Revealed

    Elizabeth's body smashed into the frozen waters. She gasped. Icy water flooded her lungs. She coughed out the last of her air. The bubbles rose like her panic. She needed air.

    Now!

    Blue-white light shimmered above. Her mind, numbed by the cold, slowly processed the information. The surface.

    She kicked, but her legs turned to lead. No. Her fingers clawed at the sea. Nothing worked right. With each move the brightness slipped further away.

    Cold surrounded as well as filled her. Blackness crowded the edges of her vision. Not much time.

    Her toes gazed solid matter. Summoning the last of her energy, she pushed off with as much force possible. The momentum propelled her upwards. Shadows filled her sight. She fought passing out. Finally, her head broke the surface.

    She gasped. Delicious oxygen rushed into her starved lungs. Once she'd caught her breath, she glanced around.

    The rest of The Destiny's crew drifted nearby clinging to pieces of flotsam.

    "Elizabeth!" Will shouted.

    "I'm over here," she called. She waved her arm high above her head as she treaded water. Wait.

    No longer Arctic, the waves felt as warm and calm as the Caribbean. She frowned. How was that possible? And why was the sun out? Before they went over the falls, she was certain it had been night.

    "We in de Locker." Tia Dalma answered her unspoken questions.

    ÒOh.Ó She glanced at the voodoo witch seated atop the largest piece of driftwood bobbing along side her. The explanation didnÕt help, but she took lest she appear ungrateful.

    She swam in a circle. Water and blue sky surrounded them on all sides. The Black PearlÕs crew nervous faces swung between her, Tia, and Barbossa. Renewed panic rose in her chest.

    "You led us to this!" Will dove at Barbossa.

    The once more undead pirate shoved the blacksmith back. "Mr. Turner, ye asked me to take ye to World's End, and I have."

    Even sodden with monkey perched upon his dripping hat, Barbossa made a fierce sight.

    "How are we supposed to find Jack in the middle of the ocean?" Will shouted.

    "D'ere be the way." Tia Dalma pointed to an enormous windrose that suddenly floated over the water behind them.

    Elizabeth gasped along with the rest of the pirates. Gold and red, the image bobbed with as though part of the waves. A dozen points extended from the center. The end of each ruby arm connected to a circle, no larger than a barrel.

    Everyone paddled closer.

    ÒDe circle take ye ta da place it show."

    As if queued by the witchÕs words, a picture of a wheat field pounded by hail appeared in the ring closest to Elizabeth.  The vision seemed so real she could reach out and touch the dancing stalks.

    "In one of dese places we find Captain Jack Sparrow." Tia swept her arm towards the compass.

    "And in the others?" Gibbs swallowed.

    "Doom,Ó Tia said with her black smile.

    "Jesus, Mary and Joseph, and a wee donkey." The former navy man reached for his ever-present flask.

    She could use a shot of rum herself. Like everything with Jack, nothing was ever simple. Blood pounded in her veins.

    "So, we have to think like Jack?" Will gave an incredulous shake of his head as he swam to her side.

    Tia shrugged. ÒDat, or rely on de one dat know Jack more dan Jack."

    Elizabeth glanced at Gibbs. For a man accustomed to deciphering the mangled KingÕs English from Jack SparrowÕs tongue, confusion creased the older manÕs brow. At least she wasnÕt alone in her perplexity.

    "You know Jack, which do we chose?" Will starred up at Tia.

    The witch smiled, but shook her head. "I know Jack, but dere others here what knows him much more."

    ÒGibbs?Ó Will asked.

    "Well,Ó Gibbs glanced everywhere, but Will. ÒI sailed with Jack a long time-"

    "Miss Swan be the one to set our course," Barbossa growled.

    Elizabeth swallowed hard as all eyes focused on her. None of them harder than WillÕs. Guilt churned in her stomach. She loved him, but she wasnÕt in love with him.

    "Why would Elizabeth know Jack best?" Will sliced through the water.

    "ItÕs nothing please," she tried. She reached for his shoulder, but he shrugged off her touch.

    She let her hand fall back into the waves. Pressure built around her heart.

    "Ye not listen, boy, I've not said Miss Swan knows him best." Barbossa smiled as he bobbed in the sea.

    Bloody Hector! She glared at his weathered face and wiry beard. He enjoyed this game far too much. And Will. Her head whipped towards her once fiancŽ. Wet hair clung to the back of his neck. He should know better than to fall for BarbossaÕs bait.

    ÒIÕll remind ye, Mr. Turner, thus far itÕs her plans that have worked." BarbossaÕs smile broadened.

Elizabeth winced at cut against Will's ill-fated idea to gain Sao FangÕs maps. His ruse had nearly got them all. "It'll be fine."

    Will said nothing.

    Fear pounded in her veins. EveryoneÕs life lay in her hands. If she made the wrong choice—Her chest seized. 

    "Daft like Jack, lass," Gibbs whispered in her direction with a smile.

    "Aye." She grinned silently thanking him for the vote of confidence. After battling undead pirates, curses and sea monsters she could find the right course.

    Heart in her throat, she drew a deep breath. "Everyone look at the circle closest to you and tell me what you see."

    The crew peered into the section of the windrose closest to them.

    "Marty," she called out.

    "I've got hurricane in open water," called the smallest man of the Black Pearl's Crew.

    "I got a hurricane too, except on land." Rangetti frowned.

    "That's a tornado," Pintel growled. "Use your eyes."

    "I only got one," Rangetti whined and pulled the ball from its socket and flashed the orb to everyone.

    Pintel slapped his hand to his reddening forehead. ÒPut that back in yer head afore ye lose it again.Ó

    Barbossa rolled his gaze at the pair.

    Elizabeth joined him. ÒNow I understand why you were mad.Ó She nodded towards Hector. ÒEight of those two would send me round the bend.Ó

    His jaw along with Little JackÕs jaw dropped.

    She shrugged and continued trading water. SheÕd never once thought the sheÕd have anything in common, especially mutiny. The pair of piratesÕ bickering grew louder. "Rangetti, I understand. Next.Ó Before they came to blows as they were won't to do.

    ÒAh.Ó Gibbs squinted. "Rain over some kinda jungle."

    So far nothing sounded right. She chewed her lower lip. Tia was up next.

    ÒDere be thunder in da clouds." She sat high atop her perch.

    ÒWill?Ó she asked quietly to the man to her starboard.

    After a long pause, he answered. "Lots of snow. Maybe some mountains."

    ÒOkay.Ó She stared into the ring. "I have hail in a field." Barbossa floated off to her larboard.

    ÒLightening, in a lot of blackness, can't tell where anything be." Little Jack seconded his master and threw up his stubby arms.

    ÒThis is pointless." Will slapped his palm.

    A splash of water hit her face. The salt stung her eyes and she coughed the brine from her lungs. Did he think himself the only one frustrated? "What else should we do?" she snapped. "Tread water forever?"

    His cheeks colored. Head lowered, he nodded.

    ÒYour time come soon William Turner," Tia cooed. ÒBut even destiny take its time.Ó

    Elizabeth didn't like the way the witch looked at him, and even less the mystified way he stared back. Once he looked at her with the same awe. She gulped down the regret clogging her throat.

    Sun beat down on her skin. The hot rays burned the back of her neck. They had to get moving.

    A call of fire and two other improbable choices rang out. Lastly came Murtog and Mulroy. The former military men clung to a plank from The Destiny's Deck.

    She crossed her finger and said a quick prayer.

    "Ah, we've got what looks like a desert of some kind,Ó Mulroy shouted.

    A burst of adrenaline gave her tired legs a burst of energy. Her gaze swung towards Barbossa gleamimg one.

    Little Jack tipped his hat to her.

    Much as she hated the vile beast, any appreciation was nice.

    "Gents, we've found our destination." Barbossa pointed towards the last circle. "Make ready to put into port."

    No one moved.

    What was the matter with them? "That's it." Elizabeth whipped her gaze around frowning faces covered with dirt and scars.

    "Elizabeth," Will hesitated. "Why would Jack be in a desert?"

    Why did everyone except Barbossa think her soft headed. Barbossa came to her defense, the person sheÕd have expected had they not formed a rum bond.

    "This is Hell, Mr. Turner,Ó the former captain of the Black Pearl snarled. Little Jack nodded in vehement agreement from his perch atop Barbossa's sweeping blue hat. "Ye look not where Jack would want ta be, but where he wouldn't."

    The lap of the waves was the only sound.

    "He's right, lads," Gibbs shouted breaking the tension. "Nothing would vex Jack Sparrow more than be land locked, especially some place that's so..."

    Everyone leaned closer.

    "so land-like."

    The pirate's laughed. 

    Gibbs blushed. "Swim for the desert," he ordered.

    The crew splashed forward careful to avoid the other circles.

    "Keep movinÕ, lads.Ó The first mate dog paddled. ÒStroke like its a lady ye're touching."

    Elizabeth burst out laughing. She didnÕt quite know what Gibbs meant, but thanks to overhearing Tortuga whores she had an idea.

    "Uh beggin' yer pardon, Miss Swan." The older manÕs head slunk between his shoulders like a sea turtle.

    "No apologies needed Mr. Gibbs." She smiled as she helped him through the water.

    "I hope Jack be there."

    Worry darkened Gibb's gray eyes. "So do I." She let out a breath as one by one the crew disappeared into the circle.

    "Ye know the Captain well, lass.Ó He struggled along side her. "If that where ye feel Jack be--"

    WillÕs arrival ended their conversation.

    How much had he overheard? Secrets had damned them as much as the truth. "We'll get Jack and then save your father, Will. It'll be fine," she lied in comfort.

"I'm sorry, Elizabeth, but I don't think it ever will be again." Regret weighted WillÕs words as he vanished through the windrose.