Read Pirates of the Caribbean 04 The Sword of Cortes for Free Online Page B

weather."
    "Oh, come on," Jack said, clearly frustrated. "Let us go to the inn and heal the poor chap. Then I'll go conquer Cortes, and we'll be off this island, with the Sword, in no time at all. . . ."The others rushed back to the inn, and Jack followed close behind.Inside, a huge fire was keeping the room at a comfortable temperature. But the specter of illne ss and--Jack hated to think it death hung over the room."Tumen, lad!" Jack shouted, smiling.Tumen was wheezing heavily, and could barely lift his head. Jack sat beside him casually, with one leg bent and the other stretched out. "Look, mate," Jack said, "I've got the Sword here. I am getting better at using it, and I can fix you so you're right as rain. Just give me a second," Jack said, standing up besid e Tumen and flailing his hands theatrically as if he were casting a mystical incantation.Jack pulled the Sword from its scabbard and waved it over Tumen.But Tumen's response was not what Jack had anticipated. Instead of moaning a sigh of relief, jumping up, and thanking Jack for saving him, Tumen began to cough violently.Arabella stood near the corner of the room, holding her hand over her mouth, choking back tears.
    Fitzwilliam stood nearby, his arms folded and his legs planted firmly apart, glaring angrily at Jack."We could have taken him away from this cursed island to a place where he could have recovered," Fitzwilliam said. "Instead, you sailed off for who knows what reason, while the chap laid here suffering." Jack was get ting angry. He was not sure if he was angry at himself, at Cortes, or at the Sword, but he decided to take it out on Fitzwilliam. He pointed the Sword at the aristocrat."Listen here, mate, I've had about enough of you and your mouthing off," Jack said. "Now back off and I'll take care of this. Savvy?"Fitzwilliam did not respond. Jean's mouth was quivering and he was no longer able to hold back his tears.
    Constance mewed pitifully by Tumen's side. Jack did his magical incantation han d thing again and waved the Sword over Tumen once more. This time, Tumen screamed in agony.It was clear that the Sword was having a negative impact on him. Jack was beginning to realize that it was the Sword or Cortes, or a combination of the two, that had made Tumen sick in the first place. Jean ran to Arabella and clutched at her for comfort. Arabella held him close, trying to remain strong. Fitzwilliam's anger was welling."His blood will be on your hands," Fitzwilliam said to Jack."No," Jack said flatly. "His blood will be on no one's hands because he is going to be all right." He leaned in toward Tumen. "Did you hear me, mate? You're going to be all right," he said nervously. Fighting the urge to shed tears himself, he sprang up and ran toward the door."Jack, where are ye going?" Arabella asked."I am going to have a talk with the devil himself," Jack said."We are comin g with you," Fitzwilliam said.
    "No!" Jack shouted. "You are all staying here. Captain's orders."Jack threw the door open and disappeared into the snow.
     
    CHAPTER TEN
     
    Jack stormed over to the snowy hillside cemetery where he had left Cortes before he set out to find the eye of Stone-Eyed Sam.Sure enough, Cortes was there, waiting for Jack's return. The conquistador was wearing the same evil smile that he had flashed at Jack before."You, there!" Jack called out.Cortes did not move."You, Cortes, I'm back!" Jack said. "I am not surprised," Cortes said. "With the power of the Sword at your side, there was little doubt in my mind that you would complete your mission."
    "Yes, well, it wasn't just the Sword," Jack said. "In fact, my wiles proved a lot more beneficial to me than the Sword itself. The blasted thing didn't work against half the adversaries I faced, anyway. . . ."Cortes was taken aback."You were in Davy Jones's lair?" Cortes asked, noting that those who come from Davy Jones's locker were the only beings who could not be affected by the Sword's power."Right you are!" Jack said.Jack