War and Ruin

Stormy Seas

"Pipe the steam engine!" Mr. Toole loaded coal to the flame to create the heat for the steam to be funneled into the engine. Mr. Toole and Evie were gettin along better these days. Evie used the gyroscopic compass to ensure she was going north, despite those tricky magnetic fields. She steps from the helm towards her quarters and begins examining the maps. Her sex was no longer concealed after the captain confronted her. She started wearing her hair long and natural or tied up in braids, sometimes half up and down. Evie wore a button up shirt that stayed open three buttons down, she wore trousers that fit well, but were roomy enough for movement. Over the blouse she had a vest that Captain O'Riley lent her and a brimmed hat fit for any sailor to shield their eyes from the sun.

"Now, how many knots do we need to be goin' in order to reach London ports in 6 days time?" O'Riley asked inquisitively as Evie stepped out of her quarters and started towards the steps leading to the helm.

"Forty?"

"Aye! Good on ya, Evie!" O'Riley smiled brightly and Evie feeling confident leapt from step to step up to the helm next to First Mate Collins.

"Well, I mus' say lassie, I'm right proud of ya." Collins winked and nudged her with pride. "You know, we made double the anticipated amount on the merchandise, so everyone's gettin' a raise!"

"Everyone had a good return for their wares. I think the ports of Crete were extraordinarily kind to us, eh Collins?" Collins nodded in agreement. "Remember why Crete has a history of good trade, Evie?"

Evie's eyes dashed side to side hoping to trigger a memory. "Er...pirates?" She states unsure of her answer.

"Right again!" O'Riley laughs with pride. "Well, the history lessons haven't bored you to tears. I'm impressed!"

"Well, you are a great teacher." Evie shrugs and smiles.

"Let's go in my quarters, I wanted to talk with you." The two file into the captain's quarters. Collins stays behind to man the helm. After the two enter, O'Riley breaks the silence. "What do you go home to, lass?"

"What do you mean?"

"When you go home, do you go to a house? A flat? Anything?" O'Riley sits down and props his feet onto his desk.

"No, sir. I have a small embankment I sleep under." O'Riley's smile faded. "I sometimes sleep in the market square we trade at. People leave behind linens every now and again." Evie shuffled in her shoes awkwardly.

The captain pondered for a moment. "Well, you know...you can have a home, if you like."

"Say what?" Evie tilted her head in confusion and scrunched her face.

"Well..." O'Riley removed his feet and sat properly then leaned forward over his desk. "I wrote my wife about you. We would love to include you in our family."

Evie sat flabbergasted as her eyes widened with astonishment. Slowly, she moved her mouth to form words. "Y-you want to adopt me?" She flopped back into her chair as if she were out of breath. "You can't be serious?!"

"Well, my wife and I don't have children. We've always wanted to have them, but couldn't." He watched Evie and saw she wasn't convinced. "Plus, you love the seas and being a merchant sailor. You'd make good money, you could-"

"I can't." Evie stated plainly. "I can't live with you." She stood and turned as she felt ashamed of her rejection to the captain's offer.

"Why not?" He asked gently.

"I-" Evie pauses and sighs, "I just can't." She turns back to face the captain. "I have someone waiting for me in London."

"Oh? A lover?"