I Will Sail With No Pirate! (mxm)

Chapter 14

Captain!

James was up immediately and didn't need to be told what was going on. Since he had fallen asleep in his clothing, he had to quickly toss off his shirt before running out into the monsoon. Rain was heavy in the air yesterday, but he didn't think that it would end up being such a heavy storm.

"All hands on deck! I want everything that isn't already tied down secure with rope. All humans are to get below deck, now!"

Desden appeared before him but their formalities were pushed aside for the time being, it was far more important to get everything taken care of. Ria was scrambling to get below deck when he knew he should have been going to his room, but he'd deal with that later. At least the boy listened to his shouted order.

"Captain, the monsoon was beginning to push us into the pier so we put up the sails to get free."

James looked over his shoulder and noticed that they had, indeed, sailed a few miles from shore. He could work with that. With a determined growl he ran over to the main mast and began climbing, his claws easily taking him up once he had kicked off his boots. The lookout pointed off into the distance at a much-darker group of storm clouds as James landed atop the edge of the platforms rim. Even with the strong winds buffeting him, his balance was nearly perfect... with a little magical help, of course.

"Get down below and help secure things, once done go below deck with everyone else."

The man nodded and promptly jumped out of the crow's nest. Now that he could observe his crew from above, he noticed no one was taking care of the farther mast. Mine then. With a deep breath he leapt off the structure but a strong gust of wind slammed him backwards into one of the sails. 

Shit. 

The rampaging thunder drowned out a few choice words as he fell along the canvas. Thankfully, his hands managed to grab one of the hanging ropes and after slicing through a few yards of it with his claws, he managed to halt his descent, then quickly climb the rope until he could use it to swing around to the correct canvas. He landed right next to the rope he needed to close the sails. It would leave them with just one for direction, but going off course a few miles was much safer than getting holes in the sails.

Captain?

Alexandre...

What is it you need? I am busy right now.

Where is Ria? He isn't out in the storm, is he? 

No, he ran below deck with the rest of my crew.

But isn't it dangerous for him to be down there?

Yes, but I will retrieve him shortly.

I'll go get him.

No, you won't. Stay put.

But he could get bitten down there.

So what?

He didn't get a verbal response, but frustration coursed through his mind as he heard the door to his cabin open far below, then slam shut.

Get back in the room!

Alexandre ignored him again, drawing a snarl of annoyance from his lips. With quick hands he got the sail pulled up and tied-off to keep it from damage, then quickly jumped down to check the others. As soon as the deck was secure for the storm he was going to be tracking down a certain stubborn human! 

"Ria?"

Where is he?