Pirate Chronicles

HE WHO IS CALLED QUACK! 4

What Jeu said took me by surprise. HE WAS FALLING FOR ME?! But, we just met! My mind and my heart were going berserk! I opened my mouth in an attempt to say something but again, nothing came out. That's when Jeu laughed. He was playing with me all along! I squinted my eyes and glared at him.

"I won't believe it," I told him as my answer. He stopped laughing right away but he was still smiling.

Jeu leaned forward to my direction so I leaned back. I thought he was going to do something intimate but instead he tapped the tip of my nose with his pointer finger very gently, "Good girl. Never fall nor believe a man when he says those things after you just met. Otherwise, it would be easy for him to uncross your legs."

I slapped his shoulder on the side. AND I SLAPPED HARD! "Ow!!!!" he said and massaged the area.

"You are really a pervert, Captain Jeu," I told him and walked ahead.

Jeu laughed as he followed me, "But, I was teaching you a lesson and giving you a piece of valuable advice."

"You must've said it to several women and were able to uncross their legs just like that!" I said and snapped my fingers. I was irritated but I could not stop myself from leaving that comment.

"There were a few who did not fall for it, but I take no offense," he replied.

I rolled my eyes, "Darling and Monika?" I sounded jealous so I secretly scolded myself again.

He smiled and remained quiet. I scrunched my forehead at his reaction. Usually, he always had a comeback but not with these two women. My curiosity was heightened.

"Don't tell me you actually felt something genuine with those two women?!" I uttered almost loudly.

Jeu looked at me but said nothing. That was the first time I rendered him silent. I had to know!

"Did you?"

Jeu diverted his eyes from me to the surrounding area. "Here we are! Most of the herbs on that list grow in this area," he said and pointed.

"You are avoiding my question," I accused him and went back to his vantage point.

As a response, he narrowed his eyes at me playfully. "Let's go find the herbs on your list. Then, we'll go to that apothecary's store to get the chemicals," he said and dismissed the topic altogether.

I have work to do so I let it go and started looking for the herbs that I know of that were on the list. Jeu helped me with the ones I did not and explained to me what they were for. It was lunch time when we finished harvesting the herbs. Jeu took me to a tide pool and fished two fish. We grilled it for our lunch. By the way Jeu moved and his ability to adapt to his surroundings, I could infer that he had been through a lot. When we were done, we went to the apothecary's store and bought all the chemicals. It was almost sundown when we got back to the ship. All the crew members were back and Ojoz met me right away.

"So did you get everything on the list?" he asked me.

I nodded and gave him what I gathered. Ojoz quickly scrutinized them and looked at me then narrowed his eyes. Then, he whined as he addressed Jeu who was already on his hammock.

"Captain, you helped her with everything," Ojoz complained.

Jeu laughed, "I thought that's what you wanted since ALL the items on the list were the things that I know of."

"The word is 'supervise', Captain. You were just supposed to supervise and give her hints not to do it with her," he replied.

"Ohhh," Jeu responded. "Next time, you clarify things and don't make me draw my own conclusions."

Ojoz sighed and looked back at me, "This does not count. You don't pass just yet."

I blinked. I did not know what to say to him. Normally, as an assassin, I would look at him intimidatingly but intimidation does not work with this group of people.

"And don't look at me with those innocently looking eyes. Others, and by that I mean Kwon and the Captain, may have been softened by those eyes. But not me, you still haven't passed," his words were harsh but his voice was gentle. It was as if he was forcing himself to be rude.

"I wasn't affected by them," Kwon denied it right away.

Ojoz scoffed at him, "Of course you were. Innocent-looking women have always been your weakness."

Teresa chuckled, "Said he who was deceived by a fake nun."

Ojoz eyes widened. "That was a very long time ago and we were at sea for quite a while, all women looked very attractive to me. Well, except for you, Teresa," he said which Teresa frowned at. Ojoz quickly turned to me, "And that woman did not go unpunished." It was a warning.

"Are you trying to intimidate me?" I asked. Everyone on deck grew quiet.

Ojoz smirked, "Why? Are you intimidated?"

I saw Jeu get off his hammock and looked in our direction. He did not do nor say anything, he just watched. But, I could feel the tension in the air.

My defenses as an assassin quickly went up. I might no longer hold onto my weapon as per my agreement with Jeu but I am still able to grab someone else's sword and use it. Kwon is nearby and his jacket is a storehouse for several weapons and I am very quick. 

"Should I be?" I responded. My assassin persona quickly took over.

Ojoz slowly stepped forward in my direction. I waited. The crew present continued to watch us silently. Ojoz opened his mouth to tell me something but we heard Emil's loud voice instead.

"Captain!!! Zeno and I anchored up! Where to?!" Emil asked, not knowing what was going on.

The tension broke as everyone started giggling. They all looked to Jeu simultaneously. Jeu smiled at me before answering them. "West. Let's sail West."

I let out a relieved sigh. Ojoz noticed it. "Report to me tomorrow morning after breakfast for your real initiation," he told me.. "I'm not done with you yet," he added then walked away.