The Cry of Liberty

Chapter Twenty One: Tortuga

"Take what you can."

"Give nothing back!"

Jack toasted with his new first mate, leaning back in his chair. He looked over and couldn't help but be amused at young Will being accosted by one of the tavern wenches. He recalled sitting here the last time he needed a crew and the memory sent a pain through his chest.

"Perhaps that woman from that voyage to Cuba would-"

"Sasha?" Jack shook his head somberly. "Heard tale of her demise some years ago." He took another swig of his ale.

"Old lover of yours?" Will joined them at the table, having escaped the clutches of the lady of the night. Gibbs shot him a warning look.

"Best not dwell in the past, young William." Jack dismissed the topic. Jack and Gibbs shared stories and caught up on their years apart while Will listened with great interest. Not long into their stories, a man sat down beside Gibbs unannounced.

"Excusez-moi de vous interrompre, but you are Jack Sparrow, non?" The man gestured to the eccentric pirate with his tankard of brew. Will and Gibbs looked at their captain with confusion and curiosity.

"I am, who's askin'?" Jack sat up straight, unsure if this man would turn out to be a friend or foe.

"Of course you wouldn't remember me, a lowly doctor." The man laughed. "Allard, I crewed the Cry of Liberty." Jack's eyes widened.

"I watched you stitch her captain together time after time, how could I forget?" The mention of Sasha caused Allard's face to fall. "What happened to Captain Hartford?"

"Now who's dwelling on the past?" Gibbs raised his brow but knew he needed the closure.

"We fell into a trap. A blockade of Royal African Company ships led by someone she knew from her past. Had it not been someone who knew her, she might still be here." Allard frowned. "He had her bound to the ship and she was sunk along with the Liberty."

"And how did you escape?" Will was intrigued by the way Jack's demeanor changed upon reuniting with the Frenchman.

"On our way to Jamaica, we came across Gentleman Jocard and his fleet managed to defeat the Company ships. He saved the remaining crew and the slaves Sasha had freed as a way to honor her loss."

"What about Elias?" Jack was angered to hear what fate had befell Sasha but he found comfort in hearing the truth rather than the rumors that spread after it happened.

"He was killed in the fighting. Sasha went berserk, taking out a good dozen or so before they overtook her." Jack couldn't help the sad smile at hearing how hard she fought.

"That's my girl." He muttered to himself. He raised his tankard high. "To Sasha." Allard and Gibbs joined his toast to the dearly departed captain.

"Curse never did any good for her but bring bad luck." Jack and Gibbs' eyes locked in shock.

"Curse? What curse?" Jack practically jumped out of his chair. Gibbs handed Will an empty tankard and gestured towards the bar.

"Be a good lad and fetch our guest another drink." There was no room for argument with the severe look on the older man's face. Once he had wandered off, Jack leaned over the table.

"Tell me, what curse?"

"Davu told me she learned of it from you. We journeyed to the Isla de Muerta in search of gold to fund the villagers in Cuba." Allard spoke defensively. Jack rubbed his temples, of course she'd risk cursing herself to help others. "She was never the same after that day. She kept to herself and refused to let on how bad it was."

"So she took from the chest?" He couldn't be hopeful until he knew for sure.

"She did, kept the pieces in a pouch at her side at all times. I overheard her talking to Elias one day that she had learned how to break it but refused to."

"Just like her to be stubborn even when cursed." Gibbs' chuckled. He glanced at Jack and saw how serious his face was.

"Allard, you know where she is?"

"Now Jack, there's no guarantee-"

"We need those pieces back regardless. This doesn't end without them."

"Oui, I'll never forget that day." Allard was confused when Jack offered him a hand.

"We have a strong willed woman in need of rescue and a curse to break."

Will rejoined them, handing out fresh drinks and listened to stories of a pirate who the three seemed to admire most. Gibbs was glad that Jack had a bit of hope after all he had lost, from his ship to Sasha, he deserved a streak of luck.