Visiting the legendary Tia

Angel walked tentatively towards the rocky bridge. She looked down seeing crocodiles swimming carefree yet looking ferocious. She was glad that Jack had let her go explore on her own while he went to the whorehouse to drink and other activities. She crossed the bridge and slipped into the cabin.

"Hello?" she called out.

Tia Dalma swept aside the curtain separating her from the main room of her hut and entered. "Angel Lovett... Ah knew you would come to visit me someday."

She jumped looking at the woman that many spoke about in Cuba. She knew why she came; the people around the cities spoke to her in somewhat English, she was glad she had some experience in speaking Spanish. They had told her the story if Tia Dalma the Witch of Cuba and a voodoo queen.

"Hello....how did you know my name?" she asked carefully.

"Ah know many tings, child." she smiled, retreating back to a cluttered wooden table and taking a seat. "Now, dere are tings you wish to know, yes?"

She followed her and sat down. She looked around the room that was filled with knickknacks consisting of shrunken heads, jars of dirt and dolls.

"I.....I wanted to know about my future" she said shyly "I heard from the civilians here that if there ever is a doubt or injury to come to you"

"Your future..." Tia Dalma pulled out a jar, which she shook and spilled upon the tables surface. A collection of crab claws and legs clattered out onto the wood, forming no particular pattern, yet it seemed to make sense to the witch doctor. "Dere is conflict ahead for you... troubles wit choice... and dere is a man...."

She shivered seeing the crabs all around. She looked at her showing her curiosity and vulnerability.

"A man?" she asked "What man?"

A sly smile crept over her face as she swept the crab parts back into their container. "A man we both know quite well."

She blinked and she rolled her eyes. Of course it was obvious, what other man would two women let alone stangers have in common.

"What about Jack?" she asked "Will be bring me misfortune?"

"It is not de man himself, so much as de choices you both make." she replied simply. "De future can change with de change of a mind."

She looked at the crabs.

Why is he intertwined with my future? Why do we affect each other? she thought.

"Is it a mistake not returning to Port Royal?" she asked not wanting to ask the question in her mind scared of hearing the answer.

"Is it? Or do your heart tell you different?" it was normal for Tia Dalma to speak in riddles, and Angel would have to be on her toes to keep up.

She frowned and looked up at her.

"I don't think I was taken from Port Royal for the right reasons, but I don't regret anything so far" she replied. "Tell me more about Jack and what he has to do with me please?"

"Jack Sparrow has much to do wit your future. Tis up to you in de end how dat future unfolds." was her only reply.

She nodded.

"Tia.....is there any amulets I can be from you?" she asked "For protection"

"Amulets... let me see..." Tia Dalma rose from her seat and wandered back behind the curtain, and could be heard muttering and moving things about. Soon, she re-entered the room holding a glittering sliver amulet by its chain. She held it aloft for Angel to see, waiting for her to take it. "For protection against de dark spirits."

She took it in her hands carefully and smiled shyly at her. She slipped it on and looked over at her. She slipped some coins in Tia's hand in return.

"You are as great as they say you are" she replied.

Smiling back, Tia Dalma laid a hand on Angel's shoulder. "Go with fair winds, child."

She nodded and kissed her hands walking out of the shack. She was more relieved as if Tia had calmed down the worry. She walked towards the Pearl's location.