Pirate's Captive - Twelve

Chapter Twelve –

Tamia stayed asleep for many days, unmoving, panting shallowly and burning up a storm. Darross spent many hours by her bedside, but one of her usually eventless days was suddenly broken. "No!! Don't rape me again! I can't take it!" her screaming rang out across the deck, and reached Darross, who had been talking with the helmsman.

The captain's sword was in his hand like a flash as he dashed to the grand cabin. There was no one in the cabin but her, as she thrashed on the bed, the covers flying everywhere as she fought an imaginary enemy. Sweat was streaking her face and her breathing was strained. "Please!" she cried, tears adding to the sweat on her cheeks, "Knowles! No!"

The sword clattered to the floor as the captain sank to his knees, a hand reaching out to stroke her hair as he murmured soothingly to her.

She threw herself away from him, "No! No... don't touch me!" she screamed, throwing herself off the bed and crawling over to a corner and backing into it. Her eyes were open, but unseeing, only seeing the projections that her fever-ridden mind was conjuring.

Darross looked for the first time in his life, like a kicked puppy " S'alrigh' lass I'm 'ere ter 'elp" he told her.

She shook her head, her eyes glazed and distant, like they were looking for a different horizon. "No... no.. Knowles... I know you... I know what you're trying to do to me," she whispered, clearly terrified, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Can't ye see me, Hear me voice, I ain't tha' bastard Knowles, I'm yer 'usband", Darross said looking a little hurt.

She paused, and blinked several times and shook. "D-Darross?" she whispered uncertainly.

"Aye lass, I may look like tha' bastard bu' 'e i ain't, ye've got a fever an 'tis messin with yer senses."

She blinked again, and her eyes seeming to focus a little. She reached a hand out to him, and it trembled violently in the air as she did, "It hurts Darross.... He's cut me.. so bad.. look... look at all the blood," she whimpered, gesturing with her other hand around her.

"Aye lass bu' ye'll be alright" his accent seemed all the thicker for his worry, as he watched her staring mortified at the blood that didn't exist.

She panted softly, and withdrew her hands, holding them close to her chest. She nodded, "C-can I have... some water..?" she whispered.

"Aye lass", he went to fetch some, returning with a jug and a wooden cup both full of water. When he returned however, she had gone. "Damn that fever" muttered Darross as he began searching for her once more.

She was out on deck, the crew had gathered around the figurehead. Tamia was perched a top it, her arms spread and her dress whipping around her. "Look at the waves... they sing to me!" she said distantly, her voice cracked but deludedly happy.

"Tami lass", the captain said shakily, "Ye move yerself away from that figure'ead this instant, I do not want ye fallin' in the sea."

"But they want me! Look! They want me to join them...They will take away the burn, the heat from my skin," she breathed.

"Very well lass, but if ye're goin overboard ye're goin naked an' wi' a rope around ye, understand?"

"Why?" she whispered, "You have made them angry... they are screaming at me!" she sank down onto her knees, putting her hands over her ears, "Make it stop... I just want to wake up!"

"I can't make it stop till we finds us a fizishun", Darross told her, slowly edging forwards.

She slid down the figurehead back onto the deck and the gathered crew heaved a sigh of relief. They began to part, going back to their duties, but suddenly one cried out. Tamia had grabbed and drawn his sword, and now had it against his throat, "I don't care who he is Knowles.... if you take one step closer...I'll kill him... consequences or no.."

"Lass, ye know 'tis only me" said the captain gently staying exactly where he was, freezing on the spot as Tamia's deluded mind took over her actions once more.

She shook her head, "No! Tricks and lies! I know! I can see it all! I know! I KNOW!" she suddenly swayed slightly, the blade pushing against the crewman's throat hard as her head pounded and her body felt like it was on fire.

Darross lunged forward knocking the blade from her hand to allow the young man to escape, " 'sok lass, 'sonly me" he said gently "yer captain's 'ere…" he said, locking his arms around her and holding her against him tightly. She curled into his chest and sobbed softly, her body trembling against him.

"My.. c-captain..." she whispered, before passing out against him, her form going limp once more in his arms as her exhausted sleep took over.


As she woke up she heard Darross's voice along with that of another man "she's been like this for days you say".

"Aye."

"And she was hallucinating?"

"Aye."

"My my, this is rather serious,"

Tamia whimpered as she tried to move, her body feeling stiff and pained, her entire being screaming for her just to lie still, in the darkness. But she forced her eyes open regardless. As she had thought Darross was at her bed side, deeply immersed in conversation with another man, this new man seemed to be well learned, he was of slight build, had a balding head of wispy straw coloured hair and wore a dark blue coat, perched atop his hooked beak-like nose were a pair of round spectacles.

"C-captain...?" she whimpered softly, her eyes faded and clouded but finding his and holding them.

" S'ok lass" he said, "This 'ere is Doctor 'awksworth, a fizishun."

She lifted a hand and gripped his tightly, "Don't leave me..." she whispered faintly, "Please.. don't leave me... to the nightmares again.."

"Even if I were next ter ye the 'ole time ye'd still 'ave the nightmares lass", he told her gently, "bu' no, I shan't leave yer."

"Ever the.. romantic..." she groaned, laying her head back into the pillow and whimpering in pain, her brow furrowing. Yhe conversation between the doctor and the captain continued for a while a buzzing haze outside of her attention, after a while the doctor left.

"Is he c-coming back?" she whispered, "I am still hurting badly Darross..." she whispered.

"Aye, I've asked 'im ter join our crew, for a hefty salary o' course bu' after all a good Doctor works wonders amongst the men."

"Yes..." her eyes felt heavy again, "And women... sometimes.." she whispered hoarsely. She swallowed and sighed softly.

Darross chuckled " 'e says I'll be able ter sort you out right as rain 'fore long" he told her happily.

"I'm glad..." she whispered, "Can I ask you something, ..captain?"

"Aye lass ye can."

"D-do... do you love me.. Darross.." she asked softly, her half lidded and weary eyes resting on him gently, the hazel dulled.

"Aye lass, Always 'ave." he told her softly.

"A-a-always?" she choked softly, clearly it was not the answer she had been expecting.

"Aye lass, ever since I firs' laid eyes on yer an' saw what a feisty lil lass ye were I knew I 'ad ter 'ave yer fer me own." She swallowed softly and closed her eyes, laying back into the pillows fully and closing her eyes with a slight nod.

Darross stroked her hair gently lulling her towards a happy and peaceful sleep that awaited her. She pushed her head into his hand slightly, welcoming the gentle touch, his words lazily swimming around her as she fell asleep.