Pirates of the Caribbean: The Price of Freedom

tend to be very long. One can grow tired, just trying to say them all in
one breath.”
They laughed. Esmeralda poured herself some more wine, then
topped off the princess’s glass.
Ayisha picked up an almond, then put it back on her plate. “So
how long have you known Captain Sparrow?” she asked, trying to
make the question casual.
Esmeralda smiled, and Ayisha had the feeling that she hadn’t
fooled the Spanish pirate for a moment. “I’ve known him off and on for
five years. We actually met as children, briefly, but that did not go well. I
beat him up, I fear.”
Ayisha gasped, then nearly snorted with laughter. She managed
to turn it into a giggle. “You didn’t!”
“I did. He was nine, and I had just turned fifteen. So I had an
advantage in both height and weight—at that time.”
“He’s an interesting man,” the princess said.
“A gross understatement, my dear. Jack is an absolutely
fascinating man. You’re unlikely to meet anyone else like him.”
Ayisha nodded. “He has a lot of faults,” she ventured. “He drinks
too much.”
“Another understatement. But he’s always been like that, ever
since I knew him. Lots of rum, lots of women. That’s Jack for you.”
“He has awful taste. That cabin…”
Esmeralda rolled her eyes. Both women burst out laughing.
The lady pirate refilled both their glasses. “My dear, Jack is
absolutely riddled with faults. There are times when I’ve thought
seriously of shooting him the next time I see him. But I never do.…”
“What fault do you dislike the most about him?” Ayisha asked,
after taking a sip.
Esmeralda nibbled her lower lip. “There are so many. Let me think
for a moment.” She sipped wine, then said, “I suppose I would have to
say the fact that I can’t trust him. I would never make myself vulnerable
by counting on him to keep his word.”
“You don’t trust him?” Ayisha was surprised; she trusted Jack.
Was she wrong to do so?
“No, I don’t. Oh, you can count on him in certain situations. If I had