Chapter 17 #2
Hawke continued as if he hadn’t heard them.
“Based on the size of the ship and Shadbolt’s estimate, Leviathan’s crew outnumbers us by at least two to one, ruling out the feasibility of a direct attack.
I will lead a small scouting company ashore to evaluate and determine the best course of action.
As we cannot overpower the crew, our best chance of success depends upon stealth. ”
“Ye intend to steal into the enemy’s camp and thieve away the captain without Blackham’s crew noticin’?” Murray asked.
“Exactly,” Hawke said. “But of course the plan may change, depending on what we encounter when we get there.” He folded his arms across his chest. “Until we know otherwise, we will operate on the assumption that Captain Courtney is on this island, and that he is alive.”
“He is alive,” Annabelle said. He must be.
Grieg patted her arm.
Hawke caught Annabelle’s gaze before going on. “I shall take with me three or perhaps four men. The bulk of the crew will remain aboard to guard the ship, and hopefully prepare her for a swift escape when we return with Captain Courtney.”
The grumbling sounded again. Some of the men shook their heads.
With respect, Captain,” Shadbolt said, “the majority of the men wish to go ashore.” He pulled a dagger from his belt, glaring toward the land. “They are eager to—”
Grieg cleared his throat loudly, interrupting the first mate.
Shadbolt’s gaze darted to Annabelle, and he snapped his mouth closed.
“To rescue Captain Courtney,” Grieg finished for him.
Men clapped their hands and called out their agreement. Voices rose as they competed to be heard. It seemed that every member of the crew was determined to join the “small scouting company.”
Hawke stood still, letting his gaze move around the deck.
His head was tilted, and he drummed his fingers on his arm as he appeared to contemplate what they were saying.
He waited for the noise to abate before he spoke again.
“As per the Code,” he said slowly, “every crewmember has a vote in the ship’s affairs.
” He sighed and nodded. “You all understand the risks, and so I will leave the decision up to each individual.”
Annabelle knew he was speaking about more than just the risks that came with battling an enemy. A sufficient number of crew were necessary to man the ship. If the majority went ashore and harm befell them, the survivors would be trapped, unable to sail away.
Hawke called for a vote, allowing any to volunteer for the rescue mission.
Nearly all the crew answered, standing and calling out with a resounding “Aye!”
Annabelle jumped to her feet, shouting with the others.
When Hawke saw her, he closed his eyes and let out a breath, looking resigned.
She put her fists on her hips, raising a brow as if to tell him to stop his silly worries. She had not come all this way to sit on the ship while the others went ashore.
In the end, there were only two who elected to remain aboard.
“Don’t worry, Hawke,” Tim said. “Beattie and I will guard the ship.”
Hawke did not appear convinced as to their ability to guard anything, but he thanked them. He glanced at the sky, and then toward the island.
“We must make haste. I shouldn’t like to be stumbling around among those rocks after nightfall.
” He turned back to the crew. “Arm yourselves, men. Prepare for any eventuality. We may need to fight at close quarters in the jungle. Swords, knives, and pistols. If we must, we will strike fast and strike hard. Mr. Shadbolt, who are the members of the boarding crew? The fiercest fighters should be prepared with axes—”
Grieg cleared his throat again, more loudly this time. “Perhaps we can discuss strategy later, Captain?”
Hawke gave him a confused look.
Shadbolt stepped across the deck and spoke with Hawke in a quiet voice.
They both glanced toward Annabelle.
Instead of rushing to follow orders, the crew shuffled nervously, muttering among themselves. They stole glances toward her as well, looking worried.
This had all gone far enough. Annabelle jumped off the crate. “For pity’s sake!” She was tired of secrets, of everyone tiptoeing around her, around the truth, because they thought her too young or too delicate. She hurried into the cabin and returned a moment later.
She stepped up onto the crate and put on Court’s tricorn hat. “Avast! All of you!” She shouted for the crew’s attention. “I have something to say.”
The crew went silent, surprised. All eyes turned in her direction.
Annabelle scanned the crew. She knew all of these faces, had known most since she was a child. But she was not a child any longer.
“For fifteen summers, Calypso’s Quest has carried a merry band of merchant sailors from port to port, selling merchandise, singing shanties, telling stories, and indulging a young girl in her marvelous sea adventures.
” Her voice caught, and her throat constricted.
She swallowed, disciplining the emotion.
Beattie smiled and nodded his encouragement.
“But those men are not the ones to execute this mission.”
She drew the folded flag from behind her back and shook it until it unfurled. The wind caught it, opening it further to reveal the skull and crossbones.
The crew cheered.
Grieg’s laughter could be heard above all the rest.
Even Shadbolt smiled.
Annabelle drew her sword, holding it high with one hand as the Jolly Roger flapped in the other. “Captain Courtney needs his crew. His true crew.”
They cheered again, voices growing louder. The men gathered closer around her.
“So retrieve your axes, sharpen your cutlasses, and let us go get him back!”
The final cheer was deafening. The flag was taken from Annabelle’s hand and hoisted up the mast. The crew scrambled, moving off to locate their hidden weapons and gear.
Grieg called out orders for the boats to be lowered.
The crowd of men cleared away, leaving Hawke standing before her, a smile tugging at his lips. He offered a hand and helped her step down onto the deck. “That was quite a rousing speech, my lady. Perhaps you should be the captain.”
“Perhaps I should.” She shrugged, attempting to look calm in spite of her flushed cheeks and stirred emotions. She slid her sword back into its scabbard.
Hawke still held her hand. He touched the tip of her tricorn, lifting it with his fingertip. His expression turned serious. “I do not suppose I could convince you to remain here?”
“You could not,” she said.
A muscle tightened in his jaw, but he nodded, rubbing his thumb over the back of her hand.
“Your mind is made up, and heaven knows you are too stubborn to be convinced otherwise. But, my lady, you must hear me.” He tugged on her hand until she took a step closer, facing him directly.
“Lady Annabelle, I know by nature you prefer to make your own decisions. But on this island, you must heed my orders.”
Annabelle opened her mouth to argue, but he squeezed her hand and gave a small shake of his head to stop her before he continued. He was breathing heavily, as if he’d sprinted across the deck rather than walked only a few steps.
“I cannot lead these men if I am constantly worried that you will run straight into danger in an attempt—a brave attempt, undoubtedly—to rescue Captain Courtney. Remember, we have the same goal. And you must trust my commands, even if you disagree.” He squeezed her hand. “Promise me.”
Her inclination was to dispute his words, but the intensity of his gaze sent tingles of fear to Annabelle’s fingers and toes. “I promise,” she said.
Hawke’s gaze softened, and some of his tension eased. Albeit slightly. His smirk returned. “Then off with ye, scurvy dog.”
Annabelle gaped at him for a moment, but seeing his wink, she narrowed her eyes playfully at his teasing. “Aye aye,” she said, turning to go.
Hawke did not release her hand but pulled her back. “What did you say?
“Aye aye.”
He tipped his head, fingertips behind his ear. “I don’t believe I caught all of that. Could you speak a bit louder, please?”
Annabelle pulled her hand away and crossed her arms. She would obey his orders on the island as she’d promised, but she was not going to call him Captain. “Aye aye, Mr. Hawke.”
Hawke sighed, but his smile remained. “Just as I said, stubborn.”