To Catch A Sparrow And Free A Heart

I forgot a rather important detail about Jack's clothes. woops. I inserted what was left out so you might want to re-read the end of the second chapter. Thanks. Now on with the third chapter!

Seeing New Places, Meeting New People,....Running For Our Lives

The market was packed with people, all trying to go their own ways. Jack was a little nervous because this was obviously an upstanding town that probably didn’t take kindly to pirates. In his typical fashion he managed to hide his nerves behind swagger and exaggerated gestures. Illona watched him with a sly grin knowing the trick having used it herself before.

“Ye ought not worry Jack, I’ve brought many a pirate to this town. The townspeople are quite fond of your ilk actually. You bring a great deal of business around here.” Illona explained. With a raised eyebrow Jack stroked his beard and thought about this. His face split into a grin.

“Well then! That’s just grand!” Said Jack and if anything became more flamboyant. Illona only rolled her eyes at this as she headed towards the booth she needed to stop at.

The booth had a wide selection of medical supplies. Most of it was very clinical and sterile. She examined the wares and put in a large order to be delivered to her island. Out of her purse (which had been so well hidden that even Jack hadn’t known she had one) she pulled out several gold coins and paid the female shop keeper. Thank yous were passed out and the pair moved on.

“So, where’s the rum? I‘m too sober.” Jack asked clapping his hands together and rubbing them with a wide grin on his face. Again Illona rolled her eyes at him.

“No rum until we get home. I’m gonna need yer help and I need you sober.” She answered firmly. Jack resisted the urge to pout before replying.

“Now see here missy, I do my best work when drunk!” Said Jack defensively. Illona gave him a disbelieving glare.

“Uh-huh, right. Well what I have for you to do is light grunt work. No rum required.” She countered. She stopped in front of an open faced tent and a woman who appeared to have taken her fashion advice from Tia Dalma approached Illona slowly.

“But the rum...I’m in so much pain...” Pouted Jack who made a show of leaning heavily on his cane.

“Lady Illona...welcome back to my humble tent. What brings you back after only a few weeks?” The strange woman asked paying no attention to Jack.

“I seem to be running out of your wonderful herbs and I have a whiny, land bound, pirate to mend.” Answered Illona nodding in the direction of Jack who huffed.

“I am not whiny.” Jack continued to pout. The woman continued to ignore him.

“Very well...I imagine it will be the usual order?” The woman asked.

“Yes thank you Aislin. If you could have it delivered to my home I’d be happy to give you first dips on the herbs I brought to trade. The night blooming jasmine finally bloomed on my island.” Replied Illona who handed a beautiful white flower to Aislin who took it greedily. Passed over as well were several more gold coins then Jack thought should be needed.

“I shall...have my apprentice take my place and just have a look at your boat, yes?” Aislin said already gesturing for a young girl to come forward. With a nod from Illona, Aislin hobbled away. Winking at the girl in front of her Illona slyly passed her a silver coin before dragging Jack away.

Illona had little else to buy and had to contend with Jack arguing with her the entire time. Finally, with the last thing purchased she headed towards the liquor booths. As promised she bought a full crate of the finest rum they had and had them deliver it to her house. Jack’s face fell as he watched the men crate up the precious cargo.

“I wanted to drink that...” He pouted. With a growl Illona dragged him towards the docks.

“You’ll get it when we get home! By the gods you are-” Illona’s potentially colorful description of Jack was cut off by a large man blocking their path.

“You Jack Sparrow?” The hulk asked in a deep voice.

“Who’s askin’? Jack went from whiny pirate to gruff sea hardened pirate so fast it made Illona’s head spin.

“I am!” The man said gruffly hauling Jack off his feet by his shirt. The crowd parted giving the three a wide birth.

“Take your hands off him!” Illona said in a dangerous voice. With his free hand the big lug backhanded Illona sending her tumbling to the ground. Jack felt anger boil his insides and pulled the flintlock from his belt and aimed it in the man’s face.

“I wouldn’t be doin’ that mate. Ye might get hurt.” Said Jack coolly. “ The man snickered as pain flared through Jack’s skull. Blissful blackness stole his consciousness after some one had struck his head from behind.

“Let him go!” Illona demanded getting back to her feet. The problem was that she was now out numbered by to very large men, one of whom held the unconscious Jack. The two men laughed and the one who had come up behind Jack advanced on Illona.

“And what are you gonna do ‘bout it? Mind yer own business and scram wench. Unless you wanna play.” The man offered. Illona cringed at his foul breath and made a show of waving the air in front of her face.

“Blech! Do you brush your teeth with rotting fish or what? And have you ever heard of a bath?” She groused. The man got angry and took a clumsy swipe at her she dodged it and drew him away from the other man who soon could not resist joining in so dropped Jack to the ground and followed his partner. Once they were both away from Jack, Illona started chanting.

“Acerbus ventus glacies frigus. Vir de lapis ego aspicio!” At the end of the spell she pointed at the men who now seemed frozen where they stood. Hurriedly she went over to Jack who was slowly coming around with a groan.

“Ugh...me ‘ead...” He mumbled. Illona shook him.

“Jack! Wake up c’mon! We have to get out of here and I can’t carry you!” She growled and shook him some more to which he protested.

“Bloody ‘ell woman...stop shakin’ me...what do ye- Illona?? You ok pet?” Jack asked desperately as he sat bolt upright. His memory had come flooding back.

“I’m fine now lets get moving!” She ordered and helped him to his feet. Together they ran down the street as quickly as possible with Jack still limping badly.

“What happened to them? Why are they just standing there?” Asked Jack after glancing back at the men. Illona smirked.

“It’s a spell. I have very little magic that I know and I’m not very good. It froze them but it wont last very long. Who are they anyway? How do you know them and what do they want? Wait never mind. I bet you owe them money.” She said panting a little. They were down cresting the hill that led down to the docks.

“Aye, I owe them a we sum.” He told her as they headed down hill. Finally they reached her boat and they shoved off toward the island. They had a favorable wind and made excellent time getting back. Illona was obviously relieved once she set foot on land and seemed not at all concerned that the men were probably still after them.

“Uh, Illona? They’re going to come here ya know.” Warned Jack who looked around anxiously.

“No they won’t. They’ll get lost or capsized or forget which direction they’re supposed to be going. I told you the magic of the island protects me. I’ve deemed you worthy to be here so it will protect you too. Now...I think we both deserve some rum.” She explained and Jack whole heartedly agreed so they went up to the house where everything was already waiting for them and got piss drunk.

Latin-> acerbus ventus glacies frigus. Vir de lapis ego aspicio
-> bitter wind ice cold. Men of stone i behold