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Bael took the boy's face in his hands looked him over. Will flinched in his hold.

Bael grinned cheekily and turned to Jack.

"Shall we take this somewhere more... private?" Bael gave a cursory look to the fuming girl next to Jack. "Perhaps the lady can enjoy a drink at the pub while we discuss your payment?"

Bael really hated that girl.

"Ah, Ivi. I see you haven't lost your knack for dressing like a whore." Bael said, testily. "Worry more for yourself and let us men do the talking."

He spun on his heel, signaling the end of the discussion, with the understanding that only Jack should now follow.

Bael grabbed the annoying girl's wrist and flicked her aside with little trouble. He considered killing her then, but he realized he still had business to conduct.

"Sparrow? Keep your concubines under control or we will have to conclude this business another time." He said in clear warning.

Bael sighed.

"Be careful of your next actions, Sparrow. I warn you, do not throw away this opportunity. The goddess' offer will not stand should you waste this opportunity defending some low born creature."

~*~

Will looked on in awe at the exchange going on between Jack and this dark-haired man.

He didn't understand what was going on, or how this was going to effect him, but one thing was certain. Jack was the lesser of these two evils. He silently hoped the exchange would fall through.

Bael ducked into an alley behind the inn. He kicked aside a drunken old man and flitted into the rear-most part pf the alley. He turned around, bringing himself to his full height in an attempt to look even more intimidating.

"Now Sparrow. Hand over the boy."

~*~

Will felt his heart pounding in his chest as the man reached out to him. He turned, as much as he could, to plead with Jack.

"Jack, please! Don't do this."

Bael took Will by the collar. He chuckled as he looked at Jack over the boy's shoulder.

"Thank you, Sparrow." He said, feeling his power building around him. "Now reap your reward!"

He threw the spell at Jack, knocking him backwards against the shoddily paved stone wall of the tavern. As Jack reeled from the runic hit, Bael saw the wall behind him start to crumble.

Sparrow was still alive? Damn.

~*~

Will momentarily dumbstruck by the sudden turn of events, shook off his dazed state of mind quickly.

Even if Jack cared nothing for his well being, he still did for Jack's. Will kneed the man as hard as he could in the groin, using his bound hands to shove him back as well.

To his continued dismay, it didn't even seem to phase his captor.

~*~

"Little brat."

Bael took Will by his hair and slammed him into the wall, effectively rendering the boy senseless. He turned his attention back to Jack, and prepared another mystical blow, one that he knew would kill the recreant pirate.

"I've had enough of your interference, girl. If you so like, die in his place!"

Bael laughed, and threw his spectral blow instead at the girl.

Bael felt the sword cutting through him like a knife through melted butter. He felt his insides splitting and his blood spilling. He felt his own blood rise to the back of his mouth and spill out of his mouth.

And he laughed.

He clutched Jack's hand, still grasping the sword's hilt, and drew him in until his face was mere inches away from Jack's.

"You should know better then that, Sparrow." He wheezed. "You can't kill someone who's never before lived."

With that, he cracked his elbow across Jack's face, tossing him to the side with grace, despite his disadvantage.

His power waning, rushing to heal the gaping wound, Bael knew he had to use what he still had to make his escapse before he passed out, or worse.

He pulled the piece from his own body, and had to fight to keep himself upright as he tossed the sword carelessly at Sparrow. It landed across Jack's chest, doing no harm, but staining his clothes with Bael's black blood.

"Go take care of your slut. I'll pay you for your services later."

With that, he picked up Will by the hair, and used his remaining power to transport them safely elsewhere.