A.C. Crispin - Pirates of the Caribbean: The Price of Freedom

Copyright 2011 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. Published by Disney Editions, an imprint of Disney Book Group. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from the publisher.

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Editorial Director: Wendy Lefkon

Associate Editor: Jessica Ward

This books producers would like to thank Mark Amundsen, Jennifer Eastwood, Brent Ford, Susan Gerber, Marielle Henault, Winnie Ho, Scott Piehl, Jon Rogers, Judi Smith, and Marybeth Tregarthen

ISBN 978-1-4231-5251-4

ALSO BY A. C. CRISPIN

The Han Solo Trilogy

The Paradise Snare

The Hutt Gambit

Rebel Dawn

StarBridge Series

StarBridge

Silent Dances

Shadow World

Serpents Gift

Silent Songs

Ancestors World

Voices of Chaos

Dedication

This book is dedicated with affection, respect, and gratitude to my longtime friend and fellow writer, Barbara Mertz (Elizabeth Peters).

Barbaras Amelia Peabody mysteries taught me to love Egypt and Kush, and it was in her adventure/mystery The Last Camel Died at Noon that I first read the legend of Zerzura. Two years ago, when I reread the following lines from the novel, the final pieces of my story fell into place:

But Zerzura is mentioned in other sources; the name probably derives from the Arabic zarzar , meaning sparrow, so Zerzura is the place of the little birds. (The speaker is her renowned fictional Egyptologist, Radcliffe Emerson; the emphasis is mine.)

Acknowledgments

Few authors can write a book in a vacuum, and Im certainly not one of them. The Price of Freedom was an ambitious project, three years in the creation and writing. During that time I had a lot of help. With the caveat that any mistakes contained herein are my own, Id like to thank the following:

My primary beta reader: Victoria Strauss, friend, fellow fantasy author, and Writer Beware partner, who brainstormed, read drafts, listened, counseled, and critiqued. Its no exaggeration to say that this book would never have been completed without her help. Thanks, Vic.

My primary nautical resource and adviser, Steve Osmanski. I count myself fortunate that Steve finds going over the smallest details relating to nautical history, pirates, and the sailing of square riggers fun . Thanks, Steve. (Oh and thank you, Mary, for allowing me to borrow your husband during all those long evening phone calls!)

My husband, Michael Capobianco, who listened to me and brainstormed during innumerable walks, plus made dinner and handled housekeeping chores for months on end. Im lucky to be married to a fellow writer, because only writers understand.

My fellow writer and editor Josephine Grayson, who faithfully read each chapter and made many useful suggestions, along with my fellow fantasy writer and traveling companion, Paula Volsky, who read the almost complete manuscript and helped me by pointing out anachronistic expressions that had to go.

My friend Barbara Mertz, Ph.D., who lent me books about the Two Lands, and answered questions about various subjects, such as about how to properly address a pharaoh. It was from Barbara that I learned to love reading about Egypt and Kush.

My friend Sonia James, who read the manuscript and made several suggestions for improvement, including keeping Jack from consigning the wrong sailor to the brig.

Benerson Little, author of several excellent books on pirates, particularly The Sea Rovers Practice , who helped with information about various piratical topics, particularly swords and duels to the death.

Captain Linda Dunn of the schooner Farewell (a.k.a. Captain Calypso of the jolly pirate ship Fearless , in and around Baltimores Inner Harbor and Fells Point). Three years ago, Captain Dunn spent hours aboard the frigate USS Constellation giving me an amazing tour, and allowing me to watch very closely as she fired off the cannon. Thanks, Linda! May your powder always stay dry.

Former Captain Bob Brittain, and current Captain (then Chief Mate) Tanya Banks-Christensen of Marylands antique recreation tall ship, Sultana . They, and the Sultana s crew, took us on a memorable Chesapeake cruise from Chestertown to Annapolis, and patiently answered dozens of questions, as well as allowing us to heave on the lines and wind up the capstan.

Captain Lauren Morgens and her crew of the Kalmar Nyckel , Delawares antique recreation tall ship, who also answered dozens of questions very patiently, and allowed me to explore her ship from bow to stern (except she wouldnt let me climb the rigging, darn it!). Captain Morgens explained the true meaning of the command make fast the bunt gaskets! and made me promise to use it correctly in this book. (Which I did, Capn!)

Victoria Thompson, for information on the proper address for British peers, and Larry R. Kotkin, Ph.D., for discussions on pirate psychology.

The librarians of the College of Southern Maryland for long-term book loan, and the librarians of the Southern Maryland Public Library System, particularly the Charlotte Hall branch, for searching out and ordering innumerable books via interlibrary loan.

The staff of the National Museum of African Art museum store, who helped me acquire a very hard-to-get book on the archeological dig in the real Kerma, which is located in what is now Sudan.

My friend Mark Fischer, who toured the USS Constellation with me, and provided information on eighteenth-century sailing vessels and weaponry.

The reenactors, docents, and staff of Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Yorktown for information on life in the eighteenth century, as well as letting me actually pick up and aim some period weapons.

For creating the Pirates of the Caribbean universe, I would be remiss if I did not mention Disney Studios, Jerry Bruckheimer, screenwriters Terry Rossio and Ted Elliott, as well as the hundreds of cast and crew members who helped create and film the POTC universe, bringing it all to life so vibrantly. Sometimes its fun to play in someone elses sandbox, and this was a rich, flamboyant, and extremely creative sandbox.

Thanks also go to Hans Zimmer, for writing those rousing film scores. I played them a lot to get into the mood to write.

And, of course, a very grateful thank you to Johnny Depp, for his unique and amazing abilities as an actor in bringing the character of Jack Sparrow (excuse me! Captain Jack Sparrow!) to life with such vivid panache.

I had two dedicated and talented Disney Editions editors while I worked on The Price of Freedom :

Jody Revenson, whose creative vision realized that POTC fans wanted more Jack and oversaw the conception, storyline creation, and initial launch of this Captain Jack prequel. Many thanks, Jody.

Jessie Ward, who brought the project to fruition, month by month, chapter by chapter, scene by scene, down and dirty in the trenches. Writers need editors, trust me on this! Thank you, Jessie.

Three people who are, sadly, no longer with us helped inspire much of this book:

My father, Captain George A. Tickell, who taught me to sail and love the sea.

Lewis Moon, who patiently helped me develop the story and stick to my writing schedule.

Robbie Greenberger (19982008), son of my friends Bob and Deb Greenberger. Robbie lost his fight with leukemia in August 2008. He was a wonderful young man, with a mop of golden curls, who loved pirates and Pirates of the Caribbean. He is sorely missed by many.