Edward Teach Died on a Beach (OFMD)

Chapter 18

You know what? I'm deleting Facebook let's tank the meta stocks for funsies

The land that Buttons had found was a small deserted island. It was about the size of their ship and held one single palm tree. They could see it in its entirety from the deck of the Revenge. Stede frowned deeply, turning slightly to watch Ed trace the outline of the island on a piece of paper. He looked at it for a moment and then shook his head slightly.

Stede turned to watch him go to the mast, beginning to climb to the top. Stede watched him with a small frown; it took him a bit to get up there between the knee that always bothered him and the shoulder that had taken so many stabs that it never really healed. Stede saw his age for a moment and wondered how he'd managed to live for so long.

Ed made it to the top and stared down at the island. Stede watched him lean against the railing, beginning to draw on Lucius' sketchbook. Stede glanced at Sam, who was pacing the deck like a jungle cat stuck in a cage. He was talking to Frenchie, who was still sewing up his coat. Frenchie grimaced slightly and looked over at Wee John as Sam ranted to them. Stede looked up at Ed again and smiled slightly. It was sort of endearing to watch him drawing. It made Stede feel happy despite being sort of stranded.

When Ed started to climb down, he winced each time he put weight on his knee. Stede hurried over to the ladder, waiting patiently for Ed to get to the bottom before quickly going to Ed's side and putting an arm around his waist. He pretended like he'd done it to look at his drawing. Stede paused with wide eyes.

"That's really good," Stede said with a hint of legitimate surprise.

Lucius rushed over, peering at the page. "Oh, God, we're going to have to battle for the position of top artist."

Ed had drawn the island. The sketch was rather detailed, and Stede was impressed. Ed's face flushed a little. He shrugged against Stede, gently putting his arm on Stede's shoulder. Stede pulled him closer, trying to stand slightly taller so it took some of Ed's weight off of his knee.

Jim took the sketchbook out of Ed's hand. Ed frowned and turned his head to watch Jim quickly walk away. A few minutes later, they appeared again with a map. Jim set the map on the capstan. They ripped the drawing out of the book, setting it next to the map.

The crew huddled around the map, inspecting the shape of the island they stood in front of and comparing it to the map. Unfortunately, most islands looked like little blobs. It was nearly impossible to narrow it down to one island. Jim picked up their compass and spun in a circle. They leaned over and turned the map.

"It'd be facing this way. If we're looking at the island from this direction, then it'll be long-ways this way," Jim said, wildly pointing at the map.

Stede looked up as Sam abruptly stopped pacing and approached the map. The crew split to let him through. He stood next to Jim silently for a few minutes. He leaned forward and examined Ed's drawing. His eyes flicked back to the map. After a few minutes of dead silence, Sam stood up. The crew waited with bated breath.

"We're going to die out here," Sam said finally, turning away and heading toward the bow again.

Stede watched him return to his stalking of the ship and slowly looked over at Ed. Ed pursed his lips.

"Hmm," Ed said slowly. "Uh."

"Someone's got to have an idea," Stede said with a fake smile.

Jim looked down at the map and frowned. "I mean, if we go around the island and continue heading west, we'll eventually reach land."

Ed pointed enthusiastically at Jim. "There we go. Let's do that."

"Or we'll die before that happens," Jim said.

"Let's try to stay positive, gang!" Stede said, standing taller. "Lucius, go try and chat with Sam. Maybe give him that advice about breathing exercises."

Lucius sighed. "Yes, Captain Stede."

Stede beamed and turned to Roach. "Could you make Sam some more tea? It might help him relax."

"You want him to relax?" Roach asked with a brow raised.

Stede nodded with a bright smile. "Indeed I do."

Ed narrowed his eyes slightly as Roach walked away with a light chuckle. Stede tugged at his waist a little. Ed glanced over at him.

"Knee still bothering you?" Stede asked.

"That's why you're hanging on me, isn't it? You've tricked me into leaning on you," Ed replied with a grin.

"Busted. Would you like to sit up by the wheel?" Stede asked curtly.

Ed nodded, pulling away from Stede and quietly wincing as he walked toward the stairs. Stede frowned slightly, rolling his eyes as he raced to catch up with Ed. He put an arm around Ed's waist again.

"I can walk up the stairs," Ed whispered.

"I know, but you don't have to, love. Why must you be so stubborn?" Stede replied.

Ed reluctantly put an arm over Stede's shoulder and gently leaned on him. Stede tightened his grip on his waist and helped him up the stairs. Stede made him sit down on a barrel and turned slightly as Lucius walked briskly away from Sam. Sam looked absolutely helpless as Lucius walked away, his face twisted into a nervous frown. After a moment, Sam turned to the bow and leaned against the railing. Stede saw his shoulders move up and down slowly.

Lucius glanced at Stede and then back at Sam. He turned to Stede with a grin. Lucius silently mouthed, "he's doing it!"

Stede watched Roach hold a small bowl out to Lucius. Roach quietly talked to him for a moment. Lucius nodded and grinned again, taking the bowl. Roach approached Sam with a cup of tea. Lucius went up the stairs to the poop deck, stopping in front of Stede. He held out the bowl. Stede hesitantly took the bowl and smelled it. He glanced at Lucius with a frown. It was an odd, chunky white paste.

"No, thank you. I'm not hungry," Stede said hesitantly.

"Roach made a salve for Ed's knee," Lucius whispered. "He said one of Caesar's crew taught him how to do it."

"Oh!" Stede said, relieved. "Thank you. And thank him for me."

Lucius nodded. "Good luck trying to get it on him."

Stede chuckled and turned, quietly approaching Ed. Ed curiously eyed the bowl in his hand. "You know what would be fun? A little pampering!"

Ed narrowed his eyes. "What's that?"

"Pampering? It's-"

"No, you've already told me that. I mean the bowl," Ed said, smiling softly.

"Oh!" Stede replied. "I'm not sure, to be honest. Lucius told me that Roach told him that Caesar's crew showed him how to make it."

Ed looked at him with a slight frown. He contemplated insisting he didn't need anything, but the pain in his knee was getting worse. He looked down at his legs and gently pulled the bottom of his breeches out from his stockings and raised it up, exposing his knee. Stede's face fell into a frown. His knee was noticeably swollen.

Stede got onto one knee and gently took a bit of the salve onto his fingers. He carefully began to spread it over Ed's knee, focusing on the parts that were very swollen. Ed winced softly, closing his eyes. He reached forward and gently stroked Stede's head for a moment, almost like he was trying to distract himself with it.