Lady of the Sea

Ch 31

Jack and his crew had spent a few days in the village, each one more tense than the last. The wait was excruciating, the uncertainty gnawing at Jack's nerves. Despite Tia Dalma's reassurances that the healing process took time, he couldn't help but feel the weight of Marina's fate pressing down on him.

Jack made several trips to Tia's hut each day, hoping for any sign of improvement. Each time, he would find Marina still unconscious, her breathing steady but shallow. Tia watched him with an amused glint in her eye, never missing an opportunity to comment on his growing attachment.

"You're here again, Jack," Tia said with a sly smile as he entered the hut on the second day. "One might start to tink you care for dis girl more dan you let on."

Jack, visibly annoyed, waved her off. "She risked her life to get us crucial information, Tia. The least we can do is make sure she lives."

Tia hummed thoughtfully, stirring a pot of herbs over the fire. "She is a special one, dat Marina. Dere's a strength in her, like de sea itself. But dere's more, isn't dere? You feel it too, Jack."

Jack shot her a glare, unwilling to engage in her teasing. "I'm not here for riddles. Just tell me if she's improving."

Tia chuckled softly, letting the conversation drop, though the twinkle in her eye remained.

As Jack was pacing the village, trying to distract himself from his worry, he was startled by the unexpected arrival of Barbossa. The older pirate strode into the village with his usual swagger, his eyes sharp and calculating.

"Barbossa," Jack greeted him, surprise evident in his voice. "Didn't expect to see you back so soon. What happened?"

Barbossa tipped his hat and gave a small nod. "Ran into Esmeralda quicker than I thought I would. She's headin' back to Singapore with the news. Suggested we all get back to fortify the port if Marina is awake,"

Jack's expression darkened slightly. "That's the problem—she hasn't woken up yet."

There was a heavy silence between the two men, the weight of unspoken fears hanging in the air. Both knew the truth: Marina's chances of survival were growing slimmer with each passing day.

After a long pause, Jack finally spoke, his voice tight with frustration. "We'll make a decision tomorrow."

Without waiting for a response, Jack turned and stormed off, leaving Barbossa standing alone in the village square. The old pirate watched him go, a thoughtful frown creasing his brow. The situation was growing more complicated by the minute, and Barbossa knew that whatever decision they made, it would have far-reaching consequences for all of them.

The next morning, a thick tension hung in the air as Jack, Barbossa, and Tia Dalma gathered around Marina's still form. The small hut was dimly lit, the scent of Tia's herbs and potions filling the air. Marina lay on the bed, her skin porcelain pale, almost ethereal. Her dark hair framed her face, and despite the dire circumstances, there was a haunting beauty about her. Her lips, still a soft shade of rose, contrasted with the pallor of her skin, giving the illusion that she was merely asleep, dreaming peacefully.

The three of them stood around her, staring in silence. Hours seemed to pass as they waited, each lost in their own thoughts. The only sound was the rhythmic crashing of waves in the distance, a constant reminder of the sea's presence.

Finally, Jack broke the silence, his voice thick with guilt. "She saved me twice aboard the Wicked Wench, and now... now she's sacrificed herself again."

His gaze remained fixed on Marina, his expression a mixture of sorrow and disappointment. The weight of her sacrifices hung heavy on him, and for the first time in a long while, Jack found himself at a loss for words.

Tia stepped closer, placing a comforting hand on Jack's shoulder. "It's in her spirit, Jack. Sacrifice, courage, loyalty—it's who she is. Dere's a power in her dat even she doesn't fully understand yet."

Barbossa, ever careful with his words, leaned toward Tia, his voice low and measured as Jack paced nearby, restless, "seems like Marina's... connected to the sea in some way. What if we brought her to the sea? Would that help?" His eyes flicked to Tia, a silent question shared between them.

He had let Marina go on her own, knowing full well the danger she faced. She had insisted she would handle it, but it gnawed at him that he had pushed her further with his own request—the elixir. Greed had clouded his judgment, and now she was in this state, teetering on the edge of life and death.

He clenched his jaw, the guilt simmering beneath the surface. Barbossa had always been a man of control, careful to mask his emotions, but this was different. This felt personal. He had come to admire Marina, her resilience, her strength. And yet, he had sent her into the lion's den for something as selfish as immortality.

He caught Tia's gaze, her knowing eyes lingering on him as if she sensed the turmoil beneath his stoic exterior.

Tia finally spoke, her tone measured. "It wouldn't change anyting. Marina belongs on land as much as she does in de sea. She's caught between de two, and no place will heal her faster den de other. She just needs time."

Without a word, Barbossa turned away, his back straight, face unreadable. He wouldn't let anyone see the regret clawing at him, "aye, best we leave her with Tia. Keepin' the Pearl here too long will only attract unwanted attention."

Jack clenched his jaw, frustration evident in his expression. "And if she never wakes up? If she doesn't have time?"

Tia looked at him with a calm, almost serene expression, "I done cleaned de wound, stitched it up tight, an' dressed it well. So far, dere be no infection brewin'... an' at dis stage, she most like nah go have any. Don't doubt Marina, Jack. She's stronger dan she seems. She just needs time to heal... time to find her way back."

The uncertainty lingered, but deep down, Jack knew there was nothing more he could do here. He reluctantly agreed, knowing that Tia's instincts had rarely led them astray before. He felt like he was abandoning Marina once more, but seeing her almost lifeless everyday tortured him in ways he couldn't describe.

Jack hesitated before stepping out of the hut, casting one last look at Marina. His heart was heavy with worry, but he forced himself to trust in Tia's words. As they made their way back to the Black Pearl, a sense of unease settled over him, knowing that all they could do now was wait.