The Jackdaw

Chapter 5: Good Ol' Nassau

((while unconscious))

Edward carried your weight through the cabin doors, the surgeon quick at his heels. Joey wasn't much far behind. He slammed the door behind him, nearly shattering the glass. Adé could be heard shouting orders to the men, taking control of the ship while their captain was preoccupied defusing the crisis.

The moment Edward set you down, he eased a pillow beneath your head.

The surgeon reached past Edward and began ripping your jacket and shirt open. His steady hands jolted back. He darted his attention to Edward, almost hesitant to speak it out loud.

Joey blurted mindlessly, "Jack's... a lady?"

Edward turned on his heel, placing his hands firm on the man's shoulders. "Keep it quiet, mate. Can you do that?"

"Course, captain."

"Fetch that medical chest. Make sure no one gets through those doors."

Joey gave a slow nod then trampled through the cabin and out onto the deck.

Edward looked back at the surgeon with a hardening gaze. "Keep her alive, doc. Whatever you need, mate, it's yours." 

The surgeon regathered his senses. He pulled off the thin shirt without a second thought, his mindset returning to that of his profession. "Help me turn her over. Most of the damage is on her back." 

Edward assisted him, rolling your boneless form and insuring your head was turned comfortably on the pillow. They both began tugging the fragments of wood and glass from your flesh, dousing the gaping wounds with the half-empty rum bottles scattered about the room.

Joey returned in a maelstrom with the medical chest tucked beneath his arm. He handed over the chest, asking softly, "Jack going to make it?"

Edward stilled, holding his breath, uncertain if the answer would be to his liking.

The surgeon nodded while searching through the chest of clattering glass vials. "The wounds are superficial. If she can stave off infection, she'll be like it never happened."

Edward got to his feet and motioned Joey to follow. "We've got to get to Nassau. It's her best chance. Tell Adé to get us there, full sails all the way." Once Joey was back outside, Edward paced the small expanse of the room, his hand pressed against his mouth.

There was the ripping of fabric again. Edward daggered his glance at the surgeon, forcing himself not to intrude as the rest of your clothes were removed. He swayed into the closest chair, biting his knuckle as more pieces of wood and glass were pried from your skin. Dark red had stained your entire form and it seeped out onto the bed.

The surgeon worked aimlessly into the day, hunched over, pouring rum and crushing herbs. Finally, he stood up, cracking his back and walking a few steps to place the medical chest onto the table. "I have done all that I can."

Edward lifted his eyes to the man, examining the blood smeared across his hands and arms. He shifted his gaze over to you, the thin blanket covering your unconscious form. "You think she'll make it, doc?"

"She seems to have done well for herself thus far," he excused. "If you don't mind, I think I'll find us a strong drink."

Edward huffed a breathy laugh. "You do that, aye."

~:~

You could smell the rich sweetness of the tropics. It coated each breath of air you took down into your lungs, laced with salt and spices. It was no wonder. You were lying face down against Edward's bed, his pillow coated in his scent, a marvelous combination of the ocean and rum. The room was dark around you, a soft haze of light flickered across the walls, shifting with the lantern each time the ship rocked and swayed.