Chapter Four: Swords Crossed

Maddy and Hana are relieved to see Jack come up to the dock but are shocked to see Elizabeth with him. Murtogg and Mullroy lay her down on the dock.

Hana: I hope she's all right.

Murtogg: No breathing.

Jack slips Mullroy's knife from its sheath.

Jack: Move.

He pushes past Murtogg, raises the knife, slits the corset down the middle, and yanks it away. Elizabeth remains still but coughs up water, choking on her first full breath. Maddy an Hana are relived to see that she is all right.

Murtogg: I never would have thought of that.

Jack: Clearly, you've never been to Singapore.

Jack flips the knife and hands it hilt-first to Mullroy, then spots the medallion. He catches it up in his hand.

Jack: Where did you get that?

But before Elizabeth could answer, the blade of a sword is at Jack's throat. Norrington's new ceremonial sword, in fact.

Norrington: On your feet!

This looks bad -- Jack standing over Elizabeth, most of her clothes gone. The rest of Elizabeth's erstwhile rescuers reach the scene, including Governor Swan.

Governor Swan: Elizabeth! Are you all right?

He takes off his jacket and drapes it around her.

Elizabeth: Yes -- Yes I'm fine.

Governor Swan sees Mullroy holding Elizabeth's corset but he blames Jack.

Governor Swan: (Outraged) Shoot him!

Elizabeth: Father! Commodore, you don't really mean to kill my rescuer?

Hana felt like she wanted to say it's true but couldn't due to Norrington's presence. Jack on the other hand, nods as best as he can with the blade still beneath his chin. Norrington sheathes his sword and extends his hand.

Norrington: I believe thanks are in order.

Jack takes Norrington's hand gingerly. They shake but Norrington tightens his grip, yanks Jack arm towards him, then tears back the sleeve of Jack's shirt, exposing a large brand on Jack's inner wrist: a large 'P'.

Norrington: Had a brush-up with the East India Trading Company, did you, pirate?

Many have shocked reactions, most notably Hana, but the sailors. In an instant, half a dozen pistols and muskets are aimed at Jack.

Maddy: What would a pirate be here in Port Royal, a town full of your troops, Norrington?

Looking for trouble, that's what Miss Greening.

Governor Swan: Hang him!

Norrington: Keep your guns on him! Gillette, fetch some irons!

He pulls Jack's right sleeve back even more, revealing a tattoo: a small bird in flight across water.

Norrington: Well, well. Jack Sparrow isn't it?

Jack: Captain Jack Sparrow if you please.

Norrington: (Glances out into the bay) I don't see your ship -- Captain.

Jack: I'm in the market, as it were.

Mullroy: He said he'd come to commandeer one.

Murtogg: Told you he was telling the truth. (currying favor) These are his sir.

He shows the pistol and the belt. Norrington checks the pistol.

Norrington: No additional shot, nor powder.

Jack shrugs. Norrington examines the compass, tests it.

Norrington: It doesn't bear true.

Jack looks away a bit embarrassed. Norrington half-draw the sword from the scabbard.

Norrington: And I half-expected it to be made of wood. (re-sheathes the sword) Taking stock: You've got a pistol with only one shot, a compass that doesn't point North ... and no ship. You are without doubt the worst pirate I've ever heard of.

Jack: But you have heard of me.

Norrington in an annoyed mood takes Jack to Gillette, who has returned with the shackles. Elizabeth steps forward. Her father's jacket slips off her. She is unconcerned, but he is intent on putting it back on her.

Elizabeth: Commodore, I really must protest.

Norrington: (to Gillette) Carefully, lieutenant.

Elizabeth: Pirate or not, this man saved my life.

Norrington: One good deed is not enough to redeem a man for a lifetime of wickedness.

Gillette snaps the manacles closed on Jack's wrists.

Jack: But it seems enough to condemn him.

Norrington: Indeed

Now that Jack is safely chained, Norrington nods to his men. All but one stow their weapons, and two step forward --

Jack Finally.

Lightning-quick, Jack has the manacle chain wrapped around Elizabeth's throat. Pistols are drawn again, but now Elizabeth serves as a shield, leaving everybody shocked, including Maddy and Hana.

Governor Swan: No. Don't shoot!

Jack: I knew you'd warm up to me. Commodore, my 'effects' please. And my hat.

Norrington hesitates, balls his fists in frustration.

Jack: Commodore!

Norrington takes them from Murtogg, holds them out to Jack.

Jack: Elizabeth -- it is Elizabeth?

Elizabeth is more angry than frightened.

Elizabeth: It's Miss Swan.

Jack: Miss Swan if you'll be so kind? Come, come we don't have all day.

She takes the belt and pistol from Norrington - Jack's quicker than she is, and takes the pistol from her. He jerks her around so she is facing him, belly to belly.

Jack: Easy on the goods, darling.

She figures out what he wants: put the belt on him.

Elizabeth: You're despicable.

Jack: Sticks and stones, love. I saved your life, you save mine. We're square.

Done. He turns her again, backs up, and bumps against a pylon.

Jack: Gentleman ... m'lady ... you will always remember this as the day you almost caught Captain Jack Sparrow.

He shoves Elizabeth away, Governor Swan catches her in his arms. Jack grabs a rope and pulls free a belaying pin a counterweight drops and Jack is lifted up to the loading level of the docks.

Governor Swan: Now will you shoot him?

Norrington: Open fire!

Pistols and muskets open fire and miss

Norrington: On his heels!

Pistols and muskets open fire once again -- and miss. Jack swing out on a rope.

Norrington has held his shot. With careful aim, he tracks Jack's trajectory and fires. His shot tears the rope, just as Jack lets go, and snaps the link of manacle chain over another line, grabs hold of the far loop. He slides down to a further dock, drops down. He then watches as Jack disappears into the streets.

Norrington: Gillette, Mr. Sparrow has a dawn appointment with the gallows, I would hate for him to miss it.

Gillette nods, gathers a search party by the eye and heads off.

Norrington: Elizabeth are you --

Elizabeth: Yes, I'm all right, I'm fine! Go capture him!

Norrington notes her tone and heads off.

Governor Swan drapes his coat around Elizabeth.

Governor Swan: Here, dear ... you should wear this.

Elizabeth: Thank you, Father ... and let that be the last of your fashion advice, please.

She looks out at the bay, where a thick fog moves across the water. She shivers, huddles in the jacket, suddenly cold. Hana on the other hand is in the complete opposite mood.

Hana: Sparrow is so handsome.

Maddy responds by moaning in defeat.

Will, Li and Torika are walking through the streets of Port Royal when they see the battalion of marines marching through. Torika then sees Maddy and Hana walking with Norrington.

Torika: It's Norrington. Kero, hide!

Kero did what he was told and hid in one of Torika's pockets.

Will: Commodore!

Norrington: Mr. Showron, do these belong to you?

Li: They're living with us.

Torika: But what's going on here Commodore?

Maddy: There's a pirate running amok.

Norrington: We almost had him arrested but he grabbed and threatened Elizabeth at gunpoint. Mr. Showron, do take these two home and check to see if your wife is okay.

Li: Yes sir.

Li heads off to his home with Maddy and Hana. Norrington turns toward both Will and Torika.

Norrington: Mr. Turner, Miss Torika, head over to your master's shop. The more help on finding this pirate the better.

Will and Torika: Yes sir!

In ten minutes, they arrived at the blacksmith shop.

Will and Torika enter and notices the giant wood gears running. As Will calms the mule down, Torika gets a sense of uneasiness.

Torika: There's someone else in here besides us and our master.

Will spots the drunken Mr. Brown in the corner.

Will: Right where we left you.

Torika then notices a hammer on the anvil.

Torika: We didn't leave that there. Did we?

Will: No.

He moves casually toward the sledge. Grabs for it but the flat of a sword blade slaps his hand. Will jumps back. Jack stands there, sword leveled at Will. He backs will up, toward the door. Will and Torika glare at him.

Torika: You're the one they're hunting.

Will: The pirate.

Jack acknowledges it with a tip of his head... then frowns.

Jack: You, boy. You seem somewhat familiar... Have I threatened you before?

Will: I make it a point for both Torika and I to avoid familiarity with pirates.

Jack: Ah. Then it would be a shame to put a black mark on your record. So if you'll excuse me ...

Beside the door is a grindstone, a sword resting in the honing guide. Before Jack can react, Will has it in hand and Torika has the Sword Card activated.

Jack: You think this wise, you two? Crossing blades with a pirate?

Will: You threatened Miss Swan.

Jack: Only a little.

In response, Will and Torika assume an en garde position. Jack appraises them, unhappy to see Will has training and Torika has a lot of experience. Jack attacks. The two men and one girl stand in one place, trading feints, thrusts and parries with lightning speed, almost impossible to follow. They have no trouble matching Jack.

Jack: You two know what you're doing, I'll give you that ... Excellent forms ... But how your footwork? If I step here

He takes a step around an imaginary circle. Will and Torika step the other way, maintaining their relationship to Jack.

Jack: Very good! And if I step again, you step again ...

(continuing in a circle)

Jack: And so we circle, circle, like dogs we circle ...

They are now exactly opposite their initial positions.

Jack: Ta!

Jack turns and heads for the door, now directly behind him.

Torika: Coward.

Will registers angry surprise and then with a vicious overhand motion, throws his sword it buries itself into the door, just above the latch, barely missing Jack. Jack rattles the latch the sword blocks it. Tugs on the sword a few times it is really stuck in there. Jack mouths a curse, but when he turns back to Will and Torika, he's smiling.

Jack: That's a good trick. Except, once again, you are between me and the way out.

Jack raises his sword

Jack: And now you have no weapon.

Will: You seem to have forgot someone in here.

Jack: Who?

Torika: Me.

Torika launches a surprise attack, but Jack manages to block it, they were in a small one-on-one duel until Torika was sitting on the ground, the Sword Card kicked away from her, which changed back to her heart staff.

Jack: Children shouldn't be playing with weapons.

Will: Not so fast.

Eyes on Jack, Will simply picks up a new sword from the furnace this one has a glowing, red hot tip. Jack slumps in dismay but then leaps forward. Will and Jack duel. Their blades flash and ring. Suddenly, Jack swings the chain still manacled to his left hand at Will's head. Will ducks it, comes up wide-eyed. Then Jack's chain smashes across Will's sword, disarming him. Will picks up another. Jack becomes distressingly aware that the entire room is filled with bladed weapons.

Jack: Who makes all these?

Will: Torika and I do. And we practice with them, three hours a day.

Jack: You two need someone to fall in love with, mates.

Will sets his jaw.

Jack: Or maybe the reason you two practice three hours a day is you've found one but are incapable of wooing said Strombert? You're not eunuch are you?

Will: No. We practice three hours a day so that when we meet a pirate ... we can kill him.

He explodes: kicks a rack, causing a sword to fall into his other hand, and attacks Jack, both blades flashing

Fearless, Will drives Jack backwards, and up, onto a movable ramp, wheels in the center. When Jack passes the midpoint, the ramp balances, and rolls wildly as the two men fight. Jack slams down on one of the boards, it flies up, hitting Will in the chin. Jack's chain wraps around Will's sword

-- but Will twists the handle of his guard through a link, and stabs the sword up

By that time Torika recovered and has the Sword Card activated again. Will tries to dodge the swing made by Jack but ends up in the rafters.

Torika catches up and uses the Jump Card to get up into the rafters with Will. By the time she's up there, Will cuts a sandbag and makes Jack fly up into the rafters to face against them in battle. After a few parries and Torika struggling to maintain her balance, they managed to make Jack loose his sword. He tries to make his way to the door by swinging down next to the furnace, but Will and Torika beat him. Jack compresses the bellows, blowing a shower of sparks into Will's face. Jack grabs the chain, hoists himself up, kicks with his feet, knocking Will back, Torika retaliates by trying to stab him with the sword card. But Jack's pistol is aimed between Will's eyes. Will steps back - ­blocking the back exit. Glares, rubs his wrist gingerly.

Will: You cheated.

Jack smiles; what do you expect?

Jack: Pirate.

Torika changes her wand back to her key, making her way over to Mr. Brown's rum bottle. Jack steps forward. Will steps back, fully blocking the door. From outside come the sounds of pursuit.

Jack: Move away.

Will: No.

Jack: Please move.

Will: No. I can not just stand aside and let you escape.

Jack cocks the pistol. Will stares back. A long moment.

Jack: You're lucky, boy this shot's not meant for you.

Jack uncocks the pistol. Will is surprised, reassesses Jack ­- suddenly, Torika slams Mr. Brown's rum bottle against Jack's skull. Jack crumples to the ground.

The front and back doors smash open, and sailors fill the room. Norrington pushes forward, sees Jack on the ground.

Norrington: Excellent work. You two have assisted in the capture of a dangerous fugitive.

Will: Thank you, sir.

Jack groans. Norrington stands over him, smiles.

Norrington: I believe you will always remember this as the day Captain Jack Sparrow almost escaped. Take him away.

Norrington's men haul Jack away. Will watches them go.

To be continued...