Chapter 29

(BARBOSSA'S POV)

Hector Barbossa would have never considered himself a man of faith… Or at least he considered that the gods had better things to do than to bother themselves with mortals and things that were obviously below them.

Apparently that didn't apply to him.

He supposed some things he should have seen coming… He had known Jack long enough that he should have suspected the man of stealing the charts, but it hadn't been until much later when he had discovered that and, when he'd be able to calm himself, he had ordered the crew to turn around towards Tortuga again. However, Jack had already left the island when they arrived and Gibbs, probably the only man who wouldn't betray Jack, wasn't able to tell them where this one had gone to, even as drunk as he was to not know who he was talking to.

So Barbossa, only knowing that he had to find Jack and trying to calm the crew at the same time, went back to the Black Pearl and set sail, trying to find small vessels, take everything, ask for Jack Sparrow and repeat. On one of those days, he had a dream where supposedly Calypso visited him to warn him that she wanted revenge against the pirate lords and that if he went to search for the Fountain of Youth with the intentions of becoming immortal, he would regret it.

Barbossa, obviously, had thought it had just been a dream and that, in any case, a pirate didn't listen to threats. Until, of course, when they finally got a lead on Sparrow being in Jamaica (of all places, that was the last one Barbossa had expected him to be in), they found themselves against Blackbeard after passing the coast of Hispaniola.

Not any pirate, no. It just had to be Blackbeard. Of course, Barbossa had ordered the crew to speed things up: He wasn't crazy enough to go against Blackbeard's ship, but this one didn't seem as if he was going to stop. No. It was obvious that Blackbeard just wanted to take the Black Pearl… One way or another.

They hadn't even provoked the mighty scary captain of the Queen Anne's Revenge and any chance of parley was lost with the sounds of the cannons. Barbossa had tried to outrun the other ship, knowing that the Black Pearl was still faster, but then the sea had begun to roil beneath them and the Pearl had started to creak. The rigging had come to life and every rope had started taking prisoners, as if they were snakes trapping victims… Before he had known it, a rope had trapped his leg and Barbossa, with both hands free, and the sword still with him, made a choice.

He had survived, along with part of the crew, and they had left the ship in two boats, watching as the Pearl glowed red for a second before disappearing from their sight.

They had appeared on the Hispaniola coasts, bleeding, barely alive, and wishing for revenge against Blackbeard.

It had taken them some time, but they had been able to recover from the ordeal with the help of an old familiar beautiful female face that Barbossa hadn't thought he would see again. Once they were okay, they made a plan, stole a ship, navigated the waters in order to get some treasures and looked for information about Blackbeard.

During one of those times, Barbossa had ended up in Nassau and was able to obtain from the governor a letter of marque, turning into a privateer… It was just a means to an end for him, of course, but some of the crew decided to leave him.

Barbossa just didn't care. So what if he didn't have to steal from a few ships here and there? Money was still money. Thus, with a letter of marque, he went on a mission of searching for Blackbeard, stopping around the islands of the Caribbean, looking for information on this one's ship.

Many months had passed and, at that moment, Barbossa had stopped with his crew in Martinique, repairing the ship from a fight and looking for supplies. As his crew had gone to do that, he had gone to the nearest tavern and had asked for rum when he finally found a seat.

The tavern was full and he wondered if he could engage in some pleasures when he overheard part of a conversation.

"Wait, so we don't need the key to open that cursed chest?" someone asked another one as they passed him "I thought we had to fight the Flying Dutchman for that."

"Are you out of your mind?" this one hissed "The whole thing about doing this was avoiding a fight with that ship… We would never win against it!"

"I guess that's true." The other shrugged as he sat on a table at the end of the room, followed by more people.

Barbossa raised an eyebrow to that, thoughtful. Were they talking about the chest that contained the heart of most possibly William Turner, captain of the Flying Dutchman in those moments?

'Well, well… Maybe I need to learn more about this.' he thought to himself.

Carefully, he got up from the stool and, taking his drink in one hand, he walked where the pirates (because that was what they obviously were, judging by the tattoos and the clothes) had decided to sit. As he got closer, he tried not to react at seeing that the captain of the crew was none other than Charles Vane, third on the list of the most dangerous pirates.

He stayed where he was: Close enough to hear, but hidden in the shadows.

"So…" Barbossa recognized that one as Vane's first mate "What has he told you? How do we open the chest without the key?"

Vane seemed to sigh at that "Apparently, we have to wait for a new moon. We also need a clergyman to bless the chest and once that's done, put it into the sea to open it." he shrugged "So maybe it'll take us two months… I don't think we can easily find a clergyman, which is our main problem."

"At least it's fairly easy…" his first mate pointed out "Besides, the important matter is that we'll finally be immortal with his blessing and there would be no more Dutchman and no more cursed captains. I would say that's a good thing."

"I suppose that's true." Vane conceded, smirking "And with immortality on my side, I could finally take Shipwreck Island and declare myself their King and make the pirates pledge loyalty to me… If they don't want to perish, that is."

The first mate laughed at that "Not counting that you would be able to try to kill Jack Sparrow and Elizabeth Swann while you're there."

Vane smirked "A plus thing, is it not?" But he shook his head "In any case, if we're quick enough, maybe we'll be able to do this before we know it."

"Does it matter which part of the sea?" the first mate asked.

"More towards the Atlantic Ocean, so we're fine if we do it on the east or northern part of the island." Vane answered "Now… Enough business, who wants more drinks?"

There was a resounding 'aye' from the crew, but Barbossa was already leaving the scene.

'So Vane has that cursed chest…'

How Vane had obtained the chest to William Turner's heart was a question for later… The most important thing was that he had a ritual to open it without the key. Barbossa didn't know if Vane wanted to become captain of the Flying Dutchman; it hadn't sounded as if he wanted to, but he didn't know his goals and that was why he had to leave and reach Shipwreck Island. With a bit of luck, maybe their new pirate king would know something about Blackbeard and, if she didn't and he helped her in this, maybe he could get himself a deal to obtain that information.

Thus, once his crew rested a few days, he prepared the ship and told everyone that they would go to Shipwreck Island.

Being as close as they were, it only took the ship two weeks to finally reach the Devil's Throat and once they were there, he raised his pirate flag… He was still a pirate lord, whether he was a privateer or not. And they always said that announcing oneself was the polite thing to do.

• ──────────── ✾──────────── •

(ELIZABETH'S POV)

After Jack had told them all about Vane, she had told him in return about the Black Pearl and what she had been able to see when she had sailed in the Empress. Jack had been silent once she was finished with the tale.

"Well, that's just great… It's not like getting a ship from Blackbeard would be possible." he mentioned, shrugging.

"Because he would have sunk it?" Elizabeth said carefully.

Jack shook his head "Blackbeard is known as someone that captures ships in bottles with dark magic… It's kind of why everyone fears him."

"Oh." She looked shocked. Jack shrugged again at that, but seemed to remember something and started fumbling with his coat until he was able to pull from it a bunch of papers that were all tied together. He gave them to Elizabeth, who frowned "What's this?"

"From yer father. They are directed to ye, so I figured ye would want them." He smirked a bit "Don't worry, I stopped readin' after the fifth one. Or was it the sixth? They are mostly borin' for me so…"

"Jack…" she sighed as she took them "You're so lucky that I like you enough to forgive you." Jack seemed to smile for real for what seemed like the first time since the time she had seen him when he had appeared on Shipwreck Island "How long are you staying?" she asked instead "And the girl? Is she supposed to stay here?"

"It seems that I'll stay longer than I thought… And Miriam should stay here. She has no family, James has his work and, let's face it, I'm not responsible to take care of her, as much as I like the lass." he answered almost in a snort.

"I guess I can make her work for cleaning and mending clothes…" Elizabeth sighed, glancing at the girl who was looking at the place with wonder in her eyes "Does her singing affect… people?"

"... To some extent." he decided to answer "But I doubt she'll sing… Unless her life is in real danger."

Elizabeth hummed a bit at that but, suddenly, they were interrupted by a man. Teague was the first one to raise his head from his chair, in annoyance.

"Wha'?" Teague asked.

"I'm sorry, sir but…" The man said, scared of his reaction "There's an unknown ship approachin'... It carries Barbossa's flag."

Both father and son raised their heads at the name.

"That goddamn snake?!" Teague huffed, getting his gun out.

"Hector?!" Jack grimaced "What does he want now?"

"A bullet in his head, apparently." Teague muttered.

"Gentlemen, calm yourselves down." Elizabeth stated, getting up slowly from her seat and straightening her back as much as she could "Save your guns for later, if you must. We should get to port for our answers, so put back yourselves together and let's go."

Teague grumbled against his breath, but he saved his gun.

"I'll go up to leave somethin' in my room first." Jack said with a restrained smile "I'll catch up to ye."

Elizabeth rolled her eyes, but nodded anyway. She then turned to Miriam "Stay here, please. I don't think you'll want to meet this pirate."

Both Teague and Elizabeth got out of the house and directed themselves towards the docks. With her being pregnant and captain Teague being somehow old, they were almost going at the same pace and Jack was able to catch up to them when they were halfway there. They reached the docks in time to see Barbossa getting down along with his crew, some of them Elizabeth could recognize, and some who were most possibly new.

"Captain Barbossa." she greeted, her back straight and her nose pointed high.

She knew she wouldn't scare a fly in her position but she wasn't going to be intimidated by him.

"My King… I see some things have changed while I was gone." he bowed a bit, smiling and looking her over "You look radiant."

"And you better get to business quickly." she pointed out and stepped out from his sight so he could see that Jack and Teague were behind her "These two, for different reasons, are not exactly happy to see you."

Barbossa shrugged at that "Well then… But it's not for everyone to know I would say, yer Majesty… It's about yer husband." he smirked at that last part.

Elizabeth looked surprised at that, almost shocked.

"Really? That's yer excuse?" Teague just huffed.

"Can I shoot him now?" Jack asked Elizabeth, closely in her ear, but loud enough for the other pirate to hear.

"I'll hear him out first. Then, it depends… Let's go to the main hall." she turned her back.

She started to walk far from the docks and into the main city as quickly as she could, followed by the other three pirates, who were glaring between each other. She took a deep sigh.

'… Bloody pirates.' she thought, exasperated.

Despite having difficulties walking, Elizabeth went at her own pace towards the Pirate Hall where the last court had taken place. She was obviously passed by Barbossa, who smiled darkly at her and this one was followed by Teague, who practically grabbed the other pirate by his shoulder to make him walk slower and continued to grip this one with a strength Elizabeth wasn't sure where he was drawing it from. Jack caught up to her and put one of his arms around her waist, leaning her a bit towards him. She gasped.

"Jack…" she wasn't sure, but she had meant to make it sound like a warning.

"Ye don't look alright, luv and ye shouldn't force yerself to walk that fast" he said as he helped her "Let Teague deal with Hector."

"Teague wants to kill him. Who's to say he won't shoot him the moment they reach the Hall?" she huffed as she gripped his hand to support herself.

"Well… Technically no one, but ye made a decision and he'll respect that." Jack shrugged.

Thankfully, as Jack had stated, when they reached the Pirate Hall, Elizabeth saw that Teague had let go of Barbossa and that this one had decided to have a seat in one of the chairs available. She sighed, relieved, separated herself from Jack, and walked towards another chair, sitting. She suppressed the need to be glad at the fact that she wasn't walking and directed her gaze towards Barbossa.

"Spit it out." she said.

"I heard the most interesting thing while I was in Martinique from a pirate captain you may have heard of… Charles Vane?" Elizabeth tried to keep herself from reacting "Well, that pirate, somehow, has managed to get his dirty hands on the chest that keeps your ex-husband's heart."

Elizabeth looked up then, shocked that now Barbossa knew about that.

"Aye…" Barbossa, apparently taking her look as something different "And, not only that, but he seems to have a way to open it without the key."

At that, Elizabeth almost got up, but only managed to get halfway before sitting again "What?!" she shouted at that.

Barbossa shrugged "That's what he said."

Jack huffed "And I guess ye know that ritual, eh?" And snorted a bit at that "What do ye want from our dear majesty?"

Barbossa smirked "Oh, nothing much… I just need any information about Blackbeard… So I can pierce him with my sword right into his heart."

Jack seemed to raise his eyebrow at that "And the Pearl?"

"Well, if I kill him, I'll have Blackbeard's ship and ye can keep yer precious Pearl." he sneered.

"So generous of ye." Jack drawled, almost sarcastically "But maybe, by then, I'll have decided to just shoot ye… And this time check that ye stay dead."

Barbossa sent him a strained smile at that.

Elizabeth sighed "Please, no killing for now…" she then turned to Barbossa "I'll see what I can do about Blackbeard. Now, tell me the ritual."

"Do I have yer word, yer majesty?" Barbossa smirked at that, almost leering.

Jack sent him a dark look and Teague grumbled about maybe inviting James so he would hang him. At that, Elizabeth tried not to laugh.

"Unlike you, I do keep my word." She crossed her arms against her chest.

"... Vane stated that they had to wait for a new moon and that they also needed a clergyman to bless the chest. Once that was done, they had to put it into the sea, in the Atlantic to be precise, to open it." he said "According to him, it would take them two months approximately… Mostly because of the clergyman." He then let out a tired sigh "For what I could infer, he doesn't seem to want to become the captain of the Dutchman, but he apparently will gain immortality anyway and he'll use it to take this island and declare himself King."

"... Would that ritual work?" Elizabeth couldn't help to ask, looking at Jack in question.

This one shrugged a bit "Maybe… We don't know. We can't take the risk and he does have the chest." he pointed out.

Elizabeth frowned a bit, huffing to herself, but she got up, as if decided "In that case, let's prepare. We know Vane has been in Martinique and the next new moon is in a fortnight… That gives us enough time to prepare the ships. Teague, I don't know who you have to talk with to use yours, but don't take too long. Jack, Barbossa… In your case, you already have crews, so get them ready… Weapons, powder… Whatever you need."

"And what would be the plan, yer Majesty?" Teague asked.

"We need to get information on where he gets the clergyman and intercept him on the way…" she said, shrugging a bit "It's the best we can do. You have to trap his ship together. And remember, keep him alive."

"Any reason we should do that, your Majesty?" Barbossa drawled a bit.

"I am King. And I'll decide his punishment." she raised her head defiantly "Any problem with that, captain Barbossa?"

"... None." he mentioned, scoffing.

Jack clapped his hands "Well… I'm going to prepare my new ship."