Chapter 19
The Black Pearl sailed smoothly into the far side cove of Port Royal. Mari slid down the mast, from where she had been securing a sail.
"What are we doing here Jack? This look like a snob, pompous port. Besides the fact that it's in British waters. I know you daft but this goes beyond that." Mari said.
"Don't worry love; this is just a quick stop for Mr. Turner, as he received very minimal from the treasure we recently acquired. Not enough of it I mean. He's going ashore and should be back within an hour or two." Jack said.
"Oh, it's for him." Mari said, sounding annoyed.
"What did Mr. Turner do to make you this mad at him?"
"It's not what he did captain, it's what he said. And I'm daring him to try it." Mari said. Then she retreated to her cabin.
A few hours later Gibbs reported that Will was having trouble getting out of Port Royal. And somebody needed to go after him.
"Mari, you go after him." Jack ordered. Mari could tell it was an order but was determined to fight it.
"I can't captain, a girl in that port wearing this kind of clothing would stick out like a sore thumb." Mari said.
"Ah, fortunately I have a dress in my cabin from some previous adventure." Jack said. Mari glared at him. He had done it again, how was he managing to trap her. It was driving her insane. She returned to her cabin then a few minutes later Jack knocked on the door. Mari opened the door a little bit and snatched the dress then slammed the door in his face. Jack smirked, he had made her angry with him, that was a slightly good thing, maybe then she wouldn't be so mad at Will, especially with who he was bringing aboard.
Mari finished getting ready; she looked herself over in a broken mirror. She glared at her reflection; she was in a crimson dress with black lace and a white collar and frill. And to top it off her hair, usually up in a ponytail, bun or under a bandanna, was down and wavy. It wreathed her face then as she turned her head, hid her face slightly. It made her look mysterious and alluring. She kicked the nearest table then recoiled, the high heels she was in made her feet throb. Next chance I get, Mari thought. I'm going to get Jack for this, and Will has a whole other thing coming. She carefully and painfully climbed out a window and across the deck and into a longboat. She'd be damned if any of them saw her like this.
"Hello, love. That dress looks very nice on you." Jack said from the other side of the boat where he had been waiting. Mari balled up her fist and turned sharply. SMACK! Jack was thrown from the boat by the force of her blows. She looked over the side as he resurfaced. He had a swollen lip and a bruised eye.
"Now was that really necessary?" He asked.
"Yes it was!" Mari snapped. "That's what you get for forcing me to do all this and cornering me twice in two days you bloody pirate!" Mari snapped then let the boat down with a splash. Jack climbed into the boat, Mari raised her fist again.
"Easy love, a lady without an escort also sticks out like a sore thumb in this place." Jack said sensibly. Mari glared at him, then compromised and slugged him in the gut.
They rowed around the cove and snuck into port. Mari fumed quietly. They walked into the market and paused.
"What now?" Mari asked. Jack spun around for a minute trying to think. Then he shrugged and pulled out his compass.
"That way." Jack said, pointing to the blacksmith shop.
Mari strode over and opened the door. Jack walked in and Mari followed trying to refrain from beating the crap of Will. Inside was Will, wielding a sword in each hand and a finely dress woman watching him practice.
"It's about time you got here. We thought we'd have to stay here for a week." Will said. Turning to face them. Then he saw Mari and his jaw dropped.
"Don't say a word or you'll get a worse treatment than Jack, because I'm still mad at you." Mari growled through clenched teeth. Jack rubbed his gut tenderly; it still hurt from where she had slugged him.
"What did he do?" Will asked.
"He made me wear this and come after you. What else is there to say?" Mari said.
"You used to wear dresses all the time.' Will said.
"That was seven years ago in England. I was ten Will. Not much of a say so in the matter."
There was sharp banging's on the door.
"Open in the name of the law!" Someone shouted.
"I think it's time to go." Jack said. Will and jack headed for the back way thinking the girls were following.
"Who are you?" Elizabeth asked. "Are you and Will…?"
"Heck no!" Mari said, "Will's my brother, but come on we need to catch up to them." Mari said and grabbed Elizabeth's wrist and dragged her out the back way.
Mari stared tripping in the heels. She paused and quickly tried to take them off but couldn't get the straps. Instead she grabbed the dagger she had hidden in them and cut the straps so the shoes practically fell off. Then they raced through the streets and ran into Will and jack under abridge, literally. Mari and Jack were sent sprawling and Will barely caught Elizabeth, guards raced over top and everyone held their breath. Will Held Elizabeth close and Jack and Mari were as still as statues.
During this time temptation got the better of Jack and his hand started rubbing, as it did so Mari's knee shot down, into the more private area. The rubbing instantly stopped. Mari rolled off quickly as the footsteps faded. She said nothing to Jack as she stood up, then she flopped back down holding her foot, which was bleeding.
"What happened? " Will asked seeing his sister's foot as he pulled away from Elizabeth.
"Stepped on glass I think, or something really sharp." Mari said. She saw something sticking out of it and pulled it out. It was a very large piece of glass, it was a wonder it hadn't gone straight through her foot.
"That's why you should wear shoes." Elizabeth said.
"Yes I know. Those shoes were impossible to work with. I don't see how you can wear them." Mari said as she stood up, she used the ball of her wounded foot.
"All right, how do we get back to the ship, Jack?" Will asked. But Jack didn't answer he was still on the ground. Mari turned away to hide the smile that was playing across her face.
In the end Jack had to be hauled into the boat and Mari rowed one boat, unfortunately it was also the one that had jack in it so he was determined to stay still. And Will rowed the other one with Elizabeth.