Tainted Tides

Chapter 28

Flashbacks in italics.

*Third Person POV*

Charles stepped into the familiar room, his ear still bandaged days after the fight. The nausea lessened over the past days but his anger only grew. He planted himself down on the hammock, with his feet still firmly on the floor.

"I don't see any other way this will work out in our favour Charles," Dan said to him in a shouting whisper.

"We don't have the support," Charles muttered back."We've got us two, and the regular four others. Six against four dozen."

Dan scoffed back, "are you kidding? Did you see how easily everyone lapped up Dec's sob story?? They're dimwits! I can handle the crew and getting us the support."

"Okay so what do you suggest we do? A mutiny is hardly child's play!" Charles grumbled in frustration.

"Well, once we have the support, we capture Captain Ant, and his little bitch too. May need to get a hold on Robbie and Stevie too, although I'd much prefer if they joined our cause." Dan spoke, sinking down to the floor with his back against the wall. "We give them the pirate exile treatment. That ought to keep the crew on our side and show them we aren't monsters."

Charles snorted,"I'd rather kill those fucking kids and let the crew follow me in fear."

"I know you would but trust me here. Fear works a lot better when you've already got their respect."

"So that's it then?" Charles asked for confirmation,"you get us the numbers then we stage a mutiny?"

Receiving a final nod from Dan, Charles spoke again, "I can't wait to wipe the smug look off their faces."

The room fell into silence, the occupants unaware of the black-haired boy with an eye patch, leaning against the wall just outside; unaware that this boy had heard for more than he was meant to. With silent steps, Robbie slipped away into the darkness below deck, each step taking him closer to the Captain's quarters.

*Ant's POV*

I emerged from the darkness onto the deck, and scanned the ship. All around me, my crew worked with focus, and efficiency. At the corner of the ship, I spotted Doctor walliams, pulling up a bucket of water, rinsing cloths in it, and dumping it back over the railing. I walked over to him, making sure he'd notice me and wouldn't be scared, and asked "how did things go with Charles?"

"Dec really did a number on him. I can't imagine Charles will be picking a fight anytime soon. I can't imagine he'll be tip top fighting condition for at least a few more days anyway. " David replied, ringing out murky water from rags into his bucket.

"Probably for the best I reckon," I replied.

"While I've got you here sir, I ought to let you know we are running low on medicinal herbs. Baron's Bay was pretty bare this time around," David said.

"Alright, well use them sparingly for now. Next time we see a Navy ship, we'll get some from there," I walked away as soon as I received a short nod from David.

It felt like my day got slower and slower by every passing minute. By lunch time, most of the crew had finished their tasks and were busy with their own entertainment. Some played gambling games, others sat around and talked about their escapades during our recent trip to Baron's Bay, and some simply nursed a drink while watching the horizon.

I found myself bored out of my mind, searching for a familiar mop of brown hair to bury my face in. I found Dec sitting against the railing in the corner of the forecastle deck. Others rarely came up here, so sitting against the railing kept him fairly secluded. I walked over to him and silently nestled down beside him.