X Marks the Spot [2]
The tribesmen erupted in noise, shocked by the blasphemous claim. The old leader commanded, "Prepare the fire," and the villagers scattered to gather wood.
Breaking through the vines with his canine-like nails, Jack rose. The guards poised to attack, but Jack showcased his anomaly, commanding, "Bow down."
Spear tips, once threatening, now touched the ground as guards and leader alike bowed before Jack. All the villagers, previously engaged in fire preparation, followed suit.
"Forgive us, God Asuah," pleaded the leader, inching towards Jack's boots.
"Get on yer feet," Jack commanded, and they all rose.
Turning to Mary, he urged, "What be ye waitin' for? Zap them vines and let's be off."
Mary, unleashing her powers, burned the vines. Guarded by spear-wielding tribesmen, she turned to Jack, saying, "Captainnn."
In a grand display of his divine authority, Jack wielded his vine artifact, seizing the spears and pulling them near. "Ye won't lay a hand on Her," he proclaimed, then turned to Mary, commanding, "Display yer zap for these bewildered souls."
As Mary displayed her glowing, blueish zaps, the tribesmen prostrated themselves once again, seeking forgiveness from their deity, God Asuah.
Jack, with his hands raised in a commanding gesture, declared, "I've come to you with a task, me hearties. I be unsatisfied with yer devotion to me. If ye do everything I say, I'll regain me divine form."
While the tribesmen were skeptical of their God's unusual speech, witnessing the powers He had demonstrated bolstered their belief in Jack.
The leader spoke, "Anything, do you need more sacrifices?" then turned around, shouting, "Bring more babies!"
In a resolute voice, Jack commanded, "Stop," then continued, "I've come to find me long-lost item that be here."
All of the tribesmen cast perplexed glances at their purported 'deity' as the tribe leader graciously ushered both Jack and Mary into his abode. Along the path, he commanded others to procure thrones for their divine guests.
Within the hut, a tapestry of comfort unfolded beneath their feet, adorned with straw and hay. Chairs were eschewed in favor of improvised seats fashioned from hay bundles, with the structural integrity of the humble dwelling relying on wooden sticks artfully securing its roof.
Initiating the discourse, Jack declared, "First, ye shall return all of my divine items."
A reverent nod from the tribe leader set in motion the summoning of a tribesman tasked with retrieving the deity's belongings.
In the hushed confines of the hut, a tangible silence settled, only to be broken when the man returned bearing their belongings, the lone exception being the rum barrel, undisturbed and distant on the shore.
Unfurling the treasure map, Jack gestured towards the conspicuous X, elucidating their purpose.
The leader, with a nod of comprehension, issued orders, "Dig here, and dig swiftly."
As the designated men hastened away to fulfill their task, the leader, now visibly nervous, cautiously sought an explanation, "I beg pardon for my question, but Asuah, the almighty, why grace us with your presence now?"
Jack's penetrating gaze spurred a swift apology from the leader for daring to pose such a question.
"Is there a libation of your preference, mighty Asuah? I've heard of your fondness for Umunwgla. Would it be to your liking?" the leader inquired, an eagerness to appease evident in his tone.
A sly grin adorned Jack's countenance as he responded, "Aye, fetch three Umunwglas, ensuring She receives two of 'em."
The leader's summons brought forth a captivating woman in her twenties. Her rare allure, characterized by ebony skin, dark tresses, and mesmerizing light blue eyes, bespoke her uniqueness. Attired in leaves strategically veiling certain aspects, she embodied an ethereal beauty.
Enthralled by her presence, Jack, with his trademark wry smile, playfully pondered.
Turning to the leader, he declared, "I be not here just to reclaim me divine form and loot. I've come to shower blessings upon one of yer kin."
Mary, discerning Jack's penchant for mischief, observed the unfolding drama.
Jack spun his yarn, "She'll lay with me, poppin' me spawn. The sprout of our union will rise to leader in the years ahead."
The leader, captivated by Jack's tale, nodded in agreement and queried, "Lord Asuah, who among them shall be the chosen one?"
With a nod of approval, Jack pointed to the stunning wench. "She'll do the trick," he declared.
Rising from his seat, Jack approached her with an air of authority, playfully laying his hands on her waist with an intense gaze. "Ye be me chosen one," he declared.
As the scene unfolded, Mary, while unable to fathom the meaning of the conversation, intuited Jack's intentions.
In her mind, she pondered, Jack! Ye shameless rascal. In the thick of it all, yer fancy drifts to a romp with a wench.
Holding her tongue, she braced for potential squalls in dealings with the tribe leader.
In the dimming twilight, Jack leaned in toward the woman, their lips nearly brushing, and inquired, "What be yer name."
The lady, Urtannalawornemakelaberjaver by name, enveloped Jack with her arms, whispering her intricate title.
Jack, with a slow and deliberate motion, untangled himself from the embrace, gently pushing her away. "From now on, yer Ella, savvy?"
She smiled in agreement, "As you wish, Lord Asuah," preparing to kneel and kiss his boots.
Anticipating the gesture, Jack squatted down, cupping her chin, exerting a bit of pressure to meet his gaze.
"Get up and bring us three Uluwlagagas," he commanded.
She nodded and rose, exchanging a knowing glance with the leader, revealing a subtle understanding. The leader, catching the mispronunciation of the supposed deity Asuah's favorite drink, comprehended.
Then the leader bellowed, "GUARDS!"
Jack and Mary swiftly got to their feet, gathering their belongings and dashing outside. They noticed the men had already unearthed a small treasure chest from the ground.
Changing course toward the treasure chest, Jack scooped it up, with Mary close behind.
The guards assembled, each wielding a spear with a stone tip, a primal weapon. Meanwhile, the entire village surged toward Jack and Mary, seeking retribution for blasphemy.
Jack and Mary sprinted as fast as they could, maneuvering through the jungle-like trees and greenery, with the tribesmen in hot pursuit.
"WHAT'D YE DO, CAPTAIN?" Mary shouted to be heard.
"HAR HAR. I HADN'T ENJOYED A LASS IN AGES, SO I THOUGHT I'D HAVE A GOOD TIME," he replied.
She rolled her eyes as they reached a dead end, realizing they were on a cliff. In front of them lay their ship in the water and a massive tree.
Glancing down quickly, then surveying their surroundings, they found themselves with no escape.
"What be our move, Captain?" Mary queried.
Jack grinned and pulled her close with his left arm. "Hold tight," he said, and she complied.
Using his left hand, he employed his artifact, creating vines that shot down. Three vines hit their mark, encircling a branch of the tree.
"No, ye wouldn't—" Mary began, but he jumped down, clutching the vines with his hands.
"UuuUuUUuuu," he shouted, turning his head to see the tribesmen incensed.
He shouted again, "Remember, me name is Captain Jack Thunder, and this be the day I outsmarted ya."
The tribesmen grew so irate that some hurled spears, falling short of reaching the two.
Mary clutched the small treasure chest tightly with her left hand.
Jack focused on adjusting the length of his vines, attempting to find the right size to swing just beneath the massive tree and survive.
However, things didn't go as smoothly as he envisioned, and they met the ground near the tree.
"AUU," Mary exclaimed in pain.
"Arr, worry not, Mary. We be both hearty and hale. It weren't a lofty drop, all thanks to me trusty vines."
Much to their surprise, the tribesmen displayed unwavering determination. The mightiest among them readied themselves to descend, relentless in their pursuit of the perceived blasphemers.
Not one to back down, Jack swiftly took the lead, and Mary, in tow, trailed behind. Their course was set towards the awaiting sanctuary of their ship, a few minutes' sprint away.