The Map

A/N: Usual disclaimer. Sorry this is later than usual. This one was fun to write but I’m hummed and hawed so much over the last part that I nearly talked myself out of going this way… you’ll see what I mean when you get there, at least I hope you will….

Many thanks to AniSparrow, who excelled herself this time… she certainly set a record for the fastest edited chapter in fan-fiction history. And if you’re Hils, you’ll know that my chapters need heavy editing and correcting!

I hope you like this next chapter…..

Chapter 26 (I think)

Coincidence?


“Well.” Jack let out his breath on a huff. “Can’t say I was expecting that.”

No one spoke in response; they were too taken aback by the sight that greeted them at the pool. The four of them stood in a line, swords still in hand but pointed downwards. Dwent’s mouth was partially open and Norrington’s eyebrows were almost meeting his hairline.

In front of them, beside the edges of the pool, was a small hut, constructed with roughly cut tree branches and palm leaves. A shirt had been used to cover the hole that served as a door. There was no sign of anything else around the camp area - no fire or evidence of a fire, no supplies or clothes. There was no sign of a guard posted anywhere and no signs of anything that could warn them of impending danger.

Jack looked briefly at Norrington before steeping forwards, deliberately treading on a twig and snapping it. The crack was loud enough and foreign enough to be heard in the hut and they watched as the shirt twitched slightly, indicating someone was looking out.

Minutes later Benjamin came ambling out, pistol drawn, and sword ready. He eyed them suspiciously and that told Jack more than any words ever could.

“Mister Benjamin!” Jack stowed his pistol in his sash and lifted his hands, the sword still in his other hand making Dwent side-step sharply as the sword whizzed past his ear with only inches to spare.

“Ere, Capt’n! Careful!” Dwent squealed. Jack blinked round at him and inclined his head in apology before swaying forwards towards Benjamin, who had watched the whole thing carefully. He sighed heavily in relief and stowed his pistol in his sash.

“Sorry, Capt’n. Couldn’t be sure, like… well, not until ye nearly took ‘is ‘ead off!” Benjamin grinned at Jack, a row of white teeth gleaming in his black face.

“I take it you’ve been having visitors of an unearthly nature too?” Jack slurred, stepping forwards to slap Benjamin on the back soundly. He was pleased to see at least one of them remained unharmed.

“Bugger it all, Capt’n!” Benjamin exploded. “I ain’t seen anything like it!”

The sheet was thrust to one side and Will and Elizabeth came tumbling out; Elizabeth supporting most of Will’s weight. His already gangly form was bordering on emaciated and his pallor was still chalky white, but the gleam of fever had left him.

Norrington sighed in relief now and stepped forwards towards them. “I’m glad to see you are well,” his voice was low and rough with emotion.

“We’ve been just fine, thank you, James.” Will grinned at him, wincing in pain as walking had jarred his badly injured shoulder.

“Nell?” Elizabeth looked at Jack expectantly and nodded in satisfaction when Jack merely winked at her.

“Good to see you, lass.” Jack grinned at her, his grin spreading when he saw the others begin emerging from the hut. Timms was followed by Johns, Carpenter, and Davies.

“How on earth did you all fit in there?” gasped Bryant, slapping the red-coat Davies on the back when he came forwards saluting them.

“Never mind that, how on earth did you get that built in time for nightfall… or did you not?” Jack looked at Elizabeth carefully, knowing that her face would be the one that would give away the most.

Benjamin coughed and scratched at his bare chest. “Tis the oddest thing, Capt’n. I was looking for plants to ‘elp Mister Turner with ‘is fever and I came across a whole pile of these branches and leaves.” He shook his head still unable to comprehend it.

“We strung them together as best as we could, using the supplies,” Davies informed Norrington. “We wouldn’t have done it if Benjamin here hadn’t found them though.”

“Didn’t see any monks by any chance did you, Mister Benjamin?” Jack asked dryly.

Benjamin shook his head. “No, Capt’n, but we certainly heard them…” he dried up and shook his head again.

“I think I can imagine,” Bryant said quietly. “Followed by visits from crew members?”

Elizabeth pursed her lips and looked at Jack. “We stayed inside the hut, kept together and tried hard to block it out. They, whatever they were, didn’t come inside. We didn’t know what had happened to you all…” she stopped, her anxiety showing clearly on her face.

Jack slapped his hands together and looked at Benjamin, he couldn’t afford for Elizabeth to break down now, not to mention the fact that crying women frightened the life out of him. He frowned as it occurred to him, that whenever Nell cried the usual panic didn’t settle in, the only thing that seemed to happen was a desire to stop whatever had made her cry and make it right for her again. But then Nell didn’t wail fit to burst… well, not all the time. He shifted uncomfortably and circled his wrists to clear his head. “Ah yes! Mister Benjamin, take a few of the others and try and make that hut of yours into a litter for Mister Turner here…”

“I can walk!” Will interrupted him, trying to sound firm but his voice cracked at the end.

“Aye, most probably,” Jack agreed pleasantly. “But I want to be inside before nightfall and if you walk, you’ll only slow us down.” He placed his hands together and placed the tips of his fingers to his chin, smiling at Will, who knew when he was being outmanoeuvred; Will returned the smile and nodded at him.

“Right, we’re agreed then. Elizabeth, help your young man to sit down.” Jack shooed his hands at her and then set off, swaggering his way over to help with the hut.

Norrington looked down at Will’s pale face and crouched in front of them. “Has the infection gone?” he asked, eyeing the bandages around his shoulder and upper arm.

“It certainly seems to have,” Elizabeth sighed softly.

“Whatever Mister Benjamin put together was foul enough to chase anything away!” Will smiled. “And for that alone I shall be eternally grateful to the man.”

As soon as Will was put onto the makeshift litter, they set off. The plan was for Will and Elizabeth to remain in the monks building with Timms, Johns, Carpenter and Davies again. Norrington and Bryant would accompany Jack back to Nell and the others and Dwent and Benjamin would act as guard for Will and the others.

When they arrived at the ramshackle building Elizabeth was not at all happy about going inside the building, but like the others, she preferred it over staying outside. Jack waited till they had made themselves as comfortable as possible and then he headed back with Norrington and Bryant close on his heels.

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Nell was lying asleep again. Hock and the others had let her drift off to sleep, knowing that the more rest she got the better she’d be for the duration. She already looked better after getting some real food into her; besides the rolls they had with them. She was curled up on her side, her hands under her head as she slept.

A low whistling from behind Hock told him that movement had been spotted by the guards he’d posted around them. He and the others crouched around the fire, instantly their weapons were ready and they were on guard. Another low pitched whistle followed by two more whistles told Hock that the Captain was on his way back. They relaxed their guard slightly, but didn’t put down their weapons until Jack, Norrington and Bryant came into sight.

“Capt’n,” Hock’s voice was low but filled with relief at seeing Jack alive.

“Anything, Mister Hock?” Jack asked, walking across to crouch down next to Nell.

“Nothing, Capt’n. Been very quiet. Stamps managed to bag us a couple of fowl, still some left warming in the fire.”

“Excellent,” Jack replied quietly, looking down at Nell’s sleeping form. “Has she been out all this time?”

“Nay, Capt’n,” Hock answered handing some meat to Norrington and Bryant, who took it gratefully. “She’s eaten some meat and she looks better for it; she went off to sleep about an hour ago.”

Jack nodded and rested his hand on her shoulder lightly. Her eyes opened instantly, cloudy with sleep and shaded with fear. Jack repressed a sigh, it was apparent that it would take Nell a long time to revert back to the heavy sleeper she’d been before coming here, if she would ever be able to sleep properly again that was.

Nell looked up into Jack’s dark eyes and was quite unable to hide the joy she felt at seeing him again. She lifted herself up and wound her arms around his neck, almost overbalancing him. “Jack, thank the Lord you’re all right.”

“I’m fine, lass, not that strangulation will add to the fineness though,” he laughed, easing her arms slightly, but not removing them altogether. Jack liked feeling her warmth, her body pressed tightly into his, and it surprised him slightly to realise that it wasn’t in a sexual nature that it satisfied him. He turned and kissed the side of her neck briefly before pulling her arms away completely.

“What about the others? Did you find the others? Are they well? Did anything happen to them?” Nell’s questions ran into each other in her hurry to find out.

“They are fine, well and fine,” he laughed again and stood up, reaching out with his hands to grip her; he pulled her to her feet and looked around at the others watching him. “They are waiting for us. They are all there and although they had a few visitors of their own during the night, they were perfectly safe.”

Nell bent and picked up his coat, shaking it off and handing it back to him.

“Keep it if you need, lass,” Jack said softly and wasn’t surprised when she nodded gratefully and slid back into it. “We need to be making way now, gentlemen.” Jack looked at the others and was pleased when they responded immediately.

Hock set to in putting the fire out safely and the others went to the chests, organising amongst themselves who would carry which chest.

Jack looked across at where Beaumont was sitting with De Mornay. They were both awake and watching quietly despite the signs of high fever in them now. De Mornay was looking physically wrecked and Jack wasn’t certain how much longer he had. He thought about whatever it was Benjamin had given Will and wondered whether it was too late to give to them. Not that any humane thoughts were entering his head about their comfort. He just didn’t want them dying before their uses expired.

“Were they fed?” Jack asked Hock.

“Aye we fed them, weren’t sure whether we’d finished with them or not.” Hock replied looking at them contemptuously

“Good.” Jack nodded at him. “Coals, manage De Mornay. Drag him if needed.”

“Aye, Capt’n.” Coals crossed to De Mornay and dragged him to his feet by his shirt collar. “Come on then me pretty, ye and me are gonna go for a walk!” He hauled him forwards, until De Mornay was slung over his shoulder. “Gawd, ‘e stinks!” Coals almost retched at the smell that came from him infected wounds.

“Need a ‘kerchief?” Norrington reached forwards holding out a square sheet of off-white cloth, which was still relatively clean. Coals nodded thankfully and Norrington crossed to stand behind him, tying the cloth around his nose and mouth. It wouldn’t block the smell completely but it would certainly help.

Once they were all ready, they set off and Nell fell into step with Jack as he talked to Hock, Norrington and Bryant behind them.

“We’ve found somewhere to stay the night.” Jack spoke loudly enough for everyone to hear. “A building, well, what was going to be a monastery to be sure.” He waved his arms around as he spoke.

“And the boats Capt’n?” Hock asked quietly.

“First light, we send a small party to take the boats and bring them around the bays, You’ve seen the correct bay, you’ll lead the party; take Norrington and Bryant with you and two others that you choose. Don’t worry about repairs; just make them sea-worthy enough to bring them round.” Jack looked ahead of him, his eyes narrowed; the sun was beginning to dip, casting the sky in brilliant hues of orange and red. It was beautiful but it forewarned of the impending night and the evil that darkness would bring.

“Aye, Capt’n.” Hock turned to look at the progress of the others, it was slow going with the chests and time was not on their side. “Should I go on with Nell, Capt’n?”

Jack looked up at the sky and opened his mouth to reply.

“I’ll be fine, thank you, Mister Hock.” Nell spoke before Jack could say anything. He cast her a sardonic look, and once again started to speak but she cut him off again. “I was once told that there’s safety in numbers.”

Jack narrowed his eyes at Nell. “Are you always going to be using my words against me?” he demanded. “I’d like to know now so that I’m forearmed for the future, then I can pick and choose my words to you with care!”

Nell looked at him, the bottom sunk away from her stomach. “For the future” - such simple words, but ones that could mean so much. Her breathing caught in her throat and Nell found herself wanting to ask him how long ‘the future’ was. She wanted to know how long she could be with him. Forever sounded just fine to her.

Jack’s eyes narrowed as he stared at her. She was stood with her mouth slightly open and a far-away look in her eyes. He stepped forwards and waved a hand in front of her eyes to bring her back from wherever she had gone in her mind.

Nell blinked, aware of him looking at her sardonically. “Oh! OH!” She coloured up and glared at him, anxious to cover her feelings. She didn’t want him to know where her thoughts had gone.

“Relax, lass,” Jack slurred cheekily. “I’m just ribbing you.”

Nell blinked and her stomach sank even lower. Of course he was just ribbing her, what on earth would make her think that he would be interested in a future with her? He was a pirate, married to the sea; anything he said to her had to be viewed with distrust. She had to remember that; she was forgetting that eventually all this would come to an end. Including his need of her, map or otherwise!

Jack shrugged when he saw she’d gone off again inside. He rolled his eyes and gripped her upper arm. “Women!” he hissed and dragged her forwards to keep moving.

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It was late afternoon when they finally made it to the building. Jack went ahead with Hock and Norrington, while the others waited in the relative safety of the bushes around the area.

“Dwent?” Jack yelled. “Dwent!”

Dwent appeared at the open door way and Jack nodded in relief.

Nell seeing Dwent’s familiar face went forwards quickly and raced up the steps not looking back. She stopped when she reached him and then turned, in time to see Jack heading back to the others.

“Come inside, Miss.” Dwent reached out with a dirty hand and gripped her elbow yanking her inside just as she saw the others coming towards them. She went in further, it was dim inside and at first she couldn’t see anything. It reminded her strongly of the convent she had been brought up in. A strange sense of peace and safety settled over her, making her sigh in relief - all the weight of the past few days seemed to be lifted from her. She was safe here, they were all safe here; she could instinctively feel it.

“Nell!” She turned sharply and saw Elizabeth coming towards her quickly.

“Elizabeth!” Nell was relieved to see they were safe and she hugged the other woman briefly before looking behind her and seeing the rest of them huddled just inside the doorway. She looked around her, seeing Will lying on the litter still, fast asleep with the exertion of moving from the pool.

“How is he?” Nell asked, turning back to the door, waiting anxiously for the others to come in.

“He’ll be fine,” Elizabeth said bracingly. “We’ll be fine.”

A commotion at the doorway drew their attention away and Nell watched as the first pirates came stumbling in carrying the chest between them. Right behind them was the next two groups carrying the remaining chests. Then Norrington, Hock and Benjamin came tumbling through followed by Beaumont and Coals still carrying De Mornay. Nell watched with narrowed eyes, her hands clenched into fists, unwilling to even breathe till she saw with relief as Jack came through the entrance way. She wasn’t sure why but she was filled with the sense that while they were in here, everything would be all right.


“Shall we set up the usual watch, Capt’n?” Hock asked his eyes on the camp that Dwent and Benjamin and set up already. A small fire had been laid close to the nearest window, the smoke going outside instead of filling the hall.

“Aye,” Jack agreed. “Same watch as last night, but keep it inside - no point in going out there when there’s no need.”

Hock nodded and went to organising the watch. Norrington approached Jack and touched his shoulder to get his attention, making him whirl on his heel and stare up at Norrington.

“How do you intend on blocking the door and windows?” Norrington enquired with a worried glance at the gaping hole where the door had once stood.

“I can see no way,” Jack replied and his voice held none of its usual slur. “There is a smaller room further back that has no windows and only one entrance.”

“Is there a door that can be barred shut?” asked Norrington. He cast his glance on the open doorway, already it was growing darker as the sun worked its way behind the trees.

“Yes, it’s some sort of store room,” Jack frowned. On their last check around, they’d done no more than make the place secure. But he remembered the room was filled with all sorts of furniture and other items. “The door can be made secure,” he added, pulling on the braids of his chin.

“They certainly managed to accomplish quite a lot before they went mad. I’m beginning to think that the stories are just that, stories,” Norrington mused quietly.

“But there is a curse here,” Jack reminded him darkly. “That much we’ve seen for ourselves.” His watchful eyes scanning the room as he talked. “And I’m not so sure we’ve seen the end of it either, Commodore, so let’s just be hoping that tonight we’ll be left alone at least.”

Norrington looked at Jack doubtfully, given the curse it was highly unlikely they would be left alone at all.

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De Mornay was watching Nell as she slumped down beside Elizabeth still wearing Jack’s coat. She was thinner and her eyes were shadowed, but to his fevered mind she looked more like her mother than ever. In fact she looked so much like her mother that De Mornay saw Elspeth more than he did Nell. His mind was becoming muddled by the fever racing through him and even the knowledge of Beaumont beside him was becoming lost in his fevered imagination. He wasn’t sure where he was anymore and he wasn’t sure why he was there; he just knew that his long dead sister was there, and that couldn’t be. She was dead; and he should know - after all he had killed her with his own hands. How could she be here when he had squeezed the life from her?

He looked down at his hands and saw them pale and strong, wrapped around her pretty white throat. He could see her now, begging him silently with her eyes as he had squeezed hard enough to close her throat completely, making words or noise impossible. He seen his own tears drop onto her face, felt his heart break as the life drained from her. But it had to happen; it was unavoidable. Her husband, her snooping, interfering, righteous, busybody of a husband, had found out things he should never have known. Had found out just who De Mornay and Beaumont really were and that knowledge had cost him and his wife their lives and it had cost the children their future. De Mornay looked down at his hands again, his fingers curled into claws and he began muttering. “Should never have snooped, never have told. No, it wasn’t meant to be that way, wasn’t meant to be, Elspeth. Forgive me.”

Beaumont jerked his head up to look at De Mornay beside him. He was physically tired, but the fever had not burnt through him completely yet. De Mornay shuddered beside him and looked at him sharply, but his eyes went through Beaumont as if he wasn’t there.

“Should never have questioned it, Thomas; never have questioned anything. Should have been quiet, thought of the children, should have thought…”

“Tristan!” Beaumont hissed his name anxiously when he realised that De Mornay was not seeing him, but Nell’s dead father. “Tristan, it’s me, James!”

Beaumont reached over with his uninjured hand and shook De Mornay sharply, trying to shut the man up but not cause him any more pain either. Nor did he want to attract the attention of any of the men around them. Since the fever had almost wiped De Mornay out, and now he too was showing signs of fever, the crew had laxed on their security of the two men, thinking that their danger was passed. That suited Beaumont fine, but he didn’t need De Mornay now to start drawing attention on them again.

“James?”

Beaumont saw recognition spark in De Mornay’s eyes again and relief flowed through him. “Come on old chap, you need to keep your mind on the here and now. The past is over, concentrate on surviving this and think of how life will be once we take the treasure from them again.” Beaumont spoke in hushed cheerful tones.

“Won’t survive this, James, old chap!” De Moray smiled painfully, but Beaumont heard the resignation in his voice. “Won’t survive the island, we were lucky the first time, we should never had tried it again. The fates won’t let us get away again so easily.”

“But look around you, Tristan,” Beaumont said quietly. “Sparrow has got further with less loss that we did. If anyone stands a chance of getting us off alive, it’s him.”

“You think he’ll take us from here?” Tristan laughed shrilly and Beaumont shushed him, his eyes darting around nervously at the crew. “We aren’t leaving, James, don’t you understand?”

“The red-coats won’t let him leave us,” Beaumont said but the conviction of his statement wasn’t real.

“The red-coats aren’t running this game, James. Sparrow is; and we completely underestimated him and to some extents we underestimated Helen.” De Mornay looked back across at Nell and frowned as once again the fever began to take hold of him. “So like Elspeth, so like Elspeth…”

Beaumont snorted nastily, “She’s nothing like Elspeth. Oh, the hair is the same colour and her eyes are alike, but that’s where it ends, Tristan. Elspeth was a beauty - Helen is no beauty.”

“He loves her, you know.” Tristan was rambling again and Beaumont could see that his friend had once more gone back into his past. “Loved her the moment he saw her; had to have her. Father objects of course, what is a red-coat compared to what he wants for her. The Earl of Chardingly is intended for Elspeth, whether she wants it or not.”

“Your father was a bastard,” Beaumont snorted, safe in the knowledge that Tristan was no longer listening to him, was no longer even aware he was there. He closed his eyes, allowing his own memory to wander back. His memories were unaffected by fever though, and he remembered with clarity the summer everything had blown up in the De Mornay household. The summer Elspeth eloped to marry a red-coat and then sailed for the Caribbean.

His eyes flew open when his arm was roughly kicked, sending waves of pain through his abused hand. He snarled up at the man above him. “Bugger off!”

“Oh, so you won’t be wanting something to eat then,” Jack said carelessly and made to move away.

“I wouldn’t eat anything you, or the scurvy dogs you call crew, gave me if I were starving,” Beaumont spat, hatred flowing into his voice and face.

Jack turned back to him, the rolls of bread still in his hands. “Well, that’s just as well really, see me;” he circled his hands, sending crumbs everywhere. “I’d leave you to starve here, but Nell, despite what you’ve done to her, doesn’t want you to.” Jack shrugged and grinned down at him, but it was a nasty grin and filled with venom.

“Then she’s a fool!” hissed Beaumont. He looked across at where Nell was sitting talking to Elizabeth, she looked at him feeling his gaze on her and he sneered at her.

“Don’t call her that.” De Mornay turned his fevered gaze on Beaumont. “Elspeth is no fool, she may seem flighty, but it’s all an act y’know.” Beaumont groaned when he saw the burning in De Mornay’s eyes.

“Shut up, you idiot!” Beaumont nudged him, but the fever had hold again and De Mornay didn’t really hear him. He looked up at Jack and frowned, his eyes blank beneath the brightness of fever.

“She’s going to make him very happy y’know. Father has no idea what she has planned, but I do! I’m going to help her elope with him, they are bound to sail on the next tide, so they have to leave tonight or it’ll be to late y’know.” His voice was conversational, sane and cheerful enough to send a shiver down Jack’s spine, but he kept quiet, listening to what he said.

“He’ll be Commodore before the year is out, that one!” Tristan chuckled and turned to Beaumont, “Commodore ….” He frowned and his face fell, tears began to creep down his face. “That is, he would have done if we hadn’t killed him.” Tristan looked at Beaumont. “It was the only way wasn’t it, James? Poor Elspeth, my poor Elspeth, but it was the only way, the only way - we’d have hung… she wouldn’t have wanted me to hang, would she?” his voice had risen to a shriek, startling everyone into looking over at him.

Jack was swift, dropping the rolls onto the floor at their feet before bringing his pistol down to crack De Mornay over the head. He slumped down unconsciously as Jack glared at Beaumont. “You’re going to tell me every last detail.” He crouched before Beaumont, and then turned to Dwent. “Leave two on guard and get everyone else into the room now. And I mean everyone!”

“Jack, what is it?” Norrington had come over. “What’s happened?”

“Later, get everyone in that room, take De Mornay and gag him before he wakes up.” Jack was firm and his voice brooked no argument, but Norrington was Norrington and automatically argued.

“But he was talking about me…”

“NO!” Jack looked up at him, his eyes wide as he indicated with his head to Nell. He pulled another face, trying hard to get him to understand.

“What he’s trying to say is,” Beaumont drawled dryly. “Is take Helen out of earshot before she realises that…” Jack slapped his hand over Beaumont’s mouth hard, muffling his voice. But Norrington now understood and turned away without another word.

“Nell, Elizabeth, this way please!”

“What is it?” Nell asked him, her eyes on Jack’s hand over Beaumont’s mouth. She had the distinct feeling that Beaumont was laughing at her.

“Nothing, come along please. We need to be in the smaller room before darkness falls.”

“It’s still about an hour or so away,” pointed out Elizabeth reasonably, she didn’t really want to have to move Will yet as he had just fallen asleep again.

“Elizabeth!” Norrington frowned at her and took both her and Nell’s elbow in his hands and all but dragged them away from Jack and Beaumont to where Dwent was organising everyone to collect the packs.

“James, really!” Elizabeth balked against being man-handled and glared up at him.

“Not now, Elizabeth.” Norrington’s lips thinned and he indicated to Bryant who had stood up quickly ready to assist him if needed. “Mister Bryant, please escort Nell, I’ll help Elizabeth with Will.”

“Very good, sir!” Bryant grinned at Nell and offered her his arm. Nell frowning at the situation took his arm looking at him. “Why do I feel as I’m missing something very important here?”

“We are,” Bryant sighed. “We’re missing different circumstances. I should be escorting you into dinner at the Governor’s house, not into a dingy cellar.”

Nell smiled at the wistful tone in his voice. “Have you dined at the Governor’s house before?” She allowed him to distract her, knowing that she could easily question Jack later.

“Yes, I have had that honour,” he smiled. “The annual ball is something quite spectacular, and, interestingly enough is to be held at the end of the following month. In fact…” he looked down at her speculatively. “If we are back home by then, it would do me great honour if you would agree to attending with me.”

“Me?” Nell looked up at him in shock. “You want me to go to a ball? I’ve never danced, let alone attended anything so… so….”

“It would be no problem, Nell,” he smiled down at her. “And, in fact, you would be doing me a great service.”

“Oh?” Nell let him lead her down a narrow dark corridor, following Dwent who led the way. It reminded her strongly of the corridors in the convent and a shiver ran down her spine. She forced her mind back onto what he was saying.

“To be frank, Nell, I’ll be twenty nine next spring, one step below the Commodore and still without a wife,” He said carefully. “This is not a problem for me, you understand, but it does mean that, along with the Commodore, we are seen by every single young lady’s mother as prospective marriage material.”

Nell laughed out loud at his words and then covered her mouth when he frowned at her.

“It’s no laughing matter, Nell!” he admonished her with mock severity. “It’s humiliating, not to mention physically taxing, having to dodge the advances of some of those maternal women. And let’s face it; some of those mothers are a force to be reckoned with. In fact, I’d rather take my chances, unarmed, with four pirates than a group of mothers looking for prospective son-in-laws.”

“In that case then, I shall feel honoured to be the one to protect you for the evening.”

Bryant laughed and looked back over his shoulder at the others. They were all coming down the corridor now, but he knew that Jack remained behind with Beaumont and he couldn’t help but wonder what had prompted this sudden evacuation.

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Nell was more than surprised at what greeted them in the small store room. Hock and a few of the others had already put their lighted torches into existing holders on the walls, and it cast a warm glow over the fairly large room. But what surprised Nell were the contents of the room. There were wooden boxes and stone chest scattered all around the room. Running along the side of one wall was a series of benches and chairs and already several of the crew had claimed spaces for themselves.

In one corner was a stone altar and over the altar was an old lace covering. A gold cross stood on the altar with a statue of the Virgin Mary to one side of the cross and a smaller gold cross on the other. In front of the cross lay a single chalice and a gold plate. She saw several of the crew go over to the altar but none of them touched the items on the top and she even saw a few of them cross themselves, something that surprised her slightly.

“Nell, come and eat something and then try and sleep some.” Hock touched her shoulder gently as he spoke to her, making her turn to face him.

“Thank you,” she replied softly and followed him to where Dwent was busy with the supply bags they’d brought with them.

“We can’t light a fire in ‘ere,” Dwent said to himself as he rummaged through the bag. “We’ll ‘ave to make do with just rolls and fruit again.” His tone of voice was clearly unimpressed.

“Rolls and fruit sound wonderful to me, Mister Dwent,” Nell said quietly. “Do you want me to hand the food round?”

“Nay, lass, make the lazy buggers come and get it themselves. If they be hungry they’ll come over soon enough!” he cackled with laughter as he handed her an apple, orange and a roll, which by now was so hard, Nell was certain she’d crack her teeth on them.

Nell thanked him and settled down to nibble on the apple. Her eyes went to where De Mornay was slumped on the floor, his eyes were shut and a dirty cloth was tied around his mouth; his hands were tied together in front of him. He made a completely different sight to the man that had back-handed her on the Relentless. His arrogance and ‘devil may care’ manner had gone, leaving a shell that showed his true worth. He was broken in body and mind, in the same state himself, that he had left countless others before him in. It wasn’t any less or more than he deserved, but Nell was still amazed to feel the stirrings of pity in her soul.

“May I sit with you?”

Nell looked up at Bryant and nodded at him, pleased to have his company. “Why is he gagged so?”

Bryant looked across at De Mornay, and no pity was showing on his face, only contempt. “I do not know, but I have no doubt that Sparrow has his reasons.”

“Why was he shouting about the Commodore, did he know him before?”

Bryant shook his head and bit into his apple, he chewed slowly, his eyes still on the other man.

“Don’t you think he should be… made a little more comfortable?” Nell asked him, her face showing her feelings clearly.

Bryant looked at her and smiled, swallowing his mouthful. “In any other circumstances and with any other person I’d agree with you. But, if I’ve learnt nothing else on this trip, I have learned that Sparrow does nothing unless he means to.” Bryant looked at the uneaten apple in her hand.

“Did you know, that if you cut an apple in half you’ll be able to count the number of children you’ll have?”

Nell blinked at his sudden change of tact; but it interested her. She looked down at the apple. “Really?”

“Really. Although don’t tell anyone I told you,” he whispered. “Try it!” He shifted round until he could draw his dagger out of his waistband; he held it out to her with a grin.

She took the dagger and with an answering grin slit the apple neatly in half. She opened it and looked down.

“Ah! Well, it’s just silly nonsense really; can’t expect something like that to work,” he laughed when he leaned across to look at her apple.

Nell felt a shiver go through her as she looked down at the apple. “It has worked,” she whispered. “I can’t have children and there are no pips.”

Bryant blinked up at her and then back down at the apple. He took it from her and slit both sides again, but there was no pip anywhere in the apple.

He grunted and handed it back to her, sliced into tiny pieces. “It’s just an old wives tale.”

Nell looked up at him and shrugged. “It’s just coincidence,” she said softly. “Here, cut yours and we’ll see how many you’re to have with your future wife!” She held the dagger out to him.

He took the dagger, grinning at her. “Now here’s where I wish I had your apple!” he slit his apple and counted the pips. “Seven! I’m in for misery!” he joked.

“You’re in for misery? What about the poor woman who has to bear all seven children?” Nell laughed; unaware that Norrington had joined them.

“Whose bearing seven children?” asked Norrington light heartedly.

“No one!” Bryant replied and repeated what he had told Nell.

“Ah, but I have a stranger one than that!” Norrington smiled at Nell and looked around at Dwent. “Mister Dwent, another apple if you would.”

Dwent threw him an apple, which he caught one handed with no effort. He took Bryant’s dagger and slit the apple midways right through and handed one half to each of them. “What do you see?”

Nell looked up as several of the crew, having over-heard, had come over and were peering over their shoulders at the apples. She looked down at the apple and shrugged, not seeing anything remarkable.

“A star!” Bryant said and pointed out the five points with his fingertip.

“Aye, a star!” Someone muttered from behind. “A five pointed star! The devil’s work!”

“Nonsense,” Norrington said firmly. “Just a coincidence, that’s all.”

“Another one?” asked Nell quietly, as she looked down at the pretty pattern the seeds made in the very centre of the apple.

“Like black cats….” Someone shouted from behind. “Me ma always said they were bad luck, but me aunty always said they were good luck!”

Nell listened quietly as it prompted a volley of chatter from the crew as they began relating what particular things they considered to be good or bad luck.

Bryant touched her hand gently as the crew talked around them. “I’m sorry, I meant to lighten things not make them worse.”

Nell smiled at him and gripped his fingers before letting go. “I’d be a might foolish if I let something like this bother me, it’s just coincidence.”

“Aye,” he grinned at her and using the dagger began to eat his apple, listening to the chatter around them.

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Nell was asleep, her head had lolled onto Bryant’s shoulder and he had moved to let her lean right into him. The constant chatter around them had lolled her to sleep and he was more than willing to be a pillow to her. He looked down at her small hands still clutching her uneaten orange and he wondered again whether he had done the right thing in the tunnels. Time would tell he supposed, but he knew that if push came to shove, offering to marry her to keep her safe in Port Royal would pose no hardship for him at all.

A sudden commotion at the door drew everyone’s attention and had Nell sitting up suddenly. She blinked the sleep from her eyes and turned sharply, seeing Jack come through the door dragging Beaumont, and quickly followed by the two crew that had been guarding the main entrance. Jack shoved Beaumont forwards and turned to slam the door shut as soon as his men were clear. Hock and Norrington rushed forwards and helped Jack bar the door with the wooden beam.

“What is it?” Norrington demanded of Jack as soon as they were stood back from the door.

“Fog,” Jack slurred and turned smartly away from the door. He looked around and spotted Benjamin crouched beside De Mornay. As instructed he was gagged but he was still unconscious. Jack strode across with Norrington hot on his heels.

“What do you mean fog?” Norrington demanded.

Jack ignored him as he touched Benjamin on the shoulder. “Do you, by any chance, have any of whatever took Will’s fever away?”

“Aye, Capt’n,” Benjamin looked up at him.

Jack nodded satisfied and briefly looked over at where Dwent had dragged Beaumont to the side of the room. He was tying his hands in front of him, ignoring the curses of the other man.

“Give some to De Mornay, but keep some just in case,” Jack instructed firmly. If Benjamin was surprised at his request, he didn’t let it show and instead moved to prepare the drink he’d stored in an empty rum flask.

“You’re going to save him?” asked Norrington in surprise, temporarily forgetting his earlier question.

“Well, no point in hanging a dead man is there, Commodore?” Jack grinned at him but it held no humour. He moved away from Norrington and across to where several of the crew were examining the chests.

“Anything of interest, Mister Timms?” he asked the grizzled pirate.

“Can’t work the locks, Capt’n. Short of busting them off, I can’t get them open!”

Jack raised an eyebrow at his words. He’d yet to come across a lock that Timms couldn’t jimmy open, but it looked like now there was one.

“Not your average locks, then I take it?” he mused pulling on the braids.

“Nay, Capt’n, more of a code than a lock. I ain’t seen anything like it before, look…” he pointed to where instead of a normal key lock should rest; there was a long narrow band that held a series of numbers and figures.

“Keep trying,” Jack said and patted his back before turning and looking around at where his men had already started to make themselves comfortable for the night.

“What about this fog?” Norrington stood directly in front of him to get his attention. Jack looked up at him, appearing to look down his nose at the same time.

Jack sighed and rested one hand on the handle of the pistol at his waist, his other hand circled as he spoke. “A fog, Commodore, covering the ground outside the building, can’t see more than two feet in front of you. Past dealings with fog, as I’m sure you’ll remember, were not favourable,” Jack slurred slightly as he spoke, his dark eyes narrowed as he watched the Commodore.

Norrington nodded in agreement, casting a look back at the door. “Was it coming inside?”

“Can’t say I waited around to find out.” Jack arched an eyebrow and swiped the hat from his head.

“And Beaumont?” asked Norrington watching as Jack flung his hat onto the closest table.

“Later,” Jack muttered as he saw Nell making her way over. He had no intentions of divulging anything he had learnt from Beaumont, at least not yet.

<><><><><><><><>

It seemed as if they were going to be left alone. Several hours passed, food was eaten, sleeping areas were worked out and general talking was as exciting as it went. And that suited everyone there, including Jack. He kept half an eye on De Mornay who was sleeping quietly now Benjamin had given him the concoction he’d made for Will; he was still gagged and would remain that way until Jack was sure the fever had left him. He also kept an eye on Nell; she was currently curled up under a blanket, his topcoat and waistcoat still on. She was resting her head on her arms, eyes open as she listened to the crew telling each other stories that they’d all heard before, but were elaborated on until they no longer resembled the original story.

Timms was retelling an event that Jack found hard to believe had ever happened, considering the size of the snake involved and Timms only being armed with a dagger and a length of rope; but he could see that Nell was caught up in his words and it enough for him that her mind was occupied with something other than the island they were on. He cast an eye over to Beaumont who also appeared to be sleeping, but Jack had come to view both men with the same amount of trust he afforded a shark. Especially now he knew the background behind them and Nell. He pulled at the braids on his chin before taking a long swig from his bottle of rum. It wasn’t lost on him that he now knew more about Nell, than Nell did. He looked across at Bryant, his eyes narrowing when he saw the other man glance at Nell before looking back at Timms. He’d seen him kissing her, something which had kicked him too low in his gut for comfort, he’d felt an almost overwhelming urge to knock the man’s head off, and if he caught him doing it again, he probably would. It also wasn’t lost on him that the kind of feelings Nell drew out of him, no other woman ever had. Which left him in a dilemma, one he just wasn’t used to dealing with; in some respects he wished he’d never questioned Beaumont, for whoever said ‘ignorance was bliss’ was spot on.

Rough laughter brought his attention back to the crew and to Nell. He scooted closer to her and looked down at her, a wicked grin on his face. “And did Mister Timms impress you with the size of his snake?” Jack knew his words could be taken two ways, but it always delighted him to see the innocence shinning in her eyes and he wasn’t disappointed this time.

“I think Mister Timms, may have partaken of a little too much rum that night,” Nell laughed up at him and shifted to sit up.

“Are you saying my tales aren’t true, young miss?” cried Timms with mock severity. “’Tis a brave lass who accuses a pirate of deception.”

“Deception? No!” she shook her head but humour was showing in her face. “Inebriation? Possibly,” she demurred quietly, still a little unsure of bantering with the hardened pirates.

Timms stared at her and then threw his head back and roared with laughter.

“She’s got your mark, mate,” Jack slurred and mock saluted his crew with his bottle of rum before taking a sip.

“The snake would ‘ave to be inebria’ed ter come within fifty feet of yer bed!” Dwent laughed from his own banket.

“Aye, but the ladies like me snake tales!” Timms said saucily and winked at Elizabeth, who coolly arched an eyebrow at him and pursed her lips.

“I’m not sure we should be going there, Timms!” Hock laughed. “The young ladies present would be burning the rum while we all slept! Well, one of them would,” he cast Elizabeth a sly grin, who had the good grace to grin at him.

“Like I told Jack, it’s a vile drink and served us much better in alerting the Navy.”

“Indeed!” Norrington replied with a grin. “As I recall it we could see your smoke signal three days away.”

“We weren’t there three days!” Elizabeth protested and then saw that he was ribbing her and grinned at him. “Well, it worked didn’t it,”

“Don’t remind me,” Jack shuddered. “You’ll be giving me nightmares again, lass.”

“An Ode to Rum!” suddenly announced Spencer and jumped to his feet.
“Rum, Rum, I never could pass,
better to me than many a whores arse!”

Everyone roared with laughter and he took a bow; Nell coloured up as Elizabeth shook her head sadly at their antics and turned to sit back with Will who was stirring again.

“If rum’s better than a lass, then you’ve not met the right lass, mate!” Jack laughed and watched in delight as Nell face got brighter.

“Aye, but what bottle of rum can back-chat ye?” Timms demanded happily.

“Or nick yer money and nag ye till yer sick?” yelled another.

Nell sank down into her blankets again, resting her head on her arms again. It made her feel secure to hear them shouting and laughing happily, apparently oblivious to what lay behind them and what might lie before them. But she had quickly realised that this was part of their strength of survival. Living in the here and now and not taking the time to dwell on something that was unchangeable. Something she should learn from. She let her eyes close as they continued to tell each other ribald jokes. She could hear Norrington and Bryant whispering beside her, and she could feel Jack’s leg pressed into her side. She was safe, for the moment she was safe and secure and she realised with surprise, happy. She drifted into sleep easily; unaware of the glances that Jack sent her way, watchful over her.

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The banging, when it started, was enough to wake the dead. Or at least that was Jack’s first thought as his eyes flew open. He sat up, hand automatically going to the pistol at his side. The banging started again, and he instantly realised it was the wooden door. He looked down at Nell, and wasn’t surprised to see wide eyes staring up at him in fright. He placed his fingers on his lips and looked over at where Hock and the others had sat up too, hands on weapons in readiness. The banging intensified and Jack got to his feet, reaching down to Nell and lifting her to her feet. “Go over to Elizabeth and stay there!” he instructed her, satisfied when she obeyed him instantly.

“What is it?” Norrington came over with Bryant beside him and Hock right behind.

Jack didn’t even bother to answer him as he watched the door with black narrowed eyes. “Mister Hock, ready the men in two lines and make sure the sure the Turners and Nell are behind.”

“Aye , Capt’n,” Hock responded immediately his voice low.

The banging suddenly stopped, making the silence deafening. Everyone waited with bated breath, no one believing that it was over yet. The next crash when it came made the previous bangs sound faint, the door shook on the hinges and it was only the wooden poles across the door that kept it in place. But the crashing was relentless and the iron rungs the poles were slotted into were beginning to loosen on the walls.

“It’s going to be breeched,” Norrington said sharply and turned to where his few remaining men stood waiting. “Keep to arms and do not back down whatever comes through that door,” he commanded and lifting his sword came to stand by their side, with Bryant beside him.

Jack looked over at him briefly and felt a surge of admiration flow through him before he stood to Norrington’s other side. The door was breeched, the iron holders soaring from the wall, as the door flew off its hinges completely and banged onto the stone floor.

Pistols were levelled and swords raised but there was no one at the door, nothing came barrelling through and once more the silence was deafening.

“Steady,” Norrington hissed as his men looked at each other in confusion. “Don’t drop your guard.”

“Look!” Hock pointed at the floor and they looked at the entrance way. Fog, white and thick was seeping into the room and over the threshold. Tendrils crept forwards and the fog intensified in the doorway filling the space until only a white, smoky substance could be seen. Everyone stepped backwards as the fog drifted forwards.
Jack looked to Beaumont who was awake and staring at the fog with wide frightened eyes. “Did you encounter this?” he barked at the frightened man. Beaumont shook his head, not tearing his gaze from the fog as it crept around the room, getting every closer to them.

“It’s like it’s searching,” Hock remarked as it seemed to creep across the floor like fingers, retreating and searching as it moved across the bare floor.

“’Ow do we fight that?” came a horrified cry from Johns.

Jack shrugged and looked around him, trying to think of a way out of this. He spotted a blanket that was lying unused on the table and picked it up, throwing it just in front of the fog like substance. Tendrils crept forward and looked like talons as it curled around the blanket and began to retreat. The blanket was dragged across the floor slowly, over the threshold of the door and into the mist. A sudden howling was heard from outside the door that send shivers down the spines of everyone present.

“Tis not pleased with that, obviously,” Hock said dryly, but the fear and worry was clear in his voice.

“Try the cross, Capt’n!” Dwent said quickly and crossed to the altar to pick the cross up.

A shriek from Elizabeth drew everyone’s attention behind them. Jack whirled in time to see that the back wall they are been leaning on, seemed to be shimmering slightly. He watched wide-eyed as plain as day, forms took shape in the stone work and moved forwards into the room, stepping right through Nell, Elizabeth and Will. The forms quickly took the shape of the monks in their brown robes, hoods still drawn over their faces.

“Oh, bugger!” Jack hissed between his teeth, as the monks moved forwards slowly, no sound coming from their mouths.

“Leave them!” Nell cried and got to her feet shakily. Elizabeth stood with her, gripping Nell’s arm.

“Don’t stop them!” Elizabeth nodded at Jack frantically. “They mean us no harm; don’t raise your swords to them!”

Jack frowned, looking at Hock quickly, who looked as doubtful as Jack felt.

“Fog’s back, Capt’n,” Dwent called out. And Jack realised they were caught quite literally between the two. Indecision, something that rarely caught up with him, made him shake his head, his mouth open to give commands that he just couldn’t think of.

Norrington acted from impulse and shoved Bryant to the side, making a path between them and where Jack was stood. The monks seemed to float forwards, hands and feet still hidden as they moved. They moved past the men, not looking at them and not saying anything. They stopped just in front of them and formed a line, backs facing Jack and the crew. The fog crept towards the monks and shrank back, an agonised shriek from outside made Jack wince. The monks stood their ground and the fog dissipated back towards the door.

“They are protecting us,” Elizabeth and Nell came to stand beside Jack. “They mean to keep us from harm.” She looked up at Jack and his eyes widened as he looked at her, her eyes, once a gorgeous brown, were almost black. He looked at Nell and saw her eyes were also a deep black, bottomless.

“What have they done to you?” he hissed, gripping Nell’s shoulders and staring intently at her. She shut her eyes, unwilling for him to look into her them, unwilling for him to see what she had seen.

“We saw,” Elizabeth said sadly. “They showed us. Please, don’t ask.” She turned away from them and hurried back over to Will. He staggered to his feet, the bandage on his arm seeping fresh blood again, his eyes as black as the girls. He looked at Jack and then at Elizabeth. He shook his head and pulled her to him with his good arm. She buried her head in his chest and her body shook as she cried against him.
Jack looked at Nell, but she was looking at the floor.

“Nell?” he was lost, confused, and although he’d never admit it, more than a little scared at Elizabeth’s words and actions.

“Leave me be,” she muttered and crossed to the altar. She sank to her knees in front of it; she crossed herself three times and then sank forwards, her legs going out behind her. She spread her arms wide and rested her forehead on the floor as she made the form of the cross. She closed her eyes tightly against the images racing through her mind and began to pray. Sweat broke out on her forehead as she prayed harder than she had ever prayed in her life.

Jack looked helplessly at Hock, who shrugged. Norrington and Bryant frowned at each other.

“I take it they saw what happened to the monks on this island,” Bryant said hoarsely, his eyes on the monks stood in front of them.

“Enough to break their minds, I’d wager,” Dwent hissed, shaking his head.

“How do you prevent that from happening?” Hock looked at Jack, helplessly. “How do you take it away from them?”

“You can’t,” Jack said quietly, and crossed to kneel beside Nell, he didn’t say a word, just placed his hand on her back and kept it there. He looked up at the altar holding the cross and then back at Nell. She was clinging to only thing she knew, her faith. He just hoped it would be enough to see her through. Jack looked over at the monks and hoped that it would be enough to see them all through, then moved until he was sitting cross legged beside her, not taking his hand from her back. Hock came to crouch beside him, his eyes on Nell, her eyes open as she stared at the floor, a hairs breath from her face.

“There’s not much we can do, except wait,” Jack whispered to him. “Keep two on guard at all times and encourage the rest to try and catch some kip - if that’s possible.”

”Aye, Capt’n,” Hock said quietly and reached out to gently stroke Nell’s head before he stood and left them to cross back to the others.

Norrington watched Jack and Hock and then turned to look at Bryant. “We’ll take it in turns, rest now, Joshua, and I’ll wake you in an hour.”

Bryant nodded vaguely, not even responding to the use of his first name again. He was shocked by the turn of events, but the reaction of the Turners and Nell had kicked him squarely in the gut. This island was no picnic and the repercussions would last many years in the future. He looked across at where Will and Elizabeth were sitting against the wall again, Elizabeth was lying with her head in Will’s lap, his hand covering her ear and Will lay with his head back against the wall, his bad arm lying useless and awkwardly at his side, his eyes were wide open as he stared at the ceiling. Bryant had a feeling that it wasn’t the stone ceiling that Will was seeing, but whatever the monks had left them as they had passed through their bodies and souls.

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A/N: Well, was it bad? Was it cringe worthy? Please let me know how you feel about this chapter, especially the last part. If I was ever to try and write professionally, (which is my dream, along with everyone else here) then this is the sort genre that I’d write in. So I’d really appreciate any tips or thoughts, even if it’s ‘don’t give up the day job, girl’

Thank you so much to everyone who has left reviews, taken the time to email me or just read this and liked it. It does make me feel better knowing that someone out there is reading this and liking it, if only marginally.

Take care of yourselves and have a great day/night.