A change in the winds

Chapter seventeen: Honouring the bargain.

It was sunny and still when Kenna opened her eyes again. The quiet creak of the ship had replaced the thundering roar of the wind from the day before. Kenna gently rubbed her eyes and opened them to the fresh sunlight. Jack was lying still beside her but his chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm, a prove that he had survived the night. Kenna sat up and reached over to touch his forehead. It was burning up. She threw the covers off her and climbed out of bed. Walking to a small table by the wall facing the bed, she found a wooden bowl with water. Not much was left in the bowl from the ruckus the storm had caused the night before, but it was enough for her needs. She found a piece of cloth and returned to the bed with both items. Drenching the cloth with the cold water, she placed it gently against his bandaged head. This should help with keeping his fever down. She bent over his unconscious form and kissed him lightly on the lips, feeling the burning heat emit from them.

Before she met him she had nothing. Her future had condemned her to become someone's wench, being beaten and used whenever her master thought was fitting. Her life would consist with satisfying her master's sexual desires, whenever and wherever he wanted. This was no life for a woman, being forced to give up her independence and bow to a man… if he even deserved to be called one. She wanted so much more. She wanted freedom. A place to call home. A loving husband and children. All that would vanish once the auction holder would accept the price some low life was willing to offer for her body. She would have a home, a man and perhaps children, but she would never be loved. And never be happy.

She caressed the side of his face with the back of her hand as she felt the tears fighting to escape her eyes. This man had brought her so much happiness. When he had bought her she was sure he was just another low life. A rather handsome one, but a low life nonetheless. He had surprised her when he let her go without even explaining why he had paid for her release. She soon found out he was a good man. An honourable man with great respect for women. She had found herself falling more in love with him as the days passed and her arrival home drew near. She didn't want to leave him, he had become a big part of her life and she couldn't imagine abandoning him. In the end there was no need to make that decision. Her village had been slaughtered and her only living family, as far as she knew, had been abducted by an evil sorcerer. And now because of him, the life of the one she loved was being threatened.

Kenna dipped the cloth into the water again and brought it up to Jack's head. She gently wiped his face and neck, washing away the perspiration his illness was causing. She checked his pulse and found it beating more lively under her fingers. With a relieved smile she changed the bandages on his head and wrapped a blanket around him. She laid down beside him, letting her head rest on his chest, listening to his heart beating. To her it was the most important sound in the world.

She woke up a little while later to a soft knock on the door. She raised herself of the bed and walked over to the door, wondering who it might be. When she opened the door she saw Gibbs standing outside.

'' I'm sorry ta disturb ye lass but I was wonderin' whether ye might be hungry. Ye haven't come out of his cabin since last night and I figured ye needed some food ta keep yerself goin'.''

'' That's very thoughtful of you. I think food would do me good. I'm famished.'' Kenna said with a smile as she rubbed her stomach. She looked behind her at Jack's unconscious form.

'' Don't worry, I'll watch him while ye be gone.'' Gibbs said with a comforting smile.

'' Thanks. I won't be long.''

'' Take as much time as ye need, he not be goin' anywhere.''

Kenna left the room and headed to the galley. Inside she saw Steven, the ship doctor, and two other crewmembers. She sat down by the table and greeted them.

'' How is he doing?'' Steven asked as she reached for a loaf of bread on the table.

'' He's still unconscious but his pulse is getting stronger.''

'' And the fever?''

'' Still high.''

'' I'm sure he will be fine but I would like to take a look at him if you don't mind.''

'' No, not at all. It would be good to get a doctors opinion.''

Steven smiled and stood up from the table. '' Enjoy your meal.'' And then he left the galley.

Kenna had denied all help from him the night before, stating that it was her mess and she should fix it. She only knew the basics in medical help, but stepping away from Jack while someone else tried to help him was not an option. She was going to take care of him. She knew that she hadn't been thinking straight and that she should have allowed Steven to take a look at him but at the time it hadn't crossed her mind.

Kenna finished her breakfast and returned to Jack's cabin. Inside Steven was taking Jack's pulse and looked up when he heard her enter.

'' I have to admit that during my years as a doctor I've never come across anything like this.'' He said awed but amused.

'' What are you talking about?'' Kenna inquired puzzled.

'' I was checking his heartbeat when I came across these symbols on his chest.'' He opened Jack's shirt to reveal the markings.'' I've heard that you know your way in rune magic and I was curious as to know what those symbols represent.''

'' Oh…those. I had completely forgotten about them…Uhm, they were supposed to strengthen his heartbeat.'' Kenna said a little embarrassed. She didn't know what Steven thought about magic users and their usefulness with medical help.

'' And what is it you used to write them? Some sort of oil?''

'' From that lamp over there.'' Kenna pointed to the oil lamp hanging on the wall.

'' Interesting…'' Steven said as he examined the markings. '' And do they work every time?''

'' I'm not sure, I haven't been using them much.''

'' Well his heart is beating steadily and he seems to be recovering quite well. I don't know if it's your magic to thank or just Jack's fighting for survival but I'm glad he's getting better.''

'' That's good to hear.'' Kenna said with a smile. Her observations earlier that morning had been right then. Jack was getting better.

'' I'll leave you two alone now. Let me know if his condition changes.''

'' I'll do that. Thank you Doctor.''

'' Call me Steven.'' He said with a smile and left the cabin.

Kenna walked over to the bed and sat down beside Jack's unconscious form. She gently caressed his cheek and ran her hand through his hair, listening to the soft clinking of the beads in his hair. Such an unusual look this man had. But she wouldn't want it any other way. At first the beads and the kohl-rimmed eyes had made her question his sanity, but as she got to know him better she saw that this was just his quirky style. And it suited him well.

Kenna turned her head around when she heard someone enter the room. A look of surprise crossed her face before it turned to an angry frown.

'' What are you doing here?'' She growled as she stood up from the bed and walked towards the unwelcome guest.

'' Just droppin' by that's all.'' Christian said with a grin. '' Happy ta see me are ye?''

'' I'd rather be stuck in a grinder.''

'' I always knew ye would warm up to me.'' Christian's grin widened.

'' I could warm you up, nice and toasty.'' Kenna said with a glare, feeling the heat rising in her body. This time she knew what was happening so she wasn't startled when her palms suddenly were on fire. ''Are you sure you want to mess with me?''

'' Ye don't have the guts ta attack me. I'm not even sure ye know how ta use yer flaming palms.'' Christian teased, but underneath his voice was rimmed with fear.

'' Do you want to take that chance?'' Kenna asked with a sneer.

'' Ye wouldn't. Not with Jack in the room.'' He tried to convince himself.

'' Wouldn't I?'' Kenna threatened as she threw a ball of fire right above his left shoulder. '' Oops.'' She put a hand to her mouth in fake shock.

Christian's eyes widened as the ball of fire hit the door above his shoulder. '' Are ye insane!'' He quickly took his coat off and tried to choke the fire that was now burning on the door.

'' I gave you a warning.''

'' Are ye tryin' ta burn the ship down?''

'' No, we just appear to have a problem with vermin on board.''

'' And ye're not one of them? Wait till the Capt'n hears about this. Ye won't be in his grace no longer.''

Kenna turned her head around to look at Jack and then turned her head to face Christian again. '' I think there will be some time before you can rat me out to Jack. He's not available at the moment.'' Christian cursed under his breath but it was too low for Kenna to hear. '' If you don't want to have the risk of being severely burned when you least expect it, we should talk about your agreement.''

'' Talk about it. What's there ta talk about?''

'' You seem to have the disadvantage here so why won't you tell me.''

'' The deal's a deal. I'm not backin' out of it.''

'' Are you sure about that?''

'' Absolutely. I'm not backin' out because of a woman.''

'' I thought it was absolutely clear that I'm no ordinary woman.''

'' No, ye're a fine specimen of a half breed between a woman and a bird.''

'' I'm not a bird.'' Kenna growled.

'' Well ye're not human. And I reckon Jack's not gonna take the news well.''

'' He loves me the way I am. He will understand.''

Christian knew he had found a weak spot. The control of the conversation was now on his side.

'' Then why haven't ye told him yet?''

'' I haven't found the right time yet.'' Kenna tried to defend herself. She felt her power over him weaken and was starting to panic.

'' We both know ye won't tell him anytime soon. He's as dead as a doormat. And even though ye've been standin' here threatenin' me I know ye don't b'lieve he'll take ye as ye are once he finds out the truth about yer origin.''

Christian was right and she knew it. If she weren't such a coward she wouldn't be in this situation. '' I can still fry you up for my enjoyment.''

'' That be true. But I doubt ye would want ta explain ta the rest of the crew what happened ta me once they find me burnt body.''

'' Do you really think I wouldn't let you burn to ashes? I would never be so careless as to leave your body around for them to find.''

'' I don't think ye're capable of takin' a life. Not even mine.''

'' Oh I wouldn't be so sure.''

'' Ye're tryin' ta sound tough but I know ye don't have the guts.''

'' Do you want another ball of fire to clear your memory?''

'' That was nothin'. If ye had meant ta harm me ye would have.''

'' The only reason I didn't make a roast out of you is because we're in Jack's cabin. I don't want the burning stench of you to be stuck in here.''

'' I don't b'live ye.''

'' It's your funeral. If I were you I would watch my back. You never know when something hot might scorch your behind.'' She said with a bitter smile. '' Now please leave, your presence is making me sick.''

Christian laughed. '' Ye've got quite a bitter tongue there…I sure hope it tastes better.''

'' That's too bad you'll never find out.''
Christian chuckled. '' Yeah, we'll see about that.'' He opened the door to the cabin and blew her a kiss before leaving the cabin with a smirk on his face.

'' That man disgusts me to no end.'' Kenna's body shook with disgust. '' Why is it the handsome ones are usually the bad guys?'' She locked the door, making sure Christian couldn't enter again, and walked over to the bed. Snuggling up to Jack she inhaled deeply, feeling the all too familiar salty rum aroma fill her nostrils. She would never get tired of this smell.