Fathoms Below: Captain Jack Sparrow

Chapter 47: The Accord

Nightmares plagued my dreams, taunting for with what I had endured and what I had lost. I could feel the cold, wet ropes encircling my body all over again, Hector's cry echoing through my mind, haunting me. 

When morning finally came, I felt a deep sense of relief that the night had passed and I could go about my day, knowing exactly where I needed to go next.

I walked over to the dresser and found that I still had some rum left over, which I eagerly downed, trying to give myself a little more courage for the day.
I reached for a banana I'd stolen from the bar the night before and ate it quickly.

Sitting down at the dresser, I pulled a few items out my bag I'd bought the day before and started to assemble a little preparation table.
I combed through my hair and twisted different parts of it, pinning it away from my face so that it was in a sort of half-up style. It had been a long time since I'd done any sort of preening like this and it made me think back to simpler times in Port Royale with Elizabeth and my uncle.

Once I was happy with the outcome, I put a little rouge on my cheeks and blended it in with my fingers. My dress went on next and I made sure that I made myself as presentable as I could.

Happy with the outcome, I tucked as many weapons as I could into the pleating and seams of my dress, the rest of them tucked underneath. I stuffed the rest of my belongings into the sack and placed it on my shoulder, ready for the day.

I walked out the room and locked it behind me, walking straight down the stairs and into London Town. It was still early and merchant were walking back and forth with carts full of their goods, ready to sell today.

I walked a few streets over, crossing the pavement and somehow managing to avoid the sudden array of horse and carts that sped around the corners from seemingly nowhere.
I walked towards the parliamentary offices and slipped into a backstreet leading to the rear of the building. I mentally thanked myself for being such an unruly child in my youth and finding these little shortcuts and back entrances that most people wouldn't know about, my main goal to avoid the patrolling officers of his majesty's guards.

I crept around the alleyway and slipped over a small little wall that separated two office buildings. I walked up the outside staircase and managed to slip trough the top window that was always left open by the early morning maids.

Once I was in, I picked up the sack that I'd thrown ahead of me and straightened out my dress, making sure that I still looked presentable.

I wasn't sure how my name would fare for me now. Elizabeth and Will both had warrants out for their arrest when Beckett was still alive, and surely my name would fare worse for crimes against the crown. Best to stay unknown for now.

I walked down the immaculate and ornately decorated hallway that led to a string of individual offices, pausing once I faced a large mahogany door at the end of the corridor, my father's old office. I stood a moment collecting myself, realising that the last time I was here, so was my father.
I collected myself a moment later and carried on down the corridor until I found the door I was looking for, the name engraved on a golden plaque fixed to the door.

Rt Hon. Aloysius P. Chamberlain.
Department of international trade and affairs.

My fathers old assistant, his friend and confidant; surely I could rely on his help.

I knocked loudly on the door, waiting for the telltale sign that he was inside. I knew Aloysius often came to the office early, and I hoped that he would be here today.

"Come!" Called the deep voice from inside. I turned the nob and stepped into the office I remembered from childhood, nothing much had changed.

The man sat at a large wooden desk, covered in paperwork as he sat formally in his wooden chair, slumped over the paperwork with his spectacles fixed on the end of his nose.
The man looked up and instantly squinted, clearly confused at my sudden appearance.