Lady Rubina - A Pirates Of The Caribbean Love Story

Chapter Nine

The journey from Tortuga to Spain takes a long time, even on a ship as fast as The Black Pearl. But I kept myself busy, improving my fencing and shooting skills.

I was spending less and less time with Hector. I couldn’t explain it, but there was a wedge between us, a gap that was gradually growing.

I sought solace in the company of Jack, who was fun-loving and cheerful, when he wasn’t drunk or trying to flirt with me.

To tell the truth, I was starting to seriously regret my decision to leave Port Royal. I had come to find freedom, but I had found heartache and misery. I liked Hector a lot, but he had betrayed me.

Why had he lied about the gold? What was its significance?

Those questions haunted me for days before I decided to find the answer from the one person who could give it to me.

Captain Madeleine the Back-Stabber.

“What do you want?” she snapped when I barged into her cabin.

I smiled slowly and drew out my sword. I let the sun strike it, making it flash silver. “I want the truth,” I said, quietly.

Madeleine raised her black eyebrows. “Are you sure?” she asked.

Something in her tone made me hesitate. “What do you mean?”

She stood up. “A well-educated lady like you will surely be familiar with the phrase ‘Ignorance is bliss’.”

“Not this time. I want you to answer my questions.”

She tapped my sword. “And what’s that for?”

“We’ll fight a duel,” I replied. “If I win, you’ll tell me what I want to know about your gold.” I watched as a nerve flickered in Madeleine’s cheek.

“And if you lose?” she asked.

“If I lose, I’ll grant you your wish,” I said, sadly. “I’ll leave The Black Pearl and never come back.”

Madeleine smiled. “Sounds good to me.” She rested her hand on the hilt of her sword. “Any rules?” I shook my head. She grinned. “Now’s as good a time as any, wouldn’t you say?”

I nodded. My hands were sweating and I rubbed them on my trousers. I gripped the handle of my sword and took a deep breath. Hector’s advice rang in my ears and I relived all my lessons.

And then the fight was on. I could feel the hatred in Madeleine’s blows. She knew how to maximize her power so that none of her energy was wasted. I dodged and ducked, having to defend myself for a few minutes before I could even think about getting some attacking blows in.

She slipped suddenly, and I pressed home the advantage. She laughed at me as she skilfully moved her sword. I felt a burning sensation in my shoulder and looked down to see blood gushing out a wound. I smashed my blade as hard as I could against hers. Anger was starting to flicker inside me, mixed with hatred at this woman.

She aimed a blow at my head, but I was too quick. I ducked. Adrenaline was racing through me and my heart was pounding. I shoved my sword as hard as I could at her. She moved to the side, but not fast enough. I stepped back, watching her eyes glaze over. My sword stuck awkwardly out of Madeleine’s side. Her hands curled round the blade, trying to pull it out. I reached forward and yanked my sword out. It was dripping, the blood looked like scarlet tears.

I swallowed. “Are you alright?”

“What a… stupid question,” she panted. “Stop the bleeding, quickly!”

I reached for the first thing I at hand, which was Madeleine’s coat. I pressed it against her side, feeling the blood soak through the leather, washing warmly over my hands. “I’m sorry,” I whispered.

She made a sound, that was a cross between a laugh and a gasp. “Danger comes with the job, Rubina.” She was trembling all over and I could feel her swaying. She collapsed heavily on the ground, her eyes glazing over as she lapsed into unconsciousness. I knelt beside her, pulling her long black hair out of the way. And that’s when I saw it.

The heart-shaped gold locket round her neck had fallen open, so that it looked like a broken heart. The light was dim, and the faces in the drawings were younger, but I knew I would know his face anywhere.

What was Hector Barbossa’s picture doing in Madeleine’s locket???