Tempest's Embrace

Chapter 11

Lost in his thoughts, he looked out at a distance taking in the endless expanse of sea before him.

What was she thinking? He tightened his jaw.

His mind swirled with his thoughts and reasons for why she attacked Cuthburt. He had stood earlier before Cuthburt lying on his back writhing in pain as Bellamy attended to his leg.

At his side, Quinn spoke and he only caught his words sparingly as he gave an account to what had happened.

"She had the look of a rabid banshee that wee one she did. Any closer to the left she would have unmanned the poor bugger," he shook his head.

He stood rigid to the spot and for the fourth time tightened his eyes shut at Cuthburts shouts and blood-curdling howls echoed throughout the cabin as Bellamy tightened the bandages around his leg.

"Bloody hell give him something. Anything to shut him up," Justin hissed.

"Dump 'im overboard that will do the trick," a crew member mumbled gruffly as he retreated with blood-soiled cloths out of the cabin.

Justin turned to look down at Quinn as his gaze landed on Cuthburt considering it.

"Not unless you wish to lose the pardon and end up swinging from the gallows,  I would reconsider your thoughts," he said.

Shaking his head he looked away as Quinn's shoulders lowered with disappointment.

Silence stretched between them as they turned to watch Bellamy finish and then he turned towards them.

Cuthburts wound as Bellamy explained to him, will heal eventually but it posed no threat to his life. A bit relieved he took in a deep breath knowing that he did not have to dump his only ticket to freedom overboard due to a festering wound that could later kill him.

None the less he had a long recovery because at sea they had nothing for his pain. Only rum. And that is all they drowned him with. He had turned away in time to hear Cuthburt drunkenly blurt out his revenge upon her for what she did to him just before passing out.

Now he must be extra careful with these two on this ship. They were days away from the nearest port to hand him over to the authorities. Thanks to Cuthburts idiotic ways of turning his ship around, it just lengthened the voyage.

His mind was weary by the time nightfall had come and he was still above deck.
He never felt Quinn at his side until he spoke.
"Ye can't avoid her, Captain," he said.

Justin shot him a glare.
"I am not avoiding anyone."

He looked away. His jaw clenched tightly as Quinn whistled and began to fidget at his side.
Frustration ebbed on his nerves as it became evident that Quinn wanted to say something more.
"Speak!" he hissed lowering his and tightening his eyes shut, he grimaced with the growing ache in his head.

"W....what will you do with her cap'n?" he asked nervously.

Justin stood silent for a while. The thought never occurred to him for some time of what exactly to do with her but keep her in his cabin.

"That is of no concern of yours, Quinn," he said.

He stood there with Justin's words and lowered his head.

"What Quinn?" Justin breathed impatiently as he knew the man was not done pestering him.

"S.ssshe is only a young lass....she --." Quinn began but stopped as Justin spoke.

"She is stubborn and willful. None the less safe. And I pray we get to Port quickly so I may be rid of her," he mumbled.

He felt a bit bothered that Quinn would defend her... Quinn! a reckless pirate with not a good bone in his body, a rogue with insatiable needs for tavern wenches.... defending a damsel in distress...? He scoffed in his head at the irony.