The Painter Of Port Royal

Chapter 21

"Trim that sail! Slack windward brace and sheet!" Barbossa and Jack screamed over one another.

Two clashing Captains was a bad idea from the start. Both men stomped down the ship shouting their conflicting orders to the crew like a game of Simon says, Gibbs trailing behind trying to figure out who to follow. Of course Lydia was going to follow Jack, she didn't exactly trust Barbossa after what happened in the Isle de Muerta but seeing the crew hussle around, she felt a bit flustered herself. It's not every day you have two yelling Captain's whistling different orders.

"What are you doing?" Barbossa growled.

"No, what are you doing?" Jack snapped back widening his eyes.

"No what are you doing?" Barbossa's voice grew louder.

"No what are you doing?" Jack's voice mimicked him.

Watching the two bicker, Gibbs tapped Lydia on the shoulder and motioned for her to intervene. Not something she wanted to do but with a huff she strolled up to them, awkwardly smiling.

"Barbossa the Captain is giving orders," She said.

"Yes exactly the Captain of the ship is giving orders!" Barbossa screamed again.

"His ship, makes him Captain," Lydia tried to reason but with Jack smugly giggling behind her, it proved to be rather difficult.

"They be my charts dear," Barbossa waved it in the air.

"That makes you "chartman"," Jack butted in.

"Stow it! The three of you! That's an order! Understand?!" Pintel shouted beside them.

The shock of his voice made the three spin round slightly to the short man by the stairs. Jack's lip twitched, not enjoying being ordered around. A staring war started, each man glaring at each other while Lydia eyed up the charts in Barbossa's hand. Her parents told her there was a way out, those charts could be awfully helpful. When Jack and Barbossa didn't seem to falter, Pintel uncomfortably laughed to himself.

"Sorry. I just thought with the Captain issue in doubt, I'd throw in my name for consideration," He said "sorry."

Like two young boys fighting over who gets to play first, Jack and Barbossa hurried up the stairs, pushing each other away with every step. Lydia quickly followed after them, nodding to Pintel and Regetti behind her. It was worth the try from Pintel but they were dealing with two of the most stubborn Pirates in the Atlantic ocean. She joined the pair at the top and stood by Jack's side, seeing Barbossa bring out a rather impressive telescope, edged with a rusting gold. Attempting to show he was not intimidated, although anyone would be after seeing the size of that thing, Jack pulled out his own telescope, it not comparing to Barbossa's in the slightest. It was extremely small and Jack seemed to be struggling to open it fully, showing just how rubbish it was.

Bringing his telescope down, Barbossa gave side eye to Jack yanking open his scope, holding back a laugh. Jack gave up and left Barbossa to what Lydia assumed was Captain the crew.

"Don't worry Jack. I'm sure everyone prefers you," She winked.

"Oh that I'm sure. I guess I need to invest in some fancier supplies," He said.

"I'm sure we can find something," Lydia rubbed his arms.

••••••••••

Night came for the first time in weeks in the locker. The sun finally said goodbye and the moon finally decided to arrive. Sat by the railings, Lydia gazed at each star in the sky, tracing the constellations into shapes in her mind. A fog had settled around them, blue mist floating through the air. It was comforting having darkness, Lydia's eyes seemed to be able to rest. Not have lights blaring over her all hours of the day.