Battling Destiny

Chapter 10

Destiny sighed in frustration as she pushed, pulled, kicked and swore at the bars imprisoning her. It was futile of course but at least it made her feel as if she were taking some kind of action. She’d had three days of this solitude and it was driving her to the edge of madness. Waiting.

The only person she saw was a nameless hand who brought her food once a day. No vile Captain Sparrow, no despicable Watts. She wasn’t sure if the sign of no one of importance was a good thing or not. Without them near she was unable to sense what they were plotting. She had sensed nothing whatsoever sense they had locked her down here.

It was the same scene over and over, day in day out. No matter how many attempts she had made the iron mass refused to budge and she would throw herself down on the cold wooden floor in defeat. Though, today when she sank to the floor she did so with much more care.

Her wound was severely infected and her repeated requests for a salve had been denied. The gash was a horrid color and each day made it harder to lift her left arm. Pirates were not known for the cleanliness, she could only imagine what Watt’s sword had on the blade.

There were many times during the day when she would feel quite faint and queasy. So much so that she would have to lie down for several minutes before she was able to sit up again.

Destiny knew she had lost a lot of blood when she’d been stabbed and she wasn’t sure how much longer she could go without treatment before she took a turn for the worse, especially since they were feeding her such meager rations. Her stomach growled reminding her of that fact.

She reached for her canteen and took a long drink from the tepid water, draining it completely. She would have to wait until tomorrow morning for her next round of fresh supplies and bit her lip to keep from crying in frustration.

She prided herself of being a strong person, not overly emotional or dissuaded with the world. In the three days she’d been in this nightmare she’d not given in to the urge but the despair she was feeling right at this moment was enough to make the tears prick her eyes. She had never been so cold, tired, hungry, thirsty, uncomfortable or scared in her entire life. The hopeless feelings seemed to grow with each hour that passed.

The waves of nausea were back with a vengeance and Destiny curled up in a ball on her side, willing the spell to pass but this one felt different. She felt a bout of delirium coming on as she began to shake uncontrollably, sobs tearing from her throat. Something was most definitely wrong.

“Help. Please help. James?” She cried out, not realizing she was speaking as she tossed around fitfully.

Destiny gave a body jerking shudder and the room went dark and quite as she slipped into oblivion.

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“Sir!” Came a loud knock at the Admiral’s door.

James had been in a light nap but jerked awake instantly and was at the door in less than ten seconds. He hadn’t had a decent nights sleep since Destiny had been taken and tonight was no exception. All he’d been able to think about was her.

They’d been on the trail of The Black Pearl for three days now and he was frustrated that Sparrow was eluding him for that long.

“What is it Captain?” Norrington asked eagerly, trying to hide the desperation from his voice. “Have you found her?”

“I believe so. There is a black ship about forty yards off the starboard side. Fits the description of the Pearl you’ve given.” Rover said. “Our men have seen no activity on the deck for the past hour. If we’re to act we better do it soon. Sunrise is in a few hours.”

“Yes, yes of course.” James agreed, pulling on his naval uniform as he led the way out the door and to the deck.

The captain handed him a periscope and he eyed the neighboring ship watchfully. Rover was right; there was no movement, not even a man in the crows nest. The term sitting duck came to his mind.

Odd, irresponsible and possibly a trick, he thought.

“Sir? What are your orders?” He asked.

“We board, attack, retrieve and capture if necessary.” James replied with determination and met his captains approving gaze.

Less than fifteen minutes later James was leading two boats of sixty men through the darkness of night to the black ship. They stealthily climbed aboard and James gathered them close and spoke in hushed tones to address his soldiers.

“I want everyone in groups of five, cover each other. Stick together. I don’t like this. It’s too easy and we all know those are the worst situations.”

“Who said it was going to be easy?” Came a voice out of the crowd.

A voice that made Norrington’s teeth grind with loathing. He turned around slowly to face that voice.

“Sparrow.” He bit out.

“The good Commodore has come to pay a visit. To what do I owe this pleasure?” Sparrow said with a cocky grin as he swayed on the spot as he took in his naval coat. “My apologies, I see congratulations are in order, Admiral. How long has it been since we last met?”

“Not long enough.” James answered.

His men watched the exchange with avid interest and he suddenly felt the need for privacy.

“Captain Netherland, keep the ship covered while I talk to Mr. Sparrow in private.” James ordered.

“Captain. Captain Sparrow.” Sparrow corrected and turned to lead him to the captain’s quarters.

James was cognizant of the fact that Sparrow was not a man of violence; he was a man of profit, gain and opportunity. He knew exactly what side to appeal to and directness was his best route.

“I’ve come to negotiate the return of what you have taken.” James stated.

Sparrow looked at him a moment, baffled, before replying, “I assure you, I don’t know what you’re talking about Admiral. I have stolen nothing.”

“Are you denying you have Miss Overland?”

“Ah,” confusion clearing from Sparrow’s eyes, “I see. You don’t come for riches; you’ve come for the bonnie lass. Ever the honorable seaman. Always there to help a damsel in distress. What’s it to you?”

“She’s my charge.”

“Forgive me, but you’re awfully intense over someone who is only your charge. Has the noble naval officer finally found a girl?” Sparrow asked with a wolfish smile.

“Name your price.” Norrington replied, ignoring his question.

“A pretty little one like that?” Sparrow said, leaning back in his chair, steepling his fingers. “She’d fetch a nice fat purse if I sold her off as a wench at next port.”
James clenched his fist angrily at the thought of her being sold off for such sordid purposes but tried to keep his face passive. The more emotion shown to Sparrow the worse off you were in the bartering process.

“As I said, name your price.”

James watched as Sparrow rose and began to pace his cabin thoughtfully.

“I couldn’t possibly take less than fifty thousand pounds.”

“Done.” James said. “First I see that she is safe and unharmed, then you are paid.”

“I assure you, Admiral, she is quite safe.” Sparrow replied and led the way out.

“The word of a pirate does little to persuade me, Sparrow.”

James followed Sparrow up on deck but came to a halt in front of his men.

“Rover. You’re with me. Men stay on guard.” James said.

“My men are all passed out, Admiral. Too much rum.” Sparrow informed him, leading them below deck.

James and Rover followed Sparrow through the cold darkness of the brigs. His eyes fell on a cell at the end of the tunnel. He heard her pleas and his name on a gut wrenching sob and he felt his heart tear from his chest.

James couldn’t see a damn thing in the dark but ran in the direction of the sound.

“Destiny?” He called out and stopped at the locked door. “Give me the key.” He demanded of Sparrow.

Sparrow handed over the key to the cell and James made quick work of the lock. He could see her outline in the corner of the cell just beyond the lowly light source of the portal. Just when he pulled the door open a man flew towards him and knocked him backwards.

James regained his balance and drew his sword as he advanced quickly on the man. He’d taken a step into the thin beam of moonlight and James could see he’d moved toward the motionless Destiny with a knife, his yellowed teeth bared in hatred.

“Watts! Don’t.” Sparrow ordered to no avail.

“Sir! That’s the pirate that stabbed Miss Overland on the docks.” Captain Netherland said urgently.

That was all James needed to hear. The man had hurt her once and looked to be on a mission to do it again. James jumped forward and plunged his sword into the man’s shoulder and used the opportunity of shock and pain to kick him to the ground. Watts howled in agony and stayed down, clutching his arm.

“Destiny?” James whispered quietly as he knelt down next to her.

It was black as pitch and he couldn’t see her clearly but when he put a hand to her shoulder he felt her trembling uncontrollably. Without a further thought he scooped her up in his embrace and left the cell, facing Sparrow.

“Get in.” James ordered with barely contained anger.

“Come again?” Sparrow replied, his tone betraying his surprise at the request.

“Get in the cell with your man.” He answered, shifting the passed out woman in his arms.

“Admiral, we had an accord.” Sparrow reminded him.

“The accord was that Miss Overland was safe and unharmed, since she is neither our agreement is null. Now get in the cell.” James almost hissed through clenched teeth.

Sparrow didn’t budge and seemed unsure if this was a serious situation; James decided to clarify things.

“Captain Netherland, if Mr. Sparrow doesn’t enter that cell in the next five seconds, shoot him.”

James heard the pistol cock in the dark and sensed rather than heard Sparrow moving forward.

“Captain Sparrow, Admiral. Captain.” Came the grumble as he moved into the cell.

“Netherland, lock the door and pocket the key.” James said.

Rover did as he was told and returned to the Admiral’s side, grinning into the dark.

“You’re going to leave us locked in this cell?” Sparrow asked incredulously, over the hollering of his injured sailor.

“Your men will find you soon enough.” Norrington answered coolly and turned on his heel.

Just when he had reached the stairs he heard Sparrow speak again. “Well done, Admiral. Well done.” Admitting he’d been bested.

James was silent but let the self satisfaction flood him for a moment before moving himself forward.

Destiny gave a soft groan and a particularly violent shudder and then his only thought was getting her back to the safety of the Valiant.


No love or hate for my story :(