Chapter 365: Gravy Boat

Chapter 365: Gravy Boat

As the ship collapsed, the broken pieces didnt smash into the crew or hit us as we fell into the water. It was like sections of the boat were coming apart and returning to their previous incarnation, like a movie running backwards. It was a controlled implosion.

Hitting the water and sinking below the surface was less controlled, at least for me. Im not a bad swimmer, I can keep my head above water (literally and figuratively) but the suddenness of my drop into the ocean caught me a little off guard, and I swallowed a lungful of water before I remembered I was an air-breathing mammal.

I managed to make my way back to the surface, to find myself surrounded by the rest of the crew of the Eternal Infinite splashing around. Captain Somya swam past me with his mother perched on his shoulders, followed by a flotilla of sailors. They were all heading in the same direction the other ship.

It was hard to see anyone not directly in front of me, so I had no idea where Biadet or Laney were, but they were probably fine. Richina was also out of sight, which was a bit more worrying. She had been untied, so she should have been able to swim, unless she chose not to. There was no point worrying about it now, though.

My priority was to get out of the water. At least we had another vessel, and if the welcome wasnt friendly, then Id have to return to the island. The islanders would be delighted to see me, I was sure.

Captain Nokes crew were actually helping people out of the water. There may have been a maritime code that obliged you to help people in a shipwreck, or the Council ship may have been full of decent people being nice this world was never short of something strange and unexpected to surprise me with. In any case, they lowered ropes and netting to aid our rescue, and we were soon standing on the deck, shivering wet.

A quick look around revealed Biadet and Laney over to one side, with Richina standing near them, bedraggled. From the looks of it, Laney had got them both out of the water, and probably quite a few others, too. I say that mainly because of the way she was strutting around like everyone owed her their lives, and the way everyone was avoiding looking at her like they resented her for being so smug about it.

Captain Nokes came down from the poop deck towards Captain Somya, who was taking care of his mother. Then he walked past Somya and stopped in front of me. I had more or less forgotten that I was supposed to be in charge, and I hadnt really formulated how best to deal with matters. Act aggressive and shirty? Be conciliatory and friendly? Its hard to know the best way to deal with tough guys when you arent one.

The Council has ordered me to keep you here until they give further instructions, he said.

Where are they now? I asked.

You will remain in your quarters until then, he said, ignoring me.

I wasnt in the mood to be treated like his prisoner. Whatever had happened, I still intended to maintain control of my own movements, restricted as they might be. They would be a lot less restricted, though, if I had a ship of my own.

Thank you for rescuing us, Captain, I said. I think it would be best if you took us back to Gorgoth. The Council can contact me there, if they feel like it. Dont make me have to kill you and take your ship.

I squeezed the water out of my shirt. I would have taken it off, but I felt a bit shy in front of so many people (most of whom had muscles and tattoos all over the place). I was willing to kill them all, but seeing their reactions when they saw the state of me undressed wasnt something I was ready to face.

Captain Nokes looked like he was about to object, or laugh dismissively.

That wont be necessary, said Commander Grayson, who had appeared behind Nokes. We will do as you ask. He placed a hand on Nokes shoulder.

It amazes me how men and I mean real manly men can interact so easily with each other, knowing where their boundaries are without having to have them pointed out. I couldnt tell you even with an app. What kind of male to male relationship makes hugging a normal thing? When can you cry in front of each other? How do you go two up on a girl and not admit to it being super gay? The whole macho things always been a mystery to me.

Nokes stepped away from Grayson. Im afraid that wont be possible. I have my orders.

And then theres the next level. The willingness to fight, no hatred, no real animosity. Afterwards, shake hands and treat each other like brothers.

Until I came to this world, Id never been in a physical fight. I did everything I could to avoid it, and succeeded very nicely. Even if I won (which I was sure wouldnt happen), Id have a great deal of pain and discomfort to deal with. And rather than a handshake and mutual respect, Id have to watch out for the bitter loser jumping me from behind one night with a crowbar.

My goal in this world had always been to not fight unless absolutely necessary, and when that was the case, end it as quickly as possible. Which usually meant with a fatality.nove(l)bi(n.)com

I didnt want to kill people, but I knew they would be more dangerous than before if they survived.

Why did I never get the respect others got? Why were my victories viewed as flukes or unfairly achieved? Im not saying they werent, Im saying every other persons knockdown was achieved the same way. Fair fights are rare, they just get promoted that way. My problem, it seemed, was bad PR.

Having Grayson on my side was nice, but if it turned into a full-on mutiny, it would get messy. Nokes men outnumbered us, but we had the advantage of a few ringers. That was if the Council hadnt left him with some arcane device that made us all fall to the ground writhing in agony. I was English; we dont do writhing, whether its pleasure or pain.

The captains cabin was pointed out to me by a helpful sailor who recognised me for what I truly was, a sad fuck in desperate need of a lie down. There is basic decency in all people, I think, you just have to be in a terrible condition to bring it out of them. Starving child covered in flies? Oh, now well help.

Once I closed the cabin door, I sat on the small bed that barely looked big enough to contain Nokes, but was nice and roomy for me. I stared at the opposite, unable to function. People dont really understand until they experience it themselves, but when youre under immense mental pressure, even if its fairly mundane in nature looking after a baby, dealing with an invalid parent, supporting Crystal Palace those times you get to be on your own, away from your responsibilities, dont offer much in the way of respite. You stare at the wall, because walls dont make demands.

The ship began to move. Shouts and yells drifted down to me, letting me know the journey back was underway. The Council wouldnt be happy Id overridden their orders, but what were they going to do? Demote me to Billy-no-mates? The fact I was still here was remarkable enough, every extra moment was mine to do with as I pleased.

Something was poking me. I put my hand in one of my pockets and took out a pair of glasses. He had got these that first day in Probet. He could have got a better pair made, probably, but he never did.

My cheeks were hot. Red with anger? Shame? Guilt? I couldnt name the emotion, Id never experienced it before. Maybe Id discovered it and it didnt have a name, pioneer that I was. There was a burning sensation, like an STD of the face. Maybe I was just pissed.

What was I even doing going back to Gorgoth? If Peter and Arthur wanted to have it out via their proxies, who was I to interfere? Claire had come and gone without even saying hello, like I wasnt even part of it. It was my unearned arrogance that made me think this was all about me. Claire had come for something, and she probably got it. I was just someone on the sidelines. Not even Maurices death was enough to make her take a detour, which I guess meant it was all very important, whatever it was.

Youre feeling sorry for yourself, said Wesley, inside my head.

Yes, I said. Who knows when Ill get another chance?

It wont solve anything, she said.

Yeah, it will. Dwelling on the bad things that happened to me in the past stops me thinking about the bad things that are going to happen in the future.

Now, youre being maudlin. Then she slapped me in the face, from the inside.

I dont know how she did it, but it fucking hurt. It was so unexpected, I burst out laughing, and then I started crying, and then I felt a lot better.

The door opened and Biadet came in. She didnt knock, which was like her, but she had used the door to enter, which wasnt. She looked terrible, dark rings around her eyes, grey around the gills (she probably did have gills, just not where I could see them). She ignored me and flopped onto the bed face-first and just lay there.

I could heal you, you know?

That wouldnt be good, she said into the sheets, for you.

I dont suppose you want to tell me what Peters really after, or what the secret plan is, do you?

I cant. I wasnt sure if she meant she wasnt allowed, or she didnt know, or if she was about to throw up. In any case, she remained lying face down. My WMD, sick as a dog. Do you know your problem?

Youll have to be more specific, I said. I have 99 problems and a.... I realised I was about to make an inaccurate statement, and we all know how much Jay Z hates that. I have one hundred problems, Biadet. Which one are you referring to?

You think too much.

She was right, but what could I do? Id have to think about it.

The door opened again and Damicar entered carrying a tray of food. I thought you might be peckish, so I whipped up a few nibbles. Nothing fancy.

It smelled great. Even Biadet perked up. Well, she tilted her head and sniffed. I was busy stuffing my face with whatever it was hed made (pastry was involved) when the door opened once more.

Why are you all in here? demanded Laney. Why wasnt I told we were having a meeting? What is the next stage of the plan? I believe our strategy should be to prepare for war.

The next stage? It was endearing that she thought there had been a previous stage. Or that there was a plan at all.

Okay, I guess this is the team, just the five of us. Heres how were going to win against all these fucks. I put Maurices glasses back in my pocket.