POTC Book 3: Together At Last

Chapter 1: Singapore

Elizabeth is paddling a canoe through the canals in Singapore, "...the bell has been raised from its watery grave, hear its sepulchral tone.  A call to all, pay heed the squall, and turn your sails toward home." Elizabeth ties up the boat, "Yo ho, haul together, hoist the colors high.  Yo ho, thieves...."

"... and beggars, never shall we die.  A dangerous song to be singing, for anyone ignorant of its meaning.  Particularly a woman, particularly a woman alone." A man stepped out of the shadows with two others behind him.

"What makes ye think she's alone?" Barbossa came down some steps.

I followed and quickly grabbed one of the men, putting a knife to his throat, Elizabeth did the same to the man who had spoken.

"You protect them?" the man asked.

"What makes you think we need protecting?" Elizabeth tightened her grip on him.

"Your master's expectin' us.  An unexpected death would cast a slight pall on our meetin'." Barbossa said.

We released our prisoners and snuck into a tunnel as British soldiers passed by on the path above.

"Have you heard anything from Will?" Elizabeth asks quietly.

"I trust young Turner to acquire the charts, and you to remember your place in the presence of Cap'n Sao Feng." Barbossa answered.

 "Is he really that terrifying?" Elizabeth looked doubtful.

"He's much like meself, but absent my merciful nature and sense of fair play." Barbossa smiled.

"He's not as handsome either." I whispered to Elizabeth.

Elizabeth giggled, "But your just being prejudice."

We are led to a table and hand over our weapons, then we try to pass but the man holds up his hand, "You think because they are women we would not suspect them of treachery?"

"Well, when you put it that way." Barbossa squinted.

Elizabeth and I take of our coats and pull several guns and grenades out of the leather harnesses we are wearing and she pulls a huge gun out of her boot, Barbossa looks surprised.  We try to pass again, but the man glances down and smiles slyly, "Remove please."

Elizabeth and I removed our pants and were allowed to pass, we then entered a large room with tubs of steaming water everywhere and the men in the water were starting to get barnacles on them.

They're starting to look like Davy Jones' crew!

A man at the front of the room turned around and Barbossa bowed, so I did also but Elizabeth didn't move, Barbossa kept waving his hand at her and she finally bowed.

"Captain Barbossa.  Welcome to Singapore." the man nodded.

That must be Sao Feng.

He then turned to one of the servants next to him, "More steam."

She pulls on a rope and a mintue later, steam rose from below and Sao Feng turned back to us, "I understand you have a request to make of me."

"More of a proposal to put to ye.  I have a venture underway and happen to find meself in need of ship and a crew." Barbossa corrected.

"This is an odd coincidence." Sao Feng said.

"Because you happen to have a ship and a crew you don't need?" Elizabeth spoke up.

"No.  Because, earlier this day, not far from here, a thief broke into my most revered uncle's temple and tried to make off with these." Sao Feng held up a roll of charts, "The navigational charts.  The route to the farthest gate.  Wouldn't it be amazing if this venture of yours took you to the world beyond this one?"