Hidden Past

Chapter 10: Planning

Victoria stood at the head of the ship with Tia, looking at the ever approaching Shipwreck Cove. "Look alive, and keep a weather eye! Not for naught it's called Shipwreck Island, where lies Shipwreck Cove and the town of Shipwreck." Gibbs called to the crew.

"You heard him. Step lively!" Came the over involved voice of Pintel, who was trying to impress anyone with power.  

Jack snorted and shook his head. "For all that pirates are clever cobs, we are an unimaginative lot when it comes to naming things." 

"Aye." Agreed Gibbs rough voice. 

Victoria rolled her eyes and stopped listening. "So, how do you reckon you'll get the Pirate Lords to agree to free you?" She asked Tia as she leaned on the banister. 

"I won', tat's up ta Barbossa." Replied the woman with all seeing eyes. 

A harsh wind blew on the sea and Victoria shuddered. "If only he knew that he imprisoned the wrong diety." 

"Ha! Davy Jones could nevah have imprisoned Neptune." The two listened to the sea. "He knows." 

"That you're returning to him?" Victoria asked softly. 

Tia shook her head. "No, something else." 

"For some reason, I feel he is angry with me but I haven't the faintest idea as to why." Victoria confessed. 

Tia Dalma shook her head but said nothing. She knew something that Victoria didn't. It vexed Victoria that the woman wouldn't share but she didn't push the topic. 

"I don't reneg on a bargain once struck. But we agreed on ends only, the means are mine to decide." Barbossa spoke to Tia, knowing that Victoria likely knew what he was talking about. 

"Caution, Barbossa. Do not forget it was by my power you return from the dead, or what it means should you fail me." Warned the woman as she stared out at the sea, longing to return to it. 

Barbossa scowled and leaned in. "Don't forget why you had to bring me back, and why I could not leave Jack to his well deserved fate. It took nine pirate lords to bind you, Calypso. And it'll take no less than nine to set ye free." The two women were silent as Barbossa turned. "Masters Pintel and Ragetti—take this fishwife to the brig." 

"Right this way, Mrs. Fish." Victoria heard one of them say. 

She turned to Barbossa with angry eyes. "Must you really do that? After all you know of my family?"

"Remember that the Brethrens protection only is for you, it does not extend to your family." Barbossa said harshly.

The red head sighed but didn't comment as she stared at the imposing rocks they were nearing.

As The Pearl approached Shipwreck cove, all of the men around the helm stepped aside and allowed Victoria to steer. Her hands slipped onto the wheel and started making small adjustments to the heading. Adjustments that no one who hadn't sailed the cove before would have known to make. Slowly they enter the the island. During this the free held their breath as a calm looking Victoria kept the wheel completely still. No one so much as released the smallest bit of the air as they went through the enterance until they reached the bay and docks of Shipwreck Island.

"And that my friends is how I know that having a woman on the ship is better luck than not." Jack commented.

Victoria smirked and smiled smugly as she steered the ship to the dock. Jack gave the orders for the men to leave at least five men with the ship at any time before the three on or important to the Brethren Court left.

They didn't go straight to the court room however, they decided to stop for a drink first. Who knew what would happen that day? Barbossa was at the bar, Jack was speaking to a few old friends, and that left Victoria wandering to the back most corner of the pub. A place so dimly lit that it was hard to tell distinct facial features, just enough to know who you're talking to.

It was there that she met up with Captain Teague. "Hello, old friend."

"I'm not the old one here Victoria." Said the captain as he played with a lock of dreaded hair.

She snorted and sat down. "Does Jack know you're here?" She asked with a glance to the pirate who was accompanying her.

"If Jacky knew I was here then he wouldn't be." Reminded the old sea dog.

At this Victoria nodded. The man had a good point and it was one that she kept in mind. "Are you here due to the call?"

"Aren't you?"

"Fair enough. Any word from Said Feng?" She asked lightly. She wasn't sure what became of the Pirate Lord after she went on Beckett's ship.

Teague shook his head, taking a swig of whiskey. "Nay, no one has heard from him. You would be the one to know, with your connection to the sea."

"It's been shutting me out. I can't commune as easily ever since I entered the governor's household as a maid I have been slowly losing my connection." Victoria admitted.

Teague pursed his lips. "This is troubling information. What do you plan to do?"

"If we win then I'll go to Whitecap Bay,try and get in contact with Neptune and prove my loyalty to him. There is no need to upset a good." Answered the woman softly as she swirled her drink and finished it off. "What do you plan to do?"

"Return to London I should think." Victoria nodded and stood up getting ready to leave when Teague spoke up again. "How do you expect to get away from Jack, he has grown far more fond of you since I last saw the pair of you together."

"He'll let me go." She said, but she was trying to convince herself.

Teague gave the girl a sharp look. "And if he doesn't? What then?" He asked her.

"Then I'll make him give me up. Either way, I am leaving once the war is won." She told him sharply then turned on her heal and left, Jack and Barbossa joining her as they marched to the Brethren Court.

The future if pirating rested in their hands afterall.