Setting Sail 17- O' Captain, My Father-In-Law.

Having firmly made a fool of himself, Wilkes went to the lower deck. Dusk was coming, and he’d rather be working than fanning the flames of his own anger. The captain followed him down. Neither man said anything for a while. Just triple checking the crates were arranged properly, and that today’s catch was properly stored before they shipped out. The feeling of eyes on him never went away. Having run out of things to pretend to be doing, he bit the bullet.

“Ye just gonna stare or are ye gonna start lecturing me?” Wilkes asked. Anger still burned inside him, it was exhausting. Everyone was just so suffocating right now.

“Settle lad. Yer temper’s done enough harm to yerself already. I honestly came down to be sure ye weren’t hurting yerself from overworking.” Jonah said. He took a small sip of his flask. He sat upon a crate and patted another one beside him. “Get off yer feet, level yer head before ye get it busted.”

Begrudgingly, he walked over to the crate. He sat on it, Jonah took a long sip from his flask. A small cough came from him after, and a weary smile turned Wilkes’s way. The flask was offered, and a sip taken. It burnt worse than the tavern’s ale on the way down. Whiskey would never be a favorite of Wilkes’s. Not if it kept tasting so sharp and bitter.

“I get it. Being a young and angry sailor, having a chip on yer shoulder about the hand ye been dealt. Believe me, I get it. But lashing out at someone on yer crew, fighting sloppy, and then showboating at the end… ye only threw yer reputation in the mud. I bet yer still just as mad as ye were when ye showed back up from lunch.” Jonah sipped his flask again. How he didn’t spit the stuff out was lost on Wilkes. “Did I ever tell ye ‘bout my original first mate? Before Barry, back when I was with the navy as a captain, before they slung me up to be an admiral.”

“No sir, don’t recall any stories of the sort.” Wilkes answered plainly. He knew there was a point to the story, and it least got the lecture to end.

“Right, his name was Bruce. He was a hothead much like yerself. Tough as nails and good with a sword and pistol. Quite the fighter really. One day we were clipping past off the coast of Osan on the way back, er mainland, did I tell ye those places were the same place? It’s important ye know they’re the same place. Regardless, Brucie boy and I were unstoppable together. Backed with a crew of twenty eight extra men, we owned the waves we sailed. Pirates steered clear, and things were great.” Jonah took a third long sip, his face grew flush. Staring into a middle distance he just kept talking. “Well that was for the first year or so. Bruce kept that chip on his shoulder to the point it cracked the whole damn statue. Went and boarded a ship full of pirates by his damn self. I hadta sail over to Frennor and bury a spare uniform. Didn’t even get the body back. Then I had to explain to his parents and his courtship why they were burying a box with empty clothes.”

The captain fell silent for a second. Wilkes rest a hand on his shoulder. Trying to give the man a mote of comfort. Instead his hand was brushed away. A final gulp that emptied the flask went down the older man’s gullet.

"I tracked the crew that did him in down to a small island, it was off the map. Secluded little spot it was. Under the dark of night I pulled my ship in with five others flanking me. It was a slaughter. They paid me some three thousand pieces. Gave me pocket watch and started calling me an admiral, a hero even. Didn't feel like one." He laughed bitterly at that. “They called me the burning justice of Thellin in an official report. Not an ounce of justice happened on that island. I’m seeing that same sort of anger I had boiling in you. I’m asking ye to unclench yer fists, to sit with me daughter and build a life ye can look back on fondly. Don’t end up like me.”

“I… thanks, captain. But I’m not so sure ending up like you would be so bad. You’ve got a whole family to gather around in your home. You’ve got food and money enough to keep them clothed and fed. I’m not sayin you want for nothing, but your needs are met. Isn’t that a sign of a life well lived?” Wilkes tried to press back, whether it was the echoes of anger or just genuine curiosity.

“Hmm. A man who labors all day, and meets his minimum. Stuck drinking until his fingers fumble even the button on his shirt. Whose nephew he had to rescue from a suicidal crusade, and is now watching more and more of his crew fall into the same idea.” Jonah muttered “Ye only see the cream of my crop lad, yer not starin’ at the tilled field.”

“Then how about this? We come home from Osan, first thing I’m doing is standing as the man of will in Erik’s wedding. Second thing I’m doing is buying a ring for Beatrice. You let me marry her and I’ll hang up my revenge scheme.” Wilkes gave him a genuine offer.

“Lad, I been waiting for ye to ask permission. Why’d ye have to go and make a fool of yerself first? Ye knuckle head.” Jonah slapped his knee and cackled after that. “I know ye hit the railing pretty hard with yer head, but c’mon lad. Yer smarter than showing off that kinda magic because of yer temper.”

“I uh… don’t really see an issue with me using Sailors’ Shelter like that.” Wilkes admitted, throwing a confused glance to his captain. Jonah grew serious at that. Rubbing his face with one hand he seemed to be trying to wipe his stupor away. A deep sigh finished the apparent contemplation.

“Lad… yer yanking my chain right? Ye don’t get why punching a hole clean through a storm, right in front of a naval magic tutor is a big deal? All of Thellin is gonna be hounded now. In short order that redhead’ll write a report. That report will go to the magic index headquarters. Then tutors as far as the eye can see will flock here. We’ll be up to our necks in brass.” Jonah groaned, rubbing away at his temples. The gentle pressure was the tell tale sign he had a headache. He brought his empty flask to his lips on reflex and swore as he shook the empty bit of steel. “Fuck’s sake.”

“So more foot traffic on the island and outside coin will flood the place? I don’t exactly see how that’s bad.” Wilkes tried to parse where the issue came from. Jonah looked him dead in the eyes and scoffed.

“The issue ain’t the coin they bring. It’s the attention, and then the lack of presence. Pirates are like crows. They see a whole lotta military show up somewhere, and then wait for it to leave. Then they fill their bellies on the tender scraps left in the wake.” Jonah spat.

“So while we’re away you think there’s gonna be another invasion?” Wilkes processed slowly. A knot in his throat suddenly made speaking incredibly difficult.

“Only as much as I think it’ll rain again. Don’t go rolling in the gloom over it lad. I’m going fer a drink with Barry and Rangpar. If ye see Erik let him know I’m calling it early today. Let the apprentices run the ship for an hour or two. They’re smart enough.” Jonah rose slowly, a pained grunt when his back finally straightened from his poor sitting posture. A few careful twists and a series of pops later, he stalked on up the stairs. Wilkes sat with his thoughts for a moment. Mentally planning how he was going to apologize when he returned to his own home. It was still early afternoon. He knew Beatrice had little to do but wander around the island. She had likely already met up with Hannah and heard the story from the other side. His only evidence to the contrary was that he hadn’t been sucker punched yet.

“Trouble in paradise?” Erik asked kicking his boot gently. He glanced up at the blonde half-elf. A half smug smirk on his face suggested he already knew the subject of the uncharacteristic pondering. He settled into the spot Jonah had formerly filled.

“Quite. That Pauline has brought me a whole world of trouble. If leaving early would be the last of her in my life it’d be too late. Gonna have to apologize to Bea and Hannah both for showing someone where to eat.” Wilkes summarized quickly. Erik sucked air between his teeth and bit back a small chuckle.

“Really now? Wilkes, you went and got yourself into lady trouble? The dock side heart throb? Who woulda seen that coming?” Erik feigned shock. Putting a hand over his mouth with a fake gasp. It was a mark of maturity that he wasn’t slugged in the face for that.

“Indeed.” Wilkes provided clipped confirmation. Giving Erik anymore confirmation or information would only bring yet more teasing. There was science to talking to him about this kind of thing. Good advice at a rate of one to four with jokes and japes. Drumming fingers on the crate they sat on, Wilkes put his mind to work.

“Oh, this is bad. You’re actually taking time to think before speaking. What’d you do? You sleep with Hannah too?” Erik laughed and elbowed Wilkes in the ribs. The silence that followed caused the smile and color to leave his face. Erik elbowed him harder. “Wilkes you dog!”

“We broke my bedframe.” Wilkes admitted.

“Is that why Beatrice is mad?” Erik pressed him further.

“No, it was her idea.” Wilkes admitted

“Is it because she only got to watch?”

“No. I handled both of their needs at once.”

“Lucky bastard.” Erik muttered to himself. A look of contemplation crossed his face.

“Hey!” Wilkes gave a light shove to the brainy elf.

“Well you are!” Erik fired back, giving a playful shove back to his best friend. With the tension looming over Wilkes fully defused he finally let out a small chuckle. The captain had told him not to roll in the gloom, and dove into it head first. Some student he was.

“Cap’n said there’s a chance that a whole buncha navy brass flocks here sooner rather than later.” Wilkes said contemplatively. “On account of some moron blasting a hole through a storm right in front of them.”

Erik nodded. Wilkes could see the information being followed away in that cramped skull of his. Like a whole new bookshelf on the bookcase of “Wilkes’s fuck-ups” was being built. It seemed he wouldn’t get his lucky fifth comment, the one that's actually good advice. Erik steepled his fingers and stared at the floor for a long while. The gears grinding in his head were audible. Out of desperation Wilkes copied the pose. Nothing came to his mind immediately either.

“Hey Wilkes?”

“Yeah Erik?”

“I guess I’m writing your eulogy soon?”

“Maybe.”

“I loved you as a brother in life. I’ll leave flowers for you in death.”

“Thanks Buddy.” Wilkes cracked a smile at the situation. The absurdity before him while he waxed poetic over his death at just nineteen. He could stop storms with a single breath, whatever took him out would most certainly be dragged down with him. Even if it was an entire naval fleet, even if it was the last remnants of the tide reapers. He had a cold certainty he would not go quietly, that the heavens above would rage with him. Perhaps Tempest truly was a fitting surname. Rising up from the crate he pat Erik on the shoulder. Hiding away would not solve whatever issues waited above. “Oh and before I forget, we’re good for the day. Cap’n said let the lads handle the ship for a few hours.”

“Let the- seriously? They don’t even- but what if they- wait, wait, wait.” Erik sputtered while his checklists actively flipped around in his mind. His expression changed from confusion, to amusement, to concern, and then back to confusion so rapidly it made Wilkes’s head spin.

“Erik, go home. Have a night with Amy. We’re leaving in only three more. Let it be.” Wilkes urged him. His hand was already on the railing that ascended to the main deck. Beautiful hues were beginning to paint the sky that sat beyond his reach. There was still the atypical hole in the clouds that Wilkes had put there. The first thing he saw on the deck was Pauline scribbling furiously in a notepad. Already composing a letter back to her headquarters it seemed. As concerning as that was, he needed to attend to the lovers he was about to leave behind.

His feet felt heavier the closer he got back to his domicile. The dying light of day slipped from Thellin slowly but surely. The moon in the distance seemed to smirk at him as stars began to poke holes in the heavens. Would it really be that bad to avoid his own home and just dodge the argument? To be a rake in the wind?

It would. He knew it would. That last bit of cowardice was ground to death under his ego’s heel. He had failed to explain. All he owed was an explanation. Not an apology. If either of them expected him to apologize for giving kindness to a stranger, a trait they both had admitted to admiring, they were firmly being hypocrites. As rationally as he knew that, he still understood tempers running hot. There was a thin line he would be walking, maybe even running along, during this conversation. A long, deep breath and he pushed open the door to his home.

His home was dark. No candles lit. No one was waiting for him. With careful steps he crossed the threshold and into the quiet space. Taking time to light a few candles. The warm, orange glow was welcome after hours upon hours of the sun’s harsh radiance and the damp darkness of the lower deck. Patting his knees he sat down in his chair at the table. The stubble on his facial hair gave tactile feedback to his growing thoughts. The metaphorical cloud that hung over him began to grow as more time slipped by.

After two hours sitting alone in his home, after dusk when he knew both women were free he let out a deep sigh. Daisy’s corner sat empty. A folded note there. He already knew what it said without reading. Likely Beatrice had borrowed Daisy for a while as part of whatever punishment the two were cooking up. If they wanted to let a minor miscommunication boil over into this much of a mess he would oblige them. They would either face him directly or he would go to get his dog back one day. If this is how they wanted one of his last nights with them to go, then fine.

Curiosity ultimately outpaced his attempt to turn up his nose. The note was brief, and had the same bluntness he had come to expect from the huntress.

Wilkes,

I’ve been told you brought a woman from the navy into the bakery. I’ve heard every rumor that was spun. Hannah and I are going to give you time to reflect on your actions. You will see us again on your last night before sailing. Do not attempt to see us before then. Daisy is with me on a hunting trip and will be returned at dawn, after you have left for work. Be the man we both know you want to be. I love you.

Beatrice.

He stared at it blankly. “I love you too Bea…” He muttered in his far too empty house. It shifted against the breeze that swept the duney expanse. All things considered, he did not want to spend the night here alone, or at least spend as little of his night alone as possible. Changing into his navy blue shirt, Wilkes left his home. He decided to pay a spot he knew would be open late regardless. The walk there was the simplest trek he made that day. Knocking gently on the doorframe, he broke the night's silence.