Chapter 149 A Captains Decisions (1/2)

Jeremiah, after nearly a month on the Island of Rouke, was itching to get back out on the open ocean. He'd had to deal with Griffith and all of the trade politics that came along with it. In essence, it was something he'd rather not deal with. Unlike all of the other traders that seemed to congregate on Touke Island, Jeremiah was not in this business for the coin. He was in it for the adventure. He cared not how much money he made, so long as he could sail where he pleased it was enough.

When he'd met Rassa...there had been a kind of desire in the boy's eyes. A desire to care about something, to find something to want. When he'd displayed his intelligence in that card game, well both of those were reason enough for Jeremiah to invest in the kid's future.

Now however, when Rassa, Aegin and ebony hadn't been back since they'd unceremoniously dumped their massive profits in his office, Jeremiah couldn't help but think to regret his decision. Those kids had only just begun to experience the world and they'd taken to it so damn well they'd practically forgotten about him.

Jeremiah wasn't usually one to be so attached to his crew. They were good people, but they came and went. Only those whose desires aligned with Jeremiah's were guaranteed to stay. Jeremiah was just fine with that, but for some reason, he'd liked those kids. He'd liked that despite the trouble he'd seen in their eyes, they'd wanted to move forward. The fact that they were doing it together had also touched a soft spot in Jeremiah, one he usually didn't let out.

So now, two days before he was due to sail The Miranda for the Southern Continent, Jeremiah couldn't help but think about those kids and how they were getting on...and in doing so, feel just that little bit bitter.

As if his very thoughts had conjured them up, the three of them appeared on the dock that morning as Jeremiah surveyed the daily chores and preparations of the crew from the Quarter Deck.

”Well, well, well,” Midas remarked from the main deck, looking down the gang plank at where the three stood on the dock, ”Look who finally decided to show up for work”.

Rassa gave a little shrug, ”Our assignment took longer than expected”.

Midas turned to look up at Jeremiah. That quick look was enough between the two of them. Midas sighed and motioned towards Jeremiah.

”Go on up, Captain wants a word,” Midas stated.

”Yes, sir,” they replied quickly as they made their way up to where Jeremiah stood.

They were silent as they waited for Jeremiah to speak, daring not to say a word. Jeremiah would have compared them to timid mice, but they were more confident than they'd been a month ago, more domineering.

”Made your fortunes now?” asked the Captain, ”Come to gloat?”

Rassa scoffed, ”A fortune perhaps, but not one we're ready or willing to gloat about. Sure way to make some enemies”.

”From what I hear, you've already made some,” Jeremiah sighed as he turned to face them.

Rassa frowned, ”Who?”

”Some of the crew were questioned about you yesterday, didn't know the man who did it, but they said he had a strange air about him,” said Jeremiah, ”Of course, none of us really know you so I can't say the information given was accurate if any was given at all”.

”I see,” Rassa replied, ”Then I take it you don't want us bringing trouble back to your ship then?”

”Trouble?” asked Jeremiah, ”We all make trouble one way or another. Its a reality you've got to accept with age. Everyone makes trouble at some point in their lives, usually its whether or not they're given a second chance that makes them”.

”Don't understand how we failed the first, you should see the six chests of gold we just dropped off at the Token place,” Aegin grumbled.