Pirates of the Caribbean: The Price of Freedom

Recommendations

Info

you to meet.”
CHAPTER SEVEN Lost and Found JACK BLINKED AT CUTLER BECKETT’S new “assistant,” then glanced around at the Wicked Wench, visually checking her status. The ship was safely secured, but there were things he needed to do, such as arrange for his cargo to be unloaded, and inform the crew about shore leave. But this sounded urgent.… “I’ll come directly,” he said. “Just let me speak to my first mate to let him know about this.” Mercer’s face never changed. He nodded, grudgingly. Jack was back in moments, and the two men set off on foot, down the gangplank, along the docks, then to the rutted mud of the streets, heading up the hill toward the better section of town. Brushing uselessly at a spot on his coat, Jack cleared his throat. “I hope Mr. Beckett will understand that I haven’t had a chance to…freshen up.” “That’s been taken care of,” Mercer said, flatly. The only distinctive thing about his voice was his Scottish accent. Otherwise, his voice was toneless, lacking any emotion. Jack glanced at Mercer out of the corner of his eye. He was fairly sure the man was carrying a brace of pistols beneath his coat. The garment itself was cut so as to conceal them, but Jack knew where to look. He’d carried pistols slung beneath his arms himself, a few times. Who is this man that doesn’t even take a mile walk in broad daylight on a public street without going out armed? What kind of trouble can he be expecting? And WHY does Mr. Beckett need a man like this to handle things for him? Mercer strode along quickly, forcing Jack to lengthen his stride. Even though Mercer was shorter than Jack, Jack’s gait was perforce unsteady, since it had been many weeks since he’d been on dry land. By the time they’d climbed the hill to Beckett’s home (Jack was
Page 3:
Copyright © 2011 Disney Enterprise
Page 7:
ALSO BY A. C. CRISPIN The Han Solo
Page 11 and 12:
Acknowledgments Few authors can wri
Page 13 and 14:
The reenactors, docents, and staff
Page 15 and 16:
Prologue Zerzura: The Lost City THE
Page 17 and 18:
acelet that he never removed, the b
Page 19 and 20:
east. “What then?” she asked.
Page 21 and 22:
only a slim strip of woven grass en
Page 23 and 24:
CHAPTER ONE Fair Winds and Black Sh
Page 25 and 26:
the crew, who were mumbling and shu
Page 27 and 28:
eaction, while Farmer was dunked a
Page 29 and 30:
“Aye, Mr. Sparrow,” Robby said.
Page 31 and 32:
she was no naval vessel. Jack Sparr
Page 33 and 34:
um!” The barkeep, an enormous, hu
Page 35 and 36:
“You got it from a Spanish vessel
Page 37 and 38:
thought for a moment. “They say t
Page 39 and 40:
Several onlookers hastily volunteer
Page 41 and 42:
Hastily, Jack beckoned Christophe t
Page 43 and 44:
Baldy, “you’ll have to wait. I
Page 45 and 46:
Jack sighed. “I fear she’s a Bl
Page 47 and 48:
CHAPTER TWO Lady Esmeralda JACK TUR
Page 49 and 50:
another long look, then handed it b
Page 51 and 52:
ing of truth about it, sir.” Jack
Page 53 and 54:
intending to head back into Shipwre
Page 55 and 56:
neck. His name meant “little butc
Page 57 and 58:
upon you to provide an introduction
Page 59 and 60:
as a dagger in a fight.” “So wh
Page 61 and 62:
She laughed softly. “Not directly
Page 63 and 64:
usually good at that kind of thing.
Page 65 and 66:
for certain that he was another pir
Page 67 and 68:
Teague.” Jack glanced at the litt
Page 69 and 70:
that the Fair Wind was more or less
Page 71 and 72:
harmed. I recommend we strike our c
Page 73 and 74:
these elements were fairly standard
Page 75 and 76:
Jack pursed his lips and shook his
Page 77 and 78:
e wise to remember that. And so, la
Page 79 and 80:
to cross freely back and forth betw
Page 81 and 82:
across the weather deck. As he ran,
Page 83 and 84:
as smoothly as a dolphin’s leap,
Page 85 and 86:
positioning himself so he was parti
Page 87 and 88:
“Dare I hope that you won’t tak
Page 89 and 90:
as soft as he remembered. He bowed
Page 91 and 92:
ichly furnished. On the left there
Page 93 and 94:
desperately hiding, forced into clo
Page 95 and 96:
her; he sensed that would be a majo
Page 97 and 98:
She nodded, and half turned away.
Page 99 and 100:
higher and leaned over to peer at i
Page 101 and 102:
treasure was enough to make Jack’
Page 103 and 104:
Jack looked around to see that the
Page 105 and 106:
logbook for review. The manager of
Page 107 and 108:
of his new assignment. Angrily, he
Page 109 and 110:
making himself very useful to them.
Page 111 and 112:
son, Bartholomew, served as Directo
Page 113 and 114:
now. A brutal hand grabbed his hair
Page 115 and 116:
to know what happened today?” Cut
Page 117 and 118:
important stylistic differences. Th
Page 119 and 120:
frequently. Even though they’d ne
Page 121 and 122:
suite prepared.” “Thank you, th
Page 123 and 124:
to a title. It was clear from every
Page 125 and 126:
snuff-colored britches were worn gr
Page 127 and 128:
undeniably made sense, and held the
Page 129 and 130:
Greene was up off his chair in a mo
Page 131 and 132:
Sparrow’s dark eyes. “So…how
Page 133 and 134:
actually own. It’s an older ship.
Page 135 and 136:
mounting a search for Zerzura hasn
Page 137 and 138:
was seeing. Forcing himself to move
Page 139 and 140:
some ancient tomb in the land that
Page 141 and 142:
Apedemak’s most ancient temple an
Page 143 and 144:
landing. The eunuch rested his huge
Page 145 and 146:
crawl between two of her guardsmen.
Page 147 and 148:
searched further, and pulled out a
Page 149 and 150:
“Yes,” Tarek said. “And that
Page 151 and 152:
out the outlines of her surrounding
Page 153 and 154:
shoulder. She never let it out of h
Page 155 and 156: the sun. Ayisha would spin the tan
Page 157 and 158: Not long before noon, Mistress Dalt
Page 159 and 160: with graceful, gilded lilies and sc
Page 161 and 162: other berths and shipped out, but t
Page 163 and 164: As Robby escorted the new crew away
Page 165 and 166: and eating all them unnatural vermi
Page 167 and 168: or two after being stored in a carg
Page 169 and 170: moment his eyes met those of the yo
Page 171 and 172: even counting that the coins in his
Page 173 and 174: indeed. In view of this, Jack was p
Page 175 and 176: On the starboard side of the quarte
Page 177 and 178: eally am. But there’s nothing to
Page 179 and 180: was stained. Tomorrow he’d check
Page 181 and 182: For the first time, a light sparked
Page 183 and 184: here thinks we might have a stowawa
Page 185 and 186: Jack’s cabin, “what in the name
Page 187 and 188: Jack relaxed, enjoying the colors o
Page 189 and 190: and reefed the sails. Jack, seeing
Page 191 and 192: there is.” “Aye, Cap’n!” As
Page 193 and 194: age, he’d spit you like a sucklin
Page 195 and 196: With a little laugh at his sillines
Page 197 and 198: he mouthed. Christophe gave him a h
Page 199 and 200: Esmeralda, and watching Christophe
Page 201 and 202: immediately. “And then go straigh
Page 203 and 204: etrieve his effects. “I think he
Page 205: them, Jack went to the railing, and
Page 209 and 210: having your bath. Hurry up, it’s
Page 211 and 212: Jack halted. “I don’t think so,
Page 213 and 214: appreciatively—but carefully. Aga
Page 215 and 216: sounds as though you’re building
Page 217 and 218: who tended to get into one of their
Page 219 and 220: “Well, sure, Cap’n. I was just
Page 221 and 222: from under Blount’s nose required
Page 223 and 224: the handwriting on the envelope as
Page 225 and 226: that I would enjoy, that I seem to
Page 227 and 228: won’t come into London with us, t
Page 229 and 230: what’s wrong with her, after what
Page 231 and 232: will be ending soon.” “As you s
Page 233 and 234: god, begging him to help by stoppin
Page 235 and 236: She sagged in her chair, finally al
Page 237 and 238: fingers. The door to his cabin swun
Page 239 and 240: mooring post, feet dangling over th
Page 241 and 242: carefully, and untied the painter f
Page 243 and 244: “I’ve missed you, too. You have
Page 245 and 246: finally I gave up searching, and we
Page 247 and 248: on that side. “That’s half of t
Page 249 and 250: Esmeralda bit her lip and rowed ste
Page 251 and 252: surprise, then began fumbling to pu
Page 253 and 254: eneath the seat, and, beneath it wa
Page 255 and 256: “But then he announced that he’
Page 257 and 258:
Ancient benches and chairs filled t
Page 259 and 260:
ight enough,” the captain conclud
Page 261 and 262:
Esmeralda, looking for evidence tha
Page 263 and 264:
and waved them in the air. A murmur
Page 265 and 266:
“I’ve never seen him, but he’
Page 267 and 268:
treason in our numbers. You are lor
Page 269 and 270:
the Brethren. The Code is the law.
Page 271 and 272:
“maybe this will save me from hav
Page 273 and 274:
Put on those nice ones Mr. Beckett
Page 275 and 276:
Cutler Beckett was sitting behind h
Page 277 and 278:
“I doubt anyone is that charming,
Page 279 and 280:
Ward doesn’t say anything about w
Page 281 and 282:
“Yes, I believe she could manage
Page 283 and 284:
economy and administration of every
Page 285 and 286:
skeins of fine thread. For the embr
Page 287 and 288:
mother, Queen Tiyy. Envisioning thi
Page 289 and 290:
crowded, noisy enclave consisted of
Page 291 and 292:
Jack and Ayisha waited for his retu
Page 293 and 294:
Miss Ayisha,” Jack said. He looke
Page 295 and 296:
away without notice, drove his crew
Page 297 and 298:
island where there’s a lot of gol
Page 299 and 300:
Chamba translated. The woman’s he
Page 301 and 302:
on? Jack was skeptical. Could it be
Page 303 and 304:
“Oh, he’s just a little stiff o
Page 305 and 306:
ut he supposed it couldn’t do any
Page 307 and 308:
was in the saddle, her skirts tucke
Page 309 and 310:
CHAPTER TEN Revelations THE DAY THE
Page 311 and 312:
“He does, Cap’n,” Robby agree
Page 313 and 314:
“Aye, Cap’n!” chorused three
Page 315 and 316:
Lucius passed the lines out, and th
Page 317 and 318:
light below them, coming up the lad
Page 319 and 320:
um—ordinary EITC-issued rum. Ther
Page 321 and 322:
Jack stared at the barman in some a
Page 323 and 324:
and nose with a handkerchief. “Lo
Page 325 and 326:
silent, staring at him, Barbossa ga
Page 327 and 328:
“Borya gave up the second rogue t
Page 329 and 330:
Jack almost spat in disgust, but re
Page 331 and 332:
They hurried through the twilight,
Page 333 and 334:
growled. The prison dog’s ears pr
Page 335 and 336:
gritted his teeth, remembering that
Page 337 and 338:
“Now,” he said, and pulled her
Page 339 and 340:
along the docks, Jack wondered what
Page 341 and 342:
Captain Teague’s orders.” Jack
Page 343 and 344:
care if you’re present, Roger, bu
Page 345 and 346:
“You’ll be free of the bonds of
Page 347 and 348:
It creaked, but not too loudly. Pus
Page 349 and 350:
All around him Christophe’s crew,
Page 351 and 352:
The rabble of rogues headed for the
Page 353 and 354:
Jack rolled over, and immediately f
Page 355 and 356:
She gave him a cool glance, but rep
Page 357 and 358:
you’ll excuse me, I’ll just go
Page 359 and 360:
Ayisha opened her mouth, then shut
Page 361 and 362:
CHAPTER ELEVEN Pirates and Rogues J
Page 363 and 364:
his cabin. Seeing Lucius Feathersto
Page 365 and 366:
know.” “All right.” Jack sear
Page 367 and 368:
steadily alongside the rogues, not
Page 369 and 370:
aiting me, trying to get me to do s
Page 371 and 372:
of the hapless flute. Automatically
Page 373 and 374:
When the mast came down…I knew th
Page 375 and 376:
lion’s head, beautifully formed b
Page 377 and 378:
ungrapple La Vipère. I cannot risk
Page 379 and 380:
not spit it in Christophe’s face.
Page 381 and 382:
sometimes when we boarded, I had to
Page 383 and 384:
Jack watched her, wondering if he
Page 385 and 386:
Jack nodded slowly. “I take your
Page 387 and 388:
the Arts of keeping a Civilized Hou
Page 389 and 390:
“Doesn’t seem likely, sir.”
Page 391 and 392:
had boarded the Lindesfarne in Lond
Page 393 and 394:
new employee. The official who had
Page 395 and 396:
CHAPTER TWELVE Shabako AS THOUGH TO
Page 397 and 398:
spun exactly the right tale to ensu
Page 399 and 400:
had the eunuch demonstrate his favo
Page 401 and 402:
Jack laughed. “That’s a refresh
Page 403 and 404:
est to fulfill his promise to the d
Page 405 and 406:
As they reached the fourth dock alo
Page 407 and 408:
Chamba never took his eyes off Ayis
Page 409 and 410:
Lord Spar—” Breaking off, Jack
Page 411 and 412:
the raw sugarcane were still under
Page 413 and 414:
get her alone. But after a moment,
Page 415 and 416:
fields, with Jack chattering away,
Page 417 and 418:
“Thank you,” Fenwick said. “I
Page 419 and 420:
eached into the bodice of her dress
Page 421 and 422:
Shabako would move closer and close
Page 423 and 424:
nonsense about her wearing a “mas
Page 425 and 426:
CHAPTER THIRTEEN “Red Flag…Ho!
Page 427 and 428:
most notable rider to hounds in all
Page 429 and 430:
neckcloth and put his coat back on.
Page 431 and 432:
Christophe and how much he needed t
Page 433 and 434:
Jack yelled up to the Irishman, “
Page 435 and 436:
to see what the sloop would do. Thi
Page 437 and 438:
He knew his plan was risky. If he d
Page 439 and 440:
the cargo hold.” Jack fixed Tarek
Page 441 and 442:
on Great Abaco. It wasn’t long be
Page 443 and 444:
the end of the trough, and run into
Page 445 and 446:
ising. “Nearly took a purler down
Page 447 and 448:
leading up from the cargo hold. Ayi
Page 449 and 450:
Tarek shrugged, helplessly. “The
Page 451 and 452:
of those, either. Soon the sun woul
Page 453 and 454:
leeding. “Now help me up,” Jack
Page 455 and 456:
e on his way. He be old, can’t mo
Page 457 and 458:
“Borya…Koldunya. Borya…Koldun
Page 459 and 460:
sure none of those hits came anywhe
Page 461 and 462:
“She appears to be asleep,” Tar
Page 463 and 464:
whole, not wounded. He wasn’t sur
Page 465 and 466:
CHAPTER FOURTEEN Hard Bargains AN H
Page 467 and 468:
hadn’t been fancy fare, but the b
Page 469 and 470:
efore him, then, with a wet rag, sh
Page 471 and 472:
ones.” Reaching over with his rig
Page 473 and 474:
speed up. “Like you, Jack.” Jac
Page 475 and 476:
“Boy or girl?” “She had a lit
Page 477 and 478:
illusions. But it seems she can do
Page 479 and 480:
his guilt about not being honest wi
Page 481 and 482:
yesterday, if you recall.” She sm
Page 483 and 484:
of sleep if you didn’t, mi coraz
Page 485 and 486:
Footsteps approached, and she heard
Page 487 and 488:
He smiled. “That’s a lot of que
Page 489 and 490:
ladder, but she’d gotten the hang
Page 491 and 492:
“You are not used to wearing colo
Page 493 and 494:
tend to be very long. One can grow
Page 495 and 496:
Ayisha giggled. “That was clever,
Page 497 and 498:
“Oh, we certainly did!” Ayisha
Page 499 and 500:
little craft’s bow. Then he began
Page 501 and 502:
way. Savvy?” “I confess I am su
Page 503 and 504:
live. The moment the Wicked Wench b
Page 505 and 506:
her own voice. A hungry fierceness.
Page 507 and 508:
“But when I called your name, the
Page 509 and 510:
know. It doesn’t really matter. H
Page 511 and 512:
like quartz, but it gave off light.
Page 513 and 514:
cheek, searching until she found hi
Page 515 and 516:
death for those who do not know the
Page 517 and 518:
less than a mile away. Up close, it
Page 519 and 520:
Jack was standing on the port side
Page 521 and 522:
and making her way down the ladder.
Page 523 and 524:
“‘The Shining City.’” “Pr
Page 525 and 526:
summon a handmaiden to help you dre
Page 527 and 528:
Her people did not have mirrors lik
Page 529 and 530:
After Jack reached the Wicked Wench
Page 531 and 532:
Beckett rather rubbed me the wrong
Page 533 and 534:
a merchant who saw a perfect pearl,
Page 535 and 536:
After a long, uncomfortable minute,
Page 537 and 538:
chattering away since they’d firs
Page 539 and 540:
homeland. For one thing, I believe
Page 541 and 542:
his people. Chamba stood beside him
Page 543 and 544:
and I know what I need to do. So ye
Page 545 and 546:
CHAPTER SIXTEEN The Heart of Zerzur
Page 547 and 548:
had all of this venture planned out
Page 549 and 550:
Christophe rolled his eyes. “Why
Page 551 and 552:
when I was standing on the edge of
Page 553 and 554:
Then, moments later, she was on the
Page 555 and 556:
cutlass penetrated the creature’s
Page 557 and 558:
“This is his temple, after all.
Page 559 and 560:
“Jack, are you all right?” the
Page 561 and 562:
Jacques.” Christophe took his han
Page 563 and 564:
his head on the floor, and that his
Page 565 and 566:
hard she nearly drove the breath fr
Page 567 and 568:
time to sail away. How long will th
Page 569 and 570:
forth in the sunlight, admiring it,
Page 571 and 572:
added to it.” “What is that?”
Page 573 and 574:
this herbal drink, sweetened with h
Page 575 and 576:
Looks like the last act of Hamlet.
Page 577 and 578:
The next quarter of an hour was a r
Page 579 and 580:
gold. “What each man here chooses
Page 581 and 582:
Slowly, the Wicked Wench turned and
Page 583 and 584:
instincts, and his own sword, a col
Page 585 and 586:
at the throat and wrists, Christoph
Page 587 and 588:
he continued to retreat. “Strateg
Page 589 and 590:
eath…” “Hah!” Jack exclaime
Page 591 and 592:
his sword at him—throw it, to hit
Page 593 and 594:
Jack looked at Robby, who had stuck
Page 595 and 596:
wouldn’t need protection when he
Page 597 and 598:
merely nodded. “And, finally,”
Page 599 and 600:
elected to put up a fight.” “Ye
Page 601 and 602:
Beckett,” and left. Cutler Becket
Page 603 and 604:
voyage that don’t seem to add up,
Page 605 and 606:
together on the top of the table in
Page 607 and 608:
spoken to some members of your crew
Page 609 and 610:
was walking down by the docks one e
Page 611 and 612:
there were two scars, fairly close
Page 613 and 614:
going to back down this time. The c
Page 615 and 616:
“That’s all right,” Beckett s
Page 617 and 618:
of hushed, fearful conversations in
Page 619 and 620:
Finally, he spat a last time, then
Page 621 and 622:
dead, and at my hand. Well, I had h
Page 623 and 624:
Amenirdis must be on her way, Jack
Page 625 and 626:
“Yes, Jack. All good suggestions.
Page 627 and 628:
to pull away, then added, hastily,
Page 629 and 630:
Sullen muttering greeted his declar
Page 631 and 632:
pallet, Jack leaned his head in his
Page 633 and 634:
when suddenly he’d had to switch
Page 635 and 636:
I wouldn’t eat anything but fresh
Page 637 and 638:
Beckett decided to simply drop them
Page 639 and 640:
again, this time with the back of h
Page 641 and 642:
punishment.” He smiled as if he w
Page 643 and 644:
“I don’t have time to argue!”
Page 645 and 646:
The deck jumped and lurched. Everyt
Page 647 and 648:
“Captain Jones,” Jack said, mar
Page 649 and 650:
Tortuga’s best tradition, they we
Page 651 and 652:
eeze tugged at his loose hair. It w
Page 653 and 654:
gotten a new baldric for his cutlas
show all

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Price of Freedom

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?