Temptations

ɎChapter♠TwentyEightɎ

 Jack watched his captain hanging at the top of the mast, a rope wrapped around her leg for balance, and the other holding a telescope to her eye. Her black hair, braided into dreads, flowed behind her as the heavy wind picked up. Her lips tilted upward as she moved the telescope away from her eye and she spread her arms wide, letting her body feel the wind before she fell in a twirl. The rope quickly undid itself as she spun her way down, stopping just before the wood deck.

The crew, used to her tricks paid no heed and continued on with whatever it was they were doing, but the prisoner, whose body hadn't fully healed yet and was marred with scars and bruises, watched wide-eyed as her feet touched the ground. He gulped harshly as she ignored his gaze and walked to the front of the boat, sitting at the very tip of the bowsprit.

He was shoved forward when Jack pat his back with more force than necessary. "Get back to work." He growled, eyes narrowed and arms crossed. The Rear Admiral scowled but continued mopping the deck. He moved sluggishly as if every movement hurt. It probably did, but Jack couldn't care less.

"Jack!" He turned to look over at his Captain, who was waving him over with a crazed grin. He made his way to her and she handed the telescope. "What do you see?" She asked.

Jack looked through the scope, finding only large spiked rocks peering out of the ocean. "Rocks." He said, handing it back to her but she didn't accept it.

"Look again, does it remind you of anything?" Rolling his eyes he did as he was told, this time trying to find some similarity. After a few seconds, it clicked.

"The map." He mumbled, so no one else would hear.

"Exactly. They're set up just like the map showed. We're on the right course, Jack." She smiled up at him, hope glistening in her eyes. "Which means farther that way is a small island with the tribe. Never been touched before, or so the map says."

"What are your orders captain?" He asked.

"30 degrees North. Follow the stars, Jack." Jack turned to the crew and shouted out the command. Slowly the ship tilted in the other direction, the Rear Admiral looking confused and worried, but he said nothing. 

"Your prisoner is becoming more inquisitive," he told his Captain. "I hear he's been found in multiple areas of the ship where he shouldn't be, under the excuse that he's cleaning." 

"Maybe he really is cleaning." She shrugged. "Ever think of that?" 

"Captain, you realize he's been cleaning the same spot on the deck throughout the last few hours?" 

"Oh most certainly. I also realize that there's nothing Mr. Keen can do that can get him off this ship, regardless of what he finds. Also, as long as he isn't in my quarters, I couldn't care less." 

"Captain..." He tried but she had none of it. She spun quickly, facing towards the prisoner and Jack, her eyes not reaching his but remaining on the topic of conversation close behind him. 

"Jack, I'm a woman on a ship with 28 other men. None of them as appealing to look at as he is," She said, her eyes never straying from the prisoner. "So forgive me if I find the sight rather nice and would like to enjoy the company of such a handsome gringo." She started walking, away from Jack and to her quarters. "So please, Jack. Keep an eye open, but keep your actions to a minimum."