For Forty Weeks the Sunbird Flew: An Airman's Tale

Chapter 19: A Sky-Loving Child Who's Only Seen Blue

"Full house."

"For fuck's sake, how do you keep doing that?"

"Luck," the big man grumbled, "he's got an endless amount of bloody luck."

Archer shook his head, grinning. Things were starting to ease up again now, and as a result there was plenty of time for the officers to relax with their favourite, and at times it seemed only, pastime.

"I'm afraid it simply isn't so," the captain replied to his grumbling Gunnery Officer and Sergeant, "I'm just capable of tracking what's been played and what hasn't. It comes rather in handy for games like this, as I have noted previously on our many voyages together. It's hardly my fault that none of you have yet thought to take heed and learn the skill for yourself."

Talwynn rolled her eyes and muttered something under her breath, and Archer just about caught the smirk on Lawrence's face and the glint in his eyes as he continued.

"Now now, it's most unbecoming to whisper in the presence of your Captain. Would you mind awfully if I asked you to repeat yourself at a more audible volume?"

"Yeah, I said 'go fuck yourself and die in a hole'."

The Owens both snorted, as did Archer.

"Are you certain that's what you said? Because I'm fairly certain it was-"

"Fine, I said I'm going to miss you, you arrogant twat."

Lawrence shrugged while smiling.
"I didn't hear the last bit the first time around, so I assume you're adding that on at the end. Either way, I am pleased to hear that you enjoy my company. You needn't fear though, my continued presence aboard the Sunbird will continue at least until we reach the palace. After that I may continue with the old bird, or remain by the side of the prince here. I have yet to decide."

Talwynn looked at him, confused.
"What do you mean, you haven't decided? I can tell you exactly where you'll end up, even if you don't know yourself yet. You'll stay in the palace, mark my words. I'm rarely wrong, Lawrence."

The man chuckled mirthlessly.
"Perhaps. Perhaps not. We will see, when the time comes. Nonetheless, should I leave, I'll miss you as well."

Talwynn snorted with laughter.
"Hah! I knew you'd miss me! Who's gonna keep you on your toes while we're apart, huh?"
She turned to Archer.
"You'd better do a good job at pissing him off if he stays in the palace, sky-chaser. It wouldn't be right if there wasn't someone with him I could trust to make sure he went mad."

Archer smirked back at her.
"I'll do the best I can, don't worry. We've quite a ways to go until we reach Albion, but for now lets just enjoy the fact that we're all here. That, and the fact that one of us is bound to beat him at cards at some point tonight."

She raised her bottle of beer at him in a toast.
"Hear, hear! To toppling the captain's cards!"

The rest of the table raised their drinks in salute, with the exception of Lawrence himself.
"God, you're all insufferable sometimes. Why have I put up with this for so long again?"

Talwynn leaned over the table and roughly ruffled his hair.
"Aww, you love us all really!"

Lawrence swatted at her hands, but his assailant would not be easily swayed. In his ensuing annoyed flailing, he managed to knock over the walking stick that had been leaning against his chair. Talwynn looked down at it with a guilty expression as it made a clattering noise, and moved not just to stop ruffling Lawrence's hair but also to pick up the cane.