A Hidden Queen

Chapter 96

A heavy sigh leaves the old Scott as he gazes out over the bustling deck. The light grey eyes squint against the bright sun, staring at everyone in amazed disbelief. Months. It had taken the crew approximately two months to get the old girl into working order. But Charlie had done it with the very sweat from his brow. And Gibbons could not have been prouder. His chest swells with it as he gazed at the handiwork Charlie and the men had accomplished in such a short time. The Cyclone looked as majestic as she did that first day she sailed under her new name. To see her sail the sea for a second time under another Carter warmed Ivan's heart to the core.

His heart swelled further as the weather deck began to crowd with familiar and new faces. The crews of The Cyclone, Wicked Mary and Avenger mingled, conversing with one another. The three crews had bonded over the past several weeks as they worked together in harmony with the goal of getting the old girl ready for her big day. And boy was she ready. Her decks shone with fresh stain and wash; her sails crisp as they snapped in the wind. It was like looking into the distance past. Ivan muses, leaning his old body against the gunwale in the bow of the ship becoming lost with the old memories.

"What has you looking so sullen?"

Ivan glances over his shoulder at the gruff voice of Albert Carter. The lanky man laid along the jibboom with his hands comfortably folded on his stomach. He tilts his hat back to get a better look at Ivan; those deep brown eyes scrutinizing him much the same way they did when they were kids.

"You think I look sullen?" Ivan asks curiously.

"I've known you long enough to know you're sulking about something." Albert comments, resting his head back on the beam.

"And I've known you long enough to know when you're hiding. So, what has you scurrying your bean pole ass away from the crowds with your tail tucked between your legs?" Ivan counters, goading the man.

Albert's body tenses with the reprimand. He brings himself to an upright position, narrowing his eyes to mere slits.

"Who says I'm hiding?"

"Who says I'm being sulky?"

The two men stare at each other in mock irritation. They knew exactly how to poke and goad one another much like the siblings they grew up to become. Ivan was merely several months younger than Albert, but he knew how to be that annoying little brother to the older man and not to break under the harsh stare. The silence grew steadily with the tension; neither man willing to break apart. They continued in their vain attempt to stop their bubbling laughter before each dissolved into a loud, boisterous noise.

"If father was still around, he'd have tanned both our hides for the fight that would have no doubt erupted after such comments." Albert laughs.

"You were always the one that came vaulting after me."

"Well, if you hadn't been such a nagging brat of a little brother." Albert grumbles.

Ivan grins pleasantly, "Either way, Hurley was not one for baseless conflicts. He never cared who started it; he was going to finish it. Good thing we are nothing but adults now huh?"

"Like that ever stopped that man from taking us in hand. He still tanned my hide well into my twenties." Albert chuckles, turning serious. "Seriously, what has you sulking out to sea on such a glorious day?"

"I am not sulky, Albert." Gibbons gripes good naturally. "And even if I was, it's probably for the same reason why you're hiding out on the jibboom. The memories are..." Ivan pauses, searching for the words to convey his feelings. "Strong. I did not imagine the uncanny copy of that day with Clinton some 26 years ago."