FANFIC: Through a Glass Darkly - Chapter 14
Author: mamazano
Title: THROUGH A GLASS DARKLY
Rating: R (adult themes, content)
Pairings: None specifically
Warnings: Character death, sexual violence
Disclaimer: Disney owns some, history the rest. Just having fun.Summary: With Ed Teach (Blackbeard) and others coveting the Black Pearl, Jack Sparrow's troubles have just begun.
A special thanks to this_weirdness for her advice on writing, an incredible resource, and compassrose7577 for her unflagging support. Both diligent beta readers, I couldn't do it without them. You're diamonds, mates!
Index to all chapters:
Through a Glass Darkly
Chapter 14 - Covetous Intent
****
Then they that found good liquor,
They drank it not alone,
And they that found fair plunder,
They told us every one,
About our chosen islands
Or secret shoals between,
When, weary from far voyage,
We gathered to careen.
There burned our breaming-fagots
All pale along the shore:
There rose our worn pavilions --
A sail above an oar:
As flashed each yeaming anchor
Through mellow seas afire,
So swift our careless captains
Rowed each to his desire.
There walks no wind 'neath Heaven
Nor wave that shall restore
The old careening riot
And the clamorous, crowded shore --
The fountain in the desert,
The cistern in the waste,
The bread we ate in secret,
The cup we spilled in haste.
~ Rudyard Kipling
****
The careening process had gone without a hitch. After battening down the gun ports and other openings to prevent the ship from flooding and securely lashing any heavy objects that hadn’t been off-loaded, they moved the Black Pearl as far up the shallow inlet as possible on the high tide and then watched as she was slowly lowered on her keel and rolled to her side as the tide receded.
Teach sent two of his nimblest topmen, accustomed to scurrying up ratlines, to climb trees on either side of the shoreline, where the careening pulleys were secured. Ropes were run out to the masts,and the Pearl was pulled further over on her side. Relieving tackles were passed under the ship’s hull and anchored to the lower gun ports on the opposite side to prevent the ship from overturning completely, and to help bring her back upright after the massive task was finished.
Gibbs stood next to Jack as they gazed at the immense bulk of the ship, now aground and tethered.
“Not exactly her best side, aye?” Jack squinted at his ship. The Pearl laid on the sandy shore like some fantastic beached whale, her algae-coated, barnacle-encrusted underbelly showing signs of worm damage and abuse from her encounter with the hurricane.
“Not as much damage as we feared though,” Gibbs observed optimistically, wiping the sweat from his brow.
Teach strolled up and nodded to the two of them. “The men have the tackles all set, Cap’n. They’ll square away come morning, make ‘em a raft to run alongside t’ work from. Once we get the old pitch softened and burn off the muck, we’ll give her a good scraping. Me and the boys are goin’ t’ grub up some food, ‘bout worn out, the lot of ‘em.”
Jack gave him a suspicious look. “Who did you assign to anchor watch?”
Ed Teach shook his head and chuckled. “Not likely t’ be boarded, laying on her side as she is. She’s good and secure; tide won’t steal her from ye.”
“I am the Captain, Mister Teach.” Jack bristled.“I give the orders, and I say you post an anchor watch. I’ll not be leaving me ship unguarded.” His mind flitted to the last time he’d left the Pearl unmanned, but he pushed the thought away just as quickly.
“Apologies, Cap’n.” Teach held his hands up in supplication. “I’ll see t’ the guard, take the first watch meself.” He gave a half bow and sauntered off towards his men who were huddled together on the beach.
Jack stared after him, muttering, “Nope, don’t like ‘im. Don’t like the lot of ‘em.”
They signed the articles, Jackie.
Part of the crew now. The ‘lot’ of ‘em.
You’re only Captain if they all agree.
Happened before, Jackie. Could happen again.
“Stow it!” Jack shouted, whirling around wide-eyed.
Gibbs gave him a worried look. “Cap’n?” He glanced around at the empty beach.
Jack didn’t explain, just glared at a spot over Gibbs’ left shoulder. “Who’s he?”
Gibbs turned around and looked in the direction of a tall figure striding towards them. “That’d be Henry Jennings, feller I was tellin’ you about, wanting to find the treasure camp.”
“Wonder what he wants,” Jack muttered, eyeing Jennings warily.
Jennings tipped his hat at them. “You Jack Sparrow?”
Jack looked around quickly. “Perhaps… maybe…why?”
“Heard you were shipwrecked over on the Florida coast, with them Spaniards.”
“Just happened to wash up on the same beach. They weren’t what I’d exactly call friendly.”
Jennings nodded agreeably. “Can’t think of a good thing to say about them bastards, ‘cepting they’ve stockpiled a pile of gold, which I’m aiming to relieve ‘em of.” He studied Jack for a moment. “Also heard you were a ‘guest’ at their camp for a spell, that you might know where it is located.”
Jack shrugged. “Wasn’t consultin’ me charts at the time.”
Jennings smiled. “But ye might be able to point out a likely spot on one now… perhaps?”
“Perhaps.”
“Well then, we might be able to reach some sort of agreement: A pretty profit for me and boon for you as well.”
“You seem to know a great deal more about me than I do ‘bout you.” Jack’s eyes narrowed as he studied the man before him.
Jennings laughed. “By your leave, where be my manners?” He bowed slightly. “Henry Jennings, captain of the Bathsheba, most recently out of Jamaica, at your service.”
Jack nodded back. “Captain Jack Sparrow. My quartermaster, Gibbs.” He eyed the other captain cautiously. “That’s me ship over there, the Black Pearl.”
Jennings whistled. “Heard plenty of tales of the Black Pearl. Pleasure to finally meet her captain. Took quite a beatin’ in that storm, I’m told.”
Jack gazed at his ship for a moment before replying. “Aye, that she did. Sailed through it, though.”
“More than can be said for them Spaniards, aye?” Jennings chuckled and pushed his hat back on his head. “See, I’m figuring they oughtta have recovered a tidy pile of gold by now. Been told those native divers have been working non-stop.” Jennings gave a wicked grin. “Word is they ain’t got but a few men guardin’ it, and that most of ‘em are spread out ‘mong the divin’ sites. Ought not to be too difficult to surprise ‘em.”
“So you’re seeking help locatin’ this treasure camp.” Jack stated, still suspicious of the other pirate’s motives. “If I were to tell you where said treasure might be, not that I know, mind you, but if I were to point out a likely place on said charts, how will this be a boon to me?”
Jennings jerked his head towards the Pearlin her dry repose. “Fer starters, figure you won’t be going out any time soon. Willin’ to share some of me plunder, if you can point me in the right direction.”
Jack frowned. Pirates were not known for being magnanimous. He had a deep-seated feeling there was something more behind the offer than was being said.
“That’s mighty generous of you. Any particular reason why?”
The other pirate looked pointedly at the Pearl. Ed Teach and two of his men had returned and were loitering around the beach, presumably on watch.
“See you’ve taken on Teach.”
Jack’s eyes narrowed. “You know ‘im?”
Jennings nodded. “Know of him. Sailed out of Jamaica during the war. Said to be fearless in battle.”
Jack cringed slightly inside. Not exactly what he’d hope to hear.
“You help me locate that treasure camp,” Jennings said quietly, with another glance towards the burly, bearded Teach, “and I’ll see to it that scallywag over there finds another ship to covet.”
****
The men on anchor watch eyed the conversation between the two pirate captains with misgivings. The leader of their group seemed unconcerned about the whole affair, settling down comfortably in the shade cast by the careened ship’s hull.
“Don’t you think it odd ol’ Jennings wantin’ to have a word with Sparrow?”
Teach looked up at Roberts, who’d been hired on as carpenter, and shrugged. “Don’t see no harm in it. Not like this ship’s goin’ on that little venture of Jennings’…or elsewhere any time soon.”
“And neither are we. Remind us again why we’re the only damn fools not sailin’ with ‘em?”
“The lot of ‘em will be rakin’ in all that Spanish gold and what’ll we be doin’? Scraping this ol’ tub just t’ go on a fool’s errand,” the boatswain, Husk, complained, glaring at Teach.
“Fool’s errand, ye say?” Teach sat up and glanced over to where Jennings and Sparrow were still conversing, then motioned his men closer. “Out there, on some uncharted island lies a treasure worth more than all the gold in the Spanish Main,” he informed them in a low voice. “Men have sought in vain for it, have striven and fought, suffered and died for it, have endured plague, battle, shipwreck, famine, died screamin’ ‘neath Spanish tortures, languished in their dungeons and slave ships, all for the sake of that treasure.”
Roberts spat on the ground. “Ain’t no treasure worth that.”
Teach stood up and walked over to the Pearl, running a hand along her keel. “This ain’t no ordinary treasure. Heard the legends when I were just a lad. Swore t’ meself I’d find it one day.” He gave the two pirate captains another long glance.
“What I’ve heard is that treasure can’t be found.” John Husk pointed out. “Not even by a hunsi kanzo like you.”
Teach grinned wickedly. “For those that know the ways of voudun, who ain’t above listening to the black bokors, nothing is impossible.” He reached over and stroked the dark wood of the Black Pearl. “One only need find the means to the end.” The ship seemed to shudder under his hand. He gazed at her thoughtfully. “I aim to find that treasure. And for that I need this ship…and her captain.”
****
The last rays of the sun were dancing across the aquamarine of the bay as the men wove their way through the many camps dotting the beach, Jennings having finally convinced Jack to at least hear him out. Gibbs tagged along, anxious to find out more about Teach and the new crew he’d found for Jack. His gut feeling was that they were trouble; Jack seemed to be in agreement. Perhaps this Jennings fellow would be able to help.
They joined Jennings’ men lounging around the fire, passing bottles of rum and wine and speculating as to what they’d find when they sailed later that week. Jennings went over to a battered sea trunk and pulled out an old chart, unfolding it he spread it across the top of a broken barrel that served as a table.
“Best I make it, them ships would have gone aground about here.” Jennings stabbed a spot on the map with a tar-stained finger.
Jack peered down at where he was pointing and shook his head. “Too far north. They mentioned St. Augustine was a good two days journey north. That’d put them about here.”
Jennings marked the spot Jack was referring to and nodded. “Aye makes sense, what with the winds blowing them onto the reefs. As good a place as any to start.” He shook Jack’s hand and said in a low voice, “Got me a new quartermaster. Charlie Vane. A bit of a hothead, but the best fighter I’ve seen. Thinkin’ of giving him his own command when we return. He’ll be needin’ his own quartermaster and crew. Thought I might recommend Teach to ‘im. Peas in a pod them two.”
Gibbs nodded. A decent ploy, he thought to himself. One that might just about do it. Young captain, need of a crew. Hot-headed, willing to take risks. Should be a draw for one as ambitious as Teach. The only question remaining was why Jennings was being so helpful. Gibbs knew better than to believe that there was no ulterior motive behind this, just wasn’t sure what.
Jack seemed to be thinking the same thing. “What makes you so sure he’d take the offer?” Jack asked skeptically. “Gent seems keen on sailin’ on the Pearl.”
Jennings just chuckled. “He’ll take it. Won’t be able to resist.”
“And what do you get out of this?” Jack asked bluntly.
“Gold. Lots of it. More than my ship can hold.” Jennings sat back and took a long swallow of rum before offering the bottle to Jack. “I plan on sitting right here and ever so often makin’ a short run across the channel fer as long as the salvagin’ continues. Ought to keep me in rum and wenches for a good long spell.” He glanced around and added in a low voice, “In my best interests to see them hot-heads put this town to their rudder.”
“There ye be Jack,” a familiar voice called out. “See ye met Jennings here.” Frank Davies came over and clapped Jack on the back. “Thinkin’ of joinin’ us on this little venture?”
“Not so keen on seeing Florida again,” Jack muttered. Then he added brightly, “Looking for a crew, Frank?
“Why? Ye got one yer want t’ get rid of?” Davies chuckled and pulled his pipe out.
The two old friends settled down on the sand as the sun dipped into the sea. Gibbs was making to join them when he saw a movement along the tree line. In the twilight’s shadows it was difficult to make out at first. A darker shape, vaguely female, was lingering there beyond the light cast by the fire. Curious as to whom it might be, Gibbs took a few hesitant steps in that direction. Someone threw another piece of kindling on the fire and, in the sudden flare-up, the mystery was solved.
“Cap’n,” Gibbs said quietly, still not quite believing what he’d seen.
Jack looked up from his conversation with Davies. “Well, spit it out, man!” he said irritably.
Gibbs just pointed. There, standing in the shadows, was none other than the missing girl.
****
It was like waking from a dream. Jack crossed the short distance of sand in slow motion, his mind a whirl of emotions.
Odd, isn’t?
Her showing up again?
Sure you want to be doing this, mate?
Girl’s only caused you trouble.
You best watch yer back.
And yer front.
For once Jack ignored the voices clamoring in his head, his mouth dry in anticipation as he finally reached the girl standing in the shadows, silent and still. “I thought you were dead,” he started to say but she hushed him with a finger to his lips. She held out her hand and smiled; taking Jack’s hand she led him back into the wooded area beyond the beach.
“You found something to wear, I see.” Jack said, noting the thin chemise she was wearing. He smiled, a sense of relief overcoming his misgivings at her sudden reappearance. She seemed different somehow, more assured.
Jack took her hand and turned it upward. Brushing his lips lightly across her palm he felt her pulse beating strong under his fingers. His heart slowed to a tempo to match hers, their breathing synchronized, as they reunited with one another.
“I saw you with her.”
A whisper, an accusation. Not spoken but felt.
“I will not be denied.”
Again, a sound, like the gentle lap of waves against the shore.
“You are mine.”
Jack looked around and then back at the girl. “Are you…?” he wondered aloud.
“Yes. I am in you, part of you.”
“…real?” He finished his question in a hoarse whisper.
****
The Black Pearl’s timbers groaned as they adjusted to the new stresses placed upon them. Tilted bizarrely on her side, fully half of her hundred-and-ten foot length now lay out of the water, supported by the sloping white sand of the shallow inlet. With her massive underbelly exposed, she appeared more like a grotesque, beached sea creature than the graceful, majestic vessel she truly was.
The sun had long since set, its last vestiges of pink and gold swallowed by a darkening sea. A pale sliver of moon was riding low in the sky, shedding fitful light upon the shore as the tide furtively crept inward toward where the Pearl lay, vulnerable and alone. Further inland, beyond her moorings, the channel narrowed, the passage becoming all but covered by the interlacing branches of the trees overhead. The night mists began to steam and writhe their spectral dance above the now coffee-colored waters of the stream. White crabs crawled, ghost-like, up and down the web of inter-arching roots that formed an endless labyrinth deep within the mangrove forest.
A rotten stench seeped out like tendrils along the surface of the murky water, one of decaying flesh and the rank smell of despair. The small boat made its way stealthily through the dreary dark, only the soft splash and drip of the oars disturbing the silence. Tall, white herons stood dimly in the gathered gloom like phantom sentinels, mute witnesses to their passage through the primal swamp. A hoarse night-raven, hidden among the roots, startled the three voyagers with its caw. Then all, once again, was silent as a grave.
The boat’s occupants were not to be deterred, however, and continued steadfast through the night. Ahead, a glimmer signaled their approach to the cove, the freshening breeze carrying the tang of the sea with it. They emerged from the shadows and saw their quarry before them, black as the sky above. Excitement rippled through the trio as they gazed upon their prize. Her anchor watch was nowhere to be seen, no doubt lured away by the prospects of rum and loose women. The black ship lay unguarded, theirs for the taking.
****