The Pirate's Legacy: New Horizons

Chapter 35: Message in a Bottle

The survivors of The Jolly Roger filled the mess hall. The group occupied only a third of the tables. They spoke in low murmurs to each other. Many pairs of eyes flitted toward the front of the galley, where Michael stood watching the men settle onto the benches. He saw Em's group appear on the staircase landing. He waved them over to a bench in front of him on the left side. The Twins and Matt Colosi sat on the end farthest from Michael. Em, Louise, Blika, and Kim weaved through the men. Em supported Kim by the elbow. The Ayshian had been recuperating in their cabin since Oh Henry picked up the survivors from the islet. Michael noted the dejected expression on Em's face when her group took their seats.

When everyone was accounted for, he raised his hands and said, "Attention, please!" After silence fell and everyone's attention fixed on Michael, he said, "I wanted to address a few things before we arrive on Resmedian Island. I am very aware of the rumors circulating around the ship regarding our captain." Michael's blue eyes swept over the tables. "Three days is enough of a time span for even the most logical man among us to begin believing in the wildest inventions. I'd like to put those all to rest and validate the claim that, indeed, Dread Pirate Robin's memories have been erased. As it stands," he continued in a louder voice when the murmurs broke out again, "anyone who was recruited in the last ten years, he does not remember. Those of us he does remember on seniority alone, we look different to him. Older."

"Does that make 'im our cap'n still?" Ted Gillespie demanded.

A tremor ran over the men. They turned to each other to exchange uneasy words and expressions until Michael called them to order. "He is still our captain, whether he remembers you or not," he said. "Nothing's changed about that."

"W'can't follow a cap'n who don't have a ship," someone near the back said. His fellows around him nodded.

Michael looking into everyone's creased face. When his eyes fell on Em, her dejected expression had turned into a completely unhappy one. He gestured toward her. "The queen of Tarym has agreed to provide the funds for a new ship when we return to Peralta." Men in the back and near Em shifted in their seats to get a look at her. She straightened up. Her sadness disappeared in exchange for a more neutral composure. When she nodded, Michael said to the men, "At that time, each of you can decide whether to stay or leave Dread Robin's service. For now, you will treat him with every manner of deference as if we are still on our ship. Savvy?" When he received their vocal assent, he said, "On the subject of funds, Oh Henry shall pay for our new clothes in addition to issuing you ungrateful barnacle heads weapons out of his own armory."

"How'dya convince Oh Henry to cough up the dough for all this?" asked Matt.

Michael rubbed the back of his neck. "Well, I had to make it worth his while," he said. Avoiding looking anywhere but Em, he explained, "I told Oh Henry that Em would repay him by replacing any cannon he lost when we take back Pirata and half his weight in gold."

"Michael," said Em. Her dark brown eyes narrowed at the blond man, who finally met her gaze. "Do you know how much you offered in return? I am not Midas," she said, invoking the Tarymian god of wealth and prosperity.

Michael winced. "I understand, Em, but I struck the bargain this morning," he said. "At least he didn't try for his full weight in gold?" The men laughed, but Em stared down Michael with a face that promised retaliation. Looking away from her glare, Michael said, "Oh Henry's issued the orders to everyone on the ship about what's going to happen when we arrive on Resmedian Island. Stay near the water's edge. Don't give the authorities reason to arrest you and trace you back to this ship. Don't even have them suspect you're a pirate, aye? We want a clean visit. If you get caught, then your only way of escape is in the gods' hands." Michael once more looked across the mess hall. "Are those orders clear?" Once he received one last vocal assent, Michael said, "We berth by late afternoon. I expect you to help out Oh Henry's crew when that time comes. This meeting is adjourned, then."