Riven Isles

22 | Loyalty

Ah, the doctor. How I enjoy his company so. His expressions are rarely concealed, and never when it comes to sympathy and compassion. At my words, his wrinkles turn upwards and arc above his brow, and the smiley lines about his eyes and lips crinkle and rearrange to something sad.

"I'm sorry, Walter," he apologizes, earnest and true. "I didn't mean to alienate you. I just don't like getting close to those sweaty hulks, and they're constantly around you. And I know you have tried speaking to me, but when you start a conversation with me by bringing up the captain, it is conflicting, and I've avoided those talks—it's been very immature of me, I know. They do indeed make me question where your loyalties lie. I know you don't like to be called young, but in comparison to myself, you have so much life and vigor in you that you are precious. I suppose you could say I have as much maternal instinct as any woman, because I can't help but look at you and want to protect you and keep you innocent and safe forever. But, with these men, all I can think about is corruption. It deeply concerns me to see you surrounded by such, but, you are not my son, and you are old enough to be independent, so I have no right to press my own will upon you."

I lay out all my cards, though the game is not complete. Dr. Oswald frowns softly and starts to pack up. I sit back on the floor. "Doctor, I'm loyal to you, and to Mrs. Marks, and to Professor Woods. But, I am also loyal to the captain. There aren't two sides. We are all heading to the same place, and we all want to survive. Right?"

He slides the pack into its box. "There are the lawless men, and the lawful. I shall remain lawful, and I'd implore you to do the same."

"Have I broken any laws, sir?"

He pauses. "No, but in the wrong company, we all make mistakes."

I clasp my hands. I have no intentions to break any laws. "I won't be corrupted, sir. I may be in the company of the pirates often, but they don't ever try to lure me into anything so sinful as thievery or, and it makes me shudder to even think of it, the abuse of women. Drink, yes. But I say no every time, sir. I say no," I insist. I shake my head and try, "What about the Seer, sir?"

He stills, concern fading. "What about?"

"She chose Captain Avery for a reason, didn't she?"

His brows pinch. "Of course."

"She trusts that he can get us to the Isles alive so that we can bring the end of the war. That was what she said. So, are you afraid that you'll die under his command, sir?"

I am pleased to say that the befuddlement on his features is a clear sign that I have succeeded in bringing one wonderful man to the same side as Lydia and I, with only so little. Brows painting an umbrella of lines, he nods and sighs.

In prayer, he touches two fingers twixt his brows, then brings them to his lips. "I will have faith," he decides. "Of course we will survive in the hands of this captain. It has been foreseen, and who am I to doubt the Sight of Laod?" He pauses and narrows his eyes. "As long as the scoundrel keeps my flag up, that is."

I grin and reach out to vigorously shake his hand. "Thank you, Doctor!"

For what? I am confused as he is. I suppose I am thankful that he sees the importance of my pa, and that after four days, I've finally gotten to show him that I'm no traitor to anyone. I'm just... doing my best. I have plans, the captain has plans, and the doctor has plans, too.

He stops me from shaking, laughing at my eagerness, and pulls me into his thin old frame. He smells as salty as any seaman. I'm sure I smell the very same. "That's all right, Walt. I've been blinded by my upper-class ignorance, it seems. Faith over judgement, always."