A change in the winds

Chapter twenty-five: The duel

Her mind was still dazed with shock when Christian barged into the room, throwing the door into the wall.

'' What's goin' on here?'' Jack asked as he stepped closer to Christian with a hand on his sword.

''Ye've had yer chance and ye blew it, she be mine now.''

---

Kenna stared at him in shock. What was he doing? Jack tightened the grip on his sword, resisting the urge to unsheathe it and run him through.

'' What makes ye think she has any interest in ye? Ye must know how she despises ye. After all, she was the one who disfigured yer hand,'' Jack growled menacingly.

'' That was nothin', just a minor quarrel between us. She loves me, she's just too proud ta admit it,'' Christian replied with a glance at Kenna. She shook her head in disbelief. This was serious. He honestly believed she loved him and she had to set him straight.

'' Stop this you two. There's no need to fight over this.'' She put a hand on Jack's shoulder and stepped past him so that she was standing between them.

'' Christian, you know I love Jack. Why are you doing this?''

'' He doesn't deserve ye. He betrayed ye. He didn't want ye. Why are ye runnin' back ta him? Ye know he'll only run away again when the next problem arises.''

'' No he won't,'' Kenna objected.

'' How can ye be so sure? He's done it twice now,'' Christian pointed out with a hateful glare at Jack.

'' We've solved our problems. He's fine with what I am.''

'' Sure, that's what he tells ye but I'm certain that ye still freak him out. He always has ta be in control, on top of things. Ye bein' an angel disrupts his view of the world. He's no longer the strongest one aboard and therefore ye be a threat ta him. He has no way knowin' what ye be capable of and that scares him. He's afraid of ye. Do ye honestly want the man beside ye ta love ye out of fear?''

That struck a nerve in Kenna, even though she believed he was lying. Jack had loved her before he knew she was an angel. Why would that love have changed? She remembered how scared of her he had been when they first met and feared that Christian might have a point.

'' No, Jack loves me for who I am. I wouldn't blame him if he's scared of me; I'm scared of my powers. I have no idea how powerful I can become and that's going to be something we will figure out together.''

''Ye can believe what ye want but ye can't convince me.'' Christian shook his head. '' Why can't ye see ye be much better off with me?''

Jack had had enough of this nonsense and pushed Kenna behind him.

'' Why won't ye leave her alone? She has made her choice and there's nothin' ye can do ta change it.''

'' She's not thinkin' straight. She can't see how weak ye are. Ye're too much of a coward ta be able ta take care of her,'' Christian growled.

'' I'm perfectly able to judge what's best for me,'' Kenna objected as she pushed herself in between the enraged men. '' I'm so sick of people telling me what to do. You two have been fighting over me since I joined the ship. Neither of you loved me; you just wanted to prove which one would stand up as the winner. It was a masculinity contest and I was the test subject. Do you have any idea how that made me feel?''

The men stopped glaring at each other and turned their bewildered gazes towards her but didn't say a word.

Kenna waited for their response but all she got was a puzzled stare. She felt her temperature rising and her eyes faintly glowed bright green.

'' You two don't have anything to say for yourselves?'' she asked as she felt her body tingle all over with rage.

Jack was the first to break the silence. '' I'm sorry luv; ye just threw me off balance. I never toyed with yer feelings. At first I just wanted ta keep ye safe but ye can't interpret that as me tryin' ta win ye over ta prove I was a better man There be no need for that, I know I'm better than him.''

'' He be lyin' ta ye. He wanted ta prove he was better than me. He pretended that he was keepin' ye away from me ta protect ye when he just wanted ye for himself. He's the Capt'n so he should get it all,'' Christian said bitter.

'' Ye should watch yer mouth,'' Jack growled.

'' Or what? I'm not scared of you,'' Christian replied with a mocking grin.

'' Ye should be. When I'm through with ye, ye'll be cryin' for yer mother.''

This was too much for Kenna to handle and she threw a ball of fire on the floor between them.

'' You two are so immature! Fighting won't solve anything. What am I gonna do with you dead, Jack?''

'' I'm not gonna die luv, he won't even be able ta get a scratch on me,'' Jack said as he stamped on the fire to put it out.

'' Fine, have it your way. Fight him if you want but don't expect me to cheer you on.'' She stomped past them and left the cabin.

The men stood perfectly still for a moment, watching the open door with an astounding look on their faces. This woman sure had a temper. Jack looked down at the floor and saw a black spot beneath his foot.

'' She keeps ruinin' me ship…and it's all because of ye.'' He glared at Christian who was still a bit shocked by her sudden outburst.

'' Yeah? And what are ye gonna do about it?''

'' I'm gonna fight ye and then I'm gonna kill ye,'' Jack said as he unsheathed his sword.

'' Ye don't stand a chance old man,'' Christian replied, drawing his sword.

'' We'll see about that. I'm not a Capt'n of a ship because I got lucky. It took a lot ta get here and I'm not goin' anywhere.''

Christian slowly backed out of the cabin with his sword raised. Jack followed his every move with his own sword raised, not taking the chance of him attacking when he wasn't ready. They reached the deck and the men gathered around to see what was going on. Of course most of the crew had heard the swearing and yelling from the Captain's cabin - since the door had been open the whole time - but none had dared to step closer to see what was going on.

'' Ye can always back out,'' Jack said with a confident grin as they began to circle. Christian had no intention of backing out; this was his opportunity to get back at Jack for all he had done to him.

'' No way. I'm not lettin' this chance slip by. I've been wantin' ta fight ye for a while.''

'' Since that's the case then why won't ye show me what ye've got?'' Jack narrowed his eyes at him in humour as he clashed his sword against Christian's, daring him to fight him.

'' I wouldn't want ta embarrass ye in front of the crew…wait, that's exactly what I wanted ta do. Once I beat ye I get ta be the Capt'n of the ship and I get the girl.'' Christian's cocky grin shone in the sun. There was no doubt in his mind that he would be promoted today.

'' Ye can't beat me whelp so there be no use tryin','' Jack said confidently as he plunged forward, gracing Christian's forearm.

Christian winched but didn't let it distract him from his goal. '' I will kill ye and afterwards make yer girl scream in ecstasy as we celebrate me promotion in yer old cabin.''

Jack felt the blood boil in his veins.'' She would never take a second glance at ye. Ye be nothin' ta her but pain.''

'' Her mind might change once ye're dead.'' Christian took a swipe at him but Jack avoided it swiftly.

'' Then ye should start forgettin' that fantasy of yers because there be no way I'm dyin' by yer hand.''

The sun was high in the air and the men were drenched with sweat. Their clothes clung uncomfortably to their chests and thighs, making their movements heavy and strained. Neither one was going to surrender; this was a matter of pride.

Jack felt a drop of sweat roll down his forehead and quickly wiped it off with the back of his hand. He would have given anything for a cool wind on his face and his thighs were starting to itch.

'' Give up lad, ye're not gonna win,'' he tried to persuade him. '' The sun will fry yer brains out before ye can even get a scratch on me.''

'' Ye're just sayin' that because ye be tired. Ye don't want ta admit it but ye bee too old for this,'' Christian said as he flung himself at him.

'' I'm young enough ta beat ye,'' he replied as he blocked Christian's attack.

'' If ye be so great then why won't ye just finish me off? If ye could beat me, ye would have done it long ago.'' He raised his sword for another attack. The sunlight reflected off his blade and temporally blinded Jack, giving Christian a chance to slice at his chest.

Jack raised a hand to his chest as he felt the sting from the blade. He felt the blood stain his shirt and growled. This had gone far enough. Neither the heat nor his wound would stop him from his goal. Christian had to be killed.

He raised his sword and jumped at him, fierce hatred in his eyes. Christian felt the change in him and for the first time since the fight started, he felt worried. Jack was going to kill him if he wouldn't kill him first.

Christian managed to block most of Jack's blows and was feeling out of breath. Jack was serious about killing him and didn't show any signs of weakness. Christian knew this would be over soon but he didn't want to give up. There had to be a way to defeat him.

Jack stopped attacking him for a split second, seeing that he was about to give up. Christian used the opportunity to take a swipe at him but felt Jack's foot in his side and flew down on the deck. When he looked up, he saw Jack standing over him, the sword pressed against his neck.

'' Are ye ready ta surrender?'' Jack asked, pressing against his injured chest with his left hand while his right was holding the sword close to Christian's neck.

'' Yes…yes. Ye won. I surrender,'' Christian said out of breath, wishing that his captain would be merciful. He felt the cold steel pressing harder against his neck and looked up to see the hatred in Jack's eyes. His life was over now.

Kenna was still furious but her anger was slowly subsiding as the fear for her lover grew. She knew Jack was a great swordsman but accidents could happen. Maybe Christian would get lucky. No, this had to stop. She could not let these men fight to the death. There had to be another way to sort this out.

She found her way up on deck and stepped out into the blazing sun as Jack raised his sword for the final blow.

'' Jack, don't do it,'' she said as she walked over to where the crew was gathered. Upon hearing her voice, Jack spun around surprised.

'' Kenna…what do ye mean?'' he inquired puzzled.

'' I don't want you to kill him,'' she said firmly.

'' Ye don't want me ta kill him? Why not? He's been nothin' but trouble.''

'' I know but that does not justify you killing him.''

Jack removed his sword from Christian's neck when Kenna appeared and he had been quick to get to his feet. He didn't understand why she was defending him? Wasn't she on Jack's side?

'' Of course it does. He threatened ta kill me, his Capt'n, and the punishment for that is death. Ye can't change the code just because ye have a soft spot for the mutineer.'' Jack said frustrated. Why was she defending him? Wasn't she on his side?

'' If you kill him then you're no better than him. Don't you think that being spared is more humiliating than being killed? By letting him live, you will force him to live each day in your service, knowing that he owes his life to you.''

Jack hadn't thought about it that way but could see that it would indeed be far worse to be left alive.

'' Ye have a point there, luv. I knew there was a reason why I chose ye.'' He winked at her but she only rolled her eyes.

'' Don't think I've forgiven you yet.''

'' What did I do? I was only defendin' yer honour.'' Christian saw this as a chance to slip away but Jack saw him out of the corner of his eye and raised his sword to his neck.

'' Where are ye goin'?'' he said without looking at him. Christian swallowed hard and didn't dare to move an inch.

'' What do ye suggest I do with him?'' Jack asked with a flick of his head in Christian's direction.

'' I don't care. Just don't kill him. He doesn't deserve to die. Not yet at least,'' Kenna said disinterested. Christian felt a cold shiver run down his spine. When had she become so ruthless?

'' Take him ta the brig. We'll find him a suitable punishment later,'' Jack ordered and two large crewmembers stepped forward to escort him to the cell. '' The rest of ye, get back ta work.''

The men hurriedly complied and went back to their stations.

Jack walked up to Kenna and raised his hand to touch her face. She moved away from his touch with a stern look on her face.

'' You never learn do you?'' Her voice was full of acid.

'' What did I do?'' Jack asked puzzled.

'' Do you seriously think I can't fight my own battles? I'm stronger than you are and I'm a hell lot more dangerous. I can take care of myself.''

'' It's me privilege as yer lover ta take care of ye.''

'' And you can when I want you to. This was unnecessary. You two didn't have to fight over me, I could have silenced him without blinking.''

'' Why are ye makin' such a big deal out of this?''

Kenna took a deep breath and exhaled. '' Do you really want to know?'' Her eyes were full of fury and Jack couldn't but be a bit scared.

'' Of course I do. If it was somethin' I did I want ta be able ta apologize for it.''

'' All right. I'll tell you why I'm so angry. Do you have any idea how it feels to be worthless? Well I do. You two made me feel like I didn't matter. You kept on fighting even though I told you not to. You ignored everything I said. I don't even think you fought him because of me. I think you did it to satisfy your ego. You want to show everyone that you can take care of yourself and that no one can beat you. You want to be god.''

'' Ye're not makin' any sense…'' Jack said baffled.

'' Wait, I'm not finished,'' Kenna growled. '' You two made me your price. The one who would be on top would prove to be the better man for me. Did it ever occur to you that I didn't want the strongest, most skilled swordsman? Did you ever stop to think how this would affect me?''

'' I never meant it as an insult. I was just protectin' ye. I'm sorry that ye feel I take ye for granted, I most certainly don't.'' He stepped closer to her, making another try at touching her face. This time she let him. '' I love ye, ye know that.''

'' Of course I do,'' she replied, feeling her anger subsiding with his gentle touch.

'' I'm not used ta strong women such as yerself, I don't know how ta act around ye. Ye want ta be so independent, and don't get me wrong, I like that, but sometimes ye make me feel so powerless.''

'' I guess this is partly my fault. It can't be easy to associate with an angel,'' Kenna said with a sigh.

'' It's somethin' completely new, but exciting. Except for yer mood swings, which if I may be so bold ta point out, are gettin' worse.''

'' They have, haven't they…wonder why that is…'' Kenna said thoughtful.

Jack took her in his arms, holding her tight. '' Am I forgiven now?''

Kenna pushed him off her. '' Yes, but please don't touch me, you're all sweaty.''

'' Are ye goin' ta make a little sweat come between us? I fought for me life out there…'' Jack said hurt.

'' I have a way to cool you down,'' she said with a smirk.

Jack narrowed his eyes at her and wondered what she was up to.

She sensually licked her lips. '' Remember the bath we took?''

A big grin spread over his face. '' Of course, how could I forget?''

'' What would you say to a nice cooling bath right now?'' She unbuttoned one button on her shirt.

'' I'd very much want that,'' he said as he leaned in to kiss her. She fully returned the kiss but then pushed him gently away.

'' Close your eyes. I have a surprise for you,'' she purred.

He did as he was told and grinned widely at the image of her naked that was dancing behind his eyelids. Suddenly he felt something cold wash over him and opened his eyes in shock. Kenna stood in front of him with a bucket in hand, laughing.

'' That wasn't very nice of ye, luv.''

'' You deserved it,'' she laughed as she stepped away from him to prevent him from attacking her.

'' So are we even now?'' He brushed the wet hair out of his eyes.

'' Not even close,'' she said with a wide smile as she ran away with Jack on her heels.