Myth, Mist and Madness by Jan Foster

Author:Jan Foster [Jan Foster]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Jan Foster
Published: 2024-11-26T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 5

Stormy waters

Fairfax danced from the crowd to use the head. His mind calmed while seated on the hole over the rudder, especially when he glimpsed his pride and joy, bought with honestly ‘earned’ coins, dawdling in the wide wake. After fastening his breeches, taking care not to nick his ankle on the cutlass, he slipped down the ladder from the half deck and emerged next to the Captain’s cabin. The door was locked, so he stole through the officers’ quarters, past an elderly helmsman dozing against the whipstaff, and onto the gun deck.

As Fairfax poked and rummaged through the chests stacked neatly to the side of a cannon, his luck ran out.

“You’ve no business down here,” Murrough snapped.

Fairfax pushed the cupboard door closed and stood, his head grazing the rafters. “Jigs not to your taste either?”

Murrough scowled, his hand dropping to his sword hilt.

“There’s no need for violence.” Fairfax held up his hands. “I was looking for a whetstone to clean this.” He gestured towards the dull blade swaying at his waist. “I was only taking your advice. First chance I’ve had, and then there was the near fight today…”

“Needs to be sharpened right.”

“Oh, I know.” Fairfax approached, still wary of the lad. He chuckled under his breath. “Seeing you all in action, what a sight. Then all this…” He swept his hand around the already cramped area. “Made me think. About where the chests could fit.” He cast around. “When we bring them down so they’re secure. I thought there’d be more room. I mean, where do you keep it all?”

The glower turned into a scowl. “I hate things being underfoot. I’m the Quartermaster. I said everything should be tidied away so no one falls over them.” He kicked a cupboard and muttered, “Ma should make them listen to me.”

Fairfax nodded, prone as he was to tripping. “How about we store them on my ship? Your ship now, I suppose.”

Murrough snorted, then thought. Then sneered. “Maybes. Now get back on deck.” He turned on his heel and stomped out.

Fairfax let out a long breath and followed. Murrough went straight over to Gráinne and tried to catch her arm, but she wheeled away, her eyes blazing as she shouted at him. The half deck seemed like the safest place to stay, so Fairfax lingered there instead and gazed out to sea. He didn’t think he’d been below that long, but darkness now shrouded the Wanderer. The inky skies sparkled with bright stars, but without his instruments and charts, he still struggled to orient himself.

A refreshing breeze swept over his cheeks, carrying the sound of fiddled songs, carousing and banter. As he tipped his head back and closed his eyes, the thought again occurred to him he could abandon the pretense. Enjoy the life and the liberty this ship, this family, offered. He began to plot what he could buy with the coins—the fanciest of capes, the most colourful of feathers for his cap. Perhaps a new set of throwing knives for Henry—one of their favourite pastimes.

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