Chapter 10

It was late morning, and the Raven had already set sail when Jewel woke up. With her eyes still closed, she turned over and snuggled deep under the warm blanket as a breeze blew in from the open windows and cooled her face. She had not slept well the last few nights and enjoyed the comfort of the bunk she now slept in. She felt the gentle swaying of the ship and soon heard voices outside the door from the crew on the main deck as they went about their daily routine. She opened her eyes and with a sleepy yawn, slowly stretched out her arms. She finally sat up and looked around the room, at first confused as to where she was. Then she remembered.

"Ah, yes, the lion's den," Jewel whispered to herself and slipped out of the bunk. She saw that food had been placed on the table, and despite being annoyed that someone had come in unannounced, she sat down to eat, helping herself to some cold biscuits and a banana with a few sips of water that had already been poured out for her in a cup. Afterward she looked out one of the windows, saw land a short distance away, and wondered what Hawk's next move would be. She checked her pouch beneath her dress to make sure she still had everything she needed and upon finding all in order, thought about her companions.

Saddened to think of Jack and John locked behind bars with their lives endangered, Jewel tried to think of how to help them. Though confident she was about to confront her opponent soon, she needed to find a way to accomplish her goal and still prevent any harm from coming to Jack and the commander. She had not bargained on having their lives at stake and felt their presence encumbered her ultimate goal. Still, they were with her now, and she would just have to alter the course of events as they began to unfold. She sat down again to have another drink of water and was about to formulate a new strategy when there was a knock on the door. Before she had a chance to acknowledge, the door opened.

"Good morning, missy," Hawk said cheerfully as he stepped into the room with one of the crew. "I'm glad ye're up and about this beautiful morning. Ye know, that's one thing I like about this part of the world… beautiful sunrises and sunsets. Hope ye slept well, and did ye get enough to eat, my dear?"

"Enough," Jewel replied curtly as she rose from the table and stepped away from it. She then waited to hear what he proposed to do with them.

"Excellent, now pay attention!" he said abruptly. "Today will be a busy day, and ye won't be seeing us fer a while. We'll all be goin' ashore, 'cept fer you and pretty boy."

"Where are you taking Jack?" she demanded moving swiftly toward him, but as Hawk stepped back through the open doorway onto the main deck, one of his guards, Malik, quickly grabbed her before she could reach the captain. She struggled with him a little though not enough to reveal her true strength and skills. Two other men approached the cabin with Jack, his hands tied securely in front of him. Frustrated that she could do no more at the moment to help him, she anxiously looked at him and presently saw two more men drag John toward the main mast and tie him to it.

"Please, where are you taking Jack Sparrow?" she calmly asked, but Jack could only shrug his shoulders and give her a weak smile before a crewmember blocked her view.

"To shore, like I said, where we've business to take care of," Hawk answered with a laugh. "But you, my dear, need not be concerned. Ye'll kindly stay in m' quarters fer now. Be sure to have a look around m' wardrobe. I'm rather proud of the collection of fine dresses in there and seein' the condition of yer own dress, ye're certainly welcome to put on anything ye like, at least fer the time ye're a guest aboard m' ship. But should ye start getting lonely or think about wanderin' around, I'm sure Malik here will be more than happy to keep ye company."

"Just wait till I see you again," she angrily whispered under her breath and wrestled her arm away from the guard. Malik bowed his head slightly and smiled exposing several missing front teeth to which Jewel turned her head in disgust.

Hawk made a motion with his hand, and the men led Jack away as he struggled to loosen their grip. Malik walked out onto the main deck leaving Hawk to give Jewel his parting words, after which he tipped his hat and slowly closed the door. The pirates boarded the longboats waiting to cast off from the ship, and after pulling Jack down into one of them, they quickly rowed to the island. When the boats reached the shore, Hawk and his men disembarked dragging Jack along with them. They soon made their way over the hilly terrain and down through a narrow ravine leading ultimately to an opening of a cave. The mouth of the cave was partially hidden behind some bushes, but the pirates easily found it and went inside lighting torches along the way that had previously been set up on wooden stakes and stuck in the ground. At last, they came to a large cavern with a high ceiling and several tunnels leading into other dark and narrow passages. While a few of the men scurried ahead of the others to light more torches scattered throughout the area, Hawk nodded his head and pointed his finger. Jack was immediately taken over to the right side of the cavern where a rope was passed through a large metal ring imbedded in the rock high above his head and his hands retied.

Once alone Jack pulled hard on the ropes that held him, but they only allowed his hands to move several inches apart. He stopped struggling after a while and looked around the cavern only to find to his great disappointment that it did not hold any treasure or gold rather a large stockpile of gunpowder, rum, and other supplies scattered in different areas and behind various large and small rock formations. In the middle of the cavern was a long table with two long benches where many of the men sat and began to drink rum and play cards to pass the time away. Others went to the back of the cavern where a large target was set up. Here they took turns throwing their knives and boisterously wagering on who the best expert shooter was. Even Joe made a few throws with his knife to see how he would fare and succeeded in doing well, though no one seemed quite good enough to hit the center mark. Hawk, meanwhile, took a moment to casually walk over to Jack and snickered when he saw him helpless and safely secured to the ring.

"Well, Jack, I'm afraid this is yer final port of call," he said triumphantly. "I do hope ye're comfortable for ye're goin' to be here fer some time. Ye see, mate, it's been a long time, but I remember this cave bein' pretty well hidden on this small, remote island, so it's highly unlikely fer anyone to be savin' ye this time. Aye, I figure without food and water ye could possibly die in… say a week or two's time, and nary a one would even know ye were here. And this be the good part. Not long after maggots and other crawlin' slimy nasties ate yer flesh and innards, just yer skeleton would be hangin' from this here ring. A fitting tribute to the great Captain Jack Sparrow. Just picture yerself, Jack. A rotting skeleton with yer trinkets hanging down yer skull!"

"Uh, no bloody thanks!" Jack replied with a grimace. "Once is quite enough fer me actually, but have ye anything else to offer?" Hawk gave him a baffled look and laughed.

"Always negotiating, but… no! Still I tell you what, ol' friend. Just to show you I'm a decent man, I'll even give you one last swig of rum. A farewell drink fer old time's sake."

Hawk turned and called for a bottle of rum and allowed Jack to have a few good swallows before emptying the bottle himself and smashing it on the ground. He wiped his mouth on his sleeve then proudly stood back with his arms folded, coldly staring at Jack and relishing in the apparent hopelessness of his captive's predicament.

"There now, old man, ye just stand there and be good," he finally sneered and walked away. After turning back one last time, he added, "And Jack… just so ye know, we'll be takin' real good care of the pretty lady and the Black Pearl. Oh, and we'll also be back in a few months to get yer… um… gold teeth."

As Jack watched him leave he fought against the ropes, but it was useless, and though he had been in life and death situations before, the idea of being Hawk's prisoner and the object of his arrogant ridicule and mockery was the ultimate affront to his dignity. He looked around in the hopes of finding some way to free himself but realistically had to admit he was really in a bind this time, thinking not so much for himself, though he would do that once he was left behind, but more so for Jewel and his ship. Each day for him was a risk he willingly took, avoiding the British Royal Navy or other pirates like Hawk, but this time Jewel and his crew were in danger, and he was not ready to give up or even reconcile with those possibilities. At least, for the moment, Hawk and his men were in the cave getting drunk and rowdy, and he prayed that a miracle would happen to save them all.

Jack thought about Rafe, and how he had desperately searched for Joe Hooper. He remembered how the boy fought and wondered where he was and how he was faring. How ironic, he thought, that he and not Rafe should be the one to encounter the scoundrel. He sure needed Rafe's help now and would have loved to have seen him go up against Joe knowing the power and skills the boy possessed. Still Rafe was gone and if he and the others were going to be saved, it was now up to him, yet at the moment he was hardly in any position to save himself much less anyone else.

Sadly, Jack closed his eyes with thoughts of Jewel, wondering what she was doing and if she was all right. He knew she had to be frightened and with just reason. Furthermore she needed protection from these cutthroats. He then thought of Riggs. With all the pirates in the cave except for Malik, this would be an opportune time for the commander to show what kind of hero he could be. Surely he could find some way to free himself and Jewel and together escape with the Raven. As much as he did not care for the two of them together with himself left to die, it tickled him to think that Hawk and the others would also be stranded on the island with him. What a fitting end for all of them, marooned like him. Jack smiled at the thought and watched the others idly pass the time.

Knowing her long awaited encounter with the enemy was at hand, Jewel rummaged through the captain's full closet looking for something more suitable to wear. The dress she had on was torn from making bandages and would not allow her the flexibility she needed for any physical confrontation she would have with Hawk and Big Joe. She therefore looked for one that was loose and without buttons and lace. Presently she found the dresses Hawk previously referred to and was grateful he had given his permission for her to choose any of them to change into, yet as she looked them over, she wondered why Hawk had dresses aboard the ship in the first place. She chuckled to herself and decided it must be a pirate thing but then thought about Jack. He barely had an extra shirt of his own, and she laughed to herself thinking of poor ole Jack without any women's dresses in his closet.

Jewel soon found a long, white, loose-flowing dress that seemed rather appropriate for what she needed and took it out of the closet. Regretting having to ruin the dress, she nevertheless cut the top with her knife just below the waist and laid the two pieces to the side. She next took off her own clothes and walked over to the mirror where she examined herself. Her body was lean and strong from her many hours of training, and she took a few minutes to stretch her muscles. When she was ready, she put on her breeches and boots again and finally the white top of the dress, carefully tucking it into her breeches and smoothing it out.

Pleased so far, Jewel reached for the long skirt and cut it so she could wrap it around her body and tie it in the back. Once more she looked in the mirror to ensure the skirt covered her breeches and boots. The dress looked nice, and after turning her body from side to side, she gave herself a nod of approval. Now thinking what to do about her hair, she looked around, found a brush and slowly ran it through her tangled hair letting it hang down past her shoulders. Not wanting it to get in her face, she looked through the dresses once more for a ribbon. After finding one, she detached it from the dress and with it tied her hair behind her head. When all was done she put her knife back in her boot and reached under her skirt to take out the golden medallion and what was left of the twine from her pouch. Jewel stared at herself in the mirror one last time and carefully put the medallion around her neck. She gazed at the emerald's striking brilliance as it hung down in front of her and held it in her hand. Her fingers immediately tingled from its touch with an energy waiting to be released, and she closed her eyes and calmed her anxious nerves.

"This is for you Edward," she whispered remembering his kind face and gentle smile. After a few moments, she closed her eyes and slowly chanted.

"Let the mind be clear to focus on the things that are yet to come,

That the heart might feel the spirit and with the dragon's soul be one."

Jewel repeated the words several times to fortify herself with courage and strength and felt the power of the emerald surge through her body. Soon her spirit was restored and energized with resolution and a firmness of mind and will to withstand the danger and opposition that awaited her. She opened her eyes and quickly searched for a shawl of some sort and found something suitable from the wardrobe. She wrapped it around her shoulders and fastened it in the front to cover the medallion. Now ready to go after Jack she took the twine and slowly opened the door of the captain's quarters.

Malik was sitting on a barrel outside the door with his eyes closed. When he heard the door open, he quickly stood up and turned just in time to see Jewel strike him hard on both sides of the neck with the palms of her hand. He instantly lost consciousness and fell to the deck. Using the last of her twine, she tied him up leaving him lying on the floorboard then checked for other pirates. Upon finding no other pirate on board, she saw John tied to the main mast with a gag over his mouth. She immediately ran over to release him, and when he saw her coming, he squirmed to free himself from the ropes.

"Are you alright, John? Are you hurt?" she asked removing the gag and putting her hands on his face and checking for injuries.

"I'm fine, Julianne, but untie me now before any of the others come back," he implored and looked around the ship to ensure they were alone. "Please hurry, so we can take the Raven and leave the area."

"What? And leave Jack behind?" she asked shocked by his suggestion. "After he saved you and your men from drowning, you just want to leave him here alone and defenseless to deal with Hawk and his men?"

"Believe me, Julianne, Jack would want you to be safe."

Jewel looked at him in disbelief and backed away from him. What he said was probably true, but she knew Jack was a pirate first then perhaps a gentleman. His first instinct would be to escape and return to the ship. Furthermore, she had no intention of leaving Jack in the danger she had put him in or forego this opportunity to complete her mission. She had to find Hawk and Hooper quickly before anything happened to Jack, and in spite of John's appeal to be set free, she decided not to untie him. She knew he would only try to keep her on board the Raven and sail away or worse yet, try to follow her if she left the ship. What she had to do now required no one's help, at least not from any man.

"Sorry, John," she responded. "This is one fight you can't be a part of. And if you even wondered why I was on the Black Pearl, well, let's just say Jack and I are real close friends, and friends don't leave friends behind. So now, I have to go after him. With any luck, we'll be back for you. If not, then I guess… this is goodbye."

John was about to protest when Jewel gently put her hand against his cheek.

"Don't worry about me!"

"Julianne, stop! You must release me now!" John ordered and struggled against the ropes. "I can help Sparrow. Please, you need me!"

Jewel motioned for him to be still and gazed into his eyes. He became silent as he watched rays of sunlight illuminate the green of her eyes causing them to sparkle. To his surprise she placed her hands firmly on each side of his face once more and concentrated on him. Soon his body relaxed and she took her hands away.

"John, everything is alright. You are in no danger, nor am I. You will stay here and be very calm, won't you?" she said softly.

"Yes, I will," he responded serenely and watched as she quickly went over to Malik who still lay unconscious on the deck and checked on him. She next went over to one of two remaining rowboats and after some initial difficulty finally maneuvered it down to the water. Racing against time knowing each minute was precious if she wanted to help Jack, she rowed herself to shore where the other boats were pulled up on the sand. There she found footsteps leading away from the boats and followed them down through the narrow ravine that lead up to the partially hidden mouth of the cave.

Not knowing what to expect, Jewel stood at the cave's entrance and decided to deal with whatever she encountered as it happened. She stepped into the opening and waited a few moments to allow her eyes to adjust to the darkness then suddenly heard the sounds of talking and loud laughter coming from a place not too far away. With light from the lit torches, she followed the sounds and slowly made her way along the narrow passage. After her eyes became accustomed to the dimness within the cave, she was soon able to see the flickering light of more lit torches a little farther ahead.

Jewel moved slowly and finally reached the opening to a very large cavern. She was amazed at its size and height but was pleased for it would serve her purpose quite nicely. She quickly scanned the area noticing many men sitting on long benches at a large table in the center of the cavern drinking, laughing, and being rowdy. Hawk and Joe Hooper stood talking to one another near the large table on the left side, and on the opposite side not far from a stockpile of gunpowder and kegs of rum, Jack stood alone and tied to an iron ring in the wall. In the rear of the cavern, she saw a target with several knives still sticking out from where they made their mark. Standing around it, several pirates were laughing and lifting bottles of rum to their mouths.

Jewel knew the time had finally come, so focusing on her mission and the power she possessed with the medallion, she took a deep breath and bravely walked toward the middle of the cavern. Sensing movement coming toward them, some of the men looked up and saw her approaching. As more men turned to look at her, the loud boisterous noise of talk and laughter subsided into a low murmur, then silence. Hawk and Joe also looked around and saw the beautiful, young woman standing before them bold and unafraid. Even Jack was now aware of her presence, and all were shocked to see her. The men were mesmerized in their drunken state by the sight of the woman in white, an angel for sure, pure and radiant. Jewel looked at each man as her eyes passed over them and settled on the man in black. Hawk quickly took a few steps toward her and broke the silence.

"Why, young lady, tis a pleasure to see ye again. Seems you were able to slip by my guard and find us. How very resourceful of you. I'll have to remember to speak to Malik about his sentinel skills, or rather lack of them. But since ye're here now, welcome to our humble island retreat. Of course, if I'd known you were comin', I'd have had the men tidy up a bit and put flowers on the table." His tone was glib and sarcastic. After looking her up and down, he remarked, "Hmmm, still… what a lovely vision you make. And I'm so pleased ye found something to wear that suits you just perfectly."

"I'm glad you're pleased," she flippantly replied and looked at Jack with a gnawing pang of guilt over his dangerous predicament. "I see you have Captain Sparrow tied up and looking very… uncomfortable." She turned back and lowered her eyes at Hawk, then smiled up at him demurely. "Surely, Captain, you can find some other way to detain the poor man, couldn't you… please? I'm afraid it really stresses me so to see another human being treated so harshly." Her eyes pleaded with him and waited for a response, but it came without feeling or compassion.

"It stresses you so?" he asked with a subtle hint of pleasure. "How beguiling of you, but… no! It concerns me not whether the poor man is comfortable or not."

"Very well, but what are you going to do with him?"

Hawk shrugged his shoulders.

"Actually, I'm not going to do anything with him 'cept keep him here out of harm's way. In fact, I've told m' men to not touch him for fear of reprisal from me." He raised his right hand. "Honest, I did. Now, just why have ye taken the trouble to come all the way here? Surely it wasn't to see if Jack was comfortable or not. Perhaps it was because ye missed my company?"

The crew began to laugh while the two stared at each other. Jewel finally spoke up.

"Hardly. However, I do believe you like a good wager, Captain," Jewel said as she moved a little closer to him. "That is why you're here, right? A previous wager with Jack. Why not make a wager with me for the life and freedom of Jack Sparrow? I promise to make it interesting and… entertaining."

Hawk snickered to himself, amused by the mere thought of her suggestion.

"And just what are the terms of yer wager, dear lady?"

"I'll gladly tell you," she responded. "But first, may I please have a word with Captain Sparrow… alone?"

"Ye may," he replied after a moment's thought then looked at her sternly, "but no runnin' a rig with me, mind ye."

Satisfied that there was no harm in it, Hawk flicked his hand to indicate his approval. Jewel nodded with relief and turned to walk toward Jack calmly ignoring the whistles and lewd remarks made by the pirate crew as she passed them. While she focused on the man she came to save, she allowed the others to savor this moment for she knew they had very few left. Luckily Jack was alone, and she could talk to him without being overheard. He watched as she came closer feeling all the more helpless for not being able to protect her from this wretched pack of rabid dogs. He also wondered why she had left the ship leaving John behind. When at last she stood in front of him, she looked at his hands bloodied and tied high above his head and finally at his tired and weary face. She took a quick glance at Hawk's men sitting some distance behind her and turned back again to look at Jack. He gave her an exasperated expression.

"Miss Whitbourne, this is hardly the place fer a lady and unless ye've got gunpowder and a bucket of shot, several pistols, a sword, and a loaded cannon under your petticoat, there better be a good reason why ye're here."

"There is, and I thought you were going to call me Jewel."

"Only if ye go back to the ship and find a way to leave the island."

Jewel smiled at his effort to send her away.

"I'm sorry, Jack, but I won't leave without you. I have some things to take care of first, but I promise to get you out of here. Only you must wait for my signal."

She reached up to touch his hands and spread them apart as far as the rope would allow noting the space between them. Slowly lowering her hands along the length of his arms, she finally placed them on each side of his face and gave him a serious look.

"When I call you, you must quickly spread your hands far apart and keep them steady," she whispered. "And most of all, you must trust me. No matter what you see and how you feel, you must do what I say and trust me as you've never trusted anyone before. It's the only way. Do you understand me, Jack?"

Jack gave her a frustrated and puzzled look.

"Miss Whitbourne… uh, Jewel, stop this now," he pleaded. "I can't let ye sacrifice yer safety fer me. What were ye thinking? And where's Riggs?"

"Sh-h, hush," she whispered to him. "John is still on the Raven. Don't worry about him. Listen to me! There's not much time. You must know that what you're about to see and learn about me will shock you, but it's something I have to do. I can't explain now, but maybe one day. Also know that I never meant to harm or deceive you. Please understand, Jack, that what I do after this is the reason I'm here. It's my mission to see justice done, and I will see it through to the end, whether I live or not."

Jack was startled by her confession, but more so when she slowly pressed her body against his and looked up at him. Her eyes sparkled from the glow of the torches, and as he gazed into them, he heard familiar words.

"Just in case something happens, and I don't get another chance, I do… want to experience the taste and feel of your lips," she said in a whisper and continued to hold his face in her hands as she leaned toward him.

Jewel closed her eyes and gently brushed her lips against his, moving her moist tongue slowly along the curve of his mouth. The sensation made him sigh and close his eyes. After a moment she moved even closer drawing him into a deep, passionate kiss, intense yet tender, her lips soft yet demanding. He yielded to her touch, and the feel of her body pressing against his made him tremble. He felt his knees go weak and was grateful the ropes tying his hands together also kept him from falling down. For all the kisses he had experienced in his life, this was the sweetest for he had never been kissed with so much tenderness and passion, and in his present situation, this was certainly a kiss to die for. He wanted so badly to put his arms around her, to hold her, but that was impossible with the ropes. Moments later he felt her move and step away from him, her eyes lowered. Flushed and breathing heavy she finally looked at him, and a little smile came to her face.

"Oh, woman!" Jack remarked while trying to catch his own breath as well. "So what now? What are you goin' to do?"

"Save us!" she answered with a gleam in her eye.

"No, Jewel, whatever ye're thinking, ye can't do this! I beg ye!" he pleaded again. "Ye can't save me, but you can save yerself. Go back to the ship now before it's too late!" Jack looked at the pirate crew and lowered his voice. "You and Riggs still have a chance. Go back to the ship and try to sail away. Find the Pearl and tell Gibbs to take care of my ship."

"Jack, please don't worry about me or the Pearl," she responded calmly. "Look at me very closely. Don't you even recognize me? Surely you must know who I am by now. Look deep into my eyes and know that I am the woman whom Rafe spoke about. I have come from far away with the power to destroy evil. I have come for them, but I have also come for you for I am she, of the soil, the trees, the rocks, and the streams. Jack, I am the one."

Slowly stepping back a little further, she loosened the shawl and let it fall from her shoulders to the ground unveiling the dragon medallion.

"I am… the Dragon Lady!"

Like a beacon shining out to sea, light reflected brightly off the gold onto the cavern walls near them. Jack immediately narrowed his eyes and stared at it, then back at her with a dumbfounded look on his face. Smiling at his reaction, Jewel put her hands together and bowed before him, then turning quickly she walked away leaving him stunned and in shock. How could this possibly be, he thought to himself. She had Rafe's medallion. It was his, for he had seen it with his own eyes and held it in his hands. And how did she know Rafe and especially what he said to him aboard the Pearl? Rafe had told him a woman would come into his life. Was Jewel the one he referred to, this demure young woman who just announced she was the Dragon Lady? His Dragon Lady?

Jack's mind was spinning with shock and confusion, and though he tried to sort through all he had just heard, nothing made sense. Jewel said she was the daughter of a prosperous landowner who raised sugarcane in Antigua. How could she possibly have Rafe's medallion unless she stole it from him in Gilley's Rock? But then again, the Dragon Lady would have her own medallion as well. She said it was her mission, but Rafe said he also had a mission. What was going on? They both had green eyes and even bowed the same way with their hands together. Were they brother and sister? Jack immediately disregarded that idea and decided he could not think about it anymore. All he cared about now was Jewel endangering her life by going up against the biggest and cruelest pirates in the Caribbean and Atlantic coastline.

Jewel walked back to where Hawk was waiting amid the loud sounds of kissing and oohs and ahs from his crew. He watched her approach the center of the cavern, and when she walked past the table of men, she suddenly turned to look at them. Their loud heckling and jeers quickly turned to silence when she grasped the medallion and her eyes flashed an eerie, green glow at them. Smiling at their apparent surprise and confusion, Jewel presently stood once again before the captain, and as he stared at the glistening treasure, the light reflecting from the gold immediately attracted his greedy attention.

"Well, missy, now that ye've had yer… special moment with Jack, let me say how much we all enjoyed the show," he said sarcastically. "Why, quite honestly, I've n'er seen the old bloke so happy, and I'm absolutely sure yer sweet, tender kiss would've been his final request without a doubt."

"Final?" She glared at him with cold eyes. "I hardly think anything is final yet. In fact, Captain, when all this is over, we'll just have to see who's left standing, you or Jack."

"Ah, I simply admire a beautiful woman and one with such attitude," he responded smiling. "Even more so than yer spineless captain. Still, how delightfully refreshing." He then shouted out, "Yer kind of woman, right Joe?"