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Pirates of the Caribbean: The Price of Freedom

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Ward doesn’t say anything about where <strong>the</strong> talisman needed to unlock<br />

<strong>the</strong> door might be found. You won’t be able to get into <strong>the</strong> labyrinth,<br />

much less <strong>the</strong> treasure room.”<br />

Jack smiled. “<strong>The</strong>re’s always a nice charge <strong>of</strong> black powder, Mr.<br />

Beckett,” he reminded his employer. “That should prove persuasive to<br />

just about any door.”<br />

“Good point,” Beckett said. “And <strong>the</strong>n you’d only have <strong>the</strong><br />

monsters and traps Captain Ward mentions to worry about.”<br />

“That’s why I deserve my thirty percent,” Jack pointed out. “I’ve had<br />

some slight experience with eldritch things. Thirty percent <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> gold,<br />

and all <strong>of</strong> your little treasure trove here,” he said, indicating <strong>the</strong> tray.<br />

“Do we have an accord?”<br />

Beckett hesitated, <strong>the</strong>n shrugged. “Oh, very well,” he said, and<br />

held out his hand. “Done.”<br />

Jack shook it. “Done.”<br />

“Shall we have a toast to our lucrative partnership?” Beckett said.<br />

Jack nodded. “Suits me. I’m parched again.”<br />

Beckett busied himself with glasses and a carafe at <strong>the</strong><br />

sideboard, while Jack examined <strong>the</strong> jewelry again, piece by piece.<br />

Picking up <strong>the</strong> earrings, he slid <strong>the</strong>m into <strong>the</strong> pocket-pouch he wore<br />

beneath <strong>the</strong> waistband <strong>of</strong> his britches, <strong>the</strong> same one he used to carry<br />

Tia Dalma’s compass. He had ano<strong>the</strong>r such pocket on <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r side<br />

where he carried coins.<br />

Beckett came back to <strong>the</strong> deck and handed Jack a glass <strong>of</strong> wine.<br />

“A particularly fine port,” he said, and raised his glass in a toast. “To<br />

finding Zerzura.”<br />

“To finding Zerzura,” Jack echoed, and sipped. Presuming I do<br />

find it, and I choose to share <strong>the</strong> location with you…<br />

When he lowered <strong>the</strong> glass, Beckett was staring at him, his hand<br />

out. “Jack…<strong>the</strong> earrings, please.”<br />

Jack smiled and shook his head. “Sorry, mate. I’m going to need<br />

something from Zerzura to show to <strong>the</strong> lady, maybe present ’em as a<br />

gift, to get a conversation going about her homeland.” He raised his<br />

eyebrows at Beckett. “I’ll tell her I light-fingered <strong>the</strong>m from you, when<br />

you showed me <strong>the</strong>m to brag. That will set me apart from you and<br />

Mercer.”

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