The Map

A/N: Usual disclaimer, own nothing.

This one is unedited so looks the same on both sites. Thanks to Ani for speedy correcting and moral boasting. I hope you enjoy.

Chapter 41

One Good, Clear Shot

Jack’s stomach lurched and his heart thumped in his chest as he looked at the broken windows above the cushioned seat.

“Jack?” The pirate registered Norrington’s voice and turned on his heel to look at him.

“The door is locked on the inside and the windows are broken.” Jack’s hands danced as a matter of course; he narrowed his eyes, taking control of his emotions as he forced himself to think clearly and coldly. He was going to have to keep his head, for Nell’s sake, he had to keep his head. Jack shoved his way back into the corridor and banged the other door open; Will and Elizabeth jumped at the sudden interruption, but Jack made no comment to them, just turned back to Gibbs.

“Keep two on guard here; make some crosses up and use them on any monks they see, not pistols.”

“Crosses?” Gibbs stared at Jack as he shoved past him again and started down the corridor.

“Yes, Mister Gibbs, two bits of wood that make up the cross of Christ!” Jack hollered back angrily. “And don’t bloody question me again! Commodore, round up any of your red-coats that can still fight. Hock, take Bryant and get the remaining boats on the water now. Dwent, Timms round up the crew and make up as many crosses as you can; rip up the bloody deck if you have to, but make them quickly!”

“Where’s Nell?” asked Bryant worriedly as he followed Jack out onto the deck.

Jack ignored him as he swore long and viciously as he stood in the middle of the main deck and glared at the remaining boats on board the Pearl. The only ones left were the Pearl’s own boats and it suddenly became clear to Jack.

“What’s happening?”

Jack turned as Elizabeth and Will made their way out onto the deck, and he went back to them, studying them carefully. “Did you see or hear anything out of the ordinary, like chanting or those bloody monks?”

“No.” Will shook his head. “What’s happened, Jack?”

“Beaumont and De Mornay have gone from the brig and Nell has been taken from the cabin. It would seem the monks are onboard.”

“How?” Norrington had returned with the handful of red-coats still in enough shape to do battle.

“They caught a bleedin’ ride with us, that’s how! We kept the boats from the island! We should have sunk them; blown them up, done something other than let them fester here! I don’t know how they did it, but there was nothing natural about boats that survived a hundred years on a beach.” Jack’s tone was filled with self-disgust at making such a big mistake.

“We all knew the boats were aboard, Jack,” Norrington said quietly. “None of us even gave them a second thought.”

“But I’m the bleedin’ Captain!” Jack spat and moved forwards to the prow to look out over the island. “I’ve only tried to go over the island once. ‘Tis completely inaccessible above ground; the caves are the only system that can be accessed. If they’ve headed to the island that’s where they’ll be…” He gripped the rail, suddenly overwhelmed with the possibility that he just might not win this time.

“Where else could they head?” asked Bryant.

“Their own island.” Jack replied quietly. “Oh bugger it all to hell!” He kicked at the ships side in angry frustration. “I have no idea…”

“But why take Nell and the others?” demanded Bryant. “Why not kill us all?”

Jack glared at him; he took several deep breaths as he made himself think Bryant’s words through while looked around for Gibbs. “Where are those bloody crosses?” he shouted and grunted as Gibbs came over with Dwent, both men holding an armful of roughly knocked together crosses. He watched as Gibbs tied a rope to the bundles and hauled them over the rails to the waiting boats below.

“Retribution!” Jack rounded on Bryant, his hands dancing in the air still but more with angrily than gracefully.

“What do you mean retribution?” Norrington questioned Jack.

Jack picked up one of the crosses, anxious to get to the bay. A cold chill settled in his stomach and turned his heart to ice; he couldn’t lose her again.

“The monks offered Beaumont a pact… a willing soul in exchange for safe passage from the island - an eye for an eye, that sort of thing. The monks told Nell that Beaumont and De Mornay had a cabin boy who willing stayed behind in exchange for their lives. They were lying of course; Beaumont had already worked out their game and used his entire crew as a shield instead. Beaumont had worked out that the monks were just playing them; there was no help really…” Jack took a deep breath. “Nell didn’t.”

“Oh, sweet, bloody Jesus!” Hock hissed out as it sank in what Jack meant. “She bloody sold her soul to them in exchange for us leaving the island?”

“I told her you wouldn’t thank her…” Jack’s voice was vague as he sorted things through in his mind - something wasn’t right and he wasn’t seeing it.

“Thank her? I’m going to bloody kill her!” Hock muttered. “Whatever made her… no, that’s just the sort of person she is…” Hock groaned and covered his eyes.

“So they’ve come to claim what’s theirs?” asked Bryant worriedly. “It doesn’t make sense! Why call on a pact that was never a pact in the first place? I mean if they didn’t intend on any of us leaving the island, why only pick on those three? They’ve had enough opportunity over the last couple of days to take us all out! Why now?”

Jack appeared to ignore Bryant as he watched the crew and the red-coats climbing down into the boats; but he was mulling over every word he had said. Bryant was making perfect sense and that was what worried Jack; there were no answers, or at least none he could think of.

“It’s not rational!” Bryant said as he climbed over the railings.

“And since when has unearthly things ever been rational?” Gibbs asked from behind Jack, making his captain turn on his heel sharply and study Gibbs.

“Search the ship, Mister Gibbs. Arm every man with a cross and turn the boat upside down.”

“And what do we do if we come across any?” asked Gibbs worriedly.

“Nail it to the mast with crosses… I don’t know…” Jack threw his hands in the air. “I’m sure you’ll think of something.” He turned away and clambered over the railings followed by Norrington and Bryant.

Jack settled himself in the boat beside Hock and shook his head. “I’m thinking that she’s never going to forgive me for this,” he said quietly, refusing to allow himself to think that it might not end up with Nell still alive.

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

Jack’s mood was foul when they returned from the Isla De Muerta. The trip had been futile and precious time had been lost; but Jack knew that he had to explore every eventuality if he was to find her.

“Haul up the boats, all hands on deck!” he bellowed as he headed towards the capstan. “Raise the anchor! Mister Hock, I want every hand to the sweeps and all speed in the sails. We have a boat to catch up with!”

“Can you remember the bearings?” Bryant headed behind Jack. “Do you want the copy of the map?”

“It’s all up here,” Jack tapped his head. “We make sail as soon as she’s A-trip and the boats are on board, Mister Gibbs!” Jack called from helping a capstan bar into the capstan and beginning to hove with the sailors.

“Aye, Capt’n!” Mister Gibbs called from the quarterdeck.

“She’s A-trip!” Watts called from the side.

“Boats up!” Hock shouted and Jack left the capstan at a run and took the steps two at a time to reach the helm.

Bryant realised the futility of trying to help as he watched Jack order his crew and take the Pearl out to sea with the minimum fuss and the maximum speed. He turned to where Norrington was standing beside him; a worried Elizabeth and Will close by.

Norrington was watching as several of his red-coats had scaled the rigging with the pirates, obeying orders from Jack without even thinking about Norrington, let alone turning to look at him for permission.

“Now I know why we’ve never managed to catch him,” Norrington mused quietly missing the look Will sent him.

“Loyalty, unconditional obedience,” Bryant muttered. “Both rare in piracy.”

“Indeed, look at my marines… I just hope this is enough.”

“So do I,” replied Bryant bleakly.

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

Nell woke with a start; even before she opened her eyes she knew something was wrong. The wood beneath her back was irregular and damp, and the motion was different to that of a ship at anchor; she opened her eyes and blinked at the bright sunlight. She struggled to sit up and surprise quickly gave way to fear with the realisation that she was no longer on the Black Pearl, but in a longboat; and one which was miles from anywhere and with no Pearl in sight. Panic shot through her making her turn around in jerky movements, in the hope that the pirate ship was somewhere behind her; she rocked the boat violently and came face to face with Beaumont and De Mornay.

“You may as well tip us all in,” Beaumont said quietly. “Our fate would be much finer than what’s in store for us.”

“What…?” Nell stared at them in shocked disbelief. They were sat together at the prow of the boat, hands free from the shackles Jack had placed on them; besides the three of them the boat was empty.

“Do you remember anything before you woke up here?” De Mornay was looking pale and wan but there was no sign of the fever, which had held him on Benedictus.

Nell struggled to think and with a chilling of her blood she remembered hearing the chanting of the monks in the galley. Soames had taken her above deck and she had gone to her cabin; but after that she could remember nothing.

“I heard chanting…” she replied and her fear was apparent in her voice.

“So did we - right before we woke on this boat.” De Mornay said bitterly. “We’ve come to the conclusion that your illustrious Captain has buggered things up nicely by keeping the boats from Benedictus.”

“I don’t understand…” Nell frowned at them as she tried to think clearly through the rising panic in her mind.

“You never do, do you?” Beaumont snorted but it lacked its usual malice. “When we left Benedictus we destroyed everything that had come from the island, just in case. We were taking no chances, but obviously your Captain was too stupid to think things through. Sparrow overlooked the boats on the Pearl and even had them mended nicely. They’re returning to where they belong; but this time they have passengers too.”

“But…” Nell listened to all he said thinking it through before she continued. “I thought I’d seen them… monks I mean, on the Pearl and at Aruba but I thought it was just…”

“Losing your mind?” De Mornay asked quietly.

“Why are they taking us? Where are they anyway?” Nell didn’t particularly want to see the monks any more than she wanted to return to Benedictus, but she was struggling to find answers.

“Still can’t see it, can you?” Beaumont shook his head. “We cheated them when we left Benedictus and you cheated them when you fought them on the beach. They weren’t interested in helping you, just playing with you. They had no intentions of you ever leaving that island, dead or alive; it’s a game. A game of wills and evil intent that ends with them collecting our souls and adding to the misery that already saturates the island.”

“So if the boats had been destroyed the game would have been over and we would have won,” Nell said slowly. “But because the boats remained it gave them a way of bridging the gap between them and the island and a way to collect on our souls, to continue the game.”

“Spot on,” De Mornay nodded at her. “The only thing we don’t understand is why just us three, why not the whole crew?”

“Because they know that Jack will work it out and follow us back to Benedictus,” Nell’s voice was hollow as she spoke.

“Of course,” Beaumont whispered eyeing Nell shrewdly. “They know that Sparrow will try and fight for you and they’ll have won. They’ll collect on every soul aboard the Pearl at Benedictus.”

“Which just leaves us one thing to work out,” Nell continued, refusing to let herself dwell on the certain fate Jack would face when he did come after her. “How do we cheat them again?”

“You think we can?” De Mornay asked sceptically.

“You’d rather sit here and wait for a certain death?” Nell returned sharply. “Excuse me for not particularly liking the idea of losing my head just yet.”

“He means,” drawled Beaumont. “That we are three against an island of evil. I’m not certain that even you are a match for a band of sword wielding monks; not to mention the islanders and anything else they care to throw our way.” His voice dripped mockery but Nell could hear the fear underlying his words. She straightened her back and glared at them both.

“I’ll take my chance but I won’t die without a fight.”

“Brave words, little girl,” De Mornay said quietly, but there was no mockery in his voice. “If we want to survive this we have to find a way of avoiding that island at all costs. Something which is hard considering we have no oars and the boat appears to have a mind of its own, including a good sense of direction.”

“Pray that Sparrow works it out quick enough and puts the backs into those sweeps of his. With lady luck on our side he’ll catch up before we hit the island.” Beaumont looked down at his bandaged hand; it was throbbing with an intensity that made him want to scream.

“I don’t suppose we could…” Nell was talking aloud as she leaned over the edge of the boat.

“No, I don’t suppose we could,” De Mornay replied quickly shaking his head. “You can’t swim, we’re miles from nowhere and one tiny drop of James’ blood will have every shark in the vicinity heading our way.”

“Bloody hell!” Beaumont suddenly rose to his feet in excitement. “A ship!”

A rush of adrenalin filled Nell as she thought Jack had already caught up with them.

“Jack?”

“Navy!” Beaumont shook his head. “They might not see us, too far, might not see us…” He sat down dejected. “We have no way of signalling them, the chances of them spotting this boat are remote when they are heading away from us.”

“What about their lookout?”

“We’ll be lost in the rise and fall of the waves,” De Mornay told her.

“We can’t give up before we even try!” Nell shouted at them and stood up waving her arms; she rocked the boat violently and toppled over landing hard on the bottom of the boat.

“You’ll tip us!” Beaumont glared at her. “We have no signal that’ll catch their eye and they aren’t even coming this way…”

“Signal?” Nell racked her brain and gave a gasp as something occurred to her. “It might work…” She lent forwards and drew the dagger from her boot. She stood up carefully, and holding the dagger high, angled it until the sunlight shone onto the blade.

“Yes!” De Mornay nodded at her. “Let me, I’m taller… more height!” He stood up and took the dagger from her, angling the shaft of light and turning the blade so that it would act as a signal. “Now, pray Nell, pray that they see it!”

Beaumont and Nell peered at the ship that was on the horizon and for several minutes it looked as if their efforts had been hopeless.

“They’re turning!” De Mornay called excitedly. “They’ve seen us! Bloody hell, James! The Heron is sailing with her!”

“Well, well, our boys didn’t fail us!” Beaumont grinned up at De Mornay and then looked at Nell. “You’re going to be a problem if the Pearl reaches us first; if you’re not here, they’ll shoot us on sight.” Beaumont mused, more to himself than Nell.

“Not here? What do you mean?” A wave of fear slid over Nell as she stared at him but he merely smirked at her. “Start praying the Pearl is faster than the Navy, Nell!”

De Mornay turned to look down at her; the strain of holding the dagger aloft had drenched him in sweat. Blood trickled from the various cuts untended on his face and his back was caked in dried blood from the knife work Hock had inflicted on him on Benedictus.

“We can’t have you spoiling this for us, Nell;” He lifted his hand with the dagger and thumped her solidly on the temple with the handle. She slumped forwards, losing consciousness immediately.

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

“You can’t blame yourself for this,” Elizabeth said firmly from where they were standing beside Jack at the helm

“Who can I blame then?” he slurred and narrowed his eyes as he looked up at the crow’s nest high above them. He had put watches up all the rigging and every mast arm had at least five sailors watching for signs of the boat.

“No one thought about the boats, Jack, no one!” Will spoke firmly.

“I should have done!” Jack shook his head, sending his beads flipping around his face.

Hock came up to the quarterdeck with a coil of rope in his hands. “Timms brought this back from the island, Capt’n; it was the rope that tripped him.”

“Send it overboard, Mister Hock,” Jack replied not even looking at the rope in his hands. “Anyone else has anything from the island?”

“Sail ho!” came the shout from the crow’s nest and Jack looked up, hope flickered in his eyes.

“What is she, Mister Watts?”

“Navy!” Watts hollered back. “She’s turning on her course, heading leeward. She has another ship with her, not Navy!”

“She hasn’t seen us then,” Norrington said as he climbed the steps. “She’s changing her course for another reason and why is she sailing with another boat.”

“They’re turning for the longboats!” Elizabeth said firmly and looked out towards the dark dot in the distance.

“Going in the right direction,” Jack replied. “More speed, Mister Hock!” Jack hollered down to the main deck. “Commodore, I’m going to need you to signal your ship; I have some naval pennants you can use…”

“How… no, no, don’t tell me!” Norrington shook his head as he realised finding out how Jack got hold of naval pennants was something he really didn’t want to know. He turned and made his way down the steps; stopping when it occurred to him he had no idea where he would find the signals. “Where are they?”

“Jimmy!” Jack hollered to where Jimmy was hovering anxiously near the quarterdeck steps; he was still unable to do much due to the wound on his shoulder but he was at the point where he wanted to be of help. “Find the naval pennants for the Commodore; they’re with the other flags.”

Jack watched as the Commodore carried on to meet Jimmy at the bottom of the steps. Jimmy grinned up at the Commodore and although Jack couldn’t see, he was certain Norrington returned the smile. He watched as Norrington touched the lads shoulder gently and indicated for him to take the lead. They had indeed come a long way.

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

“We can see the longboat!” Jack told Norrington as he came back up. “We have to reach that boat before your red-coats do!”

“Whose ship is she?” Norrington asked and then realised Jack wouldn’t know. “Your spyglass, please?” He held out his hand and took the spyglass from Jack and then crossed to the rigging, climbing nimbly and quickly until he could see out towards the naval vessel.

“Mister Bryant, ready the signals and make it quick!” Norrington called down to where Bryant stood. Norrington climbed back down as Bryant went with Gibbs to run up the naval pennants.

”It’s The Reclamation; Gillette’s on her!” Norrington said and his voice held a hint of regret.

“Oh lord!” Bryant whistled between his teeth as he began unfurling the roll of flags. “If you think we have a stick up our arses, that man has three and enjoys it!” Bryant called to Jack.

“Mister Bryant, if you please,” Norrington’s words were laced with reproach but he couldn’t hide the tiny touch of humour. “He is a respected man of the Navy.”

Bryant lifted an eyebrow as Norrington jumped down onto the deck nimbly. “I don’t know who respects him, unless it’s the reflection that stares back at him.”

“Mister Bryant!” Norrington shook his head and handed the spyglass to Jack. “It would serve all of our interests if you reach Nell before he does.”

“Gillette?” Jack looked up into the sails, there was little he could do to gain speed but he would have to watch the wind.

“One eye on promotion and the other on the line of his jacket!” Bryant replied smartly.

“Mister Bryant, please!” Norrington groaned. “It’s true he’s a little over-zealous, well… he’s the worst person to be in command in a situation like this. We have to pick them up first.”

“Not that I’m not agreeing with the picking them up first,” drawled Jack. “But I would like to be knowing your reasons behind it.”

“When Beaumont mentions your name, he no doubt will be bending the truth as much as he can; Gillette will listen to anything he says in order to catch you.”

“Nell will deny anything he says,” Bryant pointed out quietly.

“If she’s given the chance.” Jack’s voice was low and dark as he narrowed his dark eyes at the ship in the distance. “”Mister Gibbs take the wheel and keep us on course. Mister Hock, has anyone spotted the longboat yet?”

“Sail Ho!” came a shout from above them on the mizzenmast just as Hock opened his mouth to speak. “One longboat, three souls in the boat!”

“Nell,” Bryant hissed and crossed to the railings peering out over the water. “I see them!” He cried. “There’s only one boat…” He turned to Jack. “I thought the three boats from Benedictus have gone.”

“Aye, they’ve all gone,” Jack crossed to look out over the railings. “Mister Hock, spare as many souls as you can for the long nines; but we have to reach that longboat before the navy does. Commodore, there’s no time like the present, signal the ship of your presence on board. Order them to hold fire on us; but I will send them to the bottom of the sea if I have to!”

Norrington moved away indicating Bryant to follow him to the prow. They began running the pennants up that would tell the Reclamation to hold fire and that he was on board the Pearl.

Will had crossed to stand beside the rails, his bad armed in a sling and the tension and pain still etched into his face. “Jack, may I use the spyglass?” Jack handed him the glass and waited beside him as he used his good hand to look out to the naval ship.

“What!” Will frowned and shifted his feet uncomfortably. “Oh, this is not good!”

“We’re receiving signal back!” Bryant called. “Bloody idiot doesn’t believe us!”

“Keep signalling!” Jack ordered and turned to Will. “What’s the problem?”

“The governor is aboard. It’s my father-in-law, Jack; you can’t send Elizabeth’s father to the bottom of the sea, she wouldn’t like it!”

“No, I certainly would not!” Elizabeth replied. “What is he doing onboard anyway?” She pursed her lips as she took the glass from Will and peered out over. “He’s not been well, why has he left the house, Will? I don’t understand. Oh no!” Elizabeth’s gasp caught Jack’s attention. “The other ship! It’s Beaumont’s!”

“What?” Jack snatched the spyglass from her and swore viciously when he recognised the lines of the Heron’s Reach. “Oh bugger! Commodore, we have to reach that longboat before they do! Beaumont must have left a small crew on the Heron and they’ve brought the Navy out here.”

“They were repairing her when we came across her; Beaumont must have left enough crew to complete repairs and gone straight to Port Royal. This would explain why the Governor is aboard.”

“We have no idea what story they’ve been told; we have to make sure they see you! If they see you two they won’t fire on us.”

“Her port holes are open!” came a shout from above.

“Ready the canons! Fire a warning on my order!” Jack hollered. “Elizabeth…”

“He’s signalled that he’ll hold fire!” Bryant yelled to Jack. “They spotted us and the Turners!”

“Bloody hell,” Jack ran a hand down his face. “Hold steady on the canons!” Jack shouted to the main deck. “I want that longboat; Commodore, order them to hold off on the longboat!”

“They’ve reached her!” came a shout from above. “They’ve reached the longboat.”

Jack swore long and loudly. “Bring us to the Reclamation as quickly as possible, Mister Gibbs. Commodore, Mister Bryant, with me!”

Jack jumped down from the quarterdeck not even stopping to see if they were following him and it crossed Norrington’s mind that they were following him automatically. He blinked and shook his head; fighting Jack Sparrow was futile.

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

Gillette was more than surprised to see the occupants of the longboat when it was brought aboard the ship. The two men looked all in and the girl, cradled in the arms of the tall lanky man was unconscious.

Two sailors reached forwards to take her from De Mornay and he opened his eyes in alarm. “Take care with her! She’s my only niece, my heir and she’s been through a lot.”

“What has happened here?” Gillette asked as two more sailors helped Beaumont and De Mornay from the longboat.

“Sir James Beaumont and Tristan De Mornay, at your service,” Beaumont wheezed and tried to execute a formal bow wincing as he did so. “We’re thankful you picked us up; we saw the Pearl and we feared for our souls.”

“Your ship made it to port but I don’t understand why the Commodore is with the Pearl, what is going on?” A shorter, older man came towards them, his head covered with a long curly grey wig.

“Pearl is signalling to parley, sir,” an officer spoke quietly to Gillette, but everyone heard him.

“I beg you, please,” De Mornay addressed Governor Swann. “Please can someone see to my niece, she has taken a blow to her head; I fear for her.”

“Take them to my cabin, Governor,” Gillette addressed the older man with a pompous air. “I shall have the ship’s doctor tend to you.”

Beaumont and De Mornay were lead into the cabin, while a burly marine carried Nell carefully, and then touching his forehead at them, he exited as Governor Swann stepped in and crossed to where Nell was lying on the bed, still out cold.

“I’d say I was sorry, but I’d be lying!” De Mornay muttered as he crossed to the desk and picked up the pistol that was there and pointed it at the Governor. “James, shut and barricade the door.”

“What is the meaning of this?” Governor Swann got to his feet in outrage.

“Leverage!” Beaumont said as he slid the bolts into place on the two doors. “You and the young miss are our ticket to freedom.”

“And just what do you mean by that? Who are you, sir?” Governor Swann faced them with his back straight and indignation bringing colour to his otherwise pale face.

“Sir James Beaumont and my companion and partner, Tristan De Mornay at your service… well, no you will be at our service actually.”

“I demand you let us go!”

“We can’t do that,” Tristan shook his head. “Now, any weapons you possess place them carefully on the floor, and don’t try anything silly. As it stood we were bound for the gallows; we’d both rather not go there just yet, but we will shoot you if we have to.”

“What’s the name of the idiot in charge out there?” Beaumont demanded but before the Governor could reply the door handle was tried and the alarm went up when it became apparent the door was locked from the inside.

“Open up, Sir!” came Gillette’s highly pitched command.

“His name…” De Mornay prompted the Governor, waving the dagger he had hid until now.

“Gillette, Captain Gillette,” the Governor stammered, bringing a small pistol from his pocket and placing it beside the sword he had already placed on the floor. Beaumont crossed and picked them up before grinning at him. He took the cords that held the curtains back and bound the Governor’s hands and feet as De Mornay shouted to Gillette outside.

“I can’t do that, Gillette, sorry! We have your Governor at pistol point; unless you wish him to die you will do exactly what we say! Do you understand?”

“I demand that you open up immediately!” Gillette’s voice had risen an octave.

“Wrong reply,” De Mornay nodded at Beaumont who casually lifted the pistol and taking aim at the older man’s arm, fired a shot off. Governor Swann screamed in the sudden pain that radiated from his arm, the force of the impact made him stagger backwards and fall to the floor, blood pouring from the wound.

“Governor!” Gillette’s voice was filled with panic now. “Governor!”

“I am shot!” Governor’s voice was high with disbelief as he stared at the growing patch of blood on his coat sleeve. “By God, I’m shot!”

“What will you have me do?” came the resigned voice of Gillette.

“Listen, carefully,” Beaumont shouted.

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

Nell was aware of the commotion, but the pain in her head was making thinking very hard. She opened her eyes and almost groaned at the pain that made the cabin spin around her; but, although she had taken a blow to the head, she could remember what had happened before and she knew from the cabin ceiling that she was not on the Pearl. She held her breath, a wave of nausea passed over her and she shut her eyes biting hard on her lip. She wanted to curl into a ball and cry in pain; but that would alert anyone in the room that she was awake and she didn’t want that yet; not until she knew the level of danger she was in.

She knew she was on the naval ship, but she also knew the Heron was with them and Beaumont would almost certainly use any and all means he had to ensure he escaped on his ship. She had to make sure that he didn’t take her with him.

“On your feet, Governor!” came De Mornay’s voice and Nell’s worst fears were realised when she heard the old man groaning. “Oh, and Helen, sit up won’t you, there’s a good girl!”

Nell blinked tears of frustration when she realised that they had known she was awake. “My head hurts,” she muttered as she slowly raised herself up; the pain in her head made her clutch her fingers into her hair, the nausea swept through her again.

“You’ll be dead if you don’t do exactly as we say; and so will this fine gentlemen, the Governor. I believe he’s related to the Turners somehow…”

Nell looked up in shock at the older man who was staggering to his feet; his face was ashen and his grey wig was crooked, blood seeped through the fine silk of his dress coat and Nell realised they’d hurt him.

“What have you done?” she gasped unable to do anything but stare at the older man in horror.

“Made our intentions clear,” Beaumont said and winced as his right hand ached. He was unable to use his right hand, due to the missing fingers, but he could still aim and fire a pistol with his left. The only thing he would be unable to do would be to sword fight.

“Nice and slowly, Helen, go over to the door and unlock it.”

Nell swallowed the pain as De Mornay pressed his pistol to her temple and grinned at her. “You know we will, Helen.”

“I know you will,” she spat at him and got slowly to her feet, the pain making her grit her teeth. “I know you killed your sister, my mother, so I guess killing me will be no hardship.”

“None at all,” he agreed affably.

”Jack will kill you for this,” Nell inched forwards slowly; every step she took was making her head pound unmercifully.

“Maybe, but rest assured we’ll take you with us,” he replied and with the pistol still pressed in to her temple, he guided her forwards to the door.

“Do exactly what I say, Helen; any heroics and this gentleman’s blood will be on your head, understand?”

“Perfectly,” she snapped angrily.

“Open the door and say inside the threshold and repeat every word I say to you and nothing more.”

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

Jack was close enough to see that something had gone wrong. There was no longer any sign of Beaumont, De Mornay or the Governor, but more to Jack’s concern, he couldn’t see Nell either.

“Where is she?” he muttered. The Pearl was anchored and the two ships were lashed close enough together to enable a plank to be sent across. A stiff looking man hurried to the railings, along with several marines and Jack took him to be Gillette, judging by his dress and the manner the marines deferred him.

“Gillette is looking more pale than usual,” Bryant remarked. “I think Beaumont has the upper hand already.”

“Commodore!” Gillette held out his hand. “We have a situation here that puts me in the unenviable position of denying you.”

“What?” Bryant frowned at Norrington, his hands had gone behind his back and both men looked every inch naval officers; the informal air they’d adopted had disappeared almost automatically.

“What the devil is the man on about?” Jack demanded.

“Speak the King’s English, Captain, please!” Norrington shouted across.

“Sir James Beaumont and his two helpers have the Governor prisoner in my cabin. They are demanding you depart at once and that we let them have safe passage to the Heron; in exchange for the Governor’s life!”

“We’re coming aboard!” Jack shouted and hoisted himself onto the railings. A shot was fired from one of the marines on board and although it was aimed to miss it still made Jack mad as hell. “Stop bloody shooting at me!” he hollered at them but stayed exactly where he was.

“Stay where you are!” Nell came out slowly, alone. Her face was pale and wan and her hands were shaking. “You must leave; they have already shot the Governor in the arm…”

“Father!” Elizabeth surged forwards at Nell’s words but Will held her back.

“He’s all right,” Nell called staying close to the cabin doorway. “But they will kill him, Jack, they will…”

“Nell,” Jack’s voice was lightly strangled as he narrowed his eyes, the anger flowing through his veins was threatening a red haze across his eyes; but he had to keep it under control. He had no choice at all.

“Go, Jack!” Nell made to move forwards and an arm shot through the door and gripped a handful of her hair. She cried out in pain as it pulled on the bruised cuts; she lifted her hands to catch at the hand in her hair but she was yanked backwards, disappearing from sight into the cabin. Jack’s fists clenched and he almost jumped across then and there; but he reined in his temper and instead turned and jumped down from the rail.

“Let us go, Sparrow!” came a shout from inside the cabin. “We will kill them both, you know it, so let us go!”

Norrington looked at Gillette and nodded his head. Gillette’s face contorted in anger but he realised the futility of the situation. He turned and spoke to the marines beside him, who immediately cleared the deck.

“Mister Hock,” Jack turned away from the railings. “A good, clear shot, Mister Hock.”

“Aye, Captain,” Hock replied darkly and moved away to scurry half way up the rigging. He secured himself and drew out his pistol, waiting for a chance to shoot.

Jack turned back as Beaumont and De Mornay made their way from the cabin; Nell was pressed back against De Mornay, and Beaumont had the Governor, pistols pressed into their necks as they used them as shields; there were no good, clear shots.

They watched helplessly as the remaining sailors from the Heron detached themselves from the red-coats, and moving with Beaumont and De Mornay, they made their way across the planks between the Heron and the Reclamation.

“Fire on us, Sparrow and they’ll be meeting Davy Jones, understand?” Beaumont called from the plank.

“No clear shot, Capt’n!” Hock’s voice showed his anxious frustration.

“I understand perfectly, Beaumont.” Jack shouted back and jumped back onto the railings. “But it’s not over yet!” He watched helplessly as the ties between the Heron and the Reclamation were cut and the Heron began moving off, prow first.

“Bugger it all!” Jack jumped back down. “We follow them; we do not lose them from sight at any costs!” He turned full circle and suddenly caught sight of Elizabeth crying against Will, and it struck him that he wasn’t the only one to have something to lose, and it centred him slightly. He strode towards her and touched her back gently; he took a step back when she turned sharply and pinned him with tear stricken glare.

“I want you to kill them, Jack, kill them and bring my father back.”

“I will,” he replied quietly, his dark eyes saying more than his words did.

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A/N: Another chapter over and we’re nearing the end. I just hope you like this one and what’s still to come.

Thanks to everyone for reviews and emails; it keeps it going.

Night: You were right about one thing, a lot of your questions were answered in this chapter, or at least I hope they were. Beaumont and the monks lied, Beaumont didn’t leave the cabin boy behind, the monks just told Nell he had. Beaumont made the pact but he already knew the monks were playing games and instead used his crew as a distraction. The monks were able to follow Jack and Co because he, Jack, rather short-sightedly, forgot the boats and other things. I was kinda hoping that it wasn’t too transparent and that people would start to wonder if Nell was really losing her mind or not, so your review made me feel a bit better. Thanks for leaving a note and I hope you enjoy this one too.