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Oh. My. Effing. Jesus. I hate . FF.
Here I was sitting at my little desk for a week or so, waiting for my beloved reviewers to give me their precious feedback and comments, yet for some reason I wasn't receiving any Story Alerts, or Review Alerts, or anything!
I thought you all had given up on me :'( Until only today was I smart enough to actually look at my story review count and see that my readers were actually reviewing on the last chapter, and that my alert emails had been turned off somehow!
Needless to say, that is why there is a delay in the chapter for so long. I didn't know if I should keep updating this story.
Anyway, now that I know there ARE readers who enjoy my hard work, I shall continue with the utmost joy. J
READ ON, HOMIES!
Chapter 27: Oasis III
The tavern was lively in the late hour of the evening as the three men seated themselves at a secluded booth by the back and awaited their drinks.
"Edward Crowley, aye?" Barbossa sniped, idly tapping his ringed finger against the alcohol-stained wood table, "a General, Jack. Nay just any ol' bloke."
Sparrow quipped back, "He took something of mine, an' I want it back."
"Something, or someone?"
His brow furrowed in question, "..Just what do you know, mate? Tell me er'thing, and don't skip the details."
Barbossa watched the barmaid put three mugs on the table before hastily clasping onto the tallest one, much to Jack's displeasure, "I know wha' you know, Jack." He continued, "And I know all about tha' ring of yers."
"Do you know why it won't come off?"
"Nay, I don' know that much." He downed a good percentage of rum before commenting, "but I do know where ya can find Crowley, and that lass o' yers."
Gibbs stopped drinking to ask, "How? Where?"
"Calm yerself, master Gibbs. This procedure will take some time, ta be sure, but the way in be flawless." His beloved monkey came to rest on his shoulder as Jack sneered at the mammal in distaste, who merely screeched back.
Averting his unappreciative gaze from the monkey, the pirate lord inquired, "Why are ye going to such lengths to help us, Barbossa?"
The previous captain of the Black Pearl remained silent for a brief pause, contemplating on confiding the information he withheld to Jack, "There be a book.."
"A… book?" Swallowing the remainder of the alcoholic liquid, he then grinned "I never knew you could read, mate."
Hector's mouth drew into a snarl, "Watch yer tongue, ya pungent mule."
Taking his insult to heart, Jack frowned and brought the collar of his shirt to his nose, "I smell perfectly fine.."
Rolling his eyes, Barbossa said, "Ne'r the less, yer still a mule." He continued, "One o' Crowley's goons acted as a crewmember aboard me ship and manage ta take this book from me. I would bet ya every shilling in this godforsaken city tha' the book can tell ye how to remove that ring, an' Crowley knows it too."
"Why on earth would Edward Crowley want such a book?" Gibbs inquired.
Leaning back in his seat, "There be two artifacts of them gods Neptune and Salacia, aye? And that girl o' yers has the necklace, I presume?"
Jack nodded in confirmation. The monkey began to jump around apprehensively on Barbossa's shoulder, though a calming pat from his master eased him.
"The moment ya both donned the pieces, ye were tied together spiritually. The only way ta break tha' bond is with the book and the rites it holds."
A grim expression painted the captain's visage, "Crowley plans to separate Katherine an' I completely.."
"Aye. As long as ye both are wearin' these artifacts, then the General can't fully make the girl his bride since she has an attachment to you through tha' amulet."
Barbossa provided, "Jack will always find a way ta find the lass, and she will always know what he's feelin'." He elaborated, "The ring represents a searchin' hand, and the necklace represents tha beating heart."
Realization ebbed into the mind of the dark-skinned pirate. Katherine felt the guilt and anguish burning inside him when he traded her for Angelica; his remorse and heartache while he indulged in rum to blur his relentless thoughts of her. Even the swelling of elation and contempt in his chest during their nightly conversation.
Bloody hell.. She must be aware o' everything.. Jack chewed on his bottom lip.
Could she tell that he was somewhat attracted to Angelica? Was it possible that she felt the lust and romantic interest radiating from him whenever the Spanish woman neared?
Not good, He concluded inwardly, not good at all.
"How do ye know all this, mate?"
Barbossa smirked, "I managed to decode some o' tha book before it was stolen from me."
"Jack! Jack!"
The three men angled their heads to the approaching voice. Jack's sight landed on Will, who was currently manuvering his way through the crowd of drunk patrons to arrive at their table.
"What is it, Whelp?"
William chose not to retort the nickname, "We need to leave this instant. The navy has spotted the Pearl at the docks."
"Bugger.. Gibbs, run ahead and give the order to weigh anchor. Whelp, you follow him and if the red-coats begin firing then retaliate shots." He glanced at Barbossa, "And you ain't goin' anywhere, mate."
"Hadn't planned otherwise, Jack." He crooned while grabbing his feathered hat, securing it on his head, "Though I hate ta take orders from those bellow me.."
"Just shut that hole in yer face and follow me!"
.
"That's it, mate?" The captain inquired as they stood by the Pearl's brushed black railing.
"Aye," Barbossa folded his arms over his chest, "that be it."
Taking the word of his previous firstmate, Jack gave the command to make way to London's countryside where Edward Crowley's mansion was located. The man's home was extravagant and prestige, situated on the edge of a towering cliff overlooking the vast ocean, while beautiful foliage in an array of colours decorated the outside of his home, giving taste to the white exterior with charcoal black paint on the door and shutters.
A plentiful amount of people were entering Crowley's home for the evening celebration, dressed in extravagant garments worth more than a pretty penny.
Jack's eyes fell upon two or more balconies which overlooked the sea, "Think she's up there mate…?" He asked William, who merely shrugged.
"I suppose there's only one way to find out, Jack."
Barbossa scowled, "Forget yer lass. Tha' book is the priority."
"How do you plan to accomplish anything in that book without Jack's ring and the necklace, which is in her possession? You will need her here to remove it, am I right?"
After a moment of thought, the older man growled lowly and cast Will's comment asside, "Jack, what tha hell be yer plan?"
"I'm sneakin' in."
Barbossa barked a laugh, "Hardly a pirates way o' handlin' things."
Sending him a brief glance, Sparrow accepted the fine clothing handed to him by Gibbs. They had managed to quickly borrow a few necessary items off a near by merchant vessel while they were docked in London, "I don' really got much of a choice, mate.
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