Page 50 of Mardon

“It doesn’t matter. I wouldn’t have let any of the crew look at it again because if anyone did, I’d gouge out their eyes.”

“Oh.” Ramble’s hand went to his eyes and he swallowed forcefully.

A breeze drifted in the window causing a rope from the hammock to flap around. The ship rocked back and forth. The rope hit the iron sconce on the wall, making the sound of a whip. Mardon’s eyes closed and he pictured the welt on Emmaline’s bottom. He couldn’t help thinking of the way she’d jerked in his arms when he’d touched it. He’d witnessed so much pain in her eyes. Such horrible memories. He knew she hated the Frenchman and would never go back to him of her own accord. And she sent the priest to tell him she was in trouble. Emmaline reached out for him, but Mardon turned his back on her.

“I can’t do it,” he said, hopping out of the hammock.

“Cap’n?” Ramble cocked his head. “Ye can’t get back to normal?”

“Nay. Things are going to change around here and it’s going to start right now.” He headed across the room, tearing open the door and hurrying across the main deck.

“Cap’n, where are ye off to in such a hurry?”

“There is something I have to do.”

“I know. Find the treasure. We all have to do that.”

He stopped at the bottom of the stairs leading up to the sterncastle. “Nay, there is something more important than the treasure,” he told the boy without turning around. Taking the steps two at a time, he made his way to the helm. “I’ll take over now, Stitch.”

“Aye, Cap’n,” said Stitch, handing over the helm.

Mardon steered the ship off course, shouting to his crew. “We’re changing course.”

Aaron ran up the stairs, looking very confused. “Mardon, what the hell are you doing?” he asked.

“I’m setting a new course,” he told him.

“For where? I thought we were following the Poseidon and going after the treasure.”

“Not anymore. I’ve got a new plan. If we hurry, we’ll be able to board their ship before they get too close to the shore.”

“Their ship? Whose ship?” Aaron threw his palms in the air and shrugged. “What are we after? You make no sense.”

“We’re going after Emmaline,” he told him. “We need to find that French ship, and fast.”

“Nay!” Aaron’s face grew red in anger. He turned and smashed his hand down on the wooden rail. “I knew you were besotted with the wench. We can’t go, Mardon. I am quartermaster and I make the decisions as to which ships we raid. We’ll keep our course south and follow the Poseidon.”

“Nay. I’m taking back my position of quartermaster, and I’m making the decision this time. We’re going after the French vessel,” said Mardon.

“What?” asked Aaron. “You can’t do that! You already gave the position to me.”

“Well, I just did.”

“Fine, then!” Aaron’s face grew red. “Step aside, because I will assume the position of captain now.” He tried to push his brother away from the helm, but Mardon wouldn’t budge.

“Stop it, little brother,” Mardon warned him.

“I told you –” Aaron punched Mardon in the face, knocking him to the ground. “I don’t like it when you call me little brother.”

Mardon’s hand shot up to feel his bleeding lip. “I can’t believe you just did that.”

The sound of shouts and commotion from the men grew louder as they all pushed their way up the stairs to watch Mardon and Aaron fight. Mardon jumped to his feet and pushed Aaron hard. Aaron went flying into several men who set him back on his feet.

The brothers threw a few more punches, and when the crowd grew louder, Nairnie’s voice could be heard above them all.

“Move the hell out of the way!” She pushed her way up the stairs, approaching Mardon and Aaron with her long cooking knife in one hand and her cast iron skillet in the other. “Stop it, ye two, or I swear I’ll use these on both of ye.” When they continued to fight, she swiped the knife at them and swung the pan, just missing them. Both Mardon and Aaron jumped out of the way.

“Nairnie, what the hell is the matter with you? You almost hit us,” said Mardon.