Lady of the Sea

Ch 4

As the days passed, Jack was preoccupied with the demands of his crew and the complexities of navigating the ship. Marina felt increasingly out of place, her lack of knowledge about seafaring leaving her feeling useless. She tried to observe the crew's activities, but the flurry of activity was overwhelming and confusing.

To find some respite, Marina spent hours perched high in the crow's nest, where she could look out over the endless horizon. From this vantage point she tried understanding the unfamiliar constellations in the night sky. Despite her efforts, she remained in the dark about their destination. Whenever she asked the crew, she was met with shrugged shoulders and vague replies, "Only Jack and his first mate know."

One evening, during supper, Marina decided to approach Greene, the ship's first mate, in hopes of gaining some clarity. Jack was nowhere to be found, as he typically sequestered himself in his private quarters, leaving Greene as her only source of information. As she made her way to the galley, she found Greene hunched over a map, engrossed in plotting their course.

Marina approached with a curious expression. "Excuse me, Mr. Greene. Can you tell me where we're headed? I've asked around, but no one seems to know."

Greene looked up from his work, pausing for a moment. He wasn't used to being called that. His expression remained unreadable.

"Ah, Miss Marina," Greene said calmly. "I suppose it's only fair to fill you in. We're heading to a port that isn't marked on any public maps. It's a bit of a secret, you see."

Marina raised an eyebrow. "A secret? Why so mysterious?"

"It's not so much mystery as it is discretion," Greene replied, his tone steady. "Our destination is known only to those who need to know. And I suppose that includes you now."

"I see," Marina nodded, still intrigued. "And what should I be doing while we're underway?"

Greene gave her a slight smile. "In time, you'll find your place. Just be patient." He hesitated before adding, "Oh, and it's Robby."

Marina smiled back. "Got it. Robby."

Marina nodded, feeling a bit reassured by Robby's words. As she left the galley, she resolved to make the most of her time, hoping that eventually, she would uncover more about their journey and perhaps even discover her own role in the unfolding adventure.

As more days passed, Marina found herself spending increasing amounts of time with Robby, who proved more approachable than Jack. Their conversations were frequent and insightful, with Robby teaching her about constellations and the nuances of navigation. During these discussions, Marina's gaze would often drift towards the quarterdeck, where Jack was deeply engrossed in his duties. Robby noticed her concern.

Robby leaned against the railing, glancing over at Marina. "Jack's always like that when we're crossing the Atlantic," he said with a knowing smile. "The dangers of storms and pirates keep him on edge. But we've passed the most treacherous part, so he'll come down soon enough."

Marina spent most of her time with Robby, who proved to be a fascinating companion. She learned that Robby was a man of faith, though he practiced his beliefs quietly rather than preaching to others. Despite his years spent at sea and among pirates, Robby remained a decent and honest man. His commitment to prayer and the Bible spoke to his character and had even influenced Jack to adopt a more professional demeanor.

It had been three weeks since they departed, and Marina's disappointment in the famed Jack Sparrow grew with each passing day. The legendary figure who had defeated Salazar at just sixteen now seemed a mere shadow of his former self, reduced to navigating a ship as a merchant for the East India Trading Company.

One evening during supper, Marina voiced her frustration to Robby, "It's been eight years since he defeated Salazar," she muttered, her tone tinged with disappointment. "I thought he'd be a legendary pirate by now, but instead, he's just a merchant."

 Robby had noticed her contemplative mood throughout the journey but hadn't realized her disappointment was directed at Jack. Robby decided it was time to shed some light on Jack's current situation.

Robby glanced at Marina, sensing the conflict in her words. "Aye, it may seem that way," he replied, his tone steady. "But Jack's story is more complex than you think. After Salazar, he didn't just hang up his pirate hat. He became the first mate of The Fair's Wind. When Cutler Beckett bought the Wicked Wench in 1707, Jack managed to save most of its cargo from pirates. Beckett took notice and promoted him to captain. But that title came at a price—he lost much of his old crew. I took over as first mate, and since then, we've had two successful voyages and now on our way to Kerma Island for a third one."

Marina's gaze narrowed. "So now you're searching for this Kerma Island?"

Robby hesitated for a moment, realizing he had revealed more than intended. Still, he pressed on. "Aye, Kerma. It's off the coast of West Africa, between the Cape Verdes and the Canary Islands. The island's said to be ancient, once ruled by Egyptian descendants. Beckett believes it's overflowing with gold."

"Stealing gold from an ancient land like that—it feels rather cowardly," Marina said, her voice quieter, disappointment creeping in. "I thought Jack was different, that there was some honor in his adventures."

Robby sighed. "In this world, honor and piracy rarely go hand in hand. Jack's choices—" he paused, choosing his words carefully, "they're driven by opportunity. Glory and treasure come at a price, and it's not always clean."

"But he's no pirate anymore, just a sea merchant," Marina said softly, as though trying to convince herself.

Unfortunately for Marina, one of Jack's crewmates had overheard the entire conversation and reported it back to him. Jack was not pleased.