Narcissa Barbossa: Dead Men Tell No Tales

Sisterly Bonding

Her shock must have shown on her face because Narcissa laughed softly.

"How?" asked Carina.

"Magic," shrugged Narcissa. "The world is a mysterious place. Facts are useful in guiding us but it would be a dull place if they were all that existed. My heart lies many miles away the sole heel to my immortality. It is both a blessing and a curse."

"You speak of Captaining your ship as if it were some great duty that weighed on you. Not just a choice of career," observed Carina. Narcissa gave her a small smile.

"You're an insightful young woman," she said. "Yes. The job of the Captain of the Dutchman is to ferry the souls of those who die at sea into the other world beyond. I act as a guide of sorts you could say."

"How long have you been doing that?" asked Carina taking in the information. Presumably "other world beyond" meant some sort of afterlife.

"Around two decades," answered Narcissa with a slightly pained expression. Carina was shocked. No wonder Narcissa seemed so much older. To be surrounded by death nearly day in and day out for twenty years would take a toll on anyone let alone a young woman. She couldn't have been much older than Carina when she took on the job then.

"Have you ever thought of giving it up?" asked Carina curiously. Narcissa's expression turned serious and sharp.

"Absolutely not. I would never abandon my duty."

"Why?" pushed Carina. She was slightly concerned she might be going a bit far but then caution had never been one of her strong suits. Narcissa sighed and a sad look came into her eyes.

"When I sailed with Jack and my father many years ago, we came across the souls of those who had died at sea. They looked utterly lost, for Davy Jones had abandoned his duty. Among those souls was the man who had raised me for 12 years. Who took me in out of the kindness of his heart, I would never put someone through that. As long as I command the Dutchman, I will stay true to my duty."

It was strange hearing such wisdom and pain come from one who looked so young yet Carina did not doubt the woman's word for a moment. She could now well understand Henry's desire to free is Aunt from her duty.

"But enough about me. What brings you on this journey? Why are you so set on finding where this map leads?" Narcissa asked her. Carina felt a strange kinship with the woman as if she could trust her.

"My father left me the journal when I was left on the doorstep of an English orphanage. It's all I have of him. I thought following it might lead me to him. He's the only family I have." Narcissa gave her a sympathetic look.

"I'm sorry about your loss. And I understand your search. I was in an orphanage for a while and then separated from my biological father for years. I hoped he was out there and wanted nothing more than to find him again."

"You and Captain Barbossa seem very close," commented Carina. A part of her hoped if she found her father that she would have a similar relationship with him. Narcissa smiled.

"We are. There's rarely been a time when we haven't been. He might be a pirate who's certainly done shall we say less than moral things in his line of work but he's always been a wonderful father. I've always known he loved me. He made sure of that. He always did was best for me even when it meant breaking his own heart."

"What do you mean?" asked Carina. Narcissa sighed.

"Piracy wasn't my father's career of choice for me. When I lost my mother, he gave me up to an orphanage in the hopes I'd be able to make a respectable life for myself," a little mischievous smile crossed the woman's face. "Of course, when it became clear that wasn't going to be the case, he taught me all I know."

"This book is what lead me to study the sciences. I suppose I always felt closer to my father if I was following the one thing I knew about him," Carina confided and Narcissa nodded.

"I felt the same except for me it was rebellious acts related to piracy like learning to swordfight which kept me feeling close to my father." Carina bit her lip for a moment before coming to a decision.

"May I show you something?" she asked quietly.

"Of course," said Narcissa kindly. Carina flipped to the very back page of her book revealing a message in slightly untidy scrawl.

"To my great treasure, may you shine bright as the stars above."

-Father

Carina thought she saw Narcissa stiffen at the sight of the writing but couldn't be sure.

"It's what really kept me going. What made me sure that I wasn't just left because I was unwanted. I have to believe he did it because he thought it was my best chance," she said with a sigh.

"I'm sure that's exactly what he meant by leaving you. No wonder you want to find him," murmured Narcissa. Their matching blue gazes met and suddenly Narcissa embraced Carina tightly.

"I'm sure you'll find him. And that he'd be incredibly proud of the woman you've become." Carina was shocked but returned the embrace which felt natural, hesitantly.

"How can you be sure?" she asked when the red-haired woman pulled back. Narcissa smiled.

"I just know." Suddenly Carina felt something slightly heavy jump onto her shoulder, she let out a yelp and turned to see the little monkey that seemed to flit between Captain Barbossa and his daughter. Narcissa laughed.

"Don't mind him, that's Jack."

"Like the pirate?" asked Carina warily regarding the monkey who chittered playfully.

"Surprisingly yes," answered Narcissa. "Father always had a strange sense of humor. That little fellow's seen even more battle than I have."

"Really?" asked Carina confused on how a capuchin monkey might survive that long without showing much sign of age.

"Oh I'm not the only immortal one on this ship," smirked Narcissa. A beam of moonlight fell on them and suddenly the monkey's furry body became skeletal. Carina gasped in surprise but also found herself oddly fascinated.

"Jack's cursed by Aztec gold. But that's a completely different story," explained Narcissa. Carina hesitantly reached out to the monkey and took his skeletal paw it was real alright. The moon went behind a cloud and Jack returned to his normal furry form. He cuddled closer against her neck.

"Strange. He usually only likes family," commented Narcissa.

"I suppose I'm pleased to make his acquaintance," laughed Carina. "You know you're nothing like the other pirates I've met. Or really what I'd expect any pirate to be like." she added after a while.

"No pirate's exactly like another. But I admit my background is a little unusual compared to some. I won't claim we're all particularly moral but we also aren't all as evil as people like Salazar like to make out," said Narcissa thoughtfully.

"This trip has really challenged and changed all I believed to be true. I'm not sure if I like it or not."

"Well, what's life without a little challenge? You know pirates and scientists aren't all that different." Carina shot the woman a skeptical look to which Narcissa laughed.

"We both enjoy seeking the unknown." Carina paused thinking about this. She supposed Narcissa might have a point. Adventure was nothing without some mystery and scientists were always probing to understand the mystery's of the world.

"You know, I think you might be right," she said giving Narcissa a smile which was returned. They continued to speak for a while and a strange thought entered Carina's mind. She'd always focused on finding her father. But if she'd had a sister well she'd have been quite lucky for her to be like Narcissa.

Author's Note: I hope you enjoyed this little bit of sisterly bonding. If you like the story PLEASE PLEASE leave a comment below with your thoughts it really means a lot and helps me stay motivated to continue the story. Until Next time!