Pirates of the Caribbean: The Price of Freedom

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
A Matter of Honor
BY THE TIME JACK, AMENIRDIS, AND TAREK made their way out of the
temple, Jack was surprised to see that the trip through the labyrinth
had taken no more than five hours. A glance at the sun showed him it
was about noon.
Both he and Amenirdis were gritty with dust, as well as hungry and
thirsty. “It is difficult to tell whether I want a bath or food more,” the
princess said, thoughtfully, as they started up the hill toward the palace.
Tarek paced them at a discreet distance.
“I know what I want,” Jack said. “A cup of rum and food.”
“Most of that can be arranged,” the princess said. “But I have
decided. Bath first.”
“Can I watch?” Jack asked, hopefully.
“Only if you want to ruin my reputation for all time,” she replied.
“You can go with Tarek to the male servants’ barracks, and wash off
the dust while I have my bath. Then he can bring you back to the private
courtyard the family uses, in the palace, and I’ll have food brought
there.”
“We can’t eat in your rooms?
“My mother would disown me,” the princess declared.
Jack shrugged. Nothing ventured, as the old saying went. “I’ll need
to be back aboard the Wench by four bells of the afternoon watch,” he
said. “I told Robby to have all the water casks and provisions loaded
by then, so we can set sail. Your people will be ready by then, right?”
“Tarek and I will be ready,” she said. “I spoke to the captain of the
royal yacht. He will be ready. Must my brother come? He is very busy
today, as you may well imagine.”
“I don’t think so, providing things go as you’ve planned. Ordinarily
I’d have weighed anchor by now, but I want to give Christophe plenty of