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Browncoats at World’s End
Chapter 18: Argument
-
The Caribbean
There had been no sign of the beast since the last time Zoe and Terrance had seen it drag a ship to the depths, nor were they any word about it from any of the passing ships. The only info she was able to garner was there had been less pirate ships seen in the past few weeks.
“Mrs. Washburn,” Gavin called her over to the helm. “It’s been days since you and Terrance have seen that monster.”
“Once we get out of the Caribbean I will feel a little safer.” She will feel a lot safer when she knows Mal and the others have also left the area.
“It won’t be for at least another day in this ship,” Gavin stared at the wheel. “We may need to stop somewhere and pick up some more supplies. We still have to cross the Atlantic, sail south of Africa as we continue to the east."
Zoe nodded. “Is there a place near by?”
“We veer to starboard and continue for a few hours we will make port.”
“Good work,” Zoe told him as she approached the steps to below deck and had to step back when
Jayne came barreling up. “What did you do now?”
“Nothing,” He stared at her with a weak look. “Why do you think that?”
“The look on you face and the way you were running.” Zoe placed her hands on her hips.
“You,” Hooky ran up to them. He shouted several words in his original tongue while shaking his hook at Jayne. “You stay out of my galley.”
Zoe raised her eyebrows. “What were you doing, Jayne?”
“I was just trying to heat up some water.”
“He nearly burned down my galley,” Hooky glared at him. “He is like a bumbling monkey.”
“That is the second time someone in our crew compared me to a simian.” Jayne glared at him. “I was trying to look for you and you weren’t around.”
“If the analogy fits,” Zoe said. “I admit I am a bit surprised you even know what simian is.”
“I’m not a complete idiot.”
Hooky shook his head. “You are halfway to becoming one.”
Zoe sighed and turned to the ship’s cook. “I am sorry he did this. He is now forbidden to come near your galley unless it is time for everyone to eat. I’ll send Horace and Jarvis down to help clean things up.”
“Thank you madam Washburne,” Hooky smiled before he went down below deck.
“As for you,” she turned to face Jayne. “Go and clean the cannons.”
The mercenary shrugged. “Better than cleaning the deck.”
Zoe needed to get back to the cabin and see more recordings of Wash. It helped calm down her stress levels and having to deal with both a monster and Jayne without Mal she was going to need it. Hopefully Jayne will stay out of trouble during the rest of the trip.
-
Indian Ocean
They were making good time, plenty of headway. Jack Sparrow shouldn’t be amazed at this. He was on his ship, his Black Pearl. It was the fastest ship in the Caribbean, perhaps even the world.
Jack removed his compass from his belt and stared at it. Now the bloody thing was just pointing in one direction and that direction would be there next stop.
“The winds are pretty steady says I,” Gibbs said before he reached for his canteen. “Clear sailing all the way to Sri Lanka.”
“Where we will meet up with others,” Jack nodded. The Shaman written down on the list he gave Jack that he had word sent out for other ships to join theirs. If Sao wishes for there to be a battle then he was going to get one.
“We are going to need all these ships to face off against Jones?” Gibbs asked. He brought the canteen to his mouth, paused and removed it before he tilted it. Only a few drops fell out.
“Need something to distract him with.” Jack walked towards the stern and pulled out his spyglass.
“He might try to attack the Pearl first,” Gibbs cautioned. “Once he sees that you have escaped his locker he will want t’ go after ye first.”
Jack nodded and held up a finger. “That is why we need a distraction.” He brought his spyglass to his eye. There were three ships following his but one was the Luna Ghost and the other two were the ships the shaman had provided. They were keeping up a good pace, but were slowly trailing behind the Pearl. “No good.”
“Jack?” Gibbs released his grip on his canteen and let it dangle from its chord. “What is it?”
“We are going too fast,” Jack responded before he raised his voice. “Drop the anchor.”
“I thought we wanted to go fast.”
“Need a fast speed we all can travel together in.” Jack instructed before he ran back to the helm.
“What do you think you are doing?” Will Turner address him. The young man stepped between the pirate captain and the helm.
“Slowing us down a bit. That does seem what it appears hmm?”
“Why?” Turner’s sour expression did not change.
“Because Anamaria and our new friends are trailing behind. We need to make sure we travel together when we reach Sri Lanka.”
“How many of these stops are we going to make?”
“As many as the Shaman told us to make.”
“Now you trust him?”
Jack stomped his foot on the deck. “She’s solid. Why do you seem to care so much?”
“It’s slowing us down.”
So that’s what it is all about. “Dear young Turner wishes to save his father today rather than tomorrow, is that it? Listen son I know you want to release your father from his curse but you have to think. I know you can. I’ve seen you do it before, we just plunge straight back to the Caribbean and it will be just like before. We get attacked. I die and you are going to have to come back here and do it all over again.”
“What about Sao Feng?”
“We might have to battle him again as well.”
“That is not what I mean.”
“Will,” Elizabeth called out, providing Jack a chance to shake of Turner.
“Your little chickee is calling after ye. Go on and run to her and I’ll take care of this. Because I know what I am doing.” He turned around made one step to the helm, thought better of it and turned back to the stern. He had to at least see when Anamaria and the others have caught up before he can order the anchor to be raised and they continued on their way.
-
The Caribbean
James Norrington walked in front of the row of naval officers to give them their inspection. He shouldn’t have to do the task and leave it up to the lieutenants. It was something he wanted to do and for River and her friends he had to do it.
He stopped by one young soldier who stood rigid and emotionless. “Chin should be a little higher. Show the pride you feel by being in the Royal Navy.”
“Yes sir,” the soldier replied before he tilted his head up higher.
Norrington nodded at him before he moved on to the second soldier. There was nothing amiss about neither him, nor the third or fourth. He gave each of them a close inspection all over. The fifth one caught his eye.
“You have a smudge of dirt on the toe of your left shoe.” Norrington pointed out.
“I’m sorry sir,” the soldier said. “They were clean when I put them on this morning.”
“However they are not clean now. When this inspection is over you will clean your shoes and the shoes of those who are sleeping. He had made sure the soldiers were divided into thirds and given different sleeping shifts.
“Yes sir,” the soldier nodded.
Norrington surveyed the next man. He was a man he had come to know a little bit more and more as the days went by, a man who once was more army than navy. He stared into the blue eyes of Captain Reynolds before he examined his posture and clothes. Well a man who had earned the rank of sergeant knew what he was doing. He didn’t say anything as he moved past him on his way down the line.
The rest of the men did not need any further correction, everyone stood with pride and respect. Their uniforms were clean and tidy and everything was in place.
Norrington did have to pause by the last soldier. A young man in his early twenties who was trying to stand as rigid as possible. Trying to hard, he was actually shaking, unless that was from nerves.
“What is your name?” He stared into the young man’s eager eyes.
“Harold Cobb sir,” his response caused a bit of an uneasy shifting from Reynolds that stopped when Norrington looked his way.
“Mr. Cobb why are you trembling in such a manner?” Norrington asked.
“This is the first time I have been inspected by you sir.”
Norrington smiled politely. “Everything is in sort. A person should not be nervous unless he had done something wrong. Have you completed your duties?”
“I have them all completed as of now,” the young man answered. “I have not completed the new ones since they have yet to be assigned to me.”
“Well you can’t perform tasks that are in the future,” Norrington said. Once again he heard an uneasy shuffling from Reynolds. “There is nothing for you to be nervous about.” He grabbed onto the soldier’s shoulder. “Wait till we are in action.”
“Yes sir,” Cobb seemed to have calmed down.
“The inspection is over,” Norrington said as he turned away. “Mr. Core I want you to come with me.”
“Yes sir,” Reynolds replied, using that new adopted accent of his. Norrington had to admit it did sound authentic. If he had first met Reynolds dressed as a naval soldier and using that accent he wouldn’t have noticed anything.
“I have heard you shifting in your steps,” Norrington said as both soldiers exited the room. “Care to explain yourself?”
“I know of a man who’s last name is Cobb,” Reynolds said as they continued. ”This young soldier might be a distant relative.’
“And what of the second time?
“I thought you may have been addressing me with the mention of the future.”
Norrington laughed weakly. “No Mr. Core. I was not thinking about that. When I am performing an inspection it is purely naval work.”
“You run a tough ship commodore.”
“You felt I was a bit harsh with that one young man?” Norrington raised his eyebrows.
“The one who now has to clean and polish several other pairs?” Reynolds asked. “No sir. I would have ordered the same. Sometimes you have to be tough with your soldiers. It makes them strong and when you are in a war you have to make sure everyone is strong.”
Those were words of a true military. “Miss Tam was right about you.” He turned to face Reynolds before they entered his cabin. “I did not know what to expect when I would eventually meet up with you.”
“What did you expect of me?” Reynolds asked before Norrington allowed him to enter.
“I could not really tell you. I have come across a variety of captains and I was almost ready to expect the worse.”
“The worse you say?” Reynolds dropped the accent as soon as the door closed behind them. “You flatter me son.”
“I wouldn’t consider that exact flatter,” James turned towards his desk. River was climbing out of her hiding place. “Best if we remove our hats and wigs for now.”
“Good idea,” Reynolds removed his hat and wig without the same amount of care as Norrington and set it on one of the little tables. “I can’t see how you can stand these things.” He scratched his head.
“It is the trademark uniform of an officer of the royal navy,” James scowled. “I would think a soldier would respect the uniform.”
“It is not his uniform,” River said. “His is simple and comfortable. He wears it all the time even when he isn’t wearing it.”
“The girl has a point,” Reynolds said before turning to her. “First time I’ve seen you today. How have you been holding up?”
“He brought new books for me before the voyage,” River pointed to the bookcase. “I promised not to fix. Kaylee came earlier and we told stories, Simon came twice and we talked. I speak with Inara around meals.”
“And what do you two do when you are alone?” Reynolds asked James.
“Mr. Reynolds I hope you are not implying…” He tried not to think what Reynolds may have been replying. He could feel his face getting red.
“Mal not like Jayne,” River said. “My mind is very busy needs activities.”
“We talk,” James felt his cheeks flush for a different reason. He noticed the way Reynolds had raised his eyebrows at him. “We also play chess on occasion. I’ll leave you two alone for a few minutes before I order Mr. Reynolds to meet up with lieutenant Hall. This may be the last time you will see Miss Tam for a while. To keep the others from getting too suspicious I am going to limit one of your crew to visit per day.”
“This includes Inara?”
“She will be visiting when she brings and clears away food. This would be between you, Doctor Tam, and Miss Frye.” Norrington said before he left his cabin. He would meet up with lieutenant Hall to speak about their progress before he dismissed Reynolds.
He wasn’t expecting another person to be on the other side and most of all he did not expect commander Hamiton. The commander stared at Norrington with pursed lips.
“Commander Hamiton,” Norrington addressed him. “Do have an important matter to address?”
“No Commodore,” Hamiton said coldly. “Commander Barclay wishes to see you.”
“And he did not send Lieutenant Hall?” Norrington asked. Hamiton never warmed up to Norrington. He expected the other naval officers to be cool and aloof, but since leaving Tortuga, Hamiton seemed to stare at him more often and remained silent even while Barclay and the lieutenants warmed up to him.
“I decided to tell you myself.” Hamiton said.
“We shouldn’t keep Commander Barclay waiting.”
-
Indian Ocean
They had just left port a few hours prior with four new ships to join them. Elizabeth Swann felt they were forming a nice fleet. They would be able to take on Jones and the Kraken.
She enjoyed her position on the lower sail of the mizzenmast. She sat comfortable, with a bit of rope tied around her midsection for safety. The feeling of the wind against her face and teasing her hair was exciting. She felt free, free from too tight corsets and high society, free from having to always be polite, even to people who do not deserve it. Sadly that also meant free from living in a beautiful mansion, having Estrella doing everything to make her comfortable, free from attending fine concerts and plays and free from having a luxurious wedding. She wished she could have both.
She shook her head and focused on the task Jack had given her. She was to take a spyglass and make sure the Luna Ghost and the other ships were not trailing to far behind. They were still at a steady pace. She pointed the glass to the deck below to see what the crew was up to and found her fiancé. She did want to be by his side, but the fast few days he had insisted on being next to her all the time and when he wasn’t with her, he was glaring at Jack.
Once again her fiancé was approaching the Captain and Elizabeth wanted to make sure there would not be another confrontation. She climbed down the mast as fast as she could, and untied herself before she followed after her fiancé, careful as to not be seen.
“You never did answer my question,” Will followed after Jack who looked like he was trying his best to ignore him. “How many ports are we going to make?”
“As many as on the list,” Jack replied with out even turning around.
“How many are on the list?”
“I could give you the list,” Jack sought out Gibbs and was about to speak with him but Will stepped in front of the captain. “Young Turner, would you be as so kind to step aside. I need to speak with my first mate.”
“Are we always going to spend nearly a day at these ports?”
“Yes we are, a few days at some of them. We do need to make sure we have plenty of supplies.” He tried to step around will but the younger man had his arm out. Jacks eyes widened before he turned to the blacksmith. “You have shown a confrontational side in you in the past few days. I do admire you boldness son, but it is starting to annoy me.”
“You won’t answer any of my questions.”
“Clearly you are not asking the right ones. I have already explained why we cannot just sail straight to the Caribbean and rescue your dear and cursed father, now have I? Now what is really in your head?”
Will was silent for a minute. “You kissed her.”
“You need to be a bit less vague.”
“There is only person I am thinking of.”
‘Oh Will,’ Elizabeth thought. ‘I thought you had understood.’
Jack’s eyes widened in recognition. “Ah,” He pointed at Will. “I didn’t kiss her. She kissed me. They always kiss me. Ye saw Anamaria when you brought me back. It is always the same, unless I’m paying for it.”
“I’ll make certain you will pay for it.”
“Actually I think I did. Apparently your sweet little fiancée had decided to sacrifice me with those lips of hers.”
‘Jack I’m sorry.’ She wanted to say those words out loud, but not with them standing there and arguing like that.
“I would have left you there, but I agreed to come because she did.”
Elizabeth’s eyes widened. He didn’t mean that. Will couldn’t have meant what he said.
Jack shrugged. “No offense taken mate. Now if you excuse me.’
“You enjoyed that kiss.”
“He may have,” Elizabeth said out loud. She didn’t care if she knew she was watching them. “He is Captain Jack Sparrow. I didn’t enjoy it. I thought of you the whole time, William Turner. I thought of you and the others. That is why I chained him. I know there is some good in him, but it wasn’t enough.” She tried to blink back the tears that were forming. “I felt guilty about killing him, William. You know that. I came here to bring him back, but you just want him for your own selfish gain.”
“Elizabeth,” Will’s voice was soft before it hardened. “How is rescuing my father selfish?”
“That is all you think about. You don’t care about the others on this crew, nor about saving the other souls on the Flying Dutchman or about us.” She turned away and headed below deck. She needed to find a bottle of rum for herself.
Chapter 18: Argument
-
The Caribbean
There had been no sign of the beast since the last time Zoe and Terrance had seen it drag a ship to the depths, nor were they any word about it from any of the passing ships. The only info she was able to garner was there had been less pirate ships seen in the past few weeks.
“Mrs. Washburn,” Gavin called her over to the helm. “It’s been days since you and Terrance have seen that monster.”
“Once we get out of the Caribbean I will feel a little safer.” She will feel a lot safer when she knows Mal and the others have also left the area.
“It won’t be for at least another day in this ship,” Gavin stared at the wheel. “We may need to stop somewhere and pick up some more supplies. We still have to cross the Atlantic, sail south of Africa as we continue to the east."
Zoe nodded. “Is there a place near by?”
“We veer to starboard and continue for a few hours we will make port.”
“Good work,” Zoe told him as she approached the steps to below deck and had to step back when
Jayne came barreling up. “What did you do now?”
“Nothing,” He stared at her with a weak look. “Why do you think that?”
“The look on you face and the way you were running.” Zoe placed her hands on her hips.
“You,” Hooky ran up to them. He shouted several words in his original tongue while shaking his hook at Jayne. “You stay out of my galley.”
Zoe raised her eyebrows. “What were you doing, Jayne?”
“I was just trying to heat up some water.”
“He nearly burned down my galley,” Hooky glared at him. “He is like a bumbling monkey.”
“That is the second time someone in our crew compared me to a simian.” Jayne glared at him. “I was trying to look for you and you weren’t around.”
“If the analogy fits,” Zoe said. “I admit I am a bit surprised you even know what simian is.”
“I’m not a complete idiot.”
Hooky shook his head. “You are halfway to becoming one.”
Zoe sighed and turned to the ship’s cook. “I am sorry he did this. He is now forbidden to come near your galley unless it is time for everyone to eat. I’ll send Horace and Jarvis down to help clean things up.”
“Thank you madam Washburne,” Hooky smiled before he went down below deck.
“As for you,” she turned to face Jayne. “Go and clean the cannons.”
The mercenary shrugged. “Better than cleaning the deck.”
Zoe needed to get back to the cabin and see more recordings of Wash. It helped calm down her stress levels and having to deal with both a monster and Jayne without Mal she was going to need it. Hopefully Jayne will stay out of trouble during the rest of the trip.
-
Indian Ocean
They were making good time, plenty of headway. Jack Sparrow shouldn’t be amazed at this. He was on his ship, his Black Pearl. It was the fastest ship in the Caribbean, perhaps even the world.
Jack removed his compass from his belt and stared at it. Now the bloody thing was just pointing in one direction and that direction would be there next stop.
“The winds are pretty steady says I,” Gibbs said before he reached for his canteen. “Clear sailing all the way to Sri Lanka.”
“Where we will meet up with others,” Jack nodded. The Shaman written down on the list he gave Jack that he had word sent out for other ships to join theirs. If Sao wishes for there to be a battle then he was going to get one.
“We are going to need all these ships to face off against Jones?” Gibbs asked. He brought the canteen to his mouth, paused and removed it before he tilted it. Only a few drops fell out.
“Need something to distract him with.” Jack walked towards the stern and pulled out his spyglass.
“He might try to attack the Pearl first,” Gibbs cautioned. “Once he sees that you have escaped his locker he will want t’ go after ye first.”
Jack nodded and held up a finger. “That is why we need a distraction.” He brought his spyglass to his eye. There were three ships following his but one was the Luna Ghost and the other two were the ships the shaman had provided. They were keeping up a good pace, but were slowly trailing behind the Pearl. “No good.”
“Jack?” Gibbs released his grip on his canteen and let it dangle from its chord. “What is it?”
“We are going too fast,” Jack responded before he raised his voice. “Drop the anchor.”
“I thought we wanted to go fast.”
“Need a fast speed we all can travel together in.” Jack instructed before he ran back to the helm.
“What do you think you are doing?” Will Turner address him. The young man stepped between the pirate captain and the helm.
“Slowing us down a bit. That does seem what it appears hmm?”
“Why?” Turner’s sour expression did not change.
“Because Anamaria and our new friends are trailing behind. We need to make sure we travel together when we reach Sri Lanka.”
“How many of these stops are we going to make?”
“As many as the Shaman told us to make.”
“Now you trust him?”
Jack stomped his foot on the deck. “She’s solid. Why do you seem to care so much?”
“It’s slowing us down.”
So that’s what it is all about. “Dear young Turner wishes to save his father today rather than tomorrow, is that it? Listen son I know you want to release your father from his curse but you have to think. I know you can. I’ve seen you do it before, we just plunge straight back to the Caribbean and it will be just like before. We get attacked. I die and you are going to have to come back here and do it all over again.”
“What about Sao Feng?”
“We might have to battle him again as well.”
“That is not what I mean.”
“Will,” Elizabeth called out, providing Jack a chance to shake of Turner.
“Your little chickee is calling after ye. Go on and run to her and I’ll take care of this. Because I know what I am doing.” He turned around made one step to the helm, thought better of it and turned back to the stern. He had to at least see when Anamaria and the others have caught up before he can order the anchor to be raised and they continued on their way.
-
The Caribbean
James Norrington walked in front of the row of naval officers to give them their inspection. He shouldn’t have to do the task and leave it up to the lieutenants. It was something he wanted to do and for River and her friends he had to do it.
He stopped by one young soldier who stood rigid and emotionless. “Chin should be a little higher. Show the pride you feel by being in the Royal Navy.”
“Yes sir,” the soldier replied before he tilted his head up higher.
Norrington nodded at him before he moved on to the second soldier. There was nothing amiss about neither him, nor the third or fourth. He gave each of them a close inspection all over. The fifth one caught his eye.
“You have a smudge of dirt on the toe of your left shoe.” Norrington pointed out.
“I’m sorry sir,” the soldier said. “They were clean when I put them on this morning.”
“However they are not clean now. When this inspection is over you will clean your shoes and the shoes of those who are sleeping. He had made sure the soldiers were divided into thirds and given different sleeping shifts.
“Yes sir,” the soldier nodded.
Norrington surveyed the next man. He was a man he had come to know a little bit more and more as the days went by, a man who once was more army than navy. He stared into the blue eyes of Captain Reynolds before he examined his posture and clothes. Well a man who had earned the rank of sergeant knew what he was doing. He didn’t say anything as he moved past him on his way down the line.
The rest of the men did not need any further correction, everyone stood with pride and respect. Their uniforms were clean and tidy and everything was in place.
Norrington did have to pause by the last soldier. A young man in his early twenties who was trying to stand as rigid as possible. Trying to hard, he was actually shaking, unless that was from nerves.
“What is your name?” He stared into the young man’s eager eyes.
“Harold Cobb sir,” his response caused a bit of an uneasy shifting from Reynolds that stopped when Norrington looked his way.
“Mr. Cobb why are you trembling in such a manner?” Norrington asked.
“This is the first time I have been inspected by you sir.”
Norrington smiled politely. “Everything is in sort. A person should not be nervous unless he had done something wrong. Have you completed your duties?”
“I have them all completed as of now,” the young man answered. “I have not completed the new ones since they have yet to be assigned to me.”
“Well you can’t perform tasks that are in the future,” Norrington said. Once again he heard an uneasy shuffling from Reynolds. “There is nothing for you to be nervous about.” He grabbed onto the soldier’s shoulder. “Wait till we are in action.”
“Yes sir,” Cobb seemed to have calmed down.
“The inspection is over,” Norrington said as he turned away. “Mr. Core I want you to come with me.”
“Yes sir,” Reynolds replied, using that new adopted accent of his. Norrington had to admit it did sound authentic. If he had first met Reynolds dressed as a naval soldier and using that accent he wouldn’t have noticed anything.
“I have heard you shifting in your steps,” Norrington said as both soldiers exited the room. “Care to explain yourself?”
“I know of a man who’s last name is Cobb,” Reynolds said as they continued. ”This young soldier might be a distant relative.’
“And what of the second time?
“I thought you may have been addressing me with the mention of the future.”
Norrington laughed weakly. “No Mr. Core. I was not thinking about that. When I am performing an inspection it is purely naval work.”
“You run a tough ship commodore.”
“You felt I was a bit harsh with that one young man?” Norrington raised his eyebrows.
“The one who now has to clean and polish several other pairs?” Reynolds asked. “No sir. I would have ordered the same. Sometimes you have to be tough with your soldiers. It makes them strong and when you are in a war you have to make sure everyone is strong.”
Those were words of a true military. “Miss Tam was right about you.” He turned to face Reynolds before they entered his cabin. “I did not know what to expect when I would eventually meet up with you.”
“What did you expect of me?” Reynolds asked before Norrington allowed him to enter.
“I could not really tell you. I have come across a variety of captains and I was almost ready to expect the worse.”
“The worse you say?” Reynolds dropped the accent as soon as the door closed behind them. “You flatter me son.”
“I wouldn’t consider that exact flatter,” James turned towards his desk. River was climbing out of her hiding place. “Best if we remove our hats and wigs for now.”
“Good idea,” Reynolds removed his hat and wig without the same amount of care as Norrington and set it on one of the little tables. “I can’t see how you can stand these things.” He scratched his head.
“It is the trademark uniform of an officer of the royal navy,” James scowled. “I would think a soldier would respect the uniform.”
“It is not his uniform,” River said. “His is simple and comfortable. He wears it all the time even when he isn’t wearing it.”
“The girl has a point,” Reynolds said before turning to her. “First time I’ve seen you today. How have you been holding up?”
“He brought new books for me before the voyage,” River pointed to the bookcase. “I promised not to fix. Kaylee came earlier and we told stories, Simon came twice and we talked. I speak with Inara around meals.”
“And what do you two do when you are alone?” Reynolds asked James.
“Mr. Reynolds I hope you are not implying…” He tried not to think what Reynolds may have been replying. He could feel his face getting red.
“Mal not like Jayne,” River said. “My mind is very busy needs activities.”
“We talk,” James felt his cheeks flush for a different reason. He noticed the way Reynolds had raised his eyebrows at him. “We also play chess on occasion. I’ll leave you two alone for a few minutes before I order Mr. Reynolds to meet up with lieutenant Hall. This may be the last time you will see Miss Tam for a while. To keep the others from getting too suspicious I am going to limit one of your crew to visit per day.”
“This includes Inara?”
“She will be visiting when she brings and clears away food. This would be between you, Doctor Tam, and Miss Frye.” Norrington said before he left his cabin. He would meet up with lieutenant Hall to speak about their progress before he dismissed Reynolds.
He wasn’t expecting another person to be on the other side and most of all he did not expect commander Hamiton. The commander stared at Norrington with pursed lips.
“Commander Hamiton,” Norrington addressed him. “Do have an important matter to address?”
“No Commodore,” Hamiton said coldly. “Commander Barclay wishes to see you.”
“And he did not send Lieutenant Hall?” Norrington asked. Hamiton never warmed up to Norrington. He expected the other naval officers to be cool and aloof, but since leaving Tortuga, Hamiton seemed to stare at him more often and remained silent even while Barclay and the lieutenants warmed up to him.
“I decided to tell you myself.” Hamiton said.
“We shouldn’t keep Commander Barclay waiting.”
-
Indian Ocean
They had just left port a few hours prior with four new ships to join them. Elizabeth Swann felt they were forming a nice fleet. They would be able to take on Jones and the Kraken.
She enjoyed her position on the lower sail of the mizzenmast. She sat comfortable, with a bit of rope tied around her midsection for safety. The feeling of the wind against her face and teasing her hair was exciting. She felt free, free from too tight corsets and high society, free from having to always be polite, even to people who do not deserve it. Sadly that also meant free from living in a beautiful mansion, having Estrella doing everything to make her comfortable, free from attending fine concerts and plays and free from having a luxurious wedding. She wished she could have both.
She shook her head and focused on the task Jack had given her. She was to take a spyglass and make sure the Luna Ghost and the other ships were not trailing to far behind. They were still at a steady pace. She pointed the glass to the deck below to see what the crew was up to and found her fiancé. She did want to be by his side, but the fast few days he had insisted on being next to her all the time and when he wasn’t with her, he was glaring at Jack.
Once again her fiancé was approaching the Captain and Elizabeth wanted to make sure there would not be another confrontation. She climbed down the mast as fast as she could, and untied herself before she followed after her fiancé, careful as to not be seen.
“You never did answer my question,” Will followed after Jack who looked like he was trying his best to ignore him. “How many ports are we going to make?”
“As many as on the list,” Jack replied with out even turning around.
“How many are on the list?”
“I could give you the list,” Jack sought out Gibbs and was about to speak with him but Will stepped in front of the captain. “Young Turner, would you be as so kind to step aside. I need to speak with my first mate.”
“Are we always going to spend nearly a day at these ports?”
“Yes we are, a few days at some of them. We do need to make sure we have plenty of supplies.” He tried to step around will but the younger man had his arm out. Jacks eyes widened before he turned to the blacksmith. “You have shown a confrontational side in you in the past few days. I do admire you boldness son, but it is starting to annoy me.”
“You won’t answer any of my questions.”
“Clearly you are not asking the right ones. I have already explained why we cannot just sail straight to the Caribbean and rescue your dear and cursed father, now have I? Now what is really in your head?”
Will was silent for a minute. “You kissed her.”
“You need to be a bit less vague.”
“There is only person I am thinking of.”
‘Oh Will,’ Elizabeth thought. ‘I thought you had understood.’
Jack’s eyes widened in recognition. “Ah,” He pointed at Will. “I didn’t kiss her. She kissed me. They always kiss me. Ye saw Anamaria when you brought me back. It is always the same, unless I’m paying for it.”
“I’ll make certain you will pay for it.”
“Actually I think I did. Apparently your sweet little fiancée had decided to sacrifice me with those lips of hers.”
‘Jack I’m sorry.’ She wanted to say those words out loud, but not with them standing there and arguing like that.
“I would have left you there, but I agreed to come because she did.”
Elizabeth’s eyes widened. He didn’t mean that. Will couldn’t have meant what he said.
Jack shrugged. “No offense taken mate. Now if you excuse me.’
“You enjoyed that kiss.”
“He may have,” Elizabeth said out loud. She didn’t care if she knew she was watching them. “He is Captain Jack Sparrow. I didn’t enjoy it. I thought of you the whole time, William Turner. I thought of you and the others. That is why I chained him. I know there is some good in him, but it wasn’t enough.” She tried to blink back the tears that were forming. “I felt guilty about killing him, William. You know that. I came here to bring him back, but you just want him for your own selfish gain.”
“Elizabeth,” Will’s voice was soft before it hardened. “How is rescuing my father selfish?”
“That is all you think about. You don’t care about the others on this crew, nor about saving the other souls on the Flying Dutchman or about us.” She turned away and headed below deck. She needed to find a bottle of rum for herself.
