What Goes Up

 

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There was a wind blowing up.



For nigh on a fortnight the ship had sat in a doldrums.  Barely a breeze had whispered across the weathered deck.  Hardly a sail had fluttered, nor a rigging line creaked from the strain of a good gust.  Truly, it was maddening.  



The ship lay anchored hardly ten knots out from land, and thus, fresh water and food supplies, yet not a single vessel had been in sight in what should have been a fairly well-trafficked lane.  Because there had been no wind, not a soul dared venture further from the shore than was easily returnable by oar.



And then, of course, there was issue of the men going stir crazy with nothing to do.



Least-wise ole Jack.



But now.  Now, there was a Wind a blowing up.  He could feel it as deep in his bones as he could the first stirrings across his cheek.  The seasoned First Mate inhaled a deep intake of salty-and-something-else'd air into his lungs that brought about a feeling of both elation and an unsettling trepidation.



Aye, there was a Wind all right.  But it was not ordinary.



"Mr Gibbs!"



First Mate Joshamee Gibbs startled out of his reverie and into attention and whirled about at the hoarse command of his captain.



"Aye!"



The beat of steady boot-falls on creaking wood sounded up from the deck below as a man carefully climbed upward.  First, a worn leather tricorn emerged, followed by a cascade of black, ropey braids adorned with colourful beads.  If hair could be a magpie’s nest, his would qualify.  A face then turned from behind his bedazzled curtain, displaying a pair of wide, fearful, kohl-lined eyes and a black, double-tipped braided beard swung innocently from a chin that wanted trimming.



Captain Jack Sparrow rapidly sniffed two times and looked to the left.  The right corner of his mouth twitched.  He looked to the right and sniffed the sea air twice more.  His left eye ticked.



Gibbs waited patiently for the captain to complete whatever command he had been intending.



"Gibbs." Jack whispered, leaning forward.  "Is that wind?"



Gibbs hesitantly grinned and nodded once, casting a wary eye out to sea.  "Aye.  That it be."



Sparrow squeaked.  A be-ringed hand smoothly slid up the wall at his left, caressing the Pearl as gently as a lover might, his eyes closed in thanks.  A gust of air rustled the charm fixed to a lock of twisted black hair and Jack melted in response.  Then, he tensed.



In a flash, Sparrow exited the stairwell and placed himself squarely beside his First Mate, staring out to sea in alarm.  He sniffed again.



"'Tis an odd wind," Gibbs grumbled anxiously beside him.



Jack's eyes narrowed.



Gibbs flicked a sideways glance at him.  "Sorta... familiar e'en."



Jack's lips twitched again.



"Reminds me of a time.  Long ago." Joshamee whispered.



Jack inhaled and set his jaw.



Neither men spoke as an oddly scented wind, a fully charged, almost electric, mischievous breeze grew stronger until the dark sails of the Black Pearl filled and curved outward, completing their purpose for existence.



Jack swallowed and licked his lips.  "To port, Mr Gibbs."



The older man nodded, "Aye.  To port."  He resolutely turned and began barking orders to the scant men lazing about the upper deck.  They snapped to attention and scrambled about raising sails, tightening halyards, manning nests.



As the Pearl finally groaned back to life after too long of a rest, Jack ran his hands along the railing with an odd feeling in his gut, and…peculiar… memories flashed through his mind, as if from a dream. Conversely, those same unsettling memories coaxed an unwitting smirk from his lips, and upon further investigation he found that his mouth went dry.



He ran weathered hands again along the smoothened, softly grooved wood, and pursed his lips as the sea breeze blew through his locks.



“There now, love,” he murmured.  “The winds may finally be a-changin’.”



He grinned and looked out towards the horizon.



Yes.  Something very interesting was about to happen.

 

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A/N: This story will be about 12 or 13 chapters in total.  I would really, really love feedback on it. :)  Many thanks to my dear friend just_a_dram for the kind beta and sweet words.