Chapter 21: Kidnapped
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“He took her?” William Turner asked. The words that fell out of Barbossa’s mouth had yet to register in his mind. The last he saw of Elizabeth she had begrudgingly joined with Barbossa’s group and before they went down their separate paths he kissed her cheek and tucked a few of honey colored tresses under her hat. He told her they would meet up soon and it wouldn’t take them long. He wished he had told her how much he had loved her instead.
“That is what I said,” Barbossa told him.
“Sao Feng took Elizabeth?” Will couldn’t blink. He couldn’t move or even breath.
“He’s in a bit of a daze,” Jack waved his hand in front of Will’s face until Will turned to him. “Their relationship has been sailing through rough waters recently.”
“Partially because of you,” Will glared at him as his emotions came rushing back. He felt fear for Elizabeth’s safety and anger at both Barbossa and Jack.
“But if it wasn’t for me she would be Mrs. Norrington, now wouldn’t she, unless she drowned first”
Will felt like grabbing Jack by the collar but instead he turned to Barbossa. “Why did you leave her there?”
One of the pirates holding Barbossa up stared at him. “We had no choice. There were a great many. They threatened to kill her if we didn’t leave.”
“Captain Barbossa tried to protect her,” the other pirate said. “She insisted on fighting.”
“Feng,” Jack mentioned their enemy’s name under breath and Will could have sworn he saw a flicker of anger in the pirate captain’s eyes. Was it because Feng took Elizabeth? Did Jack Sparrow actually care about her?
“You know me,” Will’s hand grabbed onto the hilt of his sword. “You know I want to just barge in after her. I know that won’t do any good and we need a plan.” He turned to Jack. “As absurd as they may be, I really need one of your plan’s right now.’
“Plan,” Jack repeated the word and grinned sheepishly. “Yes, a plan.” He pressed his fingers against each other. “I have nothing.”
“Jack!” Will did not need time for some of Jack’s odd antics.
“Ah, I think I have something.” He turned to Pintel and Ragetti. “You two take Barbossa and his men back to the docks. Find the others, return here with our prisoners, hands bound of course and follow my tracks.” He turned to Anamaria’s group. “Mr. Gibbs you are to go with them, find the captains we are supposed to meet up with and inform them of what happened.”
“What about Elizabeth?” Will asked.
“I’m just about to get to that part.” Jack said in frustration. “Mr. Gibbs also keep an eye out for a crew led by two strangely dressed individuals. There is a woman wearing pants and a brown jacket.”
“Brown jacket,” Gibbs blinked. “Is she the Brown Coat we are looking for?”
“Still unsure, but look for her. The rest of you lot is going to follow me.” He turned towards the path Barbossa had returned from.
“That is your plan?” Will asked.
“I’m still working on it, just promise me you won’t knock me out and do something stupid.”
“I don’t think I can keep that promise.”
“Then we are ready,” he started to walk off. “Come along.”
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Endless blue that was what Malcolm Reynolds had been staring at for over a week. The gorram blue sea and sky. There were the occasional clouds and even a few storms, but it had been mostly blue.
“Don’t fail me Zoe,” he said under breath, still using his fake accent. He had been using for so long he hadn’t even thought about it. Part of him felt like he was returning to soldier mold and was becoming one of them. “Please still be alive. I order you to still be alive.”
“I believe she is still alive,” Norrington’s voice caused Mal to nearly jump. “Calm yourself Mr. Reynolds. It is just the two of us.”
“You are not the person who is on my most desired company right now, Commodore.” Mal didn’t even turn to face him.
“I do not know how many times I can apologize for not telling you or your friends about Jones. I had hoped we have never come across him.”
“Simon told me you were too concerned for River to speak with me further,” Mal said, remembering a brief conversation he had with the doctor. “Only three people seem to really understand that girl, Her brother, Kaylee and you. I can understand why her brother does and Kaylee tries to get to know everyone and now they are going to be family.” He turned to stare into Norrington’s green eyes. “I really don’t get how you possibly can.”
“That is what friends do.”
“You must have been very patient.”
“I did not earn my commission of commodore by being brash, Mr. Reynolds.”
“Commodore is pretty high up there, and you look like you might even be younger than me, rose up in the ranks pretty quick.”
“Not as quick as you,” Norrington smiled. “I spoke with one of the commanders and they want to promote Mr. Michael Core. You only have been in the royal navy for over a week and already considered to become a sub lieutenant.”
Malcolm couldn’t help but grinning, “Faster than when I became a sergeant.”
“River told me the war was painful for you.”
“It was,” He felt himself loosing the accent while he remembered. “I volunteered to fight for the independents. I was a bit of a scrapper, fought hard. During the war was when I met Zoe. We were part of the 57th Over Landers brigade aka the balls and bayonet’s brigade. I got my share of injuries, one of them saved myself from being impaled, so I’m kind of thankful.” He noticed the way the commodore was just staring at him. “I’ll tell you about that later.” He sighed. “I have seen my fair share of blood and death. Have you ever had to make a barricade out of the bullet riddled corpses out of your fallen soldiers?”
“No, I haven’t,’ Norrington said weakly. “And I hope to God I never will.”
“Serenity valley was the worst.” He grabbed onto the railing. “It was where we lost and for a gorram week while they went through negotiations my platoon was stuck outside without rations and medicine. I remember holding the hand of one soldier. He was just a kid, barely older than River. He died from the infections caused by his bullet wound. He begged me for just one more scripture. He said he liked the way I read em.” Mal closed his eyes. “God failed me, and he and I failed my soldiers.” He felt some of the splinters in the wood dig into his skin, causing his palms and fingers to bleed.
“Mr. Reynolds I’m sorry.” Norrington placed a hand on his back.
“No you are not,” Mal squeezed back the tears. “You know nothing of hell.” He turned to face Norrington and was taken a back by the commodore’s own fallen expression and moist eyes. “Or maybe you do.”
“I can relate. You may not believe it but I can.” He closed his eyes and breathed deeply. “I chased after the man you sought for several months. I had nearly caught him near Tripoli. I believe that nearness is what increased my determination.”
“This determination lead to your great devastation?” Mal asked, trying to use his most neutral tone.
Norrington nodded. “Right into the center of a hurricane. It tore my ship apart, shredded her sails into threads and snapped her masts. My men were dragged away by the wind and waves. I held the hand of one of lieutenant’s a young man by the name of Andrew Gillette. I tried to pull him below deck with me. The wind was too strong and we were hit by a wave. “
Mal could only imagine if he had lost one of his soldiers in such a fashion. He could picture himself trying to hold onto those like Bendis, or Tracey, or the young soldier he had described to Norrington. His name was Jason, and Mal had forgotten his name until now
“I guess you do know.” Mal said before he followed Norrington below deck.
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Jack Sparrow crawled along the grass as he neared the area Sao and his men had taken up residence in. He visualized the plan several times in his head. The first idea was to sneak around Sao’s men and free Elizabeth from her bindings, but knowing Sao, he would have expected it. The second was to have Turner brashly enter the fray heading straight for Elizabeth and distract Sao’s men while Jack rescued the girl, but Sao would have expected that as well. The third idea was the same but in reverse and have the rest of the crew jump in for a battle, but then again Sao might have thought of that as well.
“Do you know what you are doing?” Turner asked before he grabbed the trunk of the nearest tree and began climbing.
“Of course I know my part in the plan. Anamaria knows what her part of the plan is and so do the rest and I hope you know what you are doing.”
“I’m going to rescue Elizabeth,” Will answered as he climbed even higher.
“Good lad,” Jack said before he parted some of the vegetation and peered into the clearing.
Sao Feng and his men had set up some form of camp. There were tents, and a few fires going, even had a spit with some meat roasting over one of the flames. The crew were walking around, sharpening their weapons, and talking. Sao himself was seated in front of a tent with Yan Hui, both looking like they were studying some maps or charts.
Then there was Elizabeth. She was seated on a barrel with her wrists bound and a blindfold over her eyes. There were two men, one on each side guarding her, obviously bait for a trap. It was a trap that was meant for him, Jack Sparrow.
“Gentlemen,” Jack Sparrow waltzed into the clearing. “Fancy meeting you here. I didn’t know we were going the same way.” He stopped in his tracks when he felt the edge of a blade against his throat.
“Sparrow!” Yan Hui approached him as fast as his cane and brace could allow. “You walked right into our trap.”
“Trap?” Jack tried to look naïve. “May I inquire what this glorious trap is for or who it might be for, cause you went through a lot of trouble setting up this trap and it is a fine looking one at that.” He had a feeling of what the real trap would be. He knew that he hadn’t walked into the real one. Feng would not have his men lounging around in a real trap.
Yan chuckled and shook his head. “This trap is for you.”
“Oh, it is for me?” Jack pointed at himself. “Traps where you just have a tied up girl and everyone is around where everyone could see them. I am impressed that you didn’t do a trap where you just leave the girl tied up and hide until I and my men try to free her, nor you have her tied and dangling from a tree and when I walk up to her fall into a pit, no you didn’t disappoint me. You thought hard on this one. Sao Feng must be pleased with you.”
“This was my idea actually,” Sao sauntered up to him. “And I know you know this isn’t the real trap.” He turned towards where he kept Elizabeth and shouted a few words.
One of the men standing next to her ran into the brush behind her for a full minute before he came back, shaking his head.
Sao smiled. “Well done, Jack.” He removed a pistol from his holster and shot it straight for the treetops. “But not well enough.”
Turner shouted as he dangled down from the tree, holding onto a few vines for support. One of the branches he had been standing on was destroyed by the shot.
“Sorry mate,” Jack smiled weakly at the boy.
“I have only failed myself,” Turner said before he released his hold and was promptly surrounded by a few members of Feng’s guards. “And Elizabeth.”
“Will,” Elizabeth sat up higher on the barrel and tried to slip off. The two men guarding her kept her on the barrel.
The rest of Sao’s pirates thrust their blades against the grass surrounding the clearing; some even ran a few feet while swinging their weapons and were there for a few minutes before they returned.
“I’m surprised Jack,” Sao frowned. “And a bit disappointed. I thought you would have the rest of your crew surrounding this place.”
“I didn’t because you expected it.” He glanced back to where he had entered in time to see his crew race into the fray. “Told them to wait about ten minutes after they heard a loud noise.”
Sao shouted to his men before he joined in the battle, leaving Will and Jack unguarded.
Jack reached for his own sword, only to discover that this time Sao’s men had taken it, along with his pistol. “Bugger this,” he grumbled as he searched around for something to use and found a rock. He picked it up and threw it at one of the Chinese pirates.
The rock struck the man’s head, rendering him unconscious. Jack stole the man’s sword and ran up to another pirate to engage in battle. He managed to defeat that man in only a few strokes of his sword.
Jack stared back at Elizabeth. Anamaria had hidden herself well and was freeing the girl. He glanced over to Turner to see the young man used the broken branch he was standing on as a weapon and used it to knock out another man.
“Sao stop!”
Jack froze when he heard Lady Phoenix’s voice and turned to Sao’s tent. She was standing in front of it with a pleading look was in her eyes. Jack was surprised she wasn’t trying to run in and join the fight, use her fans against Sao’s weapons in order to try to convince him. He didn’t notice until he saw the shackle around her ankle, securing her to an iron ball.
Jack felt rage consume his body before he raced towards Feng. The Chinese captain had just killed another member of Jack’s crew. “I thought I had figured you out.” He lashed his blade towards Sao.
“I could say the same for you,” Feng answered, using his sword before he tried to swipe at Jack with the metal claw.
Jack jumped back and swung at Sao again. “I knew you had it in you to be clever and even kidnap the girl, but to chain you own sister?”
“She brought it down on herself.”
Jack glared and increased the speed and force of his blades. “Because she helped me escape?” He managed to stab Sao’s arm.
“No,” Sao swiped at Jack’s chest, the claws tore into Jack’s clothes. “Because she lied.”
Jack jumped back and tried to ignore the sting from the scratch he felt. Sao did not cut deep, but he had drawn some blood. He did manage to get a good hit on Sao. He could see the blood trickle down his opponent’s arm.
“I suggest you drop your sword and surrender.” Sao grinned.
“And why would I do that?”
Sao pointed to where Elizabeth and Anamaria were. Anamaria had managed to free Elizabeth from her bonds but both women had men behinds them and blades against their throats. “Because if you don’t then they will be killed.”
Jack dropped his sword. “Surrender men.” He ordered and raised his hands.
Turner and the others dropped their weapons and also raised their hands.
“Order the prisoners to gather around,” Sao commanded. “And get rid of the bodies.” He scowled at he corpses; some of the dead were from his own crew.
“On your knees and put you hands behind your head.” Yan Hui instructed.
Jack had no choice but to as he was instructed. Turner and the other members of his crew kneeled next him and placed their hands behind their heads. Elizabeth and Anamaria were still standing and Lady Phoenix was glaring at her brother.
“There is no reason for this,” Lady Phoenix said. “I am sorry that I lied but you know there is no reason to kill him.”
“You didn’t lie, love,” Jack said. “I did hurt you when I didn’t bed you and offer you an explanation.”
“Stop talking Sparrow,” Feng commanded.
“Why did you take Elizabeth?” Will asked. Jack thought about telling the boy to keep his mouth shut, but Turner wasn’t the one ordered to stop speaking.
“Payment” Sao explained. “But mostly to lure Jack.”
“Why?” Turner asked. “This isn’t because Jack hadn’t done anything to your sister.”
“No it isn’t,” Feng smiled. “But this was for tricking me into getting drunk, damaging my rudder chain, escaping, the incident with the jade guild and that time in Burma.”
Jack raised his elbow. “Hmmm.” He kept his hands on his head as he repeated the sounds.
The Chinese pirate rolled his eyes. “You may speak.’
“Sao, mate there is something you may not know. There are several ships sailing with us. We were to meet up with four more here. I have over a thousand on my side and they will soon be here.”
“It is more than what you have,” Lady Phoenix said in a smug voice. “Only five other ships joined you.”
Sao glowered at her. “Bi zui mei mei.”
“I will not be silent.” She narrowed her eyes. “You insisted I come so you can keep an I on me and made me leave my fans on the ship and you have me tethered. I will not tether my tongue.”
Sao ignored her. “It does not matter if they are on their way. Jack and his crew will all be dead by the time we arrive.”
“Could we try to bargain?” Jack asked. “I have some of your men in my brig. They are being brought along. You release us and you can have them back.”
“Do I look like a fool?”
Jack shook his head. “You don’t care to bargain?”
“No I don’t”
“What about to wager in a fair game?”
“A game,” Sao nodded towards the barrel Elizabeth had been sitting on. Two of his men brought it over. “Are you in a gambling mood Sparrow?”
“Always am.”
“Three rounds,” Sao said. “First round would be for my men.”
Jack nodded. “Sounds fair.”
“Second round would be for you and your men to be set free.”
“Don’t want to save that for last?” Jack asked.
Sao chuckled. “Third and final round, we free the two women.”
Turner tried to stand and was forced down again.
Jack rolled his eyes. “Try not to be too foolish.” He turned to Feng. “We have a deal. Cards it is?”
His rival shook his head. “You always have been known to cheat at cards. Dice.”
“You haven’t been quite honest with dice your self, perhaps we mix things up a bit?”
Sao was contemplating the idea when there was a rustle in the growth to the side.
“I gots me an idea,” a man Jack had never seen or heard before came into the clearing. “How abouts we arm rassle?” The man was huge, taller than Norrington and built like a brick wall. He was dressed in a drab colored shirt with barely any sleeves, a pair of tan trousers and boots. He kept his hair was cut short and sported a small beard on his face.
“Who is he?” Sao asked. His eyes were on Jack.
“I don’t have the devil’s idea of who he is.”
Sao studied Jack’s face. “No you don’t.” He turned to the stranger. “Who are you?”
“I’m a man of many talents, good with guns and great with the women folk,” the man explained. He seemed undaunted by pirates surrounding him. “But you can call me Jayne.”
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