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Jack had been loath to leave but knew better than she that the
repercussions would be severe if he lingered. He smiled a bit
and looked at the newest addition to a strand of beads. He liked
the way the silver sparkled and the delicate sound it made in
his ear, reminding him of the way she moved. Under the lowered
brim of his hat, he took a visual inventory of the harbor, the
fresh morning light showing the array of boats at anchor and at
the docks. To passers-by, he appeared asleep, save for the idle
movement of one his legs as it hung over the edge of the wall.
He watched the Valorous as it sailed out of the harbor
but then his stomach grumbled, watching the harbor could resume
after finding something to eat. Striding down the dusty street,
he looked to see what storefronts were open, doing so he nearly
tripped over a form lying in his path. He stopped and peered down
in concern.
"My apologies Mate."
Getting no response, he crouched down for a closer look. With
his index finger, he poked at the rumpled fabric. Fully intent
on rummaging through the drunk's pockets he rolled the person
onto their back. He was unprepared for what he saw, a dark skinned
woman, covered in dirt and dried blood. Judging by the cuts on
her face, most of the blood was hers. However, her knuckles showed
she had given near as well as she got. He could not leave her
just lying there and took a moment to look around and think. Then
he hefted her over his shoulder, somewhat ingloriously, and proceeded
towards the tavern. He wished Katherine were still here; she would
be able to tend to the girl.
"Jack!"
He turned around but saw no one, then realized the voice came
from over his head. Pearson was leaning out a window.
" What d'ya have there?"
"Don't rightly know, nearly fell over her just a ways down
the street." He shifted her a bit on his shoulder and continued,
"been beat something fierce."
"Bring 'er up, no use just carryin' her 'round." Pearson's
head disappeared back inside.
Jack knocked at the door and was greeted by a slightly disheveled
brunette. She looked none too happy to be disturbed and snapped
at him, "We're closed!" She started to shut the door.
Jack stuck his foot in the gap and winced as the heavy wood struck
it.
"No, wait. She's hurt." Jack lowered her off his shoulder
and cradled her in his arms. The woman stepped forward to take
a closer look.
"Fine state she's in, I don't like this under my roof,"
she said shaking her head.
"Oh, I didn't…" Jack started and was interrupted
by Pearson ascending down the stairs.
"Nessa, be a love and fetch us water an' cloth so we can
clean 'er up." He gave her a friendly pat on the behind that
made her giggle as she walked past him.
Pearson helped carry the girl upstairs and they laid her on a
bed. Both men stood for a moment looking at her, unsure of what
exactly to do next.
"Now what?" Pearson asked.
"Dunno, mate. I can't stay around, I have a ship to catch."
"Well this time I be comin' with ya. You can't go off after
Barbossa alone. Besides the Pearl isn't the same as she
was under your command. I've heard she's a killer now. You'll
be needin' my help," Pearson said.
"I've tamed her once, I can do it again," Jack grinned.
He was happy to be back in good company. Pearson's finding him
was a stroke of good fortune; he'd be of help in getting a ship
and crew together once they got to Tortuga.
Things looked even brighter when Pearson presented Jack with his
compass, cutlass, pistol, and hat the night before. The two had
met the last time Jack was in Tortuga. From the start, Jack had
a good feeling about the man. He considered himself a pretty good
judge of character, well, with one glaring exception. Dark thoughts
of what he was going to do to Barbossa filled his mind. "I'm
eager to return to Tortuga, there is someone I need to see, I'm
afraid I have some explaining to do."
"Madame Giselle?"
"Aye, I've probably incurred her wrath after what happened
the last time." Jack winced a bit at the memory.
"She was ragin' somethin' fierce 'til she realized that it
hadn't been your intent to leave. She is the one that gave me
your effects. Figured I'd keep them safe until you turned up again."
Jack smiled broadly, "And that you did mate, much appreciated.
One question though, how did you know it wasn't my intent to leave?"
"The heels of your boots made tracks as they drug you down
to the ship." Pearson said proudly
"Bloody pirates couldn't even carry me proper to their ship."
Jack snorted.
Nessa soon returned with a washbasin, pitcher, and cloth. Setting
them on the table next to the bed she started to leave.
"Nessa is it?" Jack asked and thrust out his hand. "Captain
Jack Sparrow."
"It is," she responded sharply, Wary though she was,
she allowed him to draw her hand toward him as he bent foward...
"Captain Jack Sparrow," he added, then lightly brushed
a kiss across her nuckles, "at your service" and finished
with a wink.
The scowl disappeared at once, replaced with tinges of red on
her cheeks. After a nervous giggle, she purred, "Pleasure
to meet you Captain."
"I assure you the pleasure is mine," Jack looked sideways
as Pearson groaned; "Now if you please we could use your
help with her."
"I assure you the pleasure is mine," Jack looked sideways
as Pearson groaned; "Now if you please we could use your
help with her."
"Shameful to see her beaten so," Nessa said softly.
"That it is, most unfortunate. I dislike seeing a woman hurt
like this."
"You don't know how this happened?" Nessa turned towards
Jack.
"I was minding my own thoughts when I stumbled on her. Thought
she was a man at first."
"The girls get beat often 'round here, with me tendin' to
the mess," Nessa frowned a bit and then looked back as the
girl started to stir.
She opened her eyes, squinting as she tried to focus. Reaching
out towards Nessa with one hand she whispered, "Qui est
là? Who's there?"
"Calme de séjour mon cher Stay calm my dear"
Nessa touched her arm. "Nous ne vous blesserons pas.
We won't hurt you."
Jack crouched down to the level of the bed, "Mon nom est
Jack, ceci est Nessa. Est là-bas Pearson. My name is
Jack, this is Nessa, and over there is Pearson". He could
see her relax as she realized she was not with her attackers.
"Quel est votre nom? What is your name?"
"AnaMaria," she answered. She could see better now and
glared a bit at Jack as she ran a hand over her head. She hid
most of her pain well, although Jack caught a glimpse of a wince
as she found the knot on her cheek. He noticed her hands looked
much like his own, stained and calloused from hard work. She saw
him looking at her and put her hand down, raised her chin and
looked at him squarely. "Where is he? That, that Salaud,
he did this to me."
Jack rocked back on his heels to give her a little room. The look
she had in her eyes was one he'd seen before, usually before a
woman lashed out. "Afraid I don't know lass, I found you
out lyin' in the street."
She muttered something inaudible and her shoulders sagged a bit,
"I'll never sail for that son of a whore again."
"You sail?" Jack leaned forward again trying not to
appear to eager.
"Aye, since I was a child," AnaMaria said.
"You still look a child, luv," Jack laughed.
AnaMaria gave him a look that made his laughter fade quickly.
"I'll have you know I sail better than most men." Her
chin lifted back up again, he could see she was not one to be
trifled with.
With that remark Pearson chuckled, "Put 'er on your crew
Jack, you need another as hard headed as you. Although we need
a ship first."
Jack waved his hand absently, "Small detail really."
"I can help you get a ship," Nessa said. "Captains
rarely miss my parties and never leave early."
"Wonderful idea, now I need to see about some nourishment.
Rest up lass, I need you fit for duty." Jack stood and hesitated
for a moment, like he was waiting for the floor to stop moving.
settling his hat back on his head and strode out the door.
"You, Pearson," Anamaria said. "He a fit captain?
Appears a bit off his bearings."
"Aye, 'tis just Captain Sparrow's way, forgets land doesn't
move like a ship."
"Ah, so that be the good Captain," she mused. Jack's
reputation preceded him, both as a captain and how he was with
the ladies. Fair almost to a fault, being part of his crew would
definitely improve her situation.
~*~*~
With the little coin he had from his winnings the night before
Jack procured some rum and a bit of bread and cheese. Quickly
finishing off both he decided to have a closer look at the ships
in the harbor. As he approached his step took on more of a sway
and stumble, his humming turned to singing. He headed towards
a sloop he'd taken note of earlier in the day. A few crewmen milled
about moving cargo around. Swaggering down the dock he came to
rest on an upturned barrel.
"Your boat, I mean ship?" he slurred badly and looked
toward a crewman securing a line to the dock.
"She's one of Cap'n Kennit's. He's stayin' at the closest
inn if you want to inquire about signing on." The crewman
turned toward Jack and revealed he was fairly young, Jack guessed
around 12 years old.
"Many thanks lad," Jack gestured knocking his hat off.
Turning abruptly he started to make his way back up the dock.
"Your hat," the boy called out, trotting after him with
it. Jack was pleased that the boy had responded so quickly. Settling
the hat back on his head he clasped his hands together, "my
thanks."
The boy shrugged a bit and turned to get back to work. Jack called
after him," Your Captain, how's his temperament?" Rather
than respond right away the boy chewed his lip a bit. "To
be quite honest, he's an arse. Last night he beat a girl after
exposing her as part of our crew."
While that alone was not something to judge a captain by, he could
tell that it was something that troubled the boy. Women sailors
were uncommon; he'd known a couple that had taken on the disguise
of a man. Sometimes the ruse worked, apparently in Anamaria's
case it hadn't. She was lucky Kennit hadn't killed her.
"That's interesting" Jack murmured, and then caught
the boy by the shoulder. Sizing him up a bit he asked, "
What's your name boy?"
"Michael, why?" the boy eyed him suspiciously.
Jack pressed a coin into the boy's palm and winked. "Just
be here tonight. I can use a smart one such as yourself."
With that Jack turned and sauntered back up the dock. It was time
to head back and have a talk with Nessa to see if she'd hold true
to her word.
To Be Continued...
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