my best friend. I care for her so much. I pray you will keep her safe."
Just then, William heard the sound of boots descending the stairs. He knew it was León.
Well, God certainly works mysteriously, William thought to himself, believing his life was over.
"I have good and bad news for you, pequeño," León announced unctuously.
"Oh, goody," William groaned.
"Would you like to hear the bad news first, or the good news?" León asked.
"What's the difference? Looking at you every day is bad news," William spat. "Are you going to kill me?"
"There'd be no sense to be doing that," León laughed.
"What?" William questioned.
"You are going home to your madre and padre," León declared.
"What's the bad news?" William asked tonelessly.
"If you do not behave, you'll never see them again. And you'll only see them if my accomplice doesn't kill them," León explained.
"What about you?" William asked dubiously.
"They are no value to me dead or alive," León said truthfully. "I have no interest in killing them or taking them prisoner."
"Well, I suppose that's good news," William said with uncertainty.
"If I were you, I'd keep this in mind and behave," León said menacingly.
"I'll try to as long as you keep your filthy paws off me," William said firmly.
Angered, León smacked the boy. "I agreed to deliver you to your family as long as you behave. I didn't agree that you had to be unharmed."
"Fine," William sighed.
As Leon exited the dark brig, William began to hope and worry. He only hoped he would see his friends and parents again.
Meanwhile, Jack and Guinevere were enjoying time with their new children. Jack had gone below and found Guinevere sitting next to the crib, playing with Jack Jr. and Elizabeth.
"How are our precious pearls?" Jack inquired.
"Just lovely," Guinevere replied, picking up Jack Jr.
Jack then scooped Elizabeth into his arms.
"If only your big sister could see you two," Guinevere sighed to her children.
"She will very soon," Jack said with a smile. "I promise."
Suddenly, Jack and Guinevere felt the ship sway dramatically.
"What was that?" Guinevere asked.
"I don't know, but I really hope it's not what I think it could be," Jack replied fearfully.
Just then, Gibbs raced down the stairs. "Cap'n!"
"Mr. Gibbs, perhaps you can tell me why my ship just swayed so violently?" Jack questioned.
"We're under fire, Sir!" Gibbs shouted.
"Fire?" Jack asked in shock.
"It's an attack!" Gibbs replied. "Get up here quick!"
Jack and Guinevere placed their children back in their crib and hurried up to the top deck. They were met by a blast and a barrage of debris. Jack took out his spyglass to see the attackers. To Jack's dismay, two ships were on the horizon.
"León, you dirty, backstabbing, yeasty, toady, cow hearted codfish," Jack whispered.
Jack's spyglass then spotted British colors. "And who are you?"
"Jack, orders?" Guinevere asked as another blast collided into the Black Pearl.
Jack thought for a long moment. He desperately wanted to be rid of León for good. However, he had children on board to think of. Engaging in a battle could put them at risk. Jack knew he had to do what was best.
"Run up a flag of truce," he commanded.
"Jack?" Guinevere questioned.
"You heard!" Jack replied.
"Shouldn't we fight them?" Guinevere questioned.
"We have children aboard, Guin," Jack argued. "If we fight, then they'll be in danger and we may lose them as well as Juliet."
"If we don't fight, we're going to lose them just the same," Guinevere said.
Jack paused a moment. "Very well. Mr. Gibbs!"
"Cap'n!" Gibbs replied.
"Run out the guns! I want to see everything into the guns! Move!" Jack cried.
Gibbs and the rest of the crew, Guinevere included, hustled about, filling the guns with shot and anything they could find.
In the midst of the chaos, Will and Elizabeth were frightened. They saw the British colours and it infused them with apprehension.
"It's King," Will gasped.
"He'll reveal our bargain to Jack and Guin," Elizabeth said anxiously. "You know what will follow."
"He won't let William go," Will answered.
"Elizabeth, Will, step to!" Guinevere shouted.
Will and Elizabeth followed Guinevere to the guns.
"At the ready!" Guinevere shouted.
León and King's ships came into view.
"Fire! Fire all!" Guinevere roared.
Boom! Boom! Boom! The Black Pearl's cannons roared to life, damaging both ships. The ship was met by a barrage of cannon fire.
"Stop blowing holes in my ship!" Jack shouted, annoyed.
The Black Pearl seemed to be holding her own, despite being outnumbered by two ships. Suddenly, a chain shot round wrapped itself around the Pearl's mast. With a crack, the mast came tumbling down, causing the crew to run for cover.
"Oh, bugger," Guinevere groaned.
Scores of men from León's ship and King's flew aboard and surrounded the crew of the Black Pearl. The crew fought bravely, but there were too many of the enemy aboard. Jack looked over and saw Guinevere being carried away by a British soldier.
"Guin!" he called.
Before he could react, a pistol clicked in his ear. "Were you going somewhere, Sparrow?"
Jack turned to find Commodore King behind him. "It's Captain Sparrow to you, whoever you are."
King motioned his head and Jack was bound in irons. "Bring him!"
Jack was jerked along down to the main deck. Elizabeth, Will, and Guinevere were held at gunpoint and they were bound in chains. Bootstrap and James were brought up to the deck and held at gunpoint.
"You are very rude to drop in unannounced," Guinevere spat.
"You don't know who I am?" King asked incredulously. "I would've thought the Turners wouldn't have told you about me."
"What?" Jack and Guinevere gasped.
"So they haven't told you," King said knowingly with a smile. "They made a deal with me to deliver you, your wife, and your crew to justice."
"You mean slaughter," Guinevere said hotly.
"You could say that," King replied. "Thanks to them and your other friends, here you are."
"If anyone was to betray us, they wouldn't be here," Jack said angrily.
"Not necessarily," King replied.
Just then, Barbossa and Lucia stepped forward.
"Jack Sparrow!" Barbossa greeted, showing his gold teeth.
"What a lovely surprise," Lucia said with a smile.
"Hector and Lucia," Jack groaned. "Why am I not surprised?"
"You know you just reserved a spot in the deepest circle reserved only for betrayers and mutineers," Guinevere said, glaring at Barbossa and Lucia.
"Sparrow!" León shouted. "Your debt to me is still owed. You will help me find the Agua de Vida before you die."
"Seems like you need time alone with your thoughts, all of you," King said smugly. "Lock them up!"
"King!" Will shouted. "What about my son?"
"Sorry, Turner, but because I have the Sparrows and their associates, you have no value to me anymore," King said coldly.
"León, you release my daughter right now!" Guinevere growled.
"You are in no position to give orders, Señorita," León scolded.
"My daughter will die unless we reach the Fountain in time," Guinevere argued.
"Then I suggest you help me find it," León countered.
Struggling against their captors, Guinevere, Jack, Elizabeth, Will, Bootstrap, James, and the rest of the crew were led down to the brig. For now, León and King's plans had succeeded.