Pirates Of The Caribbean Fan Fiction ❯ Lost in Translation (Pirates of the Caribbean) ❯ Isidro's True Curse ( Chapter 22 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: Kilala81 
Non Anime: Pirates Of The Caribbean Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Drama / Adventure / Action / Romance / Supernatural | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 01.24.2007 | Pages: 2 | Words: 2.7K | Visits: 243 | Status: Work In Progress
Non Anime: Pirates Of The Caribbean Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Drama / Adventure / Action / Romance / Supernatural | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 01.24.2007 | Pages: 2 | Words: 2.7K | Visits: 243 | Status: Work In Progress
Chapter Twenty Two:
Isidro's True Curse
* * *
The weeks dragged by monotonously aboard the Pearl. Jack was used to having an occasional bout of adventure and excitement but typically being on the sea was tedious, at least for the crew. He still enjoyed the free life that the sea offered, however. On a ship, there weren't people constantly telling you how to live and what to do. Laws were almost forgotten, except the laws of brotherhood that all crew mates agreed to abide by.
The crew was eagerly anticipating their upcoming stop. The last time they had stopped at the port, they had enjoyed a good night of drinking, card playing and pleasurable company. Jack most likely would have done the same had he not needed to take Kaitlyn back to the ship. He wondered briefly if he had made a mistake during their last stop. Would they both been better off if nothing had ever happened between them? Kaitlyn's life would certainly become more complicated should anyone find out. Not that there weren't complications of his own to deal with. The sea was his love. He had always pictured himself living the carefree life of a pirate until he was too old and then just rotting himself away in a place like Tortuga, should he survive that long of course. Now in order to have that life, he realized he had to return Kaitlyn to her home, leave her to marry another man, and never see her again.
Jack mentally scolded himself for the situation he was in. “This is why a woman doesn't belong on a bloody ship,” he muttered quietly. Perhaps if she were more demanding of him, trying to force him to offer her some sort of commitment or promise, it would be easier to push her away. As ironic as it was, her lack of persistence only made the idea of her staying more appealing. Most women would want to be married and turn him into an 'honest man' and end his life as a pirate. Kaitlyn, however, seemed to fully accept him as he was and had no intention of trying to change him.
“There a reason we're stopping here again, Cap'n?” Gibbs asked as Jack passed by him. Jack glanced towards the shoreline then turned back to his first mate.
“Here to see an old acquaintance,” he lied.
“Is this a friendly acquaintance?” Gibbs inquired, knowing the kind of company Jack tended to keep.
“If you're looking for a 'friendly acquaintance', I believe all you'll need is a few shillings, mate,” Jack quipped.
The crew was eagerly anticipating their upcoming stop. The last time they had stopped at the port, they had enjoyed a good night of drinking, card playing and pleasurable company. Jack most likely would have done the same had he not needed to take Kaitlyn back to the ship. He wondered briefly if he had made a mistake during their last stop. Would they both been better off if nothing had ever happened between them? Kaitlyn's life would certainly become more complicated should anyone find out. Not that there weren't complications of his own to deal with. The sea was his love. He had always pictured himself living the carefree life of a pirate until he was too old and then just rotting himself away in a place like Tortuga, should he survive that long of course. Now in order to have that life, he realized he had to return Kaitlyn to her home, leave her to marry another man, and never see her again.
Jack mentally scolded himself for the situation he was in. “This is why a woman doesn't belong on a bloody ship,” he muttered quietly. Perhaps if she were more demanding of him, trying to force him to offer her some sort of commitment or promise, it would be easier to push her away. As ironic as it was, her lack of persistence only made the idea of her staying more appealing. Most women would want to be married and turn him into an 'honest man' and end his life as a pirate. Kaitlyn, however, seemed to fully accept him as he was and had no intention of trying to change him.
“There a reason we're stopping here again, Cap'n?” Gibbs asked as Jack passed by him. Jack glanced towards the shoreline then turned back to his first mate.
“Here to see an old acquaintance,” he lied.
“Is this a friendly acquaintance?” Gibbs inquired, knowing the kind of company Jack tended to keep.
“If you're looking for a 'friendly acquaintance', I believe all you'll need is a few shillings, mate,” Jack quipped.
Gibbs smirked at the comment and then looked around to see if anyone was within earshot before talking in a more hushed voice. “Think you've found a buyer for the statue?”
“I can't very well go selling a cursed statue until we get said curse dealt with, now can I?” Jack asked.
“So we're here to learn about the curse?” Gibbs decided with a nod. Jack gave another look around the deck then looked back to his first mate. He was far too busy to be answering a dozen questions, he needed to start giving orders and get the ship prepared to dock.
“No,” he replied. “Kaitlyn is here to learn about the curse. I am simply here to enjoy some rum. Most of the crew is here to enjoy company of the female sorts and you...” Jack paused and pointed at him. “Are here to watch the monkey.”
“The monkey?”
“Aye, the monkey.” Jack grinned at the look on Gibbs' face then turned and started sauntering away.
“Why do you need me to watch the monkey?” Gibbs' questioned, causing Jack to turn back to him and offer a fake smile.
“Because he really likes you, mate. I wouldn't trust him with anyone else, I swear it.”
“I can't very well go selling a cursed statue until we get said curse dealt with, now can I?” Jack asked.
“So we're here to learn about the curse?” Gibbs decided with a nod. Jack gave another look around the deck then looked back to his first mate. He was far too busy to be answering a dozen questions, he needed to start giving orders and get the ship prepared to dock.
“No,” he replied. “Kaitlyn is here to learn about the curse. I am simply here to enjoy some rum. Most of the crew is here to enjoy company of the female sorts and you...” Jack paused and pointed at him. “Are here to watch the monkey.”
“The monkey?”
“Aye, the monkey.” Jack grinned at the look on Gibbs' face then turned and started sauntering away.
“Why do you need me to watch the monkey?” Gibbs' questioned, causing Jack to turn back to him and offer a fake smile.
“Because he really likes you, mate. I wouldn't trust him with anyone else, I swear it.”
Gibbs stood in stunned silence for a moment before turning and walking off to find Pepe, grumbling the entire time. He'd sail under the command of a female captain with an entire female crew before ever boarding a ship with a monkey again.
* * *
The crew went their separate ways once they were on land, most heading out to find themselves a good time.
“Lead the way, love,” Jack said as he stepped out onto the dock.
* * *
The crew went their separate ways once they were on land, most heading out to find themselves a good time.
“Lead the way, love,” Jack said as he stepped out onto the dock.
Kaitlyn turned to see him following her into the small village. “I thought you would want to have yourself a drink,” she said.
“There'll be plenty of time for that later. What kind of Captain would I be if I went about ignoring curses that were plaguing me ship, eh?”
“I just hope she's here,” Kaitlyn said nervously. It had been nearly two months since she had last been to the village and she had no idea who Nina was or if she would still be there. She silently looked around the area, grateful to be on dry land again, before stopping when they reached the small pub where she had met the woman before.
“You met her in a tavern?” Jack asked with a cocked eyebrow.
“I met Dallin in a women's clothing shop, what exactly is your point?”
“There'll be plenty of time for that later. What kind of Captain would I be if I went about ignoring curses that were plaguing me ship, eh?”
“I just hope she's here,” Kaitlyn said nervously. It had been nearly two months since she had last been to the village and she had no idea who Nina was or if she would still be there. She silently looked around the area, grateful to be on dry land again, before stopping when they reached the small pub where she had met the woman before.
“You met her in a tavern?” Jack asked with a cocked eyebrow.
“I met Dallin in a women's clothing shop, what exactly is your point?”
Jack stared at her for a moment and then did his best to repress a grin. “Lad failed to mention that,” he said. He would definitely need to ask the boy what he had been doing in a women's clothing shop that day, the next time they spoke. Kaitlyn stepped inside and looked around the crowded room. None of the crew had made it to this particular pub yet, though there were several in the port so it wasn't a big surprise.
“Luisa is here,” she said and started towards the server she had met weeks earlier. “Hola otra vez,” she said to the woman when she seemed to finally have a free moment. Luisa turned and stared at her in disbelief for a moment and then looked to the back of the pub.
“Nina said you would be back.” Kaitlyn glanced back at the door to the room where Nina had taken her the last time she had come then glanced at Jack who was remaining quiet for the time being, possibly contemplating a way to get a glass of rum without paying for it.
“Is she here now?”
Luisa nodded and then looked back out at the tables that were quickly becoming impatient, apparently concerned that they might become sober if their glasses were allowed to empty without another waiting to take its place.
“She's in the back,” Luisa said as she nodded to the door and then rushed off to get drinks. Kaitlyn glanced at Jack again and then started walking towards the back of the room. Before she even had the chance to knock, the door open and the familiar woman stepped out and looked at her before looking Jack over.
“You wait here,” she said briskly to him before turning and walking back into the room. Kaitlyn looked at Jack and shrugged slightly before following her in and closing the door.
“Lovely to make your acquaintance,” Jack said sarcastically to the closed door and then turned and looked around the pub, not sure if he would have enough time to get himself some rum, but fully intending to find out.
“You did not heed my warning,” Nina said as she sat down and looked Kaitlyn over.
“I wasn't certain how exactly I was to heed it,” she replied. Nina eyed her up and then let her gaze slide to the book that Kaitlyn had brought with her.
“Tell me about your troubles.”
“Luisa is here,” she said and started towards the server she had met weeks earlier. “Hola otra vez,” she said to the woman when she seemed to finally have a free moment. Luisa turned and stared at her in disbelief for a moment and then looked to the back of the pub.
“Nina said you would be back.” Kaitlyn glanced back at the door to the room where Nina had taken her the last time she had come then glanced at Jack who was remaining quiet for the time being, possibly contemplating a way to get a glass of rum without paying for it.
“Is she here now?”
Luisa nodded and then looked back out at the tables that were quickly becoming impatient, apparently concerned that they might become sober if their glasses were allowed to empty without another waiting to take its place.
“She's in the back,” Luisa said as she nodded to the door and then rushed off to get drinks. Kaitlyn glanced at Jack again and then started walking towards the back of the room. Before she even had the chance to knock, the door open and the familiar woman stepped out and looked at her before looking Jack over.
“You wait here,” she said briskly to him before turning and walking back into the room. Kaitlyn looked at Jack and shrugged slightly before following her in and closing the door.
“Lovely to make your acquaintance,” Jack said sarcastically to the closed door and then turned and looked around the pub, not sure if he would have enough time to get himself some rum, but fully intending to find out.
“You did not heed my warning,” Nina said as she sat down and looked Kaitlyn over.
“I wasn't certain how exactly I was to heed it,” she replied. Nina eyed her up and then let her gaze slide to the book that Kaitlyn had brought with her.
“Tell me about your troubles.”
Kaitlyn glanced down at the book and then handed it to the older woman before telling her the story of Isidro Saez and Catalina Morales. “I was able to translate the parchment so Captain Sparrow allowed me onto his ship. When we got to Arigate Island it was me that found the statue.”
“And now you believe that you are cursed?” Nina questioned.
“I certainly can't think of any other reason why I would be incapable of dying.”
Nina smirked and then handed Kaitlyn the book. She then stood and walked towards the door. “I would like to speak to the captain of your ship. He was the one seeking this cursed treasure, after all.”
Kaitlyn nodded and walked to the door and looked almost pleadingly at the woman. “Does this mean that you can't help me?”
“That remains to be seen,” Nina replied simply and opened the door. She said nothing else so Kaitlyn stepped out and looked around. Jack was inconspicuously standing near a table full of men that were playing cards. They were all clearly inebriated and Jack seemed to be waiting for an opportunity to take one of their glasses of rum. When he caught sight of Kaitlyn he decided to give up his endeavor, at least for the moment, and returned to her.
“She wants to speak with you,” she said simply.
“And now you believe that you are cursed?” Nina questioned.
“I certainly can't think of any other reason why I would be incapable of dying.”
Nina smirked and then handed Kaitlyn the book. She then stood and walked towards the door. “I would like to speak to the captain of your ship. He was the one seeking this cursed treasure, after all.”
Kaitlyn nodded and walked to the door and looked almost pleadingly at the woman. “Does this mean that you can't help me?”
“That remains to be seen,” Nina replied simply and opened the door. She said nothing else so Kaitlyn stepped out and looked around. Jack was inconspicuously standing near a table full of men that were playing cards. They were all clearly inebriated and Jack seemed to be waiting for an opportunity to take one of their glasses of rum. When he caught sight of Kaitlyn he decided to give up his endeavor, at least for the moment, and returned to her.
“She wants to speak with you,” she said simply.
Jack glanced at the door then at Kaitlyn. “There weren't any-sharp objects-lying around in there were their, love?”
“Nothing that Captain Jack Sparrow can't handle,” she said with a reassuring grin. Jack looked back to the table full of rum longingly and then pushed the door open and stepped inside. The room was small and full of odd things, but Jack had experienced much stranger things in his time. When she turned and glanced at the door, he decided to push it shut.
“So you're the infamous Captain Jack Sparrow,” Nina said, bringing a grin to Jack's face instantly. “Most would consider hunting cursed treasure to be a foolish pursuit."
“More of an avocation, really,” Jack inserted.
“That does not make it any less foolish,” she countered.
“Can you tell us how to go about lifting Kaitlyn's curse or can you not?” He finally asked, somewhat impatiently.
“Perhaps, I could,” she agreed. “If it were she that were cursed.”
“The lass can't die, I'm not sure what else you would elect to call it.”
“I did not say that she is not afflicted, I said it is not she that is cursed.” Jack looked at the woman like she was crazy. Her double talk was beginning to get on his nerves and now he was beginning to have more appreciation for people that put up with his own muddled ramblings.
“So if the lass is the one that can't die then who, exactly, is cursed, eh?” He asked, mostly humoring his own curiosity for the moment.
“I believe when the time comes, she will know how to end the curse,” Nina said.
“You mean Kaitlyn?” Jack asked in confusion.
“Yes. Isidro intended that statue to belong to his beloved for all eternity. He gave both the statue and his life for her. Her death was no better than a curse itself and it was he that cursed her.” Jack remained silent, now actually listening to what she had to say. Nina paused for a moment as she studied him. “Isidro Saez's soul will never have peace. He damned the woman that he loved to a violent and horrid death and you have taken it upon yourself to intrude upon their sanctity and steal his final gift to her.”
Jack thought back to the vivid dream he had experienced the night before they got to Arigate Isle. It had obviously been Isidro Saez's last weeks alive, and now he couldn't help but wonder if he should have heeded the warning a bit more.
“So you see, it is not she that bears a curse, Captain Sparrow, it is you. You will now have the same fate as Isidro Saez, himself, had. You have damned the woman you love to suffer death, only she will never be allowed to have that peace. She will suffer it many times in her life and remember each one vividly. My belief is when the curse is to be ended, it will not be pleasant."
Jack stood silently for a moment, wondering if any of what was being said held truth. Was this somehow his curse to bear? He'd certainly never felt much remorse in his lifetime. He had always done what was best for him even if it meant other people had to suffer the consequences. That was just part of being a pirate.
“Doesn't make much sense to curse a pirate when it's only hurting someone else, now does it?” He said logically. Nina shook her head and gave him a humoring smirk.
“Pirate or not, Saez knew what would hurt you the most. Perhaps not right away...but soon enough.” Jack realized he wasn't going to get any definitive answers from this woman and offered her the best smile he could.
“Best get back to me crew,” he said. “I'm much obliged for your assistance.” She caught his gaze again and then turned away from him, not replying. He simply exited the room and looked around the small pub. He definitely needed rum now even if it meant paying for it. He started across the room and spotted Kaitlyn talking to Luisa again. Something the other woman said made her start laughing and Jack was suddenly filled with an uncharacteristic feeling of guilt. She was so young and naïve. It was quite possible that her entire life had been altered because of him and he still had no inkling of how to get rid of the curse, whoever it was upon.
He stopped at the bar and ordered his rum then glanced back in Kaitlyn's direction. She was smiling and chatting with Luisa, seemingly unbothered by the idea of having a curse upon her. He wondered if he should tell her what he had been told then he found himself wondering how he would explain it. If Nina's words held truth then Isidro had decided to punish Jack in the same way that he had been punished himself, but in essence it would be Kaitlyn that suffered, just as Catalina had suffered for Isidro's mistakes. It was quite possible that Kaitlyn would end up resenting him for putting her through so much torment.
Jack suddenly furrowed his brow as he thought through everything that had been said. The woman had referred to Kaitlyn as the woman he loved, and said that was the reason she had been afflicted. Jack quickly downed the rest of his drink and wondered why the hell hearing something like that hadn't caught his attention to begin with.
“Nothing that Captain Jack Sparrow can't handle,” she said with a reassuring grin. Jack looked back to the table full of rum longingly and then pushed the door open and stepped inside. The room was small and full of odd things, but Jack had experienced much stranger things in his time. When she turned and glanced at the door, he decided to push it shut.
“So you're the infamous Captain Jack Sparrow,” Nina said, bringing a grin to Jack's face instantly. “Most would consider hunting cursed treasure to be a foolish pursuit."
“More of an avocation, really,” Jack inserted.
“That does not make it any less foolish,” she countered.
“Can you tell us how to go about lifting Kaitlyn's curse or can you not?” He finally asked, somewhat impatiently.
“Perhaps, I could,” she agreed. “If it were she that were cursed.”
“The lass can't die, I'm not sure what else you would elect to call it.”
“I did not say that she is not afflicted, I said it is not she that is cursed.” Jack looked at the woman like she was crazy. Her double talk was beginning to get on his nerves and now he was beginning to have more appreciation for people that put up with his own muddled ramblings.
“So if the lass is the one that can't die then who, exactly, is cursed, eh?” He asked, mostly humoring his own curiosity for the moment.
“I believe when the time comes, she will know how to end the curse,” Nina said.
“You mean Kaitlyn?” Jack asked in confusion.
“Yes. Isidro intended that statue to belong to his beloved for all eternity. He gave both the statue and his life for her. Her death was no better than a curse itself and it was he that cursed her.” Jack remained silent, now actually listening to what she had to say. Nina paused for a moment as she studied him. “Isidro Saez's soul will never have peace. He damned the woman that he loved to a violent and horrid death and you have taken it upon yourself to intrude upon their sanctity and steal his final gift to her.”
Jack thought back to the vivid dream he had experienced the night before they got to Arigate Isle. It had obviously been Isidro Saez's last weeks alive, and now he couldn't help but wonder if he should have heeded the warning a bit more.
“So you see, it is not she that bears a curse, Captain Sparrow, it is you. You will now have the same fate as Isidro Saez, himself, had. You have damned the woman you love to suffer death, only she will never be allowed to have that peace. She will suffer it many times in her life and remember each one vividly. My belief is when the curse is to be ended, it will not be pleasant."
Jack stood silently for a moment, wondering if any of what was being said held truth. Was this somehow his curse to bear? He'd certainly never felt much remorse in his lifetime. He had always done what was best for him even if it meant other people had to suffer the consequences. That was just part of being a pirate.
“Doesn't make much sense to curse a pirate when it's only hurting someone else, now does it?” He said logically. Nina shook her head and gave him a humoring smirk.
“Pirate or not, Saez knew what would hurt you the most. Perhaps not right away...but soon enough.” Jack realized he wasn't going to get any definitive answers from this woman and offered her the best smile he could.
“Best get back to me crew,” he said. “I'm much obliged for your assistance.” She caught his gaze again and then turned away from him, not replying. He simply exited the room and looked around the small pub. He definitely needed rum now even if it meant paying for it. He started across the room and spotted Kaitlyn talking to Luisa again. Something the other woman said made her start laughing and Jack was suddenly filled with an uncharacteristic feeling of guilt. She was so young and naïve. It was quite possible that her entire life had been altered because of him and he still had no inkling of how to get rid of the curse, whoever it was upon.
He stopped at the bar and ordered his rum then glanced back in Kaitlyn's direction. She was smiling and chatting with Luisa, seemingly unbothered by the idea of having a curse upon her. He wondered if he should tell her what he had been told then he found himself wondering how he would explain it. If Nina's words held truth then Isidro had decided to punish Jack in the same way that he had been punished himself, but in essence it would be Kaitlyn that suffered, just as Catalina had suffered for Isidro's mistakes. It was quite possible that Kaitlyn would end up resenting him for putting her through so much torment.
Jack suddenly furrowed his brow as he thought through everything that had been said. The woman had referred to Kaitlyn as the woman he loved, and said that was the reason she had been afflicted. Jack quickly downed the rest of his drink and wondered why the hell hearing something like that hadn't caught his attention to begin with.