William opened his eyes, sunlight filtered through clouds and rigging lines shone into his eyes and he winced. He was laying flat on his back and all around him sailors cried out. Wailing cries of the wounded floated over shouted commands and responses from sailors trying to recover from the attack. His head spun and pounded, he tried to get to his feet but found his strength failed him. He rolled to his side, coughing and retching he pressed himself up onto his hands and knees. A sailor seeing his Lieutenant on the deck stopped and abruptly pulled William to his feet,
“Sir! We all thought you dead.”
“Where is the Captain?” William asked.
“He was on his way forward when they let fly with their broadside. I haven’t seen him since,” the sailor replied, “Do you have orders for us Sir?”
“A damage report and have any Officers you see meet me forward. I’m going up to see to the Captain.” William said, still gasping through his speech.
“Aye, Sir,” the sailor answered as William stumbled his way forward to the bow. Much of the larboard rail was blown away and the deck was in tatters in several places. After a few moments of stumbling, William found his steps coming easier. A warm oozing alerted Will to a wound on his side. His jacket was torn and reaching his hand into the tear to check his wound brought a wave of pain that almost dropped him back to the deck of the ship. He pressed on toward the bow of the ship, searching through sailors dead and wounded scattered across the deck.
“Will!” cried out a man hunched over the starboard rail. His shirt was covered in blood and his hair undone and obscuring much of his face, but William could see it was his Captain.
“Captain Grimes! Are you alright Sir? Let me see to your wounds.” Will said, reaching in to help Johnathan stand.
“I’ll be fine. A few cuts and a chunk of the Valor in my shoulder. Most of this blood belongs to the lad who was next to me. Where are they Will? Are they coming about?” Grimes asked in a growl. The ships, Will hadn’t even given thought of the possibility of them coming around for a second exchange. He stood, looking out over the bow he could see the sterns of both pirates. Their black banners billowing through the westerly winds. Both were full rigged and making sail south, no sign of turning to finish the engagement. Off in the distance, a third ship was making her way south as well, though no banner flew from her stern lines.
“No Captain. They’re full tilt southward. There’s another ship out there also.” Lieutenant Pike answered, pointing out over the water as Grimes looked.
“Damn them Will. I erred and they did not let it slip. We shall not give them the same chance again. What of our dead and wounded?” Grimes grumbled as he looked out at the ships beating hastily away.
“I’ve asked for a damage report, I’ll go see to it Sir and be back to you.” Will said stepping off to begin getting the ship back in sorts.
“Lieutenant Pike.” Grimes called after him.
“Yes Sir?” Will said turning back quickly. Grimes collapsed onto the deck before he could get out his next command. Will rushed over to the Captain whose wound had been bleeding far more severely than he had let on, he was unconscious, pale as death. Will could barely contain his distress, screaming for the ship’s doctor. Several sailors came and assisted carrying the Captain to his cabin with Doctor Crowsner following behind them. On their way to the cabin Lieutenant Shelton came alongside Will and pulled him away.
“The foremast has been damaged Sir; we can’t make sail until it has been repaired or replaced. Larboard rail is all but destroyed and there are several holes through the side on the gun deck level. Nineteen souls lost right now, another twelve wounded not including the Captain,” the young man looked at Will’s side oozing blood, “Or you Sir.”
“It’s nothing. I’ll be fine. Are we taking on water?” William said, covering the wound just above his hip.
“No Sir,” the young officer replied, “All battle damage was taken above the waterline.”
“Very well Shelton, let’s get to it. Repairs must start immediately, rudder and mast first.”
“Aye Sir.” Shelton replied. William awed for a second at the resilient spirit of the crew. After the beating they had taken and already men were making order of the chaos. No, Will thought to himself, we’re not beaten just yet. Before descending into the Captain’s cabin to see to his commander’s condition, Will turned and surveyed the deck of the Valor. Sailors were already at work righting fouled lines and tossing debris overboard, the repairs would take days maybe even weeks. The sight of the ships that had engaged them escaping south while the Valor sat in tatters brought a visceral rage
