Song of the Sea: Sunsets and Black Sails

Chapter 17: False Pretences

Now

The beating of the drums echoed in Aria's ears, pulling her from her dark memories. Jack had said the Pelegostos had captured someone on the island, and were bringing him to the camp. Aria pitied the poor soul. More than likely, the poor sod would have to be eaten, in order to keep the cannibals from killing any more of the crew.

Jack had somehow managed to convince the people that Aria was his divine queen. Or something like that. While she was grateful that she wasn't stuck in a cage made of bones with a bunch of filthy, pirate men, she was rather concerned about the fact that these people thought Jack was a god and intended to eat him. Not to mention, if they now considered here a goddess, that meant they were likely to eat her, too.

Just then, the drums stopped, signalling the arrival of the scouting party. Aria froze when she saw who it was tied up to the pole. Jack, however, managed to keep his composure a little better.

"Jack?" Will muttered groggily, blinking the haze from his eyes. "Jack Sparrow!"

Jack glanced at Aria uncomfortably. If Will kept talking, he could put them all in serious danger.

Will laughed in relief. Poor fellow had no idea what he had stumbled into.

"I can honestly say I'm glad to see you!"

Jack stood and wandered over to Will, as chiefly as possible. Aria stayed where she was, like a good goddess queen presumably would... Poking around on Will, Jack made a big show of examining him in front of the people.

"Jack, It's me! Will Turner!" he called, but Jack did not acknowledge him.

Aria tried her best to look queenly and calm, even as Will turned his pleas on her. She ignored him, while Jack made some sort of announcement to the Pelegostos.

"Jack, the compass! That's all I need!" Will begged. "Elizabeth is in danger. We were arrested for trying to help you. She faces the gallows!"

Aria couldn't stop a small gasp, but luckily, her attendants took no notice. That lying snake Beckett went back on their deal! Oh, she was really going to kill him now. Slowly. And painfully. Like any good pirate would.

Jack had given an order to the cannibals, and now they were carrying Will away. He came back to sit by her, and she growled lowly, "Cutler Beckett is going to die. At my hand, Jack, I swear it."

He paused, giving her an appraising look.

"Aria..." he murmured softly, so none but she could hear, "Is he the reason... Love, what did he do?"

But she refused to look at him. She couldn't tell him. He couldn't know.

The cannibals presented Jack with a necklace of toes and fingers, thoroughly distracting him from pressing the matter further. Aria dearly hoped they hadn't prepared one for her. Luckily, it seemed that was an honor reserved only for the chief. Aria shuddered as Jack politely took a nibble, so as not to arouse suspicion. Immediately, he spat it back out.

Aria cringed, making a mental note not to kiss him for a while...

Odd necklaces aside, they were running out of time. The wood pile was getting bigger. Jack ordered them to put more wood on the fire, and of course, they obeyed. He ordered the royal attendants to help too, and as soon as there were finally no eyes watching their every move, he grabbed Aria by the hand. The two of them took off running, as fast as they could go.