AN:

A bit longer chapter this time.

It's so hard when you have so many OC characters and then have to find something productive for them to do, instead of just having them stand there, putting a word in here and there…Sigh, especially Miranda who isn't meant to be the type of swashbuckling woman of the sea as Elizabeth is turning out to be…at least it feels like it. Well, I tried…

Tally-ho!

Entry 22

I ripped me eyes awa' from William as Sparrow naturally refused to be disregarded, me lettin' oot a low sigh as noticed 'im stop right neist to me, atween me 'n' Peter to surely attain me attention, turnin' his back to 'im while lifted an inquisitive haun. Flickin' it to me direction questionably, in such a wey that I couldn't anymair pretend nae to be aware o' th' quizzical eyes o' his that wandered aboot me bearing, me bein' able to hear that swaggerin' smile from his voice afore even seein' it wance he stairted to speak. Narrowin' his eyes at me.

"I'm curious to hear as in what could the consequential purpose behind yer vindicated decision or and willingness to join on this venture this time be what it appears entirely voluntarily, Miss. Martins", Sparrow questioned, me liftin' an eyebrow at 'im.

"Ye're as clear wi' yer delivery as ever", I answered, however nae feelin' lik' replyin' to th' actual question as then keeked to th' horizon. Leanin' a wee oan me right as Sparrow did th' same, eyein' at me in interest as moved th' dirt jar to his left arm, proppin' 'imself against th' gunwale.

"Where you're not, love. How would it be then? What brings ye all the way here all on your own without any pirate having to abduct ye?"

I sighed th' maist deep yet, keepin' me eyes doon for a moment as wasn't all that sure me reasons for bein' 'ere to be any wey Sparrow's business, in th' end revealin' th' truth to 'im as it wasn't all that big o' a secret. (Pretty obvious in fact if one only saw how I eyed at William while in Elizabeth's arms…) "I'm 'ere for luv, Sparrow."

"Eh?" he stated, retreatin' a bit as his face turned rather odd for a moment, 'im keekin' at me somewhat doubtfully, afore caused me to frown when I saw 'im turn his heid a bit to keek at Elizabeth briefly. His voice revealin' much mair emotion than he likelie intended when he responded, somewhat cunnin' smile visitin' his lips. "I'm terribly flattered love, but I'm afraid mine has already been claimed…"

I let oot an incredulous huff, turnin' aroond to face th' pirate wi' both o' me eyebrows quirked (where Peter was leerin' at th' man's back throughoot th' whole conversation). "If ye truly mistook me words to refer to ye, I'm really surprised ye to have nae awready gotten caught for such fatuity... I think me actions back at th' island established mair than enough me sentiments towards ye, which definitely nae indicate me to believe there to be anythin' o' th' sort atween us."

"And here I was thinking ye to have become rather fond of me during oor separation", Sparrow teased, me blinkin' at his comment baffled 'til it was explained when he neist took th' hat from me heid (his hat, that by some miracle or an ootright curse had stuck wi' me all this time wi'oot vanishin' in any o' th' incidents I'd gotten caught up in, me to have actually forgotten all aboot it). 'Im noo flashin' me a thankful grin afore placed it oan his ain heid, tippin' it. "After all ye come bearing gifts."

I snorted, glancin' up at th' hat in turn remarkably. "As much as I ken is that that hat o' yers almost got me eaten by th' Kraken, nae wance, but twice. So I might've as weel juist brought ye th' very lure that will summon th' beast right to ye."

I daunered past th' stiffened Sparrow, obviously aware that th' hat had worked in such wey only wance when I'd first come across Jones' pet, when th' second encounter had been different in a sense that th' creature had been directly sent efter me, William 'n' Edward. Me however nae gettin' farther but a few steps when th' pirate strode in front o' me casually, comin' closer wi' an amused smirk.

"Admit it, even if not the best of mates at the moment, we had our moments…" Sparrow told me, me confrontin' 'im wi' folded arms as in fact waited for 'im to continue. To hear th' rest o' this laughable allegation, me nevertheless havin' to fight back th' furious blush that was close to rise oan me cheeks upoan hearin' his followin' words that didn't leave much for imagination to anyone who overheard 'im. "A connection unlike no other. Certain undisputed stirrings that during those late hours spend on that island by the fire enthused into something inexplicably compelling that brought us remarkably closer to one another with but few words and looks…And I find nothing to have changed. We're still on that beach and by that fire, and we can still have that drink I promised whenever we would cross paths again to rekindle it. Just a word love, and it can be done."

I said nothin' as was but shocked for a fleetin' moment, gawkin' at th' pirate in a loss o' all pungent words that had played oan th' tip o' me tongue juist a moment ago, abashed o' his insinuations 'n' th' wey his eyes had roamed aboot me body suggestively durin' his speech. Me keekin' aboot in embarrassment, albeit I kenned he hadn't said any o' that seriously or to seduce me, but juist to vex me by makin' me uncomfortable upoan undoubtedly realizin' me nae to recall oor alone time at that island wi' much warmth. Me immediately recoilin' for th' very thought o' it as then happened to spot William 'n' noticed 'im to be goupin' at me. Wi' an countenance I couldn't quite interpret yet alone understand, where many aboard were eyein' at me 'n' Sparrow in utmaist confusion. Aye, I hadn't exactly told William th' whole truth aboot what had occurred at that island efter we'd been marooned there by Barbossa, so I suppose Sparrow's tantalisin' couldn't have come as a surprise only to me… But in addition to his reaction what confused me even mair was that Elizabeth was doin' th' exact same thing as William, seemin' lik' listenin' to each word exchanged atween Sparrow 'n' me intently. 'Er behavior as weel appearin' too streenge for me to fathom, but I noo bypassed all th' observin' eyes as pulled meself together. Turnin' serious 'n' shiftin' me attention back to th' pirate Captain in front o' me.

"Ye're nae even half as charmin' as ye regard yerself to be", I announced, inclinin' me heid at 'im as made a slight smile. "Oor moments consisted o' nothin' but yer stupidity 'n' ductility. I juist used ye to me advantage. Somethin' ye should be mair than familiar wi'."

"Let us agree to disagree, taken the circumstances I just described to you in most accurate and elaborate detail", Sparrow disclaimed, smilin'. "As for yer mentioned utilization of me deficiencies of the time, that's what I've come to find so intriguing about ye, Miranda love, in addition to yer greatly improved assets. Your latent talent to pertain to anything you desire in the most crafty way with but a smile or two if one is enough providential", Sparrow countered, (if me previous answer had had any impact oan 'im nae showin' it), 'im simply returnin' me smile efter followin' me cue by glancin' ower to William, where I squinted at his remark in irritation. "Ye women are fickle creatures, which is why I'm more than confident that yer opinion about me will change to better soon enough."

"Oan th' contrary. If ye brin' up me assets even wance mair in any manner o' rephrase, it might as weel turn even worse."

"Which makes me wonder which of ye interests me more in that sense…Ye're even more unexpectedly gruff towards me than Elizabeth."

"What?" I stated questionably, stunned, havin' no clue what that last statement had referred to, as I noo examined Sparrow's coupon that had suddenly turned rather contemplative when he'd brought up Elizabeth. Me along wi' th' rest o' th' onlookers followin' in confusion as efter gazin' at me in ponders he strode straight to Elizabeth to take back his compass (which apparently had been given to Elizabeth for some reason.) 'Im noo openin' th' lid 'n' goupin' at th' spinnin' needle intently, wi' slow but also curious steps me goin' ower to th' man to see how th' needle eventually turned to point to Elizabeth efter makin' a waver to me direction upoan me arrival by th' pirate's side. Content smile spreadin' on Sparrow's lips as he then shut th' compass efter lettin' oot an equally satisfied exclaim, visibly delighted by this observation. But while I was stowed marvelin' upoan th' fact that th' compass had pointed at Elizabeth 'n' nae towards' th' jar in his arms (hence makin' 'er th' thing th' pirate apparently desired maist in this world aside th' hert in his person), keek o' terror then replaced all traces o' satisfaction oan Sparrow's visage. 'Im gingerly openin' th' compass' lid again to peek under it wi' a reserved face, discoverin' it to be still pointin' towards Elizabeth.

"Ye can have any kind o' connection wi' Elizabeth as ye lik', as I'm nae endorsin' any o' th' kind wi' ye", I remarked wi' a hushed voice, seein' Sparrow to cast a brief glance o' disbelief (which he hadn't been able to hide) to me direction 'til his eyes resumed to observe Elizabeth in William's arms. His face turnin' slightly glum, even wistful.

"From where I'm standing it seems her to be having a plenty of that already…" he mused, me peekin' at 'im at th' sound o' his muffled, doonright covetous tone to see th' pirate then shift his attention fully back to me, as if to escape th' scene unfolded in front o' us. Flashin' me a freish smile efter takin' me in wance mair from heid to toe, mollifyin' 'imself wi' th' apparent second best. "Which however all so fortuitously leaves me with you and your not the least second-rate boons I'm sure to win over should ye only give me a chance…over that drink?"

Anguish embellishes, I thought scunnered, wantin' to roll me eyes at his ever so inexorable persistence that in a sense could've been admired, but nae by me as neist oan a whim I then snatched th' compass from Sparrow 'n' opened it meself. Smilin' widely 'n' maist importantly satisfied when again instead o' th' correct compass point th' needle spun aroond afore pointin' straight to William as expected. 'Im frownin' at me in curt puzzlement by th' sight o' both me 'n' Sparrow's reaction, me seein' 'im finally stand up as Sparrow observed me wance I showed 'im th' current bearings to give 'im me answer. Th' pirate keekin' doon at at th' compass wi' a defeated tilt o' his heid as Edward daunered closer to us, me exchangin' a curt keek wi' 'im.

"Well now I most certainly have lost ye."

I shut th' compass' lid, shovin' it back to its owner wi' a slight scowl (but nae as severe as I intended due to me confusion), aboot to talk back to 'im but th' arrivin' First Mate interrupted me. Mr. Gibbs comin' to his Captain wi' a quite concerned mien, Sparrow straightenin' his posture 'n' shiftin' th' position o' th' jar as stairted to dauner along th' deck, chased efter by his First Mate.

"Where's the Commodore?"

"Fell behind."

Me brief wonders surroundin' th' compass (that for some inconceivable reason had proved Sparrow to be actually hankerin' for Elizabeth o' all people) were cut by a fleetin' sting o' remorse upoan rememberin' th' poor man. Me only wishin' Norrington to have somehow managed to escape Jones' crew or to have died peacefully wi'oot much sufferin' (or worse, forced to enlist to service lik' Jones preferred to do wi' prisoners to extort souls for his amusement). Me however nae admittin' th' likelihood o' either o' th' latter as efter a short pause Mr. Gibbs responded wi' notably mair cheery voice while expressing his compassion over th' man. Me watchin' 'im to follow efter Sparrow who was makin' his wey back to th' quarterdeck, th' First Mate but shruggin' th' loss o' th' former Commodore aff.

"Best not wallow in our grief! The bright side is you're back. And made it off free and clear."

I hold back a snort as upoan takin' a step 'n' straightenin' th' inflamed wounds fought against any move o' a single muscle, th' splashin' aboot in salt water 'n' sweatin' in th' Caribbean sun nae doin' any favors to 'em 'n' I closed me eyes briefly. Nae feelin' much spunkier from afore even I'd had a moment to recover from th' exertions o' th' past hours, me sweepin' a haun ower me coupon to wipe awa' th' beads o' sweat coverin' me skin, juist as I felt another to press oan me arm. Me turnin' aroond to see Elizabeth who was eyein' at me carefully.

"Are you alright, Miranda? You look so flushed and out of breath", she inquired, gainin' William's as weel as me brother's attention where efter gawkin' at 'er in momentary surprise I juist let oot a dismissive huff, shakin' me heid wi' a wee smile.

"I'll feel much better when we've surely escaped th' Dutchman."

Me answer seemed to be enough to satisfy Elizabeth who returned me smile briefly, me noddin' at 'er (mostly again oot o' life-long habit, which in this instance felt rather silly to still live up to), me exchangin' a curt goup wi' curiously pensive William afore was aboot to go to th' gunwale at th' other side o' th' ship to get oot o' th' wey o' th' workin' crewmen. Only to halt in shock when juist efter mentionin' th' said ship pushed oot o' th' ocean beside Th' Pearl, juist as I'd been afraid o' ever since leavin' th' island, this time takin' a step backwards 'n' almost crashin' against William whom I'd noticed to come behind me. Me sendin' 'im a brief glance o' surprise 'til all me attention returned back to th' Dutchman, th' rest o' th' crew along wi' Sparrow, Edward 'n' Mr. Gibbs joinin' us oan th' port side o' oor vessel to witness th' arrival o' oor enemy. Th' familiar sight o' Jones oan th' deck soon freezin' me blood wance th' ship had settled abreast to us (although I possibly should've been but glad Jones to have followed us 'imself instead o' sendin' th' Kraken to kill us. Me however findin' such joy to be short lived by what happened neist).

I frowned, unconsciously takin' hold o' Edward's arm as Elizabeth was oglin' th' ship in dismay, 'er agape coupon soon fillin' wi' similar disbelief that I'd experienced upoan seein' it for th' first time. Me glancin' aboot me fellow passengers 'n' saw Mr. Gibbs to mak' a sign o' th' cross while eyein' at th' crew that reminded mair o' creatures o' th' sea wi' wide eyes. However nae such dread anywhere to be seen oan Sparrow's visage surprisingly as I found 'im to tak' in th' turn o' events rather calmly. Amused even for me utmaist scare as I then watched 'im plod ower to th' gunwale confidently, victorious smirk spreadin' his lips from ear to ear. Me shakin' me heid at 'im upoan hearin' his followin' words, 'em causin' me hert to thud faster.

"I'll handle this, mate."

Handle how? For goodness sake, Sparrow, we're as guid as doomed! I thought wi' knitted eyebrows, glancin' atween th' pirate Captain 'n' th' hecklin' crew o' th' Dutchman, all wavin' their weapons to oor faces to intimidate us. Me for one nae wantin' to tak' th' situation lightly, lik' oor dear Captain seemed to be doin' by how he reacted. Hoistin' th' jar high above his heid afore for me followin' horror called oot to Jones wi' a jeerin' voice.

"Oi, fish face!"

Everyone, me included, whipped oor heids towards Sparrow. Nervous breath leavin' me lips as me eyes flickered to Jones to see his doilt face, affected th' exact same wey as I had upoan expectin' a fearful response from Sparrow to his nemesis' arrival. Me turnin' aroond completely skeptical when Sparrow continued, puttin' oan airs wi' that jar he was continuously clutchin' to as gouped back at Jones in unmistakable mock.

"Lose something, eh? Scungilli…!"

Everyone aboard cringed at th' sight o' Sparrow plummetin' doon th' steps to th' main deck upoan steppin' oan nothin' in middle o' his speech, amongst th' sympathetic murmur o' th' crew me abstainin' to make but a slight grimace as followed th' pirate to sit up efter crashin' against th' staircase (momentarily oot o' it). However afore Edward had managed to dauner ower to lift th' man, Sparrow hurryin' to a sittin' position. Chasin' awa' Edward's aidin' haun by jabbin' th' jar high so that Jones could see it, me nae comprehendin' how in th' world had he managed to prevent th' thing from shatterin' in that tumble 'n' for this reason did blink in brief admiration. Th' wee silence comin' to an end wance th' pirate was back oan his feet, grinnin' at Jones pompously. Me however then gaspin' upoan feelin' a haun oan me lower back, for me followin' wonder discovered it to belong to William against me expectations. Me goupin' at 'im upoan thinkin' it to have belonged to Peter, Sparrow's voice nevertheless cuttin' me aff afore I could brin' up me bafflement in a form o' a question.

"Come to negotiate, eh, have you, you slimy git? Look what I got!" Sparrow hooted, prancin' along th' deck 'n' neist caused all o' us present to frown utterly stupefied as he finally turned th' evident seriousness o' th' situation intae a plain jest, continuin' wi' a voice that reminded mair o' a gloatin' singin' than ordinary taunt. Me hert finally stoppin' upoan beholdin' th' rage that replaced all confusion oan Jones' coupon when th' pirate finished his deride, me followin' utterly frozen Sparrow to stop directly across Jones while heldin' up th' jar up in th' air.

"I got a jar of dirt, I got a jar of dirt, and guess what's inside it?"

"Oh, God. Nae again!" I breathed in fright as witnessed th' gun ports o' th' Dutchman open but a few seconds efter Sparrow's mindless singin' had come to an end (which maist certainly was unexpected to 'im by th' bemused face oan his coupon), Edward pushin' me closer to Elizabeth 'n' behind his back as all o' us watched th' cannons to be pushed oot o' th' ports, th' Dutchman preparin' to sink us.

I was confused; if Sparrow had tried to use his improvised song o' derision as a means to blackmail Jones with th' hert that was in that jar, then why hadn't he said it so ootright? As clearly Jones had no idea we indeed were now in th' possession o' his hert, which would explain his mair than eager desire to riddle us along wi' Sparrow's beloved ship.

"Hard to starboard", Sparrow commanded, baffled, but his order even if quiet 'n' given unsurely was heard loud 'n' clear. Elizabeth repeatin' th' issued order 'n' sent th' crew back to their stations in a frenzy as William's voice called oot th' followin' command to have oor escape oot o' th' cannon fire underwey as quickly as possible. Me twirlin' aboot to juist follow th' ongoin' mayhem 'n' watched Mr. Gibbs to race ower to th' helm, fervently tryin' to steer us to th' given course in haste, th' wind pickin' up oor sails 'n' helpin' us to mak' a swift turn as Edward 'n' I strode to th' railin'. To witness same kind o' bustle to form aboard th' Dutchman wance Jones ordered his men to prepare for a chase, me latchin' ontae th' gunwale for scare as th' first cannons were fired 'n' a few o' 'em managed to strike us. Quakin' th' ship, one o' th' iron balls burstin' oot o' th' Captain's cabin (narrowly passin' Elizabeth who hurtled awa' from th' main deck), where another one swept past th' ship's hull. Edward 'n' I noo vaultin' awa' from th' edge in fright o' gettin' pulled along by th' ammunition that grazed th' Pearl, th' attack seizin' only for but a moment as soon we could hear a consistent series o' three guns to be fired right efter another. Th' Pearl gettin' rained oan by several hits mair, Peter joggin' ower to th' nearest shroud to hoist 'imself up to th' mast to release all th' sails wi' several others, where Edward abandoned me in middle o' th' deck as swooped towards th' entrance to below decks. Urgin' some men to follow efter 'im to go prepare oor ain cannons for th' possible confrontation, a fleetin' glance directed up to Sparrow tellin' me 'im nae to lik' Edward takin' ower th' command o' his ship anymair than William 'n' Elizabeth had. In fact their voices resonatin' amongst th' noise o' shatterin' wood 'n' boomin' o' th' guns mair than th' real Captain's, who'd taken th' helm from Mr. Gibbs efter one o' th' cannonballs slivered a large lantern attached to th' stern. Th' men standin' oan th' quarterdeck shelterin' 'emselves from th' debris, where I followed wi' widened eyes as th' ammunition eventually hit to a man standin' oan one o' th' shrouds. Wi' a pained shriek 'im fallin' intae th' sea, me goin' back to th' rail to estimate oor current speed in regards to th' ship comin' efter us.

I was taken aback meself as one o' th' cannonballs then swept across th' sea right beside th' hull, causin' me to be drooched by a large splash o' water. However ignorin' th' water in me eyes 'n' Edward's loud orders comin' from th' gun deck fillin' me lugs I leant bravely ower th' rail while claspin' th' survived part o' th' cordage, findin' us to be leavin' th' Dutchman behind bit by bit thanks to th' ever risin' tailwind. Ghost o' a smile visitin' me lips. Perhaps Sparrow's ship truly was th' fastest vessel o' th' whole Caribbean…'n' this fact would be oor salvation. As I for one was nae in condition to fight wi'oot dyin' by th' first haun that would rise against me, me hardly bein' able to move aboot wi'oot collapsin'. Mere willpower keepin' me goin' as I noticed th' very same two pirates I was acquainted wi' to arrive by me side. Th' stouter one crouchin' to plant a winch oan th' ship's gunwale afore caressin' th' worn wood, both o' 'em urgin' th' Pearl to show what she was capable o' in this fight for oor survival. Nae soon efter genuine smile risin' oan me lips as weel as th' men's when we saw th' cannonballs scarcely to reach 'er 'n' eventually stairt to sink intae th' sea wi'oot reachin' their target, provin' us to have managed to get oot o' range ('n' to be at clear waters, should th' wind stay in oor sails long enough).

"She's falling behind!" Elizabeth's relieved voice cried oot, me leavin' me spot at th' gunwale to trudge closer to th' quarterdeck 'n' saw Mr. Gibbs, William 'n' Peter to join 'er. Th' First Mate's visage brightenin' by glee upoan arrivin' to th' same delightful notion.

"Aye, we've got her!"

"We're the faster?" William asked in disbelief, glancin' at th' First Mate afore exchanged a keek wi' me brother. All o' 'em peerin' efter th' drawin' awa' Dutchman, where I noticed Edward to emerge from below as Mr. Gibbs answered.

"Against the wind the Dutchman beats us, that's how she gets her prey. But with the wind…"

"We rob her advantage."

"What's happening out there?" Edward inquired, cuttin' intae th' ongoin' conversation 'n' earned Peter's, William's 'n' Mr. Gibbs's attention who turned aroond to keek at 'im across th' ship. Me daunerin' ower to 'im as Peter's voice replied.

"She's unable to catch us. The fair wind is giving us a headstart, keeping her afar enough for us to slip away without a need to face her in battle."

"Better still keep th' men oan standby. Th' Dutchman can appear wherever 'n' mustn't catch us aff guard", I remarked, exchangin' a goup wi' Edward whom I saw nod in concur.

"I'm afraid of the same."

Edward hollered doon to th' gun deck for th' handful o' crewmen to remain by th' cannons 'n' prepare to use 'em should th' time come, but as it appeared for us to be safe for noo I let oot a sigh. Me gaze stairtin' to wander 'n' finally resumin' to eye at th' distant Dutchman that was stairtin' to turn all th' while smaller spot in th' horizon, one o' th' crewmen positioned at th' shroud soon confirmin' this observation by annoucin' th' ship to have given up th' chase. Th' rest o' th' crew joinin' th' midget's cheer, along wi' their Captain who although wasn't voicin' oot his satisfaction wi' a triumphant cry was grinnin' widely again. Realaxin' to lean against th' helm casually, where I saw William's coupon to be filled wi' determination efter I avoided th' Barbossa's ol' crewmembers who were jiggin' awa' across th' deck. William whippin' aroond to confront Sparrow, ignorin' Peter who stairted to speak then.

"I only wish this isn't any kind of trap. It's hard to believe Jones to give up so easily", he mused, half to 'imself, earnin' but a glance back from Elizabeth 'n' Mr. Gibbs 'n' was instantly interrupted by William whose attention was all oan Sparrow. Me frownin' at 'im wance I saw 'im eye at th' pirate sternly, beckonin' back towards th' Dutchman.

"My father is on that ship", he informed, Sparrow appearin' th' least interested o' this piece o' information as was expected, William's words doin' nothin' to affect th' man (or rather to convince 'im) when he continued wi' an urgent voice. "If we can outrun her, we can take her. We should turn and fight."

"Sure thing. First rule of naval battle, do bring your vessel about and head straight towards your enemy outgunned and get yourself blown to bits in the ensuing melee. Works every time", Peter retorted, turnin' aroond in strict protest as gawked at William doubtfully, drawin' his sword. "In fact why don't you take this and swim over to take her on your own if that's the best idea you can come up with."

"William, fightin' 'er is insane 'n' ye ken it!" I exclaimed in turn, William shiftin' his attention to me efter returnin' me brother's sardonic quip wi' an irritated leer, as saw me approach th' quarterdeck. Wance mair me pleadin' 'im wi' me gaze to think clearly. "We should get as far awa' from 'ere as we can. There are far mair dangerous things to worry aboot aside Jones."

William gasped, indeed catchin' me drift, but me remark fazed 'im only momentarily when Sparrow broke th' silence, William glowerin' at 'im upoan hearin' his cocksure response. Us followin' th' pirate to tap th' dirt jar he'd stationed oan top o' th' banister, smilin'.

"Why fight when you can negotiate?" Sparrow questioned, turnin' his eyes from me distressed ain to William's, me sighin' upoan th' man's disregard to me warning aboot th' certain peril he also should've been mair than aware o' noo that th' Dutchman was no longer efter us. His reply bafflin' William whose gaze fixated ontae th' jar in utmaist bewilderment. "All one needs is a proper leverage."

I inclined me heid in wonder, foldin' me arms as admitted perhaps there to be some truth in that idea, only that in this very instance it did wee to help us. Me expressin' me disbelief wi' a matter-o'-fact countenance upoan facin' th' pirate. "Then we should have nothin' to worry aboot. Ye're an expert in changin' exploit intae profit."

I glanced at William to stress me deride, but Sparrow simply sent me an acknowledgin' smile, me havin' no time to come up wi' a sharp continuation as I almost fell oan me back wance th' Pearl came to an unexpected halt, keelin' everyone ower. Dread immediately inwadin' me (although nae as severely as afore) upoan realizin' what was happenin' yet again, me exchangin' a quick terrified glance wi' resurfaced Edward 'n' William 'til was startled even mair by th' fallin' object that had tipped ower from th' banister. Thanks to Edward's warnin' th' jar nae landin' directly oan me heid but givin' me a split o'a second mair time to step back 'n' snatch th' jar (partially by plain luck) afore it shattered oanto th' deck. Me liftin' surprised eyes up to see Sparrow who'd jumped to th' railin' in horror upoan seein' his precious jar to capsize, slight relief takin' ower his features efter discoverin' it to have been saved by me afore I behold 'im scootin' to th' staircase. Edward however racin' towards th' gunwale to prevent th' gatherin' crewmen to lean ower it to mak' 'emselves an easy prey for th' soon chargin' sea monster, in th' process o' passin' me in haste 'im accidentally shovin' me 'n' causin' me to lose me grip o' th' slippery glass. Juist as Sparrow had reach me th' jar slippin' aff me fingers 'n' did fall atween oor feet, me shortly frownin' at Sparrow's dread stricken face but for pure different reasons from mine as I retreated upoan watchin' th' man to swoop doon oan all fours. Stairtin' to dig th' spread oot soil in desperation, me nevertheless soon understandin' his distress upoan findin' th' hert to have disappeared. But sand 'n' shards o' glass coverin' th' deck, me exchangin' an astonished keek wi' Sparrow whose eyes noo widened in even graver panic.

"Where is it?" he asked, th' crew stairtin' to speculate what had caused th' Pearl to stop, as he glanced aboot in dismay. "Where's the thump thump?"

Wance again I found meself at loss. Why wasn't th' hert in th' jar, even I saw Sparrow stash it in there efter removin' it from th' Chest? But as me thoughts stairted to fly, in me fear I soon came to consider everythin' that th' pirate had done 'n' said efter leavin' Isla Cruces, slowly realizin' th' pirate to have been convinced th' hert to have been powerful enough advantage against Jones to guarantee oor safe escape…'N' nae only against Jones, but against…th' Kraken. 'N' noo th' hert was gone. It had been stolen.

I speared no time in tryin' to figure oot who th' culprit could've been as became too stowed in keepin' meself calm, William rushin' to haul Elizabeth 'n' Peter awa' from th' ship's rail in turn as Edward was doin' th' same oan th' main deck. Barkin' at th' men to back aff, general confusion descendin' ower th' crew as they didn't ken what was goin' oan. Me tryin' to push awa' th' fright that threatened to freeze me blood yet again wance I recalled th' beast 'n' th' two times I'd awready scarcely escaped its clutches, wi' shudderin' breaths me prayin' to God that the third wasn't goin' to be the charm in this instance 'n' claim nae only me life but everyone's…Th' sense o' entrapment takin' ower 'n' urgin' me to flee, but I refused. Weel aware that runnin' wasn't goin' to do any guid, as th' creature would always find ye whenever ye went, Edward's voice awakenin' me from me panic infused ponders as it demanded th' crew to arm 'emselves. Me seein' 'im rush ower to th' gratin', unlik' aboard h' merchant vessel discoverin' but a loadin' shaft leadin' doon to th' lazarette.

"What is it?" Elizabeth asked from William, startled 'erself upoan witnessin' th' brewin' commotion 'n' turned to 'er fiancé questionably. William's voice but grim when it answered, causin' everyone aboard to stiffen, Sparrow jabbin' his heid up in fright.

"The Kraken."

I saw Elizabeth 'n' Peter to keek efter 'im stupefied as William dashed to th' stairs, Peter instantly followin' suite where Edward commanded th' crew to move efter William had confirmed his previous urge to prepare for th' beast's upcomin' attack. Me emptyin' me mind o' all thoughts as simply jogged efter Edward to descend intae th' armory, hearin' Mr. Gibbs to command th' men to defend th' mast, William's shouts eventually also fadin' under th' clamor o' th' alarmed crew wance we were below decks.

"It'll attack from starboard, I've seen it before. Run out the cannons and wait for my signal!"

I glanced at Edward relieved, glad that he'd readied th' guns to be used if somethin' lik' this should've happened, givin' us enough time to prepare 'n' th' rest o' th' cannons to be loaded while we dashed doon to th' gun deck. Havin' nae to go further efter discoverin' th' weapons to have been stashed under a gratin' right in middle o' th' gun level, many others trailin' efter us. Us commencin' to empty th' supply o' all weapons we got oor hauns oan, us haulin' 'em forward from haun to haun, in a human chain leadin' thro' th' stairs all th' wey to th' main deck, but afore we'd managed to produce all o' th' stored weapons, th' ongoin' bustle was abruptly cut but a couple o' minutes later. Us stiffenin' to oor spots for fear as th' familiar creakin' 'n' slight shudder o' th' vessel told us th' Kraken's tentacles to be creepin' oot o' th' water 'n' up th' Pearl's hull. Me lettin' oot a jittery breath as turned aroond slowly to watch th' giant suction cups to scrape against th' pushed oot cannons, th' sailors stationed by th' guns fidgetin' againt th' strength o' th' thick appendages but for fright also, me squeezin' me hauns aroond th' spear I'd picked up from th' remainin' weapons as William suddenly jogged th' steps doon intae th' gun deck. Liftin' up a calmin' haun.

"Easy boys! Steady!"

I heard Elizabeth's distraught voice call oot to 'im as me eyes reeled to his direction as weel, me bringin' th' spear against me torso as didn't even try to avert me gaze from his for th' moment he had us wait for th' command to fire. Edward takin' a ginger step forward while cluthin' to a sturdy keekin' haun gun that surely would've blasted a tentacle clean aff 'n' a streenge keekin' but broad bladed sword. Ready to lunge should any o' th' beast's limbs decide to avert their course 'n' push intae th' gun deck thro' one o' th' gun ports, Elizabeth cryin' oot yet again in ever risin' panic. Wi' a freish agitated breath me glancin' upward to see 'er 'n' many others to retreat wi' hold up weapons when th' tentacles stairted to emerge behind th' gunwale. Me tryin' to get th' quiver o' me hauns under control, mildly succeedin' as I noo too pointed me spear towards th' visible suction cups.

"Steady! Hold!"

"I think we've hold fire long enough!" th' burly pirate protested, turnin' to face William who simply averted his gaze. Th' brief wait feelin' lik' draggin' oan forever, th' seconds tickin' awa' so slowly that it felt lik' th' ships I'd been aboard afore wouldn't by that time awready gotten destroyed by th' being. Edward shakin' his heid slightly as narrowed his eyes.

"To ward it off we must eliminate its only weapon by the root. Lop off its arms to hamper its attack. Just stay put men and wait for the signal", he bolstered, supportin' William's command, but although understandin' what they both seemed to be thinkin' I still glanced aboot th' ship in fear o' th' surroundin' walls collapsin' by th' notable gratin' sound o' th' wood as th' creature tightened its grip o' th' Pearl by th' second. Only a moment mair 'n' we would end up atween nippers lik' pressure wringin' us, trappin' us.

Me breaths turned intae mere gasps again as I ordered meself nae to bolt 'n' stick me weapon straight intae th' soft flesh o' th' Kraken, finally th' wait comin' to an end efter Elizabeth's alarmed scream cut th' air 'n' she rushed to th' entryway o' th' gun deck to lock gazes wi' William, 'im finally lowerin' his arm as a order for th' men to act. His voice boomin' within' th' enclosed space when th' cannons were fired one by one, me retreatin' ontae th' gratin' nae to be hit by th' backslidin' cannon manned by th' wooden eyed pirate wi' his companion. Edward 'n' I peekin' thro' th' gun port along wi' th' rest o' th' crewmembers present wance th' sound o' th' shots silenced, wee cheer emanatin' from th' deck when efter a moment o' recoilin' at th' face o' th' gained injuries th' disfigured tentacles eventually retreated back intae th' ocean. Us grabbin' th' rest o' th' weapons at oor feet 'n' racin' back to th' main deck, to find no one to have been claimed by th' Kraken. Yet.

"It'll be back. We have to get off the ship", William heralded, me nae helpin' but frown at 'im upoan rememberin' th' damage I'd seen th' cannons to have inflicted upoan th' Kraken although kenned perfectly weel th' reply to me followin' question. It soundin' rather stupid later oan when it was Edward who replied.

"Ye don't think it's dead?"

"Did Odysseys manage or choose to kill Scylla?" he remarked significantly, me blinkin' at 'im in astonishment as saw 'im direct a frustrated keek over to th' surroundin' water wi' a freish shake o' his heid. "No, far from it. What we have in our hands is a massive mythological creature with no regard in spearing lives. I think it's unkillable, only opposable. And unless we find a way to stand against it, it will kill us, that much I've learned in the previous times I've encountered it."

"What the hell was that thing?" Peter accosted as marched ower to us, his bemused eyes movin' from me to Edward, William 'n' Elizabeth 'n' back. Although he'd had his fair share o' supernatural phenomenons his visage still amusin' me a bit, as I'd ne'er seen 'im in fact this oot o' his wits. Although he hadn't expressed any fear while faced wi' undead, skeletal pirates ('n' turnin' intae one 'imself) a real sea monster finally gettin' under his usually quite intrepid skin.

"I told ye there to be far worse things efter us than th' Dutchman", I said, seein' 'im roll his eyes at me response.

"Apparently. Question is what? Was there seriously a tentacled sea creature assailing us just now?"

"Aye, and we have no time to clarify that to all of ye who were too blind to witness the obvious with yer own eyes", Edward replied curtly, his tone clearly naw sittin' weel wi' Peter 'n' he measured Edward wi' hardened eyes as he nodded towards William. "Turner's right, it is best we take the boats and vanish before the creature returns. We merely scared it off by wounding it."

"But there's no boats", Elizabeth piped in, all o' us noo turnin' to th direction she was pointin' 'n' saw all th' longboats to have been smashed intae pieces. Presumably by th' Kraken's quirmin' tentacles efter gettin' hit by th' ammunitions, me hert sinkin'. Stoatin, so we were stuck 'ere to fight a battle that was futile to even engage in against such an owerpowerin' enemy? This fact makin' me wish us to be rather up against an ordinary military vessel instead o' what currently prowled underwater…

"But there's only three here", Edward pointed oot, turnin' thoughtful as scoured th' whole ship wi' his gaze to locate th' last dinghy. "Where's the fourth one?"

No one said anythin' as everyone were keekin' aboot in search o' th' missing boat (taken that th' minimum number o' rowboats usually was four, dependin' oan th' size o' th' vessel). Me ain eyes visitin' Mr. Gibbs afore movin' forward to th' several members o' th' crew arbitrarily, questionable.

"Ye do have mair boats, right?" I queried, gainin' but evasive keeks back 'til th' wooden eyed pirate's voice caught oor attention, us turnin' to see 'im stand by th' port side railing.

"It's gone! Th' fourth one isn't here!"

"Someone took it?" Elizabeth stated in wonder, wance again everyone glancin' at one another in an attempt to determine who th' person responsible was. A thought o' th' thief to be th' exact same person who'd pilfered th' hert from Sparrow's jar poppin' intae me mind, but I kenned it nae to be true as it was then that I realized nae to have seen th' said pirate anywhere for quite some time. Me searchin' for 'im from th' helm 'n' amongst th' crew, doubtful that he'd gone intae his quarters to hide, as I didn't think o' 'im as that great o' a coward. But such perception changed instantly when others also noticed th' unexplained disappearance o' their Captain, Peter's countenance turnin' from serious to plain condesendin' when he also arrived to th' same conclusion rather quickly.

"The Cap'n isn't here!"

"He must've taken it! Ran away when the creature came to save himself."

"That lillylivered craven!"

"I couldn't have been more articulate myself", Peter snapped, somewhat nonplussed keekin' Elizabeth noo goin' to th' gunwale to peer to th' horizon where a distant island had appeared unbeknownst to us. William 'n' I joinin' 'er 'n' seein' th' peedy speck that was th' stolen dinghy, carryin' none other than Jack Sparrow who was rowin' awa' from th' ship in full speed. Me releasin' a contemptuous huff as shook me heid, cursin' 'im for even suggestin' his actions to give me reason to change me opinion aboot 'im. By takin' aff wi' that boat alone only provin' 'imself to be nothin' but a self-seeking recreant who'd rather abandon his ain ship 'n' a crew to death to, as always, have his ain life speared. Me then only wishin' 'im nae to have gotten so far so that I could've flun' th' spear in me haun straight at that longboat 'n' sink it. Send 'im straight intae th' jaws o' th' Kraken, which wouldn't have even attacked us if it weren't for 'im 'n' his shenanigans none o' us had voluntarily wanted to be part o'. Noo left to pay for ever gettin' acquainted wi' 'im.

"I should've pushed ye intae th' sea when I had th' chance", I breathed, in deterred anger as scowled at retreatin' Sparrow's back.

"You coward", Elizabeth stated, astounded even, although such a twist shouldn't have come as this great o' a surprise efter th' man's up to noo deceptive mannerisms had been mair than confirmed to us all awready back at Isla Cruces.

"As we cannot run, we must protect ourselves. That creature is angry and will drag us all into the sea along with this ship if we let it! I've seen what it can do and know that the next time it comes it won't hold back, killing us all", Edward yelled, separatin' from th' gunwale as faced Mr. Gibbs who was juist standin' amongst his fellow sailors speechless. Momentarily as at loss as th' rest o' us, me castin' me eyes doon. Clueless aboot what we could've possibly done instead o' tryin' to ward aff th' Kraken by continuin' to tickle it wi' oor swords 'n' spears that did hardly anythin' to harm it, noo th' last survived boat gone it appearin' that th' only option for us was to fight 'n' die. But William was havin' none o' th' latter.

Woken from his thoughts by Edward's remark William brushed th' fleein' pirate aff by leavin' th' gunwale 'imself to claim th' crew's attention wance he spotted a toaty barrel o' gunpowder to roll to his feet, me tiltin' me heid at 'im in wonder upoan hearin' his followin' words.

"Pull the grates; get all the gunpowder onto the net in the cargo hold", he commanded, sendin' a few o' th' closest men oan their wey wi' a sturdy haun set oan their shoulders while pointed towards th' shut gratin', some catchin' his drift immediately where th' majority gawked at 'im in brief confusion. But efter all maist o' th' crewmen didn't even care to understand, from years o' service accustomed to simply follow orders, hurryin' to execute this freish plan o' William's as Edward 'n' I confronted 'im aboot it.

"Why are we gatherin' all th' powder intae th' hold, when we should be loadin' th' cannons?" I inquired, keekin' at William earnestly who neist exchanged a keek wi' equally curious Edward.

"I also wish to hear yer explanation afore letting yer orders to eliminate our only powerful enough weapons to stand a chance in this fight", he said, William noddin' towards th' hold.

"If we collect the powder into one place and set it on fire the moment the Kraken attacks, it will explode and hopefully kill it", William elaborated, me blinkin' in realization where neither Eward nor Peter keeked all that convinced. Both sceptical as they eyed at William carefully.

"And consequently kill us in the process", Peter interposed, havin' a slight point there, which Edward seemed to support when me brother arrived by his friend's side. To goup deep intae his eyes grimly to stress how against he was such an idea, even Elizabeth showin' some concern ower William's plan at th' sound o' this undeniable fact, William simply returnin' Peter's opposin' gaze confidently. "The hell with that, the only thing we would be blowing off would be our own heads. Have the weeks adrift at sea made you completely crazy?"

"He's right", Edward stated, noddin' towards Peter in acknowledgment. "Such a reckless move could sink us without the being even having to make an appearance."

"That's the risk we'll have to take", William replied, nae even th' least hesitant as noo daunered forward. Takin' a musket from a passin' crewman 'n' handed it to Elizabeth while locked gazes wi' Edward, 'em eventually shiftin' to mine to soothe me obviously overt worry. "As you said, we have to make a stand now when there's no escaping this ship."

Edward finally agreed wi' a tardy nod, unfoldin' his arms as stairted to make his wey to below decks, stoppin' by William's side shortly. "I'd still see it best to save a couple of barrels for the cannons. If yer plan fails without as much as grazing the beast, and we do survive the blast instead sinking, we'll need to resort to the old fashioned way to bring it down."

Th' men parted wi' a shared concurrin' nod, Edward beckonin' Peter to join 'im 'n' grab one o' th' awaitin' gunpowder barrels close by that they then took ower to th' gun deck efter one incredulous eye-roll Peter's. Me instead decidin' me skills to be o' better use doon below at th' lazarette as weel, wance at th' stairs aboot to climb doon 'n' trail efter me brother, me eyes however risin' to see William face Elizabeth wi' a serious countenance. 'Im glancin' at th' weapon in 'er hauns.

"Whatever you do, don't miss."

"As soon as you're clear."

I frowned at their exchange slightly, efter beholdin' William to hand th' rifle to Elizabeth me bein' aware that he'd granted er th' weapon to light up th' gunpowder when th' time came, but it was Elizabeth's response that confused me. Me however then bypassin' it as continued me journey intae th' depths o' th' hull, grittin' me teeth together as me body felt all th' while heavier 'n' me mind was stairtin' to turn bleary again. Determinedly me still headin' straight to th' crewmen stackin' th' barrels oan top o' th' net efter rollin' it open across th' deck, doin' th' best I could to help 'em. In but a few minutes us managin' to arrange th' barrels oan top o' one another, although there was one problem; there weren't all that many o' 'em. One o' th' crewmen peerin' up to th' awaitin' First Mate 'n' informin' 'im us to have ran oot only efter half a dozen o' kegs, me seein' 'im stride awa' from th' deck in haste, efter a short while William emergin' from th' staircase. Followed by several other crewmen, all carryin' freish casks in their arms. Wance they sided wi' th' awready readied powder me blinkin' at 'em in surprise, thinkin' Sparrow to have apparently hidden a rather large portion o' th' powder magazine somewhere, 'til I saw th' text painted oan th' barrel I followed William to place at th' top o' th' stack. Me keekin' at 'im half mused half incredulous efter takin' a sniff at me fingers that had made contact wi' somethin' wet seepin' thro' th' cracks.

"Rum?"

"I knew there had to be a reason behind the quantity of it", William jested, flashin' me a sarcastic smile, me even lettin' oot a slight giggle at th' thought, 'til both o' us focused back to th' work at haun. Wance th' whole storage had been ransacked from all th' rum ('n' there was plenty o' that, I tell ye) 'n' th' last barrels had also been assembled, William, I 'n' many other rushed to surround th' load wi' th' leftover net. Me stationin' me foot oan one o' th' barrels to hoist meself upward (stiffly, th' task provin' nae all that easy when me achin' muscles protested against th' gruellin' exertion) while extended an expectant arm behind me. Efter a curt confusion William handin' me a rope, watchin' me stairt to thread it atween th' net's gaps intae complicated reef knots efter it was cinched shut, to make sure oan me part that th' net wouldn't give in under th' enormous weight o' th' load. A few other men takin' care o' th' remainin' sections.

"You know how to tie knots", William discovered, eyein' at me taken aback but perhaps even slightly impressed, me simply tightenin' one o' th' knots wi' a forceful tug afore glanced toward 'im.

"I've learned a lot mair in these past weeks while sailin' aboard Edward's ship other than different forms o' education 'n' etiquette. Aboot meself 'n' what I am capable o'."

"I can tell."

I didn't have a chance to pay his response much mind (or to analyze it further) as it was then when th' panic struck again, th' Pearl shuddered violently when th' Kraken took hold o' it from below, me rippin' apart from th' net 'n' almost fallin' doon ontae th' deck. In th' last minute me managin' to clasp onto th' ropes as William's other arm had shot up to take hold o' me while he 'imself ended up hangin' from th' net nae to fall. Me directin' a fleetin' uncomfortable glance at his haun restin' oan me waist, afore me attention was drawn to th' racket breakin' oot somewhere at th' upper deck. Th' ensuin' cries of terror 'n' sound o' splinterin' wood tellin' me th' creature to have deviated from its usual tactic 'n' instead o' chargin' at us openly burst thro' th' ship's hull lik' durin' th' attack oan Edward's vessel, th' crashin' noises 'n' runnin' steps juist above us signalin' th' Kraken to be strictly chasin' efter th' sailors doon below. It's humongous limbs roamin' aboot th' ship 'n' I let oot a startled yelp as I spotted a couple to push within' th' lazarette from th stairs, th' sailors dispershin' immediately wi' several cries o' terror wance th' tentacles lunged towards us. William avoidin' one o' th' th' advancin' appendages juist barely where I rounded th' net to flee to th' second staircase behind us, only to be bumped doon by th' load as th' tentacle rammed against it. Me fallin' straight oan me stomach, coverin' me heid wi' me arms as noticed th' net stairt to swing back 'n' forth, th' tentacle scourin' th' wee space for any remainin' sailors 'n' takin' this openin' I neist exerted upward wi' a tired moan. Clutchin' to th' net again which I saw to have stairted to rise higher towards th' main deck efter William's voice had shouted th' crew to man th' capstan, me heavin' meself better oanto th' load 'n' pressed against it in fright as th' swishin' tentacle spun widely as if sensin' me to have escaped it. Me then peekin' ower me shoulder to see it to retreat juist enough for me to be able to jump ower to th' flight o' stairs, th' preventin' haun o' William however stoppin' me in middle o' me intent as it landed oan mine. Me turnin' me heid aroond in dismay to see 'im danglin' at th' other side o' th' risin' net as weel, 'im directin' a commandin' goup intae me eyes.

"Stay there!" he exclaimed, me widened eyes flickerin' doon to watch 'im to reveal his sword as th' pace o' th' risin' net increased. Me as weel attemptin' to reveal me weapon but was forced to duck when nae only th' ragin' tentacles continued to swoop past us, but th' edge o' th' shaft that connected th' main deck to th' hold came dangerously close to me back during another rock o' th' net we rode oan. Such impact bein' able to cause me to fall straight back doon (though I have to admit to have actually considered should it be preferable to face an instant death due to th' hit oan th heid or drownin' slowly in th' surroundin' sea).

I bypassed such foolish thoughts as neist had to clamber farther awa' from a certain tentacle that stairted to brush past us from several directions, every joint in me body cryin' oot for me to let go, me nae bein' able to hold back th' moans o' exhaustion as by th' time th' net was nearin' th' main deck I was hangin' ontae me dear life, literally. Nae kennin' how much me arms would be able to take, wi' shut eyes me loopin' me arms thro' th' net's gaps this time to lever meself higher, nae to fall. Wi' but fleetin' gazes me witnessin' th' all too familiar terror that had spead amonst th' crew who desperately tried to flee from th' beast comin' at us even mair truculently, gettin' cornered in th' crammed space o' th' ship's hull 'n' ambushed when all th' while freish tentacles sneaked upoan 'em from th' passages they reckoned safe to use to escape. Me releasin' even a slight shriek as one o' th' largest limbs then abruptly shattered a nearby staircase, William 'n' I turnin' oor eyes awa' when pieces o' wood filled th' air for a moment. Bones crackin' 'n' joints givin' in when th' creature dragged th' captured men oot o' th' ship's hull even thro' th' smallest crevices. Despite o' th' adrenaline surgin' along me blood 'n' th' dread it pumped intae me veins me kennin' to have to keep it together, from those two previous times I'd been faced wi' th' same danger me realizin' th' only wey to survive was to nae to let th' horro take th' best o' me. For this reason me finally drawin' me ain weapon wance th' net reached as far as th' edge o' th' gratin', me hert jumpin' for fright as I then saw one o' th' tentacles that pushed efter us thro' th' openin' to crash againt William who'd craned forward to slash at th' appendage wi' his sword. Me dartin' forward ower th' net to grab 'im afore he fell aff, wi' a brief thankful glance 'is arm findin' its wey to take support from mine as I shot up to plunge me ain cutlass thro' th' tentacle that attempted to wrap itself aroond th' hook o' th' net. William chasin' it awa' by deliverin' a deep gash ontae it afore as weel impalin' th' tentacle, me swingin' backwards wance th' creature's arm retreated wi' a broad twirl. Almost knockin' me aff th' net, but William's arm didn't let me fall either, us noo gainin' th' chance to tak' in th' situation above deck which wasn't any different.

Th' crewmen were runnin' aboot in a state o' utter panic, some fightin' bravely against th' assaultin' tentacles rippin' apart th' Pearl in th' process o' huntin' doon th' sailors, where some abandoned their weapons 'n' fled. Only to be picked up by th' Kraken one by one, Mr. Gibbs 'n' a handful o' other crewmembers defendin' th' capstan, me climbin' higher efter wardin' aff another tentacle nearin' us in cooperation wi' William 'n' seein' one o' th' defenders to be captured by th' monster. Th' poor man hurlin' his arms forth to th' First Mate who although holdin' ontae th' sailor wi' all strength he had was no match against th' Kraken, me frownin' as witnessed th' crewman to be catapulted straight intae th' water in a high arch. Me eyes soon findin' Elizabeth whose eyes were fixated ontae th' net that had noo risen high above th' deck (leavin' William 'n' I a sittin' duck to th' beast), armin' 'er musket. Th' load neist abruptly swirlin' aroond as nae only one but two tentacles swung across th' air 'n' made an impact, me lettin' oot a low startled moan as felt me hauns slippin' from th' soaked ropes o' th' net. Water rainin' oan th' ship when th' tentacles darted intae th' sea only to return again to claim their neist victim, juist as th' net stopped spinnin' William shoutin' th' men to haul it higher. Elizabeth stationin' 'ersef by th' gratin' to wait for William's signal as I keeked doon to th' deck, realizin' us soon nae to get doon safely if we didn't leave oor improvised means o' transport.

"William, we have to jump!" I exclaimed from th' top o' me lungs, peerin' thro' th' rain lik' shower o' water, me eyes but briefly lockin' wi' his as I then noticed one o' th' tentacles to slither ower th' banister o' th' quarterdeck 'n' towards th' capstan. Claimin' Elizabeth's attention as weel, me nae even registerin' William's voice urgin' me to go oan wi'oot 'im as I noo followed th' tentacle to coil aroond th' mast th' capstan was attached to, in th' followin' second crashin' doon ontae th' heavin' device.

Th' net let oot a loud creak as th' force hoistin' us upward disappeared, us findin' oorselves fallin' doon freely for a moment 'til th' load halted in middle o' th' air to hang freely. Nae a sound havin' time to leave me lips as I saw William to lose his grip wi' a taken aback yelp 'n' he crashed against th' net, me neither bein' able to hang ontae th' ropes 'n' th' powerful tug caused me to be thrown aff th' net. In a moment that was but a brief feart flutter o' me hert me droppin' ontae th' deck, me lettin' oot an agonized breath as th' impact paralyzed me for a moment. Pain spreadin' in a blink o' an eye 'n' cuttin' me air supply, efter comin' to me leverin' meself up to see mair men to lose th' fight against th' harassin' tentacles 'n' got towed intae th' sea. Several o' 'em plummetin' across th' deck, me stayin' low 'n' rolled oot o' th' wey o' one scourin' appendage 'til rose to me feet wi' a straineous effort efter snatchin' me sword I'd found fallen from a couple o' meters awa'. To see William who for me horror stairted to call oot to th' Kraken, tryin' to draw th' beast's attention 'n' have it attack 'im, 'im nae listenin' to me when I screamed 'im to let go o' th' net efter seein' Elizabeth who'd survived from th' previous attack that had destroyed th' capstan. Th' armed rifle hold oot in 'er hauns, 'er as weel eyein' at William who flung his sword at th' tentacles, provokin' th' creature, me eyes reelin' from Elizabeth to 'im helpless as watched Elizabeth to slowly lift th' musket. Takin' aim, me soon seein' Peter who appeared oot o' nowhere, scewerin' one o' th' tentacles 'n' landin' th' spear's tip deep intae th' wood o' th' railing. Th' flounderin' tentacle only soon tearin' some o' th' gunwale wi' it upoan breakin' free, Peter leapin' ower to me to mak' me duck as I failed to notice th' wooden piece to fly towards me along wi' th' monstruous limb. Me eyes instantly dartin' up to danglin' William as Peter instead took hold o' th' spear, jerkin' it oot o' th' creature's flesh afore he was pulled back intae th' water wi' it when th' Kraken had come upoan another sailor runnin' towards th' quarterdeck.

I frowned as witnessed one o' th' tentacles to happen to disturb th' net again 'n' it stairted to swing aboot mair 'n' mair uncontrollably. Me takin' a pace forward when William simply clutched to th' ropes, nae comin' doon while all th' while siccin' th' Kraken to come 'n' get 'im.

"William!" I exclaimed, but didn't get th' chance to continue as one o' th' largest tentacles suddenly swooped right in front o' me 'n' Peter, oan its wey towards th' net efter hurtlin' oot o' th'sea. Burstin' thro' th' remainin' gunwale 'n' attackin' wi' such force that several men 'n' pieces o' th' vessel were whisked awa', eventually collidin' wi' th' hoisted load. (But brief flicker o' fright in me chest upoan realizin' th' Kraken to have indeed heed to William's call) me lettin' oot a worried cry as me 'n' me brother were forced to retreat farther 'n' farther awa' from William when a couple o' other tentacles crawled ower th' deck, me watchin' in dread how th' net flipped in th' air. Me finally stiffenin' curtly as saw William to lose his weapon along wi' his balance due to th' radical tip o' it 'n' ended up hangin' upside doon from th' net, his boot caught to th' gaps o' th' nettin', leavin' 'im noo completely exposed to th' creature that was noo maist interested in 'im 'n' th' barrels. Efter watchin' William to tak' oot th' knife his father had given 'im to free 'imself me turnin' aroond in panic to face Elizabeth who was still aimin' at th' swingin' net, Peter engagin' intae a struggle wi' one o' th' approachin' tentacles, where I stairted to cross th' deck daringly when his attention was elsewhere. Stormin' thro' th' ragin' appendages 'n' still alive crewmen to get to Elizabeth in time as William's voice called oot to 'er to fire th' gunpowder.

"Naw! Elizabeth, don't…!" I screamed in turn wi' a terrified lurch o' hert, Peter's voice risin' above th' tumultuous racket to yell at me to come back, but nae but a few steps awa' from Elizabeth I had to vault backwards wi' a couple o' strikes o' me cutlass when another tentacle blocked me passage. Me determination doin' wee to save 'er however as in but a split o' a second me 'n' Peter saw three mair tentacles to squirm aboard thro' th' gapin' rift within th' Captain's quarters, one o' 'em surprisin' Elizabeth by wrappin' aroond 'er feet. Peter shoutin' 'er name in turn 'n' tried to slash thro' th' tentacle that prevented 'im from dashin' to 'er rescue as Elizabeth was then hauled towards Sparrow's cabin. Me seein' a glimpse o' Edward's fightin' form to emerge form below decks as I ran efter Elizabeth 'n' threw meself forward efter abandonin' me sword, clutchin' to 'er arms but released an exhausted wince when 'er hold pried 'n' we were noo squeezin' each other's wrists. O' coorse me nae bein' enough to stop th' beast from pullin' Elizabeth towards th' ocean 'n' ended up slidin' across th' deck as we inevitably neared th' doorway 'n' oor deaths.

Elizabeth's momentarily ceased bray o' terror resumed as we behold th' tentacle to be bringin' us closer to oor end meter by meter wi'oot us bein' able to do anyhtin' to stop oorselves from movin'. Me futily tryin' to halt us wi' me feet that found nothin' to latch ontae, 'til I then felt someone to grab ontae both o' me legs 'n' slowin' us doon briefly, Edward 'n' Peter's assistance however doin' nothin' to stop th' Kraken. Me frightened scream noo joinin' Elizabeth's as we glided within th' cabin, only to be saved unexpectedly by th' ol' members o' Barbossa's crew. One o' 'em wieldin' an axe that noo landed ontae th' rivetin' tentacle, cuttin' it in two 'n' as I was left layin' prone oan me stomach Elizabeth floundered to a sittin' position in shock. All six o' us watchin' th' tentacle to fall back intae th' water, but we weren't goin' to stay 'n' wait for it to return. Me thoughts reelin' back to William 'n' wi' th' help o' Edwrad I jumped to me feet 'n' raced back in middle o'th' ongoin' havoc, to discover 'im to be still trapped to th' net. Peter tacklin' me oot o' th' wey o' th' same tentacle that briefly charged oot o' th' Captain's cabin to get to us, Edward doin' th' same to Elizabeth afore shootin' at th' limb wi' th' same weapon I'd seen wi' 'im afore th' confrontation wi' th' beast had begun. Weakenin' th' awready badly bruised appendage even further as Elizabeth took this chance to run towards a man she spotted to pick up 'er musket that had flung across th' deck. Me attention however remainin' solely oan William strugglin' to cut 'imself loose, where Peter took aff efter Elizabeth, who was noo scramblin' up th' flight o' stairs efter seein' th' rifle to fly from th' sailor's haun all th' wey to th' quarterdeck when th' man had gotten captured by th' tentacle that had escaped me brother 'n' Edward (efter Peter had tried to trap it against th' wall 'n' Edward had attempted to blast it clean thro'). Leavin' me momentarily curled up against th' wall to gain shelter as took in th' situation.

I ran closer to th' centre o' th' ship 'n' pressed against th' survived main mast, only to have me eyes widen for utmaist surprise when efter keekin' up to th' quarterdeck I didn't see Elizabeth holdin' th' musket but Sparrow. Me mind however nae havin' time to wrap aroond th' fact that he'd actually come back for us, as I saw 'im check th' weapon, Elizabeth grabbin' his leg anxiously as 'er eyes as weel reeled back to William, me nae even thinkin' clearly when in th' followin' second I kenned exactly what th' pirate was aboot to do. Me brother's 'n' Edward's calls doin' nothin' to stop me when I sprinted across th' deck towards th' net, internalaizin' but th' single fact that wance Sparrow would pull that trigger William would explode along wi' th' loaded rum 'n' gunpowder, this thought drivin' me feet forward regardless o' all me tiredness 'n' fear o' gettin' nabbed by th' beast. Me neither thinkin' what was I aboot to do exactly by affrontin' th' prevailin' danger this wey to get to 'im, only kennin' that I had to save 'im.

But I didn't have to think further aboot me followin' actions as juist afore I heard th' sound o' th' gunshot I saw several tentacles to crane towards th' net, William finally managin' to cut thro' th' ropes 'n' wi' a relieved jolt o' me hert I dashed forward. Watchin' 'im fall towards th' deck, hasty footsteps booming against th' floorboards behind me as I arrived by th' load juist in time to catch William afore he injured 'imself upoan crashin' doon, us staggerin' violently upoan impact but I succeeded in swingin' 'im aroond 'n' lever 'im against th' gunwale for his utmaist bewilderment. However nae even me bein' able to prepare to what happened neist as incited by William's gaze that shot up to th' net I twirled aroond, me hert this time skippin' a beat when efter completely disregardin' th' seriousness o' th' situation I noo realized th' load to be aboot to explode. Some o' th' barrels topplin' oo to' th' net in th' embrace o' th' Kraken, me sensin' th' blast to come 'n' took a wary step backwards juist as William's arm was aboot to pull me doon. It bein' however Peter who saved me upoan apearin' in th' same moment 'n' he shoved me intae William's lap wi' an exasperated cry, oot o' th' wey o' th' forthcomin' explosion, us but curtly lockin' astonished gazes as th' load set fire. Me takin' in a horrified breath as witnessed me brother to be left exposed to th' danger when th' barrels turned intae a sea o' fire 'n' th' heat along wi' th' spreadin' flames subdued us. Th' power o' th' explosion indeed injurin' th' Kraken but also causin' Peter to lose his balance wance he hadn't had th' time to seek shelter 'n' one o' th' burnin' pieces o' th' kegs hit his heid, William's arms keepin' me from rushin' to me feet to help 'im as he was thrown owerboard. Wi' a sting o' quilt 'n' sheen o' tears in me eyes me followin' 'im to vanish as if in slow motion, gettin' swallowed by th' fiery projectile 'n' smoke blurrin' me vision afore I covered me eyes momentarily. Losin' th' sight o' 'im.

Scottish vocabulary:

Pronouns etc:

o'= of, th'= the, 'em= them, oor= our, 'n'= and, intae= into, 'er= her, 'im= him, me = my, nae = not

Recurrent & other words:

afore= before, hert= heart, aye= yes, ne'er= never, wee= small/little, awready= already, ken= know, efter= after, doon= down, as weel= as well, goup= stare, wance again/mair= once again/more, 'til= until, likelie= probably, keek= look, ower= over, aboot= about, streenge= strange, wey= way, haun= hand, ain= own, oot= out, neist= next, winch= kiss, lik'= like, gey/pure= very, stairt= start, heid= head, awa'= away, wey= way, wi'oot= without, o' coorse= of course, heid= head, dauner= walk, freish= new, wi'= with, juist= just, peedy= small, toaty= tiny, doilt=confused, stowed= busy, thro'= through, ne'er= never, lugs= ears, naw= no, scunnered = bored/fed up, tak' = take, trial, coupon= face, face= expression, 'ere= here, stoatin=brilliant, aff=off, goup=stare, luv= love, atween = between, drooched = soaked, feart = scared