A Hidden Queen

Chapter 29

Pittman startles as John hollers at the men below. The older man sighs heavily, massaging at his temples. Things were not fairing well it would seem. He drops his hand as John storms up the steps, continuing that infernal pacing he was doing earlier. John stomps the length of the small deck, grumbling under his breath and kicking at objects that were not present. Pittman shakes his head, turning his gaze forward. He would not dare bother the captain with his anger so high. He glances down as Barlow gazes skeptically at the men cleaning up the splattered food. He looks up at Pittman, showing all signs of a man in fear. Pittman inhales deeply as the younger man approaches. Barlow takes a position next to him, watching his captain wearily. Pittman glances over at the young man as he turns to look at him.

"Barlow!" John snaps, startling the man.

"Yes sir?" He asks hesitantly.

"I need you to go find Burnt. Inform him to give Charlie whatever answers he seeks."

"Sir?"

"You heard me sailor!" John bites, stopping his pacing long enough to glare at the man. "Go find my battle chief and inform him of my decision." Barlow glances over at Pittman, clearly not understanding the command. "Now!" John hollers.

"Aye sir!" Barlow rushes out, quickly knuckling his hat and bounding down the stairs.

Pittman closes his eyes, exhaling deeply. He shakes his head, turning himself around to face the helmsman. The man grips the spokes with white knuckles. He shifts his eyes to look at their captain. He stood still, with his hand on his hip and a hand scratching at his head. He stares down at the deck planking as if it was going to give him some revelation. The helmsman focuses back on Pittman, who flicks his first finger towards John. The helmsman shakes his head frantically. Pittman sets a stern glare, jerking his chin upwards. The helmsman sighs defeated. He raises his eyes towards heaven, before straightening his back.

"Where to captain?" He inquires.

"What?" John snips.

"It's a half past eight John. You have yet to give your helmsman a heading. Are we to stay true or veer?" Pittman jumps in rescuing the poor man.

"Oh." John rubs at the back of his head as he swivels around to the retreating ocean. He stares out into the darkness as the wind blows at his hair. "Set a course due north-east. I have a need to travel upriver."

Pittman tenses, "Upriver sir?"

"Yes." John confirms, clasping his hands behind his back.

"Sir that can only mean one thing."

"I am well aware of what it means Mr. Pittman." John clips.

"Is that a wise decision sir?" Pittman challenges.

John's eyes ignite into a blazing fire as they land on Pittman. Pittman stands tall, not allowing the young man to intimidate him into submission. John breathes heavily as he keeps eye contact. He quickly glances away as Pittman holds a hard stare of his own. He scans the deck, noticing the men still working about. John straightens his back, jerking his head over to the taffrail. Pittman sighs heavily, following his captain over to the secluded area.

"Pittman if I wanted you to question me on my heading, I would have asked for it." John hisses low.

"Possibly so sir, but it is my duty to point out unwise decisions. You took me on as your first; to make sure that your orders are followed, but also to make sure that your conscience and decisions stay true. And sir, I do not believe this is a wise decision."

"And why not?"

"Because there is only one reason you'd be traveling upriver, and I do not believe that Joey can take that at the moment." Pittman breathes out.

John sighs, leaning against the railing, "Pittman I feel this is the only way. She has at least admitted who she is. But she still insists that I take her back. I need one more good push."

"Did you ever stop to think that she may not want to stay here John?"

John scowls, "I told you I did not like the implications of those words Rodger."

"Yes, but you cannot run from them either John. It isn't fair sir." Pittman states, earning a raised eyebrow from John. "It isn't fair to Joey sir."

"How would you know what is fair for her? She belongs here with us!" John snaps.

"That is just it sir; we have no right to determine what is fair and where she belongs. She could have a life, a family, back on land. Who are we to drag her away from that?"

John huffs turning away. Pittman sighs, gazing out over the ocean. The pitiful state of Joe begging him to take her back stood vividly in his mind. It tore at his heart to see the young woman that he loved so dearly be beaten down to that point. Pittman massages the back of his neck, pulling at his shoulders. He leans his head back, taking several deep breathes.

"John, it has been almost three years that she has lived on that island. Did you not even consider that she had made something of herself there? That she had formed relations that she may not be so easily persuaded to give up?"

John sighs, slouching his shoulders, "The thought briefly crossed my mind. But Pittman." John pauses, licking his lips. "Pittman, I cannot just give her up. I cannot let her go back to never lay eyes on her again. She is all I have left. Martha and Clinton are now dead. I have no family but her."

"I know Captain. I feel the same way." Pittman admits, his voice shaking with emotion. "But we cannot do this to that young woman without letting her choose."

"And what if she chooses to go back? What then Pittman?" John asks sorrowfully.

"Then we are going to have to be the bigger man and let her go. It is not going to be easy. Hell, my heart will possibly break with the notion. But we will be no better than your father, who kept her against her will, if we take her away from a life she has made. We have to give her the choice, John."

The sigh that leaves John is heavy with sorrow. He sits on the railing, staring blankly at the boards. Pittman's heart aches at the sight. He does not want to see the young woman return no more than the captain, but he could not in good conscience allow John to hold her hostage either. Joe has been hurt; hell, she is hurting now. They cannot add to that heartache by their actions. Pittman sighs, looking down at the deck as well. He closes his eyes as he sees the small raindrops that darken the wood. Pittman approaches John, squeezing his shoulder tightly. He fixates his gaze to the water.

"I will go inform that helmsman to make the course corrections to north-east." Pittman reassures.

Pittman pats John's shoulder. The young man shutters at the comforting touch. Pittman drags himself away, rubbing at his brow-line as he moves towards the wheel.

"Thank you." John whispers, halting Pittman. "I promise Pittman that I will give her the chance to make a choice. And I will honor whatever she chooses."

Pittman stares at John as he raises red rimmed eyes. His mouth becomes dry with emotion. All his words fail him. He has not seen his captain this emotional since his sister, Martha, passed many seasons ago. Pittman can only nod his head, knuckling his forehead in the respect that the man deserved.