Daughter Of A Pirate

Chapter SIX

Sorry for the delay! My horse has been in hospital and its been a very stressful week! But here it is, hope you all enjoy it! :)

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Early the next morning the docks were bustling with pirates and sailors, each going about their business to get the two ships ready to leave. The air was crisp and cool, Isabella hung over the railing of the Pearl and watched them all as a gentle breeze found its way through her long dark hair. Although she was no slacker she enjoyed taking advantage of her femininity by using it as an excuse to avoid work when she pleased, it was early and she had a restless sleep last night much like every night since she heard the rumour that Jack Sparrow was looking for her. Her dreams were filled with memories, flashbacks to that night.. To the mutiny that took place aboard this very ship, the mutiny against her father.

Isabella shook the thought from her head and gazed down upon the men, among them there were two who did not appear to be doing much, one was tall and slim the other smaller with more build. Isabella tilted her head and tried her best to hear what they were gossiping about.

“Well, we know she's kin to Angelica, but what about her father, who's he?” The smaller one said

“Knowin' Angelica it wont be any ol' pirate, gotto be someone she really loved” the slim one replied. The shorter man looked him up and down as though her were an idiot (which Isabella could quite agree) “You don't know her!” He scoffed

“No, but she seems that sort of woman is all i'm sayin'” The other agreed just then Jack Sparrow walked by, “Look lively lads! I can't seem to find Isabella, d'you know where she might be hiding?”

“She's on the ship, couldn't ask her to help down here, this is a man’s job!” The slim one told him

“Is it now? Well then what be you two gentlefolk doing then?” Jack walked off before they could respond, Isabella listened to them a while longer as they continued to debate who might be her father. She realized she had to be very careful. If those two found out they wouldn't keep quiet about it.

Isabella stepped back from the rail and headed to the quarter deck to wait on Jack. She watched him climb up onto he deck and stop to speak to her mother. Isabella could tell that he loved Angelica just as much as he was irritated by her, equally she knew her mother felt the same but would never let Jack know. The two of them just seemed to fit together, despite their bickering and occasional death threats, Isabella laughed to herself at the thought. She smiled as she watched the two of them interacting and it wasn't long before Jack approached. Isabella's heart began to pound, just one slip of her tongue and goodness knows what might happen. Jack climbed up the steps as Isabella took a few deep breaths. “Isabella!” Jack said cheerily to reassure her.

“Jack” she replied with less enthusiasm than she intended.

“Captain if you don't mind love”

“Captain!” Isabella bowed her head, Jack shot her a look of annoyance and narrowed his eyes.

“I want to see your sword skills, though if you are half as good as your mother it will stand you in good stead” Jack told her as he unsheathed his sword. “I hope you've been practising” Isabella teased. With great speed and agility she drew her sword and with one seamless move she knocked Jacks sword clean out of his hand. “And you call your self a pirate” She tutted. Jack looked at his sword fro a moment in disbelief. “I was just giving you an easy start, love. Didn't want to scare you” he lied. He tried not to show his awe at what Isabella had managed to do. “Shall we go again? Or would you rather not risk losing to a girl a second time?” Isabella asked, her voice had the same ring to it that Jack’s did, that mischievous tone that was almost mocking at times, the kind of voice that made you want to trust its owner. Jack picked up his sword and they began to dual.

Angelica watched the two of them from the deck. Equally matched opponents in sword fighting and in wit. Isabella was somewhat of a natural with a sword, she had her parents to thank for that she presumed, using a sword was not something easily learned and it definitely helped to have it in your blood. Unfortunately her mannerisms matched that of her father, they both appeared to be talking to each other as well as they moved around the quarter deck. Angelica smiled as she watched them unaware of the two figures also watching behind her. “Well fancy that!” Pintel said, “It's like he’s fighting 'imself!”

“That means!” Ragetti began. Angelica spun around to face them with a sharp look, “Means what exactly?” She dared them to answer hoping they knew better. The two men were obviously unsettled by her, as were much of the crew and that was how Angelica like to keep it, especially in her situation. “Erm..” Ragetti began, Angelica was not someone they wanted to get into a disagreement with, worried Ragetti would say something stupid Pintel began to pull him away “Coming!” he shouted and they both scurried off.

“”If those two fools can figure it out then the whole crew will know before nightfall!” Angelica said to herself. She was going to have to have words with Isabella, they could only go on for so much longer deceiving Jack, at least once they were a few days into their journey Jack would not be able to just leave Isabella and Angelica for tat matter on some port or island and run off. Angelica was confident Isabella could keep appearances for a few days, but she would need to work out how to best the crew till then.

Isabella and her mother talked in her cabin for most of the night, everybody dismissed it as mother daughter talk.

“I cannot go on worrying of saying the wrong thing when he is near. It takes most of my concentration not to casually refer to him as dad!”

“Just another few days, then we will be well on our way and he cannot just leave you behind” Angelica pleaded with her.

“And your sure this will work? No one will see through it?”

“I have ways of ensuring nobody finds out my dear” This made Isabella feel slightly uneasy, she knew fine and well what her mother was capable of, “If he doesn't figure it out I will tell him in 3 days time” Both of them froze as they heard footsteps outside, unbalanced, slightly scuffing the ground – Jack. “You don't think he heard do you?” Isabella said, her voice so soft under her breath, Angelica shook her head, “He couldn't have” she whispered back.

Outside Jack was indeed eavesdropping, he hadn't heard much but he had heard enough. What was it she was going to tell me? He pondered as he made his way back to his own cabin clutching a bottle of rum. “I feel these next few days could be interesting.. Very interesting” He said to himself as he shut his cabin door and stumbled over to his desk. He began to hum a tune to himself, “Drink up me 'earties yo ho!”