Into The Fire
Chapter 2: On the Horizon
First attempt, comments welcome but please be kind - my ego is still fragile. ;-)
When naming this story I was thinking of the phrase "Out of the frying pan, into the fire" but a reader noted that it was also a song which I hadn't realized. After that I received some inspiration from the lyrics of a group called "Burning Point" which may be reflected in chapters to come.
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Into the new horizon
I gaze with my eyes open wide
My heart is lonely
I need a new way of life
Am I the last survivor
From these ruins, someone called "life"
What's beyond, it's my future
I rise from the ashes , and tomorrow I want to be gone
Lyrics from "All The Madness" by Burning Point
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Wood scraping against sand and the sound of multiple voices awoke Jack from a light nap. He stretched leisurely and cast a wary eye on the newcomers. A group of five had landed on the shore, they appeared buccaneers of a type - unusually well kept though. Leading the group was a tall burley African man. In the distance a ship with black sails hovered in deeper waters.
Good, they weren't Fleet, and therefore could be bargained with.
He gathered his meager effects and swaggered confidently over to the approaching group.
"Ahoy there mates, nice of you to drop by on this lovely rock Name's Captain Jack Sparrow." he said as he bowed. "It seems I'm stuck in a mite bit o' trouble, be obliged if you gents could help me abit."
"Really?" the African replied, "And here we thought you just wanted some company." a smile twitching at the corner of his mouth. "But really Mr. Sparrow we are here to assist if you need us."
"Great then, if you wouldn't mind picking me up and dropping me off at the nearest port I'm sure we can come to an arrangement, savvy?"
"Aye Mr. Sparrow, but you'll have to be talkin' terms with Captain DuVar, not me. But we need to be on our way so if you don't mind.." he motioned towards the boat.
"Of course, I'm sorry I didn't catch your name?" Jack queried.
"I am Sefu," he grinned an pointed to the waiting ship "and that is the Nightmare."
The Nightmare... something triggered in Jacks bran, now where on earth had he heard that name before?
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"Look lively men, I want to hoist canvas as soon as that boat is secured and catch the wind while we still have it!" Jess shouted. She was fidgety about sitting so long in the spot of a recent battle and wanted to be well away.
"Well I best go and see what Sefu has dragged on board this time" she sighed. Though more often than not, the strays that found their way into her ship usually turned out to be rather useful - hell, most never left.
"Captain on deck!" Sefu roared. Immediately the crew snapped to attention and total silence fell.
Jess nodded for Sefu to continue.
"Captain, we found one survivor in the island, he calls himself Jack Sparrow."
"That's Captain Jack Sparrow if you please." Jack interrupted as he turned his attention to the Captain. What greeted his eyes left him breathless. Long ebony hair tumbled over skin paler than porcelain. Her features would give any noble woman cause for jealousy, and her eyes.... deep violet, the likes he had never seen before. She was attired in black suede, pants and an interesting sleeveless top that laced up the sides.
"Ahem, Mr. Sparrow?" Jess coughed. "Yes, now my eyes are up here - in my head. Apparently you are not used to female Captains, so I will let your indiscretion slide." she winked "However to finish Sefu's introduction - I am Captain Jessamin DuVar. You are aboard my ship, the Nightmare, and my word is LAW. If you wish to discuss the matter of your future you may do so with me over dinner."
Jess gave him a once over and curled her lip in distaste.
"Sefu will show you where to clean up, you have one hour." she nodded to her first mate. With that, she turned heel and headed towards her quarters.
Jack shook his head.
"Don't worry, she has that effect on most people, Jess just doesn't realize it most of the time. Couldn't ask for a better Captain though, she runs a tight ship but takes care of her crew as if they were family. Every man on the 'Mare would follow her into hell if she asked it. C'mon - lets get you cleaned up." Sefu said and pointed to go below deck.
Jack followed in silence, unusual for him. But he was starting to regain his composure, today was just getting more interesting by the moment.
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He couldn't remember the last time he had been this clean. Never had he encountered a ship that stored enough fresh water for the luxury of bathing. According to Sefu, Jessamin was rather particular about having long hot baths - and for her crew to maintain a level of cleanliness. Everyone had their quirks, he wasn't complaining about this one.
Jack cast an appraising eye around the Stateroom he was waiting in. The mahogany table was set with fine silver, dark red velvet draped around the windows to block out the setting sun. There were some comfortable looking chairs scattered about, all plushly adorned. He had settled onto the single couch in the room. It was cushy and covered in butter soft black leather.
Soft, so soft, so quiet. Just going to close the eyes for a second........
A cool pressure on his cheek, now caressing his forehead. Must be dreaming.
"Mr. Sparrow" a voice whispered softly in his ear.
He cracked open an eye. Yep, must be dreaming there was a beautiful woman hovering over him.
"You're drooling. On my leather."
"Only because of you luv." he chuckled and sat up.
Jessamin's pupils dilated. She bit back a retort, stay calm, he's just teasing.
"And you can call me Jack, Mr. Sparrow sounds so stuffy," he put his hand on her arm "don't you think Jessamin, or do you prefer Jess? Jessa?"
"It is Captain to you, Jack" she replied through gritted teeth "and unless you remove your hand you may never earn the right to call me otherwise. Are you always this infuriating?"
"You know you are quite fetching when your angry luv?" Jack countered with his most charming smile.
"Table. Now." she snapped. Okay breathe. You are just being bitchy 'cause you want to go home and he's the most recent cause of delays.
Oh this was going to be a fun dinner.
Chapter 2: On the Horizon
First attempt, comments welcome but please be kind - my ego is still fragile. ;-)
When naming this story I was thinking of the phrase "Out of the frying pan, into the fire" but a reader noted that it was also a song which I hadn't realized. After that I received some inspiration from the lyrics of a group called "Burning Point" which may be reflected in chapters to come.
-------------------------------------------
Into the new horizon
I gaze with my eyes open wide
My heart is lonely
I need a new way of life
Am I the last survivor
From these ruins, someone called "life"
What's beyond, it's my future
I rise from the ashes , and tomorrow I want to be gone
Lyrics from "All The Madness" by Burning Point
----------------------------------------
Wood scraping against sand and the sound of multiple voices awoke Jack from a light nap. He stretched leisurely and cast a wary eye on the newcomers. A group of five had landed on the shore, they appeared buccaneers of a type - unusually well kept though. Leading the group was a tall burley African man. In the distance a ship with black sails hovered in deeper waters.
Good, they weren't Fleet, and therefore could be bargained with.
He gathered his meager effects and swaggered confidently over to the approaching group.
"Ahoy there mates, nice of you to drop by on this lovely rock Name's Captain Jack Sparrow." he said as he bowed. "It seems I'm stuck in a mite bit o' trouble, be obliged if you gents could help me abit."
"Really?" the African replied, "And here we thought you just wanted some company." a smile twitching at the corner of his mouth. "But really Mr. Sparrow we are here to assist if you need us."
"Great then, if you wouldn't mind picking me up and dropping me off at the nearest port I'm sure we can come to an arrangement, savvy?"
"Aye Mr. Sparrow, but you'll have to be talkin' terms with Captain DuVar, not me. But we need to be on our way so if you don't mind.." he motioned towards the boat.
"Of course, I'm sorry I didn't catch your name?" Jack queried.
"I am Sefu," he grinned an pointed to the waiting ship "and that is the Nightmare."
The Nightmare... something triggered in Jacks bran, now where on earth had he heard that name before?
---------------------------------------
"Look lively men, I want to hoist canvas as soon as that boat is secured and catch the wind while we still have it!" Jess shouted. She was fidgety about sitting so long in the spot of a recent battle and wanted to be well away.
"Well I best go and see what Sefu has dragged on board this time" she sighed. Though more often than not, the strays that found their way into her ship usually turned out to be rather useful - hell, most never left.
"Captain on deck!" Sefu roared. Immediately the crew snapped to attention and total silence fell.
Jess nodded for Sefu to continue.
"Captain, we found one survivor in the island, he calls himself Jack Sparrow."
"That's Captain Jack Sparrow if you please." Jack interrupted as he turned his attention to the Captain. What greeted his eyes left him breathless. Long ebony hair tumbled over skin paler than porcelain. Her features would give any noble woman cause for jealousy, and her eyes.... deep violet, the likes he had never seen before. She was attired in black suede, pants and an interesting sleeveless top that laced up the sides.
"Ahem, Mr. Sparrow?" Jess coughed. "Yes, now my eyes are up here - in my head. Apparently you are not used to female Captains, so I will let your indiscretion slide." she winked "However to finish Sefu's introduction - I am Captain Jessamin DuVar. You are aboard my ship, the Nightmare, and my word is LAW. If you wish to discuss the matter of your future you may do so with me over dinner."
Jess gave him a once over and curled her lip in distaste.
"Sefu will show you where to clean up, you have one hour." she nodded to her first mate. With that, she turned heel and headed towards her quarters.
Jack shook his head.
"Don't worry, she has that effect on most people, Jess just doesn't realize it most of the time. Couldn't ask for a better Captain though, she runs a tight ship but takes care of her crew as if they were family. Every man on the 'Mare would follow her into hell if she asked it. C'mon - lets get you cleaned up." Sefu said and pointed to go below deck.
Jack followed in silence, unusual for him. But he was starting to regain his composure, today was just getting more interesting by the moment.
-----------------------------------------
He couldn't remember the last time he had been this clean. Never had he encountered a ship that stored enough fresh water for the luxury of bathing. According to Sefu, Jessamin was rather particular about having long hot baths - and for her crew to maintain a level of cleanliness. Everyone had their quirks, he wasn't complaining about this one.
Jack cast an appraising eye around the Stateroom he was waiting in. The mahogany table was set with fine silver, dark red velvet draped around the windows to block out the setting sun. There were some comfortable looking chairs scattered about, all plushly adorned. He had settled onto the single couch in the room. It was cushy and covered in butter soft black leather.
Soft, so soft, so quiet. Just going to close the eyes for a second........
A cool pressure on his cheek, now caressing his forehead. Must be dreaming.
"Mr. Sparrow" a voice whispered softly in his ear.
He cracked open an eye. Yep, must be dreaming there was a beautiful woman hovering over him.
"You're drooling. On my leather."
"Only because of you luv." he chuckled and sat up.
Jessamin's pupils dilated. She bit back a retort, stay calm, he's just teasing.
"And you can call me Jack, Mr. Sparrow sounds so stuffy," he put his hand on her arm "don't you think Jessamin, or do you prefer Jess? Jessa?"
"It is Captain to you, Jack" she replied through gritted teeth "and unless you remove your hand you may never earn the right to call me otherwise. Are you always this infuriating?"
"You know you are quite fetching when your angry luv?" Jack countered with his most charming smile.
"Table. Now." she snapped. Okay breathe. You are just being bitchy 'cause you want to go home and he's the most recent cause of delays.
Oh this was going to be a fun dinner.