Chapter Six

Duel:

He had fallen asleep but not for long it was more like a nap. He stood stretching and walked over to the map,  like he did every time. Dwelling on the destination. He then remembered she had been over here. He looked to see if there was anything different. Some one ....his penciling had been smudged on the side that he drew  from memory. She had touched it but for what. Why was she even here...did he believe her. 

Then the sound of clinking pulled him from his thoughts and accusations. He headed to the door and stepped out of his cabin. He followed the noise to see Jack and Jason sparing. They were on the main deck. He glanced to the stern. Thomas was steering, he relaxed a little bit. He scanned the rest of the ship. He saw Morgan off to the side, her eyes following every move. Her hands at her side seem to want to move.  He raised his eyebrow and watched. Morgan couldn't take it anymore. She began to coach Jack.

"Up. Down. Left. Block. Block. Lunge." She called to Jack.

He was startled at first but then began following her instructions. Jason had an amused look on his face. 

That's it, who is this girl! Gavin thought to himself. He turned on his heels and headed down to the main deck. 

"Captain on deck!" One of the crew members spotted him and the rest of the ship shifted out of his way.

Jason took the advantage and maneuvered the sword out of Jack's hand. Gavin came stomping over like a mad bull. 

"Sleep well Captain?" Jason smiled at him.

"Sword." He said shortly.

"Aye, aye." He said, handing the sword to Gavin.

"Morgan." He said summoning her over. 

The crew froze and even Jason had a confused look on his face. She narrowed her eyes at him and headed towards him. Claire had moved next to Jack and worriedly squeezed his arm. Gavin held the sword out to her.

" I've been watching you. You know how to use a sword?" Gavin asked with a smile.

"A Little." She said her eyes searching his, trying to figure out exactly what was going on.

"Good. How about a wager?" He smiled, forcing the sword into her hand.

"Wager? I don't have anything." She said taking the sword becoming defensive.

" No need. I win you answer my questions. That's all'." Gavin said shortly.

"And if I win?" Morgan asked.

Gavin smirked in disbelief. This girl really thinks she can win. He crossed his arms over his chest and looked at her, mischief sparkling in his eyes.

"I'll take you to whatever dock or place you want to go. Safe passage." He said with a small shrug of his shoulders 

Her eyes lit up but she looked at him not really believing him.

"Anywhere? Any route?" She asked curiously.

He paused at her question. It was a strange request...any route. He became even more suspicious of her. He needed to know what she was about.

"Anywhere, any route " He said, holding out his hand.

She grabbed it quickly and shook. He was studying her face while they shook hands. She smiled sweetly at him and with a blink of an eye she grabbed the sword from his waist, backed away from him, and took her stance. He couldn't help it, he laughed out loud.

"That's  my sword love." He said approaching her.

She tightened her stance and pointed the sword at him.

"Well then I think I won?" She smiled at him.

"Sword!" He yelled.

Jason unhooked his sword and stepped forward handing his sword to Gavin. His sword had a beautiful golden handle that shined in the sunlight. It was much thicker than Gavin's.  Gavin's sword was lighter and felt good in Morgan's hand. It was silver which differed from most of the men on the ship. It was definitely heavier than swords she had used before but she would make this work. They stared at each other for a moment waiting to see who would attack first.

Gavin shrugged and went ahead throwing a strike at her. She blocked it easily coming back at him with a counter strike. Gavin  caught the strike holding his sword in place against hers.

"Hmm." He muttered studying her.

Her green eyes seem to sparkle. She smirked and shoving her bladed forwards against his. Just as quickly as she went forward, she pulled back; getting out of the lock. She then slashed at his legs, causing him to almost stumble backwards. He raised an eyebrow at her, gaining his footing. She flashed him a smile as she waited for him to come at her again.

Gavin attacked again and she blocked. Their swords played off each other with each hit and counter they made. They moved quickly around the deck like this. The crowd that gathered to watch kept having to quickly move out of the way. The two looked like they were almost dancing. Gavin caught her sword with his again.

"How do you know how to use a sword?" He said keeping hers locked with his.

 "You haven't won. No need to answer questions for you." She muttered trying to free her sword from his.

He narrowed his eyes at her. She went to pull back again but this time Gavin snaked his leg around hers knocking her to the ground. It didn't work out exactly how he had planned.  He landed neatly on top of her. Due to the impact their sword scattered to the sides of them. Gavin's sword went left and Morgan's right. He shifted himself so his arms were on either side of her head and his knees straddled the outer parts of her hips.

"Give?" He said forcely.

"Never." She growled.  

He went to say something else but Morgan was too quick for him. They had landed near the railings of the ship. She weaved her foot from underneath him. Finding the railing, she used all her strength, and kicked off of it. She slid out from under him. He was left staring at the wooden floor of the deck. Before he could register what happened Morgan had snatched her sword and was in front of him. She pointed the tip of her sword at him.

"Give." She said quietly.

A hush fell over the crew members as they watched. He shifted so he was sitting on his knees looking at her. He was a little stunned. 

"Give." She said more firmly.

"Now love-" Gavin started to say when a motion caught his eye.

"Cap'n." He yelled as he slid the sword to Gavin.

Morgan was already on it. As the sword came towards him. She caught it with her foot stepping on it. She then placed the tip of her blade under his chin. She pressed just a little so he knew  she had him. Then the men around him began to grumble. Some becoming angry. She heard swords being unsheathed. She relaxed her stance waiting for another attacker.  Gavin looked around and could see this heading south. He stood up ignoring Morgan and her sword. Morgan frowned her brows at him.

"Now lads this was just harmless fun. I appreciate your sentiments. Get back to your stations before I make things not harmless and not so fun." He said sternly.

The men nodded and the crowd dispersed. Morgan was still following Gavin with her sword. He hadn't said that he gave yet. 

"Yes. Yes. Love you won." He said, waving his hand at her blade.

She set it down but held on to it. He went by her and leaned against the railing. He watched the waves made by the ship as it sliced through the water. Morgan wasn't a very trusting person so she stayed where she was. She heard him sigh and he relaxed his shoulders.

"Love I said you won. Put the sword down before I think you're threatening me." He said his voice sounded sweet but dangerous.

She put the sword down and walked over to him. She leaned against the railing as well. She held the sword out to him. He nodded and took it. He placed it back in its sheath and then shut his eyes as if he was just enjoying the weather. She sat there in silence with him watching the waves. It was calming. She would glance sideways at him every now and then. Her thoughts wondering what he could be thinking. 

"So love, do you have any idea where you want to go?" He asked not looking at her.

She didn't say anything and he sighed, closing his eyes. This woman was so frustrating.

" You won, so where do I take you? Or was that all for not. You don't have a place in mind." He grumbled.

"There's a dock on your way to your destination. " she started and she saw him get tense.

"However to get to it you need to detour through Sirens Gully." She said, eyeing him at his sudden change.

He gripped the railing tightly, his knuckles going white. Morgan moved carefully to the side of him.

"How do you know my destination?" He growled.

Morgan stepped further away from him.

"How do you know about the detour through Sirens Gully?"  He asked, turning to face her.

His eyes had so much anger in them. As he took a step towards her. Jason had been watching and saw the quick change in Gavin. He was eyeing Morgan like she was a prey he was going to rip apart. He had only seen him look that way once before it was when Gavin told him about Travis betraying him and killing Christina; that is the only time Gavin looks like he's going to lose it. Jason  started making his way quickly towards them.

Morgan shut down. She had seen this look on men before. She knew all too well what would come. She just prepared herself to be numb. She didn't answer because nothing she would say at this point would help. She backed herself into a corner and was assessing her surroundings trying to find a way out. She was up against the ship's living quarters wall.

"Tell me the truth. You're working with Travis." He said, slamming his fist into the side of the wall near her head.

She didn't say anything. She tried not to make eye contact. That always made it worse most of the time. Her hands were in fist at her side. She was debating on if fighting would make things worse or not.  An angry hand grabbed hold of her chin and yanked her eyes up to his.

"Did he tell you what he did?" He asked her but didn't want an answer, his voice shaking.

He slammed his fist into the wall again. Her chin began to throb slightly. She debated bashing her head into his face.

"Did he tell you how he killed my wife?" He said with such anger and hurt. 

The pain in his voice stopped her. She was now studying him, understanding why he was so hurt. 

"Your wife?" She asked in a quiet voice.

She hadn't meant for it to come out but his statement surprised her.

 "Yes my wife." He growled and his hand wrapped up into her fiery hair and yanked her head back.

"He burned her alive. So now I'm done playing  games. Tell me how you know. Tell me you're working with Travis. Or maybe I'll burn you too." He said every inch of him was shaking with anger and pain.

She shut down again. She grabbed ahold of his hand that was pulling her hair and dug her nails hard into it. She knew he had to be bleeding. He loosened his grip but just to reposition. That's when she threw her arm full force up at him while bringing her body down. His hand was knocked free. She was about to trip him. He reached down grabbing her by the shoulders and pinning her against the wall.  His face was inches from hers. She studied him. She could break his nose and escape right now.....but to where. She had nowhere to go. The ship was his. Even if she got away and broke his nose, she wouldn't get away, away. Trapped again.

"I don't, I can read and I can read maps. My father was a merchant." She said calmly.

He was studying her, trying  to see if she was lying. He grabbed her wrist and started to drag her towards his cabin. She had no clue what was happening but she was not going in there with him. She dug her heels into the ground and yanked her hand hard back. He fought hard with her.

"Gavin." A strong voice came from behind him.

Gavin ignored it. She was coming with him and she was going to prove that she could actually read  maps. She yanked back hard this time and got her arm away from him. She flopped to the ground. Gavin, still on his feet, came at her again. She tried to scoot away but she didn't get far. Just as he went to grab her, Jason stepped in his way.

"Gavin, hold up. What are you doing?" He said blocking Gavin from Morgan.

"Get out of my way." He growled.

Jason didn't move. He just stood there looking at her.

"Move Jason, that's an order. " He said, trying to move around him. 

"Gavin, I'm not your second in command right  now. I'm your friend, look at yourself. Look at her man. You're attacking a woman." He said, trying to get the blind rage out of Gavins eyes.

Gavin stepped back. He looked at Morgan on the ground. He knew she must be afraid but she was masking all emotion. He felt awful. He tried to bottle the rage back up. He was shaking. He threw his hands up and stormed to his cabin.

"Get back  to work." he shouted, slamming the door.