{ Pick A Fight }
Graham’s lips parted on a retort – but in the end, he simply looked away. He was deferring leadership to this man often enough, he had to wonder how long it would be before the men saw fit to name Billy captain of the Scarborough in his stead. It might well be for the best, all around, if their captain was as thoroughly pirate as the head quartermaster was.
On a ship this big, they were operating with division heads – a quartermaster to each, which formed a sort of council with Graham and Billy presiding as the final votes on actions taken. In truth Graham wouldn’t mind stepping down and taking up a post among the council instead – but he knew that could not be done without shaking morale, and that was not something he could or would afford. Which meant he had to continue being the one to make these damned and hellacious decisions.
Huffing, he waved a hand, indicating he would argue no further. Taking a seat, he reached into his desk and withdrew two glasses from their safe box, and a bottle for them to drink from. Indicating Billy should take a seat, and a drink, and take control of the talking while Graham shut up for five minutes – if not more.
Ocean Archive 