VIOLENT TIDES (gxg - editing)

5

Ainsley stayed in the hold until the expanse of sky turned dusky and a few stars lit up the horizon. The day's work was beginning to wind down; the princess' home country disappearing against the dark sea. Gael stopped briefly to peer down the open hatch. There was no movement—she could only assume the girl had fallen asleep, probably worn out from such an eventful day. She briefly considered going down and checking on her, then decided against it and gently eased the hatch shut in case of heavy waves or rainfall during the night.

The captain entered the galley and found Nathe seated at the wooden table, a flask of alcohol in front of him. The seaman gave her a nod as she entered and she sat down across from him, work-rough hands folded in front of her.

"Did y' leave the whelp at the helm?"

She smiled faintly. "Ed can handle the Finch, Nathe. He's done it before."

"Kid's half my years."

"Half your size, too."

"Exactly."

She let out a weary sigh and a chuckle and tipped her forehead against the rough, splintered surface. Nathe spoke again.

"And the princess?"

She lifted her head. "What about her?"

He shrugged his broad shoulders. "Is she what's got you all worked up?"

She pushed herself off the edge of the table and sat up straighter. "I am not worked up, Nathe, though I appreciate the concern. I'm tired, however."

"Hm. Could'a sworn somethin' about this whole thing had you upset."

She paused, shoulders slumping, then rubbed at the bridge of her nose. "That may be true," she admitted, reaching over and taking his flask. She downed a gulp and passed it back, the strong taste burning her throat. "It's only—" she waved a hand in the air in a vague gesture. "I can't stop thinking about Ackerley. The king. He offered us his daughter... why?"

"'Cause he's shitty. Gotta say, Captain, I thought you were more observant than this."

She found herself laughing faintly. "I do agree, Nathe, you know that. I suppose it's somewhat shocking, is all. I can't imagine any parent willfully giving their child up to pirates."

"Well, yours sure didn't, did they?"

She grinned. "No. They did it quite unwillingly, in fact." She sobered. "But the princess is so young."

"You can't be much older than her yourself, Cap. You may as well be a child."

"Careful, officer. I may have to punish you for insubordination with that sort of talk."

The smile she offered him told him she was joking.

"It's different, though."

She didn't explain that any further, but she didn't need to for Nathe to understand. He let out a single-syllable hmm of agreement, bouncing the base of his flask against the table.

"Well, Captain, if you're so sure Ed can handle the ship, you may as well go put your worries to bed for the night."

"You'll take over for him yet?"

"Of course. I'll wake up some more of the crew if anythin' needs to be done around here during the night, too."

"Thank you, Nathe. I couldn't manage this without you."

"I have been here several more years, so I'd hope y'havent gotten better than me yet."

She grinned and stood up, stepping over the bench that was bolted down to the floor. "Goodnight, Nathe."