CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
Paragon's Captain
TWO DAYS HAD PASSED SINCE THE BATTLE WITH THE SERPENT. THE SHIP had almost settled back into routine. Haff had attempted to return to his duties, but after an hour in the sun, he had fainted and nearly fallen from the rigging. His attitude toward Althea was markedly more deferential. The rest of the crew seemed to be following his example. Haff had not thanked her for saving his life, but she told herself she hadn't really expected that from him. It was, after all, part of her duties. She'd be content if he accepted that there were areas in which she was his better. She wondered idly which act had actually finally gained the men's respect: threatening to throw Artu overboard or standing up to the serpent. She still hurt all over, but if it had finally secured her berth as second, then it had been worth it.
Brashen still looked terrible. The blisters on his face had broken and the skin was peeling. It made him look lined and old and weary. Or perhaps he actually felt that way. Brashen had summoned them to his cabin. Now, as Althea glanced from Lavoy to Amber to Brashen, she wondered why. His eyes were grave as he announced, 'The crew seems to have finally settled into its duties. The ship is being run competently, though there is still room for everyone to sharpen up. Unfortunately, in the waters ahead, seamanship may not be as important as our ability to fight. We need to determine our expectations from the crew, in the event of encountering pirates and serpents.' He frowned and leaned back in his chair. Then he nodded at the table and the chairs surrounding it. A handful of canvas scraps was on one corner of the table. There was also a bottle of brandy and four glasses. 'Please. Be seated.' As they took their seats, he poured a jot of brandy into each glass. When all were settled, he offered them a toast. 'To our success, thus far. And to our continued success.'
They drank together. Brashen leaned forward and rested his arms on the table. 'Here is how I see things. The men know how to brawl. Believe it or not, that was one of the things I considered in hiring. But now they need to be taught how to battle. By that, I mean as a unified force, one that listens to commands even in the midst of danger. They need to know how to defend Paragon, as well as how to attack another ship intelligently. It can't be every man for himself. They have to trust the judgment of the officers. Haff learned the hard way that the ship's officers have reasons for their orders. I want to start training the men while that is still fresh in their minds.'
Brashen's eyes roamed the table and came to rest on Lavoy. 'We discussed this when you were hired. It's time to begin training. I want some drill every day. The weather has been fine, the ship fair sails himself. Let's learn while we have leisure for it. I also want to see more cohesive-ness in the crew. Some of the men still treat those who were formerly slaves as beneath them. I want that changed. There should be no sense of difference from man to man. They're all crewmen, no more, nor less.'
Lavoy was nodding. 'I'll mix them up more. Up to now, I've let them pair up for work as they wanted. I'll start assigning work groups. They'll resist at first. There'll be a few broken heads before it's all settled.'
Brashen sighed. 'I know. But try not to let them disable each other in the process of getting acquainted.'
Lavoy gave a mirthless laugh. 'I was talking about what I might have to do to them. But I take your drift. I'll start drilling them with weapons. Wooden stuff, to start with.'
'Let them know that the better fighters will get the better weapons. That may make them strive a bit harder.' Brashen abruptly shifted his attention to Amber. 'As long as we are speaking of weapons, I'll say this now. I want you to arm the ship. Can you devise a suitable weapon for Paragon to use to fend off serpents? A spear of some kind? And do you think he could be taught to employ it against another ship as well?'
'I suppose I could.' Amber sounded surprised.
'Then do it. And create a mounting system for it, so that he can have quick access to it on his own.' Brashen looked concerned. 'I fear we'll have more trouble with those creatures, the deeper we go into pirate waters. I want to be ready next time.'
Amber looked disapproving. 'Then I suggest that, based on what I've heard from Althea, the crew has to be made to understand that serpents won't react like most animals. The men should be told to ignore them and not provoke them until they've actually begun an attack. They won't flee from a spear jab. They'll attempt revenge.' She crossed her arms on her chest when Brashen frowned at her and continued, 'You know it's true. And that being the case, are we wise to arm Paragon? It isn't just that he's blind. His judgment is not always… well-considered. He might attack a serpent that was merely curious, or even well-disposed toward us. I suggest that he should have a weapon, but not one he can seize on his own impulse. The serpents affect him strangely. From what he says, I suspect it may be mutual. He claims that the serpent we killed had been following us for days, trying to talk to him. As much as we can, I suggest we avoid the serpents. When we do encounter them, I think we should avoid making enemies of them.' She shook her head. 'The death of the last serpent has affected him strangely. He seems almost to mourn it.'
Lavoy made a small contemptuous sound. 'Make enemies of the serpents? Serpents talking to Paragon? You sound as mad as the ship. Serpents are animals. They don't think, or plan; they don't have feelings. If we hurt them bad enough, kill enough of them, they'll avoid us. I'm with the captain. Arm the ship.' He shrugged at her cold stare. He cocked his head and challenged her. 'Only a fool would think differently.'
Amber was unruffled. 'I think differently.' She gave Lavoy a cool and mirthless smile. 'It's not the first time I've been called a fool, and likely not the last. Still, I will tell you this. In my opinion, men deny animals have feelings and thoughts for one basic reason: so they won't feel guilty about what they do to them. But in your case, I think it's so you don't fear them quite as much.'
Lavoy shook his head in disgust. 'I'm not a coward. And I'm not likely to feel bad about anything I do to a serpent. Unless I'm stupid enough to be his supper.' He shifted his feet, and turned his attention to Brashen. 'Sir. If you're satisfied, I'd like to get back on the deck. To have us all closeted like this will make the crew jumpy.'
Brashen gave him a nod. He leaned forward in his chair to make a note in the logbook in front of him. 'Begin weapons drill. But emphasize quick obedience as much as skill right now. Make sure they understand they aren't to act until they're told to, especially if the enemy is a serpent. Make the best use of the men we have. Two of the former slaves have substantial weapons experience. Put them in charge of some of the drills. And Jek. She's quick and knows her way around a blade. I want any barriers that might keep them from fighting as a unit broken down.' Brashen frowned for a moment. 'Amber will create a weapon for the ship, and she will instruct him in it.' He met the carpenter's eyes. 'When he is armed will be at her discretion, unless I countermand it. I believe her observations regarding serpents and their effect on the ship have merit. Our tactic regarding serpents will be first to avoid and ignore. We fight them only if we're attacked.' He paused to let his words sink in on Lavoy. His voice was firm as he added, 'I think I've covered all I had for you. You can go.'
A terrible look fleeted over Lavoy's face. Amber met it squarely. Brashen had done little save rephrase Amber's suggestions as an order. Another man might have accepted that, but Lavoy clearly resented it. Althea watched him thinly mask his resentment as he bowed curtly to Brashen and headed for the door. She and Amber both stood to follow, but a curt sign from Brashen stopped them. 'I've other tasks to go over with both of you. Sit down.'
Lavoy halted. Glints of anger danced in his eyes. 'Are these tasks I should be aware of, sir?'
Brashen eyed him coldly. 'If they were, I'd have ordered you to stay. You have your tasks. Get to them.'
Althea took a silent breath and held it. She thought Lavoy would challenge Brashen right then. The stare that held between the two men was edged. Lavoy moved his mouth as if he would speak, then curtly nodded instead. He turned. He did not slam the door as he left, but shut it smartly.
'Was that wise?' Amber dared to ask in the silence that followed.
Brashen gave her a cold captain's look. 'Not wise perhaps, but necessary.' He sighed as he leaned back in his chair. He poured himself another jot of brandy. Instructively, he addressed Amber. 'He's the mate. I can't allow him to think he is my voice, nor that no opinion save his and mine count. I asked you here for your opinion. For him to disparage that is not acceptable.' He allowed himself a small, tight smile. 'But keep in mind that for me to do that would be entirely within my authority.'
Amber frowned, but Althea instantly grasped his position. She suddenly looked at him with new eyes. He had it. Whatever that indefinable quality was that made a man capable of captaining a ship, Brashen had it. There were new lines in his brow and at the corners of his eyes. But he had also drawn that cold hard line that separated the commander from his crew. She wondered if he were lonely. Then she knew it did not matter. He was what he
