Waifs and Strays

William left Oliver gathering his things and walked back to the Fancy with a purpose in his step. He had some misgivings about dragging Oliver into this, but the lad seemed alright, and his education could prove useful on their journey. He was still turning over what the Drowners had said to him in that chamber. He knew they meant Thorvenhold, but the Chatman's navigator had been dead for close to twenty years. They were the only survivors that he knew of.

He remembered dragging the Ragnar navigator back to the ship after Ravenhill had shot him in a moment of madness. He had left the ship's surgeon for dead and stole away back to the ship. Thorvenhold succumbed to his wounds as they escaped on the ship. He had asked to be buried back on his homestead. He had already owed the man many debts, so he could hardly turn down his last request.

Getting passage through to the Midden had been hard enough at the time. The politics of the Ragnar courts were filled with factions and different tribes vying for favour. Thorvenhold had left his homeland after he had killed a man in a fight. Duels were a large part of their culture, but they needed to be brought in front of a Jarl. Thorvenhold's fight was a tavern fight which went wrong over old grudges. He had left rather than deal with the consequences. When William had travelled to Løvenskiold, he had found there was little love for his lost navigator. That he had died in battle helped, but it also took many bribes.

He approached the ship and saw the First Mate Jack Thomas and the Bosun Timothy Rourke were offloading the cargo. He walked down towards them they nodded to him as they saw him approach. Jack was a young man who had only been the Fancy's first mate for a few years. He still had a sense of wanderlust about him. He was a tall but thin man with the white skin you saw on men of Webinar. Jack had recently started sporting a busy moustache. The rest of the crew advised him he looked ridiculous, but he ignored them. Timothy was almost as old as William. They had known each other for over fifteen years, and Tim had served as his Bosun for most of that time. A short, squat man, with a barrel chest and the complexion of someone whose skin had weathered under the sun.

"How goes it, Cap'n?" Jack asked him.

"I won't lie, Jack, but it could be better. We've a bad journey ahead of us." William replied.

"Where are we heading?

" Løvenskiold," William replied grimly.

"And why are we setting sail for Ragnar capital?" Tim questioned.

"Old debts," William responded starkly.

Tim spat in response. "I've known ye long enough, William. If you consider it bad, that's probably an understatement."

William laughed. He turned to Jack. "I need you to gather the crew, and we have another joining us. Did anyone jump after we hit port?"

"One or two that had only been with us for a few journeys. We have at least one wanting to enlist." Jack advised.

Jack turned to point at a young lad sat on some nearby crates. If he was sixteen, William would be surprised. He was wearing a dirty coat and torn britches. William indicated for him to come closer.

"What's your name, lad?" He asked.

"Fineas." The boy replied.

"You wish to sign on to the Fancy and come to sea?" William queried.

The boy spoke in a quiet tone as if he was uncertain and trying to find his words.

"Yes, sir," Fineas replied.

"We're in for a hard journey, lad, and there are likely other vessels which could take you. Have you no family?"

Fineas shook his head. "It's just me, sir. I need to get away from here. I can work, and I'll not shy away from danger"

There was something about the boy which William found endearing. "Welcome aboard, lad. If you want a hot meal, get yourself below decks and speak with Kitty. Tell her the captain sent you." He advised.

Fineas headed up the gangplank and disappeared out of sight.

"That one is hiding something," Tim commented.

"Aren't we all, Master Rourke?" William replied.

Their conversation was interrupted by the sounds of something being dragged across the dock behind them. He turned to see Oliver dragging a steamer trunk behind him. William laughed at the sight.

"I see you are travelling light, Master Kelham." William joked.

"I gathered all of my possessions that I had brought with me from Ithica," Oliver answered.

"Why are we taking some student from Mercied onboard?" Tim asked.

"I have grown fond of Master Kelham. The Governor asked if we could take him with us. I think that Resham wished for me to complete his education in a manner of speaking." William replied.

"Have you been to sea before, Kelham?" Jack asked.

"A few times, but I have never been on any major journeys," Oliver advised.

"Well, come with me, and we'll get you stowed on board. There's a spare cabin." Jack replied.

Jack helped Oliver carry his trunk onto the ship. William left Tim finishing dealing with cargo and went below deck himself. He followed his nose to the galley and could smell one of Kitty's famous broths being prepared. He saw Fineas stepping out of the galley with a bowl in hand. William gave him a nod as he walked past. William stepped inside and felt the warmth hit him as he entered.

Kitty did not notice William as he entered, as she was busy leaning over a pan set on top of the ship's stove. Kitty was another member of the crew that had served with William for years. She was a large woman, with a darkened complexion. William's closest confidant and the person he always turned to in a time of need like now. He felt something brush against his leg and looked down to see the ship's cat. Petite Gi was a mangy old ginger Tom missing an ear. His fur was unkempt. William reached down to pet him and grabbed a sliver of meat to feed him.

"You spoil him," Kitty commented.

"Perhaps, but I can never deny him."

William could already see that Kitty had noticed that he looked concerned.

"What troubles you, Bill?" She asked.

William sat down at a nearby table, and Kitty joined him with two cups. She poured them both a drink. William drank it happily; he enjoyed the strong-tasting liquor that Kitty savoured.

"I went to speak with the Drowners," William admitted.

Kitty looked aghast. "Things must be bad if you needed an oracle."

"Things from my past I thought were long done," William told her.

"You can't run from it forever, Bill." She told him bluntly.

"Aye. Now a man from my past I hoped was dead is coming for me, and I'm sailing in search of another I buried years ago."

"What does he want?"

"Something he thinks I took from him."

"Did you?"

"In a manner of speaking."

William finished his drink.

"We have a few new crewmembers. Look after them, Kitty," William requested.

"You and your waifs and strays," Kitty remarked.

He gave her a kiss on the cheek and made his exit from the kitchen. He ventured back up and deck and made sure that Tim had finished unloading the cargo. William had Jack gather the crew onto the deck. This was a speech that he knew was going to be difficult to make.

William looked over the gathered faces Jack Thomas, the First Mate. Second Mate Kenneth Dallan. The Cook, Kitty Malloy. Oliver Kelham and Fineas.

"Thank all of you for granting me a moment of your time. I received troubling news. A name I had hoped I would never hear again is looking for me. I thought him dead; I wanted him to be dead. The past has a way of haunting us. We set sail tomorrow, but not on a journey seeking any profit. I cannot promise any of you much in the way of riches. Those who come will be paid even if it comes from my own coin. If you wish to leave, I cannot blame you. This will be a hard voyage, and we go up against someone who wants me dead, if not worse. " William told them.

"We are with you, captain." Kenneth declared.

"Thank you, Ken. Your loyalty matters to me more than anything." William replied.

"Where are we headed?" Tim asked.

" Løvenskiold," William answered.

"That is at least a week if the wind is behind us and we aren’t becalmed," Jack advised.

"Aye. This will be a harsh week, and I doubt we'll be welcomed with open arms." William said honestly.

"We'll get her ready, Captain," Tim advised him.

William retreated to his quarters and started pouring over charts. He hoped they could make the voyage in a week, it was possible if they did not run into anything that could delay them. The night had been eventful, and he found himself drifting off.