Privateers!

Author: Llarian
Author email: llarian@llarian.de
Rating: PG13 (for swearing, mostly)
Type: Adventure
Summary: Begins right after the movie, then jumps ahead a few months. There's trouble brewing between nations, new pirates are sailing and plundering in the Caribbean and elsewhere. Jack Sparrow and his crew are dragged into the mess. Can they make a difference? Disclaimer: "Pirates of the Caribbean”, including all characters you recognise from the motion picture, is owned by Disney. Only the ones you don't recognise are mine, as is this story. I'm writing this for fun, not money.

Note for Chapter 2: I forgot to mention that the scene with the baby is a nod towards "Operation Petticoat". If you don't know this movie yet, I recommend watching it – it's hilariously funny!

Chapter 3a

"We have an accord! – Part 1"

The door of the Pearl's brig clanged shut behind Carlysle. The Lieutenant turned to face his Captain once more.

"Captain, I beg you to reconsider. You cannot trust this Sparrow. He is a pirate, Sir. A criminal. He'll as soon cut your throat as keep his word."

Henderson shook his head. "You have a lot to learn, Mr. Carlysle."

With that, he turned and left his first mate to consider his situation. Mr. Cotton trailed behind him.

- - -

Having made his decision, Jack Sparrow left his Quarters only to be immediately accosted by the young physician whose name he had yet to learn.

"Captain, I hear we need five days to Tortuga?"

"Aye", Jack replied.

"Then I feel it my duty to inform you that several of the injured may not make it that far. I need to get them on land, Sir. There is only so much I can do for them aboard ship."

Jack nodded. "Duly noted, Doctor." He pushed past the physician and climbed the stairs to the poop deck. Many eyes followed him, some curious, some with barely contained animosity. At least Henderson had managed to keep his men from doing something stupid, like starting a mutiny on the spot. The pirate saw Mr. Gibbs appear back on deck.

Jack let his gaze sweep over the Black Pearl's deck. The normally happy-go-lucky pirate wore an unusually grim expression.

"Gentleman, prepare to change course broad on the starboard bow", he ordered.

"Jack, that brings us South by South East", Anamaria, who was at the helm, exclaimed.

"Aye."

"But that be the course to Port Royal!" she protested.

"Aye, luv, Port Royal." Jack nodded, not taking his eyes from the crew.

"But Norrington..."

Jack whipped around to face his first mate.

"... will do nothin', cause we'll not be sailing right into the harbour, savvy?"

The mulatta woman shook her finger at her captain. "Ye're daft, Jack! Don't think we'll be comin' back fer you again when they hang you this time!"

"She's right, Captain. Ye'll be riskin' yer neck, and for what?" Gibbs, who had just climbed the stairs up to the quarterdeck, asked.

"There's more afoot than we know, Gibbs." A deep frown appeared on Jack's handsome countenance. "We're heading for trouble."

"Aye, Captain. Port Royal is trouble fer sure." Gibbs nodded gravely.

The comment brought a fleeting grin to Jack's features.

"That's not what I meant, old friend. Now get to work, or we'll be sailing north past Jamaica before you've given the orders, mate."

Gibbs frowned at his mad Captain, but bellowed out the orders to adjust the sails when Anamaria turned the wheel. The Black Pearl gracefully changed direction.

Jack descended the stairs to the main deck again; there was still another duty to perform, and he had a mind to assist Captain Henderson in that.

"Captain, on behalf of my patients, thank you!"

Jack nodded. "Not for your benefit, Doctor, but you're welcome anyway."

Henderson, who had just reappeared on deck with Cotton, approached him. "You've changed course, Captain?"

"Aye. We'll be sailing to Jamaica, after all." Jack lifted both hands in a fluttering gesture. "Don't thank me yet, Captain. We can't make port in Port Royal, what with Fort Charles close by ´n lookin' out to sea. So we'll be stayin' out of reach of their little cannons, and the lot of you will have to row ashore, savvy?"

Henderson nodded. "I completely understand, Captain, and I am more than grateful."

Meanwhile, in London

Dusk had fallen, bringing a chilling wind that swept through the streets of the British capital. Devon Montgomery tried to relax in his library with a glass of his favourite sherry and a roaring fire in the fireplace. Any day now, both the "Sir Francis Drake" and his agent aboard the "Megan" should arrive in Port Royal – if they made it at all. Sea voyages held many vagaries, and these days, more dangers than ever. Despite His Majesties efforts, the situation with France was steadily growing worse. The Old Man sighed and reached for one of his old log books. The book fell open almost by itself on a much-read page.

*-*-*

10 August, 1674 I had my misgivings about the new midshipman, Lord Angus Delabarre, but the lad takes to sailing like a duck to water. A born man of the sea if I've ever beheld one. I find myself more and more forgetting that he is only twelve years old, and his father does not approve of his career choice.

***

Montgomery turned a number of pages.

***

12 November 1675

Calm sea. Had to reprimand Midshipman Delabarre again. The lad is a fine sailor, but much too friendly with the crew. Perhaps he means to compensate for his upbringing as the younger son of a Duke. He and A.B. Turner are thick as thieves.

*** 10 June 1677

Stiff nor'easterly breeze. Making good time to Macao. Had to reprimand Midshipman Delabarre again. I swear, the lad has saltwater in his veins! However, that does not excuse him from the proper use of instruments when determining our position. One of those days, his instinct is bound to fail him, and he'll land himself in trouble for it. The more superstitious of our crew are divided in two groups; some say he's in league with the devil, to be able to sail without compass and Davis' quadrant, or even a cross-staff*. Others believe he must be a mermaid's get, which is only marginally better. The most far-travelled tell of natives on remote islands who sail like Delabarre does; by the stars and the sun, the direction of the wind, the form of the waves, and even the taste of the seawater.

***

Montgomery slammed the book shut. Whatever had possessed him to dredge up those memories again? He remembered all too well how it ended.

In the Caribbean

The service for the fallen crewmen of the "Megan" had been mercifully short, although there was a slight hold-up when Henderson realised that his ship's bible had gone down with his ship. Luckily, Jack was able to dig out a bible in his quarters and lend it to Henderson.

Now the sun was setting on the western horizon, and the pirates settled down into their usual routine of having a tankard of ale, beer, wine, or even watered-down rum on deck (though much less and much weaker than usual – Mr. Gibbs had given out the parole to stay alert, just in case, and even the dimmest and craziest among the pirates need not be told why).

Jack sat on a crate, tankard in hand, when he was approached by one of the female passengers.

"May I have a word, Captain", she inquired politely.

"Certainly, dear." Jack Sparrow gestured to a barrel that stood nearby. The woman gingerly sat down.

"And you are?"

"Mrs. Woolesley, Captain. I am Dr. Woolesleys wife."

"Ah."

The young lady fidgeted under the pirate's intense stare. Blushing a bit, she lowered her own gaze to her lap.

"You will probably think this a silly question, but I worry, Sir, although my husband tells me not too." Her voice held a hint of exasperated disapproval.

"There's no such thing as a silly question, luv", Jack assured her. "Unless ye'll be askin' the same thing over and over again, despite havin' been given the answer."

The woman gave a small laugh.

"If that only were the case, Captain. But men - begging your pardon – seem to believe worry is not befitting a lady, and information even more so."

Jack Sparrow gestured with his tankard and grinned, the light from a lantern glinting off his gold teeth.

"Tell ye somethin', luv: I'll be tradin' an answer for an answer, savvy? You ask your questions, and I'll be askin' some of mine."

"Done, Captain. Unless your questions are of a personal nature, in which case I reserve the right not to answer."

"We have an accord, then."

Jack held out his hand, which Mrs. Woolesley gingerly touched with her fingers, and they shook on it.

"So, what is it that worries you, dear?"

There was a short pause while Mrs. Woolesley gathered her thoughts.

"We are now on the same course the Megan was before the attack, are we not, Captain?"

She waited for the pirate to nod before she continued: "Wouldn't the... the ships that attacked us... try again?"

Jack grinned at her avoidance of the term "pirate".

"'S not a silly question at all, luv", he replied. "In fact, had I planned this attack, I would have made sure to have a second line, just in case. However... if they do, they'll be expectin' the Megan, not me lovely Pearl."

"But if the second line got word of the failed attack..."

Jack shook his head, dark, kohl-rimmed eyes sparkling.

"Not probable, luv. See, there's sumthin' ye don't know, that bein' the Black Pearl is the fastest ship in the Caribbean. They'd have a high time tryin' to get a message ahead of us. `Sides, even if we are attacked, me Pearl's no easy prey for the likes of them. She's a warship, make no mistake, missy. Much better armed than the Megan was, and better than the sloops what sank your vessel, too. Only ship in these waters that could possibly give us trouble be the Dauntless, under the good Commodore Norrington."

Mrs. Woolesley managed a small smile. "Thank you, Captain. I am much reassured now."

Jack raised his tankard in salute and grinned back.

"Now, I believe it's my turn to be askin' questions, luv."

"That was our agreement, Captain. What is it you wish to know?"

The pirate leaned a bit closer to her, his much-adorned hair dangling around his face.

"Tell me more about the political situation in Europe, luv", he demanded.

Mrs. Woolesley blinked in confusion. "I'm afraid I cannot do that, Captain."

"What?" Jack's eyebrows disappeared completely beneath his bandana. "That question of a personal nature to ye? Dinna know ye be Royalty, Missy!"

Mrs. Woolesley shook her head, blushing furiously. "Oh no, it's not that, Sir. It's just... I have little knowledge of politics. A Ladies parlour is not a place for discussions of that kind."

"Ah."

Jack took a swig from his tankard.

"Tell me, then", he asked, "William of Orange is still our king, isn't he?"

"Oh, yes, of course he is!"

"And Louis of France... he hasn't kicked the bucket, has he?"

"Why, no, Captain, Louis XIV is still on the throne. But Carl II of Spain has recently died. Would that be the information you seek?" Mrs. Woolesley was quite a bit puzzled by Captain Sparrow inquiring about the respective rulers of Europe's nations. Why would a pirate be interested in the politics of European nobility?

"Ah, that, my dear, depends on who succeeded him on the throne. Wasn't the Prince of Bavaria supposed to be his heir?"

"Yes, he was, but I'm afraid he died before King Carl. Philipp of Anjou was declared the new King."

"By no other than Louis, I bet..." Jack thoughtfully stroked his braided goatee. "That's interesting. That's very interesting."**

"I'm afraid I fail to understand, Captain?"

"You will, my dear. I'm afraid you will understand only too well before the year is out."

He smiled at the young woman, but the smile did not reach his dark eyes.

Shouts from the foredeck then drew his attention: "A song! Give us a song, Mikey!"

The lad that answered to this name, youngest in the Megan's crew, rose nervously from his seat.

"I'm not sure I can...", he began, but the men drowned out his protests with more demands for song.

"How can they think of entertainment on this evening, when their friends have died only this morning?" Mrs. Woolesley shook her head, appalled at the sailor's obvious callousness.

"To confirm that they, at least, are still alive." Jack Sparrow shrugged. "It's a dangerous occupation, bein' a sailor. Even without the pirate attack that you so fear, we could all be dead before the morning."

He ducked into his quarters and emerged only seconds later with his guitar. A nod and a hand signal told Mr. Gibbs that the pirates would join in the merry-making, and Gibbs elbowed Anamaria into the ribs before producing his own instrument, a hornpipe, from his jacket. Anamaria grinned, and leaned back to pick up the fiddle she had already brought on deck for later use. She poked Duncan with the fiddle's bow, who looked up, and then quickly leaped to his feat to fetch his Bodhran and Marty's tin whistle.

Meanwhile, the boy had begun to sing. He had a sweet mezzo-soprano, but tonight his voice was wavering.

"Farewell an' adieu to you fair Spanish ladies, Farewell an'adieu to you ladies of Spain, For we've orders to sail back to merry old England, And fear we shall never see you again."

The other sailors raised their voices with his on the chorus:

"We'll rant and we rave, like true British sailors, we'll rant and we'll rave across the salt seas,"

but they fell silent one by one as the pirates fell in with their instruments. Everybody looked at Jack Sparrow, who played his guitar and sang with them.

"Go on, lads, sing! This not be a Navy ship where the crew and officers ain't be singin' together!"*** Jack laughed, and sang on:

"Till we strike soundings in the Channel of Old England, from Ushant to Scilly is thirty-four leagues.

We hove our ship to, with the wind at sou'west, boys, We hove our ship to for to take soundings clear. In fifty-five fathoms with a fine sandy bottom, We filled our maintops'l, up Channel did steer."

"Perhaps a different song, Captain!" Mr. Gibbs called when the Megan's crew only stared at the eccentric pirate.

"Ye think?" Jack put his guitar down.

"Aye, Captain, and I know just the right one to properly introduce you to this lot." The old sailor whispered something into Anamaria's ear, who laughed and nodded, and then he began to sing in a rum-oiled baritone, with the first mate accompanying him on her fiddle:

"Now `twas twenty five or thirty years since Jack first saw the light He came into this world of woe one dark and stormy night He was born on board his father's ship as she was lying to `Bout twenty five or thirty miles south-east of Baccalieu.

Jack was every inch a sailor Five and twenty years a whaler Jack was every inch a sailor He was born upon the bright blue sea.

When Jack grew up to be a man he went to the Labrador He fished in Indian Harbour where his father fished before On his returning in the fog he met a heavy gale And Jack was swept into the sea and swallowed by a whale.

Jack was every inch a sailor Five and twenty years a whaler Jack was every inch a sailor He was born upon the bright blue sea.

The whale went straight for Baffin's Bay `bout ninety knots an hour And every time he`d blow a spray he sent it in a shower "O, now", says Jack unto himsel, "I must see what he's about" He caught the whale all by the tale and turned him inside out!

Jack was every inch a sailor Five and twenty years a whaler Jack was every inch a sailor He was born upon the bright blue sea."****

Much to the laughter of both crews, Jack Sparrow had gotten up and, dancing across the deck, mimicked the actions described in the song. When Mr. Gibbs ended, he bowed with a flourish.

"Tha's me!" he called. "Captain Jack Sparrow!"

After this, the evening's entertainment continued in a much more relaxed fashion, with both crews mingling freely.

** The next morning found Jack Sparrow up early as usual at the helm. The Pearl was making good time, and Jack estimated they would reach Port Royal before noon the following day. None of the injured sailors had died so far, mainly due to Dr. Woolesley's dedicated work.

Below decks, Anamaria knocked on Mrs. Miller's cabin door.

___

* Both the Davis' quadrant (or back-staff) and the cross-staff are forerunners of the sextant and were eventually replaced by the more modern, accurate instrument.

** Carl II of Spain was the last Habsburg on that throne. The Spanish succession had been of interest since the mid-17th century. There were several possible heirs, all more or less closely related to Carl. Carl II himself declared Prince Joseph Ferdinand of Bavaria to be his heir. Unfortunately, the Prince died on February 6th, 1699, once again leaving the question of the Spanish succession open. William III of England and Louis XIV drew up a contract to divide the country: The crown should fall to Duke Karl, the second son of Emperor Leopold I of Austria, while Philipp of Anjou, a grandson of Louis, should receive Naples, Sicily, Guipuzcoa, and Milano. However, Leopold did not agree to the contract, so Louis did not feel bound by it. After much diplomatic deliberation (and influencing the Spanish monarch), Carl II declared Philipp of Anjou to be his sole heir. After the death of Carl on November 1st, 1700, Philipp V immediately seized the throne. He arrived in Madrid on February 18th, 1701. Emperor Leopold protested against this and prepared for war, but it wasn't before Louis of France declared his intention to use the new situation to better France's position of power and close all harbours in South America and the West Indies to British and Dutch ships, that French troops drove the Dutch troops from Dutch-occupied Spain, and Louis after the death of the exiled King Jakob II of England recognised his son as King Jakob III, that an alliance was formed between England, the Netherlands, and the Empire in September 1701. Prussia and Portugal also joined this alliance. The war that followed lasted until 1714.

*** This refers to a scene in "Master and Commander", when the crew are singing and one of the Midshipmen joins them, everybody falls silent. Apparently, crew and officers were supposed to keep strictly apart, even off-duty and during the usual evening entertainment of singing and storytelling.

**** Both songs may be anachronistic in the time setting of the story, but I couldn't find a date for either of them – and I found "Jack was every inch a sailor" fits Mr. Gibbs penchant for tall tales and yarns perfectly! :)