"Oh, Jack," came Will's voice from behind him. "One more thing."
"Ahh!" Jack yelped, startled, whirling around. He glared at Will with wide eyes, trying to calm his breathing. "Not sure if it's fair, Captain Turner, for you of all people to go frightening a man to death. It's not as if you've a quota to fill!"
"Sorry," Will laughed. "But I remembered something I thought you might like to know. I've a new cabin boy who told me some fairly lurid tales about you at the Fountain of Youth."
"Cabin boy?" Jack said, mystified. "But I thought he lived. You shouldn't have him yet. He ought to be Barbossa's cabin boy by now."
"No, no—he was a captain when I made him into my cabin boy. He said he knew you. Name of Teach."
"Blackbeard?" Jack exclaimed. "But he died inland! Why'd he go to you?"
"Not sure, exactly, except that he was a lifelong sailor who was killed by water. Guess that made him mine," Will explained. He shook his head in wonder. "I don't think I've ever met anyone more afraid to die than that man. Physically got down on his knees and begged me to find room for him on my ship. Well, the only spot I had open was second cabin boy, so he took it."
Jack began to laugh. "Blackbeard your cabin boy!" he hooted. "Oh God, I wish I could tell Barbossa! He'd split his sides!" He laughed some more, but then had an ugly thought. "Oh, sod it. Barbossa's got Blackbeard's ship and his magic sword. It's only a matter of time before he comes after me precious Pearl again!"
"Don't worry about that, Jack," Will assured him. "You've the Dutchman on your side if he does."
"I do? Oh. Right. Thanks." Jack looked a little puzzled over his good fortune, but didn't question it.
Will grinned and produced a new bottle of rum out of nowhere, which he handed to Jack. "You saved my family, Jack, and you helped me live long enough to have one. I owe you a lot. Helping you keep your Pearl is quite minor, really."
"Oh, well, you're welcome." He looked at the rum bottle. "Don't suppose you could teach me that trick?"
Will smirked at him. "'Fraid not. Dutchman captain's privilege."
Jack pouted. "You get all the fun."