By late afternoon, the wind had picked up dramatically and the ship was being tossed around like a feather in the wind.
Jacob stood at the helm shouting out orders to his men. As soon as he'd got the sense that there was a storm brewing, he'd reset their course, heading towards land. By his reckoning, they should only be a couple of hours away. But storms had a way of throwing out even the most meticulous calculations.
It was dark before he heard the shout he'd been praying to hear.
"Land! Ho!"
His men were exhausted by the time the Flying Bountry limped into the relative shelter of a harbour. They laid down the anchor and everyone took a moment just to breathe.
It was only then that Jacob remembered.
"Raephier!"
He jumped up and ran to his quarters. He had no idea what he was going to find when he arrived at his quarters.
As soon as he burst through the door, a figure jumped up off the floor.
For a split second Jacob though there was a stranger in his room. Raephier had transformed from a dirty cowering street rat, into a dashing young man.
Jacob's jaw dropped at the site of the man in front of him, but before he could say anything, he watched as Raephier wobbled then collapsed in a heap on the floor.
"Raephier!" he shouted, before darting over and dropping on the floor next to him.
"S-sorry," Raephier said, trying to sit up. "I-I just got a bit dizzy."
Jacob held Raephier down gently to stop him from getting up.
"Are you ok? Take your time. Just..."
Jacob paused as he caught sight of something under Raphier's hair. He reached out his hand and gently pushed back the hair from Raephier's forehead and sucked in a breath at what he saw.
"When did you do this?" he asked, staring at the deep gash across Raephier's forehead.
"Oh, erm, about an hour ago, I think. The ship lurched suddenly while I was standing up and I fell and hit my head against your desk."
"Did you lose consciousness?"
"Erm maybe, but only for a second."
"How would you know?" Jacob said, feeling slightly alarmed. "You could have been out for longer than that."
Raephier just shrugged. Jacob wanted to say more, but realised he was sounding rather like his mother.
"Come on, I'll help you stand," Jacob said, holding out his hand.
Raephier took his hand, but he didn't look comfortable about it.
Once he was on his feet, he immediately let go of Jacob, but that only resulted in him swaying dramatically to one side.
Jacob immediately grabbed him by the shoulders and led him to his bed.
"Sit," he instructed, and Raephier did as he was told.
Although the ship was relatively sheltered in the harbour, the wind was still strong, so the room was rocking from side to side.
"I think it would be best if I get you onto land," Jacob said.
"I'll be fine," Raephier replied quickly, clearly uneasy about the idea.
"I'm not going to leave you here. We'll go and get some food, then I'll find us a room for the night. One that's not moving."
Raephier looked like he was going to argue, but when he met Jacob's determined gaze, he closed his mouth and just nodded.
"Right, just wait here," Jacob said, then headed out to find Pete.
Pete was waiting for the Captain by the gangplank that rested on the harbour wall.
"He's hit his head in the storm and has concussion," Jacob said as soon as Pete was close enough to hear him.
"The Siren?"
"Raephier, yes."
"Oh shit. Is he bad?"
"No, just a little dizzy. I need to get him on land then I can take a proper look at it. Do you know anywhere we could go?"
Pete grinned. "I know this port well. My uncle used to own the tavern on the corner. I don't know who owns it now, but they used to have rooms. Do you want me to go and enquire?"
"Yes, that would be great thanks. I don't want to drag him all the way there for them to turn us away."
"Right, I'll be as quick as I can."
As Pete disembarked from the ship, Jacob spotted James and headed over.
"James, go and take a bundle of the silk cloth and see what price you can get for it."
James frowned. "Are you sure? I thought we needed it all to trade for supplies to take home."
"One bundle won't make much difference. We'll just have to barter for a better price for the rest. I want to pay the men to go and get themselves a good meal. They're all exhausted and we can't cook any hot food in wind like this."
"Ok, I'll see what I can do," James said, heading off to the hold.
It didn't take long before Pete was back, with a key in his hand.
"Room 4," he said, then added with a grin, "the honeymoon suite".
Jacob spluttered in shock.
"I'm kidding, I'm kidding!!" Pete said, slapping Jacob on the back. "But they did want to know who was staying there. 'This ain't no knocking shop,'" Pete said, imitating the landlady by making his voice an octave higher.
"What did you say?" Jacob asked.
"The truth. Well kind of. I said that one of the sailors had been injured at sea and so we needed somewhere for them to rest and recover. I explained that you would be staying in the room as well to keep an eye on them."
"So they were ok with that?"
Pete scrunched up his nose.
"Not until I told them it would be the Captain who was staying in the room. As soon as I said that she was all smiles and politeness, so make sure you put on all those Captain charms you've got!"
He passed Jacob the key before walking away laughing. Jacob frowned at his behaviour until he realised that Pete'd been to a tavern and so had probably already knocked back a quick pint.
"Marco!" Jacob shouted, as he saw him approach.
"Yes Captain?"
Marco was always level headed and despite him being one of the quietest members of the crew, he was most valued at a time like this.
"Can you keep an eye on the men? I don't mind them having their fun, hell, they deserve it after today, but I'd rather not lose a day's sailing because they can't hold their ale."
"Aye, I'll do my best Captain," he said, before walking away.
Jacob headed back to his quarters and was relieved to find Raephier in the same spot that he'd left him.
He headed straight to his wardrobe and began to pack an overnight bag, mainly containing any valuables he had in case the ship was pillaged overnight. There would always be at least two crew members left behind, but you could never be too careful.
Jacob pulled out the bag of Muntle Seaweed and ate another sprig before putting it into his bag. Raephier looked at him as he did it, but didn't say anything this time.
"Can you stand?" Jacob asked, slinging his bag on his shoulder and then coming to stand infront of where Raephier was sitting.
"I've tried a few times," he replied, "but every time I do, I get dizzy."
Jacob sighed.
"Well you're going to have to try. Come on, I won't let you fall."
Raephier looked wary but stood slowly. It all seemed fine until he tried to walk, but then his legs seemed to give way under him.
Jacob raced towards him quickly and grabbed hold of both arms to steady him.
Raephier mumbled an embarrassed apology, before finding his feet and standing up straight.
Jacob released his grip slowly but the moment Raephier tried to move again, he had to grab him again.
"I'm sorry. The ship is rocking too much," Raephier said, looking mortified.
"It's fine," Jacob huffed, although it was anything but fine.
"Put your arm over my shoulder," he said, "and I'll take some of your weight."
Raephier seemed to freeze for a second, but when Jacob scooted into position, he put his arm tentatively over Jacob's shoulder. Jacob then wound his arm round Raephier's back and grabbed hold of his waist.
They made their way slowly off the ship, and as expected, once they were on solid ground, Raephier was much more capable of walking in a straight line. Still, Jacob kept his hold on him, not wanting to risk damaging an object of such value. Or so he told himself.
"Maybe this is one of those times where you could have shapeshifted into a mouse so I could have just carried you," Jacob said, trying to lighten the uncomfortable atmosphere that seemed to be following them.
Raephier let out a small breath of amusement, and Jacob couldn't help but smile.
Thankfully the tavern was not far, and as soon as Jacob entered, the landlady was fussing over them, dressing the wound on Raephier's head before assisting in getting him tucked into the bed.
"Will you be requiring a room too Captain?" she asked, batting her eyelashes far too much for Jacob's liking.
"No, it's better that I keep a watch over him tonight," Jacob said. "He hit his head hard so it's better that I keep alert. The armchair looks comfy, I'll be fine."
"Ok, well, is there anything else I can help you with?"
"Yes, if you don't mind, please can you bring us up two of whatever meal you're serving tonight?"
"That would be beef and ale pie Captain."
"Perfect, thank you," Jacob said, and she flashed him a beaming smile before leaving the room.
It was only once she'd left that Jacob took a glance around. The room was of a moderate size, with a double bed, wardrobe, and the aforementioned armchair. It indeed looked comfortable, but not for sleeping in.
His eyes finally came to rest on Raephier.
"I feel like I'm causing too much trouble," he said, his face a picture of concern.
Jacob smiled in what he hoped would be a reassuring way.
"I'm in a warm room, about to have a home cooked meal. There's no hardship on my part," Jacob said.
"At least let me sleep on the chair," Raephier said, sitting up from where the landlady had tucked him into the bed.
Jacob walked over and gently pushed Raephier back down by his shoulder.
"You need to rest," he said in what he hoped was a tone that left no room for arguing.
It must have worked, because Raephier sunk back down into the bed without another word.
Jacob sat in the chair and they were silent for a few minutes before Raephier spoke up.
"I've never slept in a bed like this before."
Jacob couldn't help but look shocked.
"What? Never?"
"No," Raephier said, looking away shyly.
"Well is it to your liking?" Jacob asked in curiosity.
"Yes, it's really comfortable," he said with a content smile. The smile immediately gave way to a look of concern though.
"But, I really don't mind sleeping on the floor. I'm used to it so it wouldn't be a bother for me. I really don't like the thought of you being in that chair all night."
"Who said I would be in this chair all night?" Jacob replied with a smile.
Raephier finally got the courage to look Jacob in the eyes again, much to Jacob's delight.
"W-What? You said to the lady..."
Jacob was grinning so much he felt like his face might split in two. He had no idea why the sight of Raephier looking flushed and confused would make him feel this way, but he didn't dwell on it.
"It's a big bed, I was hoping you didn't mind sharing."
Jacob didn't think it was possible, but Raephier's big blue eyes widened further.
As much as he enjoyed the sight, he didn't want Raephier to worry about his intentions.
"When I was a young lad, I sailed on ships not much bigger than mine, with over 100 men on board. In a space as big as the bed you are on, there would be at least 4 of us, sleeping shoulder to shoulder."
"Oh, ok then," Raephier said, seeming to think it over. Eventually, Raephier's body seemed to relax. "That's better actually. I don't need to feel guilty now."
"You certainly don't but you shouldn't have in the first place."
Before either of them could say any more, the landlady knocked on the door, before bringing in two plates of food.
"Excellent, thank you."
They both tucked into their food and ate in silence. Once they were finished, Jacob picked up the empty plates.
"I'll just go and take these downstairs and get us a tankard of ale each. I won't be long."
Jacob left the room, but locked it behind himself. He made his way down the stairs and walked over to the bar where the barman came over and took plates off him. Jacob told the barman to give his compliments to the chef, then asked for the ale.
With a tankard in each hand, he turned to head back up the stairs, but froze as he heard a familiar voice coming from a hidden table in the back corner.
"Of course you can 'ave it. I ain't wanting to keep it 'ere wi' me, am I?"
He may not have been able to see the person's face, but as soon the man waved his hand to get the attention of the waitress, there was no denying it. He'd recognise those two fingers anywhere.
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