Kindred Spirits

Chapter 17

Of Secret Doorways and Surprising Circumstances

Will studied the bruised face of the cocky female pirate that stood in front of him. 'You know, you should really have someone take care of that, or at least take a look at it. Would you like me to get Elisabeth?'

Devon waved her hand dismissively and shook her head resolutely, 'No, there's no need for tha' lad. Just a few bruises... tha' be all. Sure they'll take away some o' me extraordinary beauty, but I think I'll live. I've been hurt worse b'fore Mr. Turner. I know how ta take care o' it.' Will wasn't convinced she was truly alright, so he continued to examine her bruises. Devon saw that he was a stubborn one and tried to reassure him again. 'Really I'll be fine, the swellin's gone down already an' in a few days time these gorgeous colours will have faded as well. There really is no need fer yer concern, but thanks anyways.'

Jack shook his head lightly in amazement as Will looked at her curiously, still not believing she was 'fine' like she tried to imply. Devon used the silence and looked around the forge. She found that her eyes were once again drawn to all the silver that glowed and shimmered in the light of the fireplace. She admired the beautiful swords that filled the racks for quite a while. She didn't even bother to prevent the greedy glint from forming in her eyes, it was no use anyhow.

As Will studied her face, he saw the look in her eyes and followed her gaze. 'Still want to buy one of my swords, Miss Duville?'

'Aye lad. Very much so,' she stated. 'But unfortunately it seems that I am all out of money at the moment. I had me a nice heavy money pouch when I was 'ere th' other day, but th' Iron fist o' th' law took it from me...' she sighed. 'Ah well, you know what they say – easy come, easy go...'

Wills eyes widened while she rambled on about the heavy money pouch, 'You STOLE that?'

Devon smiled and simply shrugged her shoulders, 'Pirate!'

Jack leaned on a wooden pillar and decided to butt in on their conversation while he looked to Devon, 'I prefer ta call it 'borrowing without permission'...' and a glorious grin formed on his face.

Devon grinned back at him, 'That be a nice way ta put it, I should remember tha' fer next time,' she said with a wink.

Jack turned back to Will, 'While we're on th' subject, guess who she stole tha' loaded money pouch from?'

'I don't think I want to know...' Will retorted and turned his back on the pair.

'Oh, but I really think ye do, mate,' Jack persisted.

Will sighed and conceded, 'Very well then. Since it seems you're so insistent on telling me, who did she steal it from Jack?'

'Yer father-in-law,' Jack stated, grinning triumphantly at a thoroughly confused Devon.

'That stuck up wig is yer father-in-law?' she questioned in disbelief. She had posed the question rhetorically, since she had a feeling the answer was going to be 'yes.'

Jack polished his bejewelled fingers on his sleeve and grinned as he continued to embarrass the Hellcat. 'Not only his father-in-law but also th' Governor o' Port Royal, stupid tart.'

Devon's face lost all expression as she stared blankly from Will to Jack. Damn it to the Blazes, just my bloody luck! What a way to make new friends, eh Dee?

Once Will was finally able to speak, he shot Devon a rather angry glare. 'So now you're just going to steal one of my swords since you can't buy it with the 'borrowed' money that was taken away from you by the Navy officers, is that it?'

Devon raised her hands at her defence, holding her palms in Will's direction as a sign of peace, 'Oh no! I would never steal from people who were nice ta me.'

Jack looked at her with sarcasm written all over his face, 'How positively noble of ye dear!'

'At least I've got some manners, Sparrow.'

'Yeah, well tha' be up fer debate Duville. If that's what ye refer ta as stealing from me best friend's in-laws, then tha' be showing some wonderful manners alright.'

'How was I s'post ta know tha' was 'is father-in-law? It's not as if I go 'round an' introduce meself... gettin' acquainted wit' th' people I rob,' she fumed. 'Good day kind Sir, I be Devon Duville an' I am here ta steal yer money. Care ta tell me yer name b'fore I take what's yours an' make it mine so tha' I can make sure ye ain't related ta someone I know? Oh I can just see tha' now....'

Will rolled his eyes at the two hopeless pirates and decided to end their banter before it got any worse, 'So Jack, I take it the disguise worked since you brought her back unscathed, well for the moment anyway.'

'O' course it worked! After all, I am Captain Jack Spar-'

Will rolled his eyes in exasperation, 'Yes I know! We all know!!'

Devon took the time to look around her once Will had the sense to interject into the conversation between her and Jack, and as it happened he was now the one in an argument with Jack. She chuckled inwardly at the irony while she searched the room further, though it was not the swords she looked for this time, but something she loved even more, if that was even possible.

'Jack?'

'What's it now, ye nuisance?'

'Ye said Bullet was 'ere. Well, where is 'e?'

Will looked over to her and spoke up once again, 'Lizzy is taking care of him as we speak. Or rather, she abducted him. She hasn't left its side since Jack left to fetch you.'

Devon grinned. 'So she's in love wit' th' little hairball too eh? Saw tha' instantly. So can I ask if ye'll take me ta th' mutt tha' almost got me killed?'

Will nodded and led her down a corridor and into his living room, where they found Elisabeth on the floor with Bullet. When the dog heard the familiar footsteps of Dee, it wagged its little tail and ran to her. Devon dropped to her knees to embrace her dog and Bullet instantly started to lick her face. 'There ye are ye stupid lil' fool...' she cooed to Bullet, completely oblivious to Will, Elisabeth and Jack who were all in the room. 'Ye 'ave a lousy sense o' timin' when it comes ta playin' games, ye know. Ye almost got mommy hung – ye know tha' darlin'?'

Suddenly Devon remembered that Sparrow was right behind her, and she cursed herself for her reaction and for the baby-talk to Bullet that he had just witnessed. She glanced over her shoulder and found his gaze fixed on her, the mischief dancing in his eyes and his mouth sporting that sardonic grin of his. Now 'e must think I'm really loosin' it! Look at him gloatin' like tha'! Oh I wish I could just smack tha' stupid grin o' his right off 'is face. Annoyin' piece o' flesh tha' need not exist!

And there was her inner voice again, making another spectacular appearance, leaving her here looking like a fool so she could fight with the voice in her head. The very voice she would love to be rid of forever. Oh, but what a fine piece o' flesh he is, ain't he Dee? Devon quickly disregarded the traitorous thought and addressed Sparrow, who simply stood there gloating like a boy scout who was able to knot the tightest knot and win one of those bloody badges from those "stupid-as-shit contests".

'I 'appen ta love this lil' fella, gotta problem wit' tha', mate?' she spat, her voice laced with venom as her eyes shot daggers at him.

'No, but I think yer forgettin' tha' ye be a pirate, tart.'

'An' what's tha' got ta do wit' anythin'?'

'Rule number one – Pirates don't love. Rule number two – Pirates don't have pets... need I go on luv?' Jack stated smugly with a slight twinkle in his eye while he had his arms crossed over his chest in mock severity.

'Oh I see, Mr. Know-it-all, then would ye be so kind as ta inform me an' all others present in this room why it is tha' some are allowed parrots an' monkeys, eh? Are they not deemed ta be 'pets' like Bullet 'ere. or did ye just casually ferget 'bout them, ye louse?' she retorted as she dared him to come back with an answer to that one. Hell, she could do with a nice little spat right now.

He shrugged his shoulders, for he knew he had lost the argument. 'Whatever luv, none o' me business anyways.'

'Damn right it ain't! Ye should learn ta keep tha' nose of yers outta me business!'

'Now since I saved yer sorry butt, or royal-pain-in-the-arse neck ta be more precise, I think tha' either ye should cut me some slack when I try ta lose graciously or I'll just have ta make it me business if I damn well please ta do so, heinous bitch!'

Elisabeth decided to intervene before this got any worse, so she sat herself down in between them, and swiftly changed the subject of conversation to prevent more verbal harassments to fly back and forth between the pirate duo. 'So how is it that you became a pirate Devon?' She decided it was a fair question to ask, especially since that particular question lingered in her mind ever since the first time she met the lady pirate.

Devon looked over at the woman with a frown on her face. Elisabeth awaited an answer but since Devon made no intention that she would give one, Elisabeth looked to her in all seriousness as she raised her voice a bit, 'No, seriously. I am dying to know.'

'I be Poseidon's illegitimate child,' Devon drawled while she focussed her attention on a tear in her nail.

Elisabeth watched in shock as she bit her nail, completely ignoring Elisabeth altogether. So she turned to Jack for help on this one, 'Does she ever answer a question like a normal person, Jack?'

Jack smirked. 'Sweetheart, I don't think Duville is a normal person.'

'Damnit woman! All right FINE, if ye insist I'll tell ye! Though I'll tell ya tha' this sounds more like a bloody interrogation than 'pleasant conversation' ta me,' she fumed. 'I was born one, all right? An' no, I am NOT a normal person, even by th' likes o' Sparrow's standards it seems... an' tha' be sayin' somethin',' she smirked. 'Although now tha' I think 'bout it, I doubt tha' a proper definition o' normal even exists these days – what wit' all o' us bein' crazy an' all. An' who decides on th' status o' someone's normality anyways? Seems stupid fer one person ta be able ta decide such a thing ta me........' Realizing she'd gone off-track, Devon quickly shifted gears again. 'So there ye 'ave it! I be wicked, wild, crazy, extremely beautiful – when not beaten so tha' I have these lovely scars an' bruises linin' me body – an' daft as can be. A pirate by birth I be, pirate blood runs through me veins an' I can't deny it, don't intend to either. So sue me, hang me, or ye can hate me like everyone else seems ta do. Do whatever th' bloody hell yer heart desires 'cause I sure as hell don't give a damn!' Devon shouted while she tore from her seat and paced around the room in a right state.

When she saw the curious look on Elisabeth's face she forced herself to calm down and sat down once again, this time in one of the chairs in the room and flung her legs over the side. 'Fine, here's the deal.' She said slowly, while she let her hands fall in her lap. 'Ye see, me da was a Capt'n, pirate capt'n tha' is. An' a damn good one 'e was too. He sailed on a beautiful ship, which unfortunately sank after it got in a crossfire wit' th' damn Spaniards,' she spat the word out in severe distaste. 'Anyways, 'e was near Martinique when 'e raided a French vessel one day an' took me mum, th' daughter o' a French aristocrat, as a hostage. 'E wagered 'e could ransom her or maybe sell 'er ta a brothel or somethin'. Fate – however – had other plans an' they fell in love. Sparks flew b'tween 'em, then add two, subtract four, multiply by seven and then there was me.'

Jack smirked. 'Must 'ave been one Hell o' a delivery fer ye mum. I can't imagine anyone bein' able ta get tha' big head o' yers out, not ta mention tha' fat arse ye got!' Tha' be bullshit Jack. She's got more muscle on 'er arse then ye've got beads in yer hair. But ye do love that ass, dontcha Jack? He got up from the table and leaned smugly against the wall, his eyes scanning the room, looking at anything but HER.

Elisabeth and Will shot him an angry glare and gestured Devon to continue. Devon now had control over her temper, so she could ignore Jack's jibes and continue to tell her story about how she became who she was. 'I was made wit' passion on th' waves o' th' sea, an' born in one o' th' wildest freak storms ta date. So ye see? I had ta love th' ocean. I was destined ta become a pirate, even though me mum – God bless her soul – wanted me ta live a proper life. Me da always used ta say tha' I 'ad salt water running through me veins instead o' blood. Wish 'e was right, seein' how bloodstains are so hard ta get rid of. '

Jack suddenly became very interested in the tale. 'What was th' name o' yer father's ship, Duville?'

'The Dark Devotion, why?'

'The Dark Devotion? Ye mean yer father was Duncan Black?' he said in amazement.

Devon simply nodded; the memory of her father was still painful to her. When he died, she had lost the only person who ever truly understood her.

'But yer name is Duville!'

'Tha' be me mother's name,' she spoke softly. 'After me da died I chose ta take me mother's name an' followed in 'is footsteps an' turn into a proper pirate. I wanted ta prove meself, prove tha' I could do it on me own. The name Black would 'ave allowed me ta take th' easy route, gettin' me on any ship o' me choice easily. But I'm not th' kind who takes th' easy road, I much prefer th' hard one. I want ta earn th' respect meself. I think me da would 'ave approved o' me choice... 'e always did,' she said softly while her eyes drifted off, staring into space, remembering past moments with her father long since forgotten. She was lost in her reverie until Jack's melodic voice dragged her back to the present.

'But yer father was one o' th' best Captains in th' sweet trade lass. Ye should 'ave been, no I mean ye should BE proud ta bear 'is name,' Jack said, although deep down he deeply respected her decision. It was one of the many things he would never say aloud, but would continue to plague his mind. She's somethin' else alright...

'I don't deny me heritage, Jack. I wear 'is name every day on me skin,' she pointed to her black clothes. Devon also had a tattoo to honour her roots, but there was no need to inform anyone of that.

The sound of heavy footsteps broke the silence after Devon spoke and she and Jack jumped at the noise.

'Open up!!!' a deep voice shouted. The wooden door of the smithy rattled in its doorframe due to the amount of pressure and weight put upon it from the men on the other side. 'Open up! This is the Royal Navy! Open this door this instant, or we will be forced to break it down!'

Jack took Devon's hand and pulled her with him along the corridor, through the workshop and up the ladder that led up to the loft. This was the very loft he and Will had duelled in years prior. Jack figured that they would be safe there for the time being.

'But Bullet...' Devon whispered as she tugged on Jack's sleeve, begging him to let her go back.

'He'll be safe wit' Liz, don' worry,' Jack replied as he leapt with cat-like grace from beam to beam until he reached the platform on far wall. Devon quickly followed, hopping her way over, being cautious as not to make too much noise.

Once on the other side, the two pirates stood silently and heard the squeak of the door as it was opened beneath them...

Will was swift to open the door once Jack and Devon were out of sight, the pounding getting louder by the second. He was afraid the door would break down under the sheer force if he didn't open it soon.

When he swung the door open, he found himself facing a very angry Commodore that loomed impressively in the doorframe. Naturally he was accompanied with at least a dozen guards behind him.

'Commodore, what brings you here at this hour? Wasn't your new sword to your satisfaction?' Will asked while he blocked the Commodore's view and entrance into the Smithy.

'No, it's a fine blade, as always Mr. Turner. However that is not why I am here. Jack Sparrow is in Port Royal and has helped a very dangerous criminal escape, a certain female pirate to be exact. We believe that she is his ally. Since you and he are such good friends, I naturally concluded he would hide here,' Norrington's monotone voice held a superior quality as he looked down upon the Blacksmith.

On the loft Jack and Devon shared a look of disgust, not only because of the tone of voice he dared to use with Will, but also because of the fact that Norrington had called them allies.

Will eyed Norrington and boldly stated, 'No, in fact I haven't seen him. It's been a very long time since he set foot in the Smithy, Commodore. I'm sure you recall that day perfectly as a matter of fact.'

Norrington sneered and pushed Will aside as he glanced around the workshop. 'Somehow I find that hard to believe, Mr. Turner.' He turned to the guards, which waited outside, and yelled to them, 'Search every room top to bottom – and do it all night if it takes that long! They have got to be here!' Even while yelling, his voice retained that dull, monotonous quality.

The guards split up in pairs and began to search the workshop – looking behind the racks, under the tables, even underneath the donkey. Will had to suppress his laughter as he watched the guards look through the workshop, starting with places that no self-respecting pirate would ever hide in.

Will swiftly blocked Norrington's way as he was about to enter the corridor that separated the smithy from his house, 'Now I can't help but wonder... what makes you so sure it was him? Have you even seen his ship?'

Norrington tediously answered, 'No, we have had no sign of the Pearl. But it was him. There is not a single doubt in my mind about that,' and with that he stepped past Will and made his way into the Turner house.


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On the loft Jack cursed, 'They've sailed off! I can't believe that mangy, ratty bitch I call me first mate sailed off!'
Devon calmly placed her finger on his lips, 'Hush! Do you want 'em ta find us?!' she hissed while she shot him one of her evil stares. 'What did ye expect 'em ta do? Think they'd wait 'round until they got caught? They did what every self respecting pirate would do. Ana did what ye'd 'ave done, ye egocentric twit! Ye can't blame them!'

Jack nodded in resignation, 'I know,' he sighed. 'But it's gonna be a whole lot harder ta get out o' here now without me Pearl... me whole bloody plan evolved 'round her.'

Devon looked at him and squeezed his shoulder to let him know that they would work it out somehow. Though she tensed a bit as well when she felt his muscles slightly contracting under her touch, 'We'll just have ta commandeer another.'

A wicked smile formed on Sparrow's lips at the thought, 'And ye know I'm very good at that!'

Devon crossed her arms in front of her chest, her breasts lifting a bit, examining the handsome – yet annoying – man that was standing in front of her. 'Bet ye are....'

Jack stepped a bit closer so that he could be level with her eyes, although his gaze was a bit lower than her eyes at the moment. 'I'm extremely talented at a plethora o' other things too, Duville,' he stated while he idly stroked the braids of his goatee.

Devon grinned mischievously, 'Whatever Sparrow,' and she broke the gaze and sauntered over to the wall on her left.

Jack followed her and casually leaned on the wall and placed his hand next to her head, and just as he was about to kiss her, they both stumbled backwards as the wall turned, sending them to the ground on the other side. When they landed Jack fell on top of Devon, 'You. Get. Yer. Arse. Off. O'. Me. Now. Ye. Pig!' she fumed. Jack just grinned mischievously and stated, 'I fail ta see a reason why I should get up, Duville. Or is it b'cause ye would like ta be on top?'

Devon narrowed her eyes and looked directly into his; ignoring the hunger she found in their depths to hiss, 'Very well then, Capt'n, ye asked for it,' she stated and then rolled over, yanking his hair and elbowing him in the process.

A string of curses from Jack followed while Devon got up, and she was able to free her clothes from the spider webs that seemed to be all over. She shuddered when she felt the sticky, tender weavings which covered her fingertips. I swear if I find even one o' those things in me hair, I'm gonna scream bloody murder! Not many knew, but Devon had a rather large fear of spiders, so she shook her curls wildly, just in case.

Jack regained his breath, and his control over his mouth, and got back on his feet and looked around. They appeared to be in a hidden room within the smithy that Will had failed to mention to him previously, not only that but in front of them was a small staircase that led to yet another loft.

Jack smirked. 'Th' amazin' things one can discover under th' roof o' a Eunuch's house.'


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Down in the workshop the guards continued to frantically search for the two pirates, but still they found nothing. They had searched the whole place thoroughly, but there was no sign of either pirate.
Meanwhile Norrington strode into the Turner living room and he found Elisabeth and a strange looking small dog on the ground.

'Hello Mrs. Turner,' he said, as he felt the proverbial knife twisting in his heart as he said her name. She was supposed to be his wife, and even after all this time it still pained him that she had chosen otherwise.

'James! What a pleasant surprise!' Elisabeth said with the perfect amount of practised glee as she stroked Bullet behind his pointy ears. Then, as a few guards marched through behind Norrington she dropped her act, 'What is the meaning of this?' Her temper rose as she rose to her full height with her hands on her hips.

'Where is he, Elisabeth?' Norrington inquired impatiently.

'And just who would this be?' she seethed.

'Jack Sparrow!' he practically spat the name out.

'How am I supposed to know? He sails the seven seas every day, and you expect me to know where he is every minute? I do not keep track of his voyages. Aside from that, James, I have not seen him since the day of my wedding,' she stated as she looked at him innocently, but her voice and tone betrayed that angelic face.

Norrington frowned and muttered, 'And I should have arrested the scoundrel there and then,' as he looked around the room he noticed the dog by her feet.

'I never knew you had a dog.'

'Oh, we only look after it for a friend. And since we would like to have a dog of our own one day, I gladly inclined to her request,' Liz stated.

'I'm sorry I don't have time for chit-chat, Mrs. Turner, but we have to search your rooms,' and without even waiting for a reply, Norrington signalled the guards to begin their search through the Turner house. Closets were opened, rooms were searched, windows were checked and drapes were shoved aside.

Bullet growled venomously at the Commodore and flashed its fangs.

Norrington backed up, 'Keep that creature away from me!' Elisabeth smiled. 'A pirate's dog indeed...'

One of the guards that had searched the smithy, Pringle, entered the Turner living room and saluted to Norrington. 'We have searched the entire workshop, Sir, but there is no sign of them.' As if on cue another guard came and told Norrington that they found nothing in the private rooms of the house either.

Norrington's left eye started to twitch and he bit the inside of his cheek so hard that he started to taste the metal flavour of his own blood. 'I don't care how long it takes, but we are going to find them! And when we do, they are going to hang!' He stormed back into the workshop and the stopped in his tracks as he noticed the loft. 'Has anyone checked up there?' he inquired with a slight hint of anger embedded in his otherwise monotone voice as he pointed towards the loft.

Pringle climbed the ladder and two other guards followed. After a short amount of time, due to the lack of space in which to check, they returned downstairs, empty handed. Somehow they hadn't found or noticed the secret passage. Norrington then had no other option but to leave seething with frustration. Again, they had failed. And failure did not bode well with the Commodore. Both pirates had outsmarted him before and it was very hard for him to be forced to admit they had managed to do so yet again.


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As soon as the guards and the Commodore had left, Will scaled the small ladder quickly and crossed over to the loft. He realized when the guards had not found them, that the two pirates must have discovered the secret passage. But as soon as he went to open the secret passage, he heard noises. But they were not the noises that he had expected. He had thought he would hear snide comments or the voices of both pirates screaming at each other. But Will Turner heard noises that were definitely not meant for him to hear. He couldn't help himself and he had to investigate further, so he pressed his ear to the wall. He heard a shoving sound followed by the squeaking of floorboards.
As he heard a loud hoarse moan followed by another, softer one he blushed and quickly made his way out of the loft. 'I hate her, my arse!!! I think our dear Captain Jack Sparrow needs to get himself a dictionary and look up the definition of the word hate... that or he really needs to screw his head on straight – unless of course he enjoys being the Kind of Backward,' he chuckled to himself as he thought of the interesting relationship those two shared.

TBC