Emerald Seas II

Chapter 13

The first peeks of sunlight stroke Cutler's face from in between the beige-colored curtains while he opened his eyes after hearing the rooster of the village cluck the town awake in the early minutes of the morning. Cutler was happy to have such a comfortable bed inside his bedroom at the tavern, after spending quite a while aboard the ship, where comfort was hard to find. He felt the same spark of hope that had been on his mind for the last couple of days, when at night his dreams seemed to tell him that his destination came closer and closer.

All dressed only half an hour later Cutler met a hungover Jack, who was sitting slumped hanging onto his barstool, at the bar. For a moment he wondered if he had been drinking already, not entirely holding up to his promise to Elizabeth to show up this morning sober. But Cutler soon noticed Jack seemed to be quite sharp-eyed once he had wished him a good morning with a smirk on his face.

'A little something for the road, like always?' the same bartender from last night smiled at Jack while swaying a bottle of rum right in front of him.

'No not today Mr. Buck'. Jack had turned around bowing down like he was quite proud of himself for resisting the temptation. Cutler rolled his eyes at him and moving his tricorn hat on his neatly wigged head he started to stroll in the direction of the exit. Before Cutler could set one foot outside he heard Jack run back to the bar.

'On second thought, I might need the courage' Jack snatched the bottle from the bartender, who was now smirking from cheek to cheek, and Jack made his way to the exit as well. Passing Cutler that once again had the urge to roll his eyes but decided to ignore it.

'Are you sure we'll manage this morning to even make it inside Mrs. Turner's hallway this time, Jack?' Cutler couldn't have spoken with more smug to his voice while they made their way down the same town road as last night.

'Oh, it was nothing last night Cutler. You know how women are, always playing hard to get and such' Jack was winking at Cutler like they were mates ready to meet some ladies at the bar. Cutler had to hold back his laugh as Jack managed to almost collide with the same bushes he'd been rolling around in all soaked yesterday.

'Sure Jack, you have me quite convinced that must have been the problem the other day' Cutler faked a smile while Jack looked like a child being complimented on something by his father. Jack moved his hand to the iron door knocker that was placed just underneath the small window of the cottage's brown front door. It took a moment before Jack did knock, and Cutler had to urge to remove his hand and knock himself, already feeling like they were behind on the schedule of their mission.
Jack finally knocked. It was silent and it almost seemed as if Jack was holding his breath the entirety of them waiting. But soon the door unlocked and the door opened slowly. It was Elizabeth appearing behind the door, holding onto her morning robes. Without saying a word she now fully opened the door to make a way for them to enter. Jack almost hopped inside, probably happy to be welcomed in. Elizabeth's face seemed tense once Cutler, who politely moved down his tricorn hat before removing it, passed her.

'I'm very much surprised you're alive, Lord Beckett, if you're even still a Lord that is' Elizabeth spoke without any emotion in her voice, showing Cutler and Jack the way into her kitchen. She probably was under the impression, just like everyone else, that Cutler should have died after the attack on the Endeavour by the Pearl and the Dutchman. And she knew even if he would have survived by some miracle, it would have made his position at the Company a hard one, being defeated by pirates without any attack in return. And she wasn't wrong.

'I hope there's a good reason for you to bring him here, Jack' Elizabeth spoke all while not leaving her sight from Cutler, but when she finished her eyes moved to Jack. She was still holding her robes, which were slightly too big for her slender figure, tightly in front of her.