Song of the Sea: Sunsets and Black Sails

Chapter 21: A Game of Persuasion

"Beckett?" Gibbs declared in disbelief.

Elizabeth had just shown them all the letters of marque she had, though she'd yet to say where she'd acquired them.

"Yes, they're signed," she said.

Aria couldn't help but notice a certain James Norrington eavesdropping, but she decided to ignore it.

"Lord Cutler Beckett of the East India Trading Company," Elizabeth continued.

Jack made a noise of disgust.

"Will was working for Beckett and never said a word," Aria hissed, trying to stamp down her rage. Will couldn't have known, she kept telling herself.

"Beckett wants the compass," Gibbs said. "Only one reason for that..."

"Of course," Jack said, his face darkening with the realization. "He wants the chest."

"Yes, he did say something about a chest..." said Elizabeth.

"We must get there first," Aria said. "If the company controls the chest, they control the sea."

"A truly discomforting notion, love," Jack said, resting a hand at her waist.

"And bad!" Gibbs chimed in. "Bad for every mother's son what calls himself a pirate. I think there's a bit more speed to be coaxed from these sails... Brace the foreyard!" He rushed off to order the crew about. It was a race now, to the chest.

"Might I enquire as to how you came by these?" Jack asked, turning to Elizabeth.

He was advancing towards her, and she was backing away. It was rather like watching an animal, deciding whether or not the creature in front of it was friend or prey.

"Persuasion," Elizabeth said.

"Friendly?" Aria asked. She certainly hoped not.

"Decidedly not," her sister said, giving her a look.

Both she and Jack seemed to relax at that, exchanging a glance. Elizabeth wasn't in league with Beckett, and she had even had the guts to bully him a little. Bravo.

Jack hummed thoughtfully.

"Will strikes a deal for these and upholds it with honor, yet you were the one standing here with the prize - full pardon. Commission as a privateer on behalf of England... and the East India Trading Company."

Aria could see the cogs turning in his mind.

"As if I could be bought for such a low price," he said, stuffing the papers into his vest pocket.

"Jack, the letters, give them back!" Elizabeth said urgently.

Aria simply stood back and watched. Jack had a plan, she just couldn't tell what it was yet. He had no use for the papers, she knew. He would never use them, especially when they came from Cutler Beckett. It must simply be for leverage.

"No," he said, smirking. "Persuade me."

Then, Aria realized: He was testing Elizabeth. He wanted to see if she was truly as pirate as he expected... or if she was still just a young woman of high standing, playing at something she wasn't.

"You do know Will taught me how to handle a sword?" Elizabeth said with a smirk.

"Oh yes, very persuasive, Liz," Aria teased. "I'm shaking in my boots."