A Hidden Queen

Chapter 34

John leans against the mast, propping his foot upon the beam. He rolls at his tobacco grinding it into fine pieces. He brings the sticky paper up to his lips, licking the edge. He twists the paper together enclosing the brown substance. John holds up the rolled tobacco inspecting his handy work. He hums happily before trapping it between his teeth. Now if he can just find his tinderbox. He thinks beginning his dig.

"I know you are not going to start that nasty habit again." Joe remarks.

John pauses in his search sighing heavily. He removes the cigar from between his lips. The green eyes glance over at his niece who stands with her arms crossed over her chest. She gives him a displeased twisted face.

"For you, my queen, I will acquiesce to your request." John lightly grumbles.

"Mother hated when you smoked." Joe mumbles.

"That she did." He comments sadly.

John exhales deeply, rolling the cigar between his fingers. Martha had spent many years trying to persuade John to give up the habit. She would succeed, making him sober for a few months before she would catch him lighting one within the darkness of night. He was not a chain smoker, but it was always enough to aggravate his sister. He shakes his head, shoving the freshly rolled addiction in his pocket. He smiles pleasantly at Joe, resting his hands on his hips.

"You ready to go?" He asks.

"I assume." She shrugs. "Hard to judge when I have no foresight as to where we are going Uncle."

"Always with the dramatics and sass." John teases. "Come. Let us get going. I would like to be back on the ship before dark."

John holds out his hand towards Joe. She approaches him, allowing him to place his hand on her lower back. He guides her over to the port side hull ladder. Joe stands off to the side gazing down at the old boat.

"Only you and I are going?" Joe asks him curiously.

"Yes. I think it is best that we do this little adventure on our own." John states, not knowing how Joe is going to react in seeing The Cyclone.

"He would only take her." Alex scoffs nearby. "He must be wanting to lay with her in the jungle instead of his bed."

"Maybe she will be more willing that way. Familiar surroundings and all." Grady offers.

John clenches his fist as his anger boils. He spins himself around a stern expression on his face and several curses on his tongue. A deep growl kills all of John's intentions. He relaxes his face as he glances down at Joe. She was bristled; her fists clenched at her side as her body shook. Alex snickers, nudging Grady as they go to walk off. John's mouth falls open as his niece moves as fast as lighting.

Joe twists her face upwards, clasping onto Alex's wrist as he passes her. She swings him back towards her twisting his arm up behind his back. Alex cries out as joints crack and pop. Grady spins himself around, staring at her wide eyed. His eyes frantically flick from Alex to Joe. Grady twists his features stepping closer. Joe growls twisting Alex's arm a little further. Grady freezes as Alex yelps in pain.

"Do I have your attention?" She snarls.

"You bitc." Alex stammers.

Joe scoffs, pressing his wrist awkwardly between his shoulder blades before he could finish the rude comment. Alex gasps a cry of agony forcing its way past his lips. Joe kicks at the back of his legs forcing him down to his knees. John takes a step back as her blue eyes dart about the men that have gathered around the pair and lean out from the yardarms.

"Do I have all of your attention?" She hollers into the crowd. "I am not your captain's whore! I am not anyone's whore! I am Joe Carter! The daughter of the great Captain Clinton Carter and your captain's kin. These rumors stop now! You dogs will show me the respect I deserve!" She snaps.