Tainted Tides

Chapter 6

*Ant's POV*

After we had both finished eating, I called Robbie over and had him take Dec to the sleeping quarters and sort him out in a bunk. As they walked away, I caught myself inexplicably staring at Dec moving form. 

Why was I staring?

Shaking the thought from my mind, I got up and made my way to my private quarters. As I entered the room, a calming sense of familiarity washed over me, followed by a wave of exhaustion. I finally felt like I could let my guard down after weeks on that navy ship. I closed the wooden door behind me and bolted it shut. Stripping to my boxers and shirt and throwing my clothes vaguely towards my wardrobe, I collapsed onto my soft bed and passed out. My body milked as much rest from this time in solitude that it could before I was woken up by a gentle knocking behind the door. Rousing to consciousness, I heard Stephen's young voice speaking to me through the locked door, "Captain Ant, it's time for dinner."

My stomach replied before my brain could with a loud rumble and contracting muscles in anticipation of food. I was stopped from asking for my food to be brought to my quarters by the thought of Dec sitting with the wrong people on my crew. Getting out of bed, I pulled myself to my wardrobe and got dressed while thinking about my crew. I trusted them...

Mostly...

Some, more than others...

Ok, It was probably a good idea for me to be around when Dec met the crew for the first time...

I left my room and made my way to the main deck.Although uncommon for crew to eat together in one area, I made it a point for my crew to sit together for dinner. It was a sure-fire way build understanding and trust between crew members. I'd missed it horribly over the past few weeks. My crew had already made preparations by spreading a long rectangular sheet across the deck and sitting along the edges. It was a practice I'd seen when we were sailing in the eastern continents.

As I took my place at the head of the sheet amongst the raucous of a lively crew, I subconsciously scanned for Dec. He was sitting to my right, after Robbie and Stephen. Good. He was close; I could keep him safe. I nodded at him along with Stephen and Robbie then turned to address my crew without sitting.

"Gentlemen," I spoke, commanding the attention of tens of men, all of which were larger and older than me. One by one, their conversations ceased and their heads spun towards me, cascading a wave of silence over the deck of the ship. With a smirk, I thought to myself: I've still got it.

"Yes, I have returned. No, my mission was not successful otherwise I'd have a whale carcass with me." My eyes met Dec's and a grin spread across my face, "Unfortunately the captain was a dimwit and got his entire crew killed." Dec's jaw dropped in surprise of what I'd just said but there was no hurt in his eyes; it seemed he had understood my jestful tone. The rest of my crew burst into laughter for a few seconds until I resumed my speech, "I obviously escaped. With me the boatswain who saved my life," I caught Dec's eye, indicating for him to stand up. "This is Declan Donnelly," I said and paused momentarily.

Dec looked at me surprised before he opened his mouth to speak. Just before he could, Stephen pulled him back down from his arm and whispered just loud enough for me to hear, "Sit down you tit! This isn't private school, you don't need to give a speech!"

Snickering internally at Dec's assumption that he'd have to make a speech, I thought about how his captain role was likely his only ever actual role on a ship.

Old habits die hard I guess.

"Dec will be joining the crew from now on. Seeing as we already have a bo'sun, I'll move him around until im satisfied. I expect respect and decency from you lads." My crew's eyes plastered on to Dec while I momentarily paused. Seeing Dec get visibly uncomfortable under their piercing gazes I commanded their attention one final time.