Into The Fire
Chapter 5: Storm Breaking
You comments are always appreciated! They help me to write faster and improve myself. Funny thing - last night as I was writing this we had a roaring thunderstorm. It's highly unusual for Southern California to get rain at the end of July, and lightning and thunder are rare at any time of the year around here. Needless to say it was rather inspiring and helped me along!
--------------------------------------------
After two days of isolating herself in her cabin Jess finally felt ready to face the world, and Jack. That and from the smell of things a storm was brewing.
"Figures, and we're only two days away from home. Damn weather couldn't hold out a little longer?"
Well, better start moving, at least the crew was used to her random absences.
With resolve she opened the door wide and made her way up to the quarterdeck. There was a brisk wind about that smelled of rain, and dark clouds loomed on the horizon. The sky had taken on a faintly yellow tinge as well, not a good sign in her experience, not at all.
"Sefu!" she yelled.
As ever he was promptly at her side.
"Yes Captain?"
"Have the men batten everything down, and secure the hold."
The wind whipped up and howled through the sails, dark clouds now ran swiftly towards the ship.
"Sefu keep those sails up, lets see if we can't take advantage of the gale since it's fortunate enough to be blowing us in the right direction." Jess yelled, as the first heavy drops of rain began to fall.
She turned to relieve her helmsman, only to realize that it was Jack standing at the wheel. He had his back to her and was focused on the sea before them. She took a deep breath. Well it was now or never, one could only avoid a person on the same ship for so long. Jess reached out and tentatively touched his shoulder.
Jack turned at her contact and smiled, "The ship is yours milady, I was just keeping her company while you were gone." He gestured for her to take over.
Jess sighed as she slipped back into her favorite place, the control and power of her ship beneath her fingers. "Thank you Jack, I think that the 'Mare is probably better company than I right now."
"Well, as I said before, no harm done. From what I hear from your crew you've not been yourself this past week. Nothing you can't fix with a little rest though eh? Now Captain, I'll just be heading aft to check that the rigging is good and tight. Things are going to be getting rough soon." He replied and turned to go.
"Hey Jack," she said.
He turned.
"You don't have to call me Captain."
Jack tried to conceal the grin tugging at the corner of his mouth as he descended the stairs.
Well that went well, he thought as he began tightening lines. He was dying to know what went on in her head over those two days. Secrets, well, he knew what it was like to have those and how hard it was to bear the knowledge alone.
He tugged another knot secure. The rain was coming in sheets now and lightning flashed above them. Waves were roiling but the ship was held firm by her Captain's skilled hands. He had to admire Jessamin's figure above him. She stood solid at the wheel, though the wind lashed her hair and dark coat behind her. The contrast against her pale skin made her all the more ethereal and wraith like. Lightning flashed again and burned the image into his eyes.
The ship lurched suddenly and Jack grabbed a handful of rigging. He could feel her straining as the wind drove relentlessly into the sails. Thunder thrummed its deep bass rumble across the sky.
Another bolt of lightning flashed, closer this time. Much closer - and lower. Not good, one good hit could set the open canvas ablaze, even in this downpour. He let go of the line and slowly made his way back towards the helm.
----------------------------------------
Jessamin's arms ached. If they could just hold out a few hours more she would be able to drop anchor just off Marsh Island, only a day away from their destination. The wind was still full in the sails and she was determined to use the advantage.
She tossed her head and flicked the sodden hair away from her eyes. It didn't help much. Her wool coat was soaked and weighed heavy on her shoulders, not a dry spot remained anywhere on her body, and rivulets of water poured down her face.
With a loud crack a bolt of lightning flashed somewhere to her near left. Jess threw a wary eye to the sky. That was a low one. Another bolt flashed low but father in the distance, followed by a burst of thunder that rattled her bones.
She could see Jack trying to make his way up to her, yelling something, but the wind tore away any sound before it could be heard. He pointed to the sky, just as another bolt of lightning crackled about 100 yards off the port bow.
He was halfway across the quarterdeck when the ship bucked the crest of another wave, sending them both tumbling into the rail. Jack grabbed her waist with one arm and the rail with another.
"We have to drop the sails and anchor until this blows over. If that lightning hits.." he told her. Jack could feel her tense against him with some inner struggle, only to sigh resolutely and relax.
"Your right," she nodded "the risk is to great. But one of us will have to go down and tell the crew. I could barely hear you off the stairs. Stay up here while I go down okay?"
"No. I'll go - and don't give me that look. This is your ship and you know her better than I ever will, you need to be up here until we are secured." He said. On impulse, he brushed the damp locks away from her face and traced the line of her jaw.
Jess closed her eyes. "I thought.. the other day."she whispered, confused.
"Look at me luv, Jessa."
Her eyes fluttered open.
"Don't think I scare that easy, been through and seen a lot worse. Give me half a chance and see what Captain Jack Sparrow is truly made of, savvy?"
With that Jack crushed her to his chest and kissed her hard, savoring the taste of the ocean salt and her own sweetness on his lips. He pulled away, and before she could catch her breath he was down the stairs.
-------------------------------
Jessamin stood there in shock, pressing fingers to her lips. Numbly she grabbed the wheel and returned the 'Mare to course. Another lightning bolt cast across the horizon and snapped wandering her attention to focus.
Just push it to the back of your head and deal later, too much to worry about right now.
She looked out over the ship, the men were rapidly bringing down the sails. It wouldn't be long until everything was furled. The thought of her warm feather bed was enticing, but she would stay until the deck was secure.
Suddenly there was silence. Even the rain seemed to quiet its rage.
Her heartbeat seemed to thrum and the hairs on her neck began to prickle. On reflex she tensed and began to turn, only to see a blinding light crash into the boom spar.
Splinters flew, needles of pain lanced her skin as she threw up an arm. Her eyes burned from the flash. Still blind, she only heard the cracking whoosh as the ship rolled again and the broken spar came swinging straight at her chest.
----------------------------------------------------
Jack wheeled around as soon as he heard the bolt strike. A second later he watched in horror as the shattered boom's jagged edge went crashing into Jessamin, throwing her across the quarterdeck and pinning her to the rail.
As one the crew ran.
Jessamin's head hung limply to the side, a thin trail of blood trickled from her mouth. Jack took her pale hand and felt for some sign of life. He was rewarded with the faintest of beats.
Jack looked up to Sefu's anxious face. "She's alive, but barely."
Sefu nodded. "OK men, we need to get this spar off of her! On my mark.."
"No wait!" Jack warned. "What if it hit something inside? If you move it we may lose her!"
He looked down and noticed a growing pool of blood beneath Jessamin.
"See." he pointed.
"We have to move it, she'll die if we leave it." Sefu argued. He put a hand on Jack's shoulder. "Just trust me, the Captain is a quick healer - if we can get her inside and safe."
Jack's response was interrupted by a heaving gasp for air from Jessamin. Her eyes were open, now the cobalt orbs that he had only seen once before.
She gasped, every breath brought excruciating pain to her chest and there was an unbearable weight pressing down.
She managed to tear the words from her throat. "Get...it...off."
With that the men pulled on Sefu's signal. With the spar away blood began to pour from her side. Jack jumped to put pressure on the wound, as Sefu scooped her up in his arms and carried Jessamin towards her cabin. As they came in from the rain Jessamin slipped into the cool dark of unconsciousness.
Next: Chapter 6: Fever Dreams
You comments are always appreciated! They help me to write faster and improve myself. Funny thing - last night as I was writing this we had a roaring thunderstorm. It's highly unusual for Southern California to get rain at the end of July, and lightning and thunder are rare at any time of the year around here. Needless to say it was rather inspiring and helped me along!
--------------------------------------------
After two days of isolating herself in her cabin Jess finally felt ready to face the world, and Jack. That and from the smell of things a storm was brewing.
"Figures, and we're only two days away from home. Damn weather couldn't hold out a little longer?"
Well, better start moving, at least the crew was used to her random absences.
With resolve she opened the door wide and made her way up to the quarterdeck. There was a brisk wind about that smelled of rain, and dark clouds loomed on the horizon. The sky had taken on a faintly yellow tinge as well, not a good sign in her experience, not at all.
"Sefu!" she yelled.
As ever he was promptly at her side.
"Yes Captain?"
"Have the men batten everything down, and secure the hold."
The wind whipped up and howled through the sails, dark clouds now ran swiftly towards the ship.
"Sefu keep those sails up, lets see if we can't take advantage of the gale since it's fortunate enough to be blowing us in the right direction." Jess yelled, as the first heavy drops of rain began to fall.
She turned to relieve her helmsman, only to realize that it was Jack standing at the wheel. He had his back to her and was focused on the sea before them. She took a deep breath. Well it was now or never, one could only avoid a person on the same ship for so long. Jess reached out and tentatively touched his shoulder.
Jack turned at her contact and smiled, "The ship is yours milady, I was just keeping her company while you were gone." He gestured for her to take over.
Jess sighed as she slipped back into her favorite place, the control and power of her ship beneath her fingers. "Thank you Jack, I think that the 'Mare is probably better company than I right now."
"Well, as I said before, no harm done. From what I hear from your crew you've not been yourself this past week. Nothing you can't fix with a little rest though eh? Now Captain, I'll just be heading aft to check that the rigging is good and tight. Things are going to be getting rough soon." He replied and turned to go.
"Hey Jack," she said.
He turned.
"You don't have to call me Captain."
Jack tried to conceal the grin tugging at the corner of his mouth as he descended the stairs.
Well that went well, he thought as he began tightening lines. He was dying to know what went on in her head over those two days. Secrets, well, he knew what it was like to have those and how hard it was to bear the knowledge alone.
He tugged another knot secure. The rain was coming in sheets now and lightning flashed above them. Waves were roiling but the ship was held firm by her Captain's skilled hands. He had to admire Jessamin's figure above him. She stood solid at the wheel, though the wind lashed her hair and dark coat behind her. The contrast against her pale skin made her all the more ethereal and wraith like. Lightning flashed again and burned the image into his eyes.
The ship lurched suddenly and Jack grabbed a handful of rigging. He could feel her straining as the wind drove relentlessly into the sails. Thunder thrummed its deep bass rumble across the sky.
Another bolt of lightning flashed, closer this time. Much closer - and lower. Not good, one good hit could set the open canvas ablaze, even in this downpour. He let go of the line and slowly made his way back towards the helm.
----------------------------------------
Jessamin's arms ached. If they could just hold out a few hours more she would be able to drop anchor just off Marsh Island, only a day away from their destination. The wind was still full in the sails and she was determined to use the advantage.
She tossed her head and flicked the sodden hair away from her eyes. It didn't help much. Her wool coat was soaked and weighed heavy on her shoulders, not a dry spot remained anywhere on her body, and rivulets of water poured down her face.
With a loud crack a bolt of lightning flashed somewhere to her near left. Jess threw a wary eye to the sky. That was a low one. Another bolt flashed low but father in the distance, followed by a burst of thunder that rattled her bones.
She could see Jack trying to make his way up to her, yelling something, but the wind tore away any sound before it could be heard. He pointed to the sky, just as another bolt of lightning crackled about 100 yards off the port bow.
He was halfway across the quarterdeck when the ship bucked the crest of another wave, sending them both tumbling into the rail. Jack grabbed her waist with one arm and the rail with another.
"We have to drop the sails and anchor until this blows over. If that lightning hits.." he told her. Jack could feel her tense against him with some inner struggle, only to sigh resolutely and relax.
"Your right," she nodded "the risk is to great. But one of us will have to go down and tell the crew. I could barely hear you off the stairs. Stay up here while I go down okay?"
"No. I'll go - and don't give me that look. This is your ship and you know her better than I ever will, you need to be up here until we are secured." He said. On impulse, he brushed the damp locks away from her face and traced the line of her jaw.
Jess closed her eyes. "I thought.. the other day."she whispered, confused.
"Look at me luv, Jessa."
Her eyes fluttered open.
"Don't think I scare that easy, been through and seen a lot worse. Give me half a chance and see what Captain Jack Sparrow is truly made of, savvy?"
With that Jack crushed her to his chest and kissed her hard, savoring the taste of the ocean salt and her own sweetness on his lips. He pulled away, and before she could catch her breath he was down the stairs.
-------------------------------
Jessamin stood there in shock, pressing fingers to her lips. Numbly she grabbed the wheel and returned the 'Mare to course. Another lightning bolt cast across the horizon and snapped wandering her attention to focus.
Just push it to the back of your head and deal later, too much to worry about right now.
She looked out over the ship, the men were rapidly bringing down the sails. It wouldn't be long until everything was furled. The thought of her warm feather bed was enticing, but she would stay until the deck was secure.
Suddenly there was silence. Even the rain seemed to quiet its rage.
Her heartbeat seemed to thrum and the hairs on her neck began to prickle. On reflex she tensed and began to turn, only to see a blinding light crash into the boom spar.
Splinters flew, needles of pain lanced her skin as she threw up an arm. Her eyes burned from the flash. Still blind, she only heard the cracking whoosh as the ship rolled again and the broken spar came swinging straight at her chest.
----------------------------------------------------
Jack wheeled around as soon as he heard the bolt strike. A second later he watched in horror as the shattered boom's jagged edge went crashing into Jessamin, throwing her across the quarterdeck and pinning her to the rail.
As one the crew ran.
Jessamin's head hung limply to the side, a thin trail of blood trickled from her mouth. Jack took her pale hand and felt for some sign of life. He was rewarded with the faintest of beats.
Jack looked up to Sefu's anxious face. "She's alive, but barely."
Sefu nodded. "OK men, we need to get this spar off of her! On my mark.."
"No wait!" Jack warned. "What if it hit something inside? If you move it we may lose her!"
He looked down and noticed a growing pool of blood beneath Jessamin.
"See." he pointed.
"We have to move it, she'll die if we leave it." Sefu argued. He put a hand on Jack's shoulder. "Just trust me, the Captain is a quick healer - if we can get her inside and safe."
Jack's response was interrupted by a heaving gasp for air from Jessamin. Her eyes were open, now the cobalt orbs that he had only seen once before.
She gasped, every breath brought excruciating pain to her chest and there was an unbearable weight pressing down.
She managed to tear the words from her throat. "Get...it...off."
With that the men pulled on Sefu's signal. With the spar away blood began to pour from her side. Jack jumped to put pressure on the wound, as Sefu scooped her up in his arms and carried Jessamin towards her cabin. As they came in from the rain Jessamin slipped into the cool dark of unconsciousness.
Next: Chapter 6: Fever Dreams