Tainted Tides

Chapter 29

*Ant's POV*

"A duel for captaincy."

I bowed my head and sighed loudly, hoping my breath would carry part of my rage and bring some relief.

It did not.

Looking back up at Robbie, then turning briefly to Dec, I walked towards the door without another word. Before I could exit the room, I felt a hand grab my wrist and gently pull me back. Dec held my face gently between his hands as he leaned in to kiss me. Finally, the small but if relief I was looking for.

"Please don't kill him," Dec muttered against my lips. I grunted back in a wordless response then walked away, Robbie and Dec hot on my heels. Dec split off immediately after exiting the room, in search of something while Robbie and I continued to the main deck. As I stepped out into the ocean air, I noted the usual merriment that would be found at the end of the work day. It was clear nobody had warned the weather about the impending duel and it felt like a waste to shed blood during such a beautiful sunset.

I just hoped that it wouldn't be my own blood being shed.

I spotted Dan and Charles sitting at a small table, Dan taking large gulps from his drink and swaying back and forth in his seat, much more than the boat would be causing. Beside him, Charles sat silently with his arms crossed and a scowl on his face, obviously annoyed of Dan. I felt my anger swell more than I knew was possible and I found myself at their table before i registered moving my feet.

"You boys have something you want to tell me?" I seethed. Charles looked up at me, a look of confusion and curiosity painting his deceptively kind features. "Let me help you out, starts with an M, ends with a -utiny?" Instantly the confusion washed from Charles face and was replaced by a flash of fear.

"I- uhh- I have no idea what you're talking about sir."

Dan leaned over, wrapping his arm around Charles and loudly whispered, "you weren't supposed to tell the cap- *Hiccup* -tain 'bout the mutiny yet, dummy!" The stench of cheap alcohol on his breath wafted towards me and only infuriated me more. Charles grunted and punched Dan's face, knocking him to the floor and forcing some sobriety back into him. Charles face melted into a cautious scowl, waiting for my words.

"Listen, I know you don't have the votes to win captaincy so I'll do you a solid. A thank you for all your years of service. I'll let you duel me for captaincy," I said to Charles, trying to mask the pounding of my heart and the red tint falling over my eyes, covering the hues of pink and orange painted in the sky. It really was an annoying way to ruin a great sunset.

Charles stood abruptly with furrowed eyebrows and argued, "It's hardly a fair fight! Im barely on the mend from a burst eardrum from that cunt behind you!" I turned to see Dec now standing behind me, with Stephen by his side.

That must have been where Dec disappeared to.

Turning back to Charles, I ground my teeth at his audacity and scoffed. How dare he insult Dec?!

"You mean during the fight YOU started?? It's easy to blame others for your mistakes Charles. Trust me, I'd love to blame you for this whole mess right now, but I know it's my fault," I paused to draw my weapons. "I should have dealt with you back when you tried to drown Dec. Now, you can either accept this fuel, or walk the plank carrying a bucket of chum. I assure you, regular sharks are just as deadly as the sword whale."

Charles huffed and picked up his weapons from the table, not bothering to fasten the belt to his waist. "Your only mistake was keeping that navy whore on this ship. We didnt need him, and still don't. I assure you he will be first to go when I'm captain."